Gorrug the Brackish
Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Kraal), Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class: 14 (Leather Armor)
Hit Points: 32 (5d8 + 10)
Speed: 30 ft. (walking), 40 ft. (swimming)
Challenge Rating: 1 (200 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 10 |
Saving Throws: Strength + 5, Constitution + 4
Skills: Stealth +4 (advantage in marsh terrain), Perception +3
Damage Vulnerabilities: None
Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities: None
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 13
Languages: Kraal, understands Common (speaks with a guttural croak)
Spellcasting
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Actions & Abilities
Multiattack: Gorrug the Brackish makes two attacks: one with his Crooked Sword and one with his Vicious Swamp Lash.
Crooked Sword: – Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
– Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone as Gorrug uses a powerful swing aimed at their legs.
Vicious Swamp Lash: – Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
– Hit: 6 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage. Also, as Gorrug swings, the swamp’s thick vines coil around the target, causing them to make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target is grappled (escape DC 13). Gorrug can maintain the grapple at the start of his turns.
Ambush Tactics (Recharge 5-6): If Gorrug is hidden from an enemy and makes a successful attack against them, he deals an additional 7 (2d6) slashing damage. If he remains hidden after the attack, he has advantage on his next attack roll before being detected. This action exemplifies Gorrug’s strategic mindset and the element of surprise he wields in combat.
Brackish Resurgence (Recharge 6): While submerged in water, Gorrug can regenerate vitality. At the start of his turn, he regains 3 (1d6) hit points for every round he spends submerged in the marsh (up to 6 hit points). If attacked while submerged, Gorrug must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, he immediately surfaces as a reaction but does not regain hit points that round.
Gloomy Fangs (Recharge 5-6): Gorrug emits a piercing croak that reverberates through the swamp. Each creature within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn. A frightened creature must take the Dash action and move away from Gorrug by the safest available route on its turn.
Tactical Retreat (1/Day): If Gorrug drops to half his hit points or fewer, he can use his reaction to dart into the swamp waters, becoming nearly invisible to those who aren’t directly searching for him. Choose a point he can see within 30 feet, where he immediately teleports. He gains advantage on the first attack against any enemy that has not yet detected him.
Oozing Camouflage: Gorrug can cover himself in marsh muck as a bonus action, gaining advantage on Stealth checks for the next turn. This allows him to hide more effectively among the environment, enhancing his ambush tactics.
Appearance
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Size and Shape: Gorrug the Brackish stands at an imposing height of 6 feet, with a muscular and sinewy build indicative of his warrior training. His form is humanoid in structure yet distinctly amphibious, with a broad chest and slightly elongated limbs allowing for powerful bursts of movement both on land and in water. His posture is upright but carries a slight forward lean, giving him a predatory appearance.
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Coloration: His skin showcases a mesmerizing blend of deep greens and mottled browns, perfectly suited for camouflage against the dappled colors of the marshlands. Patches of dark jade intermingle with lighter, murky tones, creating a natural suit of armor that helps him blend seamlessly into the swamp.
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Texture and Surface Features: Gorrug’s skin is both smooth and slightly slick, reminiscent of a frog but tougher and less delicate. It is covered with a thin layer of moisture that glistens subtly in the light, adding to his eerie yet intriguing appearance. Bioluminescent spots, varying in size, are scattered across his back, glowing faintly in hues of aqua and emerald, providing a stark contrast to the earthy colors of his skin.
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Facial Features: Gorrug’s face is marked by a wide-set mouth filled with sharp, needle-like teeth that gleam with a menacing sheen, ready to rend flesh. His expressive, bulbous eyes are a vivid yellow-green, with slit pupils that grant him superior night vision and the ability to detect the slightest movements even in dim light. An array of bumpy growths runs along his brow, enhancing his fierce expression. Above his brow is a crude crown composed of twisted vines and bones, a symbol of his victories, further asserting his dominance.
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Limbs and Appendages: Gorrug has two robust arms that end in webbed fingers, designed for both gripping and swimming. His fingers are tipped with long, claw-like nails that can slice and slash in combat. Their strength and dexterity allow him to maneuver through the swamp’s undergrowth with ease. His powerful legs are well-suited for both jumping great distances and traversing swampy ground, with webbing between his toes enhancing his swimming speed.
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Special Features: The glowing spots on his back serve a dual purpose; they might startle potential threats or attract the curious prey in the depths of the marsh. Gorrug’s skin also exhibits slight iridescence under the right light, giving him a shadowy allure. Additionally, he possesses the ability to submerge himself completely in the treacherous waters, making him nearly invisible in his domain.
