A monster contribution

[bloodymage]

Carnivorous Flying Fish

NO ENCOUNTERED: 40-400
SIZE: Small
HD: 1 (d6)-2 hp (minimum of 1)
MOVE: 60 ft. (swim), 20 ft. (glide)
AC: 14/10 (see below)
ATTACKS: Bite (1)
SPECIAL: None
SAVES: P
INT: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
TYPE: Animal
TREASURE: n/a
XP: 8+1hp ea.

Carnivorous flying fish hunt the seas for warm-blooded meat, preying on vessels large and small. They attack in schools, launching themselves out of the water to glide over ship decks snagging a chunk of sailor while gliding by. Each individual may only attack every other round because of their need to reposition in the water to launch a further attack. They glide faster than a normal man can walk and are AC 14 in the air. If one is hit and misses its save, it flops to the deck and is thereafter treated as AC 10. Not included in the stats, the CFF can flop 1' a round to wriggle itself over the side and escape certain death. Each school has a certain range and a ship will not be followed beyond a distance of 20 nautical miles. A ship, of course, may enter a range on a tangent and not sail through the entire 40-mile extent. Once out of range, the attacks cease.



Enjoy

[Relaxo]

NICE! Very scary/silly in a good way. Keep 'em guessing.

Just needs a damage stat.

Any ideas for how/if they attack if a sailor falls into the water?

[bloodymage]

Well, as indicated, it's only one point of damage per bite. And a sailor overboard would have other problems. I didn't conceive of these as flying piranha. I was a sailor and the chances of recovering a man overboard are not good and next to impossible at night. Add in the predators looking for an easy lunch, especially with a world populated with monsters and it's just best not to go over the side!

[CKDad]

Since this is in the Rings of Brass/Airdhe setting, where would you envision these? I'm thinking the Inner Sea would be too cold. Off the southern shores, perhaps?

[bloodymage]

I have them placed in The Amber Sea.

[zarathustra]

I like these, quite different from a "regular" monster, I can see it being an interesting, unusual encounter for a party. As someone has mentioned you could, depending on level and mood, play it as anything from a running gag type encounter to something actually quite horrific in the right circumstances.

Can't wait for my PC's to take to sea now.

[Relaxo]

Oh I see it now, duh.
That works with 40 or so sweeping the deck! scary!