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Beast of Busco

From Churubusco, Indiana about an enormous snapping turtle named Oscar terrorized the citizens. Despite a month–long hunt the Beast of Busco was never found and is considered long gone. The story goes that a farmer began to notice his chickens going missing. Believing it to be caused by known pests, he paid no mind to it. After a few months, larger and larger livestock was disappearing, even a calf in one instance; all the disappearances occurred near the lake on his property. One day, he reportedly saw a colossal snapping turtle, estimated at 15 feet in length, basking on the lakeside. Terrified, he called the police; when they arrived, the giant reptile was still there. A plan was devised to drag the beast from the water with chains pulled by 4 Clydesdale horses; when initiated, the turtle and horses were evenly matched, but the chains broke. “Oscar” escaped, never to be seen again. Being cold-blooded, he presumably died of exhaustion from the struggle. Oscar’s memory lives on in Churubusco’s Turtle Days festival held each June. It includes a parade, carnival and turtle races.

Originally Posted by Bhu of the Wizards Community forums.

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Beast of Busco
Large Animal
Hit Dice8d8+40 (76 hp)
Initiative-1
Speed30 ft. (6 squares), Swim 20 ft.
Armor Class16 (-1 Size, -1 Dexterity, +8 Natural), touch 8, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple+6/+18
AttackBite +13 melee (2d6+8/18-20)
Full AttackBite +13 melee (2d6+8/18-20)
Space/Reach10 ft./5 ft.
Special AttacksImproved Grab
Special QualitiesLow Light Vision, Scent, Hold Breath
SavesFort +11, Ref +5, Will +3
AbilitiesStrength 26, Dexterity 8, Constitution 21, Intelligence 1, Wisdom 12, Charisma 2
SkillsHide +4, Listen +3, Spot +3, Survival +3, Swim +16
FeatsImproved Natural Attack (Bite), Skill Focus (Hide), Track
EnvironmentTemperate Aquatic
OrganizationUnique
Challenge Rating4
TreasureNone
AlignmentAlways Neutral
Advancement9-12 HD (Large), 13-24 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment
  • Improved Grab (Ex): If the Beast hits successfully with it’s Bite attack it may immediately make a Grapple Check as a Free Action without provoking an Attack of Opportunity. If it succeeds in it’s graple it may do Bite damage each round, or attempt to pin it’s victim underwater.
  • Hold Breath (Ex): The Beast may hold it’s Breath for 8 times it’s Constitution modifier before it risks drowning.
  • Skills: The Beast of Busco has a +8 Racial Bonus on Swim checks. It also has a +4 Racial Bonus on Hide checks in the water. When submerged with only it’s nostrils and eyes above water it gains a +10 Cover Bonus to Hide checks.
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