Critters III! Now also in 5e!

[Bhu]

Muck Whale
Gargantuan Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 25d10+150 (287 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: Swim 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armor Class: 30 (-4 Size, +1 Dex, +23 Natural), touch 7, flat-footed 29
Base Attack/Grapple: +25/+50
Attack: Slam +34 melee (2d6+19)
Full Attack: Slam +34 melee (2d6+19)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Terrifying Appearance
Special Qualities: Dark Vision 60 ft., Hold Breath, DR 5/-, Fast Healing 10, Blindsight 120 ft., False Undeath
Saves: Fort +20, Ref +15, Will +10
Abilities: Str 36, Dex 13, Con 22, Int 3, Wis 11, Cha 16
Skills: Listen +20, Spot +20, Swim +21
Feats: Ability Focus (Terrifying Appearance), Alertness, Awesome Blow, Diehard, Endurance, Improved Bull Rush, Iron Will, Power Attack, Swim-By Attack
Environment: Cold or Temperate Aquatic
Organization: Solitary, Pair, or Pod (6-12)
Challenge Rating: 13
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always Neutral
Advancement: 26-38 HD (Gargantuan), 39-50 HD (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: ---

It is said that long ago one of the Gods of Darkness was saved, when the untimely arrival of a pod of whales saved him from ambush by distracting one of his fellows. Unusually happy after butchering his would be assassin, the God set out to find a way to protect the whales from hunters, who were rabidly overfishing them. His blessing was unique to say the least, and it is said he killed the whales and then raised them from death in an unholy parody of life.

The truth as always is just a little bit different than the stories say. The God altered the whales, and their descendants have all inherited these changes. The Muck Whales are hideous rotting parodies of their former selves, but in truth they are not dead. It is a form of camouflage meant to deter hunters, since they look like floating corpses, and if not then the whales obvious unlife usually terrifies them into fleeing. Worse their wounds seem to never heal, but they cause them no discomfort either. Most who have encountered them are thought mad, as Muck Whales are rare, and even undead can be destroyed eventually. The problem is that everyone assumes Clerics can turn them because of their appearance, or that items effective against the Undead are necessary for dealing with them. This is a major reason why the few parties that spot and chase after Muck Whales fail. They are called Muck Whales because of the trail of rotting organic debris they leave in their wake.

Terrifying Appearance (Su): Any living creature within 100 ft. of the Muck Whale must make a DC 27 Willpower Save or be Frightened for 2d6 rounds (SSave DC is Cha based). Opponents who succeed in making the Save are immune to this Muck Whales Terrifying Appearance for 24 hours.

Hold Breath (Ex): Muck Whales can hold their breath for (8 times Constitution Modifier) rounds before it risks drowning.

False Undeath (Su): The Muck Whale appears to be dead, and nothing, not even spells, produces any evidence to the contrary. The Muck Whale detects as undead for all spells and abilities that detect for such.

Skills: Muck Whales receive a +4 Racial Bonus to Listen and Spot Checks, and a +8 Bonus to Swim Checks. They may always Take 10 on a Swim Check, and may use the Run Action while swimming in a straight line.

Combat: Muck Whales have a (very) rudimentary sense of tactics. They will rely on their appearance and hit and run tactics despite their size. Some even play dead to avoid the combat entirely.



Muck Whale
"Good evening, and welcome to Mutual of Gnomeahaw's Wild Kingdom! As always, I'm your host Harlan Jergens! Today on Wild Kingdom Jim will be coming to you live from the Dark Sea!"

Blessed?

"Today we're looking for a pod of whales the local pirates claim are both undead and invincible."

"And with us to test that theory is a local Cleric of Berg."

"Howdy. My name is Dead Bob."

"Well there's a pod of whales off the port side now."

"Not dead whales unfortunately."

Not Quite Undead

"Where are they suddenly running off to?"

"Look! Look there Jim!"

"Sweet Jebus. Okay Bob, you're up."