Darkmantle

A cave-dwelling creature that resembles a stalactite and drops onto prey to suffocate them

Basic Fantasy Field Guide Omnibus

Armor Class	17
Hit Dice	1+2*
Number Appearing	2d6
Attacks	1 constriction (1d4)
Damage	1d4
Movement	20' Fly 60'
Save As	Fighter: 1
Morale	7
XP	37
Treasure Type	None

While at rest, a Darkmantle looks much like a stalactite. Using a muscular ‘foot’, it attaches itself to the ceiling with its tentacles wrapped about its body. A darkmantle weighs about 30 pounds and can change its skin color to match the surrounding stone. It effectively has 90’ Darkvision, achieved through a form of echolocation. Magical silence effectively blinds a darkmantle.

Darkmantles drop from their hiding spots on the ceiling onto the head of their victims and wrap their tentacles around their preys head and neck to constrict and suffocate them, doing 1d4 points of damage per round. If the darkmantle misses its initial attack, it will attempt to fly back to its perch and try again. After successfully attacking, the darkmantle automatically inflicts 1d4 points of damage each round. While attached to an individual, a darkmantle takes half damage from attacks; the other half is inflicted upon the individual it covers.

Special Abilities

Camouflage: Can change its skin color to match the surrounding stone and looks like a stalactite while at rest.

Echolocation: Effectively has 90’ Darkvision, achieved through a form of echolocation. Magical silence effectively blinds a darkmantle.

Constriction: After successfully attacking, the darkmantle automatically inflicts 1d4 points of damage each round. While attached to an individual, a darkmantle takes half damage from attacks; the other half is inflicted upon the individual it covers.

Darkness: Once per day a darkmantle can cast darkness (the reverse of light, with a 6-turn duration). It often uses this ability just before attacking.