This small flat fish has brown scales mottled with black. A series of needle-like spines runs the length of the fish on its dorsal side.
Dragonfish CR 1
XP 400
N Small animal (aquatic)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +7
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+2 Dex, +3 natural, +1 size)
hp 9 (2d8)
Fort +3; Ref +5; Will +0
Defensive Abilities camouflage, spines
Speed swim 20 ft.
Melee bite +2 (1d4)
Special Attacks poison
Dragonfish are not aggressive and prefer to lie on the bottom of a body of water, waiting for a victim to step on it so its poisonous spines penetrate the victimâs flesh. If forced into melee, a dragonfish attacks with its bite.
Str 10, Dex 15, Con 11, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4
Base Atk +1; CMB +0; CMD 12 (canât be tripped)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +7, Stealth +10, Swim +10; Racial Modifiers Dragonfish use their Dexterity modifier for Swim checks.
A creature that steps on a dragonfish or strikes it with an unarmed strike or a natural weapon takes 1d4 points of piercing damage from the fishâs dorsal barbs and is subjected to its poison. Melee weapons do not endanger a user in this way. A charging or running creature must immediately stop if it steps on a dragonfish. A creature that takes more than 2 points of damage from a dragonfishâs barb has its speed is reduced by half because its foot is wounded. This movement penalty lasts until the barb is removed.
Spineâinjury, save Fort DC 11, frequency 1/round for 6 rounds, effect 1d2 Constitution, cure 1 save
It takes a successful DC 20 Perception check to recognize a motionless dragonfish for what it really is.
Environment any aquatic
Organization solitary
Treasure none
A dragonfish is a small, 2-foot long, flat fish that makes its home on the bottom of shallow lakes, rivers, or streams. The dragonfishâs back is covered with long, sharp spines. A dragonfishâs dorsal spines carry a virulent poison that is delivered whenever an opponent contacts a spine. They are non-aggressive and spend their days eating miniscule water creatures, insects, and aquatic plants.
Dragonfish from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene, based on original material by Albie Fiore.