Horn Beetles

The large, round, furred beetle is the primary work and pack animal of Hammerdeep and the surrounding lands. Native to the Underdark years of domestication have let them become accustomed to large loads and the cold weather of Útgarðar. These beetles are wider than an average horse and about a head taller than an average dwarf. They have a rotund body that conceal a pair of wings, they are too large to fly, but the wings are used to gain traction wile pulling and increasing its speed while running.

Their bodies are covered in a fine hair that juts out from their joints. This fur is rough and like that of a wolf's mane. They are often sheered like sheep during the warmer months and let to grow during the colder half of the year. Their handlers collect the wool and send it to be spun into a verity of garments, sixty percent of all cloth in Hammerdeep is made from Horn Beetle wool. Their body is chitinous and takes on a number of coloration from deep blue to shades of light red. It is too brittle to make into armor but does make superb jewelry. Some breeds are raised exclusively for the color of their shells.

They are exceptionally strong and have remarkable endurance, this can be chocked up to the fact that as a distant cousin of the remorhaz the beetles can generate their own internal heat. Travelers have been known to sleep curled up with their mounts for warmth. They can also walk for days without tiring by entering into a half awake trance instead of sleeping.

One of the few downsides of the horn beetles, and the reason why no one but the dwarves and the people who live near them use them. They have a fierce temper and are hard to calm. They require a very firm hand while being trained and are known to maul handlers. The large horn that gives them their name has gored many an amateur rancher, that and they can spit a stream of acidic saliva at will. This also means that they can be trained into fearsome war beasts and are the backbone of dwarvish cavalry.

For more information on their anatomy and other such things don't ask me, I have had one too many bad experiences with them -Snorri Sturluson.

Horn Beetle CR: 2 (450 XP)

Large beast, unaligned

Armor Class: 15

Hit Points: 74hp (4d10+8) 4d10+8

Speed: 40 ft , climb: 10 ft

STR

18 +4

DEX

10 +0

CON

15 +2

INT

2 -4

WIS

13 +1

CHA

6 -2

Saving Throws: Str +6, Con +4

Skills: Athletics +6

Damage Resistances: cold

Senses: darkvision 60ft, passive Perception 11

Languages: none

Challenge Rating: 2 (450 XP)

Internal Heating. The Horn Beetle has resistance to Cold damage and cannot gain exhaustion from temperatures above as -50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Weak Wings. The Horn Beetle's wings cannot carry its weight to allow it to fly but can aid in jumps. When the Horn Beetle jumps it can double the bonus added by its strength to the jump. In addition the Horn Beetle can take the jump action as a bonus action.

Leaping Charge. If the Horn Beetle jumps at least 10 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a Gore attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Actions

Bite. Melee weapon attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft, one target. Hit: 7 1d6+4 piercing damage, target is grappled escape DC 13.

Gore. Melee weapon attack: +6 to hit, reach 10ft, one target. Hit: 10 2d6+4

Hot Acid Spray (Recharge 6). The Horn Beetle releases a spray of boiling acid in a 15ft line in front of it, each creature in that area must make a DC 13 dexterity save taking 6 2d6 acid damage and 3 1d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

Suggested Environments

Underdark, Urban

Trivia

• Their life cycle goes in five stages: Eggs 3-5 months-Larva 1 year-Grub 1 year-Pupa 2-4 months-Adult 25-30 years.
• They molt once every year or so as they mature, this is after their pupa stage. They stop growing at around seven and live to around thirty.
• They produce a type of milk that is very caustic and used to clean forges or clear clogs in plumbing.

"Such odd creatures, only the dwarves would be strong and stubborn enough to domesticate them. I will stick with my horse thank you very much."