Page 176 - D&D Bestiary

GRIMLOCK

The degenerate subterranean grimlocks were once
human, but their worship of the mind flayers over
generations of prowling the Underdark transformed
them into blind, monstrous cannibals long ago.
Debased Cultists. The empire of the mind flayers
once spread across many worlds, enslaving countless
races. Among those were human cultures whose high
priests the mind flayers subverted using their insidious
powers of thought control. Those leaders gradually
turned the faiths of their followers toward the illithids,
which they worshiped as blasphemous deities.
Over time, the rituals of these enslaved humans
created fervent cannibal cults that regarded the brain
eating of the mind flayers as a holy sacrament. The
illithids commanded their worshipers to abduct other
sentient creatures to be sacrificed. After the victims'
brains had been consumed, the mind flayers gave the
lifeless bodies to the cultists.
Blind Hunters. When the rule of the mind flayers GRIMLOCK
crumbled, their cults faced constant warfare from their Medium humanoid (grimlock), neutral evil
enemies, the same creatures that had once been their
Armor Class 11
victims. The cults fled into the Underdark domains of
Hit Points 11 (2d8 + 2)
their illithid gods. Over generations in that lightless
Speed 30ft.
realm, the cultists learned to rely on their other senses
for survival. In time, their eyes withered away and
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
eyelids sealed, leaving only covered eye sockets behind.
16 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 9 (- 1) 8 (- 1) 6 (-2)
A grimlock's ears prick up at the faintest footfall or
whisper echoing down stone passageways. It can speak Skills Athletics +5, Perception +3, Stealth +3
in tones too low for most other humanoids to hear. The Condition Immunities blinded
odors of sweat, flesh, and blood awaken its hunger, Senses blindsight 30ft. or 10ft. while deafened (blind beyond
and it can track by such scents like a bloodhound. To this radius), passive Perception 13
enhance their senses, grim locks leave trails of blood, Languages Undercommon
piles of dung, or the viscera of slain prey in places far Challenge 1/4 (SO XP)
from their lairs. When intruders pass through those
areas, they carry the foul scents with them, warning the Blind Senses. The grim lock can't use its blindsight while
grimlocks of their approach. deafened and unable to smell.
For most creatures, blindness is an enormous
Keen Hearing and Smell. The grim lock has advantage on
hindrance. For a grimlock with its other heightened
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
senses, sightlessness is a boon. A grimlock isn't fooled
by visual illusions or misperceptions. It is fearless as it Stone Camouflage. The grimlock has advantage on Dexterity
stalks prey. (Stealth) checks made to hide in rocky terrain.
Endless War. Grimlocks still venerate the mind
flayers, serving them whenever possible. Grim locks also ACTIONS
recall the war in which they were driven underground. Spiked Bone Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
To them, it has never ended. They continue to return one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage plus 2 (1d4)
to the surface world to abduct captives for their piercing damage.
illithid masters.

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