Giant, Corpse Swallower

Family: Giant

Huge giant (shapechanger, titan), neutral

Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 241 (21d12 + 105)
Speed 50 ft. (20 ft., fly 120 ft. in roc form)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
25 (+7) 10 (+0) 20 (+5) 16 (+3) 17 (+3) 20 (+5)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Int +9, Wis +9, Cha +11
Skills Athletics +13, Perception +9, Survival +9
Damage Resistances lightning, thunder
Damage Immunities cold; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities exhaustion
Senses passive Perception 19
Languages Auran, Common, Giant (can’t speak in roc form)
Challenge 19 (22,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +6

SPECIAL TRAITS

  • Keen Sight (Roc Form Only). Hraesvelgr has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
  • Influence Weather. Nearby weather responds to Hraesvelgr’s desires. At the start of each minute, Hraesvelgr can choose to change the precipitation and wind within 3 miles of him by one stage, up or down (no action required). This effect works like the changing weather conditions aspect of the control weather spell, except Hraesvelgr can’t change the temperature and the conditions change immediately.
  • Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Hraesvelgr fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

ACTIONS

  • Multiattack. Hraesvelgr makes one Beak attack and two Talon attacks, or he makes three Fist attacks. Alternatively, he can make three Gale Blast attacks. If two Fist attacks hit one creature, the target must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of its next turn.
  • Beak (Roc Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (4d8 + 7) piercing damage.
  • Fist (Giant Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage.
  • Talons (Roc Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d6 + 7) slashing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 17). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained. Hraesvelgr has two talons, each of which can grapple only one target.
  • Gale Blast. Ranged Spell Attack: +11 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) cold damage.
  • Swallow (Roc Form Only). Hraesvelgr makes one Beak attack against a Large or smaller creature he is grappling. If the attack hits, the target is also swallowed, and the grapple ends. While swallowed, the creature is blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside Hraesvelgr, and it takes 17 (5d6) acid damage at the start of each of Hraesvelgr’s turns. Hraesvelgr can have only one creature swallowed at a time. If Hraesvelgr takes 40 damage or more on a single turn from the swallowed creature, Hraesvelgr must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate the creature, which falls prone in a space within 10 feet of Hraesvelgr. Hraesvelgr has disadvantage on this saving throw if he isn’t in his roc form. If Hraesvelgr dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by him and can escape from the corpse by using 15 feet of movement, exiting prone.
  • Sudden Gust (Recharge 5–6). Hraesvelgr unleashes a powerful gust of wind in a 60-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in the line must make a DC 19 Strength saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 63 (18d6) bludgeoning damage and is pushed up to 15 feet away from Hraesvelgr. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn’t pushed.

BONUS ACTIONS

  • Change Shape. Hraesvelgr transforms into a roc or back into his true form, which is a Giant. His statistics, other than his speed, are the same in each form. Any equipment he is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. He reverts to his true form if he dies.

LEGENDARY ACTIONS

Hraesvelgr can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Hraesvelgr regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

  • Attack. Hraesvelgr makes a Fist or Talons attack.
  • Move. Hraesvelgr moves up to his speed, or flies up to half his flying speed if in roc form, without provoking opportunity attacks.
  • Ear-Splitting Screech (Costs 2 Actions; Roc Form Only). Hraesvelgr lets out an ear-splitting screech. Each creature within 30 feet of Hraesvelgr must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) thunder damage and be deafened until the end of its next turn.

LAIR

Hraesvelgr’s lair is a windswept crag of gray stone at the edge of the world. At the highest pinnacle rests a massive cottage hewn from the mountainside. A great nest made from the splintered trunks of immense trees rests on the flat roof of the cottage, and the wind constantly howls.

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Hraesvelgr takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; Hraesvelgr can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:

  • Pillar of Wind. One creature within 60 feet that Hraesvelgr can see must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or be swept up in a pillar of wind. The creature is restrained and suspended 15 feet off the ground. A creature can take an action to free the restrained creature by succeeding on a DC 19 Strength check. If the restrained creature has a way to pull itself out of the air, it can free itself in the same way. If the restrained creature has a flying speed, it can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Otherwise, this effect lasts until Hraesvelgr uses this lair action again or until he dies.
  • Powerful Exhale. Hraesvelgr unleashes a blast of wind in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or be forced prone.
  • Terrifying Utterance. Hraesvelgr lets out a thunderous bellow. Each creature within 30 feet of him and that can hear him must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

REGIONAL EFFECTS

The region containing Hraesvelgr’s lair is warped by his magic, which creates one or more of the following effects:

  • Active Weather. Strong windstorms are common within 6 miles of the lair.
  • Roosting Rocs. Within 3 miles of the lair, giant avian Beasts are more populous and fiercely defend the area against intruders.
  • Stench of Decay. The wind within 10 miles of the lair bears a pungent carrion stench. If Hraesvelgr dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10 days.

ABOUT

The giant stands braced in the midst of powerful wind. With a baleful stare, he shakes his fist and bellows a war cry. The cry becomes an avian shriek, and the giant’s form melts into that of a massive bird whose wings blot out the sky.

A giant with divine blood in his veins, Hraesvelgr the Corpse Swallower is powerfully muscled. His skin is a pale bronze, his eyes are violet, and his hair is the color of storm clouds.

  • Roc Form. When he takes his alternate form, Hraesvelgr becomes a tremendous roc, with massive wings that stir the wind across the sky. His eyes remain the same violet and these roc-form feathers match the color of his hair, sparkling with specks of color here and there, like jewels set in steel.
  • Birth of the Wind. Hraesvelgr dwells on the fringe of the world itself. From atop the peak of his home, he creates the wind and sends it across the globe. As befits a creature of such primal power, Hraesvelgr doesn’t take kindly to intruders. He gluts himself on the bodies of fools who test his might in search of the fabled riches in his home.
Section 15: Copyright Notice

Tome of Beasts 1 ©2023 Open Design LLC; Authors: Daniel Kahn, Jeff Lee, and Mike Welham.

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