#gorbel

A simple and straightforward conversion from me, just as a cool exercise - the infamous Gorbel from earlier D&D versions. I think this creature makes for a pretty cool low-level threat, and despite its relative lack of options, can be rather challenging if set up correctly.

Again, as always, tell me where I can improve. XD

GORBEL

Artist unknown, (c) Wizards of the Coast

This balloon-like beast floats a few feet off the ground. Several sinuous stalks, each capped with an unblinking eye, emerge from the top of its body, and a pair of stubby clawed arms dangle under a drooling mouth filled with jagged teeth.

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GORBEL       CR 1

XP 400

N Small Aberration

Init +1; Senses all-around vision, darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +8

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DEFENSE

AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)

hp 16 (3d8+3)

Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +3;

Damage Reduction 3/piercing or slashing

Weakness explosive

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OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft., fly 20 ft. (poor)

Melee 2 claws +3 (1d4 plus grab), bite +3 (1d6, grabbed opponents only)

Special Attacks explosion, grab

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STATISTICS

Str 10, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 1, Wis 11, Cha 6

Base Atk +2; CMB +1 (+5 grapple); CMD 12 (cannot be tripped)

Feats Lightning Reflexes, Weapon Focus (claw)

Skills Fly +3, Perception +8, Stealth +9; Racial Modifiers +4 Perception

Special Qualities naturally buoyant

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ECOLOGY

Environment any underground

Organization solitary, pair or pack (3-8)

Treasure incidental

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SPECIAL ABILITIES

Explosive (Ex): A gorbel brought to 0 or less hp by an attack that deals piercing, slashing or fire damage must succeed at a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + half the damage taken) or die immediately and explode, dealing 2d4 fire damage to all creatures in a 5 foot radius. All such creatures take half damage if they succeed at a Reflex saving throw (DC 12). The save DC is Constitution-based. A gorbel that is outright killed by the damage taken does not get a saving throw against this effect.

Naturally Buoyant (Ex): A gorbel's body is naturally buoyant. This buoyancy allows it to fly at a speed of 20 ft. with poor maneuvrability and grants it a permanent feather fall effect (as the spell) with personal range.

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Gorbels are subterranean hunters and predators that superficially resemble the dreaded beholder. Sages are uncertain whether they are a case of divergent evolution, a degeneration of a beholder line driven to feral behavior, or the primitive stock from which all beholderkin ended up evolving. Beholders reject any alleged relationship with their dull-witted cousins, and bringing up the resemblances between the two races in front of a beholder is unwise at best.

Unlike beholders, gorbels live in packs, though no real hierarchy has been observed among them as of yet. They simply attack ad try to eat anything that moves, or might have moved in the last few hours. A gorbel is an ambush predator, and mostly hunts by silently drifting down towards their target, then latching onto their victim with their claws, and bringing their hideous mouths to bear. Gorbel packs are known to cooperate to take down bigger prey, and are usually found in terrains that can provide cover for them, such as stalaticte-filled caverns, in order to offset their slowness.

A gorbel has no skeletal structure, its body being mainly composed of flesh, cartilage and hot gases that allow it to float in midair. These gases are a double-edged weapon for a gorbel, though. If exposed to air, the gases may ignite and cause a gorbel to burst in a fiery explosion. Entire packs of gorbels have been killed when a well-placed arrow set off a chain reaction in the group.