A strange cryptid from legend here in Cambridgeshire, probably a corruption of the more common shuck or black shuck legend. Goodness knows how it got a monkeys head in these tales.
This one is one of the nastier nightmare demension nasties in my campaign. Rarely seen, but an utterly destructive foes for low companion level games.
Shugmonkey*
by Cab Davidson
| Stat | Shugmonkey* |
| AC: | 0 |
| HD: | 10*** |
| Movment: | 180' (60') |
| Attacks: | 1 stare or 2 claws/1 bite |
| Damage: | Death or 1d8/1d8/2d8+poison |
| No. Appearing: | 1d2 (1d4) |
| Save As: | F8 |
| Morale: | 9 |
| Treasure Type: | F |
| Intelligence: | 8 |
| Alignment: | Chaotic |
| XP Value: | 3250 |
Originating from the Dimension of Nightmares, the shugmonkey resembles a large, shaggy, black sheepdog with the head of a monstrous monkey distorted as if in pain. It is a merciless hunter, craving the flesh of humans and demi-humans above all other meat. Their incursions from nightmare are thankfully rare, typically being drawn to sites associated with the most intense evil deeds. When drawn to the real world they stalk the night for lone travellers, occasionally raiding farms or even villages for prey. Even after eating their fill they leave none alive.
When first approached, all those seeing a shugmonkey must make a save vs. spells or flee in fear for 1d4 turns. Each shugmonkey can, instead of attacking normally, choose to stare at any target within 90’ once per round. That creature must make a saving throw vs. death ray or immediately die from sheer terror. If forced into melee combat a shugmonkey can attack with its two paws and a bite, all of which carry a lethal poison. Victims must make a saving throw vs. poison or fall dead in 3 rounds, their faces contorted in pain and fear.
Shugmonkeys are immune to normal and magical weapons of less than +2 enchantment, and to 1st and 2nd level spells.