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Fearsome Critters from Lumberjack Tales
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<blockquote data-quote="Cleon" data-source="post: 4620577" data-attributes="member: 57383"><p><strong>Fearsome Critters from Lumberjack Tales - The Hoop Snake</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Hoop Snake</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Medium Magical Beast</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Hit</strong> <strong>Dice:</strong> 3d10+3 (19 hp)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Initiative:</strong> +9</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Speed:</strong> 30 ft. (6 squares)[<em>30-120 ft. with rolling speed</em>], climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Armor</strong> <strong>Class:</strong> 18 (+5 Dex, +3 natural), touch 15, flat-footed 13</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Base</strong> <strong>Attack/Grapple:</strong> +3/+6</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Attack:</strong> Tail-horn +9 melee (1d8+3/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) or bite +8 melee (1d4+3 plus poison)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Full</strong> <strong>Attack:</strong> Tail-horn +9 melee (1d8+3/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) and bite +3 melee (1d4+1 plus poison)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Space/Reach:</strong> 5 ft./ 5 ft.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Special</strong> <strong>Attacks:</strong> Impale, tail-blast, poison</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Special</strong> <strong>Qualities:</strong> low-light vision, rolling speed, scent</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Saves:</strong> Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +2</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Abilities:</strong> Str 17, Dex 21, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Skills:</strong> Balance +13, Bluff -4[<em>+2 imitate whistling</em>], Climb +13, Hide +12, Listen +7, Spot +12, Swim +11</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Feats:</strong> Alertness, Improved InitiativeB, Weapon FinesseB, Weapon Focus (tail-horn)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Environment:</strong> Temperate plains and hills</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Organization:</strong> Solitary</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Challenge</strong> <strong>Rating:</strong> 4</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Treasure:</strong> None</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Alignment:</strong> Always neutral</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Advancement:</strong> 4-6 HD (Medium), 7-12 (Large)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Level</strong> <strong>Adjustment:</strong> —</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>A lurid red-brown snake maybe twice the length of a man, distinguished by a six-inch horn on the tip of its tail. The reptile is thick-bodied, with a big head, and moves with lightning speed.</em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">An average sized hoop snake is some ten feet long outstretched, or about a yard in diameter when coiled in a hoop. It weighs some sixty pounds, which is bulky for a snake of its length. The largest specimens may reach twice this length or more.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A hoop snake is an aggressive reptile with a peculiar mode of locomotion and impressive weaponry on either end of its body. Its bite are powerful and loaded with venom, but more terrible is the horn upon its tail-tip, which strikes like a poisonous thunderbolt, causing its victims to be paralyzed, turn black and curl up and die. Unlike regular snakes they have slicing teeth along their jaws, which allows these reptiles to bite mouthfuls off prey too large to swallow.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">When it wants to travel at speed, a hoop-snake grasps its tail horn in its jaws and uses undulations of its muscular body to roll along the ground like a child's toy hoop. Travelling in this fashion, a hoop snake can outrun a man riding a horse across flat ground, and can move even faster rolling downhill. No unaugmented human can hope to outrun a hoop snake on foot across open ground. A person fleeing a hoop snake can easily escape if there's a fence nearby, since the snake cannot roll through such barriers, but must stop to slither through. Hoop snakes always roll with their tail facing forwards, so they can uncurl their bodies and hurl themselves at prey like venomous javelins, they roll along on their backs rather than their bellies, since this give them a better view of the ground ahead than if they were rolling with their head looking in towards their underside.