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Apparatus of the Crab

D&D 5e · 2024·Wondrous items·Legendary·No attunement

Type
Wondrous items
Weight
500 lb
Attunement
Not required
Rarity
Legendary
Price
Not specified

Magic: Utilize action to operate up to two levers from inside; hidden catch: Investigation DC 20.

What Apparatus of the Crab does

This item first appears to be a sealed iron barrel weighing 500 pounds. The barrel has a hidden catch, which can be found with a successful DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check. Releasing the catch unlocks a hatch at one end of the barrel, allowing two Medium or smaller creatures to crawl inside. Ten levers are set in a row at the far end, each in a neutral position, able to move up or down. When certain levers are used, the apparatus transforms to resemble a giant lobster. The Apparatus of the Crab is a Large object with the following statistics: AC 20; HP 200; Speed 30 ft., Swim 30 ft. (or 0 ft. for both if the legs aren't extended); Immunity to Poison and Psychic damage. To be used as a vehicle, the apparatus requires one pilot. While the apparatus's hatch is closed, the compartment is airtight and watertight. The compartment holds enough air for 10 hours of breathing, divided by the number of breathing creatures inside. The apparatus floats on water. It can also go underwater to a depth of 900 feet. Below that, the vehicle takes 2d6 Bludgeoning damage each minute from pressure. A creature in the compartment can take a Utilize action to move as many as two of the apparatus's levers up or down. After each use, a lever goes back to its neutral position. Each lever functions as follows. Lever controls (Up / Down): 1. Legs extend; walk and swim 30 ft. / Legs retract; speeds 0 and no Speed bonuses. 2. Forward window shutter opens. / Forward shutter closes. 3. Side window shutters open (two per side). / Side shutters close. 4. Two claws extend. / Claws retract. 5. Each extended claw attacks +8, reach 5 ft., 7 (2d6) Bludgeoning. / Each extended claw attacks +8, reach 5 ft., Grappled (escape DC 15). 6. Moves forward with extended legs. / Moves backward with extended legs. 7. Turns 90 degrees counterclockwise. / Turns 90 degrees clockwise. 8. Bright Light 30 ft., Dim Light 30 ft. more. / Light off. 9. Sinks 20 ft. in liquid. / Rises 20 ft. in liquid. 10. Rear hatch opens and unseals. / Rear hatch closes and seals.

Full item details & properties

Magic properties

Activation
Utilize action to operate up to two levers from inside; hidden catch: Investigation DC 20.
Consumable
No
Vehicle
Two Medium or smaller occupants, one pilot. AC 20, HP 200; walk/swim 30 ft. with legs extended, otherwise 0.
Underwater
Airtight closed hatch; 10 hours of air divided by occupants. Below 900 ft., 2d6 Bludgeoning per minute.

Tags & related references

Legendary →Crab VehicleMagicalNo AttunementUnderwater TransportWondrous Item →

Apparatus of the Crab FAQ

Does Apparatus of the Crab require attunement?

No. This entry does not require attunement; follow its activation and use rules.

Is the listed price a guaranteed purchase price?

The source does not specify a price for this entry. Ask your GM about availability and cost.

Rules source: System Reference Document 5.2.1 ↗

This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2.1 ("SRD 5.2.1") by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. Equipment tables transcribed and visually checked by JustRoll; prices converted to GP; mechanics and tags structured for the catalogue; item summaries paraphrased by JustRoll. The original Open5e import snapshots are retained unchanged.

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0