Cläu-rin
by Jamie BatySCMC
Large Magical Beast (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 8d10+24 (68 hp)
Initiative: +1 (+1 Dex)
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), swim 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armour Class: 20 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +10 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 19
Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+17
Attack: Bite +12 melee (4d8 +5)
Full Attack: Bite +12 melee (4d8 +5) and 2 claw +7 melee (1d8 +2)
Space/Reach: 10 ft. /5 ft.
Special Attacks: -
Special Qualities: Amphibious, darkvision 90ft., low-light vision, shell defence
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +9, Will +6
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 15
Skills: Appraise +7, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (local) +4, Knowledge (nature) +4, Listen +13, Search +6, Spot +13, Survival +6, Swim +18
Feats: Alertness, Endurance, Power Attack
Environment: Temperate, Warm aquatic
Organisation: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: Triple Standard
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 9-16 HD (Large); 17-24 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: -
This highly intelligent turtle is primarily a sea creature, occasionally seen wandering the shores near the snapper people. It is a close cousin of the kla'a-tah. Cläu-rin protect the evil snappers, as the kla'a-tah protects the tortles. These creatures guard the snappers' waters against intrusion by other races or large sea creatures, such as the sea glutton. Though rarely, they will sometimes come up on shore to attack enemies of the snappers.
Cläu-rin are extremely protective of their territory, defending it against other cläu-rin as well. However, the cläu-rin's protection is not so benevolent as that of the kla'a-tah. It demands that treasure be thrown into the ocean, later collecting it and moving it to its lair. Even if the snappers do not wish protection, a cläu-rin demands tribute. Snappers have learned better than to argue.
Like the kla'a-tah, the cläu-rin boasts a huge, colourful upper shell, often studded with uncut gems. The undershell is pink and extremely hard. The legs and head of the cläu-rin are a dark red, and the skin looks plated. Its rear feet taper back into two giant flippers, and the front feet have very sharp-edged toenails. The creature's head resembles that of a turtle
with large, deep set eyes and a sharp, powerful horned beak. When out of the water for more than a few minutes, the cläu-rin coughs with a deep, booming bark. At about 10ft long, the cläu-rin is a bit smaller and sleeker than a kla'a-tah, allowing it to bring both front claws to bear on a victim as well as its bite.
Cläu-rin speak Kla'a-tah, and Tortle (Snapper dialect).
Combat
A cläu-rin attacks with front claws and a powerful bite. Its attacks are powerful enough that even the powerful sea glutton fears this creature.
With the protection its shell offers, a cläu-rin rarely retreats from combat. If necessary, this giant turtle can pull in its legs and head, partially retreating into its lower shell. This seals off the leg openings and protects (but does not seal off) the head, providing several benefits to the creature.
The cläu-rin can make extremely quick snapping attacks for a creature its size, extending its neck to get a decent range of motion around the front of its shell. It does not worry too much about rear attacks, as its thick shell is nearly impervious.
Cläu-rin are arrogant, easily angered and will attack anything that appears to be a threat or doesn't have an offering for it.
Amphibious (Ex): A cläu-rin can breathe while in air and while submerged in water.
Shell Defence (Ex): A cläu-rin has a protective shell that gives it may benefits. They have a +2 bonus to all saving throws (included above), which increases to +4 if they retreat into their shell.
When retreated in their shell, they receive an additional +2 bonus to their natural armour class, are immune to sneak attacks, and have the equivalent of moderate fortification.
Skills: A cläu-rin has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
The Red Curse
A cläu-rin gains at least one Legacy; many of them (25%) gain two or more. These Legacies vary from one creature to another. Cläu-rin do require cinnabryl to ward off Affliction, which they demand from the snappers as part of their regular tribute. The snappers comply readily, because an Afflicted cläu-rin is a snapper's worst nightmare.