Zoranth, Lesser (3.5e Creature)
Lesser Zoranth
The weakest of the four main categories of Zoranth, the lesser zoranth is known for being reckless, savage, and not quite as intelligent as its more mature or developed brethren. Nevertheless, they make for fierce opponents.
A lesser zoranth is about 16 feet long (from the end of its head to the tip of its tail) and weights about 1,700 pounds.
Zoranths speak zoranthi which is physiologically impossible for most other races to speak.
Combat
Lesser zoranths ravage across the landscape, using their breath weapon to knock down trees, plants, or prey prior to consuming them. They may choose to break their food up with their powerful claws or fangs but if they're starving they may just skip that step entirely. Any living creature that enters the stomach is subject to absolutely powerful acidic juices that paralyze and dissolve organic materials.
Breath Weapon (Su): Once per 1d4 rounds as a standard action the lesser zoranth can unleash a 30 ft. cone of force from its maw that deals 5d6 force damage and 3d4 sonic damage to all creatures in the affected area. The saving throw is constitution based. Additionally it may also cause affected creatures to be blown away, deafened, and/or stunned depending on the creature's size category. For more details about the damage and effects of the lesser zoranth's breath weapon see Table: Lesser Zoranth Breath Weapon Effects.
| Target Size Category | Damage to Resist | Conditions to Resist | Saving Throws Needed |
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| Fine |
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| Diminutive |
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| Tiny |
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| Small |
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| Medium |
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| Large |
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| Huge | — |
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| Gargantuan | — |
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| Colossal | — |
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Constrict (Ex): A lesser zoranth deals 2d6+7 points of damage with a successful grapple check. It can make a rake or a maul attack against a grappled foe as well.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a lesser zoranth must hit a creature at least one size smaller than itself with its claw 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 establishes a hold and deals bludgeoning damage from its constrict ability. The following round it can try to swallow the opponent.
Swallow Whole (Ex): A lesser zoranth can try to swallow a grabbed Medium or smaller opponent by making a successful grapple check. A swallowed creature takes 2d10+7 points of bludgeoning damage and 16 points of acid damage per round from the lesser zoranth's stomach. A swallowed creature must succeed on a fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4 turns. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing or piercing weapon to deal 30 points of damage to the stomach (AC 20). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out.
A lesser zoranth's stomach can hold 1 Medium, 4 Small, 16 Tiny, or 64 Diminutive or smaller opponents.
Maul (Ex): One bite, attack bonus +16 melee, damage 1d8+7
Rake (Ex): Two claws, attack bonus +16 melee, damage 1d6+3.
Zoranth Magic Adaptation (Su): Whenever a lesser zoranth is affected by a spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability and survives, it becomes immune to the effects of that spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability for a period of 1d4 days. Additionally the lesser zoranth becomes able to use that same spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability for the same amount of time that it is immune to its effects. The lesser zoranth may choose to use these newfound abilities at-will as a standard action. The caster level is equal to its Hit Dice.
Tactics
Lesser zoranths aimlessly wander around eating everything they can find and laying their eggs in dark, moist areas they deem safe. They will track down organic life from miles away if need by but aren't known for being subtle or particularly careful. Most times they simply rush a group. However, if they think they are likely to lose then they will most likely burrow underground to get away from danger (if they're on land).
Most times they begin a battle by getting into range with their breath weapon, using it to knock down opponents, picking them up, crushing them or chewing them, and then swallowing the remains.
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