Requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons Player’s

ADVANCED
Handbook, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
This product utilizes updated material from the v.3.5 revision

By Matthew Sernett
BESTIARY

GRR1601e
An Advanced Rulebook for the d20 System

The Advanced
Bestiary
Design: Matthew Sernett
Editing: Penny Williams Development: Robert J Schwalb
Art Direction and Graphic Design: Hal Mangold
Cover Art: William C. Eaken
Interior Art: Julian Allen, Kent Burles, Mike Vilardi, Kev Crossley,
Toren “MacBin” Atkinson, Tyler Walpole, Anthony Francicso,
Ilya Astrakhan, Caleb Cleveland, and Britt Martin
Proofreading: Evan Sass and Marc Schmalz Executive Producer: Chris Pramas
Green Ronin Staff: Steve Kenson, Nicole Lindroos, Hal Mangold, Chris Pramas,
Evan Sass, and Robert J Schwalb

Advanced Bestiary is © 2004 Green Ronin and are used according to the terms of the
Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. d20 System License version 5.0. A copy of
Reference to other copyrighted material this License can be found at www.wizards.
in no way constitutes a challenge to the com/d20.
respective copyright holders of that material.
The following text is Open Gaming
Advanced Bestiary, Green Ronin, Advanced
Content: Chapters 1 and 2.
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trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. 1
 Mist Djinni ........................................... 176
Section One:
:A Monstrous Toolkit .....................3
How Do I Use This Book? ............................. 4
Table of Monstrous Lycanthrope ............................. 178
Tiefling Werehellhound Warrior 1 ........ 182
Muck Creature ........................................... 183
How Can I Use These Templates? .................. 4
Applying a Template ...................................... 5
Creating a Template ..................................... 10 Contents Adult Muck Tojanida ............................ 184
Negative-Energy-Charged Creature .......... 185
Negative-Energy-Charged Wight......... 186
Table of Contents

Altering a Template ...................................... 14 Nightmare Creature ................................... 187

Dread Vampire ............................................. 97 Nightmare Chain Devil (Kyton) ........... 189
Section Two: Dread Vampire Night Hag ...................... 99 Nocturnal Creature..................................... 190
Templates A to Z.............................. 15 Dread Wraith Sovereign ............................. 101 Nocturnal Brown Bear........................... 191
Amalgam ...................................................... 16 Dread Wraith Sovereign Ooze Creature ............................................ 192
Arrowtaur ................................................. 20 Trumpet Archon ................................ 103 Ooze Troglodyte .................................... 193
Amphibious Creature ................................... 21 Dread Zombie ............................................ 105 Plague Bearer ............................................. 194
Amphibious Giant Praying Mantis ......... 22 Dread Zombie Aasimar Warrior ............ 106 Vargouille Plague Bearer........................ 195
Apocalypse Swarm ....................................... 23 Dream Creature.......................................... 107 Poisonous Creature ..................................... 196
Apocalypse Hellwasp Swarm .................. 23 Dream Rakshasa .................................... 108 Poisonous Manticore ............................. 197
Arboreal Creature ......................................... 25 Dust Creature ............................................. 109 Poltergeist ................................................... 196
Arboreal Halfling Warrior ....................... 26 Dust Stone Giant .................................. 110 Athach Poltergeist ................................. 199
Bipedal Creature........................................... 27 Element-Infused Creature.......................... 111 Primitive ..................................................... 200
Bipedal Nightmare .................................. 28 Fire-Infused Troll .................................. 113 Primitive Ogre ....................................... 201
Blood Knight ................................................ 29 Feral Dragon .............................................. 113 Prismatic..................................................... 202
Morden Thrallhammerer ......................... 31 Very Old Feral Red Dragon ................... 114 Prismatic Chimera ................................. 203
Bramble ........................................................ 32 Flesh Plant ................................................. 115 Psychic ....................................................... 204
Bramble Wild Elf .................................... 33 Flesh Treant ........................................... 116 Psychic Bugbear..................................... 206
Broken Soul ................................................. 34 Force Creature ............................................ 118 Quadrupedal Creature ................................ 206
Broken Soul Erinyes ................................ 35 Force Gelatinous Cube .......................... 119 Quadrupedal Succubus ......................... 208
Cave Creature ............................................... 36 Fortune-Blessed Creature ........................... 120 Quickling ................................................... 209
Cave Squid .............................................. 37 Harrigan Tumwater,............................... 120 Quickling Magmin ................................ 210
Celestial-Blessed Creature............................ 38 Fortune-Spurned Creature ......................... 121 Ravenous Creature ..................................... 211
Bryven Nightkirk..................................... 41 Fortune-Spurned Light Warhorse ......... 122 Kazunne Brokentongue ......................... 212
Clockwork Creature ..................................... 42 Four Horsemen .......................................... 123 Saurian ....................................................... 213
Clockwork Choker .................................. 44 Annis Hag of Death ............................... 126 Saurian Centaur .................................... 213
Creature Swarm............................................ 45 Icy Aranea of Famine ............................. 128 Savant ........................................................ 214
Frost Worm Swarm ................................. 47 Ice Mephit of Pestilence ......................... 129 Pseudodragon Savant............................. 215
Crystal Creature ........................................... 48 Bipedal Winter Wolf of War .................. 130 Seasonal Creature ....................................... 216
Crystal Sahuagin ...................................... 49 Fungal Creature .......................................... 131 Seasonal Dryad (Autumn) ..................... 217
Crystal Shark, Medium ............................ 50 Fungal Lizardfolk .................................. 132 Seelie Creature ........................................... 218
Demon-Possessed Creature .......................... 51 Genie-Bound Creature ............................... 133 Seelie Grig ............................................. 219
Quasit-Possessed Goblin Warrior ........... 54 Azize Al’Bikira ..................................... 134 Slithering Ooze .......................................... 221
Devil-Bound Creature .................................. 55 Gigantean ................................................... 135 Slithering Gray Ooze ............................ 222
Horned-Devil-Bound Ettin .................... 59 Gigantean Dream Chaos Beast ............ 138 Smoke Creature .......................................... 223
Divine Guardian........................................... 60 Green Warden ............................................ 140 Smoke Will-O’-Wisp ............................ 224
Naareth, Chuul Divine Guardian ............ 61 Green Warden Shambling Mound ........ 141 Solaric Creature .......................................... 225
Dread Allip................................................... 62 Half-Drow ................................................. 141 Solaric Gynosphinx ............................... 225
Dread Allip Spirit Naga .......................... 64 Half-Drow/Half-Derro ......................... 142 Sonic Creature ............................................ 226
Dread Bodak ................................................ 65 Half-Giant ................................................. 143 Sonic Howler......................................... 229
Dread Bodak Tyrannosaurus .................. 66 Half-Girallon/Half-Ettin ...................... 145 Stone Idol ................................................... 230
Dread Devourer ............................................ 67 Half-Plant .................................................. 146 Stone Idol Imp ...................................... 231
Dread Devourer Purple Worm ................ 68 Half-Plant Green Hag .......................... 147 Suzerain ...................................................... 232
Dread Ghast ................................................. 70 Holy Creature............................................. 148 Suzerain Dire Lion ................................ 233
Dread Ghast Gnoll .................................. 71 Holy Ghaele .......................................... 149 Swamp Lord ............................................... 233
Dread Ghost................................................. 72 Icy Creature ................................................ 150 Swamp Lord Barghest ........................... 235
Dread Ghost Medusa .............................. 74 Icy Belker .............................................. 151 Thunder Child ............................................ 237
Dread Ghoul ................................................ 76 Id Ooze ...................................................... 152 Thunder Child Storm Giant .................. 238
Dread Ghoul Frost Giant ........................ 77 Id Ochre Jelly ........................................ 153 Time Seer ................................................... 239
Dread Lacedon ............................................. 78 Inveigler...................................................... 153 Kethane Maxurilius ............................... 239
Dread Lacedon Cachalot Whale ............. 79 Inveigler Doppelganger Sorcerer 7 ......... 154 Transforming Construct ............................. 241
Dread Lich ................................................... 80 Jotunblood Giant ........................................ 155 Transforming Colossal
Dread Lich Titan .................................... 82 Jotunblood Hill Giant ........................... 159 Animated Object ............................... 243
Dread Mohrg ............................................... 83 Lifespark Construct .................................... 159 Unholy Creature ......................................... 245
7-Headed Dread Mohrg Cryohydra........ 84 Lifespark Iron Golem Sorcerer 7 ........... 160 Grakkus HeartFeast ............................. 245
Dread Mummy ............................................. 86 Lunatic Creature ........................................ 161 Unseelie Creature ....................................... 246
Dread Mummy Harpy............................. 87 Lunatic Yeth Hound (Full Moon) ......... 164 Unseelie Shadow Mastiff ....................... 247
Dread Shadow .............................................. 88 Magma Creature ........................................ 165 Verminoid Creature .................................... 248
Dread Shadow Achaierai ......................... 90 Magma Azer.......................................... 166 Giant Bombardier Beetle Verminoid ..... 249
Dread Skeleton ............................................. 91 Manimal ..................................................... 167 War Machine.............................................. 250
Dread Skeleton Blink Dog ...................... 92 Manimal Triceratops ............................. 169 War Machine Ankheg ........................... 251
Dread Spectre ............................................... 93 Metal-Clad Creature .................................. 169
Dread Spectre Nymph ............................. 94 Lead-Clad Wyvern ................................ 172 Appendix: Challenge
Dread Wight ................................................ 95 Miniature ................................................... 173 Rating Ranks.......................................252
Dread Wight Gargoyle ............................ 96 Miniature Formian Warrior.................... 175
Mist Creature ............................................. 176 Index ......................................................................254
2
 Section One:

A Monstrous Toolkit
A Monstrous Toolkit

3
 How Do I Use This Book?
The monster template is perhaps the most innovative game result from the use of imagination, and more options provide more
A Monstrous Toolkit

mechanic developed for the d20 system. It adds incredible flexibility grist for the creative mill.
to monster design and gives GMs and players alike the ability to
As with any rulebook for a roleplaying game, it’s unlikely that
combine creature characteristics in almost limitless variety.
you’ll use all the rules provided in the Advanced Bestiary. You
Put simply, a template is a set of specific rules that can be applied shouldn’t feel that you have to give every monster in your game
to a creature designed for the d20 system. These rules are often (or every creature your characters summon) one of the templates
accompanied by a concept that supplies the base creature with described here. Instead, rely on this book to provide fantastic
a different background and behavior—or even converts it into options and inspiration for adventures and events in your game.
an entirely new monster. Because a template can be applied to
You’ll know that you’re using templates well when you have fun
many different kinds of creatures, each one provides hundreds—
making decisions about how they should be applied. Templates
sometimes even thousands—of new options for encounters,
can even function as tools for building your campaign world.
characters, and campaigns.
The advice provided in this chapter and the suggestions offered
That much variety can be a little overwhelming, but the throughout the book should put you well on your way to making
possibilities are exciting too. Great campaign worlds and characters the kinds of decisions that will enrich your play experience.

How Can I Use These Templates?

The use of templates can add richness and depth to your game, and the constructs created by a certain powerful wizard, granting them
interest and fun. But choosing exactly how to include them in your the lifespark template (page 159). Or the completion of a powerful
campaign can be a daunting task. Below are some suggestions for ritual or the impact of a strange meteor might transform all of a
systematic applications. city’s citizens into dread zombies (page 105).

Templating by Type and Kind Planar Leaks

In your campaign, all creatures of a certain type or kind might be A connection between the Material Plane and an Outer or Inner Plane
altered by a particular template. Such an application changes the might alter the land and environment locally, causing the creatures in
threat level of these creatures across the board. For instance, if all the affected area to take on a template appropriate to the connecting
creatures of the undead type have the negative-energy-charged plane. For instance, a gate to the Elemental Plane of Fire might cause
template (page 185), even weak undead become more threatening. nearby animals to gain the fire-infused template (page 111).
Alternatively, you could choose to apply the jotunblood template
(page 155) to all giants in your campaign—or perhaps only to
storm giants, making them much more powerful than other giants
Region or Allegiance
and giantkin. Perhaps all elves have either the seelie or the unseelie Creatures native to a certain country or continent might all have
template (pages 218 and 246), all trolls have both the cave and a particular template. For example, perhaps all creatures of the
the icy templates (pages 26 and 150), or all griffins are clockwork Underdark have the cave template (page 26), or all the creatures
creatures (page 42). Applying a template in this way can make a of a lost valley have the primitive template (page 200). Long-time
fundamental change to the typical campaign world, setting it apart residency in a certain region, or even political allegiance, might
as something new and different. produce a similar effect.

Magically Granted Templates Templates and Prestige Classes

This option makes a particular template accessible only via a spell A character might automatically gain a template after progressing
or magic item. Alternatively, this means of access could coexist for several levels in a prestige class. Alternatively, the prestige class
with the “normal” means. For example, a creature might be able to might slowly grant the same abilities as a template. A character
gain the dread vampire template (page 97) either through combat who gained all the abilities associated with a template would gain
with a dread vampire or by possession of an evil artifact that grants the template when the last ability was acquired.
the dread vampire template to its owner.
Templates and New Character Classes
Combined Templates Once you decide what creature can have a particular template, you
A certain template might exist only in combination with another could create a class that grants the associated abilities along with the
one. The combination could be hereditary (that is, one or both creature’s monster levels (if any). Thus, a player who wants to play
templates are inherited), or it could be the result of some unnatural a muck dwarf (see the muck template, page 183) can do so at first
influence, such as magic or the will of a god. level, but he must progress through several muck dwarf levels instead
of class levels before gaining all the abilities of the template.
Unique Events Limited Availability
Some catastrophic event or powerful ritual might apply a template
to all the creatures of a certain type in a given area. For example, If you don’t want to make all the templates in this book available,
an experiment gone wrong might awaken the intelligence of all just choose a few and use only those in your campaign. Such a tactic
4
can further define and personalize your fantasy world by eliminating
certain classic creatures and introducing new ones that are typical
for your campaign. Your world might lack corporeal undead, for
Template Categories
example, but have dozens of new kinds of lycanthropes. Each template in this book falls into one of three categories:
acquired, created, or inherited. The distinctions among these three

A Monstrous Toolkit
Templates as the Norm types of templates are important because they help determine
which creatures can have a given template, and in what order
This option means that normal monsters and animals have no multiple templates can be applied (see Applying Multiple
place in your game world. Instead, every ecological niche is Templates, page 9).
occupied by a templated creature. For example, your world might
Acquired Template: A template in this category can be gained by
feature amphibious bears, aquatic bulettes, and avian krakens.
an existing adult creature via some means outlined in the
template description.
Increasing Effective Level Created Template: The created template is a new category
If you prefer to introduce new PCs at a lower level than the rest of the introduced in this book. It is similar to an inherited
party, a template provides a great way to put the new character on par template, except that a creature with a created template
with his fellows after a few sessions. Most templates described in this must somehow be constructed by another creature.
book include a level adjustment—a number that denotes how many
effective levels the template is worth to a character (see the MM for Inherited Template: A creature with an inherited template gains it
more information). Advice is also provided on applying each template at birth. Thus, created creatures and those that do not breed
to a PC and playing a creature that has it. or give birth to offspring in some manner (such as constructs)
cannot have such a template.

Applying a Template
The process of adding a template to a creature is similar to (and (or Hit Die) gained after the template is applied, just as if it were
often easier than) adding class levels to a monster. Depending an Intelligence increase gained for advancing levels.
upon how you approach it, the task can be an entertaining exercise
In a similar manner, when a change would deprive a creature of a
that sparks your imagination or a laborious chore. The advice
prerequisite for a feat, class feature, or other ability, the creature
provided below should make applying any template an easy
still has the ability but can no longer use it unless otherwise
process. To gain an even stronger grasp of the technique, read
noted.
the Creating a Template section on page 10 and the Altering
Templates section on page 14. Such secondary changes are often “invisible” because they are not
detailed in the affected sections of the template description, but

The Six Basic Rules they apply unless otherwise noted. Thus, it’s a good idea to review
the information in the MM before applying a template so as not to
forget how one facet of a creature’s statistics affects others.
The following general rules govern the application of templates.

1. Type Changes 3. Minimum Ability Scores and

If the template changes a creature’s type, the creature gains the Nonabilities
immunities, vulnerabilities, and unusual sensory capabilities of its new
As noted above, a change in an ability score typically alters all the
type, but its basic mechanics (including base attack bonus, base save
quantities derived from that score. But the application of this rule
bonuses, and skill point allotments for racial Hit Dice) remain the
can become tricky when an indicated change affects a nonability
same. See the next section for more information on type changes.
(one the base creature lacks entirely) or would reduce an already
Although this partial application of the new type results in low ability score to 0 or below.
monsters that do not completely follow the monster creation
When the base creature has a nonability (such as Constitution for
guidelines, it often greatly simplifies the template application
constructs or undead), any alteration to that ability score is simply
process and shouldn’t affect the creature’s playability. The
ignored unless the template changes the creature’s type to one
descriptions of the most complicated templates in this book
that normally has the score in question. A template that grants
attempt to take all such anomalies into account.
a normally mindless creature (such as most vermin, oozes, and

2. “Invisible” Changes plants, and some constructs and undead) a bonus to Intelligence
is a little trickier. In most cases, you can assume the creature
remains mindless and ignore the bonus, but some templates specify
If the template changes any attribute (other than type) from
otherwise. If you wish, however, you can give the new creature an
which other information is derived, the change is reflected
Intelligence score equal to the bonus, but you must then make a few
wherever it applies, except in a few special cases (see 3.
additional decisions. For example, a mindless creature’s immunity
Minimum Ability Scores and Nonabilities). For example,
to mind-affecting effects usually stems from the fact that it has no
a template that changes the base creature’s Constitution also
Intelligence, so you must decide whether it retains that ability. You
changes its hit points, Fortitude save, Concentration modifier,
must also decide whether it gains skill points for its new Intelligence
and the saving throw DCs of any special attacks that are based
score, whether it speaks any languages, and how having intelligence
on Constitution. An inherited or created template that alters a
might affect its actions in combat (and thus its CR).
creature’s Intelligence score changes the number of skill points
it gains with each racial Hit Die. For an acquired template that Most templates that reduce ability scores specify a minimum
alters Intelligence, the change in skill points applies to each level (usually 1 or 0). Unless otherwise specified, if a template reduces 5
 an ability score to 0, the creature suffers the incapacity associated The next sections take you through the presentation of a template
with a 0 in that ability. step by step. References to the base creature mean the monster
to which the template is applied. Do not confuse this term with
4. Omitted Information others such as “base save” or “base attack bonus.” In all these
other terms, the word “base” refers to a number similar ones from
A Monstrous Toolkit

If the template description doesn’t mention a particular piece of the monster’s type and Hit Dice (or class levels). For a complete
information (other than those noted in the preceding sections), explanation of these terms, see the MM.
it doesn’t change. For instance, if the template description calls
for a reduction in land speed but says nothing about climb, swim,
burrow, or fly speeds, the other speeds remain the same as for the
base creature. Likewise, if the template description omits an entire
Template Components
The following sections describe the various sections of a template
category of information (such as feats), then the template does not
description.
directly affect that category.

5. Don’t Count Class Levels Difficulty Level

Each template presented in this book has a button somewhere in
When applying a template to a creature that has class levels,
its description that gives its difficulty level. This value describes
change the creature as though the class levels did not exist unless
how difficult the template is to apply to a monster. The three levels
otherwise indicated. Do not change the Hit Die type of class levels
of difficulty are defined as follows.
unless the description calls for a change to “all current and future
HD.” Do not count class skills stemming from character classes
as class skills when assigning skill points gained for racial HD. Easy
Likewise, do not count Hit Dice gained from class levels when An easy template can be applied
granting monster abilities based on HD unless the description swiftly because it makes only a few
specifies character level (racial HD plus class levels) rather than changes to the base creature. You
Hit Dice as the parameter to use. generally don’t have to recalculate
base attack bonus or base
6. Don’t Sweat It saves, or perform any complicated
mathematics. You might need to do some simple addition or
What you’ve read so far might make the process of applying subtraction to account for changes to ability scores or for new
a template seem daunting, but don’t be put off. The most racial bonuses or penalties to skill modifiers. You can even apply
complicated parts of the process are often the least important easy templates during play, although you might need to step away
ones. A forgotten skill bonus or a lost modifier is unlikely to from the table for a minute or two to avoid distractions while
affect your game too much, and such mistakes are invisible doing so.
to your players. Creating a fun encounter that surprises and
intrigues your players is the most important consideration, and Moderate
simply describing a new monster that confronts the characters
puts you halfway there. Templates of moderate difficulty
require the kind of changes
mentioned above and some
Order of Application more complicated ones, such as
alterations to base attack bonus or
The application of a template should generally proceed in the base saves. Such a template might also grant a new ability that
following order because it’s often best to apply the changes that requires some extra thought before it is used in play. A template
precipitate many other changes first. If any of these categories are of moderate difficulty may make only simple changes, but so
omitted from the template description, you can skip those steps. many of them that applying it requires several minutes of work.
Templates in this category should be applied before the game
Order of Application session begins, unless you don’t mind taking a 15- or 20-minute
break on game day to do so.
1. Type
2. Hit Dice Difficult
3. Base attack bonus
4. Base save bonuses Templates in this category make
5. Abilities all the changes mentioned above,
6. Size plus a few more drastic alterations.
7. Armor Class Such a template might also grant
8. Grapple abilities that are new to the game
9. Attack/Full Attack and thus require some thought
10. Saves and planning to use. Any template that adds Hit Dice or changes
11. Skills the base creature’s size category should be considered difficult
12. Feats because such alterations precipitate a cascade of other changes
13. Initiative to the monster. Although they are somewhat time-consuming to
14. Speed apply, difficult templates can add a great deal of fun to your game
15. Space/Reach because they often result in unique monsters that provide new play
16. Special Attacks and Special Attack DCs experiences. Difficult templates should be applied while you are
17. Special Qualities preparing the adventure, and the process might take as much as
6 18. Everything else half an hour.
 Racial Hit Dice, Character Level, and Class Levels
The term Hit Dice is not exact when it comes to template application, since many template effects differentiate between Hit

A Monstrous Toolkit
Dice from a creature’s race and those gained from class levels. In this book, these terms are defined as follows.
Racial Hit Dice: This term refers to a creature’s Hit Dice not including any class levels. Thus, a blink dog has 4 racial Hit Dice,
and a human warrior 1 has none.
Class Levels: This term encompasses all the Hit Dice a creature has gained from adding levels of character classes. Thus, a
blink dog has no class levels, a human warrior 1 has 1 class level, and a frost giant sorcerer 3/fighter 4 has 7 class levels.
Character Level: This term includes all of a creature’s Hit Dice, from both its race and its classes. Thus, a blink dog has 4
character levels, a human warrior 1 has 1, and a frost giant sorcerer 3/fighter 4 has 21.

changing the template (see Altering Templates, page 14) or using

Introduction a different one.
The introduction provides the background and flavor of the template.
This information is not vital to the application process, but it might
inspire you to think about how to use the template in your game.
Size and Type
This entry appears in the description only if the template changes
the creature’s size or type, or grants it a new subtype. If you are
Creating a Templated unfamiliar with the type or subtype indicated, consult the glossary
in the MM. Anytime a template changes the type, the creature

Creature automatically gains the “augmented” subtype corresponding to its

former type.
Each template description begins by defining the The Advanced Bestiary presents a few
template type: acquired, created, or inherited. A new subtypes. The full descriptions of
created or inherited template should be applied these subtypes appear in the type entry
before any class levels are added. If you’re of each template that grants them.
applying the template to a creature with
class levels, you can strip away the class Any changes to the base creature’s size
levels before applying the template, or category also appear in this entry. A
you can choose to ignore the template’s size change necessitates numerous other
changes to base saves, base attack bonus, changes, some of which are “invisible.”
and skill point allocation (resulting in a In particular, a size change alters the
technically inaccurate but wholly useable attack bonus, Hide modifier, Armor Class,
creature). An acquired template may and the size of opponent against which the
be applied after some or all of the base creature can use special attacks such as improved
creature’s class levels (if any) have been grab, trample, or swallow whole.
acquired.
This part of the description also gives the Hit Dice
prerequisites for the template, specifying the Any change a template makes to a creature’s
kinds of creatures to which it can be applied. Hit Dice is indicated in this entry.
The templates in this book are designed to be Changes to the number of Hit Dice are
available to as many creatures as possible, uncommon, but they create a cascade
but you should feel free to limit their of other changes when they do occur.
application in any fashion you desire for
your campaign.
The prerequisites often specify one or
Initiative
This entry appears in the description
more creature types, but they might
only when the template grants an
also include certain necessary
unusual bonus or penalty to initiative
traits, such as a minimum ability
rolls.
score or spellcasting ability.
They might also use the
terms “living creatures” or Speed
“intelligent creatures.” Any
This entry details any changes to the base creature’s
template that specifies living
speeds for all five standard modes of movement, including land,
creatures is available only to a creature with a Constitution score,
climb, swim, burrow, and fly. These speeds and their effects are
whereas one that specifies intelligent creatures is available only to a
described in the three Core Rulebooks.
creature with an Intelligence score.
The land speed is the only one that has no descriptor in the
When applying a template, first check to see whether the creature
creature’s statistics block. A change to land speed affects a
you’ve chosen meets the prerequisites. If not, you might consider
creature’s Jump modifier. 7
 limbs wielding the weapon (usually two arms) as secondary attacks.
Armor Class (Thus, primary natural attacks become secondary for a creature
This section describes any changes the template mandates to fighting with a weapon.) The creature gains multiple attacks per
Armor Class. Most templates that have this entry simply increase round with its weapon if its base attack bonus is high enough, just
as a character does. A creature wielding weapons in multiple limbs
A Monstrous Toolkit

the base creature’s natural armor bonus, but many other types of
changes are possible. Any size changes also have an effect on the must obey all the normal rules for fighting with multiple weapons
creature’s final AC, and some changes affect the touch and flat- (see the PHB).
footed AC as well.
Damage
Base Attack Bonus This entry specifies any changes to the base damage dealt by the
This section appears only if the template grants more Hit Dice, or creature’s attacks, plus the base damage for any new attacks gained.
if it changes the base creature’s base attack bonus for some other Changes to the damage modifier stemming from a new Strength
reason. score are not ordinarily noted, so you must treat them like any
other invisible change.

Grapple Space/Reach
Any change in the creature’s base attack bonus, size, Strength, or
Hit Dice may result in a change to its grapple bonus as well. Any Most template descriptions lack this entry. It appears only when
special racial bonus granted by the template is also noted in this a size change necessitates a new space and reach, or when a melee
section, but in most cases, attack has a longer reach
only the attributes noted than normal.
above affect the grapple
bonus. Special Attacks
This section explains
Attack what happens to the base
This entry details any creature’s special attacks
changes to the creature’s when the template is
attack modes. A new base applied and details any
attack bonus, new size new special attacks it gains.
modifier, new Strength Most of the templates in
score, new Dexterity score, this book allow a creature
additional Hit Dice, or to retain its special attacks,
other alterations granted by since taking them away can
the template usually change have unpredictable results
the creature’s modifiers on its CR. Feel free to take
on attack rolls, but these a special attack away if it
changes are usually invisible. doesn’t make sense for the
For more information on creature to retain it.
attacks and how they are Changes to ability scores
modified, see the MM. can change the DCs for
Unless otherwise specified, saving throws against
a creature fighting without special attacks that are
weapons can use any based on those scores. A
primary natural attack when change to the creature’s
making an attack action. If HD can also change the
it has more than one kind save DCs. Such changes
of primary attack, it can are invisible, so you must
choose either. When it has check for them whenever
a weapon, it usually makes those quantities change.
a single attack with that The calculation for a save
instead. DC specifies either racial
HD (the creature’s racial
Full Attack Hit Dice without class levels) or character level (the creature’s total
Hit Dice, including racial Hit Dice and all class levels). If the save
This entry details any changes to the creature’s full attack routine. DC for a special attack would normally be based on an ability the
Unless otherwise specified, a creature fighting without weapons creature does not have, use its Charisma modifier instead of the
uses all its natural attacks when making a full attack. A creature one for the nonability.
with more than one kind of primary natural attack (such as a touch
attack and four claw attacks) must choose one kind to use during
a full attack but can combine that with any or all of its secondary Special Qualities
attacks, as desired. This section details which of the base creature’s special qualities
If armed with a weapon, the creature usually uses that as its (including racial traits) are retained, and whether it gains any new
ones.
8 primary attack and all its natural attacks that do not depend on the
 or deleted from the appropriate skill modifiers. Likewise, a change
Resolving Conflicts to speed changes a creature’s Jump modifier, and a change in size
changes its Hide modifier.
In certain cases, the creature may end up with conflicting special
qualities, especially when the template description specifies that the
base creature retains its special qualities. For example, suppose the base Feats

A Monstrous Toolkit
creature is immune to fire, but the template imposes a vulnerability This section details any bonus feats the creature gains and provides
to fire. If the template description does not resolve such a conflict for instructions for choosing new feats gained from additional HD, if
you, you can assume the conflicting qualities either cancel one another applicable.
out or give the creature whichever one is more beneficial.
Environment
Damage Reduction and Regeneration This entry explains any alteration to the environment the base
When a template grants damage reduction to a creature that already creature lives in.
has it, it retains both kinds of damage reduction unless otherwise
indicated. When the creature takes damage, use whichever damage Organization
reduction provides the greater benefit for the kind of damage taken.
A few templates, however, specify a method of combining the Any changes to the base creature’s organization are detailed here.
new damage reduction with the existing one. In such cases, follow
those instructions. If a template grants regeneration and the base
creature already has that quality, the templated creature retains the
Challenge Rating
better number and adds the new kind of damage that negates the This section explains how to set the templated creature’s CR.
regeneration to the previous kinds. In most cases, an adjustment of +1 or +2 is applied to the base
creature’s CR.
Tough Combinations Be careful when applying a template with a high CR adjustment to a
Be wary of special quality combinations that effectively make a creature with only a few Hit Dice. In such a case, the player characters’
creature invulnerable. Imagine, for instance, an undead creature that ability to damage the creature might easily outstrip its ability to
is already invulnerable to fire gaining regeneration that requires resist damage. Also, be wary of applying a template with a low CR
fire to deal normal damage. Such a combination is unfair and adjustment to a base creature with a low CR if the template grants
unreasonable. Thus, if you want to apply that template to such a significant immunities. Such a combination can result in a creature
creature, you should make sure it is vulnerable to something. When that is too tough to defeat unless the PCs know its weakness. Such
a creature with regeneration becomes undead via application of a “glass-jaw” monsters often make for anticlimactic battles.
template, you may want to replace its regeneration with fast healing. Significant overlap between the template’s special qualities and those of
the base creature can also make a template’s standard CR adjustment
Saves inappropriate for a particular monster. You can try to adjust the CR
differently in such a case, but often the best thing to do is replace the
This section appears only when the creature’s base saves must template’s overlapping ability with another that you deem equally
be recalculated, or when some unusual modifier applies to the powerful. Then, once you’ve finished applying the template, check the
creature’s saves. Feats, special qualities, increased HD, and changes creature against others of the same CR to see whether it seems fair. If it
to ability scores can also change base saves and modifiers on saves, doesn’t, simply adjust the monster and/or the CR accordingly.
but such changes are invisible.

Abilities Advancement
This section describes how the templated creature advances.
The template application process is often easier if it begins here.
Changes to ability scores can alter nearly every part of a creature’s
statistics, including hit points, initiative, AC, grapple modifier, Level Adjustment
attack modifiers, damage modifiers, saving throw DCs for special This section provides a level adjustment for creatures that have the
attacks, saving throw modifiers, skill modifiers, and skill points. template in question. This value equals the number of character
Nearly all these changes are the invisible kind, but doing them all levels the template is worth. When you apply the template to a
at once saves time. player character, add the template’s level adjustment to that of the
As noted above, ability score changes become tricky when they base creature to obtain the total level adjustment.
involve nonabilities. See Rule 3 in The Six Basic Rules section on As with the Challenge Rating, a level adjustment can be inappropriate
page 5 for additional information on dealing with minimum ability if the template grants many abilities that the base creature already
scores and nonabilities. possesses. Use your instincts when determining a creature’s level
adjustment for player characters. A level adjustment entry of “—”
Skills indicates that the template is poorly suited for player use.

This entry describes any changes to skills. If you need to recalculate

skill points for some reason, the text offers instructions on how to
do so. Any new racial bonuses or penalties that the template grants
Applying Multiple
are detailed here.
Some invisible changes also apply here. Any changes to ability
Templates
scores may change the ability modifiers for certain skills. If the You can apply multiple templates to the same base creature, but
template grants or eliminates a climb or swim speed, the racial you must do so one at a time. Inherited templates should be
bonuses that those modes of movement grant must be applied to applied first, acquired templates second, and created templates
9
 last. In most cases, only one inherited template should be used for can be applied to a construct, however, you can choose to apply
a given creature, since these templates indicate something about the created template after any inherited template and before the
its parentage. If you choose to give a creature multiple inherited acquired template.
templates, you probably need to do some thinking to rationalize
Layering templates on a monster can have strange effects on its
how it came to have the qualities of so many parents.
A Monstrous Toolkit

CR. If the templates do not add Hit Dice but do change CR, you
Acquired templates can be applied to a creature with class levels could easily end up with a glass-jawed monster. It might be very
before, after, or during its level progression. If the template raises deadly but still be a pushover to kill. Secondly, multiple templates
the creature’s Intelligence score, you must decide at what level the can add many special abilities. While this certainly makes a
template was applied, since it may affect the creature’s skill points creature more fun to play, the fact is a monster can typically use
at all levels gained thereafter. no more than three or four special abilities in a single combat.
Thus, enormous versatility means very little in the end, and the
Created templates are applied last because the resulting creature is
combined CR adjustment from all the templates may very well be
a construct created to work just like the base creature with all its
inappropriate.
other templates applied. If the acquired template you have in mind

Creating a Template
Creating templates is a great way to introduce unique elements
into your campaign. Doing so, however, requires a firm grasp of all Size and Type
the rules of monster creation and an understanding of all the rules If your template changes the creature’s type or subtype, note the
elements that affect the process. new information in this section. Think carefully before mandating
a type change, though, since such alterations may produce
How to Design cascading changes. Not all templates change the base creature’s
type, and it’s often best to retain the original type where possible.

Your Own Template Creatures that hail from other planes or are influenced by other
planes do not have to be outsiders or elementals; they could simply
The information below takes you through the parts of a template have the extraplanar subtype. Templates granting the extraplanar
with an eye toward designing your own. subtype should indicate what plane the creature comes from
for the purpose of banishment spells and other effects that affect
Introduction natives of other planes.

The first part of a template description is its introductory text. This Be wary about using aberration as a catch-all type because it
material sets the tone for the template and introduces the concept. tends to be overused. A template that gives a humanoid a snake
Such introductions can be florid or utilitarian. Florid introductions head could change its type to aberration, but it’s probably more
give a template a lot of flavor and interest, but assigning a very appropriate to make it a monstrous humanoid instead.
particular concept to a template can make it more difficult for Make sure your template doesn’t change the creature’s type in a
GMs to find a place for it in their games. Utilitarian introductions way that doesn’t make sense. If your template changes the base
tend to be brief. They’re most appropriate for simple ideas or creature’s type to giant but it can be applied to a phantom fungus,
concepts that many GMs might want to use. Sometimes, however, you could end up with a giant that has no arms—and giants are
a utilitarian introduction doesn’t go far enough in adding zest and defined as humanoid in shape. In such a case, you need to limit the
interest to a template. template’s application or ensure it grants the appropriate limbs to
creatures that don’t have them.
Creating a Templated Creature Subtypes are much less tricky, since most of them don’t depend on
The next section defines what kind of template the template is. creature type and can work well with just about any other subtypes.
See Template Categories on page 5 and Applying Multiple But if conflicting subtypes could occur, be prepared to explain
Templates on page 9 for more information about the three types which trumps which. For instance, a fire elemental can’t really have
of template. both the fire and the cold subtype. In such a case, you could specify
either that the creature loses the fire subtype or that it does not
The next important piece of information in this section is the kind gain the cold subtype. Most of the time the new subtype should
of creatures to which the template can be applied. Think in terms trump the old, since the new one is presumably an integral part of
of limits when assigning these prerequisites. After all, templates the template design. Alternatively, you could define a new subtype
that are not properly limited can lead to ridiculous combinations that cherry-picks from both of the conflicting ones. In any case,
with monsters and other templates. Limits can also be too limiting both the type and the subtypes of creatures that can gain
restrictive—vampires were once limited to humanoids only. But the template resolves most such anomalies.
you can always relax limits later to allow for creative ideas, such as
the ghost of a fiendish animated sword or a vampire storm giant. Changing the base creature’s size immediately makes a template
Keep an open mind in assigning prerequisites, but try to err on the more complicated, since a size change can alter a creature’s natural
side of caution. armor bonus, base damage, AC, attack bonuses, grapple bonus,
Hide modifier, Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. It may also
The templates in this book do not necessarily follow this bit of be appropriate to alter the range and areas of the creature’s special
advice, and that extra latitude is intentional. A half-black dragon/ attacks and special qualities. A dramatic change in size may also
half-animated table might be ridiculous, but a half-black dragon/ argue for additional Hit Dice. See the jotunblood, gigantean, and
half-animated spellbook or the ghost of a fiendish animated sword miniature templates (pages 155, 135, and 173 respectively) for
could be really cool. examples of how to handle the various aspects of size changes.
10
Hit Dice Grapple
If the template changes the creature’s type, it may also change its You can usually leave this entry out. If your template changes
HD type, particularly if the creature becomes undead. a creature’s size, the grapple bonus changes as well, but such a
change is normally invisible. Any special modifiers the template

A Monstrous Toolkit
Adding Hit Dice complicates the template and makes its
grants on grapple checks could be noted here, but they should also
application more time-consuming, since it requires changing the
be fully described in the Special Attacks section.
creature’s base attack bonus, saving throw modifiers, skill points,
and feats, plus the save DCs for its special abilities. Even so, a
change to HD might be appropriate, especially if the template Attack and Full Attack
greatly increases the creature’s size. See the MM for guidelines Note any changes to the creature’s number or type of attacks in this
about adding Hit Dice to each creature type. The gigantean and section. When adding new natural attacks, be sure to specify whether
jotunblood templates in this book are good examples of how to they are primary or secondary. You can allow the GM to choose for
construct a template that changes HD. each creature if desired, but it usually makes sense to set the standard.

Initiative In general, a template should not add more than two or three
attack modes. A large number of melee or ranged attacks can
This entry is rarely needed. Use it only when you want your make a creature very dangerous and unpredictable. While
template to grant a special bonus on initiative rolls. Such a these sound like fine qualities for a monster, they mean that it
change may also be categorized as a special quality. may be able to kill an entire party in combat.

Speed Damage
Use this entry to detail any changes This section should reference any special
to the base creature’s movement. A damage described in the Special Attacks
change to speed can precipitate an section and detail the damage that each new
invisible change to the creature’s attack deals. See Table 5: Creature Size,
Jump modifier, and the addition Ability Scores, and Damage in the MM for
of a swim or climb speed grants how much damage a creature should deal
a racial bonus on Swim or Climb based on its size and type. You can vary this
checks, respectively. If the template amount by giving the creature the Improved
grants a fly speed, you must specify Natural Attack feat.
a maneuverability class, and if it
grants a burrow speed, you must
specify what materials the creature
Space/Reach
can burrow through. For maximum ease of use, your
template should use
Armor Class the standard space and
reach values from the
Use this section to describe any MM. Thus, it should
modifications to AC that are not not alter the base creature’s
conditional. If you want the template space or reach unless it
to grant a bonus to AC, pay attention implements one of the following changes.
to what kinds of bonuses stack. If
• Changes the creature’s size,
you want it to make the base
creature’s natural armor bonus • Grants a long-distance melee attack,
higher, note the change as • Changes a tall creature of humanoid shape
an increase. Be careful if into a long creature with at least four legs.
you decide to take away • Changes a long, many-legged creature into
a creature’s natural armor a creature of humanoid shape.
bonus or ability to wear
armor and replace it with If the creature changes size, its space and reach should change
a different bonus. Such a accordingly. If the creature has a long-range melee attack, that
tactic can lead to trouble attack should generally have a reach 10 feet greater than the
later with base creatures that creature’s normal reach. If the creature becomes humanoid in
do not benefit as much as others from the kind of AC bonus the shape, its reach should shorten accordingly. It’s often best to
template provides. specify what a creature’s reach is as a function of its size.

Base Attack Bonus Special Attacks

In general, a template shouldn’t change a creature’s base attack Keep the following guidelines in mind when designing the special
bonus unless its Hit Dice have increased. In the case of an attacks that a template grants.
inherited or created template, a change to the base creature’s base
attack bonus might be appropriate, though it complicates the Limit the Number
template and can affect the creature’s CR in ways that are hard to Don’t give the creature too many special attacks to choose from.
predict. A creature with too many special attacks probably won’t get to use 11
 them all in combat anyway, and choosing among them can take up grants regeneration, you need to detail how it interacts with any
extra time needlessly. regeneration ability that the base creature has.

Limit the Damage Consider CR

A Monstrous Toolkit

Damage for any single special attack should probably not exceed Special qualities can have a powerful an effect on a creature’s CR.
1d8 per HD. It’s fine to grant a breath weapon that deals 1d6 A creature with several resistances or invulnerability to numerous
points of damage per HD the creature possesses, but one that effects becomes a significant threat to PCs. So if you want to keep
deals 1d10 per HD is probably too much. those values at a reasonable level, consider the special qualities the
template grants with care.
An attack that deals significant damage should not be available to
the creature more than once every 1d4 rounds. Thus, a template
shouldn’t grant a creature the ability to use fireball at will. A Saves
damaging special attack that is always active should not deal more This entry is rarely needed, since templates don’t often change
than 4d6 points of damage per round, and probably a lot less. saving throw modifiers. If your template changes the base
The above guidelines are not unbreakable template creation rules. creature’s Hit Dice, however, the base saves change accordingly.
A special attack that provides for a saving throw to halve or avoid Don’t feel you have to change the creature’s base saves just
the damage can soften a damaging effect, as can confining the because the template changed its type. Although doing so might
damage to an energy type from which adventurers are likely to seem more accurate according to the monster design guidelines,
protect themselves. it usually complicates the template’s application unnecessarily.
Any other modifiers to saves can usually be applied with special
Use Other Effects with Care qualities or bonus feats.
Some special attacks cause ability damage, petrification, death,
or one of the conditions described in the DMG. Such effects are
often impossible for low-level characters to remedy, so be sure
Abilities
to consider that point when the template is applied to a weak Changing ability scores can have strange effects on a creature. In
creature with a low CR. addition to all the usual invisible changes that cascade from such
alterations, changing an ability score can also increase or decrease
Caster Level the save DCs for special attacks. So carefully consider any change
greater than +6 or –6. If your template changes a creature’s size,
If the template grants spell-like abilities or supernatural effects however, commensurate changes to ability scores are appropriate
that mimic spells, the caster level should equal the creature’s and should be noted. See the MM for details about ability score
character level (minimum 1st) unless there is a good reason to set changes based on size change.
it higher. This tactic allows you to give a 1-HD creature the ability
to use lightning bolt but deal only 1d6 points of electricity damage
with it. For spells that deal a set amount of damage (such as meteor Skills
swarm) or have other specific effects (such as finger of death), Use this section to note any changes to skill points or skill modifiers.
consider the effects of the ability when used by the many different
kinds of creatures that can have the template. In general, a template shouldn’t require recalculation and reallocation
of the base creature’s skill points, even if it is inherited and changes
Consider CR the creature’s type. Although this technique may result in technically
inaccurate monsters according to the design guidelines for each type
More than any other part of a template, special attacks can affect in the MM, it saves time and makes the template less complicated.
a creature’s CR and level adjustment. So if you want to keep
those values at a reasonable level, consider the special attacks the Even so, however, certain circumstances do require recalculation
template grants with care. and reallocation of skill points. A change in Intelligence for an
inherited template does change the number of skill points available
for each Hit Die, and an Intelligence change for an acquired or
Special Qualities created template does the same for all levels or racial Hit Dice
When choosing the special qualities for a template, be aware of acquired after the template is applied. Likewise, adding Hit
the creatures that cannot benefit from the ones you choose or Dice adds skill points to the base creature. And in some cases, a
create so that you can design around any problems that may crop template’s concept may require different skills.
up. For instance, a special quality that doubles the duration of all When granting a racial bonus on checks with a certain skill, make
the spells a creature casts might be worth a +1 CR adjustment sure you know what effect reliable use of that skill has on combat. In
to a spellcasting creature, but it is worthless to a non-spellcaster. addition, figure out what would happen if the creature could take 10
You can address this problem by making the template available or 20 on the skill all the time. Although a creature probably won’t be
only to spellcasters, by limiting the double-duration effect to a able to concentrate on skill use in combat, this method can help you
specific spell school (such as divination spells), or by diminishing to decide whether the skill bonus you plan to apply is unbalancing.
the strength of the ability (adding only 1 round to the duration
of all spells instead of doubling it).
Feats
Damage Reduction and Regeneration This section should indicate any bonus feats the template grants.
Be sure to specify what happens when a template grants damage Treat such feats like special attacks or special qualities when
reduction to a creature that already has it. Normally both apply considering the template’s CR adjustment. In addition, you may
normally, but you can decide otherwise. Likewise, if the template also wish to note good choices for additional feats if the template
increases the creature’s Hit Dice.
12
Environment Level Adjustment
If the template changes the creature’s natural environment, When comparing the power of abilities granted to a character by
note the new information here. The change might specify an a template, think about them in terms of how much a magic item
environment, or it might add to or alter the base creature’s that grants such a power would cost. It would be time-consuming

A Monstrous Toolkit
environment options. Usually stick to the environments specified to price each quality of a template in this manner, but if you know
in the MM; otherwise, feel free to make up your own. the price of a magic item that gives a particular ability, you’ll
have a rough idea of how powerful the attack is in the hands of
Organization a character. Alternatively, if you use Green Ronin’s Aasimar &
Tiefling: A Guidebook to the Planetouched there are extensive rules
Note any changes to the base creature’s organization in this section. for adjudicating level adjustment for player character races.
Usually, the new or altered organization should follow the structures
given in the MM. Avoid the use of the word swarm, since this is a
specific game term with its own meanings. Test Your Template
After you’ve finished the basic design for your template, test it on
Challenge Rating at least four monsters. You don’t need to actually go through the
A template overlays a set of new attacks and work of applying the template to all four, but do think about how
defenses on any creature from a squirrel the template affects each one. Pick only monsters that qualify for
to the tarrasque. Thus, determining its your template, but make your choices as different as possible. Try a
CR adjustment requires evaluating monster with a lot of special attacks or spell-like abilities (such as
its effect on the challenge ratings of a formian myrmarch), one with a lot of melee attacks (such
all creatures that can possess it. as a hydra), one of very low CR (such as a kobold), and
one of very high CR (such as a titan).
To set the CR adjustment for your
template, start by reviewing the Now compare the results.
advice in the MM about assigning Check to see whether the
challenge ratings to monsters. If template affects all the
your template does not add Hit monsters in a similar way. It
Dice, the CR adjustment should shouldn’t make one creature
not be very high—generally +1 unusually powerful or weak.
or +2 is sufficient. Compare your You may find that a special
template to those in the MM and attack is weak when given to a
this book to get a feel for what kind monster with a high CR or many special
of adjustment might be appropriate. attacks, but immensely powerful when
A template might have the same given to a monster with a low CR or a large
CR adjustment as another template number of melee attacks. Such a situation isn’t
that gives half as many abilities simply necessarily bad, as long as the relative increase in
because of the variance in how those power is similar for each monster.
abilities affect CR and the power range of the monsters ranked Try the monsters out in play to see whether
at a particular CR. Any template with a large CR adjustment the CR adjustment you decided on works out
that does not add HD can be very tricky to use, since it tends well for each monster. Check the wording of
to make a creature very dangerous but more short-lived than the abilities to make sure that they are clear.
its CR would indicate.
Now repeat this same process with
If the template adds HD, you can generally add +1 characters of 1st, 5th, 15th, and 20th level
CR per 2 HD of increase as a rule of thumb. to test the fairness of the template’s level
Spell resistance also tends to produce a large CR adjustment. Often you’ll find that abilities
adjustment. In most cases, spell resistance is closely that make a low-level character very powerful
tied to a base creature’s CR, and if your template does are worth very little at high levels. That situation
not increase spell resistance appropriately, a templated creature’s CR isn’t necessarily a problem; it’s just part of the strangeness of the
might end up being too low. level adjustment system.
Once you have determined a CR adjustment for your template,
evaluate some test monsters in play to be sure of its accuracy.
Apply the Template
Treasure Once you’ve checked the template, apply it to the example monster
you’ve chosen or to whatever monster you want to use in your game.
Detail any changes to the creature’s treasure in this section. A template If you’re preparing the template for publication or to show others,
should not make a change to this aspect of the base creature’s statistics pick a monster that you think will be intriguing or exciting when
unless it is vital to the concept or the template dramatically changes templated. You could choose an especially powerful combination,
the creature’s intelligence and tool-using capability. try to improve a dull monster, create a typical example, or come
up with a strange example that most people wouldn’t think of. If
Alignment you’re designing the template for publication, it’s often best to pick
a typical creature—one that a lot of GMs are likely to use—as the
If your template changes the base creature’s alignment, note the base creature. When you apply the template, look for problems,
details here, using the conventions from the MM. conflicts, or confusing rules and fix the template if you need to. 13
 Altering Templates
Changing a template to better suit your game can be fun and is If you want to alter how a template affects the creature’s size,
A Monstrous Toolkit

easy to do. As long as you begin the process with a target CR try applying it to a creature first, then change its size using the
adjustment or level adjustment in mind, changing the template is information provided in the MM to see what alterations should
merely a matter of scaling it up or down. occur and how they affect the creature. Altering the template
while applying it to a creature

The Process tends to complicate matters too

much.
The following information
should help to guide you
The Templates Armor Class
through the trickiest parts of This book presents templates for use with any creature
in the d20 system. Refer to the Glossary in the MM When altering how a template
altering templates.
for definitions of the common features and abilities affects Armor Class, think
conferred by these templates. about CR. You don’t want it to
Introduction be too easy or too difficult for
PCs of the appropriate level to
If you’re just altering a template
hit the templated creature.
for use in your game, you don’t
need to write a new introduction. You should, however, think about
how the changes you make might alter the appearance and tactics Attack, Special Attacks,
of templated creatures. Make a note about any new descriptive
details you want to tell your players. and Special Qualities
Be careful when changing the special attacks, special qualities,
Altering a Templated Creature and attacks a template grants. These factors influence not only the
creature’s CR, but also how it functions in play. Making certain
Before you alter the kinds of creatures that can have the template, kinds of lycanthropes vulnerable to good-aligned weapons rather
consider the reasons for the original limitations. Certain creature types than silver ones might seem like a small change, but doing so
can interact strangely with certain templates, resulting in a templated can affect the creatures’ CR and confuse your players. Changing
creature that is illogical or difficult to play. For instance, the monstrous a template is not as tricky as creating one, but a lot of the same
lycanthrope template presented in this book makes major alterations issues are involved.
to the lycanthrope template provided in the MM. The relatively simple
idea of allowing lycanthropes to turn into creatures other than animals
has many repercussions. Challenge Rating
Since this book errs toward allowing as many creatures as possible If you have a target CR adjustment, you can look at the template’s
to have each template, it’s safe to assume that any creature excluded modifications and upgrade them, downgrade them, or add or remove
from the template is disallowed for one of two reasons—either the some to achieve the desired result. By comparing the template you’re
template would alter it in a strange or unbalancing manner, or the working with to others that have the target CR adjustment, you can
concept of the template makes its use on that creature seem odd. easily find ways to make it fair.
These factors might influence how you change other aspects of a If you don’t have a target CR adjustment and simply want to modify
template’s application, so be sure to consider them first. a template to your taste, make the modifications you desire, keeping
the tips provided here and in the Creating a Template section
Hit Dice (page 10) in mind. Once you’ve finished, compare the result to the
original and to other templates that have similar CR adjustments.
Changing how a template grants HD has many repercussions. If a Small changes may not affect the CR adjustment at all, and even
template does not already grant additional Hit Dice, you’re probably significant changes may raise or lower it by only 1 point.
better off putting a creature through it and then taking away HD or
advancing the finished creature—whichever you prefer.
Alignment
Size and Type An alignment change is simple enough to impose, but keep in mind all
the game elements that it affects. For instance, changing alignment can
Before changing the type a template imposes on the base creature, be negate class abilities, and some spells can be cast only by characters of a
sure to look at all aspects of the template and consider how the change certain alignment. A template that grants an alignment-based subtype
you have in mind would affect them. Pay special attention to HD might grant a different subtype or no subtype at all if you decide to
type, base attack bonus, and base save bonuses, any or all of which may change the alignment of the resulting creature.
be changing to accommodate the original type change. The creature’s
type also affects how its special qualities and special attacks function.
For example, a construct that gains regeneration becomes immune to Level Adjustment
most damage, since nonlethal damage does not affect it. The advice given for adjusting the Challenge Rating also applies
You may change the subtypes a template grants without worrying here, but even small changes in a template can alter the level
too much about strange game effects. Just think about how the adjustment. An ability that doesn’t mean much in a single
lack of a particular subtype might change the monster before encounter with a creature can wreak havoc on a long-term
taking it away. A succubus without the extraplanar subtype, for campaign. Comparisons with other templates may help you
example, is by necessity native to the Material Plane. determine an appropriate adjustment.
14
 Section Two:

templates A to Z
Templates A to Z

15
 Amalgam
An amalgam is two different monsters brought together into one being by either magic or selective breeding. The amalgam template can
be used to create a new race to replace a standard one, or new creatures resulting from a crossbreeding experiment, or a series of monsters
influenced by a god or demon, or even a unique creature created by a magical accident.

Creating an Amalgam Creature

Amalgam

“Amalgam” is an acquired or inherited template (your choice) that Appearance: The amalgam looks like a combination of both base
combines two creatures (referred to hereafter as base creatures). creatures, even if its features do not retain the same functions.
The GM may freely assign any appropriate physical
An amalgam uses all the statistics and special
characteristics to the creature within those parameters.
abilities of the two base creatures except as noted
In the example of the hill giant and horse amalgam
here.
above, the resulting creature might be hairy like a horse.
Size and Type: Find the amalgam’s type by cross-
Hit Dice: The amalgam has the same number of
referencing the two base creatures’ types on
racial Hit Dice as the base creature with the greatest
the Size & Type table. The creature retains
number of racial HD. If the two base creatures have
the subtypes of both base creatures unless those
the same number of racial HD, the amalgam also has that
subtypes directly conflict (fire and cold, for example). In case of
number. Hit Dice gained through class levels do not count
such a conflict, the creature loses both subtypes. The amalgam
for this purpose. The amalgam’s racial Hit Dice are of a size
is the same size as the larger of the two base creatures.
appropriate to its new type, as given on the following table.
Shape: The amalgam’s appearance is determined by several factors.
Body Form: The amalgam has the general body form of Hit Dice
whichever base creature has a higher character level (racial Amalgam Type Hit Die Type
and class Hit Dice). In case of a tie, the DM may choose
which base creature’s form the amalgam has. Aberration d8
Animal d8
Limbs: The amalgam has the same kinds of limbs and Construct d10*
attacking appendages as both base creatures do. If both base Dragon d12
creatures have a particular kind of limb, the amalgam has Elemental d8
the same number of such limbs as does the base creature Fey d6
with the higher character level or Hit Dice. If both base Giant d8
creatures have the same character level or Hit Dice, the Humanoid d8
amalgam has the greater number of limbs. The amalgam Magical Beast d10
can attack with any appendage that either base creature Monstrous Humanoid d8
can, even if the other base creature has no attack with that Ooze d10
limb. All limbs are sized appropriately for the amalgam. Outsider d8
For example, a Huge monstrous scorpion combined with a Plant d8
stirge has the general body form, legs, claws, and tail of the Undead d12**
scorpion, plus stirgelike wings and a stirge’s proboscis—both Vermin d8
sized to fit its new body. A hill giant combined with a
heavy warhorse has the body form, legs, and arms of a hill *Constructs receive bonus hit points based on size; see the MM for
giant, plus a horselike face and hooflike feet to deliver the details. Constructs do not have Constitution scores, so they
warhorse’s hoof and bite attacks. do not gain bonus hit points for each HD based on high
Constitution.

Using the Amalgam Template

When you think about creatures to combine with the amalgam template, keep the following tips in mind.
Go Crazy: The amalgam template was created to let you mix and match any two monsters. So don’t ignore a combination
just because it seems silly or contradictory at first glance. Once you’ve put the monsters through the template, you might be
surprised by the result. Look for compromises between conflicting abilities so that the monster can keep as many pieces of the
base creatures as possible.
Examine the Result: An amalgam need not be simply a combination of the two base creatures. Think of it as a wholly new
monster. Examining its abilities and how they interact might suggest a new culture, psychology, ecology, and tactics.
More Than Once: With multiple applications of this template, you can add a third, fourth, or fifth creature to the mix. Such
combinations can be a lot of fun to create and play, but continual addition of special attacks and special qualities makes the
resulting monsters both more complicated and less balanced.

16
 Amalgam Size & Type
Base Creature 2
Aber Ani Con Drag Ele Fey Gia Hum MagB MonH Ooze Out Pla Und Ver
Aber Aber Aber Con Drag Ele Aber Aber Aber MagB Aber Aber Out Pla Und Aber
Ani Aber Ani Con Drag Ele Fey MonH MonH MagB MonH Aber Out Pla Und Ver
Con Con Con Con Con Con Con Con Con Con Con Con Con Con Con Con

Amalgam
Drag Drag Drag Con Drag Ele Drag Drag Drag Drag Drag Aber Out Pla Und Drag
Ele Ele Ele Con Ele Ele Ele Ele Ele MagB Ele Aber Out Ele Und Ele
Fey Aber Fey Con Drag Fey Fey Fey Fey MagB Fey Aber Out Fey Und Aber
Base Creature

Gia Aber MonH Con Drag Ele Fey Gia Gia Aber MonH Aber Out Pla Und Aber
Hum Aber MonH Con Drag Ele Fey Gia Hum Aber MonH Aber Out Pla Und Aber
MagB MagB MagB Con Drag MagB MagB Aber Aber MagB Aber MagB Out Pla Und MagB
MonH Aber MonH Con Drag Ele Fey MonH MonH Aber MonH Aber Out Pla Und Aber
Ooze Aber Aber Con Aber Aber Aber Aber Aber MagB Aber Ooze Aber Aber Und Aber
Out Out Out Con Out Out Out Out Out Out Out Aber Out Pla Und Out
Pla Pla Pla Con Pla Ele Fey Pla Pla Pla Pla Aber Pla Pla Und Pla
Und Und Und Con Und Und Und Und Und Und Und Und Und Und Und Und
Ver Aber Ver Con Drag Ele Aber Aber Aber MagB Aber Aber Out Pla Und Ver

**Undead do not have Constitution scores, so they do not gain

bonus hit points for each HD based on high Constitution.
Speed: The amalgam possesses the speeds and movement
modes of both base creatures. If both have a
particular mode of movement, the amalgam’s
speed for that mode is the higher of
the two. If both base creatures have fly
speeds, the amalgam has the better
maneuverability rating. For example,
combining a centaur and a cloaker, the
resulting amalgam would have the land
speed of the centaur (50 ft.) and the fly
speed of the cloaker (40 ft. with average
manueverability).
Armor Class: If the base creatures are the same
size, simply average their natural armor
bonuses and round down to determine the natural armor
bonus of the amalgam. (A creature with no natural
armor bonus has an effective natural armor bonus of
+0.) Otherwise, adjust the natural armor bonus of
the smaller creature according to the following table
before averaging. Apply the modifiers stepwise to
account for the size difference between the smaller
base creature and the amalgam.

Armor Class
Size Natural Armor Bonus
Change Increase for Averaging
Fine to Diminutive +0 For example, if the amalgam is Huge and the smaller of the
Diminutive to Tiny +0 two base creatures is Small, you would add +0 (for Small
Tiny to Small +0 to Medium), +2 (for Medium to Large), and +3 (for Large
Small to Medium +0 to Huge), for a total of +5, to the smaller creature’s natural
Medium to Large +2 armor bonus before averaging it with that of the larger
Large to Huge +3 creature.
Huge to Gargantuan +4
Gargantuan to Colossal +5 The amalgam’s size also determines its size modifier to AC,
as normal. 17
 Why is this Template So Complicated?
Amalgam is the most complicated template in this book (and thus the most difficult one to apply) because it gives the
mechanics for taking any two monsters and mashing them together into a single creature. The amalgam template exists to
provide a game mechanic for GMs who want to make creatures similar to owlbears, but it can also be used to create tojanida-
succubi, bodak-stone golems, and other odd combinations. The result is often a strange and unique creature that might deserve
its own place in your world.
The template is complicated because it has to encompass all the variables. The manimal and lycanthrope templates combine
Amalgam

different creatures, and they do so in very different ways, but neither is expansive enough to account for literally any
combination of monsters.
This template might be more than you need to create the monster combination you have in mind. If you want to create a
human with a grick’s tentacle attacks, for example, you can always just give a human those characteristics. But if you’d like a
formal structure for combining any two monsters according to the rules, this template does the job.
As you apply the template, you can make minor alterations based on how you want your two monsters to combine. For
instance, if you were hoping that the combination of an ogre and a bear would make a giant, centaurlike bear-ogre rather than
an ogre with bearlike features, you can alter how the template works to ensure the creature takes the right form.
Ultimately, this template provides a fun new way to think about monsters and make up new creatures. With it, you can create
interesting encounters and adventures without designing a new monster from scratch—just as you can with any other template
in this book.

Base Attack Bonus: Recalculate the amalgam’s base attack Weapon attacks are always primary attacks, and natural
bonus for its racial Hit Dice based on its creature type and attacks gained from the creature with fewer racial HD
number of racial HD, according to the following table. are always secondary attacks. Natural attacks gained from
Add to this value the base attack bonus for any class Hit the base creature with more racial Hit Dice are either
Dice it has. primary or secondary, as they were for that creature. If
the base creatures have the same number of racial HD,
Base Attack Bonus the amalgam gains all the attacks of both, subject to the
number of appropriate limbs it actually has. The GM
Base Attack Bonus Creature Type chooses one kind of natural attack to be the primary one if
HD x 3/4 (as cleric) Aberration, animal, more than one option exists.
construct, elemental, giant, For example, a naga combined with a goblin would possess
humanoid, ooze, plant, the goblin’s arms, so it could wield weapons and make
vermin attacks with those limbs.
HD (as fighter) Dragon, magical beast,
monstrous humanoid, The standard size modifier applies to the amalgam’s attack
outsider rolls, according to the following table.
HD x 1/2 (as wizard) Fey, undead
Attacks
Grapple: The amalgam’s size modifier for grapple checks is given
on the following table. Amalgam Size Size Modifier for Attacks
Fine +8
Grapple Diminutive +4
Tiny +2
Amalgam’s Size Size Modifier for Grapple Checks
Small +1
Fine –16 Medium +0
Diminutive –12 Large –1
Tiny –8 Huge –2
Small –4 Gargantuan –4
Medium +0 Colossal –8
Large +4
Huge +8 Damage: If the base creatures are both the same size as the
Gargantuan +12 amalgam, the base damage for its attacks remains the same
Colossal +16 as it was for the base creatures. Otherwise, keep the damage
for the larger base creature’s attacks the same and adjust
Attack: The amalgam retains all the attacks of the base creature the base damage for each of the smaller creature’s attacks
with the greater racial Hit Dice. It also gains any attacks according to the following table. Scale the damage once for
the other base creature has that are associated with limbs each size category of difference between the smaller base
it gained from that creature, and it retains the weapon and creature and the amalgam. Ability score damage or drain
armor proficiencies of both base creatures. and energy damage also scale up in the same manner, but
18 negative levels bestowed via attacks do not increase.
 Saves: The amalgam’s base saves depend on its type, as given
Damage on the following table. Any saves not noted as good for a
Old Damage New Damage particular type are poor. See Chapter 1 of the PHB for the
progression of good and poor saves. Add to each of these
1 1d2
values the corresponding base save bonuses for any class Hit
1d2 1d3
Dice the amalgam has.
1d3 1d4
1d4 1d6
1d6 1d8 Saves
1d8 2d6 Creature Type Good Saves

Amalgam
1d10 2d8
2d6 3d6 Aberration Will
2d8 3d8 Animal Fortitude and Reflex (and
4d6 6d6 sometimes Will)
4d8 6d8 Construct —
Dragon Fortitude, Reflex, Will
For example, if the amalgam is Huge and the smaller of the Elemental Fortitude (Earth or Water) or
two base creatures is Small, an attack from the smaller one Reflex (Air or Fire)
that originally dealt 1d4 points of damage would scale up Fey Reflex and Will
three times. Thus, 1d4 becomes 1d6 (for Small to Medium), Giant Fortitude
1d6 becomes 1d8 (for Medium to Large), and 1d8 becomes Humanoid Fortitude or Reflex or Will
2d6 (for Large to Huge). Magical beast Fortitude, Reflex
Monstrous humanoid Reflex, Will
Space/Reach: The amalgam has a space and reach appropriate
Ooze —
for its size, as given in the following table. If the reach for
Outsider Fortitude, Reflex, Will
a natural attack that the amalgam receives from one of the
Plant Fortitude
base creatures is greater than indicated for its size in the
Undead Will
chart below, extend the reach of that attack by the same
Vermin Fortitude
amount that it is extended from the original creature. For
instance, an amalgam formed from a choker and an ogre Abilities: For each mental ability score, take the average for the two
mage would possess tentacle attacks with a reach of 15 feet. base creatures, rounding down if the result is 10 or higher or
up if it is below 10. If the base creatures are the same size,
Space/Reach follow the same procedure for each physical ability score.
Otherwise, adjust the ability score of the smaller creature
Size Space/Reach (Tall) Space/Reach (Long)
according to the following table before averaging. Apply the
Fine 1/2 ft./0 ft. — modifiers stepwise to account for the size difference between
Diminutive 1 ft./0 ft. — the smaller base creature and the amalgam.
Tiny 2 1/2 ft/0 ft. —
Small 5 ft/5 ft. — Abilities
Medium 5 ft./5 ft. 5 ft./5 ft.
Large 10 ft./10 ft. 10 ft./5 ft. Size Change Strength Dexterity Constitution
Huge 15 ft./15 ft. 15 ft./10 ft. Fine to Diminutive +0 –2 (minimum 1) +0
Gargantuan 20 ft./20 ft. 20 ft./15 ft. Diminutive to Tiny +2 –2 (minimum 1) +0
Colossal 30 ft./30 ft. 30 ft./20 ft. Tiny to Small +4 –2 (minimum 1) +0
Special Attacks: An amalgam retains all the special attacks of both Small to Medium +4 –2 (minimum 1) +2
base creatures that do not depend on a limb or body form Medium to Large +8 –2 (minimum 1) +4
the amalgam does not possess. If two special attacks are Large to Huge +8 –2 (minimum 1) +4
similar, the amalgam has the better of the two. For example, Huge to Gargantuan +8 +0 +4
if both base creatures deals extra fire damage with their melee Gargantuan to Colossal +8 +0 +4
attacks, but one deals +1 point and the other deals +1d6
points, the amalgam deals +1d6 points of fire damage with Skills: The amalgam retains the racial skill bonuses described
each of its melee attacks. Recalculate the save DCs for all in the Skills section of the creature descriptions for both
special attacks based on the amalgam creature’s racial HD or base creatures, but it loses all skill ranks the base creatures
character level, as applicable, and its ability scores. possessed. Recalculate skill points for the amalgam’s racial Hit
Dice according to its type, as given on the following table,
Now evaluate your monster’s special attacks, realizing it may then purchase its skills afresh, treating both base creatures’
get to use only two or three of them in a single combat. If it skills as class skills and all others as cross-class skills. The
seems as if your amalgam has too many special attacks, pare amalgam retains any skill points gained from class levels.
them down until you are satisfied.
Special Qualities: An amalgam retains all the special qualities of Skills
both base creatures that do not depend on a limb or body Creature Type Skill Points
form that the amalgam does not possess. If two special
qualities are similar, the amalgam has the better of the Aberration (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
two. For example, if one base creature has fire resistance Animal (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
20 and the other has fire immunity, the amalgam has fire Construct (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
immunity. Dragon (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
19
 typical amalgam, however, is organized in the same manner
Skills as one of its base creatures.
Creature Type Skill Points
Challenge Rating: Compare the amalgam to both base creatures
Elemental (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) and select a challenge rating based on theirs. Then compare
Fey (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) the amalgam to creatures with Challenge Ratings up to 3
Giant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) higher to determine whether the CR you have assigned is
Humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) reasonable.
Magical beast (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Treasure: Standard if both base creatures have standard treasure,
Monstrous
or as the base creature with the most treasure, if both have
Amalgam

humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)

poorer than standard, or as the base creature with the least
Ooze (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
treasure if they both have better than standard.
Outsider (8 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Plant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Alignment: The amalgam’s alignment includes elements of
Undead (4 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) both base creatures’ alignments. For example, an amalgam
Vermin (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) created from a chaotic neutral and a lawful evil base
creature could be chaotic evil or lawful neutral, at your
Languages: If the amalgam can speak, it speaks a number of
option.
languages appropriate for its Intelligence score, chosen from
the languages the base creatures speak. Advancement: By HD, or by character class if the amalgam has
an Intelligence score of 3 or higher. If advancement is by
Feats: The amalgam retains the bonus feats of both base creatures,
HD, the amalgam can gain twice its standard HD and
but it loses all other feats that the base creatures had.
retain the same size category, and up to three times its
Recalculate the number of feat slots the amalgam has based
standard HD with each additional size category.
on its character level (racial and class HD) and assign
feats as desired, giving preference to the feats that the Level Adjustment: In general, the level adjustment of an
base creatures possessed. The amalgam must still meet any amalgam should be slightly lower than the combined level
prerequisites for feats chosen to fill vacant feat slots. adjustments of both base creatures.
Environment: The amalgam can exist in any environment that
either base creature could. Amalgam Characters
Organization: An amalgam is often a wholly new and strange First, choose a favored class for the amalgam based on its abilities
being, so you can assign whatever organization you wish. A and skills. Then use that information to design its culture.

- Sample Creature: Arrowtaur -

(Minotaur-Adult Arrowhawk Amalgam)
Large Outsider (Air, Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 7d8+14 (45 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), fly 60 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class: 17 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +6 natural), touch 11,
flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+16
Attack: Greataxe +11 melee (3d6+7/x3) or bite +11 melee
(2d6+5) or electricity ray +8 ranged touch (4d6)
Full Attack: Greataxe +11/+6 melee (3d6+7/x3) and bite
+6 melee (2d6+5) and gore +6 melee (1d8+2) or bite
+11 melee (2d6+5) and gore +6 melee (1d8+2) or
electricity ray +8 ranged touch (4d6)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Electricity ray, powerful charge 4d6+7
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., immune to acid,
electricity, and poison, natural cunning, outsider
traits, resistance to cold 10 and fire 10, scent
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +5
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 9, Wis 11, Cha 11
Skills: Diplomacy +2, Intimidate +10, Listen +14, Move
Silently +12, Search +13, Sense Motive +10, Spot
+14, Survival +10 (+12 following tracks)
Feats: Dodge, Flyby Attack, Track
Environment: Elemental Plane of Air and underground
Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–4)
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: Standard
20 Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +8
Combat
Arrowtaurs are fearsome fighters that enjoy melee. With their
Here is an example of an amalgam using a minotaur and an adult
greataxe, bite, and gore attacks, they can easily devastate most foes.
arrowhawk as the base creatures.
When confronted by an enemy too dangerous to engage in melee,
an arrowtaur relies on its electricity rays and fly-by attacks.

Amphibious Creature
Uneducated folk sometimes mistake this cruel, 12-foot-tall,
winged humanoid for a vrock. Its long neck is topped by a birdlike
Electricity Ray (Su): An arrowtaur can fire an electricity ray from
head composed mostly of jagged beak and deadly, bull-like horns.
its tail once per round to a range of 50 feet.
The arrowtaur’s four black wings give it great maneuverability
in flight, and it can lash out at its foes with lightning from Powerful Charge (Ex): When an arrowtaur charges a foe, it lowers
its feathered tail. Its two legs end in hooves, and its arms in its head for a gore attack. In addition to the normal benefits and
humanlike hands. hazards of a charge, it gains a single gore attack (+6 melee) that
deals 4d6+7 points of damage.
Arrowtaurs inhabit many of the blocks of elemental earth that soar
through the Elemental Plane of Air. There they dig out rookeries Natural Cunning (Ex): Arrowtaurs are immune to maze spells and
and build labyrinthine nests in which to raise their young and plan never become lost. Furthermore, they are never caught flat-footed.
assaults on the strongholds of other air creatures.
Skills: An arrowtaur has a +4 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and
Arrowtaurs speak Auran. Spot checks.

Amphibious Creature
Amphibious creatures belong to neither air nor water and are native to neither land nor sea. Bogs, swamps, and mires—whether hot,
mild, or frozen—are their homes.
An amphibious creature breathes both air and water and is comfortable in both. It has slick-looking, smooth skin and large eyes that
gather light, granting it clear vision even in the murk of muddy waters. It also possesses fins or webbed appendages serving it well in
water and legs allowing it to move about on land.

