Why, that's a Merhog!

First a short note: the silence on the blog for the past week (except for the two WWTH posts, which I scheduled last weekend) was due to a business trip combined with a severe case of laptop (main posting computer) death. The former is over, but the latter is still causing problems. My current plan is that the Weekly What the Heck will soldier on with no interruption (since I currently have WWTH posts scheduled out to Valentine's Day and I can do the writeups without the laptop now that I've salvaged some critical files). However, posts on other topics may be few and far between while I try to figure out what to do about the laptop situation. Anyway, without further ado...

The final comments are in from last week's "Weekly What the Heck". The result is the merhog, the merfolk equivalent to man's best friend.

I'd like to thank wyattsalazar, Reverend Mike and ChaoticBlackSheep (with special thanks to Reverend Mike for the name) for their ideas, all of which have been mashed together to create:

Merhog

Merhogs are aquatic companions to underwater hunters everywhere. They are typically not dangerous unless trained to be or unless feral and hungry. However, when deprived of water, for example if stranded when the tide changes, a merhog will excrete an excessive amount of drool to create a wallow in which it can wait. A wallowing merhog feels very vulnerable and is likely to lash out at anything (and anyone) that comes near.

Level 5 Elite Brute

Wallowing Merhog

XP 400

Large natural magical beast (aquatic)

Initiative +2 Senses Perception +3
Wallow aura 3; all creatures treat the area within the aura as difficult terrain.
HP 156; Bloodied 78
AC 19; Fortitude 22, Reflex 15, Will 18
Saving Throws +2
Speed 1, swim 8
Action Points 1

mBite (standard; at-will)

+9 vs. AC; 2d8 + 5 damage.

MSticky Lick (minor; at-will)

Reach 2; +6 vs. Reflex; the target is pushed one square and immobilized (save ends).

CFrenzy of Rough Licking (standard; recharges when bloodied)

Close Burst 2; +4 vs. Reflex; 1d8 + 5 damage and the target is pushed two squares and immobilized (save ends).

Alignment Unaligned Languages Elven
Str 21 (+7) Dex 11 (+2) Wis 13 (+3)
Con 18 (+6) Int 6 (+0) Cha 8 (+1)

Wallowing Merhog Tactics

Wallowing merhogs are frightened and lash out wildly at anything (and anyone) that comes near. They use sticky lick every round to keep opponents away and try to move toward the nearest open water, if possible. If pressed by more than two opponents, they use frenzy of rough licking.

Level 12 Soldier

Merhog Steed

XP 700

Large natural magical beast (aquatic, mount)

Initiative +10 Senses Perception +9
HP 126; Bloodied 63
AC 28; Fortitude 27, Reflex 22, Will 23
Speed 1, swim 8

mBite (standard; at-will)

+20 vs. AC; 2d6 + 7 damage.

MSticky Lick (minor; at-will)

Reach 2; +17 vs. Reflex; the target is pushed two squares and immobilized (save ends).

Drooling Attack (while mounted by a friendly rider of 12th level or higher; at-will) * Mount

When the merhog steed’s rider makes a melee attack, the merhog steed makes a sticky lick attack as a free action against the same target.

Alignment Unaligned Languages as rider
Skills Endurance +17
Str 25 (+13) Dex 15 (+8) Wis 17 (+9)
Con 22 (+12) Int 7 (+4) Cha 12 (+7)

Merhog Steed Tactics

Merhog steeds are trained for battle by their underwater masters. When ridden, they charge into battle, biting foes who resist their drooling attack and sticky lick.

Merhog Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Nature check.
DC 15: When deprived of water, for example if stranded when the tide changes, a merhog will excrete an excessive amount of drool to create a wallow in which it can wait. The area surrounding this wallow has the consistency of sticky mud. A wallowing merhog feels very vulnerable and is likely to lash out at anything (and anyone) that comes near.
DC 20: Most think it odd that the merhog's tongue drips even underwater, but it excretes a powerful adhesive that immobilizes targets where they stand. Although this ability can be trained by its master to be used for malicious intent, the adhesive is more likely intended to keep merfolk stationary so the merhog can continue to lick them.
DC 25: If an individual or party has a means of communicating with or calming a wallowing merhog, they may be able to help it and return it to the water. If they do, it will be extremely grateful and may help them if it can do so.

Encounter Groups

Wallowing merhogs are sometimes watched from afar by opportunistic aquatic hunters, who try to pick off creatures immobilized by the sticky lick. Merhog steeds are ridden by many kinds of aquatic humanoids.
Level 6 Encounter (XP 1,250)
* 1 wallowing merhog (level 5 elite brute)
* 1 sahuagin priest (level 8 artillery)
* 2 sahuagin raiders (level 6 soldier)
Level 14 Encounter (XP 4,900)
* 3 merhog steeds (level 12 soldier)
* 2 kuo-toa marauders (level 12 skirmisher)
* 1 kuo-toa whip (level 16 controller)

Fear the drool and the frenzy of rough licking!