Let's Read the 4e Monster Manual 2: Phoelarch
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I seem to remember phoelarches appearing in one of the late Monster Manuals for 3e. I don’t know if they appeared before that. Their 4e debut is here in the MM2.
The Lore
A Phoelarch is a fiery humanoid native to the Elemental Chaos. Their orange skin and fiery hair makes them look kinda like a human-like version of the azer, or a slightly differerent fire genasi. They’re typically nomadic and adventurous, and so could be found wandering anywhere in the universe. But when you see a phoelarch you’re seeing just half the picture.
The soul of every phoelarch is connected to that of a phoera, a fire bird that’s pretty much a mini-phoenix. Phoeras soar through the skies of the Elemental Chaos, living their bird lives. Though smaller than phoenixes, they’re still giant territorial birds of prey and have quite a temper, so they can end up attacking passing adventurers.
Typically, a phoelarch doesn’t have a lot to do with their phoera and vice-versa. They have a vague sense of each others’ personality and emotions, but each lives their own life, and has thoughts and concerns that are utterly alien to the other. It’s quite possible for them to never meet.
However, when one member of the pair is killed, the connection instantly summons the other one, which will arrive knowing what happened and will be understandably very angry at the perpetrators. Since phoelarches are more widespread, the most common scenario likely has the PCs fighting them first and then the phoera, but I suppose it could happen the other way around. As long as one member of the pair survives, the other will eventually return to life.
The Numbers
Phoeras are Medium Elemental Magical Beasts with the Fire keyword. The two phoelarches we get here are tagged as Medium Natural Humanoids, but I really think they should be Elemental as well and have the Fire keyword. As sapient humanoids, a lot of their abilities come from training, so we get two stat blocks for them. They still tend to use a lot of fire, though.
All the individual stat blocks here are regulars, but they’re really “disguised” elites when you think about it.
Phoelarch Mage
Phoelarch mages love fire magic, and travel the world looking for adventuresome mentors who can teach them using practical lessons instead of classroom work. Some seek out their linked phoeras in order to gain a deeper understanding of their link and of fire magic in general.
This Phoelarch Mage is Level 12 Artillery with 93 HP. They have Resist 10 Fire, Vulnerable 5 Cold, and project an aura (1) of Phoenix Heat, which deals 5 damage to any creatures caught inside. That means you should be careful with their formation if they’re partnering up with flammable allies. Their ground speed is 6.
The mage’s basic attacks are a burning dagger and a Range 20 phoenix ray, both of which deal fire damage. They also know a spell named Flames of the Phoenix (recharge 5+), which is pretty much your typical fireball: area effect, fire damage, plus ongoing fire damage. Presumably they also know plenty of non-combat rituals, but those don’t appear in stat blocks.
When the mage drops to 0 HP their Rise from the Ashes ability triggers and they explode. This deals heavy fire damage (vs. Reflex) in a Close Burst 2. It also creates a zone of fire that lasts until the end of the encounter and damages anyone caught inside. Finally, when the mage’s next turn comes up, a phoera appears within the zone and joins the fight.
Phoelarch Warrior
Phoelarch warriors are usually wandering mercenaries that seek to get hired as independent skirmishers and special forces. While their moral outlook is as varied as that of any sapient, even a dastardly warrior will usually refuse to work for slavers.
This Warrior is a Level 12 Skirmisher with 114 HP. They have the same resistances and aura as the mage, and a Speed of 7. Their main attack is a burning falchion that deals fire damage and is a High-Crit weapon. They also have a Burning Step trait that deals automatic fire damage to anyone who hits them with an opportunity attack.
Like the mage, the warrior also explodes when dead, creating a fiery zone and being replaced by their phoera in the next turn.
Phoera
Phoeras are level 12 Skirmishers with 114 HP. As magical beasts they’re sapient and can talk, but their toughts are usually a bit alien to your typical humanoid and even to their linked phoelarch. They have Resist 15 Fire and Vulnerable 5 Cold, and a damaging fire aura (2) similar to that of the phoelarch, but larger. They run at speed 6 and fly at speed 10.
Phoeras fight with claws that do physical and ongoing fire damage, and can shoot feathers of flame in a close blast 4 pattern. They can perform either of those as part of a Flyby Attack as well, flying their speed without provoking opportunity attacks and making the attack at any point in the move.
When they die, they explode and leave a fiery zone just like a phoelarch. If their phoelarch is already dead, that’s the end of it. If not, it’d make sense for the phoelarch to appear in this zone next turn.
Sample Encounters and Final Impressions
The sample encounter is level 12: a phoelarch warrior who fell in with a briar witch dryad and a few snaketongue cultists. Do mind your positioning on this one, as all of the phoelarch’s allies are very flammable.
I like the phoelarch/phoera gimmick! Without it, they’d be just another “generic fire guy” alongside azers, genasi and salamanders.