Creating an Amphibious Creature

“Amphibious creature” is an inherited template that can be added If the base creature has a swim speed but lacks a land speed,
to any living, corporeal creature that breathes air and lacks a swim the amphibious version gains a land speed 10 feet slower
speed or that breathes water and lacks a land speed (referred to (to a minimum of 5 feet) than the base creature’s swim
hereafter as the base creature). speed. If the base creature lacked strong legs to walk on, the
amphibious creature gains two or four such appendages,
An amphibious creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and
whichever is most appropriate for its body form.
special abilities except as noted here.
These legs are not capable of gripping weapons
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but and are not useful for attacking foes, but they can
the creature gains the aquatic subtype if the be used for locomotion, including climbing and
base creature did not already have it. jumping.
Speed: If the base creature has a land speed but Armor Class: The skin of an amphibious creature
lacks a swim speed, the amphibious creature aids its breathing both in and out of water. But
gains a swim speed equal to the base creature’s because its body covering must be moist and supple to
highest other speed. Its land, climb, fly, and burrow speeds achieve this purpose, any natural armor the base creature
each decrease by 10 feet (to a minimum of 5 feet) from had becomes less effective. Thus, the amphibious creature’s
the base creature’s values. The amphibious creature’s body natural armor bonus is equal to the base creature’s natural
shape is similar to that of the base creature but smoother armor bonus –2. If the base creature had no natural armor
to facilitate swimming, and its digits (if any) are webbed. It bonus, this feature of the amphibious template causes no
also gains fins in appropriate locations. change.

Using the Amphibious Creature Template

Some amphibious creatures are created by magic; others are the evolutionary results of natural selection and adaptation. In
either case, amphibious creatures can find homes nearly anywhere in your world. Consider using an amphibious version of a
typical d20 monster or character race to give your game a unique feel.

21
 Special Qualities: An amphibious creature retains all the base hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check,
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here. even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action
while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
Amphibious (Ex): An amphibious creature can breathe both
air and water with equal ease. Languages: If the amphibious creature can speak, it gains the
ability to speak Aquan in addition to any other languages
Amphibious Creature

Breathing Skin (Ex): Because an amphibious creature’s

the base creature knows.
skin aids in its breathing, it takes a –2 penalty on Fortitude
saving throws against gases, contact poisons, and inhaled Environment: If the amphibious creature gained a swim speed,
poisons and effects. it also gains the aquatic and marsh terrains in its environment
description. If it gained a land speed, it also gains a land terrain
Low-Light Vision (Ex): An amphibious creature can see
that would normally be found near the base creature’s normal
twice as far as a human in starlight, torchlight, moonlight,
watery habitat or the marsh terrain.
and other low-light conditions.
Abilities: Change from the base creature’s as follows: Dex –2
(minimum 1), Con +2.
Amphibious Characters
An amphibious character favors whichever class the base creature
Skills: If the amphibious creature gained a swim speed from the does. If none is given, the amphibious creature favors either the
application of this template, it has a +8 racial bonus on druid class or the ranger class (GM’s choice) if it is intelligent.
any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a

- Sample Creature: Amphibious Giant Praying Mantis -

Large Vermin (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 4d8+12 (30 hp)
Initiative: –2
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), swim 40 ft., fly 30 ft. (poor)
Armor Class: 11 (–1 size, –2 Dex, +4 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+11
Attack: Claws +6 melee (1d8+4)
Full Attack: Claws +6 melee (1d8+4) and bite +1 melee (1d6+2)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved grab
Special Qualities: Amphibious, breathing skin, darkvision 60 ft.,
low-light vision, vermin traits
Saves: Fort +7, Ref –1, Will +3
Abilities: Str 19, Dex 6, Con 17, Int —, Wis 14, Cha 11
Skills: Hide –2*, Spot +6, Swim +12
Feats: —
Environment: Temperate forests, marshes, and aquatic
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: None
Advancement: 5–8 HD (Large); 9–12 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of an amphibious creature using a giant
praying mantis as the base creature.
The amphibious giant praying mantis has slick, smooth, froglike
skin stretched over a mantis form. Ragged and spiny fish fins
protrude from various places on its thorax, and it breathes via gills.
A terror of temperate swamps and marshes, the amphibious giant
praying mantis sometimes travels along rivers to populated areas in
search of prey.

Combat
An amphibious giant praying mantis uses both of its spiny claws as opportunity. If it gets a hold, it makes a bite attack at its full attack
a single attack. It is a patient carnivore that can remain completely bonus (+6 melee).
still below murky water for hours waiting for prey to come near. It
Amphibious (Ex): See the amphibious creature template.
attacks by grabbing smaller prey in its claws and biting viciously.
Breathing Skin (Ex): See the amphibious creature template.
Improved Grab (Ex): If the amphibious giant praying mantis
hits an opponent that is at least one size category smaller than Skills: An amphibious giant praying mantis receives a +4 racial bonus
itself with a claws attack, it deals normal damage and attempts on Hide and Spot checks. *Because of its camouflage, the Hide bonus
to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of increases to +12 when the mantis is surrounded by foliage.
22
 Apocalypse Swarm
Deities show their wrath in many ways—storms, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, disease—but few means are as viscerally
terrifying as a plague. Locusts that devour a nation’s crops, clouds of flies that clog people’s mouths, hordes of rats that spread

Apocalypse Swarm
contagion—these are the so-called apocalypse swarms, the deadly messengers of angry gods.
An apocalypse swarm looks like a normal swarm of creatures until it engages in combat. Other creatures watching such a battle obtain
a better understanding of what apocalypse really means—in the death of another being, they clearly see their own nearness to oblivion.
Few can witness another creature’s death by such a means and not find it chilling. Even creatures that were initially willing to stand firm
and fight the swarm soon regret their bravery, for damaging such swarms only makes more of them. Thus, an apocalypse swarm grows in
destructive capability even as foes succeed in diminishing its strength.

Creating an Apocalypse Swarm

“Apocalypse swarm” is an inherited template that can be added to Spell Resistance (Ex): The base creature gains spell resistance
any swarm (referred to hereafter as the base creature). equal to 11 + 1/2 the base creature’s racial HD.
An apocalypse swarm uses all the base creature’s statistics and Splitting (Ex): When an apocalypse swarm takes more than
special abilities except as noted here. 10 points of damage from a single attack, it splits into two
identical apocalypse swarms, each with one-half the hit
Hit Dice: An apocalypse swarm gains 5 Hit Dice beyond the
points that the original swarm had when it split (rounded
base creature’s total. Recalculate the swarm’s base saves, hit
down). An apocalypse swarm with 1 hit point cannot be
points, feat slots, and skill points (if applicable),
split, and one with 0 hit points is dispersed as
plus the save DCs for its special attacks.
normal.
Speed: Each of an apocalypse swarm’s speeds is
Each piece of a split apocalypse swarm can heal
double the corresponding speed of the base
damage normally, up to the number of hit points
creature.
it had upon formation. Healing damage does not
Damage: If an apocalypse swarm has fewer than allow the swarms to recombine. For example, an
26 HD, the damage dealt by its swarm attack apocalypse swarm with 50 hit points that takes 15
increases by +1d6 over that of the base creature. points of damage would split into two apocalypse swarms
with 17 hit points each (one-half of the original swarm’s
Special Attacks: An apocalypse swarm retains all the base remaining 35 hp, rounded down). Each of these two
creature’s special attacks and gains those described here. apocalypse swarms can heal 10 points of damage per round
Fear (Su): Each creature within 100 feet of an apocalypse with fast healing, but it cannot exceed 17 hit points.
swarm that witnesses it bringing down another creature Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Dex +4, Con +2.
must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 apocalypse
swarm’s racial HD + apocalypse swarm’s Cha modifier) Skills: If the base creature has an Intelligence score, it gains skill
or be frightened for 1 minute. Success leaves the creature points for its 5 new HD as appropriate for its type. Assign
shaken for 1 minute but does not negate the need to make a these skill points as desired, treating skills on the base
new saving throw for each such incident. Fear is a mind- creature’s list as class skills and all others as cross-class skills.
affecting fear effect.
Feats: An apocalypse swarm gains Ability Focus (distraction)
Greater Distraction (Ex): A creature that fails its save as a bonus feat. In addition, it gains additional feat slots
against an apocalypse swarm’s distraction special attack is according to its new Hit Dice. Alertness, Lightning
nauseated for 1d4 rounds. Reflexes, Toughness, and Dodge are good choices for an
apocalypse swarm.
Special Qualities: An apocalypse swarm retains all the base
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here. Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
Fast Healing (Ex): The base creature gains fast healing 10. Level Adjustment: —

- Sample Creature: Apocalypse Hellwasp Swarm -

Diminutive Magical Beast (Evil, Extraplanar, Swarm) poison
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/magic, darkvision 60 ft.,
Hit Dice: 17d10+54 (147 hp)
fast healing 10, hive mind, immunity to weapon damage,
Initiative: +12
resistance to fire 10, low-light vision, spell resistance 19,
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), fly 80 ft. (good)
splitting, swarm traits
Armor Class: 22 (+4 size, +8 Dex), touch 22, flat-footed 14
Saves: Fort +13, Ref +20, Will +8
Base Attack/Grapple: +17/—
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 26, Con 16, Int 6, Wis 13, Cha 9
Attack: Swarm (4d6 plus poison)
Skills: Hide +22, Listen +12, Spot +12
Full Attack: Swarm (4d6 plus poison)
Feats: Ability Focus (distraction), Ability Focus (poison),
Space/Reach: 10 ft./0 ft.
Alertness, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning
Special Attacks: Distraction, fear, greater distraction, inhabit,
Reflexes, Toughness 23
 Environment: Any evil-aligned plane Any attack against the inhabited
Organization: Solitary, pair, fright host deals half damage to the
(3–4 swarms), or terror apocalypse hellwasp swarm as well,
(5–8 swarms) although its resistances
Challenge Rating: 11 and immunities may
Treasure: None negate some or all
Apocalypse Swarm

Alignment: Always of this damage.

lawful evil If an apocalypse
Advancement: None hellwasp swarm
Level Adjustment: — is forced to
split while it is
Here is an example
inhabiting the body
of an apocalypse
of a creature, both
swarm using a
parts of the swarm
hellwasp swarm as
exit immediately
the base creature.
without needing a
A single hellwasp full-round action.
resembles a thumb-sized
An apocalypse
normal wasp, except that its
hellwasp swarm
carapace is gleaming black
inhabiting a dead
with ruby-red stripes, and
body can animate
its compound eyes shine
it and control
an iridescent green color.
its movements,
In an apocalypse swarm,
effectively
hellwasps form a collective
transforming it into a
hive mind marked by
zombie of the appropriate size for as
infernal cunning and
long as the swarm remains inside. If an
bloodlust.
apocalypse hellwasp swarm
inhabits a living victim,
Combat it can neutralize the
An apocalypse hellwasp swarm seeks to effects of its own poison
surround and attack any living prey it and control the victim’s
encounters. The swarm deals 4d6 points movements and actions
of damage to any creature whose space as if using dominate monster.
it occupies at the end of its move. The The hellwasps soon slay a living
swarm can take over the body of its victim, however, dealing 2d4 points
prey and infest both the living and of Constitution damage per hour
the dead, using them as puppets to that they inhabit its body. A body
accomplish acts of wickedness that an reduced to 0 Constitution is dead.
ordinary swarm of insects could never A creature inhabited by an
attempt. apocalypse hellwasp swarm is
An apocalypse hellwasp swarm’s attack relatively easy to spot, since its skin
is treated as an evil-aligned weapon and a crawls with the forms of the insects
magic weapon for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. inside. The swarm is intelligent enough to hide beneath
loose clothing or a large cloak whenever possible so as to
Distraction (Ex): Fortitude DC 21; see the apocalypse swarm remain undetected. It can attempt a Disguise check to
template. conceal its presence within of a host, taking a –4 penalty on
Fear (Su): Will DC 17; see the apocalypse swarm template. the check if the host is Small.

Greater Distraction (Ex): See the apocalypse swarm template. A remove disease or heal spell cast on an inhabited victim
forces the apocalypse hellwasp swarm to abandon its host.
Inhabit (Ex): An apocalypse hellwasp swarm can enter the body
of a helpless or dead creature by crawling into its mouth and Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 23, initial and secondary
other orifices. This process requires 1 minute to complete. damage 1d6 Dex. The save DC is Constitution-based.
A single apocalypse hellwasp swarm can inhabit a Small, Hive Mind (Ex): Any apocalypse hellwasp swarm with at least
Medium, or Large creature, and four swarms working 1 hit point per Hit Die (or 12 hit points, for a standard
together can inhabit a Huge creature. The swarm can swarm) forms a hive mind, giving it an Intelligence score of
abandon the body at any time, but doing so requires a full- 6. When an apocalypse hellwasp swarm is reduced below
round action. this hit point threshold, it becomes mindless.
Splitting (Ex): See the apocalypse swarm template.

24
 Arboreal Creature
Arboreal creatures live in the canopies of forests and jungles. They conduct their lives entirely above-ground, swinging from bough to
bough, climbing through the branches, and balancing on tree limbs as they move from place to place.

Arboreal Creature
The coloration of an arboreal creature aids its ability to hide in the high boughs of trees. Its skin may be green, gray, or brown, depending
on its environment, and its hair color may change with the seasons. A typical arboreal creature has long climbing limbs that are awkward
to walk on, but occasionally one may climb primarily with two limbs and have stunted hind legs.

Creating an Arboreal Creature

“Arboreal creature” is an inherited template that can be added Brachiation (Ex): By hanging beneath or within a canopy
to any living, nonaquatic, corporeal creature with grasping limbs of trees (or similar structures with many limbs), an
(referred to hereafter as the base creature). arboreal creature can swing hand over hand and
move at a speed equal to its climb speed. It follows
An arboreal creature uses all the base creature’s
the rules for climbing while moving in this fashion,
statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
but the base Climb DC for brachiation is 10. The
Speed: An arboreal creature gains a climb speed trees that the creature uses for this movement must
equal to the base creature’s highest speed have numerous limbs that can support its weight.
and loses any fly speed the base creature Any tree that the arboreal creature can climb
has. Each of the base creature’s other speeds without causing it to bend is suitable for brachiation.
decreases by 10 feet (to a minimum of 5 feet). If the
Tree Leap (Ex): A brachiating arboreal creature can move
base creature’s climb speed is already its highest speed,
easily to the next tree so long as its branches are within
it increases by +10 feet, and its other speeds decrease as
reach. When the distance between trees exceeds twice its
described above.
reach, however, the creature must make a leap of faith.
Attack: The arboreal creature retains all the base creature’s
When climbing or using the Balance skill, an arboreal
attacks and its weapon and armor proficiencies. These
creature can make a Jump check to leap to another
attacks retain the same primary or secondary status they
location. If it can move at least 20 feet before leaping
had for the base creature.
(without doubling back), set the DC as though it had
When an arboreal creature is brachiating (swinging from a 20-foot running start (don’t double the DC). If the
tree to tree; see Brachiation on this page), it can attack arboreal creature fails its Jump check by 5 or more, it falls
with any one limb that it is not using to brachiate. If the as normal. If it fails by less than 5, it can attempt a DC 15
base creature has a leg or hind leg attack, the arboreal Reflex save to grab a ledge, branch, or wall 5 feet below its
creature retains that attack and deals normal damage with target location, so long as some protrusion exists there.
it. If the base creature lacks such an attack, the arboreal
An arboreal creature that succeeds on any Jump check
creature gains a slam attack with an appropriate limb that
(not just a tree leap) must immediately attempt a Balance
it can use only while brachiating. The slam is a primary
or Climb check, as appropriate, to land in a climbing or
attack if the base creature has no other natural attacks, or a
balancing position. The DC for this check is +5 higher
secondary attack otherwise.
than normal. A failure gives the same results as a failure on
Damage: If the base creature gained a slam attack from the the Jump check.
application of this template, its base damage is as given on
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +2,
the following table.
Dex +2.

Damage Skills: An arboreal creature gains a +15 racial bonus on Balance

and Jump checks and a +4 racial bonus on Listen and Spot
Size Slam Damage checks. An arboreal creature receives a +8 racial bonus on
Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb
Fine 1
checks, even if rushed or threatened. An arboreal creature
Diminutive 1d2
also gains a +4 bonus on Hide and Survival checks in
Tiny 1d3
forested or jungle environments.
Small 1d4
Medium 1d6 Environment: Any forest.
Large 1d8
Huge 2d6 Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +1.
Gargantuan 2d8
Colossal 4d6 Arboreal Characters
Special Qualities: An arboreal creature retains all the base An arboreal character favors whichever class the base creature
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here. does.

25
 - Sample Creature: Arboreal Halfling Warrior -
Small Humanoid (Halfling) or sling stones at their foes—even other creatures that can climb.
Hit Dice: 1d8+1 (5 hp) But their predilection for ranged weaponry does not leave them
defenseless in melee. On the ground, arboreal halfling warriors
Arboreal Creature

Initiative: +2
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), brachiate 20 ft., climb 20 ft. draw longswords made in treetop forges, and in the trees, they
Armor Class: 16 (+1 size, +2 Dex, +3 studded leather), touch 13, fight with vicious kicks.
flat-footed 14 Brachiation (Ex): See the arboreal creature template.
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/–2
Attack: Small longsword +4 melee (1d6+1/19–20) or small Halfling Traits (Ex): An arboreal halfling has a +2 morale bonus
javelin +5 ranged (1d4+1) or slam +3 melee (1d4+1, on saving throws against fear, a +1 racial bonus on all saving
brachiating only) throws, a +1 racial bonus on attack rolls with a thrown weapon
Full Attack: Small longsword +4 melee (1d6+1/19–20) or or sling, and a +2 racial bonus on Climb, Jump, Listen, and Move
small javelin +5 ranged (1d4+1) or slam +3 melee (1d4+1, Silently checks (already figured into the statistics given above).
brachiating only) Tree Leap (Ex): See the arboreal creature template.
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Qualities: Brachiation, halfling traits, tree leap Skills: An arboreal creature gains a +15 racial bonus on Balance
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +0 and Jump checks and a +4 racial bonus on Listen and Spot
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8 checks. An arboreal creature receives a +8 racial bonus on Climb
Skills: Balance +16, Climb +14, Hide +5*, Jump +17, Listen +7, checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even
Move Silently +3, Spot +3, Survival –1* if rushed or threatened. An arboreal creature also gains a +4
Feats: Weapon Focus (longsword) racial bonus on Hide and Survival checks in forested or jungle
environments.
Environment: Any forest
Organization: Solitary, pair, company (3–4), squad (11–20 The arboreal halfling character presented here had the following
plus 2 3rd-level sergeants and 1 3rd–6th level leader), or ability scores before racial and template adjustments: Str 13, Dex
band (30–100 plus 100% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level 11, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8.
sergeant per 20 adults, 5 5th-level lieutenants,
and 3 7th-level captains)
Challenge Rating: 1/2
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +1
Here is an example of an arboreal creature using
a 1st-level halfling warrior as the base creature.
Arboreal halflings are innovative and resourceful
tree-dwellers. Like some kinds of monkeys, they
live most of their lives in the canopy of the forest. Many
subsist as hunters and gatherers, eating nuts, fruits, and other
tree-dwelling creatures. But despite the apparent simplicity of
their lives, arboreal halflings are as capable of sophistication as
their cousins on the ground, though they are somewhat less given
to wanderlust. In fact, they sometimes develop whole treetop
cities with stable populations. Understandably, arboreal halflings
are very protective of the forests and jungles in which they live
and ally themselves with other forest dwellers such as treants,
elves, and fey creatures whenever possible.
An arboreal halfling looks superficially similar to
other halflings, standing about 3 feet tall and
usually weighing between 30 and 35 pounds.
Both males and females have longer arms and
hands and shorter legs than their landbound
cousins, and they are even more likely to go about
barefoot. Most have brown or gray skin and green
hair that turns white not with age, but with the coming of each
winter.
Arboreal halflings speak Halfling and Common.

Combat
Arboreal halflings make full use of their mobility in the
26 treetops to stay out of melee range. They prefer to hurl javelins
 Bipedal Creature
A bipedal creature possesses the body of a humanoid and the features of some other creature. It has two legs and at least two arms
that are capable of wielding weapons and manipulating tools, and it stands either erect or hunched like an ape. Bipedal races often
form stable societies, cultures, and nations, even if the multilegged or legless creatures they resemble are solitary beings or simple

Bipedal Creature
hunter-gatherers.

Creating a Bipedal Creature

“Bipedal creature” is an inherited or created template that can Attack: The bipedal creature retains all the base creature’s natural
be added to any living creature that does not have a generally attacks except those employing limbs that have become
humanoid form (referred to hereafter as the base creature). legs. If its Intelligence score is 3 or higher, it can also wield
weapons normally with its arms, and it retains all the
A bipedal creature uses all the base creature’s
base creature’s weapon and armor proficiencies. Any
statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
natural attacks it has retain the same primary or
Shape: Two of the base creature’s limbs (usually secondary status they had for the base creature.
the last pair) become legs, and any other
Space/Reach: The base creature’s face and reach
limb except a head that has a natural attack
change according to the following table. If the base
becomes an arm capable of either wielding
creature has a longer reach than normal for its size,
a weapon or making a natural attack, as the
however, the bipedal creature retains that reach.
creature chooses. Arms need not be jointed limbs in the
typical sense; tentacles or other limbs could also be capable
of wielding weapons and objects. If these transformations Space/Reach
do not grant the bipedal creature at least two arms and two Size Space/Reach
legs, it either converts limbs that do not have natural attacks
or grows limbs until it meets these minimum numbers. Fine 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Diminutive 1 ft./0 ft.
If the base creature has wings or a tail that do not make Tiny 2-1/2 ft./0 ft.
natural attacks, these limbs remain as they were, adjusting in Small 5 ft./5 ft.
size to fit the bipedal creature’s body without dragging. Any Medium 5 ft./5 ft.
of the base creature’s limbs not accounted for in this process Large 10 ft./10 ft.
become vestigial. Huge 15 ft./15 ft.
Speed: If the base creature has a land speed, it changes to the Gargantuan 20 ft./20 ft.
speed given on the following table. If the base creature lacks Colossal 30 ft./30 ft.
a land speed, the bipedal creature’s land speed is one-half
the speed indicated on the table (minimum 5 feet). Special Attacks: A bipedal creature retains all of the base creature’s
special attacks except rake.

Speed Advancement: Same as the base creature, or by class if it has an

Intelligence score of 3 or higher.
Size Land Speed
Fine
Diminutive
Tiny
5 ft.
10 ft.
20 ft.
Bipedal Characters
Though the bipedal creature template has no level adjustment, it
Small 20 ft. can be used to make normally unplayable monsters more feasible
Medium 30 ft. as characters. A bipedal creature favors whichever class the base
Large 40 ft. creature does.
Huge 50 ft.
Gargantuan 60 ft.
Colossal 60 ft.

Using the Bipedal Creature Template

The bipedal creature template can radically change how monsters fit into your game world. With it, you could make a race of
bipedal deer that live like monkeys, or build whole nations of magical beasts that are normally relegated to random encounters
in the wilderness. Good dragons could walk the land as giants do, while evil dragons might move on all fours like animals. The
possibilities are endless.
The bipedal template is also useful for making monsters suitable for other templates. For instance, by using the bipedal
template, you can turn nearly any creature into a candidate for the lycanthrope, quadrupedal, or half-giant template.

27
 - Sample Creature: Bipedal Nightmare -
Large Outsider (Evil, Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 6d8+18 (45 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 30 ft. in chainmail armor (6 squares); base speed 40 ft., fly
Bipedal Creature

90 ft. (good)
Armor Class: 29 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +13 natural, +5
chainmail), touch 11, flat-footed 27
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+14
Attack: Greataxe +9 melee (3d6+6/x3) or hoof +9 melee
(1d8+4 plus 1d4 fire)
Full Attack: Greataxe +9/+4 melee (3d6+6/x3) and
bite +4 melee (1d8+2) or 2 hooves +9 melee
(1d8+4 plus 1d4 fire) and bite +4 melee
(1d8+2)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Flaming hooves, smoke
Special Qualities: Astral projection, darkvision 60
ft., etherealness
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +6
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 13,
Wis 13, Cha 12
Skills: Concentration +12, Diplomacy
+3, Intimidate +10, Knowledge
(the planes) +10, Listen +12,
Move Silently +6, Search +10,
Sense Motive +10, Spot +12,
Survival +10 (+12 on other
planes and following
tracks)
Feats: Alertness, Improved
Initiative, Run
Environment: Gray Waste of
Hades
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +4
Bipedal nightmares can strike terror into the ranks of the most A bipedal nightmare’s natural weapons, and any weapons it wields,
stalwart army and the hearts of the greatest heroes. Although they are treated as evil-aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage
present no greater threat in melee than trolls do, their ability to slip reduction.
through the defenses of foes and seemingly return from the dead
time and time again are legendary. Flaming Hooves (Su): A blow from a bipedal nightmare’s
hooflike hands sets combustible materials alight.
With the body of a midnight-black giant and the head of a
demonic horse, a bipedal nightmare would be worthy of its name Smoke (Su): During the excitement of battle, a bipedal nightmare
for its appearance alone. Its flaring nostrils spew sparks and smoke, snorts and neighs with rage, filling a 15-foot cone with hot,
and its huge, hooflike hands strike fire with each blow. sulfurous smoke that chokes and blinds opponents. Anyone in this
area must succeed on a DC 16 Fortitude save or take a –2 penalty
Combat on all attack and damage rolls until 1d6 minutes after leaving the
cone. The bipedal nightmare can use this attack once per round as
A bipedal nightmare prefers to attack foes while astrally projecting a free action during its turn, and the smoke lasts for 1 round. The
itself from another plane. Whenever possible, it first uses smoke does not obscure the bipedal nightmare’s vision at all, but it
etherealness to slip through defenses and perform reconnaissance does grant the creature concealment against opponents 5 feet away
so it can concentrate its attacks on the most vulnerable foes. A and total concealment against opponents 10 feet or farther away.
bipedal nightmare prefers to attack spellcasters first to minimize The save DC is Constitution-based.
the chances of having its astral form dispelled. While projecting
an astral form, the creature fights fearlessly, knowing that it cannot Astral Projection (Su): A bipedal nightmare can produce an astral
truly be killed. But it does not take danger to its true form lightly. projection effect as the spell (caster level 20th) at will.
When it encounters a foe in its real form, it most often flees by Etherealness (Su): A bipedal nightmare can produce an
flying away or becoming ethereal, even if the foe seems to present etherealness effect as the spell (caster level 20th) at will.
28 little threat.
 Blood Knight
Blood knights are the damned souls of fierce warriors who died in a particularly bloody manner. Cursed to walk the earth until their
warlike ways lead to their destruction, blood knights seek always to fight and conquer.
A blood knight wears the armor it died in, but its body is gone, wholly replaced by blood. This blood leaks from the armor in endless
drips, runnels, and rivulets, cascading to the ground in a torrent that puddles around the creature’s feet. The blood knight’s blows leave

Blood Knight
wounds that do not close, and its own blood is poisonous. Most horrific of all, it can spray its blood out of its armor in great gouts that
soak opponents in the poisonous fluid.

Creating a Blood Knight

“Blood knight” is an acquired template that can be applied to any
living creature that is proficient with light, medium, and heavy
Damage
armor, wears full plate armor, and has blood (hereafter referred to Size Slam Base Damage
as the base creature).
Fine 1
A blood knight uses all of the base creature’s statistics and special Diminutive 1d2
abilities except as noted here. Tiny 1d3
Small 1d4
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the
Medium 1d6
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base
Large 1d8
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
Huge 2d6
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Gargantuan 2d8
Colossal 4d6
Armor Class: A blood knight gains an armor bonus to Armor
Class based on the kind of full plate armor it wears. It Special Attacks: A blood knight retains all the base creature’s
loses any natural armor bonus the base creature had and special attacks and gains those described here.
instead gains a deflection bonus equal to 1 + the base
creature’s original natural armor bonus (the bonus is +0 if Bleeding Wounds (Ex): Each time a blood knight damages
it has none). a living foe with a piercing or slashing attack, whether with
a natural or a manufactured weapon, the resulting wound
Attack: The blood knight retains all the base continues to bleed. The bleeding deals 2 points of
creature’s attacks, and its weapon and damage each round until the victim either heals at
armor proficiencies. These attacks retain least 1 point of damage or receives a successful DC
the same primary or secondary status they 20 Heal check. Multiple blows result in cumulative
had for the base creature. The blood knight damage from blood loss.
gains a primary slam attack if it has no
other natural attacks. Blood Drain (Ex): Any living creature damaged
by a blood knight’s natural attack takes 1 point of
Damage: Each of the blood knight’s natural attacks Constitution damage in addition to the normal damage.
delivers its blood drain special attack in addition to normal This Constitution damage is subject to the multiplier for a
damage, and its attacks with weapons cause bleeding critical hit, just as normal damage would be. In a grapple,
wounds (see Bleeding Wounds on this page). If the blood a blood knight deals 1d4 points of Constitution damage
knight gained a slam attack from the application of this to a living foe each round that the grapple is maintained.
template, its base damage is as given on the following On each such successful attack, the blood knight gains 5
table. temporary hit points.

Using the Blood Knight Template

You can alter the blood knight template in many ways to make it suit your campaign. Below are a few ideas.
• Ignore the required proficiency with armor and change the name of the template to the blood gaunt. In this form, the
template could be applied to the temple guardians of a god of murder. Alternatively, blood knights could result from a
curse that animates great quantities of spilled blood into a strange new form.
• The blood knights could be unique. Perhaps a group of paladins that unwittingly participated in a highly evil act were
cursed to become blood knights.
• Make the template self-propagating. Creatures killed by Constitution damage from a blood knight’s attacks rise as blood
knights in 1d4 rounds.

29
 Blood Slick (Ex): A blood knight constantly drips slippery Failure means the item is immediately dropped. A creature
blood in a 10-foot-radius spread around itself. Any creature coated in blood gains a +10 bonus on Escape Artist checks.
that is in this area at the start of its turn must succeed on
Once the blood knight has used its fountain of blood attack,
a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 blood knight’s character level
it must wait 1d4 rounds before it can do so again. Blood
+ blood knight’s Cha modifier) or fall prone. Furthermore,
knights are immune to the slipperiness of any blood knight’s
a creature moving through the area at more than half its
fountain of blood.
normal speed falls prone. To move at half normal speed,
the creature must succeed on a DC 10 Balance check. A Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a blood knight must
Blood Knight

creature that fails this check by 5 or more falls prone; one hit a creature of any size with a natural attack. It can then
that fails by less than 5 makes no progress that round. Blood attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking
knights are immune to the slipperiness of any blood knight’s an attack of opportunity.
blood slick.
Poison Blood (Ex): Ingested, Fortitude DC 10 + 1/2 blood
Fountain of Blood (Ex): As a full-round action, a blood knight’s character level + blood knight’s Cha modifier, initial
knight can spray blood from its armor in a great cascade. damage 1d6 Con, secondary damage nausea for 1 minute.
Each creature within a 15-foot radius is covered in blood Any opponent that strikes a blood knight with a bite attack
and must succeed on a Fortitude save as though it had is subject to this attack, as is any creature in the area of the
ingested the blood knight’s poisonous blood. The blood fountain of blood attack.
fills the area until the blood knight’s next turn. Creatures
entering the spray while it persists are subject to its effects, Special Qualities: A blood knight retains all the base creature’s
but a creature can be affected only once per round. special qualities and gains those described here.

The area covered by the blood spray becomes coated as Blood Body (Ex): Because its body is entirely composed of
though by a blood slick and remains slippery for 1 round blood, a blood knight can store items within its form. It can
per two character levels the blood knight possesses, or until retrieve any item stored in its body as a move action or as a free
the blood is washed away with at least 5 gallons of water action that is part of a move. An item to be stored must be of
or other liquid, or burned away with normal or magical a size and shape that fits within whatever portion of the blood
fire as a full-round action. Creatures and objects within the knight’s armor it is placed. For example, an orc blood knight
area that do not have total cover are coated with the blood, could store potion vials, crossbow quarrels, or daggers in its
and a creature wishing to use, pick up, or cling to an item arm, but it could not store a longsword there.
coated in the blood must succeed Bonded Armor (Ex): A blood knight always wears the
on a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 suit of full plate armor in which it died. It cannot
blood knight’s character remove this armor or exchange it for another suit. If
level + blood knight’s the armor is destroyed, the blood knight is destroyed
Cha modifier) to do so. as well. The blood knight has a +5 bonus on saving
throws made on behalf of its armor.
Damage Reduction (Ex): The blood knight gains damage
reduction 10/bludgeoning. If the base creature already has
damage reduction, use that value or 10, whichever is higher,
for the amount of damage ignored and add bludgeoning to
the kinds of damage that overcome its damage reduction.
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +6, Dex
+4. As an undead creature, a blood knight has
no Constitution score.
Skills: A blood knight
gains a +10 racial bonus
on Escape Artist checks. It
loses any racial bonuses to
Hide checks that the base
creature may have due to
coloration.
Climate/Terrain: Any.
Organization: Solitary.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
Treasure: Same as the base creature, including armor.
Alignment: Always evil (any).
Level Adjustment: —

Blood Knight Characters

A blood knight favors whichever class the base creature does.
30
 Creating a Dread Blood Knight
Other templates in this book describe dread versions of undead. To create a dread version of the blood knight template, make
the following changes.
Speed: The dread blood knight’s land speed increases by +10 feet over that of the base creature. If the base creature has no land
speed, it gains a land speed of 40 feet.

Blood Knight
Armor Class: The dread blood knight loses any natural armor bonus the base creature has and gains a deflection bonus equal to
3 + the base creature’s natural armor bonus (+0 if it has none).
Special Attacks: The dread blood knight’s bleeding wounds attack deals 2d4 points of damage per round. Its blood drain deals
2 points of Constitution damage. Its fountain of blood attack has a 30-foot radius.
Special Qualities: The dread blood knight gains turn resistance +4, immunity to sonic effects, and spell resistance equal to 12 +
the base creature’s CR.
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +6, Dex +6, Wis +2, Cha +4. As an undead creature, a dread blood
knight has no Constitution score.
Feats: The dread blood knight gains Ability Focus (poison blood) and Toughness twice as bonus feats.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.

- Sample Creature: Morden Thrallhammerer -

Male Blood Knight Dwarf Fighter 5/Medium Undead to the point of sadism in combat with its enemies. When some
(Augmented Humanoid, Dwarf ) giants took up residence near his clan’s territory, Morden provoked
conflict with them, beginning a long and unnecessary feud that
Hit Dice: 5d12 (32 hp)
resulted in the deaths of hundreds of his kin. In the final days of the
Initiative: +2
war, Morden led a vicious attack on wounded and noncombatant
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares)
giants while a decoy force of dwarves distracter their warriors. When
Armor Class: 21 (+1 Dex, +1 deflection, +9 +1 full plate), touch 12,
Morden dealt the killing blow to a mother protecting her child, he
flat-footed 20
could not get out of the way of her falling body fast enough. The
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+11
rest of Morden’s force retreated, leaving him trapped beneath the
Attack: +1 bastard sword +13 melee (1d10+12/19–20 plus bleeding
she-giant’s body. By the time the giant warriors returned, Morden
wounds) or slam +11 melee (1d6+9 plus blood drain) or
had drowned in his foe’s blood. The giants cast his body off the
throwing axe +7 ranged (1d6+6)
mountain, cursing his name and praying to their gods to punish him.
Full Attack: +1 bastard sword +13 melee (1d10+9/19–20 plus
Thus, he returned to haunt the world as a blood knight, wearing the
bleeding wounds) and slam +6 melee (1d6+3 plus blood
ornate, dwarf-made armor in which he died.
drain) or slam +11 melee (1d6+9 plus blood drain) or
throwing axe +7 ranged (1d6+6) Morden’s first act upon returning was to slay his kin for their
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. failure to save him. Now their angry spirits, which have returned
Special Attacks: Bleeding wounds, blood drain, blood slick, in the form of shadows, are his only company. Currently, Morden
fountain of blood, improved grab, poison blood Thrallhammerer guards the mountain home of his long-dead clan,
Special Qualities: Blood body, bonded armor, damage reduction challenging anyone who approaches to a battle to the death. He
10/bludgeoning, darkvision 60 ft., dwarf traits, undead traits resembles a fully armored dwarf with blood dripping from the
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1 holes in his helm and pooling around his feet. He wields a bastard
Abilities: Str 23, Dex 15, Con —, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 8 sword in two hands.
Skills: Climb +6, Craft (metalworking) +2, Craft (stoneworking)
+2, Escape Artist +7, Intimidate +5, Jump +6 Morden Thrallhammerer speaks Common and Dwarven.
Feats: Cleave, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword),
Power Attack, Weapon Focus (bastard sword), Weapon Combat
Specialization (bastard sword) Morden Thrallhammerer prefers to fight one foe at a time in single
Challenge Rating: 7 combat, and he might promise access to his clan’s holdings if an
Treasure: See Possessions on page 32 interloper accepts the conditions of his challenge. Of course, he
Alignment: Lawful evil says nothing about the shadows of his clan that haunt the place.
Advancement: By character class Should a group evade him, he uses his knowledge of the clanhold’s
Level Adjustment: — tunnels and traps to divide his foes and kill them one by one.

Here is an example of a blood knight using a 5th-level dwarf Morden Thrallhammerer uses his bastard sword as a two-handed
fighter as the base creature. weapon most of the time. When he can take a full attack action,
however, he attacks once with the sword and once with a slam.
Morden Thrallhammerer was once a dwarf hero of some fame. Loyal When badly wounded, Morden attacks almost exclusively with his
to his clan and a staunch defender of its sovereignty, he was ruthless slam. 31
 Bleeding Wounds (Ex): See the blood knight template. In addition, Morden has stability, which grants him a +4 bonus
on ability checks made to resist being bull rushed or tripped when
Blood Drain (Ex): See the blood knight template.
standing on the ground (but not when climbing, flying, riding, or
Blood Slick (Ex): Reflex DC 11; see the blood knight template. otherwise not standing firmly on the ground). His stonecunning
ability grants him a +2 racial bonus on checks to notice unusual
Fountain of Blood (Ex): Fortitude DC 11 if ingested; Reflex DC stonework and allows him to make a check for unusual stonework
11 to pick up object; see the blood knight template. as though actively searching when within 10 feet. He can also intuit
Improved Grab (Ex): See the blood knight template. depth and use the Search skill to find stonework traps as a rogue
can. Morden has darkvision to a 60-foot range.
Poison Blood (Ex): Fortitude DC 11; see the blood knight
Undead Traits: Morden is immune to mind-affecting effects,
Bramble

template.
poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, and
Blood Body (Ex): See the blood knight template. any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless it also works on
Bonded Armor (Ex): See the blood knight template. objects or is harmless. He is not subject to critical hits, nonlethal
damage, ability damage to his physical ability scores, ability drain,
Dwarf Traits (Ex): Morden has a +1 racial bonus on attack rolls energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from massive damage.
against orcs and goblinoids, a +2 racial bonus on saves against spells He cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if he is willing.
and spell-like abilities, a +2 racial bonus on Fortitude saves against Darkvision 60 ft.
all poisons, and a +4 dodge bonus against giants. He also has a +2
racial bonus on Appraise checks and Craft or Profession checks Possessions: +1 bastard sword, necklace of fireballs (type I), potion of
related to stone or metal (already figured into the statistics above). blur, potion of jump.

Bramble
These wicked watchers of the woodlands haunt dark thickets in forests and fields, stalking the unwary. Most dangerous in the tangled
briar patches and thorny copses they call home, brambles often make clear trails through their domains that turn into winding mazes
designed to confuse and entrap victims.
A bramble’s body is covered with barklike skin and wrapped in tangled, thorny vines. Its face is wizened and cruel, and yellow eyes peer
out from beneath its prickly brows.

Creating a Bramble
“Bramble” is an inherited template that can be added to any living, for its size on the following table. Otherwise, use the value
corporeal creature that breathes air (referred to hereafter as the from the table or the base creature’s damage value for its
base creature). gore attack, whichever is greater.
A bramble uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities
except as noted here. Damage
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to plant with the Size Gore Base Damage
appropriate augmented subtype. Size is Fine 1
unchanged. Diminutive 1d2
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s. Tiny 1d3
Small 1d4
Armor Class: If the base creature has a +1 or lower Medium 1d6
natural armor bonus, it improves by +2. Large 1d8
Base Attack Bonus: A bramble’s base attack bonus Huge 2d6
for its racial Hit Dice is 3/4 x racial HD (as cleric). Its base Gargantuan 2d8
attack bonus increases normally for any class Hit Dice it Colossal 4d6
has.
Special Attacks: A bramble retains all the special attacks of the
Attack: The bramble retains all the base creature’s attacks, and its base creature and gains those described here.
weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain the same
Entangle (Sp): A bramble can use entangle (caster level equals
primary or secondary status they had for the base creature.
bramble’s character level) once per day, plus one additional
The bramble gains a gore attack if it did not already have time per day for each 5 character levels the bramble possesses.
one. If it has other natural attacks, it must choose upon This ability functions like the spell of the same name, except
creation whether the gore is a primary or a secondary attack. that it affects only thorns and burr-bearing plants. A bramble
It cannot thereafter change that decision. is immune to the effects of its own entangle.
Damage: A bramble has a gore attack. If the base creature does Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a bramble must hit
32 not have this attack form, use the base damage value given with any one of its natural attacks. It can then attempt to
 start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack character levels the bramble possesses.
of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a
Woodland Stride (Ex): A bramble can move through any sort
hold and can use its thorny grasp ability.
of undergrowth (such as natural thorns, briars, overgrown
Prickle Whip (Ex): Once per day, a bramble can unravel and areas, or similar terrain) at its normal speed without taking
detach one of the tangled strands that form its body. Doing damage or suffering other impairment. However, thorns,
so requires the same kind of action as drawing a melee briars, and overgrown areas that have been magically
weapon. This strand then functions as a whip sized for the manipulated to impede motion (except via its own entangle
bramble (see the PHB for a description of the whip), except ability) still affect the bramble.
that the damage it deals is lethal and is not negated by
Saves: Fortitude is a bramble’s good save; Reflex and Will are
armor or natural armor of any value. The whip becomes stiff,

Bramble
poor. Recalculate the portion of each of the base creature’s
brittle, and useless after 1 hour.
save bonuses derived from racial HD. The portion of the
Thorn Dart (Ex): Twice per day per character level, a base save bonus derived from class levels remains the same.
bramble can pull a long thorn from its body. Doing so See Chapter 3: Classes of the PHB for the progression of
requires the same kind of action as drawing a dart. This good and poor saves. New ability scores and new feats may
thorn functions like a dart in all ways, and the bramble is also alter save bonuses.
automatically proficient with it.
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str –2
Thorny Grasp (Ex): A bramble deals automatic gore damage (minimum 1), Dex +4.
with a successful grapple check against another creature.
Skills: A bramble gains a +8 circumstance bonus on Hide and
In addition, any creature that attempts an opposed grapple
Move Silently checks in forested areas and thickets.
check to pin, constrict, swallow, or damage the bramble
takes damage equal to the base damage for the bramble’s Languages: If the bramble can speak, it gains the ability to speak
gore attack (unmodified by Strength). Sylvan in addition to any other languages the base creature
knows.
Special Qualities: A bramble retains all the special qualities of the
base creature and gains those described here. Feats: The bramble gains Exotic Weapon Proficiency (whip),
Simple Weapon Proficiency, and Quick Draw as bonus
Fire Vulnerability (Ex): A bramble takes double damage
feats.
from fire unless a save for half damage is allowed, in which
case the bramble takes double damage on a failed save Environment: Warm and temperate forests, or cold forests if the
and half damage on a successful save. If the base creature base creature lives in a cold environment.
has immunity to fire, the bramble retains that quality and
does not gain fire vulnerability. If the base creature has Organization: Solitary, pair, or coven (3–8).
fire resistance, the bramble retains that quality, but fire Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
vulnerability applies to any damage in excess of that resisted.
Alignment: Often neutral evil.
Thorn Walk (Sp): This ability works like the tree stride spell
(caster level equals bramble’s character level), except that the Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2.
bramble can travel only through trees that produce thorns
or burrs. In addition, a bramble can move through a wall
of thorns or any similar thorn-related effect without taking
Bramble Characters
damage or suffering any impairment. Thorn walk is usable A bramble favors whichever class the base creature does. Although
once per day, plus one additional time per day for each 5 most brambles are evil, many are not.

- Sample Creature: Bramble Wild Elf -

(1st-Level Warrior), Medium Plant (Augmented Humanoid, Elf ) Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (whip), Simple Weapon
Proficiency, Quick Draw, Weapon Focus (gore)
Hit Dice: 1d8 (4 hp)
Initiative: +3 Environment: Temperate and warm forest
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares) Organization: Solitary, pair, or coven (3–8)
Armor Class: 15 (+3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 12 Challenge Rating: 1
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+2 Treasure: Standard
Attack: Gore +3 melee (1d6+1) or club +2 melee (1d6+1) or prickle Alignment: Usually neutral evil
whip +2 melee (1d3+1) or thorn dart +4 ranged (1d4+1) Advancement: By character class
Full Attack: Gore +3 melee (1d6+1) or club +2 melee (1d6+1) and Level Adjustment: +2
gore –2 melee (1d6) or prickle whip +2 melee (1d3+1) or
Bramble wild elves often attempt to lure or frighten travelers into
thorn dart +4 ranged (1d4+1)
briar patches to ambush them. Although brambles are plants, they
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
enjoy feasting on the flesh of those they entrap. Because they fear
Special Attacks: Entangle, improved grab, prickle whip, thorn dart,
fire, however, they prefer to eat that flesh raw.
thorny grasp
Special Qualities: Fire vulnerability, low-light vision, thorn walk, A bramble wild elf has a tall, willowy body covered with barklike
wild elf traits, woodland stride skin. Its joints bristle with thorns and brambles, and its face is an
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +3, Will –1 imperious mask of hunger and hatred. Instead of hair, it has a few
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 8, Wis 9, Cha 8 thorny spikes on its head.
Skills: Hide +5*, Listen +1, Move Silently +3*, Search +1, Spot +1
Bramble wild elves speak Elven and Sylvan. 33
 Combat
Bramble wild elves prefer to confront foes in an area
where thorny vegetation is plentiful—especially large,
thorn-bearing trees. If they can, they hide, lying in wait for
their prey and using their entangle ability to immobilize
opponents.
Entangle (Sp): Once per day; see the bramble template.
Broken Soul

Improved Grab (Ex): See the bramble template.

Prickle Whip (Ex): Once per day; see the bramble
template.
Thorn Dart (Ex): Twice per day; see the bramble template.
Thorny Grasp (Ex): See the bramble template.
Fire Vulnerability (Ex): A bramble wild elf takes double
damage from fire unless a save for half damage is allowed,
in which case it takes double damage on a failed save and
half damage on a successful save.
Thorn Walk (Sp): Once per day, up to 1 hour; see the
bramble template.
Wild Elf Traits (Ex): A bramble wild elf is immune to
sleep spells and effects and has a +2 racial bonus on saving
throws against enchantment spells or effects. It also gains a
+2 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks (already
figured into the statistics above). In addition, a bramble
wild elf that passes within 5 feet of a secret door is entitled
to a Search check as though actively looking for it. Bramble Skills: *A bramble wild elf gains a +8 circumstance bonus on
wild elves are automatically proficient with the longsword, rapier, Hide and Move Silently checks in forested areas and thickets (not
longbow, composite longbow, shortbow, and composite shortbow, represented in the figures above).
but they rarely craft such weapons themselves. Instead, they rely on
weapons taken from victims. The bramble wild elf character presented here had the following
ability scores before racial and template adjustments: Str 13, Dex
Woodland Stride (Ex): See the bramble template. 15, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 9, Cha 8.

Broken Soul
Agony given physical form, a broken soul is the remains of a creature tortured to madness and beyond. The horrifying and heinous
treatment he endured lend him unimaginable toughness and grants the power to cause pain and invoke fear in others. Most broken souls
are completely mad creatures that hate themselves and all who look upon them.
A broken soul is a horrifying sight. Its twisted and broken body is a mass of bruises, scars, and infected, oozing sores. Its face is a mask of
madness and pain.
The exact circumstances that create a broken soul are unknown, but they invariably form from creatures severely physically and mentally
tortured and yet allowed to live. Some believe a broken soul is blessed with power by some god of pain or vengeance, but others say it is
the result of a dark bargain between the tortured creature and some infernal being. Whatever their origins, most broken souls seek out
their torturers and do all they can to bring upon them even worse pain and fear than they inflicted upon their helpless victims.

Creating a Broken Soul

“Broken soul” is an acquired template that can be added to any Armor Class: A mass of scar tissue covers every inch of the broken
living creature that has an Intelligence score (referred to hereafter soul’s body. This thickening of the hide improves the creature’s
as the base creature). natural armor bonus by +4 over that of the base creature.
A broken soul uses all the base creature’s statistics and special Special Attacks: A broken soul retains all the special attacks of the
abilities except as noted here. base creature and gains those described here.
Speed: Because a broken soul is in constant agony, each of its Agonized Wail (Ex): As a standard action, a broken soul can
speeds is slower by 10 feet than the corresponding speed of emit an agonized wail that inspires terror in every creature
34 the base creature (minimum 5 feet).
 within 120 feet that has fewer character levels than itself. Resistances (Ex): A broken soul has resistance 5 to acid,
Each potentially affected opponent must succeed on a Will cold, electricity, fire and sonic. If the base creature has better
save (DC 10 + 1/2 broken soul’s character level + broken resistance or immunity to one or more of these energy types,
soul’s Cha modifier) or become shaken (see the DMG for a the broken soul retains the better quality.
description of the shaken condition). This condition lasts until
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +2, Dex
the affected opponent is out of range. A successful saving
–4 (minimum 1), Con +6, Wis –2 (minimum 1), Cha –6
throw renders an opponent immune to that broken soul’s
(minimum 1).
agonized wail for 1 minute.

Broken Soul
Skills: Although the broken soul’s sense of self has
Baleful Gaze (Su): Any creature within 60
been greatly degraded, its very presence is unnerving
feet that meets a broken soul’s gaze must
to others, granting it a +8 racial bonus on Intimidate
succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2
checks. However, it takes a –10 racial penalty on
broken soul’s character level + broken soul’s Cha
Concentration checks because of its constant pain.
modifier) or take 1d4 points of Strength drain,
1d4 points of Constitution drain, and 1d4 Feats: A broken soul gains Diehard, Endurance,
points of Charisma drain. Whatever the result and Toughness as bonus feats if the base creature
of the saving throw, the creature cannot be affected by the does not already have them.
same broken soul’s baleful gaze again for 1 minute.
Organization: Solitary.
Torturous Touch (Su): A broken soul can deliver a torturous
touch by making a successful melee touch attack against a Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
target. Any creature struck by this attack must succeed on a Alignment: Usually chaotic evil.
Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 broken soul’s character level +
broken soul’s Cha modifier) or take 2d6 points of slashing Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
damage and 1d6 points of Dexterity damage. Furthermore,
the affected creature immediately falls prone and lies
convulsing and helpless for 1d4 rounds.
Broken Soul Characters
A broken soul favors whichever class the base creature does. Its terrible
Special Qualities: A broken soul retains all the special qualities of state can be cured with a miracle or wish spell if willing, but most
the base creature and gains those described here. broken souls harbor a lasting hatred of their torturers and a manic
Damage Reduction: Because it has become so inured to pain fear of capture or powerlessness. When these latent fears or hatreds
and abuse, a broken soul has damage reduction 5/—. resurface, the old scars return, and the template must be reapplied.

- Sample Creature: Broken Soul Erinyes -

Medium Outsider (Devil, Evil, Extraplanar, Lawful)
Hit Dice: 9d8+75 (115 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), fly 40 ft. (good)
Armor Class: 25 (+3 Dex, +12 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 22
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+15
Attack: Longsword +15 melee (1d8+9/19–20) or +1 flaming
composite longbow (+6 Str bonus) +13 ranged (1d8+7/x3
plus 1d6 fire) or rope +12 ranged (entangle)
Full Attack: Longsword +15/+10 melee (1d8+9/19–20) or +1
flaming composite longbow (+6 Str bonus) +13/+8 ranged
(1d8+7/x3 plus 1d6 fire) or rope +12 ranged (entangle)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Agonized wail, baleful gaze, entangle, spell-like
abilities, summon devil, torturous touch
Special Qualities: Devil traits, damage reduction 5/—, darkvision
60 ft., immunities (fire, poison), outsider traits, resistances
(acid 10, cold 10, electricity 5, sonic 5), see in darkness, spell
resistance 20, telepathy 100 ft., true seeing
Saves: Fort +14, Ref +9, Will +9
Abilities: Str 23, Dex 17, Con 27, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 14
Skills: Concentration +10, Diplomacy +4, Escape Artist +15,
Hide +15, Intimidate +10, Knowledge (arcana) +14,
Knowledge (the planes) +14, Listen +15, Move Silently
+15, Search +14, Sense Motive +15, Spot +15, Survival
+3 (+5 when following tracks), Use Rope +3 (+5 with
bindings)
Feats: DodgeB, DiehardB, EnduranceB, MobilityB, Point Blank
Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Shot on the Run,
ToughnessB
35
 Environment: Hell Agonized Wail (Ex): DC 16 Will save; see the broken soul
Organization: Solitary template.
Challenge Rating: 10
Baleful Gaze (Su): DC 16 Fortitude save; see the broken soul
Treasure: Standard, plus rope and +1 flaming composite longbow
template.
Alignment: Always lawful evil
Advancement: 10–18 HD (Medium) Entangle (Ex): Each broken soul erinyes carries a stout rope some
Level Adjustment: +11 50 feet long that can entangle opponents of any size as an animate
rope spell (caster level 16th). The broken soul erinyes can hurl the
Here is an example of a broken soul using an erinyes devil as the
Cave Creature

rope 30 feet with no range penalty.

base creature.
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds
Erinyes devils live in Hell and are accustomed to torture—in fact,
of objects only), charm monster (DC 17), minor image (DC 15),
many enjoy both giving and receiving it. Thus, the torture that can
unholy blight (DC 17). Caster level 12th. The save DCs are
break the soul of an erinyes must be vile indeed.
Charisma-based.
A broken soul erinyes displays few vestiges of its former beauty; in
Summon Devil (Sp): Once per day, a broken soul erinyes can
fact, its hideous scars and twisted limbs disgust most viewers. The
attempt to summon 2d10 lemures or 1d4 barbed devils with a 50%
creature’s baleful gaze ensures that most creatures look just once
chance of success. This ability is the equivalent of a 3rd-level spell.
before fleeing. It typically wields a sword or a bow with a flaming
arrow. Devil Traits: A broken soul erinyes is immune to fire and poison.
It has resistance 10 to acid and cold. As supernatural abilities, a
Combat broken soul erinyes can see perfectly in even magical darkness
and communicate telepathically with any creature within 100 feet
A broken soul erinyes often attempts to surprise foes by loosing
that has a language. It can also summon other devil as a spell-like
its agonized wail when it gets close enough to affect opponents
ability (see Summon Devil, above).
with its baleful gaze. It then attempts to render dangerous-looking
opponents helpless with its torturous touch and charm weak- Torturous Touch (Su): DC 16 Fortitude save; see the broken soul
willed creatures using charm monster. template.
The natural weapons of a broken soul erinyes, and any weapon True Seeing (Su): A broken soul erinyes continuously uses true
it wields, are treated as lawful-aligned and evil-aligned for the seeing, as the spell (caster level 14th).
purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Cave Creature
Cave creatures are degenerate beings that have adapted to life in the everdark realms beneath the earth. Strong and hale, they rely
on their thick skins and natural weapons to protect them while they hunt for sustenance underground. Although they can be quite
intelligent, cave creatures often lack the quicker wits of the surface-dwelling creatures they resemble.

Creating a Cave Creature

“Cave creature” is an inherited template that can be added to any Damage: If the cave creature gained a claw attack, it deals damage
living, corporeal creature that has a Dexterity score, is not an ooze, according to its size, as given on the following table.
and is normally active on the surface (referred to hereafter as the
base creature). Damage
A cave creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special Size Claw Base Damage
abilities except as noted here.
Fine 1
Armor Class: The cave creature’s natural armor bonus improves by Diminutive 1d2
+1 over that of the base creature. Tiny 1d3
Speed: A cave creature gains a climb speed equal Small 1d4
to one-half the base creature’s land speed. If Medium 1d6
the base creature lacks a land speed, the cave Large 1d8
creature gains a climb speed of 10 feet and Huge 2d6
a land speed of 10 feet. If the base creature Gargantuan 2d8
already has a climb speed, it retains that speed. Colossal 4d6

Attack: The cave creature retains all the base creature’s attacks, Special Qualities: A cave creature retains all the base creature’s
and its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain special qualities and gains those described here.
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base
creature. The cave creature gains one or more primary claw Blindsight (Ex): A cave creature can discern objects and
attacks if it has no other natural attacks. A claw grows on creatures within 60 feet regardless of concealment. It
36 each of its arms, wings, fins, or other such appendages. usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to
 notice creatures within range of its blindsight. A silence spell
negates this ability and forces the cave creature to rely on
Skills (continued)
the base creature’s senses. Creature Type Skill Points
Light Blindness (Ex): When abruptly exposed to bright Fey (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
light (such a lightning bolt in a dark room), a cave creature is Giant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
blinded for 1 round. When operating in an area of continual Humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
bright light (such as daylight or a daylight spell), the cave Magical beast (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
creature takes a –1 circumstance penalty on all attack rolls, Monstrous

Cave Creature
saves, and checks. humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Ooze (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +2, Dex
Outsider (8 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
–2 (minimum 1), Con +2, Int –2 (minimum 1).
Plant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Skills: The cave creature retains the racial skill bonuses described Undead (4 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
in the Skills section of the creature descriptions for the Vermin (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
base creature, but it loses all skill ranks the base creature
possessed. Recalculate skill points for the cave creature’s A cave creature receives a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks
racial Hit Dice according to its type, as given on the and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if
following table, then purchase its skills afresh, treating the rushed or threatened.
base creature’s skills as class skills and all others as cross- *Since cave creatures tend to be colored much like the caves
class skills. The cave creature retains any skill points gained in which they live, a cave creature in an area of natural stone
from class levels. gains a +4 circumstance bonus on Hide checks.
Environment: Same as the base creature plus underground.
Skills
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +1.
Creature Type Skill Points
Aberration
Animal
(2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
(2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Cave Creature Characters
Construct (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) A cave creature favors whichever class the base creature does. Most
Dragon (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) cave creatures prefer to remain underground and travel on the surface
Elemental (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) only when it’s dark. Some cave creatures exit their homes at night to
explore, only to become bewildered at a sunrise they were didn’t expect.

- Sample Creature: Cave Squid -

Medium Animal (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 3d8+3 (16 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), climb 10 ft., swim 60 ft.
Armor Class: 16 (+2 Dex, +4 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+9*
Attack: Arms +5 melee (0)
Full Attack: Arms +5 melee (0) and bite +0 melee (1d6+1)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved grab
Special Qualities: Blindsight 60 ft., ink cloud, jet, light blindness,
low-light vision
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +2
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Climb +11, Hide +2*, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +11
Feats: Alertness, Endurance
Environment: Temperate aquatic and underground
Organization: Solitary or school (6–11)
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 4–6 HD (Medium); 7–11 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of a cave creature using a squid as the base
creature.
Surface dwellers rarely see the odd creatures known as cave squids.
They hunt the blind fish that live in cavern pools and underground
waterways and creatures that come to drink of such waters.
37
 Although they cannot breathe air, cave squids sometimes leave Blindsight (Ex): See the cave creature template.
the water for short periods, most often to crawl from one pool to
Ink Cloud (Ex): Once per minute as a free action, whether it is in
another or to climb a cave wall to escape a predator.
or out of water, a cave squid can emit a cloud of jet-black ink 10
Celestial-Blessed Creature
A cave squid has a body much like that of an ocean-dwelling feet high by 10 feet wide by 10 feet long. The cloud provides total
squid, but its skin can be albino white, coal black, or any shade in concealment, and all vision within it is obscured.
between. The typical cave squid has a mottled hide and rough skin
Jet (Ex): When in the water, a cave squid can jet backward
that help it hide in the water and blend in when crawling across a
once per round as a full-round action, at a speed of 240 feet. It
cavern floor.
must move in a straight line, but it does not provoke attacks of
opportunity while jetting.
Combat
Light Blindness (Ex): See the cave creature template.
A cave squid moves quickly to strike whenever it senses prey.
When encountered out of the water or when its prey turns out to Skills: A cave squid has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check
be more formidable than anticipated, the cave squid uses its ink to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always
cloud to blind its foe, then continues to press the attack. If its prey choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or
still proves troublesome, the creature uses the cloud to cover its endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it
escape. swims in a straight line. The cave squid receives a +8 racial bonus
on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a cave squid must hit an
checks, even if rushed or threatened.
opponent of any size with its arms attack. It can then attempt to start
a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. *A cave squid in an area of natural stone gains a +4 circumstance
If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and automatically bonus on Hide checks.
deals bite damage. *A squid has a +4 racial bonus on grapple checks.

Celestial-Blessed Creature
A prophet imbued with miraculous power, a child protected by angels, or a paladin willing to endure capture by fiends—any of these
beings could be celestial-blessed. A celestial-blessed creature is inhabited by a celestial that has willingly given up its form and its powers
to imbue a fortunate mortal with divine grace. Gods or more powerful celestials sometimes command celestials to grant this boon, but
some do so of their own free will.
A celestial can merge with a chosen mortal only if both are willing (that is, not compelled by magic or force) and of good alignment. The
process requires that both remain conscious and in physical contact for one hour. Otherwise, the merging fails and cannot be attempted
again that day.
A celestial might choose to give up its form and free will for any of several reasons. Imbuing a mortal creature with its essence allows
great deeds of heroism to be accomplished without obvious celestial interference in mortal affairs. A god might wish to make a mortal
its messenger but provide it with celestial protection. A celestial might use this technique to go where it otherwise could not, since it is
undetectable by all but the most powerful magic when inhabiting another creature. It might also use this technique to evade pursuers.
Once it has occupied a creature, a celestial can neither leave of its own volition nor make its presence known. Only the host’s death or a
special ritual involving powerful magic of the abjuration school can release it. A celestial often insists anyone it intends to bless agree to
a limited term of service, after which the blessed creature will undergo the Ritual of Release. But the celestial has no power to enforce
such an agreement once it has merged with a mortal, and some celestial-blessed creatures enjoy their powers so much that they refuse the
ritual when the time comes. A few even succumb to the temptation to use their divine abilities for unwholesome ends. The possibility of
inhabiting a creature that has turned evil makes many celestials loath to merge with mortal creatures.
A celestial’s presence can have physical effects on the mortal creature with which it merges. A creature inhabited by a lantern archon, for
example, often loses pigmentation in its hair, skin, and eyes, and its whole body becomes paler. A hound-archon-blessed creature grows more
hair, and the limbs of a creature joined with an avoral grow longer. If a leonal agreed to inhabit a mortal, its hair might grow into a mane. A
ghaele-blessed creature’s eyes are usually opalescent white, while the hair of a bralani-blessed creature always seems tousled by a light breeze.
Small patches of feathers often grow from the back of a creature inhabited by a trumpet archon. Creatures that merge with astral devas
usually have unblemished skin, planetar-blessed creatures typically become bald, and solar-blessed creatures generally have topaz eyes.

Creating a Celestial-Blessed Creature

“Celestial-blessed” is an acquired template that can be added to applied only to creatures of good alignment, all its changes remain
any creature of good alignment (referred to hereafter as the base in effect even if the celestial-blessed creature thereafter changes
creature). alignment.
A celestial-blessed creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the creature gains
special abilities except as noted here. Although the template can be the good subtype if the base creature did not already have it.
38
Special Attacks: A celestial-blessed creature retains all the base damaged by such an attack must succeed on a Fortitude
creature’s special attacks and gains those described here. save (DC 10 + 1/2 celestial-blessed creature’s character
level + celestial-blessed creature’s Cha modifier) or die
Sacredness (Su): Each of a celestial-blessed creature’s melee

Celestial-Blessed Creature
(or be destroyed, if it is an undead or a construct). If
attacks with a natural or manufactured weapon deals 1d6
used against a living creature, this attack is considered
points of extra damage to a creature of evil alignment. All of
a death effect. If the attack misses or the solar-blessed
its natural and manufactured weapons are treated as magic
creature does not make the attack within 1 round of
and good-aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage
imbuing the ranged weapon with power, that daily use
reduction.
of the ability is wasted.
Celestial Attack: The exact celestial attack
Trumpet Archon: Clarion Call (Su): A trumpet-
bestowed depends on the kind of celestial
archon-blessed creature can make a loud, trumpet
that blessed the base creature with its power,
like sound once per day. Every creature within 30 feet
as follows.
of it must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2
Astral Deva: Stunning Strike (Su): Five times celestial-blessed creature’s character level + celestial-
per day as a free action, an astral-deva- blessed creature’s Cha modifier) or be paralyzed for
blessed creature can imbue a single melee attack 1d4 rounds. Clarion call is a sonic, mind-affecting
with stunning power. The player must declare the effect.
use of this ability before making the attack roll. A
Special Qualities: A celestial-blessed creature retains all the base
creature damaged by such an attack must succeed on a
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 celestial-blessed
creature’s character level + celestial-blessed creature’s Blessed (Su): A celestial-blessed creature has a +1 morale
Con modifier) or be stunned for 1d6 rounds. If the bonus on all attack rolls and saving throws.
attack misses or the astral-deva-blessed creature does
Heavenly Health (Ex): A celestial-blessed creature gains a
not make the attack within 1 round of imbuing the
+2 resistance bonus on Fortitude saves against poison and
melee weapon with power, that daily use of the ability
petrification.
is wasted.
Inhabited (Ex): Each celestial-blessed creature is inhabited
Avoral: Lightning Bolt (Sp): Three times per day, an
by a specific celestial. Although the celestial is aware of the
avoral-blessed creature can use lighting bolt, as the
actions and perceptions of the creature it inhabits, it can
spell (caster level equals celestial-blessed creature’s
character level).
Bralani: Wind Wall (Sp): At will, a bralani-blessed creature
can use wind wall, as the spell (caster level equals
celestial-blessed creature’s character level).
Ghaele: Fear (Sp): Three times per day, a ghaele-blessed
creature can use fear, as the spell (caster level
equals celestial-blessed creature’s character
level).
Hound Archon: Faithful Hound (Sp): Once per day,
a hound-archon-blessed creature can use
faithful watchdog, as the spell (caster level
equals celestial-blessed creature’s character
level).
Lantern Archon: Searing Light (Sp): Three times
per day, a lantern-archon-blessed creature
can use searing light (caster level equals
celestial-blessed creature’s character
level [minimum 2nd]).
Leonal: Pounce (Ex): If a leonal-blessed
creature charges a foe, it may make a full
attack even though it has moved, so long
as it attacks with only natural weapons or
unarmed strikes.
Planetar: Flame Strike (Sp): Once per day, a
planetar-blessed creature can use flame
strike, as the spell (caster level equals
celestial-blessed creature’s character level).
Solar: Slaying Shot (Su): Once per day as a free action,
a solar-blessed creature can imbue a single ranged
attack with the power to slay the creature it
strikes instantly. The player must declare the use of
this ability before making the attack roll. A creature 39
 take no actions on its own behalf, nor can it communicate decides how many of its daily allotment of points to
with the creature. It can neither exit the creature nor rescind use as damage after successfully touching such a target.
its blessing in whole or in part.
Bralani: Gust of Wind (Sp): At will, a bralani-blessed creature
Celestial-Blessed Creature
While merged with a celestial-blessed creature, the celestial can use gust of wind, as the spell (caster level equals
cannot be located or detected by any means. It cannot be celestial-blessed creature’s character level).
targeted by any spells or effects, except as noted in the
Ghaele: Cold Resistance (Ex): A ghaele-blessed creature gains
description of the spell vulnerability special quality. Detection
cold resistance 10.
spells register only the celestial-blessed creature’s alignment,
location, aura, magic, or other qualities. A properly worded Hound Archon: Scent (Ex): A hound-archon-blessed creature
wish or miracle spell can reveal the presence of the celestial can detect approaching enemies and sniff out hidden
only if the caster knows its true name. If the celestial-blessed foes by sense of smell alone. See the MM for details
creature is killed while the celestial inhabits it, the latter is of this quality.
instantly returned to its home plane. For one year thereafter,
it automatically returns to its native plane 1 round after it Lantern Archon: Light (Sp): At will, a lantern-archon-blessed
leaves—whether its departure was intentional or not. creature can use light, as the spell (caster level equals
celestial-blessed creature’s character level).
Resistance to Electricity (Ex): A celestial-blessed creature
gains electricity resistance 20. Leonal: Cure Serious Wounds (Sp): Three times per day, a
leonal-blessed creature can use cure serious wounds, as
Spell Vulnerability (Ex): Certain powerful spells have special the spell (caster level equals celestial-blessed creature’s
additional effects against celestial-blessed creatures. These character level).
spells must first overcome the celestial’s spell resistance (if
any) to have any effect. Planetar: Fast Healing (Ex): A planetar-blessed creature has
fast healing 2.
A celestial-blessed creature subjected to a dismissal or dispel
good spell must succeed on a Will saving throw or lose all Solar: Discern Lies (Sp): Three times per day, a solar-blessed
the modifications bestowed by the celestial-blessed template creature can use discern lies, as the spell, (caster level
for a number of rounds equal to the opponent’s caster level. equals celestial-blessed creature’s character level).

A celestial-blessed creature subjected to a banishment spell Trumpet Archon: Message (Sp): At will, a trumpet-archon-
must succeed on a Will saving throw or lose the template blessed creature can use message, as the spell (caster
until again blessed by a celestial creature. Failure returns level equals celestial-blessed creature’s character
the celestial to its normal form but leaves it lying helpless level).
and unconscious adjacent to the creature with which it was Abilities: A celestial-blessed creature’s ability scores change from
previously merged. The amount of time that the celestial the base creature according to the kind of celestial, as given
remains helpless and unconscious depends on the current in the following table.
alignment of the creature from which it was expelled. If that
creature’s alignment is the same as the celestial’s, the latter
is helpless and unconscious for 1 round. For each step by
Abilities
which the base creature’s alignment differs from that of the Celestial Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha
celestial, the celestial remains unconscious and helpless for
1d4 rounds. Thus, a lawful good solar inhabiting a creature Astral deva +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2
that has turned chaotic evil would lie unconscious and Avoral +2 +2 +0 +2 +2 +2
helpless for 4d4 rounds (two steps away on the lawful- Bralani +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2
chaotic axis and two steps away on the god-evil axis). If the Ghaele +4 +0 +2 +2 +2 +2
same lawful good solar inhabited a neutral good creature, it Hound archon +2 +0 +2 +0 +2 +0
would be unconscious and helpless for only 1d4 rounds after Lantern archon –2* +2 +0 –2* +2 +0
being expelled (one step away on the lawful-chaotic axis). Leonal +4 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2
Planetar +4 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2
Celestial Quality (Su): The exact celestial quality bestowed Solar +4 +2 +2 +2 +4 +4
depends on the kind of celestial that blessed the base Trumpet archon +2 +2 +0 +2 +2 +2
creature with its power, as follows.
*Minimum 1.
Astral Deva: Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): An astral-
deva-blessed creature is never caught flat-footed and Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
cannot be flanked.
Level Adjustment: The level adjustment depends on the kind of
Avoral: Lay on Hands (Su): An avoral-blessed creature can celestial, as follows: astral deva +2, avoral +3, bralani +2,
heal wounds (its own or those of others) by touch. ghaele +3, hound archon +2, lantern archon +2, leonal +3,
Each day, it can heal a number of hit points of damage planetar +3, solar +3, trumpet archon +2.
equal to its normal (undamaged) hit point total. An
avoral-blessed creature may choose to divide its healing
among multiple recipients, and it doesn’t have to use
Celestial-Blessed Characters
it all at once. Alternatively, the avoral-blessed creature A celestial-blessed creature favors whichever class the base
can use any or all of this healing power to deal damage creature does. Endowing a player character with the celestial-
to undead creatures or other creatures damaged by blessed template should be a major campaign event. No celestial
positive energy. Using lay on hands in his way requires enters this kind of bargain lightly, and full agreement as to the
a successful melee touch attack and doesn’t provoke celestial’s term of service must always be achieved before the
40 an attack of opportunity. The avoral-blessed creature joining occurs.
 - Sample Creature: Bryven Nightkirk -

Celestial-Blessed Creature
(Male Hound-Archon-Blessed Half-Elf Paladin 7/Blackguard other creatures he summons using his fiendish summoning ability.
5)/ Medium Humanoid (Good, Half-Elf ) Bryven doesn’t hold back in fights, and he often combines sneak
attack attempts with smite attempts to eliminate foes more quickly.
Hit Dice: 7d10+21 plus 5d10+15 (102 hp)
Initiative: +3 Command Undead (Su): Seven times per day, Bryven Nightkirk
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares) can command and rebuke undead as a 3rd-level evil cleric.
Armor Class: 20 (+3 Dex, +6 armor +2 improved silent moves mithral
Faithful Hound (Sp): Once per day, Bryven Nightkirk can use
shirt, +1 ring of protection +1), touch 14, flat-footed 17
faithful watchdog, as the spell (caster level 12th).
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+17
Attack: +1 shock greatsword +19 melee (2d6+8/19–20 plus 1d6 Fiendish Summoning (Sp): Once per day, Bryven Nightkirk can
electricity) or +1 flaming composite longbow (+5 Str bonus) use summon monster I, as the spell (caster level 10th) to call forth
+17 ranged (1d8+6/x3 plus 1d6 fire) an evil creature.
Full Attack: +1 shock greatsword +19/+14/+9 melee (2d6+8/19–20
plus 1d6 electricity) or +1 flaming composite longbow (+5 Str Sacredness (Su): See the celestial-blessed template.
bonus) +17/+12/+7 ranged (1d8+6/x3 plus 1d6 fire) Smite Good (Su): Three times per day, Bryven Nightkirk may
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. attempt to smite good with one normal melee attack. He adds
Special Attacks: Command undead 7/day, faithful hound, +3 to his attack roll and deals 5 extra points of damage. If Bryven
fiendish summoning, sacredness, smite good 3/day, sneak accidentally smites a creature that is not good, the smite attempt
attack +2d6, spells has no effect but it is still used up.
Special Qualities: Aura of despair, aura of evil, blessed, dark
blessing, detect good, fiendish servant benefits, half-elf traits, Sneak Attack (Ex): Bryven deals 2d6 extra points of damage
heavenly health, inhabited, lay on hands, low-light vision, on any successful attack against flat-footed or flanked targets,
poison use, resistance (electricity 20), scent, spell vulnerability or against a target that has been denied its Dexterity bonus for
Saves: Fort +17, Ref +11, Will +11 any reason. This damage applies to point-blank ranged attacks as
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 17, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 18 well. Creatures with concealment, creatures without discernable
Skills: Bluff +8, Diplomacy +6, Gather Information +6, Hide +20, anatomies, and creatures immune to critical hits are all immune
Knowledge (religion) +6, Listen +8, Move Silently +20, to sneak attacks. Bryven may choose to deliver nonlethal damage
Ride +13, Search +3, Spot +8 with his sneak attack, but only when using a weapon designed for
Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Improved Sunder, Power Attack, Stealthy that purpose, such as a sap (blackjack).

