Glass Gator

So called by some watermen because of its method of hunting, the glass gator is a nearly-transparent ambush hunter. It usually strikes from a bed of water, either stagnant or flowing. The transparency of the creature, combined with its jet of silt and poisonous sting, make it an effective hunter.

Strange Anatomy. The body of a glass gator is most similar to a centipede, but with four oversized forelimbs and a more distinct head. The forelimbs are used to attack, but they tire easily, forcing the glass gator to use its powerful lunge attack sparingly.

Once the glass gator gets hold of prey, it wraps its body around the victim and squeezes, like a constrictor snake. Unlike a serpent, however, which uses powerful muscles to crush and suffocate its prey, the glass gator is only trying to bring its underbelly into contact with the prey. The glass gator’s belly is lined with hundreds of stingers that deliver a virulent nerve toxin.

Transparency. The glass gator’s transparency isn’t total. Its digestive tract usually is visible, especially for a few hours after it eats. The creature sometimes uses this limited visibility as bait, making itself appear as a wriggling snake or eel. It is most vulnerable just after eating, when it’s lethargic; if encountered in its lair shortly after a meal, the DM may give the glass gator disadvantage on initiative.

Larval Form. Subterranean variants—including some with bioluminescence—have been reported in caverns. It’s been postulated that the glass gator may be the larval form of a larger creature, but what that larger creature might be is unknown.

Glass Gator

Large beast, unaligned
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 45 (7d10 + 7)
Speed 30 ft., swim 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
15 (+2) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 4 (-3) 10 (+0) 5 (-3)

Skills Perception +2, Stealth +4
Senses Blindsight 30 ft., Passive Perception 12
Languages
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Amphibious. The glass gator can breathe air and water.

Lunge. When the glass gator leaps at least 10 feet toward a creature and hits that creature with a claws attack on the same turn, it can immediately constrict the target as a bonus action.

Transparency. The glass gator has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks while underwater or in dim light.

Standing Leap. The glass gator can long jump up to 15 feet from water or up to 10 feet on land, with or without a running start.

Actions

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 12). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained and the glass gator can’t attack a different target.

Constrict. One creature that’s already grappled by the glass gator takes 7 (2d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage, or half as much poison damage with a successful DC 11 Constitution saving throw.

Reactions

Silt Cloud (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). After taking damage while in water, the glass gator thrashes to stir up a 10-foot-radius cloud of silt around itself. The area inside the sphere is heavily obscured for 1 minute (10 rounds) in still water or 5 (2d4) rounds in a strong current. After stirring up the silt, the glass gator can move its speed.

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