Wicked Hounds

Seven centuries ago, the Circle of Magisters discovered a cabal of sorcerers plotting to enslave the world through dark ritual and bloodmagic. The conspirators—a tyrannical warlord, a plague-spreading alchemist, a flesh-sculptor who created abominations, a mind-breaking illusionist, a soul-devouring necromancer, a betrayer-king who murdered his own bloodline, and a cultist who summoned things better left forgotten—had nearly succeeded in their apocalyptic ambitions. Rather than execute them, the Circle devised a punishment far more exquisite: they stripped away their humanity and bound their consciousness into seven grotesque hound-forms, each reflecting the nature of their sins. The warlord became a three-headed beast that could never agree with itself, the alchemist a creature wreathed in sickly green flames that poisoned the earth beneath its paws, and so forth. Most cruelly, the Circle enchanted them to never truly perish, ensuring they would remain aware, intelligent, and suffering for eternity. Yet the magisters made a critical error—they bound the seven together in an unbreakable pack-curse, believing forced proximity would torment them further. Instead, the hounds discovered they could manipulate and scheme as a collective, their combined knowledge and dark arts making them far more dangerous than they ever were as individuals. Over centuries, they escaped their magical prisons repeatedly, each time learning more about their captor's weaknesses and the world's hidden evils. They began seeking out those who shared their hunger for corruption, gathering followers and spreading suffering wherever the curse allowed them to roam. Now they are legend whispered in dark taverns—seven immortal horrors that embody the worst humanity has to offer, trapped in monstrous forms yet somehow more intelligent and dangerous than before their transformation.

Strength

20, modifier +5

Dexterity

16, modifier +3

Constitution

20, modifier +5

Intelligence

18, modifier +4

Wisdom

14, modifier +2

Charisma

16, modifier +3

Multiattack

The Wicked Hounds make three attacks: one with Bite and two with Claw.

Bite

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2d10 + 5 piercing damage.

Claw

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2d6 + 5 slashing damage.

Corrupting Howl

Each creature within 60 ft. must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or take 4d10 psychic damage and be frightened for 1 minute.

Spectral Flames

Wreaths a target in flames, dealing 3d8 fire damage and igniting them for 1 minute.

Dark Pact

The hounds can cast a spell from their former lives, such as 'Fear' or 'Hold Person' at 5th level.

Cursed Intelligence

Retains full intelligence and voice of former self, allowing manipulation.

Pack Tactics

Advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one ally is within 5 feet.

Eternal Suffering

Immune to being charmed or frightened; can’t die unless destroyed by specific magic.

Corrupting Presence

Creatures within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened.

strength

+10

dexterity

+8

intelligence

+9

wisdom

+7

Manipulate Shadows

The Wicked Hounds can teleport up to 60 ft. to an unoccupied space in dim light or darkness.

Cacophony of Sins

Each creature within 30 ft. must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or take 3d8 psychic damage and be deafened for 1 minute.

Pack's Wrath

The hounds can make one Bite attack and one Claw attack as a reaction to being attacked.

Necrotic

Poison

Psychic

Charmed

Frightened