Lycanthrope, Werehyena

Family: Lycanthropes

The hyena’s form shifts into that of a gnoll and then to something in between. In all three forms, blood drips from its filthy muzzle.

Medium humanoid (gnoll, shapechanger), chaotic evil

Armor Class 13 in gnoll form, 14 (natural armor) in hyena or hybrid form
Hit Points 58 (9d8 + 18)
Speed 30 ft. (50 ft. in hyena form)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11 (+0) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 10 (+0)

Skills Perception +2, Stealth +5
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with silver
Senses passive Perception 12
Languages Gnoll (can’t speak in hyena form)
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Special Traits

  • Keen Hearing and Smell. The werehyena has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
  • Shapechanger. The werehyena can use its action to polymorph into a hyena-gnoll hybrid or into a hyena, or back into its true gnoll form. Its statistics, other than AC, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Actions

  • Multiattack (Gnoll or Hybrid Form Only). The werehyena makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws or scimitar.
  • Bite (Hyena or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage. If the target is humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with werehyena lycanthropy.
  • Claws (Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) slashing damage.
  • Scimitar (Gnoll or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage.

About

A Blessed Curse. Across worlds and in all their cultures, the gnolls have always revered the hyena. Those who suffer the curse of lycanthropy also exhibit it in the same way: the form of a werehyena. This is considered a rare and wonderful gift, as most gnolls who suffer this curse die the first time they change. Those who survive, however, are honored in their culture.

A Demonic Affliction. In truth, the lycanthropy that werehyenas suffer is a demonic possession.

The souls of these creatures have been forfeited to a demon lord. Only gnolls are able to survive this intact. If they spread this disease to a non-gnoll, the victim survives until the first full moon, after which it dies and turns into a demon gnoll under the demon lord’s sway. The only way to save the victim is to cure the disease before the first transformation.

A Terrible Cure. Normally a remove curse removes lycanthropy from a victim, but slightly more stringent efforts are needed to cleanse a werehyena’s bite. While the remove curse spell is being cast, a demonic creature must be killed in the vicinity of the victim, and the victim must drink the demon’s ichor. Only then is the lycanthropy removed permanently.

Finding such a creature can be difficult and often means making deals with dark forces.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Creature Codex. © 2018 Open Design LLC; Authors Wolfgang Baur, Dan Dillon, Richard Green, James Haeck, Chris Harris, Jeremy Hochhalter, James Introcaso, Chris Lockey, Shawn Merwin, and Jon Sawatsky.