Wendigo

Note The creature described on this page is based on a real-world concept that has some controversy surrounding it. Read here for more background on this subject.

Variants

    At first the creature looks like an emaciated man running, then it looks like a large wolf. Right before it attacks, it is obvious the creature is neither.

    Medium monstrosity, chaotic evil

    Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
    Hit Points 150 (20d8 + 60)
    Speed 40 ft.

    STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
    21 (+5) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) 12 (+1)

    Skills Athletics +9, Perception +7, Stealth +8, Survival +7
    Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
    Damage Immunities cold, fire
    Condition Immunities exhaustion, stunned
    Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 17
    Languages Common
    Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)

    Special Traits

    • Aura of Starvation. A creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of the wendigo must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed by gnawing cold and crippling hunger for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the wendigo’s Aura of Starvation for the next 24 hours.
    • Magic Resistance. The wendigo has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

    Actions

    • Multiattack. The wendigo makes three attacks: two with its icy claw and one with its bite. Alternatively, it uses its Frozen Spittle twice.
    • Icy Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage and 14 (4d6) cold damage.
    • Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) piercing damage.
    • Frozen Spittle. Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 100 ft., one target. Hit: 28 (8d6) cold damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained until the end of its next turn.

    About

    Born of Greed and Starvation. The wendigo’s origins are mysterious. Some claim they are beings summoned forth from the corpses of humans who have died of starvation. Others say they come from those who have died because of cannibalism or their own greed.

    An Insatiable Appetite. Wendigos are found in harsh climates, preying on the weak and hungry. Legends speak of entire settlements devoured by a single wendigo. All that remains of these settlements are eerily silent buildings and a few scattered bones, all material wealth untouched.

    An Emaciated Horror. Wendigos have an emaciated humanoid shape with some disturbing lupine features, described by one scholar as a “hairless zombie werewolf.”

    Punisher of Vices. Wendigos also have a special role in the punishment for cannibalism and greed. Greedy or cannibalistic individuals whose vices have caused the deaths of others, directly or indirectly, might be cursed by those victims as the victims die. This curse manifests as a wendigo being unleashed into the world.

    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.

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