Tactics

Creature Tactics

Creature	Primary Behavior	Targets
Grindylows	Hunt the reefclaws from the shallows, using their superior mobility to surround, harass, and isolate one at a time.	Reefclaws first. They attack the party only if threatened, obstructed, or if the party attacks the octopus.
Reefclaws	Opportunistic predators. They attack whichever vulnerable creature enters their hunting area and focus on targets already in the water.	Grindylows or PCs. They do not attack the blue-ringed octopus.
Blue-Ringed Octopus	Remains close to the hollowed bole and attacks creatures that approach, touch, or begin moving its shelter.	Anyone threatening the hollowed bole or attacking the octopus.

Grindylow Tactics

• The grindylows begin the encounter actively stalking the reefclaws, not waiting to ambush the party.
• They use reeds, roots, logs, and shallow water to approach while avoiding a direct contest with both reefclaws at once.
• They prefer to concentrate attacks on one reefclaw at a time, attempting to finish or drive it off before turning on the second.
• If the party attacks a reefclaw, the grindylows may temporarily tolerate the characters and exploit the distraction rather than immediately entering combat with them.
• The grindylows respect the blue-ringed octopus. They give its hollowed bole a wide berth and do not provoke it while hunting.
• If a character attacks the octopus, the grindylows immediately become hostile toward that character and attempt to defend the octopus.
• They do not need to fight to the death. If both reefclaws are killed or driven off and the octopus is unharmed, the grindylows have little reason to continue fighting a party that leaves them alone.

Reefclaw Tactics

• The reefclaws regard the grindylows as both competitors and potential prey.
• A reefclaw attacks a nearby grindylow or PC according to opportunity rather than cooperating with the other reefclaw.
• They prefer creatures already standing or swimming in water and use deeper water, submerged timber, and root tangles as approach routes.
• Once a reefclaw grabs or seriously wounds a target, it tends to remain focused on that creature rather than changing targets.
• Reefclaws never intentionally attack the blue-ringed octopus. They may move near its bole, but they instinctively avoid provoking it.

Blue-Ringed Octopus Tactics

• The octopus begins curled against the hollowed bole and normally remains within about 10 feet of it.
• It ignores the grindylows unless they somehow threaten it. Their presence does not cause it to abandon the log.
• It likewise does not hunt the reefclaws. The reefclaws instinctively leave it alone.
• It attacks a PC who closes on, touches, or begins moving the hollowed bole.
• If attacked from range, it may pursue through the water, but breaks off if the attacker keeps opening the distance and then returns to the bole.