Shelling Out

Greetings, fellow Friday mutants! We don’t want to freak you out, but 2026 is nearly half over. How is that possible?! Never fret because we’ve got a fun, free download to make everything better. Let’s begin.

We weren’t even sure what we were looking at when one of our favorite 3D-print creators shared today’s free STL download back in April, but we love unique and intriguing monsters! Besides, why not, right? Part of the joy of our hobby is experimentation!

So, the monster in question today is called a Zaratan. DnD lore says, “it’s a colossal, island-sized sea turtle and ancient elemental. Famous for being mistaken for land, these ancient beasts can carry entire ecosystems on their backs. They are peaceful but possess devastating, earthquake-like combat capabilities when provoked.”

We’ve definitely seen this creature before, but never knew its name. In fact, one of our former uber-talented team members even 3D-printed and painted the original Loot Studios STL. Just epic.

Welp, turns out mz4250 wanted to join the fun, and he released a nifty Zaratan version of his own, but on a much, much more manageable scale. We’re digging this version. Don’t get us wrong, if you got the space and patience for those collasses miniatures, you are the man, man. We scaled this STL to a 2×2-ish d20-squared overall size so they’re gonna be lil’ Zaratan babies. 😉

You’ll be glad to know that this lumbering beast is a breeze to 3D print and paint, so it’s quickly table-ready. DM Ben did so with ease.

• Prime Flat Black | Slapchop Base.
• Body P1: Layer WAR Scaly Hide.
• Body P2: Green Wash.
• Body P3: Strong Tone Wash.
• Body P4: Black light drybrush in shadow areas.
• Mouth/Tongue: ASP Pastel Salmon.
• Claws: FAN Uniform Grey.
• Shell P1: Layer FAN Oak Brown.
• Shell P2: Strong Tone Wash.
• Shell P3: FAN Ancient Stone drybrush.

The body is the same nifty reptilian scheme we used on our earlier crocodiles. We’re pretty jazzed to adapt those colors to other lizard-like miniatures.

Now that we better understand the creature lore here, we’re gonna circle back and add some grass tufts and moss flock to its shell. Needs to be much more earthy. We’re also going to 3D-print another one and go for a more grayscale rock look, just so we can compare ’em.

Isn’t that tail just adorbs? Maybe not much if it swats you to next week when you get too close, though.

Now, let’s talk stats. Even the Gargantuan monstrosity is a bit intense for the 5E stats: AC 25 and HP 507 (26d20 + 234). Hence, DM Ben is thinking something more along these lines, but then Google suggested a Hatchling version!

• AC: 17, HP 90, Speed 20 ft/swim 40 ft.
• STR 18 (+4), Dex 10, Con 15 (+2), Int 2 (-4), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 8 (-1)
• Resistances: Fire, Lightning, Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing, Non-magical
• Vulnerabilities: Thunder.
• Immunities: Poisoned, Frightened.
• Fortified Shell: minimum damage of 10 unless head/feet are targeted
• Mutiattack: Bite +7/2d6+4 piercing. Grappled on it/DC 14 to escape.

We think this is perfect for our party of six, sixth-level adventurers…especially as a pack of two. The players will probably have to provoke them or enter the shallow waters they occupy (within a certain radius, like 20 or 30 feet).

Until next time!