Midgard Linnorm

Midgard Linnorm

Gargantuan Dragon (500-foot serpentine body), Lawful Evil — unofficial epic 2024-style creature

AC 28 (opaline scales); Initiative +1 (11)
HP 1,350 (60d20 + 720)
Speed 50 ft., Swim 120 ft.

Saving Throws Str +25, Con +23, Wis +21, Cha +22
Skills Arcana +20, Insight +21, Perception +32, Persuasion +22
Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing damage from nonmagical attacks
Immunities Cold damage; Charmed, Frightened and Paralyzed conditions; disease and magical sleep
Senses Blindsight 120 ft., Darkvision 240 ft., Passive Perception 42
Languages Draconic and Norse dragon tongues, telepathy 1 mile
Epic CR 37 (homebrew; XP by DM); Epic PB +11 (homebrew extension)

Traits

Amphibious. The linnorm breathes air and water.

Legendary Resistance (4/Day). If the linnorm fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Spellwarded Scales. The linnorm has Advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects.

Spellcasting. Charisma is the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 30, +22 to hit with spell attacks). The linnorm requires no material components. At will: create or destroy water (create only), detect thoughts, water breathing; 3/day each: arcane eye, control water, greater invisibility, telekinesis; 1/day each: dominate monster, power word stun, shapechange, teleport, wall of ice. Use the matching spell version for the selected rules edition and normal Concentration rules.

Actions

Multiattack. The linnorm makes one Bite attack, two Claw attacks, and one Tail attack, or makes two attacks and uses its Sovereign Spellcasting action.

Bite. Melee Attack Roll: +25, reach 30 feet. Hit: 79 (10d12 + 14) Piercing damage and 27 (6d8) Cold damage.

Claw. Melee Attack Roll: +25, reach 20 feet. Hit: 64 (9d10 + 14) Slashing damage.

Tail. Melee Attack Roll: +25, reach 40 feet. Hit: 66 (8d12 + 14) Bludgeoning damage. A Huge or smaller target is Grappled (escape DC 31) and Restrained until the grapple ends. At the start of each of the linnorm’s turns, the grappled creature takes 55 (10d10) Bludgeoning damage. The linnorm can hold one target in this way.

Threefold Breath (Recharge 5–6). The linnorm chooses one breath (save DC 31). All three work underwater. Boiling Sea: Each creature in a 200-foot-long, 20-foot-wide Line makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 312 (48d12) Fire damage on a failed save or half on success. On failure, it is pushed up to 100 feet and cannot breathe air until the end of its next turn. Choking Dust: Each creature in a 200-foot Cone makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 286 (44d12) Bludgeoning damage on failure or half on success. On failure, the creature is Poisoned and cannot speak or use verbal spell components until the end of its next turn. Worldstorm Wind: Each creature in a 200-foot Cone makes a Strength saving throw, taking 260 (40d12) Thunder damage on failure or half on success. On failure, it is pushed up to 200 feet and falls Prone if Huge or smaller.

Sovereign Spellcasting. The linnorm casts one spell listed in its Spellcasting trait, expending a use as normal.

Legendary Actions

3 Legendary Action Uses. The linnorm can spend one or more uses at the end of another creature’s turn. It regains all uses at the start of its turn. It can’t use them while Incapacitated.

Glide (Costs 1). The linnorm moves up to half its Swim Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks.

Tail Strike (Costs 2). The linnorm makes one Tail attack, including the normal grapple effect.

Command the Current (Costs 3). The linnorm casts control water without expending a daily use. Alternatively, while submerged, it teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space in water it can see.

This unique epic monster uses an explicitly unofficial CR 37/+11 proficiency extension. Official 2024 CR and XP tables end at CR 30. Lair and regional powers are detailed below the edition tabs; its guardians are separate creatures, not free summons.

Midgard Linnorm

Gargantuan Dragon (500-foot serpentine body), Lawful Evil — unofficial epic 2014-style creature

Armor Class 28 (natural armor)
Hit Points 1,350 (60d20 + 720)
Speed 50 ft., Swim 120 ft.

Saving Throws Str +25, Con +23, Wis +21, Cha +22
Skills Arcana +20, Insight +21, Perception +32, Persuasion +22
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing damage from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities cold
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, paralyzed; immune to disease and magical sleep
Senses Blindsight 120 ft., Darkvision 240 ft., Passive Perception 42
Languages Draconic and Norse dragon tongues, telepathy 1 mile
Epic Challenge 37 (homebrew; XP by DM); Epic proficiency bonus +11 (homebrew extension)

Traits

Amphibious. The linnorm breathes air and water.

Legendary Resistance (4/Day). If the linnorm fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance. The linnorm has advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects.

Spellcasting. Charisma is the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 30, +22 to hit with spell attacks). The linnorm requires no material components. At will: create or destroy water (create only), detect thoughts, water breathing; 3/day each: arcane eye, control water, greater invisibility, telekinesis; 1/day each: dominate monster, power word stun, shapechange, teleport, wall of ice. Use the matching spell version for the 2014-era rules and normal Concentration rules.

