Scylla

This massive sea monster is about 20 feet long with a rounded lower body, four large fins, a short tail, and six heads, each perched on top of a long snake-like neck.

Scylla CR 10

XP 9,600
N Huge magical beast (aquatic)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +23

DEFENSE

AC 21, touch 10, flat-footed 19 (+2 Dex, +11 natural, -2 size)
hp 138 (12d10+72)
Fort +14, Ref +10, Will +8
Weaknesses water dependency

OFFENSE

Speed 10 ft., swim 50 ft.
Melee 6 bites +16 (1d8+6/19-20)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks boil water, heat, scalding blast

STATISTICS

Str 23, Dex 14, Con 23, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10
Base Atk +12; CMB +20; CMD 32 (can’t be tripped)
Feats Improved Critical (bite), Intimidating Prowess, Iron Will, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception), Vital Strike
Skills Intimidate +19, Perception +23, Swim +19; Racial Modifiers +2 Perception
Languages Aquan, Common

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Boil Water (Ex)

If a scylla uses its heat ability (see below) for 3 consecutive rounds and doesn’t move more than 5 feet from its current location, the water surrounding it (in a 10-foot radius and to a depth of 10 feet) begins to rapidly churn and boil. Creatures caught in the boiling water take 3d6 points of fire damage each round they remain in the area. A successful DC 22 Fortitude save reduces the damage by half. Creatures wearing heavy clothing or medium or heavy armor take a -2 penalty on their saving throw. In addition, those wearing metal armor or coming into contact with very hot metal are affected as if by a heat metal spell. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Once the scylla moves from its location or shuts its heat ability off, the boiling water takes 3 rounds to return to its normal temperature (it still deals full damage during its cooling off period). A scylla is immune to its own boil water ability and to the boil water ability of other scyllas.

Heat (Ex)

A scylla raises the temperature of its body in order to generate intense heat. It does so as a free action. Creatures attacking a scylla unarmed or with natural weapons take 1d6 points of fire damage each time their attacks hit. In addition, a scylla can use its heat ability to boil the surrounding waters.

Scalding Blast (Ex)

A scylla can gulp some of the boiling water surrounding it as a move action. Each head that gulped water can then unleash a line of scalding steam on the scylla’s next action to a range of 50 feet. The scylla can target the same or different opponents with each head, if it wishes. Each blast deals 3d6 points of fire

In any round that a head does not gulp water, it can bite.

Water Dependency (Ex)

A scylla can survive on land for a number of hours equal to its Constitution modifier (minimum 1 hour). After that, it begins to drown.

ECOLOGY

Environment any temperate or warm aquatic
Organization solitary
Treasure none

Scyllas are thought to be related to hydras, though no proof exists connecting the two. They are found in climates from temperate to warm (they don’t like the cold) and prefer to lair in natural underwater caves and caverns, only emerging when hungry. A scylla is a predatory creature, existing on a diet of large fish such as shark, octopus or squid, or unlikely swimmers and sailors. Prey is usually devoured in the same spot it is killed; rarely does a scylla return to its lair with prey except when nursing its young.

Scyllas are solitary creatures and even during mating season it is rare to actually encounter more than one of these creatures. The mating ritual lasts but a short time with the male swimming away afterwards, never to return to the lair. Young are born about 6 months later and reach maturity in just under a year. Young scyllas are noncombatants and do not possess the heat ability of adult scyllas.

A scylla is gray-blue to dark gray in color with a lighter shaded underbelly. Its fins are gray-blue to dark gray. Its eyes are golden or gray and each mouth is lined with triple rows of whitish-gray teeth. Scyllas can grow to a length of 50 feet.

Scyllas attack their foes with vicious bites from their multiple heads. When facing more than one opponent, a scylla uses its heat ability to boil the water surrounding it and burn its foes. Scyllas prefer to attack when it is most advantageous, such as surfacing under a foe. If combat goes against a scylla it dives beneath the waves and swims away. A cornered or hungry scylla, or one defending its lair, always fights to the death.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Scylla from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene.

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