Scylla-Scorpax
Large Monstrosity, Neutral Evil
Armor Class: 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 60 (8d8 + 24)
Speed: 40 ft. (land), 30 ft. (swim)
Challenge Rating: 2 (450 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 14 | 16 | 1 | 12 | 1 |
Saving Throws: Dexterity +4, Constitution +5
Skills: Acrobatics +4, Perception +3
Damage Vulnerabilities: Lightning
Damage Resistances: Acid; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities: None
Condition Immunities: Blinded, Charmed, Deafened, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Senses: Blindsight 30 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 11
Languages: Understands Aquan but cannot speak.
Spellcasting
“”
Actions & Abilities
Multiattack: The Scylla-Scorpax can make two claw attacks or one sting attack on its turn. It utilizes its speed and agility to deliver multiple strikes to its prey before darting away or repositioning.
Claw Attack: Action Type: Melee Attack
Attack Bonus: +5 to hit
Reach: 5 ft.
Targets: One creature
Damage: 1d8 + 3 slashing damage
Special: If the claw attack hits, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 13). The grappling condition lasts until the Scylla-Scorpax is incapacitated or uses its grappling claw to make a new attack.
Description: With terrifying swiftness, the Scylla-Scorpax lunges forward, its razor-sharp pincers snapping shut with overwhelming force. The serrated edges of its claws slash through flesh with ease, leaving gashes that ooze with a faint brackish fluid.
Sting: Action Type: Melee Attack
Attack Bonus: +5 to hit
Reach: 10 ft.
Targets: One creature
Damage: 1d10 + 3 piercing damage
Additional Effect: On a hit, the target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the target takes an additional 2d6 poison damage and is poisoned for 1 minute; the creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Description: The Scylla-Scorpax raises its stinger high, channeling toxic energy surging through its tail before striking with deadly precision. The venomous sting is a terrifying sight, leaving immediate physical damage and the lingering threat of poisoning.
Ambush Attack: Action Type: Bonus Action
Requirement: The creature must be in an aquatic environment or heavily obscured terrain (like rocky cliffs).
Description: When the Scylla-Scorpax is hidden or partially submerged, it can gain advantage on its first attack against a creature that is unaware of its presence.
Tactical Note: This ability allows the Scylla-Scorpax to ambush unsuspecting adventurers, capitalizing on their lack of awareness to strike with calculated cruelty.
Retreat into the Deep: Action Type: Reaction
Trigger: When the Scylla-Scorpax drops to half its hit points or less.
Description: The Scylla-Scorpax can use its reaction to withdraw into its aquatic territory, retreating into water or concealment. If it moves into water, it can dash into deep waters with incredible speed, becoming momentarily difficult to hit.
Mechanics: This reaction allows the creature to escape from combat without provoking opportunity attacks, using its swimming speed of 30 ft.
Frightening Presence (Recharge 5-6): Action Type: Action (Recharge 5-6)
Description: The Scylla-Scorpax emits a low, rumbling growl that reverberates like ocean currents. All creatures of its choice within 20 feet of it must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Tactical Note: This ability can disrupt enemy formations and force them to retreat or scatter, making it easier for the Scylla-Scorpax and its allies to capitalize on disarray in the adventurers’ ranks.
Chitinous Defense (Recharge 6): Action Type: Action (Recharge 6)
Description: The Scylla-Scorpax can briefly harden its exoskeleton in response to an incoming threat. Until the start of its next turn, it gains an additional 2 to its Armor Class and reflects 1d4 slashing damage to any creature that hits it with a melee attack.
Mechanics: This action requires a recharge roll of 6, representing the creature’s instinct to rotate its hardened armor and withstand physical punishment in dire situations.
Appearance
Scylla-Scorpax Physical Description
-
Size and Shape: The Scylla-Scorpax is a large and imposing creature, measuring approximately 8 feet in total length from claw tip to tail tip. Its body is robust and muscular, combining the sleek, hydrodynamic form of a shark with the sturdy exoskeleton of a scorpion. This hybrid musculature and skeletal structure allow it to maneuver adeptly both in water and on land, enabling swift, predator-like lunges when attacking.
-
Coloration: The creature’s skin boasts an iridescent deep blue base that mirrors the mysterious depths of the ocean. Swirls and patches of vibrant purple and green shimmer across its segmented carapace, catching the light and evoking images of both the turbulent sea and the rugged rocky shores it inhabits. The coloration serves as both camouflage and an intimidation tactic against unsuspecting adventurers.
-
Texture and Surface Features: The outer layer of the Scylla-Scorpax is a combination of slick, shark-like skin and the hardened, armor-like texture of a scorpion’s shell. Its carapace is smooth yet reflective, giving it a glossy appearance, while the segments of its body contain sharp, serrated edges reminiscent of a crab’s defenses. In contrast to its glossy exterior, the inner webbing of its limbs appears slightly moist and fleshy, providing it with flexibility for rapid movements.
-
Facial Features: The head of the Scylla-Scorpax is strikingly fearsome, bearing a sculpted visage akin to a shark, with a wide, menacing jaw lined with numerous rows of razor-sharp, serrated teeth ready to snap shut in predatory fury. Its face lacks eyes, instead featuring several electroreceptive pits that allow it to detect vibrations in its environment. This gives it a ghostly appearance, as it seemingly hunts in darkness with no visible means of sight. The elongated, sleek snout further enhances its predatory look, accented by faint bioluminescent patterns along the jawline, hinting at the magical essence coursing through its being.
