Black Magga

Black Magga is an aquatic native outsider.

An outsider is at least partially composed of the essence (but not necessarily the material) of some plane other than the Material Plane. Some creatures start out as some other type and become outsiders when they attain a higher (or lower) state of spiritual existence.

Outsider have darkvision.

Unlike most living creatures, an outsider does not have a dual nature – its soul and body form one unit. When an outsider is slain, no soul is set loose. Spells that restore souls to their bodies, such as raise dead, reincarnate, and resurrection, don’t work on an outsider. It takes a different magical effect, such as limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection to restore it to life. An outsider native to the Material Plane can be raised, reincarnated, or resurrected just as other living creatures can be.

Outsiders breathe, but do not need to eat or sleep (although they can do so if they wish). Outsiders native to the Material Plane breathe, eat, and sleep.

Aquatic creatures are always good swimmers. An aquatic creature can breathe water. It cannot breathe air unless it is amphibious.

Native outsiders have mortal ancestors or a strong connection to the Material Plane and can be raised, reincarnated, or resurrected just as other living creatures can be. These creatures are native to the Material Plane. Unlike true outsiders, native outsiders need to eat and sleep.

Black Magga is one of the favored servants of Lamashtu and an embodiment of the goddess’ reign over beasts, monsters, and madness. As an unholy auger of her will, Black Magga is said to have originally sought to confound the works of the civilized world, spread fear of monsters and the wild, and direct Lamashtu’s lesser servants in acts of depravity and bloodshed. Black Magga is said to have arrived in the Storval Deep not long after Runelord Karzoug flooded the immense quarry, and her presence in the newly formed lake brought much misery and dread to the Thassilonians who dwelt on the lake’s shores or sailed its surface. Karzoug’s interest in the region is said to have waned quickly, and he never bothered to take steps against the monster, prompting many to whisper that the runelord made a bargain with Lamashtu to place the monster in the Storval Deep, perhaps to hide some sort of great secret he had sunk beneath the waters. In any event, it was said that the goddess spoke directly to Black Magga, and for many, the words of the monster were equal to the commands of Lamashtu herself.

Bearing a head like a plesiosaur atop a thrashing mass of tentacles and eyes, Black Magga is an immense creature indeed. Although she is effectively immortal until slain, she has spent many of the more than 10,000 years since she first came to Varisia in deep hibernation. These slumbers could last for a dozen centuries or more at a time, and are punctuated by relatively short periods of activity that generally last for only a few decades. These long periods of sleep are said to have had something of a debilitating effect on Black Magga, for with each century of slumber, she is said to grow weaker. She is said to be now but a shadow of her original power. That she remains as powerful as she does today speaks volumes to the terrible wrath she must have possessed back during the height of Thassilon, before the advent of Earthfall changed everything.

Fisherfolk and woodsmen who have ventured near the Storval Deep have long told tales of a fell monster rising from the depths. Below are a few commonly held beliefs about Black Magga.

Breath of Madness: Black Magga can expel a cloud of foul-smelling, poisonous breath. All creatures in the area lose their willpower and may become confused. This is a mind-affecting poison effect. This breath weapon cannot be used underwater.

Transdimensional Tentacles: Black Magga’s tentacles allow her to see into and infiltrate the Ethereal Plane and the Plane of Shadow while she is on the Material Plane. This allows her not only to be aware of these planes and the creatures there, but also to shift her tentacles through these planes to attack their inhabitants. She can even phase her tentacles in and out of existence, effectively reaching through walls and other solid barriers to attack foes on the other side, provided that area is not warded by a dimensional lock or similar effect. She can grapple foes with her tentacles normally, but cannot pull grappled foes or objects through planes as her tentacles shift between them.

Warp Dimensions: Black Magga’s presence distorts the dimensions. Any creature that attempts to utilize a teleportation effect near Black Magga may fail. If the effect fails, the creature that attempted to create that effect may be nauseated.

Spell-like Abilities.

Constrict: Black Magga can crush an opponent, dealing bludgeoning damage, when she makes a successful grapple check (in addition to any other effects caused by a successful check, including additional damage).