Gargoctopus

A giant, blue octopus sits quietly in the waterlogged ruins of a library, poring over the remnants of ancient clay tablets.

Large monstrosity, neutral

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 104 (16d10 + 16)
Speed 40 ft., swim 40 ft., climb 20 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 19 (+4) 16 (+3) 14 (+2)

Skills History +7, Investigation +7, Perception +6, Stealth +7
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages telepathy 100 ft.
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Special Traits

  • Amphibious. The gargoctopus can breathe air and water.
  • Shifting Camouflage. The gargoctopus has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide.
  • Spider Climb. The gargoctopus can climb on difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Actions

  • Multiattack. The gargoctopus makes four tentacle attacks or one bite attack and three tentacle attacks.
  • Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) piercing damage.
  • Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 15). Until the grapple ends, the target is restrained, the gargoctopus can automatically hit the target with its tentacle, and it can’t use the same tentacle on another target. The gargoctopus can grapple up to four creatures at one time.
  • Fling. One Medium or smaller creature grappled by the gargoctopus is thrown up to 20 feet in a random direction and is knocked prone. If the target strikes a solid surface, the target takes 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage. If the target is thrown at another creature, that creature must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take the same damage and be knocked prone.
  • Tentacle Slam (Recharge 5-6). The gargoctopus slams the creatures grappled by it into a solid surface. Each grappled creature must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a target takes 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage and is stunned until the end of the gargoctopus’ next turn. On a success, a target takes half the damage and isn’t stunned.
  • Ink Cloud (Recharge 6). A 20-foot-radius cloud of darkness extends around the gargoctopus. The area is heavily obscured until the start of the gargoctopus’ next turn. If underwater, the gargoctopus can use the Dash action as a bonus action after releasing the cloud.

About

Scholarly Wanderers. Belying its fearsome appearance, a gargoctopus is an insatiably curious scholar fascinated by the remnants of vanished cultures. It wanders the oceans exploring drowned cities and sunken ships, and occasionally it raises its imposing bulk from the water to investigate relics and ruins on land.

Sharing Lore. It is in such surroundings that a gargoctopus sometimes encounters terrestrial adventurers. If it views them as trespassers, rivals, or threats, it may react aggressively or even violently, but a gargoctopus treated with careful respect can be a source of great lore. When one gargoctopus encounters another in its travels, the two spend days or weeks exchanging information, ensuring the survival of the knowledge they have each acquired.

Tentacle Whirlwind. While preferring a life of the mind, an angered gargoctopus becomes a whirlwind of wet, crushing tentacles. Its ability to match the coloration of its flesh to its surroundings, and to adhere to walls and ceilings, makes it an elusive opponent. It can emit a cloud of ink that spreads in air or water, often using it to escape a dangerous situation. A gargoctopus is frequently accompanied by giant octopi serving as loyal bodyguards.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Creature Codex. © 2018 Open Design LLC; Authors Wolfgang Baur, Dan Dillon, Richard Green, James Haeck, Chris Harris, Jeremy Hochhalter, James Introcaso, Chris Lockey, Shawn Merwin, and Jon Sawatsky.