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Elder Shadow Mimic
huge monstrosity (shapechanger), lawful evil
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 28 | +9 | +16 |
| DEX | 20 | +5 | +12 |
| CON | 24 | +7 | +14 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| INT | 22 | +6 | +6 |
| WIS | 20 | +5 | +12 |
| CHA | 26 | +8 | +15 |
Traits
- Any object Huge or smaller it has seen
- Any creature it has seen with a Challenge Rating of 22 or lower
The transformation is flawless. The mimic duplicates voice, scent, magical visual effects, injuries, habits, and subtle behavioral patterns. It may freely combine features from consumed identities.
Nonmagical means cannot reveal the disguise.
Even magic that reveals true forms shows unstable overlapping identities unless the viewer succeeds on a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw.
The mimic reverts to its true form if it dies.
If a creature fails this save by 5 or more, it is also stunned until the end of its current turn.
In addition, creatures have disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks made against the mimic.
Actions
A grappled creature is restrained and takes 10 () psychic damage at the start of each of its turns.
On a failure:
- The target takes 55 () psychic damage.
- The mimic absorbs the target's memories, personality, speech patterns, and emotional responses.
- The target has disadvantage on Wisdom and Charisma saving throws for 24 hours.
Each enemy within 60 feet that can see or hear the mimic must make a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw.
On a failure, a creature takes 45 () psychic damage and is confused for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and suffers no other effect.
Legendary Actions
One creature within 60 feet that can hear the mimic must succeed on a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw or use its reaction to move up to its speed in a direction chosen by the mimic.
Elder Shadow Mimic
huge monstrosity (shapechanger), lawful evil
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 28 | +9 | +16 |
| DEX | 20 | +5 | +12 |
| CON | 24 | +7 | +14 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| INT | 22 | +6 | +6 |
| WIS | 20 | +5 | +12 |
| CHA | 26 | +8 | +15 |
Traits
- Any object Huge or smaller it has seen
- Any creature it has seen with a Challenge Rating of 22 or lower
The transformation is flawless. The mimic duplicates voice, scent, magical visual effects, injuries, habits, and subtle behavioral patterns. It may freely combine features from consumed identities.
Nonmagical means cannot reveal the disguise.
Even magic that reveals true forms shows unstable overlapping identities unless the viewer succeeds on a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw.
The mimic reverts to its true form if it dies.
If a creature fails this save by 5 or more, it is also stunned until the end of its current turn.
In addition, creatures have disadvantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks made against the mimic.
Actions
A grappled creature is restrained and takes 10 () psychic damage at the start of each of its turns.
On a failure:
- The target takes 55 () psychic damage.
- The mimic absorbs the target's memories, personality, speech patterns, and emotional responses.
- The target has disadvantage on Wisdom and Charisma saving throws for 24 hours.
Each enemy within 60 feet that can see or hear the mimic must make a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw.
On a failure, a creature takes 45 () psychic damage and is confused for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and suffers no other effect.
Legendary Actions
One creature within 60 feet that can hear the mimic must succeed on a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw or use its reaction to move up to its speed in a direction chosen by the mimic.
Elder Shadow Mimic
Elder shadow mimics are ancient apex infiltrators that have consumed countless identities over centuries. Entire bloodlines, institutions, and cities may unknowingly orbit around one. By the time an elder mimic is discovered, it is usually already too late.
Many elder shadow mimics no longer possess a stable identity at all. Their minds contain fractured remnants of hundreds of lives layered atop one another.
Most people live their entire lives without ever encountering a shadow mimic.
Most scholars believe they do not exist at all.
That uncertainty is exactly what allows them to survive.
Shadow mimics are among the rarest known shapechangers in the world. Unlike ordinary mimics, which imitate objects through instinct and predatory adaptation, shadow mimics possess uncanny intelligence and an almost supernatural understanding of behavior, language, and identity. They do not merely disguise themselves. They perform lives.
A shadow mimic may spend years as a dockworker, a priest, a city official, or a wandering sellsword. Some establish families. Some accumulate wealth and influence. Some disappear after decades without anyone realizing they were never human at all.
No reliable origin for the species exists. Arcane theorists argue they are creatures born from living darkness. Others believe they are failed experiments in illusion and fleshcraft. A few ancient texts describe them as parasites from a realm where identity itself is mutable.
Whatever the truth, shadow mimics are not inherently mindless killers. Young specimens are driven primarily by hunger and instinct, often struggling to maintain stable identities for long. Older shadow mimics become frighteningly patient and psychologically sophisticated. Ancient specimens can manipulate entire communities without ever revealing themselves.
Their disguises are nearly impossible to penetrate through mundane means. They breathe, bleed, sleep, eat, sweat, and age convincingly. Many do not even maintain a “default” identity anymore. After centuries of stolen memories and borrowed lives, some elder shadow mimics no longer remember what they originally were.
A city could host a shadow mimic for fifty years without incident.
Then one day, someone vanishes.
And suddenly a respected magistrate, beloved innkeeper, or trusted companion is gone forever, because they never truly existed to begin with.