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Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower

Huge · Giant · CR 19 · Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts

19 (natural armor)

241 (21d12+105)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Giant

Alignment Neutral

XP 22000

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 50 ft (15.2 m)

Swim 25 ft (7.6 m)

Climb 25 ft (7.6 m)

Crawl 25 ft (7.6 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 19

Saving Throws

Dexterity +6 Intelligence +9 Wisdom +9 Charisma +11

Skills

Athletics +13 Perception +9 Survival +9

Languages

Auran, Common, Giant (can't speak in roc form)

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

cold; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Resistances

lightning, thunder

Condition Immunities

exhaustion

Traits

Hraesvelgr's Lair

on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Hraesvelgr takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; Hraesvelgr can't use the same effect two rounds in a row:

Hraesvelgr unleashes a blast of wind in a 60-foot cone. All creatures in the area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
One creature within 60 feet that Hraesvelgr can see must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be swept up in a pillar of wind. The creature is restrained and suspended 15 feet off the ground. If the creature has something to pull on, it can pull itself out of the wind by using an action and making a successful DC 15 Strength check; another creature who can reach the suspended creature can pull it free in the same way. Alternatively, a flying creature can repeat the saving throw as an action. On a success, it moves 5 feet out of the pillar of wind. This effect lasts until Hraesvelgr takes this action again or dies.
Hraesvelgr lets out a thunderous bellow in giant form or an ear-splitting shriek in roc form. All creatures within 30 feet must make a successful DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature repeats the saving throw at the end of its turn, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Innate Spellcasting

hraesvelgr's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 19). He can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material or somatic components:

at will: feather fall, light

3/day: control weather

Keen Sight (Roc Form Only)

Hraesvelgr has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Legendary Resistance (3/day)

If Hraesvelgr fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Regional Effects

the region containing Hraesvelgr's lair is warped by the corpse swallower's magic, which creates one or more of the following effects:

Strong windstorms are common within 6 miles of the lair.
Giant avian beasts are drawn to the lair and fiercely defend it against intruders.
The wind within 10 miles of the lair bears a pungent carrion stench.

if Hraesvelgr dies, conditions in the area surrounding the lair return to normal over the course of 1d10 days.

Shapechanger

Hraesvelgr can use a bonus action to change into a roc. Any equipment he wears or carries melds into his new form. It keeps its game statistics except as noted. He reverts to his giant form if it is reduced to 0 hit points or when it uses a bonus action to change back.

Actions

Beak

+13 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 4d8 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (4d8 + 7) piercing damage.

Fist

+13 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 3d8 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 21 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the start of Hraesvelgr's next turn.

Gale Blast

Recharge 5–6

Hraesvelgr unleashes a gale-force blast of wind in a line 60 feet long and 10 feet wide. Creatures in the area take 35 (10d6) bludgeoning damage and are pushed 15 feet directly away from Hraesvelgr, or they take half damage and are not pushed with a successful DC 19 Strength saving throw.

Multiattack

Hraesvelgr makes two attacks.

Talons

+13 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d6 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (4d6 + 7) slashing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 17). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained and Hraesvelgr can't use his talons against another target.

Legendary Actions

Attack

Cost 1

Hraesvelgr makes a fist or talon attack.

Move

Cost 1

Hraesvelgr moves half his speed. If in roc form, all creatures within 10 feet of Hraesvelgr at the end of this move must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage and fall prone.

Swallow

Cost 1

Hraesvelgr makes a bite attack against a creature he has grappled. If he hits, he swallows the creature. A swallowed creature is no longer grappled, but is blinded, restrained, and has advantage against attacks and effects originating from outside Hraesvelgr. A swallowed creature takes 14 (4d6) acid damage at the start of each of Hraesvelgr's turns. If Hraesvelgr returns to giant form, or takes 40 damage or more in a single turn from a swallowed creature, he must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which land prone within 10 feet of the giant. If Hraesvelgr dies, swallowed creatures are no longer restrained and can escape the corpse by spending 30 feet of movement, exiting prone.

About Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower

Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower is a huge giant with a Challenge Rating of 19. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 19 and possesses 241 hit points (derived from 21d12+105).

Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower has communication capabilities including Auran, Common, Giant (can't speak in roc form). This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower

2 tips available

When using Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.
Shapechanging Tactics: This creature can change form, potentially gaining new abilities or escaping. Use 'True Seeing' or abilities that reveal true form. Consider finishing blows before it transforms.

Player Guide: Facing Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower

2 strategies available

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

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.
Counter Shapechanging: This creature can change form! Use 'True Seeing' to see its true form. Finish it quickly before it transforms. 'Dispel Magic' might prevent transformation.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 19.

High-Level Solo Encounter:

This creature is too powerful for a single level-20 character. You need 2.0 character(s) at maximum level (20) to face this creature.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 38,000 XP
Hard: 57,000 XP
Deadly: 76,000 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 Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower?: Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower has a Challenge Rating of 19, making it appropriate for parties of level 19.0.
What type of creature is Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower?: Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower is a Huge Giant, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower speak?: Hraesvelgr The Corpse Swallower can communicate in Auran, Common, Giant (can't speak in roc form).