Brine Lurker

large aberration, unaligned

D&D 5.5 / SRD 5.2

Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Available with DM subscription
STR
16 (+3)
DEX
14 (+2)
CON
13 (+1)
INT
4 (-3)
WIS
12 (+1)
CHA
6 (-2)

Defense

Armor Class
14 (natural armor)
Hit Points
39 (6d10+6 +1)
Speed
5 ft., swim 40 ft.

Treasure & Loot Common

No significant treasure

Proficiencies & Senses

Saving Throws —
Skills
Stealth +4, Perception +3
Senses
blindsight 60 ft.
Blind Beyond 60 Feet (The lurker is blind beyond the radius of its blindsight and automatically fails ability checks that require sight.)
passive Perception 13

Characteristics

Damage Vulnerabilities
—
Damage Resistances
—
Damage Immunities
—
Condition Immunities
—
Languages —

Traits and Actions

Water Breathing

Trait
Water Breathing Custom
The lurker can breathe only underwater.

Blind Senses

Trait
Blindsight Custom
Deafened Condition
The lurker has blindsight 60 ft. and is blind beyond that radius. It can't use blindsight while deafened.

Murky Camouflage

Trait
Stealth Rule
Advantage Custom
While fully submerged, the lurker has Advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

Bite

Action
Melee Attack Custom
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.

Grasp

Action
Grappled Condition
Suffocation Custom
One Large or smaller creature within 5 ft. must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be Grappled (escape DC 13) and pulled 5 ft. toward the lurker into the water. A Grappled creature is also Restrained. A creature that can't breathe water begins suffocating while held under.

Suffocation. A grappled creature dragged underwater that cannot breathe water begins to suffocate.

Ink Cloud

Reaction
Heavily Obscured Rule
When the lurker is hit by an attack or takes damage while submerged, it releases ink in a 15-foot-radius Sphere centered on itself. The area is Heavily Obscured for 1 minute. A strong current disperses it.

Running the encounter

Combat Behavior

Tactics

  • Lies motionless under black water with only fin-tips showing, then surges at the last creature in the marching order.
  • Uses Grasp to grapple and drag a victim under, then bites the Restrained target.
  • Releases Ink Cloud when hurt to cover its retreat or reposition in the dark.

Combat Style

Patient aquatic ambusher that isolates and drowns a single victim.

Morale

Retreats into deep water if reduced below half its hit points and no grappled prey remains.

Appearance & presence

Monster Description

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