Large giant (ogre), chaotic evil
Armor Class 13 (breastplate)
Hit Points 59 (7d10 + 21)
Speed 40 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +4 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 (+4) | 8 (-1) | 16 (+3) | 5 (-3) | 7 (-2) | 7 (-2) |
Saving Throws (suggested) Str +6, Con +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages Common, Giant
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Howdah. The ogre carries a compact fort on its back. Up to four Small creatures can ride in the fort without squeezing. To make a melee attack against a target within 5 feet of the ogre, they must use spears or weapons with reach. Creatures in the fort have three-quarters cover against attacks and effects from outside it. If the ogre dies, creatures in the fort are placed in unoccupied spaces within 5 feet of the ogre.
ACTIONS
- Mace. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
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
An ogre howdah is a fearsome sight on the battlefield. It is a large, brutish giant that carries a wooden fort on its back, where up to four small humanoids can ride and fire arrows or spears at their enemies. The ogre howdah is usually hired by goblin tribes or other evil creatures that need a mobile siege weapon. The ogre howdah does not care much about who it works for, as long as it gets paid in food and treasure. The ogre howdah is not very intelligent, but it knows how to follow simple commands and smash anything that gets in its way.
COMBAT
An ogre howdah is a formidable opponent in combat. It can use its greatclub to deal massive damage to single targets, or swing it in an arc to hit multiple foes at once. It can also hurl rocks or debris at enemies that are out of its reach. The ogre howdah is resistant to fire and poison, and can shrug off most minor wounds. However, it is vulnerable to psychic attacks and spells that target its weak mind. The ogre howdah’s main advantage is the fort on its back, which provides cover and protection for its riders. The riders can use their ranged weapons to harass and distract the enemy, or support the ogre howdah with spells or healing. The riders can also use the fort as a vantage point to scout the terrain or spot hidden threats. The ogre howdah and its riders work as a team, and will defend each other if attacked.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
An ogre howdah does not have a fixed habitat or society. It wanders from place to place, looking for work and food. It may join a band of other ogres, or work as a mercenary for various evil factions. The ogre howdah does not have any loyalty or attachment to anyone, except for its riders. The riders are usually the ones who built the fort on its back, or who hired it first. The riders treat the ogre howdah as a mount and a weapon, but also as a friend and a partner. The riders feed, groom, and heal the ogre howdah, and share their loot with it. The riders may also give the ogre howdah a name, such as Smashy, Stompy, or Big Boy. The ogre howdah may grow fond of its riders over time, and may even learn their names and languages.
ECOLOGY
An ogre howdah is a carnivore that eats almost anything that moves. It prefers fresh meat, but will also scavenge corpses or garbage if hungry enough. It needs a lot of food to sustain its large body and the fort on its back, so it often raids farms, villages, or caravans for food. An ogre howdah does not care about the consequences of its actions, and will leave behind a trail of destruction and death wherever it goes. An ogre howdah has few natural predators, except for dragons, giants, or other powerful creatures that may challenge it for territory or food. An ogre howdah may also face competition from other ogres or humanoids that want to steal its fort or its riders. An ogre howdah is not interested in reproduction, and does not seek out mates of its own kind. However, it may occasionally mate with other ogres or humanoids that catch its eye, resulting in hybrid offspring that may inherit some of its traits.