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Monsters

Magi (Tactician)

Magi (Tactician)

"Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the child who has been born?'"
Luke 2:1

Seekers of Knowledge. Although some translations of the Bible record them as "kings" or "wise men," the original word used in the Greek language is Magi, a word borrowed from Akkadian that referred to an order of priests and mystics of the Zoroastrian religion in ancient Media. As the Medes fell from prominence in the Parthian empire, the term Magi eventually became more generally applied to magic practitioners who sought esoteric knowledge through the study of astronomy, alchemy, and ancient practices from other ancient civilizations.

Seekers of Wisdom. The main characteristic that sets the Magi apart from other Mages is their search for meaning in the universe. Many wizards or sorcerers are interested in power for power's sake, but the Magi seek the meaning behind it all. For the Magi, the acquisition of secrets and greater power is merely one step in the pursuit of meaning in the universe. In this way, the Magi are philosophers and theologians as much as they are practitioners of magic. The following stat blocks outline 3 general types of Magi that are likely to be encountered in the world, but because each Magi seeks truth in their own way, no two Magi are exactly alike.

Medium humanoid, any alignment

Armor Class 11

Hit Points 60

Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
8 (-1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0)

Saving Throws Int +6, Wis +6

Skills Arcana +6, History +6, Religion +6

Languages Common, Aramaic, Sabaic

Senses Passive Perception 11

Challenge 6 (700 XP)

Features

Magic Resistance. The magi has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Namburbu (3/Day). When an enemy the Magi can see within 60 feet makes a saving throw, the Magi can roll a d6 and subtract it from the enemy's roll.

Spellcasting. The Magi is a 9th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit). It has the following spells prepared.

At will: Light, Mage Hand, Mending

1st level (4 slots): Magic Missile (3 targets) (1d4 + 1 Force), Shield (AC 16)

2nd level (3 slots): Hold Person (Wis 14), Spider Climb

3rd level (3 slots): Fireball (Dex 14) (8d6 Fire), Counterspell

4th level (3 slots): Banishment (Cha 14), Wall of Fire (Wis 14) (5d8 Fire)

5th level (1 slot): Hold Monster (Wis 14), Conjure Elemental

Bible5e custom monster. Its specific traits supplement the current rules. See Using Bible5e Monsters.