Nightmare
This eerie horse-like creature's skin is an inky blackness. Fire spurts from its hair and nostrils, and its hooves spray sparks.
Nightmare (CR 5)
Large Outsider (Evil, Extraplanar)Alignment: Neutral Evil
Initiative: +6
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet; Perception +12
Speed: 40 feet, Fly 90 feet (good)
Space: 10 feet
Defense
Armor Class: 19, touch 11, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dex, +8 natural, -1 size)Hit Points: 51 (6d10+18)
Saving Throws: Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +3
Offense
Melee: bite +9 (1d4+4), 2 hooves +4 (1d6+2 plus 1d4 fire)Reach: 5 feet
Special Attacks: smoke
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th):
- 1/day (self plus 1 rider only)- Plane Shift
Statistics
| Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 15 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 13 (+1) | 13 (+1) | 12 (+1) |
CMB +11
CMD 23 (27 vs. Trip)
Feats: Alertness, Improved Initiative, Run
Skills: Fly +13, Intimidate +10, Knowledge (planes) +10, Perception +12, Sense Motive +12, Stealth +7, Survival +10
Languages: Abyssal, Infernal
Special Abilities
Smoke (Su)
In battle, a nightmare exhales smoke that chokes and blinds foes, filling a 15-foot cone each round as a free action. Anyone in the cone must succeed on a DC 16 Fortitude save or become sickened until 1d6 minutes after leaving the area. This smoke acts as obscuring mist for the purposes of concealment. The smoke persists for 1 round. The save DC is Constitution-based.Ecology
Environment: Any, GehennaOrganization: solitary
Treasure: none
Nightmares are flaming harbingers of death. They allow only the most evil of creatures to ride them, and are never mere mounts, but rather willing partners in destruction. These terrifying creatures are said to be born from the darkest depths of the underworld, their fiery manes and glowing eyes striking fear into the hearts of all who lay eyes upon them. Legends tell of their ability to travel between the realms of the living and the dead, carrying their riders on a journey of terror and chaos.
Many believe that nightmares are the steeds of demons, summoned from the depths of hell to do their bidding. Others claim that they are the embodiment of pure evil, created by dark magic and fueled by the souls of the damned. Whatever their origin, one thing is certain: nightmares are not to be trifled with.
Their fiery hooves leave a trail of destruction in their wake, and their piercing screams can shatter the strongest of wills. Those who dare to ride a nightmare must possess a heart as black as the creature itself, for only the most wicked and twisted individuals can control such a beast.
But despite their fearsome reputation, there are some who seek out nightmares, drawn to their power and ferocity. These individuals are often sorcerers or warlocks, seeking to harness the dark energy of the nightmares for their own nefarious purposes. But even they must tread carefully, for nightmares are not easily controlled and can turn on their masters in an instant.
In the end, nightmares remain a mystery to most, their true nature and purpose shrouded in darkness. They are creatures of chaos and destruction, and those who encounter them can only hope to survive the encounter. For when a nightmare appears, death is never far behind.