Hellbender

Large aberration, chaotic evil

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 76 (8d10 + 32)
Speed 20 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	12 (+1)	19 (+4)	5 (-3)	9 (-1)	5 (-3)

Damage Resistances acid, poison
Damage Immunities fire
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages Hellbender
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Actions

• Multiattack. The hellbender makes two attacks with its claws.
• Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10+5) slashing damage plus 4 (1d8) fire damage.
• Fiery Pulse (Recharge 5-6). The hellbender sends a burst of fire from all small pores in its chitin-like hide. Any creature within 5 feet of the hellbender must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 24 (7d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

About

An extremely scarce planar creature that looks somewhat like a cross between a salamander and a toad, the hellbender rarely leaves its natural plane willingly. The fiery-clawed creatures are usually enslaved and transported to a location where their special talent can be exploited; their massive, intensely hot claws drip fire and are capable of melting rock and stone quickly. They are weak minded and will finish whatever tunneling task they begin without considering other options. Their steely chitin hide protects them from rock slides and tunnel collapses, and if they become trapped within tons of rubble, they use their fiery pulse to burn their way out. If the malevolent hellbender becomes idle, it looks for something to eat or kill. Hellbenders will turn on each other or other nearby creatures if they’re not digging or tunneling.

Hellbender masters often think twice about enslaving hellbenders once their work is done.