Úere-bóro

Medium undead, chaotic evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 78 (12d8 + 24)

Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)

STR 15 (+2) · DEX 16 (+3) · CON 14 (+2) · INT 7 (−2) · WIS 14 (+2) · CHA 16 (+3)

Saving Throws Wis +4, Cha +5

Skills Perception +4, Stealth +6

Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14

Languages understands Kiwai and Common but can’t speak

Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Traits

Incorporeal Movement. Úere-bóro can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Spectral Permeability. Úere-bóro can enter a sealed dwelling by passing through gaps as small as 1 inch wide.

Glowing Neck Wound. A dim, crimson light shines from the spirit’s severed neck. Creatures within 30 feet have disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide from Úere-bóro.

Undying Vengeance. When Úere-bóro is reduced to 0 hit points, its body dissipates into mist. Unless its skull is reunited with its body and laid to rest, the spirit reforms at midnight within 1 mile of the place it was defeated with all its hit points restored.

Actions

Multiattack. Úere-bóro makes two Claw attacks.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d6 + 3 plus 1d6) necrotic damage.

Ravenous Rend (Recharge 5–6). Úere-bóro tears at a creature it can see within 5 feet. The target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. On a failed save, the target’s hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.

Bonus Actions

Phantom Rush. Úere-bóro moves up to half its flying speed without provoking opportunity attacks. It must end this movement closer to a hostile creature it can see.

Reactions

Slip Away. When a creature misses Úere-bóro with a melee attack, Úere-bóro can move up to 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.

Lore

The vengeful spirit of a man who was beheaded after death.

Úere-bóro is a vengeful spirit known in Kiwai Papuan folklore as the ghost of a person who was beheaded after being murdered.

Historically, the Kiwai people have lived in the Fly River delta on the southern coast of Papua New Guinea. One of their cultural particularities is that they view decapitation not merely as murder, but as the highest form of spiritual trauma. It is precisely from this trauma that Úere-bóro arises—a dangerous entity that calls for special attention and ritual protection. In general, the Kiwai especially fear the ghosts of sorcerers and of those who died violent or unusual deaths, and for good reason: such spirits can indeed be vindictive and lethal. Úere-bóro is no exception and ranks near the top of the local hierarchy of threats.

From Oceanian Bestiary 5E, p. 98 · Fern Flower Press