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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shade" data-source="post: 5313582" data-attributes="member: 287">Fixed the plecos, and here's the wattley...Fish, Subterranean, WattleyCLIMATE/TERRAIN: Underground pools, streams, and riversFREQUENCY: RareORGANIZATION: SchoolACTIVITY CYCLE: AnyDIET: OmnivoreINTELLIGENCE: Semi- (2-4)TREASURE: SpecialALIGNMENT: NeutralNO. APPEARING: 10-40ARMOR CLASS: 8MOVEMENT: Sw 18HIT DICE: 1THAC0: 19NO. OF ATTACKS: 1+paralysisDAMAGE/ATTACKS: 1d2SPECIAL ATTACKS: ParalysisSPECIAL DEFENSES: NilMAGIC RESISTANCE: NilSIZE: T (6”-1’ long)MORALE: Steady (11)XP VALUE: 35Perhaps the most beautiful of the subterranean fish, wattleys are oval-shaped, looking like near-circles with sharp, tiny teeth and lacy fins. The fish are from one to three inches thick. Brilliant stripes cover their bodies, and have caused sages to believe there are several varieties of wattleys. Green-, blue-, and brown-striped fish have been caught, and rare solid blue and green wattleys have been seen.These are clearly the most intelligent of the subterranean fish. In schools led by a single fish, usually the largest and oldest (delivering 14 points of biting damage because of its size), they congregate in groups of 10 to 40 where they will be safer from predators. At night, schools come together in larger groups for even ereater protection, sometimes numbering as many as 300 fish altogether.Wattleys are voracious, consuming at least their weight in food every three days. The bite of a wattle contains a paralytic venom. All creatures of 2 Hit Dice or fewer are automatically paralyzed if bitten by one of these fish. Creatures of greater Hit Dice must make a successful saving throw vs. poison or fall unconscious for 3d6 rounds, minus a number of rounds equal to their Hit Dice. A saving throw must be made for each bite. An entire school hunts, using their paralytic bites to bring down large prey so all members can feed. Unsuspecting adventurers wading through underground rivers and streams have found themselves floating helpless in the water after a single bite from these fish.   Creatures not able to breathe water often drown before the paralysis wears off. Wattleys mate for life, and each pair produces 10-100 eggs every three months, with 10d4 surviving to reach maturity .Despite the danger, wattleys are hunted by humans and demihumans traveling underground. These hunters throw small animals and fresh meat into water inhabited by the fii. When the fish eat and become sated, the fishermen wade into the water and net as many fish as possible before they flee. The flesh of wattleys is delicious, and their organs, properly prepared, can be used in the creation of paralytic poisons and salves. In addition, their scales are dsed to decorate clothing and jewelry. Live wattleys can be sold for 2-12 gp apiece (depending on size and coloration) to wealthy surface dwellers who stock the fish in ponds and indoor tanks. In captivity, wattleys live 2-4 years, opposed to 15 years in their normal habitat. Wattley eggs are delicacies, commanding as much as 1,600 gp per pound (roughly 800 eggs).Wattleys’ major predators include drow and duergar (who use the fish as a source of food and uoison), and lemon fish, which prey upon the smaller school;. The fish are also prized because of the treasure sometimes found inside. ‘The wattlevs are drawn to shiny objects, and larger specimens can swallow pearls, small gems, and other tiny valuables. The objects become lodged inside the fish, and the fish must be gutted to retrieve any valuables. Only one in 20 fish (1 on ld20 roll) has swallowed some small thing of value (DMs choice).Originally appeared in Ruins of Undermountain II: The Deep Levels (1994).  This is the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two version.Swarm?</blockquote>

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