Tikokura

Gargantuan elemental, chaotic neutral

Armor Class 18

Hit Points — (see Immortal Surge)

Speed 0 ft., swim 100 ft.

STR 28 (+9) · DEX 16 (+3) · CON 28 (+9) · INT 12 (+1) · WIS 18 (+4) · CHA 19 (+4)

Saving Throws Dex +9, Con +15, Wis +10, Cha +10

Skills Perception +10, Insight +10, Intimidation +10

Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing; cold, fire, lightning, necrotic, poison, thunder

Condition Immunities all (Tikokura can’t be affected by any condition)

Senses blindsight 300 ft. (water only), passive Perception 20

Languages Aquan, Common (speaks by echoing surf)

Challenge —

Traits

Immortal Surge. Tikokura’s essence is the ocean’s wrath. He has no hit points and can’t be destroyed by damage. If reduced to 0 hit points by a disintegrate spell or similar effect, he reforms at full strength at the next high tide. Tikokura can be placated for 30 days by a successful 10-minute ritual that expends treasure worth 1,000 gp per observer (DC 18 Religion).

Fluid Form. Tikokura occupies a 30-foot-radius cylinder 60 feet tall. He can move through spaces as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing and can share a space with other creatures. Structures and ships in his space automatically take double damage from his Wave Slam.

Tidal Dominion. Nonmagical flames are extinguished within 120 feet of Tikokura. Difficult terrain composed of water costs him no extra movement, and he can breathe both air and water.

Actions

Crushing Curl (Recharge 5–6). Creatures in a 120-foot-long, 40-foot-wide line must make a DC 18 Strength save, taking 55 (10d10) bludgeoning damage and being pushed up to 60 feet on a failed save, or half as much damage and pushed 20 feet on a success. Creatures pushed onto dry land are knocked prone.

Riptide Grasp. One creature within 60 feet and in contact with water is dragged up to 40 feet toward Tikokura and restrained (escape DC 18). Until the grapple ends, the creature is submerged and can’t breathe unless it can breathe water.

Lore

A malevolent spirit that takes the form of a giant wave.

Tikokura is one of the most fearsome sea spirits (tā'ae) in the mythology of Mangaia, a member of the Cook Islands archipelago. In local belief he has no anthropomorphic body and bears little resemblance to any familiar monster; his very essence is a gigantic storm-driven wave that consciously directs its own kinetic force. For a culture whose survival depends on navigation and fishing, Tikokura stands as the living embodiment of the ocean’s unpredictable, destructive power.

The danger Tikokura poses is never limited to the wave itself. The spirit usually operates in tandem with the demonic shark-king Tumuitearetoka. While Tumuitearetoka plays the role of physical predator, Tikokura shapes the battlefield—steering water to wash victims off a safe reef and into open sea, where the waiting shark can deliver the killing bite.

From Oceanian Bestiary 5E, p. 92 · Fern Flower Press