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Resin-Crested Prowler - AI-generated fantasy Monster

Resin-Crested Prowler

Folklore speaks of a shadow that smells like burnt sugar. Merchants of the Golden Wheel know better: they call it the Tax of the Resin. It is a creature born of negligence, a sentinel of the very cargo it seeks to consume.

Monsters
Large monstrosity · Hard · Rare

Resin-Crested Prowler

A mutated apex predator driven into a frenzy by alchemical cargo
AC15
HP104/104
CRHard
Init
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
ConditionsNone

Combat

AC 15 · HP 104 · Hard

Resin-Crested Prowler

Large monstrosity (mutant), unaligned
Armor Class15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points104 (11d10 + 44)
Speed
40 ft.,
Climb 30 ft.
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
Saving ThrowsDexterityConstitution
SkillsStealthPerceptionAthletics
Damage Resistances
Poison
Immunities
None
Weaknesses
Fire (conditional, see Resin Slick)
Senses
Darkvision 60 ft.,
Passive Perception 15
Languages
None
ChallengeHard
Proficiency Bonus+3
Photophobic Aggression. The Prowler has advantage on attack rolls against any creature carrying a light source (torch, lantern, or the Light spell). However, it has disadvantage on saving throws against being Blinded.
Prowler's Ambush. During the first round of combat, the Prowler has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn yet.
Slick Skin. The Prowler has advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to escape a grapple or being restrained.

Actions

Multiattack. The Prowler makes three attacks: one with its Bite and two with its Claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 () piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 () slashing damage.
Resin Slick (Recharge 5-6). The Prowler exhales a 15-foot cone of sticky, flammable oil. Each creature in that area must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be knocked Prone and coated in resin. The area becomes difficult terrain for 1 minute. A creature coated in resin has its speed halved and takes an extra 7 () fire damage whenever it takes fire damage. The resin can be washed off with a gallon of water or alcohol as an action.

Reactions

Crystalline Retaliation. When a creature within 5 feet hits the Prowler with a melee attack, the Prowler can roll its body, forcing the crystals on its spine to lash out. The attacker must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 5 () piercing damage.
Role
Boss/Elite Hunter
Built for
Level 4 to 5

Gear

  • Resin-Clotted Collar (Trinket, 25 gp)A heavy iron collar fused with amber. Suggests the beast was once owned.

Feats

Alert
Mobile

Notes for the game master

Prioritize using Resin Slick if three or more enemies are grouped.
If fire is used against the Resin Slick on the ground, the area ignites, dealing 1d10 fire damage to anyone starting their turn there.

Tactics

  1. Opening

    The Prowler leaps from the trees or the roof of a wagon, targeting the player holding the brightest light source.

  2. Mid-fight

    It uses Resin Slick to divide the party, then uses its climb speed to circle around the difficult terrain and attack backline casters.

  3. End of the fight

    If reduced to below 30 HP, it becomes Reckless, gaining advantage on attacks but granting it to enemies, desperate to kill the source of the resin smell.

  4. Retreat

    The Prowler will not retreat if the Golden Wheel's resin cargo is present. If the cargo is removed, it flees at 20 HP.

How it fights

Always target light-bearers first.
Use movement to avoid being flanked.
Wait for 'Resin Slick' to recharge before engaging multiple melee opponents.

Who it attacks first

Light Source Bearers
Concentrating Spellcasters
Healers
Frontline Tanks

Works well with

Add 2x Alchemical Oozes that can hide within the Prowler's Resin Slick for a harder encounter.
Environmental Hazard: Flammable Cargo crates nearby.

How to beat it

Spells like Create Water can neutralize the Resin Slick.
Blinding Smite or Flashbangs exploit its photophobia.
Drenching the monster in water removes its Slick Skin trait for 1 round.

Ways to avoid a fight

Distract the beast by throwing a barrel of alcohol or solvent away from the group.
A DC 18 Animal Handling check while presenting a pure sample of resin can momentarily soothe it.
Extinguishing all lights forces the Prowler to rely on its basic senses, removing its attack advantage.

Ecology

A massive, panther-like beast standing six feet at the shoulder. Its fur is matted with black, iridescent oil that leaks constantly from its tear ducts. Jagged, translucent amber crystals sprout from its spine and shoulders like a crown of thorns. Its eyes glow with a dull, sickly yellow light.

Behavior

It is hyper-aggressive and twitchy, reacting violently to sudden movements and bright lights. It stalks its prey from the shadows, utilizing the terrain to strike and retreat.

How it lives

Originally a mountain lion, it was transformed by consuming the 'Sun-Drop Resin' spilled during a Golden Wheel caravan crash. It now requires the substance to soothe its burning internal organs.

Lair

The Prowler dens in 'The Resin Grotto,' a cave where the walls are coated in flammable, hardened sap and the floor is a sticky trap for the unwary.

Habitat
Deep forests, mountain passes, and sites of alchemical spills

Signs that it is near

Puddles of shimmering black oil on the road
Amber-like crystals embedded in shredded tree trunks
A pungent, cloyingly sweet-smelling chemical odor
Caravan wheels fused to the cobblestones by hardened amber resin

Tags

Feline,
Crystalline,
Ambush

Lore

Folklore speaks of a shadow that smells like burnt sugar. Merchants of the Golden Wheel know better: they call it the Tax of the Resin. It is a creature born of negligence, a sentinel of the very cargo it seeks to consume.

What drives it

Consumed by a chemically induced hunger for the Golden Wheel's cargo.

After the fight

The cargo is safe, but the ground is permanently stained with black oil. The party's gear is sticky and smells of resin for weeks, making stealth slightly harder until professionally cleaned.

“Merchants of the Golden Wheel know better: they call it the Tax of the Resin.”
From its lore

Variants

Resin-Crested Alpha: Size Huge, CR 8, adds a Tail Sweep action.
Ghost-Oil Prowler: Can become invisible while standing in its own resin.

Hooks

Plot hooks

The Golden Wheel Company is hiring 'pest control' for a very specific beast they accidentally created.
The Paladin's caravan contains a secret ingredient that is slowly mutating the local wildlife.
The Barbarian recognizes the beast as the former companion of a missing tribal hunter.

How to use it

A night-time ambush during a caravan guard contract.
The guardian of a crashed alchemical transport.
A tracking mission where players follow the oil trail.

Treasure

3x Refined Resin Vials (worth 50gp each as spell components)
The Prowler's Crystalline Crest (can be crafted into a +1 Dagger of Wounding)
Scattered Golden Wheel trade bars (100gp total)

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