Tsathar, Hellbender

Family: Tsathar

Large aberration, chaotic evil

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

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

Damage Resistances acid, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities fire
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages Ignan
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

Actions

  • Multiattack. The hellbender can make two Claw attacks and one Bite attack.
  • Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d6 + 5 piercing damage, plus 7 (2d6) fire damage.
  • Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) fire damage.
  • Fiery Pulse (recharge 5-6). The hellbender releases a burst of fire from its small pores in its skin in a 10-foot radius. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) fire damage on a failed saving throw, or half as much damage on a successful saving throw.
  • Implant (1/day). The hellbender tsathar uses its tongue to implant one incapacitated creature with a tsathar egg. The target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or contract the tsathar egg disease.

New Disease: Tsathar Egg Infestation

Tsathar are sexless, reproducing by injecting eggs into living hosts. An egg can be implanted only into a helpless host creature. The host must be of Small size or larger.

Giant frogs, bred for this very purpose, are the most common host.

The symptoms of the infestation manifest when the creature next takes a long rest. The infected creature suffers one level of exhaustion. While it has any levels of exhaustion, it is paralyzed, does not benefit from a long rest, and cannot regain hit points from any source save for magic. At the end of each long rest, an infected creature must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed saving throw, the creature gains one level of exhaustion. When an infected creature dies, the young tsathar emerges.

A lesser restoration spell rids the victim of any implanted egg. In addition, another creature can attempt a DC 20 Wisdom (Medicine) check to remove an implanted egg surgically. Each attempt made deals 4 (1d8) slashing damage to a creature.

The type of creature and the implanting tsathar determines what type of tsathar emerges upon the death of the victim:

  • If the implanting creature is any type of tsathar and the victim is any type of beast, the emerging egg is a tsathar.
  • If the implanting creature is a sacerdotal tsathar and the victim is a humanoid, roll a d6. On a 1-3, the egg is a tsathar; a 4-5, the resulting egg is a sacerdotal tsathar. On a 6, it is instead a hellbender tsathar.
  • If the implanting creature is a hellbender tsathar and the victim is humanoid, roll a d6. On a 1-4, the egg is a tsathar. On a 5-6, the egg is a hellbender tsathar.
Section 15: Copyright Notice

Tegel Manor © 2019, Frog God Games, LLC; Authors: Bill Webb & Thom Wilson with additional material by Gabor Lux