Blud

Medium fey, neutral

Speed fly 40 ft. (hover)

INT 16 (+3) · WIS 18 (+4) · CHA 18 (+4)

Skills Deception +9, Perception +8, Stealth +9, Survival +8

Damage Immunities All damage

Condition Immunities All conditions

Senses Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 18

Languages Common, Sylvan

Challenge —

Traits

Incorporeal Nature. Blud is immune to all damage and conditions. It cannot be killed, captured, or permanently harmed. Blud can move through creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It doesn't provoke opportunity attacks.

Shapechanger. Blud can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium beast or humanoid, or into a bright light resembling a lantern or will-o'-the-wisp, or back into its true form (a formless, invisible presence). Its statistics, other than its speed, are the same in each form.

Invisibility. Blud can turn invisible or visible as a bonus action.

Actions

Misdirection. Blud targets one creature it can see within 120 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become lost for 1 hour. A creature lost in this way is unable to determine direction or navigate and automatically fails any ability check made to avoid getting lost. The creature can repeat the saving throw every 30 minutes, ending the effect on a success.

Luring Song. Blud sings a haunting melody. Every humanoid within 300 feet of Blud that can hear the song must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed until the song ends. Blud can maintain concentration on the song for up to 10 minutes. While charmed, a target is incapacitated and compelled to move toward the source of the song by the safest available route. If the charmed target receives damage or is shaken by an ally using an action, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on a success.

Illusory Appearance. Blud creates an illusion affecting all creatures within 60 feet of it. Each creature must make a DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check. On a failed check, Blud can change its appearance, as well as that of other creatures, objects, and the environment in any way it likes. This effect lasts for up to 10 minutes or until Blud loses concentration (as if concentrating on a spell).

Reactions

Confounding Presence. When a creature that Blud can see starts its turn within 30 feet of Blud, Blud can create a distracting illusion or sound. The creature must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on all ability checks and saving throws until the start of its next turn.

Legendary Actions

Blud can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature's turn. Blud regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Fade Away. Blud becomes invisible until it takes an action or reaction.

Haunting Whisper. Blud targets one creature within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.

Lore

Blud is considered a forest spirit who leads travelers astray, causing them to wander aimlessly through the woods and luring them into swamps or dense thickets.

Legends say that Blud has no definite form. He can be invisible like the wind, sometimes taking the shape of an animal or a human. Some have seen him as a black cat, others as a goat with glowing eyes, and occasionally he appears as a mysterious bird whose song enchants and draws people deeper into the forest.

One story tells of a young hunter who often ventured into the woods alone. He knew his forest well—every trail and clearing, you might say. One day, while hunting at sunset, he heard a melodious singing. An invisible force pulled him forward, and the song captivated him more and more. Forgetting everything, the hunter followed the sound, thinking he'd find a rare bird.

From The Witchwood Bestiary 5E, p. 32 · Fern Flower Press