[The theme for this set of monsters is “Science Marches On”, which will focus on hoaxes, outdated reconstructions and so-called alternative hypotheses. This critter draws inspiration from the gigantic octopus of Pierre Denys de Montfort, the St. Augustine “Octopus giganteus” globster, and especially the artistic “Triassic kraken” hypothesized by Mark McMenamin. The monster is also intended to fill a CR gap as well–in 3.5, the kraken was supposedly a CR 12, but in PFRPG, it changed very little and was slotted into a CR 18. If you want to use a kraken at a lower CR for your Pathfinder game, this is the monster for you.]
Auglyphtus This
creature is an unbelievably enormous octopus. Its body is decorated with
intricate tattoos that glow with arcane energy.
The auglyphtus, sometimes referred to
as the colossal octopus or the false kraken, is an immense intelligent
cephalopod with a surprising artistic sense. An auglyphtus is born with an
innate understanding of magical symbols and runes, and it can form a
coruscating pattern of them on its own body through sheer force of will. They
are sculptors and artists, and their lairs are decorated both with fantastical
treasures and with designs in bone, stone and coral. Some of these designs are
imbued with magical symbols customized to defend the auglyphtus’ lair from
intruders.
Auglyphtuses vary in alignment as
people do, but all of them are intelligent carnivores. Good and neutral
auglyphtuses focus their predation on whales, giant squid and other animals,
whereas evil ones delight in destroying ships and feeding on the flesh of
intelligent creatures. Auglyphtuses tend to be familiar with oceanic threats
and peoples in their territory, but they are reclusive and avoid contact
whenever possible. Auglyphtuses only seek out their own kind to mate, and this
occurs only once in the auglyphtus’ long life. An auglyphtus can survive for
one or two centuries before dying, typically after mating. Female auglyphtuses use
their magical symbols as a last protective gift to their offspring before perishing.
The baby aughlyphtuses are the size of a mundane adult octopus when born, and
their first meal is typically scavenged from the flesh of their mother.
An auglyphtus has a diameter of about
60 feet, and weighs 50 tons.
Auglyphtuses are astonishingly rare in Gladia, with the most common sightings being their corpses. Recently, one living specimen has been sighted near the Isles of Blessed Skies, and is assumed to be good or neutral in alignment since it does not disrupt shipping or interfere with the larids. Another one laired in the same waters when the Kingdom of Kown-Dam made contact with the larids, and may be an ancestor of the current one.
Shores of Swords 