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Remorhaz

• Size: Huge
• Type: Monstrosity
• Alignment: Unaligned
• AC: 17
• Initiative: +5 (15)
• HP: 195(17d12+85)
• Speed: 40 ft, Burrow 30 ft.

ATTR	VAL	MOD	SAVE
STR	24	+7	+7
DEX	13	+1	+1
CON	21	+5	+5
INT	4	-3	-3
WIS	10	+0	+0
CHA	5	-3	-3

• Immunities: Cold, Fire
• Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Tremorsense 60 ft.; Passive Perception 10
• Languages: None
• CR: 11 (XP 7,200; PB +4)

Traits

Heat Aura. At the end of each of the remorhaz's turns, each creature in a 5-foot Emanation originating from the remorhaz takes 16 (3d10) Fire damage.

Actions

Bite. Melee Attack Roll: +11, reach 10 ft. Hit: 18 (2d10+7) Piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) Fire damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it has the Grappled condition (escape DC 17), and it has the Restrained condition until the grapple ends.

Bonus Actions

Swallow. Strength Saving Throw: DC 19, one Large or smaller creature Grappled by the remorhaz (it can have up to two creatures swallowed at a time). Failure: The target is swallowed by the remorhaz, and the Grappled condition ends. A swallowed creature has the Blinded and Restrained conditions, it has Total Cover against attacks and other effects outside the remorhaz, and it takes 10 (3d6) Acid damage plus 10 (3d6) Fire damage at the start of each of the remorhaz's turns.

If the remorhaz takes 30 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the remorhaz must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, each of which falls in a space within 5 feet of the remorhaz and has the Prone condition. If the remorhaz dies, any swallowed creature no longer has the Restrained condition and can escape from the corpse by using 15 feet of movement, exiting Prone.

Lore & Background

Remorhazes are massive arctic predators that combine the characteristics of centipedes and dragons, dwelling in the coldest regions of the world where they hunt through ice and snow. These creatures generate intense internal heat that allows them to tunnel through frozen ground and melt ice with their touch, creating a stark contrast to their frigid environment. Remorhazes are solitary hunters that fiercely defend their territories from any creatures they perceive as threats or prey.

These ancient creatures are perfectly adapted to arctic survival, using their heat generation not only for movement but also as a weapon against enemies. Remorhazes are intelligent enough to use tactics and strategy, making them far more dangerous than simple beasts.

Combat Tactics

Remorhazes use their burrowing ability to attack from below, often surprising enemies by erupting from beneath the ice. They rely on their heated body to damage creatures that get too close while using their bite attack to swallow smaller enemies whole.

Encounter Ideas

Arctic Terror: A remorhaz threatens an arctic expedition or isolated settlement. Ice Tunnels: Heroes must navigate tunnels created by a remorhaz to reach their destination. Territorial Guardian: A remorhaz protects an important location or resource in the frozen wastes. Heat Source: Desperate travelers seek shelter near a remorhaz despite the danger it represents.

Environmental Effects

Remorhaz activity creates networks of melted tunnels through ice and snow, often revealing hidden passages or ancient ruins. Their presence raises local temperatures and can cause dangerous ice melts.

Treasure

Remorhazes don't intentionally collect treasure, but their lairs often contain the frozen remains of previous victims, including valuable items, weapons, and magical equipment preserved in ice.

Plot Hooks

The Melting Path: A remorhaz's tunnels have revealed ancient ruins or important passages. Arctic Rescue: Heroes must brave remorhaz territory to rescue stranded travelers. Heat and Ice: A remorhaz's presence is affecting the local climate in unexpected ways. Ancient Predator: A remorhaz awakens from hibernation and begins hunting in populated areas.

Lore & Background

Remorhazes are massive insectoid predators native to arctic and subarctic regions, perfectly adapted to hunt in the harshest frozen environments. These creatures combine the worst aspects of centipedes and furnaces, with segmented bodies that can reach 30 feet in length and internal heat so intense that snow melts in their presence. Their chitinous hide glows with internal fire, making them visible even during arctic blizzards.