Challenge Rating: 13 Spells: Bryven Nightkirk casts divine spells like a cleric.
Treasure: See Possessions on page 42 Typical Blackguard Spells Prepared (2/2/1, save DC 13 + spell level):
Alignment: Lawful evil 1st—cure light wounds (2); 2nd—darkness, death knell; 3rd—cure
Advancement: By character class serious wounds.
Here is an example of a celestial-blessed creature using a male Aura of Despair (Su): Bryven Nightkirk radiates a malign aura
half-elf paladin 7/blackguard 5 as the base creature. that causes each enemy within 10 feet of him to take a –2 penalty
Bryven Nightkirk met the hound archon that inhabits him while still on all saving throws.
a paladin. At the time, he was new to his order and filled with the Aura of Evil (Ex): Bryven has a strong aura of evil (see the detect
desire to see evil vanquished. Bryven served as scout and squire for a evil spell).
troop of more experienced paladins, and during one mission, he met a
hound archon and freed it from bondage. The grateful hound archon Blessed (Su): See the celestial-blessed template.
offered to bless Bryven with its presence if he agreed to release it after
Dark Blessing (Su): Bryven gains a +3 bonus on all saving throws.
five years. But when the time came, Bryven Nightkirk fled from the
Ritual of Release because he had grown accustomed to the power that Detect Good (Sp): At will, Bryven Nightkirk can use detect good, as
the celestial granted him. Gradually, his selfishness drew him further the spell.
and further from his ideals and he lost his paladin abilities. When he
Fiendish Servant Benefits: Bryven has a fiendish servant named
met a devil that offered to return his powers if he promised to turn
Gnarltooth that grants him the following abilities.
from good, Bryven readily agreed. Since then, he has reveled in his
powers as both a blackguard and a hound-archon-blessed creature. Empathic Link (Su): Bryven Nightkirk has an empathic link
Bryven takes particular pleasure in committing evil acts because he with his servant, Gnarltooh, to a distance of up to 1 mile. Bryven
knows that they cause the hound archon deep sorrow. Nightkirk cannot see through Gnarltooth’s eyes, but he can
communicate empathically. Because of the limited nature of
Bryven Nightkirk is a handsome half-elf with soft black hair and
the link, only general emotional content (such as fear, hunger,
a well-manicured goatee. He wears light armor and carries both a
happiness, curiosity) can be communicated.
composite longbow and a greatsword on his back. Polite and suave,
Bryven has no quarrel with those who do not interfere with his Share Spells (Su): At Bryven Nightkirk’s option, he may have any
plans, but he is ruthless with anyone who crosses him. spell (but not any spell-like ability) he casts on himself also affect
Gnarltooth if the latter is within 5 feet at the time of casting. If
Bryven Nightkirk speaks Celestial, Common, Elven, and Dwarven.
the spell has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting
Gnarltooth if he moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect
Combat him again even if he returns to Bryven before the duration expires.
Bryven Nightkirk prefers to strike from hiding. In melee, he Additionally, Bryven Nightkirk may cast a spell with a target of
attempts to flank with Gnarltooth, his fiendish servant, and any “You” on Gnarltooth (as a touch range spell) instead of on himself.
41
 Bryven Nightkirk and Gnarltooth can share spells even if the Abilities: Str 11, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 4
spells normally do not affect magical beasts. Skills: Climb +11, Hide +10, Listen +4, Move Silently +8, Spot
+4, Swim +11
Half-Elf Traits: Bryven is immune to sleep spells and similar
Feats: Alertness, Stealthy, Weapon FinesseB
magical effects, and he has low-light vision. He also has a +2 racial
bonus on saving throws against enchantment spells or effects, Challenge Rating: —
Clockwork Creature

a +1 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks, and a +2 Treasure: None
racial bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Information checks. These Alignment: Lawful evil
bonuses on skills are included in his statistics. Advancement: As fiendish servant

Inhabited (Ex): See the celestial-blessed template. Gnarltooh is Bryven Nightkirk’s fiendish servant. Bryven knows
the fiendish dire rat is a blessing from the devil that recruited him
Lay on Hands (Su): Once per day, Bryven can cure himself or his to the cause of evil, but he suspects that the creature is actually the
fiendish servant of damage equal to his Charisma bonus x5. devil’s spy. Thus, he views Gnarltooth as a bit of a nuisance at best.
Poison Use: Bryven is skilled in the use of poison and never risks Gnarltooh looks like a dog-sized rat. A fringe of stiff black bristles
accidentally poisoning himself when applying poison to a blade. encircles his head and runs down his back in a line.
Resistance to Electricity (Ex): See the celestial-blessed template. Gnarltooth understands Common but cannot speak.
Spell Vulnerability (Ex): See the celestial-blessed template. A
successful use of the banishment spell on Bryven Nightkirk returns Combat
the hound archon to its rightful form but leaves it lying helpless Gnarltooth knows Bryven doesn’t greatly value his assistance or
and unconscious adjacent to him for 2d4 rounds. his life, so he tries to stay out of harm’s way. In combat, he typically
Possessions: +2 improved silent moves mithral shirt, +1 shocking flanks with Bryven Nightkirk and uses the total defense action.
greatsword, +1 flaming composite longbow, ring of protection +1, 2 Disease (Ex): Filth fever—bite, Fortitude DC 11, incubation
doses of black lotus poison. period 1d3 days, damage 1d3 Dex and 1d3 Con.

Bryven Nightkirk’s Fiendish Servant Smite Good (Su): Once per day, Gnarltooth can make a normal
melee attack to deal 1 point of extra damage against a good foe.
Gnarltooth (Fiendish Dire Rat)
Improved Evasion (Ex): If Gnarltooth is subjected to an attack
Small Magical Beast (Augmented Animal, Extraplanar) that normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage,
Hit Dice: 3d8+3 (16 hp) he takes no damage on a successful saving throw and only half
Initiative: +3 damage on a failed saving throw.
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 20 ft.
Armor Class: 16 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 12 Share Saving Throws (Su): For each of his saving throws,
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/–2 Gnarltooth uses either his own base save bonus or Bryven
Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d4 plus disease) Nightkirk’s, whichever is higher. Gnarltooth applies his own ability
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d4 plus disease) modifiers to saves, and he doesn’t share any other bonuses on saves
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. that Bryven might have (such as from magic items or feats).
Special Attacks: Disease, smite good 1/day
Skills: Gnarltooth gains a +8 racial bonus on Swim checks. The
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., improved evasion, resistances
fiendish dire rat also has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and
(cold 5, fire 5), low-light vision, scent, shared saving throws,
can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or
spell resistance 6
threatened. Gnarltooth uses his Dexterity modifier instead of his
Saves: Fort +14, Ref +10, Will +8
Strength modifier for Climb and Swim checks.

Clockwork Creature
The clockwork creature whirs to life at the whim of its master. Made of various metals and granted the soul of a monster, this intelligent
construct is designed to resemble a living creature in both form and function. A clockwork creature serves as an intelligent aide, guardian,
or even friend to its creator, or to anyone its creator designates.
A clockwork creature’s body is a complicated construction of gears, wires, chains, and struts, often covered with riveted metal plating to
give it the form of the living creature it mimics. Magic and engineering give a clockwork creature access to the powers of the creature it
resembles, thus enabling its creator to effectively gain the aid of any being desired.

Creating a Clockwork Creature

“Clockwork creature” is a created template that can be added Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to construct with the
to any living, corporeal creature that is not an ooze (referred to appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base
hereafter as the base creature). attack bonuses or saves. Size is unchanged.
A clockwork creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d10s. The creature gains
42 special abilities except as noted here. bonus hit points as a construct of its size category. Since
 it has no Constitution score, it does not gain bonus hit to electricity, it takes no damage from electricity attacks
points based on high Constitution. but is dazed for 1 round on a failed save.
Armor Class: The clockwork creature’s natural armor bonus Windup Key (Ex): A clockwork creature must be wound up
improves by +5 over that of the base creature. each day by placing a small key into a special orifice and
turning it—an action that provokes attacks of opportunity.

Clockwork Creature
Special Qualities: The clockwork creature retains all the special
For each full round that the key is turned, the clockwork
qualities of the base creature and gains those described
creature can be active for 4 hours (maximum 24 hours). In
here.
most cases, the creator either retains his construct’s key or
Created Mind (Ex): Clockwork creatures know nothing gives it to the clockwork creature so that it can keep itself
when first created, but many are intelligent. On its first running.
day, a clockwork creature functions like any mindless
When the clockwork creature runs down, it becomes
construct, but thereafter its native intelligence comes to
immobile, helpless, and unconscious, and it remains so
the fore, allowing it to reason and improvise. Creators
until wound up again. Anyone can wind up a clockwork
can thus give their clockwork constructs somewhat vague
creature without the key by making a successful Open
commands and allow them to interpret and act on them,
Locks check as a full-round action (DC based on the
secure in the knowledge that their servants will not act in a
quality of lock the creator built into the clockwork
way contrary to their desires.
creature). This technique allows the clockwork creature
Despite a reasoning intelligence, the clockwork creature 4 hours of activity (maximum 24 hours) for each such
remains wholly under the control of its creator and successful check.
does nothing against that individual’s will. Because of a
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex
special bond formed during its first day, the clockwork
+4, Int –4 (minimum 0), Wis –4 (minimum 1), Cha –4
creature can instinctively detect the location of its creator,
(minimum 1). As a construct, a clockwork creature does
regardless of magical and natural barriers, so long as the
not have a Constitution score.
latter is within 100 feet. This ability prevents anyone from
successfully impersonating the creator within that range. If Skills: A clockwork creature gains skill points for its racial Hit
someone resembling its creator issues an order from more Dice as a construct (2 + Int modifier) x (HD + 3), or 0 if
than 100 feet away, the clockwork creature its Intelligence score is 0. Recalculate its available
might or might not obey, depending on skill points, then purchase its skills afresh, treating
how suspicious it is of the command. the base creature’s skills and any skills in which the
creator has 5 or more ranks as class skills and all
The creator can designate another creature
others as cross-class skills. The clockwork creature
or group of creatures for the clockwork
retains any skill points gained from class levels and
creature to obey, but the creator’s commands
any racial bonuses the base creature has.
always take precedence over those of other
designated commanders. If the clockwork creature has Due to its innate understanding of its own being, a
an Intelligence score of 3 or higher, it continuously clockwork creature gains a +5 racial bonus on Craft
watches designated commanders for signs that they are (armorsmithing), Craft (weaponsmithing), and Disable
commanding it against its creator’s intent. Should such a Device checks. It can use these skills as though trained,
situation occur, the clockwork creature acts loyally instead. even if it has no ranks in them. However, the clockwork
A clockwork creature with an Intelligence of 12 or higher creature takes a –2 penalty on Move Silently checks
automatically knows when its creator is being forced to act because its internal mechanisms constantly click and whir
against his own wishes through mental control or other while it functions.
coercion, physical or mental. In such a case, the clockwork
Languages: A clockwork creature that is intelligent enough to
creature improvises a way to attain its creator’s true goals
speak languages speaks those that its creator teaches it.
without allowing harm to come to him. In the absence
Orders from its creator are heeded regardless of language,
of any commands from its creator, a clockwork creature
but a clockwork creature must understand the language of
follows the last commands it received. If it knows its
another commander to follow her orders. If it does not, it
creator is dead, it attempts to achieve his goals to the best
simply obeys the last orders of its creator.
of its ability.
Environment: Same as creator.
Hardness (Ex): A clockwork creature has a hardness of 10.
This quality functions like object hardness, even though a Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–4).
clockwork creature is not an object.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
Metal Body (Ex): Beneath its skin, a clockwork creature is
largely composed of metal. It counts as a ferrous creature Alignment: Always neutral.
for the purpose of rusting grasp and other spells that have Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
special effects on metal.
Resistances (Ex): A clockwork creature has resistance 10 to
acid, cold, and fire.
Creating a Clockwork Creature
Clockwork creatures are created like golems. Because it is composed
Vulnerability to Electricity (Ex): Because the delicate of various metals and composite materials, a clockwork creature
interior mechanisms of a clockwork creature are weighs nearly twice what the base creature does.
particularly vulnerable to electricity damage, it takes
double damage from electricity on a failed save and half Creating a clockwork creature costs 800 times its CR in gold pieces.
damage on a successful save. If the base creature is immune Assembling the body requires a successful Craft (armorsmithing)
43
 and Craft (weaponsmithing) check (DC 20 for both), the Craft
Construct feat, and the ability to cast arcane or divine spells. Clockwork Characters
The level of the clockwork creature’s creator must equal or exceed A clockwork character favors whichever class the base creature does.
the CR of the clockwork creature +4. Completing the ritual drains Such a character can be introduced into a campaign in a number of
a number of XP equal to the clockwork creature’s creation cost ways. The lifespark template (see page 159) allows a clockwork creature
Clockwork Creature

divided by 25, and it requires the spells geas/quest, limited wish, to become part of any adventuring party. Also, a character might create
polymorph any object, and resist elements. a clockwork creature as a cohort under another player’s control.

- Sample Creature: Clockwork Choker -

Small Construct (Augmented Aberration)
Hit Dice: 3d10+10 (26 hp)
Initiative: +8
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), climb 10 ft.
Armor Class: 24 (+1 size, +4 Dex, +9 natural), touch 15, flat-
footed 20
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+12
Attack: Tentacle +8 melee (1d3+5)
Full Attack: 2 tentacles +8 melee (1d3+5)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Constrict 1d3+7, improved grab
Special Qualities: Created mind, construct traits, darkvision 60 ft.,
hardness 10, metal body, quickness, resistances (acid 10, cold
10, fire 10), vulnerability to electricity, wind-up key
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +2
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 18, Con —, Int —, Wis 9, Cha 3
Skills: Climb +13, Craft (armorsmithing) +5, Craft (weaponsmithing)
+5, Disable Device +5, Hide +10, Move Silently +4
Feats: Improved InitiativeB, Lightning Reflexes, Stealthy
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: 1/10 coins; 50% goods; 50% items
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 4–6 HD (Small); 7–12 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of a clockwork creature using a choker as the
base creature.
A clockwork choker’s lack of intelligence makes it a poor guardian. Construct Traits: A clockwork choker has immunity to poison,
Since it must be constantly supervised or specifically told not to sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, necromancy
move. However, its ability to capture or kill foes with equal ease effects, mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms,
makes it a valuable bodyguard. Creators of clockwork chokers patterns, and morale effects), and any effect that requires a
often bring the funny-looking constructs with them to social Fortitude save unless it also works on objects or is harmless. It is
occasions or diplomatic meetings at which a more threatening not subject to critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage, ability
creature would be unwelcome. drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain. Cannot heal damage,
but can be repaired. Darkvision 60 ft. and low-light vision.
A clockwork choker resembles a normal choker except that its body
is made of jointed metal and gears, and its arms are long springs. Created Mind (Ex): See the clockwork template.
Hardness (Ex): See the clockwork template.
Combat
Metal Body (Ex): See the clockwork template.
A clockwork choker lacks the intelligence to interpret commands,
so it follows the orders of its designated commander to the letter. Quickness (Su): Although not particularly dexterous, a clockwork
choker is amazingly quick. It can take an extra standard action or
Constrict (Ex): A clockwork choker deals 1d3+7 points of damage
move action during its turn each round.
with a successful grapple check against a Large or smaller creature.
A creature in the clockwork choker’s grasp cannot speak or cast Resistances (Ex): See the clockwork template.
spells with verbal components because its neck is being squeezed.
Vulnerability to Electricity (Ex): See the clockwork template.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a clockwork choker must
hit a Large or smaller opponent with a tentacle attack. It can then Windup Key (Ex): See the clockwork template.
attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an Skills: A clockwork choker has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks
attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed
a hold and can constrict. A clockwork choker receives a +4 racial or threatened.
44 bonus on grapple checks (already included in the statistics above).
 Creature Swarm
A swarm is a dense mass of tiny creatures that alone present little threat but together become deadly. Creature swarms are made up not of
normal bats, rats, insects, or other vermin, but of creatures that resemble larger monsters.

Creating a Creature Swarm

Creature Swarm
“Creature swarm” is an inherited template that can be added to any Damage: A creature swarm deals damage according to its Hit
corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). Dice, as given on the following table. Strength modifiers do
not apply to this damage.
A creature swarm uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here.
Size and Type: Type is unchanged, but the creature
Damage
gains the swarm subtype (see MM). Swarm HD Damage for Swarm Attack

The small monsters that make up a swarm 1–5 1d6

come in one of three size categories: Fine, 6–10 2d6
Diminutive, or Tiny. Thus, the base creature 11–15 3d6
becomes a swarm of creatures of one of those 16–20 4d6
size categories, according to the following table. 21+ 5d6

Incorporeality or damage reduction sufficient to reduce a

Size and Type swarm attack’s damage to 0 may give a creature immunity to
Base Creature Size Swarm Size damage from a creature swarm.

Medium or smaller Fine If the base creature’s natural or unarmed attacks are
Large or Huge Diminutive considered aligned or magical, or have some other quality
Gargantuan or Colossal Tiny that can overcome damage reduction, the damage for the
swarm attack has the same effect. If the base creature’s
Armor Class: The base creature’s size modifier to AC is replaced natural attacks also deal energy damage, ability damage,
by the appropriate modifier for the creature swarm’s size poison, disease, paralysis, or some other special effect, the
category. In addition, because the individual creatures in damage for the swarm attack has the same effect, and the
the swarm are smaller than the base creature, the swarm has damage (if any) is the same.
a lower natural armor bonus than the base creature does
Space/Reach: A creature swarm occupies a square (if composed
(minimum +0). A swarm does not use equipment and does
of nonflying creatures) or a cube (if composed of flying
not benefit from armor or shields. The changes to both
creatures) 10 feet on a side. Its reach is 0 feet. A swarm does
natural armor bonus and size bonus are summarized on the
not threaten creatures in its square and cannot make attacks
following table.
of opportunity with its swarm attack.

Armor Class Special Attacks: A creature swarm loses any special attacks
that rely on the base creature’s size, strength, weapons, or
Base Creature Swarm Natural Armor Size Bonus reach, including grappling, rending, bull rushes, overruns,
Size Size Bonus Decrease to AC or trampling. It retains all the base creature’s ranged and
Fine Fine — +8 area special attacks except those that rely on manufactured
Diminutive Fine — +8 weapons, and it also gains the one described here.
Tiny Fine — +8 Though special attacks such as breath weapons, spell-like
Small Fine — +8 abilities, or hurled natural weapons (a manticore’s spikes,
Medium Fine — +8 for example) originate from all or most of the creatures
Large Diminutive –2 +4 that make up the swarm, their parameters (range, area, and
Huge Diminutive –5 +4 so on) are identical to those of the base creature’s attack.
Gargantuan Tiny –9 +2 Damage for all special attacks remains the same as for the
Colossal Tiny –14 +2 base creature.

Base Attack/Grapple: The creature swarm retains the base attack Distraction (Ex): Any living creature vulnerable to the
bonus of the base creature, but it cannot grapple (see the creature swarm’s damage that begins its turn with a
description of the swarm subtype). creature swarm in its square is nauseated for 1 round. A
Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 creature swarm’s
Attack and Full Attack: The swarm loses any melee or ranged character level + creature swarm’s Con modifier) negates
attacks that the base creature has because creatures with the effect. Even with a successful save, spellcasting or
the swarm subtype don’t make standard melee or ranged concentrating on spells within the area of a creature
attacks. Instead, they deal automatic damage to any creature swarm requires a Concentration check (DC 20 + spell
whose space they occupy at the end of their move (no attack level). Using skills requiring patience and concentration
roll needed). Such swarm attacks are not subject to a miss requires a Concentration check (DC 20). The save DC is
chance for concealment or cover. Constitution-based.
45
 Special Qualities: A creature swarm such as many evocation spells or grenadelike weapons. If the
retains all the base creature’s special area attack does not allow a saving throw, the swarm takes
qualities and gains those double damage instead.
described here. The parameters
Creature swarms made up of Diminutive or
of the special qualities (range,
Fine creatures are susceptible to high winds,
area, and so on) retained from
such as those created by a gust of wind spell.
the base creature remain the
For the purpose of determining the effects
Creature Swarm

same.
of wind on a creature swarm, treat it as a
Hive Mind (Ex): If the base creature of the same size as its
creature has an Intelligence constituent creatures. Wind
score of 3 or higher, effects deal 1d6 points of
the creature swarm nonlethal damage to the
has a hive mind. swarm per spell level (or
So long as it has Hit Die of the originating
at least 1 hit point creature, in the case of
per HD, it retains effects such as an air
its Intelligence score, elemental’s whirlwind).
but if its hit points fall
A swarm
below that number,
rendered unconscious
it becomes
by nonlethal damage
mindless. As a
becomes disorganized
mindless creature,
and dispersed. It does
it becomes immune
not reform until its hit points
to mind-affecting
exceed its nonlethal damage.
effects.
Abilities: Change from the
Swarm Traits: A creature
base creature according to
swarm has no clear front
the following table.
or back and no discernable
anatomy, so it is not subject Abilities
to critical hits or flanking. A creature swarm made up of
Tiny creatures takes half damage from slashing and piercing Base Creature Size Swarm Size Str Dex Con
weapons, and one composed of Fine or Diminutive creatures
Fine Fine — — —
is immune to all weapon damage.
Diminutive Fine — +2 —
Reducing a creature swarm to 0 or fewer hit points causes it Tiny Fine –2* +4 —
to break up, though damage taken until that point does not Small Fine –6* +6 —
degrade its ability to attack or resist attack. Creature swarms Medium Fine –10* +8 –2*
are never staggered or reduced to a dying state by damage. Large Diminutive –18* +8 –6*
Also, they cannot be tripped, grappled, or bull rushed, and Huge Diminutive –26* +8 –10*
they cannot grapple another. Gargantuan Tiny –32* +8 –14*
Colossal Tiny –40* +8 –18*
A creature swarm is immune to any spell or effect that
targets a specific number of creatures (including single- *Minimum 1.
target spells such as disintegrate), with the exception of
Feats: Same as the base creature, but feats from which the creature
mind-affecting effects if the swarm has an Intelligence score
swarm can no longer benefit may be replaced with more
and a hive mind. A creature swarm takes a –10 penalty on
appropriate choices.
saving throws against spells or effects that affect an area,

Making Difficult Decisions

Applying his template requires you to make some decisions about how the base creature would function with the swarm
subtype. If you’re unfamiliar with that subtype, read its description in the MM carefully before starting, and use a swarm
creature from that book once or twice during a game before trying to use this template.
Once you have a good grasp of how the swarm subtype works, pick a monster and give this template a whirl. Carefully consider
how each of the base creature’s abilities works. In particular, the ability to change shape can be problematic. Do all the creatures
in the swarm have to change shape? Do they all take the same shape? If the shapechange would normally affect the creature’s
abilities, does it affect the swarm’s abilities in the same way?
Spells and spell-like abilities that the creature swarm can use on itself can also be tough to deal with. Creatures with the swarm
subtype are usually immune to effects that target a single creature, but wouldn’t it be neat if a swarm of creatures that had
mage armor as a spell-like ability could actually use it? The simplest solution is to disallow problematic powers and ignore such
questions, but you’ll probably end up with a more interesting monster if you instead decide how such things could work.

46
Challenge Rating: The creature swarm’s CR is the same as
the base creature’s unless the application of the template Creature Swarm Characters
removed many of its special attacks. Consider also how the A creature swarm favors whichever class the base creature does. A
swarm subtype affects combat, and pay special attention to creature swarm makes for a very strange PC, and the presence of
the fact that the swarm subtype grants immunity or half such a character in a campaign is likely to cause questions about
damage from weapon attacks. Such considerations might be rules that the DM has never had to answer before. A creature
grounds for increasing the creature swarm’s CR. swarm PC should be used only when the DM is experienced

Creature Swarm
Treasure: None. Creatures with the swarm subtype do not use with the swarm subtype, and it might be good to run a few
equipment. experimental sessions before committing to the idea.

Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.

- Sample Creature: Frost Worm Swarm -

Diminutive Magical Beast (Cold, Swarm) exhale an icy wind that freezes foes solid. Weapons are completely
ineffective against the pile of frost worms that makes up a swarm.
Hit Dice: 14d10 (77 hp)
Initiative: +8 Dwellers in the cold lands have learned that alchemist’s fire is the
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), burrow 10 ft. only sure way to stop a frost worm swarm, but that tactic bears a
Armor Class: 23 (+4 size, +4 Dex, +5 natural), touch 18, flat- great price. When the swarm is dispersed, the individual frost worms
footed 19 explode, hurling deadly shards of ice at everything within 100 feet.
Base Attack/Grapple: +14/—
Attack: Swarm (3d6 plus 1d8 cold) Combat
Full Attack: Swarm (3d6 plus 1d8 cold)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./— A frost worm swarm fears little. It uses its trill, then quickly moves
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, cold, death throes, distraction, to attack the nearest creature. When damaged by a foe, the frost
trill worm swarm uses its breath weapon.
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., immunities (cold, weapon Breath Weapon (Su): Once per hour, a frost worm swarm can
damage), low-light vision, swarm traits, vulnerability to fire breathe a 30-foot cone of cold that deals 15d6 points of cold damage
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +15, Will +6 to each creature in the area (Reflex DC 17 half ). An opponent held
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 18, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 11 motionless by the frost worm swarm’s trill gets no saving throw
Skills: Hide +27*, Listen +5, Spot +5 against this attack. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Feats: Alertness, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will,
Lightning Reflexes Cold (Ex): A frost worm swarm generates intense cold that deals
an extra 1d8 points of cold damage with every swarm attack. Any
Environment: Cold plains creature attacking a frost worm swarm unarmed or with natural
Organization: Solitary weapons takes this extra cold damage each time one of its attacks hits.
Challenge Rating: 12
Treasure: None Death Throes (Ex): When dispersed by lethal damage, the
Alignment: Usually neutral frost worms making up the swarm turn to ice and shatter in an
Advancement: 15–21 HD (Huge); 22–42 HD (Gargantuan) explosion that deals 12d6 points of cold damage and 8d6 points
Level Adjustment: — of piercing damage to everything within 100 feet (Reflex half DC
17). The save DC is Constitution-based.
Here is an example of a creature swarm using a frost worm as the
base creature. Distraction (Ex): DC 17 Fortitude save; see the creature swarm
template.
Hideous and overwhelming, frost worm swarms are the terrors
of the arctic wilderness. Inexorable and ferocious, they can reduce Trill (Su): A frost worm swarm can emit a noise that forces its prey
a giant to bloody bones in less than a minute. Because they can to stand motionless. This sonic, mind-affecting compulsion affects
burrow through the ground or worm their way through even the all creatures other than frost worms within a 100-foot radius. Every
smallest cracks, no barrier provides protection against them. creature in this area must succeed on a DC 17 Will save or be stunned
for as long as the worm trills and for 1d4 rounds thereafter, even
A single frost worm swarm consists of more than a thousand if attacked. If attacked or violently shaken (a full-round action), a
wriggling, cylindrical white worms, each about 6 inches long. Each victim is allowed another saving throw. Once a creature has resisted or
worm has a pair of 1-inch-long white pincers on its head and two broken the effect, it cannot be affected again by the same frost worm
tiny black eyes that look forward. swarm’s trill for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.
The vicious pincers of these miniature frost worms generate a chill so Skills: *Because of its coloration and its affinity for burying itself
strong that it burns opponents, and they can make a terrible keening in the snow, a frost worm swarm has a +10 racial bonus on Hide
sound that paralyzes foes. When the worms feel truly threatened, they checks in its native environment.

Incorporeal Swarms?
If the idea of a swarm of tiny ghosts appeals to you, you can use this template to create that effect. Just apply the template to a
corporeal creature, then apply another template that grants the base creature the incorporeal subtype.

47
 Crystal Creature
Horrors spread on the wings of plague, the beautiful and terrible crystal creatures inspire awe and fear in all who view them. These
creatures are generated by brilliant pestilence, an insidious disease created by an evil god on the Elemental Plane of Earth.
Crystal Creature

A crystal creature looks much like it did before its infection, but every muscle and organ of its body has been transformed into clear
crystal. Through crystalline skin and bone, a faceted heart is visible, pumping translucent blood that refracts light and makes the creature
glow from within. Under light as dim as a candle or as bright as the sun, a crystal creature shines with such brilliance that it dazzles and
blinds other creatures.
Crystal creatures are driven to spread the disease that created them. Creatures infected on the Elemental Plane of Earth are set lose
on the Material Plane to spread their transforming affliction. When enough creatures are converted into crystal creatures, the god that
created the disease will transfer its essence to the Material Plane and establish its domination of the world.

Creating a Crystal Creature

“Crystal creature” is an acquired template that can be added to range of its light amplification (see Light Amplification
any corporeal creature that is susceptible to disease (referred to on page 49) or within 100 feet in conditions of bright light.
hereafter as the base creature). Blinded creatures and creatures of the earth subtype are
immune to the crystal creature’s blinding gaze.
A crystal creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here. Dazzling Form (Ex): When illuminated, a crystal creature’s
transparent body and organs refract and reflect light in a
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to elemental with the
dazzling display. Any creature that looks at a crystal creature
appropriate augmented subtype, plus the earth subtype if
in sufficient light (while within the radius of a light source
the base creature did not already have it. Do not recalculate
or the crystal creature’s light amplification ability, or within
base attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
100 feet under conditions of bright light) is dazzled until
Armor Class: The crystal creature’s natural armor bonus improves it leaves the area or closes its eyes. (See the DMG for a
by +4 over that of the base creature. description of the dazzled condition.) Simply averting the
eyes offers no protection. Blind creatures and creatures with
Attack: The crystal creature retains all the base creature’s attacks, the earth subtype are immune to this effect.
and its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks
retain the same primary or secondary status Disease (Su): Any creature damaged by a crystal
they had for the base creature. The crystal creature’s natural or unarmed attack must make a
creature gains a primary slam attack if it has DC 15 Fortitude saving throw or contract brilliant
no other natural attacks. pestilence. This disease has an incubation period of 1
day. Each day that the infected creature fails the saving
Damage: If the crystal creature gained a slam attack throw, it takes 3d4 points of Dexterity damage as
from the application of this template, its base parts of its body transform into crystalline structures.
damage is as given on the following table. In If not cured of the disease within 1 day of reaching 0
addition, all the crystal creature’s natural attacks can deliver Dexterity, the infected creature acquires the crystal creature
the brilliant pestilence disease (see Disease this page). template, and all Dexterity damage taken is immediately
healed. Once this transformation has occurred, no magic
Damage except a wish or miracle spell can restore the creature to its
former self, although polymorphing magic affects the creature
Size Slam Base Damage
normally. Any creature with the earth subtype is immune to
Fine 1 brilliant pestilence.
Diminutive 1d2
Special Qualities: The crystal creature retains all the special
Tiny 1d3
qualities of the base creature except invulnerability or
Small 1d4
resistance to sonic damage and light blindness or light
Medium 1d6
sensitivity. It also gains the special qualities described here.
Large 1d8
Huge 2d6 Damage Reduction (Ex): A crystal creature has damage
Gargantuan 2d8 reduction 5/—.
Colossal 4d6
Immunities (Ex): Crystal creatures are immune to the
Special Attacks: A crystal creature retains all the base creature’s negative effects of bright light. Thus, if the base creature
special attacks and gains those described here. normally took penalties in bright light, the crystal creature
no longer does so. Bright light that would normally dazzle
Blinding Gaze (Su): So long as a crystal creature is or blind the base creature no longer has any negative effect.
illuminated by light (within the bright radius of a light Crystal creatures are immune to searing light and to spells
source or under conditions of bright light), it has a gaze and effects with the light subtype (such as flare, sunbeam,
attack that causes permanent blindness unless a Fortitude and sunburst). When the crystal creature is subjected to such
save (DC 10 +1/2 crystal creature’s character level + crystal an effect, the save DC for its blinding gaze attack increases
creature’s Cha modifier) is successful. This attack affects all by +2 for 1d4 rounds. Increases for multiple such effects
48 creatures that look at the crystal creature while within the stack.
 Light Amplification (Ex): The body of a crystal creature Skills: Because of its transparent body, a crystal creature loses any
naturally amplifies light that strikes it. When struck by bonus that the base creature has on Hide checks because of
light from any source, the crystal creature projects a similar coloration. It gains a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks when its
amount of light, as though it were a light source of the same light amplification ability is not causing it to project light.
size. Thus, torchlight falling on a crystal creature causes it to
Languages: If the crystal creature can speak, it gains the ability
project light outward in a 20-foot radius. In conditions of
to speak Terran in addition to any other languages the base
very bright light, such as sunlight or a daylight spell, this light

Crystal Creature
creature knows.
amplification increases the saving throw DC for the crystal
creature’s blinding gaze attack by +2. This increase stacks with Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
those from light effects.
Alignment: Always neutral evil. A creature that succumbs to brilliant
Low-Light Vision (Ex): A crystal creature sees twice and a pestilence becomes obsessed with spreading the disease to
human in torchlight, moonlight, starlight, and other low- others and hates all creatures not related to elemental earth.
light conditions.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
Resistances (Ex): A crystal creature has resistance 10 to acid,
cold, electricity, and fire.
Crystal Characters
Vulnerability to Sonic (Ex): A crystal creature’s body is
Because crystal creatures are always neutral evil, characters of certain
especially vulnerable to sonic attacks. It takes double
classes lose their class abilities upon gaining this template. Clerics
damage from a sonic attack on a failed save and half damage
who become crystal creatures lose their ability to turn and destroy
on a successful save.
undead but gain the ability to rebuke and command undead. Crystal
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +2, Dex creature clerics may choose to worship an evil deity of elemental
+4, Con +2, Int –4 (minimum 0). Crystal creatures reduced earth and gain access to the Earth, Evil, and Sun domains. At the
to 0 Intelligence are mindless, like oozes. They do not GM’s option, PCs turned into crystal creatures could remain under
become comatose, but they use no strategy and seek only to the control of their players. A PC crystal creature might change her
infect others with brilliant pestilence. As mindless creatures, alignment to neutral rather than neutral evil, or perhaps a wish or
they are immune to all mind-affecting effects. miracle spell could change her alignment.

- Sample Creatures: Crystal Sahuagin -

Medium Elemental (Aquatic, Augmented Monstrous Here are examples of a crystal creatures using a sahuagin and a
Humanoid, Earth) shark as base creatures.
Hit Dice: 2d8+4 (13 hp) A crystal sahuagin is often mistaken for sunlight or moonlight
Initiative: +3 reflecting brightly off the waves. Even when it comes close enough
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), swim 60 ft. to see, sailors and undersea creatures often assume that it is some
Armor Class: 22 (+3 Dex, +9 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 19 angelic creature come to grant them a boon. A crystal sahuagin
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+5 looks like a humanoid creature with transparent scales, fins, fangs,
Attack: Talon +5 melee (1d4+3 plus disease) or trident +5 melee and webbed hands that shine in the light.
(1d8+4) or heavy crossbow +5 ranged (1d10/19–20).
Groups of crystal sahuagin often make hit and run attacks against
Full Attack: 2 talons +5 melee (1d4+3 plus disease) and bite +3
sailing vessels, hoping to infect their crews. In this way, they can
melee (1d4+1 plus disease) or trident +5 melee (1d8+4) and
create plague ships that can in turn infect the populace of a port
bite +3 melee (1d4+1 plus disease) or heavy crossbow +5
city with brilliant pestilence.
ranged (1d10/19–20)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Crystal sahuagin speak Sahuagin and Terran.
Special Attacks: Blinding gaze, blood frenzy, dazzling form,
disease, rake 1d4+1 plus disease Combat
Special Qualities: Blindsense 30 ft., damage reduction 5/—,
darkvision 60 ft., elemental traits, freshwater sensitivity, Crystal sahuagin try to remain away from light sources and hide
immunities, light amplification, low-light vision, resistances for as long as possible before attacking. Sometimes one crystal
(acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10, fire 10), vulnerability to sahuagin distracts potential foes by acting as a bright and flashing
sonic, speak with sharks, water dependent lure at a distance, while the others attack swiftly and retreat. The
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +4 entire group then follows and watches from a distance to see
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 9 whether any of the victims contract brilliant pestilence. If they do
Skills: Handle Animal +4*, Hide +12*, Listen +6*, Profession and someone cures the disease, the crystal sahuagin attack again,
(hunter) +1*, Ride +5, Spot +6*, Survival +1*, Swim +11 attempting to destroy the healer. Crystal sahuagin use their natural
Feats: Great Fortitude, MultiattackB attacks in preference to the weapons that sahuagin normally wield.

Environment: Warm aquatic Blinding Gaze (Su): DC 10 Fortitude save; see the crystal
Organization: Solitary creature template.
Challenge Rating: 3 Blood Frenzy (Ex): Once per day, a crystal sahuagin that takes
Treasure: Standard damage in combat can fly into a frenzy in the following round,
Alignment: Always neutral evil clawing and biting madly until either it or its opponent is dead. It
Advancement: 3–5 HD (Medium); 6–10 HD (Large); or by gains a +2 bonus to both Strength and Constitution and takes a –2
character class penalty to Armor Class. A crystal sahuagin cannot end its frenzy
Level Adjustment: +5 voluntarily. 49
 While a crystal sahuagin rages, use the following statistics: HD Immunities (Ex): See the crystal creature template.
2d8+6; hp 15; AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 17; Grp +6; Atk +6
Light Amplification (Ex): See the crystal creature template.
melee (1d4+4 plus disease, 2 claws) and +4 melee (1d4+2 plus
disease, bite) or +6 melee (1d8+6, trident) and +4 melee (1d4+2 Speak with Sharks (Ex): Crystal sahuagin can communicate
plus disease, bite) or +5 ranged (1d10/19–20, heavy crossbow); SV telepathically with sharks up to 150 feet away. This communication is
Fort +5,; Str 18, Con 16; Swim +12. limited to simple concepts such as “food,” “danger,” and “enemy.” Crystal
sahuagin can use the Handle Animal skill to befriend and train sharks.
Crystal Creature

Dazzling Form (Ex): See the crystal creature template.

Vulnerability to Sonic (Ex): See the crystal creature template.
Disease (Su): DC 15 Fortitude save; see the crystal creature template.
Water Dependent (Ex): Crystal sahuagin can survive out of the
Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +3 melee, damage 1d4+1 plus disease. A
water for 1 hour per 2 points of Constitution. After that, refer to
crystal sahuagin gains two rake attacks when swimming.
Drowning in the DMG.
Blindsense (Ex): A crystal sahuagin can locate creatures
Skills: A crystal sahuagin has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim
underwater within a 30-foot radius. This ability works only when
check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard (included
the crystal sahuagin is underwater.
in the bonus above). It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim
Elemental Traits: A crystal sahuagin has immunity to poison, check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action
sleep effects, paralysis, and stunning. It is not subject to critical hits while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
or flanking. It cannot be raised, reincarnated or resurrected (though a
*Underwater, a crystal sahuagin has a +4 racial bonus on Hide,
limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection spell can restore life).
Listen, and Spot checks. Because of its transparent body, it gains a
Darkvision 60 ft.
+4 racial bonus on Hide checks when its light amplification ability
Freshwater Sensitivity (Ex): A crystal sahuagin fully immersed in is not causing it to project light. *A crystal sahuagin has a +4
fresh water must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or become racial bonus on Survival and Profession (hunter) checks within 50
fatigued. Even on a success, it must repeat the save attempt every miles of its home. *It also has a +4 racial bonus on Handle Animal
10 minutes that it remains immersed. checks when working with sharks.

- Sample Creature: Medium Crystal Shark -

Medium Elemental (Aquatic, Augmented Animal, Earth)
Hit Dice: 3d8+6 (18 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: Swim 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armor Class: 21 (+4 Dex, +7 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+4
Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d6+3)
Full Attack: Bite +6 melee (1d6+3)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Blinding gaze, dazzling form, disease
Special Qualities: Blindsense 30 ft., damage reduction
5/—, darkvision 60 ft., elemental traits, immunities,
keen scent, light amplification, low-light vision,
resistances (acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10, fire 10),
vulnerability to sonic
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +2
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 19, Con 15, Int —, Wis 12, Cha 2
Skills: Hide +8*, Listen +6, Spot +6, Swim +10
Feats: Alertness, Weapon Finesse
Environment: Cold aquatic
Organization: Solitary, pair, school (3–5), or pack (6–11)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 4–6 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment: —
Like a brilliant shard of glass, a crystal shark propels itself
through the water with deadly intent. Crystal sharks are
mindless killers that exist only to spread brilliant
pestilence.
A crystal shark looks like a shark made of
crystal and glass. Sharp, transparent gills
adorn its sides, and its fins are blades of
glasslike clarity.
50
 flanking. It cannot be raised, reincarnated, or resurrected (though a
Combat limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection spell can restore life).
Unless controlled by a crystal sahuagin, a crystal shark attacks any Darkvision 60 ft.

Demon-Possessed Creature
nearby living creature. Typically, a crystal shark moves in swiftly and
Immunities (Ex): See the crystal creature template.
bites one creature two or three times before moving on to find another
creature to infect with brilliant pestilence. Such attacks usually kill Keen Scent (Ex): A crystal shark can notice creatures by scent in a
smaller creatures, but larger ones often escape. Those that do not 180-foot radius and detect blood in the water at ranges of up to 1 mile.
become prey for normal sharks and underwater predators while the
disease immobilizes them become crystal creatures themselves. Light Amplification (Ex): See the crystal creature template.

Blinding Gaze (Su): DC 7 Fortitude save; see the crystal creature Vulnerability to Sonic (Ex): See the crystal creature template.
template. Skills: A crystal shark has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check
Dazzling From (Ex): See the crystal creature template. to perform some special action or avoid a hazard (included in the
bonus above). It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check,
Disease (Su): DC 15 Fortitude save; see the crystal creature template. even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while
swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
Blindsense (Ex): A crystal shark can locate creatures underwater
within a 30-foot radius. This ability works only when the crystal *Because of its transparent body, a crystal creature loses any bonus
shark is underwater. that the base creature may have had on Hide checks because of
coloration. It gains a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks when its light
Elemental Traits: A crystal shark has immunity to poison, sleep
amplification ability is not causing it to project light.
effects, paralysis, and stunning. It is not subject to critical hits or

Demon-Possessed Creature
No evil is as terrible as one having the outward form of goodness. Demons can cavort in the skins of mortal creatures and cause havoc
while disguised by the flesh of virtue. While in the guise of a mortal, a demon can convert the weak-willed to evil and provide power and
counsel to other mortal pawns while gleefully using the mortal body as a shield against attack.
A demon’s presence can have a variety of physical effects on the mortal creature it possesses. Glowing eyes, bristly hair, warts, boils, scars,
long nails, and twisted limbs can all be signs of demon possession, as can more obvious characteristics, such as bulging muscles and
flaming-red skin. Many demon-possessed creatures, however, show no outward sign at all.
Demons possess mortal creatures for countless reasons, and their chaotic nature makes patterns of behavior difficult to determine. They
enjoy corrupting goodness and helping evil creatures, but many also use possession to hide from pursuit or to acquire protection. For
example, a demon in combat might possess a foe to make itself a difficult target for the other members of the group.

Creating a Demon-Possessed Creature

“Demon-possessed creature” is an acquired template that can be Balor: Flaming Body (Su): When a balor-possessed creature
added to any living, corporeal creature that falls prey to demon is involved in a grapple, flames spring to life all over
possession (referred to hereafter as the base creature). its body. Any creature grappling with it takes 2d6
See the Using the Demon-Possessed Creature points of fire damage per round that the grapple
Template sidebar for the details of this process. continues. Neither the balor-possessed creature nor
its equipment takes damage from this effect.
A demon-possessed creature uses all the base
creature’s statistics and special abilities except as Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day—firestorm, telekinesis.
noted here. Caster level equals balor-possessed creature’s
character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but
the creature gains the chaotic and evil subtypes if the base Bebelith: Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day—web, magic circle against
creature did not already have them. good, poison. Caster level equals bebelith-possessed
creature’s character level. The save DCs are Charisma-
Special Attacks: A demon-possessed creature retains all the base
based.
creature’s special attacks and gains those described here.
Dretch: Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day—scare, stinking cloud.
Demonic Attack: The exact demonic attacks bestowed
Caster level equals dretch-possessed creature’s
depend on the kind of demon that infused the base creature
character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
with its power, as follows.
Glabrezu: Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day—chaos hammer,
Babau: Sneak Attack (Ex): This ability works like the rogue’s
confusion, dispel magic. Caster level equals glabrezu-
sneak attack ability, dealing +2d6 points of extra
possessed creature’s character level. The save DCs are
damage on a successful sneak attack. This extra
Charisma-based.
damage stacks with that from all other sources that
grant the sneak attack ability. 51
 Using the Demon-Possessed Creature Template
Demon-Possessed Creature
One of the easiest ways to adopt and use this template is to give demons the ability to possess other creatures. This ability
should not change the creature’s CR, but it can make any encounter with demons more interesting. A creature possessed by a
demon during combat is likely to flee from its former companions rather than stay to fight, regardless of the demon’s wishes.
Knowing the capabilities and power of their companions, few adventurers would willingly fight them alone.
Possess Creature (Su): Once per day per 2 Hit Dice, a demon can attempt to possess an intelligent, corporeal creature within
10 feet as a full-round action. The target creature must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 demon’s racial HD + demon’s Cha
modifier). Success stuns the demon for 1 round; failure means the demon joins with the target. The demon’s body may vanish in
a cloud of colored smoke that the target then inhales, or the demon’s body may seem to merge with that of the victim. In either
case, the victim immediately gains the demon-possessed template.

Hezrou: Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—gaseous form. Caster level Succubus: Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day—charm monster, detect
equals hezrou-possessed creature’s character level. thoughts, suggestion. Caster level equals succubus-
possessed creature’s character
Marilith: Spell-Like
level. The save DCs are
Abilities:
Charisma-based.
1/day—align
weapon, blade Vrock: Spell-Like Abilities: 2/
barrier, magic day—mirror image; 1/day—
weapon. Caster heroism. Caster level equals
level equals vrock-possessed creature’s
marilith- character level.
possessed
Profane (Su): Each of a
creature’s
demon-possessed creature’s
character level.
melee attacks with a natural
The save DCs
or manufactured weapon
are Charisma-
deals +1d6 points of extra
based.
damage to a creature of good
Nalfeshnee: Smite alignment. All of its natural
(Su): Three and manufactured weapons
times per day, are treated as magic and
a nalfeshnee- evil-aligned for overcoming
possessed damage reduction.
creature can
Special Qualities: A
cause a burst of
demon-possessed creature
unwholesome,
retains all the base creature’s
multicolored
special qualities and gains
light to explode
those described here.
from its body
in a 60-foot Damage Reduction (Su):
radius. Every The demon-possessed
creature other creature gains damage
than a demon reduction 10/cold iron.
in this area
must succeed Possessed (Su): Each
on a Will saving demon-possessed creature
throw (DC 10 + is inhabited by a specific
1/2 nalfeshnee- demon. The demon can
possessed creature’s character level + nalfeshnee- neither control the possessed creature nor read its mind,
possessed creature’s Cha modifier) or be dazed for and it perceives only what the possessed creature does. The
1d10 rounds. The nalfeshnee-possessed creature is possessed creature’s alignment changes to chaotic evil until
immune to this effect. the possession ends.

Quasit: Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect good, detect magic; The demon is in constant telepathic communication with
2/day—invisibility. Caster level equals quasit- the possessed creature, imparting its thoughts and desires
possessed creature’s character level. regardless of language. To gain the possessed creature’s
cooperation, the demon usually offers telepathic suggestions
Retriever: Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a that it thinks a chaotic evil creature might find appealing.
retriever-possessed creature must hit a creature of any
size with a natural attack. It can then attempt to start While possessing another creature, the demon does not have
a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack access to any of its supernatural, spell-like, or extraordinary
52 of opportunity. abilities. It cannot cast spells or take purely mental actions
beyond thinking and using Intelligence-based skills. It Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 demon-possessed creature’s
cannot be targeted by any spell or effect (except as described character level + demon-possessed creature’s Cha
under spell vulnerability), but it can be detected normally by modifier) to negate this damage. A creature that

Demon-Possessed Creature
divination spells. strikes the babau-possessed creature with an unarmed
attack or natural weapon is also subject to this damage
Damage that harms the possessed creature does not harm
but may attempt a Reflex save at the same DC to
the possessing demon. If the possessed creature dies, the
negate it.
demon appears in its square.
Balor: See Invisibility (Su): A balor-possessed creature
The demon can exit the possessed creature at any time as a
continuously sees invisible creatures and objects as
standard action. When it does so, it appears in the nearest
though with the see invisibility spell (caster level 20th).
available open space.
Spell Resistance (Su): A balor-possessed creature has
Poison Resistance (Ex): A demon-possessed creature gains a
spell resistance equal to 10 plus its character level.
+2 resistance bonus on Fortitude saves against poison.
Bebilith: Scent (Ex): A bebelith-possessed creature can detect
Resistance to Electricity (Ex): A demon-possessed creature
approaching enemies and sniff out hidden foes by sense
has electricity resistance 20.
of smell alone. See the MM for details of this quality.
Spell Vulnerability (Ex): Certain powerful spells have special
Glabrezu: True Seeing (Su): A glabrezu-possessed creature
additional effects against demon-possessed creatures. These
continuously sees as if with the true seeing spell
spells must first overcome the demon’s spell resistance (if
(divine version; caster level 12th).
any) to have any effect.
Hezrou: Resistances (Ex): A hezrou-possessed creature gains
A demon-possessed creature subjected to a dispel chaos or
resistance 10 to cold and fire.
dispel evil spell must succeed on a Will saving throw or lose
all the modifications bestowed by the demon-possessed Marilith: Spell Resistance (Su): A marilith-possessed creature
creature template for a number of rounds equal to the has spell resistance equal to 10 plus its character level.
opponent’s caster level. The demon is immediately ejected
Nalfeshnee: Detection (Su): A nalfeshnee-possessed creature
from the possessed creature’s body and appears in the
continuously detects magic as if with the detect magic
nearest open square.
spell (caster level 12th) and automatically knows the
A demon-possessed creature subjected to a banishment spell alignment of any creature it looks at.
must succeed on a Will saving throw or lose the template
Quasit: Fast Healing (Ex): A quasit-possessed creature gains
until again possessed by a demon. Failure returns the demon
fast healing 2; see the MM for a description of this
to its home plane, as noted in the spell description.
ability.
An antimagic field or any antimagic effect suppresses all
Retriever: Construct-like (Ex): A retriever-possessed creature
the effects of the demon-possessed creature template. It
is immune to critical hits, nonlethal damage, sneak
also prevents the demon from communicating with the
attack damage, and death from massive damage.
possessed creature, using its perceptions, and exiting its body
(unless it dies) for as long as the demon-possessed creature Succubus: Tongues (Su): A succubus-possessed creature can
remains in the antimagic area. speak and understand any spoken language. This
ability does not grant it the ability to read these
In addition, particular spells can affect the weaker demon
languages.
kinds, as noted on the following table. In each case, when
the spell indicated for that demon (or any demon of higher Vrock: Resistances (Ex): A vrock-possessed creature has
CR on the table) targets the demon-possessed creature, resistance 10 to acid, cold, and fire.
the demon is expelled as described for dismissal (above),
assuming that the creature fails any associated saving throw Abilities: A demon-possessed creature’s ability scores change from
and the spell penetrates the demon’s spell resistance. Spells the base creature according to the kind of demon, as given
cast by the possessed creature do not have this effect. in the following table.

Spell Vulnerability Abilities

Demon CR Spell Demon Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha

Dretch 2 Virtue Babau +4 +0 +4 +0 +0 +2

Quasit 2 Protection from evil/chaos Balor +6 +0 +4 +6 +6 +2
Babau 6 Break enchantment Bebilith +6 +0 +4 +0 +0 +0
Succubus 7 Remove curse Dretch +0 +0 +0 –2* +0 +0
Glabrezu +6 +0 +4 +2 +2 +2
Demonic Quality: The exact demonic qualities bestowed Hezrou +6 +0 +4 +0 +0 +0
depend on the kind of demon that infused the base creature Marilith +6 +2 +6 +4 +4 +2
with its power, as follows. Nalfeshnee +6 +0 +4 +6 +6 +2
Quasit +0 +4 +0 +0 +0 +0
Babau: Protective Slime (Su): A slimy red jelly coats the Retriever +6 +0 +0 –6* +0 –6*
babau-possessed creature’s skin. Any weapon that Succubus +0 +0 +0 +2 +0 +6
touches it takes 1d8 points of acid damage from the Vrock +4 +2 +4 +0 +0 +0
corrosive goo, and the weapon’s hardness does not
reduce this damage. A magic weapon is entitled to a *Minimum 1.
53
 Skills: A demon-possessed creature gains profane bonuses Glabrezu: Power Attack. If it already has that feat but does
on certain skill checks according to the kind of demon not have Cleave, it gains that instead.
possessing it. These profane bonuses are considered
Hezrou: Blind-Fight.
Demon-Possessed Creature
supernatural abilities that are constantly in effect.
Marilith: Multiattack and Two-Weapon Fighting.
Babau: A babau-possessed creature gains a +4 profane bonus
on Hide, Listen, Move Silently, and Search checks. Nalfeshnee: Cleave and Power Attack.
Succubus: Dodge.
Balor: A balor-possessed creature gains a +4 profane bonus
on Bluff, Listen, and Spot checks. Vrock: Power Attack.
Bebilith: A bebilith-possessed creature gains a +3 profane Challenge Rating: The CR increases based on the possessing
bonus on Listen and Sense Motive checks. demon, as follows.
Glabrezu: A glabrezu-possessed creature gains a +3 profane
bonus on Concentration, Listen, and Spot checks. Challenge Rating
Hezrou: A hezrou-possessed creature gains a +2 profane Demon CR Increase
bonus on Listen, Spellcraft, and Spot checks. It may Babau +1
use the Spellcraft skill untrained. Balor +2
Marilith: A marilith-possessed creature gains a +3 profane Bebilith +1
bonus on Concentration, Listen, Sense Motive, and Dretch +1
Spot checks. Glabrezu +2
Hezrou +1
Nalfeshnee: A nalfeshnee-possessed creature gains a +2 Marilith +2
profane bonus on Diplomacy, Search, Sense Motive, Nalfeshnee +1
and Spellcraft checks. It may use the Spellcraft skill Quasit +1
untrained. Retriever +1
Quasit: A quasit-possessed creature gains a +2 profane bonus Succubus +1
on Hide checks. Vrock +1

Succubus: A succubus-possessed creature gains a +2 profane Alignment: Always chaotic evil.

bonus on Bluff and Disguise checks. Level Adjustment: The level adjustment depends on the kind of
Vrock: A vrock-possessed creature gains a +3 profane bonus demon, as follows: babau +3, balor +7, bebilith +4, dretch +2,
on Concentration and Move Silently checks. glabrezu +6, hezrou +6, marilith +6, nalfeshnee +6, quasit +4,
retriever +3, succubus +4, vrock +4.
Feats: Certain demons grant bonus feats to the creatures they
possess, as follows. The demon-possessed creature gains the
indicated bonus feats, assuming that it meets any prerequisites
Demon-Possessed Characters
and the base creature does not already have them. A demon-possessed creature favors whichever class the base
creature does. The ease of losing this template makes it difficult to
Balor: Cleave and Power Attack. If it already has those feats but
play, even if a player wishes to play an evil character. If the GM
does not have Great Cleave, it gains that feat instead.
allows a character to remain good or neutral despite the possessing
Bebilith: Alertness. demon, the possession should last an even shorter time.

- Sample Creature: Quasit-Possessed Goblin Warrior -

Small Humanoid (Chaotic, Evil, Goblinoid) Environment: Temperate plains
Organization: Solitary, gang (4–9), band (10–100 plus 100%
Hit Dice: 1d8+1 (5 hp)
noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults and 1
Initiative: +3
leader of 4th–6th level), warband (10–24 with worg mounts),
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
or tribe (40–400 plus 100% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level
Armor Class: 17 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +2 leather armor, +1 light
sergeant per 20 adults, 1 or 2 lieutenants of 4th or 5th level, 1
shield), touch 14, flat-footed 14
leader of 6th–8th level, 10–24 worgs, and 2–4 dire wolves)
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/–3
Challenge Rating: 1
Attack: Morningstar +2 melee (1d6) or javelin +5 ranged (1d4)
Treasure: Standard
Full Attack: Morningstar +2 melee (1d6) or javelin +5 ranged
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
(1d4)
Advancement: By character class
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Level Adjustment: +4
Special Attacks: Profane, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/cold iron, darkvision 60 Here is an example of a demon-possessed creature using a goblin
ft., fast healing 2, poison resistance, possessed, resistance warrior 1 as the base creature.
(electricity 20), spell vulnerability
Most quasit-possessed goblins are estranged from their kind, but
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +3, Will –1
sometimes one gains a leadership role through judicious use of its
Abilities: Str 11, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 6
newfound powers. The possessing quasit enjoys experiencing life
Skills: Hide +9, Listen +2, Move Silently +7, Ride +7, Spot +2
as a goblin, and it appreciates the protection of the goblin’s body.
Feats: Alertness
54 Furthermore, the goblin’s low self-confidence and cowardice allow the
demon a great deal of influence over its host. When the goblin dies, the
quasit often immediately attempts to possess another nearby goblin.
A quasit-possessed goblin looks like a standard goblin except that its
hands and feet are slightly longer than normal. It speaks Goblin, but

Devil-Bound Creature
the quasit can coach it to repeat phrases in Common and Abyssal.

Combat
A quasit-possessed goblin is brave so long as its foes do not wield
cold iron weapons. When confronted with a dangerous enemy, it
often turns invisible and either attacks a less threatening enemy or
flees, allowing its allies to do the fighting.
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect good, detect magic; 2/day—
invisibility. Caster level 1st.
Fast Healing (Ex): See the demon-possessed creature template.
Poison Resistance(Ex): See the demon-possessed creature template.
Possessed (Su): See the demon-possessed creature template.
Profane (Su): See the demon-possessed creature template.
Resistance to Electricity (Ex): See the demon-possessed creature
template.
Spell Vulnerability (Ex): Expelled by protection from evil or
protection from chaos; see the demon-possessed creature template.
Skills: A quasit-possessed goblin has a +4 racial bonus on Move
Silently and Ride checks.

Devil-Bound Creature
Demons possess and angels bless, but devils bargain. Of all the outsiders that use the bodies of other creatures, devils reign as the most
accomplished and experienced controllers. For eons, these creatures have been striking bargains and brokering deals with mortals. Their
blood-signed contracts have set countless souls on the path to hell; once a devil’s agreement has been signed, there is no escape. The devil
must have its due, and failure to fulfill the terms of the contract means the mortal’s soul is forfeit.
Barbed devils prey upon mortals who wish to protect other people, objects of importance, or caches of wealth. Their contracts usually
require the signer to guard something of importance to the devil for the same duration as the devil provided protection. A wise mortal
learns as much as possible about what the barbed devil wants him to guard, but invariably the guardianship requires participation in some
unexpected act of evil. Failure to fulfill the contract means the mortal dies and loses his immortal soul.
Bearded devils tempt mortals in need of brute strength. They especially love trading their services to bullied and downtrodden creatures
that desire revenge on their oppressors. Bearded devils enjoy irony as much as other devils do, but their dimwitted nature makes for ham-
handed attempts at the art. Their contracts usually require the signers to oppress and bully others after their own oppressors have been
slain or cowed.
Bone devils concentrate on mortals who wish to spy on others—particularly in order to punish others for breaking laws or taboos. A
bone devil often supports and encourages its target’s feelings of righteousness, exhorting him to take command and solve the “problems”
or punish the “wicked” himself. Contracts written by bone devils often require the signer to support the rule of tyrants, encourage
xenophobia, and ruthlessly enforce adherence to laws.
Chain devils strike bargains with those who feel enslaved, offering freedom and vengeance to mortals who are unlawfully imprisoned or
held captive. Not surprisingly, a chain devil’s contract often demands that the signer enslave others, starting with those she loves most.
Erinyes often deceive their dupes into believing that they are bargaining with celestial beings. Only when the contract is before him does
such a mortal learn of his helper’s true nature. By that time, there is often so much riding on the deal that the mortal is loath to let the
offer slip away.
A hellcat typically follows its chosen target for a few months before revealing itself. The hellcat telepathically offers warnings and advice,
hoping to win over its target with honeyed words and invisible aid. When the mortal has come to rely on the hellcat and needs help
desperately, it proffers its contract.
Horned devils dislike subtlety and deceit, but they too offer contracts that outline the powers they’ll grant to willing creatures. Horned
devils prefer to sign contracts with creatures of similarly warlike bent. They seek out old warriors who wish to prove that their strength 55
 has not waned, power-hungry generals, proud but inexperienced youths, and others who seek power through conquest. Horned devils’
contracts are not as specific as those of other devils. Most merely require the signer to advance the devil’s aims at some point in the
future—often when doing so means betraying those they hold dear.
Ice devils always have plans, and their contracts require the signers to aid such plans in any number of ways. They always seem to offer
Devil-Bound Creature

contracts reluctantly, as though doing so is a distasteful option they are forced to make available. In truth, however, their offers are usually
part of some larger strategy that has been in motion for months or even years beforehand. Ice devils often disguise their brilliance because
they prefer to let their victims think themselves smarter and cleverer than any devil.
Imps are weak devils that strike correspondingly weak bargains. The recompense they require for the meager powers they grant often
seems trivial. But what might seem more like a prank than an act of evil always has unforeseen consequences—unforeseen to everyone
except the imp, that is.
Lemures are the weakest devils. As mindless creatures, they can offer no contracts.
Pit fiends, the rulers of devilkind, prepare the most subtle and convoluted contracts. They offer great power, and they know better than
to make it seem as though they offer it for nothing. A pit fiend’s contract often requires several tasks of the signer, many of which seem
unreasonable. The pit fiend at first acts as though the contract is immutable, but with a great show of reluctance and regret, it “lets slip”
that bargaining is possible. After much haggling, the pit fiend strikes several tasks, then grudgingly offers the revised contract for signing,
all the while secretly gleeful that the remaining tasks—its true desires—have stayed on the table.

Creating a Devil-Bound Creature

“Devil-bound creature” is an acquired template that can be added Hair Attack (Su): The bearded-devil-bound creature’s
to any creature with a soul that knowingly signs a contract with a hair or beard grows unusually long. If the creature hits
devil (referred to hereafter as the base creature). with a melee attack while using a full attack action,
its hair automatically hits the same target, dealing
A devil-bound creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and
1d8 points of damage. The target must succeed on a
special abilities except as noted here.
Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 devil-bound creature’s
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the creature gains character level + devil-bound creature’s Con modifier)
the evil subtype if the base creature did not already have it. or contract devil chills (incubation period 1d4 days,
damage 1d4 Strength). If the base creature normally
Armor Class: A devil-bound creature gains a +2 profane bonus to lacks hair, it instantaneously grows some to make this
Armor Class. attack and loses it immediately afterward.
Special Attacks: A devil-bound creature retains all Infernal Wound (Su): A bearded-devil-bound creature’s
the base creature’s special attacks and gains natural and weapon attacks cause persistent wounds
those described here. that do not heal naturally and resist healing spells. Any
Diabolic Attack: The exact diabolic attack bestowed creature damaged by such an attack loses 2 additional
depends on the kind of devil with which the hit points each round. The continuing hit point loss
devil-bound creature contracted, as follows. can be stopped by a Heal check (DC 10 + 1/2 devil-
bound creature’s character level + devil-bound creature’s
Barbed Devil: Barbed Defender (Su): Invisible blades of force Con modifier), a cure spell, or a heal spell. However, a
surround a creature bound to a barbed devil. Any character attempting to cast such a spell must succeed on
creature that attacks a barbed-devil-bound creature a caster level check (DC 10 + 1/2 devil-bound creature’s
with handheld or natural weapons takes 1d8 points of character level + devil-bound creature’s Con modifier),
slashing and piercing damage. Because these invisible or the spell has no effect on the injured character. A
barbs are made of force, they affect even incorporeal successful Heal check automatically stops the continuing
creatures. Weapons with exceptional reach, such as hit point loss and restoring hit points. The infernal
longspears, do not endanger their users in this way. wound is a supernatural ability of the bearded-devil-
In addition, a barbed-devil-bound creature deals bound creature, not of its weapon.
1d8 points of piercing and slashing damage to a Bone Devil: Spell-Like Abilities: At will—fly, invisibility (self
grabbed opponent with each successful grapple check. only); 1/day—greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of
Magic that allows a creature to see invisible objects objects only), dimensional anchor, wall of ice. Caster
reveals a translucent shape like that of a barbed devil level equals bone-devil-bound creature’s character
surrounding the devil-bound creature. level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day—greater teleport (self plus 50 Chain Devil: Animate Rope or Chain (Su): At will, a chain-
pounds of objects only), hold person, major image, order’s devil-bound creature can animate a rope or chain of
wrath. Caster level equals barbed-devil-bound creature’s any thickness as if with the animate rope spell (caster
character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based. level equals chain-devil-bound creature’s character
Bearded Devil: Battle Frenzy (Ex): Twice per day, a bearded- level). The chain-devil bound creature can also cause
devil-bound creature can work itself into a battle any lock or manacle attached to a chain to lock or
frenzy similar to a barbarian’s rage (+4 Strength, +4 open when using this ability.
Constitution, +2 morale bonus on Will saves, –2 penalty Unnerving Gaze (Su): A chain-devil-bound creature
to AC). This frenzy lasts for 3 rounds plus the bearded- can make its face resemble one of an opponent’s
56 devil-bound creature’s Con modifier (elevated for frenzy). departed loved ones or bitter enemies. At will as
 Demon-possessed, Devil-bound, and the Book of Fiends
Green Ronin’s The Book of Fiends greatly expands the fiendish agencies at work in the Lower Planes. You can use many of the creatures

Devil-Bound Creature
described in that book in conjunction with the Demon-Possessed and Devil-Bound templates. Demons with the qlippoth subtype and
non-unique demons function as other demons in regard to the Demon-Possessed template. Non-unique devils function like other devils
for the Devil-Bound template. Daemons may select a template according to their role. Watchers function as devils, whisperers function as
demons, and mercenaries and independents cannot use either template. When modifying templates for these fiends, consider each on a
case-by-case basis. Refer to the MM fiends for guidelines when determining ability score modifiers, special attacks, and special qualities.

a standard action, the chain-devil-bound creature Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—fly, slow; 1/day—cone of
can target a single opponent within 30 feet with its cold, ice storm, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds
unnerving gaze. The target must succeed on a Will of objects only), persistent image, unholy aura, wall
save (DC 10 + 1/2 devil-bound creature’s character of ice. Caster level equals ice-devil-bound creature’s
level + devil-bound creature’s Cha modifier) or take a character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
–2 penalty on attack rolls for 1d3 rounds.
Imp: Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect good, detect magic,
Erinyes: Spell-Like Abilities: At will—minor image; 3/day— invisibility (self only); 1/day—suggestion. 1/week—
charm monster; 1/day—greater teleport (self plus 50 commune. Caster level equals imp-bound creature’s
pounds of objects only), charm monster. Caster level character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
equals erinyes-bound creature’s character level. The
Pit Fiend: Disease (Su): A pit-fiend-bound creature can spread
save DCs are Charisma-based.
devil chills (see Disease in the DMG) at will with a
Hellcat: Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a hellcat- successful melee touch attack. The creature touched
bound creature must hit a creature of any size with a must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2
natural attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple pit-fiend-bound creature’s character level + pit-fiend-
as a free action without provoking an attack of bound creature’s Con modifier) or contract the disease.
opportunity.
Fear Aura (Su): At will, a pit-fiend-bound creature can
Pounce (Ex): If a hellcat-bound creature charges, it radiate a fear aura in a 20-foot-radius as a free action.
can make a full attack even though it has moved. Every creature in the area must succeed on a Will save
(DC 10 + 1/2 devil-bound creature’s character level +
Horned Devil: Fear Aura (Su): At will, a horned-devil-bound
devil-bound creature’s Cha modifier) or be affected as
creature can radiate a fear aura in a 5-foot radius as a
free action. Every creature in the area must succeed on a
Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 horned-devil-bound creature’s
character level + horned-devil-bound creature’s Cha
modifier) or be affected as though by a fear spell (caster
level equals horned-devil-bound creature’s character
level). Devils are immune to this aura.
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—dispel chaos, dispel good,
fireball, lightning bolt, magic circle against good, greater
teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only), persistent
image. Caster level equals horned-devil-bound creature’s
character level). The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Stun (Su): Whenever a horned-devil-bound creature
strikes a flanked foe or one that is denied its Dexterity
bonus, the opponent must succeed on a Fortitude
save (DC 10 + 1/2 horned-devil-bound creature’s
character level + horned-devil-bound creature’s
Str modifier) or be stunned for 1d4 rounds.
Ice Devil: Fear Aura (Su): At will, an ice-devil-
bound creature can radiate a
fear aura in a 10-foot-radius
as a free action. Every
creature in the area
must succeed
on a Will save
(DC 10 + 1/2
ice-devil-bound
creature’s character level + ice-devil-bound creature’s
Cha modifier) or be affected as though by a fear spell
(caster level equals ice-devil-bound creature’s character
level). Devils are immune to this aura.
57
 though by a fear spell (caster level equals pit-fiend-bound action. This ability functions like a polymorph spell cast
creature’s character level). Devils are immune to this aura. on itself (caster level 12th), except that an imp-bound
creature does not regain hit points for changing form
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—blasphemy, create undead,
and cannot take a form of a different size.
fireball, greater dispel magic, greater teleport (self plus 50
Devil-Bound Creature

pounds of objects only), invisibility, magic circle against Pit Fiend: Regeneration (Ex): A pit-fiend-bound creature has
good, persistent image, unholy aura. Caster level equals regeneration 5. It takes normal damage from silvered
pit-fiend-bound creature’s character level. The save weapons, good-aligned weapons, and spells or effects
DCs are Charisma-based. with the good descriptor.
Special Qualities: A devil-bound creature retains all the base Immunity to Fire and Poison (Ex): A devil-bound creature is
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here. immune to fire and poison.
Contract Bound (Ex): A devil-bound creature has signed a Resistances (Ex): A devil-bound creature gains resistance 10
contract of service in return for the abilities granted by this to acid and cold.
template. The devil must reveal its nature when the contract is
Abilities: A devil-bound creature’s ability scores change from the
offered, and it cannot hide the details of the contract in any way.
base creature according to the kind of devil with which it
The exact conditions of the contract vary with the individual contracted, as given in the following table.
devil, but all require that when the devil has accomplished
certain goals or when a certain amount of time has passed, Abilities
the signer must perform a specific task or set of tasks for the
devil that offered the contract. The signer might or might Devil Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha
not be granted the powers of the devil-bound template while
Barbed devil +4 +4 +4 +0 +0 +0
completing the devil’s tasks. If the signer fails to complete the
Bearded devil +2 +2 +2 –2* +0 +0
tasks as specified in the contract, its soul appears as a gem in
Bone devil +4 +4 +4 +0 +0 +0
the devil’s possession (as though the signer were the target of a
Chain devil +2 +2 +2 –2* +0 +0
soul bind spell), regardless of distance or plane of origin. If the
Erinyes +4 +4 +4 +0 +2 +4
devil is dead and the signer dies before completing her tasks,
Hellcat +4 +4 +2 +0 +0 +0
her soul is destroyed, and she cannot be brought back to life by
Horned devil +6 +4 +4 +0 +2 +4
any means. No magic can free a creature from a devil’s contract;
Ice devil +4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4
only the intervention of a deity can break the binding.
Imp +0 +2 +0 +0 +0 +0
Diabolic Quality: The exact diabolic quality bestowed Pit fiend +6 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4
depends on the kind of devil with which the devil-bound
*Minimum 1.
creature contracted, as follows.
Bone Devil: Darkvision (Ex): A bone-devil-bound creature Challenge Rating: The CR increases based on the devil with
has darkvision to a range of 60 feet. which the devil-bound creature contracted, as follows.

