By Patrick Buermeyer – http://www.patrickbuermeyerart.com
Some monsters are simply beasts — strange, perhaps, but fundamentally no different than a panther or hyena.
Gaxxog is an abberant creature, a thing seemingly escaped from the depths of the hells.
Those who encounter Gaxxog and live to tell of it describe Gaxxog as an alternately lethargic and savage creature. It often curls up and sleeps in a swamp or deep forest, its rough skin effectively camouflaging itself to look like a rough hillock, its spines appearing to be a line of stones.
Roused, Gaxxog lashes out at anything that breathes and moves, killing indiscriminately.
Given its massive bulk, one would expect Gaxxog to hunt widely and consume vast quantities of wildlife, but explorers rarely encounter it. Gaxxog must hunt somewhere else and only occasionally make itself known in our physical world.
And here’s the Homebrewery version:
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> ## Gaxxog the Incorrigible
>*Gargantuan beast, unaligned*
> ___
> – **Armor Class** 20
> – **Hit Points** 350 (20d20 + 150)
> – **Speed** 20 ft., climb 40 ft.
>___
>|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
>|:—:|:—:|:—:|:—:|:—:|:—:|
>|25 (+7)|10 (+0)|19 (+5)|7 (-2)|12 (+1)|6 (-2)|
>___
> – **Condition Immunities** buzzed
> – **Senses** passive Perception 13
> – **Languages** None
> – **Challenge** 15 (3743 XP)
> – **Proficiency Bonus** +6
> – **Saving Throws** Con +11, Dex +6, Wis +7
> – **Senses** darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 11
> – **Challenge** 17(18000 XP)
> ___
> ***Natural Camouflage.*** While Gaxxog is camouflaged, creatures take Disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks to detect Gaxxog. This also applies to surprise rolls.
>
> ***Spiked Back.*** A creature attempting to jump onto or grapple Gaxxog must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, taking 11 (1d8 + 7) piercing damage on a failed save.
>
> ### Actions
> ***Multiattack.*** Gaxxog makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws. It can make one tail attack in place of its two claw attacks.
> ***Bite.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. *Hit:* 26 (3d12 + 7) piercing damage.
> ***Claw.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. *Hit:* 16 (2d8 + 7) slashing damage.
> ***Tail.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. *Hit:* 26 (3d12 + 7) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 feet away from Gaxxog and knocked prone.
> ***Acid Breath.*** Gaxxog exhales acid in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 19 Constitution saving throw, taking 52 (15d6) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
> ### Tactics
> Gaxxog begins combat with *acid breath*. The next round, it makes a *bite* and *tail* attack, the latter against the largest creature in range. After that, it settles into *bite* and two *claw* attacks every round.