Shanu, Earthbound Guardian
Personality Traits
Shanu is a solemn and vigilant guardian, instinctively protective of the natural world, driven by an ancient wisdom and a quiet, enduring empathy for all living things.
Ideals
Shanu upholds the ideal of natural balance, believing that every creature and element has a rightful place and purpose within the harmony of the earth.
Bonds
Shanu is deeply bonded to the Albany Pine Bush itself, drawing strength from its soil and vowing to protect its sacred ecosystems with its life.
Flaws
Shanu's unwavering devotion to balance can lead to inaction in moments that demand change, causing it to misjudge threats that disrupt the natural order.
They say the forest walks when Shanu stirs—roots shift, stones breathe, and even the wind holds its tongue in reverence.
Dawn of Others
Shanu, Earthbound Guardian
Huge Magical Creature, Earthbound Guardian, Neutral Good
STR
8
( -1 )
DEX
20
( +5 )
CON
13
( +1 )
INT
10
( +0 )
WIS
14
( +2 )
CHA
12
( +1 )
Nature +3, Perception +5, Stealth +8, Survival +5
Passive Perception 15
Darkvision 60 feet
Tremor Sense 30 feet
Description
Shanu is a towering, otherworldly beast with the stature of an elk but stretched and twisted by arcane forces into a more nightmarish form. Its elongated neck undulates with feline grace, supporting a head crowned by two sweeping, spiraled horns that pulse faintly with bioluminescent veins. Instead of hooves, it strides on clawed, sinewy hands that leave deep impressions in the earth, each step strangely deliberate. A thick, wild mane—reminiscent of a lion’s—cascades down its neck and shoulders, tangled with moss and fragments of root and stone, suggesting its deep bond with the land. Shanu's long, pointed ears twitch at the faintest sound, and its immense, reflective eyes glow with mournful intelligence, revealing an ancient spirit burdened with the memory of a dying world. Its body is draped in a tangle of earthen textures—lichen, bark, soil—and the ambient energy around it hums with dormant power, as though the forest itself breathes through the beast.
Ideals
Shanu upholds the ideal of natural balance, believing that every creature and element has a rightful place and purpose within the harmony of the earth.
Bonds
Shanu is deeply bonded to the Albany Pine Bush itself, drawing strength from its soil and vowing to protect its sacred ecosystems with its life.
Flaws
Shanu's unwavering devotion to balance can lead to inaction in moments that demand change, causing it to misjudge threats that disrupt the natural order.
Suggested Environments
Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Multiattack
the shanu, earthbound guardian makes two claw attacks and one bite attack as part of its attack action.
Spores
A 15-foot-radius cloud of toxic spores extends out from the shanu, earthbound guardian. The spores spread around corners. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned.
While poisoned in this way, a target takes 5 (1d10) poison damage at the start of each of its turns. A target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Emptying a vial of holy water on the target also ends the effect on it.
Regeneration
the shanu, earthbound guardian regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
Roar
Each creature that fails a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw is frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Any creature that has passed its saving throw is immune to the roar effects for 24 hours.
Actions
Bite
Melee, 10 feet range, +8 to hit, 1d6+10 piercing damage
Claw
Melee, +8 to hit, 1d4+10 slashing damage
Legendary Actions
Legendary Actions
the shanu, earthbound guardian can take 3 legendary actions.
Legendary Resistance
If the monstrosity fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Move (legendary)
the shanu, earthbound guardian moves up to half its speed.
Claw Attack
the shanu, earthbound guardian makes one claw attack.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties)
Shanu can choose one of the following abilities
Ground Tremor
The ground around Shanu begins to shake violently. All creatures within 30 feet of Shanu must make a Strength saving throw DC 14 or fall prone.
Entangle
Vines sprout in a 30-foot cone radiating from the front of Shanu. For the duration, this area counts as difficult terrain. A creature in the area when it casts the spell must succeed on a Strength saving throw DC 14 or be restrained until the spell ends at the beginning of Shanu's next turn. A restrained creature can use its action to make a Strength check DC 14. On a success, it frees itself.
Shanu's lair is the Albany Pine Bush Preserve
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