[3.5, Monsters] Where can I find a gargantuan eel-like creature?

[Aeolius]

...there was a big thread approximately a year ago, complaining about the lack of good monsters in that regard, and alternative ways to implement them...

THIS ONE ? I copied that one, as it had the bit about " the first MM after we have robust aquatic rules (DMG2 maybe? No promises!)".

As for other alternatives, how about Oriental Adventures?

Perhaps you could create a massive amphisbaena eel, just to be different. I used the two-headed template on a dragon moray eel, to create a unique amphisbaena familiar for a PC.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey there!

I created a Colossal Eel-based Far Realm critter called the Akishra (Astral Worm) in my Immortals Handbook: Epic Bestiary.

See the illustration here:

http://www.immortalshandbook.com/IHpreview4.htm

Unfortunately, as an Epic Bestiary might suggest its a tad higher than CR 10-15, its actually CR 40 with a variant Astral Hydra thats CR 68.

You could probably scale it down to CR 10-15 using my Aspect rules. 1/4 HD, 1/4 divine rank, Ability Scores: Subtract Size bonuses, 1/4 score then add 9, then reapply Size bonuses.

 

[Delta]

"The typical Sea Monster of mythology is equal in size to a Purple Worm, and they work upwards from there to double or treble that size." -- OD&D Vol 2, p. 15, 1974.

 

[frankthedm]

The MM3 armored eel / dragon eel.

www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mmiii_gallery/82963.jpg

 

[Aeolius]

One could always use real-world examples, such as the frilled shark or oarfish , coupled with a bit of deep sea gigantism .

 

[blargney the second]

You guys are a huge help! My plan now is to mix-and-match traits from several of the beasties put forward, including a good candidate in the thread Aeolius mentioned: the shadow sea serpent.

Now I just have to figure out how hard I want this fight to be...
-blarg

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

You guys are a huge help! My plan now is to mix-and-match traits from several of the beasties put forward, including a good candidate in the thread Aeolius mentioned: the shadow sea serpent.

Now I just have to figure out how hard I want this fight to be...
-blarg

I suggest: Hard, but with an eye to hard in a memorable way! (How to do that: Well, I hope you figure it out and post the results. )

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

Dragon Eel is the first thing that popped into my mind, too. Shouldn't be difficult to upsize it from Large to Gargantuan.

 

[Aeolius]

For something unexpected, how about an amphibious neothelid, pursued by seafaring mind flayers?

 

[blargney the second]

Wow, the neothelid is impressive. That'd be a very scary fight for these guys.

I think it's time for a confession: I actually kind of screwed up last game while DMing the Tides of Dread installment of Savage Tide. The accompanying Dragon mag lists a group of local legendary monsters called the Infamous Seven, including one cantankerous dragon eel. I'd read up on the t-rex and the dragon turtle, both of which were gargantuan, so I just assumed the eel was of comparable dimensions. (oops)

While the party was travelling to Tanaroa, I rolled a random encounter of 4 huge great white sharks, who I decided were paralleling the ship. The PCs realized that this was unusual behaviour, but they just let the sharks be for a while. ...Until one of the great whites was violently pulled under and the other sharks scattered. They spotted a 60'+ serpent-shaped creature underwater, which they assumed was the infamous dragon eel. We left off with them ready to dive in and kill this monster for the glory it would bring them with the locals.

I only found out later that dragon eels are merely large, and would have a ginormous CR if advanced to gargantuan. Hence this thread.
-blarg