An Old Man of the Sea is generally encountered on deserted sea or ocean islands. It appears to be an ancient, emaciated, bearded, and sun-darkened Human male that is either clad in rags or naked.

A loathesome creature of this sort will attempt to trick other creatures into carrying them on its shoulders, often feigning weakness and appealing to pity (e.g., begging that it be carried to its hut or a source of water). It will then tighten its legs around their necks in an iron grip and coerce them into carrying it around and obeying its will (e.g., gathering food for it). It will use this tactic against size Medium and Large creatures but cannot effectively use it against smaller or larger ones.

Appearance: Vriti have brownish, thick hides, armored with great sheets of scale. These long, legless dragons are the offspring of Vrita, a huge immortal dragon defeated in an ancient battle with Indra. In this battle several scales were torn loose from Vrita and fell to earth. There they sprung to life and became vriti.

Combat: Vriti bite with maws full of long, sharp teeth. They also will wrap themselves around an opponent and then tighten their coils, crushing them. Once a hit roll is successfully made, crushing damage is automatic.

Lightning and related attacks are saved at at ‑2 by vriti, who take +2 points of damage on each die of this sort of damage.

A vriti's breath is scorching and dry, and once per turn it can fire a searing blast of heat, for 1d6 points of damage per hit die they possess (save for half).

Habitat/Society: Vriti are so evil and treacherous that they do not like to associate even with each other.

Ecology: Vriti are the deadliest predators in whatever area they choose to dwell, for they will not live in the vicinity of creatures more powerful than themselves.

Variants/Notes: Half of all vriti have wizard spellcasting ability of 1st to 12th level. They specialize in spells that control weather, so that they can bring drought and destroy water. 

Vriti

Climate/Terrain: Ruins, arid areas

Frequency: Very rare

Organization: Solitary

Activity Cycle: Any

Diet: Carnivorous

Intelligence: Average

Treasure: Lots

Alignment: Chaotic Evil

No. Appearing: 1

Armor Class: 1

Movement: 12

Hit Dice: 10‑12

THAC0: 10 or better

No. of Attacks: 2

Damage/Attack: 5‑20 (bite); 7‑28 (crush)

Special Attacks: Breath, spells

Special Defenses: Spells

Magic Resistance: As per a dragon

Size: L

Morale: High

XP Value: Many

OLD MAN OF THE SEA

Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Aquatic)

Hit Dice:                          6d8+9 (36 hp)

Initiative:                         +1

Speed:                             30 ft. (6 squares), Swim 40 ft.

Base Attack/Grapple:    +6/+15

Attack:                             Claw +11 melee (1d4+5), Chokehold

Full Attack:                     2 claws +11 melee (1d4+5), Chokehold

Space/Reach:                 5 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks:             Chokehold, Rust

Saves:                             Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +6

Abilities:                         Str 20, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 15

Feats:                              Alertness, Persuasive, Toughness

Environment:                 Any aquatic

Organization:                 Solitary or covey (one Old Man of the Sea,

                                         1-3 Sea Hags, plus 1-8 ogres, 1-4 evil giants, and 1-6 other victims)

Challenge Rating:          5

Treasure:                         Standard

Alignment:                      Usually chaotic evil

Advancement:                By character class

Level Adjustment:           —