Fire Eel

This eel is about 10 feet long and roughly one foot thick. It has a broad, triangular head and dark gray scales.

Fire Eel (CR 5)

Large Magical Beast (Aquatic)
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +6
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Low-Light Vision; Perception +7

Speed: Swim 40 feet
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 19, touch 11, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dex, +8 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 51 (6d10+18)
Saving Throws: Fort +8, Ref +9, Will +4
Energy Resistance: fire 20

Offense

Melee: bite +12 (2d6+9 plus Grab)
Reach: 5 feet

Special Attacks: fire shroud

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
22 (+6)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)	2 (-4)	14 (+2)	11 (+0)

Base Attack Bonus: +6
CMB +13 (+16 Grapple)
CMD 25 (can't be tripped)

Feats: Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Weapon Focus (bite)

Skills: Escape Artist +10, Perception +7, Stealth +3, Swim +19

• Racial Modifiers: +8 Escape Artist

Languages:

Special Abilities

Fire Shroud (Ex)

A fire eel constantly secretes highly flammable oil from its body. Upon contact with the air, the oil bursts into flames. The oil normally burns for 1 minute before extinguishing itself. Anyone contacting the burning oil takes 3d6 points of fire damage. Underwater, a fire eel can release this oil quickly (as a swift action) in a 10-foot radius around its body. The oil automatically ignites at the start of the fire eel's next turn. It deals the same fire damage as above, but only burns for 5 rounds underwater. A fire eel can ignite its oil once per minute in this way.

Ecology

Environment: Temperate or Warm Oceans
Organization: solitary, pair, or nest (3-10)
Treasure: incidental


Fire eels are a beautiful but dangerous species of aquatic beast that secrete and can ignite an oily residue on their skin to drive away predators and attract a mate. The flames emitted by a fire eel can be green, blue, red, or violet, or even a pattern of these colors, depending on the individual eel. Fire eels can be particularly dangerous to seagoing vessels during their mating season, when they come to the surface en masse to perform fiery courtship rituals, and are more aggressive than usual.

Fire eels are at home in both saltwater and freshwater, and live in groups of up to 10 eels. A fire eel lair consists of a number of long and winding tunnels burrowed into sand, rocks, or mud in shallow water. These tunnels eventually empty into a large central chamber. Fire eels, normally non-aggressive, become highly aggressive if their lair is threatened.

Fire eels are normally inoffensive, and avoid combat if possible. However, if they are attacked, grabbed, or if it is their mating season, they become more aggressive, and use their fire shroud to ward off attacks while they bite relentlessly until their opponents are driven away.