Froghemoth

FROGHEMOTH

FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Tropical Wilderness Swamp])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Tropical Freshwater Surface], [Tropical Freshwater Depths])
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 2 (tentacles) / 4 (body) / 6 (tongue)
MOVE: 2" // 8" (4" in normal swamp)
HIT DICE: 16 (see below)
% IN LAIR: 40%
TREASURE TYPE: [SB]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 or 4
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 5d10 or 5-8 (+4)
SPECIAL ATTACKS: [SB]
SPECIAL DEFENSES: [SB]
MAGIC RESISTANCE: [SB]
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L (18' long, 10' wide)
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: IX | 8100 + 20

Huge and {weird}, froghemoths are found only where there are large
swamps or relatively shallow (100 feet or less) bodies of fresh water
containing life forms that serve as prey. Froghemoths are solitary
except during spring mating season. In late spring, females lay only
10-100 eggs of about 1 foot in diameter. These eggs are left in shallow
water, and when the tadhemoths hatch, about 90% are eaten by their
earlier-hatching fellows or by other predators. The few survivors SEARCH for
deeper waters to grow in for a period of 3 years to adulthood. Survival rate is
about 1-4%. The tentacles of a froghemoth are vvery strong and
covered with a thick, leathery hide. Each of the 4 is about 15 feet or more
in length. The body of the monster is only slightly less well-protected
than its tentacles, and while 1 of those members requires from 19-22 hit
points to sever or disable, the creature's body can withstand a full 16 hit
dice of damage (16-128 points) before the creature is actually slain.
Injured members heal or regenerate in 2-5 weeks. The tongue is the
most vulnerable attack appendage, taking only 12-16 hit points to sever.

Movement in water is fairly rapid, the webbed rear feet kicking to thrust
the monster foreward. In marsh or swamp, a froghemoth moves by lying
on its belly and sliding along, propelled by rear legs and tentacles. On dry
land, movement is by short, vaulting hops, the tentacles thrust well ahead,
the legs lifting the body forward and up.

The only treasure a froghemoth might have is that dropped by hapless
victims. Most prey is slain and devoured away from the monster's lair,
which is usually a submerged collection of trees and debris. NOrmal
hunting/attack modes are from ambush. THe monster will float with its
body submerged, retractable eye-stalk thrust up to its full 3-foot height
to just break water, nostril stalks likewise, and the 4 tentacles thrust
ahead, possibly near shore, to seize unwary victims.
Another ambush mode is for the monster to crouch amid shielding vegetation, and, when
prey comes within range, it thrusts its head forward and lashes out with
its 10-foot long, barbed tongue (18/50 strength) and captures the prey.
The tongue retracts instantly, dragging the victim to the toothy maw to
be swallowed whole on a score of 19 or 20 (14-20 if size S); otherwise,
damage will be 5-50 hit points from biting/chewing.

Creatures swallowed whole suffer an immediate 4-16 points of damage
from digestive juices. They can attack the stomach of the monster only
with dagger or similar short, stabbing weapons, excluding short swords.
Each successive round inside the stomach inflicts another 4-16 points of
damage. The victim is unconscious after 2 rounds. When hit points
equal -10 or less, the victim is digested and totally GONE. Resurrection of any
sort is not then possible. If a victim seized by the tongue attack is not
surprised (1 or 2), the 1d6 result (3, 4, 5, or 6) is compared to a 1d8 result
(1-8) rolled for the SPEED and accuracy of the froghemoth. IF the victim's
score equals or exceeds the froghemoth's, it can attempt to graab some
stationary object and resist being drawn to the monster's mouth. If such
an object is within reach, a successful grabbing and holding will result.
Unless the prey's strength exceeds 18/50, it must compare its 1d6
score to the froghemoth's 1d8 score each round after being seized. Any
result which is less than the 1d8 score indicates the victim's hold is broken,
and it will be bitten or swallowed instantly. The tongue held
creature cannot attack the tongue, but associates can attack it. Meanwhile,
the monster will USE its tentacles to damage the resisting prey
and any creatures assisting it. If a froghemoth's tongue is severed, it will
attack for 2-5 rounds with its tentacles, doing double damage (10-16 hp)
with each. If it is still opposed by active opponents thereafter, it will
retire to submerge and heal itself.

Normal fire will not harm a froghemoth, but very large fires or very hot
ones will cause one-half normal damage and drive the monster back for 1
round. Burning hands wil not drive a froghemoth back unless 10 or
more points of damage are so inflicted, but a [fireball], [flame strike], etc.,
will. Electrical attacks do only 1 point per die of damage and slow the creature
to one-half normal movement and attacks for 1 round. Other
forms of attack result in normal damage.

A froghemoth has a yellow underbelly, undersides of the rear legs and
tentacles are a pale yellowish color. Sides are light green and back and
upper legs and tentacles are mottled green. The ocular appendage is
yellow-green, as are its 2 nostril stalks. Eyeballs are amber with a
greenish tinge, and the slit, vertical pupils are bright green edged with orange.

Tadhemoth Stage: The immature froghemoth grows about 1 foot per
month for 6 months, then slows by 60% until maturity. The early form
has 4 fins in the pectoral area and 2 in the rear. The creature is fish-like
and has a vicious bite (2-8 hit points). After 6 months, the pectoral
growths begin lengthening into tentacles, while no discernable change
occurs in the rear members until the last month or two of its tadhemoth
stage, when these appendages lengthen into thick, bowed legs with
webbed toes. After initial growth, the creature's mouth enlarges considerably
and its damage score is from 3-24, 4-32, or 5-40, depending on size. A
tadhemoth is fully aquatic and has gills. It swims at a rate of 16".