Leatherhead
Possibly a Idiot.
Stone Giant Dreamwalker (VGtM)
Right off the back of one monster that can petrify, we come to another. Though I have to say this instant loss power is a bit harder to set up than most, due to requiring multiple failed saves of different types, it is still possible for them to end a PC in a single turn.
Stone Giants are giants that spend nearly their entire lives underground. Which is remarkable, considering they are giants and underground space is at a premium. Even more remarkable is how they treat the surface world. Due to their long lives, and the relatively transient nature of the surface, they believe that the surface world is a dream: A completely fictitious construct where nothing matters and anything can be done with no consequence. While this belief system has reams worth of problems for the creatures that live on the surface, it has an arguably more incredible impact on any Stone Giant that wanders the surface for too long.
A Stone Giant Dreamwalker is such a giant. After wandering the surface world for long enough, the Dreamwalker’s delusions start having a tangible effect on the giant and on the world around them. By picking up objects, a Dreamwalker can merge them with their body. An extreme form of body modification that encases things in living stone. Even more, creatures become subdued by their mere presence, only to later be subsumed in the same way.
I have to say, this idea sounds cool as heck. It is, however, not fully realized in the statblock. In the artwork, the Dreamwalker melded itself with a ship, the anchor and wheel looking like some sort of piercings. Could you imagine the anchor being used as a sort of grappling hook? What about if they incorporate a wolf into their legs, should that grant some sort of bite attack? Perhaps they could manage to incorporate some large wings (or lots of small wings) onto their frame for the ability to fly? What if they absorb the party barbarian, only to use the barbarian like an ax? There are almost limitless scenarios that could happen from such a prompt, but nothing to support it.
At least the Dreamwalker has the inconvenient form of Petrification that can only be cured after the creature who caused it dies. Which allows for story beats where you have to go out and slay the giant to rescue some poor soul who was enthralled by it. Or maybe the Dreamwalker picked up some legendary weapon that you need, and is using it as a belly button ring.
In combat, the Dreamwalker is a fully competent Giant, sporting an above average movement speed, reach, and Multiattack that can be used with either a Greatclub or Rocks. Their gimmick is realized by two mechanics: Firstly, a Charm aura that can incapacitate any hostile creature within 30’. And secondly, a petrifying attack that only works on incapacitated creatures. It is worth noting that the incapacitated condition can be achieved with other means (such as knocking a PC to 0 hp, or the Sleep spell and the like), so it there are potential synergies for this giant if you go digging for them.
In the changeover, the Dreamwalker had their Greatclub damaged raised. Their Rock damage was lowered, but they can make two of them per turn now, which significantly improves their damage over all.
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