Barghest: Powerful Monster Guide for D&D

Long ago, the god Maglubiyet- conqueror and then lord of early goblinoids- bargained with the General of Gehenna for aid. The General provided yugoloths, which then died in service to Maglubiyet. Yet when the time came to honor his part of the compact, Maglubiyet reneged on the deal. In vengeance, the General of Gehenna created the soul-devouring barghests to devour goblinoid souls.

The mission of every barghest, implanted in it by the General of Gehenna, is to consume souls. It eats these souls by devouring the bodies of those it kills, preferring goblinoids.

Large Fiend, Typically Neutral Evil

Armor Class: 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 60 (8d10 + 16)
Speed: 60 ft. (30 ft. in goblin form)

    STR – 19 (+4)
    DEX – 15 (+2)
    CON – 14 (+2)
    INT – 13 (+1)
    WIS – 12 (+1)
    CHA – 14 (+2)

Skills: Deception +4, Intimidation +4, Perception +5, Stealth +4

Damage Resistances: cold, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Immunities: acid, poison

Condition Immunities: poisoned

Senses: blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15

Languages: Abyssal, Common, Goblin, Infernal, telepathy 60 ft.

Challenge: 4 (1,100 XP)

Proficiency Bonus: +2

Fire Banishment. When the barghest starts its turn engulfed in flames that are at least 10 feet high or wide, it must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or be instantly banished to Gehenna .

Soul Feeding. The barghest can feed on the corpse of a Fey or Humanoid it killed within the past 10 minutes. This feeding takes at least 1 minute, and it destroys the corpse. The victim’s soul is trapped in the barghest for 24 hours, after which time it is digested and the person is incapable of being revived. If the barghest dies before the soul is digested, the soul is released. While a soul is trapped in the barghest, any magic that tries to restore the soul to life has a 50 percent chance of failing and being wasted .

ACTIONS

Multiattack. The barghest makes one Bite attack and one Claw attack.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage.

Spellcasting. The barghest casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 12):

At will: levitate, minor illusion, pass without trace

1/day each: charm person, dimension door, suggestion

BONUS ACTIONS

Change Shape. The barghest transforms into a Small goblin or back into its true form . Other than its size and speed, its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. The barghest reverts to its true form if it dies.