Catoblepas - Revision history

Bennettj at 17:40, 27 May 2026

2026-05-27T17:40:33Z

Tao alexis at 18:28, 15 January 2025

2025-01-15T18:28:23Z

Tao alexis at 18:21, 15 January 2025

2025-01-15T18:21:30Z

Marcule at 14:51, 27 June 2022

2022-06-27T14:51:54Z

Marcule at 14:45, 27 June 2022

2022-06-27T14:45:48Z

Marcule at 14:45, 27 June 2022

2022-06-27T14:45:27Z

Tao alexis at 18:25, 23 June 2022

2022-06-23T18:25:30Z

Tao alexis at 17:34, 17 June 2022

2022-06-17T17:34:32Z

Tao alexis at 01:32, 2 December 2021

2021-12-02T01:32:14Z

Tao alexis at 19:26, 18 September 2021

2021-09-18T19:26:17Z

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 The catoblepas is not a mindless beast. With an intelligence akin to that of canines or felines, it exhibits a disturbing awareness of its own malevolence. It has been observed to act with calculated malice, luring prey into its range or toying with those who wander into its territory. This sinister cunning, combined with its lethal gaze and imposing physical presence, makes the catoblepas a menace feared by all who tread the untamed wilderness.
-The very existence of the catoblepas, along with its ability to reproduce and perpetuate its kind, has been a matter of heated debate among scholars, sages and theologians. Many argue that such a grotesque and unnatural creature could not have originated through any natural means. One prevailing theory suggests that the catoblepas was the result of a beast-making experiment that veered horribly off course — an alchemical or magical endeavor that brought forth this twisted abomination instead of the intended creation.
+The very existence of the catoblepas, along with its ability to reproduce and perpetuate its kind, has been a matter of heated debate among scholars, sages and theologians. Many argue that such a grotesque and unnatural creature could not have originated through any natural means. One prevailing theory suggests that the catoblepas was the result of a beast-making experiment that veered horribly off course — an [[Alchemy (sage study)|alchemical]] or magical endeavor that brought forth this twisted abomination instead of the intended creation.
 Others, however, claim the origins of the catoblepas are far darker, arguing that it hails from the lower planes of existence. According to these accounts, the creature is not a mere beast but a [[Demon|demon]] in fleshly guise, embodying malice and death as part of its very essence. Its malevolent intelligence and seemingly deliberate cruelty support this view, as does its penchant for thriving in desolate and cursed lands. Whether an accident of mortal hubris or a true infernal being, the catoblepas remains a creature of terror and mystery, defying easy explanation and ensuring its legacy as a subject of enduring fear and speculation.

