The Thing That Lives Under the Stairs and Eats Children

The Thing That Lives Under the Stairs and Eats Children

CR: 2     Small Outsider (Evil)
HD: 3d8     Hp: 16
Init: -1     Spd: 30'
AC: 12 (+1 size, -1 Dex, +2 Natural), t: 10, ff: 12
Attacks: (BAB +3; Grap -1); +4 2 Claws: 1d3 and +2 Bite: 1d4
SA: Improved Grab, Swallow Whole
SQ: Darkvision 60'; Fear Aura; Light Vulnerability; Subjective Appearance
Align: NE     Saves: Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +2
Str: 10, Dex: 9, Con: 10, Int: 8, Wis: 7, Cha: 6
Skills: Bluff +4, Diplomacy +0, Disguise -2 (+0 act in character), Hide +5, Intimidate +4, Listen +5, Move Silently +6, Sense Motive +5, Sleight of Hand +2, Spot +5
Feats: Ability Focus (Fear Aura), Multiattack

Things That Live Under the Stairs and Eat Children, also known as "Dwellers in Closets" or "The Monster Under the Bed", are fiendish spirits drawn to places where children have suffered. They frequently haunt children's hospitals, orphanages, and schools, although a household with a long history of abuse could also attract them.

COMBAT: Things That Live Under the Stairs and Eat Children are bullies that prey on those weaker than themselves. They lurk in shadows, waiting to separate a vulnerable child from its companions. It will wait until its intended victim is alone, taunting and terrorizing its prey for days or even weeks before moving in for the kill. 

• Fear Aura (Su): Things That Live Under the Stairs and Eat Children radiate fear. Anyone within 10' of the creature must make a Will save (DC11) or be shaken. Creatures who successfully save cannot be affected by that Thing again for 24 hours. A token of courage (lucky rabbit foot, holy symbol, teddy bear) provides a +2 bonus to the saving throw.

• Improved Grab (Ex): A Thing that his with its claw attack can start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it succeeds, it establishes a hold and can attempt to Swallow Whole the next round.
• Light Vulnerability (Su): These malicious spirits are repelled by light. A simple candle or torch will hold them at bay for as long as it remains lit. A Light or Continual Flame spell deals 1d6 damage to the creature and drives it back to the limit of its illuminated area. Daylight, either natural or the spell, deals 2d8 damage per round of exposure and reveals the Thing's true form, that of a small gray-skinned goblin with large eyes and a gaping mouth.
• Subjective Appearance (Su): The Thing That Lives Under the Stairs and Eats Children looks different to each victim that views it however they are always appear to be two size categories larger than their victim. Secondly, they always have a mouth that is big enough to swallow its victims whole.
• Swallow Whole (Ex): A Thing that has successfully grappled an opponent can attempt to swallow it with a second successful Grapple check. A swallowed victim suffers 1d4 damage each round but can be rescued if another creature beats the Thing at an opposed Grapple check. Swallowed victims can free themselves if they are able to Inflict 8 points of damage to the Thing's stomach (AC). The Thing's stomach can hold 1 Small, 2 Tiny, 4 Diminutive, or 8 Fine creatures at once.

AD&D stats

Climate/Terrain: Gray Waste of Hades, Any Urban
Frequency: Very Rare
Organization: Solitary
Activity Cycle: Night
Diet: Carnivore
Intelligence: Average
Treasure: Incidental
Alignment: Neutral Evil
No. Appearing: 1
Armor Class: 7
Movement: 12
Hit Dice: 3
THAC0: 17
Dmg/Att: 1d3/1d3/1d4
Special Attacks: Fear, Swallow Whole
Special Defense: Nil
Magic Resistance: Nil
Size: Small (3' tall)
Morale: Unsteady (5-7)
Xp Value: 270

On a Natural 20, the Thing swallows its victim whole. Victims can be freed by outside intervention or dealing 8 damage to the creature's stomach (AC8). A successful saving throw vs Spell negates the effects of the Fear Aura. The Thing That Lives Under the Stairs and Eats Children has a 25% to Hide in Shadows and a 30% chance to Move Silently. 

Grimm RPG stats

Grade: 4th     Health: 4     Shape: Person
Stature: Kid     Speed: Average
Protection: 4
Wounds: 4 (Claws or Bite)

Cool: 4th     Pluck: 6th     Imagination: 5th
Luck: 7th     Muscle: 4th
Hide: 6th     Seek: 6th     Scamper: 6th
Scrap: 5th     Throw: 6th
Boy Scouts: 2nd     Indust Arts: 3rd
Juvie: 6th

Not What You Think It Is: Things appear as something different to each person seeing it but it is always something the viewer is afraid of and forces them to make a 2nd Grade Pluck test to avoid being at disadvantage for the whole scene.
Swallow Whole: A Thing can swallow a child whole after spending two consecutive turns successfully wrestling him. A swallowed child is still alive, but trapped in the dark and loses a wound every day as he is digested.
Soft Spot: Things That Live Under the Stairs and Eat Children suffer 1 wound per round when exposed to direct sunlight. Being in an area of bright light gives them -1 disadvantage on all tests for the scene. Even match or candlelight will hold them at bay.