Tuesday Terror: The Kruhafifa
This week’s Tuesday Terror isn’t really a terror. Dan May is an artist who has created a “Gentle Creatures” series of paintings. Take some time to browse through the galleries on his site and blog.
Many of Mr. May’s pieces feature humanoid creatures, horned and with small eyes, whatever other facial features they might have lost in soft fur. These creatures vary in size, ranging from what looks to be small child to ponderous giant. In almost all of the pieces, these creatures appear gentle, thoughtful, even contemplative, but there is also a protective, mentoring dimension to several of Mr. May’s pieces that makes me wonder how such a beast may act when what it loves is threatened.
The kruhafifa live in deep forests and rugged hills. They seldom interact with creatures other than beasts or fey, although stories of lost children being led back to civilization by a kruhafifa have been told for generations. These gentle beasts forage for fruits, nuts, and roots, and they avoid confrontation whenever possible.
Kruhafifa
Medium fey, neutral good
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 114 (12d8+60)
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
STR 19 (+4), DEX 12 (+1), CON 21 (+5), INT 7 (-2), WIS 14 (+2), CHA 12 (+1)
Skills Insight +4, Perception +4
Damage Resistances cold
Senses darkvision 90 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Sylvan, speak with animals always active
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Beast Friend. Unaligned beasts never attack the kruhafifa unless magically controlled or the kruhafifa attacks the beast. A magically controlled beast compelled to attack the kruhafifa must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the beast must choose a new target or lose the attack.
Charge. If the kruhafifa moves at least 15 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a ram attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 5 (2d4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Magic Resistance. The kruhafifa has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Size Alteration. As a bonus action, the kruhafifa can grow larger or smaller for 1 minute. Everything the kruhafifa is wearing and carrying changes size with it. Any item dropped by the kruhafifa returns to normal size at once.
When the kruhafifa enlarges, its size doubles in all dimensions, and its weight is multiplied by eight. This growth increases its size by one category. If there isn’t enough room for the kruhafifa to double its size, the kruhafifa the maximum possible size in the space available. Until the effect ends, the kruhafifa has advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws. The kruhafifa’s weapons also grow to match its new size. While these weapons are enlarged, the kruhafifa’s attacks with them deal 1d4 extra damage.
When the kruhafifa reduces, its size is halved in all dimensions, and its weight is reduced to one-eighth of normal. This reduction decreases its size by one category. Until the effect ends, the kruhafifa has disadvantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws. The kruhafifa’s weapons also shrink to match its new size. While these weapons are reduced, the kruhafifa’s attacks with them deal 1d4 less damage (this can’t reduce the damage below 1).
Actions
Multiattack. The kruhafifa makes two slam attacks or one ram attack.
Ram. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d4+4) bludgeoning damage.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6+4) bludgeoning damage.
