Cavasha (AD&D)

FREQUENCY: Very Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-3
ARMOR CLASS: 5
MOVE: 9″
HIT DICE: 4
% IN LAIR: 90%
TREASURE TYPE: Nil / C (in lair)
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-8 /2-8/ Gaze
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Blindness
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Low
ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil
SIZE: M
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
ATTACK/DEFENSE MODES: Nil
XP: 125 +4/hp

Cavasha are gruesome creatures possessing a humanoid torso, arms, and head. Instead of legs, the creature has a tangled mass of tentacles, which it uses to propel itself across floors, rocks, and other surfaces. Its skin is leathery and varies from gray to black coloration. Its humanoid head is abnormal with a jutting mouth filled with jagged teeth, bat-like ears, and two large, white globes that appear to be eyes. Even though the creatures are actually blind, cavasha detect prey through a combination of hearing and olfactory, granting the monsters the equivalent of ultravision with a 90-foot range. Lastly, their gnarled, oversized hands are equipped with iron-like talons.

These beasts attack twice per combat round with terrible claws, each inflicting 2-8 damage. At the same time, their eyes emit a blinding flash of light. Any creature viewing this flash must make a saving throw vs. petrification or become permanently blind, suffering all ill effects from the ailment. A cure blindness spell will negate the effects.

If a character fights the cavasha but averts their gaze to avoid the blinding attack, they receive a -4 “to hit” penalty. While averting their gaze, a character cannot be blinded by the creature’s gaze attack.

Cavasha dwell mainly in underground areas such as tunnels, caves, and dungeons. They are aggressive predators that devour any living creature without preference. Although most often encountered singly, groups ranging between 1 and 3 are possible. In addition, cavasha sometimes leave their underground lairs to hunt for food.

Scholars cannot agree on the origin of these monsters. Some suggest that the beast goddess created them, while others believe they were sinister abominations created by the death god or god of disease. It is even possible that some insane wizard designed them as an experiment. Regardless of their origin, cavasha are feared by adventurers and travelers alike.