Marine Animals (OSS)

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A wide variety of creatures-both monstrous and mundane make themselves at home in the underwater realms. This section, however, does not contain an exhaustive collection of marine animals. Rather, it offers the DM a representative overview of marine life.
In addition to using these creatures as potential adversaries, a Dungeon Master can enhance the impact of his marine setting by using them to paint a vivid underwater backdrop. Interested DMs can find the statistics on these aquatic creatures in the MONSTROUS MANUAL® Tome.
==Gelatinous Zooplankton==
The gelatinous zooplankton are a diverse group of creatures which includes jellyfish, Portuguese men o'war, and even the aquatic jelly. Creatures in this category consist mostly of water contained in a soft, gelatinous body. Many gelatinous zooplankton also possess nematocysts, or stinging cells, located on their tentacles. These creatures do not pursue prey; rather, they sting those foolish enough to blunder into their tentacles.
Jellyfish (2d10): AC 9; Sw 6; HD %; THAC0 20; # At 2- 4 (1d3 +1); Dmg 1; SD reflexive attack; SZ S (1' diameter); ML fearless (20); Int non (0); AL N; XP 7 each.
Notes: SD-A jellyfish's venomous tentacles inflict damage, but have no other special effects. However, the creature gains free attacks on any opponent that inflicts damage to it in a melee attack-even if the damage inflicted is enough to kill it as it reflexively lashes out with its tentacles.
Man o' War (1): AC 9; Sw 12; HD 5; THAC0: 17; #AT 7- 26 (1d20+6); Dmg 1d4; SA poison; SZ M-H (6 to 15 feet in diameter); ML fearless (20); Int non (0); AL N; XP 270
Notes: The man o' war is an extremely dangerous creature. It floats on the surface, trailing long, poisoned tentacles (which can extend as far down as 30 feet) through the water, where they kill indiscriminately.
SA—The man o' war's tentacles carry a powerful venom that causes great pain or outright death. The poison has an immediate onset time and opponents must attempt saving throws vs. poison for each tentacle that strikes. If all the saving throws succeed, the victim suffers a -2 penalty to all attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, and proficiency checks for 2d4+1 hours. If even one saving throw fails, the creature loses consciousness and dies in 2d4+1 turns.
The MONSTROUS COMPENDIUM® Annual, Volume Two contains statistics for a giant version of this creature.
Aquatic Jelly: The aquatic jelly is essentially a gelatinous cube that lives underwater. Its statistics are identical to those of the gelatinous cube described in the MONSTROUS MANUAL™ Tome.
==Crustaceans==
These creatures are perhaps the most important of all aquatic animals—they are certainly the most numerous. Crustaceans possess segmented bodies and appendages covered with a chitinous exoskeleton. Shrimp (including the tiny krill), lobsters, crabs, and crayfish all fall within this category. Giant versions of these creatures-though rare-do exist.
==Arachnids==
Very few marine arachnids exist, and those that do are generally freshwater creatures. The giant water spider is the deadliest example of this type of creature. Characters adventuring in freshwater should take care not to travel near the water spider's cleverly concealed burrows.
Although not technically a water-dweller, the giant marine spider makes its home near bodies of saltwater. These creatures sometimes attack underwater adventurers and carry them back to their burrows.
==Mollusks==
This category contains an extremely diverse group of marine creatures. Most mollusks have soft bodies protected by hard shells. However, some of these creatures exist without the benefit of a hardened shell. Clams, mussels, oysters, snails, and sea cucumbers represent simple mollusks. Giant versions of these creatures exist, although they are quite rare.
The more advanced mollusks include squid, nautiluses, cuttlefish, and octopuses. Giant and monstrous versions of these creatures exist mostly at great depths—usually on the deep-sea floor or in deep-ocean trenches. Such beasts include the giant octopus and the kraken.
Octopus, normal: AC 7; MV 3, Sw 8; HD 4; THAC0 17; #AT 7; Dmg 1-4 (x6)/1d6; SZ M (5–6 feet across); ML. Avg (10); Int animal (1); AL N; XP 175.
==Fish==
These marine creatures fill the depths of oceans, lakes, and rivers. Species of fish include eels, lamprey, gar, carp, catfish, and many others though the chondrichthytes (skates, rays, ixitxachitl, and sharks) represent the most fearsome predators.
==Reptiles==
Most reptiles are quite at home in water. These creatures often have dangerous temperaments as well as thick, heavy skins which protect them from other predators. Alligators, turtles, snakes, and crocodiles are examples of dangerous reptiles. Giant versions of these creatures also exist. Some sages even believe that these reptiles are somehow related to dragons, and often include the fearsome beasts in reptilian categories.
==Mammals==
Despite their seeming incompatibility with water, many mammals dwell beneath the waves. Mammals are noted for their warm-blooded metabolisms and their ability to birth live young. Sea-lions, seals, walruses, dolphins, and whales represent the most numerous aquatic mammals. A few scholars have speculated that some of the intelligent aquatic races, such as sea elves, tritons, and mermen, were once surface dwelling mammals who have adapted to aquatic life.