Also known as: Floatjaw, Current-Eater, The Wide Silence
Altered Dimensions — Field Report
The Drift Maw was first mistaken for debris. Recovery teams noted a recurring pattern of missing equipment near dimensional rift outflows over open water—tethers severed, buoys dragged under, and sonar returns that vanished when approached. Capture attempts consistently failed until handlers realized the creature was not hunting in any conventional sense. It simply drifted, and anything careless enough to enter its path was consumed without resistance or intent.
Taxonomy Tags:
Power Source: Natural · Intelligence Level: Mindless · Biome: Open Ocean, Coastal · Origin: Evolved · Threat Scale: Moderate · Physical Form: Beast · Behavioral Disposition: Passive · Social Structure: Solitary · Narrative Role: Environmental Hazard · Environmental Interaction: Consumes Resources
Physical Description
The Drift Maw resembles a massive, translucent mass suspended just beneath the water’s surface, roughly spherical but constantly deforming with the current. Its outer membrane is thin and rubbery, faintly opalescent, and nearly invisible in low light. At its center is a wide, slack opening lined with soft, fibrous tissue that contracts slowly when disturbed. When still, the creature is almost indistinguishable from drifting flotsam or a bloom of organic matter.
Taxonomy Overview
The Drift Maw is classified as natural, as all observed behaviors and structures appear biological and consistent with an evolved aquatic organism. It is entirely mindless, lacking awareness, learning capacity, or intent; it reacts only through automatic contraction and ingestion reflexes. Drift Maws inhabit coastal waters and open oceans, favoring slow currents where they can float with minimal energy expenditure. They are believed to be evolved filter-feeders from their home dimension, unintentionally dangerous only due to their size and durability. While individually posing a moderate threat, especially to swimmers, small vessels, or submerged equipment, their danger increases in low-visibility conditions. Physically, they follow a simple beast-like body plan optimized for passive feeding. They do not seek prey, cooperate, or defend territory, functioning narratively as a living hazard rather than an antagonist. Their presence gradually reduces available biomass and debris in an area, leaving waters unnaturally clear behind them.
Encounter Frequency & Usage
Encounter Frequency: Uncommon, though sightings increase near dimensional breaches over water. The Drift Maw is best used as a test of situational awareness, environmental problem-solving, and restraint rather than combat prowess. In science-fiction or modern settings, it may be treated as invasive extradimensional fauna; in fantasy or low-magic games, as an unknown oceanic organism. It should rarely be aggressive, and destruction is often less practical than avoidance, redirection, or capture.
Stat Blocks
OpenD6
Strength: 4D
Dexterity: 1D
Intelligence: 0D
Perception: 1D
Wits: 0D
Presence: 0D
Special Abilities
Passive Ingestion: Any character or object that comes into direct contact with the Drift Maw must succeed at a Moderate Dexterity or Strength roll to avoid being pulled partially inside.
Amorphous Body: The Drift Maw ignores penalties from difficult terrain in water and takes half damage from blunt impacts.
Near-Invisibility: Perception checks to notice a stationary Drift Maw in open water are increased by one difficulty level.
Move: 6 (swim only)
Scale: Character
Fate Points: 0
Character Points: 0
Basic Fantasy RPG
Armor Class: 12
Hit Dice: 4 (18 hp average)
Move: 20’ (swim only)
Attacks: 1 engulf (see below)
No. Appearing: 1
Save As: Fighter 4
Morale: 12
Alignment: Neutral
XP Value: 125
Special Abilities
Engulf: Any creature in the Drift Maw’s space must save vs. Death or be restrained, taking 1d4 damage per round until freed.
Amorphous: Takes half damage from non-edged weapons.
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