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Posture and Movement: Gorrug moves with a fluid grace that belies his muscular frame, allowing him to transition seamlessly between walking on land and swimming through the murky waters. His movements are stealthy and deliberate, indicative of a creature that knows when to strike and when to hide. While he can spring into action with surprising speed, he often maintains a low growl in his demeanor, blending the posture of a hunter with the calm of a sentinel watching over his territory.
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Additional Notable Traits: Adorning his body are various decorative items made from the remains of his foes—a necklace of small bones and teeth hangs from his neck, and braided strands of swamp grasses are tied around his arms. The remnants of vanquished enemies not only serve as trophies but also as a reminder of his fierce loyalty to the swamp and its guardianship. Occasionally, a faint mist clings to him, a residue of the marsh itself, enhancing his connection to the brackish waters he commands.
Tactical Information
Tactical Behaviors of Gorrug the Brackish in Combat
Combat Strategy
1. Ambush Specialist:
- Environment Utilization: Gorrug takes full advantage of the swamp terrain. At the start of combat, he will likely hide or use the natural cover of trees, thick underbrush, or swamp waters to become concealed. He prefers to stay hidden until he can surprise the party, giving him an opportunity to execute his Ambush Tactics.
- Stealth and Positioning: With a Stealth score of +4 and advantage in marsh terrain, Gorrug will look to remain undetected, choosing a vantage point from which he can spring his attack. He will reposition after making his attack to either escape the threat or prepare for the next round.
2. Tactical Retreat:
- If engaged in melee but his health drops below half, Gorrug will consider disengaging to retreat into the swamp. He’ll use his Swim speed to dive beneath the water, making it hard for opponents to follow. This retreat plays into his plan of using submersion to regenerate hit points if he has the opportunity.
- Regeneration through Submersion: While submerged in water for at least one turn, Gorrug can regain 5 hit points. This showcases his adaptability in battle, forcing players to decide if they want to pursue a retreating enemy into the murky depths.
3. Targeting Weaknesses:
- Gorrug will actively assess his opponents through Perception to identify weaker, isolated targets, aiming to knock them prone with his Crooked Sword Attack. He will prioritize attacking ranged characters (like spellcasters or archers) who pose a larger threat to his survival, attempting to engage them in close quarters.
- Utilizing Ambush Tactics: Following a successful ambush hit against a target, Gorrug will continue to press his attack, aiming for a quick finish before his position is compromised.
Narrative Interactions
1. Engaging Party Dialogue:
- Gorrug’s voice is a guttural croak that echoes with authority, and he may initially attempt to parley before fighting. He could present the party with riddles or tests of worthiness, echoing themes of his dominion over the swamp.
- Deceptive Offers: Gorrug may offer adventurers temporary safe passage in exchange for treasure or knowledge, only to lead them into more danger or ensnare their trust for an ambush later.
2. Swamp Guardian Role:
- If members of the party show knowledge or respect for the marshlands, Gorrug may lower his defenses and share legends or lore about the swamp. Players who exhibit skills in Diplomacy or Nature might have a chance to sway him to aid them against a greater threat to the marsh.
- As a creature deeply connected to his land, Gorrug would respond emotionally to threats to the swamp, becoming more aggressive if the party begins to harm its resources.
Combat Flow
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Initial Ambush:
- The fight begins with Gorrug emerging from his hidden position, attacking with advantage on his first strike due to Ambush Tactics.
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Tactical Evade:
- If losing, Gorrug utilizes his environment to retreat, diving into the water and relying on stealth to reemerge unexpectedly or regenerate hit points.
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Dynamic Engagement:
- Should combat continue, he alternates between stealth attacks and direct melee combat, particularly targeting individuals who are isolated or not able to defend themselves.
- Use of the environment includes luring enemies into traps or creating distractions through misdirecting sounds or illusions (he might use his surroundings to simulate dangers or allies).
Conclusion
In summary, Gorrug the Brackish serves not just as an enemy but as a complex character with a deeply woven relationship to his marshland realm. His tactics in combat reflect his environment, emphasizing ambush and strategic withdrawal, while his interactions bear the weight of his history and loyalty to his homeland. Players will need to engage thoughtfully, balancing combat with diplomacy to navigate the challenges he presents in both battle and narrative, making Gorrug an unforgettable encounter.
