Gryllus, Shining

Family: Gryllus

Medium fiend, neutral evil

Armor Class 14 (natural armor; 16 with shield of faith)
Hit Points 58 (9d8 + 18)
Speed 25 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 18 (+4)

Damage Resistances thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities exhaustion
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Abyssal, Common, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

  • Brass Head. A gryllus requires its brass head as a focus for its innate spells. If this brass head is removed or destroyed, the gryllus cannot use its innate spellcasting until it acquires a new one and mounts it on its back. A gryllus generally keeps its brass head strapped to its back so tightly that any ability check to remove it is made with disadvantage.
  • Innate Spellcasting. The gryllus’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). The gryllus can innately cast the following spells, requiring its brass head as the only material component.
    • At will: detect magic, command (2nd level)
    • 3/day each: guiding bolt (2nd level), shield of faith
    • 1/day each: dispel magic, glibness, mass healing word

ACTIONS

  • Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage and the target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or contract skinshine (page 124).
  • Bark. Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 50 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) thunder damage and each creature within 5 feet of the target (including the target) must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and take 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage from the impact of the fall.

ABOUT

As a sign of their power and prestige, the most accomplished grylluses keep the brass heads strapped to their back shined to a dazzling polish. Although their clothing is as mismatched as that of any other gryllus, they prefer to wear colors of white and gold. Shining grylluses usually have bodyguards nearby, even if those “bodyguards” are lesser grylluses who would betray their superior in an instant. Even in their lofty stations above their kin, shining grylluses constantly scheme to acquire more prestige or the subservience of fiends from higher circles. Shining grylluses are more inclined to consider their natural faces exceptionally handsome and keep them exposed when speaking with others. They continue this practice no matter how often derogatory comments about their appearance send them into a frothing rage. This deformed figure wears clothing of white and gold, as well as a life-size brass head mounted on the hump of its back. Its tiny arms are practically invisible beneath its draped clothing. Its hideous, toothy face bears a smug grin.

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Sandy Petersen’s Planet Apocalypse, © 2021, Petersen Games.

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