Garataur

Large monstrosity, neutral evil

Armor Class 17 (splint)
Hit Points 75 (10d8 + 30)
Speed 50 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 17 (+3) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 16 (+3)

Skills Intimidation +5, Perception +4, Religion +3, Stealth +5, Survival +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Abyssal, Common, Gnoll
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2

SPECIAL TRAITS

  • Keen Smell. The garataur has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
  • Rampage. When the garataur reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the garataur can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a bite attack.

ACTIONS

  • Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) piercing damage.
  • Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
  • Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
  • Slashing Sprint. The garataur moves up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks. It can make up to two scimitar attacks during this movement, but each attack must be against a different target.
  • Terrible Cackle (Recharge 5-6). The garataur unleashes a horrifying cackle. Each creature within 30 feet of the garataur that can hear it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn. Gnolls and hyenas automatically succeed on this saving throw.

ABOUT

According to the legends of some warmongering gnoll communities, the emergence of a blood moon can herald the creation of a mighty warrior to lead the pack in its quest for slaughter-a bloodthirsty monster resembling a gnoll from the waist up, but with the body of a primordial hyena where its legs would be. This monster rapidly claims leadership of its clan through some combination of strength, charisma, and unparalleled bloodshed. In hushed whispers, as a new blood moon rises, the name of this beast floats on the lips of fearful gnolls huddled beneath their blankets-the garataur.

For remote gnoll societies that revere a demonic goddess, the coming of a garataur is often seen as a sacred and important event signaling the unholy favor of the queen of demons. Such zealous communities regard the creature as a representative of the goddess, and the gnolls’ former leaders willingly step down to serve the divine emissary. However, for neighboring communities, gnoll or otherwise, the arrival of a garataur means little more than fear and pain for anyone caught in the monster’s path.

Even the most aggressive groups of gnolls cannot compete with a war band led by a garataur, whose mind and body seem perfectly crafted for the sole purpose of slaughter. While violent gnoll communities might attack or enslave their neighbors when they are hungry or need more slaves, those groups led by a garataur actively seek out and instigate total wars. Such war bands attack until all their victims are dead or enslaved, fighting to the death. Once a fight has begun, a garataur never surrenders.

The most powerful garataurs possess divine powers and spells akin to those of a true cleric. These garataur priests are always female and refer to themselves as daughters of the blood moon. Indeed, their powers seem at their most potent during lunar eclipses, when they lead harrowing rituals beneath a red desert sky.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Battlezoo Bestiary (5E) © 2022, Skyscraper Studios, Inc.; Authors: William Fischer, Stephen Glicker, Paul Hughes, Patrick Renie, Sen.H.H.S., and Mark Seifter.

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