Bone Devil: See in Darkness (Su): A bone-devil-bound

creature can see perfectly in darkness of any kind,
Challenge Rating
even that created by a deeper darkness spell. Devil CR Increase
Chain Devil: Regeneration (Ex): A chain-devil-bound Barbed devil +2
creature has regeneration 2. It takes normal damage Bearded devil +2
from silvered weapons, good-aligned weapons, and Bone devil +2
spells or effects with the good descriptor. A chain- Chain devil +1
devil-bound creature that loses a piece of its body Erinyes +2
regrows it in 2d6x10 minutes. Holding the severed Hellcat +1
member against the stump reattaches it instantly. Horned devil +3
Ice devil +2
Erinyes: True Seeing (Su): An erinyes-bound creature
Imp +1
continuously benefits from true seeing, as the spell (caster
Pit fiend +3
level equals erinyes-bound creature’s character level).
Hellcat: Invisible in Light (Ex): At will as a free action, a Level Adjustment: The level adjustment depends on the kind of
hellcat-bound creature can become invisible in any devil, as follows: barbed devil +4, bearded devil +3, bone
area that is lit well enough for a human to see. In a devil +5, chain devil +3, erinyes +5, hellcat +4, horned devil
darkened area, it shows up as a faintly glowing outline +6, ice devil +5, imp +2, pit fiend +6.
visible up to 30 feet away (or 60 feet if the viewer has
low-light vision). Magical darkness smothers the glow
and conceals the outline.
Devil-Bound Characters
A devil-bound character favors whichever class the base creature
Horned Devil: Regeneration (Ex): A horned-devil-bound does. Endowing a player character with the devil-bound template
creature has regeneration 5. It takes normal damage should be a major campaign event. The contract presentation
from silvered weapons, good-aligned weapons, and should be a truly Faustian situation, and the deal should have
spells or effects with the good descriptor. pitfalls and unforeseen consequences. A contract with a devil can
Imp: Alternate Forms (Su): An imp-bound creature can be a great roleplaying opportunity for the players and a fine way to
assume another creature’s form at will as a standard introduce new adventure plots into the campaign.
58
 - Sample Creature: Horned-Devil-Bound Ettin -
Large Giant (Evil), 6th-Level Fighter

Devil-Bound Creature
Hit Dice: 10d8+40 plus 6d10+24 (142 hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 30 ft. in full plate (6 squares); base speed 40 ft.
Armor Class: 32 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +7 natural, +10 +2
full plate, +2 profane), touch 12, flat-footed 31
Base Attack/Grapple: +13/+26
Attack: +2 bastard sword +24 melee (2d8+13/17–20) or
javelin +13 ranged (1d8+9)
Full Attack: 2 +2 bastard swords +24/+19/+14 melee
(2d8+13/17–20) or 2 javelins +13 ranged (1d8+9)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Fear aura, spell-like abilities, stun
Special Qualities: Contract bound, immunities
(fire, poison), low-light vision, regeneration 5,
resistances (acid 10, cold 10), superior two-
weapon fighting
Saves: Fort +20, Ref +10, Will +12
Abilities: Str 29, Dex 12, Con 19, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 15
Skills: Listen +11, Search +1, Spot +14
Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Exotic Weapon Proficiency
(bastard sword), Improved Critical (bastard
sword), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Power
Attack, Leadership, Weapon Focus (bastard
sword), Weapon Specialization (bastard sword)
Environment: Cold hills
Organization: Solitary or with cohort (ettin, 4th-level
barbarian) and followers (50 1st-level barbarian
orcs, 5 2nd-level barbarian orcs, 3 3rd-level
ranger orcs, 2 ogres, and 1 1st-level fighter ogre)
Challenge Rating: 15
Treasure: Standard (see possessions below)
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Advancement: By character class The horned-devil-bound ettin’s attacks with both natural and
manufactured weapons are treated as evil-aligned for overcoming
Level Adjustment: +11 damage reduction.
Here is an example of a devil-bound creature using a 6th-level Fear Aura (Su): DC 20 Will save, caster level 16th; see the devil-
ettin fighter as the base creature and a horned devil as the devil. bound template.
The horned-devil-bound ettin has designs on a greater role in Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—dispel chaos (DC 17), dispel good (DC
the world. It has seen the kingdoms of men and giants and wants 17), fireball (DC 15), lightning bolt (DC 15), magic circle against
one for its own. The fact that it must do terrible things to gain good, greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only), persistent
that power matters little; souls are the concerns of the dead or the image (DC 17). Caster level 16th. The save DCs are Charisma-
dying. based.
The horned-devil-bound ettin has no language of its own but it Contract Bound (Ex): See the devil-bound creature template.
speaks a pidgin combination of Orc, Goblin, and Giant. A creature
that can speak any of these languages must succeed on a DC 15 Regeneration (Ex): See the devil-bound creature template.
Intelligence check to communicate with it. If the other creature Resistances (Ex): See the devil-bound creature template.
speaks two of these languages, the DC is 10, and if it speaks
all three, the DC is 5. Check once for each bit of information. Stun (Su): DC 27 Fortitude save; see the devil-bound creature
Fortunately for the horned-devil-bound ettin, its commands template.
are usually simple and can be communicated via pointing and Superior Two-Weapon Fighting (Ex): A horned-devil-bound
aggressive shouting. ettin fights with a +2 bastard sword or javelin in each hand.
Because each of its two heads controls an arm, the horned-devil-
Combat bound ettin does not take a penalty on attack or damage rolls for
The horned-devil-bound ettin herds its weaker followers before attacking with two weapons.
it into battle to slow and weaken its enemies. While its followers Skills: A horned-devil-bound ettin’s two heads give it a +2 racial
melee with the enemy, it attacks with spells, keeping its cohort bonus on Listen, Spot, and Search checks.
and strongest followers close by as guards. Should its foes come
within melee range, the horned-devil-bound ettin enters combat Possessions: 2 +2 bastard swords, +2 full plate, amulet of natural
fearlessly, using its magic bastard swords to cut enemies to pieces. armor +3, cloak of resistance +4.
59
 Divine Guardian
Ageless creatures filled with ancient melancholy, divine guardians spend centuries in penitent prayer, thanking their gods for the
bittersweet blessing of eternal life. In lost temples and forgotten holy shrines, they while away long years in contemplation, weighing all
that they have gained against what they would gain by losing everything.
Divine Guardian

A divine guardian is a creature charged by a deity to guard an area it considers sacred. This guardianship might be a permanent
assignment granted to a willing creature, penitence for a great sin, or a curse laid by the deity on someone who has injured its faithful.
A divine guardian does not age and need not fear hunger or disease so long as it remains in the area it has been tasked to guard. Should
it ever leave, it must soon recant the dereliction of its duties, or the long years will weigh heavily upon it, and it will find its freedom in
death.

Creating a Divine Guardian

“Divine guardian” is an acquired template that can be added to any Special Qualities: A divine guardian retains all the base creature’s
creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). Usually, the special qualities and gains those described here.
alignment of a creature that becomes a divine guardian matches
Ability Healing (Ex): A divine guardian heals 1 point of
that of the god that invested it with power. Sometimes, however,
ability damage per round in each damaged ability score.
a god punishes a wayward worshiper or an enemy of the faith by
making it a divine guardian. Blessed Life (Ex): A divine guardian does not age or
breathe. It does not require food, drink, or sleep.
A divine guardian uses all the base creature’s
statistics and special abilities except as noted here. Bound to the Faith (Ex): A cleric or paladin of the
deity that granted the divine guardian its power can
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the
rebuke or command it as though it had only one-
creature might gain one or more alignment
half the total Hit Dice (character level) it actually
or elemental subtypes, depending on the
possesses.
alignment and portfolio of the deity that granted
it the template. Possible subtypes include air, chaotic, cold, Dimension Door (Su): At will, a divine guardian can use
earth, evil, fire, good, lawful, and water. For instance, a lawful dimension door as the spell (caster level equals divine
good deity’s divine guardian would have the lawful and good guardian’s character level) to reach any location within its
subtypes, even if it were actually of some other alignment. sacred site (see Sacred Site, below).
Similarly, a neutral god of water and ice would grant its divine
guardian the water and cold subtypes. Fast Healing (Ex): A divine guardian has fast healing 5.

Initiative: A divine guardian gains a +4 bonus on initiative rolls. Immunity to Mind-Affecting Effects (Su): The divine
guardian is immune to all mind-affecting effects.
Speed: A divine guardian is gifted with incredible speed. Each
of its speeds is double the corresponding speed of the base Immunity to Disease and Poison (Ex): Divine guardians are
creature. If the base creature flies, the divine guardian’s immune to disease and poison.
maneuverability becomes perfect if it was not already. The Sacred Site (Ex): Each divine guardian is assigned to guard
water subtype, if acquired, grants the creature a swim speed a specific site sacred to the deity that invested it with power.
equal to its highest speed. This area may be a structure, series of structures, or natural
Special Attacks: A divine guardian retains all the base creature’s site with clearly defined borders. It can be as large as a city,
special attacks and gains those described here. but in most cases it is a single temple complex or a sacred
grove. Gods do not waste their powers on places that their
Spell-Like Abilities: A divine guardian gains spell-like abilities worshipers can protect, so most divine guardians keep watch
according to its character level, as indicated on the following over abandoned burial grounds or lost temples. The divine
table. These abilities are cumulative. Caster level equals divine guardian is charged with protecting the site from harm and
guardian’s character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based. preventing incursions by those not of the faith. It must keep
its vigil until worshipers return or until the god deems the
Spell-Like Abilities site no longer worthy of protection.

Character Level Abilities Should the divine guardian ever move out of the area defined
as the holy site, it immediately loses the divine guardian
1–2 Alarm 3/day, hold portal 1/day template, and any spellcasting ability the deity might have
3–4 Arcane lock 1/day, knock 3/day granted based on its class levels. It cannot regain the template
5–6 Augury 1/day, clairaudience/clairvoyance 1/day unless it atones for its failure (usually by completing some
7–8 Dismissal 1/day quest or via an atonement spell) and re-enters the site within
9–10 Commune 1/day 1 week. Otherwise, it loses the template permanently, taking
11–12 Guards and wards 1/day 6d6 points of Constitution drain as the years of lost food,
13–14 Forbiddance 1/day drink, and sleep return to it tenfold. A creature that lacks a
15–16 Banishment 1/day Constitution score takes 2d6 points of damage per Hit Die
17–18 Repulsion 1/day from this process. Even if it survives, the creature can never
19–20 Screen 1/day expect to regain the template.
60 21+ Antipathy 1/day
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Wis +4, Cha +4. Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
Skills: A divine guardian gains a +5 racial bonus on Listen, Sense
Motive, and Spot checks. Divine Guardian Characters
Organization: Solitary. A divine guardian character favors whichever class the base
creature does. Because it is confined to its sacred site, a divine
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1. guardian makes for a poor PC.

Divine Guardian
- Sample Creature: Naareth, Chuul Divine Guardian -
Large Aberration (Aquatic, Good, Water)
Hit Dice: 11d8+44 (93 hp)
Initiative: +11
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares), swim 40 ft.
Armor Class: 22 (–1 size, +3 Dex, +10 natural), touch 12,
flat-footed 19
Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+17
Attack: Claw +12 melee (2d6+5)
Full Attack: 2 claws +12 melee (2d6+5)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Constrict 3d6+7, improved
grab, paralytic tentacles, spell-like
abilities
Special Qualities: Ability healing,
amphibious, blessed life, bound to
the faith, darkvision 60 ft., dimension
door, fast healing 5, immune to
disease, mind-affecting effects, and
poison, sacred site
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +11
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 16, Con 18, Int
10, Wis 18, Cha 9
Skills: Hide +13, Listen +18, Sense
Motive +9, Spot +18, Swim +13
Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Combat
Reflexes, Improved Initiative
Environment: Temperate marshes
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: 1/10th coins; 50% goods; standard items
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Advancement: 12–16 HD (Large); 17–33 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of a divine guardian using a chuul as
the base creature.
Combat
Like any other chuul, Naareth is a horrific aquatic hunter that
Naareth protects the entrances to the temple and his lair with
looks like a cross between a giant crustacean and an insect. He
alarm spells. He uses guards and wards in the central temple area
walks nearly upright on four two-toed feet, and his body is
around his lair each day and arcane lock on all doors outside the
supported by a lobsterlike tail. Two powerful arms in the middle
area. He also uses clairaudience/clairvoyance to spy on intruders and
of his body end in immense crab claws, and a blunt, hard-shelled
then augury to see whether waiting to ambush his foes will prove
head extends out in front of him. Beneath his head hang several
effective.
thin tentacles that he can use to paralyze prey.
The chuul divine guardian prefers to fight foes near water. In
Naareth is bound to the partially submerged temple complex of
combat, he attempts to paralyze enemies and drag them beneath
a neutral good goddess of water and sea travel. The chuul was
the surface to drown. He enjoys using guards and wards to confuse
cursed to guard the temple after slaying the priests who had just
and separate foes so that he can pick them off one at a time.
rediscovered it. Naareth despises being trapped in the temple
complex and hurls himself at any interlopers in frustration. He Naareth’s natural weapons, and any weapons he wields, are treated
longs for the day when other clerics of the goddess come to the as good-aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
temple, but his fantasies about that day alternate between turning
Constrict (Ex): On a successful grapple check, Naareth deals
the temple over to them in exchange for his freedom and showing
3d6+7 points of damage.
his defiance of the goddess by ripping her followers apart.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, Naareth must hit with a
Naareth speaks Aquatic.
claw attack. He can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action 61
 without provoking an attack of opportunity. If he wins the grapple Blessed Life (Ex): See the divine guardian template.
check, he establishes a hold and can constrict in the same round or
Bound to the Faith (Ex): See the divine guardian template.
transfer a grabbed opponent to his tentacles in the next round.
Dimension Door (Su): Caster level 11th; see the divine guardian
Paralytic Tentacles (Ex): Naareth can transfer a grabbed victim
template.
from a claw to his tentacles as a move action. The tentacles grapple
with the same strength as the claw but deal no damage, though Fast Healing (Ex): See the divine guardian template.
they do exude a paralytic secretion. Any creature held in the
tentacles must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude save each round on Immunity to Mind-Affecting Effects (Su): See the divine
guardian template.
Dread Allip

Naareth’s turn or be paralyzed for 6 rounds. While held in the

tentacles, paralyzed or not, a victim automatically takes 1d8+2 Immunity to Disease and Poison (Ex): See the divine guardian
points of damage each round from Naareth’s mandibles. template.
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—alarm, knock; 1/day—arcane lock, Sacred Site (Ex): See the divine guardian template.
augury, clairaudience/clairvoyance, commune, dismissal (DC 14),
guards and wards, hold portal. Caster level 11th. The save DCs are Skills: Naareth has a +5 racial bonus on Listen, Sense Motive, and
Charisma-based. Spot checks and a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform
some special action or avoid a hazard. He can always choose to
Ability Healing (Ex): See the divine guardian template. take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. He
Amphibious (Ex): Although Naareth is aquatic, he can survive can use the run action while swimming, provided he swims in a
indefinitely on land. straight line.

Dread Allip
Babbling, whispering, screaming, and muttering, dread allips pass through walls and strike at living creatures, hoping to gain companions
in undeath and madness. A dread allip is a crazed incorporeal undead created when a sentient creature follows an order to commit suicide
against its own wishes. The angry spirit that rises from the corpse is insane because its mind was conflicted at death, and it seeks to inflict
a similar fate on others. Dread allips enjoy suicides, and their mad ramblings are often interrupted by insane laughter when they witness
another creature taking its own life.
A dread allip looks much like it did in life, but its body appears black and trails off in flamelike wisps of ectoplasm. The distinct features
of the individual it once was are indistinguishable, but a person listening to the dread allip’s maddening speech might recognize a
particular creature’s voice.

Creating a Dread Allip

“Dread allip” is an acquired template that can be added to any all its attacks become incorporeal touch attacks, retaining
living creature with an Intelligence score of 3 or higher (referred the same primary or secondary status they had for the base
to hereafter as the base creature) that commits suicide because creature. The dread allip gains a primary incorporeal touch
of domination by a dread allip or at the command of some other attack if it has no other natural attacks.
creature.
A dread allip uses its primary incorporeal touch attack when
A dread allip uses all the base creature’s statistics and special making an attack action. Because an incorporeal creature
abilities except as noted here. Because they are incorporeal, dread has no Strength score, its Dexterity modifier rather than its
allips cannot use or carry equipment of any kind. Strength modifier applies to all its attack rolls.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to Full Attack: A dread allip uses all its incorporeal
undead with the appropriate augmented touch attacks during a full attack.
subtype, plus the incorporeal subtype if the
Damage: The dread allip’s natural attacks no longer
base creature does not already have it. Do not
deal normal damage. Instead, each incorporeal
recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or skill
touch attack deals Wisdom drain, as indicated in
points. Size is unchanged.
the Special Attacks section.
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s.
Special Attacks: The dread allip loses all special attacks that require
Speed: A dread allip loses all the base creature’s speeds and gains corporeal contact but gains those described here. A dread allip
a fly speed equal to the base creature’s highest speed, with cannot cast spells that require material components unless it
perfect maneuverability. has the Eschew Materials feat.
Armor Class: A dread allip loses any armor or natural armor Babble (Su): A dread allip constantly mutters and whines to
bonuses and gains a deflection bonus to Armor Class equal itself, creating a hypnotic effect. Every creature within 60 feet
to its Charisma bonus or +1, whichever is higher. If the base of the dread allip must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2
creature already has a deflection bonus, use the higher value. dread allip’s character level + dread allip’s Cha modifier) or be
affected as though by a hypnotism spell for 2d4 rounds. Babble
Attack: The dread allip retains all the base creature’s natural
is a sonic, mind-affecting, compulsion effect. Any creature
62 attacks, and its weapon and armor proficiencies. However,
 Creating a Normal Allip
You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard allip from the MM. To do so, simply alter the
features of the dread allip template in the following ways.
• The allip does not gain the command allips, create spawn, or dominating trample abilities.
• Reduce the Wisdom drain and the damage the dread allip deals to 1d4 points each, and reduce the turn resistance to +2.
• The CR adjustment is +2 instead of +3.

Dread Allip
that successfully saves cannot be affected by the same dread suicide.” The “commit suicide” command is an exception to the
allip’s babble for 24 hours. normal restrictions against self-destructive orders. A creature
ordered to commit suicide receives a second saving throw at
When the dread allip casts a spell with a verbal
a +15 bonus to break free of the domination effect. Failure
component, its babble special attack is
means the creature must attack itself once per round with the
negated during casting, and any creature
most damaging melee weapon or natural attack it possesses
already hypnotized by it is freed of
until ordered by the dread allip to do something else.
the effect.
Treat this attack as a coup de grace against a helpless
Command Allips (Su): A dread target. The target can attempt a new save with
allip can automatically command the same +5 bonus every subsequent round that
all normal allips within 30 feet as the domination continues. If the dread allip
a free action. Normal allips never chooses to issue one of the other four commands
attack a dread allip unless compelled. available to it and obedience would obviously
be self-destructive, the dominated creature
Create Spawn gets a new saving throw to
(Su): A creature break free of the domination
that dies while effect, again with a +5 bonus,
dominated by a when the self-destructive
dread allip rises as nature of the command
a new dread allip becomes apparent.
in 1d6 rounds if it
committed suicide, Madness (Su): Any creature
or died fulfilling that targets a dread allip with a
an obviously self- thought-detecting, mind-control,
destructive command, or telepathic effect takes 1d6 points
or had 0 Wisdom and was of Wisdom damage, though the effect
within 30 feet of the dread allip otherwise works normally.
at the time of death. The new dread
Wisdom Drain (Su): Each of a dread
allip is under the command of the one
allip’s incorporeal touch attacks deals
that dominated it when it died.
1d6 points of Wisdom drain. A
A standard allip from the MM can be creature reduced to 0 Wisdom
advanced in HD to represent a more becomes helpless until at least 1
powerful creature, and this template point of Wisdom is restored.
can also be used to turn a creature
Special Qualities: The dread
into a normal allip (see the Creating a
allip retains all the base creature’s
Normal Allip sidebar). Any creature
special qualities that do not
that becomes an allip or a dread allip
require corporeal contact with
regains its normal Wisdom score
another creature and gains those described here.
immediately thereafter.
Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread allip has turn resistance +4.
Dominating Trample (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds, the dread
allip may dominate creatures simply by passing through them. Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Dex +2, Cha
As a standard action during its turn, it can take a single move +8. As an incorporeal undead creature, a dread allip has
in a straight line. Any creature it moves through can attempt no Strength or Constitution score. Because an incorporeal
either an attack of opportunity or a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 creature has no Strength score, its Dexterity modifier rather
dread allip’s character level + dread allip’s Cha modifier) to than its Strength modifier applies to all its attack rolls.
avoid the attack. A creature that fails to avoid the dominating
Environment: Any.
trample must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread
allip’s character level + dread allip’s Cha modifier) or be Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–5).
controlled as if by the dominate monster spell (caster level Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
20th). Success renders a creature immune to that dread allip’s
dominating trample for 24 hours. Treasure: None. Dread allips cannot use equipment.

The dread allip can give the simple commands normal for the Alignment: Always neutral evil.
spell (“come here,” “go there,” “fight,” “stand still”), plus “commit Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +6. 63
 should be aware that an incorporeal spellcaster can wreak havoc on a
Dread Allip Characters campaign. A level adjustment of +7 or +8 might be more appropriate
A dread allip favors whichever class the base creature does. A DM who for a character who is primarily a spellcaster. Since a dread allip cannot
allows players to play dread allips despite their madness and evil nature wield equipment, it may be unsuitable for use as a PC race.

- Sample Creature: Dread Allip Spirit Naga -

Large Undead (Augmented Aberration, Incorporeal)
Dread Allip

Hit Dice: 9d12 (58 hp)

Initiative: +2
Speed: Fly 40 ft. (perfect) (8 squares)
Armor Class: 18 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +7 deflection), touch 18, flat-
footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/—
Attack: Incorporeal touch +7 melee (1d6 Wis)
Full Attack: Incorporeal touch +7 melee (1d6 Wis)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Babble, charming gaze, command allips, create
spawn, dominating trample, madness, spells, wisdom drain
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., incorporeal traits, turn
resistance +4, undead traits
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +9
Abilities: Str —, Dex 15, Con —, Int 12, Wis 17, Cha 25
Skills: Concentration +16, Listen +14, Spellcraft +10, Spot +14
Feats: Ability Focus (charming gaze), Alertness, Combat Casting,
Eschew MaterialsB, Lightning Reflexes
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–5)
Challenge Rating: 12
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 10–13 HD (Large); 14–27 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: +12
Here is an example of a dread allip using a spirit naga as the base
creature.
A dread allip spirit naga looks like a large snake with a vaguely
humanoid head and a body formed of impenetrable darkness. Wisps Typical Spells Known (6/7/7/5; save DC 13 + spell level): 0—acid
of blackness boil off its form as it slithers forward through the air. splash, daze (DC 17), detect magic, flare (DC 17), mage hand,
open/close, ray of frost; 1st—bane (DC 18), expeditious retreat, grease,
Spirit naga dread allips speak Abyssal and Common. magic missile, ray of enfeeblement; 2nd—cat’s grace, scorching ray,
summon swarm; 3rd—fireball (DC 20), lightning bolt (DC 20). The
Combat save DCs are Charisma-based.
A dread allip spirit naga typically rises out of a solid surface in Wisdom Drain (Su): See the dread allip template.
the midst of foes to affect them all with its babble and charming
gaze. It then moves through as many of them as it can with its Incorporeal Traits: A dread allip spirit naga is harmed only by other
dominating trample ability. Should these tactics fail, it attacks with incorporeal creatures, magic weapons, spells, spell-like abilities, and
damaging spells and incorporeal touch attacks. supernatural abilities. It has a 50% chance to ignore any damage
from a corporeal source, except for force effects or attacks made with
Babble (Su): DC 21 Will save; see dread allip template. ghost touch weapons. It can pass through solid objects, but not force
Charming Gaze (Su): As charm person, 30 feet, Will DC 23 effects, at will. Its attacks ignore natural armor, armor, and shields,
negates. but deflection bonuses and force effects work normally against them.
An incorporeal creature always moves silently and cannot be heard
Command Allip (Su): See the dread allip template. with Listen checks if it doesn’t wish to be.
Create Spawn (Su): See the dread allip template. Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread allip template.
Dominating Trample (Su): Reflex DC 21 avoids, Will DC 21 Undead Traits: A dread allip spirit naga is immune to mind-
resists; see the dread allip template. affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless
Madness (Su): See the dread allip template.
it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical
Spells: A dread allip spirit naga casts spells as a 7th-level sorcerer. hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
It can choose spells from the cleric spell list and from the Chaos ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from
and Evil domains as arcane spells, so it needs no divine focus to massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if
64 cast them. it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
 Dread Bodak
Bodaks are extraplanar undead created when living beings are touched by ultimate evil. Dread bodaks resemble their extraplanar
counterparts, but this resemblance hides an even greater threat.
A dread bodak is sometimes created when an intelligent creature turns traitor and kills an ally or murders a friend. In particular, the use
of the death knell spell on a friend seems most likely to create a dread bodak. A dread bodak is consumed with the desire for revenge on

Dread Bodak
everyone it knew in life and anyone who gets in the way. Worse still, it can create more of its vile kind. Its gaze brings foes to the brink of
death, and its voice then snuffs out their life force and turns them into dread bodaks.
A dread bodak’s body is lithe and muscular, covered in dead skin or scales that often appear gray. Its head is elongated both above and below
the brow. Its eyes and nose are sunken to the point of vanishing, and glowing pinpricks of evil light glow from deep within its eye sockets.

Creating a Dread Bodak

“Dread bodak” is an acquired template that can be added to any Death Knell (Su): A dread bodak can make a terrible
living creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature) that was keening sound that draws the souls of the dying to the
killed by a dread bodak or murdered by an ally via a method such afterlife. A dying creature (one whose current hit point
as use of the death knell spell. total is between –1 and –9, inclusive) within 100 feet of
a dread bodak using its death knell dies instantly. The
A dread bodak uses all the base creature’s statistics and
creature need not be able to hear the keening to be
special abilities except as noted here.
affected, but a silence spell blocks the effect. Death
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to knell is a sonic death effect.
undead with the appropriate augmented
For each creature slain in this manner, the dread
subtype. Do not recalculate base attack
bodak gains 1d8 temporary hit points, a +2 bonus
bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is
to Strength, and a +1 increase in effective caster
unchanged.
level for all spells it can cast and all spell-like
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. abilities it can use. These benefits last for 10 minutes.

Armor Class: The dread bodak’s natural armor bonus improves by Killing Gaze (Su): Any creature within 30 feet of a dread
+8 over that of the base creature. bodak that meets its gaze must succeed on a Fortitude save
(DC 10 + 1/2 dread bodak’s character level + dread bodak’s
Attack: The dread bodak retains all the base creature’s attacks, and Cha modifier) or its hit point total immediately drops to
its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain –1. Killing gaze is a death effect.
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base
creature. The dread bodak gains a primary slam attack if it Special Qualities: The dread bodak retains all the base creature’s
has no other natural attacks. special qualities and gains those described here.

Damage: If the dread bodak gained a slam attack from the Damage Reduction (Ex): A dread bodak has damage
application of this template, its base damage is as given on reduction 10/magic and cold iron.
the following table.
Immunity to Electricity (Ex): Dread bodaks are immune to
electricity.
Damage Resistances (Ex): A dread bodak has resistance 20 to acid
Size Slam Base Damage and fire.
Fine 1 Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread bodak has turn
Diminutive 1d2 resistance +4.
Tiny 1d3
Small 1d4 Vulnerability to Sunlight (Ex): A dread bodak takes 1 point
Medium 1d6 of damage per round of direct exposure to sunlight.
Large 1d8 Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +2, Dex
Huge 2d6 +4, Int –4 (minimum 1), Wis +2, Cha +2. As an undead
Gargantuan 2d8 creature, a dread bodak has no Constitution score.
Colossal 4d6
Environment: Same as the base creature and underground.
Special Attacks: The dread bodak retains all the base creature’s
special attacks and gains those described here. Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–4)

Command Bodaks (Su): A dread bodak can automatically Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
command all normal bodaks within 30 feet as a free action. Alignment: Always chaotic evil.
Normal bodaks never attack a dread bodak unless compelled.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +7.
Create Spawn (Su): Any creature killed by a dread bodak’s
death knell ability rises as a dread bodak in 1d6 rounds. A dread
bodak created in this manner is under the command of its Dread Bodak Characters
creator and remains so until either it or the creator is destroyed. A dread bodak favors whichever class the base creature does. 65
 Creating a Normal Bodak
You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard bodak from the MM. To do so, simply alter the
features of the dread bodak template in the following ways.
• The bodak does not gain any of the template’s special attacks or turn resistance.
• The bodak gains a death gaze (same as the dread bodak’s killing gaze, except that it causes death).
Dread Bodak

• Change the damage reduction to 10/cold iron.

• Reduce acid and fire resistance to 10 each.
• The bodak gains the extraplanar subtype.

- Sample Creature: Dread Bodak Tyrannosaurus -

Huge Undead (Augmented Animal)
Hit Dice: 18d12+9 (126 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 24 (–2 size, +3 Dex, +13 natural) touch 11, flat-
footed 21
Base Attack/Grapple: +13/+31
Attack: Bite +21 melee (3d6+15)
Full Attack: Bite +21 melee (3d6+15)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Command bodaks, create spawn, death knell,
improved grab, killing gaze, swallow whole
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/magic and cold iron,
darkvision 60 ft., immunity to electricity, low-light vision,
resistances (acid 20, fire 20), scent, turn resistance +4,
undead traits, vulnerability to sunlight
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +14, Will +9
Abilities: Str 30, Dex 16, Con —, Int 1, Wis 17, Cha 12
Skills: Hide +0, Listen +15, Spot +15
Feats: Alertness, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Run, Toughness
(×3), Track
Environment: Warm plains and underground
Organization: Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating: 10
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: 19–36 HD (Huge); 37–54 HD
(Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of a dread bodak using a
tyrannosaurus as the base creature.
The keening roar of the towering dread bodak tyrannosaurus
can be heard for miles, echoing across arid plains at night. No patrol the plains it hunted while it lived. When it encounters living
nocturnal creatures live in its territory, and creatures of daylight creatures, it charges into battle, attacking with its ferocious bite. It
flee the area when night falls. Dread bodak tyrannosauruses avoid uses its death knell ability whenever an opponent falls, hoping its
daylight by retreating into caves during the day. Such caverns victim will rise as an ally.
are often inhabited by other dread bodaks—victims of the dread
bodak tyrannosaurus that it has herded into its cave. Command Bodaks (Su): See the dread bodak template.

A dread bodak tyrannosaurus looks like a gray-scaled version of Create Spawn (Su): See the dread bodak template.
the living dinosaur with an elongated skull and jaws. Its muscular Death Knell (Su): See the dread bodak template.
body is lightning quick and shockingly strong. Pinpoints of light
glow malevolently from its eye sockets. Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a dread bodak
tyrannosaurus must hit an opponent up to one size category
Combat smaller than itself with its bite attack. It can then attempt to
start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of
A dread bodak tyrannosaurus is motivated by some of the opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and
66 territoriality it showed in life. At night, it emerges from its cave to can try to swallow the foe the following round.
Killing Gaze (Su): DC 20 Fortitude save; see the dread bodak Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread bodak template.
template.
Undead Traits: A dread bodak tyrannosaurus is immune to mind-
Swallow Whole (Ex): A dread bodak tyrannosaurus can try to affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
swallow a grabbed opponent up to two size categories smaller than death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless
itself by making a successful grapple check. The swallowed creature it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical
takes 2d8+10 points of bludgeoning damage and 8 points of acid hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
damage per round from the dread bodak tyrannosaurus’s gizzard. ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from

Dread Devourer
A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if
or piercing weapon to deal 25 points of damage to the gizzard it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
(AC 12). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole;
Vulnerability to Sunlight (Ex): See the dread bodak template.
another swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Huge
dread bodak tyrannosaurus’s gizzard can hold 2 Medium, 8 Small, Skills: A dread bodak tyrannosaurus has a +2 racial bonus on
32 Tiny, or 128 Diminutive or smaller opponents. Listen and Spot checks.

Dread Devourer
Native to the Ethereal and Astral Planes, devourers are undead creatures that trap the souls of other beings and use them to power their
terrible spells. The natural leaders of these horrid creatures, dread devourers are more vicious and voracious than ordinary devourers.
Few know how these dread devourers originated, but some sages speculate that they form as ethereal or astral “shadows” of creatures on
coexistent planes that die from energy draining effects.
Devourers and dread devourers take many forms, but most look mummified and desiccated. Their bodies are hardened to an astonishing
degree, and they possess far greater strength and mental acuity than they had in life. The souls they consume are visible in miniature
within and about their bodies, railing against their torturous imprisonment.

Creating a Dread Devourer

“Dread devourer” is an acquired template that can be All of a dread devourer’s attacks (with both
added to any living creature (referred to hereafter natural and manufactured weapons) count as evil-
as the base creature) that has a chest cavity or aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage
similar body part. reduction.
A dread devourer uses all the base creature’s statistics Damage: If the dread devourer gained slam attacks
and special abilities except as noted here. from the application of this template, the base
damage for each is as given on the following table.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to
undead with the appropriate augmented subtype, plus the
evil and extraplanar subtypes if the base creature did not Damage
already have them. Do not recalculate base attack bonuses, Size Slam Base Damage
saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
Fine —
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Diminutive 1
Armor Class: The dread devourer’s natural armor bonus improves Tiny 1d2
by +13 over that of the base creature. Small 1d3
Medium 1d4
Attack: The dread devourer retains all the base creature’s attacks, Large 1d6
and its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain Huge 1d8
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base Gargantuan 2d6
creature. The dread devourer gains two primary slam attacks Colossal 2d8
if it has no other natural attacks.

Creating a Normal Devourer

You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard devourer from the MM. To do so, simply alter
the features of the dread devourer template in the following ways.
• The devourer does not gain the evil subtype, and its attacks are not evil-aligned.
• Use the devourer’s spell-like abilities instead of the template’s.
• One character level of a trapped essence provides power for five uses of a spell-like ability.
• The devourer can trap only one essence at a time.
• The devourer does not gain turn resistance or the command devourer ability.
67
 Special Attacks: The dread devourer retains all the base creature’s spell-like abilities until all the essences within it have been
special attacks and gains those described here. destroyed. For each essence the dread devourer holds, the
caster level for its spell-like abilities increases by +2.
Command Devourers (Su): A dread devourer can
automatically command all normal devourers within 30 Special Qualities: The dread devourer retains all the base
feet as a free action. Normal devourers never attack a dread creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
devourer unless compelled.
Blindsense (Ex): A dread devourer can locate creatures
Dread Devourer

Energy Drain (Ex): A creature struck by a dread devourer’s within a 30-foot radius.
natural attack gains one negative level. The DC for the
Spell Deflection (Su): The trapped essences provide a measure
Fortitude save to remove the negative level is 10 + 1/2 dread
of magical protection. If any of the following spells are cast
devourer’s character level + dread devourer’s Cha modifier.
at the dread devourer and overcome its spell resistance,
Spell-Like Abilities: Unless the GM knows otherwise, they affect the imprisoned essence instead: banishment,
a dread devourer is assumed to have one essence with confusion, crushing despair, detect thoughts, dispel evil, dominate
3d4+3 levels trapped inside it at the start of any encounter. person, dominate monster, fear, geas/quest, holy word, hypnosis,
Each use of a spell-like ability drains one of these levels imprisonment, magic jar, maze, suggestion, trap the soul, or any
(see Trap Essences). The dread devourer can use one of form of charm or compulsion. In many cases, this change of
following spells (caster level 10th + 2 per essence trapped target effectively neutralizes the spell (casting charm person
within it): animate dead, circle of death, confusion, control on a trapped essence, for example, is useless). Some of them
undead, create undead, deeper darkness, desecrate, dominate (banishment and trap the soul, for example), might eliminate
monster, horrid wilting, inflict serious wounds, lesser planar a random trapped essence, robbing the dread devourer of its
ally, plane shift (self only, drains five levels from trapped magical powers until it can consume another.
essences), ray of enfeeblement, true seeing. The save DCs are
Spell Resistance (Su): A dread devourer has spell resistance
Charisma-based.
equal to 10 + dread devourer’s character level.
Trap Essences (Su): The dread devourer is named for its
Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread devourer has turn resistance +4.
ability to consume an enemy’s life essence. To do so, it must
forgo its normal melee attacks and make a trap essence Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +10, Dex
attack, which requires a touch attack but deals no damage. +2, Int +6, Wis +6, Cha +6. As an undead creature, a dread
The affected creature must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC devourer has no Constitution score.
10 + 1/2 dread devourer’s character level + dread devourer’s
Cha modifier) or die instantly. Skills: A dread devourer has a +8 racial bonus on Concentration,
Jump, Listen, Move Silently, and Spot checks.
The slain creature’s essence is trapped within or around
the dread devourer’s body as a tiny figure with the victim’s Environment: Any.
features. The trapped essence cannot be raised or resurrected, Organization: Solitary.
but a miracle or wish spell frees it, as does destroying the
dread devourer. A dread devourer can hold a number of Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
essences equal to its Hit Dice. Alignment: Always neutral evil.
The trapped essences provide the dread devourer with power Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +9.
to use spell-like abilities. Each trapped essence gains one
negative level for every use of such an ability. As this energy
is expended, the twisted soul fades away. When the number Dread Devourer Characters
of negative levels gained equals the creature’s character A dread devourer favors whichever class the base creature does.
level, the essence is destroyed and its image fades away. If This template grants very powerful abilities, and the GM should
an essence is freed, the restored creature must succeed on a consider them carefully before granting them to a player character.
Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread devourer’s character level A PC who uses the trap essence ability cannot retain a good
+ dread devourer’s Cha modifier) for each negative level or alignment, even if he traps only evil souls.
lose that level permanently. A dread devourer can use its

- Sample Creature: Dread Devourer Purple Worm -

Gargantuan Undead (Augmented Magical Beast, Evil, Special Qualities: Blindsense 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft., low-light
Extraplanar) vision, spell deflection, spell resistance 26, tremorsense 60
ft., turn resistance +4, undead traits
Hit Dice: 16d12 (104 hp)
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +9, Will +7
Initiative: –1
Abilities: Str 45, Dex 8, Con —, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 14
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), burrow 20 ft., swim 10 ft.
Skills: Concentration +10, Jump +25, Listen +29, Move Silently
Armor Class: 33 (–4 size, –1 Dex, +28 natural), touch 5, flat-
+7, Spot +10, Swim +25
footed 33
Feats: Awesome Blow, Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack,
Base Attack/Grapple: +16/+45
Weapon Focus (bite), Weapon Focus (sting)
Attack: Bite +30 melee (2d8+17)
Full Attack: Bite +30 melee (2d8+17) and sting +25 melee Environment: Any
(2d6+8) Organization: Solitary
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft. Challenge Rating: 15
Special Attacks: Command devourers, energy drain, improved Treasure: No coins, 50% goods (stone only), no items
68 grab, poison, spell-like abilities, swallow whole, trap essences Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 17–32 HD (Gargantuan); 33–48 HD
(Colossal)
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of a dread devourer using a
purple worm as the base creature.
The scope of the horror a dread devourer purple

Dread Devourer
worm evokes can shatter the mind of even the
most seasoned adventurer. Though far more
intelligent than it was in life, it remains a
relatively dim-witted creature. However,
it makes up for this disadvantage with its
enormous strength and potent spell-like
abilities.
The corpse-body of this behemoth oozes
reeking ichor from its cracked and chitin
skin. Its head is a mass of several opposed
jaws, and its tail sports a barbed blade that
drips a thick ichor. The souls of its damned
victims whirl around and through its body,
screaming and moaning in pain and terror,
but they fall hideously silent whenever the
dread devourer purple worm wishes them to.
A dread devourer purple worm does not speak.

Combat
In battle, a dread devourer purple worm forms its
body into a coil 20 feet in diameter and attempts
to swallow as many creature as it can. Once it
has swallowed a victim, it makes a trap essence
attempt. If it successfully traps the essence of
the swallowed creature but continues to face strong
resistance, it uses plane shift to seek better hunting
elsewhere. Otherwise, it continues to fight, using
deeper darkness, dominated foes, created undead,
or planar allies to distract its enemies while it concentrates on
swallowing more foes. A dread devourer purple worm’s natural
attacks are considered evil-aligned for the purpose of overcoming opponent takes 2d8+17 points of crushing damage plus 8 points of
damage reduction. acid damage per round from the worm’s gizzard.
Command Devourers (Su): See dread devourer template. A swallowed creature can cut its way out by using a light slashing
Energy Drain (Ex): DC 20 Fortitude save; see dread devourer or piercing weapon to deal 25 points of damage to the gizzard (AC
template. 30). Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the hole; another
swallowed opponent must cut its own way out. A Gargantuan dread
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a dread devourer devourer purple worm’s interior can hold 2 Large, 8 Medium, 32
purple worm must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt Small, 128 Tiny, or 512 Diminutive or smaller opponents.
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 Trap Essences (Su): DC 20 Fortitude save; see dread devourer
can attempt to swallow the foe the following round. template.

Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 20, initial damage 1d6 Str, Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread devourer template.
secondary damage 2d6 Str. The save DC is Charisma-based. Undead Traits: A dread devourer purple worm is immune to
Spell Deflection (Su): See the dread devourer template. mind-affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning,
disease, death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save
Spell-Like Abilities: See the dread devourer template. Save DCs unless it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to
(where applicable) are as follows: animate dead, circle of death critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability
(DC 18), confusion (DC 16), control undead, create undead, deeper scores, ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death
darkness, desecrate, dominate monster (DC 21), horrid wilting (DC from massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works
20), inflict serious wounds (DC 15), lesser planar ally, plane shift (self only if it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
only, uses 5 levels of an essence), ray of enfeeblement, true seeing. The
save DCs are Charisma-based. Skills: A dread devourer purple worm has a +8 racial bonus on any
Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It
Swallow Whole (Ex): A dread devourer purple worm can try to can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted
swallow a grabbed opponent two or more size categories smaller or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided
than itself by making a successful grapple check. Once inside, the it swims in a straight line.
69
 Dread Ghast
The first ghouls were humans who rose as undead because they had indulged in unwholesome pleasures in life. The original ghasts rose
as undead for similar reasons, but their sins were of vaster scale. A man who broke a taboo by consuming dead bodies to avoid starvation
might rise as a ghoul, but a man who murdered his wife and children, then cooked them up as a delicious meal for himself and his
mistress would instead rise as a ghast. Cursed with a terrible stench of death and corruption that serves as a warning to the living, the
ghast’s greater sins in life grant it greater power in undeath.
Dread Chast

The first dread ghasts were villains of still broader scope. Leaders in life, they influenced the actions of scores of others and led them
to participate in terrible atrocities. Today, the dread ghast “race” of undead perpetuates itself through the transmission of vile power. A
creature killed but not consumed by a dread ghast rises as another dread ghast. Though the new dread ghast is not under its creator’s
control, it usually succumbs to its progenitor’s exhortations to perform the same sorts of evil acts that led to the creation of the “race.” But
dread ghasts are careful with this power. Since they have no control over the other dread ghasts they create, they consume the bodies of
any victims that seem likely to be more powerful in undeath than themselves.
A dread ghast appears much as it did in life. Its decayed and rotting flesh clings tightly to its bones, and its eyes burn with unholy light.
Dread ghasts often have long teeth and wicked claws. Their long, dry tongues loll out of their mouths, making rasping sounds when
dragged against their fangs.

Creating a Dread Ghast

“Dread ghast” is an acquired template that can be added to any but has no natural attacks with it, the dread ghast gains a
living creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). secondary claw attack with each such limb.
A dread ghast uses all the base creature’s statistics Damage: If the dread ghast gained bite or claw
and special abilities except as noted here. attacks from the application of this template, the
base damage for each is as given on the following
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead
table.
with the appropriate augmented subtype. Do
not recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or
skill points. Size is unchanged. Damage
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Size Bite Base Damage Claw Base Damage

Speed: If the base creature has both a climb speed and a land Fine 1d2 —
speed, the lower of the two increases to match the higher. Diminutive 1d3 1
If it lacks one of those speeds, the dread ghast gains the Tiny 1d4 1d2
missing mode of movement at a speed equal to the other. Small 1d6 1d3
If the base creature lacks both modes of movement, the Medium 1d8 1d4
dread ghast gains both at a speed equal to one-half the base Large 2d6 1d6
creature’s highest speed. Huge 2d8 1d8
Gargantuan 4d6 2d6
Armor Class: The dread ghast’s natural armor bonus improves by Colossal 4d8 2d8
+4 over that of the base creature.
Special Attacks: The dread ghast retains all the base creature’s
Attack: The dread ghast retains all the base creature’s attacks, and special attacks and gains those described here.
its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base Command Ghasts and Ghouls (Su): A dread ghast can
creature. If the base creature possesses at least one mouth automatically command all normal ghasts and ghouls within
but has no natural attack with it, the dread ghast gains a 30 feet as a free action. Normal ghasts and ghouls never
bite attack with each mouth. The bite attack is primary attack a dread ghast unless compelled.
if the base creature has no natural attacks; otherwise it is Create Spawn (Su): In most cases, dread ghasts feast on the
secondary. If the base creature possesses at least one arm bodies of the fallen. However, any creature killed by a dread

Creating a Normal Ghast

You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard ghast from the MM. To do so, simply alter the
features of the dread ghast template in the following ways.
• The ghast does not gain the command ghasts and ghouls, create spawn, turn resistance, and unnatural aura abilities.
• The ghast gains the ghoul fever ability, as described in the MM.
• The ghast’s speeds are unchanged.
• Reduce the range of the stench ability to 10 feet.
• The CR increase is +0 instead of +1.

70
 ghast that lies undisturbed until the next midnight rises as Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread ghast has turn resistance +4.
a dread ghast at that time. The new dread ghast is not under
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex
the control of its creator. A protection from evil or gentle
+4, Int +2, Wis +4, Cha +6. As an undead creature, a dread
repose spell cast on the corpse prevents its conversion.
ghast has no Constitution score.
Paralysis (Ex): A creature damaged by a dread ghast’s
Skills: A dread ghast has a +10 racial bonus on Jump checks. A
natural attack must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10
dread ghast receives a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks
+ 1/2 dread ghast’s character level + dread ghast’s Cha
and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if
modifier) or be paralyzed for 1d4+1 rounds.
rushed or threatened.

Dread Chast
Stench (Ex): The noxious stench of death surrounds a dread
Environment: Any.
ghast. Any breathing creature within 20 feet of a dread ghast
must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread ghast’s Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or pack (5–12).
character level + dread ghast’s Cha modifier) or take a –2
circumstance penalty on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks for Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
1d6+4 minutes. A creature with the scent special quality must Alignment: Always chaotic evil.
make this save at a range of 40 feet and take a –2 penalty on the
save. This save must be repeated each round that the breathing Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
creature is within range of the dread ghast, but once the penalty
has been applied, further failed saves merely reset its duration. Dread Ghast Characters
Unnatural Aura (Su): Any creature of the animal type within A dread ghast favors whichever class the base creature does. It
30 feet of a dread ghast automatically becomes panicked and has an all-consuming desire to commit vile acts, which builds
remains so until the distance between it and the dread ghast is relentlessly until it loses control. The GM may require a dread
at least 30 feet. See the DMG for a description of the panicked ghast character who has gone an entire month without an evil
condition. act to make a Will save or commit some heinous crime. Success
Special Qualities: The dread ghast retains all the base creature’s staves off the urge for another month, week, or day, at the GM’s
special qualities and gains those described here. option.

- Sample Creature: Dread Ghast Gnoll -

Medium Undead (Augmented Humanoid, Gnoll)
Hit Dice: 2d12 (13 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 30 ft.
Armor Class: 19 (+2 Dex, +5 natural, +2 leather armor), touch 12,
flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+5
Attack: Battleaxe +5 melee (1d8+6/x3) or shortbow +3 ranged
(1d6/x3) or bite +5 melee (1d8+4 plus paralysis)
Full Attack: Battleaxe +5 melee (1d8+6/x3) and bite +0 melee
(1d8+2 plus paralysis) or shortbow +3 ranged (1d6/x3) or
bite +5 melee (1d8+4 plus paralysis) and 2 claws +0 melee
(1d4+2 plus paralysis)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Command ghouls and ghasts, create spawn,
paralysis, stench, unnatural aura
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., turn resistance +4, undead traits
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +2
Abilities: Str 19, Dex 14, Con —, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 14
Skills: Climb +12, Jump +15, Listen +6, Spot +7
Feats: Power Attack
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or pack (5–12)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +5
Here is an example of a dread ghast using a gnoll as the base
creature.
A dread ghast gnoll preys on nearby humanoid civilizations,
plotting ambushes and skirmishes in which its normal ghoul and
ghast minions can soften up foes before it enters melee with them. 71
 A dread ghast gnoll can use weapons, but it prefers to attack foes Paralysis (Ex): DC 13 Fortitude save; see the dread ghast template.
with its teeth and claws so that it can bring its paralysis ability into
Stench (Ex): DC 13 Fortitude save; see the dread ghast template.
play.
Unnatural Aura (Su): See the dread ghast template.
The skin of a dread ghast gnoll is even more pallid and gray than
it was in life. It has dead-white eyes and a long, dry tongue lolling Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread ghast template.
from its mouth, seemingly no longer attached to its moorings. Its
gums have peeled back from its teeth, making its fangs appear Undead Traits: A dread ghast gnoll is immune to mind-affecting
even longer than they did in life. effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death
Dread Ghost

effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless it also
A dread ghast gnoll speaks Gnoll. works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical hits,
nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
Combat ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from
massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if
A dread ghast gnoll leaps into combat with a dreadful lust for blood.
it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
Its snapping jaws and claws can rend flesh from bone with ease.
Skills: A dread ghast gnoll has a +10 racial bonus on Jump checks.
Command Ghasts and Ghouls (Su): See the dread ghast template.
It receives a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always
Create Spawn (Su): See the dread ghast template. choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.

Dread Ghost
Like normal ghosts, dread ghosts are restless spirits that exist on both the Material and the Ethereal Planes. Unlike many other dread
undead, dread ghosts have no special power over others of their kind, but some mystery of their creation makes them more powerful than
standard ghosts.
The appearance of dread ghosts is as varied as that of standard ghosts. Some exhibit telltale signs of their causes of death; others simply
appear as rotting or skeletal as their corpses. A few appear as they did in life, or as idealized versions of themselves.

Creating a Dread Ghost

“Dread ghost” is an acquired template that can be added to any Full Attack: A dread ghost retains all the attacks of the base
living creature that has an Intelligence score (referred to hereafter creature, although those relying on physical contact do not
as base creature). affect creatures that are not ethereal.
A dread ghost uses all the base creature’s statistics and special Damage: Against ethereal creatures, the dread ghost uses the base
abilities, except as noted here. creature’s damage values. Against nonethereal creatures, it
usually cannot deal physical damage at all, but it can use its
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the
special attacks, if any, when it manifests.
appropriate augmented subtype, plus the incorporeal
subtype if the base creature did not already have it. Do not Special Attacks: The dread ghost retains all the special attacks of
recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is the base creature, although those relying on physical contact
unchanged. do not affect nonethereal creatures. The dread ghost gains
the manifestation ability and five other special
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice
attacks chosen from the list given here.
to d12s.
Aligned Attacks (Su): All the dread ghost’s attacks
Speed: A dread ghost gains a fly speed equal to
are considered magic and aligned for the purpose
double the base creature’s highest speed,
of overcoming damage reduction. The alignment
with perfect maneuverability. If the base
matches one component (dread ghost’s choice
creature already has a fly speed, it increases
at the time of creation) of its own alignment. In
to double the base creature’s highest speed, and
addition, each of its attacks deals +1d6 points of extra
its maneuverability class becomes perfect. Its other speeds
damage to creatures of the opposing alignment. This bonus
apply only when it is on the Ethereal Plane.
damage applies to incorporeal touch attacks and to melee
Armor Class: Natural armor is the same as the base creature’s but and ranged attacks made against ethereal opponents. If
applies only to ethereal encounters. When the dread ghost the dread ghost lacks the corrupting touch ability, its
manifests (see Manifestation on page 73), its natural armor incorporeal touch attack still deals 1d6 points of damage to
bonus is +0, but it gains a deflection bonus equal to its a creature of the opposing alignment.
Charisma modifier or +1, whichever is higher.
Chilling Aura (Su): When a dread ghost manifests, it
Attack: A dread ghost retains all the attacks of the base creature, emits a deadly chill in a 20-foot radius around itself, on
although those relying on physical contact do not affect both the Material and the Ethereal Planes. Each creature
creatures that are not ethereal. within this area takes 3d6 points of cold damage per round.
72
A successful Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread ghost’s dread ghost’s malevolence for 24 hours, and the dread ghost
character level + dread ghost’s Cha modifier) halves the cannot enter the target’s space. If the save fails, the dread
damage. Although the dread ghost is not immune to cold ghost vanishes into the target’s body.
damage (unless the base creature is), it is not affected by its
Manifestation (Su): A dread ghost dwells upon the Ethereal
own chilling aura or that of other dread ghosts.
Plane and, as an ethereal creature, it cannot affect or be
Corrupting Gaze (Su): A dread ghost can blast living beings affected by anything in the material world. When a dread
with a glance, at a range of up to 30 feet. Any creature that ghost manifests, it partly enters the Material Plane and
meets the dread ghost’s gaze must succeed on a Fortitude becomes visible but incorporeal on the Material Plane.

Dread Ghost
save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread ghost’s character level + dread A manifested dread ghost can be harmed only by other
ghost’s Cha modifier) or take 2d10 points of damage and incorporeal creatures, magic weapons, or spells and has a
1d4 points of Charisma damage. 50% chance to ignore any damage from a corporeal source.
It can also can pass through solid objects at will, and its
Corrupting Touch (Su): A dread ghost that hits an
own attacks pass through armor. A manifested dread ghost
incorporeal target with its incorporeal touch attack deal
always moves silently.
1d6 points of damage. Against ethereal opponents, it adds
its Strength modifier to attack and damage rolls. Against A manifested dread ghost can strike with its touch attack
nonethereal opponents, it adds its Dexterity modifier to or with a ghost touch weapon. When manifested, the dread
attack rolls only. ghost remains partially on the Ethereal Plane, where it is
not incorporeal. It can be attacked by opponents on either
Death Wail (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds, the dread ghost
the Material Plane or the Ethereal Plane. The dread ghost’s
can loose a terrible wail as a full-round action, targeting
incorporeality helps protect it from foes on the Material
it against one creature within 100 feet of it. If the target
Plane, but not from those on the Ethereal Plane.
creature can hear the death wail, it must succeed on a
Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread ghost’s character level When a spellcasting dread ghost is not manifested and is
+ dread ghost’s Cha modifier) or die instantly. Any other on the Ethereal Plane, its spells cannot affect targets on the
creature within 100 feet that can hear the wail must succeed Material Plane, though they work normally against ethereal
on a Fortitude save at the same DC or gain 1 negative level. targets. When a spellcasting dread ghost manifests, its spells
A creature that succeeds on the save cannot be affected by continue to affect ethereal targets and can affect targets on
that dread ghost’s death wail for 24 hours. The death wail is the Material Plane normally unless the spells rely on touch.
a sonic death effect. Its touch spells don’t work on nonethereal targets.
Draining Touch (Su): A dread ghost that hits a living target A dread ghost has two home planes: the Material Plane and
with its incorporeal touch attack drains 1d4 points from the Ethereal Plane. It is not considered extraplanar when on
any one ability score it selects. On each such successful either of these planes.
attack, the dread ghost heals 5 points of damage to itself.
Rebuke Undead (Su): The dread ghost can rebuke and
Against ethereal opponents, it adds its Strength modifier to
command undead as an evil cleric of a level equal to its
attack rolls only. Against nonethereal opponents, it adds its
character level.
Dexterity modifier to attack rolls only.
Shattering Presence (Su): Once per round as a free action,
Frightful Moan (Su): A dread ghost can emit a frightful
the dread ghost can shatter all nonmagical objects made
moan as a standard action. Every living creature within a
of crystal, glass, ceramic, or porcelain (such as vials, bottles,
30-foot spread must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2
flasks, jugs, windows, mirrors, and the like) within 30 feet.
dread ghost’s character level + dread ghost’s Cha modifier)
Any object weighing more than 5 pounds per character
or become panicked for 2d4 rounds. Frightful moan is a
level the dread ghost possesses are not affected. A magic
sonic, necromantic, mind-affecting, fear effect. A creature
item made of any of the above materials must succeed on a
that successfully saves against the moan cannot be affected
Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread ghost’s character level +
by the same dread ghost’s moan for 24 hours.
dread ghost’s Cha modifier) or be destroyed. A crystalline
Horrific Appearance (Su): Any living creature within 60 feet creature within the area takes 1d6 points of damage per
that views a dread ghost must succeed on a Fortitude save character level the dread ghost possesses (to a maximum of
(DC 10 + 1/2 dread ghost’s character level + dread ghost’s 10d6). Every creature within 5 feet of a shattering object
Cha modifier) or immediately take 1d4 points of Strength must succeed on a DC 20 Reflex save or take 1d6 points of
damage, 1d4 points of Dexterity damage, and 1d4 points slashing damage. A creature wearing or carrying an object
of Constitution damage. A creature that successfully saves when it shatters takes 2d6 points of slashing damage (no
against the this effect cannot be affected by the same dread save). Shattering presence is not a sonic effect.
ghost’s horrific appearance for 24 hours.
Telekinesis (Su): A dread ghost can use telekinesis as a
Malevolence (Su): Once per round, an ethereal dread ghost standard action (caster level 12th or equal to the dread ghost’s
can merge its body with a creature on the Material Plane. character level, whichever is higher). When a dread ghost uses
This ability is similar to a magic jar spell (caster level 10th this power, it must wait 1d4 rounds before using it again.
or the dread ghost’s character level, whichever is higher),
Special Qualities: The dread ghost retains all the base creature’s
except that it does not require a receptacle. To use this
special qualities and gains rejuvenation and turn resistance.
ability, the dread ghost must be manifested and it must try
It also gains two other special qualities chosen from the list
to move into the target’s space; moving into the target’s
below.
space to use the malevolence ability does not provoke
attacks of opportunity. The target can resist the attack with a Energy Immunity (Su): The dread ghost is immune to one
successful Will save (DC 15 + dread ghost’s Cha modifier). type of energy (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic) chosen at
A creature that successfully saves is immune to that same the time of its creation.
73
 Ethereal Armor (Su): The dread ghost gains a deflection level) against DC 16. As a rule, the only way to get rid of
bonus to Armor Class equal to its Charisma bonus or +1, a dread ghost for sure is to determine the reason for its
whichever is greater, even when not manifested and existing existence and set right whatever prevents it from resting
wholly on the Ethereal Plane. in peace. The exact means varies with each spirit and may
require a good deal of research.
Greater Turn Resistance (Ex): The dread ghost has turn
resistance +8. This benefit does not stack with any other turn Spell Resistance (Su): A dread ghost has spell resistance
resistance the base creature has. equal to 10 plus its character level.
Improved Manifestation (Su): A dread ghost can switch Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread ghost has turn resistance +4.
Dread Ghost

from being wholly ethereal to manifesting on the Material

Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Cha +8. As
Plane and vice versa as a move action.
an undead creature, a dread ghost has no Constitution score.
Improved Rejuvenation (Su): The dread ghost rejuvenates
Skills: A dread ghost has a +8 racial bonus on Hide, Listen,
in just 1d4 hours rather than the standard 2d4 days. This
Search, and Spot checks.
ability replaces the standard ghost’s rejuvenation ability.
Environment: Any, often as the base creature.
Invisibility (Su): The dread ghost can benefit from improved
invisibility at will. Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4, or mob (7–12)
Rejuvenation (Su): In most cases, it’s difficult to destroy a Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
dread ghost through simple combat. The “destroyed” spirit
will often restore itself in 2d4 days. Even the most powerful Treasure: Ghostly equipment.
spells are usually only temporary solutions. A dread ghost Alignment: Any.
that would otherwise be destroyed returns to its old haunts
with a successful level check (1d20 + dread ghost’s character Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +6.

- Sample Creature: Dread Ghost Medusa -

Medium Undead (Augmented Monstrous Humanoid, Incorporeal)
Ethereal Manifested
Hit Dice: 6d12 (39 hp) 6d12 (39 hp)
Initiative: +2 +2
Speed: Fly 60 ft. (perfect) (12 squares) 30 ft.
Armor Class: 18 (+2 Dex, +6 deflection), touch 18, flat-footed 16 15 (+2 Dex, +3 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/— +6/+6
Attack: Incorporeal touch +8 melee touch (draining touch) Incorporeal touch +6 melee touch (draining touch) or
shortbow +8 ranged (1d6/×3) or dagger +8
melee (1d4/19–20) or snakes +8 melee (1d4 plus
poison)
Full Attack: Incorporeal touch +8 melee touch (draining touch) Incorporeal touch +6 melee touch (draining touch) or
shortbow +8/+3 ranged (1d6/×3) or dagger
+6/+1 melee (1d4/19–20) and snakes +3 melee
(1d4 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Corrupting gaze, death wail, draining touch, Corrupting gaze, death wail, draining touch, horrific
horrific appearance, manifestation, petrifying appearance, manifestation, petrifying gaze, poison,
gaze, shattering presence shattering presence
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., ethereal armor, greater turn Darkvision 60 ft., ethereal armor, greater turn
resistance +8, rejuvenation, undead traits resistance +8, rejuvenation, undead traits
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +6 Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +6
Abilities: Str —, Dex 15, Con —, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 23 Str 10, Dex 15, Con —, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 23
Skills: Bluff +13, Diplomacy +8, Disguise +13 (+15 acting), Bluff +13, Diplomacy +8, Disguise +13 (+15 acting),
Hide +10, Intimidate +8, Listen +9, Move Silently Hide +10, Intimidate +8, Listen +9, Move Silently
+8, Search +9, Spot +16 +8, Search +9, Spot +16
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Finesse Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Finesse
Environment: — Any —
Organization: — Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or mob (7–12) —
Challenge Rating: — 10 —
Treasure: — None —
Alignment: — Usually lawful evil —
Advancement: — By character class —
Level Adjustment: — +10 —
Here is an example of a dread ghost using a medusa as the base creature.
74
The dread ghost medusa appears much as it did in life, except that A dread ghost medusa has two home planes: the Material Plane
it bears the marks of its horrible death. With its face half torn and the Ethereal Plane. It is not considered extraplanar when on
away and its severed snake hair squirming, the appearance of a either of these planes.
dread ghost medusa generates much greater fear than many living
Petrifying Gaze (Su): Turn to stone permanently, 30 feet,
horrors can.
Fortitude DC 19 negates. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Combat Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 19, initial damage 1d6 Str,
secondary damage 2d6 Str. The save DC is Charisma-based.
The dread ghost medusa tries to manifest in the midst of living

Dread Ghost
foes to take them by surprise, using its gaze attacks, horrific Shattering Presence (Su): DC 19 Fortitude save; see the dread
appearance, shattering presence, and death wail all at once. In ghost template.
following rounds, it continues its assault with draining touch
attacks and targeted gazes. Ethereal Armor (Su): See the dread ghost template.

Corrupting Gaze (Su): A dread ghost medusa can blast living Greater Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread ghost template.
beings with a glance at a range of up to 30 feet. Any creature Rejuvenation (Su): In most cases, it’s difficult to destroy a dread
meeting its gaze must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude save or take ghost medusa through simple combat because the “destroyed”
2d10 points of damage and 1d4 points of Charisma damage. The spirit often restores itself in 2d4 days. Even the most powerful
save DC is Charisma-based. spells are usually only temporary solutions. A dread ghost medusa
Death Wail (Su): DC 19 Fortitude save; see the dread ghost that would otherwise be destroyed returns to its old haunts with a
template. successful level check (1d20 + dread ghost medusa’s character level)
against DC 16. As a rule, the only way to get rid of a dread ghost
Draining Touch (Su): A dread ghost medusa that hits a living medusa for sure is to determine the reason for its existence and set
target with its incorporeal touch attack drains 1d4 points from right whatever prevents it from resting in peace. The exact means
any one ability score it selects. On each such successful attack, it varies with each spirit and may require a good deal of research.
heals 5 points of damage to itself. Against ethereal opponents, the
dread ghost medusa adds its Strength modifier to attack rolls only. Undead Traits: A dread ghost medusa is immune to mind-
Against nonethereal opponents, it adds its Dexterity modifier to affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
attack rolls only. death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless
it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical
Horrific Appearance (Su): Any living creature within 60 feet that hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
views a dread ghost medusa must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from
save or immediately take 1d4 points of Strength damage, 1d4 massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if
points of Dexterity damage, and 1d4 points of Constitution it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
damage. A creature that successfully saves against this effect
cannot be affected by the same dread ghost medusa’s horrific
appearance for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-
based.
Manifestation (Su): A dread ghost medusa dwells
upon the Ethereal Plane and, as an ethereal creature, it
cannot affect or be affected by anything in the material
world. When a dread ghost medusa manifests, it partly
enters the Material Plane and becomes visible but
incorporeal on the Material Plane. A manifested dread
ghost medusa can be harmed only by other incorporeal
creatures, magic weapons, or spells and has a 50%
chance to ignore any damage from a corporeal source. A
manifested dread ghost medusa can pass through solid
objects at will, and its own attacks pass through armor. A
manifested dread ghost medusa always moves silently.
A manifested dread ghost medusa can strike with its
touch attack or with a ghost touch weapon. A manifested
dread ghost medusa remains partially on the Ethereal
Plane, where it is not incorporeal. It can be attacked by
opponents on either the Material Plane or the Ethereal
Plane. The dread ghost medusa’s incorporeality helps protect
it from foes on the Material Plane, but not from those on the
Ethereal Plane.
When a spellcasting dread ghost medusa is not manifested
and is on the Ethereal Plane, its spells cannot affect targets on
the Material Plane, though they work normally against ethereal
targets. When a spellcasting dread ghost medusa manifests, its
spells continue to affect ethereal targets and can affect targets on
the Material Plane normally unless the spells rely on
touch. A manifested dread ghost medusa’s touch spells
don’t work on nonethereal targets. 75
 Dread Ghoul
Eaters of the dead that hunger for the living, the first ghouls were the undead remains of humans who had indulged in unwholesome
pleasures, such as cannibalism or necrophilia, in life. The original dread ghouls came into being because they had exhorted or compelled
others to such acts while alive. Although both types of undead can create more of their kind, dread ghouls maintain their role as leaders
of their normal kindred.
Dread Ghoul

Also called ghoul lords or ghuls, dread ghouls are to ghouls what dread ghasts are to ghasts. Both dread creatures can command
normal ghouls, and this situation often creates conflict. Because they cannot command normal ghasts, however, dread ghouls often find
themselves on the losing side of such battles.
A dread ghoul looks like a gray and emaciated version of its living form. Its limbs often end in terrible claws caked with grave dirt and
the rotting flesh of its last disinterred meal. A dread ghoul’s eyes glow dimly with an angry light, and its hunger for flesh is clearly written
on its features.

Creating a Dread Ghoul

“Dread ghoul” is an acquired template that can be added to any Damage: If the dread ghoul gained bite or claw attacks from the
living creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). application of this template, the base damage for each is as
given on the following table.
A dread ghoul uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here.
Damage
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base Size Bite Base Damage Claw Base Damage
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged. Fine 1 —
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Diminutive 1d2 —
Tiny 1d3 1
Speed: If the base creature has a climb speed and a land speed, Small 1d4 1d2
increase the climb speed to match the land speed unless it is Medium 1d6 1d3
already higher. If the base creature lacks one of those speeds, Large 1d8 1d4
the dread ghoul gains the missing mode of movement at Huge 2d6 1d6
a speed equal to the other. If the base creature lacks both Gargantuan 2d8 1d8
modes of movement, the dread ghoul gains both at a speed Colossal 4d6 2d6
equal to one-half the base creature’s highest speed.
Special Attacks: The dread ghoul retains all the base creature’s
Armor Class: The dread ghoul’s natural armor bonus improves by special attacks and gains those described here.
+2 over that of the base creature.
Command Ghouls (Su): A dread ghoul can
Attack: The dread ghoul retains all the base automatically command all normal ghouls within
creature’s attacks, and its weapon and armor 30 feet as a free action. Normal ghouls never attack a
proficiencies. These attacks retain the same dread ghoul unless compelled.
primary or secondary status they had for the
base creature. If the base creature possesses Create Spawn (Su): In most cases, dread ghouls feast
at least one mouth but has no natural attack on the bodies of the fallen. However, any creature
with it, the dread ghoul gains a bite attack killed by a dread ghoul that lies undisturbed until the
with each mouth. The bite attack is primary if the base next midnight rises as a dread ghoul at that time. The new
creature has no natural attacks; otherwise it is secondary. dread ghoul is not under the control of its creator. A protection
If the base creature possesses at least one arm but has no from evil or gentle repose spell cast on the corpse prevents this.
natural attacks with it, the dread ghoul gains a secondary Paralysis (Ex): A creature damaged by a dread ghoul’s
claw attack with each such limb. natural attack must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10

Creating a Normal Ghoul

You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard ghoul from the MM. To do so, simply alter the
features of the dread ghoul template in the following ways.
• The ghoul does not gain the command ghouls, create spawn, scent, and turn resistance abilities, the Track feat, or a racial
bonus on Survival checks.
• The ghoul gains the ghoul fever ability, as described in the MM.
• The ghoul’s speeds are unchanged.
• The CR increase is +0 instead of +1.

76
 + 1/2 dread ghoul’s character level + dread ghoul’s Cha Environment: Any.
modifier) or be paralyzed for 1d4+1 rounds.
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or pack (5–12).
Special Qualities: The dread ghoul retains all the base creature’s
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
special qualities and gains those described here.
Alignment: Always chaotic evil.
Scent (Ex): A dread ghoul can detect approaching enemies
and sniff out hidden foes by sense of smell alone. See the Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
MM for details of this quality.
Dread Ghoul Characters

Dread Ghoul
Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread ghoul has turn resistance +2.
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +2, Dex A dread ghoul favors whichever class the base creature does. Its
+4, Int +2, Wis +4, Cha +2. As an undead creature, a dread all-consuming hunger for the living or rotting flesh of a sentient
ghoul has no Constitution score. creature cannot be satiated by other foods. This hunger builds
until the dread ghoul is in a state of frenzy. The GM may require
Skills: A dread ghoul gains a +8 racial bonus on Survival checks. a dread ghoul character who has gone for several days without
A dread ghoul receives a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks feeding on the flesh of a sentient being to make a Concentration
and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if check to perform any action not designed to result in such feeding.
rushed or threatened. Success staves off the hunger for another day.
Feats: A dread ghoul gains Track as a bonus feat if the base
creature did not already have it.

- Sample Creature: Dread Ghoul Frost Giant -

Large Undead (Augmented Giant, Cold)
Hit Dice: 14d12 (91 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 40 ft.
Armor Class: 25 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +11 natural, +4 chain shirt)
touch 10, flat-footed 24
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+24
Attack: Greataxe +19 melee (3d6+15/x3) or bite +19 melee
(1d8+10 plus paralysis) or slam +19 melee (1d4+5 plus
paralysis) or rock +11 ranged (2d6+10)
Full Attack: Greataxe +19/+14 melee (3d6+15/x3) and bite +14
melee (1d8+5 plus paralysis) or bite +19 melee (1d8+10
plus paralysis) or 2 slams +19 melee (1d4+10 plus
paralysis) or rock +11 ranged (2d6+10)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Command ghouls, create spawn, paralysis,
rock throwing
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., immunity to cold, low-
light vision, rock catching, scent, turn resistance +2,
undead traits, vulnerability to fire
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +8
Abilities: Str 31, Dex 13, Con —, Int 12, Wis 18, Cha 13
Skills: Climb +22, Craft (any one) +7, Intimidate +7, Jump +18,
Spot +14, Survival +12
Feats: Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder,
Power Attack, Track
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or pack (5–12)
Challenge Rating: 10
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +8
Here is an example of a dread ghoul using a frost giant as the base
creature. effectively, a dread ghoul frost giant flees, then returns later to track
its foe, hoping to take its revenge when the enemy is off guard.
A dread ghoul frost giant is a horror to both smaller creatures and
other giants. Intelligent and adept with tactics, dread ghoul frost A dread ghoul frost giant is a 15-foot tall, walking horror.
giants use the terrain to best advantage, hurling stones at foes Chainmail hangs from its gaunt body, and its eyes burn like small
from points unreachable by creatures that cannot fly or climb. If coals in the backs of its empty eye sockets. The remains of its beard
confronted by a foe that uses long-range spells or otherwise attacks are caked with dried gore.
77
 size can make a Reflex save to catch it as a free action. The DC is
Combat 15 for a Small rock, 20 for a Medium one, and 25 for a Large one.
A dread ghoul frost giant enjoys hurling missiles (particularly (If the projectile provides a magical bonus on attack rolls, the DC
tombstones) at foes from afar. If its targets flee, take cover, or close to increases by that amount.) The dread ghoul frost giant must be
attack, it moves to meet them and attacks with its bite and greataxe. ready for and aware of the attack in order to make a rock catching
attempt.
Command Ghoul (Su): See the dread ghoul template.
Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread ghoul template.
Create Spawn (Su): See the dread ghoul template.
Dread Lacedon

Undead Traits: A dread ghoul frost giant is immune to mind-

Paralysis (Ex): DC 18 Fortitude save; see the dread ghoul template.
affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
Rock Throwing (Ex): A dread ghoul frost giant can hurl rocks death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless
weighing 40 to 50 pounds each (Small objects) up to five range it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical
increments. The size of the range increment for this attack is 120 feet. hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from
Rock Catching (Ex): Once per round, a dread ghoul frost giant massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if
that would normally be hit by a rock of Small, Medium, or Large it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.

Dread Lacedon
Dread lacedons are corpses animated by the restless spirits of those who drowned or were killed but not devoured by a dread lacedon.
They swim through the ocean depths in deadly schools or stalk though swamps seeking other creatures to drown and devour.
With its bloated body discolored by rot, a dread lacedon is horrifying to look upon. Its thick limbs sport sharp claws almost hidden by
folds of flesh, and its mouth is a gaping maw filled with sharklike teeth. Heedless of its body’s condition, a dread lacedon takes no notice
of the seaweed that tangles in its hair or the tiny sea creatures that take up residence in its body. Now and then, the inexorable killing bite
of a dread lacedon is accompanied by a crustacean crawling from its mouth or eye socket, coming to partake of the meal before the dread
lacedon consumes it all.

