Difference between revisions of "Giant Crayfish"

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| noapp = 1–4
 
| noapp = 1–4
 
| behaviour = solitary
 
| behaviour = solitary
| range = [[Limnetic (range)|limnetic]], [[Profundal (range)|profundal]]
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| range = [[Profundal (range)|profundal]], [[Wetland (range)|wetland]]
 
| size = 8 ft. long
 
| size = 8 ft. long
 
| weight = 1,300 lbs.
 
| weight = 1,300 lbs.
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| HD = 4+4
 
| HD = 4+4
 
| AP = 4
 
| AP = 4
| THAC0 = 17
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| THAC0 = 18
 
| hpdie = d12
 
| hpdie = d12
| attack = claw/claw
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| attack = [[Pincer (attack)|pincer]]/pincer
 
| dmg = 2–12/2–12
 
| dmg = 2–12/2–12
| special = [[Claw (attack)|claw]], [[Surprise (combat)|surprise on a 1-3]]
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| special = [[Capsizing|capsizing]], [[Crushing|crushing]],<br>[[Surprise (combat)|surprise on a 1-3]]
 
}}
 
}}
  
'''Giant crayfish''' are immense creatures found on the shorelines and sodden areas adjacent to freshwater lakes and tropical nyanza, up to 50 feet below the water's surface. They also dwell in drowned swamps. They are largely scavenging creatures, but if disturbed they have been known to attack.
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'''Giant crayfish''' are intimidating [[Lake|lake]] creatures found along the wetland and sodden areas adjacent to freshwater lakes and tropical nyanza. They may also be found in drowned swamps. They dwell submerged holes dug into the hard clay, preferring to feed and rest beneath the surface.  When hunting, giant crayfish wander swampy areas just below the surface, causing a wake that doesn't quite break the water.
  
[[File:Giant Crayfish.jpg|left|350px]]
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[[File:Giant Crayfish.jpg|left|350px|thumb]]
Giant crayfish will sometimes rush forward, usually launching themselves out of deep water, to seize prey moving upon a small boat or next to the shore. If encountered emerging from the water like this, they will surprise on a 1–3 out of 6. When attacking, they will always focus both their claws on the same target.
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== Behaviour ==
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They're largely scavenging creatures, but if provoked they've been known to [[Attacking in Combat|attack]].  Giant crayfish have been known to attack small surface boats, '''capsizing''' or swamping water over the gunnels, attacking occupants with one claw before sinking below the surface.
  
If either claw individually succeeds in [[Stun Lock|stunning]] an opponent, it will have the creature in a vise-like grip. The crayfish will then begin to move away, all the way to the water if necessary, until it is able to consume its victim; meanwhile, the crushed victim will suffer 1–4 damage per round. The crayfish's claw can be loosened if the crayfish is successfully stunned.
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Locals are careful to avoid these creatures, though sometimes if one can be found upon semi-soft or firm ground, a large gathering of [[Village|villagers]] may attack it for the meat — a giant crayfish offers up to 200 lbs. of food or more; the fresh meat may even be sold, if the market can be reached within half a day.  Still, finding the creature close to a bank is a rare thing.
  
The meat from a giant crayfish is edible and can, if preserved or transported to a market within 4 to 5 hours, be sold for a good price.
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== Advantages ==
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When attacking out of the water, crayfish '''surprise 1-3 out of 6'''.  From the water, they can attack with only one claw; but if their tail finds firm purchase on the bottom, it can attack with both.  Crayfish always attack the same target when fighting with both claws.
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If a claw attack succeeds in [[Stun Lock|stunning]], the claws will have seized it's victim, closing in a vise-like grip.  This '''crushing''' causes 3-12 [[Damage (hit points)|damage]] per round.  To wrest the claws apart, the victim, or someone within reach, must have a [[Strength (ability stat)|strength]] of at least 18/30.  To make matters worse, once the crayfish has grabbed a victim like this, it will sink back into the water as soon as it's able, drowning it's victim and storing the body in its hole until softened enough that it can be eaten.
  
  
 
See [[Bestiary]]
 
See [[Bestiary]]
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[[Category: Don't Review until 2025]]

Latest revision as of 02:21, 14 August 2023

Crayfish (giant)
Species mollusk
No. Appearing 1–4
Behaviour solitary
Range profundal, wetland
Size 8 ft. long
Weight 1,300 lbs.
Intelligence 0
Armour Class 4
Hit Dice 4+4
Action Points 4
Max. Stride {{{stride}}}
THAC0 18
Hp/Die d12
Attack Forms pincer/pincer
Damage 2–12/2–12
Special Attacks capsizing, crushing,
surprise on a 1-3

Giant crayfish are intimidating lake creatures found along the wetland and sodden areas adjacent to freshwater lakes and tropical nyanza. They may also be found in drowned swamps. They dwell submerged holes dug into the hard clay, preferring to feed and rest beneath the surface. When hunting, giant crayfish wander swampy areas just below the surface, causing a wake that doesn't quite break the water.

Giant Crayfish.jpg

Behaviour

They're largely scavenging creatures, but if provoked they've been known to attack. Giant crayfish have been known to attack small surface boats, capsizing or swamping water over the gunnels, attacking occupants with one claw before sinking below the surface.

Locals are careful to avoid these creatures, though sometimes if one can be found upon semi-soft or firm ground, a large gathering of villagers may attack it for the meat — a giant crayfish offers up to 200 lbs. of food or more; the fresh meat may even be sold, if the market can be reached within half a day. Still, finding the creature close to a bank is a rare thing.

Advantages

When attacking out of the water, crayfish surprise 1-3 out of 6. From the water, they can attack with only one claw; but if their tail finds firm purchase on the bottom, it can attack with both. Crayfish always attack the same target when fighting with both claws.

If a claw attack succeeds in stunning, the claws will have seized it's victim, closing in a vise-like grip. This crushing causes 3-12 damage per round. To wrest the claws apart, the victim, or someone within reach, must have a strength of at least 18/30. To make matters worse, once the crayfish has grabbed a victim like this, it will sink back into the water as soon as it's able, drowning it's victim and storing the body in its hole until softened enough that it can be eaten.


See Bestiary