Snallygaster

"It flies on flittered wing
With beak and talons a-gleaming
It wants what you got to quench its thirst
be it cold as ice or steaming
It drinks your beer to feel just fine
It drinks your water, whiskey and wine
But what it really wants in trickles or floods
is the choicest treat of your pulsing blood"
~Roff Kerlen, Snallygaster

Summary

The Ferneth of the Badlands is a draconic horror known as the Snallygaster. Nearly the size of a roc, this being when it manifests appears as a giant, feather-winged serpent with four draconic talons, a hooked beak, and a single glowing eye. It has a mouthful of fang-suckered tentacles and a powerful thirst for all fluids. Its victims are left as dried, shambling undead husks, but it is not simply satisfied with drinking blood and brain fluid. It will drink water from waterskins, beer from casks, anything wet it can drill a tentacle into.
It's said that it appears primarily in the fall, and becomes reckless when it drinks enough alcohol. It hibernates in the spring during the rainy season.

Historical Basis

Scholars cynical of the Ferneth myths in general claim that the Snollygaster myth is tailor-made to explain the drought season and as a cautionary tale of the overdrinking of alcohol. They point at the fearful reaction of the Greenskins to the myth as proof that only the simple and savage would hold such superstitions.

Snallygaster CR: 24

Gargantuan elemental, dragon, chaotic neutral

Armor Class: 22

Hit Points: 546 (28d20+252) 28d20+252

Speed: 40 ft , fly: 80 ft , burrow: 45 ft , climb: 40 ft

STR

30 +10

DEX

10 +0

CON

29 +9

INT

18 +4

WIS

16 +3

CHA

23 +6

Saving Throws: Dex +7, Con +16, Wis +10, Cha +13

Skills: Skills Perception +17, Stealth +7, Athletics +17

Damage Immunities: Lightning

Senses: Truesight 160 ft. Passive Perception 27

Languages: Primordial

Challenge Rating: 24

Actions

Multiattack. The Snallygaster can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: (2d10 + 10) piercing damage plus (4d6)lightningdamage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: (2d6 + 10) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: (2d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage.
Frightful Presence. Each creature of the Snallygaster's choice that is within 120 feet of the Snallygaster and aware of it must succeed on a DC 21 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the Snallygaster's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Tentacle Breath (Recharge 5-6). The Snallygaster opens wide and unleashes a torrent of tentacles that fill a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw, taking (35d6) bludgeoning damage on a successful save. On a failed save, the creature also takes 25d6 necrotic damage and their maximum hit points are lowered by this amount. If a creature would be reduced to 0 HP by this attack, it dies and is instantly resurrected as a Badlands Husk allied to the Snallygaster. Additonally, if a creature fails their save all fluid containers on their person are ruined and emptied.

Legendary Actions

Detect. The Snallygaster makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
Tail Attack. The Snallygaster makes a tail attack.
Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The Snallygaster beats its wings. Each creature within 15 ft. of the Snallygaster must succeed on a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw or take 17 (2d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The Snallygaster can then fly up to half its flying speed.

Regional Effects

When the Snallygaster is active, the Badlands become a drier, deadlier place. Mephits and dust elementals abound, as do thunderstorms and lightning elementals.