hydreel

Lurking in derelict ruins and coral reefs in the shallows of the oceans, hydreels wait to strike with their many heads at unfortunate prey. They are surprisingly stealthy in the water despite their great size, lying flat on the ocean floor, hiding behind rocks and coral. For this reason they prefer to remain in the sea. But when food is scarce, a hydreel rises onto the surf, searching for prey along the shoreline.

Names: Zyllathun, Scatha, Kar'ibar, Rothmar

abilities

Multi-Headed

Roll 1d4+2 to determine the number of hydreel heads. Each head confers one Action every round.

Regenerating Heads

Hydreels can only be killed when all of their heads are destroyed. At the start of a Conflict, divide the hydreel's Courage by its number of heads (rounded down) to determine the Courage of each head. When a head loses all of its Courage it's considered destroyed. However, every 2 rounds, a destroyed head grows back and regenerates to full Courage.

Toxic Blood

If a head is destroyed by a Close attacker, they become POISONED from an explosion of the hydreel's toxic blood (Vitality Check to resist).

Electropulse

Once every 3 rounds, the hydreel may emit a shockwave of electricity, attacking all Close and Nearby targets.

vulnerabilities

If a hydreel's prey zigs and zags and runs circles around it, this can confuse and disorient the beast, resulting in half the heads suffering Disadvantage on their next Attacks. It may even twist up the heads, tying them in knots.

combat

The heads of a hydreel rarely focus on one particular enemy, each likely to attack whatever is moving directly in front of them. They rely on their sheer power and might rather than tactical thinking., but emit an Electropulse whenever possible. When reduced to one last head, hydreels always flee into the ocean.

crafting

[Electropulse] Weapon Trait (Crafting 🔨) Components: Hydreel Gland + any crafted bladed, blunt or polearm weapon recipe. Effect: Weapon gains [electropulse] trait—once per Combat, inflict 3 Dread to all Close targets.