Medium humanoid (kuo-toa), neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor, shield)
Hit Points 18 (4d8)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 (+1) | 10 (+0) | 11 (+0) | 11 (+0) | 10 (+0) | 8 (-1) |
Skills Perception +4
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Undercommon
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Amphibious. The kuo-toa can breathe air and water.
Otherworldly Perception. The kuo-toa can sense the presence of any creature within 30 feet of it that is invisible or on the Ethereal Plane. It can pinpoint such a creature that is moving.
Slippery. The kuo-toa has advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to escape a grapple.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the kuo-toa has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
ACTIONS
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) piercing damage.
- Spear. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage, or 5 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage if used with two hands to make a melee attack.
- Net. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 5/15 ft., one Large or smaller creature. Hit: The target is restrained. A creature can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength check to free itself or another creature in a net, ending the effect on a success. Dealing 5 slashing damage to the net (AC 10) frees the target without harming it and destroys the net.
REACTIONS
- Sticky Shield. When a creature misses the kuo-toa with a melee weapon attack, the kuo-toa uses its sticky shield to catch the weapon. The attacker must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw, or the weapon becomes stuck to the kuo-toa’s shield. If the weapon’s wielder can’t or won’t let go of the weapon, the wielder is grappled while the weapon is stuck. While stuck, the weapon can’t be used. A creature can pull the weapon free by taking an action to make a DC 11 Strength check and succeeding.
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
DESCRIPTION
Kuo-Toa Warriors are a race of fish-like humanoids that dwell in the dark depths of the Underdark. They have scaly, gray skin that changes color according to their mood, and bulging eyes that can see in the dark and sense invisible or ethereal creatures. They have webbed hands and feet that allow them to swim swiftly, and a layer of slime that makes them slippery and resistant to grapples. They usually wear leather straps and seashell armor, and adorn themselves with bone, shell, and gem accessories. They have a foul smell of rotten fish that repels most other creatures.
COMBAT
Kuo-Toa Warriors are vicious and cunning fighters, who use their natural abilities and weapons to ambush and overwhelm their enemies. They favor spears, nets, and shields as their main weapons, but they also use harpoons, daggers, and crossbows. They are adept at fighting both on land and in water, and often use their surroundings to their advantage. They can catch weapons with their sticky shields, bite with their sharp teeth, and cast spells as a result of their innate madness. They are loyal to their leaders and gods, and will fight to the death for them.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Kuo-Toa Warriors live in large, communal settlements in the Underdark, usually near sources of water. They build their structures from stone, coral, and shells, and decorate them with statues and idols of their deities. They have a complex social hierarchy, with whips as priests, monitors as warriors, and archpriests as rulers. They are fanatical in their worship of Blibdoolpoolp, the Sea Mother, a monstrous lobster-headed goddess who grants them divine power. They also create other gods from their collective imagination, such as the Deep Father, a shark-like entity who commands the kuo-toa leviathans. They are hostile to most other races, especially surface dwellers, whom they blame for their downfall. They often raid nearby settlements for slaves, sacrifices, and resources.
ECOLOGY
Kuo-Toa Warriors are warm-blooded amphibians that can breathe both air and water. They have a lifespan of about 60 years, and reproduce by laying eggs in pools of water. They are omnivorous, but prefer meat over plants. They hunt fish, crustaceans, fungi, and other Underdark creatures for food. They have few natural predators, but they are often at war with other Underdark races, such as drow, duergar, mind flayers, aboleths, and beholders. They are also plagued by mental instability, which makes them prone to paranoia, delusion, and violence.