Summon Hunting Horror

9th-level conjuration (formula)

Casting Time: 5 hours (5 phases of 1 hour when cast as a formula)

Range: 60 feet

Components: V, S, M (a living creature and any other offerings, which the hunting horror consumes), T (at night, in complete darkness), SC (0 to 16, which must have proficiency in Arcana or Yog-Sothothery and chant from text; +1 bonus on formula ability checks per 4)

Formula Ability Checks: Intelligence (Arcana) or Wisdom (Yog-Sothothery) DC 22, Intelligence (Arcana) or Wisdom (Yog-Sothothery) DC 22, Intelligence (Arcana) or Wisdom (Yog-Sothothery) DC 22

Formula Backlash: 10d4 psychic damage to primary caster and 10 psychic damage to each secondary caster

Formula Failure: Hunting horror ignores orders and attacks the caster or nearby creatures before departing

Duration: Until task is complete, up to 10 days

You call forth an aspect or appendage of some nameless outer entity in the form of a hunting horror. It appears as though it is being squeezed through and billowing out of a tiny invisible opening in the air at a location of the GM’s choice within range. The hunting horror remains until its task is fulfilled, until 1 minute after negotiations fail, or until it is killed or reduced to 0 hit points; it vanishes without a trace when one of these conditions is met.

The hunting horror expects to have a substantial sacrifice prepared for it, or else it seizes the primary caster as the sacrifice and then departs. If the spell is successful, the hunting horror first consumes the sacrificed creature and then claims any other offered items. A Large or larger creature of at least challenge rating 1 is sufficient, though it is written that larger and more magical beings and other bribes such as magic items make it more likely the hunting horror will act favorably. Upon consuming the sacrifice, the hunting horror is willing to parley with its summoners rather than simply destroying them immediately.

A caster must succeed at a DC 22 Charisma (Intimidation or Persuasion) check to convince the horror to undertake an action lasting no longer than 10 days. The negotiating caster gains a bonus at the GM’s discretion if the sacrificed creature is especially powerful and unusual (+1 or +2) or if the offering includes a rare (+1), very rare (+3), or legendary (+5) magic item. If the action requested takes no more than 10 minutes, the check is made with advantage. If the ability check fails, the hunting horror attacks until it or the primary caster is dead, or until the spell expires (see above).