Nue 鵺

Large monstrosity (yokai), chaotic evil

Armor Class 17 (natural armor)

Hit Points 136 (16d10 + 48)

Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 40 ft. (see Black Cloud Soar)

STR 20 (+5) · DEX 16 (+3) · CON 16 (+3) · INT 10 (+0) · WIS 14 (+2) · CHA 8 (−1)

Saving Throws Str +8, Con +6, Wis +5, Perception +5, Stealth +6, Survival +5

Skills Perception +5, Stealth +6, Survival +5

Damage Resistances necrotic

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities poisoned, disease (see Cloud of Illness)

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15

Languages understands Common and Yokai Speech (can’t speak)

Challenge 8

Traits

Composite Form. The Nue has the head of a monkey with razor fangs, the torso and claws of a tiger, the limbs of a tanuki, and a serpent for a tail. It counts as a single creature despite its bizarre anatomy.

Black Cloud Soar. When the Nue takes the Dash action while not underground or underwater, it surrounds itself with roiling black mist, enabling brief flight. Until the start of its next turn, it gains a flying speed of 40 feet. If it ends its movement in midair without support, it immediately falls.

Cloud of Illness. At the start of each of the Nue’s turns, each creature within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be infected with a supernatural malady. While infected, the creature has disadvantage on Constitution saving throws. A lesser restoration spell or similar magic ends this effect. The Nue is itself immune to disease.

Night Terrors. The Nue’s chilling howls and twisted form instill dread. It has advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks against creatures that can see or hear it after sunset or in darkness.

Actions

Multiattack. The Nue makes three attacks: one with its Bite, one with its Claw, and one with its Serpent Tail.

Bite (Monkey Head). Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

Hit: 11 (1d10 + 6) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become cursed with unsettling nightmares for 24 hours. While cursed, the target can’t regain hit points except by magical means (such as spells or potions).

Claw (Tiger Limbs). Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage. On a critical hit, the Nue roars, forcing the target to make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.

Serpent Tail (Venom Strike). Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.

Hit: 10 (1d8 + 6) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. The target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Reactions

Terrifying Howl. When the Nue takes damage, it can unleash a piercing shriek. Each hostile creature within 15 feet that can hear it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.

Legendary Actions

If you need the Nue to be even more formidable, you can grant it 1 Legendary Action, which it can use at the end of another creature’s turn:

Dark Shroud (Costs 1 Action). The Nue roils its surrounding black cloud in a 10-foot radius. Each creature within the cloud must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 5 (1d10) psychic damage and is blinded until the end of its next turn. On a success, it takes half damage and isn’t blinded.

Tactics & Behavior

The Nue often appears shrouded in dark mist at night, wearing down foes with its Cloud of Illness and fear effects before attacking.

It uses Black Cloud Soar to leap or fly short distances, striking swiftly with claws and venom before retreating to darkness.

Lore

Composite beast with a monkey’s face, raccoon dog body, tiger limbs, and a snake tail.

Aprimeval being both mysterious and malevolent, whose very name inspires dread and superstition. Ancient lore describes Nue as a beast formed from a patchwork of animal parts: the head of a monkey, the body of a tanuki or tiger (depending on the version), the tail of a snake, and the wings of a bat. In some tales, it even manifests as a black cloud, rendering it ghostly and elusive.

Nue is most often linked to nightmares, illnesses, and looming disasters. Its presence heralds misfortune, and there are stories of it taking human form to slip into homes and ruin the lives of its victims. In many accounts, Nue is said to prowl after dark, unleashing ghastly moans that terrify villagers.

From Yokai Bestiary 5E, p. 52 · Fern Flower Press