“Mythic Goanna: The Fire-Hearted Earthshaper of the Primordial Wilds”
The Mythic Goanna, an ancient fire-hearted monitor said to have carved rivers with its claws and scorched mountains with its breath, still prowls the sunburnt wilds as a living echo of creation itself.

A colossal, fire-hearted monitor lizard born of creation’s first dawn, the Mythic Goanna embodies the raw will of the earth—its claws carving rivers, its breath forging mountains, and its presence commanding the blazing wilds of a primordial world.
Appearance
The Mythic Goanna looms like a living mesa of blackened scale and ember-lit stone. Its hide glimmers with heat distortion, and veins of molten orange pulse beneath the surface. A jagged crest of spines crowns its back, and its golden eyes burn with the fierce light of the desert sun. Each movement shudders the ground, and every breath carries the scent of ozone and scorched sand.
Behaviour
Ancient and deliberate, the Mythic Goanna acts only when the land’s balance is broken. It spends centuries in slumber, awakening to mete out elemental wrath upon those who despoil its domain. It is neither cruel nor kind—its judgment is that of wildfire and drought, impersonal yet absolute.
Habitat
The Mythic Goanna dwells in the remotest reaches of creation: sun-blasted deserts, volcanic ranges, and labyrinthine canyons where no rain falls. It gravitates toward ley-line nexuses and sacred geological sites, often slumbering beneath them as a guardian spirit or buried god.
Modus Operandi
When provoked, the Mythic Goanna strikes with overwhelming ferocity. It ambushes from beneath rock and sand, erupting in waves of molten debris. Its claws can sunder stone, its tail can level fortresses, and its breath ignites the very air. Even in retreat, it reshapes the battlefield—leaving rivers of glass and landscapes forever scarred.
Motivation
The Mythic Goanna exists to preserve the world’s equilibrium. It hunts corruption, devours blight, and destroys the unnatural. Some sages call it the Earth’s immune response—an ancient force that rises only when mortals push creation too far. Whether savior or destroyer depends entirely on who stands in its path.
Mythic Goanna 5e 2024
Mythic Goanna, Pathfinder
Mythic Goanna 3.5
Mythic Goanna

Gargantuan Monstrosity (Mythic, Unique), Neutral
Armor Class 26 (natural armor)
Hit Points 850 (60d20 + 420)
Speed 80 ft., burrow 50 ft., climb 50 ft., swim 50 ft.
STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
34 (+12) | 16 (+3) | 32 (+11) | 20 (+5) | 22 (+6) | 24 (+7) |
Saving Throws Str +20, Con +19, Wis +14, Cha +15
Skills Perception +14, Survival +14, Nature +13
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities Fire, Poison
Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened, Poisoned
Senses Truesight 150 ft., Tremorsense 150 ft., Passive Perception 24
Languages Primordial, Terran; understands Common but cannot speak
Challenge 33 (210,000 XP)
TRAITS
Legendary Resistance (5/Day). If the Goanna fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.
Mythic Presence. Any creature within 60 feet that can see or hear the Goanna must succeed on a DC 24 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. Creatures can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns.
Earthshaper. The Goanna moves through nonmagical, unworked earth and stone without disturbing it. Difficult terrain within 60 feet costs it no extra movement.
Elemental Affinity. Fire-based attacks made by the Goanna deal double damage to constructs and plant creatures.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The Mythic Goanna makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +20 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 55 (8d10 + 12) piercing plus 27 (6d8) fire damage.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +20 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (6d10 + 12) slashing damage.
- Tail Swipe. Melee Weapon Attack: +20 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target in a 20-ft. line (10 ft. wide). Hit: 50 (6d10 + 12) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 28 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
- Flame Breath (Recharge 5–6). The Goanna exhales a cone of molten flame 100 feet long. Each creature in that area must make a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw, taking 90 (20d8) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success.
- Molten Ground (3/Day). The ground in a 60-foot radius around the Goanna liquefies into molten stone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw, taking 70 (14d8) fire plus 35 (7d8) bludgeoning damage on a failure. The area becomes difficult terrain until cooled.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
The Goanna can take 6 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.
- Detect. The Goanna makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
- Tail Attack. The Goanna makes one tail attack.
- Move. The Goanna moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Mythic Roar (2 Actions). All creatures within 60 feet must make a DC 24 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of their next turn.
- Molten Burst (3 Actions). The Goanna causes the ground to erupt in a 30-foot radius, dealing 27 (6d8) fire damage and pushing creatures 15 feet away.
