Gorbel

This bizarre creature is a small orb with reddish skin. Atop its round body are six eyestalks, each ending in a sapphire-colored eye. Dangling beneath its body are two stubby legs that end in claws.

Gorbel (CR 1/2)

Small Aberration
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +2
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet; Perception +8

Speed: 5 feet, Fly 60 feet (average)
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 17, touch 13, flat-footed 15 (+2 Dex, +4 natural, +1 size)
Hit Points: 11 (2d8+2)
Saving Throws: Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +2
All-Around Vision
Damage Reduction: 5/slashing or piercing
Immunity: flanking
Weaknesses: explosion

Offense

Melee: 2 claws +3 (1d4+1 plus Grab), bite +3 (1d6+1) Special Abilities Grab and bite
Reach: 5 feet

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
12 (+1)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	8 (-1)	9 (-1)	8 (-1)

Base Attack Bonus: +1
CMB +1 (+5 Grapple)
CMD 13 (can't be tripped)

Feats: Fly-by Attack

Skills: Fly +9, Perception +8, Stealth +11

• Racial Modifiers: +4 Perception

Languages: Aklo

Special Abilities

Explosion (Ex)

When a gorbel is hit with a weapon, spell, or effect that deals piercing or slashing damage, it must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage taken) or instantly explode, dealing 1d4 points of damage to all creatures within 5 feet. This instantly kills the gorbel. Creatures in the affected area can attempt a DC 12 Reflex save to reduce the damage by half. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Grab and Bite (Ex)

A gorbel can bite a grappled opponent as a swift action with a +4 attack bonus.

Ecology

Environment: Warm Forests
Organization: solitary or swarm (2-10)
Treasure: none


The gorbel is a strange creature approximately 3 feet in diameter. Its reddish skin is a thin but tough and rubbery membrane. The spherical body of a gorbel is highly elastic and filled to near bursting with a lighter-than air flammable gas that smells of rotten eggs (sulfur). A gorbel eats, breathes, and excretes through an aperture best described as a mouth. This mouth is lined with a ring of sharp teeth that face inward to help it force food into its gullet.

Gorbels primarily attack with their claws, only resorting to biting after they have latched onto their prey. A gorbel will attack and try to eat whatever it thinks is edible - generally including anything that moves that is smaller than the gorbel. Its strange metabolic processes instill it with an almost insatiable hunger.

Credit The Gorbel originally appeared in the First Edition Fiend Folio (© TSR/ Wizards of the Coast, 1981) and is used by permission. Copyright Notice Author Scott Greene, based on original material by Andrew Key.