The Expanding Codex series fleshes out monsters from the Creature Codex, giving GMs ways to modify the existing monsters to surprise well-prepared players or to introduce monsters to a campaign.

Alternate Traits and Actions

The following changes allow GMs to alter a void giant without modifying its challenge rating.

Deep Void Casting (Recharge 4–6). As a bonus action, the void giant can infuse a spell with powerful void magic. One creature that is hit by that spell or that fails a saving throw against that spell is stunned for 1 minute. The creature can make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

The void giant loses its Void Casting trait. Its Magic Absorption reaction is modified as follows.

Magic Absorption. If the void giant succeeds on a saving throw against an enemy spell, the void giant doesn’t suffer the effects of that spell. If it uses Deep Void Casting on its next turn, the void giant can affect all creatures hit by its spell or that fail a saving throw against its spell instead of just one creature. Creatures that attempt Wisdom saving throws at the end of their turns to end the effect have advantage on their saving throws.

Summon Void Dragon. The void giant summons a void dragon wyrmling (see Tome of Beasts). The summoned dragon appears in an unoccupied space within 60 feet of its summoner and acts as an ally of its summoner. It remains for 10 minutes, until it or its summoner dies, or until its summoner dismisses it as an action.

The void giant reduces its 4th-level spellcasting slots to two slots and loses the ability to cast phantasmal killer.

Void Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (4d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become stunned until the end of its next turn.

The void giant loses its Slam and Multiattack actions.

New Magic Items and Spells

The following magic item and spells are inspired by abilities possessed by a void giant.

Mantle of the Void

Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)

While wearing this midnight-blue cloth covered in writhing rune, you gain a +1 bonus to saving throws. If you succeed on a saving throw against an enemy spell while wearing the mantle, you don’t suffer the spell’s effects. Additionally, as a bonus action on your next turn, you can infuse your next spell or melee attack with power from the Void. One creature that is hit by a spell you cast or that fails a saving throw against that spell, or one creature you successfully hit with a melee weapon attack, is stunned until the end of the creature’s next turn.

Conjure Void Dragon Wyrmling

4th-level conjuration (sorcerer, warlock, wizard)
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You summon a void dragon wyrmling from the void. The dragon appears in an unoccupied space that you can see within range, and it disappears when it drops to 0 hit points or when the spell ends.

The summoned dragon is friendly to you and your companions for the duration. Roll initiative for the dragon, which has its own turns. It obeys any verbal commands that you issue to it (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any commands to the dragon, it defends itself from hostile creatures but otherwise takes no actions.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using certain higher-level spell slots, more dragons appear: two with a 6th-level slot and three with an 8th-level slot. If you cast this spell with a 9th-level slot, you can instead summon a young void dragon.

Impel Void

3rd-level evocation (sorcerer, warlock, wizard)
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S, M (Void rune)
Duration: Instantaneous

You infuse a spell you cast with a mere sliver of the Void. One creature that is hit by that spell or that fails a saving throw against that spell is stunned until the end of the creature’s next turn.

Void Giant Adventure Hooks

• A void giant searching for a lair for its void dragon master settles upon a village with a thin connection to the Void. The village leaders plead with the giant to not uproot the villagers from their homes, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. The villagers can’t confront the giant directly, and they look for outside help to persuade the giant to leave or kill it if necessary.
• A void giant has gained freedom from its void dragon master. Its cageyness about the circumstances suggest its incompetence caused the dragon to die, or the giant had a more direct hand in the dragon’s death. Regardless, it seeks the cloud giant clan to which it belongs and wishes to hire a competent group to assist in its mission.

If you have any requests for monsters from the  Creature Codex for future installments, please let me know in the comments or elsewhere in the Kobold warrens, and I’ll make sure to add them to the queue.

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