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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BOZ" data-source="post: 1167218" data-attributes="member: 1241">first of all, as promised, here are the original entries from DRAGON 48 and MC Annual 4:Golden AmmoniteCreated by Roger E. MooreFREQUENCY: Very rareNUMBER APPEARING: 1-3ARMOR CLASS: 2/8MOVE: 1”HIT DICE: 8 + 3% IN LAIR: NilTREASURE TYPE: See belowNUMBER OF ATTACKS: 10DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4 per tentacleSPECIAL ATTACKS: BlindingSPECIAL DEFENSES: Immune to psionic attackMAGIC RESISTANCE: 90%INTELLIGENCE: Semi-ALIGNMENT: NeutralSIZE: L (6’-8’ shell diameter; 12’ tentacles)PSIONIC ABILITY: NilEXPERIENCE POINT VALUE: 2700 + 12/HP (None for g.p. of shell)Golden Ammonites are sea-dwelling octopoids that live in great coiled shells like hermit crabs. The body and tentacles of a Golden Ammonite are dark brown with spots of black. The shell, however, is made of pure solid gold; each one weighs between 1,200 and 1,800 Ibs. So rare and beautiful are these shells that they can be sold for up to 150,000 g.p. each, if buyers can be found who can afford them. Yet getting these shells is another matter entirely.Golden Ammonites have two great multifaceted eyes on either side of their bodies that project just beyond the rim of their golden shells. Each eye has the power to launch a small ball of light, 1’ in diameter, out to a range of 90’. This attack may initially appear much like a fireball being cast, though such a thing is of course impossible underwater. Victims must save vs. spell (with Dexterity bonuses for spell evasion applicable) if a Lightball is cast at them; failure means the victim is struck in the face by the lightball and blinded as if struck by a Continual Light spell. The lightball may only be removed from the character’s eyes by a Dispel Magic cast by a character of 12th or higher level or by a Wish. Even after the lightball is removed the character’s vision is permanently damaged and attacks will be made by the character at -2 to hit. Only a Heal or another Wish will cure the damage to the eyes. Two such lightballs may be fired per round (one per eye) as often as the Golden Ammonite has a target within range.If attacked physically, these creatures are 50% likely to fight with their tentacles and 50% likely to crawl back into their shells and seal themselves up, giving them an armor class of 2 all around. Physical attacks on a creature not sealed up are 50% likely to strike the ammonite’s shell (AC2), 45% likely to strike the soft body or tentacles (AC8), and 5% likely to hit one of the two large eyes (AC2). An eye is destroyed instantly if any damage is inflicted upon it, and its loss will cause the creature to immediately withdraw into its shell for 4-24 turns. It should be noted that each point of damage done to the shell of the Golden Ammonite reduces its overall resale value by 1,000 g.p., to a minimum value of 15,000 g.p. These creatures are immune to all psionic attacks, though they are susceptible to ESP.If a Golden Ammonite is able to grasp an opponent with one or more of its tentacles, it does not need to check for hitting again against the same opponent(s). The tentacles that hit do constricting damage to the victim each round thereafter until the creature or the victim is dead. These creatures may divide their attacks against up to 10 opponents.Deep marine canyons at depths below 1,000 feet, in the coldest and darkest regions of the sea, are where Golden Ammonites make their homes. They collect no treasure or property. The shells of these octopoids have never been found empty; it is believed that these creatures have a lifespan of thousands of years. They do not speak or communicate by sound. Apparently they have a form of tentacle sign language, though no one can translate it.Now and then (25% chance) an Eye of the Deep will be found with one or more of these creatures, apparently acting as an ally and not being attacked in any way.And, as you can see, very similar, from MC Annual 4:CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Ocean depthsFREQUENCY: Very rareORGANIZATION: SolitaryACTIVITY CYCLE: AnyDIET: Scavenger?INTELLIGENCE: Semi- (2-4)TREASURE: Special (shell)ALIGNMENT: NeutralNO. APPEARING: 1-3ARMOR CLASS: 