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Horakh

Medium · Monstrosity · CR 9 · Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts
Armor Class
17 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
161 (19d8+76)
Challenge Rating CR
9

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
18
+4
DEX
19
+4
CON
19
+4
INT
8
-1
WIS
15
+2
CHA
10
+0

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Medium
Type Monstrosity
Alignment Neutral
XP 5000
Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)
Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)
Climb 30 ft (9.1 m)
Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)
Tremorsense 30 ft (9.1 m)
Passive Perception 20

Saving Throws

Dexterity +12

Skills

Athletics +8 Perception +6 Stealth +8

Languages

understands Undercommon

Environments

Caves Desert Grassland or Plains Ruins Underworld

Traits

Shadow Stealth

A horakh can hide as a bonus action if it's in dim light or darkness.

Standing Leap

As part of its movement, the horakh can jump up to 20 feet horizontally and 10 feet vertically, with or without a running start.

Actions

Bite

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d8 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (4d8 + 4) slashing damage. If the bite attack hits a target that's grappled by the horakh, the target must make a successful DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or one of its eyes is bitten out. A creature with just one remaining eye has disadvantage on ranged attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. If both (or all) eyes are lost, the target is blinded. The regenerate spell and comparable magic can restore lost eyes. Also see Implant Egg, below.

Claw

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) piercing damage. If both attacks hit the same Medium or smaller target in a single turn, the target is grappled (escape DC 14).

Implant Egg

If a horakh's bite attack reduces a grappled creature to 0 hit points, or it bites a target that's already at 0 hit points, it implants an egg in the creature's eye socket. The deposited egg grows for 2 weeks before hatching. If the implanted victim is still alive, it loses 1d2 Constitution every 24 hours and has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. After the first week, the victim is incapacitated and blinded. When the egg hatches after 2 weeks, an immature horakh erupts from the victim's head, causing 1d10 bludgeoning, 1d10 piercing, and 1d10 slashing damage. A lesser restoration spell can kill the egg during its incubation.

Multiattack

The horakh makes two claw attacks and one bite attack.

About Horakh

Horakh is a medium monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 161 hit points (derived from 19d8+76).

Horakh has communication capabilities including understands Undercommon. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Horakh

1 tips available

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

  • Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 30 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.

Player Guide: Facing Horakh

1 strategies available

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

  • Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 30 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 9,000 XP
  • Hard: 13,500 XP
  • Deadly: 18,000 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 Horakh?
Horakh has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Horakh?
Horakh is a Medium Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Horakh speak?
Horakh can communicate in understands Undercommon.

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