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Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition (A5E)
A Leveled Up Bestiary
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<blockquote data-quote="Faolyn" data-source="post: 8681273" data-attributes="member: 6915329"><p>I kind of waffled about doing this next creature, the <strong>gaund</strong>, since it doesn’t really fill any unused niche. It’s kinda cool, but it’s a fiery lizard. We already have, like, a bunch of ‘em. But then I discovered that it’s basically vanished off the face the internet. I tried to do some research on it. Google replied, <em>“Do you mean Gond?”</em> Same no matter what keywords I used. Only once, on the second page of a google search—and who goes <em>there?</em>—did I finally find one link to MC 11: Forgotten Realms Appendix on DriveThruRPG and another to Mojobob’s monsters. It appears that nobody has really bothered to expand upon this monster much over the decades. So I clearly have to save it for future generations of adventurers, right?</p><p></p><p>The monster is also great for playing Moral Dilemma Theater: they have useful (and tasty!) body parts—both their original writeups and their entry in MC 11 say this—and yet are intelligent beings. While I don’t suggest using them to play gotcha! with the PCs (although you <em>can…</em>), it can be interesting to see how the PCs react to NPCs who <em>do </em>use hunt them for their body parts, once they realize that the gaund are intelligent.</p><p></p><p>The article in Dragon #46 says that they’re hermaphroditic, but this was lost in MC 11. I decided to keep both ideas. In the process, I also expanded their territory to be more than just dungeons.</p><p></p><p>I always really liked the artwork for the gaund that was in MC 11.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]252570[/ATTACH]</p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Art by Mark Nelson</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: rgb(65, 168, 95)"><span style="font-size: 22px"><strong>Gaund</strong></span></span></p><p>Dragon’s Bestiary, Dragon Magazine #46</p><p>Created by Ed Greewood</p><p></p><p>Gaund are large lizards with three glowing eyes and three long, whip like tails. They scuttle around hot caverns, in deserts, or on the slopes of volcanoes. Primarily quadrupedal, they occasionally rise up on their hind legs in order and can even walk on two legs. They have equal numbers of males, females, and sequential hermaphrodites--these gaund can change between male and female as necessary. Their leathery skin is dull yellow splotched with reds and oranges, which brightens to a fiery orange in those females who are producing or caring for eggs, as a warning to potential predators.</p><p></p><p><strong><em>Keen Senses.</em></strong> Gaund appear lazy, but that’s only because their senses are so keen they can easily detect approaching danger. Not only do their three eyes grant them excellent vision, but their skin is so sensitive that they can detect the slightest footstep from a long distance away.</p><p></p><p><strong><em>Actually People. </em></strong>Although they resemble nothing more than strange animals, gaund are fully sapient. They have a simple culture, are not a particularly imaginative people, and make few or no tools, but they are intelligent enough to tell stories, have legends, raise animals for food, use other people’s tools. They have a fondness for gems and coins, primarily for their beauty since they neither know nor care about how much they’re worth to other beings, and are more than willing to trade for food and services.</p><p></p><p><strong><em>Fiery Attackers.</em></strong> Gaund love the heat, although they are not entirely immune to fire. They use heat as their primary weapon: their central eye produces a beam of burning heat. They use this heat freely when attacking, preferring it over physical combat.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">Legends and Lore</span></strong></p><p>With a Nature check, the characters can learn the following:</p><p></p><p><strong>DC 10.</strong> Gaund are three-eyed, three-tailed lizards with an affinity for hit and a fearsome, burning gaze. They are usually found in large groups. Despite their carnivorous appearance, they are actually omnivores and enjoy fruit and green plants as much as meat.</p><p></p><p><strong>DC 15.