Quyrua

Large monstrosity, neutral

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 105 (10d10 + 50)
Speed 10 ft., swim 40 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	6 (-2)	21 (+5)	15 (+2)	18 (+4)	15 (+2)

Skills History +5, Nature +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Sylvan
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Eternal Keeper. Embedded in the quyrua’s shell is a +1 magic weapon. This weapon can’t be removed unless the quyrua allows it with Honorable Absolution, or it dies. In some rare cases a quydra has a more powerful magic weapon in its shell.
• Honorable Absolution. A quyrua can willingly allow a creature to remove the weapon embedded in its shell. When the weapon is removed in this way, the quyrua immediately dies, though part of its spirit remains within the weapon, allowing the wielder of the weapon use of the quyrua’s innate spellcasting for the following 24 hours. At the GM’s discretion, sometimes, the quyrua’s sentience is absorbed into the weapon, effectively making it a unique sentient weapon.
• Innate Spellcasting. The quyrua’s innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 15). It can cast the following spells, requiring no material components.
  • 3/day each: cure wounds, gust of wind
  • 1/day: control water
• Keen Smell. The quyrua has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
• Sacred Charge. The quyrua’s bite gains the magical benefits of the weapon embedded in its shell (included in the attack). If the weapon deals any additional damage on a hit, the quyrua gains resistance to that damage type.

ACTIONS

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (4d6 + 3) piercing damage.
• Water Jet. The quyrua magically shoots water in a 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, a target takes 21 (6d6) bludgeoning damage and, if it is Huge or smaller, is pushed up to 20 feet away from the quyrua and forced prone. On a success, a target takes half the bludgeoning damage, but is neither pushed nor forced prone.

ABOUT

Quyrua are guardians of riverways and inland settlements bordering rivers or lakes. They resemble an oversized turtle with a brilliant shell of vibrant color, though the shell’s most distinctive feature is that it is punctured by an impressive weapon. The quyrua’s eyes show a measure of sentience and the glimmer of eternal patience. A quyrua is typically about 12 feet long and weighs around 2,200 pounds.

Heroic Origin. Quyrua often form the basis of regional legends, with the weapons embedded in their back being an implement used by some historic figure. These magical creatures are created when such a legendary (possibly mythic) hero embeds their weapon in the back of a venerable tortoise.

The tortoise is then given a spark of magical sentience, blessed by a sponsoring power-most often a deity affiliated with the hero.

Bearers of Legacy. The hero departs to unknown places after giving the quyrua its final instructions, which often consist of a required quest or traits to be found in a suitable heir for the weapon. The quyrua does its best to ensure they live up to the legacy of their creator, ready to gift the weapon they carry onto one capable of upholding the weapon’s legacy. Such cases are obviously rare, for a quyrua giving up its embedded weapon also succumbs to a quick (but peaceful) death.