Shade Hound Medium undead, neutral evil Armor Class 12

12 Hit Points 17 (5d8-5)

17 (5d8-5) Speed 30 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 8 (-1) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) Damage Immunities poison

poison Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, poisoned

charmed, exhaustion, poisoned Senses darkvision 60ft, passive Perception 10

darkvision 60ft, passive Perception 10 Languages Common

Common Challenge 1 (200 XP) Old Friend A single target able to see the shade hound must make a DC 15 Wisdom save. If they fail, they are affected by a Charm Person spell that lasts until either the shade hound damages the target, the target sees through the shade hound's illusory appearance, or until the effect is dispelled. Memories of owning and abandoning an old pet nearby, matching the current appearance of the shade hound, flood into the target's mind and persist until the Charm Person effect ends. Only one target can be affected by Old Friend at once.

Haven't Changed A Bit The shade hound constantly maintains the illusory appearance of a lovable stray dog, typically scruffy and thin with bright eyes, though their exact appearance can change at will. Anyone interacting with the shade hound other than someone under the effect of Old Friend receives a DC 15 Wisdom save to see through this illusion to the shade hound's true appearance. If the illusion is pointed out to someone affected by Old Friend, they receive the same save, but with disadvantage.

Anyone with True Seeing or a similar means of passively piercing illusions, regardless of the effects of Old Friend, can see a shade hound's true form. Because of the fragile nature of this illusion, the shade hound recoils and shies away from anyone other than their victim, often whimpering and appearing frightened.

Abandonment Anyone who remains in contact with a shade hound for more than one minute takes 1d6 Wisdom damage. This manifests as an ever-increasing sense of guilt over abandoning a past pet, and cannot be restored by any means while under the effects of Old Friend. When the target's Wisdom reaches 0, they remain conscious, but are overcome with depression and motionless, unwilling and unable to react to their surroundings or take any action other than to weep.

If the shade hound takes hit point damage while a creature able to see it is affected by its Old Friend ability, that creature must immediately make a DC 15 Wisdom save or take Wisdom damage as if they were in contact with the shade hound for a full minute. If they fail the save, they additionally feel intensely protective of the shade hound and are compelled to prevent any further harm to it. If successful, any damage caused to the shade hound for the next day provokes no further saves, though they remain vulnerable to damage from contact with the hound. This is a mind-affecting ability. Actions Bite: +3 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 9 (2d6 + 2) Automatically deals maximum damage (14) when striking a helpless target.

Old Friend: DC 15 Wisdom save, unlimited range within line of sight. See description in stat block.