- Seismic Slam (3 Actions). The Goanna slams the earth, creating a 40-foot shockwave. Each creature must make a DC 26 Dexterity saving throw or take 54 (12d8) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
MYTHIC AWAKENING (1/Combat; 2 rounds in lair)
When the Goanna draws upon its mythic essence, its scales ignite with molten energy and ancient Dreamtime markings blaze across its body. For 2 rounds:
- Gains immunity to all nonmagical damage.
- All attacks deal an additional 1d8 fire damage.
- Movement speed doubles and ignores all terrain.
- Molten Ground triggers automatically at the start of each of its turns.
REGIONAL EFFECTS
While in its home territory — volcanic canyons, desert mesas, or geomantic nexuses — the Mythic Goanna exerts the following effects:
- Environmental Control: The Goanna can shape terrain within 2 miles, raising molten rivers, causing rockfalls, or summoning sandstorms.
- Heat Aura: Any creature within 120 feet takes 9 (2d8) fire damage at the start of its turn (DC 24 Constitution save for half).
- Geomantic Resonance: Spellcasters must succeed on a DC 22 Concentration check to maintain concentration.
- Regional Influence: Wildlife avoids the area, while tremors, mirages, and sudden wildfires become common.
If the Goanna dies, these effects fade over 1d10 days.
TACTICS
The Mythic Goanna begins combat by manipulating the battlefield—creating molten barriers and sandstorms to divide opponents. It targets spellcasters first, using its tremorsense to detect hidden foes. It then closes the distance with blinding speed, using Flame Breath and Tail Swipe to scatter and weaken groups before entering Mythic Awakening to finish the strongest survivors. In its lair, it fights as an elemental embodiment of the land itself.
LAIR & ENVIRONMENT
Lair: Volcanic canyon, desert mesa, or geomantic nexus.
Environmental Hazards: Lava flows, rockfalls, shifting dunes, and tremors.
Optional Lair Actions:
- Molten fissures erupt beneath intruders.
- Intense heatwaves cause levels of exhaustion.
- Localized earthquakes distort terrain or topple structures.
Lore Note
In Dreamtime-inspired traditions, the Mythic Goanna is revered as the Earthshaper, the spirit who carved the first rivers and carried fire across the desert. Some say every volcanic mountain marks where it once slept, its breath still rumbling in the molten heart of the world.
Mythic Goanna

Gargantuan Magical Beast (Mythic), Neutral
Defense
AC: 45, touch 13, flat-footed 42 (+12 natural, +3 Dex, +20 size)
Hit Points: 725 (50d10 + 350)
Fort: +28 | Ref: +12 | Will: +18
DR: 10/magic; Immune: fire, poison, stunned, frightened, charm
Defensive Abilities: Legendary Resistance (5/day), Earthshaper
Offense
Speed: 80 ft., burrow 50 ft., climb 50 ft., swim 50 ft.
Melee: Bite +40/+35/+30 (8d10+12 plus 6d8 fire), Claw +40/+35 (6d10+12), Tail Swipe +40 (6d10+12, DC 28 Strength or prone)
Special Attacks: Flame Breath (90-ft. cone, 20d8 fire, DC 24 Dex half), Molten Ground (3/day, 14d8 fire + 7d8 bludgeoning, DC 24 Dex half, difficult terrain), Molten Burst and Seismic Slam (legendary)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 20th, concentration +15): Fireball 5/day (DC 24), Wall of Fire 1/day (DC 24), Control Earth 3/day, Greater Teleport (self only) 1/day
Statistics
STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
34 (+12) | 16 (+3) | 32 (+11) | 20 (+5) | 22 (+6) | 24 (+7) |
Base Attack/Grapple +35/+50; Skills Perception +28, Survival +28, Knowledge (nature) +26, Stealth +15; Feats Power Attack, Improved Sunder, Combat Reflexes, Weapon Focus (bite), Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Dodge, Mobility; Languages Primordial, Terran (understands Common); CR 30 (Epic)
Special Abilities
Legendary Resistance (5/day) allows the Goanna to succeed on failed saves. Mythic Presence (Su) is a 60-ft. aura; creatures must succeed on DC 24 Will save or become frightened for 1 round per HD (re-save each turn). Earthshaper (Su) lets the Goanna move through nonmagical earth or stone without disturbing it; terrain within 60 ft. costs no extra movement. Elemental Affinity (Ex) doubles fire damage against constructs and plant creatures.
