Tarbh Uisge

Large monstrosity (shapechanger), neutral

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 114 (12d10 + 48)
Speed 40 ft., swim 60 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	14 (+2)	18 (+4)	8 (-1)	12 (+1)	6 (-2)

Skills Perception +4, Stealth +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common
Proficiency Bonus +3
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Amphibious. The tarbh uisge can breathe air and water.
• Water Walking. The tarbh uisge can walk across water and other liquids as if they were solid ground.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The tarbh uisge makes two attacks: one with its Gore and one with its Hooves.
• Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.
• Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) bludgeoning damage.

BONUS ACTIONS

• Change Shape. The tarbh uisge can polymorph into a humanoid or beast form, or back into its true form. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
• Trampling Charge. If the tarbh uisge moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the tarbh uisge can make one attack with its hooves against it as a bonus action.

ABOUT

This bull-like creature is a large monster, with a head as black as a thunder cloud and its nostrils redder than lightning.

Tarbh uisges (tarv-ISH-ka), also known as water bulls, are nocturnal inhabitants of moorland lochs and possess amphibious and shapeshifting abilities. Tarbh uisges are amiable compared to their equine counterparts, kelpies, but they still hold the potential for great violence.

Legends recount the encounter between a tarbh uisge and a kelpie. These stories often involve a confrontation between the two creatures, with their abilities put to the test. Tarbh uisges are also defenders of herds of cattle, particularly if their progeny is among them.

Tarbh uisges are versatile in their appearances and behaviors. They can be monstrous and malevolent, but also amiable and occasionally helpful. The tarbh uisge can transform into human form and live on land or in water, similar to the shapeshifting abilities of other mythological creatures.

Tarbh uisges are not typically considered threats, but they have the ability to shapechange into human or beast forms, allowing them to blend into rural and urban environments. Tarbh uisges reproduce with standard cattle, producing progeny with distinctive traits, such as small ears. Some villages believe the offspring of tarbh uisges and ordinary cows should be killed at birth by methods other than drowning to avoid bringing disaster to the herd.