| Hit Dice: | 3d8+3 (16 hp) |
| Initiative: | +6 |
| Speed: | 20 ft. (4 squares), climb 10 ft. |
| Armor Class: | 17 (+1 size, +2 Dex, +4 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 15 |
| Base Attack/Grapple: | +2/+5 |
| Attack: | Tentacle +6 melee (1d3+3) |
| Full Attack: | 2 tentacles +6 melee (1d3+3) |
| Space/Reach: | 5 ft./10 ft. |
| Special Attacks: | Improved grab, constrict 1d3+3 |
| Special Qualities: | Darkvision 60 ft., quickness |
| Saves: | Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +4 |
| Abilities: | Str 16, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 4, Wis 13, Cha 7 |
| Skills: | Climb +13, Hide +10, Move Silently +6; racial bonuses |
| Feats: | Improved Initiative [bonus], Lightning Reflexes, Stealthy |
| Environment: | Underground |
| Organization: | Solitary |
| Challenge Rating: | 2 |
| Treasure: | 1⁄10 coins; 50% goods; 50% items |
| Alignment: | Usually chaotic evil |
| Advancement: | 4–6 HD (Small); 7–12 HD (Medium) |
| Level Adjustment: | — |
A creature perches in the shadows, near the ceiling, in a corner of the chamber. Its body resembles that of a naked halfling with mottled flesh, but its limbs are incredibly spindly and long. It hisses, showing sharp, large teeth an instant before one of its limbs snaps out like a whip.
These vicious little predators lurk underground, grabbing whatever prey happens by. A choker’s skull, spine, and rib cage are bony, but its limbs are really tentacles with multiple knobby joints of cartilage. Thus, it appears bowlegged, and its movements seem peculiar and fluid. Its hands and feet have spiny pads that help the choker grip almost any surface. The creature weighs about 35 pounds.
Chokers speak Undercommon.
A choker likes to perch near the ceiling, often at intersections, archways, wells, or staircases, and reach down to attack its prey.
A choker attacks creatures of almost any size, but prefers lone prey of its size or larger. If one is very hungry, it may attack a group, but it waits to grab the last creature in line.
Chokers are greedy. Quick-thinking characters who spot one before it attacks might be able to bribe a choker with food and question it about the area around its lair.
Constrict (Ex): A choker deals 1d3+3 points of damage with a successful grapple check against a Large or smaller creature. Because it seizes its victim by the neck, a creature in the choker’s grasp cannot speak or cast spells with verbal components.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a choker must hit a Large or smaller opponent with a tentacle attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict. Chokers receive a +4 racial bonus on grapple checks, which is already included in the statistics block.
Quickness (Su): Although not particularly dexterous, a choker is supernaturally quick. It can take an extra standard action or move action during its turn each round.
Skills: A chokers has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.
Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 34.