</strong> Their teeth are often used in constructing blades and arrowheads, and their fatty tails are highly prized for their succulent meat. They ferociously guard their young and eggs, which are covered in a clear, spicy-scented jelly that can be harvested and used as a fire retardant.</p><p></p><p><strong>DC 20. </strong>Despite appearances, gaund are actually intelligent beings with a language of their own.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">Gaund Encounters</span></strong></p><p><strong><em>Terrain:</em></strong> Caverns, deserts, mountains</p><p></p><p><strong>CR 1-2</strong> 1d4+1 gaund and 2d4 camels, giant rats, goats, or giant fire beetles</p><p><strong><em>Treasure:</em></strong> 3 agate gemstones (10 gp each), 2 obsidian gemstones (10 gp each).</p><p></p><p><strong>CR 3-4</strong> 2d4+2 gaund and 1 rhinoceros</p><p><strong><em>Treasure:</em></strong> 2 citrine gemstones and 1 carnelian gemstone (50 gp each), a copper bracelet that looks like twined branches and leaves (25 gp)</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">Signs</span></strong></p><p>1. A metal weapon or tool that has been warped due to high heat and discarded.</p><p>2. The corpse of a tailless, toothless gaund.</p><p>3. A notice of a bounty for gaund tails.</p><p>4. Thin shards of what look likes amber or tourmaline. A DC 13 check made with jeweler’s tools reveals that they aren’t gemstones at all, but eggshells.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">Lone Behavior</span></strong></p><p>1. Tending to its eggs or young.</p><p>2. Wandering around, looking for food.</p><p>3. Basking itself on the rocks.</p><p>4. Fighting a goblin who was trying to steal its eggs.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">Group Behavior</span></strong></p><p>1. Apparently lazing around while some herbivorous animals graze nearby. The animals are its livestock, and the gaund are watching out for poachers.</p><p>2. Making lizardy noises at each other. They are actually engaging in story-telling.</p><p>3. Fighting against a group of hunters.</p><p>4. Devouring a wild animal. A DC 15 Insight check reveals that the gaund are actually butchering the animal in a way that ensures that each member of the group has a share.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">Names</span></strong></p><p>Gaund names are an untranslatable string of clicks and whistles.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(65, 168, 95)"><span style="font-size: 26px">Gaund</span></span></strong></p><p><strong>Medium monstrosity</strong></p><p>Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)</p><p><strong>AC</strong> 11</p><p><strong>HP</strong> 22 (4d8+4; bloodied 11)</p><p><strong>Speed</strong> 40 ft.</p><p></p><p><strong>STR</strong> 12 (+1) <strong>DEX</strong> 12 (+1) <strong>CON</strong> 12 (+1)</p><p><strong>INT</strong> 9 (-1) <strong>WIS</strong> 11 (+0) <strong>CHA</strong> 10 (+0)</p><p></p><p><strong>Proficiency</strong> +2</p><p><strong>Maneuver DC</strong> 11</p><p><strong>Skills</strong> Perception +12</p><p><strong>Damage Vulnerabilities</strong> cold</p><p><strong>Damage Resistances </strong>fire</p><p><strong>Senses</strong> darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 90 ft., passive Perception 11</p><p><strong>Languages</strong> Gaund</p><p><strong><em>Jumper.</em></strong> The gaund can jump up to 15 feet horizontally and 10 feet vertically without a running start.</p><p><strong><em>Keen Vision.</em></strong> The gaund has advantage on Perception checks that rely on vision.</p><p><strong><em>Nictitating Membrane.</em></strong> The guand has advantage on saving throws against effects that would blind it.</p><p></p><p><strong><u>Actions</u></strong></p><p><strong><em>Tail Whip. </em></strong><em>Melee Weapon Attack:</em> +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. <em>Hit: </em>5 (1d8+1) bludgeoning damage.</p><p><strong><em>Heat Gaze.</em> </strong>The gaund targets a creature it can see within 90 feet. That creature must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 5 (2d4) fire damage on a failed saving throw or half as much on a success. On a failed save, one metal object the creature is wearing or carrying becomes burning hot, and at the start of the gaund’s next turn, the creature takes an additional 5 (2d4) fire damage. If the object is being held, such as a weapon, the creature also drops it.