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Bogey — “The Flickering Shadow That Hides in Plain Sight”

Bogey — “The Flickering Shadow That Hides in Plain Sight”
Created with Chat gpt

A mischievous, shadowy entity, the Bogey is a smaller, elusive variant of the bogeyman, feared for its cunning and unpredictable presence. Slipping through cracks and corners, it thrives wherever unease lingers.


Appearance

A small, vaguely humanoid figure, the Bogey constantly shifts like smoke or shadow. Limbs are wiry and contorted, and its face may flash a single glowing eye or a fleeting, jagged grin. Its semi-transparent, ephemeral body defies clear perception, giving it an unnerving, ever-moving presence.

Behaviour

Clever and capricious, the Bogey delights in mischief and subtle terror rather than violence. It lingers unseen, creating sudden movements or eerie sounds to startle, confuse, or disorient.

Habitat

Corners, closets, attics, abandoned ruins, or shadowed forest underbrush—anywhere dim light and neglect amplify fear. Its range expands with the strength of human or sentient anxiety.

Modus Operandi

Stealth and psychological manipulation are its tools. The Bogey uses shadows, fleeting glimpses, and sudden noises to provoke fear, avoiding direct confrontation unless cornered.

Motivation

Drawn to fear and curiosity, the Bogey feeds on emotional energy. It seeks to unsettle and confuse, thriving on the dread it inspires rather than physical harm.


  • Bogey 5.5e
  • Bogey, Pathfinder
  • Bogey 3.5
Bogey — “The Flickering Shadow That Hides in Plain Sight”
Created with Grok

Small fey, chaotic neutral

Armor Class: 14 (natural agility)
Hit Points: 45 (10d6 + 10)
Speed: 40 ft., climb 20 ft.

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
8 (−1)18 (+4)12 (+1)12 (+1)14 (+2)16 (+3)

Saving Throws: Dex +6, Wis +4
Skills: Stealth +8, Perception +4, Deception +5
Damage Resistances: Psychic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Condition Immunities: Frightened
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 14
Languages: Common, Sylvan
Challenge: 3 (700 XP)


Traits

Shadow Blend. While in dim light or darkness, the Bogey can take the Hide action as a bonus action.

Fearful Presence. At the start of each of the Bogey’s turns, creatures within 10 ft. must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the start of the Bogey’s next turn. Creatures that succeed are immune for 24 hours.

Mischief Aura. As a bonus action, the Bogey can create minor sensory illusions within 30 ft. Each affected creature must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom save or have disadvantage on its next attack or ability check.


Actions

Shadow Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) psychic damage.

Frightful Dash (Recharge 5–6). The Bogey can move up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks. It can pass through gaps as narrow as 6 inches. If moving through a creature’s space, that creature must make a DC 13 Dexterity save or fall prone.

Haunting Whispers (1/Day). The Bogey whispers into the minds of up to three creatures within 60 ft. Each must make a DC 13 Wisdom save or take 14 (4d6) psychic damage and be frightened for 1 minute. Affected creatures can repeat the save at the end of each of their turns.


Reactions

Slip Away. When hit by an attack, the Bogey can halve the damage by teleporting up to 20 ft. to a space of dim light or darkness it can see.


DM Notes

Bogeys are small, shadowy fey who delight in mischief and fear. They lurk in corners, attics, or shadowed forests, attacking minds before bodies. Ideal for horror-themed encounters, infiltration missions, or psychological tricks, their unpredictable behavior makes them memorable foes.

Bogey — “The Flickering Shadow That Hides in Plain Sight”
Created with Midjourney

These elusive tricksters thrive wherever darkness and fear linger, turning even the smallest shadow into a stage for terror and mischief.

Bogey CR 3
XP 800
N Small fey

Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +6


DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 natural, +2 size)
HP 27 (6d6 + 6)
Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +4
Defensive Abilities shadow blend; Immune frightened


OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee shadow strike +6 (1d6 + 3 plus 1d6 psychic)
Special Attacks haunting whispers 1/day, mischief aura


STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 16
Base Atk +4; CMB +1; CMD 15
Feats Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Finesse
Skills Stealth +12 (8 ranks + 4 Dex), Perception +6 (4 ranks + 2 Wis), Bluff +9 (5 ranks + 3 Cha +1 synergy)
Languages Common, Sylvan


Special Abilities

Shadow Blend (Ex): While in dim light or darkness, a Bogey can hide as a full-round action even when observed.

Fearful Presence (Su): Creatures within 10 feet of a Bogey must succeed on a DC 13 Will save or become shaken for 1 round. Creatures that succeed are immune to that Bogey’s Fearful Presence for 24 hours.

Mischief Aura (Su): As a move action, the Bogey can create minor sensory illusions (shadows, flickers, or whispers) within 30 ft. Each affected creature must succeed on a DC 13 Will save or take a –2 penalty on its next attack roll, skill check, or saving throw.

Haunting Whispers (Sp) 1/day: The Bogey can telepathically whisper into the minds of up to three creatures within 60 ft. Each target must succeed on a DC 13 Will save or take 4d6 psychic damage and become shaken for 1 minute. Affected creatures can attempt another save at the end of each of their turns.


