Tomb Tapper

The Tomb Tapper

The Netherese arcanists who created these creatures called them "Thaluud", which means "faceless". Wrought from the fusion of magic and elemental earth, each of these sexless, hairless warriors stands 15 to 21 feet tall and possesses a lust for magic, an inherited memory (composed of recollections from the souls sacrificed in their creation), and an insane hatred for nonhuman spellcasting creatures. Tomb tappers can dig through earth and rock with their claws or use their metal sledgehammers to shatter rock when needed. They absorb water through their skin and crush rock with their jaws to extract mineral sustenance. They can also digest iron from blood and marrow, if mineral-rich rock is unavailable.
The Netherese sent the thaluud into The Underdark to exterminate their enemies, most notably the magic-devouring, funnel-shaped creatures known as phaerimm. Other creatures targeted by the thaluud include the Illithid (Mind Flayers), Derro, The Drow, and the Duergar. Tomb tappers communicate with one another by means of a humming sound created by skin vibrations.

Seekers of Magic

Tomb tappers received their colloquial name from their habit of burrowing into the depths to plunder tombs, temples, and caves in search of magic items, which they bear off. They usually try to seize magic from beings that they encounter.
Magic is sacred to tomb tappers. They don't use any magic items they aquire, instead choosing to protect and venerate such items. Tappers spend their long lives in the search for the source of all magic, which they believe to be hidden deep in The Underdark. They are in awe of Earth Elemental's, believing that they come directly from this source, and are reluctant to attack them.

Rock Eating

A Feeding Tomb Tapper by forgottenrealms.fandom

Basic Information

Anatomy

Construct, Tomb Tapper: these sexless, hairless warriors stand 15 to 21 feet tall with long arms and legs ending in powerful claws. In the center of the torso a gaping maw filled with rows of sharp teeth can be seen.

Genetics and Reproduction

Wrought from the fusion of magic and elemental earth in a ritual involving sacrifice.

Ecology and Habitats

The Underdark.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They absorb water through their skin and crush rock with their jaws to extract mineral sustenance. They can also digest iron from blood and marrow, if mineral-rich rock is unavailable.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

• Blindsight 240ft (Blind beyond this radius), and
• Passive Perception 16

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Understands Kelldorian (Common), and Undercommon but doesn't speak, Telepathy 60ft.

A Tomb Trapper by forgottenrealms.fandom

Origin/Ancestry

Construct (Tomb Tapper)

Average Height

15 to 21 feet tall

Tomb Tapper CR: 10 (5,900XP)

Huge construct, lawful neutral

Armor Class: 17 (Natural Armour)

Hit Points: 207 (18D12+90)

Speed: 30 ft , burrow: 10 ft

STR

22 +6

DEX

10 +0

CON

21 +5

INT

14 +2

WIS

14 +2

CHA

11 +0

Skills: Perception +6

Damage Resistances: Lightning.

Damage Immunities: Cold and Fire.

Condition Immunities: Charmed and Frightened.

Senses: Blindsight 240ft (Blind beyond this radius), and Passive Perception 16

Languages: Understands Kelldorian (Common) and Undercommon but cannot speak, Telepathy 60ft.

Challenge Rating: 10 (5,900XP)

Petrified Death

A Tomb tapper reduced to 0 hit points turns into a lifeless stone statue. Anything it's wearing or carrying is not transformed.

Sense Magic

The tomb tapper senses magic within 30 feet of it and can use an Action to pinpoint the location of any creature, object, or area in that range that bears magic. This sense penetrates barriers but is blocked by a thin sheet of lead.

Tunneler

The tomb tapper can burrow through solid rock at half its burrowing speed and leaves a 10-foot-wide, 20-foot-tall tunnel in its wake.

Unusual Nature

The tomb tapper doesn't require air or sleep.

Actions

Multiattack

The tomb tapper makes two melee attacks with its sledgehammer or with its claws. If it hits the same creature with both claws, it can pull that creature within 5 feet of its mouth and make a bite attack against it.

Bite

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 To Hit, Reach 5ft, One Target. Hit: 22 (3D10+6) Slashing Damage.

Claw

Melee Weapon Attack: +10 To Hit, Reach 10ft, One Target. Hit: 16 (3D6+6) Slashing Damage.

Sledgehammer

Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 To Hit, Reach 15ft, or range 30/120ft, One Target. Hit: 27 (6D6+6) Bludgeoning or Force Damage (tomb tapper's choice). If thrown, the hammer returns to the tomb tapper at the end of its turn, landing at the tomb tapper's feet if it doesn't have a hand free to catch the weapon.

Suggested Environments

The Underdark.