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 }}
-A creature of such hideous appearance that a hapless creature, looking the beast in the eye, may die at the sight.  Thus is the fate of those unlucky enough to stumble across this thing. The body resembles that of a huge, bloated [[Buffalo|buffalo]].  The head possesses horns on either side of its snout, and it has large, snapping jaws. The creature is as intelligent as canines or felines, so it has some understanding of its malevolent nature.  It's been known to act with deliberate malice.
+'''Catoblepases''' are creatures of such grotesque and unsettling appearance that to meet their gaze is to risk death itself. This dreadful fate awaits any hapless soul unlucky enough to encounter one.  Its bloated, hulking body resembles that of an enormous, swollen [[Buffalo|buffalo]], its skin coarse and dark, sagging over powerful limbs. The creature's head is a nightmare of twisted features, with sharp horns jutting from either side of its snout and a maw lined with large, snapping jaws capable of rending flesh with ease.
-[[File:Catoblepas.jpg|left|450px|thumb]]
+[[File:Catoblepas.jpg|left|476px|thumb]]
-The existence of the creature, including its ability to procreate others of its kind, has long been a source of contention. It is believed that the catoblepas was the result of a beast-making experiment gone wrong; some say that the catoblepas came from the lower planes of existence and that it is really a [[Demon|demon]].
+The catoblepas is not a mindless beast. With an intelligence akin to that of canines or felines, it exhibits a disturbing awareness of its own malevolence. It has been observed to act with calculated malice, luring prey into its range or toying with those who wander into its territory. This sinister cunning, combined with its lethal gaze and imposing physical presence, makes the catoblepas a menace feared by all who tread the untamed wilderness.
 == Advantages ==
-The creature's '''death gaze''' is terrifying.  Any creature approaching within four hexes of the beast is in danger of catching the catoblepas' eye, whereupon a [[Saving Throws|saving throw]] must be made, or the victim's chest will seize tight with horror.  Once this occurs, the individual will quite literally die.  However, there is a saving grace: if the characters are well supported by a moderately leveled cleric, the victim can be restored. The death reduces the victim to [[Negative Hit Points|-11 hit points]], so that a [[Death's Door (spell)|death's door]] spell can effect a recovery.
+The catoblepas' death gaze is a power of terrifying potency. Any creature coming within four hexes of the beast risks meeting its horrifying gaze. When this occurs, the victim must make a [[Saving Throws|saving throw]] to resist the effects of the creature's eyes. Failure results in immediate and overwhelming horror, causing the victim’s chest to seize tight and their life to end in an instant. The death is sudden and leaves little room for intervention.
-The catoblepas' tail features a [[Club (weapon)|bony club]] upon its end, fixed with ridges. The tail is structured so that it will snap like a whip when it hits a defender, hitting very hard.  If a [[Stun Lock|stun]] results from this hit, the stun will be '''profound''', lasting two rounds rather than one.
+The catoblepas' tail is tipped with a [[Club (weapon)|bony club]], ridged and formidable in design. This natural weapon is structured to snap like a whip when swung, delivering an impact of tremendous force. If a successful hit results in a [[Stun Lock|stun]], the effect is particularly devastating, rendering the victim profoundly stunned for two rounds instead of one. This extended incapacitation makes the creature even more dangerous in close combat.
-The discovery of these creatures in an area (a knowledge that includes the probability that there are others) brings consternation to many, but rarely will locals undertake the task to destroy it.  Outsiders are almost always called for, among those brave and prepared enough to risk the catoblepas' death gaze.
+The presence of catoblepas in a region is a source of great consternation for those living nearby, as the discovery of one often suggests the likelihood of others. Despite the threat they pose, locals rarely summon the courage or resources to destroy the beast, knowing the risks of confronting its death gaze. Instead, they turn to outsiders, calling on adventurers brave enough and sufficiently prepared to face the dangers posed by this terrifying creature.
 See [[Bestiary]]
-[[Category:Don't Review until 2022]]
+[[Category:Reviewed]]

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 | hpdie = 3d4
 | attack = '''2''': [[Fangs (attack)|fangs]]; [[Tail (attack)|tail]]
-| dmg = 3–18 & 7–12
+| dmg = fangs (3–18); tail (7–12)
 | special = [[Death Gaze|death gaze]], [[Profound Stun|profound stun]]
 }}

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 }}
-A creature of such hideous appearance that a hapless creature, looking the beast in the eye, may die at the sight.  Thus is the fate of those unlucky enough to stumble across this thing. The body resembles that of a huge, bloated buffalo.  The head possesses horns on either side of its snout, and it has large, snapping jaws. The creature is as intelligent as canines or felines, so it has some understanding of its malevolent nature.  It's been known to act with deliberate malice.
+A creature of such hideous appearance that a hapless creature, looking the beast in the eye, may die at the sight.  Thus is the fate of those unlucky enough to stumble across this thing. The body resembles that of a huge, bloated [[Buffalo|buffalo]].  The head possesses horns on either side of its snout, and it has large, snapping jaws. The creature is as intelligent as canines or felines, so it has some understanding of its malevolent nature.  It's been known to act with deliberate malice.
 [[File:Catoblepas.jpg|left|450px|thumb]]

