Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Plaresh

Medium · Fiend · CR 3 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Creature Codex

15 (natural armor)

30 (4d8+12)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-4

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

-4

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fiend

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Burrow 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Blindsight 30 ft (9.1 m)

Tremorsense 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Languages

understands Abyssal but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, slashing, and piercing

Condition Immunities

charmed, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, stunned

Traits

Grinding Maws

The plaresh can burrow through harder substances such as wood, stone, or even metal. While doing so its burrow speed is reduced to half, and it creates a cluster of bore holes that leaves the material porous and weak. The material has -5 to its AC and half the usual hp.

Magic Resistance

The plaresh has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Swarm

The plaresh can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and the plaresh can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny worm. The plaresh can't regain hp or gain temporary hp.

Actions

Bites

+5 to hit. Hit: 4d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one creature in the swarm's space. Hit: 14 (4d6) piercing damage, or 7 (2d6) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer. The target must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the target is wearing nonmagical armor, the armor takes a permanent and cumulative -1 penalty to the AC it offers. Armor reduced to an AC of 10 is destroyed.

Infest Corpse

The plaresh targets one dead humanoid in its space. The body is destroyed, and a new plaresh rises from the corpse. The newly created plaresh is free-willed but usually joins its creator.

About Plaresh

Plaresh is a medium fiend with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 30 hit points (derived from 4d8+12).

Plaresh has communication capabilities including understands Abyssal but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Plaresh

2 tips available

When using Plaresh in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 30 ft. It can ambush from underground or escape combat by digging. Use 'Earthbind' or create difficult terrain to limit burrowing. Consider fighting in areas without soft ground.
Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 30 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Plaresh

2 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 30 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.
Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 30 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 3.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 5 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 1,200 XP
Hard: 1,800 XP
Deadly: 2,400 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Plaresh?: Plaresh has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Plaresh?: Plaresh is a Medium Fiend, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Plaresh speak?: Plaresh can communicate in understands Abyssal but can't speak.