Creature Reference Back to Creatures

River King

Medium · Fey · CR 16 · Chaotic Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

18 (natural armor)

190 (20d8 + 100)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Chaotic Neutral

XP 15000

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 60 ft (18.3 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 30 ft (9.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Blindsight 10 ft (3 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

Dexterity +8 Constitution +10 Wisdom +6

Skills

Intimidation +8 Nature +7 Perception +6 Stealth +8

Languages

Common, Elvish, Giant, Primordial

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with cold iron weapons

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened

Traits

Amphibious

The River King can breathe air and water.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If the River King fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Riparian Weapons

The River King’s weapon attacks are magical. When he hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an extra 10 (3d6) poison damage (included in the attack).

Actions

Flood Blast

+8 to hit, range 120 ft (36.6 m). Hit: 4d8+3 bludgeoning damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +8 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (4d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 30 feet away from the River King and knocked prone.

Grasping Whirlpool

Recharge 5–6

The River King magically creates a swirling vortex of water centered on a point he can see within 60 feet. The vortex appears in the shape of a cylinder that is 15 feet tall with a 10-foot radius. Each creature in the area must make a DC 18 Strength saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 36 (8d8) bludgeoning damage and is restrained. On a success, a creature takes half the damage, isn't restrained, and can choose to be pushed out of the whirlpool's space. A creature that chooses not to be pushed suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw. While restrained, a creature is unable to breathe unless it can breathe water, and it must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw at the end of each of its turns or take 18 (4d8) bludgeoning damage. A creature, including the restrained creature, can take an action to free the restrained creature by succeeding on a DC 18 Strength check. A creature with a swimming speed has advantage on the saving throw and on the Strength check to escape.

Longsword

+10 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+5 plus 3d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) slashing damage, or 10 (1d10 + 5) slashing damage if used with two hands, plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Multiattack

The River King makes two Longsword or Flood Blast attacks.

Spellcasting

The River King casts one of the following spells, requiring no material components and using Charisma as the spellcasting ability (save DC 16):

At Will: create or destroy water, water breathing
3/Day Each: freedom of movement, control water
1/day: control weather (as an action)

Reactions

Blade Current

When a creature within 5 feet of the River King stands up from prone, he can make one Longsword attack against that creature.

Legendary Actions

Attack

Cost 1

The River King makes a Longsword or Flood Blast attack.

Flow

Cost 1

The River King moves up to his walking speed, or swims up to half his swimming speed, without provoking opportunity attacks.

Ripple

Cost 2

The River King magically ripples like sunlight on the surface of water. Until the start of his next turn, attack rolls against him have disadvantage.

About River King

River King is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 16. It has a chaotic neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 190 hit points (derived from 20d8 + 100).

River King has communication capabilities including Common, Elvish, Giant, Primordial. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using River King

2 tips available

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

Boss Encounter: Suitable for climactic moments
Multi-phase Battle: Plan dramatic tension with multiple phases

Player Guide: Facing River King

2 strategies available

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

Major Threat: Prepare for epic battle
Resource Management: Conserve powerful abilities

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 16.

Solo Encounter:

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

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 27,200 XP
Hard: 40,800 XP
Deadly: 54,400 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 River King?: River King has a Challenge Rating of 16, making it appropriate for parties of level 16.0.
What type of creature is River King?: River King is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does River King speak?: River King can communicate in Common, Elvish, Giant, Primordial.