2/8MOVEMENT: 1HIT DICE: 8+3THAC0: 11NO. OF ATTACKS: 10DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1d4 (x10)SPECIAL ATTACKS: Blinding, constrictionSPECIAL DEFENSES: Immune to psionicsMAGIC RESISTANCE: 90%SIZE: L (6'-8' shell diameter, 12' tentacles)MORALE: Champion (15- 16)XP VALUE: 6,000The legendary golden ammonites are sea-dwelling octopoids that live in great coiled shells like hermit crabs. The body and tentacles of a golden ammonite are dark brown with spots of black. The shell however, is made of pure, solid gold; each weighs between 1,200 and 1,800 pounds. So rare and beautiful are these shells that they can be sold for up to 150,000 gp each, if a buyer who can afford one can be found.  A golden ammonite has two great multifaceted eyes on either side of its body that projects just beyond the run of its golden shell. While most of its soft body is protected, the creature has 10 tentacles it can use to drag itself slowly across the ocean floor.  The golden ammonites do not speak or communicate by sound. They may have some type of tentacle sign language, though no one has proven this.Combat: The ammonite discourages close approach by its magical ability to project lightballs from its faceted eyes. Each eye can fire one lightball per round, to a distance of 90 feet. The eyes rotate independently (much like a chameleon's) and each can thus target a creature in any direction as long as the line of sight is not physically blocked.  The casting of a lightball may look at first like the casting of a fireball - a small ball of tight, one foot in diameter, is sent streaking toward a target (but, of course, a fireball is impossible underwater). Each target creature must make a successful saving throw vs. spell, with Dexterity adjustments if applicable. Failure means the victim is struck in the face by the lightball and blinded as if by a continual light spell.  The lightball can be removed only by a dispel magic from a caster of at least 12th level, or by a wish.   Golden ammonites are immune to all psionic attacks, though they are susceptible to ESP.  If attacked physically, these creatures are 50% likely to fight with their tentacles and 50% likely to crawl back into their shells and seal themselves up. When sealed tip, the golden ammonite has Armor Class 2 all around.  Physical attacks on an ammonite that is not sealed up are 50% likely to hit the shell (AC 2), 45% likely to strike the soft body or tentacles (AC 8) and 5% likely to hit one of the two large eyes (AC 2). Any damage to an eye destroys it instantly, and the creature immediately withdraws into its shell for 4d6 turns. Attacks that strike the shell reduce its value by 1,000 gp per point of damage inflicted, to a minimum value of 15,000 gp for the shattered pieces of an entire shell,  A golden ammonite that fights with its tentacles can make up to 10 attacks. Once an opponent is hit by one or more tentacles, those tentacles constrict for 1d4 points of damage each round until the foe is dead, or until the golden ammonite has been stain or driven back into its shell, The creature is reputed to direct its attacks with some intelligence.  A single blow with an edged weapon that inflicts 6 or more points of damage or an attack roll of a natural 20 will sever a tentacle.  The golden ammonite can regrow severed tentacles completely in a few weeks.Habitat/Society: The golden ammonite is found only in the deepest marine canyons, at depths, below 1,000 feet, in the coldest and darkest regions of the sea. It moves slowly about the ocean floor, grazing on whatever food it can find. The ammonite collects no treasure or property.  Now and then, an Eye of the Deep will be found with these creatures (25% chance). When this occurs, the beholder-kin apparently acts as an ally, for the golden ammonite does not attack it in any way.Ecology: No golden ammonite shell has ever been found empty; it is believed that these creatures may  have a lifespan of thousands of years. The origin of the ammonite's golden shell is as obscure as the details of its day-to-day existence. All that can be said is that it slowly makes its way through its undersea world and most natural predators seem to leave it alone.-From DRAGON Magazine #48</blockquote>

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