Dancing Monitor

Large lizards that secrete poisonous oil and deliver lethal venom through a dancing attack pattern

Basic Fantasy Field Guide Omnibus

Armor Class	14
Hit Dice	4*
Number Appearing	2d4, Lair 4d8
Attacks	1 touch or 1 bite
Damage	Save Drain (Poison) or 1d6 bite + Poison
Movement	30'
Save As	Fighter: 4
Morale	9
XP	280
Treasure Type	None

Dancing Monitors are a large variety of lizards that secrete an oil on their skin that facilitates the delivery of poison and venom. When they are agitated, they stand up on their hind legs and whirl and flail about. As they dance, they strike their victims and transfer the oil from their skin, and then they bite their victims to deliver a lethal dose of venom.

Dancing monitors will first make at least one successful touch attack against their victims, which applies a save-targeting penalty on saves vs. Poison. Once a target’s fortitude is softened enough, they go in for the kill with a venomous bite which requires a save vs. Poison to avoid instant death. The oil may be cleaned off with soap and water, although this is normally impossible in the middle of combat. Otherwise, the oil will absorb into the victim’s skin and remain in effect for 24 hours.

Special Abilities

Poisonous Oil Touch: Touch attack applies a save-targeting penalty on saves vs. Poison. The save-targeting effect causes the named saving throw category to receive a penalty of -1, which is cumulative with any further penalties. The penalty may either be applied to the roll as a -1 or to the target value as a +1.

Venomous Bite: Bite attack (1d6 damage) requires a save vs. Poison to avoid instant death.

Oil Duration: The oil may be cleaned off with soap and water, although this is normally impossible in the middle of combat. Otherwise, the oil will absorb into the victim’s skin and remain in effect for 24 hours.