Barghest

Family: Barghest

Medium fiend, chaotic evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 37 (6d8+6)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
17 (+3)	15 (+2)	13 (+1)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)

Saving Throws Str +6, Dex +5, Wis +6
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +5, Survival +5
Damage Resistances cold; necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities fire, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Infernal, Vulgate
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Special Traits

• Change Shape. The barghest can assume the shape of a goblin or a normal wolf. It can keep this form indefinitely, reverting to its natural form upon death. It retains its natural weapons while in alternate shape.
• Consume the Soul. When a barghest slays an opponent, it feeds upon the victim’s soul as well as its corpse, using a bonus action to do so. Victims whose soul is consumed by a barghest in this manner cannot be raised or resurrected through anything short of wish or true resurrection, which have only a 50% chance of success. Reincarnate may also be attempted, with only a 25% chance of success.
• Feed. A barghest who slays an opponent and consumes their soul gains hit dice. For every three opponents slain, the barghest gains one hit die, to a maximum of 12 HD. For each HD it gains, it also increases its Strength, Dexterity and Constitution by 1, and its AC increases by 1. For every 3 HD thus gained, the damage for its natural attacks increase by one die type (d8, d10, d12), and its effective Challenge Level increases by 1, with commensurate increase in Proficiency bonus. At 10 HD, its size increases to Large, and its shapechange allows for shifting to hobgoblin or worg forms instead of goblin and wolf.
• Pass without Trace. A barghest in wolf form can use pass without trace, at will, as a spell-like ability. This ability does not require an action, nor does it require components.
• Spell-like Abilities (Save DC 15).
  • At will–disguise self, levitate, minor illusion, misdirection
  • 1/day-charm monster, dimension door, fear

Actions

• Multiattack. The barghest attacks 3 times; twice with its claws and once with its bite.
• Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6+3) slashing damage.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+3) piercing damage.

About

A barghest is an evil faerie. They are vaguely human in shape, but can alter their size to very small or very large, appearing as if they are looming over any who face them. Upon closer inspection, their ragged, dull-colored flesh is revealed, and a stench pervades them like the smell of rotten fruit.

Despisers of Life. Barghests reside on the outskirts of civilization, lurking in abandoned buildings, alleys and the like. Barghests require the souls of living victims to sustain themselves, growing more powerful with each unfortunate devoured. These foul-minded fey stalk the living in the mortal realms, hoping to gain for themselves power and immortality, and driven by a violent hatred of all living things.

Deadly Tricksters. The Barghest will always attempt to lead a victim astray through the use of spell-like abilities. They will take the shape of someone in distress, to call upon their intended victims and lure them into the dark. They then pounce upon them and devour them, body and soul.