I hope you enjoy the puffer frog. See you tomorrow with another monster!
(as mentioned earlier, I won't have an illustration for this or a little while. I'll update this post and create a new post when I get the art from Hugo)
This gaunt,
frog-shaped creature is translucent apart from the numerous thorn-like objects
pointing inward. Several stubby tentacles dangle from what appears to be its
mouth. Despite its awkward appearance it floats in the air with no difficulty.
Puffer Frog CR 4
XP 1,200
N Large vermin
Init +2; Senses blindsense 30 ft., darkvision 60
ft.; Perception +1
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 11,
flat-footed 15 (+2 Dex, +6 natural, –1 size)
hp 42 (5d8+20)
Fort +8, Ref +3, Will +2
Defensive Abilities
amorphous; DR 5/piercing or slashing
OFFENSE
Speed 10 ft., fly
40 ft. (average), swim 30 ft.
Melee slam +8
(1d8+9 plus 1d4 acid and poison)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks
engulf (DC 18, 1d8 piercing, 1d6 acid, and poison), spiky skin
STATISTICS
Str 23, Dex 15, Con 18, Int —, Wis 13, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +10; CMD 22 (can't be tripped)
Feats Hover[B]
Skills Fly +0,
Swim +14
SQ amphibious, compression
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization
solitary or colony (2–16)
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Poison (Ex) Slam
or engulf—Injury; save Fort DC 16; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d4 Dex; cure 2 consecutive saves. A creature that takes Dexterity damage
from this poison is sickened until the Dexterity damage is healed.
Spiky Skin (Ex) Damage
from a puffer frog’s slam attack counts as bludgeoning and piercing damage.
The name “puffer frog” is a misnomer for these alien
jellyfish based on their odd frog-like resting appearance and their propensity
to bloat when startled. The creatures are kept as pets and guardian creatures
by other intelligent jellyfish-like creatures on distant worlds and below the
sea. Their strange biology allows them to survive in the air as well as in the
water.
When at rest, puffer frogs have their spikes facing inward,
which allows the spikes to absorb acid and poison contained within the
creatures’ bodies. When fending off predators or hunting prey, they intake
large quantities of air to increase their apparent size, and, in the process,
turn half the spikes outward. This instinctive response alerts predators that
the puffer frogs are dangerous, while it gives the jellyfish an advantage when
they stalk prey. Their poison burns as it courses through victims’ bodies,
rendering their victims unable to mount an effective defense. After victims
succumb to the poison, puffer frogs flow over and digest their fallen prey. The
jellyfish rarely engulf foes while the creatures still have fight left in them,
but, if cornered, they use this tactic as a last resort.
