Tome of Beasts: Garroter Crab

These aggressive, blue-black freshwater crabs inhabit rivers and streams, scuttling along the muddy terrain in search of prey.

Strangling Claws. Garroter crabs are named for their abnormal right claws, which have evolved over time to strangle prey like a barbed whip.

Clacking Hordes. Their long whip-claw is lined with powerful muscles and joints at the beginning, middle, and end that give it great flexibility. During mating season, thousands of garroter crabs congregate in remote riverbanks and marshes, and the males whip their shells with a clacking sound to attract a mate.

Small Prey. Garroter crabs prey on rodents, cats, and other small animals caught by the riverbank.

GARROTER CRAB

Tiny beast, unaligned

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

Hit Points 18 (4d4 + 8)

Speed 30 ft., swim 20 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 7 (−2) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 1 (−5) 10 (+0) 2 (−4)

Damage Immunities psychic

Condition Immunities charmed, frightened

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10

Languages —

Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)

Amphibious. The crab can breathe air and water.

ACTIONS

Whip-claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 8). While grappled, the target cannot speak or cast spells with verbal components.

GARROTTER CRABS IN MIDGARD

Common to the Argental upriver from the Free City of Zobeck, garroter crabs are used by the Kariv gypsies and crab diviners in their divinations. The Kariv greatly respect the garroter crabs for their divine abilities and treat them as sacred creatures, and never eat them. However, local Zobeckers hold no such notions and find them quite delectable, especially the males.

Much larger garroter crabs exist, and the Kariv believe that these incredibly rare crabs can shape the future, as well as divine it.

<<PREVIOUSLY

___

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!