Buy me a coffeeDaisy Dog, Gravebound Hound of the Drowned
Daisy Dog – This ghostly grave-hound lurks by the Cornish coast, delivering instant death to anyone who dares disturb its daisy-covered tomb.
“A ghostly guardian of coastal graves, blooming with death and memory.”
The Daisy Dog appears as a small, soaking-wet Pekingese or spaniel-like hound with fur that seems matted by seawater and shadow. Its eyes glow with a milky bioluminescence, and its paws leave no tracks—only the faint scent of salt and crushed petals. Upon close inspection, tufts of daisies sprout intermittently from its ghostly coat, wilting and blooming in a slow, mournful cycle. Its mouth, perpetually shut, splits open only to bite—revealing too many needle-like teeth for a creature its size.
Behavior
Normally silent and unmoving, the Daisy Dog exists in a trance-like state, haunting the same patch of land where it was buried. It is neither immediately hostile nor overtly aggressive—but any intrusion upon its grave or attempt to remove the flowers that mark it triggers swift and silent retaliation. It attacks without warning, vanishing once the trespasser’s life is claimed. It rarely interacts with animals or humans unless provoked, but will occasionally follow mourners at a distance, watching quietly.
Habitat
The Daisy Dog is bound to a coastal region of Cornwall, specifically a windswept mound above the tide line marked with daisies. Some say there are multiple Daisy Dogs scattered across forgotten burial sites along the cliffs, each tied to the tragic death of a canine companion discarded at sea. The land it haunts often shows signs of odd weather: sudden fog, unseasonable blooms, or inexplicable stillness.
Modus Operandi
When its grave is disturbed—flowers plucked, soil shifted, or mockery made—the Daisy Dog emerges instantly and silently. It does not bark or howl. It lunges at the offender, delivering a single supernatural bite. The victim typically falls dead within moments, their body later found with no visible wounds—only a single daisy sprouting from their chest or mouth. The dog then returns to its mound, curling atop it like a guardian statue.
Motivation
The Daisy Dog is driven by a mixture of mourning and vengeance. It does not seek conquest or cruelty, but is compelled by lingering trauma and loyalty to its long-lost master. It protects its resting place and the floral memorial above it with an obsessive, incorruptible force. Some folklorists believe laying a fresh daisy at the grave allows one to safely pass—or even gain the creature’s temporary favor.
Legends Say…
- Leaving milk and flower petals may pacify the dog for one night.
- A person with a pure heart may see the Daisy Dog sleeping peacefully.
- The dog was once a gift from a princess lost at sea—its spirit never stopped waiting.
Daisy Dog 5e
Daisy Dog, Pathfinder
Daisy Dog 3.5
Daisy Dog
Medium Undead, Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class 15 (spectral form)
Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27)
Speed 40 ft., ethereal stride 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (–1) | 18 (+4) | 16 (+3) | 6 (–2) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) |
Saving Throws Dex +7, Wis +5
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +9, Insight +5
Damage Resistances necrotic, psychic, cold; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Understands Common and Sylvan but cannot speak
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Ethereal Body
The Daisy Dog can move through creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Grave-Bound
The Daisy Dog cannot willingly move more than 500 feet from its burial mound. If forcibly removed (such as by banishment), it reappears at the mound at the start of its next turn.
Silent Guardian
The Daisy Dog makes no sound unless it uses Spectral Howl. It has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks when motionless or concealed by fog or tall grass.
Spectral Bloom
When a creature dies from the Daisy Dog’s Spirit Bite, a single daisy blooms from the corpse within one minute. These ghostly flowers remain for seven days unless destroyed by fire or blessed magic.
Actions
Spirit Bite
Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 21 (6d6) necrotic damage. If the target has fewer than 50 hit points after taking this damage, it must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or die instantly. A creature killed this way can only be revived by wish, true resurrection, or divine intervention.
Spectral Howl (1/Day)
The Daisy Dog releases a soul-piercing wail that reverberates telepathically. Each creature within 60 feet that can hear telepathic speech must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the creature is frightened for 1 minute. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
Undead and fey are immune to this effect.
Phantom Pounce (Recharge 5–6)
The Daisy Dog vanishes and reappears up to 30 feet away, then makes a Spirit Bite with advantage. On a hit, the target is grappled (escape DC 14) as ethereal vines and daisies wrap around their limbs. While grappled this way, the creature’s speed is halved, and it cannot teleport.
Reactions
Defend the Mound
When a creature within 10 feet damages or disturbs the Daisy Dog’s grave site (such as uprooting a daisy or digging into the soil), the Daisy Dog can immediately move up to its speed and make a Spirit Bite attack against that creature.
