Giant Cave Salamander (3.5e Monster)
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| Giant Cave Salamander | |
|---|---|
| Size/Type: | Medium Animal |
| Hit Dice: | 3d8+6 (19 hp) |
| Initiative: | +0 |
| Speed: | 30 ft, climb 20 ft, swim 20 ft |
| Armor Class: | 13 (+3 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 13 |
| Base Attack/Grapple: | +2/+8 |
| Attack: | Bite +4 melee (1d6+3, 20/x2) |
| Full Attack: | Bite +4 melee (1d6+3, 20/x2) |
| Space/Reach: | 5 ft/5 ft |
| Special Attacks: | - |
| Special Qualities: | Darkvision 60 ft, Low-Light Vision, Powerful Build, Regeneration 0, Stability, Tail Drop |
| Saves: | Fort +2, Ref +0, Will +2 |
| Abilities: | Str 15, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4 |
| Skills: | Climb +10, Listen +5, Swim +10 |
| Feats: | Endurance, Run |
| Environment: | Underground |
| Organization: | Solitary |
| Challenge Rating: | 1 |
| Treasure: | None |
| Alignment: | Always True Neutral |
| Advancement: | 4-6 HD (Medium), 7-9 HD (Large), 10-12 HD (Huge) |
| Level Adjustment: | — |
A slick squat giant lizard waddled up towards you, followed by a dozen more along the walls and ceilings.
Massive forms of the average cave salamander, dwarves and other subterranean races have taken to domesticating and breeding them for the purpose of riding mounts such as the famous SALT Division (Subterranean Assault Lizard Troops). Though slow compared to a war horse, they are still faster than the dwarves which ride them and offer superior climbing and swimming options provided you have the appropriate exotic saddle to keep you in while hanging off the ceiling.
They are squat creatures that move like alligators, though their skin is smooth, slick, and covered in a thick mucus membrane. They prefer wet caves where they can keep up their moisture and lay their aquatic-borne eggs within but are otherwise not tied to any water source. They come in various earth-tone hues, growing more and more pale until they are bone white or even semi-transparent in the deepest portions of the cave.
Combat[edit]
In the wild giant cave salamanders have a considerable grip on their bite. However when faced with anything which isn't prey they often drop their tail and run away.
Powerful Build (Ex): The giant cave salamander's physical stature lets it function in many ways as if it was one size category larger. Whenever it is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), it is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to it. It is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect them and what size rider they can hold. You can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, its space and reach remain those of a creature of your actual size. The benefits of this feat stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject’s size category.
Regeneration (Ex): The giant cave salamander has regeneration 0 which is bypassed by everything. While this does not help it recover damage or convert it, it does mean the creature's limbs regenerate when damaged. If the creature loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 2d4 days. The creature can reattach the severed member in 1 round by holding it to the stump.
Stability (Ex): A giant cave salamander gains a +4 bonus on ability checks made to resist being bull rushed or tripped when standing on the ground (but not when climbing, flying, riding, or otherwise not standing firmly on the ground). This stacks with the bonuses for being an (effectively) Large quadruped for a total of +12.
Tail Drop (Ex): As a free action, the giant cave salamander can sever its own tail while it runs. Doing so causes it not to provoke attacks of opportunity for leaving a threatened square for that round. Creatures with less than 3 Int must make a Intelligence check DC 13, or be unable to determine that the wiggling tail remnant is no longer important and may continue attacking it or run away with it. Thanks to regeneration, the giant cave salamander can restore its own tail in due time.
Deep Giant Cave Salamanders[edit]
There is a variant form of the giant cave salamander that lives so deep, its eyes have all but vanished. Such a creature is Blind, but also gains Blindsight out to 20 ft, and Blindsense out to 60 ft. There is no change in CR.
Companion[edit]
A giant cave salamander can be selected as a paladin's mount or animal companion in place of a horse. It has the same costs as a Light Warhorse (150 gp) for the purpose of purchasing.
Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Monsters
| Eiji-kunv |
|---|
| Alignment | Always True Neutral + |
| Author | Eiji-kun + |
| Challenge Rating | 1 + |
| Environment | Underground + |
| Identifier | 3.5e Monster + |
| Level Adjustment | — + |
| Rating | Undiscussed + |
| Size | Medium + |
| Title | Giant Cave Salamander + |
| Type | Animal + |
