Wako, Mature

Family: Wako

Medium beast, neutral evil

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 26 (4d10 + 4)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	12 (+1)	12 (+1)	8 (-1)	12 (+1)	8 (-1)

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +3
Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 30 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages – None
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Ao, Ao, Ao. Wakos use vocal calls to communicate and can relay exact location and even basic emotions within 30 feet (60 feet underground). When three or more wakos are present, all non-wakos take 7 (2d6) thunder damage each round at the beginning of their turn, or half as much on a successful DC 11 Constitution saving throw. Creatures failing their save are deafened for 1 minute, though they can attempt a new save each round to end this effect and once they save they cannot be deafened by wakos for 1 hour.
• Contortionist. The wako’s oily coat and flexible skeleton allow them to fit through spaces as easily as a Small creature, and they can stand up from prone as a bonus action.
• Pack Tactics. The wako has advantage attack rolls if at least one of its wako allies is within 5 feet of its target and isn’t incapacitated.
• Senses. The wako has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on scent but has disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight and hearing.
• Tunneler. The wako can burrow through solid rock at half their standard burrow speed leaving a tunnel behind them equal to their size in diameter.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The adult wako makes one bite and one claw attack.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
• Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage.
• Oil Slick (Recharges after a Long Rest). The wako moves up to 20 feet and creates an area of grease (DC 11) lasting 1 minute and filling the squares it passes through.

ABOUT

These slick-furred predators resemble a large-fanged capybara, with splay-fingered paws and a gaping mouth. Individually, they present little threat to even modestly skilled adventurers, but they lair in interconnecting burrows of small, low tunnels, disgorging in a squealing swarm when unfortunates disturb them. Their oily dark brown fur aids them in slithering through tight spaces. They have poor hearing and eyesight but an incredible sense of smell, digging in the dark like massive moles but always ready to pounce when prey is found. An adult wako stands 2 feet high and over 4 feet long, weighing 150 pounds.

Family Groups. Wakos are surprisingly protective of their young, often leaving their burrows to slay humanoid prey and drag the corpses back to feed their pups. Adult wakos will sacrifice their lives if their pups (which typically range from 15 to 30 pounds) are threatened in an effort to allow them to flee to safety. Each wako pack is led by an oversized female, typically rising to leadership due to greater size and strength. These leaders hone their communication with the pack with their chilling call of ao-ao-ao and can rouse them quickly in times of danger.

Wako Pup Oil

Alchemical item, common

If a wako pup is captured, a successful DC 13 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check allows a creature to calm the pup enough to expel oil from scent glands in its paws, the ridge of its spine, and under its limbs and chin sufficient to rub over one Medium or smaller creature. This oil renders the use invisible to wakos for 1 hour, though attacking breaks the invisibility effect.