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

5
Diseased Boar
Large Animal
Hit Dice: 9d8+ 63 (103 hp)
Initiative: -1
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), swim 30 ft. (6
squares)
Armor Class: 15 (-1 size, -1 Dex, +7
natural), touch 8, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+18
Attack: Gore +13 melee (2d8+12)
Full Attack: Gore +13 melee (2d8+12)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Ferocity, stench, tidal
surge
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +13, Ref +5, Will +4
Some boars are too mean to die. They just
live on, growing bigger and nastier. When their
bulk becomes almost too great for their legs to
support them, they retreat into the swamp to
wallow in the mud, and let the water carry most
of their weight. Over the decades, thousands
of diseases and parasites flourish on the beast’s
rank hide. Eventually, roots and grass are no
longer enough for the beast. The last sound many
unfortunate swampfolk hear is a muffled, watery
snorting before the boar devours them.
The death of a diseased boar is a great event
in the swamp. When such a beast dies, it releases
all the foulness and pestilence that it harbored
within its flesh. The grave of a diseased boar is
the epicenter of a miasma of disease and insects
and foul rot. If a boar dies near a village or fishing
ground, it can be disastrous. Swamp dwellers must
therefore chase the boars into the uninhabited areas
of the wilderness before killing them. Those brave
enough to “course the boar” win great acclaim.
Combat
Diseased boars spend the majority of their
lives in water, and normally attack by lunging out
of the water, goring its prey, then sinking back.
90
Abilities: Str 26, Dex 9, Con 24, Int 2, Wis
13, Cha 6
Skills: Jump +12, Listen +10, Spot +8,
Swim +16
Feats: Alertness, Improved Bull Rush,
Improved Overrun, Power Attack
Environment: Any marsh
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 10-18 HD (Large), 18-27
(Huge)
Level Adjustment: —
Ferocity (Ex): A diseased boar is such a
tenacious combatant it continues to fight without
penalty even when disabled or dying.
Stench (Ex): Diseased boars are home to
thousands of diseases, and the stench and foulness
surrounding a diseased boar is palpable. All living
creatures (except diseased boars) within 10 feet
of a diseased boar must succeed on a DC 21
Fortitude save or be nauseated for 1d4 rounds.
The save DC is Constitution-based. Creatures that
successfully save cannot be affected by the same
diseased boar’s stench for 24 hours. Creatures with
immunity to disease are unaffected.
Tidal Surge (Ex): A diseased boar can make
a charge attack while moving through water, which
creates a small tidal wave. Anyone within 10 feet
of a charging diseased boar in a river or lake must
succeed on a DC 22 Fortitude save or be knocked
down. The save DC is Strength-based.
Skills: A diseased boar 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.