According to Mexican folklore, a lechuza is an old witch (or Bruja) who can turn herself into a monstrous black bird. They will prey on people who they think have done them wrong or they will steal children to use in their occult rituals. Some say that the lechuza has sold her soul to the devil in order to gain her powers.
Usually, the lechuza will appear as a large bird, the size of a human being. It can also appear as a creature with the body of a bird but the head of a hideous old woman.
They usually only come out at dusk or after nightfall. Many people in Mexico have spotted lechuzas flying high over the tops of houses or have seen it outlined against the moon at night.
If the lechuza fixates on you, it will sit outside your door at night, making crying sounds like a baby. If you go outside to investigate, it will swoop down on you and carry you away.
Lechuza (Wereowl)
Medium humanoid (human, shapechanger), chaotic evil
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 90 (12d8 + 36)
Speed 30 ft., (5 ft., fly 60 ft. in owl or hybrid form)
Abilities Str 13 (+1), Dex 15 (+2), Con 16 (+3), Int 10 (+0), Wis 13 (+1), Cha 10 (+0)
Skills Deception +2, Perception +5, Stealth +4
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with silvered weapons
Senses passive Perception 12
Languages Common (can’t speak in giant owl form)
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Shapechanger. The lechuza can use its action to polymorph into an owl-humanoid hybrid or into a giant owl, or back into its true form, which is humanoid. 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.
Flyby (Giant Owl or Hybrid Form Only). The lechuza doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.
Keen Hearing and Sight. The lechuza has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.
Actions
Multiattack (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). In humanoid form, the lechuza makes two club attacks or two shortbow attacks. In hybrid form, it can attack like a humanoid or make two talon attacks.
Club (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) bludgeoning damage.
Shortbow (Humanoid or Hybrid Form Only). Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Talons (Giant Owl or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d6 + 1) slashing damage. If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with lechuza lycanthropy.
Player Characters as Lechuzas
Reference page 207 of the Monster Manual for details on how players as lycanthropes function in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition.
The following information applies specifically to lechuzas:
- His or her alignment becomes chaotic evil.
- The character gains a Dexterity of 16 if his or her score isn’t already higher.
- Attack and damage rolls for the talons are based on Strength.
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