Zephra

Born in the obsidian caverns beneath the Shattered Peaks, Zephra was the runt of an enormous brood, cast out by their mother for possessing an unusual intelligence that frightened the hive. Surviving alone in the lightless depths, Zephra developed an appetite for more than mere insects and stone—they craved knowledge, secrets, and the taste of those foolish enough to venture into their domain. Over centuries, their exoskeleton hardened into jagged spikes like volcanic glass, and their fangs grew to magnificent ivory daggers, each one a trophy from predators they'd systematically hunted and dismantled. When surface-dwellers began mining too close to the caverns, Zephra saw opportunity rather than threat, learning to navigate human society through shadow and deception, selling information and services to whoever paid in blood or coin. Neither fully beast nor civilized, Zephra occupies the spaces between worlds, using their segmented body's unnatural flexibility to slip through locked chambers and past unsuspecting guards. Today, they operate as a phantom broker of forbidden knowledge, their true allegiances bound only to survival and the inexplicable hunger that drives them ever forward into darkness.

Strength

16, modifier +3

Dexterity

20, modifier +5

Constitution

18, modifier +4

Intelligence

18, modifier +4

Wisdom

14, modifier +2

Charisma

12, modifier +1

Bite

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 2d10 + 5 piercing damage.

Claw Slash

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

Shadow Step

Teleport up to 30 ft. to an unoccupied space in dim light or darkness as a bonus action.

Knowledge Broker

Gain advantage on Intelligence checks to gather information or secrets from creatures.

Venomous Bite

On a hit, target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 3d6 poison damage and be poisoned for 1 minute.

Shadowy Presence

Zephra can hide in dim light or darkness, gaining advantage on Stealth checks.

Predator's Instinct

Zephra has advantage on initiative rolls and can sense hidden creatures within 30 feet.

strength

+6

dexterity

+8

intelligence

+7

wisdom

+5

Poison

Psychic