[ACKS] Barghests, the Fathers of Goblinkind

BARGHEST

% In Lair: 50%

Dungeon: 1d2/1d2

Wilderness: 1d2/1d4

Alignment: Chaotic

Movement: 150' (50')

AC: 6

Hit Dice: 6+6***

Attacks: 4 (2 claws, 1 boot, 1 bite)

Damage: 1d6 energy drain/1d6 energy drain/1d8/2d6

Save: F8

Morale: +3

TT: J (in lair)

XP: 1280

Barghest appear as huge, feral looking, red-skinned goblins or hobgoblins. Their frames are twisted into wolfish form, with fangs, claws, and black manes running halfway down their backs. Their eyes are their most wolfish feature. Barghests speak Common, Goblin, and Infernal (Zaharan). Typically, a barghest wears only a belted loincloth and great, red-hot iron boots. Barghests trace their descent from the Demon Lord Amon.

For themselves, barghests are the progenitor demons of goblinkind, having bred with wicked elves and men centuries ago to form their own servile mortal race. These so-called sons of the Wolf, when on Talis, attract great groups of hobgoblins, goblins, and other beastmen to their red-stained banners. Barghests have little patience for planning or rule, however, and lead their devout subjects in great waves of slaughter, before almost invariably being driven back by the better prepared, more strategic armies of man, elf, and dwarf. In the modern day, many hobgoblins have turned away from the direct worship of barghests, choosing instead to worship Fenris, the Wolf of the End Times. These hobgoblins are fare more methodical and organized.

All barghests are treated as having the Berserkergang proficiency. They are immune to non-magical weapons, and even magical weapons not made of silver do half damage. Barghests are immune to fire and natural cold.

Barghests tend to fight intelligently, unarmed, letting their great, energy-draining claws, burning shoes, and massive jaws do the talking for them. A creature reduced to 0 damage by a barghest dies immediately, and the barghest is restored to full hit points. A common tactic of barghests is to slay a goblin minion for their soul's energy when the barghest is heavily wounded.

A barghest is able to transform into the shape of a greater hellhound, and remain in this shape indefinitely. In either form, barghests leave burnt footprints where ever they tread.

Many barghests (75%) are also mages of level 1d6. Other barghests (25%) possess thief abilities at level 1d6.