Snake; Rainbow Viper (Musoke Fitina)
by Jamie BatyCoM 58
Small Animal
Hit Dice: 1d8 (4 hp)
Initiative: +3 (+3 Dex)
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), climb 20 ft. (4 squares), swim 25 ft. (5 squares)
Armour Class: 17 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +3 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: 0 /-6
Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d4 -2 + poison)
Full Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d4 -2 + poison)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Hypnotic patterns, poison
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +1
Abilities: Str 6, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 14
Skills: Balance +11, Climb +12, Hide +12*, Listen +5, Spot +6, Swim +7
Feats: Weapon Finesse
Environment: Warm forests, marshes
Organisation: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 2 HD (Small); 3 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment: -
The Serpent Peninsula has only one venomous snake that poses any serious danger to travellers. This is the musoke fitina, or rainbow viper. While native to the Serpent Peninsula, it has been found in other warm climates. Measuring 4' long, the musoke fitina is green and grey with dazzling patterns of black, blue, red, purple, and yellow along its back. The musoke fitina is usually encountered on the edge of a river or stream.
Combat
The rainbow viper is not overly aggressive unless it is provoked or startled. It will ignore hypnotised victims until other threats are dealt with first.
Hypnotic Patterns (Su): Whenever a creature first spots a rainbow viper, it must make a Will save vs DC 12 or become hypnotised by the snake's coloration for 1d6 rounds. A hypnotised character will simply stare into space, taking no actions- the character is considered flat-footed, he will not move, and will not actively defend itself.
Poison (Ex): A rainbow viper has a poisonous bite that deals initial and secondary damage of 2d4 Con if the victim fails a DC 10 fortitude save. The save DC is constitution-based.
Scent (Ex): This special quality allows a rainbow viper to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell.
Skills: Rainbow vipers receive a +4 racial bonus to Hide, Listen, and Spot checks and a +8 racial bonus to Balance and Climb checks. A rainbow viper can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened. They can use either their Strength or Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher. A rainbow viper 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 rainbow viper receives an additional +8 racial bonus to all hide checks made when the rainbow viper is located along a shoreline or within a shallow stream or pool of water.