Hellgrammite, Giant

More than a dozen segmented black legs propel this giant, caterpillar-like insect, its thick head dominated by a pair of powerful, gnashing pincers.

Hellgrammite, Giant (CR 5)

Large Vermin (Aquatic)
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +0
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Perception +5

Speed: 30 feet, Swim 20 feet
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 16, touch 9, flat-footed 16 (+7 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 52 (7d8+21)
Saving Throws: Fort +8, Ref +2, Will +1
Immunity: mind-affecting effects

Offense

Melee: bite +8 (2d8+4 plus Grab), tail slap +3 (1d8+2)
Reach: 10 feet

Special Attacks: death grip, Constrict (2d8+4)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
19 (+4)	11 (+0)	16 (+3)	-	9 (-1)	2 (-4)

Base Attack Bonus: +5
CMB +10 (+14 Grapple)
CMD 20 (28 vs. Trip)

Feats:

Skills: Climb +8, Perception +5 (+9 in water), Stealth +1 (+9 in water), Swim +7

• Racial Modifiers: +4 Perception (+8 in water), +8 Stealth in water

Languages:

Special Qualities: Amphibious

Special Abilities

Death Grip (Ex)

Upon its death, a hellgrammite's massive jaws close tightly and lock. Any creature or object that is grappled at the time of the hellgrammite's death takes an additional 1d8+2 points of damage per round unless it makes a DC 22 Escape Artist check, makes a DC 20 Strength check, or deals an additional 10 points of damage to the hellgrammite's corpse to escape.

Ecology

Environment: Temperate Rivers or Streams
Organization: solitary or pair
Treasure: none


Giant hellgrammites are the fierce and predacious larvae of dobsonflies of terrifying size. While their diminutive brethren measure several inches long, the monstrous variety measure 10 feet long and weigh up to 800 pounds. The body of the giant hellgrammite is long and flattened, and generally ranges from dark brown to reddish in color. The front third of its body consists of a well-armored head and thoracic segments, with stout, segmented legs. The head possesses a fearsome set of jaws, small antennae, and a set of clustered eye spots on either side.

The posterior two-thirds of the hellgrammite consist of nine densely haired abdominal segments, each with a pair of lateral filaments and gill tufts underneath for underwater breathing. The hellgrammite's abdomen ends in a pair of terminal prolegs, each with a pair of hooks, which aid the creature in climbing or anchoring itself in fast-moving currents, and can be used in a tail slap to slash at its enemies. The giant hellgrammite is a simple but ferocious predator.

It latches onto its prey with its deadly jaws and proceeds to crush the life from it, feeding on the body after its victim can no longer struggle. The hellgrammite often attempts to drag the prey back to a protected area between or behind stream boulders, or down to the bottom of a deep side-pool. The strength of a hellgrammite's jaws is so great that, even in death, they clench tightly and do not relinquish their grip.