Gilded Sea Serpent
This serpent is about 8 feet long and 2 feet thick. Its body scales are small and smooth, with the brilliant luster of gold. It has a long, narrow crocodilian snout and a cluster of antenna-like whiskers sweeping back from just above its jaws.
Gilded Sea Serpent (CR 5)
Medium Dragon (Aquatic)Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +4
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +11
Speed: 10 feet, Swim 40 feet
Space: 5 feet
Defense
Armor Class: 30, touch 14, flat-footed 26 (+4 Dex, +16 natural)Hit Points: 52 (5d12+20)
Saving Throws: Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +7
Damage Reduction: 5/gold
Immunity: paralysis and sleep, dragon traits
Offense
Melee: bite +9 (1d8+1 plus poison)Reach: 5 feet
Special Attacks: Constrict (1d8+1), poison
Statistics
| Str | Dex | Con | Int | Wis | Cha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 (+1) | 19 (+4) | 16 (+3) | 7 (-2) | 16 (+3) | 17 (+3) |
CMB +6 (+10 Grapple)
CMD 20 (can't be tripped)
Feats: Great Fortitude, Swim-by Attack, Toughness, Weapon Finesse
Skills: Perception +11, Stealth +12, Survival +11, Swim +17
Languages: Draconic
Special Abilities
Poison (Ex)
- Delivery: Bite-injury
- Fortitude Save: 15
- Frequency: 1/round for 4 rounds
- Track: Critical Wisdom
- Saves: 2 consecutive saves
Ecology
Environment: Temperate or Warm AquaticOrganization: solitary, pair or cluster (3-8)
Treasure: none (see below)
One of the rarest of sea serpents, the gilded serpent is known for its glittering golden hide, and is often hunted for this skin, and for the powerful narcotic that can be made from its venom. In the wild, gilded sea serpents live on the most secluded islands and hidden lagoons, where they nest in sandy lairs and shallow, sun-warmed waters. Wealthy coastal lords have been known to acquire gilded sea serpent eggs or infants and raised them captivity.
These serpents are usually revered as holy or prized as status symbols; captive gilded serpents that are mistreated quickly lose the will to live and die. The golden hide of a gilded serpent can be harvested and made into a single set of scale mail that fits a Medium or smaller creature. This armor is considered masterwork, and has the same properties as mithral scale armor. The poison of the gilded serpent can be milked or harvested as well, then made into a powerful narcotic drug called golden bliss (see sidebar).
Gilded sea serpents flee danger when they can, using their ability to swim swiftly to evade danger as quickly as possible. If cornered or surprised, however, they lash out with their bite, and use their constriction attack if their prey is small enough. The venom of a gilded sea serpent numbs the flesh to pain and induces a state of catatonic stupor.
Golden Bliss
This drug is made from the venom of a gilded sea serpent. A serpent that is milked of its venom produces enough poison to make 2d4 doses of golden bliss per day. This requires a DC 15 Craft (alchemy or poison) check. When inhaled, the drug produces a euphoric catatonia and provides complete protection against mind-influencing magic and psionic incursion.
GOLDEN BLISS
Type: inhaled; Addiction severe, Fortitude DC 15
Price 40 gp
Effects 1d3x10 minutes; +4 Charisma, immunity to mind-affecting effects and psionic incursion.
Damage 4 Wisdom damage
Copyright Notice Authors Scott Greene and Patrick Lawinger.
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