Monster: Lurker Above

Monster: Lurker Above

One of those weird classic D&D monsters. An oversized cloaker/darkmantle that drops from the ceiling, engulfs and smothers the prey. A lone adventurer doesn't really have a chance unless he has specific countermeasures. Dragon Magazine #150 lists the lurker above and the trapper as related to mind flayers, but I did not manage to find any connection.

Lurker Above [Monster Mayhem – Lurker Above]

174 points

Attribute Modifiers: ST+25 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; Size Modifier, -40%) [50]; DX+1 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%) [12]; IQ-4 [-80]; HT+3 [30].

Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM+4; Will+4 [20]; Per+6 [30]; Basic Move -4 [-20].

Advantages: Clinging (Attraction, +25%) [25]; Constriction Attack (Engulfing, +60%) [24]; Discriminatory Smell [15]; Double-Jointed [15]; DR 2 (Tough Skin, -40%) [6]; Flight (Lighter Than Air, -10%; Slow, -25%) [26]; Infravision [10]; Injury Tolerance (Damage Reduction 2; Limited, Crushing, -40%) [30]; Injury Tolerance (No Head, No Neck) [12]; Metabolism Control 6 (Hibernation, -60%) [12]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Reduced Consumption 3 [6]; Silence 3 [15]; Subsonic Hearing (Biological (Passive), -5%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%) [4].

Disadvantages: Bestial [-10]; No Manipulators [-50]; No Mouth [-4]; Restricted Diet (Carnivore) [-10].

Perks: Limited Camouflage (Rock) [1].

Features: No Legs (Slithers).

Creature Type: Aberration.

Knowing Your Own Strength [286] Replace ST+25 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; Size Modifier, -40%) [50] with ST+14 [140] Add HP+11 [22]

Typical Stats

ST:	35 (KYOS: 24)	HP:	35	Speed:	6
DX:	11	Will:	10	Move:	2 ground, 6 air (cannot hover)
IQ:	6	Per:	12
HT:	13	FP:	13	SM:	+4
Dodge:	9	Parry:	N/A	DR:	2* (tough skin)

Engulf (15): Wrestling at DX+2 gives the lurker above effective ST 37 (KYOS: ST 26) for the purpose of grappling. To use this ability, the lurker above must first successfully grapple its intended victim, whose Size Modifier cannot exceed its own. On its next turn, and each successive turn, roll a Quick Contest: the lurker above’s ST vs. the victim’s ST or HT, whichever is higher. If the lurker above wins, the victim takes damage equal to the lurker’s margin of victory; otherwise, he takes no damage.

The lurker above totally engulfs its victim. If he doesn’t break free between when the lurker above grapples him and when it starts to crush him, he’s pinned; see Pin (p. B370). This pin is completely “hands free” and treated as two-handed. Victims with abilities such as Innate Attack and Spines can hit the lurker above automatically while engulfed, however, with no active defense allowed.

                Traits: Bestial; Clinging (Attraction); Discriminatory Smell; Double-Jointed; Flight (Lighter Than Air; Slow); Infravision; Injury Tolerance (Damage Reduction 2; Limited, Crushing); Injury Tolerance (No Head, No Neck); Limited Camouflage (Rock); Metabolism Control 6 (Hibernation); Night Vision 5; No Manipulators; No Legs (Slithers); No Mouth; Reduced Consumption 3; Restricted Diet (Carnivore); Silence 3; Subsonic Hearing (Biological (Passive); Melee Attack, Reach C).

Skills: Camouflage-15; Stealth-15; Wrestling-15.

Creature Type: Aberration.