SAHQUADAN  (Sea Hydra)

     When not hunting or feeding, the sahquadan bears a striking resemblance to a large, baleen-feeding whale, right down to the fins and the tail flukes. The "head" and "jaw" are actually a tough carapace that protects the monster's twelve heads while it is traveling. The carapace also has two large, whale-like eyes, and even a "blowhole" of sorts that occasionally "spouts". But since the sahquadan is a water-breather, the true nature of this orifice remains a mystery.

     A sahquadan's head and neck scales flash and sparkle in iridescent blues and greens. Their fierce reptilian eyes are deep purple, and their teeth are dirty ivory.

     The resemblance to a whale is so great that even experienced whalers have mistaken the sea hydra for their quarry—and have paid the price. The sahquadan is a notoriously ill-tempered creature, and attacks at the slightest provocation.

Combat: As with their land-bound cousins, all 12 heads must be killed to truly destroy the sea hydra. Each head can withstand 10 points of damage before being put out of commission.

     If attacking a ship, sahquadan have the habit of placing their bodies beneath the keel and dividing their heads between port and starboard. It can swallow whole any opponent of Size M or smaller on an attack roll of a natural 20 and if the victim fails a Dexterity check at +3 penalty on the roll.

     Those rare sahquadans of Low intelligence (10%) may attempt another, far deadlier tactic. It will close its carapace, circle around, and ram the ship below the waterline. Sometimes the sea hydra hits squarely on the mark and splits the keel in two (25% chance). The exact nature of the damage to the ship is for the DM to adjudicate. Sahquadan will attempt to ram only once per encounter, and only against vessels of 30 feet or more in length.

Habitat/Society: Those sahquadan that do not roam the open ocean reside in large submarine caverns. What treasure they have will be either strewn about the cave (after passing through the digestive tract) or lie just outside it (in the hulls of sunken ships). Sea hydras will defend their lairs, but care nothing for their treasure. They are fiercely territorial.

     Sahquadan are solitary creatures, coming together only to mate. Since no land being has ever seen an immature specimen at or near the surface, it is surmised that mating and child-rearing (if it happens at all) occur at great depths.

     Centuries ago, ocean-dwelling humanoids figured out how to magically bind and control the sahquadan; it is a secret that they do not share with outsiders. Such bound sea hydras can be taught to act as guards and serve as beasts of burden. Such sahquadan must be allowed to hunt on their own, however, lest their animal instincts overwhelm the carefully laid enchantments. A bound sea hydra can never be recaptured once it has regained its freedom.

Ecology: Sahquadan impact their environments like any other creature at or near the top of the food chain. Their habit of attacking pods of cetaceans and killing weak or diseased animals might serve to prevent epidemics among marine mammals.

     Sahquadan carcasses have no commercial value. The rendered oil from their torsos is greasy and foul, and their flesh is rank. Even their scaly hides and teeth are useless, since they become cracked and brittle when exposed to air for prolonged periods. It only goes to prove the old mariner's adage: "A dead sahquadan ain't no better than a live one."

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