Legend speaks of a giant deer with three massive horns atop its head, which appears and disappears within a forest tangled in planar energies. It is from these scarce sightings in the distant past that the Middlestag Forest was given its name, but none of the local families have any more context on what the Middlestag is, where it comes from, and what it might want when it shows itself. Some have reported seeing this mighty creature appear to rapidly flicker in and out of existence, making it unclear whether what they saw was even real.
This cervid is in fact a powerful archfey named Phygius. It resides in the Middlestag Forest as well as its intersections with adjacent planes, seemingly jumping erratically between them. Phygius is equally within its domain whether in the forest as it manifests in Esterfell or in the Feywild.
The leading theory to explain Phygius' strange interplanar nature is that it was transformed by falling starstuff millenia ago, possibly during the impact that formed Esterfell itself. Such an infusion of stellar energies could dislodge a sufficiently powerful creature from its attachment to a single plane, causing its body to physically reside in multiple adjacent planes simultaneously and perodically settle on one or another before shifting away again.
It is unclear what effect such a state of being would have on a creature's psyche, and thus far none in Estefell have reported successfully communicating with Phygius. The courts of the Feywild respect Phygius' power and tend to leave it to its own unknowable devices.
Phygius tends to make itself visible on the Esterfell side of the forest when the barriers between planes are weakened, be it by arcanists tampering with starstuff or an impending new stellar bombardment. It is said that seeing the Middlestag on a moonlit night is a sign of strange future occurrences to come, such as the sudden appearance of frightening otherworldly creatures and the disappearance of loved ones into the Feywild.
These movements of other beings across the planes are unlikely to be Phygius' doing; rather, it seems to have the innate ability to detect openings between worlds and is drawn to them. Whether it presides over these temporary tears in reality out of approval of the blending of worlds or whether it watches over these events to try and prevent disaster is unknown, but its perceived role as a harbinger has led to fear and superstition surrounding any sightings.
Farmers and hunters in the region might revere the Stag as a minor deity, but thus far the archfey seems completely indifferent to the affairs of most mortals of Esterfell, unless they dare to pluck the strings of the Weave and move between worlds. This will draw its attention, but it is thus far unclear whether being noticed by Phygius would have a positive outcome.
Innate Spellcasting. Phygius' innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 24). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:
At will: dispel magic, druidcraft, faerie fire
3/day each: bless, charm monster, conjure animals, greater invisibility, moonbeam, plant growth, spike growth, suggestion, transport via plants
1/day each: color spray, crown of stars, druid grove, geas
Spells under 5th level are cast at 5th level.
Interplanar Nature. While in the Ethereal Plane, the Feywild, or the Material Plane, Phygius is aware of the location and alignment of all creatures within 30 feet of Phygius' corresponding location on each plane. Additionally, Phygius is immune to banishment or similar spells or effects when it is on any of these planes.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Phygius fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Limited Magic Immunity. Unless it wishes to be affected, Phygius is immune to spells of 5th level or lower. It has advantage on saving throws against all other spells and magical effects.
Magic Weapons. Phygius' weapon attacks are magical.
Regeneration. Phygius regains 20 hit points at the start of its turn. If it takes necrotic damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of its next turn. Phygius dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate. If Phygius dies on any plane other than the Feywild, its body is destroyed but its essence travels back to the Feywild, and it is unable to take physical form or planeshift for a time.
Actions
Multiattack. Phygius makes up to two attacks, one with its horns and one with its hooves.
Horns. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 40 (6d10 + 7) piercing damage plus 18 (4d8) force damage.
Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 34 (6d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage plus 14 (4d6) thunder damage, and if it is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 22 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Bonus Actions
Fear Gaze. Phygius stares at a creature within 30 feet of it and fills its mind with fear. The creature must make a DC 24 Wisdom saving throw. Unless the save succeeds, the creature is frightened until the start of its next turn. If a creature’s saving throw is successful, the creature is immune to Phygius’ Fear Aura for the next 24 hours.
Teleport. Phygius magically teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying and any number of creatures it targets within 30 feet, up to 120 feet to an unoccupied space it can see. Unwilling creatures must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or they are teleported along with Phygius.
Legendary Actions
Phygius can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Phygius regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Shift (Costs 2 Actions). Phygius magically planeshifts, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying and any number of creatures it targets within 30 feet, to its corresponding location on the Ethereal Plane, the Feywild, or the Material Plane. Unwilling creatures must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or they are teleported along with Phygius. If a creature or object is present at the target location, it must succeed on a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (3d8) force damage and be knocked prone. Whether the creature or object succeeds or fails on the save, it is pushed to an unoccupied space of Phygius' choice within 10 feet.
Teleport. Phygius uses its Teleport action.
Weave Disruption. Phygius casts dispel magic.
[id: monster stat block for Phygius, depicting a stag with three antlers draped in vines and flowers, its forehead emblazoned with an arcane mark, surrounded by ethereal sparkling lights]
Forever-DM idly making characters they might never play in a party, suddenly tasked with introducing NPCs in a big campaign and realizing they have ready-made NPCs with backstories and personalities and motivations and story hooks for random side quests
So yeah, Esterfell now has a huge ensemble that I already feel comfortable portraying and can slot in at any time
tfw you reduce the hit points of a tough monster for your low-level party but then they do so much damage in the first round that you restore the missing hit points because they’ve got this ☺️
