SRD:Darkmantle

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DARKMANTLE

Size/Type:	Small Magical Beast
Hit Dice:	1d10+1 (6 hp)
Initiative:	+4
Speed:	20 ft. (4 squares), fly 30 ft. (poor)
Armor Class:	17 (+1 size, +6 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple:	+1/+0
Attack:	Slam +5 melee (1d4+4)
Full Attack:	Slam +5 melee (1d4+4)
Space/Reach:	5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks:	Darkness, improved grab, constrict 1d4+4
Special Qualities:	Blindsight 90 ft.
Saves:	Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +0
Abilities:	Str 16, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha 10
Skills:	Hide +10, Listen +5*, Spot +5*
Feats:	Improved Initiative
Environment:	Underground
Organization:	Solitary, pair, clutch (3–9), or swarm (6–15)
Challenge Rating:	1
Treasure:	None
Alignment:	Always neutral
Advancement:	2–3 HD (Small)
Level Adjustment:	—

The darkmantle hangs from a ceiling by a muscular “foot” at the top of its body. It can look like a stalactite, by holding its tentacles stiffly under itself, or like a lump of rock, spreading its tentacles so the membrane between them covers its body. Its shell and skin usually resemble limestone, but a darkmantle can change its color to match almost any type of stony background.

A darkmantle is about 4 feet long from the tips of its tentacles to the top of its head. It weighs about 30 pounds.

COMBAT

A darkmantle attacks by dropping onto its prey and wrapping its tentacles around the opponent’s head. Once attached, it squeezes and tries to suffocate the foe. A darkmantle that misses its initial attack often flies up and tries to drop on the opponent again.

Darkness (Su): Once per day a darkmantle can cause darkness as the darkness spell (caster level 5th). It most often uses this ability just before attacking.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a darkmantle must hit a Large or smaller creature with its slam attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity.

If it wins the grapple check, it attaches to the opponent’s head and can constrict.

Constrict (Ex): A darkmantle deals 1d4+4 points of damage with a successful grapple check.

Blindsight (Ex): A darkmantle can “see” by emitting high-frequency sounds, inaudible to most other creatures, that allows it to ascertain objects and creatures within 90 feet. A silence spell negates this ability and effectively blinds the darkmantle.

Skills: A darkmantle has a +4 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks.

These bonuses are lost if its blindsight is negated. The creature’s variable coloration gives it a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks.

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