Thursday, 5 May 2022

Monsters: Crab People

Monsters: Crab People

There's several humanoid crab races in D&D and Pathfinder. Yurian (also known as aldani in the Forgotten Realms setting) from Fiend Folio seems to be an update of the crabman from 1e Fiend Folio, judging by the almost identical descriptions. Crucian is a more humanlike crabfolk species that appears in Sandstorm and Miniatures Handbook. Karkinoi is a brutish crab monster from Bestiary 4 for Pathfinder. Karkanaks are interesting crab people from the third-party Cerulean Seas setting for Pathfinder (that setting is great, I highly recommend checking it out - I'm going to steal a lot of content from it). And there's also Sartani from the Al-Qadim setting. Karkanaks and crucians can be used as expensive racial templates for PCs.


Yurian [Fiend Folio, page 198]

164 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+5 (Size Modifier, -10%) [45]; HT+1 [10].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM+1.
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Chameleon 1 [5]; DR 3 [15]; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills, -50%) [10]; Infravision [10]; Injury Tolerance (No Neck) [5]; Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit, -20%) [12]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach, -50%) [2]; Regrowth [40]; Speak Underwater [5].
    Pincers [26]: Extra Mouth 2 (Accessibility, Only to opt for a free grapple on a pincer hit, -60%; Link, +10%) [5] + 2 x Striker (Pincer; Cutting; Link, Extra Mouth, +10%) [8] + Good Grip 1 [5].
Disadvantages: Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5]; Short Arms [-10]; Short Lifespan 2 [-20]; Weak Bite [-2].
Perks: Burrower [1].
Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.

Knowing Your Own Strength [169]
Replace ST+5 (Size Modifier, -10%) [45] with ST+5 [50]

Typical Stats

ST:

15

HP:

15

Speed:

5.25

DX:

10

Will:

10

Move:

5 ground, 5 water

IQ:

10

Per:

10

 

 

HT:

11

FP:

11

SM:

+1

Dodge:

8

Parry:

9

DR:

3

    Pincer (12): thrust 1d+2 cutting (KYOS: 2d+1 cutting), Reach C-1. The yurian can either nip and let go or hold on and grapple the victim in addition to injuring him. Either is an attack that takes full hit location penalties – not halved for grappling. Treat this attack as a bite for these purposes (see Teeth on page 115 of GURPS Martial Arts for details). The pincers give +2 with tasks that require a firm grip (including climbing).
    Small Pincer (12): thrust 1d+1 crushing (KYOS: 2d crushing), Reach C.

    Traits: Amphibious; Burrower; Chameleon 1; Cold-Blooded (50°); Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Infravision; Injury Tolerance (No Neck); Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit); Pressure Support 1; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach); Regrowth; Short Arms; Short Lifespan 2; Speak Underwater; Weak Bite.
    Skills: Brawling-12; Scrounging-12; Survival (Beach/Island)-12.
    Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.

Sartani [ALQ1 - Golden Voyages]

171 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+25 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; Size Modifier, -30%) [75]; IQ-2 [-40]; HT+3 [30].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM+3; HP+10 (Size Modifier, -30%) [14]; Will+3 [15]; Per+3 [15]; Basic Move +2 [10].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; DR 3 (Tough Skin, -40%) [9]; DR 4 (Partial, Arms, -20%) [16]; DR 4 (Partial, Face, -50%) [10]; DR 4 (Partial, Hands, -40%) [12]; DR 4 (Partial, Skull, -70%) [6]; DR 4 (Partial, Vitals, -30%) [14]; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills, -50%) [10]; Infravision [10]; Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit, -20%) [12]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach, -50%) [2]; Speak Underwater [5].
    Fire Resistance [35]: DR 10 (Includes Eyes, +10%; Includes Internal, +20%; Limited, Fire, -40%; Tough Skin, -40%) [25] + Immunity to Noxious Fire Effects [10].
    Pincers [18]: Extra Mouth 2 (Accessibility, Only to opt for a free grapple on a pincer hit, -60%; Link, +10%) [5] + Natural Weapon (Pincer; Cutting; Link, Extra Mouth, +10%) [8] + Good Grip 1 [5].
Disadvantages: Bad Temper (12) [-10]; Bloodlust (12) [-10]; Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5]; No Fine Manipulators [-30]; Odious Racial Habit (Eat sapient beings) [-15]; Restricted Diet (Carnivore) [-10]; Social Stigma (Savage) [-10]; Vulnerability (Cold, x2) [-30]; Weak Bite [-2].
Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.

