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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shade" data-source="post: 5295043" data-attributes="member: 287">Fish, SubterraneanAlthough many fish species are found in subterranean fresh waters, three varieties in particular pose problems to creatures that pass through Undermountain’s waterways: they are the wattley, the lemon fish, and the iridescent plecos. These fish are found in bodies of water where luminous lichen or other sources provide a setting that approximates natural lighting. They particularly thrive in the underground caverns of Undermountain where the forest streams of Wyllowwood and the River Sargauth flow.While not as vicious as barracuda or piranha, these fish are carnivorous and enjoy the taste of flesh, attacking creatures of rat size and larger (even larger than themselves) when they are hungry. They can subside on creatures smaller than that but they must eat a large amount to provide a good meal. The fish are docile and nearly harmless if they have fed recently.Fish, Subterranean, Lemon FishCLIMATE/TERRAIN: Underground pools, streams, and riversFREQUENCY: UncommonORGANIZATION: SolitaryACTIVITY CYCLE: NightDIET: CarnivoreINTELLIGENCE: Non- (0)TREASURE: NilALIGNMENT: NeutralNO. APPEARING: 1-3ARMOR CLASS: 6MOVEMENT: Sw 24HIT DICE: 4 to 9THAC0: Varies by HDNO. OF ATTACKS: 2 (bite/tail)DAMAGE/ATTACKS: 4-6 HD: 2d4/4-6 hp + poison; 7-8 HD: 2d6/7-8 hp + poison; 9 HD: 2d8/9 hp + poisonSPECIAL ATTACKS: PoisonSPECIAL DEFENSES: Stun cloudMAGIC RESISTANCE: 40%SIZE: S-M (2’-6’ long)MORALE: Steady (11)XP VALUE: Varies by HDNamed for the bright yellow scales that cover much of their bodies, lemon fish are among the most vicious predators in subterranean fresh waters. They vary widely in size, with adults ranging from 2 feet to 6 feet long. Unlike other fish, the size of a lemon fish is not indicative of its age. The strongest of the fish feed more often, and therefore grow to become stronger still and vastly more dangerous. Lemon fish are pleasing to the eye. Those looking through the water at them have said they resemble living gold pieces. The dorsal fin,ti pped with black like all the others, resembles that of a shark when it breaks the surface of the water. The tail is covered with yellow and black barbs, with a thin spike extending up to 2 feet beyond the tail. Its eyes are black saucers that close when the fish moves forward for a kill. The damage of a lemon fish‘s bite is proportionate to its size, the largest inflicting 2-16 (2dS) points of damage with its double rows of teeth.Regardless of its size, the lemon fish is able to attack twice per round a vicious bite and a tail slap that causes points of damage equal to the fish’s Hit Dice. For example, a 7 HD lemon fish has a tail slap that inflicts 7 points of damage each time it hits. The damage is caused by the needlelike spike and the barbs. Those struck by the tail must save vs. poison or suffer ld6 points of damage per round for as many subsequent rounds as the fish has Hit Dice (an attack by a 7 HD lemon fish causes 7 points of tail slap damage plus 7d6 points of poison damage across 7 rounds).Lemon fish also possess a special defense that comes into play when the fish’s body is punctured. The injured fish instinctively releases a filmy liquid that expands into a sphere twice the diameter of the fish‘s length (e.g., a 2-foot fish creates a 4-foot spherical area of effect). Those caught in the sphere must save vs. poison at 4 or be stunned for ld4 rounds, often allowing the bleeding fish to flee. If other lemon fish are swimming with the injured one, they usually attack the stunned creature, since they are immune to their own poisons. Lemon fish are usually solitary, and never more than three are found together. Generally, these fish are of 7 HD or fewer. The largest of the fish always hunts alone. The flesh of a lemon fish is tough and generally inedible, though the organs of the fish are tasty and prized by duergar and drow. The fish’s toxicity is lost after its death, so consuming the animal poses no threat. Lemon fish lay eggs up to four times a year, with each yielding 100-600 eggs. Only ten out of 100 young survive to reach adulthood. The eggs of the lemon fish are edible and command up to 400 gp a pound, (roughly 600 eggs).Originally appeared in Ruins of Undermountain II: The Deep Levels (1994).  This is the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two version.</blockquote>

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