</p><p></p><p><strong><u>Reactions</u></strong></p><p><strong><em>Whipcrack. </em></strong>If the gaund takes damage from a creature within 5 feet of it, it makes one Tail Whip attack against it.</p><p></p><p><strong>Combat</strong></p><p>Gaund usually try to remain at a distance and use its Heat Gaze. They are implacable foes, especially if their eggs, livestock, or treasure is in danger, and will fight to the death.</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(65, 168, 95)"><span style="font-size: 18px">Variant: Frost Gaund</span></span></strong></p><p>As its name suggests, the frost gaund live in arctic areas. They have resistance to cold damage and vulnerability to fire damage, and their Heat Gaze inflicts cold damage, but they are otherwise identical to their fiery cousins.</p><p></p><p>Edit: I always forget the bloody bloodied hp.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Faolyn, post: 8681273, member: 6915329"] I kind of waffled about doing this next creature, the [B]gaund[/B], since it doesn’t really fill any unused niche. It’s kinda cool, but it’s a fiery lizard. We already have, like, a bunch of ‘em. But then I discovered that it’s basically vanished off the face the internet. I tried to do some research on it. Google replied, [I]“Do you mean Gond?”[/I] Same no matter what keywords I used. Only once, on the second page of a google search—and who goes [I]there?[/I]—did I finally find one link to MC 11: Forgotten Realms Appendix on DriveThruRPG and another to Mojobob’s monsters. It appears that nobody has really bothered to expand upon this monster much over the decades. So I clearly have to save it for future generations of adventurers, right? The monster is also great for playing Moral Dilemma Theater: they have useful (and tasty!) body parts—both their original writeups and their entry in MC 11 say this—and yet are intelligent beings. While I don’t suggest using them to play gotcha! with the PCs (although you [I]can…[/I]), it can be interesting to see how the PCs react to NPCs who [I]do [/I]use hunt them for their body parts, once they realize that the gaund are intelligent. The article in Dragon #46 says that they’re hermaphroditic, but this was lost in MC 11. I decided to keep both ideas. In the process, I also expanded their territory to be more than just dungeons. I always really liked the artwork for the gaund that was in MC 11. [ATTACH type="full" alt="1656874200695.png"]252570[/ATTACH] [SIZE=4]Art by Mark Nelson[/SIZE] [COLOR=rgb(65, 168, 95)][SIZE=6][B]Gaund[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR] Dragon’s Bestiary, Dragon Magazine #46 Created by Ed Greewood Gaund are large lizards with three glowing eyes and three long, whip like tails. They scuttle around hot caverns, in deserts, or on the slopes of volcanoes. Primarily quadrupedal, they occasionally rise up on their hind legs in order and can even walk on two legs. They have equal numbers of males, females, and sequential hermaphrodites--these gaund can change between male and female as necessary. Their leathery skin is dull yellow splotched with reds and oranges, which brightens to a fiery orange in those females who are producing or caring for eggs, as a warning to potential predators. [B][I]Keen Senses.[/I][/B] Gaund appear lazy, but that’s only because their senses are so keen they can easily detect approaching danger. Not only do their three eyes grant them excellent vision, but their skin is so sensitive that they can detect the slightest footstep from a long distance away. [B][I]Actually People. [/I][/B]Although they resemble nothing more than strange animals, gaund are fully sapient. They have a simple culture, are not a particularly imaginative people, and make few or no tools, but they are intelligent enough to tell stories, have legends, raise animals for food, use other people’s tools. They have a fondness for gems and coins, primarily for their beauty since they neither know nor care about how much they’re worth to other beings, and are more than willing to trade for food and services. [B][I]Fiery Attackers.[/I][/B] Gaund love the heat, although they are not entirely immune to fire. They use heat as their primary weapon: their central eye produces a beam of burning heat. They use this heat freely when attacking, preferring it over physical combat. [B][SIZE=5]Legends and Lore[/SIZE][/B] With a Nature check, the characters can learn the following: [B]DC 10.