Knowing Your Own Strength [336]
Replace ST+25 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; Size Modifier, -30%) [75] with ST+23 [230]
Replace HP+10 (Size Modifier, -30%) [14] with HP+12 [24]

Typical Stats

S
T:

35 (KYOS: 33)

HP:

45

Speed:

5.75

DX:

10

Will:

11

Move:

7 ground, 7 water

IQ:

8

Per:

11

 

 

HT:

13

FP:

13

SM:

+3

Dodge:

8

Parry:

9

DR:

3* (tough skin), 4 (skull, face, arms, hands, vitals), 10 (vs. fire)

    Pincer (12): thrust 5d-1 cutting (KYOS: 8d cutting), Reach C-2. The sartani can either nip and let go or hold on and grapple the victim in addition to injuring him. Either is an attack that takes full hit location penalties – not halved for grappling. Treat this attack as a bite for these purposes (see Teeth on page 115 of GURPS Martial Arts for details). The pincers give +2 with tasks that require a firm grip (including climbing).

    Traits: Amphibious; Bad Temper (12); Bloodlust (12); Cold-Blooded (50°); Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Immunity to Noxious Fire Effects; Infravision; Odious Racial Habit (Eats sapient beings); Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit); Pressure Support 1; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach); Restricted Diet (Carnivore); Social Stigma (Savage); Speak Underwater; Vulnerability (Cold, x2); Weak Bite.
    Skills: Brawling-12; Scrounging-12; Survival (Beach/Island)-12.
    Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.


Crucian [Sandstorm, page 144]

38 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+3 [30]; DX-1 [-20]; HT+2 [20].
Advantages: DR 1 (Lower Layer) [5]; DR 6 (Upper Layer; Can’t Wear Armor, -40%; Directional, Back, -40%; Partial, Torso, -10%) [6]; Night Vision 5 [5]; Temperature Tolerance 2 (Hot) [2].
Disadvantages: Social Stigma (Savage) [-10].
Creature Type: Humanoid (Crucian).

Typical Stats

ST:

13

HP:

13

Speed:

5.25

DX:

9

Will:

10

Move:

5

IQ:

10

Per:

10

 

 

HT:

12

FP:

12

SM:

+0

Dodge:

8

Parry:

8U

DR:

1, 6 (back, torso)

    Maul (11): swing 3d crushing, Reach 1-2*. Becomes unready after an attack.

    Traits: Night Vision 5; Social Stigma (Savage); Temperature Tolerance 2 (Hot).
    Skills: Survival (Desert)-12; Two-Handed Axe/Mace-11.
    Creature Type: Humanoid (Crucian).


Karkanak [Cerulean Seas – Undersea Campaign Setting, page 28]

61 points
Attribute Modifiers: DX-1 [-20].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: HP+3 [6]; Basic Speed -0.75 [-15]; Basic Move -1 [-5].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Artificer 1 [10]; DR 3 [15]; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills, -50%) [10]; Extra Arms 2 (Temporary Disadvantage, No Fine Manipulators, -30%) [14]; Injury Tolerance (No Neck) [5]; Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit, -20%) [12]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach, -50%) [2]; Speak Underwater [5].
    Pincers [13]: Extra Mouth 2 (Accessibility, Only to opt for a free grapple on a pincer hit, -60%; Link, +10%) [5] + Natural Weapon (Pincer; Cutting; Link, Extra Mouth, +10%) [8].
Disadvantages: Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5]; Weak Bite [-2].
Perks: Burrower [1].
Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.
Notes: For males buy up Arm ST for two arms or one arms (the ones with pincers).

Typical Stats

ST:

10

HP:

13

Speed:

4

DX:

9

Will:

10

Move:

4 ground, 4 water

IQ:

10

Per:

10

 

 

HT:

10

FP:

10

SM:

+0

Dodge:

7

Parry:

9

DR:

3

    Pincer (11): thrust 1d-1 cutting, Reach C. The karkanak can either nip and let go or hold on and grapple the victim in addition to injuring him. Either is an attack that takes full hit location penalties – not halved for grappling. Treat this attack as a bite for these purposes (see Teeth on page 115 of GURPS Martial Arts for details).
    Small Pincer (11): thrust 1d-2 crushing, Reach C.

    Traits: Amphibious; Artificer 1; Burrower; Cold-Blooded (50°); Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Extra Arms 2 (Temporary Disadvantage, No Fine Manipulators); Injury Tolerance (No Neck); Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit); Pressure Support 1; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach); Speak Underwater; Weak Bite.
    Skills: Brawling-11; Scrounging-12; Survival (Beach/Island)-12.
    Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.


