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

Waterbaby
Small Undead (Aquatic, Psionic)
Hit Dice: 4d12+6 (32 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: Swim 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 15 (+1 size, +2 Dex, +2
natural), touch 13, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/-2
Attack: Bite +3 melee (1d4)
Full Attack: Bite +3 melee (1d4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Neoteny, psi-like abilities
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft.,
immunity to turning, telepathy 100 ft.,
undead traits
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +3
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 14, Con —, Int 10,
Wis 9, Cha 15
Waterbabies look like typical infants or
children, except they are slightly sallow and
emaciated. However, in the darkness their glowing
green eyes reveal their hatred for the living.
Waterbabies are the corporeal spirits of
children who were drowned or ritually slain
because of their early signs of psionic ability.
The only thing deeper than their hatred of living
creatures is their jealousy of living psions.
A waterbaby may be found in any freshwater
aquatic area, especially ponds, lakes, wells, or
any shunned body of water located near a town.
Waterbabies are usually encountered alone or in
pairs near new settlements, and in progressively
larger groups in older and ancient settlements, and
ruins.
Combat
A waterbaby attempts to lure its victims into
the water so that it can attack them physically as
well as psionically. It particularly enjoys taking
advantage of a good creature’s natural compassion
for the young and helpless. Thus, one of its favorite
tactics is rise to the surface, splashing wildly and
shrieking as if drowning. Many a passerby has
heroically leapt into the waters to save such a
child, only to be psionically attacked from below
by a pack of undead.
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Skills: Bluff +9, Concentration +9,
Diplomacy +6, Disguise +2 (+4 acting),
Intimidate +4, Sense Motive +6 (+16 to
oppose Bluff), Spot +6, Swim +8
Feats: Inquisitor B , Psionic Body, Psionic
Fist
Environment: Any aquatic
Organization: Solitary, pair, pack (3-5),
horde (8-20), or colony (12-30)
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: 50% standard (coins, jewels and
weapons only)
Alignment: Usually neutral evil
Advancement: 5-8 HD (Small)
Level Adjustment: —
Neoteny (Su): Once per day, a waterbaby can
cause a single humanoid creature within 30 feet to
“adopt” it for 1 hour. The target must succeed on
a DC 14 Will save or believe the waterbaby to be
its own child. The affected creature defends the
waterbaby to the best of its ability and refuses
to leave the area lest harm come to “its child.”
Any attack against the affected individual by that
waterbaby or others of its kind ends the effect
immediately. Neoteny is a psionic mind-affecting
charm effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Psi-Like Abilities: At will—demoralize
(40 ft. range and radius, DC 15*), detect psionics,
inertial armor (+6 bonus*), psionic daze (8 HD*,
DC 13); 3/day—crisis of breath (DC 15), empty
mind (+4 bonus*), inflict pain (2 targets, DC 15*),
mind thrust (5d10 damage, DC 13*). Manifester
level 5th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
*Includes augmentation for the waterbaby’s
manifester level.
Skills: A waterbaby 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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