Buy me a coffeeBeast of Busco, the Ancient Guardian of Fulk Lake
“Hidden in the depths of Fulk Lake, the Beast of Busco is a snapping turtle of monstrous proportions, rumored to drag full-grown men into the murk without a sound.”
The Beast of Busco is an enormous, ancient snapping turtle with a moss-covered, jagged shell spanning over 20 feet in diameter. Its leathery, algae-streaked skin is pitted and scarred from centuries of survival in the murky deep. Pale yellow eyes, sunken beneath armored brow ridges, peer with unsettling intelligence. Its beak-like jaws are chipped but deadly, capable of shearing through bone or wood with ease. Water plants often dangle from its shell, allowing it to vanish into the lakebed like a drifting island.
Behaviour
Solitary and secretive, the Beast of Busco rarely surfaces unless provoked or hunting. It possesses uncanny patience, lying motionless for days beneath silt and reeds. Despite its size, it is a master of stillness and ambush. The beast is territorial but not mindlessly aggressive—driven more by instinct and ancient memory than malice. It has been known to retreat into deep mud tunnels if threatened.
Habitat
The Beast of Busco dwells in the sunken heart of Fulk Lake, a murky, spring-fed body of water near Churubusco, Indiana. The lake’s bottom is riddled with collapsed root systems, drowned trees, and hidden grottoes that shield the creature from detection. Legends suggest the lake may be connected to deeper, unexplored aquifers—its true lair lost beneath centuries of silt.
Modus Operandi
The Beast of Busco hunts through ambush, using the environment to its advantage. It will lie in wait beneath dense waterweed or just under the surface, striking with sudden, explosive force. Victims—typically large fish, deer, or livestock that wander near the shore—are dragged into the depths and drowned before being consumed. Disturbances in the water, strange bubbles, or sudden silences are often the only warning.
Motivation
The Beast of Busco is a creature of legend and instinct, driven by ancient habits: to hunt, to hide, and to survive. Some believe it is the last of a forgotten breed, driven by an inexplicable compulsion to guard its watery domain. Others whisper it is a nature spirit—an avatar of the lake itself, punishing those who would defile it. Whatever the truth, the Beast of Busco endures, as eternal and unfathomable as the dark water it calls home.
Beast of Busco 5e
Beast of Busco, Pathfinder
Beast of Busco
Gargantuan Monstrosity (Legendary), Unaligned
Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 315 (18d20 + 126)
Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 (+8) | 8 (−1) | 24 (+7) | 3 (−4) | 16 (+3) | 5 (−3) |
Saving Throws: CON +13, WIS +9
Skills: Perception +9, Stealth +5 (in water only)
Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Condition Immunities: Prone
Senses: Darkvision 120 ft., Tremorsense 60 ft., passive Perception 19
Languages: —
Challenge: 17 (18,000 XP) • Proficiency Bonus: +6
Traits
Amphibious Camouflage.
While submerged and motionless, the Beast of Busco is indistinguishable from a natural part of the lakebed. A creature must succeed on a DC 21 Intelligence (Investigation) check to recognize it as a threat.
Legend of the Lake.
Any creature that starts its turn within 60 feet of the Beast while it is submerged must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn. Creatures that succeed are immune for 24 hours.
Shell Fortress.
The Beast has advantage on saving throws against spells and effects that would knock it prone, move it, or restrain it. It can withdraw partially into its shell as a reaction, granting resistance to all damage until the start of its next turn.
Actions
Multiattack.
The Beast of Busco makes two attacks: one with its Bite and one with Crushing Shell, or it may use Swallow Whole if conditions allow.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 32 (4d12 + 6) piercing damage.
If the target is Large or smaller, it must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 19) and restrained.
Crushing Shell. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one prone or adjacent target.
Hit: 25 (3d12 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
If the target is prone, it takes an additional 13 (3d8) damage and must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or be pinned (restrained, escape DC 19). The Beast can only pin one creature at a time.
Swallow Whole (Recharge 5–6).
The Beast attempts to swallow one Large or smaller creature it has grappled. The target must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or be swallowed.
While swallowed, the creature is blinded and restrained, has total cover from effects outside the Beast, and takes 21 (6d6) acid damage at the start of each of the Beast’s turns. If the Beast takes 30 or more damage on a single turn from a creature inside it, it must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or regurgitate the creature, which falls prone in a space within 10 feet.
Legendary Actions
The Beast of Busco can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. It regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Lurking Lunge. The Beast moves up to half its swim speed and makes a Bite attack.
- Tidal Churn. The Beast thrashes in place. Each creature within 15 feet must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
- Shell Collapse (Costs 2 Actions). The Beast slams its shell into the lakebed. All nonmagical difficult terrain within 20 feet becomes quicksilt, costing double movement, and any creature moving through it must succeed on a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Beast can use one of the following lair actions:
- Murky Veil. The water within 60 feet becomes heavily obscured by silt and algae until the start of the Beast’s next turn. Creatures relying on sight have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks based on sight.
- Whirlpool Surge. The Beast creates a powerful underwater current in a 30-foot-radius centered on a point it can see within 60 feet. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be pulled 15 feet toward the center and knocked prone.
- Crushing Pressure. Sudden water pressure crushes one creature within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) bludgeoning damage and have its speed halved until the start of the Beast’s next turn.
- Sudden Depths. The lakebed shifts beneath a 20-foot square within 60 feet, turning the area into difficult terrain until the start of the Beast’s next turn. Creatures moving through it must succeed on a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.
Regional Effects — The Waters of Fulk Lake
While within 5 miles of the Beast’s lair, these effects occur:
Murky Waters
- Visibility in any natural or magical water sources is reduced to 5 feet.
- Creatures relying on sight to target others in or through water have disadvantage on attack rolls.
