Bestiary
Aquatic

Barracuda

Habitat
Warm tropical and temperate seas
Biomes
+water
Spawn
swarm, day
Temper
Aggressive opportunistic predator
Threat
Moderate
Rarity
Uncommon
Move
crawl; swim.
Special
Nil; darts in for a fast bite then retreats
  • STR10
  • DEX17
  • CON9
  • INT1
  • Health93
  • Damage20
  • Armor16

The barracuda is a long, arrow-shaped saltwater hunter built for sudden bursts of speed, its underslung jaw bristling with fang-like teeth. It hangs almost motionless in warm coastal water, watching for anything injured, small, or flashing, then darts in to tear away a mouthful and slips off as quickly as it came. Barracuda roam in schools, taking turns to harry a single swimmer, and are drawn to glints of metal or pale wriggling skin, a stray ring or kicking foot invites a strike. Where one draws blood, sharks often follow the scent. The largest specimens reach some twelve feet and can strip an unwary diver to the bone within minutes.

Behavior

  • Hangs still in the water, then accelerates to full speed in an instant
  • Hunts in schools, taking turns to bite a single target
  • Targets the injured, the small, and anything shiny or flashing
  • Bites and retreats, wearing prey down over many passes
  • Blood in the water quickly draws sharks and rival barracuda

Abilities

  • Lightning Dart. Explodes from a standstill to strike and withdraw.
  • Shearing Bite. Fanged jaws shear away a whole mouthful of flesh.
  • Lure Fixation. Compelled to attack shiny metal and pale, wriggling movement.

Drops & Crafting

  • Firm fish meat
  • Fang-like teeth
  • Tough scaled hide
  • Fins
  • Fish oil