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

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Skin Wraith
Medium Undead
Hit Dice: 3d12 (19 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 5 ft. (1 square), fly 30 ft. (average)
(6 squares)
Armor Class: 15 (+4 Dex, +1 natural),
touch 14, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+6
Attack: Lash +5 melee (1d4+1)
Full Attack: 3 lashes +5 melee (1d4+1)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Envelop 1d6+1, improved
grab
Special Qualities: Damage reduction
15/piercing or slashing, darkvision 60 ft.,
undead traits
Skinwraiths are the remains of torture
victims flayed alive on the rack, animated by
their own pain and suffering. They appear as
sheets of human skin flying along the ground,
moaning softly in pain and self-pity. Skinwraiths
flit about the landscape, hunting for signs of life.
If they sense a living creature nearby, they fly at
high speeds toward it, intent on smothering its
life away. Skinwraiths are most often found near
ancient torture chambers or abandoned prisons
wherein captives were skinned alive.
Combat
A skinwraith attacks by smothering and
enveloping its target, keeping other opponents at
bay by lashing at them viciously with long strips
of flayed skin.
Envelop (Ex): A skinwraith can wrap around
its foe completely. With a successful grapple check,
the skinwraith pins its opponent and deals 1d6+1
points of bludgeoning damage. While its opponent
is pinned, any attacks striking the skinwraith deal
36
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +1
Abilities: Str 12, Dex 18, Con —, Int 3, Wis
6, Cha 11
Skills: Hide +5, Listen +2, Move Silently
+5, Spot +2
Feats: Alertness, Weapon Finesse
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary or haunt (4-7)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 4-6 HD (Medium); 7-9 HD
(Large)
Level Adjustment: —
damage to both the skinwraith and its victim; each
receives half the damage before damage reduction,
rounded down.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a
skinwraith must hit a Large or smaller opponent
with its lash attack. It can then attempt to start
a grapple as a free action without provoking an
attack of opportunity. If it gets a hold, it can
envelop its foe. A skinwraith has a +4 racial bonus
on grapple checks.
Campaign
Due to their unusual shape and consistency,
skinwraiths can be placed in many places other
monsters or undead cannot reside. In fact,
skinwraiths can be encountered in almost any
setting, even underwater or high in the air.
Skinwraiths also combine easily with traps, as
they can be folded up and placed in small confined
spaces. They may be placed in treasure chests or
in sacks as well: always a fun way to surprise the
party.
Flora and Fauna
Gas Hydrates: Undersea deposits of solid methane. Methane is usually a gas, but becomes solid
under enormous pressures found on the deep sea floor. When a piece of methane breaks off, it returns to
its gaseous state, expanding into a giant bubble. The methane bubble erupts upon reaching the surface,
which scientists speculate as a possible cause of spontaneous sinking of ships. If ships are far away from
the bubble or exactly on top of the bubble, they are fine. But if ships are in the area between the stagnation
point and the edge of the mound, it’s sinking fast because enough water does not support part of the ship.
Scientists are not sure how large these bubbles can get.