Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Stormonu 06-29-05, 03:26 PM	Methane Shark Huge Magical Beast (Air) Hit Dice: 4d10+20 (42 hp) Initiative: +2 (+2 Dex) Speed: fly 70 ft. (good), burrow 10 ft. (2 squares) Armor Class: 20 (-2 size, +2 Dex, +10 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 18 BAB/Grapple: +4/+23 Attack: Bite +13 melee Full Attack: Bite +13 melee and slam +8 melee Damage: Bite 2d6+16, slam 1d8+5 Space/Reach: 15 ft./5 ft. Special Att: Improved grab, swallow whole Special Qual: Darkvision 60 ft., flight, low-light vision, noxious aura, scent, spell resistance 14 Saves: Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +2 Abilities: S33 D15 C20 I3 W13 Ch7 Skills: Hide -6, Listen +6, Spot +6, Survival +1 Feats: Alertness, Flyby Attack, Trackb Environment: Cold mountains Organization: Solitary, or Pack (2-5) CR: 3 Treasure: None Alignment: Always neutral Advancement: 5-8 HD (Huge); 9-12 HD (Gargantuan) Level Adj: - Out of the cloud rushes a slim, mud-colored fish-like creature. It has a great maw like a shark and bulbous green eyes with no pupils. The Methane Shark has no real relation to a shark, but due to its predatory nature and presence, has gained the moniker of shark. Despite its size, the creature is pratically the equivilant of a hollow hot air ballon with a huge mouth. Surrounded in a sickening quasi-greenish cloud of foul-smelling methane, the creature glides through the air as if it were water in search of prey. They are, luckily, only found in cold areas at great heights, though they are greatly feared by those they encounter. However, methane sharks are not only a danger to flying creatures, but have been known to burrow into rock to feed on underground prey when other prey is scarce. Combat Methane sharks swoop in on the attack, taking a “small” bite of prey to slow and gauge the edibility of their foe. If they find the foe to be edible, the methane shark will return, this time hoping to engulf prey on its next pass. Methane sharks sometimes hunt in packs; in such cases the “bull” or lead methane shark with the most hit points makes the first pass at opponents, and if it determines the prey to be edible, the others will also swoop in for kills. However, methane shark packs prefer not to attack the same target, and none of the other sharks will dare to attack the Bull shark's prey unless the bull breaks off the attack first. Generally speaking, if the bull shark is killed, the remainder of the pack will take whatever prey it currently has and leave. Improved Grab (Ex): If a methane shark hits a large-sized or smaller opponent with a bite, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. No initial touch attack is required. Swallow Whole (Ex): If a methane shark starts with a huge or smaller opponent in its mouth, it can attempt a new grapple check (as though attempting to pin the opponent). If it succeeds, it swallows its prey, and the opponent takes bite damage. A swallowed creature is considered to be grappled, while the creature that did the swallowing is not. A swallowed creature can try to cut its way free with any light slashing or piercing weapon by dealing 10 hit points of damage to the AC 15 interior If the swallowed creature escapes the grapple, success puts it back in the attacker’s mouth, where it may be bitten or swallowed again. Flight (Su): A methane shark can cease or resume flight as a free action. A methane shark’s flight becomes ineffective in an antimagic field, and the creature loses its ability to fly for as long as the antimagic effect persists. Noxious aura (Ex): A methane shark is shrouded in a misty green cloud that extends out 10 feet beyond its space. Those caught in the area of effect either by standing in the cloud or caught in it as the creature moves must make a Fort save DC 17 or be nauseated for the duration they are in the cloud, plus an additional 2d4 rounds thereafter. Swallowed creatures are likewise subjected to this effect. A successful save negates needs for further saves against the same methane shark for a full day. A gust of wind spell or other similarly strong winds can disperse the cloud effect. Methane Sharks on Amberos Methane sharks are unique to the wintery Methane sea of the crystalmire mountains, where they terrorize shipping and mountainous enclaves during the winter months. They are often referred to as “gas bags” by sailors familiar with them, and it is common for ships expecting to pass near methane shark-infested skies to cover ship’s decks with cargo netting to protect those on board from attacks. During the summer months when the methane sea is too thin to navigate, methane sharks burrow into mountain rock and hibernate until the weather cools and the Methane sea resolidifies.
Solamar 06-29-05, 05:56 PM	Interesting monster I have a couple questions. 1. Does it actually emit methane or is it just a colourful description on your part? 2. If it does emit methane what would happen if you hit it with a fire based spell?
Stormonu 06-30-05, 11:59 AM	My chemistry is extremely poor; I don't really know much of methane's real properties (for example, I forgot that it is flammable). The material it emits is a quasi-methane...it smells horrible (as I understand methane does), causes sickness from breathing it, but does not have its flammable qualities. Thus, as it is written, hurling or using fire against it won't really do any extra damage. However, I do think I read up a bit on methane itself and might change that... Thanks for the comment.
Randvek 06-30-05, 07:34 PM	2d6+16 bite damage on a CR3 with Swallow Whole? No way this sucker is CR3.