Leyin

Large fiend (shapechanger), chaotic evil

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)

Hit Points 152 (16d10 + 64)

Speed 50 ft.

STR 22 (+6) · DEX 18 (+4) · CON 18 (+4) · INT 12 (+1) · WIS 14 (+2) · CHA 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Dex +8, Con +8, Wis +6, Cha +7

Skills Deception +7, Perception +6, Stealth +8

Damage Resistances Cold, Fire; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Damage Immunities Poison

Condition Immunities Poisoned

Senses Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16

Languages Common, Abyssal; can mimic voices

Challenge 9

Traits

Shapechanger. The Leyin can use its action to polymorph into a Medium humanoid female, or back into its true form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Devilish Regeneration. The Leyin regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. If the Leyin takes radiant damage or damage from holy water, this trait doesn't function at the start of its next turn.

Mimicry. The Leyin can mimic animal sounds and humanoid voices. A creature that hears the sounds can tell they are imitations with a successful DC 16 Wisdom (Insight) check.

Luring Call. The Leyin can use its action to emit a human-like call or laughter. Any humanoid within 120 feet of the Leyin that can hear it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute. While charmed in this way, the creature is compelled to use its movement on each of its turns to move towards the sound by the safest available route, avoiding obvious hazards. The effect ends if the creature takes damage or if it can no longer hear the Leyin.

Rampage. When the Leyin reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the Leyin can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a horn attack.

Actions

Multiattack. The Leyin makes three attacks: one with its Gore and two with its Claws.

Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.

Hit: 19 (2d12 + 6) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.

Hoof Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one prone creature.

Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage.

Swamp Illusion (Recharge 5–6). The Leyin creates an illusory 20-foot-radius area of safe terrain within 60 feet of it that lasts for 10 minutes. The illusion includes audible, visual, and tactile elements, such as solid ground where there is a swamp or quicksand. A creature examining the area can attempt a DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check, recognizing it as an illusion on a success. Creatures that enter the area without recognizing the illusion may fall prey to the hazardous terrain hidden beneath.

Reactions

Sudden Shift. When the Leyin is targeted by an attack, it can use its reaction to shift into its humanoid form or back into its true form, potentially causing the attack to miss if the attack roll is lower than the new AC.

Lore

This demonic deer inhabits the dark parts of Eastern European forests.

It can call out or laugh in a human voice, attracting the attention of travelers. In most cases, it leads travelers and adventurers off the road or familiar paths, causing them to wander aimlessly through the forest. Sometimes, when it sees travelers, it pretends to be a deer drowning in a swamp. Kind-hearted people rush to help the poor animal but end up trapped in the mire themselves. After that, the demon disappears, and in most cases, the travelers simply perish in the swamp. If someone approaches it in the forest, it usually attacks with its horns and hooves. Its horn strike is so powerful that it can kill.

It appears as a huge, muscular creature moving on all fours with enormous horns. Interestingly, this creature doesn't have hooves on its front legs; instead, it has four-toed paws ending with sharp claws, while the hind limbs end with hooves. It also has a tail that resembles a tufted brush. Its head is elongated with a wide mouth full of sharp teeth—long on both jaws. Its skin is covered in spots with short fur. Leyin's belly has a different coloration compared to the rest of its body.

From The Witchwood Bestiary 5E, p. 66 · Fern Flower Press