[/B] Gaund are three-eyed, three-tailed lizards with an affinity for hit and a fearsome, burning gaze. They are usually found in large groups. Despite their carnivorous appearance, they are actually omnivores and enjoy fruit and green plants as much as meat. [B]DC 15.[/B] Their teeth are often used in constructing blades and arrowheads, and their fatty tails are highly prized for their succulent meat. They ferociously guard their young and eggs, which are covered in a clear, spicy-scented jelly that can be harvested and used as a fire retardant. [B]DC 20. [/B]Despite appearances, gaund are actually intelligent beings with a language of their own. [B][SIZE=5]Gaund Encounters[/SIZE] [I]Terrain:[/I][/B] Caverns, deserts, mountains [B]CR 1-2[/B] 1d4+1 gaund and 2d4 camels, giant rats, goats, or giant fire beetles [B][I]Treasure:[/I][/B] 3 agate gemstones (10 gp each), 2 obsidian gemstones (10 gp each). [B]CR 3-4[/B] 2d4+2 gaund and 1 rhinoceros [B][I]Treasure:[/I][/B] 2 citrine gemstones and 1 carnelian gemstone (50 gp each), a copper bracelet that looks like twined branches and leaves (25 gp) [B][SIZE=5]Signs[/SIZE][/B] 1. A metal weapon or tool that has been warped due to high heat and discarded. 2. The corpse of a tailless, toothless gaund. 3. A notice of a bounty for gaund tails. 4. Thin shards of what look likes amber or tourmaline. A DC 13 check made with jeweler’s tools reveals that they aren’t gemstones at all, but eggshells. [B][SIZE=5]Lone Behavior[/SIZE][/B] 1. Tending to its eggs or young. 2. Wandering around, looking for food. 3. Basking itself on the rocks. 4. Fighting a goblin who was trying to steal its eggs. [B][SIZE=5]Group Behavior[/SIZE][/B] 1. Apparently lazing around while some herbivorous animals graze nearby. The animals are its livestock, and the gaund are watching out for poachers. 2. Making lizardy noises at each other. They are actually engaging in story-telling. 3. Fighting against a group of hunters. 4. Devouring a wild animal. A DC 15 Insight check reveals that the gaund are actually butchering the animal in a way that ensures that each member of the group has a share. [B][SIZE=5]Names[/SIZE][/B] Gaund names are an untranslatable string of clicks and whistles. [B][COLOR=rgb(65, 168, 95)][SIZE=7]Gaund[/SIZE][/COLOR] Medium monstrosity[/B] Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) [B]AC[/B] 11 [B]HP[/B] 22 (4d8+4; bloodied 11) [B]Speed[/B] 40 ft. [B]STR[/B] 12 (+1) [B]DEX[/B] 12 (+1) [B]CON[/B] 12 (+1) [B]INT[/B] 9 (-1) [B]WIS[/B] 11 (+0) [B]CHA[/B] 10 (+0) [B]Proficiency[/B] +2 [B]Maneuver DC[/B] 11 [B]Skills[/B] Perception +12 [B]Damage Vulnerabilities[/B] cold [B]Damage Resistances [/B]fire [B]Senses[/B] darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 90 ft., passive Perception 11 [B]Languages[/B] Gaund [B][I]Jumper.[/I][/B] The gaund can jump up to 15 feet horizontally and 10 feet vertically without a running start. [B][I]Keen Vision.[/I][/B] The gaund has advantage on Perception checks that rely on vision. [B][I]Nictitating Membrane.[/I][/B] The guand has advantage on saving throws against effects that would blind it. [B][U]Actions[/U] [I]Tail Whip. [/I][/B][I]Melee Weapon Attack:[/I] +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. [I]Hit: [/I]5 (1d8+1) bludgeoning damage. [B][I]Heat Gaze.[/I] [/B]The gaund targets a creature it can see within 90 feet. That creature must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 5 (2d4) fire damage on a failed saving throw or half as much on a success. On a failed save, one metal object the creature is wearing or carrying becomes burning hot, and at the start of the gaund’s next turn, the creature takes an additional 5 (2d4) fire damage. If the object is being held, such as a weapon, the creature also drops it. [B][U]Reactions[/U] [I]Whipcrack. [/I][/B]If the gaund takes damage from a creature within 5 feet of it, it makes one Tail Whip attack against it. [B]Combat[/B] Gaund usually try to remain at a distance and use its Heat Gaze. They are implacable foes, especially if their eggs, livestock, or treasure is in danger, and will fight to the death. [B][COLOR=rgb(65, 168, 95)][SIZE=5]Variant: Frost Gaund[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B] As its name suggests, the frost gaund live in arctic areas. They have resistance to cold damage and vulnerability to fire damage, and their Heat Gaze inflicts cold damage, but they are otherwise identical to their fiery cousins. Edit: I always forget the bloody bloodied hp. [/QUOTE]
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