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 A creature of such hideous appearance that a hapless creature, looking the beast in the eye, may die at the sight.  Thus is the fate of those unlucky enough to stumble across this thing. The body resembles that of a huge, bloated buffalo.  The head possesses horns on either side of its snout, and it has large, snapping jaws. The creature is as intelligent as canines or felines, so it has some understanding of its malevolent nature.  It's been known to act with deliberate malice.
-[[File:Catoblepas.jpg|left|420px|thumb]]
+[[File:Catoblepas.jpg|left|450px|thumb]]
 The existence of the creature, including its ability to procreate others of its kind, has long been a source of contention. It is believed that the catoblepas was the result of a beast-making experiment gone wrong; some say that the catoblepas came from the lower planes of existence and that it is really a [[Demon|demon]].

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:25, 23 June 2022
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	[[Category:Don't Review until 2022]]		[[Category:Don't Review until 2022]]
		+
		+	[[Category: Brave Intelligence]]

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 | AC = 5
 | HD = 6+2
-| AP = 3
+| AP = 4
 | THAC0 = 17
 | hpdie = 3d4
 | attack = bite, tail
-| dmg = 3–18, 7–12
+| dmg = 3–18 & 7–12
-| special = death gaze, profound stun
+| special = [[Death Gaze|death gaze]], [[Profound Stun|profound stun]]
 }}
-A creature of such hideous appearance that looking the beast in the eye has the potential to kill a hapless creature unlucky enough to stumble across this thing. The body resembles that of a huge, bloated buffalo; the head features horns on either side of its snout and large, snapping jaws. The creature is as intelligent as canines or felines — and so it has some understanding of its malevolent nature and has been known to act with deliberate malice.
+A creature of such hideous appearance that a hapless creature, looking the beast in the eye, may die at the sight.  Thus is the fate of those unlucky enough to stumble across this thing. The body resembles that of a huge, bloated buffalo.  The head possesses horns on either side of its snout, and it has large, snapping jaws. The creature is as intelligent as canines or felines, so it has some understanding of its malevolent nature.  It's been known to act with deliberate malice.
 [[File:Catoblepas.jpg|left|420px]]
-The most dangerous thing about the creature, however, is its death gaze. Any creature that approaches within four hexes of the beast is in danger of catching the catoblepas' eye, whereupon a saving throw must be made or the victim's chest will seize tight with horror and the individual will quite literally die. However, there is a saving grace, for if the characters are well supported by a moderately leveled cleric, the victim can be restored. The death will be equivalent to [[Negative Hit Points|-11 hit points]], so that a [[Death's Door (spell)|death's door]] spell will effect a recovery.
+The existence of the creature, including its ability to procreate others of its kind, has long been a source of contention. It is believed that the catoblepas was the result of a beast-making experiment gone wrong; some say that the catoblepas came from the lower planes of existence and that it is really a [[Demon|demon]].
-As well, the catoblepas' tail features a bony club upon its end, which is fixed with ridges. The tail is structured so that the tail will snap like a whip when it hits a defender, causing it to hit very hard. If the tail hits and stuns, the defender should be considered profoundly [[Stun Lock|stunned]] for two rounds rather than one.
+== Advantages ==
-The existence of the creature, including its ability to procreate others of its kind, has long been a source of contention. It is believed that the catoblepas was the result of a beast-making experiment gone wrong; some say that the catoblepas came from the lower planes of existence and that it is really a [[Demon|demon]]. Whatever the case, the discovery of these creatures in an area (a knowledge that includes the probability that there are others) brings consternation to many, while the eradication of the beasts will often rely on willing outsiders prepared to risk the catoblepas' death gaze.
+The catoblepas' tail features a bony club upon its end, fixed with ridges. The tail is structured so that it will snap like a whip when it hits a defender, hitting very hard.  If a [[Stun Lock|stun]] results from this hit, the stun will be '''profound''', lasting two rounds rather than one.
 See [[Bestiary]]