Oil-Slick Drowned

medium undead, neutral evil

D&D 5.5 / SRD 5.2

Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Available with DM subscription
STR
18 (+4)
DEX
10
CON
16 (+3)
INT
6 (-2)
WIS
12 (+1)
CHA
14 (+2)

Defense

Armor Class
12 (natural armor)
Hit Points
90 (12d8 + 36 +3)
Speed
30 ft., swim 30 ft.

Treasure & Loot Common

No significant treasure

Proficiencies & Senses

Saving Throws strength
Skills
Stealth +3, Athletics +7, Perception +4
Senses
darkvision (60 ft.)
blindsight (10 ft. (blind beyond this radius))
passive Perception 14

Characteristics

Damage Vulnerabilities
fire
Damage Resistances
—
Damage Immunities
poison
Condition Immunities
exhaustion, poisoned
Languages understands Abyssal but can't speak

Traits and Actions

Amphibious

Trait
The drowned can breathe air and water.

Deep Oil Terrain

Trait
When the drowned moves, it leaves a 5-foot-wide trail of slick oil in its path. This area is difficult terrain for other creatures until the end of the next turn or until cleaned by fire or wind. The trail does not affect the drowned.

Drowning Grasp

Trait
If the drowned hits a Medium or smaller creature with its Slam attack, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pulled up to 10 feet toward the drowned. If the target ends this movement submerged in deep liquid or dense oil, it begins suffocating as per standard rules.

Fire Aversion

Trait
The drowned has disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws made to resist effects that involve open flame. It cannot willingly move into a space occupied by an active fire source.

Squeeze Through

Trait
The drowned's body is fluid enough to pass through spaces no wider than 1 foot without squeezing, though it leaves an oily residue behind.

Slam

Action
Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage. If the target is Medium or smaller, apply the Drowning Grasp trait.

Tidal Drag

Action
One creature grappled by the drowned within 5 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) cold damage and be moved 10 feet toward the nearest body of deep liquid or oil. On a success, the target takes half damage and isn't moved.

Running the encounter

Combat Behavior

Tactics

  • Ambushes from flooded streets or docks.
  • Uses Tidal Drag to pull PCs into deep oil zones.
  • Retreats if surrounded by fire sources.

Combat Style

Brute force grappler who controls positioning via terrain manipulation.

Morale

Fights until reduced to 20 HP or if threatened by significant fire magic.

Appearance & presence

Monster Description

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