NOTHOSAURUS – 5e stats

Large beast (dinosaur), unaligned

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 85 (10d10 + 30)
Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.

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

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
18 (+4)16 (+3)16 (+3)2 (-4)12 (+1)6 (-2)

Saving Throws Str +7, Con +6
Skills Perception +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages –
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Amphibious. The nothosaurus can breathe air and water.

Keen Smell. The nothosaurus has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

ACTIONS

  • Multiattack. The nothosaurus makes two bite attacks against the same target.
  • Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 15). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the nothosaurus can’t bite another target. The nothosaurus can double bite a grappled target with advantage.

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

The nothosaurus is a prehistoric marine reptile that resembles a cross between a seal and a crocodile. It has a long and flexible neck, a flat and broad head, and a slender and streamlined body. It has four webbed feet that help it swim and walk on land, and a long and powerful tail that propels it through the water. It has a dull and scaly skin that has a gray or brown color and a mottled pattern. It has a large mouth full of sharp teeth that can tear through flesh and bone.

COMBAT

The nothosaurus is a fierce and cunning predator that hunts in packs of 2 to 5 individuals. It can breathe both air and water, and can move quickly and stealthily in both environments. It uses its tail, legs, and webbed feet to propel and steer it through the water, and can breach the surface to gain speed and surprise its prey. It can also use its long neck to strike at enemies from a distance. It has a powerful bite that can grapple and restrain its target, and can double bite a grappled target with advantage.

HABITAT / SOCIETY

The nothosaurus inhabits the oceans and beaches of the Triassic world, with fossils being distributed from North Africa and Europe to China. It prefers warm and shallow waters, where it can find plenty of fish and crustaceans to feed on. It also likes to bask on the shore, where it can warm up its body and communicate with its pack members. It is a social animal that lives in packs, communicating with roars and body language. It is territorial and aggressive, defending its hunting grounds from intruders. It is also curious and adaptable, exploring new areas and learning from its experiences.

ECOLOGY

The nothosaurus is an important part of the Triassic marine ecosystem, as it is a top predator that controls the population of fish and other prey. It also provides food for other predators, such as sharks and crocodiles, that can scavenge its carcass or attack it when wounded or outnumbered. It also has a simple skin that helps it blend in with its surroundings and protect it from the sun and parasites.