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Some hoop snakes have the curious habit of whistling to lure prey and attract mates. These calls sound eerily human, like wolf whistles or short tunes of up to half a dozen notes.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Hoop snakes have keen eyesight, and hunt as much by sight as scent. Their preferred strategy for catching prey is to find a sunny, elevated spot - a shallow hill surrounded by prairie is ideal from which they can scan around for prey. Once spotted, they can roll down the slope to pursue their prey at tremendous speed - up to 600 feet per round.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The flesh of hoop snakes is perfectly edible, indeed it's quite tasty and nourishing. Since it's a rare and dangerous animal, they're considered a delicacy. The most famous recipe is a fricassee of hoop snake and rooster first presented to their Highness [<em>insert campaign appropriate monarch here</em>], apparently he was <em>coq-a-hoop</em> about it.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Combat</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A hoop snake rolls towards the tastiest looking target and uncoils itself in a tail-horn charge attack. Remember the +2 attack and -2 AC for a charge. If the prey does not fall immediately, or it defended by allies, the snake lashes about with its tail-horn and bite in a bid to finish the fight.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Hoop snakes are pugnacious but not suicidal. If they take more than half their hit points in damage, they will seek to flee. Hoop snakes often flee like regular snakes rather than rolling. Usually, this is because they're fleeing upslope back towards the safety of their burrows, and they can travel uphill no faster in a hoop. Another factor is it's difficult for a hoop snake to hide whilst rolling, and like most snakes they have a strong instinct to conceal themselves when they're defensive.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Impale (Ex)</strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A hoop snake that hits any target using its tail horn in a charge attack does double damage (2d8+6/18-20×2 plus tail-blast, triple damage on a critical as per standard rules) but runs the risk of its tail-horn getting stuck in the target. Roll a Strength check for the hoop snake, if the result is fails to beat the hit points of damage the tail-horn inflicted it has become stuck. A hoop snake may consciously elect to impale its foe with its tail-horn by making a successful grapple test.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A hoop snake may discharge Tail-Blasts through its tail-horn into an impaled as a standard action, but fights as if it were in a grapple.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">To extract the tail-horn from an impalement the hoop snake, or another creature, needs to succeed in a Strength check against a DC of 15 plus the hardness of the object the tail-horn is impaled in. If the attempt to remove the tail-horn is being opposed by another creature, e.g. an impaled victim is trying to pull out the tail-horn but the hoop snake is resisting this, a successful grapple check must also be made. It is quite possible for the hoop snake to become impaled in such a tough material it cannot tug its tail-horn free. If this happens, the hoop snake will shed the horny sheath of its tail (this takes 1d4 minutes, so is not something that normally occurs during combat). A hoop snake without a tail-horn can still fight with its exposed tail-spike, but this only does 1d6+3/19-20×2 damage and cannot channel its Tail-Blast. A hoop snake can regrow a shed tail-horn in two days.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Poison (Ex)</strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A hoop snake has a poisonous bite that deals initial and secondary damage of 1d4 Str if the victim fails a DC 12 Fortitudesave. The save DC is Constitution-based.