Catoblepas

Family: Catoblepas

Large monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 68 (8d10+24)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
17 (+3)	10 (+0)	16 (+3)	2 (-4)	7 (-2)	2 (-4)

Senses passive Perception 8
Languages –
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Killing Gaze. The catoblepas is so abhorrent, unnatural and awful in appearance that anyone who begins their turn within 30 feet of the creature and can see it must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or suffer 17 (5d6) necrotic damage and have their maximum hit points reduced by an equal amount. This effect repeats every round, regardless of how often the creature succeeds at its saving throw. A creature that isn’t surprised can avert its eyes to avoid the effect at the start of its turn but is at disadvantage for all attacks and ability checks for the turn. In the meantime, if it looks at the catoblepas, it must make the save. Any reduction to maximum hit points suffered lasts until the victim completes a long rest. A creature reduced to 0 maximum hit points dies.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The catoblepas makes three tail attacks.
• Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10+3) bludgeoning damage, and the target must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be prone and stunned for 2d6 rounds. Victims may make a new save at the end of each of their turns, ending the stunned effect on a success.

ABOUT

These awful creatures have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. They appear similar to a giant warthog with stubby legs; great, long tails ending in a bundle of thick fur; and long, grotesque necks. Their mangy hides consist of matted, patchy, dull-brown fur punctuated by bits of bare pink flesh. The smell of the creature is offensive to anyone nearby, and the head is too cumbersome for the creature to keep raised for a long period of time; as such, it is usually underwater in the fetid pools it inhabits. This is a boon to society, as the catoblepas is so unnatural and foul that people who gaze fully upon its visage die from horror and fright.

Docile Horrors. Fortunately for most passersby, the catoblepas is a relatively benign creature, not prone to confrontation, and if one is seen with its head below the water, leaving it alone and simply passing by is generally a wise approach, for the creature will not engage unless engaged. Once it has been threatened, however, it will defend itself to its fullest ability.

Killing Gaze. The catoblepas is so inherently wrong at a core level, that just seeing its face is deadly. Often, these creatures avoid entering physical combat, just trusting on their inherent gaze to protect them from danger. This effect persists even in death; as such, many wizards and alchemists prize the eyes of the catoblepas, which are powerful components in potions and certain magical rituals, fetching up to 100 gp each on the open market. of course, harvesting the eyes properly requires looking upon the beast.