Moray Eel (giant)
| Species | ray-finned fish |
| No. Appearing | 1–4 |
| Behaviour | solitary |
| Range | benthic, coral reef, deep water, intertidal, ocean banks, profundal |
| Size | 25 ft. long |
| Weight | 550 lbs. |
| Intelligence | 0 |
| Armour Class | 6 |
| Hit Dice | 5 |
| Action Points | 4 |
| Max. Stride | 12 |
| THAC0 | 18 |
| Hp/Die | d10 |
| Attack Forms | 1: jaws |
| Damage | 3–12 |
| Special Attacks | lock jaws, surprise on a 1–3 |
Giant moray eels are long, sinuous predators that lurk in underwater crevices, ambushing prey with a sudden, darting strike. Their slick bodies are covered with mottled patterns of green, brown or black, allowing even huge specimens to blend seamlessly into rocky seabeds and coral reefs. Its small, lidless eyes give it poor eyesight, but it compensates with an extraordinary sense of smell, detecting prey through the shifting currents of the deep.
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Contents
Though often mistaken for serpents or sea monsters by frightened sailors, moray eels are not inherently aggressive. They are territorial and will defend their lairs with terrifying speed and force, but they prefer ambush hunting over prolonged combat. In the dark waters of the deep or the tangled roots of a mangrove swamp, their sudden attack is often the last thing an unwary swimmer sees.
In some regions, particularly in warmer coastal waters, they are regarded with a mix of fear and reverence, and some cultures believe them to be the transformed spirits of the drowned. A few daring individuals even attempt to tame them, feeding them regularly to turn them into living, writhing watch-dogs of shipwrecks, treasure hoards or submerged shrines. However, such creatures can never truly be domesticated — only tolerated, until hunger overtakes them once more.
Locking Jaws
Morays possess a uniquely powerful bite. Their jaws are lined with curved, needle-like teeth that trap struggling creatures, and unlike most other fish, they have a second set of jaws hidden in their throat that lunge forward to drag prey deeper into their gullet. If a character is struck with enough force to cause a wound, this double-set of jaws have locked onto the victim, who won't be let go unless the moray is killed. Because the beast outweighs most player characters, it possesses the mass and strength to pull them away — though with difficulty.
Once a victim is seized, they will be dragged beneath the surface immediately. The eel's violent thrashing prevents any chance of controlled movement, ensuring the victim drowns in 3–8 rounds, unless freed. Allies who can swim have three full rounds to attack the eel before it escapes into the depths, plus one additional round for every 20 points of swimming knowledge they possess. If the moray is killed before it can retreat, the victim will be released, though the damage inflicted by the eel's bite and the time spent underwater may still present a life-threatening situation.
See also,
Bestiary
Electric Eel
