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.
Beast of Busco | |
Large Animal | |
Hit Dice | 8d8+40 (76 hp) |
Initiative | -1 |
Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares), Swim 20 ft. |
Armor Class | 16 (-1 Size, -1 Dexterity, +8 Natural), touch 8, flat-footed 16 |
Base Attack/Grapple | +6/+18 |
Attack | Bite +13 melee (2d6+8/18-20) |
Full Attack | Bite +13 melee (2d6+8/18-20) |
Space/Reach | 10 ft./5 ft. |
Special Attacks | Improved Grab |
Special Qualities | Low Light Vision, Scent, Hold Breath |
Saves | Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +3 |
Abilities | Strength 26, Dexterity 8, Constitution 21, Intelligence 1, Wisdom 12, Charisma 2 |
Skills | Hide +4, Listen +3, Spot +3, Survival +3, Swim +16 |
Feats | Improved Natural Attack (Bite), Skill Focus (Hide), Track |
Environment | Temperate Aquatic |
Organization | Unique |
Challenge Rating | 4 |
Treasure | None |
Alignment | Always Neutral |
Advancement | 9-12 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.