Medium Monstrosity (Shapechanger), Lawful Evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 75 (10d8 + 30)
Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft.
STR
17 (+3)
DEX
12 (+1)
CON
16 (+3)
INT
6 (-2)
WIS
12 (+1)
CHA
7 (-2)
Saving Throws STR +6, DEX +4
Skills Athletics +6
Damage Immunities Poison
Condition Immunities Poisoned
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 11
Languages Common (speaks in gutteral snarls)
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3
Traits

Berserk. Whenever the lyssatherium starts its turn with less than all its hit points, roll a d6. On a 6, the lyssatherium goes berserk. On each of its turns while berserk, the lyssatherium attacks the nearest creature it can see. If no creature is near enough to move to and attack, the lyssatherium attacks an object, with preference for an object smaller than itself. Once the lyssatherium goes berserk, it continues to do so until it dies or regains all its hit points.

The creature's allies, if within 60 feet of the berserk lyssatherium, can try to calm it by speaking firmly and persuasively. The lyssatherium must be able to hear the speaker, who must take an action to make a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. If the check succeeds, the lyssatherium ceases being berserk. If it takes damage while it still has less than all its hit points, the lyssatherium might go berserk again.

Reckless. At the start of its turn, the lyssatherium can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls during that turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn.

Shapechanger. A creature drops any equipment it is wearing or carrying when it transforms into a lyssatherium. It reverts to its true form at the end of one hour, regardless of whether it is alive or dead.

Wounded Fury. While it has 40 hit points or fewer, the lyssatherium has advantage on attack rolls. In addition, it deals an extra 10 (3d6) damage to any target it hits with a melee attack.

Actions

Multiattack. The lyssatherium makes two claw attacks.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.

Description

Whenever a humanoid creature imbibes a dose of lyssavirus serum, it undergoes a painful transformation to become a lyssatherium (literally "rage monster").

This transformation takes 1 minute, during which the creature is stunned and doubled over in agony. Once the transformation is complete, it lasts for 1 hour, regardless of whether the creature is alive or dead.

The famous physician and monster hunter Van Richten invented lyssavirus serum while trying to create a potion which would temporarily produce what he perceived to be the benefits of werewolf lycanthropy—namely increased strength, agility, and aggression—without the accompanying curse. While the resulting serum succeeded in the short term, it also carried dangerous side effects with repeated use, such as bouts of uncontrollable rage as well as persistent psychosis. 

Van Richten also discovered, to his great dismay, that his mental faculties and fine motor skills were significantly reduced as a lyssatherium, preventing him from using equipment or weapons or casting spells.

Habitat: Urban

JadeRavens

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