Abyssal Karkanak [Cerulean Seas: The Azure Abyss, page 16]

59 points
Attribute Modifiers: DX-1 [-20].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: HP+3 [6]; Basic Speed -0.75 [-15]; Basic Move -1 [-5].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Artificer 1 [10]; DR 3 [15]; Extra Arms 2 (Temporary Disadvantage, No Fine Manipulators, -30%) [14]; Injury Tolerance (No Neck) [5]; Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit, -20%) [12]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach, -50%) [2]; Speak Underwater [5]; Temperature Tolerance 3 (Cold) [3].
    Pincers [13]: Extra Mouth 2 (Accessibility, Only to opt for a free grapple on a pincer hit, -60%; Link, +10%) [5] + Natural Weapon (Pincer; Cutting; Link, Extra Mouth, +10%) [8].
Disadvantages: Weak Bite [-2].
Perks: Burrower [1].
Features: Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Native Pressure 600 atm. (6,600 yards underwater).
Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.

Typical Stats

ST:

10

HP:

13

Speed:

4

DX:

9

Will:

10

Move:

4 ground, 4 water

IQ:

10

Per:

10

 

 

HT:

10

FP:

10

SM:

+0

Dodge:

7

Parry:

9

DR:

3

    Pincer (11): thrust 1d-1 cutting, Reach C. The karkanak can either nip and let go or hold on and grapple the victim in addition to injuring him. Either is an attack that takes full hit location penalties – not halved for grappling. Treat this attack as a bite for these purposes (see Teeth on page 115 of GURPS Martial Arts for details).
    Small Pincer (11): thrust 1d-2 crushing, Reach C.

    Traits: Amphibious; Artificer 1; Burrower; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Extra Arms 2 (Temporary Disadvantage, No Fine Manipulators); Injury Tolerance (No Neck); Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit); Pressure Support 1; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach); Speak Underwater; Temperature Tolerance 3 (Cold); Weak Bite.
    Skills: Brawling-11; Scrounging-12; Survival (Beach/Island)-12.
    Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.

Wooly Karkanak [Cerulean Seas: The Azure Abyss, page 16]

76 points
Attribute Modifiers: DX-1 [-20].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: HP+3 [6]; Basic Speed -0.75 [-15]; Basic Move -1 [-5].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; DR 3 [15]; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills, -50%) [10]; Extra Arms 2 (Temporary Disadvantage, No Fine Manipulators, -30%) [14]; Injury Tolerance (No Neck) [5]; Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit, -20%) [12]; Pressure Support 3 [15]; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach, -50%) [2]; Speak Underwater [5]; Temperature Tolerance 10 [10].
    Pincers [13]: Extra Mouth 2 (Accessibility, Only to opt for a free grapple on a pincer hit, -60%; Link, +10%) [5] + Natural Weapon (Pincer; Cutting; Link, Extra Mouth, +10%) [8].
Disadvantages: Weak Bite [-2].
Perks: Burrower [1].
Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.

Typical Stats

ST:

10

HP:

13

Speed:

4

DX:

9

Will:

10

Move:

4 ground, 4 water

IQ:

10

Per:

10

 

 

HT:

10

FP:

10

SM:

+0

Dodge:

7

Parry:

9

DR:

3

    Pincer (11): thrust 1d-1 cutting, Reach C. The karkanak can either nip and let go or hold on and grapple the victim in addition to injuring him. Either is an attack that takes full hit location penalties – not halved for grappling. Treat this attack as a bite for these purposes (see Teeth on page 115 of GURPS Martial Arts for details).
    Small Pincer (11): thrust 1d-2 crushing, Reach C.

    Traits: Amphibious; Burrower; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Extra Arms 2 (Temporary Disadvantage, No Fine Manipulators); Injury Tolerance (No Neck); Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit); Pressure Support 3; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach); Speak Underwater; Temperature Tolerance 10; Weak Bite.
    Skills: Brawling-11; Scrounging-12; Survival (Beach/Island)-12.
    Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.


Polar Karkanak [Cerulean Seas: Indigo Ice, page 16]

59 points
Attribute Modifiers: DX-1 [-20].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: HP+3 [6]; Basic Speed -0.75 [-15]; Basic Move -1 [-5].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; Artificer 1 [10]; DR 3 [15]; Extra Arms 2 (Temporary Disadvantage, No Fine Manipulators, -30%) [14]; Injury Tolerance (No Neck) [5]; Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit, -20%) [12]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach, -50%) [2]; Speak Underwater [5]; Temperature Tolerance 3 (Cold) [3].
    Pincers [13]: Extra Mouth 2 (Accessibility, Only to opt for a free grapple on a pincer hit, -60%; Link, +10%) [5] + Natural Weapon (Pincer; Cutting; Link, Extra Mouth, +10%) [8].
Disadvantages: Weak Bite [-2].
Perks: Burrower [1].
Features: Doesn’t Breathe (Gills).
Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.

