Verdanthral Maw
Gargantuan • Plant • Unaligned
Armor Class 16
Hit Points 280 (17d20 + 102)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
Initiative +3 (13)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 (+6) | 16 (+3) | 22 (+6) | 6 (-2) | 13 (+1) | 9 (-1) |
Saving Throws Str +11, Con +11
Skills Athletics +11, Perception +6
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
Senses blindsight 30 ft., tremorsense 150 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages understands Sylvan but can’t speak
CR 14 (XP 11,500; PB +5)
Bloodied – Clogging Sap. While bloodied, the maw gains 10 temporary hit points at the start of each of its turns.
Rooted Resilience. The maw has advantage on checks and saving throws against being moved or knocked prone.
Shifting Body. The maw can be in the same space as Large or smaller objects and it can move through a space as narrow as 10 feet wide without squeezing. Further, it ignores difficult terrain created by mundane plants or plant-based spells and effects, such as its Alter Terrain ability.
Spider Climb. The maw can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Unusual Nature. The maw doesn't require air or sleep.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The maw makes two Slam and one Bite attack. It can replace one attack with a use of Vine Cluster.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +11, reach 15 ft. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11, reach 10 ft. Hit: 25 (3d12 + 6) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 19), and it is restrained until the grapple ends.
Vine Cluster. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 19, one creature within 150 feet that the maw can see. Failure: 16 (3d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage and the target is knocked prone and restrained until the vines are destroyed (AC 13; HP 20; vulnerability to slashing damage; immunity to poison and psychic damage).
BONUS ACTIONS
Alter Terrain (1/Day). Constitution Saving Throw: DC 19, each creature in a 100-foot emanation originating from the maw. Failure: The target is knocked prone and loses its concentration. Failure or Success: The area becomes difficult terrain, and 1d6 fissures open in the effect’s area. The maw chooses the fissures’ locations. Each fissure is 1d10 × 10 feet deep and 10 feet wide, extending from the maw to the edge of the effect. A creature in the same space as a fissure falls in.
Swallow. Strength Saving Throw: DC 19, one Large or smaller creature grappled by the maw (it can have up to three creatures swallowed at a time). Failure: The target is swallowed by the maw, and the grapple ends. A swallowed creature is blinded and restrained, has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the maw, and takes 17 (5d6) acid damage at the start of each of the maw’s turns.
If the maw takes 30 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the maw must succeed on a DC 25 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, each of which falls in a space within 5 feet of the maw and is prone. If the maw dies, any swallowed creature is no longer restrained and can escape from the corpse using 20 feet of movement, exiting prone.
Verdanthral Maw
Gargantuan • Plant • Unaligned
Armor Class 15
Hit Points 232 (15d20 + 75)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
Initiative +2 (12)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 (+5) | 15 (+2) | 20 (+5) | 6 (-2) | 13 (+1) | 9 (-1) |
Saving Throws Str +9, Con +9
Skills Athletics +9, Perception +5
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
Senses blindsight 30 ft., tremorsense 150 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages understands Sylvan but can’t speak
CR 11 (XP 7,200; PB +4)
Bloodied – Clogging Sap. While bloodied, the maw gains 10 temporary hit points at the start of each of its turns.
Rooted Resilience. The maw has advantage on checks and saving throws against being moved or knocked prone.
Shifting Body. The maw can be in the same space as Large or smaller objects and it can move through a space as narrow as 10 feet wide without squeezing. Further, it ignores difficult terrain created by mundane plants or plant-based spells and effects, such as its Alter Terrain ability.
Spider Climb. The maw can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Unusual Nature. The maw doesn't require air or sleep.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The maw makes two Slam and one Bite attack. It can replace one attack with a use of Vine Cluster.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +9, reach 15 ft. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9, reach 10 ft. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 17), and it is restrained until the grapple ends.
Vine Cluster. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 17, one creature within 150 feet that the maw can see. Failure: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage and the target is knocked prone and restrained until the vines are destroyed (AC 13; HP 15; vulnerability to slashing damage; immunity to poison and psychic damage).
BONUS ACTIONS
Alter Terrain (1/Day). Constitution Saving Throw: DC 17, each creature in a 100-foot emanation originating from the maw. Failure: The target is knocked prone and loses its concentration. Failure or Success: The area becomes difficult terrain, and 1d6 fissures open in the effect’s area. The maw chooses the fissures’ locations. Each fissure is 1d10 × 10 feet deep and 10 feet wide, extending from the maw to the edge of the effect. A creature in the same space as a fissure falls in.
Swallow. Strength Saving Throw: DC 17, one Large or smaller creature grappled by the maw (it can have up to three creatures swallowed at a time). Failure: The target is swallowed by the maw, and the grapple ends. A swallowed creature is blinded and restrained, has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the maw, and takes 14 (4d6) acid damage at the start of each of the maw’s turns.
If the maw takes 30 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the maw must succeed on a DC 25 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, each of which falls in a space within 5 feet of the maw and is prone. If the maw dies, any swallowed creature is no longer restrained and can escape from the corpse using 20 feet of movement, exiting prone.
