Hydras


Hydras are magical beasts,

Magical beasts are similar to animals but can be more intelligent (in which case the magical beast knows at least one language, but can’t necessarily speak). Magical beasts usually have supernatural or extraordinary abilities, but are sometimes merely bizarre in appearance or habits.

Magical beasts have darkvision.

Magical beasts have low-light vision.

Magical beasts breathe, eat, and sleep.

There are more powerful hydras, with additional heads.

When a hydra’s head is destroyed, two heads regrow. A hydra cannot have more than twice its original number of heads at any one time. To prevent new heads from growing, acid or fire damage must be dealt to the stump (a touch attack to hit) before they appear. Acid and fire damage from area attacks can affect stumps and the body simultaneously. A hydra doesn’t die from losing its heads until all are cut off and the stumps seared by acid or fire.

A hydra can be killed by severing all of its heads or slaying its body. To sever a head, an opponent must make a sunder attempt with a slashing weapon targeting a head. A hydra can’t attack with a severed head, but takes no other penalties.

When a hydra makes a charge, it can attack with all its natural weapons.

A hydra’s fast healing ability depends on its number of heads. This fast healing applies only to damage inflicted on the hydra’s body.

Hydras can detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell. Hydras can identify familiar odors just as humans do familiar sights. If the opponent is upwind, the range increases; if downwind, it drops. Strong scents, such as smoke or rotting garbage, can be detected at longer ranges. Overpowering scents, such as skunk musk or troglodyte stench, can be detected at even longer ranges. When hydras detect a scent, the exact location of the source is not revealed – only its presence somewhere within range. Hydras can note the direction of the scent within seconds. When hydras are next to the source, they pinpoint the source’s location. Hydras can follow tracks by smell. The difficulty increases or decreases depending on how strong the quarry’s odor is, the number of creatures, and the age of the trail. Hydras tracking by scent ignore the effects of surface conditions and poor visibility.

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