Chang Nam

Tiny monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 39 (6d8 + 12)
Speed 20 ft., swim 20 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
6 (-2)	8 (-1)	15 (+2)	4 (-3)	12 (+1)	7 (-2)

Skills Athletics +1, Survival +4
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages –
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Amphibious. The chang nam can breathe air or water.
• Shadow of Death. If a creature starts its turn within 30 feet of the chang nam and can see the creature’s shadow (which requires dim light or bright light), the chang nam can force the creature to make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw if the chang nam isn’t incapacitated. The creature takes 7 (2d6) necrotic damage, or half as much on a successful save. A creature that isn’t surprised can avert its eyes at the start of its turn to avoid seeing the chang nam’s shadow and having to make a saving throw. If it does so, it can’t see the chang nam until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If it looks at the chang nam in the meantime, it must immediately make the save. The chang nam’s shadow cannot be seen in darkness or when vision is heavily obscured, and creatures have advantage on their saving throws when vision is lightly obscured.

ACTIONS

• Tusks. Melee Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 (1d6 – 2) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
• Oblique Thrust. The chang nam can thrust its tusks into the reflection of a creature rather than attacking the creature directly. It can attack any square adjacent to a creature, gaining advantage on the attack roll as if attacking a prone target. A successful hit deals damage as though the chang nam had struck the creature directly. In addition, as an action the chang nam can attack the footprints of a creature that has traveled on the ground and can thrust its tusks into the creature’s footprint in the same manner as attacking its reflection. The creature must have moved through that space within the past 1 minute.

ABOUT

The chang nam or “water elephant” (also called a ye thin) is native to jungle streams and deltas in tropical and subtropical lands. It appears nearly identical to a typical small-eared Asiatic elephant, save for being the size of a large rat. Its tusks are sharp, and these irascible beasts are aggressive when threatened. Most creatures give it a wide berth because its very shadow contains the power of death for those that gaze upon it, should they attract the chang nam’s ire. Its tusks can bring doom as well, as the deadly energies that reside within the chang nam’s shadow flow forth with each needle-like thrust. They are potent not only when piercing flesh but even when striking into the vestige of a creature’s passage like their reflection on water or the footsteps they leave behind.

Guardian Gifts. Some cultists and temples have tried to train chang nams with some success to serve as guardians, especially when training is supplemented with magical control. They are clever beasts and enjoy shiny things, collecting them with their tiny but prehensile trunks. They can be plied with gifts to gain their favor, and some may be encountered dressed in regal finery resembling the accoutrements of royal elephants, but in miniature.