Monday, June 19, 2017

Frightful Fridays! Feather Boa Constrictor

Hello again and welcome to another Frightful "Fridays!" This week pairs the feather boa constrictor with last week's glitter elemental. Throw both into an encounter, so characters will be blinded and then strangled by a flying snake. It will be fun!

I hope you enjoy the feather boa constrictor, and I'll be back again soon with another monster. Thanks for reading!


Rather than scales, bright feathers cover the entire length of this snake and flutter almost continuously.
Feather Boa Constrictor      CR 3
XP 800
N Medium animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +13
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+3 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural)
hp 30 (4d8+12)
Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 30 ft. (poor)
Melee bite +7 (1d6+6 plus grab)
Special Attacks constrict (1d6+6)
STATISTICS
Str 19, Dex 17, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 12
Base Atk +3; CMB +7 (+11 grapple); CMD 21 (can't be tripped)
Feats Dodge, Mobility
Skills Acrobatics +3 (+7 to jump), Climb +12, Disguise +1 (+9 to appear as a feathered wrap), Fly +3, Perception +13, Stealth +16; Racial Modifiers +8 Disguise to appear as a feathered wrap, +8 Perception, +8 Stealth
ECOLOGY
Environment temperate or warm land
Organization solitary, pair, or tangle (3–6)
Treasure none

Whether evolutionary offshoots of snakes or birds, or deliberate experiments to make flying snakes, feather boa constrictors have thrived and propagated themselves enough to create robust populations, primarily in urban areas where they can stalk humanoid prey. Generally smaller than many constrictors, feather boa constrictors weigh an average of 50 pounds and grow no more than 5 feet in length. Larger specimens are found in the wild, but the snakes’ penchant for going unnoticed in urban environments limits their size, except in cases where considerably larger humanoids inhabit an area. The snakes possess numerous smaller muscles they use to move clusters of feathers, which give them an ungainly form of flight wherein they undulate through the air.

Feather boa constrictors have a subtle and slow acting form of chameleonic ability, allowing them to change the color and texture of their feathers. In the wild, they choose drab colors, typically browns and greens, which allow them to hide effectively in trees and foliage. In urban settings, they adopt more vibrant colors to blend in with fashions worn by high-society types or people with ostentatious styles. They are cunning and patient enough to follow someone with a wrap similar in appearance and hiding with the discarded item to better imitate it and devour it afterwards. To keep up the ruse, they use their feathers to lighten their apparent weight. When the snakes have their victims alone, they squeeze the life out of them and then devour the crushed remains. If help arrives for their prey, they awkwardly carry their prey up and out of reach of others.

Nature-oriented individuals train feather boa constrictors so they can blend in with attendees at appropriate events and maintain a less-than-obvious weapon.

Feather Boa Constrictor Companions

Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 40 ft. (average); AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d4); Ability Scores Str 13, Dex 19, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 12; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

4th-Level Adjustment: Size Medium; Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 30 ft. (poor); Attack bite (1d6 plus grab); Ability Scores Str +6, Dex –2, Con +4; Special Attacks constrict (1d6).