Kraken

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Kraken Introduction

In the deepest, darkest reaches of the ocean, where sunlight dares not venture and the pressure is enough to crush the unprepared, there lurks a creature of unimaginable size and power. The Kraken, a legendary leviathan of the sea, is a force of nature that sailors whisper about in hushed tones, fearing the day they might glimpse its monstrous form rising from the abyss.

The Kraken's appearance is a terrifying spectacle to behold. Its massive body, covered in slick, rubbery skin, is a deep, inky black, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the ocean's depths. From its central mass extend numerous tentacles, each as thick as a ship's mast and capable of reaching hundreds of feet. These appendages are lined with suckers the size of shields, capable of gripping and crushing even the sturdiest of vessels. Its eyes, large and luminescent, glow with an eerie intelligence, scanning the waters for prey or intruders.

Behaviorally, the Kraken is both a cunning predator and a guardian of its domain. It is known to lie in wait, hidden beneath the waves, until an unsuspecting ship passes overhead. Then, with a sudden surge, it erupts from the depths, wrapping its tentacles around the vessel, dragging it and its crew to a watery grave. Despite its fearsome reputation, the Kraken is not mindlessly aggressive; it is a creature of ancient wisdom, often avoiding conflict unless provoked or threatened.

The Kraken's habitat is the vast, uncharted ocean, particularly favoring areas where the sea floor drops away into deep trenches and underwater chasms. These regions, often shrouded in perpetual darkness, are teeming with strange and exotic marine life, providing ample sustenance for the Kraken. Legends speak of entire underwater cities, long abandoned by their creators, now serving as the lairs of these colossal beasts.

Throughout history, tales of the Kraken have been passed down through generations, growing with each retelling. Some say it is a remnant of an ancient world, a creature that has existed since the dawn of time. Others believe it to be a guardian, protecting the secrets of the deep from those who would exploit them. Whatever the truth, the Kraken remains one of the most feared and revered creatures of the sea, a symbol of the ocean's untamed and unpredictable nature.

Kraken Skills & Traits

Skills

• Perception +8
• Stealth +5

Senses

• Darkvision 120 ft.
• Passive Perception 18

Languages

• Understands Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, and Primordial but can't speak
• Telepathy 120 ft.

Abilities

• Amphibious: The kraken can breathe air and water.
• Freedom of Movement: The kraken ignores difficult terrain, and magical effects can't reduce its speed or cause it to be restrained. It can spend 5 feet of movement to escape from nonmagical restraints or being grappled.
• Siege Monster: The kraken deals double damage to objects and structures.

Actions

• Multiattack: The kraken makes three tentacle attacks, each of which it can replace with one use of Fling.
• Tentacle: Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 30 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage. The target is grappled (escape DC 18). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained. The kraken has ten tentacles, each of which can grapple one target.
• Fling: One Large or smaller object held or creature grappled by the kraken is thrown up to 60 feet in a random direction and knocked prone. If a thrown target strikes a solid surface, the target takes 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet it was thrown. If the target is thrown at another creature, that creature must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or take the same damage and be knocked prone.
• Lightning Storm: The kraken creates three bolts of lightning, each of which can strike a target the kraken can see within 120 feet of it. A target must make a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Legendary Actions

• Tentacle Attack or Fling: The kraken makes one tentacle attack or uses its Fling.
• Lightning Storm (Costs 2 Actions): The kraken uses Lightning Storm.
• Ink Cloud (Costs 3 Actions): While underwater, the kraken expels an ink cloud in a 60-foot radius. The cloud spreads around corners, and that area is heavily obscured to creatures other than the kraken. Each creature other than the kraken that ends its turn there must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw, taking 16 (3d10) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A strong current disperses the cloud, which otherwise disappears at the end of the kraken's next turn.

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Battle Tips for Facing the Kraken

The Kraken is a legendary sea monster known for its immense size and destructive power. As a Dungeon Master, incorporating a Kraken into your campaign can create an epic and memorable encounter. Here are some tips to effectively use the Kraken in battle:

Using the Kraken in Battle

• Environmental Advantage: The Kraken thrives in aquatic environments. Use the ocean or a large body of water to its advantage, allowing it to submerge and surprise the party with sudden attacks.
• Tentacle Attacks: Utilize the Kraken's multiple tentacles to attack multiple players simultaneously. This can create a sense of chaos and urgency as players try to avoid being grappled or pulled into the water.
• Weather Manipulation: The Kraken can summon storms and rough seas. Use this ability to create difficult terrain and obscure vision, making it harder for players to coordinate their attacks.

Coordinated Attacks with Multiple Krakens

• Divide and Conquer: If using more than one Kraken, have them attack from different directions. This can split the party's focus and resources, making it harder for them to mount a coordinated defense.
• Communication: Krakens can communicate telepathically. Use this to coordinate their attacks, allowing them to set up ambushes or retreat strategically if the battle turns against them.
• Overwhelming Force: Multiple Krakens can create a sense of overwhelming force. Use this to instill fear and urgency, pushing players to think creatively and strategically to survive.

Fleeing and Retreat Strategies

• Submerge and Escape: If the battle is not going in the Kraken's favor, it can use its ability to submerge and escape into the depths. This can set up a future encounter, keeping the players on their toes.
• Storm Cover: Use the Kraken's ability to summon storms as a cover for retreat. The rough seas and poor visibility can make it difficult for players to pursue.
• Regroup and Return: If using multiple Krakens, have them retreat to regroup and plan a counterattack. This can create a dynamic and ongoing threat that players must deal with over time.

By leveraging the Kraken's unique abilities and environment, you can create a challenging and thrilling encounter that will test your players' skills and creativity.