Gnawjaw Goblin Boss
Armor Class 15 (leather armor)
Hit Points 52 (8d8+16)
Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Con +4, Wis +3
Skills Stealth +6, Perception +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Goblin
Challenge 3 (700 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Actions
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"The gnawing bite is truth, and the truth is the bite." — Gnawjaw, goblin warchief
Lore & Description
Appearance
A wiry goblin chieftain, pinched and wiry, with a mouth full of gnawed, ivory-like teeth that gleam when he grins. His hands are crusted with scabs, stained dark from brutal skirmishes and crude weapon maintenance. He wears tattered leather armor stitched with bone beads and a necklace of tiny, rusted goblin teeth. His eyes are small and bright, always scanning for weakness in the crowd he rules with brutal pragmatism.
Behavior & Origins
Long ago, a goblin tribe in the Hills of Rust began calling one goblin “Gnawjaw” for his habit of biting foes and gnawing through bone for sustenance. He survived multiple ambushes by using his scabby, scarred hands to pull enemies off their feet and rip weapons from their grips. He carved a crude throne from shattered wagons and bones, ruling through fear and the promise that he will bite first and ask questions later. A DM can drop rumors of a cave where Gnawjaw stores the tribe’s stolen teeth charms—precious trinkets said to grant luck in battle. The hook: the goblins mutter that Gnawjaw seeks a legendary jawbone said to grant invincibility to those who bite with it, and he believes the jawbone is in a ruined mining camp nearby.
Running Gnawjaw Goblin Boss
Tactics
Gnawjaw opens combat with Shout of Gnashed Teeth to frighten and separate pursuers. He then uses Claw and Bite to target the strongest foe, using his Scarred Hands to shove foes away and create space for retreat to his lair. If bloodied, he fights from the edge of his escort, attempting to break enemy morale with another roar. He flees if the fight turns to his disadvantage, retreating to his bone throne to rally his tribe.
DM Tips
- Telegraph the bite before the attack—a chattering grin and the scraping of gnawed teeth to hint at the crushing bite to come.
- Play up the scabby hands: describe how the goblin uses them to yank weapons, grab shields, or drag foes closer for a final bite.
- Scale: to weaken, replace Bite with a single Claw attack and remove Shout of Gnashed Teeth; to strengthen, add a crude ranged bomb (slingshot with shrapnel) as a veteran goblin trick.
- Use terrain: the goblin’s lair is littered with bone fragments that can trip or hinder movement.
Loot
- Gnawjaw Tooth Amulet — A jagged tooth pendant that grants advantage on Intimidation checks while worn, and whispers suggest it protects the wearer from fear.
- Scab-Rusted Dagger — A crudely forged dagger with a rusted patina. When drawn, it flays a glimmering crimson trail and deals an additional 1d4 slashing damage on a hit.
- Bandolier of Goblin Teeth — A string of small teeth beads collected from foes, rumored to grant luck in skirmishes and may be used to craft a minor charm.