Creating a Dread Lacedon

“Dread lacedon” is an acquired template that can be added to any Damage: If the dread lacedon gained bite or claw attacks from the
living creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). application of this template, the base damage for each is as
given on the following table.
A dread lacedon uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here.
Damage
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base attack Size Bite Base Damage Claw Base Damage
bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged. Fine 1 —
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Diminutive 1d2 —
Tiny 1d3 1
Speed: If the base creature has both a swim speed and a land speed, Small 1d4 1d2
the lower of the two increases to match the higher. If it lacks Medium 1d6 1d3
one of those speeds, the dread lacedon gains the missing mode Large 1d8 1d4
of movement at a speed equal to the other. If the base creature Huge 2d6 1d6
lacks both modes of movement, the dread lacedon gains both Gargantuan 2d8 1d8
at a speed equal to one-half the base creature’s highest speed. Colossal 4d6 2d6
Armor Class: The dread lacedon’s natural armor bonus improves
Special Attacks: The dread lacedon retains all the base creature’s
by +3 over that of the base creature.
special attacks and gains those described here.
Attack: The dread lacedon retains all the base creature’s
Command Lacedons and Ghouls (Su): A dread
attacks, and its weapon and armor
lacedon can automatically command all normal
proficiencies. These attacks retain the same
lacedons and ghouls within 30 feet as a free action.
primary or secondary status they had for the
Normal lacedons and ghouls never attack a dread
base creature. If the base creature possesses
lacedon unless compelled.
at least one mouth but has no natural attack
with it, the dread lacedon gains a bite attack Control Water (Su): A dread lacedon can use control
with each mouth. The bite attack is primary water as the spell (caster level equals dread lacedon’s
if the base creature has no natural attacks; character level) three times per day. It must be in the area
otherwise it is secondary. If the base creature possesses at of water to be affected in order to initiate the effect, though
least one arm but has no natural attacks with it, the dread it need not remain there afterward. Dread lacedons often
lacedon gains a secondary claw attack with each such limb. use this ability to trap ships or flood land.
78
 Creating a Normal Lacedon
You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard lacedon from the MM. To do so, simply apply
the dread ghoul template as though creating a normal ghoul (see sidebar on page 76). Then give the ghoul the aquatic subtype
and a swim speed equal to its land speed.

Dread Lacedon
Create Spawn (Su): In most cases, dread lacedons feast Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex
on the bodies of the fallen, or sea creatures such as sharks +4, Int +2, Wis +4, Cha +4. As an undead creature, a dread
devour them. However, any creature killed by a dread lacedon has no Constitution score.
lacedon that lies undisturbed until the next midnight rises
Skills: The dread lacedon gains a +8 racial bonus on any Swim
as a dread lacedon at that time. The new dread lacedon is
check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard.
under the control of its creator if the latter is within 30 feet
It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if
of it at the time it rises. A protection from evil or gentle repose
distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while
spell cast on the corpse prevents its conversion.
swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a dread lacedon must
Environment: Any aquatic, plus any land if the base creature has a
hit with a natural attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple
land or fly speed.
as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If
it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold. Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), pack (5–12), or school
(13–24).
Nauseating Flesh (Ex): A creature that damages a dread
lacedon with a bite attack, or swallows one whole, or Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
otherwise eats its flesh must succeed on a DC 20 Fortitude
save or be nauseated for 1 day. Success drops the duration Alignment: Always chaotic evil.
of the nausea to 1d4 rounds. Nausea can be negated by a Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
remove disease or purify food and drink effect.
Paralysis (Ex): A creature damaged by a dread lacedon’s
natural attack must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 +
Dread Lacedon Characters
1/2 dread lacedon’s character level + dread lacedon’s Cha A dread lacedon favors whichever class the base creature does.
modifier) or be paralyzed for 1d4+1 rounds. The GM may, if desired, impose some penalty on a dread lacedon
character who stays out of water for too long. For instance, a dread
Special Qualities: The dread lacedon retains all the base creature’s lacedon character who stays on land long enough to dry out might
special qualities and gains the one described here. lose her control water, command lacedons and ghouls, and create
spawn abilities until she has been in water as long as she was out of it.
Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread lacedon has turn resistance +4.

- Sample Creature: Dread Lacedon Cachalot Whale -

Gargantuan Undead (Augmented Animal) Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: 13–18 HD (Gargantuan); 19–36 HD (Colossal)
Hit Dice: 12d12+3 (81 hp) Level Adjustment: —
Initiative: +3
Speed: 40 ft., swim 40 ft. (8 squares) Here is an example of a dread lacedon using a cachalot whale as
Armor Class: 21 (–4 size, +3 Dex, +12 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 18 the base creature.
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+35 These deadly behemoths of the deep are every sailor’s worst
Attack: Bite +19 melee (4d6+14 plus paralysis) nightmare. Cunning and cruel, dread lacedon cachalot whales hunt
Full Attack: Bite +19 melee (4d6+14 plus paralysis) and tail slap ships and terrorize underwater settlements. Often accompanied by
+14 melee (1d8+7 plus paralysis) a cadre of lacedon sharks and sailors, they can inspire fear in even
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft. the most stalwart old salts.
Special Attacks: Command lacedons and ghouls, control water,
create spawn, improved grab, nauseating flesh, paralysis A dread lacedon cachalot whale is a gruesome caricature of its
Special Qualities: Blindsight 120 ft., darkvision 60 ft., low-light living self. Old, broken harpoons protrude from its sickly, gray-
vision, turn resistance +4, undead traits green flesh, and its maw is filled with long, sharp teeth.
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +11, Will +8
Abilities: Str 39, Dex 17, Con —, Int 4, Wis 18, Cha 10 Combat
Skills: Listen +14*, Spot +13*, Swim +22
A dread lacedon cachalot whale usually strikes without warning
Feats: Alertness, Diehard, Endurance, Improved Natural Attack
from deep underwater. When it first spots a ship, it creates a
(bite), Toughness
whirlpool by lowering the water in that area. Then it strikes at
Environment: Any aquatic the ship’s hull with its deadly bite to immobilize the vessel. If
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), pack (5–12), or school accompanied by other lacedons, it orders them to board the stricken
(13–24) ship and assault the crew while it continues to attack from below. If
Challenge Rating: 8 any living crew members are foolish enough to confront the dread
Treasure: — lacedon cachalot whale in the water, it simply bites them in half. 79
 Command Lacedons and Ghouls (Su): See the dread lacedon
template.
Control Water (Su): Caster level 12th; see the dread
lacedon template.
Create Spawn (Su): See the dread lacedon template.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a dread
lacedon cachalot whale must hit with a bite or
tail slap attack. It can then attempt to start a
Dread Lich

grapple as a free action without provoking an

attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple
check, it establishes a hold.
Nauseating Flesh (Ex): DC 20 Fortitude
save; see the dread lacedon template.
Paralysis (Ex): DC 20 Fortitude save; see the
dread lacedon template.
Blindsight (Ex): Dread lacedon cachalot
whales can “see” by emitting high-
frequency sounds, inaudible to most other
creatures, that allow them to locate objects
and creatures within 120 feet. A silence spell
negates this ability.
Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread lacedon
template.
Undead Traits: A dread lacedon cachalot
whale is immune to mind-affecting effects, poison, sleep
effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, and any effect
that requires a Fortitude save unless it also works on objects or is
harmless. It is not subject to critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability
damage to its physical ability scores, ability drain, energy drain,
The dread lacedon cachalot whale gains a +8 racial bonus on any
fatigue, exhaustion, or death from massive damage. It cannot be
Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It
raised, and resurrection works only if it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted
Skills: A dread lacedon cachalot whale has a +4 racial bonus on Spot or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided
and Listen checks. These bonuses are lost if its blindsight is negated. it swims in a straight line.

Dread Lich
Like normal liches, dread liches are powerful undead spellcasters who used vile magic and dreadful ceremonies to prolong their time in
the living world. However, the process of becoming a dread lich is a greater secret than the evil ceremonies required to become a normal
lich. Although powerful spellcasters sometimes discover this secret while preparing for lichdom, most dread liches were once normal
liches who spent centuries researching arcane lore in search of the secret.

Creating a Dread Lich

“Dread lich” is an acquired template that can be added to any Speed: A dread lich can fly with perfect maneuverability at a speed
living creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature) capable equal to the base creature’s highest speed. This flight is a
of creating the required phylactery (see Phylactery, page 81), or to supernatural ability.
any standard lich.
Armor Class: The dread lich’s natural armor bonus increases by +7
A dread lich uses all the base creature’s statistics and special over that of the base creature.
abilities except as noted here.
Attack: The dread lich retains all the base creature’s attacks, and
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base the same primary or secondary status they had for the base
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged. creature. The dread lich gains a primary touch attack that
it can use once per round if it did not already have one. A
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s.
dread lich armed with a weapon uses that or its touch in an
80 attack action, as it desires.
Damage: A dread lich’s touch attack uses negative energy to deal Damage Reduction (Su): A dread lich has damage reduction
2d8+10 points of damage to living creatures. A Will save (DC 15/magic and good.
10 + 1/2 dread lich’s character level + dread lich’s Cha modifier)
Immunities (Ex): Dread liches are immune to cold,
reduces the damage by half. A dread lich with natural weapons
electricity, polymorph (although polymorph effects they use
can use the touch attack or its natural weaponry, as it prefers. If
on themselves work), and mind-affecting effects.
it chooses the latter, it deals 2d8+10 points of negative energy
damage in addition to the normal damage Phylactery (Ex): An integral part of becoming a dread
for one natural weapon attack of its choice. lich is creating a magic phylactery in which to store its
A dread lich’s touch attack is a supernatural life force. Unless the phylactery is located and destroyed,

Dread Lich
ability. Its natural attacks are considered magic the dread lich reforms next to its phylactery 1d4 days
and evil-aligned for the purpose of overcoming after its apparent death. It does not matter how far away
damage reduction. the dread lich is from its phylactery, but the two must
be on the same plane. If the phylactery is on a different
Special Attacks: If the base creature is a normal lich,
plane, the dread lich reforms 1d4 days after the phylactery
the dread lich loses all the special attacks it gained
is brought to the plane on which the dread lich was destroyed.
from that template. Otherwise, the dread lich retains all
the base creature’s special attacks and gains those described Each dread lich must make its own phylactery—a task that
here. requires the Craft Wondrous Item feat. The base creature
must be able to cast spells or use spell-like abilities, and
Command Undead (Su): A dread lich can rebuke and
its caster level must be at least 15th. The phylactery costs
command other undead as a 15th-level evil cleric. If the
200,000 gp and 8,000 XP to create and has a caster level
dread lich has cleric levels, it commands and rebukes undead
equal to that of its creator at the time of creation.
as a 15th-level evil cleric or an evil cleric whose level equals
2 + the dread lich’s cleric class levels, whichever is greater. The most common kind of phylactery is a Tiny mithral box
that has hardness 20, 40 hit points, and a break DC of 40.
Empowered Spells (Ex): All of a dread lich’s spells from
Other types of phylacteries, such as rings, amulets, or similar
the Necromancy school, spells with the evil descriptor, and
items, can also exist.
spell-like abilities are automatically affected as if by the
Empower Spell feat. Such spells do not require higher-level Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread lich has turn resistance +4.
spell slots or increased casting times. The Empower Spell
feat cannot be used to further augment these spells. Unlimited Darkvision (Ex): A dread lich has darkvision
with a range equal to that of the base creature’s normal
Fear Gaze (Su): Every creature within 60 feet of the dread daylight vision or 120 feet, whichever is greater.
lich that looks at it must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 +
1/2 dread lich’s character level + dread lich’s Cha modifier) or Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex
be affected as though by fear (caster level equals dread lich’s +2, Int +4, Wis +4, Cha +4. As an undead creature, a dread
character level). As with most gaze attacks, the dread lich can lich has no Constitution score.
actively gaze at a specific foe as a standard action, causing that Skills: A dread lich receives a +8 racial bonus on Hide, Listen,
foe to make a new save against the gaze in addition to the Move Silently, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot checks, and
one it made on its turn in the initiative order. a +4 insight bonus on Decipher Script, Knowledge (any),
Paralyzing Touch (Su): Any living creature the dread lich Spellcraft, and Use Magic Device checks.
touches must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 Feats: The dread lich gains Combat Casting, Extra Turning, Greater
dread lich’s character level + dread lich’s Cha modifier) or Spell Penetration, Spell Focus (necromancy), and Spell
be permanently paralyzed. Remove paralysis or any spell that Penetration as bonus feats if it does not already have them.
can remove a curse can free the victim (see the bestow curse
spell), but the effect cannot be dispelled. Anyone paralyzed Environment: Any.
by a dread lich seems dead, though a successful Spot check Organization: Solitary.
(DC 20) or Heal check (DC 15) reveals that the victim is still
alive. This power works in conjunction with the dread lich’s Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
damaging touch (see above) and with natural melee attacks. Alignment: Any nongood.
Spells: The dread lich can cast spells as it did in life. Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +7.

Strong Spellweaving (Ex): A –4 penalty applies to any dispel

check made to dispel a spell cast by a dread lich. Dread Lich Characters
Special Qualities: The dread lich retains all the base creature’s Only a willing evil creature can become a dread lich. A dread lich
special qualities and gains those described here. favors whichever class the base creature does.

Undead Outsiders?
As stated in the MM, outsiders do not have souls separate from their bodies, so they cannot be raised or resurrected normally.
This statement could be interpreted to mean that such a creature cannot become undead and still retain its knowledge and
personality, and thus would not be eligible for the dread lich template. Even so, a powerful outsider such as a titan might have
discovered some way to bypass this problem in its quest to become a lich.

81
 - Sample Creature: Dread Lich Titan -
Huge Undead (Augmented Outsider, Chaotic, Extraplanar) armies of mortal creatures to quail, and few heroes can hope to
match its spellcasting power.
Hit Dice: 20d12 (130 hp)
Initiative: +2 A dread lich titan looks like a gigantic humanoid with shrunken
Speed: 40 ft. in half-plate armor (8 squares), base speed 60 ft., fly and withered flesh that makes it seem almost skeletal. It stands
60 ft. (perfect) about 25 feet tall and weighs approximately 4,000 pounds.
Armor Class: 45 (–2 size, +26 natural, +11 +4 half-plate armor),
Dread Lich

Dread lich titans speak Abyssal, Common, Celestial, Draconic, and

touch 8, flat-footed 45
Giant.
Base Attack/Grapple: +20/+46
Attack: Gargantuan +3 adamantine warhammer +39 melee
(4d6+30/x3) or +3 javelin +23 ranged (2d6+21) or slam +36 Combat
melee (1d8+18 plus 2d8+18 plus paralysis) or touch +36 A dread lich titan usually sends the lesser undead under its control
melee (2d8+10 plus paralysis) to engage foes in melee, then flies high above to use its spell-like
Full Attack: Gargantuan +3 adamantine warhammer abilities. If this strategy proves infeasible or its foes can ably attack
+39/+34/+29/+24 melee (4d6+30/x3) or +3 javelin +23 it in the air, the dread lich titan moves into melee and uses its
ranged (2d6+21) or 2 slams +36 (1d8+18 plus 2d8+10 plus warhammer or slam attacks.
paralysis) or touch +36 melee (2d8+10 plus paralysis)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft. A dread lich titan’s natural weapons, and any weapons it wields, are
Special Attacks: Command undead, empowered spellcasting, fear treated as magic, evil-aligned, and chaotic-aligned for the purpose
gaze, oversized weapon, paralyzing touch, spell-like abilities, of overcoming damage reduction.
strong spellweaving Command Undead (Su): See the dread lich template.
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 15/magic and good,
immune to cold, electricity, mind-affecting, and polymorph, Empowered Spells (Ex): See the dread lich template.
phylactery, spell resistance 32, turn resistance +4, unlimited Fear Gaze (Su): DC 28 Will save; see the dread lich template.
darkvision, undead traits
Saves: Fort +12, Ref +14, Will +23 Oversized Weapon (Ex): A dread lich titan wields a great,
Abilities: Str 47, Dex 14, Con —, Int 25, Wis 32, Cha 28 two-handed warhammer (big enough for Gargantuan creatures)
Skills: Balance +6, Bluff +21, Climb +24, Concentration +32, without penalty.
Craft (any one) +30, Diplomacy +13, Disguise +9 (+11
Paralyzing Touch (Su): DC 28 Fortitude save; see the dread lich
acting), Heal +22, Hide –4, Intimidate +34, Jump +39,
template.
Knowledge (any one) +34, Listen +42, Move Silently +4,
Perform (oratory) +32, Search +38, Sense Motive +42,
Spellcraft +23, Spot +42, Survival +11 (+13 following
tracks), Swim +18
Feats: Awesome Blow, Cleave, Combat CastingB, Craft
Wondrous Item, Extra TurningB, Greater Spell
PenetrationB, Improved Bull Rush, Improved
Sunder, Power Attack, Quicken Spell-Like
Ability (chain lightning), Spell PenetrationB,
Spell Focus (necromancy)B
Environment: Olympian Glades of Arborea
Organization: Solitary or troupe (1, plus 2–4
vampires and 5–8 vampire spawn)
Challenge Rating: 24
Treasure: Double standard plus +4 half-plate
armor and Gargantuan +3 adamantine
warhammer
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: 21–30 HD (Huge); 31–60 HD
(Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of a dread lich using a titan as
the base creature.
The rare evil titan that learns the secret of
lichdom in its youth cannot help but seek out
and follow that dark path. Huge and terrible, a
dread lich titan possesses the strength of a titan
and the spellcasting power of a dread lich.
Dread lich titans seek to dominate all they survey.
No longer pleased by the bodily delights of the
living, they gain happiness only from cruelty, killing, and
82 power. The mere sight of a dread lich titan can cause
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—bestow curse (DC 24), chain Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread lich template.
lightning (DC 25), charm monster (DC 23), cure critical wounds
Undead Traits: A dread lich titan is immune to mind-affecting
(DC 24), deeper darkness, fire storm (DC 26), greater dispel magic,
effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death
hold monster (DC 24), invisibility, invisibility purge, levitate,
effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless it also
persistent image (DC 24), polymorph (humanoid forms only,
works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical hits,
duration 1 hour), unholy blight (DC 23); 3/day—etherealness, word
nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
of chaos (DC 23), summon nature’s ally IX; 1/day— Bigby’s crushing
ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from
hand (DC 28), gate, maze, meteor swarm (DC 28). Caster level
massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if

Dread Mohrg
20th.
it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
Strong Spellweaving (Ex): See the dread lich template.
Unlimited Darkvision (Ex): See the dread lich template.
Immunities (Ex): See the dread lich template.
Skills: See the dread lich template.
Phylactery (Ex): See the dread lich template.

Dread Mohrg
Some say that a dread mohrg is the restless spirit of a sentient creature that perished from starvation and never received a proper burial.
Others say that it is all that remains of a mortal punished by the gods for gluttony or for starving other creatures.
Most of a dread mohrg’s flesh and organs have long ago sloughed off its bones or been pecked away by scavengers, but its intestines
remain—still moist and bloody despite baking sun and drying wind. The creature’s guts squirm and writhe of their own accord, and even
snake up through its mouth. Its intestine-tongue is tipped with a sharp and hollow spike made of bone, which the dread mohrg uses to
lash out at living creatures.

Creating a Dread Mohrg

“Dread mohrg” is an acquired template that can be added to any
evil living creature with a mouth and a digestive tract that includes Damage
intestines (referred to hereafter as the base creature). Size Tongue Base Damage Slam Base Damage
A dread mohrg uses all the base creature’s statistics and special Fine 1d2 1
abilities except as noted here. Diminutive 1d3 1d2
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the Tiny 1d4 1d3
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base Small 1d6 1d4
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged. Medium 1d8 1d6
Large 2d6 1d8
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Huge 2d8 2d6
Gargantuan 4d6 2d8
Speed: If the base creature has a fly speed because it possesses
Colossal 4d8 4d6
wings, its maneuverability is reduced by one step (minimum
clumsy). Space/Reach: A dread mohrg has a reach 5 feet greater than the
base creature’s reach with its tongue attack only.
Armor Class: The organs (except for intestines), muscle, and
skin in a dread mohrg’s body shrink and dry, becoming Special Attacks: The dread mohrg retains all the base creature’s
unnaturally tough. This alteration increases the dread special attacks and gains those described here.
mohrg’s natural armor bonus by +9 over that of the base
creature. Command Mohrgs and Zombies (Su): A dread mohrg can
automatically command all normal mohrgs and zombies
Attack: The dread mohrg retains all the base creature’s attacks, and within 30 feet as a free action. Normal mohrgs and zombies
its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain the never attack a dread mohrg unless compelled.
same primary or secondary status they had
for the base creature. The dread mohrg gains Create Spawn (Su): Any creature killed by a dread
two primary slam attacks if it has no other mohrg rises as a zombie in 1d4 days. The new zombie
natural attacks. It also gains a primary tongue unerringly seeks out its creator, attacking creatures
attack for each head it possesses. and objects that impede its progress. The dread mohrg
can give an order to any zombies under its control as
Damage: The dread mohrg’s tongue attack deals a free action at any distance, so long as the zombies
damage according to its size, as given on the are within line of sight. A protection from evil or gentle
following table. If the dread mohrg gained slam attacks repose spell cast on the corpse prevents its conversion.
from the application of this template, the base damage for
each is as given on the following table. Paralysis (Ex): A creature struck by a dread mohrg’s natural
attack must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread
mohrg’s character level + dread mohrg’s Cha modifier) or be
paralyzed for 1d4+1 minutes. 83
 Creating a Normal Mohrg
You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard mohrg from the MM. To do so, simply alter the
features of the dread mohrg template in the following ways.
• The mohrg’s tongue makes a melee touch attack that deals no damage and does not have reach.
• The mohrg does not gain the command mohrgs and zombies, resistances, turn resistance, and unnatural aura abilities, the
Dread Mohrg

bonus feats, or the racial skill bonuses.

• The mohrg gains the improved grab ability.
• The CR increase is +1 instead of +2.

Tongue Attack (Ex): A dread mohrg’s deadly “tongue” is Dex +8. As an undead creature, a dread mohrg has no
actually an end of its throat or intestines pushed up through Constitution score.
its mouth. Its tongue attack counts a piercing weapon. The
Skills: A dread mohrg has a +8 racial bonus on Climb, Hide,
dread mohrg can paralyze with a successful touch attack and a
Listen, Move Silently, Spot, and Swim checks.
normal melee attack using its tongue. Making a touch attack to
paralyze a target does not provoke an attack of opportunity. Feats: A dread mohrg gains Improved Grapple and Multiattack as
bonus feats if it did not already have them.
Unnatural Aura (Su): Any creature of the animal type
within 30 feet of a dread mohrg automatically becomes Environment: Any.
panicked and remains so until the distance between it and
the dread mohrg is at least 30 feet. See the DMG for a Organization: Solitary, gang (1 mohrg and 2–12 zombies), or
description of the panicked condition. mob (2–4 mohrgs and 4–24 zombies).

Special Qualities: The dread mohrg retains all the base creature’s Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
special qualities and gains those described here. Alignment: Always chaotic evil.
Resistances (Ex): A dread mohrg gains resistance to cold 15, Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +5.
electricity 15, and fire 15.
Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread mohrg has turn resistance +4. Dread Mohrg Characters
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +10, A dread mohrg favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: 7-Headed Dread Mohrg Cryohydra -

Huge Undead (Augmented Magical Beast, Cold) Challenge Rating: 10
Treasure: 1/10 coins; 50% goods; 50% items
Hit Dice: 7d12+3 (48 hp)
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Initiative: +5
Advancement: —
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), swim 20 ft.
Level Adjustment: —
Armor Class: 30 (–2 size, +5 Dex, +17 natural), touch 13, flat-
footed 25 Here is an example of a dread mohrg using a seven-headed
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+28 cryohydra as the base creature.
Attack: 7 tongues +14 melee (2d8+9 plus paralysis) or 7 bites +15
melee (1d10+9) The dread mohrg cryohydra is a cunning killing machine that seeks
Full Attack: 7 bites +15 melee (1d10+9), and 7 tongues +8 melee to slay all it encounters. Native to the colder climes, it was created
(2d8+5 plus paralysis) when a normal cryohydra slew an entire village of humans.
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft. (15-foot reach with tongues) The dragonlike skeleton of this disgusting creature is smeared with
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, command mohrgs and zombies, the blood of its victims and the ichor from its own intestines. Its
create spawn, paralysis, tongue attack, unnatural aura viscera hang from its torso and drag along the ground, while its
Special Qualities: Immunity to cold, darkvision 60 ft., fast healing throats loll out of its vicious jaws like ghastly tongues, promising a
17, low-light vision, resistances (electricity 15, fire 15), scent, terrible death to any creature struck by them.
turn resistance +4, undead traits
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +10, Will +4 Combat
Abilities: Str 29, Dex 20, Con —, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha 9
Skills: Climb +17, Hide +5, Jump +3, Listen +15, Move Silently Dread mohrg cryohydras can make bite attacks or tongue attacks
+13, Spot +15, Swim +25 with all their heads at no penalty, even if they move or charge
Feats: Combat ReflexesB, Iron Will, Improved GrappleB, during the round. A dread mohrg cryohydra can be killed either
MultiattackB, Toughness, Weapon Focus (bite) by severing all its heads or by slaying its body. To sever a head,
an opponent must make a successful sunder attempt with a
Environment: Any slashing weapon. (The player should declare where the attack is
Organization: Solitary, gang (1 plus 2–12 zombies), or mob (2–4 aimed before making the attack roll.) Making a sunder attempt
84 plus 4–24 zombies). provokes an attack of opportunity unless the foe has the Improved
Sunder feat. An opponent can strike at a dread mohrg cryohydra’s Tongue Attack (Ex): See the dread mohrg template.
heads from any position in which it could strike at the creature’s
Unnatural Aura (Su): See the dread mohrg template.
body because its heads writhe and whip about in combat. An
opponent can ready an action to attempt to sunder a dread mohrg Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread mohrg template.
cryohydra’s head when the creature bites at it.
Undead Traits: A seven-headed dread mohrg cryohydra is immune
Each of a seven-headed dread mohrg cryohydra’s heads has 6 hit to mind-affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning,
points. Losing a head deals damage to the body equal to half the disease, death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save
head’s full normal hit points. A dread mohrg cryohydra can no unless it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to

Dread Mohrg
longer make a bite or tongue attack with a severed head but takes critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability
no other penalties. Each time a head is severed, two new heads scores, ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death
spring from the stump in 1d4 rounds. Each of these heads has from massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works
both a bite and a tongue attack. A seven-headed dread mohrg only if it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
cryohydra can never have more than fourteen heads at any one
time, and any extra heads it gains beyond its original number Skills: A seven-headed dread mohrg cryohydra has a +2 racial
fall off within a day. To prevent a severed head from growing bonus on Listen and Spot checks, thanks to its multiple heads,
back into two heads, at least 5 points of fire or acid damage and a +8 racial bonus on Climb, Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Spot,
must be dealt to the stump (a touch attack to hit) before the and Swim checks. A dread mohrg cryohydra has an additional +8
new heads appear. A flaming weapon (or similar effect) deals its racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or
energy damage to the stump in the same blow in which a head is avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check,
severed. Fire or acid damage from an area effect (such as a fireball even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while
spell or dragon breath) may burn multiple stumps in addition swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
to dealing damage to the dread mohrg cryohydra’s body. Feats: A seven-headed dread mohrg cryohydra’s Combat
A dread mohrg cryohydra does not die from losing its Reflexes feat allows it to use all its heads for attacks of
heads until all its heads have been cut off and the opportunity.
stumps seared by fire or acid.
A dread mohrg cryohydra’s body
can be slain just like any other
creature’s, but the creature
possesses fast healing and is
difficult to defeat in this fashion.
Any attack that is not (or
cannot be) an attempt to
sunder a head affects the
body. For example, area
effects deal damage
to the body, not to the
heads. Targeted magical
effects cannot sever heads (and
thus must be directed at the
body) unless they deal slashing
damage and could be used to
make sunder attempts.
Breath Weapon (Su): A seven-headed dread
mohrg cryohydra can breathe a jet of frost 10 feet
high, 10 feet wide, and 20 feet long once every 1d4
rounds. All heads can breathe,
but they cannot attack in
the round that they breathe
unless under the influence of
a haste spell or similar effect.
The jet deals 21d6 points
of cold damage. A successful
DC 13 Reflex save halves the
damage.
Command Mohrgs and Zombies
(Su): See the dread mohrg template.
Create Spawn (Su): See
the dread mohrg
template.
Paralysis (Ex): DC 12
Fortitude save; see the
dread mohrg template.
85
 Dread Mummy
Cradled in the scorching sands beneath the relentless sun lie the tombs of kings and pharaohs. But those interred within these structures
do not always rest quietly—some rise from their sarcophagi and crypts to walk the land as mummies. A few, known as dread mummies,
become kings among the undead. These lords of death learn to command their fellows and visit destruction upon those who dare to stir
their wrath.
Dread Mummy

A dread mummy’s flesh atrophies after death, allowing its skin to shrink tightly against its bones. Although not all dread mummies are
wrapped in funerary cloth, many are.

Creating a Dread Mummy

“Dread mummy” is an acquired template that can be added to any Special Attacks: The dread mummy retains all the base creature’s
living corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). special attacks and gains those described here.
A dread mummy uses all the base creature’s statistics and special Breath of Death (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds, a dread mummy
abilities except as noted here. can breathe a 30-foot cone of tomb gas, sand, and dust.
Each living creature in the area must succeed on a Fortitude
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the
save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread mummy’s character level + dread
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base
mummy’s Cha modifier) or gain 1d4 negative levels. A creature
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
killed by a dread mummy’s breath of death ability rises as a
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice dread zombie in 1d4 rounds. A dread zombie created
to d12s. in this manner is under the command of its creator
and remains so until either it or the creator is destroyed.
Armor Class: The dread mummy’s natural armor
bonus improves by +8 over that of the base Command Undead (Su): As a free action, a dread
creature. mummy can automatically command all normal
undead within 30 feet, except those with more
Attack: The dread mummy retains all the base character levels or higher Charisma scores long than
creature’s attacks, and its weapon and armor the dread mummy. Undead that fit these parameters never
proficiencies. These attacks retain the same primary or attack a dread mummy unless compelled.
secondary status they had for the base creature. The dread
mummy gains a primary slam attack if it has no other Create Spawn (Su): Any creature killed by a dread mummy’s
natural attacks. mummy rot ability turns to dust and blows away on the
wind. If the dread mummy that infected the creature with
Damage: If the dread mummy gained a slam attack from the the disease is not destroyed within 1 week, the dust reforms
application of this template, the base damage is as given on next to it as a new dread mummy. A dread mummy created
the following table. in this manner is under the command of its creator and
remains so until either it or the creator is destroyed.
Damage Gaze of Despair (Su): Any creature within 100 feet of
Size Slam Base Damage a dread mummy that meets its gaze must succeed on a
Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread mummy’s character level
Fine 1
+ dread mummy’s Cha modifier) or be paralyzed for 1d4
Diminutive 1d2
rounds. Gaze of despair is a fear effect.
Tiny 1d3
Small 1d4 Mummy Rot (Su): A creature hit by a mummy’s natural
Medium 1d6 attack must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread
Large 1d8 mummy’s character level + dread mummy’s Cha modifier) or
Huge 2d6 contract mummy rot. This disease has an incubation period of
Gargantuan 2d8 1 minute, and it deals 1d6 points of Constitution damage and
Colossal 4d6 1d6 points of Charisma damage with each failed save.

Creating a Normal Mummy

You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard mummy from the MM. To do so, simply alter
the features of the dread mummy template in the following ways.
• The mummy gains no special attacks or special qualities except for mummy rot, damage reduction, and fire vulnerability.
• The mummy gains the despair special ability, as described in the mummy entry in the MM.
• Instead of the changes given in the dread mummy template, change the base creature’s ability scores as follows: +14 Str, –4
Int (minimum 1), +4 Wis, +4 Cha.
• The CR increase is +1 instead of +3.
86
 Different Mummies
If the idea of a dread mummy from a desert environment doesn’t appeal to you, you can alter a few aspects of this template to
give your dread mummy a different theme. Simply switch its spell-like abilities for different ones of the same or lower spell
level. For example, a bog dread mummy might be able to use control water, while a dread mummy created on the frozen peak of
a mountain might be able to use cone of cold.

Dread Mummy
Mummy rot is a powerful curse, not a natural disease. A Fire Vulnerability (Ex): A dread mummy takes double
character attempting to cast a conjuration (healing) spell on a damage from fire unless a successful save allows it to take
creature afflicted with mummy rot must succeed on a DC 20 half damage. On a successful save it takes half damage, and
caster level check, or the spell has no effect on that creature. on a failed save it takes double damage.
The first step in eliminating mummy rot is to remove the
Resistance to Cold (Ex): A dread mummy has cold resistance 10.
curse with a break enchantment or remove curse effect (DC 20
caster level check for either). Thereafter, no caster level check is Resistant to Blows (Ex): Dread mummies take only half
necessary to cast healing spells on the victim, and the mummy damage from melee and ranged weapons, natural weapons, and
rot can be magically cured just like any normal disease can. falls. Apply this reduction before applying damage reduction.
A creature killed by a dread mummy’s mummy rot turns to
dust and blows away on the first gust of air unless both remove Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread mummy has turn resistance +4.
disease and raise dead are cast on the remains within 6 rounds. Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +14, Dex
Spell-Like Abilities: The dread mummy gains all of the +4, Int +2, Wis +4, Cha +4. As an undead creature, a dread
following spell-like abilities that a druid of a level equal mummy has no Constitution score.
to the dread mummy’s character level could cast. At Environment: Any.
will—animal messenger, calm animals, heat metal, summon
swarm; 2/day—commune with nature, control winds, dominate Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–4).
animal, insect plague; 1/day—control weather, creeping doom, Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
earthquake, sunbeam. Caster level equals dread mummy’s
character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based. Alignment: Any evil.

Special Qualities: The dread mummy retains all the base creature’s Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +7.
special qualities and gains those described here.
Damage Reduction (Ex): A dread mummy has damage Dread Mummy Characters
reduction 5/—. A dread mummy favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Dread Mummy Harpy -

Medium Undead (Augmented Monstrous Humanoid) Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Advancement: By character class
Hit Dice: 7d12 (45 hp)
Level Adjustment: +10
Initiative: +4
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), fly 80 ft. (average) Here is an example of a dread mummy using a harpy as the base
Armor Class: 23 (+4 Dex, +9 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 19 creature.
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+14
Attack: Club +14 melee (1d6+10) Dread mummy harpies often have their own agendas for unlife
Full Attack: Club +14/+9 melee (1d6+10) and 2 claws +9 melee after death. Many seek to dominate the living world about them,
(1d3+3) while others plan to rule their own kingdoms of the undead.
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. A dread mummy harpy’s withered body and dry skin give it away
Special Attacks: Breath of death, captivating song, command as an undead creature. Yellowed flesh clings tightly to atrophied
undead, create spawn, gaze of despair, mummy rot, spell-like muscles and bones that are as hard as stone. A dread mummy
abilities harpy smells of hot sand and dry winds.
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/—, darkvision 60 ft., fire
vulnerability, resistance (cold 10), resistant to blows, turn A dread mummy harpy speaks whatever languages it did in life.
resistance +4, undead traits
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +9, Will +8 Combat
Abilities: Str 24, Dex 19, Con —, Int 9, Wis 16, Cha 21 A dread mummy harpy prefers to use its captivating song to draw
Skills: Bluff +13, Intimidate +9, Jump +1, Listen +9, Perform creatures into the range of its gaze attack. Once several creatures
(oratory) +7, Spot +5 have been paralyzed, it wades into melee with the rest, using
Feats: Dodge, Flyby Attack, Persuasive summon swarm to deal with any that are not in range of its melee
Environment: Any attacks.
Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–4) Breath of Death (Su): DC 18 Fortitude save; see the dread
Challenge Rating: 7 mummy template.
Treasure: Standard 87
 Captivating Song (Su): When a dread mummy harpy sings, every
creature (other than harpies) within a 300-foot spread must succeed
on a DC 18 Will save or become captivated. Captivating song is a
sonic, mind-affecting, charm effect. A creature that successfully
saves cannot be affected again by the same dread mummy
harpy’s song for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.
A captivated victim walks toward the dread mummy harpy,
Dread Shadow

taking the most direct route available. If the path leads into
a dangerous area (through flame, off a cliff, or the like), the
victim gets a second saving throw. Captivated creatures can
take no actions other than to defend themselves. (Thus, a
fighter cannot run away or attack but takes no defensive
penalties.) A victim within 5 feet of the dread mummy harpy
stands there and offers no resistance to the monster’s attacks.
The effect continues for as long as the dread mummy harpy
sings and for 1 round thereafter. A bard’s countersong ability
allows the captivated creature to attempt a new Will save.
Command Undead (Su): See the dread mummy template.
Create Spawn (Su): See the dread mummy template.
Gaze of Despair (Su): DC 18 Fortitude save; see the dread
mummy template.
Mummy Rot (Su): DC 18 Fortitude save; see the dread
mummy template.
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—animal messenger, calm animals
(DC 16), heat metal (DC 17), summon swarm. Caster level 7th.
Fire Vulnerability (Ex): See the dread mummy template.
Resistance to Cold (Ex): See the dread mummy template.
Resistant to Blows (Ex): See the dread mummy template.
hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread mummy template. ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from
massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if
Undead Traits: A dread mummy harpy is immune to mind-
it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless Skills: A dread mummy harpy has a +4 racial bonus on Bluff and
it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical Listen checks.

Dread Shadow
Dread shadows exist in the terrible half-life of undead creatures. Like normal shadows, they are sentient pools of darkness and negative
energy that drain strength and life from living creatures. As the lords of their kind, however, dread shadows can command lesser shadows
and leap from darkness to darkness at will. A dread shadow makes no sound and seeks only to harm the living.
A dread shadow looks like a darker version of the original creature. Its form is composed of shade and darkness.

Creating a Dread Shadow

“Dread shadow” is an acquired template that can be added to any did not already have it. Do not recalculate base attack
living, intelligent creature with a Charisma score of 15 or higher bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
(referred to hereafter as the base creature) that was killed by a
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s.
shadow or dread shadow.
Speed: A dread shadow loses all the base creature’s
A dread shadow uses all the base creature’s
speeds and gains a fly speed equal to the base
statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
creature’s highest speed with perfect maneuverability.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead
Armor Class: The base creature’s armor, shield, and
with the appropriate augmented subtype, plus
natural armor bonuses no longer apply, but the
the incorporeal subtype if the base creature
88 dread shadow gains a deflection bonus to Armor
 Undead Outsiders?
As noted in the MM, outsiders do not have souls separate from their bodies, so they cannot be raised or resurrected normally.
This statement could be interpreted to mean that they cannot become undead that retain their knowledge and personalities—
especially incorporeal undead. If you want to adhere to that interpretation, you certainly can. Just keep in mind undead
outsiders are an equally viable option and could offer some great adventure plots.

Dread Shadow
Class equal to its Charisma bonus or +1, whichever is command of its creator and remains so until either it or the
higher. Dread shadows cannot use or carry equipment of creator is destroyed. A standard shadow from the MM can
any kind. be advanced in HD to represent a more powerful creature,
and this template can be used to create a normal shadow
Attack: The dread shadow retains all the base creature’s natural
(see the Creating a Normal Shadow sidebar).
attacks, and its weapon and armor proficiencies. However,
all its attacks become incorporeal touch attacks, retaining Strength Damage (Su): A creature struck by a dread
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base shadow’s incorporeal touch attack takes Strength damage
creature. The dread shadow gains a primary incorporeal as given on the Damage table. A creature reduced to 0
touch attack if it has no other natural attacks. Strength dies.
A dread shadow uses its primary incorporeal touch attack when Special Qualities: The dread shadow retains all the base creature’s
making an attack action. Because an incorporeal creature special qualities that do not require corporeal contact with
has no Strength score, its Dexterity modifier rather than its another creature and gains those described here.
Strength modifier applies to all its attack rolls.
Shadow Slip (Su): At will, a dread shadow can use dimension
Full Attack: A dread shadow uses all its incorporeal touch attacks door as the spell (caster level 7th) as a move action. It must
during a full attack. move from a place of darkness or shadow to another place
or darkness or shadow that it can see. Using this ability does
Damage: The dread shadow’s natural attacks no longer deal
not provoke an attack of opportunity.
normal damage. Instead, each incorporeal touch attack deals
Strength damage, as indicated on the following table. Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread shadow has turn resistance +3.
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Dex +4,
Damage Int –4 (minimum 0), Wis +2, Cha +2. As an incorporeal
Size Strength Damage creature, a dread shadow lacks a Strength score, and as an
undead creature, it has no Constitution score.
Fine to Tiny 1d4
Small to Large 1d6 Environment: Any.
Huge to Colossal 1d8 Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–5), or swarm (6–11).
Special Attacks: The dread shadow loses all special attacks that Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
require corporeal contact but gains those described here. Treasure: None. Dread shadows cannot use equipment.
A dread shadow cannot cast spells that require material
components unless it has the Eschew Materials feat. Alignment: Always chaotic evil.

Command Shadows (Su): A dread shadow can automatically Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
command all normal shadows within 30 feet as a free
action. Normal shadows never attack a dread shadow unless
compelled.
Dread Shadow Characters
A dread shadow favors whichever class the base creature does. A GM
Create Spawn (Su): Any creature with a Charisma score of that allows players to play dread shadows despite their evil nature
15 or higher that is killed by a dread shadow rises as a dread should be aware that an incorporeal spellcaster can wreak havoc on a
shadow in 1d4 rounds. Any other creature slain by a dread campaign. A level adjustment of +5 or +6 might be more appropriate
shadow instead rises as a normal shadow in 1d4 rounds. A for a character who is primarily a spellcaster. Since a dread shadow
shadow or dread shadow created in this manner is under the cannot wield equipment, it may be unsuitable for use as a PC race.

Creating a Normal Shadow

You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard shadow from the MM. To do so, simply alter the
features of the dread shadow template in the following ways.
• The shadow does not gain the command shadow and shadow slip abilities.
• Reduce the turn resistance to +2.
• The shadow’s create spawn creates only normal shadows.
• The CR increase is +1 instead of +2.

89
 - Sample Creature: Dread Shadow Achaierai -
Large Undead (Augmented Outsider, Evil, Extraplanar,
Incorporeal, Lawful)
Hit Dice: 6d12 (39 hp)
Initiative: +3
Dread Shadow

Speed: Fly 50 ft. (perfect) (10 squares)

Armor Class: 16 (–1 size, +3 Dex, +4 deflection), touch 16,
flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/—
Attack: Incorporeal touch +8 melee (1d6 Str)
Full Attack: 2 incorporeal touches +8 melee (1d6 Str) and
incorporeal touch +3 melee (1d6 Str)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Black cloud, command shadow, create spawn,
Strength damage
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., spell resistance 19,
incorporeal traits, shadow slip, turn resistance +3, undead
traits
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8
Abilities: Str —, Dex 17, Con —, Int 7, Wis 16,
Cha 18
Skills: Balance +12, Climb +9, Diplomacy +6,
Hide +8, Jump +9, Listen +12, Sense
Motive +12, Spot +12
Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–5), or swarm
(6–11)
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: 7–12 HD (Large); 13–18 HD
(Huge)
Level Adjustment: +9
Here is an example of a dread shadow using an
achaierai as the base creature.
Dread shadow achaierai are horrid, demonic undead that prey
upon the living of any plane. Create Spawn (Su): See the dread shadow template.
A dread shadow achaierai is a15-foot-tall, hulking cloud of Strength Damage (Su): See the dread shadow template.
sentient darkness. Its massive, round body consists almost entirely
of head and vicious shadow beak. Two leglike shadows trail off into Shadow Slip (Su): See the dread shadow template.
dark tendrils, but its two front legs form terrible shadow talons Incorporeal Traits: A dread shadow achaierai is harmed only
with which it tears at living forms. by other incorporeal creatures, magic weapons, spells, spell-like
A dread shadow achaierai cannot speak intelligibly. abilities, and supernatural abilities. It has a 50% chance to ignore
any damage from a corporeal source, except for force effects or
Combat attacks made with ghost touch weapons. It can pass through solid
objects, but not force effects, at will. Its attacks ignore natural
A dread shadow achaierai leads off a combat with its black cloud armor, armor, and shields, but deflection bonuses and force effects
ability, hoping to incapacitate several victims. It then mercilessly work normally against them. An incorporeal creature always moves
attacks any creatures not driven insane by its black cloud, hoping silently and cannot be heard with Listen checks if it doesn’t wish
to turn them into shadows. to be.
Black Cloud (Ex): Up to three times per day, a dread shadow Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread shadow template.
achaierai can release a choking, toxic black cloud in a 10-foot-
radius around itself. Anyone other than an achaierai in the area Undead Traits: A dread shadow achaierai is immune to mind-
instantly takes 2d6 points of damage. The victim must also succeed affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
on a DC 17 Fortitude save or be affected for 3 hours as though death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless
by an insanity spell (caster level 16th). The save DC is Charisma- it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical
based. hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from
Command Shadow (Su): See the dread shadow template. massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if
90 it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
 Dread Skeleton
The similarity of dread skeletons to the mindless creatures so often animated by spellcasters leads many to underestimate them. A dread
skeleton looks much like a normal skeleton (or exoskeleton, depending on the nature of the base creature), but it retains many qualities of
the base creature that its lesser cousin does not. For example, a dread skeleton remorhaz still blurs the air with the heat from its body, and
a dread skeleton troglodyte continues to fill the area around it with a terrible stench. Dread skeletons can speak and make vocal noises

Dread Skeleton
and their living forms could.
Most dread skeletons are motivated by hatred of the living and a desire to dominate all they survey. They seek the death of the living
and even resent the existence of other thinking undead. Dread skeletons prefer to be the only free-willed creatures in the world, but they
suffer the existence of others in order to attain their goal of dominance and gain more mindless skeleton servants.

Creating a Dread Skeleton

“Dread skeleton” is an acquired template that can base damage for each is as given on the following
be added to any living creature with a skeleton table.
or exoskeleton (referred to hereafter as the base
creature). Damage
A dread skeleton uses all the base creature’s Size Claw Base Damage
statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Fine 1
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the Diminutive 1
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base Tiny 1d2
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged. Small 1d3
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Medium 1d4
Large 1d6
Speed: The skeleton retains the base creature’s speeds. If the base Huge 1d8
creature has a fly speed based on the possession of wings, Gargantuan 2d6
the dread skeleton’s flight becomes a supernatural ability Colossal 2d8
rather than a natural one.
Armor Class: The base creature’s natural armor
bonus is replaced by a new one based on
the dread skeleton’s size, as given on the
following table.

Armor Class
Size Natural Armor Bonus
Tiny or smaller +0
Small +1
Medium +2
Large +3
Huge +4
Gargantuan +6
Colossal +10
Attack: The dread skeleton retains all the base
creature’s attacks using limbs that have
bones, teeth, or exoskeletons, and it also
retains the base creature’s weapon and armor
proficiencies. Attacks with boneless limbs
such as tentacles are lost. The dread skeleton’s
attacks retain the same primary or secondary
status they had for the base creature. If the
base creature possesses at least one arm but
has no natural attacks with it, the dread
skeleton gains a claw attack with each such
limb. The claws are primary attacks if the
base creature has no other natural attacks, or
secondary attacks otherwise.
Damage: If the dread skeleton gained claw attacks
from the application of this template, the 91
 Low-Level Liches
Using the dread skeleton template is a great way to create surprising encounters. Players are familiar with skeletons and won’t
expect one to pose much of a threat. But because the template allows the dread skeleton to have the base creature’s special attacks
and special qualities, a dread skeleton can surprise players by breathing fire or casting a spell. Such a tactic is sure to send characters
(especially low-level ones) scurrying for cover with thoughts of liches on their minds. It’s a great way to keep players on their toes
Dread Skeleton

and make an undead encounter exciting, mysterious, and scary—without actually pitting the PCs against too powerful a threat.

Special Attacks: The dread skeleton retains all the base creature’s Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread skeleton has turn resistance +2.
special attacks and gains those described here.
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Dex +2, Int
Command Skeletons (Su): A dread skeleton can –4 (minimum 0). As an undead creature, a dread skeleton
automatically command all normal skeletons within 30 has no Constitution score.
feet as a free action. Normal skeletons never attack a dread
Feats: A dread skeleton gains Improved Initiative as a bonus feat.
skeleton unless compelled.
Environment: Any.
Unnatural Aura (Su): Any creature of the animal type
within 30 feet of a dread skeleton automatically becomes Organization: Solitary or gang (1 dread skeleton plus 1d10
panicked and remains so until the distance between it and skeletons).
the dread skeleton is at least 30 feet. See the DMG for a
description of the panicked condition. Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.

Special Qualities: The dread skeleton retains all the base Alignment: Always evil (any).
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here. Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
Damage Reduction (Ex): A dread skeleton has damage
reduction 10/bludgeoning. Dread Skeleton Characters
Immunity to Cold (Ex): Dread skeletons are immune to cold. A dread skeleton favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Dread Skeleton Blink Dog -

Medium Undead (Augmented Magical Beast) A dread skeleton blink dog looks like the animate skeleton of a
large dog. Its horrific appearance is even more startling when it
Hit Dice: 4d12 (26 hp)
vanishes and suddenly reappears nearby.
Initiative: +8
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 16 (+4 Dex, +2 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 12
Combat
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+4 A dread skeleton blink dog attacks fearlessly, using its blink
Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d6) ability to avoid retaliation. It prefers to face foes that use slashing
Full Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d6) and 2 claws –1 melee (1d4) or piercing weapons, leaving the troublesome bludgeon-wielding
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. enemies to its commanded skeletons.
Special Attacks: Command skeletons, unnatural aura
Special Qualities: Blink, damage reduction 10/bludgeoning, Command Skeleton (Su): See the dread skeleton template.
darkvision 60 ft., dimension door, immunity to cold, low- Unnatural Aura (Su): See the dread skeleton template.
light vision, scent, turn resistance +2, undead traits
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +4 Blink (Su): A dread skeleton blink dog can use blink as the
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 19, Con —, Int 6, Wis 13, Cha 11 spell (caster level 8th), and can initiate or end the effect as a free
Skills: Hide +5, Jump +4, Listen +5, Sense Motive +3, Spot +5, action.
Survival +4 Dimension Door (Su): Once per round as a free action, a dread
Feats: Improved InitiativeB, Iron Will, Run, TrackB skeleton blink dog can teleport as though using dimension door
Environment: Any (caster level 8th). The ability affects only the dread skeleton
Organization: Solitary plus 1d10 skeletons blink dog, which never appears within a solid object and can act
Challenge Rating: 3 immediately after teleporting.
Treasure: None Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread skeleton template.
Alignment: Always evil (any)
Advancement: 5–7 HD (Medium); 8–12 HD (Large) Undead Traits: A dread skeleton blink dog is immune to mind-
Level Adjustment: +5 affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless
Here is an example of a dread skeleton using a blink dog as the it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical
base creature. hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability
Dread skeleton blink dogs lack a living blink dog’s humanlike scores, ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death
intelligence, but they are still cunning foes. They use their blink from massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works
and dimension door abilities to great effect in combat. only if it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
92
 Dread Spectre
Like ghosts, dread spectres are the incorporeal spirits of living beings that continue to act after death. They haunt the places they
frequented in life, seeking to grant their loved ones the same tortured existence that they now endure.
A dread spectre appears much as it did in life, except that its face is twisted into a mask of hatred and despair.

Dread Spectre
Creating a Dread Spectre
“Dread spectre” is an acquired template that can be added to any (see Energy Drain, below). If the dread spectre gained
living, intelligent creature killed by a spectre or a dread spectre an incorporeal touch attack from the application of this
(referred to hereafter as the base creature). template, its damage is as given on the following table.
A dread spectre uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here. Damage
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the Size Incorporeal Touch Damage
appropriate augmented subtype, plus the incorporeal Fine 1d2
subtype if the base creature did not already have it. Do not Diminutive 1d3
recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is Tiny 1d4
unchanged. Small 1d6
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Medium 1d8
Large 2d6
Speed: A dread spectre loses all the base creature’s speeds and Huge 2d8
gains a fly speed equal to double the base creature’s highest Gargantuan 4d6
speed, with perfect maneuverability. Colossal 4d8
Armor Class: The base creature’s armor, shield, and natural armor Special Attacks: The dread spectre loses all special attacks that
bonuses no longer apply, but the dread spectre gains a require corporeal contact but gains those described here. A
deflection bonus to Armor Class equal to its Charisma dread spectre cannot cast spells that require material
bonus or +1, whichever is higher. Dread components unless it has the Eschew Materials feat.
spectres cannot use or carry equipment of
any kind. Command Spectres (Su): A dread spectre can
automatically command all normal spectres within 30
Attack: The dread spectre retains all the base feet as a free action. Normal spectres never attack a
creature’s natural attacks, and its weapon and dread spectre unless compelled.
armor proficiencies. However, all its attacks
become incorporeal touch attacks, retaining Create Spawn (Su): Any creature with a Charisma
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base score of 16 or higher that is killed by a dread spectre rises
creature. The dread spectre gains a primary incorporeal as a dread spectre in 1d4 rounds. Any other creature slain
touch attack if it has no other natural attacks. by a dread spectre instead rises as a normal spectre in 1d4
rounds. A spectre or dread spectre created in this manner
A dread spectre uses its primary incorporeal touch attack is under the command of its creator and remains so until
when making an attack action. Because an incorporeal either it or the creator is destroyed. A standard spectre
creature has no Strength score, its Dexterity modifier rather from the MM can be advanced in HD to represent a more
than its Strength modifier applies to all its attack rolls. powerful creature, and this template can be used to create
Full Attack: A dread spectre uses all its incorporeal touch attacks a normal spectre (see the Creating a Normal Spectre
during a full attack. sidebar).

Damage: The dread spectre’s incorporeal touch attacks deal Energy Drain (Su): Any creature struck by a dread spectre’s
normal damage unmodified by Strength and energy drain incorporeal touch attack gains 2 negative levels. The

Creating a Normal Spectre

You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard spectre from the MM. To do so, simply alter the
features of the dread spectre template in the following ways.
• The spectre does not gain the command spectre or frightful presence abilities.
• The spectre’s create spawn ability creates only normal spectres.
• Reduce the turn resistance to +2.
• Replace the template’s sunlight vulnerability special quality with sunlight powerlessness, as detailed for the spectre in
the MM.
• The CR increase is +2 instead of +3.
93
 Fortitude save to remove a negative level has a DC of 10 rolls, checks, and saves when in natural sunlight (but not
+1/2 dread spectre’s character level + dread spectre’s Cha within the radius of a daylight spell).
modifier. For each such negative level bestowed the dread
Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread spectre has turn resistance +4.
spectre gains 5 temporary hit points.
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Dex +6, Int
Frightful Presence (Ex): Any creature within 60 feet
+4, Wis +4, Cha +4. As an incorporeal creature, a dread
that witnesses a dread spectre’s attack must succeed on a
spectre lacks a Strength score, and as an undead creature, it
Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread spectre’s character level +
has no Constitution score.
dread spectre’s Cha modifier) or become frightened for
Dread Spectre

5d6 rounds. This ability affects only creatures with fewer Environment: Any.
character levels than the dread spectre. A creature that
successfully saves is immune to that dread spectre’s frightful Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–5).
presence for 1 day. Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
Unnatural Aura (Su): Any creature of the animal type Treasure: None. Dread spectres cannot use equipment.
within 30 feet of a dread spectre automatically becomes
panicked and remains so until the distance between it and Alignment: Always neutral evil.
the dread spectre is at least 30 feet. See the DMG for a Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +7.
description of the panicked condition.
Special Qualities: The dread spectre retains all the base
creature’s special qualities that do not require corporeal
Dread Spectre Characters
contact with another creature and gains those described A dread spectre favors whichever class the base creature does. A GM
here. that allows players to play dread spectres despite their evil nature
should be aware that an incorporeal spellcaster can wreak havoc on a
Daylight Vulnerability (Ex): A dread spectre is not campaign. A level adjustment of +8 or +9 might be more appropriate
powerless in natural daylight and does not flee from it like for a character who is primarily a spellcaster. Since a dread spectre
a normal spectre, but it does take a –4 penalty on all attack cannot wield equipment, it may be unsuitable for use as a PC race.

- Sample Creature: Dread Spectre Nymph -

Medium Undead (Augmented Fey, Incorporeal) powerful than the beauty it had in life. Its appearance blinds, stuns,
and terrifies living creatures, making their visions of its beauty
Hit Dice: 6d12 (39 hp)
brief indeed.
Initiative: +3
Speed: Fly 60 ft. (perfect) (12 squares) Dread spectre nymphs speak Sylvan and Common.
Armor Class: 22 (+6 Dex, +6 deflection), touch 22, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/— Combat
Attack: Incorporeal touch +9 melee (1d8 plus energy drain)
Full Attack: Incorporeal touch +9 melee (1d8 plus energy drain) A dread spectre nymph usually attempts to surprise foes by
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. appearing suddenly from a solid object. It then tries to stun any
Special Attacks: Blinding beauty, command spectres, create creature not blinded by its beauty with its terrible glance. If more
spawn, energy drain, frightful presence, spell-like abilities, than one foe remains sighted and mobile, the dread spectre nymph
spells, stunning glance, unnatural aura casts damaging spells; otherwise, it uses its energy draining touch
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., damage reduction 10/cold to slay enemies.
iron, daylight vulnerability, low-light vision, turn resistance Blinding Beauty (Su): This ability affects all humanoids within
+4, undead traits, unearthly grace, wild empathy +12 30 feet of a dread spectre nymph. Anyone who looks directly
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +17, Will +16 at it must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude save or be blinded
Abilities: Str —, Dex 23, Con —, Int 20, Wis 21, Cha 23 permanently as though by the blindness spell. A dread spectre
Skills: Concentration +15, Diplomacy +8, Escape Artist +15, nymph can suppress or resume this ability as a free action. The save
Handle Animal +15, Heal +14, Hide +15, Listen +14, Move DC is Charisma-based.
Silently +15, Ride +8, Sense Motive +14, Spot +14
Feats: Combat Casting, Dodge, Weapon Finesse Command Spectre (Su): See the dread spectre template.

Environment: Any Create Spawn (Su): See the dread spectre template.
Organization: Solitary Energy Drain (Su): DC 19 Fortitude save to remove; see the
Challenge Rating: 10 dread spectre template.
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral evil Frightful Presence (Ex): DC 19 Will save; see the dread spectre
Advancement: 7–12 HD (Medium) template.
Level Adjustment: +14 Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day—dimension door. Caster level 7th.
Here is an example of a dread spectre using a nymph as the base Spells: A dread spectre nymph casts divine spells as a 7th-level
creature. druid.
A dread spectre nymph’s beauty is both ethereal and deadly. Few Typical Druid Spells Prepared (6/5/4/3/1, save DC 13 + spell level):
survive an encounter with one, and those who do rarely find joy in 0—create water, detect magic, flare, guidance, light, resistance; 1st—
beauty ever again. calm animal, entangle (3), longstrider; 2nd—cat’s grace, chill metal,
94 A dread spectre nymph possesses a haunting loveliness far more heat metal (2); 3rd—call lightning (3), sleet storm; 4th—ice storm.
Stunning Glance (Su): As a standard action, a dread spectre
nymph can glance at a particular creature within 30 feet.
The target creature must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude
save or be stunned for 2d4 rounds. The save DC is
Charisma-based.
Unnatural Aura (Su): See the dread spectre template.
Daylight Vulnerability (Ex): See the dread spectre

Dread Wight
template.
Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread spectre template.
Undead Traits: A dread spectre nymph is immune to mind-
affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless
it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to
critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its
physical ability scores, ability drain, energy drain, fatigue,
exhaustion, or death from massive damage. It cannot
be raised, and resurrection works only if it is willing.
Darkvision 60 ft.
Unearthly Grace (Su): A dread spectre nymph adds
its Charisma modifier to all its saving throws (already
reflected in the statistics block above).
Wild Empathy (Ex): This power works like the druid’s
wild empathy class feature, except a dread spectre nymph has
a +12 bonus on the check. Its unnatural aura limits the use of
this skill to distances greater than 30 feet.

Dread Wight
Dread wights are the animate remains of creatures that were terribly violent and hateful in life. They exist only to continue their reign of
terror against others, causing fear, pain, sorrow, and death whenever they can.
A dread wight has the features it did in life, but they are emaciated and wizened. Its face is constantly twisted into a rictus grin of cruelty,
and an intense hatred of the living burns in its eyes. Its weak-looking form disguises an unnatural strength and speed that makes its life-
draining powers stunningly deadly.

Creating a Dread Wight

“Dread wight” is an acquired template that can be added to any
living corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). Damage
A dread wight uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
Size Slam Base Damage
abilities except as noted here.
Fine —
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the
Diminutive 1
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base
Tiny 1
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
Small 1d3
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Medium 1d4
Large 1d6
Armor Class: The dread wight’s natural armor bonus improves by Huge 1d8
+4 over that of the base creature. Gargantuan 2d6
Attack: The dread wight retains all the base creature’s attacks, and its Colossal 2d8
weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain the same Special Attacks: The dread wight retains all the base creature’s
primary or secondary status they had for the special attacks and gains those described here.
base creature. The dread wight gains a primary
slam attack if it has no other natural attacks. Command Wights (Su): A dread wight can
automatically command all normal wights within
Damage: If the dread wight gained a slam attack 30 feet as a free action. Normal wights never attack a
from the application of this template, its base dread wight unless compelled.
damage is as given on the following table.
95
 Creating a Normal Wight
You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard wight from the MM. To do so, simply alter the
features of the dread wight template in the following ways.
• The wight does not gain the blindsense, command wights, or turn resistance abilities.
• The wight’s create spawn ability creates only normal wights.
Dread Wight

• Replace the template’s ability score adjustments with the following: +2 Str, +2 Dex, +2 Wis, +4 Cha.

Create Spawn (Su): Any creature killed by a dread wight’s Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread wight has turn resistance +4.
energy drain ability rises as a dread wight in 1d4 rounds. A
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +2, Dex
dread wight created in this manner is under the command of its
+4, Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +4. As an undead creature, a dread
creator and remains so until either it or the creator is destroyed.
wight has no Constitution score.
Energy Drain (Ex): A creature struck by a dread wight’s natural
Skills: A dread wight has a +8 racial bonus on Move Silently checks.
attack gains one negative level. The DC for the Fortitude
save to remove the negative level is 10 + 1/2 the dread wight’s Environment: Any.
character level + the dread wight’s Cha modifier. Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–5), or pack (6–11).
Special Qualities: The dread wight retains all the base creature’s Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
special qualities and gains those described here.
Alignment: Always lawful evil.
Blindsense (Ex): A dread wight can locate creatures within a Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +5.
60-foot radius.

Dread Wight Characters

- Sample Creature: - A dread wight favors whichever class the base creature does.

Dread Wight Gargoyle

Medium Undead (Augmented Monstrous Humanoid, Earth)
Hit Dice: 4d12+3 (26 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), fly 60 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 22 (+4 Dex, +8 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 18
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+7
Attack: Claw +7 melee (1d4+3 plus energy drain)
Full Attack: 2 claws +7 melee (1d4+3 plus energy drain) and bite
+5 melee (1d6+1 plus energy drain) and gore +5 melee
(1d6+1 plus energy drain)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Command wights, create spawn, energy drain
Special Qualities: Blindsense 60 ft., damage reduction 10/magic,
darkvision 60 ft., freeze, turn resistance +4, undead traits
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +8, Will +5
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 18, Con —, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 11
Skills: Hide +9*, Jump +7, Listen +5, Move Silently +12, Spot +5
Feats: Multiattack, Toughness
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–5), or pack (6–11)
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always lawful evil
Advancement: 5–6 HD (Medium); 7–12 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: +10
Here is an example of a dread wight using a gargoyle as the base
creature.
Dread wight gargoyles lie in wait for prey in large cemeteries or
pretend to be statues decorating tombs and temples that attract
pilgrims—despite the danger of encountering clerics in such
places. They are more than happy to vent their rage on any living
creature, priest or not, that comes within range.
96
A dread wight gargoyle looks much like it did in life, except that it Freeze (Ex): A dread wight gargoyle can hold itself so still that it
is far thinner. Its eyes glow with an unnatural, feral light. appears to be a statue. An observer must succeed on a DC 20 Spot
check to notice that it is really alive.
Dread wight gargoyles speak Common and Terran.
Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread wight template.
Combat Undead Traits: A dread wight gargoyle is immune to mind-
A dread wight gargoyle usually rushes into melee to strike a foe affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
with as many of its energy-draining attacks as possible, trusting death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless

Dread Vampire
its thick hide to protect it from reprisal. A dread wight gargoyle’s it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical
natural weapons are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
overcoming damage reduction. ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from
massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if
Command Wights (Su): See the dread wight template. it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
Create Spawn (Su): See the dread wight template. Skills: A dread wight gargoyle has a +2 racial bonus on Hide,
Energy Drain (Ex): DC 12 Fortitude save; see the dread wight Listen, and Spot checks, and a +8 racial bonus on Move Silently
template. checks. *The Hide bonus increases by +8 when the dread wight
gargoyle is concealed against a background of stone.
Blindsense (Ex): See the dread wight template.

Dread Vampire
Princes of darkness and queens of the night, dread vampires lurk in the dark places of the world, emerging by night to plague the living.
Dread vampires possess many of the characteristics of normal vampires, but they lack many traditional vampire weaknesses. They laugh at
garlic and holy symbols, mirrors reflect their visages normally, and they go where they please without need for invitation. Dread vampires
have even been known to pluck wooden stakes from their hearts and drive them through the chests of their attackers.
Dread vampires resemble normal vampires and have many of the same abilities. Only when a creature not normally subject to vampirism
exhibits a vampire’s powers or when a vampire proves invulnerable to the tactics that vampire hunters usually employ can a dread vampire
be positively identified as such. This knowledge, however, often comes too late.
Wholly evil and powerfully corrupt, dread vampires can master a host of lesser vampires and weak-minded creatures. Each dread vampire has its
own goals and personality, but most seek to dominate the world around them and lord their power over living slaves that they can use as desired.

Creating a Dread Vampire

“Dread vampire” is an acquired template that can be added to any Armor Class: The dread vampire’s natural armor bonus improves
living creature with an Intelligence score of 3 or higher (referred to by +8 over that of the base creature.
hereafter as the base creature).
Attack: The dread vampire retains all the base creature’s attacks,
A dread vampire uses all the base creature’s statistics and special and its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain
abilities except as noted here. the same primary or secondary status they had for the base
creature. The dread vampire gains a primary slam attack if it
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the
has no other natural attacks.
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged. Damage: If the dread vampire gained a slam attack from the
application of this template, its base damage is as given on the
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s.
following table. If the dread vampire retained the base creature’s
Speed: If the base creature has both a climb speed and a land slam attack, the base damage is the same as it was for the base
speed, the lower of the two increases to match the higher. creature or as given on the table, whichever is better.
If it lacks one of those speeds, the dread vampire gains the
missing mode of movement at a speed equal to the other. If Damage
the base creature lacks both modes of movement, the dread
vampire gains both at a speed equal to one-half the base Size Slam Base Damage
creature’s highest speed. Fine 1
The dread vampire also gains a fly speed equal to one-half the Diminutive 1d2
base creature’s highest speed if it cannot already Tiny 1d3
fly. Its maneuverability class becomes perfect. Small1d4
Medium 1d6
If the base creature has a swim speed, the Large 1d8
dread vampire retains it and is not vulnerable Huge 2d6
to immersion in running water (see page 99). Gargantuan 2d8
Colossal 4d6 97
 Special Attacks: The dread vampire retains all the base creature’s the command of its creator and remains so until either it or
special attacks and gains those described here. the creator is destroyed. At any given time, a dread vampire
may have enslaved vampires or dread vampires totaling no
Blood Drain (Ex): A dread vampire can suck blood from a
more than three times its own character level; any spawn
living victim with its fangs by making a successful grapple
it creates that would exceed this limit rise as free-willed
check. If it pins the foe, it drains blood, dealing 1d6 points
vampires or dread vampires. A dread vampire enslaved to
of Constitution drain each round it maintains the pin.
its creator may create and enslave spawn of its own; thus, a
Children of the Night (Su): A dread vampire can command master dread vampire can indirectly control a large number
Dread Vampire

the lesser creatures and undead of the world and can of lesser vampires. A dread vampire may voluntarily free an
summon them three times per day as a standard action. enslaved vampire or dread vampire in order to enslave a new
Each creature summoned must have an Intelligence score one, but once freed, the former spawn cannot be enslaved
of 2 or lower and must be of the animal, vermin, or undead again.
type. The dread vampire can summon any combination of
Dominate (Su): A dread vampire can crush an opponent’s
creatures so long as their encounter level is less than the
will just by looking into its eyes. This ability is similar to a
dread vampire’s Challenge Rating. Summoned creatures
gaze attack, except that it requires a standard action, and
arrive in 2d6 rounds and serve the dread vampire for up to 1
a creature that merely looks at the dread vampire is not
hour.
affected. Anyone the dread vampire targets must succeed
The specific creatures that the dread vampire summons on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread vampire’s character level
should be appropriate for it or its environment. For instance, + dread vampire’s Cha modifier) or fall instantly under its
a dread vampire dwarf living near caves might summon influence as though by a dominate monster spell (caster level
a bat swarm (of the swarm subtype), or a dread vampire equals dread vampire’s character level). The ability has a
drow might summon monstrous spiders. A dread vampire range of 30 feet.
elf in a forest might summon wolves or dire wolves, while
Energy Drain (Su): Any living creature hit by a dread
in a cemetery it might call up skeletons and zombies. A
vampire’s slam attack gains 2 negative levels. If the dread
dread vampire triton might call forth sharks, and a
vampire has additional natural melee attacks, any one
dread vampire giant eagle might summon eagles.
natural weapon (dread vampire’s choice
The summoned creatures can have templates
at the time of creation) can cause
applied so long as the alterations imposed by
energy drain with a successful hit.
such templates do not make the creatures
Energy drain is usable only once
ineligible for summoning with this
per round.
ability.
Spell-Like Abilities:
Create Spawn (Su): Dread vampires
3/day—darkness, fog cloud; 1/
can create spawn only if their
day—deeper darkness. Caster level
victims are kept in coffin homes, a special
equals dread vampire’s character level.
receptacle, until they rise. A coffin home can
be any container capable of accommodating the Special Qualities: The dread vampire
corpse. This container is often a coffin because retains all the base creature’s special qualities
ignorant family members of a dread vampire’s and gains those described here.
victims often bury their lost loved ones in the
Alternate Form (Su): As a standard action,
traditional manner. When a dread vampire wants
a dread vampire can assume the shape of
to make a specific creature its spawn, however, it
any kind of creature it can summon with
often places the body in a specifically designed
its children of the night ability. The dread
receptacle, such as an iron box. If a dread
vampire can even become a swarm (a
vampire’s or vampire’s coffin home is ever
creature of the swarm subtype), with all
destroyed, it cannot reform and is destroyed
the creatures in the swarm constituting its
when it reaches 0 hit points.
body. This ability is similar to a polymorph
Under these conditions, a humanoid spell (caster level 12th), except that the
or monstrous humanoid slain by a dread vampire does not regain hit
dread vampire’s energy drain attack points for changing form and can
rises as a vampire (see the assume only one form per use of
vampire template in the the ability. While in its alternate
MM) 24 hours after form, the dread vampire loses
death. Any creature with its dominate ability, but it
an Intelligence score retains all other special
of 3 or higher whose attacks and special qualities
Constitution score granted by the template and
reaches 0 from a dread gains the natural attacks and
vampire’s blood drain extraordinary abilities of its
attack returns as new form. The dread vampire
dread vampire 24 can remain in that form until
hours after death. it assumes another or until
A vampire or dread the next sunrise.
vampire created in
Blindsight (Ex): Using
this manner is under
98 its keen sense of hearing, a
 dread vampire can discern the area around it without sight, ceiling as if affected by a spider climb spell. In addition, it
in a manner similar to a bat. A dread vampire has blindsight can use the accelerated climb action to cover any distance
to a range of 30 feet. up to four times its climb speed, with each check allowing
it to climb a distance equal to its climb speed. Climbing
Damage Reduction (Su): Because a dread vampire’s undead
a distance equal to or less than its climb speed is a move-
body is tough, it gains damage reduction 10/good and
equivalent action.
silver. A dread vampire’s natural weapons, and any weapons
it wields, are treated as magic for overcoming damage Water Vulnerability (Ex): Running water (including the

Dread Vampire
reduction. sea) deals 5 points of damage per round that the dread
vampire is in contact with it, and its fast healing ability does
Darkvision (Ex): A dread vampire has darkvision to a range
not function during this time. Unlike its weaker cousins,
of 120 feet.
however, a dread vampire can cross running water without
Fast Healing (Ex): A dread vampire heals 5 points of the protection of its coffin home.
damage each round so long as it has at least 1 hit point. If
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +8, Dex
reduced to 0 hit points in combat, it automatically assumes
+6, Int +4, Wis +4, Cha +6. As an undead creature, a dread
gaseous form and attempts to escape. It must reach its coffin
vampire has no Constitution score.
home within 2 hours or be utterly destroyed. (It can travel
up to 9 miles in 1 hour.) Once at rest in its coffin home, Skills: A dread vampire receives a +10 racial bonus on Bluff, Hide,
it is helpless. It regains 1 hit point after 1 hour, then it is Listen, Move Silently, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot
no longer helpless and resumes healing at the rate of 5 hit checks. The dread vampire also receives a +8 racial bonus on
points per round. Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb
checks, even if rushed or threatened.
Gaseous Form (Su): As a standard action, a dread vampire
can assume gaseous form at will. This ability works like the Feats: A dread vampire gains Alertness, Combat Reflexes,
gaseous form spell (caster level 5th), except that the dread Improved Grapple, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes,
vampire can remain gaseous indefinitely and has a fly speed and Track as bonus feats if it meets the prerequisites and
of 40 feet with perfect maneuverability. does not already have them.
Immunity to Cold (Ex): A dread vampire is immune to cold. Environment: Any, usually same as the base creature.
Resistances (Ex): A dread vampire has resistance 10 to acid, Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–5), or troop (1–2 plus 2–5
electricity, and sonic. spawn).
Scent (Ex): A dread vampire can detect approaching Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
enemies and sniff out hidden foes by sense of smell alone.
Treasure: Double standard.
See the MM for details of this quality.
Alignment: Any evil.
Sunlight Vulnerability (Ex): A dread vampire hates the sun
and takes 5 points of damage per round of direct exposure Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +9.
to sunlight. It does not benefit from its fast healing when
exposed to sunlight.
Dread Vampire Characters
Supernatural Movement (Su): If the dread gained the ability
Dread vampires are always evil, so characters with classes requiring
to fly, climb, or move overland from the application of this
other alignments lose the corresponding class features. A cleric
template, those modes of movement are supernatural in
loses his ability to turn undead but gain the ability to rebuke
nature and are suppressed in an antimagic field.
undead. This ability does not affect the dread vampire’s controller
Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread vampire has turn resistance +6. or any other vampires that master controls. Dread vampire clerics
without patron deities have access to the Chaos, Destruction, Evil,
Uncanny Climber (Su): A dread vampire can climb with and Trickery domains.
its hands (or upper limbs) free and even walk about on the

- Sample Creature: Dread Vampire Night Hag -

Medium Undead (Augmented Outsider, Evil, Extraplanar) 120 feet, fast healing 5, gaseous form, immunities (fire,
Hit Dice: 8d12 (52 hp) cold, charm, sleep, fear), resistances (acid 10, electricity 10,
Initiative: +8 sonic 10), scent, spell resistance 25, sunlight vulnerability,
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), climb 20 ft., fly 10 ft. (perfect) supernatural movement, turn resistance +6, uncanny climber,
Armor Class: 33 (+4 Dex, +19 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 29 undead traits, water vulnerability
Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+20 Saves: Fort +8*, Ref +14*, Will +12*
Attack: Bite +16 melee (2d6+8 plus disease and energy drain) Abilities: Str 27, Dex 18, Con —, Int 15, Wis 19, Cha 18
Full Attack: Bite +16 melee (2d6+8 plus disease and energy drain) Skills: Bluff +25, Climb +16, Concentration +15, Diplomacy +8,
and slam +11 melee (1d6+4) Disguise +4 (+6 acting), Hide +14, Intimidate +17, Jump +2,
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Listen +27, Move Silently +14, Ride +15, Search +12, Sense
Special Attacks: Blood drain, children of the night, create spawn, Motive +25, Spellcraft +13, Spot +27
disease, dominate, dream haunting, energy drain, spell-like Feats: Alertness, Combat Casting, Combat ReflexesB, Improved
abilities GrappleB, Improved InitiativeB, Lightning ReflexesB,
Special Qualities: Alternate form, blindsight 30 ft., damage Mounted Combat, TrackB
reduction 10/cold iron, good, magic, and silver, darkvision 99
 Environment: Any Blood Drain (Ex): See the dread vampire template.
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–5), or troop (1–2 plus 2–5 spawn)
Children of the Night (Su): See the dread vampire template.
Challenge Rating: 12
Treasure: Double standard Create Spawn (Su): See the dread vampire template.
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 9–16 HD (Medium) Disease (Ex): Demon fever—bite, Fortitude DC 18, incubation
Level Adjustment: — period 1 day, damage 1d6 Con. Each day after the first, on a
failed save, an afflicted creature must immediately succeed on
Dread Vampire

This example uses a night hag as the base creature. another DC 18 Fortitude save or take 1 point of Constitution
drain. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Dread vampire night hags relish their undeath. In life, they were
cruel creatures that hungered for the souls of the innocent. The Dominate (Su): DC 18 Will save negates; see the dread vampire
dread vampire state allows them to continue this activity and template.
commit even more foul acts with impunity.
Dream Haunting (Su): A dread vampire night hag can visit the
Undeath accentuates the night hag’s already hideous appearance. dreams of chaotic or evil individuals by using a special periapt
Pinpricks of unwholesome light glimmer in its eyes, and its known as a heartstone to become ethereal, then hovering over
mouth—already filled with gnarled and needlelike teeth—bears the creature. Once it invades someone’s dreams, it rides on the
the two fearsome fangs of a vampire. Its skin is warty and bruise- victim’s back until dawn. The sleeper suffers from tormenting
blue, just as it was in life, but it often loses its hair in undeath, dreams and takes 1 point of Constitution drain upon awakening.
revealing a scabby and malformed skull. Only another ethereal being can stop these nocturnal intrusions
by confronting and defeating the dread vampire night hag.
A dread vampire night hag often spends the daylight hours on the
Ethereal Plane, stalking and watching its chosen victims from safety. Energy Drain (Su): See the dread vampire template.
At night, it either rides a dreaming victim or becomes material and
attacks with its vicious bite. A dread vampire night hag often keeps its Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect chaos, detect evil, detect good,
coffin home in a hidden place on the Ethereal Plane, detect law, detect magic, magic missile, polymorph (self only), ray of
guarded by its servitor vampires and dread enfeeblement (DC 15), sleep (DC 15); 3/day—darkness, fog cloud;
vampires. So long as the dread vampire night 1/day—deeper darkness. Caster level 8th. A night hag can use
hag possesses its heartstone, it can flee to the etherealness at will (caster level 16th) so long as it possesses its
Ethereal Plane even while gaseous. heartstone (see below). The save DCs are Charisma-
based.
Dread vampire night hags speak
Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Alternate Form
and Infernal. (Su): See the dread
vampire template.
Combat Blindsight (Ex): 30
A dread vampire night feet; see the dread
hag fights well even vampire template.
while gaseous. While Fast Healing (Ex):
in that state, it can use See the dread vampire
its spell-like abilities on template.
foes and can travel faster
than it can either on foot Gaseous Form (Su): See the
or in flight. When not in dread vampire template.
gaseous form, the dread Immunity to Cold (Ex): See
vampire night hag begins the dread vampire template.
combat by employing its
bite attack against weak- Resistances (Ex): See the dread
looking foes. vampire template.

