aberrant-cultist-xmm

Aberrant Cultist

Source: Monster Manual (2024) p. 86, Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

Aberrant cultists pursue mind-bending powers from alien forces. Aberrant cultists align with monsters such as aboleths and mind flayers or forces such as Cthulhu, Hadar, Ityak-Ortheel the Elf Eater, Nyarlathotep, malicious solar bodies, or entities from the Far Realm.

Cultists

Doomsayers and Fanatics

• Habitat. Any
• Treasure. Individual, Relics

Cultists use magic and extreme measures to spread radical beliefs. Some privately pursue esoteric secrets, while others form shadowy cabals seeking to bring about terrifying ends. Cultists often follow obscure mystical traditions or obsess over interpretations of ancient prophecies. They might worship supernatural patrons—deities, otherworldly creatures, manipulative alien minds, or stranger forces. Roll on or choose a result from the Cultist Agendas table to inspire what a cultist seeks to achieve.

Cultist Agendas

dice: [](aberrant-cultist-xmm.md#^cultist-agendas)

dice: 1d6	The Cultist Strives To…
1	Bring about the end of a dominant order, an age, or the world.
2	Burn away the comfortable lies of reality, revealing forgotten or terrible truths.
3	Expand their faith though mind control or supernatural coercion.
4	Make global changes, like sinking the land or awakening volcanoes.
5	Remake life on a mass scale, altering other creatures’ bodies or spiritual beings.
6	Summon their deity or its herald, weapon, or realm into their world.
^cultist-agendas

Occult Symbols

Cults often identify with symbols that exemplify their beliefs. Such symbols might mark objects important to the cult, as well as the dress and bodies of cultists themselves. These symbols might be broadly understandable, or they might have meaning only to cultists. Roll twice on or choose results from the Cult Symbols table to inspire a cult’s icons.

Cult Symbols

dice: [](aberrant-cultist-xmm.md#^cult-symbols)

dice: 1d10	The Symbol Is…	Depicted As…
1	An alchemical sign	A calendar or map
2	An animal	A crest or as heraldry
3	A celestial body	An elaborate diagram
4	A deity’s icon	A metaphorical image
5	An element	A mystical being
6	An eye	Part of an equation
7	A geometric shape	A repeating pattern
8	A letter or number	A series of scratches
9	Part of a monster	A simple pictogram
10	A skull	A weapon or tool
^cult-symbols

Cult Members

Cults often form hierarchies around a charismatic or domineering leader. While cult members might work independently, they take their orders from superiors with greater supernatural powers.

Types of Cultists

Cults can organize around any mystical tradition, but many serve supernatural beings. Cult members often have abilities tied to the forces they worship.

A quote from Rites of the Cult of Elemental Evil

Dread Tharizdun, power of the Elder Elemental Eye and master of all destructive forces, I am the Champion of Elemental Evil and am ready to carry out your wishes.

"name": "Aberrant Cultist (XMM)"
"size": "Small or Medium"
"type": "humanoid"
"alignment": "Neutral Evil"
"ac": !!int "14"
"hp": !!int "137"
"hit_dice": "25d8 + 25"
"modifier": !!int "7"
"stats":
  - !!int "10"
  - !!int "19"
  - !!int "12"
  - !!int "16"
  - !!int "18"
  - !!int "15"
"speed": "30 ft."
"saves":
  - "intelligence": !!int "6"
  - "wisdom": !!int "7"
"skillsaves":
  - "name": "Arcana"
    "desc": "+6"
  - "name": "Perception"
    "desc": "+7"
  - "name": "Religion"
    "desc": "+6"
"senses": "Darkvision 90 ft., passive Perception 17"
"languages": "Common, Deep Speech; telepathy 30 ft."
"cr": "8"
"actions":
  - "desc": "The cultist makes two Tentacle Lash attacks. It can replace any attack\
      \ with a use of Mind Rot."
    "name": "Multiattack"
  - "desc": "*Melee Attack Roll:* +7, reach 10 ft. *Hit:* 7 (1d6 + 4) Slashing damage\
      \ plus 14 (4d6) Psychic damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature,\
      \ it has the Grappled condition (escape DC 14) from one of two tentacles, and\
      \ it has the Restrained condition until the grapple ends."
    "name": "Tentacle Lash"
  - "desc": "*Wisdom Saving Throw:* DC 15, one creature the cultist can see within\
      \ 90 feet. *Failure:* 27 (6d8) Psychic damage, and the target has the Poisoned\
      \ condition until the start of the cultist's next turn. *Success:* Half damage\
      \ only."
    "name": "Mind Rot"
  - "desc": "The cultist casts one of the following spells, using Wisdom as the spellcasting\
      \ ability (spell save DC 15):\n\n**At will:** Detect Thoughts, Minor Illusion"
    "name": "Spellcasting"
"reactions":
  - "desc": "The cultist casts Counterspell in response to that spell's trigger, using\
      \ the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting.\n"
    "name": "Counterspell (2/Day)"
"source":
  - "XMM"
  - "EFA"
"image": "/3-Mechanics/CLI/bestiary/humanoid/token/aberrant-cultist-xmm.webp"

Environment

any