Actions

Multiattack. The linnorm makes one Bite attack, two Claw attacks, and one Tail attack, or makes two attacks and uses its Sovereign Spellcasting action.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +25, reach 30 feet. Hit: 79 (10d12 + 14) Piercing damage and 27 (6d8) Cold damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +25, reach 20 feet. Hit: 64 (9d10 + 14) Slashing damage.

Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +25, reach 40 feet. Hit: 66 (8d12 + 14) Bludgeoning damage. A Huge or smaller target is Grappled (escape DC 31) and Restrained until the grapple ends. At the start of each of the linnorm’s turns, the grappled creature takes 55 (10d10) Bludgeoning damage. The linnorm can hold one target in this way.

Threefold Breath (Recharge 5–6). The linnorm chooses one breath (save DC 31). All three work underwater. Boiling Sea: Each creature in a 200-foot-long, 20-foot-wide Line makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 312 (48d12) Fire damage on a failed save or half on success. On failure, it is pushed up to 100 feet and cannot breathe air until the end of its next turn. Choking Dust: Each creature in a 200-foot Cone makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 286 (44d12) Bludgeoning damage on failure or half on success. On failure, the creature is Poisoned and cannot speak or use verbal spell components until the end of its next turn. Worldstorm Wind: Each creature in a 200-foot Cone makes a Strength saving throw, taking 260 (40d12) Thunder damage on failure or half on success. On failure, it is pushed up to 200 feet and falls Prone if Huge or smaller.

Sovereign Spellcasting. The linnorm casts one spell listed in its Spellcasting trait, expending a use as normal.

Legendary Actions

3 Legendary Action Uses. The linnorm can spend one or more uses at the end of another creature’s turn. It regains all uses at the start of its turn. It can’t use them while Incapacitated.

Glide (Costs 1 Action). The linnorm moves up to half its Swim Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks.

Tail Strike (Costs 2 Actions). The linnorm makes one Tail attack, including the normal grapple effect.

Command the Current (Costs 3 Actions). The linnorm casts control water without expending a daily use. Alternatively, while submerged, it teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space in water it can see.

This unique epic monster uses an explicitly unofficial CR 37/+11 proficiency extension. Official 2024 CR and XP tables end at CR 30. Lair and regional powers are detailed below the edition tabs; its guardians are separate creatures, not free summons.

Midgard Linnorm — Epic CR 37

LE Colossal dragon (aquatic) — unofficial epic Pathfinder 1e conversion; XP awarded by the GM

Init +1; Senses blindsense 120 ft., darkvision 240 ft., low-light vision; Perception +75

Defense

AC 58, touch 3, flat-footed 57 (–8 size, +1 Dex, +55 natural)
hp 1,110 (60d12 + 720)
Fort +44, Ref +33, Will +42
DR 20/epic and cold iron; Immune cold, disease, paralysis, sleep; SR 55

Offense

Speed 50 ft., swim 120 ft.
Melee bite +68 (10d8+24/19–20), 2 claws +63 (8d8+16), tail slap +63 (8d8+24)
Space 30 ft.; Reach 20 ft. (30 ft. with bite)
Special Attacks threefold breath (DC 54), constrict (8d8+24), crush (10d8+24, DC 52), grab, tail sweep (8d8+24, DC 52)

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 24th; concentration +36): at will—create water, detect thoughts, protection from energy, water breathing; 3/day—control water, greater invisibility, telekinesis, solid fog; 1/day—acid fog, arcane eye, charm monster, charm person, greater teleport, hypnotic pattern, power word blind, power word stun, shapechange, veil, wall of ice, whispering wind.

Statistics

Str 42, Dex 12, Con 34, Int 28, Wis 30, Cha 34
Base Atk +60; CMB +84 (+88 grapple); CMD 95 (99 against grapple)
Skills Bluff +75, Diplomacy +75, Intimidate +75, Knowledge (arcana) +72, Knowledge (geography) +72, Perception +75, Sense Motive +73, Spellcraft +72, Swim +83
Languages Draconic, Abyssal and Norse dragon tongues; telepathy 1 mile
Feats Ability Focus (breath), Awesome Blow, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical (bite), Improved Initiative, Improved Overrun, Lightning Reflexes, Multiattack, Power Attack, Snatch, Weapon Focus (bite); remaining epic-HD feat choices and epic feats by GM adjudication.

Ecology

Environment deep ocean
Organization unique; protected by four venerable sea linnorms
Treasure vast hoard of magic and surface artefacts

Special Abilities

Threefold Breath (Su). Every 1d4 rounds the linnorm can use one of three magical breaths, all functional underwater (DC 54). Boiling Water: 200-ft. line, 32d20 fire damage (Reflex half), throws foes back 100 ft. and threatens the drowning of weaker air breathers. Choking Dust: 200-ft. cone, 28d20 damage (Reflex half), followed by Fortitude saves against sneezing, choking and Constitution damage. Hurricane Wind: 200-ft. cone, 24d20 damage (Reflex half), with a 200-ft. push or knockdown depending on target size.

