Savager

Large beast, neutral evil

Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 105 (10d10 + 50)
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
22 (+6) 14 (+2) 21 (+5) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 13 (+1)

Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +8
Skills Perception +3
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3

SPECIAL TRAITS

  • Mighty Swing. If the savager doesn’t move during its turn, it has advantage on the next Claw attack it makes before the start of its next turn.
  • Spines. A creature that touches the savager or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 5 (2d4) piercing damage. In addition, a creature grappled by or grappling the savager takes 5 (2d4) piercing damage at the start of the savager’s turn.

ACTIONS

  • Multiattack. The savager makes one Bite attack and two Claw attacks. If both Claw attacks hit one creature, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or take 9 (2d8) slashing damage as the savager rips into the target.
  • Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d12 + 6) piercing damage.
  • Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) slashing damage.

ABOUT

A porcupine-quilled creature built like a grizzly bear with claws and fangs like scimitars rises on its hind legs. Its forelegs are mangled and scabbed, and its eyes shine with hatred and anticipation.

Driven by Dark Spirits. While many druids claim these bear-like animals are not cursed or enchanted, the savager’s habit of killing any living creature on sight is not natural behavior. Hunger doesn’t explain their attacks, since savagers eat only part of their kills before abandoning the meal and looking for other animals to attack. Some dark forest spirit drives them.

Gnaws Itself. When there are no other creatures nearby to attack, a savager gnaws on its own forelimbs, resulting in scabs, scars, and calluses so thick and numb that they protect the savager from even the sharpest of swords.

Rare Meetings. The only creature a savager won’t attack on sight is another savager, giving each other a wide berth or meeting briefly to produce young. A savager litter contains anywhere from ten to twenty-five cubs, all of them born able to walk and fend for themselves.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Tome of Beasts 1 ©2023 Open Design LLC; Authors: Daniel Kahn, Jeff Lee, and Mike Welham.

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