Catoblepas (CR 6)
Huge Aberration
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Initiative: +1 (Dex); Senses: darkvision 60 ft., scent, Listen +3, and Spot +3
AC: 19 (-2 Size, +1 Dex, +10 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 18
Hit Dice: 6d8+30 (57 hp)
Fort +7, Ref +3, Will +6
Speed: 30 ft.
Space: 15 ft./10 ft.
Base Attack +4; Grapple +20
Attack: Tail slam +10 melee; or ray +3 ranged touch
Full Attack: Tail slam +10 melee; or ray +3 ranged touch
Damage: Tail slam 1d6+12 plus stun
Special Attacks: Death ray, Stun
Abilities: Str 26, Dex 13, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 8
Special Qualities: -
Feats: Improved Bull Rush; Improved Overrun; Power Attack
Skills: Jump +10, Listen +3, Spot +3, and Survival +3
Advancement: 7-12 HD (huge), 13-18 (Gargantuan)
Climate/Terrain: Any swamp
Organization: Solitary, pair or family (3)
Treasure/Possessions: 1/10 coins, 50% goods, 50% items
Source:
Monster Manual II
Normally, the catoblepas is a meandering grazer, wandering the marsh looking for the most succulent grasses and weeds. Once a month, usually under the light of the full moon, the catoblepas seeks out meat to round out its diet of reeds and marsh grass.
Death Ray (Su) The catoblepas can project a thin, green ray up to 160 feet (no range increment) from its bloodshot eyes. Any living creature struck by this ray must make a Fortitude save (DC 18). Success indicates that the target takes 5d6 points of damage: failure means the target dies instantly. After striking one target the ray dissipates and cannot be used again for 1d4 rounds.
Scent (Ex) A catoblepas can detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell.
Stun (Ex): Any living creature struck by the catoblepas's tail must make a Fortitude save (DC 18). Success indicates that the target takes only the normal damage for the attack; failure means the target is also stunned for 1 round. (A stunned character cannot act and loses any Dexterity bonus to Armor Class. An attacker gets a +2 bonus on attack rolls against a stunned opponent.)
In the Realms
Thought to be the creation of an arch-wizard of Netheril, catoblepas are blessedly rare throughout most of the Realms. However, in the Farsea Marshes of Cormyr, the human Harsh Drovers of the region, a short and dark-complected people, have learned to domesticate and herd the deadly behemoths. As a domestic animal, the catoblepas has proven to be a success. Its meat and milk are tasty and nutritious. In fact, the milk is made into several products including butter and the famous "Death Cheese" sold across Faerûn through Aurora's Whole Realms Catalog. A soft cheese with red paraffin rind and marked with a stylized imprint of a catoblepas, Death Cheese is rich, delicate and exotic. Most of the cheese is purchased from the Marsh drovers in the marketplace of Eagle Peak at a cost of 5 gp per one-pound loaf.