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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shade" data-source="post: 5412363" data-attributes="member: 287">Peridinium, Small FREQUENCY: Common NO. APP.: 2-12ARMOR CLASS: 7MOVE: 12”HIT DICE: 1% IN LAIR: 0TREAS. TYPE: NilNO. ATT.: 1-3DAM/ATT.: 1-4SPEC. ATT.: See belowSPEC. DEF.: FlashMAGIC RES.: StandardINTELLIGENCE: Non-ALIGNMENT: NeutralSIZE: SPSIONIC ABIL.: NilPeridinium, Medium FREQUENCY: Uncommon NO. APP.: 1-6ARMOR CLASS: 5MOVE: 12”HIT DICE: 2-3% IN LAIR: 0TREAS. TYPE: NilNO. ATT.: 1-6DAM/ATT.: 1-4SPEC. ATT.: See belowSPEC. DEF.: FlashMAGIC RES.: StandardINTELLIGENCE: Non-ALIGNMENT: NeutralSIZE: MPSIONIC ABIL.: NilPeridinium, Large FREQUENCY: Very rareNO. APP.: 1-2ARMOR CLASS: 2MOVE: 16”HIT DICE: 5-8% IN LAIR: 0TREAS. TYPE: See belowNO. ATT.: 2-8DAM/ATT.: 1-4SPEC. ATT.: See belowSPEC. DEF.: FlashMAGIC RES.: StandardINTELLIGENCE: Non-ALIGNMENT: NeutralSIZE: LPSIONIC ABIL.: NilPeridinium is a type of armored dinoflagellate covered with thick plates. Only the region from which the flagella arise is not covered, and should be treated as AC 9 (note that the rotation of the cell makes it difficult to aim at this particular spot, so the armor classes given above must be used).Small pores extend through the individual plates. Within each pore is a single trichocyst, a projectile which for present purposes  can be treated like a crossbow bolt. Although each pore has but a single projectile (these are replaced by new growth within a few hours), the rotation of the cell as it swims through the water constantly brings new pores into the line of fire. Small cells can fire up to 40 trichocysts, treated like light crossbow bolts with close range up to 10., medium 11-20., and long 2l-30.. Medium-sized cells have 60 trichocysts (ranges 0-15., 16-30., and 31-45., while the largest forms can have more than 100 trichocysts (ranges 0-30., 31-60., and 61-90.).Peridinium may produce its flash response as other creatures approach, but will definitely flash when struck. A character within 10’ of the cell must make a saving throw vs. spells or be blinded for 2-7 rounds, in addition to dropping any weapons in hand unless an additional saving throw vs. breath weapon (with dexterity bonuses) is made. Characters 10-30’ from the cell who fail their saving throw are startled for one round (no attacks allowed), and must also save again (same throw) to see if their weapons are dropped. For medium-sized cells, the saving throw has a penalty of -1, for large cells -2.The cells occur in both salt and fresh water, and are most common in relatively clear water in the tropics. They survive primarily by photosynthesis, and will eventually die (or form cysts) if kept in the dark.Legend has it that Protiston keeps unknown treasures within a large Peridinium, which swims in an elaborate pattern through the water of the lair, making the precise location of the treasure very difficult for “food sources”(adventurers) to discover. For added protection, eight medium-sized Peridinium swim in formation around the treasure cell, with swarms of small Peridinium and Ceratium around as well.Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #111  (1986).</blockquote>

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