Large elemental, unaligned
Large beast*, unaligned

*The flail snail first appeared in the Greyhawk Campaign Setting, a classic fantasy world created by Gary Gygax and others. The flail snail is usually classified as an elemental creature, but some game masters may prefer to treat it as a beast instead.

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Armor Class (suggested) 16 (flails), 24 (shell)
Hit Points 52 (5d10 + 25)
Hit Points (suggested) 63 (6d10 + 30)
Speed 10 ft.

Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
17 (+3)	5 (-3)	20 (+5)	3 (-4)	10 (+0)	5 (-3)

Saving Throws (suggested) Con +7
Damage Immunities fire, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages –
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Antimagic Shell. The snail has advantage on saving throws against spells, and any creature making a spell attack against the snail has disadvantage on the attack roll. If the snail succeeds on its saving throw against a spell or a spell attack misses it, an additional effect might occur, as determined by rolling a d6:

• 1-2. If the spell affects an area or has multiple targets, it fails and has no effect. If the spell targets only the snail, it has no effect on the snail and is reflected back at the caster, using the spell slot level, spell save DC, attack bonus, and spellcasting ability of the caster.
• 3-4. No additional effect.
• 5-6. The snail’s shell converts some of the spell’s energy into a burst of destructive force. Each creature within 30 feet of the snail must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 1d6 force damage per level of the spell on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Flail Tentacles. The flail snail has five flail tentacles. Whenever the snailitakes 10 damage or more on a single turn, one of its tentacles dies. If even one tentacle remains, the snail regrows all dead ones within 1d4 days. If all its tentacles die, the snail retracts into its shell, gaining total cover, and it begins wailing, a sound that can be heard for 600 feet, stopping only when it dies 5d6 minutes later. Healing magic that restores limbs, such as the regenerate spell, can halt this dying process.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The flail snail makes as many Flail Tentacle attacks as it has flail tentacles, all against the same target.
• Flail Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
• Scintillating Shell (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The snail’s shell emits dazzling, colored light until the end of the snail’s next turn. During this time, the shell sheds bright light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet, and creatures that can see the snail have disadvantage on attack rolls against it. In addition, any creature within the bright light and able to see the snail when this power is activated must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be stunned until the light ends.
• Shell Defense. The flail snail withdraws into its shell, gaining a +4 bonus to AC until it emerges. It can emerge from its shell as a bonus action on its turn.

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Flail Snail

The flail snail is a creature of elemental earth that is prized for its multihued shell. It may seem harmless, but if a creature big enough to be a threat approaches too close, the snail flashes a scintillating light and attacks with its mace-like tentacles.

Description

The flail snail is a giant mollusk with a colorful shell that can deflect magic. It has five flail tentacles that it uses to defend itself and to feed. The flail snail’s shell is about 5 feet in diameter and weighs about 250 pounds. The shell has a metallic sheen and reflects light in various hues. The shell is very valuable and can be used to craft magic items or armor.

Combat

The flail snail is not very intelligent, but it can be very dangerous if provoked. Its flails can deal a lot of damage, and its shell can cause unpredictable effects on spells cast at it. The flail snail can also flash a dazzling light from its shell, stunning creatures that can see it.

The flail snail’s shell has the following properties:

• The shell has an Armor Class of 24 and 75 hit points. If the shell is destroyed, the flail snail dies.
• Whenever the flail snail takes 10 damage or more on a single turn, one of its tentacles dies. If even one tentacle remains, the snail regrows all dead ones within 1d4 days.

Habitat / Society

The flail snail is native to the Prime Material Plane, but it can also be found in some elemental planes or other worlds. It prefers warm and humid environments, such as jungles, swamps, or caves. It is usually solitary, but sometimes forms small groups of up to four individuals.

The flail snail is not very social and does not communicate with other creatures. It is mostly indifferent to other beings, unless they threaten its territory or try to harm it. The flail snail does not have any natural predators, except for some rare creatures that can bypass its magical defenses.

Ecology

The flail snail is a herbivore that consumes everything on the surface, including rocks, sand, soil, plants, and fungi. It leaves behind a slimy trail that can be used to track it. The flail snail does not need water to survive, but it enjoys bathing in pools or streams.

The flail snail reproduces by laying eggs in moist soil or mud. The eggs hatch after about a month, and the young snails have their own shells from birth. The young snails reach maturity after about two years.

The flail snail plays an important role in the ecosystem, as it helps to break down organic matter and enrich the soil with minerals. However, it can also cause damage to crops or structures if left unchecked.

The flail snail is hunted by some adventurers or collectors for its valuable shell, which can be used to craft magic items or armor. However, hunting a flail snail is not easy, as it requires overcoming its magical defenses and dealing with its powerful attacks. Some cultures also consider the flail snail to be sacred or taboo, and may react violently to anyone who tries to harm it.