Lich Newt

Two sharp ridges of bone run along the back of this foot-long, black-and-white speckled newt.

Lich Newt CR 1/4

XP 100
N Tiny animal (aquatic)
Init +1; Senses low-light vision; Perception +4

AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 size)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +1; +2 vs. disease and poison
Defensive Abilities paralyzing mucus

Speed 15 ft., swim 20 ft.
Melee slam â2 (1d2â4 plus poison)
Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks poison

Str 2, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 5
Base Atk +0; CMB â1; CMD 5 (9 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +13, Swim +9
SQ amphibious

Paralyzing Mucus (Ex)

A lich newt secretes poison from its skin, and any creature that successfully hits it with a natural weapon or unarmed strike must immediately attempt a save against its poison.

Poison (Ex)

Slamâinjury or contact; save Fort DC 11; frequency 1/round for 2 rounds; effect 1d2 Str damage; cure 1 save.

Environment temperate marshes or plains
Organization solitary, pair, or ning (3â12)
Treasure none

Named for their distinctive black-and-white coloration and their opportunistic scavenging, these large amphibians live all along polluted rivers. A lich newtâs defenses include bony ridges growing along either side of their foot-long bodies and a poisonous mucus that causes numbness and muscle spasms. Some humanoid tribes trap these amphibians and refine their poison into weapon blanches and drugs. The desperate even eat lich newts; their poison breaks down if their meat is cooked in vinegar as part of a tough, gamy, but relatively sustaining stew.

After battles waged by warring armies or mercenary bands, lich newts often swarm the rotting corpses, feasting on the softening flesh and hunting the various insects attracted by the carrion. As a result, many believe the newts to be bad omens or otherwise associated with necromancy.

Familiar

Lich newt familiars are popular with wizards and witches who care more about the creaturesâ reputation than their true nature as bottom-feeders and scavengers. An arcane caster who selects a lich newt as his familiar gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves against disease and poison.