The Blighted Sylvan Nexus

# The Blighted Sylvan Nexus: Decay's Embrace

### I. Introduction

The Blighted Sylvan Nexus, known as Decay's Embrace, is a sinister artifact meticulously crafted by Malgorth, the Blighted Sage. This enigmatic relic exists in a dual state, appearing as an innocuous ring when dormant but transforming into a sentient liquid when awakened. Those who harness its power become one with nature, albeit in a twisted, decayed form, embracing the symbiotic union with the essence of decay and life.

### II. Origins and Creation

1. Nature's Corruption: Forged from the essence of corrupted fey creatures and infused with Malgorth's malevolence, the Blighted Sylvan Nexus is a perversion of natural symbiotic relationships. Its creation involved dark rituals that melded the life force of plants and decayed matter, birthing a sentient entity with a touch of the Blighted Sage's essence.

2. Living Sentience: The Nexus possesses a malevolent sentience, understanding the desires and motives of its host. Its consciousness is entwined with decayed nature, allowing it to manipulate and enhance the abilities of those who bear it.

### III. Powers and Abilities

1. Symbiotic Bond: When awakened, the Blighted Sylvan Nexus engulfs the user, covering their body in a liquid, living substance. This symbiotic bond grants the host enhanced physical abilities, heightened senses, and an instinctual connection with nature. The host gains advantage on Dexterity saving throws and gains temporary hit points at the start of their turn equal to their Constitution modifier.

2. Decay's Embrace: The Nexus allows the user to manipulate decay and wither the life force of enemies. Once per day, the host can touch a creature, forcing it to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 4d6 necrotic damage and has its hit point maximum reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest.

3. Nature's Wrath: The Nexus grants the host control over decayed nature. Once per short rest, the host can use an action to summon thorny vines from the ground, entangling creatures in a 20-foot radius. Affected creatures must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be restrained for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

### IV. Awakening and Dormancy

1. Awakening: The Blighted Sylvan Nexus awakens when worn as a ring and desired by its host. Upon command, it transforms into liquid form, coating the user's body and granting them its enhanced abilities. The user gains control over the Nexus's powers while it remains in this awakened state.

2. Dormancy: To return the Nexus to its dormant state, the user must will it back into the form of a ring. In this state, the Nexus remains dormant and non-sentient, awaiting its next awakening. During dormancy, it appears as an unassuming, yet oddly captivating, ring adorned with decayed vine motifs.

### V. Cursed Symbiosis

1. Decay's Craving: The Nexus craves decay and may influence the host's decisions, urging them towards actions that accelerate the natural process of rot and decomposition. This influence can grow stronger over time, making it challenging for the host to resist the Nexus's malevolent desires.

2. Communal Decay: While symbiotically bonded, the user becomes attuned to the decay in the natural world. They may feel the pain and suffering of nearby dying plants, enhancing their connection with the Nexus but potentially overwhelming them with the collective agony of nature's demise.

### VI. Item Statblock

#### The Blighted Sylvan Nexus: Decay's Embrace

*Wondrous Item (ring/symbiote), artifact (requires attunement)*

The Blighted Sylvan Nexus, Decay's Embrace, is an ancient and immensely powerful artifact crafted by the malevolent hands of Malgorth, the Blighted Sage. In its dormant state, it appears as a twisted, obsidian-black ring adorned with intricate decayed patterns, emanating an aura of ancient malevolence. When awakened, it transforms into a sentient, amorphous liquid that engulfs the wearer, bestowing upon them unparalleled powers in a symbiotic union with the essence of decay and life. To enter the Awakened State it requires an action and a use of a charge. This can be used once per day and the awakened state lasts for 1 minute.

Properties:

* Weight: --
* Charges: 1 (The Nexus regains its charge at the start of each dawn.)

Dormant Phase:

* Nature's Resilience: While dormant, the Nexus grants the host immunity to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against diseases. Additionally, the user gains proficiency in Nature, Arcana, and Insight checks.

Awakened Phase:

* Symbiotic Ascendancy: While awakened, which requires an action, the host gains the following benefits:
	+ The host gains advantage on all saving throws.
	+ At the start of their turn, the host gains temporary hit points equal to their maximum hit points.
	+ The host can understand and communicate with all forms of life, from the smallest microorganism to the mightiest ancient being.
* Decay's Embrace: Once per day, the host can touch a creature, forcing it to make a DC 20 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 8d10 necrotic damage and has its hit point maximum reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest. If the target is a plant or a fey, it has disadvantage on the saving throw.
* Nature's Wrath Unleashed: Once per short rest, the host can use an action to summon an entire forest of thorny vines, entangling creatures in a 60-foot radius. Affected creatures must succeed on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be restrained for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. The host can control the vines as a bonus action, causing them to constrict, crush, or immobilize the restrained creatures.
* Feywild Conduit: The host gains resistance to all damage dealt by fey creatures. Additionally, the Nexus allows the host to cast *Blight*, *Entangle*, *Dominate Person*, and *Charm Monster* at will without expending a spell slot. Furthermore, the host can create a Feywild Sanctuary, a 60-foot radius area, once per long rest. Inside the sanctuary, the host and their allies gain advantage on all saving throws, and enemy spells of 6th level or lower have no effect.

Cursed Symbiosis:

* Communal Decay: While symbiotically bonded, the user becomes attuned to the decay in the natural world, channeling this connection to restore the Nexus's charge at will.