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Rolling Speed (Ex)</strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A hoop snake can curl itself into a loop and roll along as a full-round movement action, which can include a charge attack with its tail-horn. Rolling doubles the hoop snake's land speed to 60 ft., and permits it to make a run action at five times its normal speed, as if it possessed the Run feat. Furthermore, a hoop-snake's speed is doubled yet again (i.e. quadrupled) rolling downhill. A hoop snake's rolling speed is halved going uphill and it cannot apply its Run bonus. Since this is no better than its regular land speed, it rarely rolls uphill.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Tail-Blast (Su)</strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A hoop snake's Tail-Blast is a deadly energy discharge, similar to the electrical shock of an electric eel or catfish. A hoop snake can elect to release a tail blast whenever it hits with its tail horn attack, but does not have to. Anything struck by the tail-horn must make a Fortitude save against DC14 or take 1d6 hit points of force damage per Hit Dice of the Hoop Snake (3d6), plus be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds. If they succeed in the save, they take half damage and are merely stunned for a round. The tail-blast damage is in addition to the damage from the tail-horn attack that delivered it. The Save DC is Strength-based.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">[<em>There are differing accounts of a hoop snake's tail attack. Some sources compare the effects to being struck by lightning, others descriptions are closer to a rapid acting venom, a few have features of both. If you prefer those, you could change this tail-horn special attack to:</em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em></em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em><strong>Tail-Venom (Ex)</strong></em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>A hoop snake injects anything struck with its tail-horn with a highly potent venom. This poison deals initial and secondary damage of 1d8 Con if the victim fails a DC 16 Fortitude save. The save DC is Constitution-based and includes a +4 racial bonus.</em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em></em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>If you're really sadistic, the tail horn <strong>combines</strong> a force damage Tail-Blast and a poison damage Tail-Sting. That's probably closer to the more exaggerated accounts of the varmint's poison, but would merit a Challenge Rating hike. It would certainly account for this monster's fearsome reputation!</em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em></em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em><strong>Venomous Tail-Blast (Su)</strong></em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>A hoop snake's tail horn can inflict a lethal combination of energy-discharge and venom. The object struck by the tail-horn must make a DC 16 Fortitude save or take 1d6 Con damage, plus 1d4 hit points of force damage per Hit Dice of the hoop snake plus be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds. If they succeed in the initial save, they take half force damage, no Con damage and are merely stunned for a round. One minute after the initial tail hit the target must make a secondary Fortitude save against the same DC or suffer another 1d6 Con damage. The save DC is Constitution-based and includes a +4 racial bonus.</em>]</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 12px"></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 12px"></span> </span><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Skills</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Hoop snakes have a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Listen checks, a +6 racial bonus on Bluff checks made to imitate a human or animal whistling and Spot checks, and a +8 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. A hoop snake can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened. Hoop snakes use either their Strength modifier or Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher. A hoop snake 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.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Lore Checks</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>DC 14</strong> - Everyone knows wat a 'oop snake be. It be a big reddy-browny snake wit a sting in its tail, dat curls itself up in a ring so's to roll along like a wagon wheel. Dey can roll fasser dan a horse, you knows. Soon as dey catches up wit yer, dey unwinds demselves any runs you through wit der tail-spike, wit is deadly poison dat could strike an ox dead on da spot.