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PFS StandardShoal Linnorm

Shoal linnorms occupy rocky shoreline shallows and slither along lonely coastlines. While they do not intentionally seek out large settlements, these linnorms nonetheless beleaguer fishers headed out from small coastal towns, and they may even follow skiffs back to their home port to appraise the town's defenses and plan a raid. Shoal linnorms tend to hunt large prey, both underwater and on land. Their preferred quarries includes giant squid and grizzly bears—meals rich in fat, which the linnorms metabolize into the fiery steam that courses through their veins.

Recall Knowledge - Dragon (Arcana): DC 36
Unspecific Lore: DC 34
Specific Lore: DC 31

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Shoal LinnormCreature 15

Legacy Content

Uncommon CE Gargantuan Amphibious Dragon 
Source Bestiary 2 pg. 164 2.0
Perception +27; darkvision, scent (imprecise) 60 feet, true seeing
Languages Aklo, Draconic, Sylvan
Skills Acrobatics +28, Athletics +31, Stealth +28
Str +8, Dex +5, Con +7, Int -3, Wis +6, Cha +7
AC 38; Fort +29, Ref +25, Will +22; +1 status to all saves vs. magic
HP 295, regeneration 10 (deactivated by cold iron); Immunities curse, fire, paralyzed, sleep; Weaknesses cold iron 10
Curse of Drowning (curse, primal, water) When a creature slays a shoal linnorm, it must succeed at a DC 38 Will save or become cursed. As long as the curse of drowning persists, the character must spend 3 actions when drinking any liquid. Attempting to drink liquid faster causes the victim to begin drowning, immediately running out of air and falling unconscious.Attack of Opportunity [reaction] Tail only.
Speed 35 feet, fly 100 feet, swim 100 feet; freedom of movement
Melee [one-action] jaws +31 [+26/+21] (magical, reach 20 feet), Damage 3d12+16 piercing plus shoal linnorm venomMelee [one-action] claw +31 [+27/+23] (agile, magical, reach 15 feet), Damage 3d8+16 slashingMelee [one-action] tail +31 [+26/+21] (magical, reach 25 feet), Damage 4d6+16 bludgeoning plus Improved GrabPrimal Innate Spells DC 36; Constant (7th) freedom of movement; (6th) true seeing
Breath Weapon [two-actions] (evocation, fire, primal, water) The shoal linnorm exhales scalding steam that deals 12d8 fire damage in a 60-foot cone (DC 36 basic Reflex save). The steam lingers until the end of the linnorm's next turn; anyone who enters the area or begins their turn in the area takes 6d8 fire damage (DC 36 Reflex save negates). During this time, the steam is so thick that it impedes movement as well as sight, turning the area into difficult terrain. All creatures in the steam become concealed, and all creatures outside the steam become concealed to creatures within it. The shoal linnorm can't use Breath Weapon again for 1d4 rounds.Shoal Linnorm Venom (fire, poison) Saving Throw DC 36 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 10 rounds; Stage 1 4d6 fire damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round); Stage 2 6d6 fire damage and enfeebled 2 (1 round)

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!