Monster Geographica - Marsh & Aquatic.pdf - The Secrets of the ...

Spindleshank
Large Humanoid (Aquatic, Reptilian)
Hit Dice: 5d8 (22 hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), swim 60 ft. (12
squares)
Armor Class: 15 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +5
natural), touch 10, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+9
Attack: Trident +4 melee (2d6+2 plus
poison) or sling +3 ranged (1d6+2)
Full Attack: Trident +4 melee (2d6+2 plus
poison) or sling +3 ranged (1d6+2)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison
Special Qualities: Amphibious
Spindleshanks are a very tall, gaunt race of
amphibian-like creatures that inhabit hot, steamy
jungle and swamp environments. Spindleshanks
come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from
an almost fluorescent green color to a drab, flat
gray. Many sages theorize that this wide range
of coloration denotes a difference between
spindleshank tribes, and in fact spindleshanks of a
like color typically associate with one another and
are aggressive toward those of a different color.
Others think the coloration variations are due to
differences in habitats, but the true reason still
remains unknown.
Spindleshanks have stumpy, square-looking
heads similar to turtles, with small, watery slitlike
eyes, a mouth, but no visible nose or ears. A
spindleshank’s thin, willowy arms appear far too
short in comparison to their long, spindly legs that
give them their name. Their bodies are shaped like
tall, narrow barrels, which the spindly legs ending
in wide, flat and splayed feet support. Both their
hands and feet are webbed and clawed, but their
feet are huge in comparison to their hands and the
rest of their body.
Spindleshanks speak Aquan, but can speak
broken Common when required.
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Saves: Fort +3, Ref +5, Will -1
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 13,
Wis 7, Cha 10
Skills: Jump +10, Spot +6, Survival +6,
Swim +10
Feats: Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative
Environment: Warm forest and marsh
Organization: Gang (3-9), or tribe (10-100)
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Advancement: 6-10 HD (Large), 11-15 HD
(Huge)
Level Adjustment: +3
Combat
Spindleshanks are fiercely territorial,
defending their territory and clan against any foe
regardless of the danger. They fight best in small,
tightly knit groups and specialize in ambush
tactics as well as trap setting. Many believe that
these creatures share an empathic link because
their combined actions flow seamlessly together,
as if one collective mind were directing them.
This is especially true during combat, where the
spindleshanks use their simple weapons (spears,
tridents, nets, darts, and slings) to devastating
effect. Also a potent neurotoxin exudes from their
skin when they become excited, angry, or hurt.
They coat their weapons’ tips with this virulent
substance during combat to paralyze their victims,
thereby gaining the upper hand. At any given time,
the spindleshank’s body produces enough venom
for 1d4 doses.
Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 16, initial
damage 1d4 Con, secondary damage paralysis for
2d4 hours. The save DC is Constitution-based and
includes a +4 racial bonus.
Skills: A spindleshank has a +8 racial bonus
on any Swim check to perform some special action
or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10
on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered.
It can use the run action while swimming, provided
it swims in a straight line.
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