Large fiend, neutral evil
Armor Class 16 (on Astral Plane)
Hit Points 39 (6d10 + 6)
Speed 60 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 13 (+1) | 12 (+1) | 2 (-4) | 16 (+3) | 10 (+0) |
Skills Perception +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages –
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Astral Howl. The astral howl works on a sleeping target. The target must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be drawn into the astral plane for one hour, while the physical body continues to sleep. Any damage taken in the astral plane is transferred to the physical body on the prime material plane.
ACTIONS
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage. If the target is a creature.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
The Astral Wolf is a large, majestic beast that resembles a wolf, but with a coat of shimmering stars and a pair of glowing eyes. Its fur is soft and silky, and its claws and teeth are sharp and deadly. The Astral Wolf is a native of the Astral Plane, a realm of pure thought and imagination, where it roams freely and hunts for prey. The Astral Wolf is intelligent and curious, but also fierce and loyal. It can communicate telepathically with other creatures, and it has a strong bond with its pack mates. The Astral Wolf is often sought after by adventurers and explorers who wish to travel the Astral Plane, as it can guide them through the dangers and wonders of this mysterious dimension.
The Astral Wolf is also the spirit of a canine or a similar animal that died of hunger, either by accident or by intentional starvation. If the latter, the Astral Wolf has an unstoppable thirst for vengeance against its tormentor, and will pursue them across the planes until they are devoured. The Astral Wolf can sense the presence of potential victims in its vicinity, and lure them into the Astral Plane with its haunting howl. The killer can only hope to survive by diverting the wolves’ hunger with hapless sacrifices.
COMBAT
The Astral Wolf is a formidable opponent in combat, as it can use its natural weapons and its innate magic to attack and defend. The Astral Wolf can bite with its powerful jaws, rend with its claws, or charge with its horns (if it has any). It can also use its telepathy to communicate with allies, coordinate tactics, or intimidate foes. The Astral Wolf has the ability to manipulate the fabric of the Astral Plane, creating illusions, altering gravity, or shifting reality. The Astral Wolf can also travel between the Astral Plane and the Material Plane at will, using its astral projection ability. The Astral Wolf is most dangerous when it fights as part of a pack, as it can use its pack tactics to gain advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the wolf’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
The Astral Wolf hunts for food and for revenge, depending on its origin and motivation. If it was starved to death by someone, it will relentlessly track down its killer and anyone associated with them. The only way to escape the wolves’ wrath is to enter the Astral Plane and kill all the hounds, or to offer them enough sacrifices to satisfy their hunger for a while. If it died of natural causes or by accident, it will hunt for any living creature that crosses its path, especially those who are sleeping or dreaming. The wolves can draw their prey into the Astral Plane, where they can attack them without interference from other forces. Any damage taken on the Astral Plane is transferred to the sleeping body on the Material Plane. There is a potion that banishes a victim to the Astral Plane, where they are hunted by the astral wolves. This potion is most often used by potential victims who seek to throw the wolves off their trail.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
The Astral Wolf lives in the Astral Plane, a vast and infinite plane of existence that connects all other planes. The Astral Plane is a place of pure thought and imagination, where anything is possible and nothing is permanent. The Astral Plane is home to many strange and wondrous creatures, such as astral dreadnoughts, githyanki, mind flayers, and modrons. The Astral Wolf is one of the few native inhabitants of this plane, and it has adapted well to its environment.
The Astral Wolf forms packs of 6 to 10 individuals, led by an alpha male or female. The pack is a close-knit family that hunts, plays, and travels together. The pack also protects its territory from intruders and rivals, using its telepathy and magic to mark its boundaries and warn off trespassers. The pack may ally with other friendly creatures that share its curiosity and wanderlust, such as astral travelers, planar explorers, or spellcasters.
The pack may also be accompanied by the ghosts of slain humans or other creatures who were killed by the wolves or their tormentors. These ghosts seek vengeance on their killers as well, and may assist the wolves in their hunt or provide them with information.
ECOLOGY
The Astral Wolf is a carnivorous creature that feeds on the flesh and essence of other living beings. The Astral Wolf prefers to hunt in the Astral Plane, where it can find a variety of prey, such as astral travelers, planar creatures, or astral projections. The Astral Wolf can also travel to the Material Plane to hunt for food, using its astral projection ability to leave its physical body behind in a state of suspended animation. The Astral Wolf does not need to eat or drink as often as a normal wolf, as it can sustain itself on the ambient energy of the Astral Plane. However, it still enjoys the thrill of the hunt and the taste of fresh meat.
The Astral Wolf reproduces sexually, mating once every year during the astral night, when the stars are brightest. The female gives birth to a litter of 2 to 4 cubs after a gestation period of 3 months. The cubs are born with their eyes open and their fur already sparkling with starlight. They are nursed by their mother for another 3 months, before they are weaned and taught how to hunt and use their magic by their father and other pack members. The cubs reach maturity at 2 years of age, and may stay with their pack or leave to form their own.