Jellies...! Part Five

 

Time to get back in the blogging saddle - again...

FEVER JELLY
  

FREQUENCY: Very rare
 
NO. APPEARING: 1-3
 
ARMOR CLASS: 4

MOVE: 8"

HIT DICE: 5

% IN LAIR: Nil

TREASURE TYPE: Nil

NO. OF ATTACKS: See below

DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6

SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below

SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below

MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard

INTELLIGENCE: Non-

ALIGNMENT: Neutral

SIZE: S (3 feet wide)

PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil

       Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
 

Fever jellies are usually found in sewers and other noisome places, and are thought to be the source of various illnesses and diseases in towns and cities. Such is their preference for living in ordure and filth that there is a chance (1-2 on 1d6) that they will be found in company with 1-2 otyughs, or 2-20 giant rats.

These creatures are large spherical blobs of rotting and decaying matter, coalesced into a form made up of numerous sickening shades of brown, green and yellow. Various mushroom-shaped nodules grow randomly from the main body and are used for both locomotion and attack. Although usually content enough with consuming whatever matter falls into the sewers from above, they are keen to feast upon living prey. They will actively seek out adventuring parties once they become aware of their presence, especially if heat sources such as torches are being used.

Fever jellies attack by rapidly rolling at their opponent and striking out with a single nodule. A successful attack not only inflicts 1-6 points of damage but also acts as Cause Disease, as cast by a 3rd level magic-user. Any victim failing a Saving Throw will then succumb to a terrible malady (as described in the Players' Handbook).

 

The rubbery and resilient nature of these jellies means that only edged weapons can affect them, and their covering of slime renders them immune to fire-based attacks. However, other heat-based attacks have their normal effect against these creatures, as do lightning bolts.