A dread vampire’s Scent (Ex): See the dread

natural weapons, and vampire template.
any weapons it wields, Sunlight Vulnerability (Ex): See
are treated as evil-aligned the dread vampire template.
and magic for the
purpose of overcoming Supernatural Movement (Su):
damage reduction. See the dread vampire template.

Undead Outsiders?
As stated in the MM, outsiders do not have souls separate from their bodies, so they cannot be raised or resurrected normally.
This statement could be interpreted to mean that such a creature cannot become undead and still retain its knowledge and
personality, and thus would not be eligible for the dread vampire template. Even so, a powerful outsider such as a night hag
might have discovered some way to bypass this problem in its quest to become a vampire.

100
Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread vampire template. and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if
rushed or threatened.
Uncanny Climber (Ex): See the dread vampire template.
Undead Traits: A dread vampire night hag is immune to mind- Heartstone

Dread Wraith Sovereign

affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
Every night hag carries a periapt known as a heartstone, which
death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless
instantly cures any disease contracted by the holder. *In addition,
it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical
a heartstone provides a +2 resistance bonus on all saving throws
hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability
(included in the statistics block). A dread vampire night hag
scores, ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death
that loses this charm can no longer use etherealness until it can
from massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works
manufacture another (which takes one month). Creatures other
only if it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
than the hag can benefit from the heartstone’s powers, but it
Water Vulnerability (Ex): See the dread vampire template. shatters after ten uses (any disease cured or saving throw affected
counts as a use) by a creature other than its creator, and it does
Skills: A dread vampire night hag has a +10 racial bonus on not bestow etherealness on a bearer that is not a night hag. If sold,
Bluff, Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Search, Sense Motive, and an intact heartstone brings 1,800 gp.
Spot checks. It also receives a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks

Dread Wraith Sovereign

Ancient and evil beyond measure, dread wraith sovereigns dwell in the hearts of lost cities and in abandoned graveyards. No living things
dwell near such places, but a dread wraith sovereign often holds court over a host of the undead, both those it created and those that
bowed to its rule. The dread wraith sovereign can sense nearby life and seeks to snuff it out wherever it might be.
The spectral figure of a dread wraith sovereign looks much like it did in life, but its form and features are constantly shrouded in darkness.
A dread wraith sovereign can be distinguished from a normal wraith or a dread wraith by the gloom accompanying it and the unnatural
chill that fills the air wherever it passes.

Creating a Dread Wraith Sovereign

“Dread wraith sovereign” is an acquired template that can be added Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s.
to any living creature with 10 or more Hit Dice killed by a dread
Speed: A dread wraith sovereign loses all the base creature’s speeds
wraith sovereign (referred to hereafter as the base creature).
and gains a fly speed equal to double the base creature’s
A dread wraith sovereign uses all the base creature’s statistics and highest speed, with perfect maneuverability.
special abilities except as noted here.
Armor Class: The base creature’s armor, shield,
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to and natural armor bonuses no longer apply, but
undead with the appropriate augmented the dread wraith sovereign gains a deflection bonus
subtype, plus the incorporeal subtype if the to Armor Class equal to its Charisma bonus or +1,
base creature did not already have it. Do not whichever is higher. Dread wraith sovereigns cannot
recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or skill use or carry equipment of any kind.
points. Size is unchanged.

Using the Dread Wraith Sovereign Template

The dread wraith sovereign template is fairly straightforward, but the high ability score adjustments might give some GMs
pause. This portion of the template is designed to make the dread wraith sovereign at least as powerful as a standard dread
wraith. These ability score adjustments give the dread wraith sovereign an excellent chance to hit foes, a very high AC,
and special attacks with high save DCs. While these adjustments should work out fine for a creature with a relatively high
Challenge Rating and high Hit Dice, they can make for dangerously unpredictable combats when applied to weaker creatures.
Consider the dread wraith sovereign kobold. It has laughably few hit points, but an AC of 38 makes it difficult for a 3rd-level
character to hit even with the benefit of a true strike spell. At the same time, however, a single magic missile that penetrates its
spell resistance ends the encounter with this CR 3 monster.
You can solve the problem by not applying the template to low-HD monsters or by decreasing the ability score adjustments. As
noted in the introduction to this book, however, you should always carefully consider the effects of a high CR adjustment on a
low-HD creature.
101
 Creating a Normal Wraith or a Dread Wraith
Dread Wraith Sovereign
You can use this template to create a creature that closely mimics the standard wraith or the dread wraith from the MM. In
both cases, apply the dread wraith template but ignore the 10 or more HD restriction for eligible creatures.

Mimicking the Wraith

To create a creature similar to the standard wraith, simply alter the features of the dread wraith sovereign template as follows.
• The wraith does not gain the command wraiths, unnatural chill, lifesense, cold resistance, daylight vulnerability, spell
resistance, or turn resistance abilities.
• Reduce by two steps the damage for the natural attack that the template grants to creatures lacking natural attacks.
• Reduce the amount of Constitution drain to 1d6.
• Reduce the unnatural aura to a range of 30 feet.
• The wraith gains the daylight powerlessness ability, as described in the MM.
• The create spawn ability creates only wraiths.
• Replace the template’s ability adjustments with the following: Dex +6, Int +4, Wis +4, Cha +4.
• The CR adjustment is +1 instead of +3.

Mimicking the Dread Wraith

To create a creature similar to the dread wraith, simply alter the features of the dread wraith sovereign template as follows.
• The dread wraith does not gain the command wraiths, unnatural chill, cold resistance, daylight vulnerability, spell
resistance, and turn resistance abilities
• Reduce the unnatural aura to a range of 30 feet.
• The dread wraith gains the daylight powerlessness ability, as described in the MM.
• The create spawn ability creates only dread wraiths.
• The CR adjustment is +2 instead of +3.

Attack: The dread wraith sovereign retains all the base creature’s Special Attacks: The dread wraith sovereign loses all special
natural attacks, and its weapon and armor proficiencies. attacks that require corporeal contact but gains those
However, all its attacks become incorporeal touch attacks, described here. A dread wraith sovereign cannot cast spells
retaining the same primary or secondary status they had for requiring material components unless it has the Eschew
the base creature. The dread wraith sovereign gains a primary Materials feat.
incorporeal touch attack if it has no other natural attacks.
Command Wraiths (Su): A dread wraith sovereign can
A dread wraith sovereign uses its primary incorporeal touch automatically command all normal wraiths and dread wraiths
attack when making an attack action. Because an incorporeal within 30 feet as a free action. Normal wraiths and dread
creature has no Strength score, its Dexterity modifier rather wraiths never attack a dread wraith sovereign unless compelled.
than its Strength modifier applies to all its attack rolls.
Constitution Drain (Su): A dread wraith sovereign’s
Full Attack: A dread wraith sovereign uses all its incorporeal incorporeal touch attack deals 1d8 points of Constitution
touch attacks during a full attack. drain unless the creature struck succeeds on a Fortitude
save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread wraith sovereign’s character level +
Damage: The dread wraith sovereign’s incorporeal touch
dread wraith sovereign’s Cha modifier).
attacks deal normal damage unmodified by Strength and
Constitution drain (see Constitution Drain). If the dread Create Spawn (Su): Any creature slain by a dread wraith
wraith sovereign gained an incorporeal touch attack from sovereign’s Constitution drain or incorporeal touch attack
the application of this template, its damage is as given on rises as a dread wraith (see the MM) in 1d4 rounds. A
the following table. Any damage dealt by the dread wraith dread wraith created in this manner is under the command
sovereign’s natural attacks ignores damage reduction. of its creator and remains so until either it or the creator is
destroyed. When a dread wraith sovereign is killed, one of its
Damage dread wraith spawn that had 10 or more character levels in
life becomes a dread wraith sovereign (created by applying
Size Incorporeal Touch Damage the template to the original base creature as it was in life).
Fine 1 Unnatural Aura (Su): Any creature of the animal type within
Diminutive 1d3 100 feet of a dread wraith sovereign automatically becomes
Tiny 1d4 panicked and remains so until the distance between it and the
Small 1d6 dread wraith sovereign is at least 100 feet. See the DMG for a
Medium 1d8 description of the panicked condition.
Large 2d6
Huge 2d8 Unnatural Chill (Su): The area around a dread wraith sovereign
Gargantuan 4d6 is noticeably colder than the ambient temperature. Each
Colossal 4d8 creature within 30 feet of a dread wraith sovereign takes 2d6
102 points of cold damage and must succeed on a Fortitude save
 (DC 10 + 1/2 dread wraith sovereign’s character level + dread Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread wraith sovereign has turn
wraith sovereign’s Cha modifier) or be paralyzed. The damage resistance +4.
and the saving throw are repeated each round that the creature
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Dex +20, Int
remains within range. A creature that takes cold damage or is
+6, Wis +8, Cha +14. As an incorporeal creature, a dread

Dread Wraith Sovereign

paralyzed from the unnatural chill is automatically shaken (see
wraith sovereign lacks a Strength score, and as an undead
the DMG for a description of this condition) for 1 minute.
creature, it has no Constitution score.
Incorporeal creatures are immune to this effect. The shaken
condition is a mind-affecting fear effect. Feats: A dread wraith sovereign gains Alertness and Improved
Initiative as bonus feats if it does not already have them.
Special Qualities: The dread wraith sovereign retains all the base
creature’s special qualities that do not require corporeal Environment: Any.
contact with another creature and gains those described here.
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–5), or court (2–5 plus 2–5
Daylight Vulnerability (Ex): A dread wraith sovereign is not dread wraiths and 6–12 wraiths).
powerless in natural daylight and does not flee from it like
a normal wraith does, but it does take a –4 penalty on all Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
attack rolls, checks, and saves when in natural sunlight (but Treasure: None. Dread wraith sovereigns cannot use equipment.
not within the radius of a daylight spell).
Alignment: Always lawful evil.
Immunity to Cold (Ex): Dread wraith sovereigns are
immune to cold damage. Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +12.

Lifesense (Su): The dread wraith sovereign can locate living

creatures within 60 feet, just as if it possessed the blindsight Dread Wraith Sovereign Characters
ability. It also senses the strength of their life forces A dread wraith sovereign favors whichever class the base creature
automatically, as if it had cast deathwatch (caster level equals does. A GM who allows players to play dread wraith sovereigns
dread wraith sovereign’s character level). despite their evil nature should be aware that an incorporeal
Spell Resistance (Su): A dread wraith sovereign has spell spellcaster can wreak havoc on a campaign. A level adjustment
resistance equal to 12 plus its character level unless the base of +13 or +14 might be more appropriate for a character who is
creature has better spell resistance. primarily a spellcaster. Since a dread wraith sovereign cannot wield
equipment, it may be unsuitable for use as a PC race.

- Sample Creature: Dread Wraith Sovereign Trumpet Archon -

Medium Undead (Archon, Augmented Outsider, Extraplanar, Alignment: Always lawful evil
Incorporeal, Good, Lawful) Advancement: 13–18 HD (Medium); 19–36 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: —
Hit Dice: 12d12 (78 hp)
Initiative: +17 Here is an example of a dread wraith sovereign using a trumpet
Speed: Fly 180 ft. (36 squares) (perfect) archon as the base creature.
Armor Class: 33 (+13 Dex, +10 deflection), touch 33, flat-footed 20
When a trumpet archon falls to the touch of a dread wraith sovereign,
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+12
gods and angels weep. Dread wraith sovereign trumpet archons are
Attack: Incorporeal touch attack +25 melee (1d8 plus
heinous undead beings composed in equal parts of sacrilege, cruelty,
Constitution drain)
and hate. They desire nothing more than to see good temples defiled
Full Attack: Incorporeal touch attack +25 melee (1d8 plus
and the servants of good brought low. Dread wraith sovereign trumpet
Constitution drain)
archons take special delight in killing and transforming other celestial
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
beings into wraiths or other undead creatures.
Special Attacks: Command wraiths, Constitution drain, create
spawn, spell-like abilities, spells, unnatural aura, unnatural chill A dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon looks like a 6-foot-tall
Special Qualities: Aura of menace, damage reduction 10/evil, figure composed of shadows. On its hooded head, it wears a tall
daylight vulnerability, darkvision 60 ft., immunities (cold, crown of flickering shadows. Two great wings of blackness spread
electricity, petrification), incorporeal traits, lifesense, magic out from its shoulders.
circle against evil, outsider traits, spell resistance 29, teleport,
tongues, turn resistance +4, undead traits Dread wraith sovereign trumpet archons are powerful spellcasters,
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +21, Will +15 but they are also deadly in melee. Evil-aligned magic weapons
Abilities: Str —, Dex 37, Con —, Int 22, Wis 24, Cha 30 and attacks have the greatest chance of damaging them, but they
Skills: Concentration +25, Diplomacy +27, Escape Artist +28, Handle still have the same protections against evil creatures that they had
Animal +25, Knowledge (any one) +21, Listen +24, Move in life. They have no trumpets because they are incorporeal and
Silently +28, Perform (wind instruments) +25, Ride +30, Sense cannot manipulate objects.
Motive +22, Spot +24, Use Rope +13 (+15 with bindings) Dread wraith sovereign trumpet archons speak Celestial, Infernal,
Feats: AlertnessB, Blind-Fight, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, and Draconic, but they can speak with almost any creature because
Improved Initiative, Power Attack of their tongues ability.
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–5), or court (2–5 plus 2–5 Combat
dread wraiths and 6–12 wraiths) A dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon often hides within a
Challenge Rating: 17 solid object and casts spells on itself while its spawn and controlled
Treasure: None wraiths attack. When it emerges, it casts spells that help its 103
 minions and harm its foes, such as mass inflict critical wounds and
desecrate. A dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon rarely has to
engage in melee and typically does so only to create spawn from
those already wounded by the wraiths it commands.
Dread Wraith Sovereign

Command Wraiths (Su): See the dread wraith sovereign template.

Constitution Drain (Su): DC 26 Fortitude save negates; see the
dread wraith sovereign template.
Create Spawn (Su): See the dread wraith sovereign template.
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect evil, continual flame,
message. Caster level 12th.
Spells: A dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon can cast
divine spells as a 14th-level cleric. It has access to any two of
the following domains: Air, Destruction, Law, or War. The save
DCs are Wisdom-based.
Typical Cleric Spells Prepared (6/8/8/7/6/5/5/4; DC 20 + spell
level): 0—detect magic (4), light (2); 1st—bane (3), command (2),
detect good, hide from undead, inflict light wounds*; 2nd—aid,
calm emotions, desecrate (2), eagle’s splendor, owl’s wisdom, shatter*,
silence (2); 3rd—deeper darkness, dispel magic (2), locate object,
searing light (2), magic circle against chaos*; 4th—dimensional
anchor, dismissal, inflict critical wounds (2), order’s wrath*,
spell immunity (a dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon
often chooses magic missile); 5th—flamestrike, mass inflict
light wounds*, scrying, unhallow, wall of stone; 6th—antilife
shell, create undead, greater dispel magic (2), harm, hold monster*;
7th—blasphemy, disintegrate, mass inflict serious wounds (2).
*Domain spell. Domains: Destruction and Law.
Lifesense (Su): See the dread wraith sovereign template.
Unnatural Aura (Su): See the dread wraith sovereign template.
Magic Circle against Evil (Su): A dread wraith sovereign trumpet
Unnatural Chill (Su): DC 26 Fortitude save; see the dread wraith archon is constantly surrounded by a magic circle against evil effect
sovereign template. (caster level 14th). (The defensive benefits from this effect are not
Aura of Menace (Su): Any hostile creature within a 20-foot radius included in the statistics block above.)
of a dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon must succeed on a DC Spell Resistance (Ex): See the dread wraith sovereign template.
28 Will save or take a –2 penalty on attack rolls, AC, and saves
for 24 hours or until it successfully hits the dread wraith sovereign Teleport (Su): At will, a dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon
trumpet archon that generated the aura. A creature that has can use greater teleport, as the spell (caster level 14th), except that
resisted or broken the effect cannot be affected again by the same it can transport only itself and up to 50 pounds of objects.
dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon’s aura for 24 hours. The
Tongues (Su): The dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon can
save DC is Charisma-based and includes a +2 racial bonus.
speak with any creature that has a language, as though using a
Daylight Vulnerability (Ex): See the dread wraith sovereign template. tongues spell (caster level 14th). This ability is always active.

Incorporeal Traits: A dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread wraith sovereign template.
is harmed only by other incorporeal creatures, magic weapons,
Undead Traits: A dread wraith sovereign trumpet archon is
spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. It has a 50%
immune to mind-affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis,
chance to ignore any damage from a corporeal source, except for
stunning, disease, death effects, and any effect that requires a
force effects or attacks made with ghost touch weapons. It can
Fortitude save unless it also works on objects or is harmless. It
pass through solid objects, but not force effects, at will. Its attacks
is not subject to critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage
ignore natural armor, armor, and shields, but deflection bonuses
to its physical ability scores, ability drain, energy drain, fatigue,
and force effects work normally against them. An incorporeal
exhaustion, or death from massive damage. It cannot be raised, and
creature always moves silently and cannot be heard with Listen
resurrection works only if it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
checks if it doesn’t wish to be.

Undead Outsiders?
As noted in the MM, outsiders do not have souls separate from their bodies, so they cannot be raised or resurrected normally.
This statement could be interpreted to mean that they cannot become undead that retain their knowledge and personalities—
especially incorporeal undead. If you want to adhere to that interpretation, you certainly can. Just keep in mind that undead
outsiders are an equally viable option and could offer some great adventure plots.

104
 Dread Zombie
Though they resemble the mindless undead that fill out the ranks of armies commanded by evil necromancers and the clerics of dark
gods, dread zombies (sometimes known as zombie lords) are fit to command such troops themselves. Dread zombies are created when
the magic used to animate a zombie or other corporeal undead goes awry, or when a dread mummy breathes death on a living creature.
Sometimes when the ceremony to create a lich fails, the would-be lich instead becomes a dread zombie, attaining eternal unlife at an

Dread Zombie
unexpected cost—the loss of some of the intelligence it had in life. These undead recognize and mourn their lost mental acuity, and this
knowledge translates into a sick hunger for living brains.
A dread zombie looks like the walking corpse of a living creature. Maggots writhe beneath its papery skin, and worms crawl through its
muscles. Its eyes, however, are not the foggy, fluid-filled orbs of a normal zombie—they shine with a lifelike and evil intelligence.

Creating a Dread Zombie

“Dread zombie” is an acquired template that can be added to any
living creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature).
Damage
Size Base Slam Damage Base Bite Damage
A dread zombie uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here. Fine 1 —
Diminutive 1d2 1
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the
Tiny 1d3 1d2
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base
Small 1d4 1d3
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
Medium 1d6 1d4
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Large 1d8 1d6
Huge 2d6 1d8
Speed: The dread zombie retains the base creature’s speeds. If the Gargantuan 2d8 2d6
base creature has a fly speed based on the possession of Colossal 4d6 2d8
wings, its maneuverability is reduced by one step (minimum
clumsy). Dread zombies cannot run. Special Attacks: The dread zombie retains all the base creature’s
Armor Class: The base creature’s natural armor bonus increases special attacks and gains those described here.
according to its size, as given on the following table. Brain Consumption (Ex): When the dread zombie makes
a successful grapple check to deal damage with its bite
Armor Class attack against a pinned or helpless living foe, the latter must
succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 dread zombie’s
Size Increase character level + dread zombie’s Str modifier) or die
Tiny or smaller +0 as the dread zombie consumes its brain. Creatures
Small +1 immune to critical hits and those with multiple heads
Medium +2 are not killed by this attack.
Large +3 Command Zombies (Su): A dread zombie can
Huge +4 automatically command all normal zombies within
Gargantuan +7 30 feet as a free action. Normal zombies never
Colossal +11 attack a dread zombie unless compelled.
Attack: The dread zombie retains all the base creature’s attacks, Unnatural Aura (Su): Any creature of the animal type
and its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain within 30 feet of a dread zombie automatically becomes
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base panicked and remains so until the distance between it and
creature. The dread zombie gains a primary slam attack if it the dread zombie is at least 30 feet. See the DMG for a
has no other natural attacks. If the base creature possesses at description of the panicked condition.
least one mouth but has no natural attack with it, the dread
zombie gains a secondary bite attack with each mouth. Special Qualities: The dread zombie retains all the base creature’s
special qualities and gains those described here.
Damage: If the dread zombie gained slam or bite attacks from the
application of this template, the base damage for each is as Turn Resistance (Ex): A dread zombie has turn resistance
given on the following table. +2.

Mmm, Brains. . .
If you’d like zombies in your game to be brain-eating monsters, but you don’t want them all to be dread zombies, simply use the
standard zombie template from the MM, but give the zombie the brain consumption ability from the dread zombie template.
Although this attack can cause instantaneous death, it’s difficult for a normal zombie to use because it requires at least two
successful grapple attempts on separate rounds, giving the victim several chances to escape or stave off pinning. Thus, giving this
ability to a standard zombie does not increase its CR.
105
 Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: +4 Str, –2 Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Dex, –4 Int (minimum 0), –4 Cha (minimum 1). A dread
Alignment: Always neutral evil.
zombie has no Constitution score.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
Feats: A dread zombie gains Toughness as a bonus feat.
Environment: Any. Dread Zombie Characters
Organization: Solitary or gang (1 plus 1–10 zombies). A dread zombie favors whichever class the base creature does.
Dread Zombie

- Sample Creatures: Dread Zombie Aasimar Warrior -

Medium Undead (Augmented Outsider, Native)
Hit Dice: 1d12+3 (9 hp)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 20 ft. in scale mail (4 squares) (can’t run); base speed 30 ft.
(can’t run)
Armor Class: 17 (–1 Dex, +2 natural +4 scale mail, +2 heavy
shield), touch 9, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+4
Attack: Longsword +4 melee (1d8+3/19–20) or slam +4 melee
(1d6+3) or light crossbow +0 ranged (1d8/19–20)
Full Attack: Longsword +4 melee (1d8+3/19–20) and bite
–1 melee (1d4+1) or slam +4 melee (1d6+3) and
bite –1 melee (1d4+1) or light crossbow +0 ranged
(1d8/19–20)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Brain consumption, command
zombies, daylight, unnatural aura
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., resistances
(acid 5, cold 5, electricity 5), turn resistance +2,
undead traits
Saves: Fort +2, Ref –1, Will +0
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 9, Con —, Int 6, Wis 11, Cha 6
Skills: Jump –9, Knowledge (religion) –1, Listen +3,
Ride +1, Spot +3
Feats: Improved Initiative, ToughnessB
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary or gang (1 plus 1–10
zombies)
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +4
Here is an example of a dread zombie using
an aasimar as the base creature. Command Zombie (Su): See the dread zombie template.
A dread zombie aasimar relishes its corrupted form and unnatural Daylight (Sp): A dread zombie aasimar can use daylight once per
power. Filled with loathing for the virtue that was once its heritage, day (caster level 1st or equal to dread zombie aasimar’s class levels,
it seeks out symbols of goodness and peace to defile. Dread zombie whichever is higher).
aasimars particularly enjoy consuming the brains of good clerics
Unnatural Aura (Su): See the dread zombie template.
and paladins.
Turn Resistance (Ex): See the dread zombie template.
The transformation into a dread zombie completely negates the
beauty that once marked the aasimar. Its bald head is covered in Undead Traits: A dread zombie aasimar is immune to mind-
rotting skin the color of mud, and its flesh hangs loosely from its affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease,
bones. death effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless
it also works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical
Combat hits, nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from
A dread zombie aasimar begins by attacking with its crossbow at massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if
range. In melee, it prefers to attack with its sword and its bite. it is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.
Brain Consumption (Ex): DC 13 Fortitude save; see the dread Skills: A dread zombie aasimar has a +2 racial bonus on Listen
zombie template. and Spot checks.
106
 Dream Creature
Dream creatures are beings that dream in their waking moments and bring sleep to creatures that would otherwise be awake. They have
the power to weave dreams into the world about them and to travel out of their bodies when sleeping.
Only a creature in a comatose slumber can become a dream creature. A grave injury, complete loss of reason, or an intellect damaged by

Dream Creature
a monster or poison might be the cause of the coma, but the comatose creature always moves in its sleep during the transformation to a
dream creature. When it awakens, its consciousness lies somewhere between slumberous thought and reality.
Dream creatures often appear distracted, and daydreaming is common. When they use their power to merge the waking and dreaming
worlds, however, their minds gain a crystal clarity and focus that is reflected on their countenances. Guided by the strange and mutable
thought patterns of dreamers, dream creatures are chaotic by nature, but other than their powers and distracted demeanors, they have
little in common with each other.

Creating a Dream Creature

“Dream creature” is an acquired template that can be added to creature outside the area taking any action that would affect
any creature that sleeps and whose Charisma, Intelligence, and creatures within or on the other side of the area also takes a
Wisdom scores are each at least 3 (referred to hereafter as the base –4 penalty on any associated roll or check. Waking dreams
creature). A dream creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and is an illusion (figment) effect with no save, but creatures
special abilities except as noted here. that are immune to illusion effects are immune to this effect.
True seeing and similar effects allow a creature to act in the
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the creature
affected area without taking the penalty. Dream creatures
gains the chaotic subtype if the base creature did not already
are immune to the penalties caused by their own waking
have it.
dreams and those of other dream creatures.
Special Attacks: The dream creature retains all the base creature’s
Special Qualities: A dream creature retains all the special qualities
special attacks and gains those described here.
of the base creature and gains those described here.
Dream Spellcasting (Su): A dream creature’s effective caster
Damage Reduction (Su): The dream creature gains damage
level for figment, glamer, and pattern spells increases by +2
reduction 5/cold iron.
over that of the base creature.
Dream Travel (Su): Once per day, a dream creature can go to
Lulling Gaze (Su): Any creature within 20 feet that meets
sleep and travel about ethereally. This ability works like the
the dream creature’s gaze must succeed on a Will save (DC
ethereal jaunt spell, except that the dream creature
10 + 1/2 dream creature’s character level +
leaves its material body behind, and it can remain
dream creature’s Cha modifier) or take a –5
ethereal so long as its body sleeps.
penalty on Spot checks and a –2 penalty on
Will saves against sleep effects for as long as it At any point in time, the dream creature may go
remains within range. A new save is required to sleep with the intent of traveling ethereally.
each round until the creature either fails or is When it does so, an ethereal version of it like that
no longer within range. A dream creature can resulting from an ethereal jaunt spell rises from
suppress or resume this ability as a free action. its sleeping body. This version of the dream creature
can then travel about the Ethereal Plane, roaming material
Sleep Song (Su): As a full-round action, a dream creature
areas ethereally, and act as it wills. If its sleeping body
can sing a lullaby that puts nearby creatures to sleep. Any
takes damage, is subjected to a harmful spell or effect, or is
creature within 100 feet of the dream creature that can
awakened by a loud noise or vigorous motion, the ethereal
hear its song must succeed on a Will save (DC equals the
form vanishes and the dream creature awakes with the
dream creature’s Perform [sing] check result) or fall asleep
knowledge of what its ethereal self experienced. The same
as though affected by a sleep spell for a number of rounds
result occurs if the ethereal form leaves the Ethereal Plane
equal to the dream creature’s character level. A creature that
(by its own will or by force), or “dies” (either from damage
successfully saves cannot be affected by the same dream
or from some magical effect). Beneficial spell effects cast
creature’s sleep song again for 24 hours. Dream creatures are
on the body of the sleeping dream creature benefit its
immune to their own and other dream creatures’ sleep songs.
ethereal form as well, but negative effects that affect the
Sleep song is a sonic, mind-affecting, sleep effect.
ethereal form do not affect the sleeping body of the dream
Waking Dreams (Su): A dream creature can cause the creature, nor do they affect the dream creature after it has
area within 100 feet of its position to become hazy and awakened. If the ethereal form would become material
dreamlike at will. This effect penetrates solid objects through some action or effect, it vanishes and the sleeping
and even crosses the boundary with the Ethereal Plane. dream creature awakens.
Distances and speeds in the affected area become hard to
Low-Light Vision (Ex): A dream creature sees twice and a
judge. Bright areas seem dark, and dark areas appear to have
human in torchlight, moonlight, starlight, and other low-
some hazy illumination. Colors blend into one another
light conditions.
in strange and unpredictable ways, and creatures seem to
take on the features of objects or other creatures. Every Pierce the Veil (Ex): Dream creatures automatically succeed
creature in the affected area takes a –4 penalty on all attack on saving throws against figment, glamer, and pattern effects
rolls, checks, and saves as long as it remains in the area. A and spells.
107
 Sleep Vulnerability (Ex): A dream creature takes a –2 Alignment: Often chaotic neutral.
penalty on saves against sleep effects. Furthermore, it counts
Level Adjustment: —
as a creature with 2 fewer Hit Dice than it actually possesses
for the purpose of determining the number and HD of
creatures a sleep spell can affect. Dream Creature Characters
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Wis +2, Cha +4. A dream creature favors whichever class the base creature does.
The dream template does not provide a level adjustment because
Dream Creature

Organization: Solitary. the abilities granted by the template make the balancing act of lost
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1. Hit Dice and a high level adjustment too difficult.

- Sample Creature: Dream Rakshasa -

Medium Outsider (Chaotic, Native) form—that of a humanoid tiger with backward hands— unless it
is using its waking dreams ability.
Hit Dice: 7d8+21 (52 hp)
Initiative: +2 Dream rakshasas speak Common, Infernal, and Undercommon.
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 21 (+2 Dex, +9 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 19 Combat
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+8
Attack: Claw +8 melee (1d4+1) In close combat, a dream rakshasa often uses its waking dreams
Full Attack: 2 claws +8 melee (1d4+1) and bite +3 melee (1d6) ability in combination with its change shape ability to take the
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. form of one of its enemies. It may further confuse the issue
Special Attacks: Detect thoughts, dream spellcasting, lulling gaze, by employing spells such as mirror image, major image, and
sleep song, spells, waking dreams displacement. While its opponents are trying to discern the truth, it
Special Qualities: Change shape, damage reduction 5/cold uses its lulling gaze, and then finally its sleep song.
iron, damage reduction 15/good and piercing, darkvision A dream rakshasa’s natural attacks, and any weapons it wields, are
60 ft., dream travel, low-light vision, pierce the veil, sleep treated as chaotic-aligned for overcoming damage reduction.
vulnerability, spell resistance 27
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +7 Detect Thoughts (Su): A dream rakshasa can continuously use
Abilities: Str 12, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 21 detect thoughts as the spell (caster level 18th; Will DC 18 negates).
Skills: Bluff +19*, Concentration +13, Diplomacy +9, It can suppress or resume this ability as a free
Disguise +19 (+21 acting)*, Intimidate +7, action. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Jump +5, Listen +14, Move Silently +12, Spells: A dream rakshasa casts
Perform (oratory) +15, Perform spells as a 7th-level sorcerer.
(sing) +7, Sense Motive +12, Spells marked with an
Spellcraft +11, Spot +12 asterisk (*) are caster level
Feats: Alertness, Combat 9th because of the dream
Casting, Dodge rakshasa’s dream spellcasting
Environment: Warm marshes ability.
Organization: Solitary Typical Sorcerer Spells
Challenge Rating: 11 Known (6/7/7/5; save
Treasure: Standard coins; DC 13 + spell level):
double goods; 0—detect magic, light,
standard items mage hand, message, read
Alignment: Often magic, resistance, touch
chaotic evil of fatigue; 1st—charm
Advancement: By person, mage armor, magic
character class missile, shield, silent image*;
Level Adjustment: 2nd—hypnotic pattern*,
— mirror image*, scorching ray;
Here is an example of 3rd—displacement*, major
a dream creature using image*.
a rakshasa as the base Change Shape (Su): A dream
creature. rakshasa can assume any
Dream rakshasas are humanoid form or revert to its
dedicated to destroying own form as a standard action.
the minds of others In humanoid form, it loses
through the terrors of its claw and bite attacks,
their own dreams. although it often equips itself
with weapons and armor
A dream rakshasa is instead. A dream rakshasa
about the same height remains in one form until it
and weight as a human. chooses to assume a new one.
It rarely appears in its normal A change in form cannot be dispelled, but the dream
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rakshasa reverts to its natural form when killed. A true seeing spell Dream Travel (Su): See the dream creature template.
reveals its natural form. Pierce the Veil (Ex): See the dream creature template.
Dream Spellcasting (Su): See the dream creature template. Sleep Vulnerability (Ex): See the dream creature template.
Lulling Gaze (Su): DC 18 Will save; see the dream creature template. Skills: A dream rakshasa has a +4 racial bonus on Bluff and
Sleep Song (Su): Will save (DC equals dream rakshasa’s Perform Disguise checks. *When using change shape, a dream rakshasa
[sing] check result), see the dream creature template. gains an additional +10 circumstance bonus on Disguise checks. If
it is reading an opponent’s mind, its circumstance bonus on Bluff

Dust Creature
Waking Dreams (Su): See the dream creature template. and Disguise checks increases by an additional +4.

Dust Creature
Though native to both the Elemental Plane of Earth and the Elemental Plane of Air, dust creatures sometimes migrate to the Material
Plane and take up residence there. Though this tendency to move about indicates a somewhat adventurous nature, dust creatures exhibit
little of the curiosity about other beings that most highly mobile creatures have. In fact, they tend to be brusque and aloof with creatures
not of the earth or air subtype.
Dust creatures come in as many colors as sand. The typical specimen has a body of multiple hues, covered in whorls of sand that mimic
the blowing dust they can summon and control.

Creating a Dust Creature

“Dust creature” is an inherited template that can be added to any cloud. A creature blinded by a dust creature’s cloud of dust
living, corporeal creature with the earth or air subtype (referred regains its sight 1d4 rounds after its last exposure to a dust
to hereafter as the base creature). cloud with its eyes open. Blinding exposure of even
a single eye blinds all eyes supernaturally.
A dust creature uses all the base creature’s
statistics and special abilities except as noted here. Sand Blast (Su): At will as a standard action, a dust
creature can emit an abrasive jet of dust-filled wind
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to
that damages objects and other creatures. This
elemental with the appropriate augmented
wind takes the form of a 5-foot-wide, 20-foot-
subtype, plus the air, earth, and extraplanar
long line that causes 1d4 points of slashing damage
subtypes if the base creature did not already
per 2 character levels of the dust creature (minimum 1d4).
have them. Do not recalculate base attack bonuses, saves,
Any creature caught within the area may attempt a Reflex
or skill points. Size is unchanged.
save (DC 10 + 1/2 dust creature’s character level + dust
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s. creature’s Con modifier) for half damage.
Special Attacks: The dust creature retains all the base creature’s Special Qualities: A dust creature retains all the special qualities
special attacks and gains those described here. of the base creature and gains those described here.
Exude Dust (Su): At will as a free action, a dust creature Air Breather (Ex): A dust creature can breathe air even if
can exude a cloud of dust that surrounds its body. This the base creature breathed only water.
cloud functions like an obscuring mist spell, except all dust
Air Mastery (Ex): Any airborne creature takes a –1 penalty
creatures can see through it normally. Any other creature
on attack and damage rolls against a dust creature.
caught within in the cloud must succeed on a Reflex save
(DC 10 + 1/2 dust creature’s character level + dust creature’s Airborne (Su): At will, a dust creature can walk on air
Con modifier) or be blinded by the stinging dust. Success as though with an air walk spell. In addition, it always
indicates that the creature closed or otherwise covered its falls as if affected by a feather fall spell. When falling, the
eyes before the dust could affect them. The creature must dust creature can be moved on the wind as noted in the
keep its eyes closed or covered while within the dust cloud description of the air walk spell.
or risk blindness. A creature that enters the dust cloud with
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str –4
its eyes closed or covered need not make a save against
(minimum 1), Dex +2, Con +2, Cha –2 (minimum 1).
blindness unless it opens its eyes while within the dust

Changing the Dust Creature Template

The dust creature template does not have to change the creature’s type. If you’d like to make a dust creature native to the
Material Plane, ignore the template’s instruction to change the creature’s type and Hit Dice. You could also make a dust
creature that’s native to some other dusty Outer or Inner Plane, or it might simply be a native of the Material Plane.

109
 Skills: A dust creature gains a +4 racial bonus on Move Silently Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
checks.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
Languages: If the dust creature can speak, it gains the ability to
speak Auran and Terran in addition to any other languages
the base creature knows.
Dust Creature Characters
A dust creature favors whichever class the base creature does. Dust
Environment: Same as the base creature, plus the Elemental creatures tend to have abrasive personalities, but they can become
Plane of Air and the Elemental Plane of Earth.
Dust Creature

valuable members of adventuring groups.

- Sample Creature: Dust Stone Giant -

Large Elemental (Air, Augmented Giant, Earth, Extraplanar)
Combat
Hit Dice: 14d8+70 (133 hp)
Dust stone giants fight from a distance whenever possible. They
Initiative: +3
take stones high into the air and bombard foes from within the
Speed: 30 ft. in hide armor (6 squares); base speed 40 ft.
concealment provided by the dust clouds they can create. If they
Armor Class: 26 (–1 size, +3 Dex, +11 natural, +3 hide), touch 12,
can’t avoid melee, dust stone giants try to keep foes within their
flat-footed 23
dust clouds while they hammer at them with greatclubs and sand
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+20
blasts.
Attack: Greatclub +15 melee (2d8+9) or slam +15 melee (1d4+6)
or rock +13 ranged (2d8+6) Exude Dust (Su): DC 22 Reflex save; see the dust creature
Full Attack: Greatclub +15/+10 melee (2d8+9) or 2 slams +15 template.
melee (1d4+6) or rock +13 ranged (2d8+6)
Rock Throwing (Ex): A dust stone
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
giant can hurl rocks weighing 40 to
Special Attacks: Exude dust, rock throwing, sand blast
50 pounds each (Small objects) up
Special Qualities: Air breather, air mastery, airborne, darkvision
to five range increments (180 feet
60 ft., elemental traits, low-light vision, rock catching
per range increment). It uses both
Saves: Fort +14, Ref +7, Will +7
hands when throwing a rock.
Abilities: Str 23, Dex 17, Con 21, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 9
Skills: Climb +9, Hide +7*, Jump +9, Move Silently +4, Sand Blast (Su): DC 22 Reflex save;
Spot +12 see the dust creature template.
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Iron Will,
Point Blank Shot, Power
Attack, Precise Shot
Environment: Temperate
mountains, Elemental
Plane of Air, and
Elemental Plane of
Earth
Organization: Solitary, pair,
gang (3–5), band (6–9 plus
35% noncombatants), hunting/raiding/
trading party (6–9 plus 1 elder), or tribe
(21–30 plus 35% noncombatants plus 1–3
elders and 3–6 dire bears)
Challenge Rating: 9
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +7
Here is an example of a dust creature using a
stone giant as the base creature.
Dust stone giants often migrate to desert
areas of the Material Plane. They prefer
to live in seclusion, but a few have been
known to interact peacefully with
other stone giants.
A dust stone giant resembles the lean,
muscular giants of the Material Plane
from which it takes its name. Its body
is composed of compacted sand and
dust, and its hard, hairless flesh is abrasive
and dun-colored. It has gaunt facial features and
110 deep, sunken brown eyes that make it seem imperious.
Air Breather (Ex): See the dust creature template. Rock Catching (Ex): Once per round, a dust stone giant that would
normally be hit by a Small, Medium, or Large rock can make a Reflex
Air Mastery (Ex): See the dust creature template.
save to catch it as a free action. The DC is 15 for a Small rock, 20 for
a Medium one, and 25 for a Large one. (If the projectile provides a

Element-Infused Creature
Airborne (Su): See the dust creature template.
magical bonus on attack rolls, the DC increases by that amount.) The
Elemental Traits: A dust stone giant has immunity to poison, dust stone giant must be ready for and aware of the attack in order
sleep effects, paralysis, and stunning. It is not subject to critical hits to make a rock catching attempt. A dust stone giant gains a +4 racial
or flanking. It cannot be raised, reincarnated or resurrected (though a bonus on its Reflex save when attempting to catch a thrown rock.
limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection spell can restore life).
Darkvision 60 ft. Skills: *A dust stone giant gains a +8 racial bonus on Hide checks
in rocky terrain.

Element-Infused Creature
Nature gods and the lords of the elements sometimes grant their champions special powers, infusing them with the essence of one of
the four elemental planes. The powers in control of the elements grant this gift only rarely, since its strength can remain in a bloodline
for many generations. In fact, element-infused creatures occasionally become races unto themselves. Some sages argue deep dwarves owe
their origins to earth-infused dwarves, and aquatic elves owe theirs to water-infused elves.
Element-infused creatures of different elemental types have little in common, but infused with the same element often share certain
features. A water-infused creature generally has webbed appendages and blue skin, hair, or scales, and a fire-infused creature may have red
or orange skin, hair, or scales. An air-infused creature usually looks much like an albino version of its kind, and an earth-infused creature’s
dark body is typically pebbled and rough.

Creating an Element-Infused Creature

“Element-infused creature” is an acquired or inherited template that Air: Breath Weapon (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds, an air-infused
can be added to any creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). creature can breathe a 60-foot-long cone of wind that
mimics a terrible windstorm. Every creature within
An element-infused creature uses all the base creature’s statistics
this area that is not flying must succeed on a Balance
and special abilities except as noted here.
or Strength check (DC 10 + 1/2 air-infused creature’s
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but character level + air-infused creature’s Cha modifier)
the creature gains the subtype of the element or fall prone. A flying creature that fails is instead
that infuses it (air, earth, fire, or water). Do blown away from the air-infused creature, moving a
not recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or distance equal to 5 feet per point by which it failed the
skill points. check. If the creature encounters a large object (such
as a wall) during this movement, it takes 1d6 points
Speed: An element-infused creature retains the of damage per 5 feet the object prevented it from
base creature’s speeds and gains a new speed moving.
according to the element that infuses it, as given in the
following sections. If the base creature already possessed Fire: Breath Weapon (Su): A fire-infused creature can breathe a
the mode of movement that the element would grant, the 30-foot-long cone of fire once every 1d4 rounds. Every
element-infused creature retains the higher speed. creature in the area must succeed on a Reflex saving
throw (DC 10 + 1/2 fire-infused creature’s character
Air: An air-infused creature gains a fly speed (perfect level + fire-infused creature’s Con modifier) or take
maneuverability) equal to its highest speed. If the base 1d6 points of fire damage per 2 character levels the
creature already has a fly speed, it increases to match the fire-infused creature possesses (minimum 1d6 points).
base creature’s highest speed, with perfect maneuverability. A successful Reflex save halves this fire damage.
Earth: An earth-infused creature gains a burrow speed equal Heat (Su): Each of a fire-infused creature’s natural
to its highest speed. It can burrow through rock at attacks and melee attacks with metallic weapons deals
half speed, and it does not leave a tunnel behind when an extra +1d6 points of fire damage.
it burrows.
Water: Quench (Sp): A water-infused creature can use quench
Water: A water-infused creature gains a swim speed equal to three times per day (caster level equals water-infused
its highest speed if the base creature does not already creature’s character level).
have one.
Waterball (Su): While water is within its reach, a water-
Special Attacks: An element-infused creature retains all the base infused creature can pick up a cohesive ball of water
creature’s special attacks and gains those described here. and throw it at a distant target as a ranged attack. If
Elemental Attack: An elemental-infused creature gains special the water-infused creature can make multiple ranged
attacks according to the element that infuses it, as given below. attacks during a round, it can devote as many of them 111
 as it wishes to waterball attacks, so long as it has a ready Tremorsense (Ex): An earth-infused creature can
source of water within reach. Waterballs can be thrown automatically sense the location of anything within
underwater or through a border between air and water 20 feet that is in contact with the ground.
with no penalties to range or on the attack roll.
Element-Infused Creature
Fire: Fire Healing (Ex): A fire-infused creature regains
A waterball is considered a thrown weapon with 1 hit point for each full round that it remains in
a range increment of 20 feet. It deals nonlethal contact with fire. When struck by a magical fire
damage based on the water-infused creature’s size, effect, the fire-infused creature heals 1 point of
according to the following table. As with other damage per 10 points of damage that the fire effect
thrown weapons, the water-infused creature’s full would otherwise deal.
Strength bonus applies to the damage roll.
Firewalk (Su): A fire-infused creature can climb an
A waterball can be used to snuff out a nonmagical object on fire as though it had a climb speed equal
fire instead of attacking a creature. To use it in this to its highest speed. Furthermore, it can fly at its
way, the water-infused creature must succeed on a highest speed with perfect maneuverability so long
ranged touch attack against the source of the fire. as it remains in contact with fire, and it can walk on
The size of fire that can be snuffed depends on flames at its highest speed, as though walking on air
the size of the creature throwing the waterball, as via the air walk spell.
given in the chart below. Waterballs do not retain
Water: Water Born (Ex): While in contact with water, a
their cohesiveness when not grasped or thrown by a
water-infused creature gains a +2 circumstance
water-infused creature.
bonus on Listen and Spot checks. Rainfall or
a puddle suffices for water contact, but smaller
Waterball quantities of water do not.
Creature Size Waterball Damage Fire Size Water Breathing (Su): Once per day, a water-infused
Fine 1 Candle creature can use water breathing, as the spell (caster
Diminutive 1d2 Candle level equals water-infused creature’s character level).
Tiny 1d4 Candle Abilities: An elemental-infused creature’s ability scores change
Small 1d6 Torch from the base creature’s according to the element that
Medium 1d8 Torch infuses it, as given in the following table.
Large 2d6 Campfire
Huge 2d8 Bonfire
Gargantuan 4d6 Bonfire
Abilities
Colossal 4d8 Burning house Element Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha

At the GM’s discretion, other liquids can be thrown Air –4* +4 –2* –2* +2 +2
in a similar matter, but the water-infused creature Earth +4 –2* +2 –2* +2 –4*
must touch the liquid and take any damage it deals if Fire –2* +2 –2* +4 –4* +2
not immune to its particular dangers. Water +2 –2* +4 –4* +2 –2*

Special Qualities: An element-infused creature retains all the *Minimum 1.

base creature’s special qualities and gains those described Skills: If the element-infused creature gained a swim speed from
here. the application of the template, it gains a +8 racial bonus
Elemental Body (Ex): Element-infused creatures’ bodies on any Swim check to perform some special action or
gain some of the qualities of elementals. Each time an avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim
element-infused creature is exposed to a poison, paralysis, check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run
sleep, or stunning effect, it has a 25% chance to avoid it. action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight
In addition, there is a 25% chance that a sneak attack or line.
critical hit deals no extra damage. Feats: An element-infused creature gains a bonus feat based on
Elemental Quality (Su): The exact elemental qualities the element that infuses it, as given here, assuming that
bestowed depend on the element that infuses the base the base creature does not already have it.
creature, as follows. Air: Lightning Reflexes.
Air: Air Born (Ex): When in flight, an air-infused creature Earth: Iron Will.
gains a +1 morale bonus on attack and damage rolls
with ranged attacks. Fire: Quick Draw.
Gaseous From (Su): The air-infused creature can use Water: Great Fortitude.
gaseous form, as the spell (caster level equals air-infused
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
creature’s character level), on itself once per day.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
Earth: Earth’s Armor (Ex): The element-infused creature’s
natural armor bonus improves by +2 over that of the
base creature. Element-Infused Characters
Grounded (Ex): While in contact with the earth, an An element-infused creature favors whichever class the base
earth-infused creature gains a +1 morale bonus on creature does.
112 attack and damage rolls for melee attacks.
 - Sample Creature: Fire-Infused Troll -
Large Giant (Fire) A fire-infused troll can easily be recognized by its bright orange
Hit Dice: 6d8+30 (57 hp) and yellow skin. Its hair is red in youth but becomes a smoky gray
Initiative: +3 with age. A fire-infused troll stoops less than a normal troll, and its
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares) shoulders are less broad, but it possesses surprising agility.
Armor Class: 17 (–1 size, +3 Dex, +5 natural),

Feral Dragon
touch 12, flat-footed 14 Combat
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+13 A fire-infused troll knows that acid is its worst enemy, so it tends
Attack: Claw +8 melee (1d6+5 plus 1d6 to focus on foes not wielding weapons—especially those holding
fire) glass or ceramic vials. It typically breathes flame to
Full Attack: 2 claws +8 melee (1d6+5 plus set the battleground
1d6 fire) and bite +3 melee (1d6+2 alight, granting it
plus 1d6 fire) greater mobility
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. and healing.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, heat,
rend 2d6+7 plus 1d6 fire Breath Weapon
Special Qualities: Darkvision 90 ft., (Su): DC 18 Reflex
elemental body, fire healing, half, 3d6 fire damage;
firewalk, immunity to fire, see the element-
low-light vision, regeneration infused creature
5, scent, vulnerability to cold template.
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +5, Will
Heat (Su): See the
+1
element-infused creature
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 16,
template.
Con 21, Int 10, Wis
5, Cha 8 Rend (Ex): If a fire-infused
Skills: Listen +3, Spot +4 troll hits with both claw
Feats: Alertness, Iron Will, attacks, it latches onto the
Quick DrawB, Track opponent’s body and tears
the flesh. This attack
Environment: Cold
automatically deals an
mountains
additional 2d6+7 points of
Organization: Solitary,
damage plus 1d6 points of
pair, or gang (3–4)
fire damage.
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: Standard Elemental Body (Ex): See
Alignment: Usually the element-infused creature
chaotic evil template.
Advancement: By
character class Fire Healing (Ex): See the
Level Adjustment: +8 element-infused creature template.

Here is an example of an Firewalk (Su): See the element-

element-infused creature infused creature template.
using a troll as the base creature and fire as the element. Regeneration (Ex): Acid deals normal damage to a troll. If a troll
Although more intelligent than normal trolls, fire-infused trolls loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes.
often act on instinct and without much thought. They prey on any The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding
living creatures they can find. it to the stump.

Feral Dragon
Seemingly all scales, wings, fangs, and claws, feral dragons exist as pale reflections of true dragons. Some are actually cousins of true
dragons, in the same way that apes are cousins to humankind. Others are degenerate descendents of dragons as they existed in an older
age. Rapacious and voracious, feral dragons are awful carnivores that hunt beasts and sentient creatures alike. They love bright, shiny
objects and often devastate caravans and entire settlements to steal even small amounts of treasure.
Like true dragons, feral dragons come in several hues, both chromatic and metallic, and can breathe great gouts of fire, ice, acid, or other
energy. Though they are fully as perceptive as true dragons, they lack the intelligence and spellcasting ability of their more advanced
cousins.
113
 Using the Feral Dragon Template
The feral dragon template was designed to give players the chance to fight big dragons at lower levels than normal. Both players
and GMs can use these creatures to enjoy dragonslayer scenarios akin to those in European myth and popular culture. Feral
dragons are still tough monsters for their CRs, but characters facing them can worry more about how dangerous a combatant
their foe is and less about whether or not it uses scrying to learn their plans and prepares to use spells against them.
Feral Dragon

Creating a Feral Dragon

“Feral dragon” is an inherited template that can be added to any modifier) x (HD +3). Then spend its skill points afresh. The
true dragon (referred to hereafter as the base creature). skills named in the descriptive text for the base creature and
the true dragon description in the MM are class
A feral dragon uses all the base creature’s statistics
skills for the feral dragon; all others are cross-class.
and special abilities except as noted here.
Feats: A feral dragon has the same number of feats
Armor Class: The feral dragon’s natural armor bonus is
as the base creature does, though they should be
equal to the base creature’s –2 (minimum +0). If
chosen with an eye toward which ones are most
the base creature had no natural armor bonus,
useful with its diminished abilities.
this feature of the template causes no change.
Challenge Rating: A feral dragon’s challenge rating
Special Attacks: The feral dragon loses all the base
equals its racial Hit Dice divided by 2 or the base creature’s
creature’s supernatural and spell-like special attacks except
CR –4, whichever is greater.
its breath weapons. It also loses the ability to cast spells. It
retains all the base creature’s other special attacks. Treasure: Double standard.
Special Qualities: The feral dragon loses the base creature’s Alignment: Usually neutral, but feral dragons often grow closer
damage reduction and spell resistance (if any), and all its to the base creature’s alignment as they age and gain
supernatural and spell-like special qualities. It retains all Intelligence.
other special qualities the base creature had.
Level Adjustment: —
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex
–4 (minimum 1), Con +4, Int –15 (minimum 1), Wis –4
(minimum 1).
Feral Dragon Characters
Feral dragons make poor player characters. Their powerful forms
Skills: Recalculate the feral dragon’s skill points for its racial and weak minds make them too unbalanced for successful play.
Hit Dice according to the following formula (6 + new Int

- Sample Creature: Very Old Feral Red Dragon -

Gargantuan Dragon (Fire) Environment: Warm mountains
Organization: Solitary, pair, or family (1–2 plus 2–5 offspring)
Hit Dice: 31d12+310 (511 hp) Challenge Rating: 17
Initiative: +2 Treasure: Double standard
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), fly 200 ft. (clumsy) Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Armor Class: 32 (–4 size, –2 Dex, +28 natural), touch 4, flat- Advancement: Very old 32–33 HD; ancient 35–36 HD; wyrm
footed 32 38–39 HD; great wyrm 41+ HD
Base Attack/Grapple: +31/+58 Level Adjustment: —
Attack: Bite +42 melee (4d6+15)
Full Attack: Bite +42 melee (4d6+15) and 2 claws +37 melee A feral red dragon can be difficult to distinguish from its more
(2d8+7) and 2 wings +37 melee (2d6+7) and tail slap +37 intelligent and powerful brethren. The massive very old feral
melee (2d8+22) dragon weighs nearly 100 tons and looks almost exactly like a true
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft. (bite 20 ft.) red dragon, except for the lack of an intelligent gleam in its eyes.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, frightful presence, tail sweep
Feral red dragons are greedy but dimwitted. They possess
Special Qualities: Blindsense 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft.,
amazing powers of perception but often lack the wit to put what
immunities (fire, paralysis, sleep), low-light vision,
they learn to good use. Though they are canny fighters, they lack
vulnerability to cold
any sense of subtlety, exploding into violence whenever the whim
Saves: Fort +27, Ref +17, Will +23
takes them.
Abilities: Str 41, Dex 6, Con 31, Int 7, Wis 19, Cha 22
Skills: Diplomacy +10, Intimidate +40, Jump +19, Listen +38,
Sense Motive +38, Spot +38
Combat
Feats: Awesome Blow, Cleave, Flyby Attack, Great Cleave, A very old feral red dragon overconfidently attacks smaller prey
Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, and often singles out well-armed and armored foes to rend apart
Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Snatch, Wingover first, hoping that its companions will flee in terror so that it can
114 pick them off one by one. The creature uses little strategy at first,
often beginning its attacks by crushing as many foes as possible
and then using its many melee attacks to kill those that remain
standing. A very old feral red dragon has lived long enough to
realize that faraway foes can do significant harm, so it often
reserves its breath weapon for distant enemies, especially if they
prove able to cast spells.
Breath Weapon (Su): 60-ft. cone, damage
18d10 fire, Reflex DC 35 half.

Flesh Plant
Crush (Ex): Area 20 ft. by 20 ft.; a
Medium or smaller opponent takes
4d6+22 points of bludgeoning damage
and must succeed on a DC 35 Reflex
save or be pinned.
Frightful Presence (Ex): 270-ft. radius, HD
30 or fewer, Will DC 31 negates.
Snatch (Ex): Claw against Medium or
smaller creature for 2d8+6
points of damage per round,
bite against Large or
smaller creature for 4d6+15
points of damage per
round, or 8d6+30 if the
dragon does not move;
snatched creature can be
flung 90 feet for 9d6 points
of damage.
Tail Sweep (Ex): Half-circle 30 feet in
diameter, Small or smaller opponent takes
2d6+22 points of bludgeoning damage,
Reflex DC 35 half.

Flesh Plant
Whether created by magic, summoned from another plane, or spawned by an evolutionary process gone terribly awry, flesh plants are
awful and moving mounds of flesh that take the familiar forms of plants.
A flesh plant is nothing short of horrible to see. Its skin-covered bones resemble twigs, and its ropy intestines climb like vines through its
body. Veined flaps of skin stiffened by cartilage look for all the world like a hideous cross between ears and leaves.
Like plants drawing water, flesh plants feed by sucking blood from the ground or from the corpses of creatures they have killed. A toxin that
prevents blood from clotting allows flesh plants to cause bleeding wounds that can cripple prey. A single strike is often sufficient, and a flesh
plant may “hunt” by surprising a creature with a single attack and then tracking the victim’s blood and scent trail to the spot where it expired.
Flesh plants are often shocked when creatures do not flee after their attacks, and they sometimes lose a round to confusion in battle.

Creating a Flesh Plant

“Flesh plant” is an inherited template that can be added to any Armor Class: A flesh plant’s body is made of muscle, soft organs,
plant (referred to hereafter as the base creature). and cartilage. The base creature’s natural armor bonus is
A flesh plant uses all the base creature’s statistics and special replaced by a new one based on its size, as given on the
abilities except as noted here. following table.

Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to aberration with the
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base
Armor Class
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged. Size Natural Armor Bonus
Speed: Each of the flesh plant’s speeds increases by +10 feet over Medium or smaller +0
the corresponding speeds of the base creature. If the base Large +2
creature lacks a land speed, the flesh plant gains a land speed Huge +5
of 10 feet. Gargantuan +9
Colossal +14 115
 Using the Flesh Plant Template
The flesh plant template offers a way to create strange and hideous monsters, especially in combination with other templates.
When creating a flesh plant, consider its origins and how it might fit into an ecology. Flesh plants need not have anything to
do with a forest or normal plants. A flesh shambling mound, for instance, is a horrifying and alien creature that could come
from another plane, especially with the addition of the half-fiend or fiendish template from the MM.
Flesh Plant

Special Attacks: The flesh plant retains all the base creature’s Tremorsense (Ex): A flesh plant can automatically sense the
special attacks and gains those described here. location of anything within 20 feet that is touching the ground.
Blood Letting (Ex): If a flesh plant’s natural attack deals Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex
damage to a living creature, the resulting wound continues +4, Con +4. If the base creature lacks an Intelligence score,
to bleed, dealing 2 points of damage each round until a DC the flesh plant gains an Intelligence score of 1.
15 Heal check is made or magical healing restores at least 1
Skills: If the base creature has a bonus on Hide checks based on its
hit point. Cumulative attacks do not cause cumulative blood
resemblance to natural plants or the ability to camouflage
loss; only the first such wound is affected by blood letting.
itself with color in a natural environment, the flesh plant loses
A creature immune to poisons is immune to the toxin that
that bonus. If it gained an Intelligence score of 1 from the
causes the continued bleeding. This toxin is not considered a
application of this template, it gains a number of skill points
plant poison.
equal to 3 + racial HD, with which it must purchase skills.
Special Qualities: The flesh plant retains all the base Hide, Listen, Spot, and Survival are class skills for such
creature’s special qualities and gains those a creature; all other skills are cross-class skills.
described here.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Fast Healing (Ex): A flesh plant regains 2 hit
Alignment: Usually neutral.
points per round.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
Scent (Ex): A flesh plant’s entire body is
one big olfactory sense organ that can detect
approaching enemies and prey, and sniff out hidden foes by Flesh Plant Characters
the creature’s sense of smell alone. See the MM for details
A flesh plant character favors whichever class the base creature
of this quality. Flesh plants often utilize this ability to track
does. If the base creature’s favored class is unspecified, the flesh
bleeding creatures they have struck.
plant favors the barbarian class.

- Sample Creature: Flesh Treant -

Huge Aberration (Augmented Plant) Advancement: 8–16 HD (Huge); 17–21 HD (Gargantuan)
Hit Dice: 7d8+49 (80 hp) Level Adjustment: +8
Initiative: +1 Here is an example of a flesh plant using a treant as the base
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares) creature.
Armor Class: 14 (–2 size, +1 Dex, +5 natural), touch 9, flat-footed
13 With its thick, muscular body and hundreds of bony limbs, a
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+24 flesh treant manages to look both powerful and fragile. Its many
Attack: Slam +14 melee (2d6+11 plus blood letting) arms spread into thousands of twiggy fingers, each bearing
Full Attack: 2 slams +14 melee (2d6+11 plus blood letting) dozens of skin-covered cartilage fins that appear red because of
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft. the many tiny, blood-filled veins close to the surface. When a
Special Attacks: Animate trees, blood letting, double damage flesh treant has fed well, blood travels visibly up through its body,
against objects, trample 2d6+16 reddening the trunk and pulsing up through the lowest limbs
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/slashing, darkvision 60 ft., and “leaves” to its top. At a great distance, a well-fed flesh treant
fast healing 2, scent, tremorsense 20 ft., vulnerability to fire might even be mistaken for a tree whose leaves are changing to
Saves: Fort +12, Ref +3, Will +7 autumn colors, but even a casual inspection reveals its hideous
Abilities: Str 33, Dex 12, Con 25, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 12 nature.
Skills: Diplomacy +3, Hide –7, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (nature)
Flesh treants are too large to hide successfully from prey, so they
+6, Listen +8, Sense Motive +8, Spot +8, Survival +8 (+10
employ group hunting techniques. Using animated trees to flush
aboveground)
prey toward them, flesh treants spread out in a line to strike at
Feats: Improved Sunder, Iron Will, Power Attack
forest creatures as they flee by. Any creatures not killed outright
Environment: Temperate forests by their crushing limbs are tracked through the woods by the
Organization: Solitary or grove (4–7) trail of blood left behind.
Challenge Rating: 9
Flesh treants greatly fear fire and have little protection from it in
Treasure: Standard
their woodland homes. To prevent a forest fire from claiming its
Alignment: Usually neutral
life, a flesh treant often animates trees and pulls up smaller plants
116
to create a firebreak around a favored living area. Such areas are Fast Healing (Ex): A flesh plant regains 2 hit points per round.
often devoid of life larger than insects, since even birds learn to
Scent (Ex): A flesh plant’s body is a sensory organ that can
fear the lairs of flesh treants.
detect approaching enemies and sniff out hidden foes by sense of
Flesh treants speak Common and Sylvan. smell alone. See the MM for details of this quality. Flesh plants
often utilize this ability to track bleeding creatures they have
Combat struck.
Flesh treants strike at foes with their crushing limbs first, hoping Trample (Ex): Reflex DC 24 half. The save DC is Strength-
to deliver bleeding wounds that they can use to track their prey based.

Flesh Plant
should it escape. Creatures that wield fire or show the ability
Tremorsense (Ex): A flesh plant can automatically sense the
to stop blood loss are dealt with unmercifully. Flesh treants use
location of anything within 20 feet that is in contact with the
animated trees to trample and crush
ground.
such foes, remaining as far away
as possible.
Animate Trees (Sp): A
flesh treant can animate
trees within 180 feet at
will, controlling up
to two trees at a
time. It takes 1
full round for a
normal tree to
uproot itself.
Thereafter,
it moves at a
speed of 10
feet and
fights as a
treant in
all respects.
Animated trees lose their
ability to move if the
flesh treant that animated them is
incapacitated or moves out of range. This
ability is otherwise similar to liveoak (caster
level 12th). Animated trees have the same
vulnerability to fire that a treant
has. Flesh treants use this ability
to frighten creatures toward
them or to hem in foes.
Blood Letting (Ex): See the
flesh plant template.
Double Damage against Objects
(Ex): A flesh treant or animated tree
that makes a full attack against an object
or structure deals double damage.

117
 Force Creature
Force is a rare and powerful kind of magic used in only a select few spells and magic items. Sages have likened it to raw magic—energy
without native form or substance. Spellcasters who understand its nature harness this raw material and weave it into shapes that can be
used as weapons, defenses, or tools. But despite the limitless potential of force energy, relatively few spells make use of it. This unusual
Force Creature

lack might be due in part to the influence of force creatures.

Force creatures are elemental-like beings composed of animate magic force. They look like semi-translucent, glowing, blue creatures
roughly the same size and shape as their more common cousins. Sages speculate that they originate from some realm of magical force,
but if so, no planar explorer has yet discovered the place and lived to tell of it.
Force creatures often appear in places where force magic is used frequently. Though language is often not a problem, force creatures are
difficult to interact with, since they seem to be nearly emotionless.

Creating a Force Creature

“Force creature” is an inherited template that can be applied to incorporeal creatures, and the damage dealt by its natural
any living, corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base attacks is not diminished by damage reduction.
creature).
If the force creature gained a slam attack from the application of this
A force creature uses all of the base creature’s statistics and special template, its base damage is as given on the following table.
abilities except as noted here. This damage is always force damage.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to aberration with
the appropriate augmented subtype. Do not Damage
recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or skill SizeSlam Base Damage (Force)
points. Size is unchanged.
Fine 1
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s. Diminutive 1d2
Armor Class: The base creature’s natural armor Tiny 1d3
bonus no longer applies, but the force Small 1d4
creature gains a deflection bonus to Armor Class Medium 1d6
equal to the base creature’s natural armor bonus (+0 if it Large 1d8
has none) + the force creature’s Cha modifier. A force Huge 2d6
creature’s minimum deflection bonus is +0. Gargantuan 2d8
Colossal 4d6
Attack: The force creature retains
all the base creature’s Special Attacks: The force
attacks, and its creature retains all the base
weapon and armor creature’s special attacks and
proficiencies. gains those described here.
These attacks Draw Force (Su):
retain the same Although vulnerable
primary or to force attacks (see
secondary status Spell Vulnerability, page
they had for the 119), a force creature can
base creature. The use dispel magic to negate all
force creature gains magical effects with the force
a primary slam descriptor within 30 feet of it.
attack if it has To do so, it makes a dispel
no other natural check as though it were a
attacks. caster of a level equal to
Damage: All of a force its character level. For
creature’s natural each level of the force
attacks deal force effect so dispelled, the
damage (like force creature heals
that of a magic 1d8 points of damage.
missile) rather than This ability is usable
bludgeoning, at will and requires a
piercing, or standard action.
slashing Force Aura (Ex):
damage. Thus, The force creature
the force is surrounded at
creature can hit all times by a force
118
 aura that emits a dull, blue light about as bright as a Spell Vulnerability (Ex): If the base creature has spell
candle. Any opponent that hits the force creature with a resistance, disintegration and force effects automatically
natural weapon or an unarmed attack takes 1d6 points of bypass it. Such effects also bypass the force creature’s
force damage from this aura. When so struck, the aura damage resistance ability.
momentarily flares brighter at the point of impact.
Skills: A force creature gains a +20 racial bonus on Jump checks.
Force Strength (Ex): A force creature gains a +4 bonus on Since it continuously emits a dull blue light, however, it
checks made to trip opponents during an overrun and on takes a –5 circumstance penalty on Hide checks when

Force Creature
Strength checks made to bull rush foes or break items. attempting to hide in conditions other than bright light.
This penalty can be diminished or negated if the force
Special Qualities: The force creature retains all the base
creature’s body is covered by a material that blocks light.
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Breathless (Ex): Because force creatures do not need
to breathe, they are immune to all inhaled substances, Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +6.
including toxins and nauseating gas.
Damage Resistance (Ex): A force creature takes half Force Characters
damage from all attacks and effects that deal hit point A force creature favors whichever class the base creature does.
damage.

