Buy me a coffeeShonisaurus
This massive creature vaguely resembles a cross between a fish and a dolphin. It has long, paddle-like flippers extending from a whale-like body. Its jaws are long and pointed, with large teeth only near the front.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
A shonisaurus is the largest of the icthyosaurs, fast marine predators fully adapted to life in the water. A shonisaurus is 50 feet long.
| Shonisaurus | |
| Colossal animal | |
| Hit Dice | 18d8+144 (225 hp) |
| Initiative | +2 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares) |
| Armor Class | 13 (-8 size, +2 Dexterity, +9 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 12 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +13/+44 |
| Attack | Bite +21 melee (5d8+22) |
| Full Attack | Bite +21 melee (5d8+22) |
| Space/Reach | 30 ft./20 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Vortex maw |
| Special Qualities | Hold breath, Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +21, Ref +13, Will +8 |
| Abilities | Strength 40, Dexterity 15, Constitution 26, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 14, Charisma 9 |
| Skills | Listen +14, Spot +15, Swim +23 |
| Feats | Alertness, Dodge, Great Fortitude, Mobility, Power Attack, Spring Attack, Weapon Focus (bite) |
| Environment | Warm aquatic |
| Organization | Solitary, pair or school (3-12) |
| Challenge Rating | 12 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 19-36 HD (Colossal) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
COMBAT
A shonisaurus attacks large prey with hit-and-run tactics. Against smaller prey, it simply uses its vortex maw to draw its victims to its massive maw.
Hold Breath (Ex): A shonisaurus can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to 6 times its Constitution score before it risks drowning. For a typical shonisaurus, this is 120 rounds, or 12 minutes.
Vortex Maw (Ex): A shonisaurus can open its mouth so quickly that it creates a powerful suction. All creatures within a 40-foot cone must make Strength checks opposed by the shonisaurus’s Strength check (+31 for a standard shonisaurus), with the same modifiers as a bull rush. If the shonisaurus beats a creature’s Strength check result, it pulls the victim 5 feet closer to its jaws. For each 5 points by which its check result is greater than a victim’s check result, the shonisaurus pulls the victim an additional 5 feet closer. The victim provokes attacks of opportunity if it is moved.
Skills: A shonisaurus has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #187 (1992).