Bhuta

Medium undead (shapechanger), neutral evil

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 255 (30d8+120)
Speed fly 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
6 (-2)	27 (+8)	18 (+4)	11 (+0)	8 (-1)	24 (+7)

Saving Throws Dex +12, Cha +13
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Skills Deception +12, Stealth +18
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages Common
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Innate Spellcasting. The bhuta’s spell casting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 26). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
  • At will: speak with animals
  • 3/day each: charm monster, geas
  • 1/day each: magic jar

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The bhuta makes four claw attacks.
• Claw (Bhuta Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 8) slashing damage.
• Corrupt Milk. The bhuta can turn one ounce of normal milk into one dose of bhuta milk. When added to any beverage, such as chai, tea, or a larger glass of milk, or added to a food or sauce, bhuta milk does not alter the appearance or taste of the food or drink. However, a bhuta consuming a dose of bhuta milk heals 5 points of damage, while a living creature consuming it becomes prone to paranoia, distrust, and fear. A creature drinking the bhuta milk must succeed a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or become frightened of all creatures. The frightened creature can attempt a new saving throw every time it takes a long rest.
• Shapechanger. The bhuta can take the form of any Medium sized or smaller beast or change back into its bhuta form. While in its beast form, its feet face backwards.

ABOUT

A bhuta is a ghostlike undead creature born of horrible death or murder in a natural setting. It is a manifestation of rage at the injustice of a death that interrupted important business or unsated desires. Doomed to haunt the wilderness within several miles of the site of its demise, a bhuta turns to the local fauna as tools for its vengeance. Animals are attracted to bhutas, who use their magic to manipulate them toward mischief and murder, though they avoid corrupting domesticated animals, familiars, and similar beasts whose sudden change in behavior might arouse suspicion and reveal a bhuta’s presence. A bhuta can assume animalistic form itself, but its natural appearance is that of a bestial humanoid phantom that floats a foot above the ground as it moves.

Tell-tale Signs. A bhuta’s feet point backward. To disguise its nature, a bhuta can appear solid, manifesting in long robes that help disguise the fact that it floats and has strange feet.

When a bhuta possesses an animal with magic jar, that beast casts no shadow, so it prefers to lurk in heavily canopied or thicketed areas, waiting for the right time to strike out and attack intruders.

Unfinished Business. A bhuta might have tasks it wishes to complete from its previous existence as a living creature, or it might work against those who slew its living form. This link to its past life is vague and compulsive rather than clear, unlike that of a ghost.

Bhutas who have no specific target for retribution still seek to trouble those living in or near their domains, coaxing passersby into accepting them as traveling companions and using their influence over animals as a testament to their benevolence. When invited to join a group, a bhuta can journey outside its normal territory. However, a bhuta’s hunger for living blood usually drives it to attack its companions before it wanders far.