Giant Crystalized Hercules Beetle
The giant crystalized hercules beetle is one of the largest creatures in the Crystal Grove. Although not the smartest of creatures, its defensive capabilities are unrivaled. The females are significantly smaller than the males of its kind, and one male usually protects multiple females.
Crystal Diet
The giant crystalized hercules beetle has earned its name because of its diet. It eats nothing but the ever growing crystal, which in turn has given it a crystalised exoskeleton, granting it supernatural defenses. These creatures are the only creatures that consume the crystal and thus, are important to the Crystal Grove’s survival. Without these creatures, the Crystal Grove would grow shut and eventually destroying all its inhabitants.
Herd Tactics
When threatened, the giant crystalized Hercules’s beetle females retreat to their protector. The male will interpose its huge body in between its females and the threat. If this Intimidation is unsuccessful, the male will engage and use its horn to launch its enemies up from the ground. This display is usually enough to deter even the most determined predator.
Blessed with Intelligence
The giant crystalized Hercules beetle Serek’Than was one of the few to achieve sentience. Although most never reach this point, but some have achieved the same. The only way for a giant crystalized hercules beetle to achieve sentience is to eat amplified crystal, which is imbued with the essence of Hixya. Finding these spots is not of extreme difficulty, but the low base intelligence of the giant crystalized hercules beetle cause most instances of sentienvce to happen on accident.
Crystal Regeneration
The crystal on its exoskeleton does not only provide protection, but also rebuilds itself if resources are near. If a giant crystalized hercules beetle’s armor is damage as a result of battle, it will look for large crystal formations to let the magic of the crystal restore itself. Sentient giant crystalized hercules beetles usually make their home around one of these formations, resulting in a permanent regenerative ability.
Sentience
When a giant crystalized Hercules beetle achieves sentience through the Hixya crystal, its intelligence stat becomes 12 (+1) , and gains the following feature:
Limited Telepathy. the giant crystalized hercules beetle can mentally communicate with any creature within 60 feet. The creature can not mentally respond.
Giant Crystalized Hercules Beetle (F)
Large monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 42 (5d8 + 20)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., fly 15 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 17 (+3) | 8 (-1) | 18 (+4) | 3 (-4) | 11 (0) | 3 (-4) |
Saving Throws Str +5, Con +6
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks
Senses passive perception 10
Languages None
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Crystal Body. The giant crystalized hercules beetle regains 10 hp at the start of each turn if it is within 60 feet of a crystal formation.
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Giant Crystalized Hercules Beetle (M)
Huge monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
Hit Points 42 (10d10 + 40)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 19 (+4) | 8 (-1) | 18 (+4) | 3 (-4) | 11 (0) | 3 (-4) |
Saving Throws Str +7, Con +7
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks
Senses passive perception 10
Languages None
Challenge 6 (2300 XP)
Crystal Body. The Giant Crystalized Hercules Beetle regains 10 hp at the start of each turn if it is within 60 feet of a crystal formation.
ACTIONS
Horn. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 20ft., one target. Hit 17 (3d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the Giant Crystalised Hercules Beetle hits a creature of Large size or smaller with its horn attack, it must make a DC 14 Strenght saving throw or be launched 20 feet in a direction, dealing 13 (3d8) bludgeoning damage when the creature hits the ground.