Xiezhi
Xiezhi resemble lions with thick, dark fur covering their bodies and a single horn protruding from their foreheads. Despite their ferocious appearance, Xiezhi are generally peaceful creatures and will only resort to violence when in the presence of dishonesty.
Punisher of Lies. No one is sure when, why, or how the Xiezhi first came to inhabit the Material Plane, but it quickly became apparent that these creatures had a particular affiliation with the divine domain of truth. When a Xiezhi hears a lie, it responds instinctively by attacking the person who spoke the lie. These attacks are quick and violent, but rarely deadly. The Xiezhi cannot help its instinct to attack in the presence of dishonesty, but also (usually) possesses the self-control to avoid killing its victims once they have been incapacitated.
Enforcers of Law. The Xiezhi have found a home in Han Dynasty China, where they are held in high regard by the emperor Guangwu. Here, especially in major metropolitan areas like Xi’an and Luoyang, Xiezhi can be seen roaming the streets and patrolling the ramparts as a kind of informal law enforcement. Whenever a fight or argument breaks out in a public area, it is sure to come to a swift end as the guilty party is instantly attacked and incapacitated by a nearby Xiezhi. The most polite and well-spoken among the Xiezhi are often promoted to become advisors to the emperor himself.
Loot the Body! The horn of the Xiezhi is a highly valued commodity on the black market. Although it may be possible to harvest a Xiezhi Horn humanely (such as when one dies of natural causes), the vast majority of Xiezhi Horns traded on the black market are taken from Xiezhi killed by poachers. A Xiezhi Horn can be sold (illegally) for 2d6 x 100 gp.
Xiezhi
Large celestial, Chaotic Good
Armor Class: 12
Hit Points: 45 (6d10 + 12)
Speed: 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 14 (+2) | 15 (+2) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) |
Condition Immunities: charmed
Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive perception 12
Languages: Common, Chinese, Japonic, Celestial, Sylvan
Challenge: 3 (700 XP) Proficiency: +2
Features
Charge: If the Xiezhi moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 9 (2d8) piercing damage and must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Innate Spellcasting: The Xiezhi can innately cast the zone of truth spell at will, requiring no material components.
Magic Resistance: The Xiezhi has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Truth Sense: The Xiezhi knows if it hears a lie.
Actions
Multiattack: The Xiezhi makes one attack with its Gore and one with its Claw.
Claw: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage.
Gore: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Source attribution and license
Silk Road's Guide to Seafaring, printed pages 211.