Haugbui

Medium undead, lawful neutral

Armor Class 15
Hit Points 153 (18d8 + 72)
Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 15 (+2) 20 (+5) 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Dex +10, Con +9, Wis +10
Skills Arcana +7, History +7, Intimidation +8, Perception +10, Religion +12
Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, necrotic, thunder
Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, restrained
Senses truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 20
Languages the languages it knew in life, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +5

SPECIAL TRAITS

  • Incorporeal Movement. The haugbui can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
  • Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the haugbui has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
  • Turn Resistance. The haugbui has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.
  • Undead Nature. The hangbui doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

ACTIONS

  • Multiattack. The haugbui makes three Psychic Blast attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Spellcasting.
  • Psychic Blast. Melee or Ranged Spell Attack: +10 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 27 (5d8 + 5) psychic damage.
  • Invisibility. The haugbui magically turns invisible until it attacks or casts a spell, or until its concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell). Any equipment the haugbui wears or carries is invisible with it.
  • Spellcasting. The haugbui casts one of the following spells, requiring no components and using Wisdom as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 18):

BONUS ACTIONS

  • Sepulchral Scrying (Recharge 6). While within 1 mile of its burial mound, the haugbui creates an invisible sensor within 5 miles of the mound for 1 minute. When it uses this bonus action and as a bonus action on each of its turns for the duration, the haugbui can switch between using its own senses and projecting its senses through the sensor. While projecting its senses through the sensor, it can see, hear, telepathically communicate, and cast spells as if it was in the sensor’s space, and it is blinded and deafened with regard to its own senses. The sensor can be dispelled (DC 14).

ABOUT

A thick swirl of dust rises, settles, and forms the vague outline of a human—two points of yellow light shine where its eyes should be, staring malevolently.

Mound Haunter. A haugbui is an undead spirit tied to its burial mound or barrow. It serves as a familiar, protective spirit to nearby farmsteads or villages, so long as tribute is regularly paid to the haugbui. Traditional offerings may include pouring the first beer from a barrel, leaving portions of meals out overnight, sacrificing blood or livestock, or burying a portion of any income in the mound. A freshly-woken haugbui devours the remains of creatures it was buried with, such as a hawk, hound, or horse.

Milder Spirits. Haugbuis are similar to vættir but much older. They are more humble and less prone to taking umbrage, and indeed, a great many haugbui have long since forgotten their own names. They are not quick to spill blood when irritated and thus are viewed with greater tolerance by the living.

Scrye and Watch. Haugbuis prefer to watch over their people from within their mound, and only come forth over the most grievous insults or injuries. They can do a great deal from within their mounds thanks to their scrying ability.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Tome of Beasts 1 ©2023 Open Design LLC; Authors: Daniel Kahn, Jeff Lee, and Mike Welham.

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