Harvester of Dreams, Dreaming Death, Dream Thief—these are but a few names for an aberration known as the dreamcatcher. It has a brain-like body and legs similar to those of a crab. Long tentacles extend from its form, delicately caressing the bodies of its unsuspecting prey as it delves into their unconscious minds, witnessing and cataloging their dreams.
After dusk is the preferred hunting time for these creatures, where they target resting travelers. The dreamcatcher employs psychic attacks to incapacitate its victims, rendering them unconscious and defenseless. Once subdued, the prey is enveloped in a unique cocoon, infused with energy from the ethereal plane, ensuring a dream-filled slumber.
Over the span of days or even weeks, the dreamcatcher extracts and collects the dreams of its captive, ceaselessly harvesting as the victim gradually withers away while subdued by the ethereal cocoon. Ultimately, these collected dreams are transmitted telepathically, often to a more powerful aberration.
Dreamcatcher
Large Aberration, Typically Neutral
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 127 (17d10 + 34)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 (+2) | 17 (+3) | 15 (+2) | 19 (+4) | 14 (+2) | 15 (+2) |
Saving Throws Int +7, Wis +5, Cha +5
Skills Insight +5, Investigation +7, Perception +5
Damage Resistances psychic
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Deep Speech, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3
Slumber. When the dreamcatcher reduces a creature to 0 hit points with psychic damage, it can choose to knock the creature out. The creature has the unconscious condition and is stable.
Spider Climb. The dreamcatcher can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Actions
Multiattack. The dreamcatcher makes three Mind Blast attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Cocoon.
Mind Blast. Melee or Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) psychic damage.
Cocoon. The dreamcatcher wraps a creature with the unconscious condition in a cocoon. While cocooned, a creature falls asleep and remains unconscious, continually dreaming. The cocoon can be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; hp 15, immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).
Nightmare Burst (Recharge 5–6). The dreamcatcher seeds the minds of creatures within 30 feet of it with nightmares. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 22 (4d10) psychic damage, and has the frightened condition for 1 minute. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage only. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
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Further Reading
Jethrish is another creature that is connected to the ethereal plane.
Dream gorgers are also sleep related creatures but bit more benign.
Imagery created with Midjourney.
