
Archives of Nethys
Pathfinder 1e Starfinder 1e Starfinder 2e
Pathfinder 2e

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG (1st Edition) Starfinder RPG (2nd Edition)

All Creatures
Abilities | Monsters | NPCs

Gliding River Snake

Wise travelers keep watch for snakes along their path, but few expect them to attack from above. When threatened, the gliding river snake takes to high ground and launches toward its target, gliding through the air by flattening its ribs and controlling its flight by moving sinuously. If unable to make an aerial attack, the gliding river snake simply attempts to bite its target and snap off a finger or two. The snake's jaws are extremely powerful, able to bite clean through bone and flesh.

The mildly venomous gliding river snake prefers to keep to itself but reacts harshly to potential threats with a vicious bite. Its mouth is filled with serrated teeth that tear into its prey rather than piercing like a typical snake. Using these teeth, the gliding river snake rends its food into chunks before swallowing, allowing it to target larger prey. Sometimes an unfortunate animal is beset by multiple gliding river snakes, covering it with writhing serpents. These group meals have been mistaken for a singular monster before, as only the snakes' tentacle-like bodies can be seen as they feast.

The gliding river snake often lives in pairs, staying together with its mate through the mating season before separating in the off season. They lay their eggs either in trees or underwater, sometimes even stealing bird nests for their own uses once they've devoured the birds' eggs. Many a birdwatcher has been taken aback by the sight of hatching snakes up in the treetops, occasionally even laid side by side with bird eggs for easy access to a meal.

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Print Stat Block

Elite Gliding River SnakeCreature 2

Small Animal 
Source Pathfinder #222: Hellbreakers pg. 230
Elite Changes are marked. The +2 damage bonus to non-strike offensive abilities (+4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.
Recall Knowledge DC 16 • Animal (Nature)
Perception +8; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Skills Athletics +4 (+8 to Swim), Stealth +7, Survival +7
Str +0, Dex +3, Con +1, Int -4, Wis +1, Cha -2
Deep Breath The gliding river snake can hold its breath for about an hour.
AC 17; Fort +8, Ref +11, Will +5
HP 25
Speed 20 feet, climb 15 feet, swim 20 feet
Melee [one-action] jaws +8 [+3/-2], Damage 1d6+2+2 piercing plus gliding river snake venomAerial Ambush [one-action] (move) Requirements The gliding river snake is higher than a creature; Effect The gliding river snake launches up to 20 feet down toward a creature and makes a jaws Strike against it. If the snake hits, it doesn't take damage from the fall. If it misses, it takes only half the regular damage from the distance it fell.Aquatic Ambush [one-action] Requirements The gliding river snake is in water and a creature that hasn't detected it is within 20 feet; Effect The gliding river snake moves up to its swim Speed + 10 feet toward the triggering creature, traveling on water and on land. Once the creature is in reach, the snake makes a jaws Strike against it. The creature is off-guard against this Strike.Gliding River Snake Venom (poison) Saving Throw DC 20 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 4 rounds; Stage 1 1d8 poison damage (1 round)Weaving Glide [one-action] (move) The snake glides toward the ground, 5 feet down and up to 20 feet forward through the air. As long as it spends at least 1 action gliding each round and hasn't yet reached the ground, it remains in the air at the end of its turn.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Secret Signals

Gliding river snakes sometimes migrate between nests depending on weather conditions and the movement of prey, which has led some villages to use them as messengers. Once a snake is domesticated, it’s trained to locate specific nests based on scent, and messages are tied to its body. When the snake arrives, it’s rewarded with live prey.
Character Creation +
Ancestries Archetypes Backgrounds Classes Skills
Equipment +
All Equipment Adventuring Gear Alchemical Items Armor Held Items Runes Shields Weapons Worn Items
Feats +
All Feats General General (No Skill) Skill
Game Mastery +
Afflictions Creatures Hazards
Rules +
All Rules Actions/Activities Conditions GM Screen Player's Guide Traits Sources
Setting +
Adventures Articles Deities Domains Languages Planes Scenarios
Spells/Rituals +
All Spells Arcane Divine Occult Primal Focus Spells Rituals
Mythic +
Mythic Rules Callings Mythic Feats Destinies Mythic Spells Mythic Rituals
About the Archives +
Contact Us Contributors Licenses
Support the Archives

Shelyn's Corner

×

Classic Feel

Classic Feel

Classic Feel

The classic look for the Archives of Nethys.

Table
Data
More Data

Book Feel

Book Feel

Book Feel

An alternative feel, based on the Rulebooks.

Table
Data
More Data

Round Feel

Round Feel

Round Feel

A rounded, modern look for the archives.

Table
Data
More Data

Slim Feel

Slim Feel

Slim Feel

A variant of the Round feel, more compact.

Table
Data
More Data