Monster Manual

DARKMANTLEDarkmantle illus. by B. Despain38Spells: A couatl casts spells as a 9th-level sorcerer.It can choose its spells known from thesorcerer list, the cleric list, and from the listsfor the Air, Good, and Law domains. Thecleric spells and domain spells are consideredarcane spells for a couatl, meaningthat the creature does not need adivine focus to cast them.Typical Spells Known (6/7/7/7/4;save DC 13 + spell level): 0—cureminor wounds, daze, disrupt undead,light, obscuring mist, ray of frost, readmagic, resistance; 1st—endure elements,mage armor, protection from chaos, truestrike, wind wall; 2nd—cure moderatewounds, eagle’s splendor, scorching ray,silence; 3rd—gaseous form, magic circleagainst evil, summon monster III; 4th—charm monster, freedom of movement.Ethereal Jaunt (Su): This ability workslike the ethereal jaunt spell (caster level16th).Telepathy (Su): A couatl can communicatetelepathically with any creature within 90 feetthat has an Intelligence score. The creature canrespond to the couatl if it wishes—no commonlanguage is needed.Small Magical BeastHit Dice: 1d10+1 (6 hp)Initiative: +4Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), fly 30 ft. (poor)Armor Class: 17 (+1 size, +6 natural),touch 11, flat-footed 17Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+0Attack: Slam +5 melee(1d4+4)Full Attack: Slam +5melee (1d4+4)Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.Special Attacks: Darkness,improved grab, constrict1d4+4Special Qualities:Blindsight 90 ft.Saves: Fort +3, Ref +2,Will +0Abilities: Str 16, Dex10, Con 13, Int 2,Wis 10, Cha 10Skills: Hide +10, Listen+5*, Spot +5*Feats: ImprovedInitiativeEnvironment:UndergroundOrganization: Solitary,pair, clutch (3–9), orswarm (6–15)Challenge Rating: 1Treasure: NoneAlignment: Always neutralAdvancement: 2–3 HD (Small)Level Adjustment: —CouatlDARKMANTLEThe stalactite above seems to break apart, revealingitself to be a creature that resembles a squid oroctopus, with a stonelike shell covering its bodyand a tough membrane stretched between itsunfolding tentacles.The darkmantle lurks near cavern roofs,waiting for prey to pass beneath. Itsability to create magical darkness makesit difficult to defeat.The darkmantle hangs from a ceilingby a muscular “foot” at the top of itsbody. It can look like a stalactite, byholding its tentacles stiffly under itself,or like a lump of rock, spreading its tentaclesso the membrane between themcovers its body. Its shell and skin usuallyresemble limestone, but a darkmantle canchange its color to match almost any type ofstony background.Scholars believe the darkmantle has recentlyevolved from a similar but far less capablesubterranean predator. A darkmantle is about 4feet long from the tips of its tentacles to the top ofits head. It weighs about 30 pounds.DarkmantleCOMBATA darkmantle attacks by dropping onto its prey andwrapping its tentacles around the opponent’s head. Onceattached, it squeezes and tries to suffocate the foe. A darkmantlethat misses its initial attack often flies up and tries to drop on theopponent again.Darkness (Su): Once per day adarkmantle can cause darknessas the darkness spell (caster level5th). It most often uses this abilityjust before attacking.Improved Grab (Ex): Touse this ability, a darkmantlemust hit a Large or smallercreature with its slam attack. Itcan then attempt to start a grappleas a free action without provokingan attack of opportunity.If it wins the grapplecheck, it attaches to theopponent’s head andcan constrict.Constrict (Ex):A darkmantle deals1d4+4 points of damagewith a successfulgrapple check.Blindsight (Ex): A darkmantlecan “see” by emittinghigh-frequency sounds,inaudible to most other creatures,that allows it to ascertainobjects and creatures within 90 feet. Asilence spell negates this ability and effectivelyblinds the darkmantle.Skills: A darkmantle has a +4 racialbonus on Listen and Spot checks.These bonuses are lost if its blindsight is negated. Thecreature’s variable coloration gives it a +4 racial bonus on Hidechecks.