Barzduks

Small fey, neutral good

Armor Class 13 (leather armor)

Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)

Speed 25 ft.

STR 10 (+0) · DEX 14 (+2) · CON 12 (+1) · INT 12 (+1) · WIS 14 (+2) · CHA 16 (+3)

Skills Perception +4, Stealth +6

Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14

Languages Common, Sylvan

Challenge 1

Traits

Fey Ancestry. The Barzduk has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put him to sleep.

Innate Spellcasting. The Barzduk’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). He can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

- At will: Druidcraft (PHB, p. 206), Mending (PHB, p. 259)

- 1/day each: Invisibility (self only; PHB, p. 254), Goodberry (PHB, p. 246), Cure wounds (PHB, p. 230)

Gnome Cunning. The Barzduk has advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.

Tree Meld. While adjacent to a tree (especially an elder tree), the Barzduk can use his movement to enter the tree's space and remain there, hidden from view. He can emerge from the same tree or another connected by roots within 60 feet as a bonus action.

Actions

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.

Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.

Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target.

Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

### Behavior and Tactics

Barzduks are generally friendly and avoid combat, preferring to hide or use illusions to deter threats. If forced into a confrontation, a Barzduk uses his innate spells to confuse or evade opponents. He might become invisible, use _minor illusion_ to create distractions, or _goodberry_ to aid allies or himself.

In combat, he relies on his Shortsword and Sling for defense but seeks to escape rather than fight to the death. His Tree Meld ability allows him to quickly retreat into nearby trees.

Lore

A small underground-dwelling humanoids, similar to gnomes, who keep bread and beer beneath trees.

Barzduks are small, gnome-like folk who live underground. They build their homes—burrows—beneath trees, often choosing the elder tree, which they consider sacred. In their subterranean dwellings, they store bread, beer, and other food. They furnish their homes like ordinary people and were believed to have large reserves of food.

According to sources, the name "Barzduks" comes from the phrase "thick beard," which is their characteristic feature and pride. They might weave cloth strips into their beards or braid them into spikes, but you might also encounter a Barzduk without a beard, though that's a great rarity. In such a case, he'd be rather sad until his beard grows back. They live peaceful lives, wishing harm to no one, simply going about their daily tasks in their burrows and occasionally carrying out assignments from their deity.

From The Witchwood Bestiary 5E, p. 24 · Fern Flower Press