Typical Stats

ST:

10

HP:

13

Speed:

4

DX:

9

Will:

10

Move:

4 ground, 4 water

IQ:

10

Per:

10

 

 

HT:

10

FP:

10

SM:

+0

Dodge:

7

Parry:

9

DR:

3

    Pincer (11): thrust 1d-1 cutting, Reach C. The karkanak can either nip and let go or hold on and grapple the victim in addition to injuring him. Either is an attack that takes full hit location penalties – not halved for grappling. Treat this attack as a bite for these purposes (see Teeth on page 115 of GURPS Martial Arts for details).
    Small Pincer (11): thrust 1d-2 crushing, Reach C.

    Traits: Amphibious; Artificer 1; Burrower; Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Extra Arms 2 (Temporary Disadvantage, No Fine Manipulators); Injury Tolerance (No Neck); Peripheral Vision (Easy to Hit); Pressure Support 1; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach); Speak Underwater; Temperature Tolerance 3 (Cold); Weak Bite.
    Skills: Brawling-11; Scrounging-12; Survival (Beach/Island)-12.
    Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.

Karkinoi [Bestiary 4, page 173]

61 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+6 (Size Modifier, -10%) [54]; IQ-3 [-60]; HT+2 [20].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM+1; Will+2 [10]; Per+3 [15].
Advantages: Amphibious [10]; DR 4 [20]; Doesn’t Breathe (Oxygen Storage, On the surface, 300x, -10%) [18]; Infravision [10]; Injury Tolerance (No Neck) [5]; Pressure Support 1 [5]; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach, -50%) [2]; Speak Underwater [5].
    Pincer [14]: Extra Mouth 1 (Accessibility, Only to opt for a free grapple on a pincer hit, -60%; Link, +10%) [3] + Natural Weapon (Pincer; Cutting; Increased Damage, +1 per die, +60%; Link, Extra Mouth, +10%; Single, -20%) [11].
Disadvantages: Bad Temper (12) [-10]; Bully (12) [-10]; Callous [-5]; Cold-Blooded (50°) [-5]; Odious Racial Habit (Eats sapient beings) [-15]; Restricted Diet (Carnivore) [-10]; Social Stigma (Savage) [-10]; Weak Bite [-2].
Features: Doesn’t Breathe (Gills).
Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.

Knowing Your Own Strength [67]
Replace ST+6 (Size Modifier, -10%) [54] with ST+6 [60]

Typical Stats

ST:

16

HP:

16

Speed:

5.25

DX:

10

Will:

9

Move:

5 ground, 5 water

IQ:

7

Per:

10

 

 

HT:

12

FP:

12

SM:

+1

Dodge:

8

Parry:

9

DR:

4

    Pincer (12): thrust 2d-1 cutting (KYOS: 3d cutting), Reach C-1. The karkinoi can either nip and let go or hold on and grapple the victim in addition to injuring him. Either is an attack that takes full hit location penalties – not halved for grappling. Treat this attack as a bite for these purposes (see Teeth on page 115 of GURPS Martial Arts for details). The pincers give +2 with tasks that require a firm grip (including climbing).
    Punch (12): thrust 1d+1 crushing (KYOS: 2d+1 crushing), Reach C-1.

    Traits: Amphibious; Bad Temper (12); Bully (12); Callous; Cold-Blooded (50°); Doesn’t Breathe (Gills); Doesn’t Breathe (Oxygen Storage, On the surface, 300x); Infravision; Injury Tolerance (No Neck); Odious Racial Habit (Eats sapient beings); Pressure Support 1; Reduced Consumption 2 (Cast-Iron Stomach); Restricted Diet (Carnivore); Social Stigma (Savage); Speak Underwater; Weak Bite.
    Skills: Brawling-12; Scrounging-12; Survival (Beach/Island)-12.
    Creature Type: Monstrous Humanoid.

4 comments:

  1. Em-hem, needs to be said, "Crab people, Crab people. Taste like crab, talk like people."

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am creating my own crab people for an After the End campaign, so I'm reading your work for references. Could you explain your line of thought for giving them extra mouth plus pincer for the pincers?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The main idea was to have a natural weapon that can deal damage and grapple at the same time. By default, only bites can do that in GURPS, so I linked together a Natural Weapon and Extra Mouth limited in a way that only lets it apply a "free" grapple after an attack. So, you can't eat, drink, or speak through the pincers. Now, you can have a crab use its pincer to grapple somebody, deal damage at the same time, and then it can even squeeze for automatic damage on subsequent turns (just like worrying works with bites).

      Delete
    2. I totally forgot to thank you for explaning your underlining work. Thank you.

      Delete