Constrict (Ex). 8d8+24 additional tail damage on a successful grapple check. Crush (Ex). Standard action, Reflex DC 52 or pinned and suffering 10d8+24 damage each round. Tail Sweep (Ex). 20-ft. semicircle behind the linnorm; Reflex DC 52 half, 8d8+24 damage.

Epic Lair Influence (Su). Inside its abyssal sea cave, once each round on initiative count 20 (losing ties), it may use Black Undertow, Thermal Vent or Mirror of the Deep from the lair section below. Saving throws use DC 54 (Reflex for current, Fortitude for vents, Will for mirror) and last until the next initiative count 20 unless noted otherwise. This initiative-based lair mechanic is a specific optional encounter rule, not a standard PF1e monster action.

These Pathfinder epic numbers deliberately exceed the legacy 50-HD conversion; they are not a Paizo stat block. Core PF1e CR/XP progression and feat allocation do not define this bespoke encounter. The original 3.5e CR 37 block is untouched in the adjacent tab.

Midgard Linnorm — CR 37

The original D&D 3.5e mechanics are retained verbatim below: all ability scores, spells, skills, epic feats, breath riders and other combat rules.

Combat and Special Abilities (Original D&D 3.5e)

The Midgard linnorm may be malicious, but it considers itself above physical confrontation. It much prefers to meddle in the affairs of other linnorms and sentient creatures through its magic, maintain its control secretly. When combat is necessary, the dragon relies on its minions to fight for it, but if a confrontation is unavoidable the Midgard linnorm will bring the full might of its breath weapons and spell-like abilities to bear on the targets before using its melee weapons.

Breath Weapon (Su): The Midgard linnorm has three types of breath weapon: a line of boiling water, a cone of dust, and a cone of wind. It may use any breath weapon once every 1d4 rounds. All three breath weapons function normally underwater. The save DCs are Constitution-based.

The spray of boiling water is a 200-foot line that deals 20d20 points of fire damage (Reflex DC 45 half). Additionally, the creature must succeed on a DC 45 Strength check or be pushed back 100 feet (as if bull rushed). Air breathing creatures with less than 7 Hit Dice must succeed on a DC 45 Constitution check, or their lungs fill with water and they begin drowning immediately, and are treated as if beneath water in terms of being able to breathe. Creatures that fail the Constitution check may attempt a new check every round to cough the water out.

The cloud of dust is a 200-foot cone that deals 16d20 points of damage (Reflex DC 45 half) and causes living creatures to fall into fits of sneezing and coughing. Additionally, living creatures in the area must succeed on a DC 45 Fortitude save or take 2d6 points of Constitution damage immediately. In addition, those failing a second DC 45 Fortitude save 1 minute later are dealt 1d6 points of Constitution damage. Those who succeed on either saving throw are nonetheless disabled by choking (treat as stunned) for 5d4 rounds.

The third breath weapon is a 200-foot cone of wind that deals 12d20 points of damage (Reflex DC 45 half). Additionally, the creature must succeed on a DC 45 Strength check or succumb to the tornado-force wind, causing Large or smaller creatures to be blown 200 feet away, Huge creatures to be knocked down, and Gargantuan or Colossal creatures
to be checked

Constrict (Ex): The Midgard linnorm deals automatic tail slap damage with a successful grapple check.

Crush (Ex): When jumping, the Midgard linnorm can land on opponents three or more sizes smaller than itself as a standard action, using its whole body to crush them. A crush attack affects as many creatures as can fit under the Midgard linnorm’s body. Each creature in the affected area must succeed on a DC 43 Reflex save or be pinned, automatically taking 8d6+13 points of bludgeoning damage. The save DC is Constitution-based. Thereafter, if the Midgard linnorm chooses to maintain the pin, treat it as a normal grapple attack. While pinned, the opponent takes crush damage each round.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the Midgard linnorm must hit with its tail slap attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.

Spell-Like Abilities: At will – Create Water, detect thoughts (DC 21), protection from energy, water breathing;

1/day – Acid Fog, arcane eye, Charm Person (DC 20), charm monster (DC 23), control water, fog cloud, greater invisibility, greater teleport (DC 26), hypnotic pattern (DC 21), power word blind, power word stun, see invisibility, shapechange, solid fog, telekinesis (DC 24), veil (DC 25), wall of ice (DC 23), whispering wind.

Caster level 14th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

Tail Sweep (Ex): The Midgard linnorm can sweep with its tail as a standard action. The sweep affects creatures four or more size categories smaller than the linnorm within a 20-foot-radius half-circle centered on the linnorm’s rear. Each affected creature that fails a Reflex save (DC 43 half) takes 4d6+19 points of damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Keen Senses (Ex): The Midgard linnorm sees four times as well as a human in low-light conditions and twice as well in normal light. It also has Darkvision with a range of 120 feet.

Skills: The Midgard linnorm has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.

Originally found in Dragon Magazine #183 (“The Vikings’ Dragons,” July 1992, Jean Rabe), and Monstrous Compendium Annual One (1994)