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

Hull Grinder
Huge Magical Beast (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 12d10+36 (102 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: Swim 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armor Class: 20 (–2 size, +3 Dex, +9 natural),
touch 11, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+27
Attack: Slam +17 melee (2d6+10) or
bite +17 melee (3d6+10)
Full Attack: Slam +17 melee (2d6+10) or
bite +17 melee (3d6+10)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Spinal scourge 4d6+14
Special Qualities: Blindsense 120 ft., darkvision 60 ft.,
improved hearing, low-light vision, scent*
I’ve spent many a journey traveling down the rivers of the
Iron Kingdoms, and I’ve seen many things that would
send the weak of heart scurrying to land. The most
startling and perhaps most dangerous of such creatures
I encountered while sailing the Dragon’s Tongue aboard the
steamship Palaxis, captained by the great Halford Bray. His
ship was torn asunder from below by a dreaded hull grinder. I
was whisked ashore by a freak current, but the captain made a
stand with his ship that would have made even the legendary
Dirgenmast Captains of Ord give a stout salute.
Although I believe it to truly be an abnormal fish, the
beastly hull grinder sports quite a demonic visage. A massive
15 feet is typical of its length, although the more wizened
captains whisper of beasts as long as 30 feet. The hull grinder
has jagged hooks and barbs all along its body, and massive jaws
which arc outwards, an unusual growth even in a species such
as this, making them ideal for ripping into large objects.
Above all else, the hull grinder hates being disturbed,
especially by noise. Steamboats traveling
a quiet river are at the absolute most risk,
although the hull grinder has been known
to attack other, seemingly silent, vessels.
Creatures screaming and splashing
about in the water are also, likewise,
in grave danger.
Combat
When attacking, the hull grinder will wait on the bed of
the river, kicking up mud if necessary for concealment, until
98
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +4
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 16, Con 16,
Int 5, Wis 10, Cha 9
Skills: Hide +4*, Move Silently +7, Listen +15,
Spot +2, Survival +3, Swim +15
Feats: Alertness, Improved Natural Attack (slam,
bite), Power Attack, Stealthy
Environment: Temperate and warm aquatic
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 8
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 13–24 HD (Huge);
25–36 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: —
the vessel or creature passes overhead. It will then strike swiftly
with its spines or jaws. When attacking ships it focuses solely
on rupturing the hull of the ship from beneath, ignoring other
threats until they become immediate. While directly beneath
the ship, it is quite difficult to target from on deck.
blindsight (Ex): The hull grinder can function at full
capacity in complete darkness through hearing, smell, and sensitivity
to vibrations in water.
Improved Hearing (Ex): When submerged, the hull
grinder can hear sounds at incredible distances, as far
as 2 miles in flowing water or 5 miles in still water.
Because of this sensitivity, all sound based
attacks deal double damage (a save for half,
if allowed, does only half damage) and
force an immediate retreat from the
creature. A hull grinder never
retreats, however, from its lair
and will defend it to the death.
They receive a +6 racial bonus to
Listen checks.
Spinal Scourge (Ex): A hull grinder
as a full round action may
move up to twice its speed
and scourge an opponent or object
with its spinal barbs. The hull grinder must
move at least 30 feet to make this special attack. Upon making
a successful slam attack under these circumstances the hull
grinder deals 4d6+14 points of damage.
Skills: Hull grinders have a +10 racial bonus to Listen
checks. They can also move through water at its swim speed
Jason Andresen (order #1578489) 9