The Tome Unrestricted series fleshes out monsters from the Tome of Beasts 3, giving GMs ways to modify existing monsters to surprise well-prepared players or introduce new monsters to a campaign.

This time, we’re looking at ways to change up the tigebra (see Tome of Beasts 3) including alternate traits and actions, as well as new magic items, spells, and adventure hooks inspired by them.

The tigebra is yet another in the long parade of monsters that is probably the result of a wizard messing around. Tigebra are vicious and violent, even beyond death.

Alternate Traits and Actions

The following changes allow GMs to alter a tigebra without modifying its challenge rating.

Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one Medium or smaller creature. Hit: 38 (6d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 18). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and it takes 38 (6d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage at the start of each of its turns. The tigebra can constrict only one creature at a time.

The tigebra exchanges its Claw attack for the Constrict attack. Additionally, for Multiattack, the tigebra makes one Bite attack and one Constrict attack. The tigebra can make a Bite attack or Constrict attack while applying its Final Fury trait, but a Medium creature has advantage on its escape checks.

Poison Spray (Recharge 5–6). The tigebra sprays poison in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 DEX save, taking 35 (10d6) poison damage and becoming poisoned for 1 minute on a failure, or half as much damage and not poisoned on a success. A poisoned creature is also blinded and can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effects on itself on a success.

When the tigrebra has this action, it loses its Magic Resistance trait.

Pounce. If the tigebra moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a Claw attack on the same turn, thar target must succeed on a DC 18 STR save or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the tigrebra can make one Bite attack against it as a bonus action.

To accommodate this trait, the tigebra’s bite attack deals 19 (4d6 + 5) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Regeneration. The tigebra regains 10 HP at the start of its turn. If it takes acid or fire damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of its next turn. The tigebra dies only if it starts its turn with 0 HP and doesn’t regenerate.

In exchange for this trait, the tigebra loses its Final Fury trait.

Virulent Poison. When the tigebra inflicts poison damage, the target has disadvantage on its saving throws to avoid becoming poisoned or to end the poisoned effect. If a creature fails its save at the end of its turn, it takes 3 (1d6) poison damage.

In exchange for this trait, the tigebra loses its Potent Poison trait.

New Magic Items and Spells

The following magic items and spells are inspired by the tigebra.

POISON ADDITIVE

Wondrous Item, Rare

This opaque glass flask, measuring 6 inches tall and sealed with a dropper, contains 2d6 doses of an acrid, oily liquid. The flask and its contents weigh 1 pound.

As an action, one dose of the additive can be placed within an ingested poison or swallowed by a venomous creature. The next time the poison or creature deals poison damage to a target within 1 day of application, the target is treated as if it had no resistance to poison damage, and any immunity to poison damage is treated as resistance instead.

TIGEBRA HOOD

Wondrous Item, Rare (Requires Attunement)

This tiger-striped, reptilian hood fits over your head down to your nose. While attuned, you have advantage on WIS (Perception) checks that rely on smell, and you gain blindsight to 10 feet.

The hood has 6 charges. While wearing the hood, you can expend 1 charge as a bonus action to fix your gaze on a creature you can see within 60 feet. If the target can see you, it must succeed on a DC 17 WIS save or be paralyzed until the end of its next turn. The hood regains 1d6 charges daily at dawn.

FINAL FURY

3rd-Circle Abjuration | Arcane

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S, M (a tooth from a slain tigebra)
Duration: Up to 8 hours

You undergo a subtle transformation when you cast this spell which becomes evident when you are reduced to 0 HP. When this happens, your head and neck detach from your body. Your neck elongates into a snake-like form, and your mouth sprouts fangs (if you don’t already have them). This new form’s hit points equal 10% of your hit point maximum.

You gain a bite attack that deals 1d8 piercing damage and you are proficient with your bite attack. At the end of each round, you must make a concentration check to remain in this form. The DC starts at 10 and increases by 2 after each attempt. You must also make death saving throws each turn as usual. If you fail on your CON save to maintain concentration, die, or regain hit points, your body returns to its normal form and the spell ends.

PARALYTIC GAZE

2nd-Circle Transmutation | Arcane, Wyrd

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components V, S, M (tigebra eye)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You can take a bonus action to focus your gaze on a target within 60 feet of you. If the target can see you, it must succeed on a WIS save or become paralyzed until the end of its next turn. You can’t target the same creature in successive turns.

Adventure Hooks

• A wizard desires a living tigebra specimen to study its origins and offers to pay outrageously for the creature, no questions asked!
• Travelers to a remote jungle settlement often meet their demise at the fangs of a marauding tigebra, which has also prevented the inhabitants from leaving. A merchant intending to open trade with the settlement has heard fearful stories about the beast and offers a reward to adventurers who can protect the merchant’s caravan from harm.

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