Swallow Whole used to be my favorite mechanic with large creatures like dragons, hydras, or what have you.
I mean, it’s both narratively and mechanically a powerful ability. Usually the creature gets a bite attack with Improved Grab, so they get a free grapple if they hit. Then the next turn if they have a grappled creature in their mouth, they swallow them. From there it’s usually continuous acid / bludgeoning damage, but the swallowed creature gets a chance to fight their way out or get rescued.
Being grappled was already somewhat debilitating, but you could usually ignore it. But when you get swallowed it immediately raises the stakes. It also means you can’t ignore getting grappled because it can become so much worse so quickly.
Then one day one of my players noticed I was using the ability a lot and accused me of having a vore fetish. Now I don’t really use Swallow Whole at all
Ah, so you’re in denial about your vore fetish!
It’s a tough pill to swallow
It’s a tough Bill to swallow.
Because Bill fights back.
Was fighting a very very big enemy who could attack with claws, tail, and bite. When I (barbarian fighter) got bit, I didn’t even try to escape since it seemed safer inside. I ended up having to do enough damage before the creature realized I was a very spicey snack and threw me up
See, that’s exactly what I liked about the ability.
It’s an attack that even if you walk away from it, you have a story to tell about it
So, no vore in the setting. Got it, got it, writing it down.
Yeah it’s hot
'Cause
You know
Fire breath
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