Jason Andresen (order #1578489) - Jump page for Jubei

Dracodile
Huge Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 11d10+55 (115 hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), swim 30 ft.
AC: 21 (-2 size, +1 Dex, +12 natural),
touch 9, flat-footed 20
Base Attack/Grapple: +11/+27
Attack: Bite +17 melee (4d6+12) or tail slap
+17 melee (2d6+12)
Full Attack: Bite +17 melee (4d6+12) or tail slap
+17 melee (2d6+12)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, improved grab
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., hold breath,
low-light vision
Dracodiles, often called dragodiles in the lands of
Khador, are usually the top predators in whatever
swamp, marsh, or bog they prowl. They are particularly
vicious killers that are ever hungry and
fearless. They are not wholly predictable, however, and they
are ambush predators that can be submerged several feet away
without their prey having the slightest inkling that they are
ever so close to a sudden, violent death. Of course, if you’re
this close, it’s usually too late.
Dracodiles are
surprisingly protective
of
their
young. If
you should
spy any rather
small dracodiles,
nests, or
eggs, I suggest
you put forth
your best effort to be
somewhere else, and
quick. Their nests are
large areas—usually 40 feet in
diameter—that have been cleared of most debris and are dominated
centrally by a large mound of mud and various detritus,
wherein the female dracodile lays her eggs. If she feels her eggs
are in danger, she will not leave the nest site, often going without
food for several days. Regardless of any immediate threats, she’ll
never be more than a stone’s throw away from the nest and will
be similarly close to her young once they are hatched.
40
Saves: Fort +12, Ref +8, Will +3
Abilities: Str 26, Dex 12, Con 20,
Int 3, Wis 10, Cha 10
Skills: Hide +1*, Listen +5, Spot +5,
Swim +16
Feats: Alertness, Improved Natural Attack (bite),
Improved Initiative, Power Attack
Environment: Warm and temperate marsh
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 9
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 12–22 HD (Huge);
23–33 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: —
I should take a moment here to address the “legend,” as
Lynus calls it, which is circulating about my encounter with a
dracodile and my subsequent “riding” of the beast. I must tell
you it was nothing of the sort, and I wouldn’t dare “play” with
one of these most vicious of creatures. Lynus and I were traveling
through Widower’s Wood toward a popular breeding ground
of the Tyner’s toad (named for the explorer who discovered and
then was later killed by the extremely poisonous amphibian)
when we were suddenly attacked by an exceptionally large dracodile.
On one hand we were fortunate that
the thing lunged at our pack-mule Daisy instead
of us astride our horses. On the other hand, my lucky bow and
journals (which were fortunately sealed in a water-tight satchel)
were lashed to Daisy’s side, and bugger me if I’d lose two of my
most prized possessions to an oversized wall lizard! Prudence be
damned, I leapt into the water after the beast, a dagger firmly
clenched in my teeth. I suppose I was riding the dracodile at one
point, but that was just a matter of circumstance. It was the easiest
way to reach the thing’s eyes with my blade! To the detriment
of my scholarly sensibilities I must admit it was terribly fun,
though I still roll my eyes at Lynus’s calling it a legend despite
how true some of the circumstances may have been.
Jason Andresen (order #1578489) 9