These apex predators tunnel through ice and permafrost with the same ease that others walk through snow, using their intense body heat to melt passages through even the thickest glacial ice. Remorhaz young, called remorhaz spawn, are smaller but equally dangerous, often hunting in groups while their massive parent creates new territories through glacial excavation.

Combat Tactics

Remorhazes prefer to ambush prey from beneath, using their tunneling abilities to burst through ice or snow when enemies least expect it. Their heated body serves as both weapon and defense, burning anyone who comes into direct contact while their powerful mandibles can swallow human-sized prey whole. They use their size advantage to coil around multiple enemies simultaneously.

In combat, these creatures rely on their natural armor and extreme heat for protection while using their massive size to dominate the battlefield. They can swallow smaller creatures whole, subjecting them to both crushing force and internal heat that can quickly prove fatal. Their movement through ice creates difficult terrain and can collapse unstable surfaces.

Encounter Ideas

1. The Melting Passage While traveling through a frozen mountain pass, the party discovers that something has been melting tunnels through solid ice. Investigation reveals a remorhaz has taken residence in the area, and its hunting has made the pass unstable and dangerous for travelers.

2. The Warm Cave Seeking shelter from a blizzard, the party finds a mysteriously warm cave that seems perfect for surviving the storm. However, the cave's heat source is a sleeping remorhaz, and the party must decide whether to risk staying or brave the deadly weather outside.

3. Ice Fishers' Bane A remote fishing village built on a frozen lake faces destruction when a remorhaz begins hunting beneath the ice. The creature's heat weakens the ice while its tunneling creates dangerous sinkholes, threatening the entire community's survival during the harsh winter.

4. The Aurora Hunt Legends speak of remorhazes that surface during the aurora borealis, their heated bodies creating spectacular light displays as they move through the frigid air. The party encounters one such creature during a particularly intense aurora, leading to a battle beneath the dancing lights.

Environmental Effects

• Intense Heat: The creature's body heat melts ice and snow in a large radius, creating pools of water and unstable terrain
• Steam Clouds: Interaction between the remorhaz's heat and cold environment creates obscuring steam that limits visibility
• Ice Collapse: Tunneling activities weaken ice formations, causing unexpected collapses and creating new chasms
• Thermal Signatures: The creature's heat makes it easily detectable but also warms areas enough to support arctic survival

Treasure

• Remorhaz Carapace (2000-5000 gp): Heat-resistant chitin suitable for crafting armor that provides cold immunity
• Internal Heat Organ (3000 gp): Biological furnace that can power magical devices requiring intense heat
• Crystallized Ice (500-1500 gp): Unique ice formations created by rapid heating and cooling cycles
• Arctic Survivor Gear (varies): Equipment from previous victims who survived arctic conditions
• Frozen Preserves (varies): Items perfectly preserved in the creature's icy lair, potentially ancient or valuable

Plot Hooks

1. The Climate Changer A remorhaz's presence in a normally temperate region is causing unusual weather patterns and melting. Investigation reveals the creature was driven from its arctic home by some greater threat, and returning it safely becomes crucial for regional stability.

2. The Heated Highway A trade route through frozen mountains becomes passable year-round thanks to a remorhaz's tunneling activities. Merchants benefit from the warm passages, but the creature demands tribute in the form of food and treasure for safe passage.

3. The Spawning Ground The party discovers a remorhaz nesting area where multiple young are preparing to establish their own territories. The potential spread of these creatures could devastate the region's ecosystem, requiring careful intervention to manage the population.

4. The Living Furnace A desperate arctic community has made a pact with a remorhaz, using its body heat to survive an unusually harsh winter. When the creature demands increasingly dangerous payments for its services, the party must find an alternative solution or negotiate new terms.