Ochre Jelly

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Ochre Jelly Introduction

In the dim, echoing corridors of forgotten dungeons and the shadowy recesses of ancient ruins, there lurks a creature as insidious as it is silent. The Ochre Jelly, a gelatinous mass of quivering, translucent ooze, moves with an unsettling grace, its form shifting and undulating as it navigates the labyrinthine passages of its subterranean home. Its color, a sickly yellow-brown, gives it the appearance of a living stain, a creeping blight upon the stone floors and walls it traverses.

The Ochre Jelly is a creature of instinct, driven by an insatiable hunger that compels it to seek out organic matter to dissolve and consume. It is a patient predator, lying in wait for the unwary adventurer or hapless creature to stumble into its path. When it strikes, it does so with a terrifying inevitability, engulfing its prey in a corrosive embrace that leaves nothing but bones and memories in its wake.

Legends speak of the Ochre Jelly as a remnant of ancient alchemical experiments gone awry, a living testament to the hubris of those who sought to harness the primal forces of creation. Some say that these creatures are the spawn of a long-forgotten deity of decay, sent forth to reclaim the world in a tide of entropy and dissolution. Whatever their origin, the Ochre Jellies are a reminder of the dangers that lurk in the dark places of the world, where the light of civilization has never shone.

In the depths of the earth, where the air is thick with the scent of damp stone and the only sound is the distant drip of water, the Ochre Jelly reigns supreme. It is a creature of the shadows, a silent sentinel of the underworld, waiting patiently for the next soul to wander into its domain. Beware, for in the presence of the Ochre Jelly, even the bravest of adventurers may find themselves consumed by the darkness.

Ochre Jelly Skills & Traits

Skills

• No specific skills listed.

Senses

• Blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius)
• Passive Perception 8

Languages

• Understands no languages

Abilities

• Amorphous: The jelly can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
• Spider Climb: The jelly can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Actions

• Pseudopod: Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage plus 3 (1d6) acid damage.
• Split: When a jelly that is Medium or larger is subjected to lightning or slashing damage, it splits into two new jellies if it has at least 10 hit points. Each new jelly has hit points equal to half the original jelly's, rounded down. New jellies are one size smaller than the original jelly.

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Battle Tips for Ochre Jelly

The Ochre Jelly is a classic ooze creature that can pose a significant threat to adventurers, especially in dark and damp environments like dungeons and caves. Here are some tips for Dungeon Masters on how to effectively use Ochre Jellies in battle:

Using Ochre Jelly in Battle

• Ambush Tactics: Place Ochre Jellies in areas where they can drop from ceilings or emerge from pools of water. Their ability to blend into their surroundings makes them perfect for surprise attacks.
• Divide and Conquer: When an Ochre Jelly takes slashing or lightning damage, it splits into two smaller jellies. Use this to your advantage by having the jelly split early in the battle to overwhelm the party with multiple targets.
• Environmental Hazards: Position Ochre Jellies near narrow passages or choke points. Their ability to squeeze through tight spaces can trap adventurers, forcing them to fight in less-than-ideal conditions.

Coordinating Multiple Ochre Jellies

• Surround and Constrict: Use multiple jellies to surround the party, cutting off escape routes and forcing them into close-quarters combat where the jellies' pseudopod attacks are most effective.
• Divide the Party: Have jellies split and target different members of the party, spreading the adventurers thin and making it difficult for them to support each other.
• Layered Defense: Position jellies in layers, with one group engaging the party while others lie in wait. As the adventurers defeat the first wave, the second wave can move in, keeping the pressure on.

Fleeing and Regrouping

• Retreat to Safety: If the battle turns against the jellies, have them retreat into small crevices or bodies of water where they can regroup and potentially ambush the party again later.
• Use the Environment: Encourage jellies to use their surroundings to escape, such as slipping through cracks in walls or disappearing into pools of water, making it difficult for the party to pursue.
• Regenerative Tactics: Allow jellies to retreat and regenerate if they are heavily damaged, returning to the fight later with renewed strength.

By utilizing these strategies, Dungeon Masters can create challenging and memorable encounters with Ochre Jellies that test the tactical skills of any adventuring party.