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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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There is a Remastered version here.

PFS StandardTarn Linnorm

Although more powerful linnorms exist, the multi-headed tarn linnorm can wreak an awe-inspiring amount of devastation.

Recall Knowledge - Dragon (Arcana): DC 42
Unspecific Lore: DC 40
Specific Lore: DC 37

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Elite are marked in red below.
NOTE: The +2 damage bonus to non-strike offensive abilities (+4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Elite Tarn LinnormCreature 21

Legacy Content

Uncommon CE Gargantuan Acid Amphibious Dragon 
Source Bestiary pg. 226
Perception +37; darkvision, scent (imprecise) 60 feet, true seeing
Languages Aklo, Draconic, Sylvan
Skills Acrobatics +34, Athletics +40, Stealth +36
Str +10, Dex +6, Con +8, Int -1, Wis +7, Cha +8
AC 48 all-around vision; Fort +38, Ref +34, Will +33; +1 status to all saves vs. magic
HP 430, regeneration 15 (deactivated by cold iron); Immunities acid, curse, paralyzed, sleep; Weaknesses cold iron 15
Curse of Death (curse, death, primal) When a creature slays a tarn linnorm, it must succeed at a DC 48 Will save or it can no longer recover Hit Points via any means, such as healing spells, the Medicine skill, or natural healing from rest. Attack of Opportunity [reaction] Tail only.
Speed 35 feet, fly 100 feet, swim 80 feet; freedom of movement
Melee [one-action] jaws +40 [+35/+30] (reach 30 feet, magical), Damage 4d12+2+18 piercing plus tarn linnorm venomMelee [one-action] claw +40 [+36/+32] (reach 30 feet, agile, magical), Damage 4d8+2+18 slashingMelee [one-action] tail +40 [+36/+32] (reach 30 feet, agile, magical), Damage 4d6+2+18 bludgeoning plus Improved GrabPrimal Innate Spells DC 44 (+4 dmg); Constant (9th) freedom of movement; (8th) true seeing
Breath Weapon [two-actions] (acid, evocation, poison, primal) The tarn linnorm can expel either a 120-foot line or a 60-foot cone of acid dealing 20d6 acid damage to creatures within the area (DC 46 basic Reflex save). The acid creates toxic fumes. At the beginning of the linnorm’s next turn, those who failed the breath weapon’s Reflex save must succeed at a DC 44 Fortitude save or gain sickened 4 from the poisonous fumes. A tarn linnorm can’t use Breath Weapon or Overwhelming Breath again for 1d4 rounds.Constrict [one-action] 3d6+18 bludgeoning, DC 46Double Bite [one-action] The tarn linnorm Strides and then makes a jaws Strike with each of its heads, each against a different target. These attacks count toward the tarn linnorm’s multiple attack penalty, and the multiple attack penalty doesn’t increase until after the tarn linnorm makes all of these attacks.Overwhelming Breath [three-actions] A tarn linnorm uses its Breath Weapon twice. A creature attempts only one save and can take damage only once. The tarn linnorm can’t use Breath Weapon or Overwhelming Breath again for 2d4 rounds.Tarn Linnorm Venom (acid, injury, poison) Saving Throw DC 46 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 10 rounds; Stage 1 7d6 acid damage and drained 1; Stage 2 11d6 acid damage and drained 2.

All Monsters in "Linnorm"

NameLevel
Cairn Linnorm18
Crag Linnorm14
Fjord Linnorm16
Ice Linnorm17
Shoal Linnorm15
Taiga Linnorm19
Tarn Linnorm20
Tor Linnorm21
Young Linnorm7

Linnorm

Source Bestiary pg. 224
Immense, primeval dragons of the northern reaches of the world, linnorms hate those they deem to be lesser creatures and seek to inflict as much suffering as possible upon their unfortunate victims. While these serpentine monstrosities might not be the powerful winged dragons most imagine, they nonetheless possess incredible strength and deadly powers that often rival authentic dragon brutality.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Death Curses

The death curses of the linnorms are often the subjects of tragic sagas, and those who would think themselves vanquishing heroes for slaying a linnorm often meet their dooms soon thereafter, succumbing to these curses well after the death of the linnorm responsible for bestowing it.

Sidebar - Additional Lore First World Connections

Linnorms have a deep connection to the First World, the primordial home of the fey. While linnorms typically won't think twice before devouring a gnome or other fey, they do have an unusual respect for wielders of powerful primal magic. The only way to cow a linnorm, according to common wisdom, is to remind it that there are forces of nature even stronger than itself.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Linnorm Kings

In the storied Lands of the Linnorm Kings, the slaying of a linnorm is traditionally required for those who would claim a nation’s crown. Recently, though, the Linnorm King White Estrid claimed her crown not by slaying a linnorm but by beating it into submission, gaining a powerful and dangerous ally to help secure her rule.

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Linnorm Legends

Creatures as powerful as linnorms tend to spawn stories of their own, accurate or not. Critical failure on a check to Recall Knowledge on linnorms might suggest that you can avoid a linnorm's death curse by closing your eyes as you deliver the fatal blow, or that rubbing poison oak on yourself can ward off a linnorm's attention.

Sidebar - Treasure and Rewards Linnorm Treasure

As with true dragons, linnorms tend to amass immense piles of treasure in their lairs. These hoards consist of the weapons, gear, and belongings of would-be vanquishers more often than minted coins or works of art.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Newborn Linnorms

Almost all linnorms lead solitary lives; they are too reprehensible for even their own kind to tolerate for any length of time. Most species do not even meet to reproduce; rather, female linnorms usually deposit a solitary egg in a remote location, which a wandering male linnorm then fertilizes and places in a nook suitable for incubation. Newborn linnorms range in size from that of adult crocodiles to full-grown bulls, and their growth is rapid. Even a juvenile linnorm is strong enough to wreak havoc on a small settlement— though most don't dare to commit such audacious pillaging, for fear of evoking the anger of another, larger linnorm in the area.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Other Linnorms

Linnorms exist in a variety of forms beyond the four detailed here. The gaunt cairn linnorm, the spiny taiga linnorm, and the aquatic fjord linnorm each terrorize their own specific regions of the Material Plane.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Rarer Linnorms

While the linnorms presented here and in the first Bestiary constitute the majority of these creatures, others exist, particularly in the remote regions of the First World. It may be that these rare linnorms simply find the Material Plane too constraining for their might!