Avernus Observer 5 (15)

Planar Bestiary

A fiend spawned on the banks of a river of blood in Avernus, the observer is a devil that misses nothing. As a weapon used by some devils against others, an Avernus observer is a powerful equalizer, as they can see how possibilities play out over alternate timelines. But Avernus observers are more interested in corrupting mortals in other planes, making certain that everyone is literally living in the worst timeline by collapsing their realities to those that are the most desperate and fell.

Like other devils, Avernus observers delight in entering into compacts with mortals hoping to improve their own circumstances in some fashion. But even more so than other devils, Avernus observers are adept at seeing the loopholes in their own contracts. It's rare that someone who strikes a bargain with an observer doesn't end up defaulting, usually through no direct fault of their own, but because of circumstances outside of their control. But contracts don't care, and their souls become forfeit.

An Avernus observer sees into many alternate realities at once, always finding the worst possible outcome for their foes. They manage this feat by pulling on the threads of possibility by pure focus on their nearly unparalleled ability to see and concentrate on a single outcome. Few can pull failure from the jaws of victory quite so well as an Avernus observer.

Avernus observers delight in making personal wagers against other creatures, betting on outcomes that seem as if they should be entirely random. But an observer's ability to see the worst outcome for an opponent often translates to a win for the devil, with the loser's soul paid in compensation.

Motive: Gathering information and corrupting mortals

Environment: Almost anywhere that has a connection to Hell

Health: 15

Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (4 points)

Armor: 3

Movement: Short

Modifications: Perception as level 7; resists mental influence and sees through illusions as level 10

Combat: The observer attacks four times each round with their claws. If attacked with mental influence or an illusion, the observer absorbs the magic and regains 6 points of health.

Once every few rounds, they use a hellish ability as their action, as follows.

• Collapse Possibility: The observer fires a ray at a creature within short range. On a failed Intellect defense task, the target becomes the worst version of themself (in terms of personality and competence) for one minute. The victim can only move an immediate distance each round and all their tasks are hindered by two steps. The victim can attempt a new Intellect defense task each round to end the effect early.
• Dimensional Slide: The observer teleports a short distance.
• Gaze of Confusion: The observer fixes their magical eye on one creature within short range, who becomes confused with a vision of multiple possible overlapping timelines on a failed Intellect defense task. Each round, the affected character acts as the GM determines (taking no action, wandering off, attacking a random target, and so on). Each round the victim can attempt another Intellect defense task to end the effect.

An Avernus observer is immune to fire and poison attacks.

Interaction: Observers usually prefer to bargain with strangers for some service or treasure they can provide in exchange for a carefully crafted diabolical contract.

Use: An observer offers a deal to the PCs, granting them something they'd like in exchange for something the observer wants. An evil group conjures an observer to negotiate with the characters or on behalf of something more powerful.

Loot: A observer may have a couple of magical cyphers relating to information or persuasion, as well as a few unfulfilled contracts with various mortals.

GM Intrusion: The observer uses their collapse possibility, dimensional slide, or gaze of confusion ability in addition to making their physical attacks.