- Sample Creature: Force Gelatinous Cube -

Huge Aberration (Augmented Ooze)
Combat
Hit Dice: 4d8+32 (50 hp)
A force gelatinous cube attacks by slamming its body into its
Initiative: –5
prey. It is capable of lashing out with a pseudopod of force, but it
Speed: 15 ft. (3 squares)
usually prefers to engulf its foes.
Armor Class: 3 (–2 size, –5 Dex), touch 3, flat-footed 3
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+11 Acid (Ex): A force gelatinous cube’s acid does not harm metal or
Attack: Slam +1 melee (1d6 force plus 1d6 acid) stone.
Full Attack: Slam +1 melee (1d6 force plus 1d6 acid)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft. Draw Force (Su): Caster level 4th; see the force creature
Special Attacks: Acid, draw force, engulf, force aura, force template
strength, paralysis Engulf (Ex): Although it moves slowly, a force gelatinous cube
Special Qualities: Blindsight 60 ft., breathless, damage can simply mow down Large or smaller creatures as a standard
resistance, immunity to electricity, mindless, spell action. It cannot make a slam attack during a round in which
vulnerability, transparent it engulfs. The gelatinous cube merely has to move over the
Saves: Fort +9, Ref -4, Will –4 opponents, affecting as many as it can cover. Each opponent
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 1, Con 26, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1 may attempt either an attack of opportunity or a DC 13 Reflex
Skills: — saving throw to avoid being engulfed. Success indicates that the
Feats: — opponent is pushed back or aside (opponent’s choice) as the
Environment: Underground cube moves forward. Engulfed creatures are subject to the cube’s
Organization: Solitary paralysis and acid, and are considered to be grappled and trapped
Challenge Rating: 4 within its body. The save DC is Strength-based and includes a +1
Treasure: 1/10th coins, 50% goods (no nonmetal or nonstone), racial bonus.
50% items (no nonmetal or nonstone) Force Aura (Ex): See the force creature template.
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 5–12 HD (Huge); 13–24 HD (Gargantuan) Force Strength (Ex): See the force creature template.
Level Adjustment: — Paralysis (Ex): A force gelatinous cube secretes an anesthetizing
Here is an example of a force creature using a gelatinous cube as slime. A target hit by a cube’s melee or engulf attack must
the base creature. succeed on a DC 20 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 3d6
rounds. The cube can automatically engulf a paralyzed opponent.
Force gelatinous cubes are drawn to places where cubes of force The save DC is Constitution-based.
have been used, or where forcecage spells have been cast. Some
sages believe that such magic actually creates force gelatinous Breathless (Ex): See the force creature template.
cubes, or that the energy of such a spell gone awry might coalesce Damage Resistance (Ex): See the force creature template.
a force gelatinous cube. The force gelatinous cube’s apparent
desire to engulf and encase creatures seems to support this idea, Mindless (Ex): Force gelatinous cubes are mindless and
but its resemblance to a normal gelatinous cube begs a different therefore immune to mind-affecting effects.
answer to its origins. Spell Vulnerability (Ex): See the force creature template.
A force gelatinous cube is difficult to see, but its presence can Transparent (Ex): A force gelatinous cube is difficult to see
be inferred by the dim blue radiance that suffuses any chamber despite its blue glow, and it takes a DC 15 Spot check to locate
it occupies. Upon close inspection, a force gelatinous cube looks it. Creatures that fail to notice a force gelatinous cube and walk
like a clear cube of dimly glowing blue gel, about 15 feet on a into it are automatically engulfed.
side. 119
 Fortune-Blessed Creature
Fortune-Blessed Creature
Whether blessed by the gods or simply born lucky, some creatures seem to live charmed lives. These are the fortune-blessed creatures—
those that seem able to beat the odds time and time again.
Fortune-blessed creatures look like normal specimens of their kinds, but many exhibit an attitude that appears to be foolish
overconfidence. Fortune-blessed creatures tend to be risk-takers, and they frequently act without thinking. More often than not, however,
their rash natures get them out of whatever trouble they get into.

Creating a Fortune-Blessed Creature

“Fortune-blessed” is an acquired or inherited template that can be Special Qualities: The fortune-blessed creature retains all the
added to any creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). base creature’s special qualities and gains those described
here.
A fortune-blessed creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and
special abilities except as noted here. Favored (Ex): A fortune-blessed creature gains a
+2 luck bonus on all opposed checks and saves, and
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but
a +1 luck bonus on all attack rolls.
the creature gains the chaotic subtype if the
base creature did not already have it. Turn of Fate (Su): Once per day, a fortune-blessed
creature can reroll any failed roll it has just made. It
Armor Class: The fortune-blessed creature gains a
must accepted the results of the second roll.
+2 luck bonus to AC.
Skills: A fortune-blessed creature gains a +2 luck bonus
Special Attacks: The fortune-blessed creature retains all the base
on all skill checks. This bonus stacks with the luck bonus it
creature’s special attacks and gains those described here.
gains on opposed checks.
Augmented Criticals (Su): The critical threat range of each
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
of a fortune-blessed creature’s attacks doubles. This doubling
follows the standard rules for doubling critical ranges and Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +5.
does not stack with other doubling effects, such as keen edge
or the Improved Critical feat. Fortune-Blessed Characters
Lucky Strike (Su): As a free action once per encounter, the A fortune-blessed creature favors whichever class the base
fortune-blessed creature can apply a true strike effect to a creature does.
single attack.

- Sample Creature: Harrigan Tumwater, -

4th-Level Fortune-Blessed Gnome Rogue Small Humanoid Challenge Rating: 5
(Chaotic, Gnome) Treasure: Standard; see possessions below
Hit Dice: 4d6+8 (22 hp) Alignment: Chaotic neutral
Initiative: +2 Advancement: By character class
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares) Level Adjustment: +4
Armor Class: 17 (+1 size, +3 masterwork studded leather, +1 Harrigan Tumwater is a gambler who wagers money and lives with
masterwork buckler, +2 luck), touch 16, flat-footed 17 equal fervor. He exhibits an annoying overconfidence that other
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+1 gamblers can’t help but despise. Harrigan loves to use his luck and
Attack: Masterwork rapier +7 melee (1d4/15–20) or masterwork his talent with sleight of hand to win any bet, whatever the odds.
shortbow +6 ranged (1d4/19–20/x3) If accused of cheating, Harrigan often turns the confrontation
Full Attack: Masterwork rapier +7 melee (1d4/15–20) or into a fight, trusting his luck and his skill with a blade to see him
masterwork shortbow +6 ranged (1d4/19–20/x3) through. His silver tongue and his skill with locks and chains has
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. kept him out of prison thus far.
Special Attacks: Augmented criticals, lucky strike, sneak attack
+2d6, spell-like abilities Harrigan is a dashing gnome in studded leather, armed with a
Special Qualities: Evasion, favored, gnome traits, low-light vision, rapier and a shortbow.
trapfinding, trap sense +1, turn of fate, uncanny dodge
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +9, Will +3 Combat
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8
Harrigan Tumwater enjoys melee and is often the first to draw a
Skills: Balance +6, Bluff +6, Craft (alchemy) +4, Diplomacy
weapon. A lucky blow with his rapier against a surprised foe has
+10, Disguise +0 (+2 acting), Escape Artist +9, Hide +13,
often ended a fight before it began.
Intimidate +2, Jump –2, Listen +8, Open Lock +9, Sense
Motive +6, Sleight of Hand +12, Spot +6, Tumble +9, Use Harrigan’s natural attacks, and any attacks with weapons, count as
Rope +6 (+8 with bindings) chaotic-aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Feats: Quick Draw, Weapon Finesse
Augmented Criticals (Su): See the fortune-blessed creature template.
Environment: Temperate hills
120 Organization: Solitary Lucky Strike (Su): See the fortune-blessed creature template.
Sneak Attack (Ex): Harrigan deals +2d6 extra points of damage on Trap Sense (Ex): Harrigan gains a +1 bonus on Reflex saves
any successful attack against flat-footed or flanked targets, or made to avoid traps and a +1 bonus to AC against attacks by
against a target that has been denied its Dexterity bonus for any traps.

Fortune-Spurned Creature
reason. This damage applies to point-blank ranged attacks as
Trapfinding (Ex): Harrigan
well. Creatures with concealment,
can find, disarm, or bypass
creatures without discernable
traps with a DC of 20+. He
anatomies, and creatures immune
can use the Search skill to
to critical hits are all immune
find, and the Disable Device
to sneak attacks. Harrigan may
skill to disarm, magical
choose to deliver nonlethal
traps (DC 25 + the level of
damage with his sneak attack,
the spell used to create it).
but only when using a weapon
If his Disable Device
designed for that purpose, such
check result exceeds
as a sap (blackjack).
the trap’s DC by 10+,
Spell-Like Abilities: he discovers how to
1/day—speak with animals bypass the trap without
(burrowing mammal only, triggering or disarming
duration 1 minute). Caster it.
level 1st; save DC 9. The
Turn of Fate (Su):
save DC is Charisma-based.
See the fortune-blessed
Evasion (Ex): If Harrigan creature template.
is exposed to any effect
Uncanny Dodge (Ex):
that normally allows him
Harrigan retains his
to attempt a Reflex saving
Dexterity bonus to AC
throw for half damage, he
even when flat-footed or
takes no damage with a
targeted by an unseen foe.
successful saving throw.
He still loses his Dexterity
Favored (Ex): See the bonus if paralyzed or
fortune-blessed creature otherwise immobile.
template.
Possessions: Masterwork
Gnome Traits: Harrigan has a +2 studded leather, masterwork buckler, masterwork rapier,
racial bonus on saving throws against illusions, a +1 racial bonus on masterwork shortbow, 10 normal arrows, 5 cold iron arrows, 5
attack rolls against kobolds and goblinoids, and a +4 dodge bonus silver arrows, cloak of resistance +1, 4 potions of cure light wounds,
against giants. masterwork thieves’ tools.

Fortune-Spurned Creature
Some creatures just seem to be born unlucky. The ill fortune of most such creatures is attributable to a simple combination of misfortune,
superstition, and self-fulfilling prophecy. For fortune-spurned creatures, however, the truth is much simpler—Lady Luck would happily
dance on their graves. Such creatures don’t often tell others about their bad luck for fear of being ostracized. Considering that their bad
luck often rubs off on others, this tactic seems a wise—if somewhat selfish—precaution.
A fortune-spurned creature looks like a normal specimen of its kind, but it often displays a morose and pessimistic attitude—especially if
it is intelligent enough to realize that the forces of probability have turned against it.

Creating a Fortune-Spurned Creature

“Fortune-spurned creature” is an acquired or inherited template Special Attacks: The fortune-spurned creature retains all the base
(your choice, see the Using the Fortune-Spurned creature’s special attacks and gains those described
Creature Template sidebar) that can be added here.
to any creature (referred to hereafter as the base
Aura of Misfortune (Su): Every creature within 10 feet
creature).
of the fortune-spurned creature gains the diminished
A fortune-spurned creature uses all the base criticals and unlucky strike special qualities of the
creature’s statistics and special abilities except as fortune-spurned template as long as it remains
noted here. within range. Furthermore, each such creature takes a
–4 penalty on all checks and saving throws.
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the creature
gains the chaotic subtype if the base creature does not Calamitous Mishap (Su): As a free action once per encounter,
already have it. the fortune-spurned creature can cause some calamity to
121
 Using the Fortune-Spurned Creature Template
Fortune-Spurned Creature
Many possible explanations exist for the appearance of a fortune-spurned creature in your game. Creatures could gain the
fortune-spurned template as a curse from a god or powerful outsider, or from a bestow curse spell. Alternatively, a single creature
might just be born unlucky, or an entire race might be afflicted with this curse.

befall itself and another creature within Special Qualities: The fortune-spurned creature retains all the base
5 feet of it. The mishap selected creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
must be a possible result of normal Cursed (Ex): A fortune-spurned creature takes a –2 luck
circumstances, but it can be the worst bonus on all opposed checks and saves, and a –1 luck
possible result. For instance, lightning bonus on all attack rolls.
could strike both the fortune-spurned
creature and its foe on a cloudy day, or it Diminished Criticals (Su): A fortune-spurned
could strike a tree, causing a heavy limb creature must roll twice to confirm a critical hit.
to fall on both targets, but lightning
Twist of Fate (Su): The first time in any
could not strike out of a clear sky.
given day that a fortune-spurned creature
Alternatively, ropes holding up some
rolls a natural 20 on a saving throw, it
scaffolding might break, the lock on
fails the save. This twist of fate happens
a portcullis might slip, or the floor
(thankfully) only once per day.
of a ruined keep might give way. In
some cases, the fortune-spurned creature Unlucky Strike (Su): When a fortune-spurned
might be unable to cause any calamity given creature attacks with a weapon and rolls a natural
its surroundings. A calamity cannot affect 1, it drops the weapon unless it can make a
more than the fortune-spurned creature successful Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 fortune-
and a single adjacent creature of its choice. spurned creature’s character level + fortune-
spurned creature’s Cha modifier). If it attacks
Nearly any natural misfortune may be
with a natural weapon and rolls a natural 1,
chosen, but it must be one that is as
it provokes an attack of opportunity from
dangerous to the fortune-spurned
its target, even if that creature would not
creature as it is to the other
otherwise be entitled to make one.
creature. Both targets must be
affected equally; that is, both Skills: A fortune-spurned creature
must make the same saving throw takes a –2 penalty on all skill checks.
and suffer the same result. Thus, This penalty stacks with the one it takes
if the fortune-spurned creature is on opposed checks.
immune or resistant to electricity,
it could not choose to have
lightning strike both it and its
Fortune-Spurned
foe unless the foe is
equally resistant to
Characters
electricity. A fortune-spurned creature favors
whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Fortune-Spurned Light Warhorse -

Large Animal (Chaotic) Environment: Temperate plains
Organization: Domesticated
Hit Dice: 3d8+9 (22 hp)
Challenge Rating: 1
Initiative: +1
Advancement: —
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares)
Level Adjustment: —
Armor Class: 14 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural), touch 10, flat-
footed 13 Here is an example of a fortune-spurned creature using a light
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+7 warhorse as the base creature.
Attack: Hoof +3 melee (1d4+3)
These fine-looking, healthy animals can be purchased at bargain
Full Attack: 2 hooves +3 melee (1d4+3) and bite –2 melee (1d3+1)
prices in bazaars or found roaming free on the roads after their
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
riders have accidentally fallen from their backs into some ravine.
Special Attacks: Aura of misfortune, calamitous mishap
A fortune-spurned warhorse’s coat gleams in the sunshine, and it
Special Qualities: Cursed, diminished criticals, low-light vision,
usually canters proudly up to a potential rider. Anyone who saddles
scent, twist of fate, unlucky strike
and rides it, however, is due for a cruel surprise.
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +4, Will +2
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6 The fortune-spurned light warhorse is simply an animal trained
Skills: Listen +2, Spot +2 for battle. It seeks the care and comfort of a rider and understands
122 Feats: Endurance, Run nothing about its terrible luck. When threatened, it reacts by
instinctively causing a calamitous mishap to befall itself and its foe, Calamitous Mishap (Su): See the fortune-spurned creature template.
frequently bringing its owner along for the ride.
Cursed (Ex): See the fortune-spurned creature template.
A fortune-spurned light warhorse can fight while carrying a rider,
Diminished Criticals (Su): See the fortune-spurned creature
but the rider cannot also attack unless he succeeds on a Ride
template.
check.
Twist of Fate (Su): See the fortune-spurned creature template.
A fortune-spurned light warhorse’s natural attacks are treated as
chaotic-aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Four Horsemen
Unlucky Strike (Su): See the fortune-spurned creature template.

Combat Skills: A fortune-spurned light warhorse takes a –2 penalty on all

skill checks.
A fortune-spurned light warhorse lashes out with its hooves and
teeth in combat. Carrying Capacity: A light load for a fortune-spurned light
warhorse is up to 230 pounds; a medium load, 231–460 pounds;
Aura of Misfortune (Su): See the fortune-spurned creature and a heavy load, 461–690 pounds. A fortune-spurned light
template. warhorse can drag 3,450 pounds.

Four Horsemen
In classic legends, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are the harbingers of the end of all things—the heralds of doom. Death bears
a scythe and rides a dead mount, spreading death far and wide. Famine wields black scales and charges forward on an emaciated unicorn
to sap the sustenance from the land. Pestilence, on the back of a pegasus whose hide is covered in boils, takes lives or gives disease with
an arrow from a white bow. A nightmare with blood-red fur and flaming hooves carries War, who cleaves peaceful lands with a crimson
sword, leaving blood-soaked battlegrounds in its wake.
Though their mounts and arms are always the same, the appearance of each Horseman changes from one sighting to the next. This variation
stems from the fact that the Four Horsemen are not mortal creatures that can be fought and defeated once and for all. They are spiritual
entities—embodiments of destructive forces that can possess mortal creatures, thereby constantly recreating the Four Horsemen in the world.

Creating the Four Horsemen

The Four Horsemen template is actually a collection of four panicked for 1d6 rounds. A creature that fails a save against
acquired templates that may be added to four different creatures the fourth Horseman’s fear effect while still panicked by the
(referred to hereafter as the base creatures). To qualify, the base third dies instantly. The durations of these effects overlap.
creature must have Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores A creature that succeeds on a save against any of these fear
that are each greater than 5, and it cannot already be possessed by effects is immune to that Horseman’s fear for 1 hour or, if
a Horseman. already shaken, until the duration of the shaken effect ends.
A Horseman’s fear is a mind-affecting fear affect.
The Four Horsemen (Death, Famine, Pestilence, and War) use all
the base creatures’ statistics and special abilities except as noted Horseman Power: Each Horseman has a phantom mount
here. Unless otherwise specified, all changes given in the template (see Special Qualities) with a unique appearance and gains
description apply regardless of which Horseman possesses the particular attacks based upon its nature, as given below.
creature.
Death: Death’s phantom mount appears as the rotting corpse
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the creature of a horse that hangs limply beneath Death, never
gains the evil subtype if the base creature does not already moving.
have it.
Death Scythe (Su): As a standard action while riding
Armor Class: The Horseman gains a +4 profane its phantom mount, Death can summon to its
bonus to Armor Class. hands a grave-dirt-covered scythe sized for the
base creature. In addition to taking normal damage
Special Attacks: The Horseman retains all the base
from the weapon, any foe struck by the scythe must
creature’s special attacks and gains those
succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 Death’s
described here.
character level + Death’s Cha modifier) or die
Fear (Su): Any living creature within 100 instantly. The scythe vanishes if Death lets go of it
feet of a Horseman must succeed on a Will save for any reason and cannot be summoned when Death
(DC 10 + 1/2 Horseman’s character level + Horseman’s Cha is not riding its phantom mount. Death scythe is a
modifier) or suffer cumulative fear effects. A creature that death effect.
fails a save against one Horseman’s fear is shaken for 1 hour.
Finger of Death (Su): As a standard action once every
A creature that fails its save against a second Horseman’s
1d4 rounds, Death can target any creature within 500
fear effect while still shaken by the first is frightened for
feet by pointing at it. The target must succeed on a
10 rounds. A creature that fails its save against a third
Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 Death’s character level +
Horseman’s fear effect while still frightened by the second is 123
 The Four Horsemen of Whatever You Want
If you’re interested in using the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in your game, you probably have a good idea of what you
want them to do. If you need some inspiration, however, think about the following options.
• The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse traditionally herald the end of the world. If they are ever allowed to rampage for a
Four Horsemen

certain amount of time, the world will shatter.

• The Four Horsemen must reach a destination or find an item (or several items) to bring about the end of the world.
• The appearance of the Four Horsemen is a sign of a coming apocalypse. They must be stopped before they can wreak
havoc on the land, but before they are expelled, the PCs must somehow extract information from them about the coming
destruction so that it can be prevented.
• The Four Horsemen were created by a particular location or item and will continue to be reborn until the item that calls
them is destroyed or the location is defiled.
• The Four Horsemen are servants of a god of destruction. They can’t bring about the end of the world by themselves, but
they can do a lot of damage.
• The different parts of this template are unrelated, and each Horseman is a separate entity.
• The Four Horsemen are mutual enemies. Instead of possessing a creature near another Horseman, each of them can
possess any creature within 500 feet of the last host it had. Each Horseman is in the process of gathering an army about
itself to fight the Last Battle with its three foes.
• Via possession by the Four Horsemen, the PCs have a chance to play powerful evil creatures. NPC enemies attempt to kill
them, while old allies attempt to stop their depredations and expel the Horsemen entities without using deadly force.

Death’s Cha modifier) or die instantly. If the creature Pestilence: Pestilence’s phantom mount appears as a bloated
fails the save, any other creature touching it within 1 white pegasus covered in black boils and surrounded
hour of its death must also succeed on a save at the by a cloud of fat black flies.
same DC or die. Finger of death is a death effect.
Disease (Ex): Any creature struck or simply touched
Famine: Famine’s phantom mount appears as an emaciated by Pestilence must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC
black unicorn with sunken eyes and a brittle-looking 10 + 1/2 Pestilence’s character level + Pestilence’s
horn. Con modifier) or contract a terrible disease. Black
boils form all over the victim’s body, and it suffers
Aura of Desolation (Su): Normal plants within 500 feet
from chills, hot flashes, and nausea. The incubation
of Famine wilt, losing all fruit and seeds. Large or hardy
period is 1d4 rounds, and the damage dealt is 1d6
plants such as trees lie dormant until renewed by water
Constitution and 1d6 Dexterity, plus nausea (see the
and sunlight; smaller plants die immediately. A plant
DMG for a description of the nauseated condition).
creature or magic plant must succeed on a Fortitude save
The disease is transmitted by contact, so a creature
(DC 10 + 1/2 Famine’s character level + Famine’s Cha
that has contracted Pestilence’s disease can transmit it
modifier) each round that it remains within the aura
to others by touch.
or take 2d6 points of damage. Creatures of the animal
or vermin type are automatically sickened while within Breath of Contagion (Ex): An invisible cloud of
Famine’s aura of desolation and for at least 24 hours contagion surrounds Pestilence at all times. Any
after leaving it. Each day thereafter that it is outside breathing creature that begins its turn within 30 feet
of the aura, an affected animal or vermin receives a of Pestilence must succeed on two Fortitude saves
Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 Famine’s character level + (DC 10 + 1/2 Pestilence’s character level + Pestilence’s
Famine’s Cha modifier) to end the effect. Con modifier), one against crackle fever and one
against mindfire. See the DMG for descriptions of
Scales of Want (Su): As a standard action while riding
these inhaled diseases.
its phantom mount, Famine can summon a set of black
scales, which it can wield as a flail sized for the base Fell Bow (Su): As a standard action while riding its
creature. In addition to taking normal damage from phantom mount, Pestilence can summon to its hands
the weapon, any creature struck by the scales must a ghostly white longbow sized for the base creature,
succeed on a Constitution check (DC 10 + Famine’s which it can use to fire an endless supply of white
Cha modifier). On a failure, the creature takes 4d6 arrows. In addition to taking normal damage from the
points of nonlethal damage and becomes fatigued. weapon, any foe struck by an arrow must succeed on a
Neither the damage nor the fatigued condition can be Fortitude save against Pestilence’s disease special attack
removed by rest, magic, fast healing, or regeneration or contract the illness. The bow vanishes if Pestilence
until the creature eats a day’s worth of meals. Another lets go of it for any reason and cannot be summoned
failed Constitution check against a second blow deals when Pestilence is not riding its phantom mount.
the same amount of nonlethal damage but does not
War: War’s phantom mount appears as a fierce nightmare
extend the duration of the fatigue or make the target
with a crimson mane and tail and flaming hooves.
exhausted. The scales vanish if Famine lets go of them
for any reason and cannot be summoned when Famine Battle Gaze (Su): Any creature within 10 feet of War
is not riding its phantom mount. that meets its gaze must make a Will save (DC 10
124
 + 1/2 War’s character level + War’s Cha modifier). Hive Mind (Su): While possessing hosts, the Four
A creature that fails this save is filled with lust Horsemen are in constant mental communication regardless
for battle and must attack the creature nearest to of distance. If one is aware of a particular danger, they
it (other than War) to the best of its ability for all are. If one is not flat-footed, none of them are. No
1d4 rounds. Any creature that fails the save need Horseman is considered flanked unless all of them are. The
not make another save against the gaze until the Four Horsemen can communicate verbally with each other
duration of its battle lust ends. Battle gaze is a mind- regardless of language. Horsemen without hosts do not
affecting effect. participate in the hive mind.

Four Horsemen
Fell Sword (Su): As a free action while riding this Horseman Qualities: Each Horseman gains particular
phantom mount, War can summon a blood-red special qualities based upon its nature, as given below.
greatsword sized for the base creature. In addition to
Death: Immune to Death Effects (Ex): Death is
taking damage for the weapon, any creature struck
immune to death effects.
by the greatsword must succeed on a Will save (DC
10 + 1/2 War’s character level + War’s Cha modifier) Famine: Immune to Starvation (Ex): Famine is
or be affected as though by the dominate monster immune to starvation and dehydration.
spell (caster level equals War’s character level).
War can dominate a number of creatures equal to Pestilence: Immune to Disease (Ex): Pestilence is
twice its character level at one time. It generally immune to disease.
commands such thralls to act as an honor guard War: Fast Healing (Su): War gains fast healing 2.
against other foes. The sword vanishes if War lets go
of it for any reason and cannot be summoned when Immunities (Ex): The Four Horsemen are immune to spells
War is not riding its phantom mount. and effects of the Illusion school to which spell resistance
would normally apply. They are also immune to mind-
Possess Creature (Su): A new Horseman may be created affecting effects.
whenever at least one Horseman has a host and at least
one does not. Once per round, a Horseman entity without Phantom Mount (Sp): At will as a standard action, a
a host may attempt to possess any creature within 500 Horseman can summon a saddled phantom mount one
feet of a Horseman that has a host. No line of effect is size category larger itself that looks as described in the
necessary between the entity and the intended target, and appropriate Horseman Powers section. This mount appears
the target need not be visible or otherwise discernable below the Horseman, lifting its rider into a mounted
to the entity, though it must be on the same plane. The position, and it can even carry a Horseman not normally
target creature must succeed on a DC 20 Will save or able to ride a mount. The phantom mount remains until
immediately gain the appropriate version of the Four dismissed or dispelled, or until the Horseman dismounts or
Horsemen template. Success renders the creature immune is unhorsed.
to possession by any Horseman entity for 1 hour. The phantom mount has no real physical form and can
Once the creature is possessed and the template has carry only the horseman that summoned it as a rider,
been applied, the possessing Horseman entity cannot though the Horseman itself might be able to carry another
be expelled by any magic. Killing or destroying the creature while riding. The mount has a fly speed equal to
host creature expels the entity, but it can immediately 10 feet per character level of the Horseman, with perfect
attempt to possess a new creature within 500 feet of maneuverability. A Horseman cannot use a phantom
another Horseman that has a host. A Horseman whose mount for cover (though its body could be used to provide
host is incapacitated or rendered immobile, paralyzed, or concealment), or use the Trample feat, or bull rush a foe
unconscious may also attempt to possess a creature within while mounted on a phantom mount. Attacks and creatures
500 feet of any other Horseman with a host. In this case, pass through the phantom mount, but dispel magic (caster
the creature that the departing Horseman entity leaves is level equals Horseman’s character level) can dispel it. In
immune to possession for 1 hour. If any Horseman entity addition, a Horseman mounted on its phantom mount gains
lacks a host for 5 consecutive rounds, all the Horseman a special weapon attack according to its specific nature, as
entities leave their hosts. detailed in the Horseman Powers section.

When all the Horsemen are without hosts at the same Resistances (Ex): A Horseman has resistance 10 to acid,
time, the entities return whence they came. They do not cold, fire, electricity, and sonic.
come back until they are set upon the world to bring Spell Resistance (Su): A creature possessed by a Horseman
about another apocalypse. (See The Four Horsemen of gains spell resistance equal to 12 + the base creature’s CR or
Whatever You Want sidebar for ideas of how you might the base creature’s spell resistance, whichever is higher.
handle the Four Horsemen’s return.)
Turn and Rebuke Vulnerability (Ex): As entities that herald
Special Qualities: The Horseman retains all the base creature’s the end of the world, the Four Horsemen are as hated
special qualities and gains those described here. and feared by most deities as they are by mortal creatures.
Damage Reduction (Su): A Horseman gains damage Thus, each of the Four Horsemen can be turned, rebuked,
reduction 10/good. destroyed, or commanded as though it were an undead
creature with HD equal to its character level. Destruction
Four Horsemen Protection (Su): The Four Horsemen work frees a Horseman to find a new host.
in concert. They are immune to one another’s special
attacks and to the special attacks of the base creatures that Abilities: A Horseman’s ability scores increase from the base
the Horsemen entities currently possess (such as breath creature according to the Horseman’s particular nature, as
weapons, poison, gaze attacks, or energy drain). given in the following table.
125
 War: Cleave, Great Cleave, Martial Weapon Proficiency
Abilities (greatsword), Power Attack, Ride-By Attack, Weapon
Horseman Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha Focus (greatsword).
Death +0 +0 +0 +4 +4 +4 Organization: The Four Horsemen.
Famine +0 +6 +4 +0 +0 +0
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2. Consider
Pestilence +0 +4 +6 +0 +0 +0
granting a special XP reward for defeating the Four
War +6 +0 +6 +0 +0 +0
Horsemen in all the forms they take.
Four Horsemen

Skills: The Horseman gains a +10 racial bonus on Ride checks.

Alignment: Always neutral evil
Feats: Each of the Horsemen gains bonus feats depending on its
Level Adjustment: —
nature, as given below, if it does not already have them.
Death: Cleave, Great Cleave, Martial Weapon Proficiency
(scythe), Power Attack, Weapon Focus (scythe).
Four Horsemen Characters
A Horseman favors whichever class the base creature does. The
Famine: Combat Expertise, Improved Trip, Improved Disarm, Four Horsemen make poor PCs since either their deaths or the
Martial Weapon Proficiency (flail), Weapon Focus (flail). destruction of the world is all but inevitable when they appear.
Pestilence: Martial Weapon Proficiency (longbow), Mounted You might, however, want to consider allowing a PC that has been
Archery, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, possessed by a Horseman entity to play the character as an NPC
Weapon Focus (longbow). until it is killed or until the Horseman decides to possess a new host.

- Sample Four Horsemen -

Here are four examples of Horsemen using creatures from cold climes (an annis hag, an aranea with the icy template, a winter wolf
with the bipedal template, and an ice mephit) as the base creatures. The ice theme conveys the concept that these versions of the Four
Horsemen originated in an arctic clime.

- Annis Hag of Death -

Large Monstrous Humanoid (Evil) Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: —
Hit Dice: 7d8+14 (45 hp)
Initiative: +1 Once a malevolent being who took wicked glee in the destruction
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares) of others, this Death exhibits no passion—just a dispassionate
Armor Class: 24 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +10 natural, +4 profane), touch desire to see all the world become a tomb.
14, flat-footed 23
As Death, the annis becomes a vision of oblivion incarnate. So
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+18
hideous does it appear that few creatures can even bear to look at
Attack: Claw +13 melee (1d6+7) or scythe +14 melee (2d6+10
it. Standing 9 feet tall, Death has near-black skin, dead-looking
plus death scythe)
eyes, and the body of a wizened old woman. A tattered black cloak
Full Attack: 2 claws +13 melee (1d6+7) and bite +8 melee (1d6+3)
hangs about its shoulders, and it wields a rusty, pitted scythe.
or scythe +14/9 melee (2d6+10 plus death scythe) and bite
+8 melee (1d6+3) The annis hag of Death speaks Common and Giant.
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Death scythe, improved grab, fear, finger of Combat
death, possess creature, rake 1d6+7, rend 2d6+10, spell-like
abilities The annis hag of Death flies into combat wielding its death scythe
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/good, darkvision 60 ft., and mounted on a floating corpse of a horse. If unhorsed, it takes
Four Horsemen protection, hive mind, immunities (death the opportunity to rake and rend foes before mounting again.
effects, illusions, mind-affecting effects), phantom mount, The annis hag of Death’s natural weapons, and any weapons it
resistances (acid 10, cold 10, fire 10, electricity 10, sonic 10), wields, are treated as evil-aligned for the purpose of overcoming
spell resistance 19, turn and rebuke vulnerability damage reduction
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +8
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 17, Death Scythe (Su): DC 15 Fortitude save; see the Four
Cha 14 Horsemen template.
Skills: Bluff +10, Diplomacy +4, Disguise +2 (+4 Fear (Su): DC 15 Will save; see the Four
acting), Hide +5, Intimidate +4, Listen Horsemen template.
+12, Ride +11, Spot +12
Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, CleaveB, Great Finger of Death (Su): DC 15 Fortitude save;
CleaveB, Great Fortitude, Martial see the Four Horsemen template.
Weapon Proficiency (scythe)B, Power
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability,
AttackB, Weapon Focus (scythe)B
the annis Death must hit a Large or smaller
Environment: Cold marshes opponent with a claw attack. It can then attempt
Organization: The Four Horsemen to start a grapple as a free action without
Challenge Rating: 8 provoking an attack of opportunity.
Treasure: Standard
Possess Creature (Su): See the Four Horsemen
Alignment: Always neutral evil
126 template.
Four Horsemen

127
 Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +13 melee, damage 1d6+7. The annis hag Immunities (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
of Death can attack a grappled foe with both claws at no penalty.
Phantom Mount (Sp): Fly 70 ft., caster level 7th; see the Four
Rend (Ex): If the annis hag of Death hits with both claw attacks, Horsemen template.
it latches onto the opponent’s body and tears the flesh. This attack
Resistances (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
automatically deals an extra 2d6+10 points of damage.
Spell Resistance (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—disguise self, fog cloud. Caster level 8th.
Four Horsemen

Turn and Rebuke Vulnerability (Ex): See the Four Horsemen

Four Horsemen Protection (Su): See the Four Horsemen
template.
template.
Skills: An annis hag of Death gains a +10 racial bonus on Ride checks.
Hive Mind (Su): See the Four Horsemen template.

- Icy Aranea of Famine (Hybrid Form) -

Medium Elemental (Cold, Evil, Shapechanger, Water) the icy aranea of Famine has the opportunity to attack a lightly
armored foe, it swoops in to strike with its scales and bite.
Hit Dice: 3d8+24 (37 hp)
Initiative: +8 The icy aranea of Famine’s natural weapons, and any weapons it
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 25 ft. wields, are treated as evil-aligned for the purpose of overcoming
Armor Class: 19 (+4 Dex, +1 natural, +4 profane), touch 18, flat- damage reduction
footed 15
Aura of Desolation (Su): DC 13 Fortitude save; see the Four
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+3
Horsemen template.
Attack: Bite +5 melee (1d6 plus poison, 1d6 cold, and paralysis) or
web +5 ranged Cold Aura (Ex): An icy aranea of Famine emits an aura of cold that
Full Attack: Flail +4 melee (1d8 plus 1d6 cold, paralysis, and can wound nearby creatures. Any creature within 10 feet of it takes
scales of want) and bite +0 melee (1d6 plus poison, 1d6 2d6 points of cold damage per round that it remains within range. A
cold, and paralysis) or web +5 ranged successful DC 17 Fortitude save halves the damage for that round.
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. An icy aranea of Famine can suppress or resume the use of this
Special Attacks: Aura of desolation, cold aura, exude ice, fear, icy ability as a free action. The save DC is Constitution-based.
touch, poison, possess creature, scale of want, spells, web
Special Qualities: Change shape, damage reduction 10/good, Exude Ice (Su): At will as a full-round action, an icy aranea of
darkvision 60 ft., elemental traits, Four Horsemen Famine can exude a circle of slippery ice in a 20-foot-diameter
protection, hive mind, ice mastery, immunities (illusion, spread centered on its body. This ice remains in the affected area,
mind-affecting effects, starvation), invulnerability to cold, melting away as normal for the ambient temperature. Creatures
low-light vision, phantom mount, resistances (acid 10, fire 10, walking on the ice must spend 2 squares of movement to enter any
electricity 10, sonic 10), spell resistance 17, turn and rebuke square covered by it. The DC for any Balance, Climb, or Tumble
vulnerability, vulnerability to fire check made in the area increases by +5.
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +4 Fear (Su): DC 13 Will save; see the Four Horsemen template.
Abilities: Str 11, Dex 19, Con 22, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 14
Skills: Balance +9, Climb +19, Concentration +12, Icy Touch (Ex): An icy aranea of Famine is chilling to
Escape Artist +7, Jump +13, Listen +6, Ride the touch. Any creature that makes a successful touch
+14, Spot +6 attack against it takes 1d6 points of cold damage.
Feats: Combat Expertise B, Improved Disarm B, Each of the icy aranea of Famine’s natural melee
Improved Initiative, Improved TripB, Iron attacks (including successful grapple checks made
WillB, Martial Weapon Proficiency (flail)B, during its turn) and attacks with metallic melee
Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (flail)B weapons deals +1d6 points of cold damage. Any
creature damaged by the icy aranea of Famine’s
Environment: Cold forests icy touch must succeed on a DC 17 Fortitude
Organization: The Four Horsemen save or be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds. The save
Challenge Rating: 7 DC is Constitution-based.
Treasure: Standard coins; double goods;
standard items Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 17, initial
Alignment: Always neutral evil damage 1d6 Str, secondary damage 2d6 Str. The
Advancement: By character class save DC is Constitution-based.
Level Adjustment: — Possess Creature (Su): See the Four Horsemen template.
The icy aranea of Famine appears to be an emaciated spider- Scales of Want (Su): DC 12 Constitution check; see the Four
human hybrid made entirely of ice. It has a fanged mouth and Horsemen template.
faceted eyes, and its icy ribs show through its translucent, ice-white
skin. It wields a set of black scales like a flail. Spells: The icy aranea of Famine casts spells as a 3rd-level sorcerer.
It prefers illusions and enchantments and avoids fire spells.
The icy aranea Famine speaks Aquan, Common, and Sylvan.
Typical Sorcerer Spells Known (6/6; save DC 12 + spell level):
Combat 0—daze, detect magic, ghost sound, light, resistance; 1st—mage armor,
silent image, sleep.
The Famine entity knows this form isn’t as physically formidable
as other creatures it might possess, so it exudes ice and uses webs Web (Ex): In spider or hybrid form (see below), the icy aranea
to slow foes, relying on its cold aura to damage enemies. When of Famine can throw a web up to six times per day. This attack is
128
similar to an attack with a net, but it has a maximum range of 50 Elemental Traits: An icy aranea of Famine has immunity to
feet and a range increment of 10 feet, and it is effective against poison, sleep effects, paralysis, and stunning. It is not subject
targets of up to Large size. The web anchors the target in place, to critical hits or flanking. It cannot be raised, reincarnated or
allowing no movement. resurrected (though a limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection
spell can restore life). Darkvision 60 ft.
An entangled creature can escape with a DC 17 Escape Artist
check or burst the web with a DC 21 Strength check. The check Four Horsemen Protection (Su): See the Four Horsemen template.
DCs are Constitution-based, and the Strength check DC includes
Hive Mind (Su): See the Four Horsemen template.

Four Horsemen
a +4 racial bonus. The web has 6 hit points, is hardness 0, and takes
double damage from fire. Ice Mastery (Ex): An icy aranea of Famine gains a +1 morale
bonus on attack and damage rolls if its foe is touching ice. In
Change Shape (Su): An icy aranea of Famine’s natural form is that
addition, the icy aranea of Famine never slips or slides on natural
of a Medium monstrous spider. In this form, it has a base speed of
or supernatural ice unless it wishes, and it can always climb ice and
50 feet and lacks the ability to wield weapons. It can also assume
icy surfaces as though affected by a spider climb spell.
two other forms. The first is a unique Small or Medium humanoid.
An icy aranea of Famine in its humanoid form always assumes Immunities (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
the same appearance and traits, much as a lycanthrope would. In
humanoid form, it cannot use its bite attack, webs, or poison. Phantom Mount (Sp): Fly 30 ft. (perfect), caster level 3rd; see the
Four Horsemen template.
The second form is a Medium spider-humanoid hybrid. In this
form, an icy aranea of Famine looks like a Medium humanoid at Resistances (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
first glance, but a DC 18 Spot check reveals the creature’s fangs Spell Resistance (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
and spinnerets. Famine retains its bite attack, webs, and poison in
this form, and it can also wield weapons or wear armor. When in Turn and Rebuke Vulnerability (Ex): See the Four Horsemen
hybrid form, the icy aranea Famine’s speed is 30 feet (6 squares). template.

The icy aranea of Famine remains in one form until it chooses to Skills: An icy aranea of Famine has a +2 racial bonus on Jump, Listen,
assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, nor does and Spot checks, a +5 racial bonus on Balance checks, and a +10 racial
the creature revert to its natural form when killed. A true seeing spell, bonus on Ride checks. It a +13 racial bonus on Climb checks and can
however, reveals its natural form if it is in humanoid or hybrid form. always choose to take 10 on Climb checks even if rushed or threatened.

- Ice Mephit of Pestilence -

Small Outsider (Air, Cold, Evil, Extraplanar) Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Hit Dice: 3d8+9 (21 hp)
Advancement: 4–6 HD (Small); 7–9 HD (Medium)
Initiative: +9
Level Adjustment: —
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), fly 50 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class: 24 (+1 size, +5 Dex, +4 natural, +4 profane), touch As Pestilence, the ice mephit looks like a spindly humanoid
20, flat-footed 19 whose pure white skin is pocked with boils Its wings appear to be
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/–1 composed of icicles, and snowflakes and gnats swirl lightly on the
Attack: Claw +4 melee (1d3 plus 1d4 cold and disease) or longbow wind around its form.
+20 ranged (1d6 plus disease)
The ice mephit Pestilence speaks Common and Auran.
Full Attack: 2 claws +4 melee (1d3 plus 1d4 cold and disease) or
longbow +10 ranged (1d6 plus disease)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Combat
Special Attacks: Breath of contagion, breath weapon, disease, fear, The ice mephit of Pestilence avoids engaging in melee. It remains
fell bow, possess creature, spell-like abilities, summon mephit mounted to retain the use of its fell bow and uses its breath
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/good, darkvision 60 weapon on any enemies that come too close.
ft., fast healing 2, Four Horsemen protection, hive mind,
immunities (cold, disease, illusions, mind-affecting effects), The ice mephit of Pestilence’s natural weapons, and any weapons
phantom mount, resistances (acid 10, cold 10, fire 10, it wields, are treated as evil-aligned for the purpose of overcoming
electricity 10, sonic 10), spell resistance 15, turn and damage reduction
rebuke vulnerability, vulnerability to fire Breath of Contagion (Ex): Two DC 14 Fortitude saves;
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +8, Will +3 see the Four Horsemen template.
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 21, Con 16, Int 6, Wis 11,
Cha 15 Breath Weapon (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds as
Skills: Bluff +8, Escape Artist +11, Hide +15, a standard action, the ice mephit of Pestilence
Listen +6, Diplomacy +4, Disguise +2 (+4 can breathe a 10-foot cone of ice shards.
acting), Move Silently +11, Ride +15, Spot Each creature in the area takes 1d4 points
+6, Use Rope +5 (+7 with bindings) of cold damage (Reflex DC 15 half ). Living
Feats: Dodge, Improved Initiative, Martial creatures that fail their saves are tormented
Weapon Proficiency (longbow)B, Mounted by frostbitten skin and frozen eyes unless
ArcheryB, Point Blank ShotB, Precise ShotB, they have immunity to cold or are otherwise
Rapid ShotB, Weapon Focus (longbow)B protected. This effect imposes a –4 penalty to
AC and a –2 penalty on attack rolls for 3 rounds.
Environment: Elemental Plane of Air The save DC is Constitution-based and includes
Organization: The Four Horsemen a +1 racial bonus.
Challenge Rating: 5 129
 Disease (Ex): DC 14 Fortitude save; see the Four Horsemen template. Fast Healing (Ex): The ice mephit of Pestilence heals only if it
is touching a piece of ice of at least Tiny size or if the ambient
Fear (Su): DC 13 Will save; see the Four Horsemen template.
temperature is 32°F or below.
Fell Bow (Su): DC 14 Fortitude save; see the Four Horsemen template.
Four Horsemen Protection (Su): See the Four Horsemen template.
Possess Creature (Su): See the Four Horsemen template.
Hive Mind (Su): See the Four Horsemen template.
Spell-Like Abilities: 1/hour—magic missile (caster level 3rd);
Immunities (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
1/day—chill metal (DC 14, caster level 6th). The save DC is
Four Horsemen

Charisma-based. Phantom Mount (Sp): Fly 30 ft. (perfect), caster level 3rd; see the
Four Horsemen template.
Summon Mephit (Sp): Once per day, the ice mephit of Pestilence
can attempt to summon another ice mephit, much as though Resistances (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
casting a summon monster spell, but with only a 25% chance of Spell Resistance (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
success. Roll d%: On a failure, no creature answers the summons
that day. An ice mephit that has just been summoned cannot use Turn & Rebuke Vulnerability (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
its own summon ability for 1 hour. This ability is the equivalent of Skills: The ice mephit of Pestilence gains a +10 racial bonus on
a 2nd-level spell. Ride checks.

- Bipedal Winter Wolf of War -

Large Magical Beast (Cold, Evil) foes against one another and dominate those unwilling to fight
their friends.
Hit Dice: 6d10+26 (69 hp)
Initiative: +5 The bipedal winter wolf of War’s natural weapons, and
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares) any weapons it wields, are treated as evil-aligned for
Armor Class: 19 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +5 natural, +4 the purpose of overcoming damage reduction
profane), touch 14, flat-footed 18
Battle Gaze (Su): DC 13 Will save; see the
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+17
Four Horsemen template.
Attack: Greatsword +13 melee (2d8+10 plus
fell sword) Breath Weapon (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds,
Full Attack: Greatsword +13/+8 melee the bipedal winter wolf of War can breathe a
(2d8+10 plus fell sword) and bite +12 15-foot cone of frost. Every creature in the area
melee (1d8+7 plus 1d6 cold) takes 4d6 points of cold damage (Reflex DC 19
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. half ). The save DC is Constitution-based.
Special Attacks: Battle gaze, breath weapon, fear,
fell sword, freezing bite, possess creature, trip Fear (Su): DC 13 Will save; see the Four
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/good, Horsemen template.
darkvision 60 ft., fast healing 2, Four Horsemen Fell Sword (Su): DC 13 Will save, up to twelve
protection, hive mind, immunities (cold, illusions, creatures, caster level 6th; see the Four Horsemen template.
mind-affecting effects), low-light vision, phantom mount,
resistances (acid 10, fire 10, electricity 10, sonic 10), scent, spell Freezing Bite (Su): The bipedal winter wolf of War deals an extra
resistance 17, turn and rebuke vulnerability, vulnerability to fire +1d6 points of cold damage every time it bites an opponent, as if
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +6, Will +3 its bite were a frost weapon.
Abilities: Str 24, Dex 13, Con 22, Int 9, Wis 13, Cha 10 Possess Creature (Su): See the Four Horsemen template.
Skills: Hide –1*, Listen +6, Move Silently +7, Ride +11, Spot +6,
Survival +1* Trip (Ex): If the bipedal winter wolf of War hits with a bite
Feats: Alertness, CleaveB, Great CleaveB, Improved Initiative, Martial attack, it can attempt to trip the opponent (+8 check modifier)
Weapon Proficiency (greatsword)B, Power AttackB, Ride-By as a free action without making a touch attack or provoking an
AttackB, Weapon Focus (greatsword)B, Track attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot
react to trip War.
Environment: Cold forests
Organization: The Four Horsemen Four Horsemen Protection (Su): See the Four Horsemen
Challenge Rating: 7 template.
Treasure: 1/10 coins; 50% goods; 50% items
Hive Mind (Su): See the Four Horsemen template.
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: By character class Immunities (Ex): See the Four Horsemen template.
Level Adjustment: —
Phantom Mount (Sp): Fly 60 ft. (perfect), caster level 6th; see the
As War, the bipedal winter wolf is as big as an ogre and far stronger. Four Horseman template.
It resembles an ogre-sized wolfman with pure white fur splattered
Turn and Rebuke Vulnerability (Ex): See the Four Horsemen
with fresh blood. The creature bears a bloodstained greatsword that
template.
could cut trees in half and rides a spectral stallion the color of blood.
Skills: The bipedal winter wolf of War has a +1 racial bonus on
The bipedal winter wolf of War speaks Giant and Common.
Listen, Move Silently, and Spot checks, a +2 racial bonus on
Hide checks, and a +10 racial bonus on Ride checks. *Its natural
Combat coloration grants it a +7 racial bonus on Hide checks in areas of
The bipedal winter wolf of War rides into battle as a sower of snow and ice. In addition, the bipedal winter wolf of War has a +4
130 chaso, laying about with its massive greatsword, hoping to turn racial bonus on Survival checks when tracking by scent.
 Fungal Creature
Fungal creatures are plants that grow up out of the dead bodies of other creatures, taking on the forms and some of the abilities
of their hosts. Fungal creatures tend to be peaceful and inoffensive, and they are usually content to stand in circles and absorb the
nutrients of the earth as they quietly converse about nature and the miracle of their own existence. In fact, fungal creatures are

Fungal Creature
notoriously difficult to disturb once they have gathered in a circle, since they break off their conversations only if attacked or if
conversation becomes impossible.
Once a year, however, fungal creatures become surprisingly violent, succumbing to the drive to reproduce and seeking out other living
creatures to infect with their spores. Each day during this one-week spawning period, every fungal creature seeks a living creature of
similar size to kill with its spore cloud.
A fungal creature’s body resembles a white, bloated version of its host’s. Mushroomlike caps and outcroppings dot the fungal creature’s
form, giving it a nightmarish appearance.

Creating a Fungal Creature

“Fungal creature” is an inherited template that can be added to dry conditions can extend the process for up to a week
any corporeal, living creature susceptible to Constitution damage (GM’s discretion). Once fully converted, the corpse cannot
(referred to hereafter as the base creature). be raised from the dead, but it can still be resurrected or
reincarnated. The application of a plant growth spell halves
A fungal creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
the transformation time, and the application of a diminish
abilities except as noted here.
plants spell doubles it. A blight spell destroys the fungal
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to plant with the spores and prevents transformation of the corpse. Spells that
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base remove disease are ineffective against the spores.
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
The fungal creature lacks the class levels and memories
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s. of the creature from which it gained its form. If the base
creature has 1 or fewer racial HD and is normally presented
Speed: Each of a fungal creature’s speeds decreases by 10 feet as classed (as with most humanoids), use a 1st-level warrior
(minimum 5 feet) from that of the base creature. version of it as the base creature.
Armor Class: The fungal creature’s natural armor bonus is equal to The fungal creature awakens as a free-willed being knowing
the base creature’s natural armor bonus –2 (minimum +0). If all it needs to know (including language) in order to use
the base creature had no natural armor bonus, this feature of its abilities and survive. Although it bears no allegiance to
the template causes no change. the fungal creature that created it, the new fungal creature
Attack: The fungal creature retains all the base creature’s attacks, immediately recognizes other fungal creatures as its own
and its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain kind.
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base Poison Spore Cloud (Ex): Once per day, a fungal creature can
creature. The fungal creature gains a primary release a choking yellow cloud of spores in a 15-
slam attack if it has no other natural attacks. foot-radius spread. The spore cloud lingers visibly
Damage: If the fungal creature gained a slam attack in the air for 10 rounds, but it dissipates normally on
from the application of this template, its base the wind. This cloud functions as an inhaled poison.
damage is as given on the following table. Any creature that does not hold its breath before
the fungal creature activates this ability is assumed
Damage to inhale the spores. Each breathing creature in
the cloud must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10
Size Slam Base Damage
+ 1/2 fungal creature’s racial HD + fungal creature’s Con
Fine — modifier) or take 1d2 points of Constitution damage and be
Diminutive 1 fatigued for 1 minute. Thereafter, the creature must succeed
Tiny 1d2 on a second save (whether or not it succeeded on the first)
Small 1d3 or take 1d2 points of Constitution damage and become
Medium 1d4 fatigued (or exhausted if already fatigued).
Large 1d6
A creature that continues to inhale the spores continues to
Huge 1d8
make Fortitude saves against their effects. Multiple spore
Gargantuan 2d6
clouds from multiple fungal creatures require multiple
Colossal 2d8
saves from any creature in an area where the clouds overlap.
Special Attacks: The fungal creature retains all the base creature’s Creatures that are immune to poisons are immune to the
special attacks and gains those described here. fungal creature’s poison spore cloud.
Create Spawn (Ex): The body of a creature killed by Poisonous Blood (Ex): A fungal creature’s blood and flesh
Constitution damage from a fungal creature’s spore function as ingested poisons. Any creature that makes a
cloud is slowly transformed into a fungal creature. This bite attack against a fungal creature, swallows one whole, or
transformation takes at least 1 full day, but particularly otherwise ingests part of one must succeed on a Fortitude
131
 save (DC 10 + 1/2 fungal creature’s racial HD + fungal Rejuvenation (Ex): So long as it is in contact with moist
creature’s Con modifier) or take 1 point of Strength damage natural earth, a resting fungal creature regains hit points
and 1 point of Dexterity damage. One minute later, the as though it were experiencing complete bed rest and long
creature must make a second save at the same DC or be term care (3 hit points per character level for each day of
nauseated for 1 minute and take 1d6 points of Strength rest). The fungal creature can engage in light activity during
damage and 1d6 points of Dexterity damage. rejuvenation, but any strenuous activity (fighting, running,
casting a spell, and so on) prevents it from regaining hit
A fungal creature can drain its own blood to procure an
Fungal Creature

points for that day. Complete bed rest does not increase the
ingested poison that affects creatures as described above.
amount of healing a fungal creature gains from rejuvenation.
Unfortunately, its blood has a distinctive and largely
unwelcome smell and taste, so most intelligent creatures Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Dex –2
would not eat food tainted with it unless the taste were (minimum 1).
thoroughly disguised (a DC 15 Profession [cook] check). Languages: If the fungal creature can speak, it gains the ability to
The fungal creature must deal at least 1 point of damage to speak Sylvan in addition to any other languages the base
itself to get a full dose of poison, and the drawn blood (or creature knows.
amputated flesh) retains its poisonous nature for just 1 day
unless additional living fungal blood is mixed into it. Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or circle (5–30).

Special Qualities: The fungal creature retains all the base Alignment: Usually neutral.
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here. Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2.
Fungal Metabolism (Ex): Fungal creatures do not breathe,
nor do they need to eat or sleep in the typical manner.
They gain all the sustenance they require from contact
Fungal Characters
with moist natural earth, but they require rejuvenation (see A fungal creature favors whichever class the base creature does.
Rejuvenation) as often and for as long as humans need Consider allowing a 1st- or 2nd-level character killed by a fungal
sleep. creature to become a fungal creature under control of the player.

- Sample Creature: Fungal Lizardfolk -

Medium Plant (Augmented Humanoid, Reptilian)
Hit Dice: 2d8+2 (11 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 16 (–1 Dex, +5 natural, +2 heavy shield), touch 9,
flat-footed 14 or 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+2
Attack: Claw +2 melee (1d4+1) or club +2 melee (1d6+1) or
javelin +1 ranged (1d6+1)
Full Attack: 2 claws +2 melee (1d4+1) and bite +0 melee (1d4), or
club +2 melee (1d6+1) and bite +0 melee (1d4); or javelin +1
ranged (1d6+1)
Special Attacks: Create spawn, poison spore cloud, poisonous
blood
Special Qualities: Fungal metabolism, low-light vision, plant
traits, rejuvenation
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +0
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 8, Con 13, Int 9, Wis 10,
Cha 10
Skills: Balance +4, Jump +5, Swim +2
Feats: Multiattack
Environment: Temperate marshes
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or circle (5–30)
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: 50% coins; 50% goods; 50% items
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +3
Here is an example of a fungal creature using a lizardfolk as the
base creature.
This tall creature looks like a cross between a powerfully built Fu n g a l l i z a rd f o l k l i v e i n m a r s h e s f a r f ro m most
human and a lizard, but its body is bloated, white, and spotted civilizations. However, their conflicts with other marsh dwellers
with mushroom caps and shelf fungus. It has clawed hands, a at spawning time sometimes drive them out of their normal
132 long, mushroom-studded tail, and toothy jaws. territories and into more civilized realms in search of easier prey.
Fungal lizardfolk speak Draconic and Sylvan. Poisonous Blood (Ex): DC 12 Fortitude save; see the fungal
creature template.
Combat Fungal Metabolism (Ex): See the fungal creature template.
Fungal lizardfolk save their poison spore clouds until several
Plant Traits: A fungal creature is immune to poison, sleep effects,

Genie-Bound Creature
creatures are within range. When they can catch multiple creatures
paralysis, stunning, and polymorphing, and mind-affecting effects
in their spores, they attempt to kill the weaker ones in order to
(charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects). It
create more of their kind.
is not subject to critical hits.
Create Spawn (Ex): See the fungal creature template.
Rejuvenation (Ex): See the fungal creature template.
Poison Spore Cloud (Ex): DC 12 Fortitude save; see the fungal
Skills: Because of its tail, a fungal lizardfolk has a +4 racial bonus
creature template.
on Balance, Jump, Swim checks.

Genie-Bound Creature
Wishes are temptations—nightmares encased in glorious dreams. They are not goals; they are longings for the impossible, and many of
these unfulfilled desires remain that way. But some creatures who refuse to see the truth eventually find themselves genie-bound.
Genies are powerful lords of the elemental planes. Djinn live on Elemental Plane of Air, while the powerful efreet rule much of the
Elemental Plane of Fire. The efreet bestow wishes on followers and allies at will, but only the greatest of the djinn can grant wishes.
Genie-bound creatures are beings who have sold themselves into the service of a powerful genie in exchange for granted wishes. If the
genie fulfills all the victim’s wishes faithfully, the genie-bound creature must then serve the genie as a slave for one year and a day per
wish granted.
Djinn treat their wish-slaves fairly well. Each genie-bound creature is a partner to them—a creature with which they struck a fair bargain.
Djinn usually send their genie-bound creatures on errands or quests that are beneath their dignity. Djinni-bound creatures usually find
their service lonesome and onerous, but not so terrible that they nurse dreams of escape.
Efreet, on the other hand, treat their genie-bound creatures poorly and often demand that they perform dangerous tasks. An efreeti
treats its genie-bound creatures as the slaves they truly are and does what it wills with them for the duration of their service. Thus,
efreeti-bound creatures often seek a means to break their pacts with their masters, but since only a wish can free them, they often end up
enslaved to a new master.

Creating a Genie-Bound Creature

“Genie-bound creature” is an acquired template that can be added Djinni: Spell-Like Abilities: At will—invisibility (self only); 1/
to any nongenie that has made a bargain with a genie in exchange day—create food and water, create wine (as create water but
for one or more wishes (referred to hereafter as the base creature). wine instead), gaseous form, major creation, persistent image,
wind walk. Caster level equals genie-bound creature’s
A genie-bound creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and
character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
special abilities except as noted here.
Efreeti: Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect magic, produce
Armor Class: A djinni-bound creature gains a +4 deflection bonus
flame, pyrotechnics, scorching ray (1 ray only); 3/day—
to Armor Class. The djinni-bound creature’s master can
invisibility, wall of fire; 1/day—enlarge person, gaseous
revoke this benefit at will but rarely does so. An efreeti-
form, permanent image, polymorph (self only), reduce
bound creature’s Armor Class remains the same as the base
person. Caster level equals genie-bound creature’s
creature’s.
character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Special Attacks: A genie-bound creature retains all the base
Special Qualities: A genie-bound creature retains all the base
creature’s special attacks and gains those
creature’s special qualities and gains the following.
described here.
Darkvision (Su): A genie-bound creature has
Genie Magic (Sp): A genie can allow its
darkvision to a range of 60 feet.
genie-bound creature to use spell-like abilities
as though it were a genie of the appropriate Genie Quality: The exact genie qualities bestowed
kind. The genie-bound creature can use these depend on the kind of genie with which the genie-
spells in any manner it chooses. However, as bound creature made its bargain, as follows.
a free action, the genie can revoke or reinstate
Djinni: Djinni Boon (Su): A creature bound to a djinni gains
its ability to cast them, prematurely end their durations, or
a +4 morale bonus on attack and damage rolls so long
spoil their effects (by changing the wine created with create
as the djinni is pleased with it.
wine to vinegar, for example). The exact spell-like abilities
bestowed depend on the kind of genie with which the Energy Resistance (Su): A djinni-bound creature gains
genie-bound creature made its bargain, as follows. acid resistance 20. 133
 Efreeti: Energy Resistance (Su): An efreeti bound creature When the genie-bound creature’s period of service ends, it
gains fire resistance 20. loses this template and all the changes it imposed. Only a
wish can free a genie-bound creature from its promise to
Genie-Bound (Su): The genie is in constant telepathic
serve the genie.
communication with the possessed creature, imparting its
thoughts and desires regardless of language or distance, even Genie Empowered (Su): Once every 3 rounds, a genie-
Genie-Bound Creature

if its servitor is on another plane. The genie is constantly bound creature may choose to gain a +10 bonus on any
aware of its servant’s actions (but not its thoughts) and its one skill check, double its speed for the round, or gain a +5
condition (as though via a status spell). The servant has no bonus on a single saving throw it is required to make. The
special awareness of the genie but can communicate with it genie-bound creature may choose to gain the bonus on its
telepathically. Because of this bond, the genie can use plane saving throw even on another creature’s turn.
shift to move to any location on the elemental planes, the
Abilities: The genie-bound creature gain 6 points to add to the
Astral Plane, or the Material Plane that its servitor occupies
base creature’s ability scores as it chooses.
at will. Genies use this power to check their slaves’ progress
on the tasks set for them. A genie that is displeased with its Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
genie-bound creature can use a standard action to deal 1d6
points of damage to it or 1d4 points of damage to any one Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
of its ability scores. The genie can also heal a like amount of
damage (regardless of its source or type) at will as a standard
action.
Genie-Bound Characters
A genie-bound character favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Azize Al’Bikira -

(Male Efreeti-Bound Human Rogue 7) Medium Humanoid
Hit Dice: 7d6+28 (38 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 22 (+6 Dex, +4 +1 studded leather, +2 +1 buckler),
touch 16, flat-footed 22
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+9
Attack: +1 rapier +12 melee (1d6+4/18–20) or dart +11 ranged
(1d4+4)
Full Attack: +1 rapier +12 melee (1d6+4/18–20) or dart +11
ranged (1d4+4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Sneak attack +4d6, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 feet, evasion, genie-bound,
genie empowered, resistance (fire 20), trap sense +2,
uncanny dodge
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +12, Will +2
Abilities: Str 19, Dex 22, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 13
Skills: Balance +18, Bluff +11, Climb +14, Diplomacy +3,
Disguise +1 (+3 acting), Escape Artist +16, Hide +16,
Intimidate +13, Jump +14, Listen +9, Move Silently +16,
Spot +9, Tumble +18, Use Magic Device +11, Use Rope
+6 (+8 with bindings)
Feats: Combat Expertise, Improved Feint, Point Blank Shot,
Weapon Finesse
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: See Possessions on page 135
Alignment: Neutral evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of a genie-bound creature using a human
rogue 7 as the base creature and an efreeti as the genie.
Azize Al’Bikira had heard many tales of genies in his childhood
and considered himself well versed in their ways. Thus, when he
found a bronze bottle of the type purported to contain a genie,
he thought carefully about what his wishes would be and how he then leave, happy to be free of its prison, but all the fairy tales he
would phrase them before releasing the genie. had heard were proven false when the efreeti offered him more
The red-skinned efreeti that appeared before him seemed to wishes. The efreeti explained the conditions of this offer, and
recognize Azize’s superior intellect and granted his wishes without heady with dreams of more granted wishes, Azize made the worst
134 any attempt at deception. Azize expected that the genie would mistake of his life—he made three more wishes.
Now Azize serves his efreeti master with a growing sense of panic. creatures immune to critical hits are all immune to sneak attacks.
His missions on behalf of the efreeti have already gotten Azize Azize may choose to deliver nonlethal damage with his sneak
killed twice, and his master brought him back from death both attack, but only when using a weapon designed for that purpose,
times to fulfill his end of their bargain. Azize is certain that his such as a sap (blackjack).
next mission will be his last, and that his master will not bother to
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect magic, produce flame,
raise him from the dead again. He is desperate for another wish to
pyrotechnics, scorching ray (1 ray only); 3/day—invisibility, wall of
free him from slavery and carefully investigates every hint of wish-
fire; 1/day—enlarge person (DC 12), gaseous form, permanent image
granting items or reports of spellcasters who can cast the spell.
(DC 17), polymorph (self only), reduce person (DC 12). Caster level
Azize Al’Bikira speaks Common, Dwarven, Elven, and Halfling. 7th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

Gigantean
Evasion (Ex): If Azize is exposed to any effect that normally
Combat allows him to attempt a Reflex saving throw for half damage, he
Azize Al’Bikira dislikes endangering his life on behalf of his master takes no damage with a successful saving throw.
and prefers hit-and-run tactics, especially in areas where he can make
Genie-Bound (Su): See the genie-bound creature template.
use of his superior ability to jump and climb. He avoids confining
spaces and uses the cover of night to hide his activities. If possible, he Genie Empowered (Su): See the genie-bound creature template.
attacks from hiding with a scorching ray and then separates his target
from its allies with a wall of fire. Azize has no compunction about Trap Sense (Ex): Azize gains a +1 bonus on Reflex saves made to
fleeing from a battle invisibly or in the form of a flying creature. avoid traps and a +1 bonus to AC against attacks by traps.

Sneak Attack (Ex): Azize deals 4d6 extra points of damage on any Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Azize retains his Dexterity bonus to AC
successful attack against flat-footed or flanked targets, or against a even when flat-footed or targeted by an unseen foe (he still loses
target that has been denied its Dexterity bonus for any reason. This his Dexterity bonus if paralyzed or otherwise immobile).
damage applies to point-blank ranged attacks as well. Creatures Possessions: +1 rapier, +1 studded leather, +1 buckler, cloak of
with concealment, creatures without discernable anatomies, and resistance +1, handy haversack.

Gigantean
The behemoth monstrosities and titanic entities known as giganteans are beings of godlike size. As titans are to halflings, so gigantean
creatures are to normal specimens of their kinds. The world trembles beneath the steps of these huge and terrible creatures as they
move.
Giganteans are aberrant, super sized versions of normal creatures. Often, a small population of giganteans of a particular kind dwells in
exclusion from the rest of the world, usually hemmed in by a natural or magical barrier. The massive creatures sometimes have sympathy
for their smaller cousins, but there can also be as much enmity between them as there is between dwarves and giants.

Using the Gigantean Template

The gigantean template offers a wealth of options for altering monsters. It has a complicated application process, but its concept
is quite simple.
Greater Size: If you apply the gigantean template and the resulting monster isn’t large or deadly enough, just apply the
template again.
Greater Versatility: Undead and constructs can have this template too. For undead, the template is acquired and might require
a terribly evil ritual that costs thousands of lives. For constructs, the template is created, and gigantean creatures might be the
creations of emperors or gods. You may use the template in this manner with only one change: Ignore the modification to
Constitution resulting from the size change.
Easy Adaptability: The gigantean template can create a wealth of interesting monsters, especially when applied to small
creatures with few HD. Yet it can also make for creatures with very high Challenge Ratings, so before applying the template,
check to see whether the resulting creature will be of a CR you can use. If the creature gains fewer HD than called for, it
will have a lower CR, and the reverse is also true. If you want to add more or fewer additional Hit Dice when you apply this
template to a monster, there’s no reason why you can’t do so. If you decide to grant fewer additional HD, be sure that the ability
modifications don’t make the creature too dangerous for its decreased CR.
Acquiring the Gigantean Template: You can use the gigantean template as an acquired template if desired. An epic spell
or magic item might allow a creature to gain the gigantean template, or some seminal event (such as the impact of a strange
meteor) could cause an entire population to gain the template.

135
 Creating a Gigantean Creature
“Gigantean” is an inherited template that can be added to any living Speed: Each of the gigantean’s speeds increases with its size.
creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). Multiply each of the base creature’s speeds by the number of
size categories the gigantean version gained.
A gigantean uses all the base creature’s statistics and
special abilities except as noted here. Armor Class: The base creature’s size modifier to
AC is replaced by one based on the gigantean’s new
Size and Type: The creature’s type does not change.
size, as given in the following table. In addition, its
Gigantean

Its size increases by up to four categories over

natural armor bonus increases over that of the base
that of the base creature (maximum Colossal;
creature by the amount indicated.
see the following table for new dimensions).
Creatures of different size categories that
increase to the same size category because of the table’s Armor Class
upper limit retain their proportions to one another within Old Size New Size Size Modifier Natural Armor
their new size category. Thus, a gigantean human is smaller Bonus Change
than a gigantean ogre, and a gigantean Colossal creature is
larger than the normal Colossal version. The size change Fine Medium +0 +0
can affect AC, attack bonus, natural armor, Constitution, Diminutive Large –1 +2
Strength, Dexterity, Hide checks, and grapple checks. Most Tiny Huge –2 +5
of these changes are noted in the following sections. Small Gargantuan –4 +9
Medium Colossal –8 +14
Large Colossal –8 +12
Size and Type Huge Colossal –8 +9
Old Size New Size New Size Range Gargantuan Colossal –8 +5
Colossal Colossal –8 +0
Fine Medium 4 ft.–8 ft.
Diminutive Large 8 ft.–16 ft. Base Attack Bonus: The gigantean’s base attack bonus increases
Tiny Huge 16 ft.–32 ft. with its additional Hit Dice. Replace the portion of the base
Small Gargantuan 32 ft.–64 ft. creature’s base attack bonus derived from racial HD with a
Medium Colossal 64 ft. or more new one based on its type and its new racial HD, as given
Large Colossal 64 ft. or more on the following table. The portion of the base attack bonus
Huge Colossal 64 ft. or more derived from class levels remains the same.
Gargantuan Colossal 64 ft. or more
Colossal Colossal 64 ft. or more Base Attack Bonus
Hit Dice: The gigantean creature gains Hit Dice depending on Base Attack Bonus Creature Type
the number of size categories it gained. Multiply the base
creature’s racial HD by the racial HD multiplier provided in HD x 3/4 (as cleric) Aberration, animal, construct,
the following table. A fractional Hit Die becomes a full Hit elemental, giant, humanoid,
Die where applicable. ooze, plant, vermin
HD (as fighter) Dragon, magical beast,
Hit Dice gained from character classes are not multiplied, monstrous humanoid,
though they still count normally toward the creature’s outsider
character level. If all a creature’s HD are from class levels HD x 1/2 (as wizard) Fey, undead
(as is usually the case with humans), the creature has 1
racial HD for the purpose of the multiplication. If the base Grapple: The gigantean’s size modifier on grapple checks is based
creature is Tiny to Medium size and has 2 or fewer racial on its new size, as given on the following table. It may
HD, ignore the multipliers—its gigantean version simply also have a new Strength modifier if its Strength score has
has 15 HD. increased.

Bonus hit points for certain creature types are sometimes

based on size (such as for constructs). In this case, use the Grapple
normal bonus hit points for the creature’s new size. Gigantean’s Size Size Modifier for Grapple Checks
Medium +0
Hit Dice Large +4
Old Size New Size Racial HD Multiplier Huge +8
Gargantuan +12
Fine Medium x6 Colossal +16
Diminutive Large x6
Tiny Huge x6 Attack: The gigantean retains all the base creature’s attacks, and
Small Gargantuan x6 its weapon and armor proficiencies. Its bonus on attack
Medium Colossal x6 rolls changes based on its new base attack bonus, its new
Large Colossal x4 Strength modifier, and its new size modifier, as given on the
Huge Colossal x4 following table.
Gargantuan Colossal x2
136 Colossal Colossal x2
 specific ranges, such as darkvision and scent, but not to low-
Attack light vision.
Gigantean Size Size Modifier for Attack Rolls
Saves: The gigantean’s base save bonuses increase with its
Medium +0 additional racial Hit Dice. Replace the portion of each of
Large –1 the base creature’s save bonuses derived from racial HD
Huge –2 with a new one based on its type (see the following table)
Gargantuan –4 and its new racial HD. The portion of the base save bonus
Colossal –8 derived from class levels remains the same. Any saves not
noted as good for a particular type are poor. See Chapter 3:
Damage: Scale up the base damage once for each size category

Gigantean
Classes of the PHB for the progression of good and poor
of difference between the base creature and the gigantean.
saves. New ability scores and new feats may also alter save
Ability score damage or drain and energy damage also scale
bonuses.
up in the same manner, but negative levels bestowed via
attacks do not increase.
Saves
Damage Creature Type Good Saves
Old Damage New Damage Aberration Will
Animal Fortitude and Reflex (and sometimes
1 1d2
Will)
1d2 1d3
Construct —
1d3 1d4
Dragon Fortitude, Reflex, Will
1d4 1d6
Elemental Fortitude (Earth or Water) or Reflex
1d6 1d8
(Air or Fire)
1d8 2d6
Fey Reflex and Will
1d10 2d8
Giant Fortitude
2d6 3d6
Humanoid Fortitude or Reflex or Will
2d8 3d8
Magical beast Fortitude, Reflex
4d6 6d6
Monstrous humanoid Reflex, Will
4d8 6d8
Ooze —
Space/Reach: The gigantean has a space and reach appropriate for Outsider Fortitude, Reflex, Will
its new size, as described in the following table. If the base Plant Fortitude
creature had greater than normal reach for its size, add 5 Undead Will
feet to the reach indicated on the table. Vermin Fortitude
Abilities: The gigantean’s ability scores change based on its size
Space/Reach change, as given in the following table.
New Size New Space/Reach New Space/Reach
(Tall) (Long) Abilities
Medium 5 ft./5 ft. 5 ft./5 ft. Old Size New Size Str Dex Con
Large 10 ft./10 ft. 10 ft./5 ft.
Fine Medium +10 –8 (minimum 1) +2
Huge 15 ft./15 ft. 15 ft./10 ft.
Diminutive Large +18 –8 (minimum 1) +6
Gargantuan 20 ft./20 ft. 20 ft./15 ft.
Tiny Huge +24 –8 (minimum 1) +10
Colossal 30 ft./30 ft. 30 ft./20 ft.
Small Gargantuan +28 –6 (minimum 1) +14
Special Attacks: A gigantean retains all of the base creature’s Medium Colossal +32 –4 (minimum 1) +16
special attacks and gains the one described here. Except for Large Colossal +24 –2 (minimum 1) +12
spells and spell-like abilities, the ranges, areas, and damage Huge Colossal +16 +0 +8
dealt for these attacks change. To find the new range and Gargantuan Colossal +8 +0 +4
area, multiply the base creature’s value by the number of Colossal Colossal +0 +0 +0
size categories gained. If the special attack deals hit point
Skills: Ignore the base creature’s skill modifiers. Recalculate skill
damage, its base damage increases as described in the
points for the gigantean’s racial Hit Dice according to its
Damage section. In addition, changes in ability scores may
type, as given on the following table, then purchase its skills
change special attack DCs.
afresh, treating the base creature’s skills as class skills and
Trample (Ex): See the glossary in the MM for a description all others as cross-class skills. The gigantean retains any skill
of this ability and its effects. To determine the base trample points gained from class levels and any racial skill bonuses
damage of a creature that does not have a slam attack, the base creature has. New size modifiers, and new ability
consult Table 5: Creature Size, Ability Scores, and scores all modify skills.
Damage in the MM.
Special Qualities: The gigantean retains all the base creature’s Skills
special qualities and gains those described here. The ranges Creature Type Skill Points
and areas, however, change in the same manner as they do
for special attacks. To find the new range and area, multiply Aberration (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
the base creature’s value by the number of size categories Animal (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
gained. This procedure applies to special qualities that give Construct (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
137
 Challenge Rating: Increase the base creature’s CR by 1 for every
Skills (continued) 4 HD added, except for creatures of the dragon, outsider,
Creature Type Skill Points magical beast, and monstrous humanoid type. For dragons
and outsiders, increase the CR by +1 per 2 additional HD.
Dragon (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) For magical beasts and monstrous humanoids, increase the
Elemental (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) CR by +1 per 3 additional HD. Then compare the gigantean
Fey (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) to creatures with Challenge Ratings up to 3 higher to
Giant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) determine whether the CR you have assigned is reasonable.
Humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Magical beast (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Treasure: Same as the base creature, but all items are of a size
Gigantean

Monstrous commensurate with the gigantean’s.

humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Advancement: By character class if the base creature advances
Ooze (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) by class; otherwise no advancement, or advance by HD
Outsider (8 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) without increasing size.
Plant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Undead (4 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Level Adjustment: —
Vermin (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Feats: The gigantean retains the base creature’s bonus feats, but Gigantean Characters
it loses all the base creature’s other feats the base creature A gigantean character favors whichever class the base creature
had. Recalculate the number of feat slots the gigantean does. It’s unlikely that the creature resulting from application of
has based on its character level (racial and class HD) and this template would be an easily playable PC, primarily because
assign feats as desired, giving preference to the feats that the of its enormous size and the fact that Hit Dice granted by this
base creature possessed. The gigantean must still meet any template count toward character level. Some Medium or Large
prerequisites for feats chosen to fill vacant feat slots. giganteans might make good high-level PCs, however.

