Terlen
Terlen
2613
| Climate/Terrain: | Carceri, Gehenna, Gray Waste |
|---|---|
| Frequency: | Uncommon |
| Organization: | School |
| Activity Cycle: | Day |
| Diet: | Carnivore |
| Intelligence: | Animal (1) |
| Treasure: | None |
| Alignment: | Neutral (evil) |
| No. Appearing: | 1-8 |
| Armor Class: | 5 |
| Movement: | 3, Sw 15, Fl 15 (C) |
| Hit Dice: | 4+3 |
| THAC0: | 17 |
| No. of Attacks: | 1 |
| Damage/Attack: | 2d8 |
| Special Attacks: | None |
| Special Defenses: | Camouflage |
| Magic Resistance: | 10% |
| Size: | M (7 long) |
| Morale: | Elite (13-14) |
| XP Value: | 975 |
Some bashers think that the Lower Planesre nothing but wastelands of burning rock, searing desert, or poisonous bogs. Theyre wrong. The Lower Planes support surprisingly tough food chains of both natural and supernatural creatures. Theres no dark to the fact that there are places on the Lower Planes where nothing lives, but theres just as much territory where a cutter in the know can get along just fine. See, life adapts to its surroundings including surroundings that a bodyd think nothing could live in. It might be tougher, meaner, or scarcer than life elsewhere, but its still there. Course, its probably plane-touched or twisted by the fiends who share its kip.
The terlens a good example of this principle. Chances are, the terlen came from the seas of some prime world, where it flourished without any supernatural influence at all. Some wizard or arch-fiend brought a few back as pets or curiosities, and the terlens proved strong and fierce enough to survive in the acidic watcrs of Othrys or Porphatys, in the Red Prison (thats Carceri, berk). Maybe the planes themselves warped the creatures, or maybe an arcanaloth or shator gehreleth decided to improve the stock, but the final result was a mostly natural predator savage enough to survive on the Lower Planes.
The terlens original forms forgotten, although it was probably shark- or snakelike. Its an amphibian, equally agile in or out or the water. The terlens about the size of a fullgrown man, with a flattened sharklike body and a long, powerful tail. Its pectoral finsre greatly lengthened and support a translucent gray membrane, suitable for sustaining flight. The terlen can fold its wing-fins beside its body and wriggle along the ground snake-style, but its far more comfortable swimming or flying. Its oversized maw is filled with triple razor-sharp ridges of cartilage. The terlens natural coloration is a dull, sandy gray, but it can change the color of its skin to match its surroundings.
Combat: Terlensre always hungry and never pass up a chance for a possible meal. Theyre skilled hunters in the water or in the air. Terlens normally cover great distances every day, gliding silently along in the hope of surprising prey out in the open. The creatures a very silent flier, almost as quiet as an owl, and it glides only a few feet above the ground using the lands contours and foliage as cover. Terlens often strike with a quiet approach from behind their victim, giving the unfortunate sod a -2 penalty to her surprise check unless shes careful to keep a close eye on her back trail.
Terlens attack with a rending snap of their fearsome jaws, inflicting 2d8 points of damage. They use hit-and-run tactics, circling at a range of 30 or 40 yards and making sudden rushes at their prey. A terlens content to bleed a victim slowly, letting its prey wear itself out trying to escape before closing in for the kill. From time to time, terlens even pretend to lose interest and leave, only to return with another surprise attack ten or fifteen minutes later. When the victim finally collapses, the creature lands beside the sod and approaches on the ground to devour its meal. Interestingly enough, the terlen uses nearly identical tactics when hunting aquatic prey.
Motionless terlensre 75% likely to escape being spotted due to their excellent natural camouflage. Theyre only 50% likely to be spotted while flying in dark, hazy, or smoky areas, and 25% likely to escape detection while moving in good visibility. Of course, the terlens spotted as soon as it attacks; a basher might miss the terlen at first glance, but he wont lose track of it once the fight starts unless the terlen leaves and comes back.
Habitat/Society: Terlens usually run in small groups called schools or flights. Theyre not cooperative hunters, but when one terlen finds a potential meal its fellowsre very likely to show up with the hope of muscling in on the kill. Packs of up to 40 strongve been reported, and only an addle-covell want to be anywhere near that many terlens when a feeding frenzy starts.
On occasion, very hungry terlensll fight each other to the death in the attempt to claim a potential meal. Theres about a 5% chance per terlen encountered that one-quarter to one-half the monsters begin the encounter sparring with each other instead of directly attacking the prey.
Terlens dont make lairs and dont even stay long in a particular area. Theyre almost constantly on the move. They show a slight preference for remaining in water when its available, but can exist indefinitely in arid environments if need be. This ability accounts for the terlens spread from the relatively watery layers of Carceri into the far less hospitable planes of the Gray Waste and Gehenna.
Ecology: Terlens mostly feed on normal creatures where they can be found. Hardy fish, birds, and small reptiles or mammals make up most of a terlens diet. Terlensve grown bold enough to attack larvae, petitioners, or minor fiends if theyre encountered in small numbers or particularly desolate areas. In some regions of Carceri, terlensve become enough of a danger for gehreleths to organize hunting parties.
Terlens mate once per year, and lay clutches of 50 to 100 eggs in sandy or muddy pits. They dont wait around for the young to hatch, and consequently a great number of the young creatures fall victim to all manner of predators. A terlen grows to full size in about a year, and can live as long as 30 years. Most die long before this due to the violent nature of their home and the power of the occasional greater fiends terlens unknowingly try to make a meal of.
Last Modified: January 17, 2010, 14:48:00 GMT
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