Barghest

Barghests were fiendish lupines that consumed mortal souls to gain power.

Description
The true form of the barghests resembled goblin–wolf hybrids with monstrous jaws and razor sharp claws. They were able to shapeshift into either a goblin or canine form, each of which were indistinguishable from normal members of their kind to most. Goblins immediately recognized barghests in their goblin forms and no matter the canine form they assumed, whether war dog, wild dog or wolf, other canines could easily identify them. A hateful, orange glow was given off by their intelligent eyes when they were excited and they occasionally possessed unusual traits that betrayed their true nature, such as a shock of white hair or a discolored eye.

Barghest whelps naturally appeared as larger, yellow-skinned goblins, eventually developing the ability to take on the form of a large wolf with powerful claws, their true form as this stage. As barghests matured, their forms grew to about long, weighed, and their yellow skin darkened to a shade of bluish-red until eventually turning entirely blue. Barghests that achieved greater status could transform into tall,, goblin-like monsters or into dire wolves. On incredibly rare occasions, barghests could grow to such gargantuan proportions that they could occupy small mountains. Other goblinoid races like the bugbears or hobgoblins were known to have barghest versions of their kind.

Personality
Barghests were treacherous tyrants that craved power over others, ruling goblinoids through fear and force. During their time in the Material Plane they grew not only physically but mentally, learning the skills and strategies needed to lead and hunt in the much harsher and competitive Gehenna. Bugbear barghests often attempted to incite other goblinoids into committing acts of violence against others while hobgoblin barghests commanded the terrified respect of their underlings and enemies.

Abilities
While they had a variety of magical powers, barghests were feared for their ability to consume those they slew and absorb their powers. Young barghests could not attain standing in their society until they had slain and consumed a number of great mortal heroes. Eventually, these monsters shed their skin and transformed into a greater barghest.

They would usually appear as goblinoid beings, but they were capable of shape-shifting, transforming into monstrous wolf-like creatures or taking on more humanoid shapes, such as those of drow. Despite physically changing into slender and tinier forms, they kept their bestial strength.

They were also capable of creating dimension doors in order to shorten distances quickly, creating illusions and of levitation, although they could not do so while in more bestial forms.

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

Ecology
Barghests were terrible outsiders who came to the mortal world to feed upon its heroes. These wolf-like creatures had an affinity with goblins, and could assume the form of a goblin or wolf at will. Many goblins worshiped barghests as gods.

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 the, 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.