Mokele-Mbembe

Huge Beast, Unaligned

Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 168 (16d12 + 64)
Speed 40 ft., swim 40 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
22 (+6)	12 (+1)	18 (+4)	2 (-4)	14 (+2)	7 (-2)

Skills Perception +6
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 16
Languages —
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

Hold Breath. It can hold its breath for 30 minutes.

Amphibious. The mokele-mbembe can breathe both air and water.

Keen Smell. The mokele-mbembe has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Actions Multiattack. The mokele-mbembe makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its tail.

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage.
• Tail Swipe. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Legendary Actions The mokele-mbembe 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. The mokele-mbembe regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Detect. The mokele-mbembe makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
• Tail Attack. It makes a tail swipe attack.
• Submerge. The mokele-mbembe disappears into the water, becoming invisible until the start of its next turn.

This long-necked creature has an even longer tail, as well as a row of spines along its back and countless sharp fangs.

Mokele-Mbembe CR 9

XP 6,400
N Huge animal
Init +5; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +15

DEFENSE

AC 23, touch 9, flat-footed 22 (+1 Dex, +14 natural, –2 size)
hp 119 (14d8+56)
Fort +13, Ref +12, Will +8

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee bite +19 (2d8+11), tail slap +14 (2d8+5)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft. (20 ft. with tail slap)
Special Attacks trample (2d8+16, DC 28), whip tail

STATISTICS

Str 32, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 11
Base Atk +10; CMB +23 (+25 bull rush); CMD 34 (36 vs. bull rush)
Feats Awesome Blow, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +15, Stealth +3 (+11 in water), Swim +19; Racial Modifiers +8 Stealth in water

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Whip Tail (Ex)

When not submerged, a mokele-mbembe can crack its tail like a whip as a standard action, creating a sonic boom in a 5-foot burst up to 20 feet away. Any creature in the burst’s area must succeed at a DC 21 Fortitude save or be stunned for 1 round. Mokele-mbembes are immune to this sonic effect. The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY

Environment tropical lakes or rivers
Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3–6)
Treasure incidental

Mokele-mbembes are large, reptilian predators that inhabit the hottest jungles, always close to lakes, rivers, or other large bodies of water. A mokele-mbembe’s long, whiplike tail accounts for half its length.

Although they resemble herbivorous dinosaurs, mokelembembes are cunning and territorial predators. They make their lairs in riverside caves, close to their food sources, where they can sun themselves after eating.

Natural swimmers, mokele-mbembes have webbed feet, but their long legs enable them to move easily on land as well. They spend much of their time in the water, where they can relax and float or use their long necks to attack while submerged, favoring blind river bends to ambush prey. Mokele-mbembes require large quantities of food daily, and feed on fish, birds, and even large mammals—humanoids included. Hippopotamuses are a favorite prey, and mokele-mbembes attack them on sight. Battles between these two river giantsare legendary among local tribes, whose shamans often see portents or prophecies in the outcomes.

An adult mokele-mbembe can grow up to 40 feet in length and weighs almost 10 tons. Males are only slightly longer and heavier than females.