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>DC 19</strong> - Don't try to outrun a hoop snake, son. They can roll faster than a thoroughbred. Your best hop is to hop over a fence or jump behind a tree. The snake must stop rolling to slither through a fence, giving you time to show it your heels. If you duck behind a tree at the right time, the hoop snake will skewer the tree with its tail-horn, not you. If you're lucky, the snake'll have struck so hard its tail will have got stuck in the tree, giving you a chance to finish it off or go to fetch help.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>DC 24</strong> - Did you know hoop snakes can whistle? If you're walking along and hear something up on the hill whistling, it might not be a person pursing their lips, but a hoop snake trying to tempt you to come closer to see what's making the noise. Or maybe they like to whistle at lady snakes, like some foolish young'uns do these days.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Advanced Hoop Snakes</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Here are compact stat blocks for a regular hoop snake, one advanced to Large size and one at advanced to maximum Hit Dice.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Hoop Snake </strong>(Medium Magical Beast, Hit Dice: 3d10+3 (19hp); Init: +9; Speed: 30 ft. (4 squares)[30-120 ft. with rolling speed], climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; AC: 18(+5 Dex, +3 natural) touch 15, flat-footed 13; Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+6; Attack: Tail-horn +9 melee (1d8+3/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) or bite +8 melee (1d4+3 plus poison); Full Attack: Tail-horn +9 melee (1d8+3/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) and bite +3 melee (1d4+1 plus poison); Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.; Special Attacks: Impale [<em>tail 1d6+3/19-20×2 without horn</em>], tail-blast [<em>DC 14 Fort else 3d6 force plus 1d4 rounds paralysis, half damage and 1 round stun on save*</em>], poison [<em>bite, DC12 or 1d4/1d4 Str</em>]; Saves: Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +2; Abilities: Str 17, Dex 21, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2; Skills: Balance +13, Bluff -4[<em>+2 imitate whistling</em>], Climb +13, Hide +12, Listen +7, Spot +12, Swim +11; Feats: Alertness, Improved InitiativeB, Weapon FinesseB, Weapon Focus (tail-horn); CR: 4)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>*Alternatives to tail-blast:</strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">tail-sting [<em>Poison, DC 16 Fort or 1d8/1d8 Con</em>]</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">venomous tail-blast [<em>poison and force, DC 16 Fort or 3d4 force damage, 1d4 rounds paralysis plus 1d6/1d6 Con damage poison, half force damage and 1 round stun on save</em>](increase CR to 5)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Large Hoop Snake </strong>(Large Magical Beast, Hit Dice: 7d10+21 (59hp); Init: +9; Speed: 30 ft. (4 squares)[30-120 ft. with rolling speed], climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; AC: 19(-1 size, +5 Dex, +5 natural) touch 14, flat-footed 14; Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+18; Attack: Tail-horn +14 melee (2d6+7/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) or bite +13 melee (1d6+7 plus poison); Full Attack: Tail-horn +14 melee (2d6+7/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) and bite +8 melee (1d6+3 plus poison); Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.; Special Attacks: Impale[<em>tail 1d8+7/19-20×2 without horn</em>], tail-blast [<em>DC 22 Fort else 7d6 force plus 1d4 rounds paralysis, half damage and 1 round stun on save*</em>], poison [<em>bite, DC16 or 1d6/1d6 Str</em>]; Saves: Fort +8, Ref +10; Will +3; Abilities: Str 25, Dex 20, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2; Skills: Balance +13, Bluff -4[<em>+2 imitate whistling</em>], Climb +15, Hide +12, Listen +7, Spot +12, Swim +15; Feats: Ability Focus (tail-blast); Alertness, Improved InitiativeB, Weapon Focus (tail-horn); CR: 7)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>*Alternatives to tail-blast:</strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">tail-sting [<em>Poison, DC 22 Fort or 1d10/1d10 Con</em>]</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">venomous tail-blast [<em>poison and force, DC 22 Fort or 7d4 force damage, 1d4 rounds