Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Something scaly in the water...

SALTWATER CROCODILE (#21/30, #326/365) [OOTP IV]

SKILL: 8

STAMINA: 8

ATTACKS: 2

WEAPON: Very Large Bite

ARMOUR: Heavy

DAMAGE MODIFIER: None

HABITAT: Seas, Sea-shore, Marshes, Rivers, Lakes

NUMBER ENCOUNTERED: 1-2

TYPE: Reptile

REACTION: Unfriendly

INTELLIGENCE: Low

Related to the Crocodiles that dwell across Titan's warmer rivers, lakes and swamps, the SALTWATER CROCODILE is an enormous scaly beast around six metres long with a similar toothy-jawed appearance. This pelagic predator is found along the tropical coastlines of Allansia and Khul, and many of the islands that dot the seas in-between, for it is not unusual to see a Saltwater Crocodile swimming out in the middle of the open ocean. They are voracious predators and scavengers, with a reputation for eating any old thing they find, and often the first and last sight their prey has of the huge beast, is a dark shadow slicing through the water, tail swishing and jaws agape, before it bites with its many pointy teeth!

The above scores apply to a Saltwater Crocodile that is being fought in the water; they are less agile on dry land and must reduce their Attack Strength by 2 when so cornered. If slain, any canny sailor knows to cut open the creature's stomach with their cutlass and, while holding their nose, check for trinkets the Saltwater Crocodile may have previously swallowed; roll on the Humanoid Type for potential treasure. The creature is also valued for its ivory teeth, which are carved into amulets protecting against future crocodile attacks (Malu the Witch-doctor of Bone Island was known to have one), and its skin, which can be made into leather goods and also armour. The Pangarians even attempted to construct and run a mid-ocean Saltwater Crocodile Farm on the surface of the Ocean of Tempests with mixed results.

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