Fantasy Monster: Dire Shrimp

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Dire Shrimp

A tiny crustacean with folded frontal claws.

CR 2; XP 600
N Tiny Vermin (aquatic)

Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., scent; Perception +10

Defense
AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+2 Dex, +2 natural, +2 size)
hp 19 (3d8+6)
Fort +5; Ref +5; Will +3
Defensive Abilities evasion; DR 2/bludgeoning; Immune mind-affecting effects

Offense
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

Melee claws +4 (1d4 plus 2d6 when using Lunge)

Ranged spit sand +6 (1d4 and dazzle for 1d4 rounds)

Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft. (5 ft. with Lunge)

Special Attacks lunging strike

Statistics
Str 10, Dex 14, Con 14, Int —, Wis 15, Cha 3
Base Atk +2; CMB +2; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)

Feats Lunge^B

Skills Acrobatics +10, Perception +10, Stealth +18, Swim +8; Racial Modifiers +8 Acrobatics, +8 Perception, +8 Stealth

SQ amphibious, skittering

Ecology
Environment aquatic
Organization solitary, pair, swarm (3—8)
Treasure incidental

Special Abilities

Lunging Strike (Ex) A dire shrimp gains Lunge as a bonus feat. When it uses Lunge feat, it inflicts additional 2d6 points of damage due to its lightning speed.

Skittering (Ex) A dire shrimp gains +4 racial bonus to initiative checks and a +2 racial bonus to Reflex saving throws.

Spit Sand (Ex) A dire shrimp can spit sand with great strength at creatures within 30 feet as a standard action. On a successful ranged attack, the target suffers 1d4 bludgeoning and piercing damage and becomes dazzled for 1d4 rounds.

These semi-aquatic crustaceans stalk the shores of waterways and shallow waters. While they are primarily scavengers, they occasionally hunt small animals. A larger groups are not above attacking anything that moves nearing their nesting places.

It is uncertain how close they are related to actual shrimps, but they are definitely edible. If you don't mind eating things that feed on refuse and rotten food, which might or might not grew fat on drowned sailors. Some decadent civilizations, dark cults, and aquatic entities deliberately fatten them on dead or dying humanoids considering them particularly delicious.

A dire shrimp can be selected as a familiar (requires Improved Familiar feat and 5th caster level).