The Lussaruq

The Lussaruq is a twisted abomination of a humanoid who has been touched by the
corrupting power of Yeenoghu. While Yeenoghu is primarily an entity worshipped by
gnolls and the carrion creatures that follow, from time to time humanoid races also fall
under His spell - whether willingly or not.
It is known that the hyeneas that follow roving wartribes of Gnolls frequently consume
the corpses left behind. There is a small chance of these hyenas undergoing a
transformation and turning into a Leucrotta, an abominable patchwork beast with a
haunting voice used for mimicry.
Though it is rare, a humanoid who consumes the flesh of tainted by Yeenoghu's devout
can also undergo a horrific transformation, but perhaps one more insidious. The body of
the person is invaded by a tormented spirit of the Abyss, more speficially the Death Dells -
Yeenoghu's personal realm and hunting ground.
Depending on the strength of the Abyssal spirit, or the constitution of the host, they
transform into a fully fledged Lussaruq or a Lussaruq Spawn. This involves physical
tranformations while the demonic entity devours the soul and spirit of its host.


Lussaruq
Medium fiend (demon), chaotic evil
Armor Class 16
Hit Points 132(13d8 + 26)
Speed 40ft., 40ft. climb
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 (+2) 17 (+3) 14 (+2) 11 (+1) 10 (0) 8 (-1)
Condition Immunities Charmed, Poisoned,
Exhausted
Languages Abyssal, any language the host knew in
life
Senses Darkvision 60ft, Passive Perception 15
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +5
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Mimicry. The Lussaruq can mimic any sounds it has
heard, including voices. A creatures that hears the
sounds can tell they are imitations with a
successful DC 14 Wisdom (Insight) check.
Abyssal Hunter. The Lussaruq has advantage on any
stealth checks made while hunting it's prey.
Ambusher. The Lussaruq has advantage on attack
rolls against any creature it has surprised.
Pounce. If the Lussaruq moves at least 20 feet
straight toward a creature and then hits it with a
claw attack on the same turn, that target must
succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be
knocked prone. If the target is prone, the Lussaruq
can make one bite attack against it as a bonus
action.
Sharpened Climb. The Lussaruq can climb difficult
surfaces, including upside down on ceilings,
without needing to make an ability check.
Actions
Claw. +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: (1d8 +
3) slashing damage. On a hit, the target must
succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or
take an additional 1d4 necrotic damage.
Bite. +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d6 + 3)
piercing damage. On a hit, the target must succeed
on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or take an
additional 1d4 necrotic damage. If the target fails
by 5 or more, they are poisoned for one hour.
Multiattack. The Lussaruq makes one claw and one
bite attack or two claw attacks.
Mechanics of Transformation. Unless you want the Lussaruq to transform at a certain time for a narrative moment, roll a
Constitution saving throw (DC 16). On a failure, the transformation is instant. On a success, the change can take 1d6 days. The
decision for the transformation to yield a Lussaruq or a Lussaruq Spawn can be up to the DM. Or, have the host roll a secondary
Constitution saving throw with the same DC. On a success, the host turns into a Lussaruq Spawn to show the resistance of the
host not allowing the demonic spirit to fully transform. If this happens, the shift to a full Lussaruq happens in 2d12 days
2
The Lussaruq, once fully transformed,
resembles it's former host very little.
The skin is leeched of colour, while
patches of thicker hair grow around the
body. It's limbs elongate while the
fingernails turn to sharpened claws. It's
eyes are a burning luminous orange and
it's teeth grew longer and sharper.
The entire physicality of the Lussaruq
portrays agility and lethality. This being
can immediately become an apex predator
in whatever environment they are
created in.
The mentality and personality of this
creature can vary depending on what
demonic spirit of the Death Dells
currently resides within. Some can be
full of rage and mindless bloodlust,
others can have complex and sadistic
enjoyments and play with their prey.
Whatever it may be, they all share one
similarity - a need to kill and destroy.
The transformation from humanoid to
Lussaruq can happen whether the host is
alive or very recently dead - usually
within the first hour of death.
If alive, the amount of time it takes can
vary depending on the host's
constitution. With a weakling, it can
happen near instantly with a violent
explosion of activity. For those with a
greater fortitude, it can begin with the
host becoming more aggressive and the
lack of sleep. In this in-between stage,
the Lussaruq can sometimes psychically
communicate with the host, primarily
during their sleep or whispers in the back
of the mind.
If the host is dead, the transformation
can take about an hour. The heart starts
beating once more as the body begins
twitching and spasming while the limbs
lengthen. If you are close to the body,
you can hear soft inhuman growls
coming from it during the transition
that grow louder until it awakens.
The Lussaruq Spawn, while weaker than
it's full-blooded companion, is still a
leathal creature that should only be
approached if appropriately prepared. Due
to the host of the Lussaruq Spawn
resisting the full curse and
transformation, this creature resmbles a
humanoid more closely than those who
are entirely subsumed by the demonic
being.

The Spawn stands straighter, though the

limbs are still elongated. The claws are
half-formed, and still allow the
creature to grab things without piercing
if desired. It's fangs are less prominent
within the mouth, but still no less
deadly.

Due to the host resisting the full

transformation, this means the Spawn
retains some of the martial knowledge of Lussaruq Spawn
the host. The Spawn can still use Medium fiend (demon), chaotic evil
weaponry and shields that the host was
Armor Class 15 (17 with Shield)
proficient with in life.
Hit Points 42 (6d8 + 12)

Speed 40ft.
The Lussaruq Spawn is more primal in
nature, the demon within raging at the
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
failure to completely possess it's body.
Due to this, they often look up to a 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 9 (-1) 10 (0) 11 (+1)
fully-fledged Lussaruq for leadership,
but will gladly rip them apart for having Languages Abyssal, any language the host knew in
life
to debase themselves once their Senses Darkvision 40ft., Passive Perception 12
transformation is complete. Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Variations of the Lussaruq Spawn. As the Lussaruq Spawn
can wield weaponry and armours, you can swap out their
weapons and adjust their AC to correspond with different
armour to provide some variety if there is a mob of them.
Past Life. The Lussaruq Spawn holds onto fragments
of its mortal life. Not yet a true fiend, it still has
proficiency with weapons and armours it once used
in life.
Feigning Death. Due to only being part-way through
it's transformation, if the Lussaruq Spawn arranges
itself a certain way, it can pass as a human corpse at
a passing glance. The Lussaruq Spawn can roll
stealth checks with advantage to appear as a natural
dead body.

Actions
Warhammer. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning
damage.
Bite. Unarmed Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
target. Hit: (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Multiattack. The Lussaruq Spawn can make one
weapon attack and one bite attack.