Large monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 58 (9d8 + 18)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +4 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 21 (+5) | 3 (-4) | 14 (+2) | 8 (-1) |
Saving Throws (suggested) Str +7, Con +8
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages –
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Keen Smell. The catoblepas has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Stench. Any creature other than a catoblepas that starts its turn within 10 feet ofthe catoblepas must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until the start of the creature’s next turn. On a successful saving throw, the creature is immune to the stench of any catoblepas for 1 hour.
ACTIONS
- Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (5d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the start of the catoblepas’s next turn.
- Tail (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be stunned for 1d10 rounds.
- Death Ray (Recharge 5-6). The catoblepas targets a creature that it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, taking 36 (8d8) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the target instead takes 64 necrotic damage. The target dies if reduced to 0 hit points by this ray.
- Death Ray (suggested, Recharge 6). The catoblepas targets a creature that it can see within 180 feet of it. The target takes 10 (3d6) necrotic damage and automatically adds one failure to its death saves. A target who has three failures dies immediately.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
Catoblepas: The Deadly Gaze of the Swamp
The catoblepas is a monstrous creature that combines the features of a buffalo, a warthog, a dinosaur, and a hippopotamus. It is a semi-intelligent beast that inhabits dismal swamps and marshes, where it grazes on grass, weeds, and carrion. Once a month, under the light of the full moon, it ventures forth to hunt for meat to supplement its diet. It eats fish, marsh birds, eels, water rats, large amphibians, snakes, and other swamp animals. The catoblepas is known for its foul stench and its terrifying ability to kill with its gaze.
DESCRIPTION
The catoblepas has a large and shaggy body that resembles that of a buffalo. It has squat legs that are similar to those of a pachyderm, and hooves that can trample its enemies. Its head is like that of a warthog, with tusks, a snout, and small ears. Its eyes are large and bloodshot, and can emit a ray of necrotic energy that rots away the flesh of its victims. Its neck is long and thin, and seems too weak to support its heavy head. The catoblepas usually keeps its head low to the ground, but can raise it when it needs to use its death ray.
The catoblepas has a dark brown or black fur that is matted with mud and slime. It has a mane of coarse hair that runs along its spine, and a long tail that ends in a mace-like knob. The catoblepas emits a horrible odor that reeks of death and famine, and can sicken those who come near it. The catoblepas is about 6 feet tall at the shoulder, and weighs about 2,000 pounds.
COMBAT
The catoblepas is an opportunistic predator that prefers to avoid direct confrontation with large groups of humanoids. It will only attack if it is hungry, defending its territory or offspring, or provoked by intruders. The catoblepas uses its keen sense of smell to locate prey, and will try to ambush them from the cover of the swamp vegetation.
The catoblepas has two main weapons: its tail and its gaze. It can whip its tail with great speed and force, stunning or knocking down its foes with a powerful blow. It can also use its death ray to target a creature within 30 feet of it. The death ray causes necrotic damage to the living tissue of the creature, and can kill it instantly if it fails to resist the effect. The death ray can affect creatures on the Prime Material, Astral, and Ethereal planes simultaneously.
The catoblepas is vulnerable when it raises its head to use its gaze, as it exposes its weak neck to attacks. A smart opponent will try to sever or break its neck before it can unleash its deadly ray. The catoblepas is also susceptible to fire and acid damage, as well as spells that affect its mind or senses.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
The catoblepas lives in swamps, marshes, bogs, and other wetlands that are rich in vegetation and decay. It prefers warm climates, but can adapt to colder ones if necessary. The catoblepas is territorial and solitary, except during the mating season. It will mark its domain with piles of dung and urine, and will attack any intruder that dares to enter.
The catoblepas mates once a year, usually in the spring or summer. The female gives birth to one or two calves after a gestation period of nine months. The calves are born with their eyes closed and their fur wet. They stay with their mother for about two years, until they are able to fend for themselves. The mother will protect her young fiercely from any threat.
The catoblepas has no natural allies or enemies among other creatures. It will ignore most animals unless they are potential prey or competitors for food. It will avoid dragons, giants, and other powerful beings that can pose a serious threat to it. It will occasionally encounter other catoblepases in its wanderings, but will usually avoid conflict unless they are rivals for territory or mates.
The catoblepas has a rudimentary intelligence that allows it to communicate with simple sounds and gestures. It can understand some basic words in Common or Sylvan , but cannot speak them. It has no interest in culture or civilization, and views humanoids as either food or nuisances.
Being long-lived (150 to 200 years or so) and semi-intelligent , the catoblepas is capable of learning from the mistakes of earlier encounters and hunts . It will treat parties of humans with respect , preferring to size them up first . As a rule , it will not attack unless it is hunting or feels that its mate or offspring is threatened .
ECOLOGY
The catoblepas plays an important role in the ecology of the swamp. It helps to decompose organic matter by eating plants and carrion, and fertilizes the soil with its dung. It also controls the population of smaller animals by hunting them for food.
The catoblepas is revered by some swamp-dwelling cultures as a symbol of death and decay. They believe that the catoblepas is an agent of the Raven Queen , the goddess of fate and winter. They offer sacrifices to the catoblepas, and use its parts for rituals and magic. The catoblepas’ fur, horns, teeth, and eyes are especially valued for their necromantic properties.
The catoblepas is feared by most other cultures as a monster and a plague. They consider the catoblepas to be a harbinger of doom and disease, and avoid its territory at all costs. They hunt the catoblepas for sport or bounty, and destroy its lair and offspring. The catoblepas’ meat is poisonous and inedible, and its stench can linger for days.
The catoblepas has no special interest in wealth, and the treasure it accumulates is the result of victorious encounters with intruders. It attaches no value to the coins, gems, and occasional magical items strewn about the lair.
The catoblepas is a rare and elusive creature that is seldom seen by most adventurers. Those who encounter it must be prepared for a deadly fight, or a swift retreat. The catoblepas is a formidable foe that can challenge even the most experienced heroes.