monster

Storm Herald

CR 17

Huge Aberration, Lawful Evil

Reveal Stat Block

Armor Class

16 (natural armor)

Hit Points

287 (23d12 + 138)

Speed

50 ft., swim 100 ft.

str

dex

con

int

wis

cha

Traits

Amphibious.The herald can breathe air and water.

Magic Resistance.The herald has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Multiattack.The herald makes one Claw attack, one Tentacles attack, and one Trident attack.

Claw.mw 14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. ({@damage 3d6 + 8) slashing damage.

Tentacles.mw 14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. ({@damage 3d8 + 8) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it has the grappled condition (escape 18). It also has the restrained condition and takes 16 (3d10) psychic damage at the start of each of its turns until this grapple ends. The herald can have only one creature grappled this way at a time.

Trident.mw 14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. ({@damage 3d6 + 8) piercing damage or 21 (3d8 + 8) piercing damage if used with two hands, plus 13 (3d8) lightning damage.

Psychic Wave.The herald unleashes a blast of psionic energy into the minds of up to three creatures it can see within 90 feet of itself. Each target must make a 21 Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, a target takes 23 (3d10 + 7) psychic damage and has the stunned condition for 1 minute. On a successful save, a target takes half as much damage only. An affected 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 is reduced to 0 hit points by this psychic damage, it dies and its head explodes if it has one.

Storm Herald

Ancient and alien beings dwell or slumber in ocean depths, awaiting some cosmic circumstance that signals their time to rise. In their retreat from the world, storm giants sometimes stray into the orbit of such creatures, perhaps while seeking insight into some omen, vision, or prophecy. Krakens, aboleths, and Great Old Ones delight in corrupting storm giants to their service, transforming them into storm heralds.

A storm herald grows fins and tentacles, giving it a monstrous appearance. Its mind is wholly under its master's sway, and the herald gains fearsome psychic powers to use in advancing its master's plans. When the herald dies, it reverts to its previous appearance.

A storm herald might try to sway other storm giants to its master's service, while others gather devoted cults of lesser creatures to serve the monsters of the deep.