Barghest, Ancient

This massive gray-furred canine pads forward on all fours, its slender front limbs looking more like wrinkled hands than a wolf’s paws.

Ancient Barghest CR 14

XP 38,400
Skilled
LE Huge outsider (evil, extraplanar, lawful, shapechanger)
Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent; Perception +24

DEFENSE

AC 28, touch 12, flat-footed 24 (+4 Dex, +16 natural, -2 size)
hp 217 (14d8+154); fast healing 15
Fort +15, Ref +13, Will +11
DR 15/magic

OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +20 (2d8+12 plus grab and infernal wound), 2 claws +20 (2d6+12)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 14th)

• At will–blink, invisibility sphere, levitate, misdirection
• 1/day–charm monster (DC 18), crushing despair (DC 18), dimension door, mass bull’s strength, mass enlarge person, veil (DC 20), waves of exhaustion

Special Attacks bay, smite good 5/day, swallow whole (free action, 5d6 acid damage, AC 18, 21 hp)

STATISTICS

Str 34, Dex 19, Con 32, Int 19, Wis 24, Cha 19
Base Atk +10; CMB +24 (+28 grapple); CMD 38 (42 vs. trip)
Feats Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Improved Trip, Great Fortitude, Greater Trip, Stand Still
Skills Acrobatics +21, Bluff +21, Diplomacy +21, Intimidate +21, Knowledge (history, planes) +21, Perception +24, Sense Motive +24, Stealth +13, Survival +24
Languages Common, Giant, Goblin, Infernal
SQ change shape (alter self or beast shape I), improved tracking

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Bay (Su)

When the ancient barghest howls or barks, all creatures except evil outsiders within a 300-foot spread must succeed on a DC 21 Will save or become panicked for 2d4 rounds. This is a sonic mind-affecting fear effect. Whether or not the save is successful, an affected creature is immune to the same ancient barghest’s bay for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Domination (Su)

As a standard action, the ancient barghest may dominate a creature (as the dominate monster spell) suffering from an infernal wound caused by its bite attack. A successful DC 23 Will save negates the effect. The dominate effect persists as long as the damage remains unhealed, and is automatically dispelled if the damage is healed. The save DC is Charisma-based. This is equal to a 9th-level spell.

Fast Healing (Ex)

The ancient barghest can regrow limbs with fast healing.

Infernal Wound (Su)

The damage the ancient barghest deals with his bite attack inflicts persistent wounds. Any attempt to magically heal a creature suffering from an infernal wound must succeed on a DC 25 caster level check or the spell does not function.

ECOLOGY

Environment any
Organization solitary or cult (1 plus goblin tribe)

Treasure standard

Greater barghests continue to eat, grow, and evolve over time, but with vastly diminished returns. After decades or even centuries spent consuming humanoids, the greater barghest sheds its skin a final time. The ancient barghest realizes the true potential of his kind, gaining the ability to dominate any creature whose flesh fills his gullet. Some move on from the Material Plane, while others seek to rule hordes of maimed minions.