“Ley Lines are haunted by beasts both arcane and deadly. . . .”

—Book of Ebon Tides

Monsters live and breed and thrive on the arcane energies of ley lines. Many are indifferent to humanoids. Others are hostile and predatory. And a few are actually benign, if not outright beneficial.

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Ley Serpents

Usually encountered as single creatures or mated pairs along ley lines in the Ethereal Plane, these flying serpents resemble moray eels, sharp-toothed and fin-tailed, but covered with snake-like scales and with a mouthful of venomous teeth. They swim through the ether, drawing arcane sustenance from the energy of ley lines where they abut the Ethereal Plane. Occasionally, when very hungry, they attempt to drain arcane essence (spell slots or sorcery points) from nearby spellcasters, who consider them a nuisance.

LEY SERPENT

Medium Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 52 (8d8 + 16)
Speed 30 ft., fly 40 ft., swim 40 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	13 (+1)	15 (+2)	10 (+0)	11 (+0)	9 (−1)

Saving Throws Str +5, Dex +3
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Arcane Drain. When a ley serpent successfully saves against a spell or spell effect, it absorbs the spell as a reaction. For example, if it saves against a fireball spell, it absorbs the entire fireball, and the spell has no effect. For each spell it absorbs in a 24-hour period, it gains one arcana point. It can also attempt to drain a spell slot or sorcery point from a spellcaster within 30 feet as a bonus action. The spellcaster must make a DC 15 saving throw, using their primary spellcasting ability (Int, Wis or Cha). On a failure, the spellcaster loses their lowest available spell slot (i.e. 1st-level slot if any 1st level slots are unused, then 2nd after all 1st level slots are gone), and the ley serpent gains one arcana point.

Arcane Resistance. Ley serpents have advantage on all saving throws versus spells and spell effects.

Ethereal Adaptation. As natives of the Ethereal Plane, ley serpents do not need to breathe, eat, drink, or sleep.

ACTIONS

Multiattack. The ley serpent can use its Arcane Burst. Then it can make one Bite and one Tail Slap attack.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d4 + 4) poison damage and become poisoned for one minute. A successful save at the end of the target’s turn ends the condition.

Tail Slap. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage. If the creature is Medium or smaller, it must make a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Arcane Burst. When the ley serpent has three or more arcana points, it can lash out with an burst of arcane energy. Every creature within 30 feet of the ley serpent must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 9 (2d8) force damage, 9 (2d8) psychic damage, and 9 (2d8) radiant damage.

BONUS ACTIONS

Ethereal Shift. As a bonus action, the ley serpent may shift between the Ethereal and Material Planes.

Ley Pixie

Ley pixies are pixies that gained additional power and abilities from long proximity to ley lines. They often nest near shadow road portals and are co-opted by powerful spellcasters as portal guardians. Many can be bribed with gems and magic by PCs to show them the location of the nearest ley line or the nearest portal.

LEY PIXIE

Tiny Fey, Any Chaotic
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 44 (8d6 + 16)
Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
3 (−4)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	17 (+3)

Saving Throws Dex +8, Cha +7
Skills Deception +5, Insight +4, Perception +4, Stealth +6
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Magic Resistance. The ley pixie has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Innate Spellcasting. The ley pixies innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: invisibility
3/day each: detect thoughts, mirror image
1/day each: barkskin, commune with nature, hold person

ACTIONS

Multiattack. The Ley Pixie can use its Innate Spellcasting ability. Then it can make two melee Tiny Sword or Tiny Shortbow attacks.

Tiny Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d4 − 2) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become charmed for ten minutes. Melee damage from the pixie or one of its allies, or a successful save at the end of the target’s turn ends the condition.

Tiny Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 20/80 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become paralyzed for one minute. A successful save at the end of the target’s turn ends the condition.

Ley Line Adept. Because of their intimate and esoteric knowledge of ley lines, as an action a ley pixie may give any spellcaster within 30 feet advantage or disadvantage (their choice) on any roll made to tap, lock, or unlock ley lines, or to open or close a shadow road portal.