Crocotta

Medium monstrosity, neutral evil

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 39 (6d8 + 12)
Speed 50 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	15 (+2)	14 (+2)	8 (-1)	12 (+1)	8 (-1)

Skills Perception +5, Stealth +4
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from metal weapons
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages Common
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Special Traits

• Mimicry. The crocotta can mimic animal sounds, humanoid voices, and even environmental sounds. A creature that hears the sounds can tell they are imitations with a successful DC 13 Wisdom (Insight) check.
• Paralyzing Gaze. When a creature that can see the crocotta’s eyes starts its turn within 30 feet of the crocotta, the crocotta can force it to make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw if the crocotta isn’t incapacitated and can see the creature. On a failed save, the creature is paralyzed until the start of its next turn.
• Pounce. If the crocotta moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the crocotta can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.

Actions

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) piercing damage.
• Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage.

About

A human voice emanates from a lion-like hyena. As it speaks, its black tongue runs over the many teeth in its unnaturally wide mouth.

Disturbing Grin. The crocotta’s mouth stretches back to its ears, allowing its powerful jaw to open unnaturally wide. In spite of its large mouth, the crocotta is able to perfectly mimic the sounds of humanoid voices. When hunting, it often mimics the sounds of a person in need, luring in a victim, then pounces on the victim when they investigate the sounds.

Dog Hater. The crocotta holds particular animosity toward dogs and attacks them before more obvious threats.

Dogs innately understand this about crocotta and often purposefully distract an attacking crocotta to allow their humanoid families to escape.

Oracular Eyes. The gemstone eyes of the crocotta hold its prey captive when the crocotta is alive, but they grant visions of the future after its death. If a crocotta’s eye is placed under a creature’s tongue within five days of the crocotta’s death, the creature experiences omens of the future similar to those produced by the augury spell. A creature that isn’t surprised can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If it does so, it can’t see the crocotta until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If it looks at the crocotta in the meantime, it must immediately make the save.

Canines are immune to the crocotta’s paralyzing Gaze, and canine-like humanoids, such as werewolves, have advantage on the saving throw.