Giant Whelk (3.5e Creature)

Giant Whelk

Giant Whelk

CR 9

	N Large Vermin (Aquatic)
Init/Senses	+0/Listen -1, Spot -1
AC	27, touch 9, flat-footed 28; Shell (-1 size, +18 natural)
hp	184 (16 HD)
Fort/Ref/Will	+17/+5/+4
Speed	10ft (2 squares), swim 20ft (poor)
Melee	Slam +16 (3d6+7) or
Melee	2 Tentacles +11 (2d8+4)
Space/Reach	10ft/5ft
Base Atk/Grp	+12/+17
Special Actions	gastric slime, shell
Abilities	Str 20, Dex 11, Con 24, Int —, Wis 8, Cha 8
SQ	Shell (+20 AC, DR 15/adamantine), vermin traits, amphibious
Skills	Climb +5, Listen -1, Spot-1, Swim +5
Advancement	17-30 (Large), 31-44 (Huge), 45-60 (Gargantuan)
gastric slime	once every three round, a giant whelk can expel a five-foot globule of digestive acid at any target within line of sight and a thirty foot radius. the globule is a ranged touch attack that deals 2d10+4 points of acid damage to the target and whatever equipment it is carrying. On a critical hit, the target is also blinded for 2d4 rounds.
shell	a giant whelk can retreat into its shell as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. While its body rests within the protective confines of its shell, the whelk gains an additional natural amor bonus of +20 and damage reduction 15/adamantine. It also cannot attack or move while in this state.
vermin traits	Immune to mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns and morale effects).
amphibious	giant whelks can breathe both air and water, and can spend an equal amount of their time in either environment.

The farmer had been having a good day right up until he caught sight of an enormous snail emerging from the river near his fields to start eating away at his crops. Immediately he leapt into action, bringing his hoe down on the creature's head.

The tool snapped in half. The creature barely noticed. The farmer was dumbstruck, for it had been a masterwork tool.

So he goaded some of his bulls into charging the giant gastropod in the hopes that either it would be scared off, or that the bulls would gore it to death.

They plowed headlong into the creature's shell with a sickening crack. The farmer looked on expectantly, hoping to see the snail die as its shell split asunder. Instead, his anticipation turned to stupefaction as his strongest bulls fell to the ground dead, their heads twisted at unnatural angles. Turning to look at the bizarre creature--which continued to feed corn stalks into its mouth as if nothing had happened--the farmer raised his hands and loosed a cry that was equal parts indignation and incredulity:

"What the Hell?! "

Giant Whelks are omnivorous, amphibious snails that originated on the ocean floor as much smaller creatures before unexplained circumstances caused them to undergo a tremendous growth spurt. They have since migrated inland, taking up residence in the rivers and swamps where they maintain their simple lairs. Totally omnivorous, they will eat anything that comes into contact with their feeler-tentacles, be it rotting flesh, plant matter or tree roots, to name but a few staples of their diet. The mindless creatures are quite simple, content to feed on whatever they find, but they will defend themselves if they believe that they are under attack. If overwhelmed by its opponents, a giant whelk can retreat into its hard, granite-like shell until the attackers leave.

Strategies and Tactics

When forced to fight, a giant whelk will bludgeon a single opponent with its tough head, following it up with a strike from two of its four tentacles. If the enemy is out of range, it can spit a wad of gastric slime at a distant opponent, dissolving his gear and leaving him blind. If it is under attack from three or more opponents, it can withdraw into its shell, increasing its AC significantly and granting it damage reduction 15/adamantium (Ex). If even this proves insufficient, the creature may attempt to retreat.

Ecology

Environment: Giant Whelks can be found in any wetland, near rivers, on the sea shore or on the sea floor. They move slightly faster in water than they do on land.

Typical Physical Characteristics: a typical giant whelk is twelve feet long and six feet wide, and is about five feet tall. The creature weighs about a ton. It is essentially a giant snail with four tentacles on its face: two for sensing food, and two for attacking. The design of the shell and colouration varies by individual.

Alignment: As completely mindless, instinct-driven creatures, giant whelks have no understanding of the concepts of good and evil. They are always neutral in alignment.

Advanced Creatures

Giant whelks become more powerful with age, often growing to a substancially larger size. There have been reports of whelks that were fifty feet long and twenty feet tall, capable of dissolving and devouring entire mountains over the course of a day, though such creatures are thankfully rare.

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