paralysis plus 1d10/1d10 Con damage poison, half force damage and 1 round stun on save</em>] (increase CR to 8)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Maximized Hoop Snake </strong>(Large Magical Beast, Hit Dice: 12d10+48 (114hp); Init: +9; Speed: 30 ft. (4 squares)[30-120 ft. with rolling speed], climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; AC: 19(-1 size, +5 Dex, +5 natural) touch 14, flat-footed 14; Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+24; Attack: Tail-horn +20 melee (2d6+8/15-20×2 plus tail-blast) or bite +19 melee (1d6+8 plus poison); Full Attack: Tail-horn +20 melee (2d6+8/15-20×2 plus tail-blast) and bite +14 melee (1d6+4 plus poison); Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.; Special Attacks: Impale [<em>tail 1d8+8/17-20×2 without horn</em>], tail-blast [<em>DC 24 Fort else 12d6 force plus 1d4 rounds paralysis, half damage and 1 round stun on save*</em>], poison [<em>bite, DC19 or 1d6/1d6 Str</em>]; Saves: Fort +12, Ref +13; Will +7; Abilities: Str 26, Dex 20, Con 18, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2; Skills: Balance +13, Bluff -4[+2 imitate whistling], Climb +16, Hide +14, Listen +8, Spot +14, Swim +16; Feats: Ability Focus (tail-blast); Alertness, Improved Critical (tail-horn), Improved InitiativeB, Iron Will, Weapon Focus (tail-horn); CR: 9)</span></span></span></p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">*Alternatives to tail-blast:</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">tail-sting [<em>Poison, DC 25 Fort or 1d10/1d10 Con</em>]</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">venomous tail-blast [<em>poison and force, DC 25 Fort or 10d4 force damage, 1d4 rounds paralysis plus 1d10/1d10 Con damage poison, half force damage and 1 round stun on save</em>] (increase CR to 10)</span></span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cleon, post: 4620577, member: 57383"] [b]Fearsome Critters from Lumberjack Tales - The Hoop Snake[/b] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][SIZE=4][B][FONT=Arial]Hoop Snake[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] [/FONT][/SIZE][FONT=Arial]Medium Magical Beast [B]Hit[/B] [B]Dice:[/B] 3d10+3 (19 hp) [B]Initiative:[/B] +9 [B]Speed:[/B] 30 ft. (6 squares)[[I]30-120 ft. with rolling speed[/I]], climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft. [B]Armor[/B] [B]Class:[/B] 18 (+5 Dex, +3 natural), touch 15, flat-footed 13 [B]Base[/B] [B]Attack/Grapple:[/B] +3/+6 [B]Attack:[/B] Tail-horn +9 melee (1d8+3/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) or bite +8 melee (1d4+3 plus poison) [B]Full[/B] [B]Attack:[/B] Tail-horn +9 melee (1d8+3/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) and bite +3 melee (1d4+1 plus poison) [B]Space/Reach:[/B] 5 ft./ 5 ft. [B]Special[/B] [B]Attacks:[/B] Impale, tail-blast, poison [B]Special[/B] [B]Qualities:[/B] low-light vision, rolling speed, scent [B]Saves:[/B] Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +2 [B]Abilities:[/B] Str 17, Dex 21, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2 [B]Skills:[/B] Balance +13, Bluff -4[[I]+2 imitate whistling[/I]], Climb +13, Hide +12, Listen +7, Spot +12, Swim +11 [B]Feats:[/B] Alertness, Improved InitiativeB, Weapon FinesseB, Weapon Focus (tail-horn) [B]Environment:[/B] Temperate plains and hills [B]Organization:[/B] Solitary [B]Challenge[/B] [B]Rating:[/B] 4 [B]Treasure:[/B] None [B]Alignment:[/B] Always neutral [B]Advancement:[/B] 4-6 HD (Medium), 7-12 (Large) [B]Level[/B] [B]Adjustment:[/B] — [I]A lurid red-brown snake maybe twice the length of a man, distinguished by a six-inch horn on the tip of its tail. The reptile is thick-bodied, with a big head, and moves with lightning speed.[/I] An average sized hoop snake is some ten feet long outstretched, or about a yard in diameter when coiled in a hoop. It weighs some sixty pounds, which is bulky for a snake of its length. The largest specimens may reach twice this length or more. A hoop snake is an aggressive reptile with a peculiar mode of locomotion and impressive weaponry on either end of its body. Its bite are powerful and loaded with venom, but more terrible is the horn upon its tail-tip, which strikes like a poisonous thunderbolt, causing its victims to be paralyzed, turn black and curl up and die. Unlike regular snakes they have slicing teeth along their jaws, which allows these reptiles to bite mouthfuls off prey too large to swallow. When it wants to travel at speed, a hoop-snake grasps its tail horn in its jaws and uses undulations of its