Monster Encyclopaedia I: Ravagers of the Realms
| Author | August Hahn, Gareth Hanrahan, Lizard |
| Publisher | Mongoose Publishing |
| Publish date | 2004 |
| OGL Section 15 | me1 |
The material below is designated as Open Game Content
Bonesucker
Small Aberration
Hit Dice: 4d8+12 (30 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), fly 60 ft. (good), swim 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
Armour Class: 16 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+5
Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d4)
Full Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Bone dissolution, improved grab
Special Qualities: Grappling strength
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +3
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 4, Wis 14, Cha 10
Skills: Climb +8, Listen +5, Spot +6
Feats: Improved Initiative
Environment: Any
Organisation: Pack (2–5), herd (6–20), flock (21–40)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually neutral evil
Advancement: 5–8 HD (Small); 9–12 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment: +3
A flock of dark spots in the distance approaches rapidly and resolves itself into a vision of nightmare – flying starfish the size of human children, each with a central mouth lined with gnashing, razor-sharp teeth.
Bonesuckers originally formed deep underground, where dark and malevolent intelligences wield potent sorceries in order to warp all life into their twisted image. They escaped from their creators, whoever they were, and are now a horror regularly visited on those who dwell on the surface.
A bonesucker strongly resembles a bloated starfish, two feet from limb to limb. Each limb terminates in a faceted, insectile eye. The underside of the bonesucker is a huge maw, lined with a variety of teeth, all of which are in constant motion. The creature smells of blood and rotten fish. While it can crawl on land, or swim, it prefers to move by flying, which it does via magical means, as it has no wings or other means of support.
Bonesuckers have no culture or language. They are sometimes used by evil beings as means of torture or execution.
Combat
Bonesuckers have a fairly simple attack pattern – swarm a victim, fasten on, eat bone, abandon husk. They will try to find solitary targets. If facing a group, they will usually divide up, though a minimum of two bonesuckers will attack each target.
Bone Dissolution (Ex): If a bonesucker has grappled an opponent, it may choose to automatically deal 1d3 points of Strength drain, as the acids and enzymes in its bite turn the victim’s bones to mush. If the victim is reduced to zero Strength by this, he dies in 1d10 rounds unless at least one point of Strength is somehow restored. Mundane healing does not prevent this. For each full round of feeding, the bonesucker gains a +1 natural bonus to AC and three temporary hit points, both of which fade away five rounds after the bonesucker has left the victim. It can gain a maximum of +5 AC and +15 hit points in this fashion.
Grappling Strength (Ex): The bonesucker is unnaturally good at grappling, granting it a +6 bonus to grapple checks. This has been figured into the values above.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a bonesucker must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can use its bone dissolution ability on the next round.
