FREQUENCY: Uncommon
NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOR CLASS: 6 (2 if moving)
MOVE: //18?
HIT DICE: 3 + 2
% IN LAIR: 30%
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 bite
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 3-6
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Surprise, continuous
damage
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Evades missiles,
regeneration
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S (3-4? long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
    Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: IV / 160 + 4/hp

The morana is similar to a moray eel in
shape, having the temperament of an
angry piranha. Moranas are usually gray
green, but may be found in lighter or
darker colors, usually blending with the
aquatic environment. The morana regenerates
at the rate of 1 hp/turn if wounded.

The morana?s movement is a quick,
constant, side-to-side pattern. Missile fire
automatically misses the creature at first,
and a -4 penalty applies to all such ?to
hit? rolls thereafter. The morana has AC 3
while in motion. Though the damage from
a bite is but 2-5 hp, the morana inflicts
additional damage by locking its jaws; the
victim of such a bite takes double damage
each round following. While locked onto a
victim, the creature has AC 6. The morana
releases its hold and flees if it is reduced
to a third of its hit points or less.

Moranas are aggressive and are avoided
even by sharks. They lair in coral niches
or caves, much like moray eels, and are
often mistaken for morays while resting. If
encountered in its lair, a morana may
shoot out to 40' in a single thrust, thus
gaining a +2 bonus on its "to hit" roll and
surprising on a 1-5.

by Robert Maurus
 
 
 

Ocean monsters

Monsters

Dragon #116

Dragon magazine

1st Edition AD&D