Remorhaz
Huge Monstrosity, unaligned
7,200 XP
Special Abilities
Heated Body
A creature that touches the remorhaz or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 10 (3d6) fire damage.
Actions
Bite
Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 40 (6d10 + 7) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) fire damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 17). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the remorhaz can't bite another target.
Swallow
The remorhaz makes one bite attack against a Medium or smaller creature it is grappling. If the attack hits, that creature takes the bite's damage and is swallowed, and the grapple ends. While swallowed, the creature is blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the remorhaz, and it takes 21 (6d6) acid damage at the start of each of the remorhaz's turns.
If the remorhaz takes 30 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the remorhaz must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which fall prone in a space within 10 feet oft he remorhaz. If the remorhaz dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the corpse using 15 feet of movement, exiting prone.
Quick Reference
Running This Encounter
The Remorhaz is a terrifying apex predator that should feel like a natural disaster emerging from the earth. Its burrowing ability allows for dramatic entrance moments and unpredictable positioning that keeps players on edge. Use its heat aura to create environmental hazards and force positioning decisions, while its massive HP pool ensures it remains a sustained threat rather than a quick fight.
Combat Tactics
The Remorhaz prioritizes swallowing whole with its engulfing bite, focusing on isolating and eliminating one target at a time. It burrows frequently to reposition, emerging strategically to disrupt spellcasters or grab vulnerable party members, and uses its tail whip as area denial against groups trying to stick together.
Environment & Setting
This creature thrives in arctic tundras, snowy mountain passes, and underground caverns with loose earth or sand. Encounters work best on open terrain where the monster can burrow freely, or in confined spaces where its size creates claustrophobic danger.