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

Klorthack Spine
Small Aberration (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 1d8+1 (5 hp)
Initiative: -2
Speed: 5 ft. (1 square), swim 30 ft (6 squares)
Arrnor Class: 11 (+1 size, -2 Dex, +2
natural), touch 9, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/+1
Attack: Claw -2 melee (1d4-3)
Full Attack; Claw -2 melee (1d4-3)
Space/Reach: 21⁄2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Leaping grapple
Special Qualities: Amphibious, darkvision
60 ft., dominate monster, regeneration 1, slow,
spawn, spines
Saves: Fort +1, Ref -2, Will +6
The Klorthack spine is a small, six-pointed
starfish eighteen inches from end to end. It is black
on its topside, gray underneath, and has a large
opening at the center of its underside. Its surface is
covered in small spines used for grasping a target.
They move by rapidly expelling water from a central
cavity, and they can move through the water with
amazing speed for a short distance or even leap
through the air when on land.
These small, black echinoderms are the remains
of an ancient being of immense power called Klorthack
that lived in the bottom of the ocean. Klorthack was
eventually slain by an alliance of aquatic races many
centuries ago. Unfortunately, not all of Klorthack was
destroyed, and these small creatures are what remain
of its once immense power.
Victims who fall prey to the Klorthack spines
influence become living automatons controlled by
the small creature. If the spine is not removed, the
target becomes a permanent servant of Klorthack.
Eventually such poor souls die a slow, painful death,
giving birth to another Klorthack spine from their
internal organs. Each spine born has the knowledge
of all of its forefathers, creating a slowly growing
storehouse of arcane lore.
Once a Klorthack spine has a host, it uses the
body to sow discord among sea folk and accumulate
all the magical lore it can in the hopes of reforming
the body of Klorthack. A victim under the control of
this spine moves normally, but tends to slur words
or stutter when speaking. The creature has complete
access to the memories of its victim, enabling it to
fool most observers and conceal its presence.
Combat
Without a host, Klorthack spines are not
much of a threat. Their claws are of very limited
effectiveness, as is their movement. They prefer to
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Abilities: Str 4, Dex 6, Con 13, Int 20, Wis 18,
Cha 12
Skills: Climb +1, Hide +10, Jump -15,
Knowledge (arcana) +12, Knowledge (history)
+9, Listen +7, Move Silently +2, Search +7,
Spellcraft +13, Spot +8, Survival +4 (+6
following tracks), Swim +9
Feats: Alertness
Environment: Any aquatic
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: –
Level Adjustment: –
attack unconscious or helpless targets. If attacked, a
spine either attaches itself to the attacker or flees.
Once this creature acquires a host body, it
uses that body to defend itself in combat. The spine
sacrifices a host if necessary, but avoids doing so
when possible. It uses all the abilities and skills of
the host, making it very difficult to defeat when
the host is a powerful creature. Once attached to
its victim, a spine normally leaves only to obtain a
better host or to escape one that is about to die.
A Klorthack spine is usually easy to notice,
requiring a DC 10 Spot check when it is attached to
its victim. If it has had time to procure clothing to
cover the spine, the Spot check DC increases to 20.
Dominate Monster (Sp): If a Klorthack
spine successfully grapples an opponent, the target
must make a DC 15 Will save on the spine’s next
turn or fall under the effect of a dominate monster
spell. If the save is failed, the spine takes complete
control of the victims body. Unlike the normal
dominate monster spell, the Klorthack spine has
direct sensory input from its host and communicates
with it telepathically. As long as it is attached, it is
considered to be constantly concentrating on the
spell. The victim gains a speech impediment while
under the control of the spine, slurring or stuttering
words and suffering a -2 penalty to Charisma-based
skill checks. If a spine remains attached for more
than 10 days the victim becomes a permanent pawn
of Klorthack and receives no further saving throws.
The save DC is Intelligence-based.
If a spine is unwillingly removed from a host,
the host takes 1d4 points of temporary Intelligence,
Wisdom and Charisma damage.
Leaping Grapple (Ex): Once per day, as a
full-round action, a Klorthack spine may leap at
a target and attempt to grapple it. This is done by
forcing water out of its central cavity, creating a
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