Buy me a coffeeAltamaha-Ha: The River’s Relentless Guardian
“Altamaha-Ha: Elusive River Monster or Aquatic Enigma? Unravel the Mysteries Beneath the Waters!”
The Altamaha-Ha are massive, serpent-like creatures that haunt the murky waters of Georgia’s Altamaha River, their appearance an eerie blend of ancient reptilian and aquatic features. Their sleek, dark green to black scales shimmer beneath the surface, reflecting dappled sunlight in the dense, moss-draped cypress swamps. The creatures’ elongated, sinuous bodies stretch over 30 feet, with muscular coils capable of swift, graceful movement through the water. Their heads, shaped like crocodiles’, boast sharp, jagged teeth, and their eyes gleam with an unsettling intelligence. A series of small, dorsal fins run along their backs, adding to their prehistoric aura, and their tails end in powerful, whip-like appendages capable of sweeping away anything in their path.
The Altamaha-Ha are reclusive and elusive creatures, often spotted only in the shadows of the river’s labyrinthine channels. They are most active during twilight and dawn, emerging silently from the depths to stalk their territory. Despite their size and strength, the Altamaha-Ha are patient ambushers, using the river’s murky waters to conceal themselves while waiting for unsuspecting prey to venture too close. They are masters of stealth, moving through the water without a sound, their large, muscular bodies gliding effortlessly beneath the surface. When they strike, they do so with terrifying precision, often using their tails to knock prey off balance before ensnaring them with their powerful coils.
Their primary habitat consists of the dense wetlands and swampy regions around the Altamaha River, where they reside in deep pools and submerged caves, areas difficult to reach for human intruders. The murky waters and thick vegetation provide the perfect camouflage for the Altamaha-Ha, allowing them to remain hidden for years at a time, making them the stuff of local legend and cryptid lore.
The Altamaha-Ha’s modus operandi is a combination of ambush and strength. They wait patiently, often using their keen sense of smell to detect nearby creatures, before striking swiftly to capture their prey. Their bite is capable of delivering a crippling blow, and once they have ensnared a victim in their coils, they can constrict with immense force, subduing the creature in seconds. Larger prey is swallowed whole, with their highly acidic stomachs breaking down the meal over time.
Motivated primarily by hunger and territorial instincts, the Altamaha-Ha are solitary creatures that fiercely defend their domain. They have little interest in interaction with humans, though sightings and encounters have led to stories of them being guardians of the river or beings of ancient, mysterious origins. Whether they are simply following the primal needs of survival or guarding something deeper within the river’s depths remains a subject of speculation. What is clear, however, is that the Altamaha-Ha represent untamable, shadowed forces of nature—enigmas lurking beneath the waters, evoking both fear and awe.
Altamaha-Ha 5e
Altamaha-Ha 3.5
Altamaha-Ha, River Serpent
Huge Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 136 (13d12 + 52)
Speed 40 ft., Swim 60 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (+6) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 2 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 6 (-2) |
Skills Perception +5
Damage Resistances Cold
Condition Immunities Frightened
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15
Languages —
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Hold Breath. It can hold its breath for 30 minutes.
Keen Smell. It has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Water Glide. It can move through water without impediment, and it does not provoke opportunity attacks when it swims out of an enemy’s reach.
Multiattack. It makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its constrict.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d8 + 6) piercing damage.
- Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 15 (2d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (Escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the Altamaha-Ha can’t constrict another target.
Swallow. It makes one bite attack against a Medium or smaller target it is grappling. If the attack hits, the target is swallowed, and the grapple ends. The swallowed target is blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the Altamaha-Ha, and it takes 21 (6d6) acid damage at the start of each of the Altamaha-Ha’s turns.
If the Altamaha-Ha takes 30 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the Altamaha-Ha must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate the swallowed creature, which falls prone in a space within 10 feet of the Altamaha-Ha. If the Altamaha-Ha dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the corpse using 15 feet of movement, exiting prone.
Aquatic Ambusher. It has advantage on attack rolls against any creature it has surprised.
Actions
Tail Swipe. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (2d10 + 6) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Aqueous Whirlwind (Recharge 5-6). It conjures a powerful vortex in the water. Each creature within 20 feet of the Altamaha-Ha must make a DC 16 Strength saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. On a failed save, the creature is also pushed 10 feet away from the Altamaha-Ha and knocked prone. If the creature is already prone, it is instead pulled 10 feet toward the Altamaha-Ha.
Altamaha-Ha
Huge Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class: 21 (-2 size, +13 natural)
Hit Points: 161 (14d10+84)
Speed: 40 ft., swim 60 ft.
STR 26 (+8)
DEX 16 (+3)
CON 22 (+6)
INT 2 (-4)
WIS 14 (+2)
CHA 6 (-2)
Base Attack/Grapple: +14/+29
Attack: Bite +19 melee (3d6+8), tail +19 melee (2d8+8)
Full Attack: Bite +19 melee (3d6+8) and tail +19 melee (2d8+8)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft. (15 ft. with tail)
Special Attacks: Constrict 3d8+8, swallow whole (3d6 acid damage, AC 16, 18 HP), tail sweep (2d8+8, DC 24 Strength or be knocked prone)
Special Qualities: Hold breath (30 minutes), keen smell, water glide, low-light vision
Saves: Fort +16, Ref +10, Will +7
Abilities:
- Hold Breath: The Altamaha-Ha can hold its breath for up to 30 minutes.
- Keen Smell: The Altamaha-Ha has scent and gains a +2 bonus on Perception checks that rely on smell.
- Water Glide: The Altamaha-Ha moves through water without impediment and does not provoke attacks of opportunity while swimming.
Skills: Perception +12, Stealth +8 (in water), Swim +19
Feats: Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Grab, Power Attack, Swim By Attack
Environment: Swamps, rivers, and marshlands
Organization: Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: None
Alignment: Unaligned
Advancement: 15–22 HD (Huge); 23–28 HD (Gargantuan)
Ecology and Behavior:
The Altamaha-Ha is an elusive and terrifying river serpent that haunts the deep, murky waters of the Altamaha River and its surrounding swamps. Locals speak of its massive size and strength, with many myths surrounding its existence. Its massive, muscular body is well-suited for ambushing prey, and it is capable of holding its breath for long periods while waiting for the right moment to strike. It moves through water with terrifying grace, using its keen sense of smell to detect prey from afar.
Tactics:
The Altamaha-Ha is a patient ambusher, using the water to its advantage to conceal itself. It waits for unsuspecting creatures to approach, then strikes quickly with its powerful bite or tail. Once it has grappled a target, it constricts tightly, causing severe damage. Larger prey is swallowed whole, where it is slowly digested by the creature’s powerful stomach. If threatened, the Altamaha-Ha uses its tail to knock enemies prone, making it difficult for foes to escape its grasp.