Herd Skulker

Medium monstrosity (shapechanger), neutral evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 45 (6d10 + 12)
Speed 50 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
15 (+2)	17 (+3)	15 (+2)	5 (–3)	12 (+1)	13 (+1)

Skills Deception +5, Perception +3, Stealth +5
Condition Immunities charmed
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Herd-Hidden (Herd Animal Form Only). The herd skulker has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) and Charisma (Deception) checks to blend into the herd or convince those observing the herd that it is part of the herd.
• Keen Hearing and Smell. The herd skulker has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
• One of the Herd. A domesticated herd animal, such as a cow, horse, sheep, or chicken, that can see the herd skulker treats it as a member of the herd, regardless of the form the skulker takes. When such an animal sees a herd skulker attack or feed, it becomes immune to the herd skulker’s One of the Herd for the next 24 hours, acting as it normally would when confronting a predator. Creatures immune to the charmed condition are immune to this trait.

ACTIONS

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be forced prone.

BONUS ACTIONS

• Change Shape. The herd skulker transforms into a Large or smaller domesticated herd animal it can see, such as a cow, horse, sheep, or chicken, or back into its true, canine form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
• Nimble Escape. The herd skulker takes the Disengage or Hide action.

ABOUT

A rangy, emaciated wolf with a piebald hide wanders among the cows, its mouth slobbering with hunger. Disturbingly, the cows treat it as one of their own.

Even a lone wolf can be devastating to a farmer’s livelihood—the sheep, horses, cows, goats, chickens, and other livestock that make up their flock. When that wolf is preternaturally clever and can hide among its prey, rooting it out can be an endless nightmare. Herd skulkers can change forms in the blink of an eye, making makes them particularly difficult to identify, both for animals and people.

Cowardly and Cruel. Herd skulkers are cowards. The moment they feel threatened, they turn tail and run. But they always come back, and this threat haunts the dreams of farmers who have seen them in action. Like a wolf, a herd skulker is hungry, but unlike a wolf, it is also cruel. It delights in tormenting farmers, slowly picking off the animals of their herd, sometimes right in front of their eyes.

Hiding in Plain Sight. A herd skulker projects a calming enchantment on domesticated animals, lulling them into complacency. They typically don’t discover a predator is among them until it is too late. The skulker is also adept at deceiving farmers into thinking it is one of their animals, even after the herd has sensed its presence.

Isolation. Herd skulkers prefer to attack stragglers in the herd, minimizing their chance of exposure. Even animals near the herd skulker remain oblivious to its presence if they do not see it acting aggressively.