Menace Manual: Peluda

A 5e conversion of a Pathfinder monster.  Its on the random encounter charts for the Valley of the Brain Collectors.  I don’t normally convert the random encounter creatures unless I have an idea for them in mind but for some reason the Paizo description and art for this creature grabbed my imagination.

PELUDA
Large dragon, neutral evil

Armour Class 18 (natural armor) plus quills
Hit Points 178 (17d10 + 85)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

STR 23 (+6)        DEX 10 (+0)       CON 20 (+5)
INT 14 (+2)         WIS 13 (+1)        CHA 19 (+4)

Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +9, Wis +4, Cha +8
Skills Perception +8, Stealth +4
Damage Immunities fire
Damage Vulnerabilities tail (see below)
Condition Immunities paralysis, sleep
Senses blindsight 30ft., darkvision 120ft., passive Perception 18
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

Quills. A peluda’s back and tail are covered in sharp black quills. A creature that strikes a peluda with a melee weapon, an unarmed attack, or a natural weapon takes 3 (1d6) points of piercing damage from the peluda’s quills and risks being poisoned. Weapons with reach do not endanger an attacker in this way. Any creature that grapples a peluda takes 3d6 points of piercing damage and risks being poisoned on its turn each round. The attacker must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or gain the poisoned status affect.

Tail Spike Regrowth. The peluda has twenty-four tail spikes. Used spikes regrow when the peluda finishes a long rest. It can regrow its tail after a two weeks.

Vulnerable Tail. A peluda is vulnerable to attacks against its tail. Any attack that is not an attempt to sever the peluda’s tail (including area attacks or attacks that cause piercing or bludgeoning damage) affects its body by default.  To sever the tail, an opponent must target the tail and make an attack roll with disadvantage.  If the attacker hits and does 17 points of slashing damage in one hit the tail is considered to be severed.  If the tail is severed, the peluda losses it Quill Barrage attack and its maximum hit points are reduced by 17.

ACTIONS          
Multiattack. The peluda makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws or three with its tail spikes.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10ft., one target.
Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 3 (1d6) poison damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.

Quill Barrage. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 100/200 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage plus 15 (3d10) poison damage.

Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales fire in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 56 (l6d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

REACTIONS  
Speed Surge. As a reaction, a rift drake can draw on its draconic heritage for a boost of strength and speed that allows it to take an additional move action that round in response to being hit. This does not provoke an attack of opportunity.

DESCRIPTION                    
This long-necked dragon has steamy breath, a lashing tail, and a back covered in hundreds of quills.