Nivasha

Large fey (water spirit), Neutral Evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 142 (15d10 + 60)

Speed 30 ft., Swim 60 ft.

STR 18 (+4) · DEX 14 (+2) · CON 18 (+4) · INT 15 (+2) · WIS 14 (+2) · CHA 16 (+3)

Skills Athletics +7, Arcana +5, Perception +5, Stealth +5

Gear 45 (10d8) gp

Senses Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 15

Languages Common, Primordial, Sylvan

Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Traits

Amphibious. The nivasha can breathe air and water.

Bribe of the Harvest. A creature can use an Action to toss a handful of nuts and apples into the river. The nivasha is pacified by this offering and will not attack the offering creature for 1 minute, provided the creature does not attack it or its daughters.

Actions

Multiattack. The nivasha makes two attacks using Drowning Grasp or Hoof. It can replace one attack with a use of Spellcasting or Soul Yank.

Drowning Grasp. Melee Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) Bludgeoning damage. The target is Grappled (escape DC 15) and automatically Poisoned until the grapple ends as festering river diseases cling to them.

Hoof. Melee Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) Bludgeoning damage, and the target is automatically knocked Prone by the sheer weight of the heavy hooves.

Soul Yank. Magic Attack: +6 to hit, range 30 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d8) Necrotic damage. The target's soul is momentarily partially ripped from their body, leaving them Paralyzed for 1 round.

Spellcasting. The nivasha casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components (Spell Save DC 14):

At Will: Create or Destroy Water (PHB, p. 258), Shape Water (XGE, p. 164)

2/Day each: Blight (flavored as a debilitating waterborne rot; PHB, p. 247), Control Water (PHB, p. 256)

Lore

Terrifying, malevolent river spirits known as nivashi drown humans to torture their souls, while their enchanting daughters lure young men into doomed underwater marriages to birth the next generation of spirits before immediately perishing.

In Romani folklore, the nivashi are spiteful spirits that haunt the depths of rivers and loathe humankind. They look terrifying—huge, heavyset beings with horse’s hooves, green eyes, blazing red hair, and beards that hang to their waists.

From The Fairy Tale Compendium · Fern Flower Press