ECOLOGY
Environment: forests, abandoned buildings, shadowed corners
Organization: solitary or pair
Treasure: standard

Description:
Bogeys are small, shadowy fey who delight in mischief and fear. Their form flickers like smoke or shadow, with wiry limbs and occasional flashes of a glowing eye or jagged grin. They haunt corners, attics, and dense forests at night, using stealth and psychological tricks to manipulate and frighten mortals. Unlike more malicious fey, they rarely seek direct harm, preferring to unsettle and disorient.

Bogey — “The Flickering Shadow That Hides in Plain Sight”

The creature resembles a wee elf, with a big nose and comical, brightly colored garments.

Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.

On this Thread

Bogeys are close relatives of brownies that reside in extremely old buildings, preferably those inhabited by good-aligned creatures. Bogeys are beneficial creatures, helping out with chores after the resident family goes to bed. Bogeys never accept payment for their help, though if someone leaves out small scraps of food for them, they gladly gobble it up.

Bogeys generally remain invisible, revealing themselves only to the pure and innocent, such as children or paladins. They are frightened by loud noises, and generally will go into hiding for some time after a sudden clamor arises. Bogeys are known to play with young children, but they vanish when a disbelieving adult is near.

Although generally solitary, each month at the night of the full moon, up to hundreds of bogeys gather for a festival. Very few mortals have seen these merry occurrences, and those who have tell that strange secrets can be gleaned from them. Bogeys are primarily vegetarians, though they may eat sausages and smoked meats at their festivals.

A bogey stands no taller than 2 feet and weighs about 6 pounds. Their garments are usually made of wool or linen and dyed bright colors and decorated with elaborate embroidery or trimmed with silver or gold studs and buttons.


Bogey
Tiny fey
Hit Dice1/2d6+2 (3 hp)
Initiative+5
Speed30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class18 (+2 size, +5 Dexterity, +1 insight), touch 18, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple+0/-1
Attackclub -1 melee (1d3-3) or sling +7 ranged (1d2-3)
Full Attackclub -1 melee (1d3-3) or sling +7 ranged (1d3-3)
Space/Reach2-1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special AttacksDying curse, spell-like abilities, telekinesis
Special QualitiesDarkvision 30 ft., evasion, fear of noise, greater invisibility, Low-Light Vision, Spell Resistance 8, uncanny dodge
SavesFort +2, Ref +7, Will +3
AbilitiesStrength 5, Dexterity 20, Constitution 14, Intelligence 12, Wisdom 13, Charisma 13
SkillsClimb +5, Craft (any two) +7, Knowledge (local) +9, Knowledge (nature) +13, Listen +7*, Move Silently +9*, Sense Motive +5, Spot +7*
FeatsDodge (B), Mobility
EnvironmentAny building
OrganizationSolitary, family (2-5), or festival (20-200)
Challenge Rating3
Treasure50% coins, 50% goods, standard items
AlignmentUsually lawful good
AdvancementBy character class
Level Adjustment+4

COMBAT

Bogeys, like brownies, prefer to avoid combat. However, they will try to drive off any threats to their adopted homes, using their spell-like abilities to torment intruders until they leave.

Dying Curse (Sp): Any creature that lands the killing blow upon a bogey is subjected to a curse (as the bestow curse spell, Will DC 15, caster level 8th). The curse always manifests as a -4 penalty on attack rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks. The dying curse cannot be dispelled, but it can be removed with a break enchantment, limited wish, miracle, remove curse, or wish spell. remove curse works only if its caster level is equal to or higher than the bogey’s caster level. The save DC is Charima-based.

Fear of Noise (Ex): A bogey has an irrational terror of loud sounds. It must make a Will save (DC equals the DC of the sonic effect or 10, whichever is higher) or be frightened for 1d4 rounds. Particularly loud and jarring mundane noise, like the pealing of an enormous bell, may have a DC higher than the default of 10. If a bogey is struck by a sonic fear attack it must make two saves versus fear, one for the special attack’s fear and one for its own fear of noise, and the duration of the resulting fear effects stack.

Greater invisibility (Su): A bogey remains invisible even when it attacks. This ability is constant, but the bogey can suppress or resume it as a free action.

Spell-Like Abilities: Always At will – dancing lights, faerie fire, ghost sound (DC 11), mending, message, open/close, prestidigitation, ventriloquism (DC 12). Caster level 8th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

Telekinesis (Su): A bogey can use telekinesis as a standard action (caster level 2nd or equal to the bogey’s HD, whichever is higher). When a bogey uses this power, it must wait 1d4 rounds before using it again.

Skills: Bogeys have a +4 racial bonus on Knowledge (local) checks and a +8 racial bonus on Knowledge (nature) checks. Bogeys have a knack for working with their hands, and they gain a +2 racial bonus on all Craft checks. Bogeys have keen senses and receive a +2 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks. Bogeys use their Dexterity scores for Climb checks.

*Bogeys have a +6 racial bonus on Listen, Move Silently, and Spot checks within the house they’ve adopted as their own. These bonuses only function within one home that a bogey has resided in for more than 30 days.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #239 (1997) as “boggart”.

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