Large Monstrosity, Neutral

Description

The Badalisk is a solitary creature that sleeps most of the time. It awakens only when someone moves within the range of its senses or to feed. It is normally about 10-13′ (3-4m) long with wide set red eyes, small horns and covered in striped goat like hair. It’s body resembles that of a fat snake however it moves reared up sliding along on its tail. The creature is highly secretive and will normally move away from anyone that comes into range of its senses. It will only attack if threatened however it’s attack is normally always fatal. Normally found only in remote mountainous regions within the trees, this creature is feared by locals who normally provide a feast for the creature on a yearly basis in order to keep it content. The creature is rarely the target of hunts due to its unique trait “All-Hearing Secrets” which frequently causes the hunters to fall-out amongst themselves and frequently then themselves become the hunted. No living example has ever been captured alive.

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 168 (16d10 + 80)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	10 (+0)	20 (+5)	2 (−4)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)

Abilities

Saving Throws Con +9, Wis +8
Skills Perception +8, Insight +8
Damage Resistances necrotic, psychic
Condition Immunities frightened, charmed
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 18
Languages understands all spoken languages within 900 ft. but cannot speak
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +4
Vulnerabilities: Due to its low intelligence, anyone wearing very heavy makeup or a mask can approach the creature as the mental imagery does not match with what it sees causing it some confusion. In a confused state it can be led safely, however if not fed or otherwise entertained (within 1 hour) it will telepathically broadcasts all known secrets to any other creature within range

Traits

All-Hearing Secrets. The Badalisk can hear and understand the thoughts and spoken words of all creatures within 900 feet, even through walls and barriers, as long as they are not magically silenced. It always knows who is lying or hiding a secret and can see hidden or invisible creatures within this range.

Petrifying Gaze. When a creature that can see the Badalisk’s eyes starts its turn within 30 feet of it, the Badalisk can force it to make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw if the Badalisk isn’t incapacitated and can see the creature. On a failed save, the creature is paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. A creature that succeeds is immune to this gaze for 24 hours.

Rotting Breath (Recharge 5–6). The Badalisk exhales a 30-foot cone of foul breath. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or become Cursed. A cursed creature cannot regain hit points by any means and dies 30 days later as its body succumbs to supernatural rot. This curse can only be removed by greater restoration, remove curse, or wish.

Magic Resistance. The Badalisk has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Multiattack. The Badalisk makes two attacks: one with its Bite and one with its Tail.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 18 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.

Tail Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 22 (3d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Legendary Actions

The Badalisk can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Badalisk regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Detect. The Badalisk makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Whip. The Badalisk makes a Tail Slam attack.
Suppress Secrets (Costs 2 Actions). One creature within 60 ft. that the Badalisk can see must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the creature is silenced (as if by silence) and cannot speak or cast spells with verbal components for 1 minute.

Lore

Legends say the Badalisk dwells in remote alpine villages, surfacing only once a year to parade among the people. Beneath the ritual lies a darker truth — it is a creature of dread instinct and ancient wisdom, drawing sustenance from secrets and fear. Though it does not fly, it bears vestigial wings and a serpentine body. Its eyes freeze the soul, its breath rots the flesh, and its presence compels the truth from the lips of the unwilling.
This version is based upon that allegedly native to of Andrista, Italy although there are other variants across other regions