ᚹᚨᚱᛞᛟᚷᛚ

An accursed creature who has recently begun appearing in England, the vardǫgl is a wicked creature who spontaneously grows in the wild places of Scandinavia out of mushrooms known locally as “Hel-caps.” When full-grown, the vardǫgl begins walking; when it reaches a human settlement, whether farm or city, it adopts the shape of the first adult human it sees and begins haunting that person, seeking to ambush, kill, and replace them.

In its natural form the vardǫgl is a roughly humanoid, mobile fungus creature

Medium monstrosity, obsessed and evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 52 (8d8+16)
Speed 30 ft

Str 11 (+0) Dex 18 (+4) Con 14 (+2)
Int 11 (+0) Wis 16 (+3) Cha 16 (+3)

Skills Deception +7, Insight +5, Perception +5, Persuasion +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft, passive Perception 15
Languages the languages of every creature it has ever mind-read
Reaction to fury—people hate vardǫgl 
Challenge 3 (700 XP) 

Ambusher. In the first round of a combat, the vardǫgl rolls with advantage on attack rolls against any creature it has surprised. 

Read Thoughts. The vardǫgl magically reads the surface thoughts of one creature within 60 feet of it. The effect can penetrate barriers, but 3 feet of wood or dirt, 2 feet of stone, 2 inches of metal, or a thin sheet of lead blocks the mind-reading. While the target is in range, the vardǫgl can continue reading its thoughts, as long as the vardǫgl’s concentration isn’t broken (as if concentrating on a spell). While reading the target’s mind, the vardǫgl rolls with advantage on Deception, Insight, Intimidation, and Persuasion checks against the target.

Shapechange. The vardǫgl can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or back into its true form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies. 

Surprise Attack. If the vardǫgl surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the target takes an extra 11 (3d6) slashing damage from the attack. 

ACTIONS

Multiattack. The vardǫgl makes two melee attacks each turn. 

Long Knife. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+2) slashing damage

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+2) bludgeoning damage 

MOTIVES

Vardǫgl are motivated by the desire to replace humans and become powerful in human society. 

ALLIES

Vardǫgl strictly work alone, trusting not even other vardǫgl. They will, however, surround themselves with minions and bodyguards at the first opportunity.