npc

Grand Warren-Master Zik-Zik

CR 14

Small humanoid (kobold), Lawful Neutral

Reveal Stat Block

Armor Class

19 (Aether-Glass Studded Leather + 1)

Hit Points

175 (26d6 + 78)

Speed

30 ft.

str

-1

dex

con

int

wis

cha

Saving Throws DEX +10, INT +10, WIS +7

Skills Arcana +10, History +10, Investigation +15, Perception +7, Sleight_of_hand +10, Stealth +15

Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 17

Languages Common, Draconic, Undercommon

Cunning Action.On each of his turns, Zik-Zik can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Evasion.If Zik-Zik is subjected to an effect that allows him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, he instead takes no damage if he succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if he fails.

Sneak Attack (1/Turn).Zik-Zik deals an extra 24 (7d6) damage when he hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of Zik-Zik that isn't incapacitated and Zik-Zik doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Legendary Resistance (2/Day).If Zik-Zik fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Actions

Multiattack.Zik-Zik makes three attacks with his Aether-Wrench or two with his Bolt-Thrower.

Aether-Wrench.Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage plus 14 (4d6) force damage.

Bolt-Thrower.Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) lightning damage.

Summon Sentinel (Recharge 5-6).Zik-Zik activates a hidden floor panel, summoning one Deep-Strand Sentinel in an unoccupied space within 30 feet.

Legendary Actions

Quick Step.Zik-Zik moves up to his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Wrench Toss.Zik-Zik makes one attack with his Aether-Wrench as a thrown weapon (range 20/60).

Command the Network (Costs 2 Actions).Zik-Zik triggers a local trap. Each creature of his choice within 60 feet must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or take 21 (6d6) fire or acid damage (his choice).

Grand Warren-Master Zik-Zik

Grand Warren-Master Zik-Zik is the visionary and somewhat paranoid leader of the Sub-Terran Accord. A kobold of advanced years, his scales have turned a dull, stony grey, and he is never seen without his specialized Aether-goggles and a tool belt laden with esoteric instruments. Zik-Zik is the primary architect of the modern Deep-Strands, having perfected the process of creating Aether-glass and integrating it into the tunnel networks.

Zik-Zik is obsessed with efficiency and security. He views the surface world as a chaotic mess of "unoptimized" civilizations that are inevitably doomed to collapse. His leadership has seen the Accord grow from a collection of scattered tribes into a unified global power. While he is a brilliant engineer and strategist, his social skills are... lacking. He treats everyone—including his subordinates—like a component in a large machine that needs frequent calibration.

Secret Motivation: Zik-Zik is secretly building a "Doomsday Vault" deep beneath the poles, intended to preserve the kobold race and the history of Aethervale in the event of a surface-world cataclysm.

Adventure Hook: Zik-Zik has lost a prototype "World-Key" during a routine inspection of the Vertical-Shunts. He hires the party to retrieve it from a group of scavengers, but warns them that "looking at the key's internal mechanisms is a capital offense."