Barnacle (D20 Modern Creature)
Barnacle
They were only able to coax it into latching onto organic surfaces - Black Mesa Scientist
Physically, barnacles resemble little more than a large mouth full of sharp teeth and a thin, but long and very powerful muscular hydrostat combining the functions of a tongue and tentacle, which can be retracted or extended to hang at near-floor level regardless of the animal's height from the floor. Barnacles are blind, and rely on their sense of touch to catch prey. The creatures attach themselves to ceilings or the undersides of overhangs, from which they lower their sticky tongues. Although barnacles can be found in a wide array of environments, they seem to prefer damp areas.
| Size/Type: | Tiny Outsider (Xenotheric) |
|---|---|
| Hit Dice: | 2d8+2 (14 hp) |
| Initiative: | — |
| Speed: | — |
| Armor Class: | 13, touch 10, flat-footed 13 |
| Base Attack/Grapple: | +3/— |
| Attack: | +3 Melee Bite (2d6) or +1 Ranged Tongue (Tongue Poison) |
| Full Attack: | +3 Melee Bite (2d6) |
| Space/Reach: | 1 1/2ft/0ft |
| Special Attacks: | Tongue Grapple, Tongue Poison |
| Special Qualities: | — |
| Saves: | Fort +2, Ref —, Will -2 |
| Abilities: | Str —, Dex —, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 6, Cha 9 |
| Skills: | — |
| Feats: | — |
| Environment: | Wet Urban |
| Organization: | single or colony (2-6) |
| Challenge Rating: | 1 |
| Treasure: | — |
| Alignment: | Neutral |
| Advancement: | — |
| Level Adjustment: | — |
Combat
When an object, living or otherwise, comes into contact with the tongue, it somehow grabs the object; the exact mechanism behind the tongue's stickiness is unknown. The barnacle then retracts its tongue, drawing the object towards its mouth. Upon reaching the mouth, the object is quickly evaluated by the barnacle: objects considered edible by the barnacle are crushed and consumed; inedible objects are released. Barnacles appear to be capable of killing and digesting a human being within only a few seconds, stripping the skeleton of flesh and spitting out indigestible bones. As the barnacles are never seen moving, it can be assumed that their food requirements are relatively low and that they can survive for extended periods without food, perhaps explaining their sedentary lifestyle.
Tongue Grapple (Ex): A Barnacle uses its long elastic tongue to grab and pull in prey. If anything touches this apendage the barnacle can attempt an instant grapple as a free action with a +10 modifier.
Tongue Poison (Ex): Fortitude DC 15; Initial: Paralysis 1d6 rounds; Secondary: Paralysis 1d6 rounds.
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