Chwiak 취악

Small monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)

Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover; burst only—must land at the end of its turn)

STR 8 (−1) · DEX 15 (+2) · CON 12 (+1) · INT 5 (−3) · WIS 12 (+1) · CHA 8 (−1)

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4

Damage Vulnerabilities thunder (see Noise Aversion)

Senses darkvision: 60 ft., passive Perception 13

Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Traits

Stench. A creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of the Chwiak must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of its next turn. A creature that succeeds on the save is immune to this Chwiak’s Stench for 24 hours.

Noise Aversion. If the Chwiak takes thunder damage or at least three creatures within 30 feet spend their actions beating drums, clanging metal, or otherwise producing loud rhythmic noise, the Chwiak is frightened until the end of its next turn and can’t use its Frightening Visage during that time.

Skittish. The Chwiak has advantage on Dexterity saving throws made to avoid traps, nets, or other restraints.

Actions

Multiattack. The Chwiak makes two Scratching Claw attacks.

Scratching Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.

Frightening Visage (Recharge 5–6). The Chwiak distends its mouth and bulges its eyes. Each creature of the Chwiak’s choice within 15 feet that can see it must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Bonus Actions

Skitter. The Chwiak takes the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Reactions

Retreat. When the Chwiak is hit by an attack it can see, it can move up to half its flying speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Lore

Its arrival fills the air with a horrific stench. Bulging eyes, wrinkled nose, mouth corners stretching to the

The name “Chwiak” (취악) comes from the characters 취 (chwi, “to stink”) and 악 (ak, “evil”) and can be rendered as “vile stench.”

You’re most likely to encounter this creature near mountain Buddhist temples, especially on dark nights. When Chwiak appears, the air fills with a sickening odor. Its eyes bulge, its nose is scrunched, the corners of its mouth stretch back to its ears, its ears droop, and its hair stands on end. The body is a mottled blue-red, and it has leathery, webbed wings that look menacing when spread. Despite the grotesque look, Chwiak is neither violent nor particularly dangerous.

From Korean Bestiary 5E, p. 26 · Fern Flower Press