Skarthvaldr

Huge construct · CR 14

A classic monster for D&D 5e.

The iron scent of death follows its tread.

Abilities

  • STR: 18 (+4)
  • DEX: 14 (+2)
  • CON: 20 (+5)
  • INT: 16 (+3)
  • WIS: 14 (+2)
  • CHA: 12 (+1)

Stats

  • Armor Class: 16 (natural armor)
  • Hit Points: 210 (20d12+80)
  • Speed: 30 ft., climb 15 ft.
  • Skills: Investigation +9, Medicine +8
  • Challenge: 14 (11,500 XP)

Quarantine Stitching

Patchwork doors once used to seal plague‑ridden wards form the creature’s chassis, each slab still warm from the iron bolts that bind them, humming faintly with lingering ward magic.

Plague Aura

A faint miasma of wet stone and hot iron clings to the construct, granting it resistance to disease and causing nearby creatures to make DC 16 Constitution saves or suffer disadvantage on attacks for one round.

Scalpel Lash

+9 to hit, 2d10+4 piercing. The rusted scalpel swings with surgical precision, its blade slick with corrosive tallow that sears flesh.

Miasma Burst

+8 to hit, 3d8 poison. The construct releases a cloud of choking smoke that fills a 15‑foot radius, obscuring vision and forcing creatures to succeed on a DC 15 Constitution save or take the poison damage and become poisoned until the end of their next turn.

Tactics

Skarthvaldr stalks the party, lingering near the wounded to siphon their vitality. It opens with Miasma Burst to blind and debilitate, then uses Scalpel Lash to target the most injured ally. When threatened, it retreats behind its heavy doors, using its Quarantine Stitching to absorb damage and re‑assemble damaged sections before re‑engaging.

Tags: construct, plague, dungeon

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