Buy me a coffeeAddanc
The Addanc is a lake monster that preys upon any foolish enough to fall into or Swim in its lake.
Hu Gadarn’s oxen dragged the addanc out of the lake; once it was out of the water, it was powerless and could be killed. An alternate story relates that it was rendered helpless by a maiden who let it sleep upon her lap; while it slept, the maiden’s fellow villagers bound the creature in chains. The creature was awakened and made furious; its enraged thrashings crushed the maiden, in whose lap it still laid. It was finally dragged away to the lake Cwm Ffynnon, or killed by Peredur.
Some later British legends ascribe the creature’s death to King Arthur or to Percival. Close to Llyn Barfog in Wales is a hoof-print petrosomatoglyph etched deep into the rock “Carn March Arthur”, or the “Stone of Arthur’s Horse”, which was supposedly made by King Arthur’s mount, Llamrai, when it was hauling the terrible “afanc” monster from the lake.
This monster possesses the form of a crocodile plus the fur of a beaver and the behavior of both.
The addanc is a solitary predator that builds dams to create small lakes. Once its territory is defined, anything that comes near to the lake or adjoining river becomes the addancs prey. The beast hunts by floating just under the surface of the water and waiting for its next meal to approach, at which point it attacks with a bone-crunching bite. With the prey held tight in its jaws, the addanc attempts to drag its quarry under the water. Both industrious and conniving, this monster possesses enough Intelligence to wait for its prey to be the most vulnerable. Once it attacks, it goes immediately for the kill, giving its prey little chance to resistance. It cares not for its prey; it cares only for itself.
Like the natural beavers lodge, an addancs lair can only be accessed from below the waters surface. The structure is a truly grisly location. As the creature uses the possessions and remains of its victims for decoration, and the stench of decay permeates the entire lair. The adjoining damn is composed of heavy tree branches and logs while long bones of larger prey are interspersed to shore the structure. A typical addanc lair is between thirty and fifty feet in diameter and rises about fifteen feet above the surface of the water.
An addanc is about seven feet long and weighs 250 pounds.
| Addanc CR 7 |
| XP 3,200 NE Large magical beast Init +2; Senses Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +14 |
| DEFENSE |
| AC 19, touch 11, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dexterity, +8 natural, -1 size) hp 85 (10d10+30) Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +4 |
| OFFENSE |
| Speed 20 ft., Swim 30 ft. Melee bite +15 (2d6+6 plus Grab), 2 claws +15 (1d6+6), tail slap +12 (1d8+3) Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft with bite) Special Attack death roll (2d6+9 plus trip) |
| STATISTICS |
| Strength 22, Dexterity 15, Constitution 16, Intelligence 5, Wisdom 12, Charisma 7 Base Atk +10; CMB +17; CMD 29 (33 vs trip) Feats Great Fortitude, Improved Natural Armor, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Multiattack, Power Attack Skills Perception +14; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth (in water), +4 Swim SQ hold breath, swimming grapple |
| SPECIAL ABILITIES |
| Death Roll (Ex) When grappling a foe of its size or smaller, a addanc can perform a death roll upon making a successful grapple check. As it clings to its foe, it tucks in its legs and rolls rapidly, twisting and wrenching its victim. The addanc inflicts its bite damage and knocks the creature prone. If successful, the addanc maintains its grapple. Hold Breath (Ex) An addanc may hold its breath for (four times its Constitution score) rounds before beginning to drown.
Swimming Grapple (Ex)
|
| ECOLOGY |
| Environment temperate aquatic Organization solitary or pair Treasure standard |
Section 15: Copyright Notice – Book of Beasts: Monsters of the River Nations
Book of Beasts: Monsters of the River Nations, copyright 2010 Jon Brazer Enterprises; Author Steven Helt.