Fen Hydra (Basic Lore)

Fen Hydra (Shooter; CR 13)
Pure Evil - Huge - Magical Beast
This creature possesses the Shooter role, and therefore counts as 2 monsters for purposes of encounter size, XP award, and treasure. This monster frequently has the Shooter role, but may be set to other roles if desired. Hydras are not dragons, nor are they even related to dragons. Instead, they are large, multi-headed serpents with legs. One notable difference between hydras and dragons (besides all the extra heads) is a decidedly sub-par intellect, and a kind of cautious anti-social behavior that dragons completely lack. While it could never be said that a dragon is "social" in the congenial sense, their propensity to engage other races in dialogue and intrigues sets them widely apart from hydras. Contrary to many myths about hydras, the number of heads a hydra has is no real indication of its overall martial aptitude. Hydras can have as few as four heads and often up to eight or nine. Rarely, hydras with 10 or more heads have been seen, though slaying such beasts is really no more difficult than facing off against a four-headed hydra (though it certainly improves the bragging rights). It is speculated that the multi-headedness is a mutation of some kind, and while few anatomical studies of the beasts have been published, most scholars believe the hydra's brain isn't actually in any of the heads at all. Fen hydras are so named because they are found in deep swamplands, marshes and thickly-wooded estuaries. Fen hydras are colored in browns and greens, which provides them with exceptional camouflage in such environments. They are quite capable ambush predators, and are often the apex predators in their chosen domains. In rare cases, hydras have been known to be pets for smarter races, though their loyalty is primarily maintained through constant bribery and threats, rather than any sense of devotion or familiarity on the hydra's part.