Accessory - Dragon Magazine #111.pdf - Index of

Peridinium
FREQUENCY: Common
NO. APP.: 2-12
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVE: 12”
HIT DICE: 1
% IN LAIR: 0
TREAS. TYPE: Nil
NO. ATT.: 1-3
DAM/ATT.: 1-4
SPEC. ATT.: See below
SPEC. DEF.: Flash
MAGIC RES.: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S
PSIONIC ABIL.: Nil
Small Medium Large
Uncommon Very rare
1-6 1-2
5 2
12” 16”
2-3 5-8
0 0
Nil See below
1-6 2-8
1-4 1-4
See below See below
Flash Flash
Standard Standard
Non- Non-
Neutral Neutral
M L
Nil Nil
Peridinium is a type of armored dinoflagellate covered with thick
plates. Only the region from which the flagella arise is not covered,
and should be treated as AC 9 (note that the rotation of the cell
makes it difficult to aim at this particular spot, so the armor classes
given above must be used).
Small pores extend through the individual plates. Within each
pore is a single trichocyst, a projectile which for present purposes
can be treated like a crossbow bolt. Although each pore has but a
single projectile (these are replaced by new growth within a few
hours), the rotation of the cell as it swims through the water constantly
brings new pores into the line of fire. Small cells can fire up
to 40 trichocysts, treated like light crossbow bolts with close range up
to 10’, medium 11-20’, and long 2l-30’. Medium-sized cells have
60 trichocysts (ranges 0-15’, 16-30’, and 31-45’, while the largest
forms can have more than 100 trichocysts (ranges 0-30’, 31-60’,
and 61-90’).
Peridinium may produce its flash response as other creatures
approach, but will definitely flash when struck. A character within
10’ of the cell must make a saving throw vs. spells or be blinded for
2-7 rounds, in addition to dropping any weapons in hand unless an
28 JULY 1986
additional saving throw vs. breath weapon (with dexterity bonuses)
is made. Characters 10-30’ from the cell who fail their saving throw
are startled for one round (no attacks allowed), and must also save
again (same throw) to see if their weapons are dropped. For
medium-sized cells, the saving throw has a penalty of -1, for large
cells -2.
The cells occur in both salt and fresh water, and are most common
in relatively clear water in the tropics. They survive primarily by
photosynthesis, and will eventually die (or form cysts) if kept in the
dark.
Legend has it that Protiston keeps unknown treasures within a
large Peridinium, which swims in an elaborate pattern through the
water of the lair, making the precise location of the treasure very
difficult for “food sources” (adventurers) to discover. For added
protection, eight medium-sized Peridinium swim in formation
around the treasure cell, with swarms of small Peridinium and Ceratium
around as well.
Gonyaulax
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
NO. APPEARING: 1000-4000
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVE: 12”
HIT DICE: 1
% IN LAIR: 0
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 0
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 0
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Flash,
paralytic toxin
MAGIC RES.: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALLIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
The cells of Gonyaulax look similar to those of a small Peridinium,
and are roughly the size of a basketball. They are not
equpped with trichocysts (for game purposes), but are capable of a
flash defense like that of a small Peridinium. As individuals they are
relatively harmless, but in large blooms (any group of 1000 or more)
they secrete enough toxin to kill water-breathing creatures that
cannot escape, and will eventually deplete the oxygen in a given
small body of water. The toxin causes paralysis of all muscles (including
lungs and heart) if the victim does not save against it. Because
the poison is so weak, it a saving throw of 2 is sufficient
against it — but the save must be repeated every round, and a roll
of 1, regardless of any other circumstances, is enough to cause death
by drowning to helpless victims in one round.
Gonyaulax occurs in both fresh and salt water, but toxic blooms
are confined to salt-water areas to which large quantities of nutrients
have recently been added.
Ceratium
FREQUENCY: Common
NO. APPEARING: 2-12
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 15”
HIT DICE: 1-2
% IN LAIR: 0
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-5
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RES.: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil