Inspired by the Japanese wolf
Travelers that set out alone down mountainous paths sometimes spot a snow white wolf following them close behind. This is no ordinary wolf, but a mountain spirit known as an okuri-ōkami.
Mountain Watchdog. Remote mountainous terrain can swallow an unwary traveler in an instant. Precipitous drops, winter cold, and prowling monsters such as trolls and wyverns make the okuri-ōkami’s domain uniquely dangerous.
However, when the okuri-ōkami stalks lone travelers down mountainous paths, it isn’t hunting them, but protecting them along their journey. The wolf guides the traveler back to their destination and ensures no harm comes to them. Then, the spirit simply departs.
Laws of the Spirit. However, the white wolf isn’t merely a benign omen. Strict but inscrutable customs guide the okuri-ōkami’s conduct. If a traveler means to do harm to another on the path or disrespects the mountain itself, the wolf strikes in a fury and rips the traveler to shreds. It is said that tripping and falling along the path is enough to enrage the wolf spirit, unless one can deceive the wolf into believing that the fall was intentional. Intruding upon shrines or making too much noise in the presence of an okuri-ōkami is always grounds for provocation.
Okuri-Ōkami
Medium Celestial, lawful neutral
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 45 (6d6 + 18)
Speed 40 ft.
STR: 17 (+3), DEX: 19 (+4), CON: 16 (+3)
INT: 16 (+3), WIS: 19 (+4), CHA: 18 (+4)
Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +6, Cha +6
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +6, Survival +6
Damage Resistances radiant, bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages understands all languages but can’t speak
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Rampage. When the okuri-ōkami reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the okuri-ōkami can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a bite attack.
Actions
Multiattack. The okuri-ōkami can use its Mark ability and then makes two attacks.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) radiant damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Mark. The okuri-ōkami mystically marks a creature it can see. Until the okuri-ōkami marks another creature, it has advantage on attack rolls against the marked creature and other creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls against the marked creature. The okuri-ōkami doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks from the marked creature. This effect ends early if the okuri-ōkamican’t see the marked creature when it ends its turn.
