Species Name: Tako, Octo men
Type: Octopus
Physical Traits: Tako have no bones; their plump bodies are protected by tough mantles of leathery skin. They have eight supple tentacles, similar to those of octopi, lined with circular muscles that act as suction cups. They have a single golden eye centred in their heads, and sharp, protruding jaws that resemble the bill of a parrot. Although Tako can change colour with ease, a mature male's normal colour is light green, while a mature female's is orange-red. Young Tako appear in a variety of colours, including black, brown, white, blue, and golden. Tako have their own language based on tentacle movements and skin-colour changes. Tako tentacles grip with a Strength of 19; a victim with a Strength equal to or greater than 19 can grasp the tentacle and loosen it, negating the constriction. To break completely free, a tentacle must be severed; males have 4 hit points per tentacle, females have 6 hit points per tentacle. Unless loosened or severed, tentacle constriction automatically inflicts 1-4 hit points of damage per round from males, or 2-8 (2D4) points from females. Young Tako cannot perform constriction attacks. They inflict 0-1 hp of damage per tentacle attack, and 1-3 hp with their beak. Otherwise, they're just small, feisty versions of their parents, with an MR of 1.
Height: 6-7 feet
Weight: 50-100lbs
Abilities: Tako can change their colour and pattern to match any natural terrain in a single round. This camouflage makes them 90% undetectable, and modifies the surprise rolls of opponents by -3. They are able to dive down to a maximum depth of 20 metres per CON and can see in low light with absolute clarity at a distance of 60 feet.
Tako have an ink sac, which can be used to expel a cloud of dark ink to confuse predators. This sac is a muscular bag which originates as an extension of the hind gut. It lies beneath the gut and opens into the anus, into which its contents – almost pure melanin – can be squirted. The ejected cloud of melanin is usually mixed, upon expulsion, with mucus, produced elsewhere in the mantle, and therefore forms a thick cloud, resulting in visual (and possibly chemosensory) impairment of the predator, like a smokescreen. Any caught in it are unable to see and are -10 to hit anything.
Mobility: Tentacles
Sensory Organs: Visual
Communication: Visual
Reproduction: Sexual, egg
INT: 3D6, WIS: 3D6, STR: 3D6, DEX: 3D6, CON: 3D6, CHA: 3D6, MR: D6 walk/4D6 swim, HPs: CON +D6, AC: 7
Orbit/Climate: See Earth
Feeding Habits: Tako eat oysters, crabs, lobsters, and other shell fish, which they crack open with their powerful jaws.
Lifespan: 80 years
Technology: 2
Culture: Hostile, intolerant and aggressive, held in check by strong social customs. Tako attack any creature who invades their territory. In addition, they have a strong sense of honour, and will avenge attacks and ally with members of other races who assist them. They are crafty opponents. Most Tako war parties are exclusively male. The Tako attack with their beaks. They also can anchor themselves with a single tentacle, leaving the remaining seven tentacles free to make attacks. Usually, the Tako carry seven weapons -- one spear or hand axe in each free tentacle. Tako can make constriction attacks similar to octopi. Any victim under 7 feet tall (or 7 feet long) can be grappled by one tentacle at a time. Male Tako have a 10% chance of pinning both of the victim's arms with a single strike; females have a 15% chance. The chance of pinning only one upper limb is the same. If both limbs are pinned, the victim has no attack. If only one limb is pinned, the victim attacks with a -3 penalty to his attack roll. If no limbs are pinned, the victim attacks with a -1 penalty.
The creatures establish their lairs in coastal underwater caves, making occasional raids on land for food, weapons, and treasure items. In some areas, Tako coexist with others, cooperating to attack sea monsters, but such cases are extremely rare.
Government: Tribal
Population: 6,646,130