Barghest

"A horrifying wolflike monster with blue-tinged fur, long sharp claws, and a fiendish glint of intelligence in its hateful, glowing eyes darts out of the shadows."

- Monster Manual 3.5

Barghests are evil fiendish shapechanger lupines.

History
A barghest named Ulgulu lived out his early years around the region of Sundabar and became very strong after many such consumptions, so strong in fact as to be near able to return to Gehenna. In 1341 DR, he slew a farmer family called the Thistledowns, and devoured the eldest daughter. In the process, he left false evidence to point the blame at the drow ranger Drizzt Do'Urden so as to cover his crimes. In revenge for the slain family, the dark elf killed Ulgulu, along with the creature's minions and brother Kempfana. Ulgulu died halfway between changing back from the form of a gigantic wolf, proving the barghest's ability to shape change.

Physical description
In its normal form, it resembles a goblin-wolf hybrid with monstrous jaws and razor sharp claws. As whelps, barghests look like common wolves, except for their size and paws. As they grow larger and more powerful, their skin darkens to bluish-red and eventually turns completely blue. A full-grown barghest is about 6 feet (180 cm) long and weighs 180 pounds (82 kg). A barghest’s eyes glow orange when the creature becomes excited.

Abilities
While they have a variety of magical powers, barghests are feared for their ability to consume those they slay and absorb their powers. Young barghests cannot attain standing in their society until they have slain and consumed a number of great mortal heroes. Eventually, these monsters shed their skin and transform into a greater barghest.

Society
Barghests originate from the plane of Gehenna but are sent to the Prime Material Plane to mature. Once they have reached maturity, they are allowed to return to their native plane. Their method of doing this is gruesome in nature. To grow and become stronger, the barghest, known as a barghest whelp in its formative years, must devour victims in order to gain size and strength. The stronger the victim consumed, the more power is attributed to the whelp.

Ecology
Barghests are terrible outsiders who come to the mortal world to feed upon its heroes. These wolf-like creatures have an affinity with goblins, and can assume the form of a goblin or wolf at will. Many goblins worship barghests as gods.