Chuul

A Chuul is a monstrous creature that dwells primarily in aquatic environments. It is a large, crab-like aberration known for its formidable strength and deadly pincers.

A Chuul has a hulking body covered in thick, chitinous armor, providing it with excellent natural protection. Its front limbs resemble large, powerful claws that it uses for both offense and defense. Its elongated, insectoid head is adorned with a pair of stalked eyes and a set of mandibles, giving it a menacing appearance.

Chuuls are predominantly found in coastal areas, swamps, or underground caverns near bodies of water. They are skilled swimmers and possess a unique ability to walk on land as well, allowing them to move between aquatic and terrestrial environments with ease.

These cunning predators lie in wait beneath the surface of the water, patiently observing their surroundings. When prey or potential threats come within reach, the Chuul strikes swiftly and viciously, using its sharp pincers to grapple and crush its opponents. It possesses immense physical strength, capable of restraining even larger creatures.

Chuuls are not known for their intelligence or magical abilities. Instead, they rely on their brute force and ambush tactics to overpower their adversaries. Their instinctual behavior and relentless aggression make them formidable opponents, especially in their preferred aquatic environments.

Encounters with Chuuls often involve treacherous waters and perilous combat. Their formidable armor and powerful pincers make them challenging to defeat, requiring clever strategies and teamwork. Those who manage to overcome a Chuul may be rewarded with the spoils of their lair or the satisfaction of surviving an encounter with one of the sea’s most dangerous denizens.

Special Abilities

Amphibious

The chuul can breathe air and water.

Sense Magic

The chuul senses magic within 120 feet of it at will. This trait otherwise works like the detect magic spell but isn’t itself magical.

Actions

• Multiattack: The chuul makes two pincer attacks. If the chuul is grappling a creature, the chuul can also use its tentacles once.
• Pincer: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage. The target is grappled (escape DC 14) if it is a Large or smaller creature and the chuul doesn’t have two other creatures grappled.
• Tentacles: One creature grappled by the chuul must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. Until this poison ends, the target is paralyzed. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Proficiencies

• Skill: Perception +4