-
Limbs and Appendages: The Scylla-Scorpax possesses six powerful, articulated legs that end in sharp, clawed feet, allowing it to navigate through rocky terrain with agility and speed. Its forelimbs are enhanced into formidable pincers, which glint dangerously with every movement, designed to grasp and grapple prey effectively. At the rear, a long, segmented scorpion-like tail extends, tipped with a venomous stinger that pulses with a faint, eerie glow, acting as both a weapon and a balancing apparatus during swift movements.
-
Special Features: One of the most distinctive elements of the Scylla-Scorpax is its glowing stinger, throbbing with a bioluminescent hue that varies between deep blues and greens. This light serves as both a warning and a lure for curious prey. Additionally, faint trailing patterns of phosphorescence are scattered along its body, giving it an ethereal glow in dim light, enhancing its mystical, otherworldly presence.
-
Posture and Movement: The Scylla-Scorpax primarily adopts a semi-upright posture due to its articulated limbs, which allow for quick bursts of freedom in both aquatic and terrestrial settings. Its movement is swift and fluid, favoring grace and efficiency. When prowling, it scuttles across rocky landscapes with the precision of a predator, while in water, it glides effortlessly, using powerful swipes of its limbs to dart towards its target in a flash.
-
Additional Notable Traits: The creature’s carapace features intricate natural patterns resembling those of ancient sea creatures, serving as both aesthetic and deceptive camouflage. A slight mist surrounds the creature, especially when it emerges from the depths or lurks in the shallows, creating an aura of unease and mystique as if the air around it is charged with elemental energy. The constant subtle hum of magical energy emanating from its body hints at its dark origins and connection to the sea sorceress that birthed it.
Tactical Information
Combat Behavior and Tactical Information for Scylla-Scorpax
Tactical Overview:
The Scylla-Scorpax is designed to function effectively as a formidable minion in combat situations, presenting a unique challenge for players through its duality of melee and poison attacks. Its strategy leans heavily on ambush tactics, leveraging its environment to gain the upper hand in skirmishes.
Combat Behavior
-
Ambush Predator:
- The Scylla-Scorpax will often start encounters by hiding in water or amongst rocks, waiting for a party member to move within range. It employs its Blindsight to detect movements in murky waters or dark areas, initiating combat with the element of surprise.
- On a successful stealth check (using Dexterity +2), the Scylla-Scorpax gains advantage on its first attack roll against any target that is surprised.
-
Multiattack Strategy:
- In its first round of combat, it will prioritize making two claw attacks against the closest target, aiming to grapple for control of the battlefield.
- If the target is effectively grappled, the Scylla-Scorpax will then move to hit the target with a Sting attack, which can deal hefty poison damage if the victim fails their Constitution saving throw.
-
Grappling and Toxic Strategy:
- Once a target is grappled, the Scylla-Scorpax will focus on that opponent to maximize its damage output, attempting to incapacitate individuals to reduce the adventurers’ fighting strength.
- It can tactically release grappled foes if they appear too difficult to overpower and use its movement to strike a new target, maintaining a dynamic presence in combat.
-
Retreat and Regroup:
- If the Scylla-Scorpax drops below 25 hit points (about 40% of its HP), it will attempt to swim back into the water or duck behind rocks to escape. This decision ensures it can navigate back to its lair for healing or wait for a more opportune moment to attack. The monster uses its terrain familiarity to evade pursuers.
-
Deceptive Movement:
- To further confuse players, the Scylla-Scorpax may use its mobility to dart in and out of water, making it difficult for ranged attackers to land hits. Its fast swimming speed is utilized effectively to reposition itself in combat.
Narrative Interactions:
-
Presence in the World:
- The Scylla-Scorpax can be introduced through ominous tales by local fishermen or coastal dwellers warning adventurers of the “Abyssal Shadow” lurking just beneath the surface. Rumors could circulate that it is the guardian of a treasure or a lost artifact.
-
Behavioral Traits:
- Described as possessing a cunning intelligence, the Scylla-Scorpax displays an almost animalistic instinct—creating diversions or drawing potential prey into traps. Players may notice a “play” with its food, carefully toying with injured prey that might escape.
-
Interactions with Other Creatures:
- As a minion creature, the Scylla-Scorpax could be observed working alongside merfolk warlords or other sea-themed aberrations, providing a larger narrative arc that involves fleeting alliances with intelligent forces of the ocean.
-
Defensive Tactics:
- Should the Scylla-Scorpax be cornered during exploration, it may not always resort to brute force. Players could find it roaring in frustration, or using its body language to position itself defensively, providing hints about its nature and potentially leading to a negotiation if enough of its character is revealed through persistent interaction.
Conclusion:
The Scylla-Scorpax is designed to blend visceral combat encounters with narrative depth. Its strategy focuses on using tactical positioning, ambush mechanics, and grappling techniques to create exciting fights that encourage strategic thinking and teamwork among players. Through rich narrative engagement, it leaves a lasting impression, making it a memorable encounter in any coastal-themed campaign.
