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Earthquake Beetle

by Jamie Baty

DMR2 15
Colossal Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 40d10+480 (700 hp)
Initiative: +2 (-2 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), burrow 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armour Class: 22 (-8 size, -2 Dex, +22 natural), touch 0, flat-footed 22
Base Attack/Grapple: +40/+73
Attack: Slam +58 melee (4d10 +19)
Full Attack: 4 Slams +58 melee (4d10 +19) and bite +52 melee (6d6 +8)
Space/Reach: 30 ft. +/20 ft. +
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, tremors
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60ft., Low-light vision, tremorsense
Saves: Fort +34, Ref +22, Will +16
Abilities: Str 45, Dex 6, Con 35, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Skills: Intimidate +8, Listen +14, Spot +14, Survival +11
Feats: Alertness, Awesome Blow, Cleave, Die Hard, Endurance, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical (Slam), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Slam), Weapon Specialisation (Slam)
Environment: Any underground
Organisation: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 19
Treasure: Standard plus 75% chance of 10d10 lbs of precious metal ore and 40% chance of 5d10 uncut gems
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 41-120 HD (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: -

This 100-foot-long creature is an orange-red beetle with 10 black-furred spider legs and the head and neck of a black dragon. The monster spends most of its time burrowing in dark, forgotten places, far beneath the earth, but occasionally comes to the surface in search of prey.
The earthquake beetle gets its name from the great tremors produced by its movement. As the beetle approaches the surface, the nonmagical tremors have a devastating affect upon the surrounding area.
Since the earthquake beetle spends most of its time burrowing underground, it occasionally devours deposits of precious metal, uncut gems and even parts of dungeons. Thus, considerable amounts of undigested treasure can often be found inside the creature's cavernous stomach.

Combat
The earthquake beetle attacks with blows from four of its legs and with its powerful bite. It will use its breath weapon if in a life-threatening situation. Earthquake beetles attack prey without hesitation.

Breath Weapon (Su): A earthquake beetle's breath weapon attack usually deals 6d10 acid damage in a 60' cone. Targets are allowed a Fortitude save for half damage (DC 42 Con based). Using a breath weapon is a standard action. Once an earthquake beetle breathes, it can't breathe again for another week. There is a 10% chance any encountered earthquake beetle has already breathed within the last week.

Tremors (Ex): The earthquake beetle causes massive tremors within 80ft of the creature when it burrows. These tremors cause damage and effects identical to the spell earthquake (CL 20th) and the spread effect is centred on (and moves with) the earthquake beetle.

Tremorsense (Ex): An earthquake beetle is sensitive to vibrations in the ground and can automatically pinpoint the location of anything that is in contact with the ground within 60ft.