Elusa Hound

Medium monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8)
Speed 50 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
15 (+2)	15 (+2)	15 (+2)	6 (–2)	12 (+1)	8 (–1)

Skills Athletics +4, Perception +3, Survival +3
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages understands Common but can’t speak
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Special Traits

• Arcane Sight. Elusa hounds can perceive magical auras from active spells, magical effects, and magic items within a radius of 120 feet. Once an elusa hound has seen one of the above, it has advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to track the origin of the effect for 24 hours.
• Keen Hearing and Smell. The elusa hound has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Actions

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and grappled. The elusa hound can only grapple one creature at a time.

About

This powerful wolf-like dog has coarse white fur and pale white skin, and a short, bushy tail. Its eyes are a sickly yellow in color and its teeth are bone white.

Elusa hounds are used by different creatures for different reasons; though ultimately there have but one purpose: tracking (and often killing) magic-wielders. These creatures can detect the emanations given off by arcane and divine spellcasters and use this scent to track them. The origins of the elusa hounds have mystified even the most learned of sages, for though they seem to be born of magic, no spellcaster in his or her right mind would ever create such a beast.

Renegade bands enthralled with the idea of ridding the world of spellcasters sometimes employ them. Civilized towns and cities likewise use them in places where magic is forbidden or policed by the local government. In other instances, they are used by spellcasters to ferret out rivals.

When given instructions to track and kill their target, a pack of elusa hounds uses tactics similar to other canine animals: circle the prey and attack simultaneously from the front, rear, and flanks. These beasts can easily be trained to pin or hold a foe rather than kill it. This tactic is often employed by military or government units when they wish to capture and interrogate a renegade spellcaster. When using these tactics, the elusa hound attempts to trip its foe and then pins it with a bite. Elusa hounds radiate a moderate aura of divination magic if examined with detect magic or the like.