Gargauth

Gargauth, the Hidden Lord

Medium Fiend (Devil), lawful evil

Armor Class 18 (Unholy Resilience)
Hit Points 187 (25d8 + 75)
Speed 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +7, Wis +7, Cha +9
Skills Arcana +8, Deception +9, Insight +7, Persuasion +9
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, poisoned
Senses truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 12 (8,400 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +4

Traits

Unholy Resilience. Gargauth adds his Charisma modifier to his AC and saving throws.

Legendary Guile. Gargauth has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, frightened, or magically compelled to speak truthfully.

Magic Resistance. Gargauth has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons. Gargauth’s weapon attacks are magical.

Corrupting Aura. Any creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of Gargauth must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be wracked with selfish greed until the start of its next turn, unable to take the Help action and having disadvantage on attack rolls made to protect an ally.

Fiendish Regeneration. If Gargauth is reduced to 0 hit points outside a consecrated area, his essence returns to his prison (the Shield of the Hidden Lord) and reforms there in 1d10 days unless the shield is destroyed or sanctified.

Actions

Multiattack. Gargauth makes two attacks: one with his infernal longsword and one with his claw, or he casts one spell and makes one melee attack.

Infernal Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) fire damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Corrupt Word (Recharge 5–6). Gargauth utters a vile truth of the Hells. Each creature of his choice within 30 feet that can hear him must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns.

Spellcasting.

Gargauth is a 10th-level spellcaster (Charisma is his spellcasting ability, spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks). He requires no material components.
He knows the following spells:

At will: Thaumaturgy, Charm Person, Command, Disguise Self
3/day each: Fear, Counterspell, Fireball, Suggestion, Wall of Fire
1/day each: Dominate Person, Banishment, Geas

Legendary Actions

Gargauth can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one may be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. He regains spent actions at the start of his turn.

• Fiendish Step. Gargauth teleports up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space he can see.

• Corrupt Touch (Costs 2 Actions). One creature Gargauth touches must succeed on a DC 17 Charisma saving throw or gain a level of exhaustion as infernal whispers erode its will.

• Whisper of Temptation (Costs 3 Actions). Gargauth targets one creature within 60 ft. It must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by him for 1 minute, compelled to obey his verbal commands. The effect ends if Gargauth harms the creature or its allies.

Lair Action (If Manifested in the Shield or a Sanctum)

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Gargauth can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects:

Whispers of Greed: All creatures of Gargauth’s choice within 30 ft. must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom save or be compelled to use their next action to pick up or protect an object of value.

Infernal Reflection: Mirrors, armor, or polished surfaces in the area show Gargauth’s face and emit a burst of hellfire, dealing 14 (4d6) fire damage to one random creature within 10 ft. of such a surface. 

Devil’s Bargain: A fallen creature within 30 ft. rises with 1 hit point under Gargauth’s control for 1 minute.

Description

Once a mighty archdevil of the Nine Hells, Gargauth fell from Asmodeus’s favor and was cursed to wander the planes as an incorporeal spirit. He now seeks hosts and relics to house his essence — most notoriously, the Shield of the Hidden Lord. In this form, he manifests as a shimmering golden figure with burning eyes, his voice a honeyed whisper promising glory in exchange for obedience.