Tactics
- Combat Behavior: The Daisy Dog opens with Phantom Pounce to isolate and eliminate a single foe. It prefers to target desecrators or visibly weak characters first. After attacking, it often retreats into fog, gravestones, or cliffside shadows.
- Out of Combat: It silently watches travelers, especially those who linger near its grave. Reverent behavior might earn a moment’s protection, while disrespect invites swift punishment.
- Weaknesses: Holy symbols, daisy offerings, and burial rites may calm or deter it. It recoils from radiant magic, though not with fear—only grief.
Lore
Sailors whisper of a small dog that washed ashore centuries ago—its owner dead at sea, its body buried on a coastal bluff. Since then, daisies bloom where none should, and the wind sometimes carries the soft padding of phantom paws. The Daisy Dog does not bark, does not chase, does not forgive.
It only waits.
Designer Notes: This creature fits best in eerie coastal or moorland adventures, particularly those involving ghost stories, maritime curses, or fey interference. GMs can emphasize its tragic nature and allow creative solutions—peace offerings, atonement, or uncovering its forgotten past.
Daisy Dog
CR 5
XP 1,600
NE Small undead
Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent; Perception +12
Aura faint necromancy (30 ft.)
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 16, flat-footed 14 (+4 Dex, +1 size, +3 natural, +1 dodge)
hp 60 (8d8+24)
Fort +5, Ref +9, Will +8
Defensive Abilities incorporeal, channel resistance +2, spectral form;
DR 5/magic
Immune undead traits
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., ethereal jaunt 30 ft.
Melee incorporeal bite +10 (3d6 negative energy plus daisy bloom)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks spectral bloom, ghost pounce, mournful howl (1/day), death bite
STATISTICS
Str —, Dex 18, Con —, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 19
Base Atk +6; CMB +9; CMD 24
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse, Dodge, Mobility, Ability Focus (mournful howl)
Skills Perception +12, Stealth +17, Sense Motive +9, Survival +10
Languages understands Common and Sylvan (cannot speak)
ECOLOGY
Environment coastal cliffs, moorland graves
Organization solitary
Treasure none (see spectral bloom)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Spectral Form (Su)
The Daisy Dog is partially incorporeal, able to interact with the physical world but retaining the incorporeal subtype. It ignores 50% of all damage from nonmagical weapons and objects. Magical weapons and effects deal full damage unless otherwise noted.
Spectral Bloom (Su)
When the Daisy Dog reduces a creature to 0 hp with its bite, a ghostly daisy blooms from the corpse within 1 minute. This daisy emits a faint necromantic aura and unnerves animals. Resurrection spells used on the corpse suffer a –4 penalty on caster level checks unless the bloom is burned or blessed. These flowers are prized by necromantic scholars (worth 25 gp).
Mournful Howl (Su)
1/day—The Daisy Dog releases a telepathic shriek heard only within the minds of nearby creatures. All living creatures within 60 feet must succeed at a DC 18 Will save or be frightened for 1 minute. Creatures that succeed are shaken for 1 round.
This is a mind-affecting fear effect. Fey and undead are immune. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Ghost Pounce (Su)
Recharge 1d4 rounds—As a full-round action, the Daisy Dog teleports up to 30 feet (as dimension door, no AoO) and makes a single bite attack with a +2 bonus. On a successful hit, the target must succeed on a DC 16 Reflex save or become entangled for 1d4 rounds by spectral vines and withering daisies. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Death Bite (Su)
A creature reduced below 30 hp by the Daisy Dog’s incorporeal bite must make a DC 16 Fortitude save or die instantly. This is a death effect. A successful save causes the creature to become staggered for 1 round. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Grave-Bound (Ex)
The Daisy Dog is bound to a single grave mound and cannot willingly travel more than 500 feet from it. If forcibly removed (such as via teleport or banishment), it reappears at the grave at the start of its next turn.
TACTICS
Before Combat
The Daisy Dog remains motionless and silent, watching intruders with unblinking eyes. It uses terrain—fog, shadows, and ruins—to conceal itself. It attacks only when its grave is disturbed or desecrated.
During Combat
It opens with Ghost Pounce against the weakest or most disrespectful target, using its bite to immediately trigger Death Bite if possible. It follows up with Mournful Howl to scatter foes, then re-engages one at a time, retreating to concealment when threatened.
Morale
The Daisy Dog fights to the death if its grave is desecrated. If facing holy magic or radiant spells, it retreats to the base of its mound and curls into a defensive posture, whimpering silently.