muscular body to roll along the ground like a child's toy hoop. Travelling in this fashion, a hoop snake can outrun a man riding a horse across flat ground, and can move even faster rolling downhill. No unaugmented human can hope to outrun a hoop snake on foot across open ground. A person fleeing a hoop snake can easily escape if there's a fence nearby, since the snake cannot roll through such barriers, but must stop to slither through. Hoop snakes always roll with their tail facing forwards, so they can uncurl their bodies and hurl themselves at prey like venomous javelins, they roll along on their backs rather than their bellies, since this give them a better view of the ground ahead than if they were rolling with their head looking in towards their underside. Some hoop snakes have the curious habit of whistling to lure prey and attract mates. These calls sound eerily human, like wolf whistles or short tunes of up to half a dozen notes. Hoop snakes have keen eyesight, and hunt as much by sight as scent. Their preferred strategy for catching prey is to find a sunny, elevated spot - a shallow hill surrounded by prairie is ideal from which they can scan around for prey. Once spotted, they can roll down the slope to pursue their prey at tremendous speed - up to 600 feet per round. The flesh of hoop snakes is perfectly edible, indeed it's quite tasty and nourishing. Since it's a rare and dangerous animal, they're considered a delicacy. The most famous recipe is a fricassee of hoop snake and rooster first presented to their Highness [[I]insert campaign appropriate monarch here[/I]], apparently he was [I]coq-a-hoop[/I] about it. [/FONT][SIZE=3][B][FONT=Arial]Combat[/FONT][/B][/SIZE][FONT=Arial] A hoop snake rolls towards the tastiest looking target and uncoils itself in a tail-horn charge attack. Remember the +2 attack and -2 AC for a charge. If the prey does not fall immediately, or it defended by allies, the snake lashes about with its tail-horn and bite in a bid to finish the fight. Hoop snakes are pugnacious but not suicidal. If they take more than half their hit points in damage, they will seek to flee. Hoop snakes often flee like regular snakes rather than rolling. Usually, this is because they're fleeing upslope back towards the safety of their burrows, and they can travel uphill no faster in a hoop. Another factor is it's difficult for a hoop snake to hide whilst rolling, and like most snakes they have a strong instinct to conceal themselves when they're defensive. [B]Impale (Ex)[/B] A hoop snake that hits any target using its tail horn in a charge attack does double damage (2d8+6/18-20×2 plus tail-blast, triple damage on a critical as per standard rules) but runs the risk of its tail-horn getting stuck in the target. Roll a Strength check for the hoop snake, if the result is fails to beat the hit points of damage the tail-horn inflicted it has become stuck. A hoop snake may consciously elect to impale its foe with its tail-horn by making a successful grapple test. A hoop snake may discharge Tail-Blasts through its tail-horn into an impaled as a standard action, but fights as if it were in a grapple. To extract the tail-horn from an impalement the hoop snake, or another creature, needs to succeed in a Strength check against a DC of 15 plus the hardness of the object the tail-horn is impaled in. If the attempt to remove the tail-horn is being opposed by another creature, e.g. an impaled victim is trying to pull out the tail-horn but the hoop snake is resisting this, a successful grapple check must also be made. It is quite possible for the hoop snake to become impaled in such a tough material it cannot tug its tail-horn free. If this happens, the hoop snake will shed the horny sheath of its tail (this takes 1d4 minutes, so is not something that normally occurs during combat). A hoop snake without a tail-horn can still fight with its exposed tail-spike, but this only does 1d6+3/19-20×2 damage and cannot channel its Tail-Blast. A hoop snake can regrow a shed tail-horn in two days. [B]Poison (Ex)[/B] A hoop snake has a poisonous bite that deals initial and secondary damage of 1d4 Str if the victim fails a DC 12 Fortitudesave. The save DC is Constitution-based. [B]Rolling Speed (Ex)[/B] A hoop snake can curl itself into a loop and roll along as a full-round movement action, which can include a charge attack with its tail-horn. Rolling doubles the hoop snake's land speed to 60 ft., and permits it to make a run action at five times its normal speed, as if it possessed the Run feat. Furthermore, a