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Pal-Rai-Yuk

Huge · Monstrosity · CR 8 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

16 (natural armor)

133 (14d12+42)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 3900

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 60 ft (18.3 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Burrow 40 ft (12.2 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Tremorsense 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Saving Throws

Constitution +6

Skills

Athletics +8 Stealth +3

Languages

Aquan, Common, Draconic

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

cold

Condition Immunities

frightened

Traits

Forgotten Prey

A creature that starts its turn grappled by the pal-rai-yuk must succeed on a DC 16 Charisma saving throw or be invisible and inaudible to all creatures other than the pal-rai-yuk. In addition, when the pal-rai-yuk swallows a creature, each of that creature’s allies within 1 mile of the pal-rai-yuk must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or forget the swallowed creature’s existence. At the end of each of the creature’s turns, it can repeat the saving throw, remembering the swallowed creature on a success.

Hold Breath

The pal-rai-yuk can hold its breath for 1 hour.

Magic Resistance

The pal-rai-yuk has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Two Heads

The pal-rai-yuk has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and on saving throws against being blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, stunned, and knocked unconscious.

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d10+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 27 (4d10 + 5) piercing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained. The pal-rai-yuk has two heads, each of which can grapple only one target.

Multiattack

The pal-rai-yuk makes two bite attacks.

Swallow

The pal-rai-yuk makes one bite attack against a Medium or smaller creature it is grappling. If the attack hits, the target is also swallowed, and the grapple ends. While swallowed, the creature is restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the pal-rai-yuk, and it takes 18 (4d8) acid damage at the start of each of the pal-rai-yuk's turns. The pal-rai-yuk can have up to three Medium or smaller creatures swallowed at a time.

The swallowed creature can see outside of the pal-rai-yuk, but it can't target those outside the pal-rai-yuk with spells or cast spells or use features that allow it to leave the pal-rai-yuk's stomach. In addition, nothing can physically pass through the pal-rai-yuk's stomach, preventing creatures inside the stomach from making attack rolls against creatures outside the stomach.

If the pal-rai-yuk takes 20 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the pal-rai-yuk must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which fall prone in a space within 10 feet of the pal-rai-yuk. If the pal-rai-yuk dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape the corpse by using 15 feet of movement, exiting prone.

About Pal-Rai-Yuk

Pal-Rai-Yuk is a huge monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 8. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 133 hit points (derived from 14d12+42).

Pal-Rai-Yuk has communication capabilities including Aquan, Common, Draconic. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Pal-Rai-Yuk

2 tips available

When using Pal-Rai-Yuk in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 40 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 60 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Pal-Rai-Yuk

2 strategies available

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

Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 40 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 60 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 8.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 11 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 7,200 XP
Hard: 10,800 XP
Deadly: 14,400 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 Pal-Rai-Yuk?: Pal-Rai-Yuk has a Challenge Rating of 8, making it appropriate for parties of level 8.0.
What type of creature is Pal-Rai-Yuk?: Pal-Rai-Yuk is a Huge Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Pal-Rai-Yuk speak?: Pal-Rai-Yuk can communicate in Aquan, Common, Draconic.