King Saudasa, the Wailing Flameskull (CR 8 Legendary Undead)
"You will not have me!"
Once a mighty rakshasa king, Saudasa was denied the Kashmala’s final ritual at the moment of his death, his soul instead binding itself to the ruins of the Emerald Throne. Now, he rages against his fate, his flaming skull howling in defiance of those who would claim his legacy.
Small Undead, Lawful Evil
Armor Class 17 (Magical Flameshield)
Hit Points 136 (16d6 + 64)
Speed 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (-2) | 20 (+5) | 18 (+4) | 18 (+4) | 16 (+3) | 20 (+5) |
Saving Throws Dex +9, Wis +7, Cha +9
Skills Arcana +8, History +8, Insight +7, Perception +7, Deception +9
Damage Resistances Cold, Necrotic, Psychic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities Fire, Poison
Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned, Stunned
Senses Truesight 60 ft., Passive Perception 17
Languages Infernal, Abyssal, Common, Draconic, telepathy 120 ft.
Legendary Undead
- Empowered Flameskull – Unlike lesser flameskulls, Saudasa’s emerald fire is infused with the remnants of his sorcery, making him deadlier than common undead.
- Undying Wrath – If Saudasa is reduced to 0 hit points, his skull reassembles at his throne within 24 hours, unless it is submerged in consecrated holy water for 24 hours or destroyed with a wish spell.
Legendary Actions (3/Turn)
Saudasa can take three legendary actions, choosing from the options below. He can use only one per turn at the end of another creature’s turn.
- Blazing Screech. Saudasa emits a piercing wail. Each creature within 15 feet must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn.
- Fire Curse. He targets a creature he can see within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Charisma saving throw or be marked with emerald fire for 1 minute. While marked, the target cannot become invisible and has disadvantage on saving throws against fire-based effects.
- Spellcasting (Costs 2 Actions). Saudasa casts a spell from his Innate Spellcasting list, expending a use as normal.
Actions
Multiattack. (Rakshasa’s Wrath)
Saudasa makes two Fire Ray attacks and can use Blazing Screech if available.
Fire Ray. Ranged Spell Attack: +9 to hit, range 120 ft., one target.
Hit: 21 (6d6) fire damage. If the target is frightened, they take an additional 7 (2d6) psychic damage.
Flames of the Emerald Throne. (Recharge 5–6)
Saudasa breathes out a wave of emerald fire in a 20-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 42 (12d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success. Any nonmagical flammable objects in the area ignite instantly.
Innate Spellcasting. (Rakshasa’s Sorcery)
Saudasa’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks). He can cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, Detect Magic
3/day each: Fireball, Fear, Dispel Magic, Wall of Fire
1/day each: Greater Invisibility, Blight, Dominate Person
Lair Actions (The Throne of Ash)
If encountered at his throne, Saudasa can take one of the following lair actions, on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties):
- Walls of Emerald Flame. A 15-foot-high ring of emerald fire surrounds the throne, lasting for 1 minute. Any creature passing through it takes 18 (4d8) fire damage.
- Visions of Betrayal. The room fills with whispers of treachery. All creatures within 20 feet must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or suffer paranoia, causing them to lose their reaction and have disadvantage on their next attack roll.
- Burning Resurrection. If Saudasa has been destroyed within the last minute, his flames surge back to life, and he reforms at his throne with 30 hit points.
Tactics
- Divide & Isolate. He spreads fire to separate his enemies, then targets weakened foes with Fire Ray.
- Break Their Minds. He uses Fear, Blazing Screech, and Visions of Betrayal to force enemies to turn against each other.
- Defend the Throne. If heavily damaged, he retreats to his throne, using Wall of Fire and his lair actions to prolong the battle.