Gargantuan beast (dinosaur), unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 444 (24d20 + 192)
Speed 30 ft.

Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +10 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
28 (+9)	5 (-2)	26 (+8)	2 (-4)	10 (+0)	7 (-2)

Skills (suggested) Perception +3
Immunities frigthened
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages –
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The diplodocus makes three attacks, one with its bite, one with its tail and one with its stomp attack.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 40 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (1d10 + 9) bludgeoning damage.
• Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 34 (4d12 + 8) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
• Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 30 ft., one target. Hit: 42 (6d10 + 9) bludgeoning damage.

Diplodocus: The Gentle Giant of the Jurassic

Diplodocus is a genus of sauropod dinosaurs that lived in North America during the late Jurassic period, about 154 to 152 million years ago. They are among the most easily identifiable dinosaurs, with their long necks, long tails, and four sturdy legs. They were also very large, reaching lengths of up to 26 meters (85 feet) and weights of up to 15 metric tons (16 short tons). In this blog post, I will explore the characteristics, behavior, and ecology of these magnificent creatures, and how they can be used in your D&D campaigns.

DESCRIPTION

Diplodocus had a typical sauropod body plan, with a small head at the end of a long neck, a barrel-shaped trunk supported by four columnar limbs, and a whip-like tail that could be used for defense or communication. Their necks were flexible and could bend up or down, but not sideways. Their tails were longer than their necks and bodies combined, and had a distinctive feature: double-beamed chevron bones on the underside that gave them extra strength and stability

Their skulls were narrow and elongated, with nostrils located on top of the snout. They had peg-like teeth that were only present in the front of the jaws, and were used for stripping leaves from branches. They had small eyes and ears, and probably relied more on their sense of smell to navigate their environment.

Their skin was thick and scaly, with osteoderms (bony plates) embedded in some areas. Their coloration is unknown, but some paleontologists have suggested that they may have had stripes or spots to camouflage themselves in the forested habitats they inhabited.

COMBAT

Diplodocus were herbivorous dinosaurs that fed mainly on low-growing plants such as ferns, horsetails, and cycads. They used their long necks to reach vegetation that was inaccessible to other herbivores, and swallowed their food whole without chewing. They had large stomachs that could hold up to a ton of plant matter, and relied on gut bacteria to digest it. 

Diplodocus were not aggressive animals, and preferred to avoid confrontation with predators. However, they were not defenseless, and could use their size, speed, and tails as weapons if threatened. Their tails were especially formidable, capable of producing sonic booms when cracked like a whip. A single lash from their tail could break the bones or even kill a smaller predator.

HABITAT / SOCIETY

Diplodocus lived in what is now the western United States, in an area known as the Morrison Formation. This was a semi-arid region with seasonal rainfall and rivers that created floodplains and wetlands. The vegetation was dominated by conifers, ferns, cycads, ginkgoes, and horsetails. The climate was warm and temperate, with mild winters and hot summers.

Diplodocus were social animals that lived in herds of varying sizes, from a few individuals to hundreds. They migrated across the landscape in search of food and water sources, following seasonal patterns. They communicated with each other using vocalizations such as low-frequency rumbles or high-pitched squeaks, as well as visual cues such as body posture or tail movements.

Diplodocus reproduced sexually by mating during the breeding season. The females laid eggs in nests dug in the ground or near water sources. The eggs were spherical and about the size of a grapefruit. The hatchlings emerged after several months of incubation, and were about 1 meter (3 feet) long at birth. They grew rapidly by eating soft plants or regurgitated food from their parents. 

ECOLOGY

Diplodocus played an important role in the ecosystem they inhabited. As herbivores, they consumed large amounts of plants and dispersed seeds through their feces. They also created paths and clearings in the forest that allowed sunlight to reach the ground and encouraged the growth of new plants. They also provided food and shelter for other animals, such as insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles, that lived on or near their bodies.

Diplodocus in D&D

Diplodocus can be used as a majestic and awe-inspiring creature in your D&D campaigns. They can be encountered as peaceful herbivores that roam the wilderness, or as domesticated animals that serve as mounts or beasts of burden for some civilizations. They can also be involved in conflicts with other dinosaurs or predators that threaten their survival, or with humanoids that hunt them for their meat, bones, or skin.

Diplodocus are classified as argantuan beasts with a challenge rating of 6. They have high Strength and Constitution, but low Intelligence and Charisma. They have a bite attack that deals piercing damage, and a tail attack that deals bludgeoning damage and can knock prone smaller creatures. They are immune to the frightened condition, and have advantage on saving throws against being knocked prone.

Diplodocus can be used as allies or enemies for your adventurers, depending on the situation and their alignment. They can be friendly and helpful if treated with respect and kindness, or hostile and dangerous if provoked or threatened. They can also be indifferent or curious if encountered by chance or by accident.

Diplodocus can be used as mounts or pulling animals for vehicles.