hoop-snake's speed is doubled yet again (i.e. quadrupled) rolling downhill. A hoop snake's rolling speed is halved going uphill and it cannot apply its Run bonus. Since this is no better than its regular land speed, it rarely rolls uphill. [B]Tail-Blast (Su)[/B] A hoop snake's Tail-Blast is a deadly energy discharge, similar to the electrical shock of an electric eel or catfish. A hoop snake can elect to release a tail blast whenever it hits with its tail horn attack, but does not have to. Anything struck by the tail-horn must make a Fortitude save against DC14 or take 1d6 hit points of force damage per Hit Dice of the Hoop Snake (3d6), plus be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds. If they succeed in the save, they take half damage and are merely stunned for a round. The tail-blast damage is in addition to the damage from the tail-horn attack that delivered it. The Save DC is Strength-based. [[I]There are differing accounts of a hoop snake's tail attack. Some sources compare the effects to being struck by lightning, others descriptions are closer to a rapid acting venom, a few have features of both. If you prefer those, you could change this tail-horn special attack to: [B]Tail-Venom (Ex)[/B] A hoop snake injects anything struck with its tail-horn with a highly potent venom. This poison deals initial and secondary damage of 1d8 Con if the victim fails a DC 16 Fortitude save. The save DC is Constitution-based and includes a +4 racial bonus. If you're really sadistic, the tail horn [B]combines[/B] a force damage Tail-Blast and a poison damage Tail-Sting. That's probably closer to the more exaggerated accounts of the varmint's poison, but would merit a Challenge Rating hike. It would certainly account for this monster's fearsome reputation! [B]Venomous Tail-Blast (Su)[/B] A hoop snake's tail horn can inflict a lethal combination of energy-discharge and venom. The object struck by the tail-horn must make a DC 16 Fortitude save or take 1d6 Con damage, plus 1d4 hit points of force damage per Hit Dice of the hoop snake plus be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds. If they succeed in the initial save, they take half force damage, no Con damage and are merely stunned for a round. One minute after the initial tail hit the target must make a secondary Fortitude save against the same DC or suffer another 1d6 Con damage. The save DC is Constitution-based and includes a +4 racial bonus.[/I]] [SIZE=3] [/SIZE] [/FONT][SIZE=3][B][FONT=Arial]Skills[/FONT][/B][/SIZE][FONT=Arial] Hoop snakes have a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Listen checks, a +6 racial bonus on Bluff checks made to imitate a human or animal whistling and Spot checks, and a +8 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. A hoop snake can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened. Hoop snakes use either their Strength modifier or Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher. A hoop snake 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. [/FONT][SIZE=3][B][FONT=Arial]Lore Checks[/FONT][/B][/SIZE][FONT=Arial] [B]DC 14[/B] - Everyone knows wat a 'oop snake be. It be a big reddy-browny snake wit a sting in its tail, dat curls itself up in a ring so's to roll along like a wagon wheel. Dey can roll fasser dan a horse, you knows. Soon as dey catches up wit yer, dey unwinds demselves any runs you through wit der tail-spike, wit is deadly poison dat could strike an ox dead on da spot. [B]DC 19[/B] - Don't try to outrun a hoop snake, son. They can roll faster than a thoroughbred. Your best hop is to hop over a fence or jump behind a tree. The snake must stop rolling to slither through a fence, giving you time to show it your heels. If you duck behind a tree at the right time, the hoop snake will skewer the tree with its tail-horn, not you. If you're lucky, the snake'll have struck so hard its tail will have got stuck in the tree, giving you a chance to finish it off or go to fetch help. [B]DC 24[/B] - Did you know hoop snakes can whistle? If you're walking along and hear something up on the hill whistling, it might not be a person pursing their lips, but a hoop snake trying to tempt you to come closer to see what's making the noise. Or maybe they like to whistle at lady snakes, like some foolish young'uns do these days. [/FONT][SIZE=3][B][FONT=Arial]Advanced Hoop Snakes[/FONT][/B][/SIZE][FONT=Arial] Here are compact stat blocks for a regular hoop snake, one advanced to Large size and one at advanced to maximum Hit Dice. [B]Hoop Snake [/B](Medium