Yowler

Tiny undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 22 (4d4 + 12)
Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
3 (-4)	15 (+2)	16 (+3)	3 (-4)	10 (+0)	5 (-3)

Skills Perception +2, Stealth +4
Damage Resistances necrotic
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities frightened, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages –
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Living Projection. The yowler’s undead form is constantly covered with a magical illusion that makes it look like it did in life. This effect is suppressed for 1 minute if the yowler attacks or uses Yowl. The changes wrought by this illusion fail to hold up to physical inspection. For example, the yowler’s fur appears soft and silky, but someone touching it would feel the yowler’s rotten fur and exposed bones. Otherwise, a creature must take an action to visually inspect the illusion and succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern the yowler’s true appearance.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The yowler makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws. It can use Yowl in place of a bite attack.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the end of its next turn.
• Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
• Yowl. The yowler lets loose a horrid scream. Each hostile creature within 30 feet of the yowler that can hear it must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the yowler’s Yowl for the next 24 hours.

ABOUT

A small house cat gently purrs and twitches its tail. Suddenly it lets loose a blood-curdling yowl as it arches its back. An illusion gives way to the true creature: a rotting undead cat with glowing green eyes, long teeth, and claws like knives.

Yowlers are undead house pets and familiars with a score to settle and a hatred of the living.

Mistreated in Life. Many house pets and familiars have terrible masters who mistreat the animals in life. When these creatures die (often as part of the master’s mistreatment), night hags find the animals’ souls and send them back to inhabit their bodies. The soul re-enters its old vessel, resulting in the creation of a yowler, an undead creature with supernatural powers, a burning desire for revenge on its old master, and a hatred of all living creatures.

Illusionary Mask. Unless a yowler has recently acted violently, illusionary magic makes it appear to look as it did in life. Once the yowler attacks, its true form is revealed: that of a rotting corpse with green eyes, long claws, and envenomed fangs.

Necromancer and Night Hag Familiars. After a yowler has taken its revenge on its former master, a necromancer or night hag might find and adopt the yowler as a familiar. The yowlers’ illusionary masks make the creatures excellent spies, and they are tougher than the average familiar. While these masters may show affection to their yowlers, the undead pets still harbor a hatred for all living creatures, including those to whom they are currently bound.

Undead Nature. The yowler doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.