Tome of Beasts: Tophet

An enormous bronze and iron statue filled with fire towers above the ring of chanting, frenzied worshipers.

Tophets are used by worshipers of fire gods, who toss sacrifices into their flaming maws to incinerate them. A tophet has a large opening in the front where the flames can be seen; sometimes this is an enormous mouth, and at other times it is a large hole in the tophet’s belly. Horns and expressions of anger or wide‑mouthed laughter are common.

Eager for Sacrifices. Among fire cultists, it’s widely known that when a tophet’s hands are raised above its mouth, it is demanding a sacrifice to roll down its palms and into its fiery maw.

Heed Musical Commands. Flutes and drums can (sometimes) be used to control the actions of a tophet during sacrifices. They have the fortunate side effect of drowning out the cries and screams of living sacrifices.

Magical Fires. The fires within a tophet’s bronze body are largely magical and fueled by sacrifices. They don’t require more than a symbolic amount of wood or coal to keep burning, but they do require sacrifices of food, cloth, and (eventually) living creatures to keep them under control. A tophet that is not granted a sacrifice when it demands one might go on a fiery rampage, burning down buildings, granaries, or barns until its hunger is satisfied.

Constructed Nature. A tophet doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep.

TOPHET

Huge construct, neutral evil

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)

Hit Points 184 (16d12 + 80)

Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 24 (+7) 10 (+0) 20 (+5) 6 (−2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)

Saving Throws Str +10, Con +8, Dex +3

Skills Perception +3

Damage Resistances necrotic

Damage Immunities fire, cold, poison

Condition Immunities exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed,

petrified, poisoned

Senses darkvision 200 ft., passive Perception 13

Languages Common

Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)

Fiery Heart. A tophet’s inner fire can be ignited or doused at will. Its heat is such that all creatures have resistance to cold damage while within 30 feet of the tophet.

Burning Belly. Creatures inside a tophet’s burning core take 21 (6d6) fire damage at the start of each of the tophet’s turns. Escaping from a tophet’s belly takes 10 feet of movement and a successful DC 16 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check.

ACTIONS

Multiattack. A tophet makes two attacks, no more than one of which can be a gout of flame.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack. +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (1d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage. The target is also knocked inside the tophet’s burning belly if the attack scores a critical hit.

Gout of Flame. The tophet targets a point within 100 feet of itself that it can see. All targets within 10 feet of that point take 22 (4d10) fire damage, or half damage with a successful DC 16 Dexterity saving throw.

___

But this is where we must stop for now, my friend. My mind, it wanders so at times. Do come see me again, though, for more of the wonders and surprises of Midgard. (OGL)

This creature comes from the Tome of Beasts. You can continue on this adventure in the Midgard Worldbook, Midgard Heroes Handbook, Creature Codex, and Creature Codex Pawns!

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