A serpent with a midsection wider than its head or its tail leaps high into the air, its fanged mouth agape.
Tsuchinoko are venomous snakes with a unique way of moving through the air and a taste for alcohol.
Alcohol Seekers. Tsuchinoko have an excellent sense of smell, which they use to find their favorite delicacies: rodents, birds, and, above all, alcohol. Although the snakes don’t usually attack humans, tsuchinoko are known to kill travelers who are carrying a flask of ale or a bottle of spirits. Large groups of these creatures sometimes assault merchant caravans traveling through the forest.
Mobile Predators. Tsuchinoko spend most of their time hiding, relying on their natural camouflage to help them catch meals. They have two special modes of movement for chasing prey when ambushes fail: leaping and rolling. The serpents can throw themselves into the air then leap a second time at the zenith of their first jump, allowing them to clear obstacles and bite low- flying targets. A tsuchinoko can also swallow the end of its tail, forming its body into a hoop that rolls through the forest with ease.
Rumors of Sapience. Though such sounds have never been recorded, some claim that the deepest, darkest parts of the forest are home to tsuchinoko that can speak. It is said that these tsuchinoko enjoy mischief and pranks, and they steer travelers towards hazards, monsters, and other trouble as entertainment.
Tsuchinoko
Tiny beast, unalignedArmor Class 14
Hit Points 14 (4d4 + 4)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (–3) | 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 2 (–4) | 12 (+1) | 5 (–3) |
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +6
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses blindsight 10 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Keen Smell. The tsuchinoko has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Plant Camouflage. The tsuchinoko has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks it makes in any terrain with ample obscuring plant life.
Standing Leap. The tsuchinoko’s long jump is up to 15 feet and its high jump is up to 5 feet, with or without a running start.
Actions
Multiattack. The tsuchinoko makes two leaping bite attacks. The second attack has disadvantage and must be made against the same target as the first.
Leaping Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage plus 5 (2d4) poison damage.
Hoop Form. The tsuchinoko bites its tail, forming a hoop with its body. While in hoop form, the tsuchinoko has a walking speed of 60 feet and can’t make leaping bite attacks. The tsuchinoko can end its hoop form as a bonus action.