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

5
Archer Clam
Huge Vermin (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 6d8+12 (39 hp)
Initiative: -1
Speed: 5 ft. (1 square)
Armor Class: 19 (-5 Dex, -2 size, +16
natural), touch 3, flat-footed 19
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+16
Attack: Harpoon +7 ranged (ld8+4 plus
poison)
Full Attack: Harpoon +7 ranged (ld8+4
plus poison)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10. ft (up to 40 ft. with
harpoon)
Special Attack: Clamp 3d10+4, harpoon.
improved grab, poison
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft.,
resistance to acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5, and
fire 5, seal
Saves: Fort +7, Ref -3, Will +1
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 3, Con 14. Int —, Wis
8, Cha 2
Skills: Hide +8
Feats: Improved Initiative B , Weapon Focus
(harpoon) B
Environment: Any aquatic
Organization: Solitary or cluster (2-8)
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: Half standard
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 7-12 HD (Huge) 13-24 HD
(Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: —
This brown and green mollusk is over ten clam (see poison, below). It also impales and
feet in diameter.
snares the target on a retracting cord (see improved
Archer clams are giant mollusks over 10 grab). If the archer clam misses with the harpoon,
feet in diameter and weighing several thousand it must wait one round before it can be used again,
pounds. Their brown and green shells are several while it reels it in. If the cord (and thusly the
inches thick, and in times of attack, the two halves harpoon) is severed, the archer clam will grow
close completely, offering heightened defense. another cord and harpoon within 24 hours.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, Archer clams An archer clam can reel in harpooned targets
can move very slowly using pseudopodia (formed at a speed of 10 feet per round unless the victim
from their fleshy inner muscles). Archer clams are can break the grapple or cut the cord. The cord is
generally not aggressive until they get hungry. immune to bludgeoning weapons and has a total of
Combat
Archer clams hunt with a venomous harpoon
consisting of a single tooth and a hollowed tube.
As the tooth pierces the victim’s flesh, venom is
injected through the hollow tubing that connects
the harpoon to the archer clam. Once an opponent
is harpooned, the archer clam reels the victim in
and crushes it between its shells.
Clamp (Ex): If a victim has been pulled
to the archer clam with its harpoon, the archer
clam can attempt to clamp down upon it, dealing
3d10+4 points of bludgeoning damage with a
successful grapple check.
Harpoon (Ex): The barb can be launched as
a harpoon with a 40-foot range. When initiating
combat in this manner, the archer clam has no
Dexterity penalty to its initiative check.
Furthermore, the harpoon itself uses the
archer clam’s Strength modifier to attacks instead
of its Dexterity modifier. When the harpoon sinks
into the target, it injects a venom through the
hollow tube connecting the harpoon to the archer
82
20 hp (independent of the archer clam’s normal hp)
but a single blow of 10 hp or more severs it. If the
target is dragged to the archer clam, it is subject to
its clamp attack (see above).
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, an
archer clam must hit an opponent with its harpoon
attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free
action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold
and can try to harpoon the foe.
Poison (Ex): Injury, Fort DC 15, initial
damage 1d6 Str, secondary damage 1d2 Str. The
save DC is Constitution-based.
Seal (Ex): An archer clam can close its shell
for added protection, although it cannot see, move, or
attack. When sealed, it is immune to gas effects (such
as stinking cloud spells), its natural armor improves
by +6, and it gains damage reduction 10/ -.
Skills: The natural cover that grows on
archer clams gives them a +20 bonus to Hide
checks.