#ghonathawn

[thecreaturecodex]

Ghonathawn

“Monster Hunter Creature “ © Nar Genc, accessed at their ArtStation here

[Commissioned by @tar-baphon​, who wanted a bigger, tougher version of the ghonhatine fleshwarp from Bestiary 4. The trick was making it unique enough for it to be its own sort of creature, but similar enough to make the similarity clear.]

Fleshwarp, Ghonathawn CR 15 CE Aberration This creature looks like an enormous lizard, with armor plating along its back and swollen, luminous cheeks. Oily black liquid oozes from pores along its body, and several rows of long spikes grow from its tail.

A ghonathawn is an improvement on the fleshwarping techniques that produced the ghonhatine, larger and more powerful. They are very rare, as they require the drow fleshwarpers to begin with a troglodyte paragon, the leftovers of the former magical society ruled by the xulgath in millennia past. The ghonathawn retains more of its former personality, viewing itself as a master of other fleshwarps, and some drow even trust them with the autonomy to make tactical decisions on the battlefield.

Ghonathawns are constantly ravenous, and they view most creatures that are not drow or other fleshwarps as food. They move towards the middle of combat, hosing enemies down with diseased acid generated in their cheeks and stomach, and nauseating anyone still standing with their vile, oily musk. A ghonathawn fights until slain, never retreating from a combat unless ordered to by a drow or compelled with magic.

Ghonathawn     CR 15 XP 51,200 CE Huge aberration Init +2; Senses darkvision 120 ft., Perception +6, scent Aura powerful stench (20 ft., DC 28) Defense AC 28, touch 6, flat-footed 28 (-2 size, -2 Dex, +22 natural) hp 232 (16d8+160) Fort +15, Ref +5, Will +9 DR 5/- ; Immune acid, critical hits, disease, poison, sneak attack Defensive Abilities ferocity Offense Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft. Melee bite +20 (2d8+10 plus 2d6 acid plus disease plus grab), 2 claws +20 (1d8+10), tail slap +18 (1d10+5) Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft. (20 ft. with tail) Special Attacks breath weapon (Ref DC 28, 16d6 acid plus disease, 1d4 rounds), fast swallow, feed, swallow whole (AC 21, 23 hp, 2d6+15 bludgeoning plus 4d6 acid) Statistics Str 31, Dex 7, Con 30, Int 6, Wis 9, Cha 12 Base Atk +12; CMB +24 (+28 grapple); CMD 36 (40 vs. trip) Feats Cleave, Defensive Combat Training, Great Cleave, Improved Initiative, Intimidating Prowess, Lightning Reflexes, Multiattack, Power Attack Skills Climb +29, Intimidate +22, Perception +10, Stealth +2 (+6 underground); Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth underground Languages Draconic (cannot speak) SQ thagomizer Ecology Environment underground Organization solitary or squad (1 plus 2-8 ghonhatines) Treasure none Special Abilities Feed (Su) By spending a full-round action devouring the body of a dead or unconscious creature, or when a swallowed creature is killed in its stomach, a ghonathawn gains 1d8+10 temporary hit points and a +2 bonus on attack and damage rolls for 1 minute. The bonus to hit points is Constitution-based. Filth Fever (Ex) Disease—injury; save Fort DC 28; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1 day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based. Powerful Stench (Ex) An enraged ghonathawn secretes a tarry, musk-like chemical. Any living creature besides ghonhatines and ghonathawns within 20 feet must succeed at a DC 28 Fortitude save or be nauseated as long as it remains within the affected area and for 1d4 rounds afterward. A creature that saves is sickened as long as it remains in the area, and can't be affected again by the same ghonathawn’s stench for 24 hours. This is a poison effect. The save DC is Constitution-based. Thagomizer (Ex) A ghonathawn’s tail slap deals bludgeoning and piercing damage.