Eurypterid, Megalograptus
- Armor Class
- 9 [10]
- Hit Dice
- 1
- Attacks
- Claw or Sting (1d6)
- Special
- poison, paralysis, fear
- Move
- 6 Swim 9
- HDE/XP
- 2/30
Description
Known to some as sea scorpions, Eurypterids are amphibious arthropods related to arachnids. Primeval and voracious, these predators range in size from relatively harmless, the size of a small dog, up to large ones the size of a cow. Regardless of their size, all share one thing in common: an aggressive attitude. Eurypterids lash out at anything that might be food, happily secure in their flat, stout carapace. Although quite at home in the shallow sea (or fresh-water lake), most eurypterids are capable of scuttling around on land and can exist out of water indefinitely.
There is a small amount of evidence that some species of eurypterids are poisonous, but all of these are of the small variety. Those stung by a poisonous eurypterid must make a saving throw against poison at +2 or die.
Megalograptus strikes a menacing figure, ranging from 1 foot 7 inches to 2 feet 7 inches in length, making it a fearsome predator. Its segmented exoskeleton, dark and mottled, provides both protection and camouflage in the murky depths it calls home. Eight powerful legs propel it through the water with surprising agility, while its chelicerae, each measuring several inches in length, are adorned with sharp, serrated edges perfect for tearing through flesh and armor alike.
But perhaps the most terrifying aspect of megalograptus is its tail, tipped with a poisonous stinger capable of delivering a deadly dose of venom to anything unfortunate enough to cross its path. This venom paralyzes prey, unless a successful saving throw against poison is made, allowing the megalograptus a chance to feed on the subdued victim.
It prefers shallow coastal regions and estuaries, where the waters are rich with prey and competition for resources fierce.
See Also
Other creatures grouped under Eurypterid: Eurypterid, Buffalopterus, Eurypterid, Jaekelopterus, Eurypterid, Pentecopterus.
Source note: This creature is converted from The Basic Fantasy Field Guide of Creatures Malevolent and Benign – Omnibus Edition, 1st Edition Release 4, © 2010–2025 Chris Gonnerman, R. Kevin Smoot, James Lemon, Matt Sluis, and Contributors. The Basic Fantasy Field Guide textual material is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International; this page adapts that creature to White Box.