Unnatural Stillness
- The weather near the lake is oppressively calm; wind drops, and sound is muffled as if the environment holds its breath.
- Spellcasters have disadvantage on concentration checks while outdoors in the region.
Whispering Depths
- At night, faint ghostly whispers echo over the water, audible within 1 mile.
- Creatures must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw once per long rest or suffer disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks until dawn.
Weight of the Beast
- Water levels fluctuate unpredictably by 1–3 feet, creating sudden shallow or deep patches.
- Watercraft have disadvantage on Dexterity (Vehicle) checks to navigate safely.
Nature’s Warding
- Local animals and fey creatures regard the lake as sacred and avoid entering the area.
- Druids and Rangers gain advantage on Wisdom (Survival) and Nature checks within the region.
Haunting Legacy (Optional)
If the Beast is disturbed, slain, or angered, the region is cursed for 1d10 days:
- Waters turn foul, halving healing from natural sources.
- Water-based spells have their range halved.
- Creatures sleeping near the lake must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or suffer vivid nightmares causing exhaustion.
Tactical Overview
- Ambush Predator: Uses camouflage and lair terrain to surprise enemies.
- Crowd Control: Combines lair actions, legendary actions, and attacks to isolate and incapacitate foes.
- Brutal Grappler: Uses Bite to restrain, Crushing Shell to pin, then Swallow Whole for devastating damage.
- Environmental Master: Manipulates water and terrain to hinder and wear down opponents.
Beast of Busco
Gargantuan Magical Beast
CR 15
XP 76,800
NE Huge Magical Beast (Aquatic)
Init –1; Senses darkvision 120 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +23
DEFENSE
AC 28, touch 9, flat-footed 28 (–1 Dex, +19 natural)
HP 245 (15d10+165)
Fort +18, Ref +7, Will +14
Defensive Abilities shell fortress, improved grab; DR 10/—; Immune prone condition
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.
Melee bite +22 (4d8+10 plus grab), crushing shell +22 (3d10+10)
Special Attacks swallow whole (4d6 acid damage, DC 26 Reflex save), pin
Space/Reach 15 ft./15 ft.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 8th)
- 3/day control water
- 2/day water breathing (self only)
- 1/day water walk (self only)
STATISTICS
Str 31, Dex 8, Con 28, Int 2, Wis 18, Cha 6
Base Atk +15; CMB +27 (+31 grapple); CMD 38 (can’t be tripped or disarmed)
Feats Improved Grab, Multiattack, Weapon Focus (bite), Weapon Focus (crushing shell), Combat Reflexes, Improved Critical (bite), Toughness
Skills Perception +23, Stealth +7 (+13 in water), Swim +25
Languages —
SQ amphibious camouflage, legend of the lake
ECOLOGY
Environment temperate freshwater lakes
Organization solitary
Treasure standard (natural weapons, shell fragments worth 300 gp)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Amphibious Camouflage (Su)
The Beast of Busco melds seamlessly with the murky depths, its mottled shell and still form perfectly mimicking the lakebed’s detritus. Any who approach must succeed on a DC 26 Perception check or a DC 21 Intelligence (Investigation) check to pierce the veil of illusion and discern the lurking horror beneath the waves.
Legend of the Lake (Su)
An ancient dread suffuses the waters where the Beast dwells. Creatures beginning their turn within 30 feet while it is submerged must succeed on a DC 24 Will save or become shaken for 1d4 rounds. Even the bravest feel the haunting weight of unseen eyes beneath the surface. Those immune to fear or who succeed on their save remain unaffected for 24 hours.
Shell Fortress (Ex)
The Beast of Busco’s immense, calcified shell is a bastion of resilience. It gains +6 natural armor and cannot be knocked prone, moved against its will, or restrained by external effects. As a swift action, it can withdraw partially into this living fortress, gaining DR 10/— until the start of its next turn.
Improved Grab (Ex)
With its massive jaws, the Beast of Busco can seize Large or smaller foes on a successful bite and begin a grapple as a free action.
Pin (Ex)
Using its crushing shell, the Beast of Busco can pin a prone grappled opponent, leaving them helplessly trapped beneath its crushing weight. Only one creature may be pinned at a time (Escape DC 26).
Swallow Whole (Ex)
When a foe is pinned, the Beast of Busco may attempt to swallow it whole (Large or smaller). A failed DC 26 Reflex save means the victim is engulfed within the Beast’s maw, blinded and restrained, taking 4d6 acid damage at the start of each of the Beast’s turns. Excess damage dealt by swallowed creatures risks forcing the Beast to disgorge its meal.
TACTICS
Before Combat
The Beast of Busco lies still and silent on the lakebed, an immovable monument to nature’s primal wrath, blending perfectly with the shadows beneath the water’s surface.
During Combat
It favors ambush, lashing out with devastating bites to seize foes, then pinning them beneath its crushing shell. When the opportunity arises, it attempts to swallow prey whole, delivering deadly acid to those trapped within. The Beast uses its shell fortress ability to shrug off debilitating effects and exploits lair terrain to sow confusion and fear.
Morale
The Beast fights with relentless fury but will retreat to the lake’s deepest waters if badly wounded.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The very waters surrounding the Beast of Busco’s lair warp with its presence:
- Visibility drops to mere feet beneath the surface, the lake’s depths swathed in unnatural gloom.
- A palpable silence dampens wind and sound; casters suffer a –2 penalty on concentration checks outdoors.
- At night, ghostly whispers ripple across the water, causing a –2 penalty on Perception checks unless a DC 20 Will save is made.
- Sudden shifts in water levels churn the lakebed, creating treacherous quicksilt and deep pockets of water that hamper movement and catch the unwary.
- Local wildlife shun the lake, and fey regard it as sacred ground.