The Sea Lion
From the Monster Manual: " A Sea Lion is a fearsome aquatic creature with the head and fore-paws of a lion and the body and tail of a fish."
The Sea Lion is nothing special in terms of combat, with a 1d6+4 claw attack and a 1d8+2 bite attack combined with the rend ability they are pretty standard fair as far as monster attacks go. There are no breath abilities, no level drains, and no spell-like abilities, just claws and teeth. The artwork and the glaring pun alone are enough to make the Sea Lion one of my favorite D&D monsters and for those reasons I have chosen it as my first monster for my Creature Feature.
Bristin slowly made his way across the slippery rocks along the shore as the waves crashed just beneath his feet. He clutched his fishing pole as a particularly strong wave smashed the rocks, causing him to stumble briefly. Regaining his balance Bristin continued his walk, thinking about the events that had transpired over the last couple of months. After making his way through the cave of horror to stop the wizard Ventrice from over throwing the world with his army of undead Bristin had decided to take some time and return to his home village. While at home he had resolved to do some fishing, an activity that always helped clear his mind. Reminiscing about his exploits, with the sun shining on his back and the smell of sea salt in the air Bristin felt at ease with himself for the first time in a long time. He was in fact so content and relaxed that his normally sharp hearing failed to detect the deep low growl off in the distance. Blissfully unaware that danger may be lurking ahead. Bristin continued along the rock face towards his favorite fishing hole, whistling a Dwarven drinking song Gergin had taught him as he went.
The small crevice in the rock face had been Bristins fishing hole since he was a kid. Few people know it was there due to the dangerous walk along the rocks one had to make to get there. Bristin preferred it this way, fishing was his escape from the world and he certainly did not want other people around while he was doing it. It had been quite a few years since he himself had made the journey but, he was confident not much had changed in his absence. Descending the final rock Bristin found a suitable perch and sat down. As he began emptying his tackle box another low grow echoed along the rocks. Bristin paused as the noise managed to catch his attention this time. The noise reminded him of a large cat, but that could not be right way out here by the ocean. The growl came again, this time it was closer and followed by a deep hiss. Slowly reaching into his boot Bristin drew a dagger and turned around.
Before Bristin sat two creatures with smooth seal like green skin and golden brown fur. Their heads looked to be half way between a fish and a lion and their arms ended in razor sharp claws. The larger of the two creatures let loose a terrible growl as it's piercing feline eyes started Bristin down. It appeared to while he had been away a couple of Sea Lions had taken up refuge in the alcove Bristin preferred fishing from. Bristin readied his dagger, he knew it was too late these creatures did not take kindly to people invading their homes.
The largest of the beasts lunged towards him at a speed much faster than Bristin was expecting from a creature that size. Deadly claws bearing down Bristin side stepped the attack at the last moment. As he turned to face his attacker the second Sea Lion brought its paws down on his back. The crushing weight of the monster along with the searing pain of its claws caused Bristin to fall to one knee. Bristin hoist his dagger up and over his shoulder, directly into the eye of the creature behind him. The being let out a long loud hiss as blood poured from its eye socket. The momentary pause afforded Bristin the opportunity he was looking for. Turning quickly to face the wounded animal and plunged his dagger into its neck, over and over. Blood sprayed from the stab wounds while small patches of fur flew through the air. The creature fell to the ground lifeless as the remaining Sea Lion let out a growl of anger
Searing pain ripped through Bristin as a mouth full of teeth bit down into his shoulder. The Sea Lion behind him had recovered from missing its attack and was upon him. Blood flowed freely as the jaw of the beast clamped hard against him. Claws began raking his sides and back over and over. Bristin could feel him strength waning as the monster continued to rend and tear at his flesh. With what energy he had left Bristin reached up with left hand and grabbed a hold of the monsters jaw and began pulling it back and forth in an effort to free it from his shoulder. The pain was intense as the creature continued to bite down, Bristins actions ripping free flesh from his own shoulder. With one final push Bristin ripped its jaw from his shoulder, his right arm barely hanging onto the torn flesh and sinew. In one fluid motion Bristin spun around and disemboweled the monster with his dagger.
Pausing a moment to catch his breath Bristin began bandaging his shoulder the best he could. When he was done the wound was covered and the bleeding had slowed but his arm would be of no use until he received some professional medical attention. His chest and back where covered in wounds from the claws of the beasts, but was nothing that could not wait. Limping over to the nearest Sea Lion Bristin began carving small sections of flesh from its body and piling them on the rocks next to him. With a satisfied look Bristin turned around and sat next to the small pile of flesh, facing the ocean. With his pile of bait to his side and his fishing rod in his left hand Bristin settled in to do some fishing.
Before Bristin sat two creatures with smooth seal like green skin and golden brown fur. Their heads looked to be half way between a fish and a lion and their arms ended in razor sharp claws. The larger of the two creatures let loose a terrible growl as it's piercing feline eyes started Bristin down. It appeared to while he had been away a couple of Sea Lions had taken up refuge in the alcove Bristin preferred fishing from. Bristin readied his dagger, he knew it was too late these creatures did not take kindly to people invading their homes.
The largest of the beasts lunged towards him at a speed much faster than Bristin was expecting from a creature that size. Deadly claws bearing down Bristin side stepped the attack at the last moment. As he turned to face his attacker the second Sea Lion brought its paws down on his back. The crushing weight of the monster along with the searing pain of its claws caused Bristin to fall to one knee. Bristin hoist his dagger up and over his shoulder, directly into the eye of the creature behind him. The being let out a long loud hiss as blood poured from its eye socket. The momentary pause afforded Bristin the opportunity he was looking for. Turning quickly to face the wounded animal and plunged his dagger into its neck, over and over. Blood sprayed from the stab wounds while small patches of fur flew through the air. The creature fell to the ground lifeless as the remaining Sea Lion let out a growl of anger
Searing pain ripped through Bristin as a mouth full of teeth bit down into his shoulder. The Sea Lion behind him had recovered from missing its attack and was upon him. Blood flowed freely as the jaw of the beast clamped hard against him. Claws began raking his sides and back over and over. Bristin could feel him strength waning as the monster continued to rend and tear at his flesh. With what energy he had left Bristin reached up with left hand and grabbed a hold of the monsters jaw and began pulling it back and forth in an effort to free it from his shoulder. The pain was intense as the creature continued to bite down, Bristins actions ripping free flesh from his own shoulder. With one final push Bristin ripped its jaw from his shoulder, his right arm barely hanging onto the torn flesh and sinew. In one fluid motion Bristin spun around and disemboweled the monster with his dagger.
Pausing a moment to catch his breath Bristin began bandaging his shoulder the best he could. When he was done the wound was covered and the bleeding had slowed but his arm would be of no use until he received some professional medical attention. His chest and back where covered in wounds from the claws of the beasts, but was nothing that could not wait. Limping over to the nearest Sea Lion Bristin began carving small sections of flesh from its body and piling them on the rocks next to him. With a satisfied look Bristin turned around and sat next to the small pile of flesh, facing the ocean. With his pile of bait to his side and his fishing rod in his left hand Bristin settled in to do some fishing.
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