DESCRIPTION
A sad-eyed spaniel no larger than a pillow, the Daisy Dog drips with spectral seawater and gloom. Ghostly daisies grow from its translucent fur, blooming and withering in rhythm with its breathless stillness. Silent but aware, it watches from the coastal cliffs and flowered mounds where it was once lovingly buried.
Sailors whisper that it was once a gift from a noble lady drowned at sea, and the daisies mark the last place her beloved pet was laid to rest. It now defends that mound with lethal devotion.
Legends claim that laying a fresh daisy on its grave can earn a moment’s peace. Others who trespass are found days later with flowers blooming from their mouths—dead, but beautifully adorned.
Daisy Dog
Small Undead (Incorporeal)
Hit Dice: 8d12 (52 hp)
Initiative: +7
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), ethereal stride 30 ft.
Armor Class: 19 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +3 deflection, +2 natural), touch 17, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/—
Attack: Incorporeal bite +10 melee (3d6 incorporeal touch plus daisy bloom)
Full Attack: Incorporeal bite +10 melee (3d6 incorporeal touch plus daisy bloom)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Death bite, ghost pounce, mournful howl, spectral bloom
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., scent, incorporeal traits, undead traits, grave-bound, channel resistance +2
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +8
Abilities: Str —, Dex 17, Con —, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 19
Skills: Hide +17, Listen +12, Sense Motive +10, Spot +12, Survival +10
Feats: Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse, Dodge, Mobility, Ability Focus (mournful howl)
Environment: Temperate coastal grave mounds or moorland cliffs
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Advancement: 9–16 HD (Small)
Level Adjustment: —
Description
A translucent spaniel draped in seawater and shadows pads silently through the mist. Its fur glistens like seaweed and soil, with ghostly daisies blooming from its flanks. Its pale, unblinking eyes mourn the living—and punish those who disturb the dead.
Combat
The Daisy Dog strikes only in defense of its grave or when deeply provoked. It stalks its prey in silence and uses the surrounding terrain—fog, tombstones, cliffside brush—for ambushes. It begins combat with Ghost Pounce, follows with Mournful Howl, and uses its bite to finish foes quickly and brutally.
Death Bite (Su):
A creature reduced to fewer than 30 hit points by the Daisy Dog’s incorporeal bite must succeed on a DC 17 Fortitude save or die instantly. This is a death effect. A successful save causes the creature to become staggered for 1 round. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Ghost Pounce (Su):
Usable once every 1d4 rounds
As a full-round action, the Daisy Dog may teleport up to 30 feet (as dimension door, caster level 8th, self only) and immediately make a bite attack. On a hit, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Reflex save or become entangled by spectral vines and ghostly petals for 1d4 rounds. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Mournful Howl (Su): 1/day
The Daisy Dog emits a voiceless telepathic shriek that echoes in the souls of nearby creatures. All living creatures within 60 feet must succeed on a DC 18 Will save or become frightened for 1 minute. Creatures that succeed are shaken for 1 round. This is a mind-affecting fear effect. Fey and undead are immune. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Spectral Bloom (Su):
When the Daisy Dog reduces a creature to 0 hit points, a single ghostly daisy blooms from the corpse within 1 minute. The bloom radiates faint necromancy and affects resurrection magic: any attempt to return the creature to life (such as raise dead or resurrection) suffers a –4 penalty on the caster level check. The bloom may be destroyed by remove curse, hallow, or ritual burning. Collected blooms are rare curiosities, worth 25 gp to necromancers or gravebinders.
Grave-Bound (Ex):
The Daisy Dog is tied to the daisy-covered mound where it was buried and cannot willingly move more than 500 feet from it. If forcibly removed (via teleport, plane shift, or banishment), it reappears at the grave at the beginning of its next turn.
Tactics
- Before Combat: The Daisy Dog hides using fog or elevation and tracks grave-disturbers via scent.
- During Combat: It opens with Ghost Pounce, aiming to entangle vulnerable foes. It follows up with Mournful Howl to break groups, then isolates and attacks targets one by one using Death Bite when possible.
- Morale: The Daisy Dog fights to the death if its grave is desecrated. It may retreat to the mound’s center if enemies disengage.
Lore
Legends tell of a beloved hound that drowned during a royal voyage and washed ashore. Buried beneath a field of daisies by the heartbroken crew, the dog’s loyalty proved stronger than death. Now its grave is watched by a pale, silent ghost whose bite delivers death—and whose daisies mark the souls it claims.
Plot Hooks
- A necromancer commissions the PCs to recover a spectral daisy from a haunted coastal bluff.
- A young girl returns from a cliffside weeping about “the dog with flower eyes.”
- Local fishermen speak of a field that blooms out of season—and swallows the disrespectful whole.