{"name":"The Briar-Hound","challenge_rating":"8","xp":"3,900","types":"Fey Beast","pb":"","size":"Large","sizer":"NONE","languages":"Understands Sylvan and Common but cannot speak","alignment":"Unaligned ","description":"[p]Its body is a living tangle of bark, sinew, and black roses.[br]Moss hangs from its shoulders like a mane.[br]Where its heart should be, briars coil around a glowing ember of feylight.[\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n","suggested_environments":"","armor_class":"20","hit_points":"190 (20d10 +80)","strength":"22","dexterity":"16","constitution":"20","intelligence":"8","wisdom":"16","charisma":"14","base_movement_units":"ft","base_movement_in_ft":"50","fly_movement_in_ft":"","burrow_movement_in_ft":"10","swim_movement_in_ft":"","climb_movement_in_ft":"","senses":"[p]Tremorsense 30ft., Darkvision 90ft., Passive Perception 18[\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n","skills":"[p]Perception +8, Survival +8, Athletics +11[\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n","saving_throws":"Str +11, Con +10, Wis +8","damage_vulnerabilities":"","damage_resistances":"Necrotic, Poison; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from nonmagical attacks","damage_immunities":"","condition_immunities":"Charmed, Frightened, Poisoned","spellcasting":"","cast_at_will":"","cast_one_per_day":"","cast_twice_per_day":"","cast_thrice_per_day":"","special_abilities":"[h3|e7209448-6845-4bec-b231-e45e514094ad][b]Heart-Bound Guardian[\/b][\/h3]\r\n[p]While the Mad Huntress is within 60 feet, the Briar-Hound gains:[\/p]\r\n[ul]\r\n- Advantage on all saving throws\r\n- Regains [b]10 HP[\/b] at the start of its turn\r\n[\/ul]\r\n[p]If the Huntress drops below half HP, the Briar-Hound immediately moves up to its speed toward the creature that damaged her (no reaction required).[\/p]\r\n[h3|8f694ff3-0ce6-4869-84b2-1e6ee5093c88][b]Thornblood Vengeance[\/b][\/h3]\r\n[p]When the Briar-Hound takes damage, each creature within 5 feet takes[br]5 (1d10) piercing damage from erupting thorns.[\/p]\r\n[h3|a16051ea-a3bc-4143-9348-ce4644f67661][b]Rooted Persistence[\/b][\/h3]\r\n[p]The Briar-Hound cannot be knocked prone and has advantage on saves against being moved or restrained.[\/p]\r\n[h3|b075c657-765d-4262-aac0-e7704dd006cb][b]Pack Anchor[\/b][\/h3]\r\n[p]All allied Thornshadow Wolves within 30 feet gain advantage on saving throws against being frightened and knocked prone.[\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n","actions":"[p][b]Multiattack[b][\/p]\r\n[p]The Briar-Hound makes two attacks: one Briar Bite and one Slam, or two Briar Bites.[\/p]\r\n[p][b]Briar Bite[b][\/p]\r\n[p][i]Melee Weapon Attack:[\/i] +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.[br][i]Hit:[\/i] 18 (2d10 + 7) piercing + 9 (2d8) necrotic.[br]The target must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution save or become Briar-Wounded:[\/p]\r\n[ul]\r\n- Takes 7 (2d6) necrotic damage at the start of its turn as thorned vines sprout from the wound.\r\n- Speed reduced by 10 ft.\r\n- Ends with an action to remove the vines 9 (2d8) Piercing or successful DC 15 Medicine check\r\n[\/ul]\r\n[p][b]Root-Crush Slam[b][\/p]\r\n[p][i]Melee Weapon Attack:[\/i] +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.[br][i]Hit:[\/i] 16 (2d8 + 7) bludgeoning and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Strength save or be grappled (escape DC 17 Strength).[br]While grappled, the target is restrained as roots coil around them.[\/p]\r\n[p][b]Verdant Rush (Recharge 5-6)[b][\/p]\r\n[p]The Briar-Hound charges up to 40 feet in a straight line.[br]Each creature in its path takes 22 (4d10) bludgeoning + piercing damage and must make a DC 19 Dexterity save or be knocked prone.[\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n","bonus_actions":"[p][b]Guardian's Interpose[\/b][\/p]\r\n[p]When a creature the Briar-Hound can see targets the Mad Huntress with an attack, the Briar-Hound moves up to 20 feet to interpose itself, becoming the new target if within range.[\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n","reactions":"[p][b]Heart-Fury[b][\/p]\r\n[p]When the Mad Huntress is hit by an attack, the Briar-Hound may make one Briar Bite against the attacker if within range.[\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n","legendary_actions":"","lair_description":"","lair_actions":"","regional_effects":"","motivation":"[p]The Briar-Hound was once a real animal companion, bound to the Mad Huntress by love, not magic.[br]The curse did not [i]create[\/i] it \u2014 it [i]refused to leave her[\/i].[\/p]\r\n[p]Its eyes still soften when she speaks its true name.[\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n","tactics":"[ul]\r\n- Prioritizes body-blocking and grappling high-damage threats.\r\n- Uses Verdant Rush to disrupt backlines.\r\n- Will fight to the death unless purified.\r\n- Never retreats while the Huntress lives\r\n[\/ul]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n[p][\/p]\r\n","image_gallery_id":"","source":"Homebrew","tags":"","isShared":"on","templateId":"2991","blockId":"1624118","world":"4127da00-29d9-44de-b96f-ce5bcff305d8","folder":"null"}