Monday, October 15, 2018

Frightful Fridays! Frogtober! Soppy Frog

We're at the halfway point of Frogtober, so that means we have a bunch more frogs to go! Today's Inktober theme is "weak," and the frog below is decidedly that. However, if PCs aren't careful, the frog will soon grow into a formidable critter while reducing the PCs' power. Hugo Solis (https://deviantart.com/butterfrog) brought home the notion that this is a pitiful creature with his delightful illustration.

I hope you enjoy the soppy frog, and I'll see you tomorrow with the next frog!

Woe is me




This pathetic creature looks like a damp dishcloth cut into the shape of a frog.
Soppy Frog      CR 1/2
XP 200
N Tiny magical beast
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +4
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 size)
hp 7 (1d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +0
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., climb 10 ft., swim 20 ft.
Melee slam 1 (1d24 plus strength sponge)
Space 21/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks strength sponge
STATISTICS
Str 2, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 4, Wis 11, Cha 9
Base Atk +1; CMB +1; CMD 7 (11 vs. trip)
Feats Go Unnoticed[APG]
Skills Climb +10, Perception +4, Swim +10
ECOLOGY
Environment temperate or warm swamps
Organization solitary, pair, or stack (312)
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Strength Sponge (Ex) If a soppy frog succeeds in hitting a target’s touch AC, it inflicts 1d4 points of Strength damage to the target (Fortitude DC 12 half). If the frog successfully inflicts Strength damage to the target, it gains a bonus to its Strength equal to half the damage dealt (minimum 1). The save DC is Constitution-based.
For every 2 points of Strength the soppy frog gains this way, it adds 1 to its attack and damage rolls, CMB, and CMD. If it gains a bonus to its Strength equal to 8 or more, it increases to Small size, gains a +4 size bonus to Constitution (increasing its hit points by 2 per HD, and increasing the save DC against this ability by 2), takes a 2 penalty to Dexterity (reducing its AC and touch AC by 1), increases its natural armor bonus by 2, and increases its space and reach to 5 feet. The increase in size also imposes a 1 penalty on its AC and attack rolls.
The Strength bonus lasts for 1 hour, at which time the soppy frog returns to its normal size.

Soppy frogs are bizarre creatures that seem utterly harmless and attempt to parlay that into surprise attacks where they absorb the might of their victims. They start off flat and shriveled, but as they drain more power from their prey, they fill out into normal frog-like shapes as they grow to twice their original size. They leave their ragged victims behind, too weak to fend for themselves.

Soppy frogs are used by hags and undead that haunt the swamps the frogs call home. The frogs are more of a nuisance to those powerful enough to take on the more intelligent swamp denizens employing them, but the frogs might weaken sword arms just enough to turn the tide for their keepers. Their use by hags enforces a common belief that the frogs are the remains of a civilization cursed by hags to take their dejected form.