Darkmantle
Small Monstrosity · · CR 1/2
- Monstrosity
- Small
- Tier 1
Darkmantle, CR 1/2, fills the small monstrosity role with unaligned disposition. Encounter regions: underground. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 1/2
- Type
- Monstrosity
- Size
- Small
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Underground
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014)
Ecology
Darkmantles thrive in deep caves, abandoned mines, and lightless dungeon halls where they cling to ceilings disguised as stalactites. They feed on bats, rats, blindfish, and the occasional explorer, dropping onto prey with a wet flop. A breeding colony nests in a single chamber, suspended in a forest of stony false-stalactites that the darkmantles themselves help to grow. Excrement piles below mark their roosting sites.
Behaviour
The darkmantle is cautious and patient, dropping only when it estimates prey is alone or distracted. Its magical darkness is instinctual rather than learned, summoned the moment it makes contact. Wounded darkmantles flee upward, dragging themselves along ceilings with surprising speed. Colonies share warning calls, a low pulsing hum felt more than heard, alerting kin to disturbed light or movement below.
Origin
Darkmantles are believed to descend from displacer beasts or cloakers, though no scholar has proved the link. Underground gnomes claim darkmantles are the spawn of a forgotten cavern god whose breath was darkness. Some druids classify them as a form of fungal-symbiotic monstrosity, their darkness aura linked to spores that disorient prey through hallucination as much as light suppression.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Darkmantle
- What is the challenge rating of Darkmantle?
- Darkmantle is rated CR 1/2. The rating works against low-level groups.
- What type of creature is Darkmantle?
- By creature type, Darkmantle is a monstrosity, small size.
- Where does Darkmantle live?
- The bestiary places Darkmantle in Underground.