Encounters: Anauroch - The Sword - Mountains/Hills (Night)

Monstrous Scorpion, Small (CR 1/2)

Small Vermin
Alignment: Always Neutral
Initiative: +0; Senses: darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., and Spot +4


AC: 14 (+1 size, +3 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 14
Hit Dice: 1d8+2 (6 hp)
Fort +4, Ref +0, Will +0


Speed: 30 ft.
Space: 5 ft./5 ft.
Base Attack +0; Grapple -4
Attack: Claw +1 melee
Full Attack: 2 claws +1 melee and sting -4 melee
Damage: Claw 1d3-1, sting 1d3-1 and poison
Special Attacks: Improved grab, constrict 1d3-1, poison


Abilities: Str 9, Dex 10, Con 14, Int -, Wis 10, Cha 2
Special Qualities: Vermin
Feats: Weapon Finesse (claw, sting)
Skills: Climb +3, Hide +8, and Spot +4
Advancement: -


Climate/Terrain: Warm desert
Organization: Colony (2-5) or swarm (6-11)
Treasure: None


Source: Monster Manual

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the monstrous scorpion must hit with its claw attack. If it gets a hold, it hangs on and stings.

Squeeze (Ex): A monstrous scorpion that gets a hold on an opponent of its size or smaller automatically deals damage with both claws, biting and stinging at its full attack value.

Poison (Ex): Fortitude save DC 11, initial and secondary damage 1d3 Strength.

Skills: A monstrous scorpion receives a +4 racial bonus to Climb, Ride, and Spot checks.

Monstrous scorpions are likely to attack any creature that approaches, and they usually charge prey.

Monstrous scorpions are vicious predators that make unnerving scuttling noises as they speed across dungeon floors. A small monstrous scorpion has a low, flat body: 4 feet long, 2 feet wide* and 3 inches high**.
*The number includes the scorpion's body and its legs; the actual body width is about a third of the total.
**The number indicates the height of the creature's body; the creature's stinger usually is held about as high off the ground as the creature is wide.

Faerûnian Random Encounters by Region and Locale