Ponaturi

Medium fey (aquatic), chaotic evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 96 (13d10 + 26)

Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft.

STR 17 (+3) · DEX 14 (+2) · CON 15 (+2) · INT 11 (+0) · WIS 12 (+1) · CHA 13 (+1)

Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +4

Skills Perception +3

Damage Vulnerabilities fire, radiant

Damage Resistances cold; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non-magical attacks while the ponaturi is fully submerged

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

Languages Māori, Aquan

Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Traits

Amphibious. The ponaturi can breathe air and water.

Bioluminescent Hide. Unless it uses a bonus action to suppress the glow, the ponaturi sheds dim green light in a 10-foot radius. While glowing, it has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks, and attack rolls against it have advantage if the attacker can see it. The glow returns at the start of its turn.

Sunlight Doom. At the start of each of the ponaturi’s turns when it is in direct sunlight, it takes 20 radiant damage. If this damage reduces it to 0 hit points, the ponaturi disintegrates into briny vapor and cannot be restored except by a wish spell.

Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the ponaturi has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Actions

Multiattack. The ponaturi makes two Talon attacks.

Talon. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d8 + 3 slashing plus 1d6 cold) damage.

Riptide Lance (Recharge 5–6). A jet of pressurized seawater erupts in a 30-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in the line must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw, taking 18 (4d8) bludgeoning damage and being pushed up to 15 feet away on a failed save, or half as much damage and no push on a successful one. Unsecured objects weighing 300 pounds or less are automatically pushed.

Bonus Actions

Shadow of the Deep. While in dim light, darkness, or underwater, the ponaturi takes the Hide action.

Reactions

Raking Riposte. When a creature the ponaturi can see misses it with a melee attack, the ponaturi makes one Talon attack against that creature.

Lore

Similar to patupaiarehe but live in the sea and come ashore only at night.

Ponaturi are beings often noted for their habit of coming ashore at night to sleep. Far from simple elemental spirits, the Ponaturi are an organized force acting under the jurisdiction of one of the major deities in the Māori pantheon. They are sometimes called Amphibian Fairies because they dwell both in the sea and on land.

They share certain traits: pale or light skin, reddish-blond or fair hair, and no tattooing. Their most critical common feature is extreme vulnerability to direct sunlight and to fire—either can be fatal.

From Oceanian Bestiary 5E, p. 70 · Fern Flower Press