The squat newt’s body is dappled gray and chocolate-brown and covered in colorful, wart-like gems, most prominently over its back and along its thick tail. It has long claws, a mouth full of needle-like fangs, and a gleam of intelligence in its multifaceted amber eyes.
Mysterious Jungle Hunters. The huecambra is an unusual and rarely seen predator native to tropical jungles and swamps. It hides amid tall reeds or in murky stretches of water, covering itself in mud to hide the gleam of the gem-like growths covering its body. Basilisks, crocodiles, and venomous snakes are the favored prey of a huecambra, though it eats just about anything it can catch. While the true origin of the huecambra remains a mystery, the people of the jungles and swamps where the monster lives believe the creature to be born from the soul of a person overcome with greed and vanity.
Gems with Teeth. The huecambra is often hunted for its gem-like growths, which are useful in constructing magic items that protect their wearers from petrification and poison. The luster of the gems also inspires humanoids to hunt them, and brooches and necklaces of huecambra gems are popular items among the social elite of certain countries and city-states.
Huecambra
Large monstrosity, unalignedArmor Class 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points 136 (13d10 + 65)
Speed 40 ft., swim 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 20 (+5) | 8 (-1) | 13 (+1) | 17 (+3) |
Saving Throws Con +8
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +4
Damage Immunities poison, thunder
Condition Immunities charmed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages —
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Actions
Multiattack. The huecambra makes three attacks: one with its bite, one with its claw, and one with its tail.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or become cursed. While cursed, the creature grows gem-like growths across its body. When the cursed creature takes damage that isn’t poison or psychic, it and each creature within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 7 (2d6) thunder damage. This damage doesn’t trigger further explosions. The curse lasts until it is lifted by a remove curse spell or similar magic.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) slashing damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Gem Explosion (Recharge 6). The huecambra causes some of the gem-like nodules on its body to detonate. Each creature within 20 feet of the huecambra must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 24 (7d6) thunder damage and is stunned until the end of its next turn. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn’t stunned. A creature cursed by the huecambra’s bite has disadvantage on this saving throw.