Bloodied & Bruised – Keys From the Golden Vault

New Combat Actions for the Creatures in theKeys From the Golden Vault

The bugbear chief nurses a gushing wound in her side before issuing an order of retreat to her allies. A bright light forms around the angel’s dying body, blinding everyone near it as it passes on from the world of the living. With blood streaming down its torso, an enraged hill giant slams its fists into the ground and causes the earth around it to quake.

Bloodied & Bruisedis a series providing new combat actions for the creatures in the 5e roster. When pushed to their limits in combat, these monsters, critters, fiends, and foes gain new abilities that aid them in battle, or perhaps spell their doom depending on the circumstances.Bloodied & Bruisedtakes inspiration from the “bloodied” condition from 4e, making entirely new combat actions that can completely change the nature of a fight.

In addition,Bloodied & Bruisedalso introduces several “death throes” to the game, marking the demise of certain creatures with a grand explosion, heavy fall, or other unique effect to make the slaying of a great monster a truly unique experience.

Examples of Bloodied Actions

Ashen Veteran
When bloodied at 29 HP, the ashen veteran has the following features.

New Ability Battle Presence. While bloodied, the ashen veteran has two reactions per round.
New Ability Parry. While bloodied, the ashen veteran can use its reaction to add 2 to its AC against one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the ashen veteran must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.
Trigger Ability Cornered. When first bloodied, the ashen veteran can make a melee attack against a creature within range as a reaction.
Death Throes Lungful of Ash. The ashen creature collapses in a pile of ashen dust. Each creature in a 5 foot radius of the ashen veteran when it expires must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or inhale a mouthful of ash, hindering its breathing. For the next minute, the creature’s movement speed is reduced by 5 feet and the creature cannot take the Dash action.

Charmayne Daymore
When bloodied at 61 HP, Charmayne Daymore has the following features.

Ability Recharge Cinder Spire. When first bloodied, Charmayne’s Cinder Spire ability is recharged.
New Ability Flame Body. While bloodied, any hostile creature who touches Charmayne or hits her with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 3 (1d6) fire damage.
Trigger Ability Fireball. When first bloodied, Charmayne casts fireball centered on the space she’s standing in. She uses her own spellcasting ability to cast the spell.

If you enjoyed this product, be sure to check out more of my work below. Follow me on Twitter for updates on upcoming projects@AnneofManyNames