Werehyena (D&D 5E Monster)
Following is an entry for the Werehyena, one of the creatures that appears in Skirmisher Publishing's bestselling "Men & Monsters of Ethiopia" sourcebook for 5th Edition D&D! The terrific custom illustration that accompanies this post is by talented fantasy artist Amanda Kahl.
Werehyena
Medium Humanoid (Human, Shapechanger), lawful neutral
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Armor Class 12 in humanoid form, 13 (natural armor) in hyena or hybrid form
Hit Points 52 (8d8 + 16)
Speed 30 ft. (50 ft. in hyena form)
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STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 11 (+0)
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Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with silvered weapons
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Common (cannot speak in hyena form)
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
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Shapechanger. A Werehyena can use its action to polymorph into a hyena-humanoid hybrid or a hyena, or back into its true form, which is humanoid. Its statistics, other than its AC, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is not transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Rampage. When a Werehyena in hybrid or animal form reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, it can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a bite attack.
Actions
Multiattack (Hybrid Form Only). When in hybrid form the Werehyena can make two attacks, one with its bite and one with its club.
Bite (Hyena or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage. If the target is a humanoid it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with werehyena lycanthropy.
Crush (Hyena or Hybrid Form Only). If a Werehyena rolls a natural 20 on a bite attack then it has clamped its powerful jaws around one of its victim's limbs and inflicted crushing damage to it, not just inflicting double damage as per a normal critical hit but also treating all damage rolls of 1-3 as 4s.
Club (Humanoid Form Only). Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one creature. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage, or 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
Werehyenas are tough lycanthropes that are somewhat scrappy in appearance and who tend to keep to themselves, living either solitarily or in small, close-knit communities. They can appear variously in humanoid, hyena, or hybrid form consisting of humanoid body with a spotted furry hide and a hyena head.
