Monster I’d Like to Fight: Boghoul

Boghouls, distant relatives of their land-dwelling counterparts, ghouls, share an insatiable appetite for rotting, decomposed flesh. Unlike ghouls, who usually haunt crypts and graveyards, boghouls prefer to lurk in the murky waters of bogs, swamps, lakes, and occasionally along the coast where marshes meet the sea, preying on fishermen and swimmers. Known for their patience, a boghoul will remain near water, their comfort zone, and wait for unsuspecting prey.

Their extended aquatic existence often transforms boghouls into hosts for waterborne flora and fauna. It’s not uncommon to spot a boghoul adorned with various algae or seagrass. Left undisturbed for decades, they might even become encrusted in coral or home to clams.

Water Adaptation

In comparison to ghouls, boghouls excel in swimming and possess the ability to breathe underwater, making them particularly dangerous to creatures less at ease in aquatic environments. Their familiarity with the water extends to their ability to stealthily move beneath the surface and out of sight from potential prey.

Boghouls also display a higher level of intelligence, enabling them to coordinate ambushes and cooperate effectively without the need for a ghast. A significant distinction is that while ghouls possess a paralytic touch, this attribute is absent in boghouls.

Waterfront Ambush

Boghouls have a preference for lying in wait within their watery domain, rather than actively seeking out their prey. They are skilled at concealing themselves in the shadows, patiently observing as their unsuspecting victims draw near. In mere moments, they can seize an unwitting traveler and pull them into the water, often before their companions can react.

Even small ships and fishing vessels are not safe from boghoul attacks, especially when anchored near marshes. Boghouls can swim up from beneath the ship’s shadow, swiftly grabbing occupants and dragging them into the water’s depths.

Boghoul

Medium Undead, Typically Chaotic Evil

Armor Class 12

Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)

Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
15 (+2)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	10 (+0)	10 (+0)	6 (-2)

Skills Athletics +4, Perception +2, Stealth +4

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, poisoned

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12

Languages Common

Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Proficiency Bonus +2

Unusual Nature. The boghoul doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Drag Under. A boghoul’s speed isn’t reduced when dragging or carrying a grappled Medium or smaller creature.

Actions

Multiattack. The boghoul makes one Bite attack and one Claw attack.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) piercing damage.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage and the target has the grappled condition (escape DC 12). The boghoul can have only one creature grappled in this way at a time.