Grimlock
- Size: Medium
- Type: Aberration
- Alignment: Neutral Evil
- AC: 11
- Initiative: +1 (11)
- HP: 11 (2d8 + 2)
- Speed: 30 ft, Climb 30 ft.
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| DEX | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| CON | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| INT | 9 | -1 | -1 |
| WIS | 8 | -1 | -1 |
| CHA | 6 | -2 | -2 |
- Skills: Athletics +5, Perception +3, Stealth +5
- Senses: Blindsight 30 ft.; Passive Perception 13
- Languages: None
- CR: 1/4 (XP 50; PB +2)
Actions
Bone Cudgel. Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) Bludgeoning damage plus 2 (1d4) Psychic damage.
Lore & Background
Grimlocks are degenerate humanoids who have adapted to life in the deepest underground caverns, losing their sight over generations while developing other heightened senses. These pale, eyeless beings were once surface dwellers who fled underground to escape some ancient catastrophe, gradually evolving into the blind cave-dwellers they are today. Their society is primitive and brutal, based on survival of the strongest and most cunning.
Living in complete darkness for millennia has made grimlocks master hunters in their underground domain. They navigate through echolocation, scent, and touch, making them nearly impossible to surprise in their natural environment. Grimlock tribes are nomadic, following underground water sources and prey through vast cave networks.
Combat Tactics
Grimlocks rely on their Blind Senses and Stone Camouflage to ambush prey in underground environments. Their Blindsight makes them immune to visual illusions and allows them to fight effectively in complete darkness where other creatures are at severe disadvantage.
These creatures prefer pack tactics, surrounding enemies and using their superior knowledge of cave terrain to gain advantages. They often use stealth to position themselves before striking, and their keen hearing allows them to track enemies by sound alone.
Encounter Ideas
Cave Ambush: Grimlocks attack the party in narrow cave passages, using their knowledge of the terrain and darkness to maximum advantage.
The Lost Tribe: A grimlock tribe offers information about deep cave systems in exchange for help dealing with a greater threat.
Underground Hunters: Grimlocks have been kidnapping surface dwellers to use as slaves or food sources.
Territorial Dispute: Grimlocks compete with other underground creatures for control of valuable cave resources.
Environmental Effects
Grimlock territories show signs of their primitive lifestyle. Crude shelters built from stone and bone mark their camps, while hunting trails show their movement patterns through cave systems.
Warning markers made from bones and stones indicate territorial boundaries. The silence in grimlock territory is often unnatural, as other creatures learn to avoid these dangerous hunters.
Treasure
Grimlocks collect items from victims and occasionally find valuable minerals in their caves. Crude weapons and bone ornaments represent their craftsmanship, while stolen goods from surface raids may include coins and simple tools.
Cave minerals and unusual stones might be found in their lairs, along with preserved food stores and primitive art depicting their hunting exploits.
Plot Hooks
The Deep Guide: Grimlocks offer to guide the party through dangerous underground passages in exchange for payment or favors.
Ancient Memory: Elder grimlocks retain fragments of knowledge about their surface-dwelling ancestors and ancient catastrophes.
The Seeing Stone: Grimlocks have discovered a magical artifact that grants sight, causing upheaval in their society.
Underground War: Grimlock tribes unite against a common threat, potentially offering alliance opportunities to surface dwellers.
Lore & Background
Grimlocks are degenerate humanoids who have adapted to life in the deepest underground caverns. Once surface dwellers, these creatures were driven underground eons ago and have evolved to thrive in absolute darkness. Their eyes have atrophied from disuse, but their other senses have become supernaturally acute.
Grimlocks live in primitive tribal societies, worshipping dark powers and practicing cannibalism. They view surface dwellers as weak and inferior, suitable only as prey or slaves.
Combat Tactics
Grimlocks rely on their blindsight and keen hearing to locate enemies in darkness. They prefer to fight in groups, using pack tactics to overwhelm opponents. Their stone weapons and natural resilience make them formidable opponents in their native environment.
Encounter Ideas
Deep Patrol: Grimlocks guard the approaches to their underground territory. Slave Raid: Grimlocks capture surface dwellers for food and forced labor. Dark Ritual: Grimlocks prepare a sacrifice to their malevolent deities. Lost Tribe: A grimlock tribe seeks new territory after being driven from their home.
Environmental Effects
Grimlock territories are marked by crude stone tools, bone decorations, and the remains of their meals. The air often carries the scent of decay and primitive cooking fires.
Treasure
Grimlocks possess crude weapons and tools made from stone and bone. They may have treasures taken from their victims, though they have little understanding of their value.
Plot Hooks
The Blind Prophet: A grimlock oracle possesses important knowledge about underground threats. Territorial War: Grimlocks conflict with other underground races over resources. The Surface Exile: A grimlock seeks to return to the surface world of its ancestors. Dark Alliance: Grimlocks serve a more powerful underground entity.