Sphinxthuhlu

large aberration (eldritch), chaotic neutral

D&D 5.5 / SRD 5.2

Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)

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STR
20 (+5)
DEX
15 (+2)
CON
16 (+3)
INT
18 (+4)
WIS
17 (+3)
CHA
22 (+6)

Defense

Armor Class
17 (natural)
Hit Points
123 (13d10 + 52 +3)
Speed
30 ft., fly 60 ft., swim 30 ft., climb 30 ft.

Proficiencies & Senses

Saving Throws intelligence, charisma
Skills
Arcana +8, History +8, Insight +7, Deception +10, Perception +7, Intimidation +10
Senses
darkvision 120 ft.
blindsight 60 ft.
truesight 30 ft.
Eldritch Insight 90 ft. (The Sphinxthuhlu has an innate understanding of reality, allowing it to perceive creatures and objects in an additional 30 feet.)
passive Perception 17

Characteristics

Damage Vulnerabilities
radiant
Damage Resistances
psychic
Damage Immunities
charmed, frightened
Condition Immunities
blinded, deafened
Languages Deep Speech, Primordial, Common, Celestial, telepathy 120 ft.

Traits and Actions

Magic Resistance

Trait
Magic Resistance Custom
The Sphinxthuhlu has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Eldritch Gaze

Trait Custom
Eldritch Gaze Custom
As a bonus action, the Sphinxthuhlu can target one creature within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn. If the creature fails the saving throw by 5 or more, it is also paralyzed until the end of its next turn.

Eldritch Gaze. This ability combines features of fear effects with paralysis mechanics.

Fearsome Presence

Trait
Fear Condition Custom
Creatures of your choice within 30 feet of the Sphinxthuhlu must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Fear Condition. This ability imposes the Frightened condition on creatures.

Multiattack

Action
The Sphinxthuhlu can make three attacks: one with its bite and two with its tentacles.

Bite

Action
Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 5) piercing damage.

Tentacle

Action
Grappled Condition Custom
Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 17).

Combat Behavior

Tactics


• Utilize Eldritch Gaze to incapacitate foes and reduce threats.
• Maintain distance using flight, while dealing damage with tentacle attacks.
• Employ fear tactics to control the battlefield and manipulate enemies.

Combat Style

It utilizes psychological warfare combined with brute strength.

Morale

The Sphinxthuhlu is confident in its power and rarely retreats unless significantly threatened or outnumbered.

Monster Description

The Sphinxthuhlu is a terrifying synthesis of two creatures hailing from vastly different planes of existence. Through ancient rituals and forbidden knowledge, this aberration has emerged, possessing the intelligence and riddles of a sphinx, combined with the wrapped terror of Cthulhu. Its presence typically heralds madness, confusion, and dark omens. Those who gaze into its cyclopean eye risk losing their sanity, and tales abound of entire villages falling into despair after encountering this creature. Only the bravest adventurers or the most foolhardy would dare seek out the Sphinxthuhlu for answers or treasure, knowing the potential consequences of its eldritch nature.

More than just a guardian of forbidden lore, the Sphinxthuhlu has been known to hunt down those it perceives as threats or rivals. It uses its abilities to manipulate and instill fear in its enemies, often leading to their unnecessary demise. The cryptic riddles posed by the creature often contain layers of meaning, leading to knowledge, riches, or doom depending on how they are interpreted. Hence, those that confront the Sphinxthuhlu must not only outmatch it in combat but also challenge its greatly complex intellect.

Monster behavior

The Sphinxthuhlu is an elusive creature known for its intelligence and cunning nature. It prefers to engage its foes from a distance, utilizing its ability to instill fear to control the battlefield. When faced with adversity, the Sphinxthuhlu is not one to retreat; instead, it harnesses its capabilities to manipulate its opponents. The creature’s combat strategy typically involves using its Eldritch Gaze to frighten and potentially paralyze weaker enemies, picking them off with relentless bite and tentacle attacks. Tactics are often employed that include intimidation and mind games, where it would pose its notorious riddles to buy time or to gauge the intelligence of its challengers. It takes pleasure in watching its foes struggle against their fears and confusion.

Ecology

In natural ecosystems, the Sphinxthuhlu might be regarded as a cosmic predator. It thrives in environments that mirror the chaotic and dark aspects of its being, such as sunken cities or vast depths where madness reigns. The creature’s existence raises questions about the balance between knowledge and power, and it holds dominion over any beings unfortunate enough to reside near its lair. This balance is often precarious, with local whispers warning of a descent into madness that follows sightings of this eldritch aberration.

History

The Sphinxthuhlu is a being forged from ancient dark rituals. Legends suggest that a group of forbidden scholars stumbled upon the secrets of summoning this amalgamation, seeking to combine the wisdom of a sphinx with the terrors of the deep cosmos represented by Cthulhu. However, the act of summoning birthed not just a guardian of knowledge, but a being whose incursions altered reality itself. As stories of its terror spread, entire civilizations have either risen to deep worship or succumbed to madness in its wake. The Sphinxthuhlu is considered both a guardian of hidden truths and a harbinger of doom. As such, its existence is a perpetual reminder of the thin veil separating knowledge from insanity.

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