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    Gashadokuro, Apocalypse 餓者髑髏

    Gargantuan undead (yokai), chaotic evil

    Armor Class 22 (natural armor)

    Hit Points 550 (40d12 + 280)

    Speed 40 ft.

    STR 30 (+10) · DEX 10 (+0) · CON 26 (+8) · INT 10 (+0) · WIS 18 (+4) · CHA 18 (+4)

    Saving Throws Str +17, Con +15, Wis +11

    Skills Athletics +17, Perception +11, Intimidation +11

    Damage Resistances acid, cold, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, slashing from nonmagical

    Damage Immunities necrotic, poison

    Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned

    Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 21

    Languages understands Yokai Speech, Common (dialect) and anguished dead (cannot speak)

    Challenge 20

    Traits

    World-Shaking Titan. Gashadokuro is Gargantuan. It cannot be grappled, knocked prone, or forcibly moved by creatures smaller than Gargantuan unless an effect explicitly bypasses size restrictions. If forced movement does not specify size, Gashadokuro has advantage on the save.

    Mass Grave Essence (Apocalyptic). If Gashadokuro kills a Large or smaller creature with a melee attack, it can use its reaction to absorb that creature’s bones, restoring 40 HP. The remains become a twisted husk, requiring wish or equally powerful magic to restore.

    Skeletal Disassembly (2/Short Rest). Gashadokuro can detach a massive chunk of itself to create one of:

    • A Bone Naga (as above) or

    • A Wight (MM p. 300), GM’s choice.

    The proxy rolls its own initiative, obeys Gashadokuro, and remains until destroyed or reabsorbed (no action required if adjacent). Upon creation, Gashadokuro’s HP is reduced by 50 and is restored by 50 upon reabsorption.

    Nightmarish Howl (1/Encounter). The first time Gashadokuro is reduced below half HP, it releases a cataclysmic moan of the dead. Each hostile creature within 60 ft. that can hear must make a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute and take 21 (6d6) psychic damage. A frightened creature can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on success (and becoming immune 24 hrs).

    Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Gashadokuro fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

    Actions

    Multiattack. Gashadokuro makes four attacks in any combination of Skeletal Claw, Crushing Stomp, or Bone Storm if available.

    Skeletal Claw (Massive). Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target.

    Hit: 35 (5d10 + 10) slashing plus 14 (4d6) necrotic damage. The target (Huge or smaller) must succeed on a DC 20 Strength save or be knocked prone.

    Crushing Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 5 ft., one prone target.

    Hit: 44 (8d8 + 10) bludgeoning plus 17 (5d6) necrotic damage. If this reduces a creature to 0 HP, apply Mass Grave Essence.

    Bone Storm (Recharge 5-6). Gashadokuro thrashes violently in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or take 63 (14d8) slashing plus 21 (6d6) necrotic damage and be pushed 20 feet away and knocked prone. On a success, half damage and no push/ prone.

    Bonus Actions

    Bone Shard Volley. Gashadokuro hurls a cluster of bones at a creature within 60 ft. Ranged Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, one target.

    Hit: 22 (4d6 + 8) piercing + 14 (4d6) necrotic damage.

    Reactions

    Deathly Swipe (Mythic). When a creature within 15 feet misses Gashadokuro with a melee attack, Gashadokuro can make a Skeletal Claw attack against that creature with advantage. If it hits, add an extra 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.

    Legendary Actions

    Gashadokuro, Apocalypse can have up to 3 Legendary Actions at the end of another creature’s turn:

    1. Lurch (Costs 1 Action). Moves up to half speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

    2. Claw Attack (Costs 1 Action). Makes one Skeletal Claw attack.

    3. Monstrous Grab (Costs 2 Actions). Targets one creature within 10 feet. The target must make a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 20). If already prone, it’s also restrained.

    Gashadokuro can have up to 3 Legendary Actions at the end of another creature’s turn:

    Lurch (Costs 1 Action). Moves up to half speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

    Claw Attack (Costs 1 Action). Makes one Skeletal Claw attack.

    Monstrous Grab (Costs 2 Actions). Targets one creature within 10 feet. The target must make a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 20). If already prone, it’s also restrained.

    Lore & Tactics

    CR 15 “Grave Titan” can devastate mid–high-level groups, reassembling bone proxies to harry foes.

    CR 20 “Apocalypse Incarnate” stands as a massive threat, capable of wiping entire squads with Bone Storm or repeated multiattacks. Its Legendary Actions ensure constant pressure.

    Encounter: Use night-time battlefield ruins or mass-grave sites for dramatic settings. Collapsing terrain, bone-filled pits, and necromantic auras can intensify the fight. A cunning party may attempt exorcisms, illusions, or decoys to distract or hamper the towering skeleton’s approach.

    Lore

    The apocalyptic version of Gashadokuro stands 30+ feet tall, literally a walking cataclysm of bones.

    Gashadokuro is an enormous, skeletal being, reminiscent of a giant’s remains, formed from the bones and lingering hatred of those who perished in battle, died along lonely roadsides, or otherwise passed away without receiving proper funeral rites. It rises at night to instill fear among the living, often heralded by the sinister crackle of bones. Travelers say it crushes unfortunate victims or even devours them. As it lumbers forward, its teeth clack and its ribs rattle with a ghastly “gachi-gachi” sound—hence the yokai’s name. Yet it does not always announce its presence; at times, Gashadokuro will lurk in silence, creeping up unnoticed on its prey.

    An ancient legend recounts a bloody uprising against a ruler more than a thousand years ago, led by the samurai Taira no Masakado. When his rebellion was crushed, Masakado himself was beheaded. His daughter, the sorceress Takiyasha-hime, refused to relinquish her father’s cause; using dark magic, she reanimated his severed head, which still contained the rebellious spirit of the fallen warrior. At first, that living skull was said to float above the city of Kyoto, but as the sorcery intensified, it gathered bones from the bodies of slain soldiers and transformed into a towering skeletal figure bent on attacking the imperial capital. Thus, the first Gashadokuro was born.

    From Yokai Bestiary 5E, p. 95 · Fern Flower Press