Heukho 흑호

Huge monstrosity, neutral evil

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)

Hit Points 241 (21d12 + 105)

Speed 50 ft., climb 30 ft.

STR 25 (+7) · DEX 17 (+3) · CON 21 (+5) · INT 12 (+1) · WIS 16 (+3) · CHA 14 (+2)

Saving Throws Str +12, Dex +8, Con +10, Wis +8, Cha +7

Skills Insight +8, Perception +13, Stealth +8, Survival +8

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Senses darkvision: 120 ft., passive Perception 23

Languages understands Common and Sylvan but can’t speak

Challenge 15 (13,000 XP)

Traits

Keen Smell. Heukho has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Legendary Cunning. Heukho has advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects it can see, such as traps and spells.

Roaring Leap. Heukho’s long jump is up to its speed and its high jump is up to half its speed, with or without a running start.

Pounce. If Heukho moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a Claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, Heukho can make one Bite attack against it as a bonus action.

Actions

Multiattack. Heukho makes three attacks: one with its Bite and two with its Claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 7) piercing damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) slashing damage.

Mountain-Shattering Roar (Recharge 5–6). Heukho unleashes a thunderous roar in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 20 Constitution saving throw, taking 55 (10d10) thunder damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature that fails the save is also deafened and frightened of Heukho until the end of its next turn. Unattended objects and structures in the cone take double damage.

Bonus Actions

Relentless Pursuit. Heukho moves up to half its speed toward a creature it can see that it damaged on this turn.

Reactions

Predatory Counter. When a creature within 5 feet of Heukho misses it with a melee attack, Heukho can make one Claw attack against that creature.

Legendary Actions

Heukho can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Heukho regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Move. Heukho moves up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Claw. Heukho makes one Claw attack.

Intimidating Roar (Costs 2 Actions). Heukho emits a menacing growl. Each creature of Heukho’s choice within 30 feet that can hear it must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of Heukho’s next turn.

Lore

Prefers lone, unarmed travelers. Noted for incredible speed and a devastating paw strike.

Name and First Impression The monster’s name comes from two Sino-Korean characters: 흑 (heuk), black, and 호 (ho), tiger. In Cheonggu Yadam—an early-nineteenth-century collection of unofficial tales—it is always called the vicious black tiger. That qualifier matters: in Korean folklore most tigers are sacred, mountain-guardian spirits that protect villages and drive away demons. By labeling this beast simply the vicious one, the story signals that Heukho is a corruption of the holy archetype—an embodiment of pure malice rather than wild nature.

Heukho is no ordinary big cat; the folklore text calls it monstrous and savage, so fearsome that a normal person could not bear to look at it. Its eyes blaze like torches, marking it as unmistakably supernatural. In a fight the creature rears up on its hind legs like a man, turning a normal tiger’s pounce into brutal hand-to-hand combat.

From Korean Bestiary 5E, p. 58 · Fern Flower Press