Bhole Hatchling

Bhole Hatchling CR 14

A huge worm-like organism, typically bursting from the earth or rock. It is eyeless, with a tattered hide that sloughs away and is regrown constantly, as well as a huge mouth with a star-like opening full of grinding teeth.

XP 38,400
CN Huge magical beast
Init +5; Senses scent, tremorsense 120 ft.; Perception +24
Aura lesser gloom (120 ft.)

DEFENSE

AC 29, touch 9, flat-footed 28 (+1 Dex, +20 natural, –2 size)
hp 200 (16d10+112)
Fort +17, Ref +13, Will +10; DR 5/—; Immune acid, fire, disease, magical control, paralysis, poison, sleep, stun; SR 25

OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft., burrow 60 ft.
Melee bite +25 (4d6+16/19–20), slam +25 (2d8+16/19–20)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks overwhelming strength, trample (2d8+16, DC 29)

TACTICS

Bhole Hatchlings are not always large enough to engulf an enemy, and so sometimes must bite or thrash to cause damage. They are not particularly intelligent and rely on their size, strength, and burrowing ability to avoid trouble or attack their prey. Like adults, Bhole hatchlings can burrow quickly. They are resistant to acid or other environmental toxins, as well as extremes of heat and even fire.

STATISTICS

Str 32, Dex 12, Con 24, Int 2, Wis 20, Cha 17
Base Atk +16; CMB +29 (+31 bull rush); CMD 40 (42 vs. bull rush, can’t be tripped)
Feats Awesome Blow, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical (bite), Improved Critical (slam), Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Vital Strike
Skills Perception +24

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Aura of Lesser Gloom (Su)

A bhole hatchling exudes a sort of “absence” that impairs the effects of sight in all creatures within 120 feet. Within this area, all forms of vision (including darkvision and low-light vision) are obscured in a faint shadowy gloom, regardless of more powerful light sources in the area. Creatures relying on vision suffer a –4 penalty on vision-based Perception checks in this area and treat the bhole hatchling as if it were under the effects of a blur spell. As it is not technically a darkness effect, this aura cannot be countered via light effects, but creatures that are immune to vision-based attacks, as well as those under the effects of true seeing, can see through a bhole hatchling’s aura of lesser gloom.

Immune to Magical Control (Ex)

A bhole hatchling is immune to nearly all forms of mind control, including charm monster, suggestion, and dominate monster spells. It is similarly immune to magic jar and possession attempts. Confusion and other mind-affecting effects that don’t give another creature direct control over a bhole hatchling work normally. Rare effects that allow a spellcaster to manipulate the exact effects of confusion on a creature provide one of the few ways to control a bhole hatchling by magic—essentially nudging it in the desired direction. Other methods, particularly those tied to strange and powerful artifacts, may work normally (GM’s discretion).

Overwhelming Strength (Ex)

A bhole hatchling always applies 1-1/2 times its Strength modifier on all natural weapon attacks.

Bholes are huge worm creatures that burrow through the planet’s crust. They have thick, rugged hides that constantly wear and peel off due to their savage environment, though they regenerate just as quickly.

Bholes boast large mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth, which they use to carve their way through even the toughest rock formations, and also are useful in devouring smaller prey. They range greatly in size: a typical hatchling is at least 50 feet long and weighs many tons. Regardless of age, only part of a bhole typically protrudes through the earth’s crust to attack its prey.

The huge adults are rarely seen, but they spawn larvae or hatchlings close to the surface, and so their young are more commonly found. The hatchlings are also more aggressive in some ways than adults: they scour their environment for protein sources to support their rapid growth, and thus may emerge to attack in a situation when an adult might remain idle.

Essentially the larva from which full-grown Bholes spring, Bhole hatchlings dwell in the Dreamlands unless summoned to the material plane.

Sensory Blank

Bhole hatchlings are not yet able to produce the full “absence” that protects the adults from being detected.

However, they can somewhat mask themselves with a lesser gloom effect, which does make them slightly harder to target.

ECOLOGY

Environment any underground (Dreamlands)
Organization solitary, pair, or brood (3–6)
Treasure incidental

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Sandy Petersen’s Cthulhu Mythos, © 2017, Petersen Games; Authors: Sandy Petersen, Arthur Petersen, Ian Starcher.

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