Bulette
- Size: Large
- Type: Monstrosity
- Alignment: Unaligned
- AC: 17
- Initiative: +0 (10)
- HP: 94(9d10+45)
- Speed: 40 ft, Burrow 40 ft .
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 19 | +4 | +4 |
| Dex | 11 | +0 | +0 |
| Con | 21 | +5 | +5 |
| INT | 2 | -4 | -4 |
| Wis | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| CHA | 5 | -3 | -3 |
- Skills: Perception +6
- Senses: Darkvision 60 ft ., Tremorsense 120 ft .; Passive Perception 16
- Languages: None
- CR: 5 (XP 1,800; PB +3 )
Actions
Multiattack. The bulette makes two Bite attacks.
Bite. Melee Attack Roll: +7 , reach 5 ft . Hit: 17 (2d12 +4 ) Piercing damage.
Deadly Leap. The bulette spends 5 feet of movement to jump to a space within 15 feet that contains one or more Large or smaller creatures. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 15, each creature in the bulette's destination space. Failure: 19 (3d12) Bludgeoning damage, and the target has the Prone condition. Success: Half damage, and the target is pushed 5 feet straight away from the bulette.
Bonus Actions
Leap. The bulette jumps up to 30 feet by spending 10 feet of movement.
Lore & Background
Bulettes, known as land sharks, are massive burrowing predators that terrorize wilderness areas with their devastating ambush attacks. These creatures evolved in an environment where speed and surprise were essential for survival, developing the ability to swim through earth and stone as easily as a shark moves through water. Their powerful jaws and armored hide make them nearly unstoppable when they detect prey.
These monsters are driven by an insatiable hunger that compels them to constantly hunt for food. They can detect vibrations through the ground from great distances, allowing them to track prey with unerring accuracy. Bulettes are not particularly intelligent, but their predatory instincts are so refined that they can anticipate and counter many defensive tactics.
The name 'land shark' reflects both their hunting method and their relentless nature. Like their aquatic namesakes, bulettes are perfectly adapted predators that have remained virtually unchanged for millennia, representing the pinnacle of evolutionary efficiency in their ecological niche.
Combat Tactics
Bulettes are ambush predators that rely on surprise and overwhelming force. They typically approach prey while burrowing underground, then burst from the earth to attack with their massive jaws. Their initial charge can devastate even heavily armored opponents.
These creatures prefer to attack the largest or most threatening target first, using their powerful bite to potentially swallow smaller enemies whole. They can leap surprising distances, allowing them to close gaps and attack enemies who think they're safe at range.
When seriously wounded, bulettes may retreat underground and attempt to flee rather than fight to the death. However, their territorial nature means they will often return to hunt in the same area, creating ongoing threats for travelers and settlements.
Encounter Ideas
The Road Terror: A major trade route has become impassable due to bulette attacks, forcing merchants to find alternate paths or hire significant protection.
The Mining Disaster: Excavation work has disturbed a bulette's territory, leading to attacks on workers and equipment in the underground tunnels.
The Territorial Dispute: A bulette's hunting ground overlaps with important agricultural land, creating conflicts between the creature's needs and human settlement.
The Pack Hunt: Multiple bulettes have gathered in an area, possibly for mating season, creating an extremely dangerous situation for anyone in the region.
Environmental Effects
Bulette activity creates distinctive environmental changes:
- Disturbed Ground: Large areas of churned earth and collapsed tunnels where bulettes have been active
- Seismic Activity: Minor tremors and ground vibrations that alert sensitive individuals to the creature's presence
- Ecosystem Changes: Local wildlife avoidance patterns that create 'dead zones' where other animals refuse to travel
- Underground Networks: Extensive tunnel systems that may affect drainage, stability, and underground travel
Treasure
Armored Plates: The bulette's natural armor can be harvested and crafted into protective gear by skilled artisans.
Digestive Pearls: Occasionally, bulettes develop pearls in their digestive systems from consuming metal objects, creating unique and valuable gems.
Victim Remains: The creature's lair may contain the belongings of previous victims, including weapons, armor, and other valuable items.
Territory Markers: Bulettes sometimes collect shiny objects that catch their attention, creating small hoards of miscellaneous treasures.
Plot Hooks
The Underground Railway: A bulette's tunnel network accidentally connects to important underground locations, creating both opportunities and dangers for those who discover the connection.
The Seismic Survey: Scholars studying earthquake activity discover that local tremors are actually caused by bulette movement, leading to a realization about the true scope of the threat.
The Symbiotic Relationship: Local creatures have learned to follow bulettes and scavenge from their kills, creating a complex ecosystem that must be understood before the threat can be addressed.
The Breeding Season: The discovery that bulettes gather periodically for reproduction creates a limited window of extreme danger followed by relative safety, requiring careful timing for any intervention.