Gronckle (5e Creature)

Gronckle

Large dragon, unaligned Armor Class 24 (natural armor) Hit Points 270 (20d10 + 160) Speed 40 ft., burrow 15 ft., fly 30 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 25 (+7) 8 (-1) 27 (+8) 6 (-2) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) Saving Throws Str +12, Con +13, Wis +10 Skills Athletics +12, Perception +10 Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 20 Languages understands Common and Draconic, but cannot speak Challenge 16 (15,000 XP) Bolder Class. The gronckle can burrow through solid rock and leaves a 10-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake. The gronckle deals double damage to objects or structures made of stone. Keen Smell. The gronckle has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. Pack Tactics. The gronckle has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the gronckle's allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. Poor Sight. The gronckle has disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. Rampage. When the gronckle reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the gronckle can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a bite attack. Reckless. At the start of its turn, the gronckle can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls it makes during that turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn. Relentless (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). If the gronckle takes 14 damage or less that would reduce it to 0 hit points, it is reduced to 1 hit point instead. Wounded Fury. While it has 10 hit points or less, the gronckle has advantage on attack rolls. In addition, it deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage to any target it hits with a melee attack. ACTIONS Multiattack. The gronckle makes two bite attacks, or one bite and two claw attacks. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d12 + 7) piercing damage. Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d4 + 7) slashing damage. Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 24 (3d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage and the target must succeed a DC 20 Strength saving throw, or be knock prone 10 ft away from the gronckle. Lava Blast (6/Short or Long Rest). The gronckle exhales a ball of molten rock 30 ft. in front of it, which explodes in a 30-foot radius. Each creature in that area must succeed a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 56 (16d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. When the gronckle has used all six of its lava blasts, it suffers from exhaustion until it consumes stone of any kind. REACTIONS Unbridled Fury. In response to being hit by a melee attack, the gronckle can make one melee weapon attack with advantage against the attacker.

A gronckle in flight Source Among the lesser dragon-kin that can be trained, the lethargic, bulldog-ish gronckle is a lovable favorite, especially for first-time dragon trainers. They're immediately recognizable by their stout, round bodies, reaching 14 feet in length, rugged bumps covering them, stubby legs, clubbed tails, and massive heads, with huge jaws. The feature that stands out the most, however, is their almost comically disproportionate wings: their span is a mere 18 feet, resulting in a flight pattern resembling a bumblebee or hummingbird. Rock Eaters. Gronkles are part of the classification of lesser draconic creatures known as "Bolder Class" dragons: the defining characteristic of these dragons is their ability to bore through stone with ease. Gronckles, in particular, are notable for this, as they specifically eat rocks; this is how they produce their "fire"; where other draconic beasts would use magic or flammable gas, gronckles simply melt rocks in their furnace-like stomachs: after the nutrients are extracted into the body, what remains is a mass of molten rock the gronckle can regurgitate at any time. This means that so long as there are edible stones nearby, a gronckle will always have a fresh supply of ammunition. This can be a hindrance as much as it is an advantage, as they can overheat if they eat too many rocks too fast. This can cause an upset stomach, discomfort, flatulence, and it will be unable to produce lava blasts until it recovers. Along with this, one of the major weaknesses of gronckles is their soft underbelly which, even with a tickling from a feather, can induce vomiting using one of the dragon's lava blast, of which it can produce six before needing to eat again. Gronckles are typically friendly unless agitated and are sociable to most creatures, even sleeping in "communal heaps" with other gronckles and actively seeking physical contact. In an interesting contradiction, gronckles are still territorial, despite their friendly attitude, particularly toward other dragons. Gronckles' territorial behavior is most often expressed in mated partners and their companions assisting them in the care of their offspring. Bolder Bud. As stated above, gronckles are an excellent choice for first-time dragon trainers: they are intelligent and sweet, very easy to befriend. If it does react aggressively, present dragon nip, a grass-like plant that draconic creatures enjoy, as your first move. Gronckles are very dog-like in their personalities and love to play fetch. They also love to be rubbed on their bellies but be sure not to rub or scratch the chin. Rubbings are a good way to find the dragon's "special spot," a place that will instantly calm the dragon down when scratched. Once you've formed a connection, a gronckle becomes a friend that will protect you to the death and will love to spend time with you: be sure to play with them a lot. As for its utility, gronckles make excellent warriors, in certain situations: gronckles tails are powerful, but its shortness means it has to get close to hit with it, and while the dragon is maneuverable, able to fly backward and hover with little cost of energy, they are one of the laziest dragons in the world, known to fall asleep in flight. For many blacksmiths, however, a gronckle is a must-have. Their stomachs are very much like a forge or furnace, and their lava gains different properties, depending on the rocks it is fed: this includes lava coated rocks, to glass, to even making the gronckle magnetic. The most sought after of these is the alloy known as gronckle iron: this silver, transparent metal will put any blacksmith on the map, as it is not only lighter but stronger than normal iron, comparable to steel. If you're looking to expand your business or experiment with this metal, be sure to find a gronckle at your local dragon breeder.

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