Ember Pup, Runt

Small beast, neutral

Armor Class 14 (natural Armor)
Hit Points 9 (2d6 + 2)
Speed 40 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
13 (+1)	13 (+1)	13 (+1)	4 (-3)	12 (+1)	6 (-2)

Skills perception +3
Damage Immunities fire
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages understands Infernal but can’t speak
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Keen Hearing and Smell. The ember runt has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
• Pack Tactics. The ember runt has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the runt’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
• Radiating Heat. A hostile creature takes 2 (1d4) fire damage when it comes within 5 feet of the ember runt for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there.

ACTIONS

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) fire damage.

ABOUT

Ember pups are stocky, strongly-built young hounds with ash-black fur and intelligent eyes that burn like fire. They are broad-chested with wide, powerful jaws and jagged teeth. Born and bred in dark, unforgiving realms beyond, ember hounds have been forged into relentless hunters and fearless fighters, and those instincts are strong in pups from their first day. The fires of their native worlds burn inside them, growing stronger as they mature. The flame that becomes an ember hound’s most powerful weapon is barely a flicker in pups, though they are always warm to the touch. As they grow they have been known to start fires with flares of heat, especially when startled or angry, and their fur smokes and smolders after a hunt.

Hellbent. Ember hounds are feared across the realm as unshakeable hunters and omens of certain death, called from other worlds to stalk the enemies of their masters. They are excellent trackers, tirelessly pursuing prey once marked, and when their fire is up they fight with rabid fury that can be difficult to control or stop. Their otherworldly howl is mournful and sometimes stirs other ember hounds, even across the planes.

Hellbound. Ember pups are rarely found outside the kennels of invading abyssal armies unless directly summoned. Bred and trained as weapons, they are obedient by nature and eager to please any who they come to see as their master, whether through binding or patient and cautious training. Once bonded, they are steady, constant allies, fierce and loyal. Bound ember pups can be fiercely protective, and are eager to please their masters with surprise “gifts” of charred prey. Their retrieval skills are the stuff of legend, and a loyal ember can be sent to acquire just about anything, though their interpretation of their master’s request is not always accurate.