Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin
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Shade
Monster Junkie
Fish, Deep Ocean, Viper Fish
Climate/Terrain: Ocean depths
Freq: Uncommon
Org: Solitary
Activity Cycle: Any
Diet: Carnivore
Int: Animal (1)
Treasure: Nil
Align: Neutral
# App: 1-2
AC: 7
Move: Sw 18
HD: 10
THAC0: 11
# Att: 1
Dmg/Att: 1d20
SA: Swallow whole (some: constriction)
SD: Nil
MR: Nil
Size: Huge (20' long)
Morale: Fearless (20)
XP: 5,000
The viperfish is among the most vicious inhabitants of the deepest ocean depths. It is an active cruiser after prey rather than a mere passive toothed trap waiting for a meal to come within reach. The creature has lights for vision as well as for attracting prey, and often has a double row of lights along its torso like portholes on an ocean liner. Prey lures include luminous patches directly inside the creature's mouth. From a viperfish's chin protrudes one or more branches-or whiplike growths. In all species, this is an extension of the lateral line senses, serving as a type of antenna to detect movement in the water. Some fantastic species, however, might also use it as a weapon (see below). The smallest natural viperfish is about an inch and a half long, while the largest can grow to 6 feet. Monstrous viperfish might grow to a length of 20 feet or more.
Like many other fish of the depths, a viperfish gets in one good bite at the start of the attack (1d20 points of damage) and then swallows its prey whole, its teeth serving as no more than bars in a cage to keep the prey from escaping. They also keep the viperfish from letting its prey go if it realizes it is too much for it, as they slant backwards. If the viperfish takes too big a mouthful, then that's just too bad for it, as well as for its prey. Some specimens have a whiplike chin growth that acts as a tentacle, causing 1d8 points of constriction damage. Swallowed prey takes 1d8 points of damage per round from the viperfish's stomach acids until rescued or dead. Slashing or piercing damage inflicted on the viperfish is inflicted on the trapped prey as well.
Viperfish are solitary creatures, only coming together briefly for the mating season. They abandon their young as soon as the eggs are laid.
As active hunters, viperfish have more of an impact on the deep-sea ecology than those predators that simply sit around waiting for prey to come to them. They also have edible, if non-tasty, flesh.
Source: Monstrous Compendium Annual 4.[/QUOTE]
Climate/Terrain: Ocean depths
Freq: Uncommon
Org: Solitary
Activity Cycle: Any
Diet: Carnivore
Int: Animal (1)
Treasure: Nil
Align: Neutral
# App: 1-2
AC: 7
Move: Sw 18
HD: 10
THAC0: 11
# Att: 1
Dmg/Att: 1d20
SA: Swallow whole (some: constriction)
SD: Nil
MR: Nil
Size: Huge (20' long)
Morale: Fearless (20)
XP: 5,000
The viperfish is among the most vicious inhabitants of the deepest ocean depths. It is an active cruiser after prey rather than a mere passive toothed trap waiting for a meal to come within reach. The creature has lights for vision as well as for attracting prey, and often has a double row of lights along its torso like portholes on an ocean liner. Prey lures include luminous patches directly inside the creature's mouth. From a viperfish's chin protrudes one or more branches-or whiplike growths. In all species, this is an extension of the lateral line senses, serving as a type of antenna to detect movement in the water. Some fantastic species, however, might also use it as a weapon (see below). The smallest natural viperfish is about an inch and a half long, while the largest can grow to 6 feet. Monstrous viperfish might grow to a length of 20 feet or more.
Like many other fish of the depths, a viperfish gets in one good bite at the start of the attack (1d20 points of damage) and then swallows its prey whole, its teeth serving as no more than bars in a cage to keep the prey from escaping. They also keep the viperfish from letting its prey go if it realizes it is too much for it, as they slant backwards. If the viperfish takes too big a mouthful, then that's just too bad for it, as well as for its prey. Some specimens have a whiplike chin growth that acts as a tentacle, causing 1d8 points of constriction damage. Swallowed prey takes 1d8 points of damage per round from the viperfish's stomach acids until rescued or dead. Slashing or piercing damage inflicted on the viperfish is inflicted on the trapped prey as well.
Viperfish are solitary creatures, only coming together briefly for the mating season. They abandon their young as soon as the eggs are laid.
As active hunters, viperfish have more of an impact on the deep-sea ecology than those predators that simply sit around waiting for prey to come to them. They also have edible, if non-tasty, flesh.
Source: Monstrous Compendium Annual 4.[/QUOTE]
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