Snake, Three-Headed Cobra

Variants

    This monstrous serpent’s body is as thick as a man’s torso and covered in ink-black scales. Its trunk branches out to support three hissing heads atop flaring cobra hoods. For all its size, it slithers across the ground almost silently.

    Large monstrosity, unaligned

    Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
    Hit Points 127 (15d10 + 45)
    Speed 40 ft., swim 30 ft.

    STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
    14 (+2) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 4 (-3) 10 (+0) 6 (-2)

    Saving Throws Dexterity +7, Wisdom +3
    Skills Perception +3
    Damage Resistances poison
    Senses blindsight 10ft., passive Perception 13
    Languages
    Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

    Special Traits

    • Reactive Heads. The three-headed cobra gets two extra reactions that can be used only for opportunity attacks.
    • Three-Headed. The cobra has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and on saving throws against being blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, stunned, and knocked unconscious.
    • Wakeful. While the three-headed cobra sleeps, at least one of its heads is awake.

    Actions

    • Multiattack. The three-headed cobra makes three bite attacks.
    • Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage and the target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

    About

    Often employed as guardians, the native intelligence of these creatures makes them capable of learning commands.

    Color Variations. The three-headed cobra is most common throughout warm climates, though not unknown on the open plains and in some jungles. While most retain the black coloration found in jungles and hills, other varieties exist. The desert variety often has a pale bone color and skull-like hood pattern; the plains varieties tend toward green or khaki coloration.

    Golden Guardians. The three-headed cobra is a watchful creature associated with guarding shrines and sometimes with rulership over a particular abandoned city or necropolis. Some believe they are protectors of ancient holy relics, sacred scrolls, or divine sparks. Because one of its heads is always awake and alert, it is also favored to guard treasure vaults and counting houses, where large sums of coins are stored. In these cases, the three-headed cobra’s scales take on a golden or silvery coloration.

    Servants of the Queen. The three-headed cobra carries a strong association with the Queen of Serpents, who, according to legend, never strays far from their protection (honor guards of at least two and as many as a dozen are common near the Queen). They are thought to be her close companions, and many believe the three-headed cobras serve not only as her bodyguards but also as her consorts.

    Section 15: Copyright Notice

    Creature Codex. © 2018 Open Design LLC; Authors Wolfgang Baur, Dan Dillon, Richard Green, James Haeck, Chris Harris, Jeremy Hochhalter, James Introcaso, Chris Lockey, Shawn Merwin, and Jon Sawatsky.