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Archives of Nethys

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Caustic Monitor

Caustic monitors are enormous lizards native to eastern Minata known and named for the corrosive enzyme in their mucus, saliva, and other bodily fluids. These corrosive fluids originally developed as a means of protection from large insects such as giant mosquitos. The thick layer of mucus that naturally coats the monitors' scaly skin makes it difficult for most other creatures to get too close, let alone prey upon the lizard.

Caustic monitors also use their corrosive biological features to their hunting advantage, particularly by expelling the acidic contents of their stomach at prey. Even when not making use of their acid, caustic monitors can be deadly predators: They grab onto smaller creatures using their powerful forelimb muscles and are remarkably agile, considering their size and weight.

Most caustic monitors live among rocky terrain such as pebble beaches, natural caves, and along sandy river shoals. A caustic monitor's mucus corrodes only flesh, so its den is safe from damage, but corroded plant life near a cave is a telltale sign that a caustic monitor lives nearby. Hardy adventurers and fortune seekers must weigh the potential benefits of hunting this beast—as its acid is highly prized among alchemists—against the obvious risks.

Recall Knowledge - Animal (Nature): DC 36
Unspecific Lore: DC 34
Specific Lore: DC 31

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Caustic MonitorCreature 13

Legacy Content

Rare N Huge Animal 
Source Pathfinder #166: Despair on Danger Island pg. 86
Perception +9; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Skills Acrobatics +11, Athletics +15, Stealth +7
Str +7, Dex +5, Con +5, Int -4, Wis +4, Cha -2
AC 21; Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +7
HP 235
Corrosive Flesh A creature that touches the caustic monitor takes 2d8 acid damage (DC 19 basic Fortitude save).Gnashing Grip [reaction] Trigger A creature grabbed by the caustic monitor's jaws fails a check to Escape; Effect The caustic monitor's jaws deal 2d8 piercing damage and the triggering creature is exposed to caustic monitor venom.
Speed 40 feet
Melee [one-action] jaws +14 [+9/+4] (reach 10 feet), Damage 2d10+9 piercing plus 2d8 acid, Improved Grab, and caustic monitor venomMelee [one-action] talon +14 [+9/+4], Damage 2d8+13 slashing plus 2d6 persistent bleedCaustic Spray [two-actions] (acid) The caustic monitor spits a spray of corrosive bile that deals 5d8 acid damage in a 20-foot cone (DC 19 basic Reflex save). It can't use Caustic Spray again for 1d4 rounds.Caustic Monitor Venom (poison) Saving Throw DC 19 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 4d6 poison damage and enfeebled 1 (1 round); Stage 2 4d6 poison damage and enfeebled 2 (1 round)Lurching Charge [two-actions] The caustic monitor Strides twice, then makes a jaws Strike. If the monitor moved at least 20 feet away from its starting position, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus to this attack roll.

Sidebar - Treasure and Rewards Monitor Acid

Many alchemists prize the corrosive enzymes of a caustic monitor to enhance their own acidic concoctions and pay hunters handsomely for freshly gutted specimens. Harvesting a caustic monitor's acid requires a successful Crafting or Nature check against a very hard DC of the caustic monitor's level (DC 23 for most caustic monitors). On a success, the gutter gathers 2 doses of caustic monitor acid, or 4 doses on a critical success. Applying a dose of caustic monitor acid to an acid flask increases the persistent acid damage the flask deals on a hit by one damage die (from 1d6 to 2d6, for example). The monitor acid expires after 1 week.

All Monsters in "Lizard"

NameLevel
Caustic Monitor13
Giant Chameleon3
Giant Frilled Lizard5
Giant Gecko1
Giant Monitor Lizard2
Megalania7

Lizard

Source Bestiary pg. 228
Lizards have a wide range of appearances and abilities, but most share a basic reptilian shape—long tails, wide toothy mouths, and four legs. While a few species are capable of movement on two legs for short periods of time, most are strictly quadrupedal. The three species presented here represent the most common and well-known of the larger species.

Sidebar - Locations Lizard Locations

Giant lizards can be found in all temperate or tropical climates, often in relatively close proximity to smaller villages or rural regions where they can be a dangerous threat to livestock or travelers. The two lizards presented here tend to dwell in warmer regions— jungles for giant chameleons, and savannas for megalanias.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Lizards and Lizardfolk

Giant lizards are often used as mounts or guardians or kept as pets, but never so often or as traditionally as they are by lizardfolk. The kinship these people share with giant lizards is unmistakable, valuing their companionship to an extent that equals or even exceeds that which other societies have for popular animal companions like dogs and horses.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Other Giant Lizards

The three species of giant lizard presented here are but the most common of their kind encountered in the wilds. Stories of much larger lizards persist, including the immense, 20-foot-long monster known as a megalania, a truly enormous version of the giant monitor lizard capable of swallowing creatures whole. Less dangerous is the giant chameleon, although its ability to blend into its environs makes it a much more insidious and stealthy threat than the lumbering, mighty megalania.