Page 73 - Serpent Kingdoms
P. 73

MONSTERS


                     users, they do occasionally build rafts of reeds, twigs, and mud   A nagas has a long, snakelike body covered with glistening
                     on which to fl oat and hunt, as well as shelters where they can   scales and a more or less human face. It ranges in length from
                     hide from predators. Muckdwellers hibernate during the winter   10 to 20 feet and weighs between 200 and 500 pounds. The eyes
                     months in temperate or colder climes.             of a naga are bright and intelligent—burning with an almost
                       A muckdweller looks like a miniature bipedal dinosaur with   hypnotic inner light.
                     mottled gray and brown scales and a pale yellow underbelly. Its
                     short tail is used for balancing and swimming. It has partially   Combat
                     webbed rear feet and small, weak, prehensile foreclaws.
                       Muckdwellers speak Draconic.                    Nagas favor spells over other forms of combat. Because they are
                                                                       almost always found in places that they have guarded for many
                     Combat                                                  years and know well, they can usually arrange encoun-
                                                                               ters to suit their wishes.
                     Muckdwellers fl ee unless cornered or certain
                     of an easy kill. Packs of the creatures lurk                   In the Realms
                     below the waterline, waiting in ambush
                     for potential prey. Before closing with                           Nagas of every subspecies are found across
                     a foe, muckdwellers employ their spit                              the length and breadth of Faerûn. Most
                     attacks to blind their opponents.                                     favor  ancient  ruins  of  long-fallen
                       Squirt  (Ex):  A  muckdweller  can                                  empires as lairs. Dark nagas are
                     squirt a jet of water into the eyes of                                   most common  in the Serpent
                     a target up to 25 feet away. Anyone                                      Hills and the Dalelands region,
                     hit by this attack must make a DC 13                                     whereas  guardian  nagas  favor
                     Refl ex save or be blinded for 1 round. The                           lost ruins along the Sword Coast and
                     save DC is Dexterity-based.                                          the  northern  shore  of  the  Shining
                       Skills:  A  muckdweller  has  a  +8                               Sea.  Spirit  nagas  inhabit  marshes  in
                     racial bonus on any Swim check                                 the lands around the Sea of Fallen Stars and   Illustration by Dennis Crabapple
                     to perform some  special  action                                 mangrove swamps on the Chultan Penin-
                     or avoid a hazard. It can always                                    sula.  Large  numbers  of  water  nagas
                     choose  to  take  10  on  a  Swim                                    lair in the depths of the Nagafl ow and
                     check,  even  if  distracted  or                                    the Nagawater. The distribution of the
                     endangered.  It can use the run                                     lesser-known naga races is discussed in
                     action while swimming, provided it                                  their entries below.
                     swims in a straight line. A muckdweller uses   Muckdweller
                     its Dexterity bonus instead of its Strength bonus for   Banelar Naga
                     Swim checks.
                                                                       Huge Aberration
                     In the Realms                                     Hit Dice: 7d8+35 (66 hp)
                                                                       Initiative: +5
                     Muckdwellers live in the shadow of lizardfolk tribes across   Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), swim 30 ft.
                     Faerûn, from the Mere of Dead Men to the Great Swamp of   Armor Class: 14 (–2 size, +1 Dex, +5 natural), touch 9, fl at-
                     Rethild,  and  from  the  Lizard  Marsh  to  the  Surmarsh.  The   footed 13
                     lizardfolk of Kalran in the northern Serpent Hills keep a   Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+21
                     large number of muckdwellers as slaves. The creatures are also   Attack: Sting +11 melee (2d6+8 plus poison)
                     prevalent in the subterranean cities of the kuo-toa, including   Full Attack: Sting +11 melee (2d6+8 plus poison) and bite +6
                     Gathgoolgapool, beneath the heart of the Chultan Peninsula.  melee (1d8+4 plus poison)
                                                                       Space/Reach: 20 ft./10 ft.
                     Naga                                              Special Attacks: Poison, spells
                                                                       Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., fast healing 2, immunity to
                     Nagas are highly intelligent and independent creatures with a va-  acid and poison, magic items, resist petrifi cation
                     riety of magical powers. They are the masters of all they survey,   Saves: Fort +7, Ref +3, Will +8
                     and their subtle wards and clever traps keep most intruders from   Abilities: Str 26, Dex 13, Con 21, Int 17, Wis 16, Cha 16
                     disturbing their peace.                           Skills:  Bluff  +8,  Concentration  +10,  Diplomacy  +9,  Disguise
                                                                         +3 (+5 acting), Intimidate +10, Listen +8, Sense Motive +8,




                                                                    72








             620_96566_SerpentKing54-91.indd   72                                                               5/12/04, 3:29:38 PM
   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78