This fish lies beneath the sand with only its bulbous eyes and upturned maw full of jagged teeth protruding.
Giant Stargazer CR 4
XP 1,200
N Medium animal (aquatic)
Init +8; Senses low-light vision; Perception +5
AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+4 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 37 (5d8+15)
Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +2
Defensive Abilities venomous spines; Resist electricity 10
Speed swim 30 ft.
Melee bite +8 (1d6+3 plus 1d6 electricity and grab)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with gulp)
Special Attacks fast swallow, gulp, poison, shock, swallow whole (1d8 bludgeoning damage, AC 11, 3 hp)
Str 14, Dex 19, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 3
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 19 (canât be tripped)
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +9 (+19 when buried), Swim +15; Racial Modifiers +10 Stealth when buried
A stargazer can open its giant mouth in a fraction of a second, creating a vortex that draws a target into its maw. When underwater, a stargazer gains 5 additional feet of reach with its bite attack and a +2 bonus on combat maneuver checks to grapple.
Venomous spinesâinjury; save Fort DC 15; frequency 1/round for 4 rounds; effect sickened for 1d4 rounds; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.
A stargazer delivers an electrical shock with each successful bite attack, dealing an additional 1d6 points of electricity damage.
A stargazer has two large venomous spines situated behind its head. The stargazer reacts swiftly to attacks, stabbing at any creature that attempts to harm it. Each time a creature attacks a stargazer with a natural weapon, unarmed strike, or weapon attack that doesnât have reach, it must succeed at a DC 16 Reflex save or be hit by one of these spines. Each time a creature is hit by a spine, it takes 1d4 points of piercing damage and is exposed to the stargazerâs poison. A creature that grapples a stargazer is automatically hit by these spines. The save DC to avoid the spines is Dexterity-based.
Environment any oceans
Organization solitary, pair, or school (3â6)
Treasure incidental
A giant stargazer is an ambush predator with a speckled, flattened body that hunts by burying itself in the sand, leaving just its eyes and mouth uncovered. A typical giant stargazer is 6 feet long and weighs 250 pounds.
Pathfinder Adventure Path #124: City in the Deep © 2017, Paizo Inc.; Authors: Amber E. Scott, with Alex Greenshields, Mikko Kallio, Mark Moreland, Tim Nightengale, and Kalervo Oikarinen.