Mythic Awakening (Su, 1/Combat; 2 rounds in lair): Immunity to all nonmagical damage; attacks gain +1d8 fire damage; movement speed doubles and it moves through any terrain freely; automatically triggers Molten Ground at the start of each turn.
Regional Effects (Su, active in lair): Within 2 miles, the Goanna can manipulate terrain (molten rivers, rockfalls, sandstorms), emits a Heat Aura (2d8 fire damage per turn within 120 ft., DC 24 Con save for half), disrupts spellcasting (DC 22 Concentration check to maintain spells), and influences wildlife and natural events.
Combat Tactics
The Mythic Goanna uses terrain control, Flame Breath, and Molten Ground to dominate the battlefield. It targets spellcasters and leaders first, but can devastate clusters of enemies. It repositions via burrow, climb, or swim to maintain advantage. In its lair, it fully leverages Regional Effects. Rarely retreats unless below 25% HP.
Lair & Environment
Typical lair: volcanic canyon, desert mesa, geomantic nexus. Hazards include lava flows, falling rocks, and tremors. Optional lair actions: erupting molten fissures, heatwaves causing exhaustion, localized earthquakes.
Mythic Goanna

This large green monitor lizard is covered in black bands, with occasional splotches of white and yellow.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
On this Thread
Mythic goannas are magical variants of the typical goanna (which simply uses the statistics for a monitor lizard). These swift hunters range across a variety of warm lands, hunting any prey no larger than themselves. They are a threat to humanoids, often dragging off smaller livestock, pets, and more rarely, children.
Mythic goannas have developed an immunity to venom due to their predilections for venomous snakes.
The fat from mythic goannas can be made into a magical oil, known as “ghost-oil”. Ghost-oil renders an imbiber immune to poison for 4 hours. If applied to a weapon, the next three attacks are made as touch attacks. Mythic goanna skins are prized by phanatons, who will purchase them for 10 gp.
A mythic goanna is 4 to 6 feet long and weighs 30 to 45 pounds. Coloration varies, usually dark gray, green, or black, but sometimes white or even yellow-red. Bands, stripes, splotches, and speckles camouflage its scales, dulling with age.
Goanna, Mythic | |
Medium magical beast | |
Hit Dice | 3d10+9 (25 hp) |
Initiative | +2 |
Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares), Climb 30 ft., Swim 30 ft. |
Armor Class | 15 (+2 Dexterity, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 13 |
Base Attack/Grapple | +3/+6 |
Attack | Bite +6 melee (1d8+4) |
Full Attack | Bite +6 melee (1d8+4) and tail slap +2 melee (1d6+6) |
Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
Special Attacks | Ghost-oil bite, poison, tail sweep |
Special Qualities | Darkvision 60 ft., immunity to poison, Low-Light Vision |
Saves | Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +2 |
Abilities | Strength 17, Dexterity 15, Constitution 17, Intelligence 3, Wisdom 12, Charisma 2 |
Skills | Climb +7, Hide +6*, Listen +2, Move Silently +6, Spot +2, Swim +11 |
Feats | Ability Focus (poison), Weapon Focus (tail slap) |
Environment | Warm forests |
Organization | Solitary |
Challenge Rating | 2 |
Treasure | None |
Alignment | Always neutral |
Advancement | 4–5 HD (Medium); 6-8 HD (Large) |
Level Adjustment | – |
COMBAT
Mythic goannas generally bite, relying on their venom to quickly dispatch prey. If cornered or antogonized, a goanna will angrily swing its tail, knocking down smaller prey while biting at its primary antagonist.
Ghost-Oil Bite (Su): Three times per day, a mythic goanna can coat its teeth with a special secretion, allowing it to make a melee touch attack with its bite.
Poison (Ex): Bite, Fortitude DC 16; initial and secondary damage 1d4 Constitution. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Tail Sweep (Ex): A mythic goanna can sweep with its tail as a standard action. The sweep affects a half-circle with a radius of 5 feet, extending from an intersection on the edge of the goanna’s space in any direction. Creatures within the swept area are affected if they are one or more size categories smaller than the goanna. A tail sweep automatically deals tail slap damage and affected creatures must make DC 14 Reflex saves to or be knocked prone. The save DC is Strength-based.
Skills: A mythic goanna has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. A mythic goanna 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. Mythic goannas have a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks.
*In forested or overgrown areas, the Hide bonus improves to +8.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #186 (1992).