Barghest

Barghest CR 6 (Expert)

XP 2,400
LE Medium outsider (evil, extraplanar, lawful, shapeshanger)
Init +2; Senses blindsense (scent) 60 ft., darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +13

DEFENSE

HP 80
EAC 18; KAC 19
Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +9
DR 5/magic

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee bite +15 (1d6+11P plus trip), or claw +15 (1d6+11S)
Offensive Abilities feed
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th)

At will–daze (DC 14), ghost sound (DC 14)
3/day–charm person (DC 15), lesser confusion (DC 15)
1/day–flight II (self only), jester’s jaunt (self only)*

*see Starfarer’s Companion

STATISTICS

Str +5; Dex +2; Con +2; Int +2; Wis +2; Cha +3
Skills Athletics +18, Intimidate +18, Sense Motive +13, Stealth +18, Survival +13
Languages Infernal, Goblin, Worg
Other Abilities change shape (humanoids [goblinoids only] or wolf), tracking (scent)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Feed (Su)

Once per month, a barghest can spend one minutes to devour the corpse of a nonevil creature. If the devoured creature has Hit Dice or a CR equal to or greater than the barghest, then the barghest increases its CR by +1 with all applicable alterations. When a barghest reaches CR 10, it sheds its skin and becomes a greater barghest.

ECOLOGY

Environment any
Organization solitary or cult (1 plus 10-16 goblins)

Barghests are terrible outsiders who come to the mortal world to feed upon its heroes. These wolflike creatures have an affinity with goblins, and can assume the form of a goblin or wolf at will. Many goblins worship barghests as demigods.

While they have a variety of magical powers, barghests are feared for their ability to consume those they slay and absorb their powers. Young barghests cannot attain noteworthy standing in their society until they have slain and consumed a number of great mortal heroes. Eventually, these monsters shed their skin and transform into a greater barghest.

In its natural form, a barghest resembles a goblinwolf hybrid with terrible jaws and sharp claws. As whelps, barghests are nearly indistinguishable from wolves, except for their size and claws. As they grow larger and stronger, their skin darkens to bluish-red and eventually becomes blue altogether. A full-grown barghest is about 6 feet long and weighs 180 pounds (18 bulk). A barghest’s eyes glow orange when the creature becomes excited.