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<blockquote data-quote="Roger" data-source="post: 3721105" data-attributes="member: 17420">Room 5:&nbsp; The Inhabited Octopus (EL 8)---The river opens into a large cavern.&nbsp; Two high cliff ledges overlook a large pile of bones that form an island.&nbsp; Sitting on them is an enormous octopus, apparently the source of the stench of rotting fish.---At first sight, this monster appears to be the animated zombie of a giant octopus.&nbsp; However, there are several clues that may alert the players that all is not what it seems.&nbsp; It is neutral (since it is essentially an animated object) rather than evil.&nbsp; It fights with more intelligence than a standard zombie, and the shapes of the insects crawling under its skin can be clearly seen.&nbsp; Finally, zombies can usually only be created from creatures that have a skeletal system.The (dead) octopus is actually inhabited by a swarm of hellwasps.&nbsp; It doesn't immediately attack, as some of the other inhabitants give it offerings for safe passage.&nbsp; It is quick to counterattack, however.Giant Octopus 'Zombie' Tactics:&nbsp; During this part of the encounter, the swarm directs the animated octopus to engage the characters in melee combat.&nbsp; It tries to remain on its island of bones -- the remains of other creatures it has inhabited -- and use its reach.&nbsp; It cannot reach anyone on the two ledges, which may encourage the PCs to occupy them and attack from a distance.Hellwasp Swarm Tactics:&nbsp; Once the octopus is destroyed, the swarm's tactics change considerably.&nbsp; It will first attempt to attack anyone who stands on either of the ledges, with a preference for lone attackers and spellcasters.&nbsp; If it manages to drop a character with its poison, it may decide to inhabit the victim if it seems relatively safe to do so.Giant Octopus 'Zombie'Size/Type:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Large Construct (Aquatic)Hit Dice:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 16d12+3 (107 hp)Initiative:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; +1Speed:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 20 ft. (4 squares; can't run), swim 30 ft.Armor Class:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 20 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +10 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 19Base Attack/Grapple:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; +8/+15Attack:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Tentacle +11 melee (1d4+6) or slam +11 melee (1d8+6)Full Attack:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Tentacle +11 melee (1d4+6) or slam +11 melee (1d8+6)Space/Reach:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 10 ft./10 ft. (20 ft. with tentacle)Special Attacks:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -Special Qualities:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Single actions only, damage reduction 5/slashing, darkvision 60 ft., construct traitsSaves:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +10&nbsp; &nbsp; Abilities:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Str 22, Dex 13, Con -, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 1Skills:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; NoneFeats:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; ToughnessEnvironment:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; AnyOrganization:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; AnyChallenge Rating:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 5*Treasure:&nbsp; &nbsp; NoneAlignment:&nbsp; &nbsp; Always neutralAdvancement:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 18-20 HD (Large)Level Adjustment:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -* CR is subsumed into the hellwasp swarm's CR.Hellwasp swarm: 93 hp.Treasure:&nbsp; [Average treasure for EL8 is 3,400 gp; not sure what I'll put here.&nbsp; If someone else wants to use this money for their treasure, it's pretty much up for grabs.]The Room:- The cliffs are 40' high; the top of the cavern is about 60' up.&nbsp; Climbing the cliff face is DC 10 due to numerous natural handholds.- The island of bones should be considered difficult terrain.- The river is somewhat shallower here than elsewhere, although it's still deep enough that any character reduced to zero Dexterity by the swarm's poison could easily drown.&nbsp; [How deep/fast is the river elsewhere?]- DM's may want to review the rules on swarm creatures.[Feedback welcome.]Cheers,Roger</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Roger, post: 3721105, member: 17420"] [B]Room 5: The Inhabited Octopus (EL 8)[/B] --- The river opens into a large cavern. Two high cliff ledges overlook a large pile of bones that form an island. Sitting on them is an enormous octopus, apparently the source of the stench of rotting fish. --- At first sight, this monster appears to be the animated zombie of a giant octopus. However, there are several clues that may alert the players that all is not what it seems. It is neutral (since it is essentially an animated object) rather than evil. It fights with more intelligence than a standard zombie, and the shapes of the insects crawling under its skin can be clearly seen. Finally, zombies can usually only be created from creatures that have a skeletal system. The (dead) octopus is actually inhabited by a swarm of hellwasps. It doesn't immediately attack, as some of the other inhabitants give it offerings for safe passage. It is quick to counterattack, however. Giant Octopus 'Zombie' Tactics: During this part of the encounter, the swarm directs the animated octopus to engage the characters in melee combat. It tries to remain on its island of bones -- the remains of other creatures it has inhabited -- and use its reach. It cannot reach anyone on the two ledges, which may encourage the PCs to occupy them and attack from a distance. Hellwasp Swarm Tactics: Once the octopus is destroyed, the swarm's tactics change considerably. It will first attempt to attack anyone who stands on either of the ledges, with a preference for lone attackers and spellcasters. If it manages to drop a character with its poison, it may decide to inhabit the victim if it seems relatively safe to do so. Giant Octopus 'Zombie' Size/Type: Large Construct (Aquatic) Hit Dice: 16d12+3 (107 hp) Initiative: +1 Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares; can't run), swim 30 ft. Armor Class: 20 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +10 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 19 Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+15 Attack: Tentacle +11 melee (1d4+6) or slam +11 melee (1d8+6) Full Attack: Tentacle +11 melee (1d4+6) or slam +11 melee (1d8+6) Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. (20 ft. with tentacle) Special Attacks: - Special Qualities: Single actions only, damage reduction 5/slashing, darkvision 60 ft., construct traits Saves: Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +10 Abilities: Str 22, Dex 13, Con -, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 1 Skills: None Feats: Toughness Environment: Any Organization: Any Challenge Rating: 5* Treasure: None Alignment: Always neutral Advancement: 18-20 HD (Large) Level Adjustment: - * CR is subsumed into the hellwasp swarm's CR. Hellwasp swarm: 93 hp. Treasure: [Average treasure for EL8 is 3,400 gp; not sure what I'll put here. If someone else wants to use this money for their treasure, it's pretty much up for grabs.] The Room: - The cliffs are 40' high; the top of the cavern is about 60' up. Climbing the cliff face is DC 10 due to numerous natural handholds. - The island of bones should be considered difficult terrain. - The river is somewhat shallower here than elsewhere, although it's still deep enough that any character reduced to zero Dexterity by the swarm's poison could easily drown. [How deep/fast is the river elsewhere?] - DM's may want to review the rules on swarm creatures. [Feedback welcome.] Cheers, Roger [/QUOTE]

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