Verdanthral Maw
Gargantuan • Plant • Unaligned
Armor Class 17
Hit Points 315 (18d20 + 126)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
Initiative +3 (13)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 (+7) | 17 (+3) | 24 (+7) | 6 (-2) | 14 (+2) | 9 (-1) |
Saving Throws Str +13, Con +13
Skills Athletics +13, Perception +8
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
Senses blindsight 60 ft., tremorsense 150 ft., passive Perception 18
Languages understands Sylvan but can’t speak
CR 17 (XP 18,000; PB +6)
Bloodied – Clogging Sap. While bloodied, the maw gains 20 temporary hit points at the start of each of its turns.
Rooted Resilience. The maw has advantage on checks and saving throws against being moved or knocked prone.
Shifting Body. The maw can be in the same space as Large or smaller objects and it can move through a space as narrow as 10 feet wide without squeezing. Further, it ignores difficult terrain created by mundane plants or plant-based spells and effects, such as its Alter Terrain ability.
Spider Climb. The maw can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Unusual Nature. The maw doesn't require air or sleep.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The maw makes two Slam and one Bite attack. It can replace one attack with a use of Vine Cluster.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +13, reach 15 ft. Hit: 25 (4d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13, reach 10 ft. Hit: 33 (4d12 + 7) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 21), and it is restrained until the grapple ends.
Vine Cluster. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 21, one creature within 150 feet that the maw can see. Failure: 23 (4d6 + 7) bludgeoning damage and the target is knocked prone and restrained until the vines are destroyed (AC 13; HP 30; vulnerability to slashing damage; immunity to poison and psychic damage).
BONUS ACTIONS
Alter Terrain (1/Day). Constitution Saving Throw: DC 21, each creature in a 150-foot emanation originating from the maw. Failure: The target is knocked prone and loses its concentration. Failure or Success: The area becomes difficult terrain, and 1d6 fissures open in the effect’s area. The maw chooses the fissures’ locations. Each fissure is 1d10 × 10 feet deep and 10 feet wide, extending from the maw to the edge of the effect. A creature in the same space as a fissure falls in.
Swallow. Strength Saving Throw: DC 21, one Large or smaller creature grappled by the maw (it can have up to three creatures swallowed at a time). Failure: The target is swallowed by the maw, and the grapple ends. A swallowed creature is blinded and restrained, has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the maw, and takes 21 (6d6) acid damage at the start of each of the maw’s turns.
If the maw takes 40 damage or more on a single turn from a creature inside it, the maw must succeed on a DC 25 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, each of which falls in a space within 5 feet of the maw and is prone. If the maw dies, any swallowed creature is no longer restrained and can escape from the corpse using 20 feet of movement, exiting prone.
QUICK REFERENCE
Habitat
- Found in ancient forests and overgrown ruins
- Summoned by druids in rituals to protect nature
- Places where nature is corrupted and twisted or becomes alive and sentient
Behavior
- Very territorial and task-driven, lying dormant until needed
- Treats even trees and structures as extensions of itself, climbing walls and ceilings
- Doesn’t negotiate, doesn’t retreat – fights until its task is fulfilled or it is destroyed
Information (Intelligence Check)
- DC 16 History: Identifies as a ruthless guardian of nature, destroying those threatening large forests or important groves
- DC 19 Survival: Realize it adapts easily and quickly to nature despite its massive form, but is not above warping the terrain
- DC 22 Nature: Learn it is often summoned yet sometimes spawned naturally, acting mindlessly to fulfill what it was tasked to do
Combat
- Get in close with targets to deal out its high melee damage
- Swallow melee fighters and then continue to on and get into melee range with the range characters, using Vine Cluster if necessary to halt their escape
- Alter Terrain is used either directly at the beginning of a fight for maximum chaos or after the first swallowed character to make it harder to deal damage to the verdanthral maw when it hides and moves through the34 fissures, thanks to Spider Climbing
Loot Ideas
- Verdanthral vines, which can be crafted into durable ropes, wipes, and similar objects
- Clogging sap serves as base for a healing potion or can be used directly with the effects of a healer’s kit; optionally, it serves as an ingredient when refined for sovereign glue.
USING MONSTER VARIANTS
Monster variants allow the GM to adjust encounters to better match the party’s strength, narrative needs, or world-building logic. A weaker variant may represent a juvenile, wounded, or lesser specimen, while a stronger variant can serve as a leader, champion, ancient creature, or apex predator.
Variants can be used to fine-tune difficulty without changing the core identity of the monster, making them ideal for scaling encounters, reinforcing hierarchy within a faction, or creating memorable boss-style enemies. You can even use the same stat block but different variants in the same encounter if you want.
Design Note. Each monster is primarily balanced around its normal version. Weaker and stronger variants are derived adjustments and may not always preserve every tactical nuance or “feel” of the original creature. GMs are encouraged to review variants carefully and adjust abilities or tactics as needed to best suit their table.