Magical Beast, Hit Dice: 3d10+3 (19hp); Init: +9; Speed: 30 ft. (4 squares)[30-120 ft. with rolling speed], climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; AC: 18(+5 Dex, +3 natural) touch 15, flat-footed 13; Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+6; Attack: Tail-horn +9 melee (1d8+3/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) or bite +8 melee (1d4+3 plus poison); Full Attack: Tail-horn +9 melee (1d8+3/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) and bite +3 melee (1d4+1 plus poison); Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.; Special Attacks: Impale [[I]tail 1d6+3/19-20×2 without horn[/I]], tail-blast [[I]DC 14 Fort else 3d6 force plus 1d4 rounds paralysis, half damage and 1 round stun on save*[/I]], poison [[I]bite, DC12 or 1d4/1d4 Str[/I]]; Saves: Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +2; Abilities: Str 17, Dex 21, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2; Skills: Balance +13, Bluff -4[[I]+2 imitate whistling[/I]], Climb +13, Hide +12, Listen +7, Spot +12, Swim +11; Feats: Alertness, Improved InitiativeB, Weapon FinesseB, Weapon Focus (tail-horn); CR: 4) [B]*Alternatives to tail-blast:[/B] tail-sting [[I]Poison, DC 16 Fort or 1d8/1d8 Con[/I]] venomous tail-blast [[I]poison and force, DC 16 Fort or 3d4 force damage, 1d4 rounds paralysis plus 1d6/1d6 Con damage poison, half force damage and 1 round stun on save[/I]](increase CR to 5) [B]Large Hoop Snake [/B](Large Magical Beast, Hit Dice: 7d10+21 (59hp); Init: +9; Speed: 30 ft. (4 squares)[30-120 ft. with rolling speed], climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; AC: 19(-1 size, +5 Dex, +5 natural) touch 14, flat-footed 14; Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+18; Attack: Tail-horn +14 melee (2d6+7/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) or bite +13 melee (1d6+7 plus poison); Full Attack: Tail-horn +14 melee (2d6+7/18-20×2 plus tail-blast) and bite +8 melee (1d6+3 plus poison); Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.; Special Attacks: Impale[[I]tail 1d8+7/19-20×2 without horn[/I]], tail-blast [[I]DC 22 Fort else 7d6 force plus 1d4 rounds paralysis, half damage and 1 round stun on save*[/I]], poison [[I]bite, DC16 or 1d6/1d6 Str[/I]]; Saves: Fort +8, Ref +10; Will +3; Abilities: Str 25, Dex 20, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2; Skills: Balance +13, Bluff -4[[I]+2 imitate whistling[/I]], Climb +15, Hide +12, Listen +7, Spot +12, Swim +15; Feats: Ability Focus (tail-blast); Alertness, Improved InitiativeB, Weapon Focus (tail-horn); CR: 7) [B]*Alternatives to tail-blast:[/B] tail-sting [[I]Poison, DC 22 Fort or 1d10/1d10 Con[/I]] venomous tail-blast [[I]poison and force, DC 22 Fort or 7d4 force damage, 1d4 rounds paralysis plus 1d10/1d10 Con damage poison, half force damage and 1 round stun on save[/I]] (increase CR to 8) [B]Maximized Hoop Snake [/B](Large Magical Beast, Hit Dice: 12d10+48 (114hp); Init: +9; Speed: 30 ft. (4 squares)[30-120 ft. with rolling speed], climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; AC: 19(-1 size, +5 Dex, +5 natural) touch 14, flat-footed 14; Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+24; Attack: Tail-horn +20 melee (2d6+8/15-20×2 plus tail-blast) or bite +19 melee (1d6+8 plus poison); Full Attack: Tail-horn +20 melee (2d6+8/15-20×2 plus tail-blast) and bite +14 melee (1d6+4 plus poison); Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.; Special Attacks: Impale [[I]tail 1d8+8/17-20×2 without horn[/I]], tail-blast [[I]DC 24 Fort else 12d6 force plus 1d4 rounds paralysis, half damage and 1 round stun on save*[/I]], poison [[I]bite, DC19 or 1d6/1d6 Str[/I]]; Saves: Fort +12, Ref +13; Will +7; Abilities: Str 26, Dex 20, Con 18, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2; Skills: Balance +13, Bluff -4[+2 imitate whistling], Climb +16, Hide +14, Listen +8, Spot +14, Swim +16; Feats: Ability Focus (tail-blast); Alertness, Improved Critical (tail-horn), Improved InitiativeB, Iron Will, Weapon Focus (tail-horn); CR: 9)[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][FONT=Arial]*Alternatives to tail-blast:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] tail-sting [[I]Poison, DC 25 Fort or 1d10/1d10 Con[/I]] venomous tail-blast [[I]poison and force, DC 25 Fort or 10d4 force damage, 1d4 rounds paralysis plus 1d10/1d10 Con damage poison, half force damage and 1 round stun on save[/I]] (increase CR to 10)[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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