Fear Gorta

Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 10
Hit Points 45 (6d8 + 18)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
12 (+1)	10 (+0)	16 (+3)	10 (+0)	10 (+0)	16 (+3)

Skills Perception +2, Stealth +2 Da3age Vulnerabilities fire
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages understands Common but can’t speak
Proficiency Bonus +2
Challenge 2 (700 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Breadcrumb Osmosis. Whenever the fear gorta or its fear patch starts its turn in contact with a pound or more of breadcrumbs, it takes 1d4 acid damage. Using an action to sprinkle a pound of breadcrumbs on the fear gorta or fear patch deals 1d4 acid damage to it immediately and another 1d4 acid damage to it at the start of its next turn (after which the breadcrumbs rub off).
• Dreadful Appearance. Any creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the fear gorta and can see it must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is frightened until the start of its next turn. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the fear gorta’s Dreadful Appearance for the next 24 hours.
• Ethereal Movement. The fear gorta 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.
• Fear Grass Dependent. The fear gorta is bonded to a patch of fear grass, which holds the creature’s spirit. The fear grass has an AC and hit points equal to that of the fear gorta. If the fear grass is destroyed, the fear gorta becomes frightened of whoever destroyed the fear grass and dies within 1 hour. The fear gorta is bound to within 1 mile of its 1-foot square patch of hungry grass. At the start of its turn, if it’s outside that perimeter, it must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or vanish and reappear in an unoccupied space within the 1 mile perimeter.
• Hungering Aura. Any living creature that begins its turn within 5 feet of the fear gorta takes 5 (2d4) necrotic damage as the fear gorta’s insatiable hunger begins to drain the life force from them.

ACTIONS

• Emaciated Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) necrotic damage, and the target is cursed until the fear gorta dies or the curse is removed. The cursed creature’s hit point maximum decreases by 5 (1d10) whenever it finishes a long rest.
• Good Fortune (Recharges after a Long Rest). The fear gorta grants good fortune to one creature it can see within 5 feet of it that isn’t an Undead. The fortune’s recipient gains a d4 and can, at any time within the next 24 hours, roll this die and add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw made by it. No creature can have more than one of these magic fortunes at a time.

ABOUT

The fear gorta is a haunting and emaciated figure, resembling an apparition consumed by famine and death. Its skeletal physique is shrouded in rags, barely concealing its withered frame. Its sallow reveals the grotesque outline of angular bones beneath. Hollow, sunken eyes give the fear gorta a perpetual look of anguish and torment, while its hair hangs in long, matted strands of grey and white.

The fear gorta is a phantom born of hunger and despair, often appearing during periods of famine and hardship. It is believed to be the result of dark fairy magic, cursed by the Unseelie Court. Found in fields and desolate landscapes, the fear gorta is a malevolent being associated with the dreaded hungry grass, which can cause anyone stepping on it to experience a terrible and unquenchable starvation.

This unearthly entity is said to roam during times of famine, its presence often accompanied by an unsettling sensation of dread and hunger. Its appearance is both pitiable and horrifying, a manifestation of the hunger that gnaws at body and soul during times of scarcity.

The fear gorta seeks to satisfy its insatiable hunger by drawing upon the life force of those unfortunate enough to encounter it. Its presence is ominous, often presaging famine and suffering. While it may appear as a beggar, soliciting alms from house to house, its intentions can be both benevolent and malevolent. Those who treat it kindly may be blessed with good fortune, while those who are unkind may suffer the curse of eternal hunger, poverty, and bad luck.

Protection from the fear gorta’s effects are elusive, but some remedies are believed to provide aid. Carrying a crust of bread in one’s pocket may ward off the starvation effects of the hungry grass. Spreading crumbs of bread over an affected area is thought to reverse the curse. Additionally, it is believed that burning the fields can lift the curse.