FREQUENCY: Uncommon
NO. APPEARING: 1-6
ARMOR CLASS: 5
MOVE: //20"
HIT DICE: 5
% IN LAIR: 75%
TREASURE TYPE: R, X
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 bite
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-12
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Swallow whole,
continuous damage
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L (17'-20')
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
    Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: IV / 205 + 5/hp

The largest of the grouper family of fish,
the giant grouper weighs as much as 1,000
pounds. A deep sea predator, the giant
grouper can usually be found lurking near
coral reefs or lairing in the sunken hulls of
wrecked ships. Its huge jaws act in a manner
similar to that of a suction pump,
drawing smaller fish into the gaping maw
of the grouper. Solitary divers sometimes
fall prey to this fish.

The grouper can, on a natural die roll of
20, swallow a man-sized or smaller object
whole. If a swallowed person swallowed
has a dagger or similar small sharp-edged
weapon in hand when swallowed, he may
cut his way out of the fish by inflicting
damage equal to 25% of the total hit points
of the fish. A character has only 1 turn in
which to do this, as the giant grouper?s
digestive fluids then begin to act, delivering
1-4 hp/round thereafter. Characters
may try to exit the grouper when it opens
its mouth to swallow other prey as well.

by Gregg Chamberlain
 
 
 

Ocean monsters

Monsters

Dragon #116

Dragon magazine

1st Edition AD&D