- Sample Creature: Gigantean Dream Chaos Beast -

Colossal Outsider (Chaotic, Extraplanar) gigantean dream chaos beast sings a lullaby that puts its victims
to sleep, even as it crashes through their homes. Its touch destroys
Hit Dice: 48d8+432 (684 hp)
its victims’ forms, changing them to pulpy, roiling masses of flesh.
Initiative: +3
A gigantean dream chaos beast can even dream up an ethereal
Speed: 80 ft. (16 squares)
version of itself while it sleeps.
Armor Class: 26 (–1 Dex, –8 size +25 natural), touch 1, flat-
footed 26 The 100-foot-tall bulk of a gigantean dream chaos beast shifts in
Base Attack/Grapple: +48/+82 a constant cascade of flesh and bone, eyes and teeth, claws and
Attack: Claw +66 melee (2d8+18 plus corporeal instability) tentacles. Its form is never constant, but always revolting.
Full Attack: 2 claws +66 melee (2d8+18 plus corporeal instability)
Gigantean dream chaos beasts do not speak.
Space/Reach: 30 ft./30 ft.
Special Attacks: Corporeal instability, dream spellcasting, lulling
gaze, sleep song, trample 2d8+27, waking dreams Combat
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/cold iron, darkvision 240 If it knows it will face significant resistance, a gigantean dream
ft., dream travel, immunities (critical hits, transformation), chaos beast first scouts the potential battlefield ethereally, using its
pierce the veil, low-light vision, sleep vulnerability, spell dream travel ability. In combat, it always uses its waking dreams
resistance 15 ability, since this effect combined with its lulling gaze make its
Saves: Fort +21, Ref +11, Will +20 sleep song all but irresistible. It then tramples as many foes as it
Abilities: Str 46, Dex 9, Con 29, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14 can, using Power Attack in conjunction with its melee attacks
Skills: Climb +42, Jump +38, Listen +25, Perform (sing) +12, Spot against particularly tough foes.
+25, Survival +11
Feats: Awesome Blow, Cleave, Great Cleave, Great Fortitude, A gigantean dream chaos beast’s claw attacks, and any weapons
Improved Bull Rush, Improved Initiative, Improved Natural it wields, are treated as chaotic-aligned for the purpose of
Armor (x6), Improved Natural Attack (claw), Improved overcoming damage reduction.
Sunder, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack Corporeal Instability (Su): Any living creature struck by a
Environment: Any chaotic-aligned plane gigantean dream chaos beast’s claw attack must succeed on a
Organization: Solitary DC 43 Fortitude save or become a spongy, amorphous mass.
Challenge Rating: 20 Unless the victim manages to control the effect (see below), its
Treasure: None shape constantly melts, flows, writhes, and boils. The save DC is
Alignment: Always chaotic neutral Constitution-based.
Advancement: — An affected creature is unable to hold or use any item. Clothing,
Level Adjustment: — armor, rings, and helmets become useless. Large items worn or
Here is an example of a gigantean using a chaos beast with the carried—armor, backpacks, or even shirts—hamper more than
dream template as the base creature. help, reducing the victim’s Dexterity score by –4 each. The affected
creature’s soft or misshapen feet and legs reduce its land speed to
Gigantean dream chaos beasts are monstrous alien beings that 10 feet or one-quarter normal, whichever is lower. Furthermore,
hail from a realm of total, amoral chaos. Composed of a thousand the searing pain that courses along the victim’s nerves prevents it
138 nightmares, the creature cloaks itself in dreams and fantasies. The
from acting coherently. The victim cannot cast spells or use magic into one another in strange and unpredictable ways, and creatures
items, and it attacks blindly, unable to distinguish friend from seem to take on the features of objects or other creatures. Every
foe (–4 penalty on attack rolls and 50% miss chance, regardless of creature in the affected area takes a –4 penalty on all attack rolls,
the attack roll). Each round the victim spends in this amorphous checks, and saves. A creature outside the area taking any action
state deals 1 point of Wisdom drain due to mental shock. A victim that would affect creatures within or on the other side of the area
whose Wisdom score falls to 0 becomes a chaos beast. An affected also takes a –4 penalty on any associated roll or check. Waking
creature can regain its own shape by making a DC 15 Charisma dreams is an illusion (figment) effect with no save, but creatures
check (a standard action). The DC for this check does not vary that are immune to illusions are immune to its effect. True seeing
based on Hit Dice or ability scores. Success re-establishes the and similar effects allow a creature to act in the affected area
creature’s normal form for 1 minute. On a failure, the victim can without taking the penalty. The gigantean dream chaos beast is

Gigantean
still repeat the check each round until successful. immune to the penalties caused by its own waking dreams and
those of other dream creatures.
Because corporeal instability is not a disease or a curse, it is quite
difficult to remove. A shapechange or stoneskin spell does not cure Dream Travel (Su): Once per day, a gigantean dream chaos beast
the afflicted creature but does fix its form for the duration of the can go to sleep and travel about ethereally. This ability works like
spell. A restoration, heal, or greater restoration spell removes the the ethereal jaunt spell, except that the gigantean dream chaos beast
affliction, though a separate restoration is necessary to restore any leaves its material body behind, and it can remain ethereal so long
lost Wisdom. as its body sleeps.
Dream Spellcasting (Su): A gigantean dream chaos beast’s At any point in time, the gigantean dream chaos beast may go to sleep
effective caster level for figment, glamer, and pattern spells with the intent of traveling ethereally. When it does so, an ethereal
increases by +2. version of it like that resulting from an ethereal jaunt spell rises from
its sleeping body. This version of the gigantean dream chaos beast can
Lulling Gaze (Su): Any creature within 80 feet that meets the
then travel about the Ethereal Plane, roaming material areas ethereally,
gigantean dream chaos beast’s gaze must succeed on a DC 36 Will
and act as it wills. If its sleeping body takes damage, is subjected to
save or take a –5 penalty on Spot checks and a –2 penalty on Will
a harmful spell or effect, or is awakened by a loud noise or vigorous
saves against sleep effects for as long as it remains within range. A
motion, the ethereal form vanishes and the gigantean dream chaos
new save is required each round until the creature either fails or is
beast awakes with the knowledge of what its ethereal self experienced.
no longer within range. A dream creature can suppress or resume
The same result occurs if the ethereal form leaves the Ethereal Plane
this ability as a free action.
(by its own will or by force), or “dies,” either from damage or from
Sleep Song (Su): As a full-round action, a gigantean dream chaos some magical effect. Beneficial spell effects cast on the body of the
beast can sing a lullaby that puts nearby creatures to sleep. Any sleeping gigantean dream chaos beast benefit its ethereal form as
creature within 400 feet of it that can hear the song must succeed well, but negative effects that affect the ethereal form do not affect
on a Will save (DC equals the gigantean dream chaos beast’s the sleeping body, nor do they affect the gigantean dream
Perform [sing] check result) or fall asleep as though chaos beast after it has awakened. If the
affected by a sleep spell for a 48 rounds. ethereal form would become
A creature that successfully saves material through some
cannot be affected by the same action or effect, it vanishes
gigantean dream chaos beast’s and the sleeping gigantean
sleep song again for 24 hours. dream chaos beast awakens.
The gigantean dream chaos
Immunity to Transformation
beast is immune to its
(Ex): No mortal magic can
own and other dream
permanently affect or fix
creatures’ sleep songs.
a gigantean dream chaos
Sleep song is a sonic,
beast’s form. Effects such as
mind-affecting, sleep
polymorphing or petrification
effect.
force the creature into a new
Trample (Ex): DC shape, but at the start of its
52 Reflex half; see the next turn it can immediately
gigantean template. The return to its mutable form as a
save DC is Strength-based. free action.

Waking Dreams (Su): A Pierce the Veil (Ex): A gigantean

gigantean dream chaos beast dream chaos beast
can cause the area within automatically succeeds
400 feet of its position on saving throws against
to become hazy and figment, glamer, and
dreamlike at will. This pattern effects and spells.
effect penetrates solid
Sleep Vulnerability
objects and even crosses
(Ex): A gigantean dream
the boundary with the
chaos beast takes a –2 penalty
Ethereal Plane. Distances
on saves against sleep effects.
and speeds in the affected
Furthermore, it counts as a
area become hard to judge.
creature with 46 Hit Dice for
Bright areas seem dark, and
determining the number and HD of
dark areas appear to have some
creatures a sleep spell can affect.
hazy illumination. Colors blend 139
 Green Warden
Emperors of the wood and lords of all growing things, green wardens are the royalty of intelligent plants. They inherit their powers, each
growing from the seed of a previous green warden that has died.
Green wardens have the power to shape living plants and cause dead wood to grow. They often live in great trees that they have transformed
Green Warden

into woodland palaces. The surrounding such dwellings are carefully tended and arranged to present a harmonious natural beauty.
Green wardens guard their domains from the ravages of civilization and the dangers of the natural world. Their territories are often
wonderlands that preserve all of nature’s bounty in areas untouched by fire or frost. Although such wild areas are beautiful and blessed
with plentiful game, most creatures avoid them, since only intelligent plants and nonevil fey can expect a welcome from a green warden.
Despite their dangerous reputations, however, their in-depth understanding of the natural world and their detailed knowledge of their
own lands make green wardens valuable resources for those brave enough to parley with them.

Creating a Green Warden

“Green warden” is an inherited template that can be applied to any metal to wood, woodshape (living wood only). Caster
plant with an Intelligence score of at least 6 and a Charisma score level equals green warden’s racial HD. The save DCs are
of at least 3 (hereafter referred to as the base creature). Charisma-based.
A green warden uses all of the base creature’s statistics and special Special Qualities: The green warden retains all the base creature’s
abilities except as noted here. special qualities and gains those described here.
Speed: The green warden’s land speed increases by +10 feet over Damage Reduction (Ex): A green warden has damage
that of the base creature. If the base creature has no land reduction 10/slashing. If the base creature has better damage
speed, the green warden gains a land speed of reduction, use that value but add “and slashing”
15 feet. to the entry for damage types that overcome the
damage reduction.
Armor Class: The green warden’s natural armor bonus
improves by +2 over that of the base creature. Regeneration (Su): A green warden has regeneration
5. Fire and cold deal normal damage to it.
Special Attacks: The green warden retains all the
base creature’s special attacks and gains those Resistance to Fire (Ex): A green warden has fire
described here. resistance 10.
Renew Deadwood (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds, a green Scent (Ex): A green warden can detect approaching enemies
warden can produce an effect like that of a warp wood spell and sniff out hidden foes by sense of smell alone. See the
(caster level equals MM for details of this quality.
green warden’s racial
Trackless Step (Ex): A
Hit Dice), except
green warden leaves no trail
it affects only dead
in natural surroundings and
wood. Any wooden
cannot be tracked. It may,
objects affected by
however, choose to leave a
this ability turn into
trail if it desires.
living plants that root
themselves when Tremorsense (Ex): A green
they come into warden can automatically
contact with the sense the location of
ground. A green anything within 100
warden cannot feet that is in contact
“unwarp” wood with the ground or with
or return it to its an object (such as a tree) that
normal shape with is in contact with the ground.
this ability.
Abilities: Increase from the
Spell-Like Abilities: base creature as follows: Str
At will—calm +4, Dex +2, Con +2, Wis +4,
animals, create water, Cha +6.
pass without trace,
purify food and drink, Skills: A green warden
treestride, treeshape; has a +10 racial bonus on
1/day—animate plants, Knowledge (nature), Listen,
barkskin, commune Spot, and Survival checks.
with nature, endure A green warden may use
elements, goodberry, Knowledge (nature) as
liveoak, plant growth, though trained even if it
quench, transmute possesses no ranks in the
140 skill.
Feats: A green warden gains Leadership and Track as bonus feats Alignment: Often neutral.
if it does not already have them. It often has plants, fey
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +7.
creatures, or even magical beasts as followers.
Environment: Any land. Green Warden Characters
Organization: Solitary. If the base creature advances by Hit Dice, the green warden’s favored
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1. class is druid. Otherwise, it favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Green Warden Shambling Mound -

Half-Drow
Large Plant A green warden shambler’s body stands about 9 feet tall, has an 8-
foot girth, and weighs about 5,500 pounds. The creature has a regal
Hit Dice: 8d8+32 (68 hp)
bearing despite its resemblance to a mound of rotting leaves.
Initiative: +1
Speed: 30 ft. (4 squares), swim 30 ft.
Armor Class: 23 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +13 natural), touch 10, flat-
Combat
footed 23 A green warden shambling mound guards its territory with tangled
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+17 growth and animated plants. In combat, it seeks to remain hidden
Attack: Slam +13 melee (2d6+7) and use its spell-like abilities to cripple foes before entering melee.
Full Attack: 2 slams +13 melee (2d6+7)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. Constrict (Ex): A green warden shambling mound deals 2d6+10
Special Attacks: Constrict 2d6+10, improved grab, renew points of damage with a successful grapple check.
deadwood, spell-like abilities Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a green warden shambling
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/slashing, darkvision mound must hit with both slam attacks. It can then attempt to start a
60 ft., immunity (electricity), low-light vision, plant traits, grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If
regeneration 5, resistance (fire 10), scent, trackless step, it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.
tremorsense 100 ft.
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +3, Will +6 Renew Deadwood (Su): Caster level 8th; see the template.
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 12, Con 19, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 15 Spell-Like Abilities: At will—calm animals, create water, pass without
Skills: Hide +4*, Knowledge (nature) +8, Listen +20, Move trace, purify food and drink, treestride, treeshape; 1/day—animate plants,
Silently +9, Spot +12, Survival +12 barkskin, commune with nature, endure elements, goodberry, liveoak, plant
Feats: Iron Will, Leadership B, Power Attack, TrackB, Weapon growth, quench (DC 15), transmute metal to wood, wood shape (living
Focus (slam) wood only; DC 14) Caster level 8th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Environment: Any land Immunity to Electricity (Ex): A green warden shambling
Organization: Solitary mound takes no damage from electricity. Instead, any electricity
Challenge Rating: 7 attack used against it temporarily grants it 1d4 extra points of
Treasure: 1/10th coins; 50% goods; 50% items Constitution. The green warden shambling mound loses these
Alignment: Often neutral points at the rate of 1 per hour.
Advancement: 9–12 HD (Large); 13–24 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: +13 Regeneration (Su): See the green warden template.

Here is an example of a green warden using a shambling mound as Trackless Step (Ex): See the green warden template.
the base creature. Skills: A green warden shambling mound has a +4 racial bonus
Green warden shambling mounds are kings among their kind. on Hide, Listen, and Move Silently checks and a +10 racial bonus
These intelligent, carnivorous plants protect the land from fires on Knowledge (nature), Listen, Spot, and Survival checks. *It has
and from overharvesting. Though they are most often found in a +12 racial bonus on Hide checks when in a swampy or forested
marshes, green warden shamblers can make their homes nearly any area. A green warden shambler may use Knowledge (nature) as
place where green plants grow. though trained even if it possesses no ranks in the skill.

Half-Drow
Half-drow are the results of sexual or magical unions between dark elves and other creatures. The blood of the dark elf fuses with that of
the other creature, adding to its abilities rather than weakening both bloodlines, as can occur in other such unions.
Extremely adventurous drow sometimes take the shapes of other creatures to seek out sexual encounters, and spellcasters occasionally
splice drow with other creatures in hopes of creating better slaves. The most common method of creating a half drow, however, is through
an act of sexual violence. Thus, the birth of a half-drow is rarely a happy occasion, despite the augmented abilities it usually displays.
Half-drow run the gamut of personalities, but most are wrathful creatures that hate the poisonous blood in their veins and the world that
reviles them. A rare few revel in their close relation to drow, using the power of their birthright to achieve their aims. Some unfortunate
half-drow admire the dark elves and try to emulate them in manner and dress—even going so far as to live on the outskirts of drow 141
 settlements, in some cases. Though they do their best to win the approval and acceptance of full-blooded drow, they are almost universally
met with ridicule and murderous violence.
A half-drow generally displays most of the features of its nondrow parent race, but its hair is a shockingly bright white, and its skin is
the telltale jet-black shade of a dark elf. Its eyes are bright gems of ruby crimson, and its ears come to at least a subtle point. Half-drow
elves are extremely rare, since both races routinely kill such abominations, but those that do survive look just like dark elves and can often
infiltrate drow society undetected.

Creating a Half-Drow
Half-Drow

“Half-drow” is an inherited template that can be added to any Spell Resistance (Ex): A half-drow has spell resistance equal to
living, intelligent, corporeal, nondrow creature either the base creature’s spell resistance (if any) or 9 +
(referred to hereafter as the base creature). base creature’s character level, whichever is higher.
A half-drow uses all the base creature’s abilities and Will Save Bonus (Ex): A half-drow receives a +1 racial
statistics in addition to those noted here. bonus on Will saves against spells and spell-like
abilities.
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but
the creature gains the drow and elf subtypes Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows:
if the base creature does not already have them. Dex +2, Con –2 (minimum 1), Int +2.
Special Attacks: The half-drow retains all the base creature’s Skills: A half-drow gains a +1 racial bonus on Listen, Search, and
special attacks and gains those described here. Spot checks.
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): 1/day–dancing lights, darkness, faerie Organization: Solitary, pair, family (3–5), or clan (6–36).
fire. Caster level equals half-drow’s character level.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1, or +0 if abilities
Special Qualities: The half-drow retains all the base creature’s overlap significantly.
special qualities and gains those described here.
Alignment: Usually chaotic neutral.
Darkvision (Ex): A half-drow has darkvision to a range of
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2.
60 feet. If the base creature already has darkvision, its range
increases by +20 feet (maximum 120 feet).
Drow Blood (Ex): Half-drow are considered to be members
Half-Drow Characters
of the base creature’s race and of the drow and elf races for Half-drow are adventurers by nature, always ready to move on and
the purpose of racially specific special abilities and effects. face new dangers when situations become too threatening. They
instinctively distrust any group of creatures that seems willing to
Immunity to Sleep (Ex): Half-drow are immune to sleep accept them, though they secretly long for such companions. A
magic and effects. half-drow favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Half-Drow/Half-Derro -

Small Monstrous Humanoid (Drow, Elf ) Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: Standard coins; double goods; standard items
Hit Dice: 3d8 (13 hp)
Alignment: Usually chaotic neutral
Initiative: +7
Advancement: By character class
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares)
Level Adjustment: +4
Armor Class: 20 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +2 natural, +3 studded leather
armor, +1 buckler), touch 14, flat-footed 17 A half-drow/half-derro combines the madness common to the
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/–1 derro race with a half-drow’s paranoia, to produce a twitchy and
Attack: Short sword +4 melee (1d4/19–20) or repeating light deadly bundle of nerves. Both drow and derro seek to destroy such
crossbow +7 ranged (1d6/19–20 plus poison) undesirable crossbreeds, and the matings that produce them are
Full Attack: Short sword +4 melee (1d4/19–20) or repeating light considered aberrant by both races.
crossbow +7 ranged (1d6/19–20 plus poison)
Stocky and dwarflike, a half-drow/half-derro has black skin and
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
shockingly white hair. Its wide eyes are bright red, and its ears
Special Attacks: Sneak attack +1d6, spell-like abilities
come to slight points.
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., drow blood, immunity
(sleep), madness, poison use, spell resistance 15, vulnerability Half-drow/half-derro speak Undercommon.
to sunlight, Will save bonus
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +6, Will +6 Combat
Abilities: Str 11, Dex 16, Con 11, Int 12, Wis 5, Cha 16
Skills: Bluff +5, Hide +11, Listen +2, Move Silently +9, Search +2, Half-drow/half-derro are as stealthy as drow and as bloodthirsty
Spot -2 as orcs. They enjoy combat but greatly fear death, and these
Feats: Blind-Fight, Improved Initiative contrasting emotions make them unpredictable in a battle. A
half-drow/half-derro uses darkness spells liberally to confuse foes.
Environment: Underground Under the cover of magical darkness, it can hide and move silently
Organization: Solitary, pair, team (3–4), squad (5–8 plus 1 3rd- through battlefields and use ghost sound to make foes mistake their
level sorcerer), or band (11–20 plus 30% noncombatants positions before launching a deadly assault.
142 plus 3 3rd-level sorcerers and 1 sorcerer of 5th–8th level)
Sneak Attack (Ex): A half-drow/half-derro deals +1d6 extra instead of its Wisdom modifier and has immunity to confusion and
points of damage on any successful attack against insanity effects. A half-drow/half-derro cannot be restored to
flat-footed or flanked targets, or against a target sanity by any means short of a miracle or wish spell.
that has been denied its Dexterity bonus for
Poison Use (Ex): A half-drow/ half-derro typically
any reason. This damage applies to
carries 2d4 doses of greenblood oil or Medium
point-blank ranged attacks
monstrous spider venom (see Poison on
as well. Creatures with
page 296 of the DMG), which it applies to
concealment, creatures
crossbow bolts. A half-drow/half-derro is not
without discernable
at risk of poisoning itself when handling poison.

Half-Giant
anatomies, and creatures
immune to critical hits Spell Resistance (Ex): See the half-drow
are all immune to sneak template.
attacks. The half-drow/
half-derro may choose to Vulnerability to Sunlight
deliver nonlethal damage (Ex): A half-drow/half-
with its sneak attack, but derro takes 1 point of
only when using a weapon Constitution damage
designed for that purpose, for every hour it is exposed
such as a sap (blackjack). to sunlight, and it dies if its
Constitution score reaches
Spell-Like Abilities: At 0. Lost Constitution points
will—darkness, ghost sound; are recovered at the rate of
1/day— dancing lights, daze (DC 1 per 24-hour period spent
13), faerie fire, sound burst (DC underground or otherwise
15). Caster level 3rd. The save DCs sheltered from the sun.
are Charisma-based.
Will Save Bonus (Ex):
Drow Blood (Ex): See the half- A half-drow/half-derro
drow template. receives a +1 racial bonus on
Will saves against spells and
Immunity to Sleep (Ex): Half-drow/
spell-like abilities.
half-derro are immune to sleep magic
and effects. Skills: A half-drow/half-derro
has a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Move
Madness (Ex): A half-drow/half-derro
Silently checks.
uses its Charisma modifier on Will saves

Half-Giant
Most true giants view their ability to procreate with other races and other kinds of giants as a curse upon their kind. Indeed, the storm
giant seer Rodvind Tusenmaug wrote in his salient text, Blood of Thunder, “Beware your cousins of the stone and hill, for they are closest
to the corrupting earth. Beware your cousins of ice and fire, for their blood runs too cold and too hot. Even more, beware your brothers of
the clouds, for their hearts blow with the prevailing winds. But most of all, beware the half-spawn of your own kind, for their blood is the
wine of temptation and their souls have no masters. Unchecked, they will be the ruin of your castles and the despoilers of your lands.”
A few kinds of giants, however, view the ability to breed with other races as a gift. In particular, ogre mages often polymorph into giants
of various kinds in order to mate with them. Through such trickery, they hope to produce children who can act as their spies and assassins
among the other giant races.
No matter how an individual giant feels about mating with other races, the fact remains that they are physically capable of procreating
with nearly any creature of naturally humanoid form. Such a union produces a child with most of the traits of its nongiant parent, or of
the mother if both parents are giants. Giant parentage often results in increased size and strength, and it bestows the giants’ famous knack
for throwing boulders. Half-giant blood dilutes in just one generation, however; the children of nongiant/half-giant pairs display no trace
of giant heritage except perhaps strangely colored hair, skin, or eyes. Similarly, the children of a giant and a half-giant show few signs of
the nongiant grandparent’s blood.
In addition to their strength and size, half-giants often exhibit other traces of their giant parent’s heritage. A cloud half-giant has white
hair throughout its life, and an ettin half-giant always has two heads. A fire half-giant’s body is coal-black, and a hill half-giant tends
toward fat even when perfectly fit. A frost half-giant has yellow eyes, hair, and teeth, and a storm half-giant’s hair is dark green. An ogre
half-giant usually has overly long arms and large hands, while an ogre mage half-giant possesses light green skin and black nails. A troll
half-giant has the warty green skin common to that race.
Troll and ogre half-giants are by far the most common specimens; other half-giants are born only rarely. Though usually encountered
singly, half-giants might be encountered in droves in areas where they are deliberately fostered. For example, an exiled hill giant might
rule a tribe of orcs, or a colony of grimlocks might be allied with stone giants. 143
 Creating a Half-Giant
“Half-giant” is an inherited template that can be added to any
living, corporeal creature of at least Small size and naturally
Attacks
humanoid shape (referred to hereafter as the base creature). Half-Giant Size Size Modifier for Attack Rolls
Creatures that do not reproduce in the same manner as giants
Medium +0
cannot receive this template. Furthermore, mating between giants
Large –1
of the same kind does not produce half-giants.
Half-Giant

Huge –2
A half-giant uses all the base creature’s statistics and special Gargantuan –4
abilities except as noted here. Colossal –8
Size and Type: Type is unchanged, but the creature gains the Damage: The half-giant’s increased Strength increases its damage
giantkin subtype if the base creature does not already have it. modifier accordingly. Furthermore, if the half-giant gains a
size category, it may use correspondingly larger weapons, so
If the base creature’s size category is not equal to or larger
the base damage for each of its natural and weapon attacks
than that of the giant parent, the half-giant gains one size
increases by one step, according to the following table.
category (maximum Colossal). This change affects its ability
scores, AC, attack bonus, and natural armor, as detailed in Damage
the following sections.
Old Damage New Damage
Giantkin Subtype: The half-giant is considered both a giant
and a creature of its normal type for the purpose of spells, 1 1d2
abilities, and effects that affect those types. If its type renders 1d2 1d3
it immune to an effect that would normally affect a giant, it 1d3 1d4
remains immune unless the effect specifically targets creatures 1d4 1d6
of the giant type. In addition, the half-giant 1d6 1d8
may use magic items with racially specific 1d8 2d6
qualities as though it were of the giant type. 1d10 2d8
2d6 3d6
Speed: If the half-giant gains a size category, each 2d8 3d8
of its speeds increase by +10 feet over that of 4d6 6d6
the base creature. 4d8 6d8
Armor Class: The half-giant’s natural armor bonus Space/Reach: Same as the base creature unless the half-giant
improves by +1 over that of the base creature. It might also gained a size category. In that case, the half-giant has a
increase further because of a size change, as given in the space and reach appropriate for its new size, as described
following table. In addition, the half-giant might take a in the following table. If the base creature had greater than
greater size penalty to AC than the base creature did. If the normal reach for its size, add 5 feet to the reach indicated
creature gained a size category, replace the old size modifier on the table.
with the appropriate value from the following table.
Space/Reach
Armor Class
New Size Space/Reach
New Size Natural Armor New Size
Bonus Increase Modifier to AC Medium 5 ft./5 ft.
Large 10 ft./10 ft.
Medium None None Huge 15 ft./15 ft.
Large +2 –1 Gargantuan 20 ft./20 ft.
Huge +3 –2 Colossal 30 ft./30 ft.
Gargantuan +4 –4
Colossal +5 –8 Special Attacks: The half-giant retains all the base creature’s
special attacks and gains the one described here.
Attack: The half-giant retains all the base creature’s attacks, and
its weapon and armor proficiencies. Its bonus on attack Rock Throwing (Ex): A jotunblood giant has a +1 racial
rolls changes based on its new base attack bonus, its new bonus on attack rolls made to throw rocks. It can throw
Strength modifier, and its new size modifier (if any), as rocks weighing up to the amount given in the following table
given on the following table. five range increments, assuming it has the Strength to lift a

Half-Giants and Psionic Half-Giants

The half-giants reflected in this template are not related to the psionic breed of half-giants presented in the Psionic’s Handbook.
This template serves as a means to create ordinary non-psionic varieties of half-giant creatures and unless the template is
applied to a naturally psionic creature such as the Xeph, the result of this template is never a psionic creature. Use this template
to create giant breeds from all the giants listed in the MM, from hill giants to ettins. Psionic half-giants could be an anomalous
result of bizarre crossbreeding or even an unusual strain of creatures spawned on some other world.
144
 rock of that size. The size of the range increment depends Stone Giant: Stony Soul (Ex): A half-stone giant’s natural armor
on the half-giant’s size category, as given in the table. If the bonus improves by +2 in addition to the +1 increase
base creature has a better rock throwing ability, use its values normally provided by this template. In addition, the
instead. The half-giant gains its Strength bonus (if any) on stone half-giant throws rocks with two hands, applying
damage rolls when it strikes a foe with a thrown rock. The 1-1/2 times its Strength bonus to damage rolls.
half-giant gains this special attack even if its giant parent did
Storm Giant: Electricity Resistance (Ex): The half-storm giant
not have it.
gains electricity resistance 10.

Rock Throwing Troll: Fast Healing (Ex): A half-troll has fast healing 2.

Half-Giant
Half-Giant’s Rock Base Rock Range Any Other Giant: Giant’s Blood (Ex): The blood of the giant
Size Weight Damage Increment grants the half-giant a +2 competence bonus on Spot
checks and a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves.
Medium 10 lb. 1d8 60 ft.
Large 50 lb. 2d6 120 ft. Rock Catching (Ex): Once per round, a half-giant that
Huge 80 lb. 2d8 140 ft. would normally be hit by a rock of Small, Medium, or
Gargantuan 120 lb. 2d8 180 ft. Large size can make a Reflex save to catch it as a free
Colossal 180 lb. 4d6 220 ft. action. The DC is 15 for a Small rock, 20 for a Medium
one, and 25 for a Large one. (If the projectile provides a
Special Qualities: The half-giant retains all the base creature’s magical bonus on attack rolls, the DC increases by that
special qualities and gains those described here. amount.) The half-giant must be ready for and aware of
Giant Quality: The exact giant quality bestowed depends on the attack in order to make a rock catching attempt. The
the giant parent, as follows. half-giant gains this special quality even if its giant parent
did not have it.
Cloud Giant: Scent (Ex): A half-cloud giant can detect
approaching enemies and sniff out hidden foes by sense Abilities: The half-giant’s abilities change based on its size, as
of smell alone. See the MM for details of this quality. shown in the following table.

Ettin: Second Head (Ex): Because of its second head, the

half-ettin gains a +2 bonus on all Listen, Spot, and
Abilities
Search checks. If the base creature has a bite attack, Half-Giant Size Str Dex Con
the second head grants the half-giant a second
Medium +6 –2 (minimum 1) +2
bite attack with the same attack modifier and base
Large +10 –2 (minimum 1) +4
damage. Otherwise, the half-giant gains the Two-
Huge +10 –2 (minimum 1) +4
Weapon Fighting feat or the Multiattack feat as a
Gargantuan +8 +0 +4
bonus feat, whichever is more appropriate.
Colossal +10 +0 +4
Fire Giant: Fire Resistance (Ex): The half-fire giant gains fire
Skills: If the creature increased in size, replace the base creature’s
resistance 10.
size modifier on Hide checks with the appropriate one for
Frost Giant: Cold Resistance (Ex): The half-frost giant gains its new size.
cold resistance 10.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Hill Giant: Hill’s Strength (Su): Whenever the half-hill giant
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
is in contact with solid ground (not the deck of a ship
or a house’s floor above a basement), it gains a +2
enhancement bonus to Strength. Half-Giant Characters
Ogre, Merrow, or Ogre Mage: Darkvision (Ex): The half- A half-giant character favors whichever class the base creature does. A
giant gains darkvision to a range of 60 ft. starting half-giant character may choose Giant as a bonus language.

- Sample Creature: Half-Girallon/Half-Ettin -

Large Magical Beast (Giantkin) Skills: Climb +14, Listen +3, Move Silently +8, Search –2, Spot +8
Feats: Iron Will, Multiattack, Toughness (×2)
Hit Dice: 7d10+20 (58 hp)
Initiative: +3 Environment: Warm forests
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 40 ft. Organization: Solitary or company (5–8)
Armor Class: 16 (–1 size, +3 Dex, +5 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 15 Challenge Rating: 6
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+18 Treasure: None
Attack: Claw +13 melee (1d4+7) or rock +10 ranged (2d6+7) Alignment: Always neutral
Full Attack: 4 claws +13 melee (1d4+7) and 2 bites +11 melee Advancement: 8–10 HD (Large); 11–21 HD (Huge)
(1d8+3) or rock +10 ranged (2d6+7) Level Adjustment: —
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Here is an example of a half-giant using a girallon as the base
Special Attacks: Rend 2d4+9, rock throwing
creature and an ettin as the giant.
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, rock
catching, scent Half-girallon/half-ettins are even more aggressive and territorial
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +5 than normal girallons. Most become either leaders of their
Abilities: Str 24, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7 communities or outcasts. 145
 A half-girallon/half-ettins looks like a 12-foot-tall, broad-
chested, two-headed, four-armed ape with thick white fur.
Though it appears stoop-shouldered and somewhat ogrelike,
it walks upright, not on two legs and two arms like a normal
girallon. Because of its great weight, it climbs only the strongest
trees.

Combat
Half-Plant

Half-girallon/half-ettins bring stones high into treetops to

hurl at intruders in their territory. A single one of these deadly
missiles can kill a leopard with a direct hit. Creatures not wise
enough to flee the rain of rocks have little time left to regret
that error, since Half-girallon/half-ettins readily climb down to
do battle with claws and teeth if their prey does not succumb
to rocks.
Rend (Ex): A Half-girallon/half-ettins that hits with two or
more claw attacks latches onto the opponent’s body and tears
the flesh. This attack automatically deals an extra 2d4+9 points
of damage.
Rock Throwing (Ex): A Half-girallon/half-ettins can throw
rocks that weigh up to 50 pounds five range increments (120
feet per range increment).
Rock Catching (Ex): Once per round, a Half-girallon/half-
ettins that would normally be hit by a rock of Small, Medium,
or Large size can make a Reflex save to catch it as a free action.
The DC is 15 for a Small rock, 20 for a Medium one, and 25
for a Large one. (If the projectile provides a magical bonus
on attack rolls, the DC increases by that amount.) The Half- Skills: A Half-girallon/half-ettins has a +8 racial bonus on
girallon/half-ettins must be ready for and aware of the attack in Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on a Climb
order to make a rock catching attempt. check, even if rushed or threatened.

Half-Plant
Half-plants live between the worlds of flora and fauna. They often have grass for hair, thorns for nails, leaves for ears, barklike skin that
comes in any of a hundred hues, and eyes that come in any color that flowers do.

Creating a Half-Plant
“Half-plant” is an inherited template that can be applied to any Plant Feeding (Ex): If a half-plant remains in the direct light of
aberration, animal, dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, magical beast, the sun for at least 4 hours, it does not need to eat that day.
monstrous humanoid, outsider, or vermin (referred to hereafter as
Plantlike (Ex): A half-plant creature counts as a
the base creature).
plant for the purpose of spells and effects that
A half-plant uses all of the base creature’s statistics specifically affect creatures of the plant type. Half-
and special abilities except as noted here. plant creatures can use magic items with powers
or abilities that work specifically for creatures of
Armor Class: The half-plant’s natural armor bonus
the plant type. A half-plant also has a +4 bonus
improves by +1 over that of the base creature.
on saving throws against poison, sleep, paralysis,
Special Qualities: The half-plant retains all the base stunning, polymorphing, and mind-affecting effects.
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Dex –2
Fortification (Ex): When a creature becomes a half-plant, (minimum 0), Con +4.
many of its internal organs are replaced by vegetable matter.
Skills: A half-plant has a +5 racial bonus on Hide checks in forests
Thus, whenever a sneak attack or critical hit is scored
and flora-heavy settings.
against the half-plant, there is a 50% chance that the extra
damage is negated and damage is rolled normally. Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +1.
Low-Light Vision (Ex): The half plant can see twice as far
as a human in torchlight, starlight, moonlight, and other Half-Plant Characters
146 conditions of low light. A half-plant favors whichever class the base creature does.
 Using the Half-Plant Template
This template is an unusual idea that might seem difficult to place in a game at first glance, but many options exist for using
half-plants.
Dryad-Spawn: Half-plants might result from matings between dryads and other creatures.
Half-Plant Elves: All elves (or other creatures closely associated with the natural world) could be half-plants in a given

Half-Plant
campaign. Each elf subrace could be associated with a different tree: oak, birch, yew, holly, and hawthorn.
Magical Crossbreeding: A half-plant might be a hybrid created by druidic magic. Perhaps a druid or a spellcasting treant has
been turning humanoids into half-plants as a curse.
Pod Creatures: Half-plants might be neutral evil beings created by the implantation of a seed. In this case, each half-plant
should have the implant and hive mind abilities described here. This option increases the template’s CR adjustment by +1 and
makes it a poor choice for player characters.
Hive Mind (Ex): Each half-plant is in constant communication with all others within 1 mile. Half-plants within sight of one
another cannot be caught flat-footed or flanked unless all of them are.
Implant (Ex): Once per day as a full-round action, a half-plant may implant a seed into a helpless foe. If the victim qualifies for
the half-plant template, the seed slowly grows over the course of 30 days, gradually taking over the organs of the base creature.
At the end of the 30 days, the victim becomes a half-plant, and its alignment changes to neutral evil.

- Sample Creature: Half-Plant Green Hag -

Medium Monstrous Humanoid
Hit Dice: 9d8+27 (67 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), swim 30 ft.
Armor Class: 22 (+12 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 22
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+13
Attack: Claw +13 melee (1d4+4)
Full Attack: 2 claws +13 melee (1d4+4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Mimicry, spell-like abilities, weakness
Special Qualities: Darkvision 90 ft., fortification, low-light vision,
plant feeding, plantlike, spell resistance 18
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +7
Abilities: Str 19, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 14
Skills: Concentration +9, Craft or Knowledge (any one) +7, Hide
+8*, Listen +11, Spot +11 Swim +12
Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Combat Casting, Great Fortitude
Environment: Temperate marshes
Organization: Solitary or covey (3 hags of any kind plus 1–8 ogres
and 1–4 evil giants)
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of a half-plant using a green hag as the base
creature.
A half-plant/half-green hag looks like a gaunt, green-skinned
Combat
crone with marsh weeds for hair. Its powerful arms are thin and A half-plant/half-green hag uses the foliage of the swamp to its
brown, ending in long hands with twig like fingers. advantage, depending on its natural coloration to hide among the
plants, even while invisible. It uses its spell-like abilities to lure
Half-plant/half-green hags spend their days in the sun and sleep
victims close and attacks unwary foes gleefully. A half-plant/half-
at night. They enjoy capturing sentient creatures and eating them
green hag is fearless in combat.
while they still live. This torturous feeding is entirely malicious
because green hags do not require food on sunny days, and when Mimicry (Ex): A half-plant/half-green hag can imitate the sounds
they do need to eat, they can capture animals of the swamp easily. of almost any animal found near its lair.
147
 Spell-Like Abilities: At will—dancing lights, disguise self, ghost Plant Feeding (Ex): See the half-plant template.
sound (DC 12), invisibility, pass without trace, tongues, water
Plantlike (Ex): See the half-plant template.
breathing. Caster level 9th. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Skills: A half-plant/half-green hag has a +8 racial bonus on any
Weakness (Su): A half-plant/half-green hag can weaken a foe by
Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It
making a special touch attack. The opponent must succeed on a
can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted
DC 16 Fortitude save or take 2d4 points of Strength damage. The
or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided
save DC is Charisma-based.
it swims in a straight line. *A half-plant/half-green hag also has
Holy Creature

Fortification (Ex): See the half-plant template. a +5 racial bonus on Hide checks in forests and other settings
dominated by plant life.
Low-Light Vision (Ex): See the half-plant template.

Holy Creature
Good gods and goddesses typically require great sacrifices of their servants—not because the deities are cruel or greedy, but because the
causes good creatures care about make such efforts necessary. Yet deities of justice cannot ask such sacrifices of their worshipers without
giving of themselves or providing their supplicants with the tools they require to do right in their names.
Holy creatures are mortal beings empowered by good gods to act on their behalf in the mortal world. Such a gift is also a great
responsibility, and as such, no god bestows it lightly. Only a deity’s most devout and capable worshipers garner enough of their god’s favor
to gain the mantle of holy creatures, and even then, they take it on only when the need is greatest. Holy creatures bear this responsibility
with due reverence and are always on their guard against corruption and failure, since the power of holiness is easier lost than gained.
A holy creature appears much as it did before it gained its god’s favor, but its newfound confidence and unflagging hope tend to
straighten its back and lengthen its stride.

Creating a Holy Creature

“Holy creature” is an acquired template that can be added to any Holy Body (Su): A holy creature gains double the normal
creature of good alignment that uses positive energy or has the amount of healing from positive energy. Thus, if a cure light
good subtype (referred to hereafter as the base creature). Good wounds spell would normally restore 7 hit points, the holy
clerics, paladins, and celestial creatures are appropriate choices creature would instead regain 14 hit points.
for the holy template. Should the holy creature’s alignment ever
Low-Light Vision (Su): A holy creature has low-light vision
change from good, it loses this template.
and can see twice as far as a human in moonlight, starlight,
A holy creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special torchlight, and other conditions of poor lighting.
abilities except as noted here.
Negative Energy Protection (Su): When a holy
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but creature is struck by an attack using negative energy
the creature gains the good subtype if the (be it energy drain, ability damage or drain, or hit point
base creature did not already have it. damage such as that from an inflict spell, for example,
the holy creature may make a level check (1d20 + HD)
Speed: Each of a holy creature’s speeds increases by
against a DC equal to 11 + the attacking creature’s
+10 feet over the corresponding speed of the
character level. If the level check succeeds, the negative
base creature.
energy attack is canceled out in a bright flash. If the
Special Attacks: A holy creature retains all the base creature’s negative energy attack was dealt by a melee or melee touch
special attacks and gains those described here. attack, the creature that delivered it takes 2d6 points of damage.
Holy Spellcasting (Su): A holy creature’s effective caster level Protection from Evil (Su): A holy creature gains a +2 deflection
for spells with the good or healing descriptor increases by +1 bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves against attacks
over that of the base creature. This benefit stacks with itself, so by evil creatures. Furthermore, it is immune to any attempt by
the holy creature’s effective caster level for a spell with both of an evil creature to possess, charm, or influence it.
these descriptors is higher by +2 than that of the base creature.
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +2, Dex
Sacredness (Su): Each of a holy creature’s melee attacks +2, Con +4, Wis +4, Cha +4.
with a natural or manufactured weapon deals +1d6 points
Skills: A holy creature gains a +4 sacred bonus on Listen, Sense
of extra damage to a creature of evil alignment. All of its
Motive, and Spot checks.
natural and manufactured weapons are treated as good
aligned for overcoming damage reduction. Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Special Qualities: A holy creature retains all the base creature’s Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +5.
special qualities and gains those described here.
Damage Reduction (Su): The holy creature gains damage Holy Characters
148 reduction 5/evil. A holy character favors whichever class the base creature does.
 - Sample Creature: Holy Ghaele -
Medium Outsider (Chaotic, Eladrin, Extraplanar, Good)
Hit Dice: 10d8+20 (65 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares), fly 160 ft. (perfect)

Holy Creature
Armor Class: 26 (+2 Dex, +14 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 24,
or 15 (+2 Dex, +3 deflection), touch 15, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+18
Attack: +4 holy greatsword +22 melee (2d6+15/19–20 plus
sacredness) or light ray +12 ranged touch (2d12)
Full Attack: +4 holy greatsword +22/+17 melee
(2d6+15/19–20 plus sacredness) or 2 light rays +12
ranged touch (2d12)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Gaze, holy spellcasting, sacredness,
spell-like abilities, spells
Special Qualities: Alternate form, damage reduction
10/evil and cold iron, darkvision 60 ft., holy body,
immunities (electricity, petrification), low-light
vision, negative energy protection, protection from
evil, protective aura, resistances (cold 10, fire 10), spell
resistance 28, tongues
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +12
Abilities: Str 27, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 20, Wis 21, Cha 20
Skills: Concentration +15, Diplomacy +7, Escape Artist
+15, Handle Animal +18, Hide +15, Knowledge
(any two) +18, Listen +22, Move Silently +15, Ride
+17, Sense Motive +22, Spot +22, Use Rope +2 (+4 with
bindings)
Feats: Combat Expertise, Improved Disarm, Improved
Initiative, Improved Trip
Environment: Any chaotic-good aligned plane
Organization: Solitary, pair, or squad (3–5)
Challenge Rating: 14
Treasure: No coins; double goods; standard items
Alignment: Always chaotic good
Advancement: 11–15 HD (Medium); 16–30 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of a holy creature using a ghaele as the base affected as though by a fear spell for 2d10 rounds. A nonevil creature
creature. or an evil creature with more than 5 character levels subjected to the
Gifted with an aura of wholesomeness that sets them apart as holy ghaele’s gaze must succeed on a DC 20 Will save or be affected
virtuous even among the paragons of virtue, holy ghaeles perform as though by a fear spell. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
the most important missions for the deities of good. Their elflike Holy Spellcasting (Su): See the holy creature template.
forms emanate an almost palpable aura of magnanimous kindness.
Those suffering under the yoke of evil earn their aid, but no one Light Ray (Ex): A holy ghaele in globe form can project light rays
who preys on others can escape their wrath. to a range of 300 feet. This attack overcomes damage reduction of
any type.
Holy ghaeles speak Celestial, Draconic, and Infernal, and their
tongues ability enables them to speak with almost any creature. Sacredness (Su): See the holy creature template.
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—aid, charm monster (DC 19), color
Combat spray (DC 16), comprehend languages, continual flame, cure light
A holy ghaele fearlessly confronts any foe, trusting even its wounds (DC 16), dancing lights, detect evil, detect thoughts (DC 17),
weakest healing spells to close mortal wounds. It metes out spells disguise self, dispel magic, hold monster (DC 20), greater invisibility
and sword blows with equal fervor, striking down evil wherever it (self only), greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects only),
dares to rear its head. major image (DC 18), see invisibility; 1/day—chain lightning (DC
21), prismatic spray (DC 22), wall of force. Caster level 12th. The
A holy ghaele’s natural weapons, and any weapons it wields, are save DCs are Charisma-based.
treated as chaotic-aligned and good-aligned for the purpose of
overcoming damage reduction. Spells: A holy ghaele in humanoid form can cast divine spells as
a 14th-level cleric. It has access to two of the following domains:
Gaze (Su): In humanoid form, a holy ghaele’s gaze can slay evil Air, Animal, Chaos, Good, Healing, or Plant (plus any others its
creatures with 5 or fewer character levels to a range of 60 feet (DC deity offers). The save DCs are Wisdom-based.
20 Will save negates). Even if the save succeeds, the creature is 149
 Typical Cleric Spells Prepared (6/8/7/6/6/5/4/3; save DC 15 + spell assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, nor does
level): 0—cure minor wounds*, detect magic, guidance, light, resistance, the holy ghaele revert to any particular form when killed. A true
virtue; 1st—bless, cure light wounds*, command (2), divine favor, seeing spell or ability, however, reveals both forms simultaneously.
obscuring mist, sanctuary, shield of faith; 2nd—aid, align weapon,
Holy Body (Su): See the holy creature template.
bear’s endurance, cure moderate wounds*, lesser restoration*, remove
paralysis*, zone of truth; 3rd—daylight, cure serious wounds*, prayer, Low-Light Vision (Ex): See the holy creature template.
remove curse, searing light, water breathing; 4th—death ward,
dismissal, divine power, holy smite*, neutralize poison*, restoration*; Negative Energy Protection (Su): See the holy creature template.
5th—break enchantment, dispel evil*, flame strike, raise dead, true
Icy Creature

Protection from Evil (Su): See the holy creature template.

seeing; 6th—banishment, blade barrier*, greater dispel magic, heal*;
7th—greater restoration*, holy word*, summon monster VII. Protective Aura (Su): Against attacks or harmful effects originating
from evil creatures, anyone within 20 feet of the holy ghaele gains a +4
Domains: Good and Healing. deflection bonus to AC and a +4 resistance bonus on saving throws.
*Caster level 16th. Otherwise, this ability functions as a magic circle against evil effect and
a lesser globe of invulnerability effect, each with a 20-foot radius (caster
Alternate Form (Su): A holy ghaele can shift between its level equals holy ghaele’s character level). The defensive benefits from
humanoid and globe forms as a standard action. In humanoid this circle are not included in a holy ghaele’s statistics block.
form, it cannot fly or use its light rays, but it can use its gaze attack
and spell-like abilities, make physical attacks, and cast spells. In Tongues (Su): A holy ghaele can speak with any creature that has
globe form, it can fly, use its light rays, and use spell-like abilities, a language, as though using a tongues spell (caster level 14th). This
but it cannot cast spells or use its gaze attack. The globe form is ability is always active.
incorporeal, and the holy ghaele has no Strength score while in Skills: A holy ghaele gains a +4 sacred bonus on Listen, Sense
that form. A holy ghaele remains in one form until it chooses to Motive, and Spot checks.

Icy Creature
Icy creatures are elemental beings of deadly cold. Ice replaces muscle and bone in their bodies, and frost forms where normal creatures
would have hair or feathers. Icy creatures exude a deathly chill that freezes small creatures solid in an instant and wards away more
powerful beings. Icy creatures are masters of ice and never slip or lose purchase on an icy surface.
Icy creatures often mirror the forms and powers of other beings—particularly those native to the Elemental Planes of Air and Water,
and any cold climes. They often settle in the same areas as the creatures they mimic, eventually driving the original creatures out of their
normal habitats. Those creatures that do not leave are eradicated or enslaved, but never befriended, since icy creatures view them as lesser
reflections of themselves.

Creating an Icy Creature

“Icy creature” is an inherited template that can be added to any Special Attacks: The icy creature retains all the base creature’s
living, corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature) special attacks and gains those described here.
with the air, water, or cold subtype, as long as it does
Cold Aura (Ex): An icy creature emits an aura of
not have the fire subtype.
cold that can wound nearby creatures. Any creature
An icy creature uses all the base creature’s statistics within 10 feet of it takes 2d6 points of cold damage
and special abilities except as noted here. per round that it remains within range. A successful
Fortitude save (DC 10 + icy creature’s character
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to
level + icy creature’s Con modifier) halves the
elemental with the appropriate augmented
damage for that round. An icy creature can suppress
subtype, plus the cold, extraplanar, and water
or resume the use of this ability as a free action.
subtypes if the base creature did not already have them. Do
not recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Exude Ice (Su): At will as a full-round action, an icy creature
Size is unchanged. can exude a circle of slippery ice in a 20-foot-diameter
spread centered on its body. This ice remains in the affected
Hit Dice: Change all racial HD to d8s.

Other Icy Creatures

If you wish, you can expand the range of creatures that qualify for this template by simply ignoring the subtype restrictions.
Alternatively, you can make it an acquired template, using the only the subtypes, special attacks, special qualities, skill
adjustments, ability adjustments, CR adjustment, and level adjustment portions of the template.

150
 area, melting away as normal for the ambient temperature. supernatural ice unless it wishes, and it can always climb ice
Creatures walking on the ice must spend 2 squares of and icy surfaces as though affected by a spider climb spell.
movement to enter any square covered by it. The DC for any
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Dex –2
Balance, Climb, or Tumble check made in the area increases
(minimum 1), Con +4.
by +5.
Skills: An icy creature gains a +5 racial bonus on Balance and
Icy Touch (Ex): An icy creature is chilling to the touch. Any Climb checks.
creature that makes a successful touch attack against it takes
1d6 points of cold damage. Each of the icy creature’s natural Languages: If the icy creature can speak, it gains the ability to

Icy Creature
melee attacks (including successful grapple checks made speak Aquan in addition to any other languages the base
during its turn) and attacks with metallic melee weapons creature knows.
deals +1d6 points of cold damage. Any creature damaged by Environment: Same as the base creature plus cold.
the icy creature’s icy touch must succeed on a Fortitude save
(DC 10 + icy creature’s character level + icy creature’s Con Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
modifier) or be paralyzed for 1d4 rounds. Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
Special Qualities: The icy creature retains all the base creature’s
special qualities and gains those described here. Icy Creature Characters
Ice Mastery (Ex): An icy creature gains a +1 morale bonus An icy creature favors whichever class the base creature does. The GM
on attack and damage rolls if its foe is touching ice. In may wish to allow an icy PC to negate or resume its icy extraordinary
addition, the icy creature never slips or slides on natural or attacks as a standard action in order to travel with a party more easily.

- Sample Creature: Icy Belker -

Large Elemental (Air, Cold, Extraplanar, Water)
Hit Dice: 7d8+21 (52 hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), fly 50 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class: 21 (–1 size, +4 Dex, +8 natural), touch 13, flat-
footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+11
Attack: Wing +8 melee (1d6+2 plus 1d6 cold and paralysis)
Full Attack: 2 wings +8 melee (1d6+2 plus 1d6 cold and
paralysis) and bite +6 melee (1d4+1 plus 1d6 cold and
paralysis) and 2 claws +6 melee (1d3+1 plus 1d6 cold
and paralysis)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Cold aura, exude ice, icy touch, smoke claws
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., elemental traits, ice
mastery, immunity (cold), smoke form, vulnerability to
fire
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +9, Will +2
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 19, Con 17, Int 6, Wis 11, Cha 11
Skills: Balance +9, Climb +7, Listen +7, Move Silently +8,
Spot +7
Feats: Alertness, Multiattack, Weapon Finesse
Environment: Elemental Plane of Air and any cold lands
Organization: Solitary, pair, or clutch (3–4)
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually neutral evil
Advancement: 8–10 HD (Large); 11–21 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of an icy creature using a belker as the
base creature.
An icy belker appears as an animate cloud of frost and icy air within
which claws, wings, and a terrible demonic face are visible. These Combat
features flow, change, and reform in the mist as the cloud moves.
An icy belker enjoys using its smoke claws ability against foes
Native to the Elemental Plane of Air, icy belkers are composed paralyzed by its icy touch.
primarily of a cold fog that can enter the lungs and freeze
creatures from within. Those that travel the Material Plane despise Cold Aura (Ex): DC 16 Fortitude save; see the icy creature template.
creatures that use fire and always seek to kill them. Exude Ice (Su): DC 15 Balance check; see the icy creature
Belkers speak Auran and Aquan. template. 151
 Icy Touch (Ex): DC 16 Fortitude save; see the icy creature It cannot be raised, reincarnated or resurrected (though a limited wish,
template. wish, miracle, or true resurrection spell can restore life). Darkvision 60 ft.
Smoke Claws (Ex): An icy belker in smoke form (see Smoke Ice Mastery (Ex): See the icy creature template.
Form) can engulf opponents by moving on top of them. It fills the
Smoke Form (Su): Most of the time an icy belker is more or
air around one Medium or smaller opponent without provoking
less solid, but it can assume smoke form at will. The creature can
an attack of opportunity. The target must succeed on a DC 16
switch forms once per round as a free action and can spend up to
Fortitude save or inhale part of the creature. The save DC is
20 rounds per day in smoke form. An icy belker in smoke form can
Constitution-based. Smoke inside the victim solidifies into a claw
fly at a speed of 50 feet with perfect maneuverability. This ability
and begins to rip at the surrounding organs, dealing 3d4 points
is otherwise similar to a gaseous form spell (caster level 7th). An icy
of damage per round. An affected creature can attempt another
Id Ooze

belker can use its extraordinary abilities in smoke form, but not its
Fortitude save each subsequent round to cough out the semi
exude ice ability.
vaporous menace.
Skills: An icy belker has a +4 racial bonus on Move Silently checks
Elemental Traits: An icy belker has immunity to poison, sleep effects,
and a +5 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks.
paralysis, and stunning. It is not subject to critical hits or flanking.

Id Ooze
Every adventurer worthy of the moniker knows that oozes are unthinking blobs of protoplasm. If spotted early, these dangerous creatures
can be avoided quite easily. Yet a few oozes do have the ability to think, albeit in an alien way. These “id oozes,” as adventurers have come
to call them, seem to be aberrant spawn of typical oozes rather than a race in their own right.
Id oozes are ruled by impulse. Although they are intelligent, their understanding of the world is guided by instinct rather than reasoning.
Consequences and thoughts of the future are as alien to them as their thought processes are to most other creatures. Consequently, many
id oozes behave as rashly as any unintelligent ooze, attacking any targets they notice. The difference between id oozes and normal oozes
becomes apparent only when an id ooze chooses to attack.

Creating an Id Ooze
“Id ooze” is an inherited template that can be added to any Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Dex +6, Con
unintelligent ooze (referred to hereafter as the base creature). +6, Wis +6, Cha +6. Furthermore, the id ooze gains an
Intelligence score if 10.
An id ooze uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities
except as noted here. Skills: Because it is intelligent, the id ooze has skills. It gains a
number of skill points equal to 2 per HD after the first, with
Armor Class: An id ooze can use a shield. If it has just one natural
8 skill points at 1st level. An id ooze’s class skills are Hide,
attack, using a shield prevents it from making attacks at all.
Listen, Move Silently, and Spot. If the base creature has a
Attack: An id ooze retains all the base creature’s climb speed, Climb is also a class skill, and if it has
attacks, but not its weapon and armor a swim speed, Swim is also a class skill.
proficiencies. These attacks retain the same
Languages: Id oozes cannot speak and do not
primary or secondary status they had for
communicate.
the base creature. In lieu of making natural
attacks, however, it can wield a weapon Feats: An id ooze has a number of feats appropriate
appropriate for its size. The id ooze can use for a creature of its HD. If it often uses a shield
a pseudopod to wield or manipulate any object or wields a weapon, it must take feats that give it
that can be held in one hand. If the base creature has more proficiency with those items or take nonproficiency
than one natural attack, the id ooze can use two pseudopods penalties.
to wield objects, functioning like a creature using a weapon
with two hands. It does not, however, gain proficiency with Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
these items unless it takes the appropriate feats (see Feats, Treasure: Same as the base creature plus any items carried.
below). Wielding objects with two pseudopods prevents it
from using any of its natural attacks. Alignment: Always chaotic neutral.

Damage: The id ooze deals damage normally with its natural Advancement: Same as the base creature or by character class.
attacks and any weapons it wields. If it wields a weapon, Level Adjustment: —
shield, or any other object, and it normally deals energy
damage with its touch or a slam attack, the object takes the
indicated damage once per round at the end of the id ooze’s Id Ooze Characters
turn. Certain materials, however, take no damage from acid The strange abilities and forms of oozes make them poor choices
and other types of energy. for player characters. NPC id oozes favor the barbarian class.
152
 - Sample Creature: Id Ochre Jelly -
Large Ooze Id ochre jellies cannot speak and do not communicate.
Hit Dice: 6d10+54 (87 hp)
Initiative: –2
Combat
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares), climb 10 ft. Since the id ochre jelly can’t attack while wielding its tower shield,
Armor Class: 11 (–1 size, –2 Dex, +4 tower shield), touch 11, it employs the shield for cover in rounds that it does not wish to
flat-footed 11 attack and drops it when it wants to attack with a slam. If a thrown

Inveigler
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+10 weapon is used against it or it manages to disarm a foe, the id ooze
Attack: Slam +6 melee (2d6+3 plus 1d4 acid) might pick up the weapon—not to attack with, but to split itself
Full Attack: Slam +6 melee (2d6+3 plus 1d4 acid) (see Split, below).
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Acid, constrict 2d6+3 plus 1d4 acid, improved grab Acid (Ex): An id ochre jelly secretes a digestive acid that dissolves
Special Qualities: Blindsight 60 ft., ooze traits, split only flesh. Any melee hit or constrict attack deals 1d4 points of
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +2, Will +0 acid damage.
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 7, Con 28, Int 10, Wis 7, Cha 7 Constrict (Ex): An id ochre jelly deals automatic slam and acid
Skills: Climb +9 (+19 without tower shield), Spot +7 damage with a successful grapple check.
Feats: Improved Natural Attack (slam), Lighting Reflexes,
Weapon Focus (slam) Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, an id ochre jelly must hit
with its slam attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free
Environment: Temperate marshes action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the
Organization: Solitary grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: Tower shield Ooze Traits: An id ochre jelly is blind (blindsight 60 ft.) and
Alignment: Always chaotic neutral immune to gaze attacks, visual effects, illusions, and other attack
Advancement: 7–9 HD (Large); 10–18 HD (Huge); or by class forms that rely on sight. It is immune to poison, sleep effects,
Level Adjustment: — paralysis, stunning, and polymorphing. It is not subject to critical
hits or flanking.
Here is an example of an id ooze using an ochre jelly as the base
creature. Split (Ex): Slashing and piercing weapons and electricity attacks
deal no damage to an id ochre jelly. Instead, the creature splits
At first glance, this creature resembles a giant’s tower shield into two identical jellies, each with half of the original’s current
scuttling along like a beetle. Closer inspection reveals a yellow- hit points (rounded down). An id ochre jelly with 10 or fewer hit
brown, amoebalike mass of goo holding the tower shield above it. points cannot be further split and dies if reduced to 0 it points.
An id ochre jelly can grow to a diameter of about 15 feet and a Skills: An id ochre jelly has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks
thickness of about 6 inches, but it can compress its body to fit into and can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed
cracks as small as 1 inch wide. A typical specimen weighs about or threatened.
5,600 pounds.

Inveigler
The inveigler uses lies as weapons and weaves armor from falsehood. A manipulator and a cheat, the inveigler is so consumed with hiding
the truth and controlling others’ ideas of what the truth is that its words and thoughts gain supernatural power.
Inveiglers look like perfectly ordinary specimens of their kinds. Most are likeable and have many friends, but they are consummate liars,
and the lies they tell have the power to command the minds of others. Many inveiglers use their powers to assume roles of authority, but
just as many are content to function as the power behind the throne.
Creatures that already rely on falsehood to make their way through life are much more likely to become inveiglers than those that do not.
Some inveiglers say they are the chosen messengers of a god of deceit, others claim to have made bargains with demons for their souls,
and still others tell anyone who can pry an answer from them that they were born inveiglers. If anything can be said about an inveigler,
however, it is that no story it tells can possibly be true.

Creating an Inveigler
“Inveigler” is an acquired template that can be added to any Special Attacks: The inveigler retains all the base creature’s special
nongood creature whose Intelligence and Charisma scores are each attacks and gains those described here.
8 or higher (referred to hereafter as the base creature).
Charming Falsehood (Su): Once per day, an inveigler can tell a
An inveigler uses all the base creature’s statistics and special lie so convincing it enchants a single creature that hears it. The
abilities except as noted here. inveigler need not be able to see the target of its lie or have line
of effect to it, but if the target cannot hear the lie, this use of 153
 the ability is wasted. The lie must be one that would cause the allow characters to discover the truth, provided the creatures
target to view the inveigler as a trusted friend or that would interviewed are privy to that truth.
make it likely to follow the inveigler’s orders, but it can be as
Undetectable Alignment (Su): Magical effects used to
outlandish as the inveigler wishes. If the target hears the lie, it
determine an inveigler’s alignment automatically reveal it to
must attempt a Sense Motive check opposed by the inveigler’s
be the same as that of the creature doing the detecting. If
Bluff check. A creature that fails this check by less than 5
the inveigler is aware of the attempt, it can instead cause the
is affected as though by the charm monster spell (caster level
magic to reveal any alignment it chooses. This ability also
equals inveigler’s character level). Failure by 5 or more means
protects the inveigler from spells that detect only certain
the inveigler has dominated the target as though using the
alignment components, such as detect evil. It defeats even
dominate monster spell (caster level equals inveigler’s character
Inveigler

the clerical version of true seeing, but a wish or miracle spell

level). Charming falsehood is a sonic, mind-affecting, charm
used to mimic true seeing or the various alignment
effect.
detection spells reveals the truth.
Special Qualities: The inveigler retains all the
Undetectable Thoughts (Su): Whenever a creature
base creature’s special qualities and gains
attempts to detect the inveigler’s thoughts (with a
those described here.
detect thoughts spell, for example), the inveigler is
Hidden Enchantment (Su): When the immediately aware of the attempt and can cause the
inveigler uses any effect or spell that mimics effect to reveal any thoughts it chooses. A wish or
charm monster, dominate monster, or any similar miracle spell used to mimic detect thoughts or a similar
effect, spells such as detect magic cannot detect the effect. effect reveals the truth.
Furthermore, any Sense Motive check made to determine
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Int +4, Cha +6.
influence over the target takes a –15 penalty. True seeing and
other magic that reveals magical effects or determines the Skills: The base creature gains a +8 competence bonus on Bluff
truth of the situation work normally. checks and a +4 competence bonus on Sleight of Hand
checks.
Taken to the Grave (Su): When speak with dead is used on
the corpse or head of an inveigler, it tells nothing but lies. Feats: The inveigler gains Improved Feint and Persuasive as bonus
Only a wish or miracle spell used to mimic a speak with dead feats if the base creature does not already have them.
spell can pry the truth from the dead body of an inveigler.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Truth Be Told (Su): Magic used to determine whether
an inveigler is telling the truth reveals its lies only if the Alignment: Usually evil.
inveigler would wish its words to be construed as a lie. Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2.
This ability affects even spells such as detect lie and more
powerful spells such as wish or miracle. Other creatures
that are asked about the truth of what an inveigler says can Inveigler Characters
represent the truth normally, so spells such as commune can An inveigler character favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Inveigler Doppelganger Sorcerer 7 -

Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Shapechanger) Challenge Rating: 11
Treasure: Double standard (see equipment below)
Hit Dice: 4d8+8 plus 7d4+14 (71 hp)
Alignment: Usually neutral evil
Initiative: +1
Advancement: By character class
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Level Adjustment: +6
Armor Class: 16 (+1 Dex, +4 natural, +1 ring of protection +1),
touch 12, flat-footed 15 Here is an example of an inveigler using a doppelganger sorcerer as
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+8 the base creature. The creature gained the template after all of its
Attack: Slam +8 melee (1d6+1) sorcerer levels.
Full Attack: Slam +8 melee (1d6+1)
An inveigler doppelganger that can cast spells from the
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Enchantment school can take command of a kingdom with
Special Attacks: Charming falsehood, detect thoughts, spells
disturbing ease. Not only can it charm and fool other creatures
Special Qualities: Change shape, immunities (charm effects, sleep),
into doing its bidding, it can also sow discord among its enemies
hidden enchantment, summon familiar, taken to the grave,
and drive them to destroy each other. An inveigler doppelganger
truth be told, undetectable alignment, undetectable thoughts
generally avoids direct confrontation, preferring to manipulate
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +12
enemies with its lies, spells, and ability to take on any form it
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 14, Cha 19
desires.
Skills: Bluff +30*, Concentration +12, Diplomacy +6, Disguise
+11* (+14 acting), Intimidate +8, Listen +6, Sense Motive
+6, Sleight of Hand +9, Spellcraft +8, Spot +6 Combat
Feats: Dodge, Great Fortitude, Improved FeintB, PersuasiveB, An inveigler doppelganger sorcerer involved in combat is probably
Silent Spell, Still Spell either attempting to assassinate someone, or fighting its way out of
Environment: Any a situation in which its identity has been discovered. In either case,
Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–6) it first attempts to dominate its foe with a charming falsehood and
then commands it to walk to its death—perhaps over a precipice
154
disguised by a silent image. If it must, the inveigler doppelganger
relies on its damaging spells to attack foes, reserving a spell slot for
gaseous form as an escape plan.
Charming Falsehood (Su): Caster level 10th; see the inveigler
template.
Detect Thoughts (Su): An inveigler doppelganger can

Jotunblood Giant
continuously use detect thoughts as the spell (caster level 18th; Will
DC 16 negates). It can suppress or resume this ability as a free
action. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Sorcerer Spells Known (6/7/7/5; save DC 14 +spell level):
0—arcane mark, detect magic, detect poison, disrupt undead, ghost
sound, ray of frost, read magic; 1st—charm person, mage armor, magic
missile, ray of enfeeblement, silent image; 2nd—acid arrow, flaming
sphere, mirror image; 3rd—gaseous form, suggestion.
Change Shape (Su): An inveigler doppelganger can assume the
shape of any Small or Medium humanoid. In humanoid form, the
doppelganger loses its natural attacks. The inveigler doppelganger
can remain in its humanoid form until it chooses to assume a new
one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, but the creature reverts
to its natural form when killed. A true seeing spell or ability reveals
its natural form.
Hidden Enchantment (Su): See the inveigler template.
Summon Familiar (Sp): This inveigler doppleganger does not
currently have a familiar.
Taken to the Grave (Su): See the inveigler template.
Truth Be Told (Su): See the inveigler template.
Undetectable Alignment (Su): See the inveigler
template.
Undetectable Thoughts (Su): See the inveigler template. opponent’s mind, it also gains a +4
circumstance bonus on Bluff and Disguise
Skills: An inveigler doppelganger has a +12 racial bonus on Bluff checks.
checks and a +4 racial bonus on Disguise and Sleight of Hand
checks. *When using its change shape ability, it gets an additional Possessions: Cloak of resistance +1, glove of storing,
+10 circumstance bonus on Disguise checks. If it can read an ring of protection +1, wand of silence.

Jotunblood Giant
Born mightier and larger than usual for their kind, jotunblood giants tower over their fellows both in height and in power. Often called
king-giants by the smaller races, jotunblood giants almost invariably live up to that name, acting as leaders of the other giants they live
with. Few giant tribes can boast more than one jotunblood giant, and these creatures rarely beget more. Typically, a jotunblood giant is
born when a giant tribe lacks strong leadership. The birth of a second jotunblood giant to a tribe that already has one is usually seen as a
sign from the giant gods that the tribe has grown too large and must split, with the two halves going their separate ways. Reluctance to
do so has led to bloody civil wars and long-held grudges.

Creating a Jotunblood Giant

“Jotunblood giant” is an inherited template that can be added to The size change can affect AC, attack bonus, natural armor,
any giant smaller than Colossal (referred to hereafter as the base Constitution, Strength, Dexterity, Hide checks, and grapple
creature). checks. Most of these changes are noted in the
following sections.
A jotunblood giant uses all the base creature’s
statistics and special abilities except as noted here. Hit Dice: The jotunblood giant gains 10 racial HD.
Size and Type: The creature’s type does not change. Speed: Each of the jotunblood giant’s speeds
Its size increases by one category over that increases by +10 feet over the corresponding speed
of the base creature (maximum Colossal). of the base creature. 155
 Giant Giants
The jotunblood giant template provides a way for GMs to create giants akin to those featured in fairy tales and ancient myths.
Though many giants of legend were 10 or 20 feet tall, others towered above the treetops and viewed castles as doll houses. If
your giant still isn’t big enough after you apply this template, simply apply it again, granting the giant a new special attack
Jotunblood Giant

chosen from those given, or designing a new one more akin to its normal abilities. Such a super giant could be a unique
monster, or you could rule that all giants of that kind are unusually large in your campaign.

Armor Class: The base creature’s size modifier to AC is replaced table. If the base creature had greater than normal reach
by one based on the jotunblood giant’s new size, as given for its size, add 5 feet to the reach indicated on the table.
in the following table. In addition, its natural armor bonus
increases over that of the base creature by the amount Space/Reach
indicated.
New Size New Space/Reach
Armor Class Huge 15 ft./15 ft.
Gargantuan 20 ft./20 ft.
Old New Size Natural Armor
Colossal 30 ft./30 ft.
Size Size Modifier Bonus Change
Special Attacks: A jotunblood giant retains all of the base
Large Huge +7 –2
creature’s special attacks and gains the one described here.
Huge Gargantuan +8 –4
Gargantuan Colossal +9 –8 Rock Throwing (Ex): A jotunblood giant has a +1 racial bonus
on attack rolls made to throw rocks. This bonus stacks with
Base Attack Bonus: The jotunblood giant’s base attack bonus is
any existing racial bonus. The jotunblood giant can throw
equal to its new HD x 3/4, rounded down.
rocks weighing up to the amount given in the following table
Grapple: The jotunblood giant’s size modifier on grapple checks up to five range increments. The size of the range increment
increases by +4 over that of the base creature. depends on the jotunblood giant’s size category, as given
in the table. If the base creature has a better rock throwing
Attack: The jotunblood giant retains all the base creature’s attacks,
ability, use its values instead. The jotunblood giant gains its
and its weapon and armor proficiencies. Its bonus on attack
Strength bonus (if any) on damage rolls when it strikes a foe
rolls changes based on its new base attack bonus, its new
with a thrown rock. The jotunblood giant gains this special
Strength modifier, and its new size modifier, as given on the
attack even if the base creature did not have it.
following table.

Attack Rock Throwing

Jotunblood Rock Base Rock Range
Jotunblood Giant Size Size Modifier for Attack Rolls
Giant’s Size Weight Damage Increment
Medium +0
Huge 100 lb. 2d8 150 ft.
Large –1
Gargantuan 200 lb. 4d6 200 ft.
Huge –2
Colossal 400 lb. 4d8 250 ft.
Gargantuan –4
Colossal –8 Jotunblood Attack: The exact jotunblood attack gained
depends on the kind of giant, as follows.
Damage: The base damage for each of the jotunblood giant’s
natural or weapon attacks increases by one step, as given in Cloud Giant: Breath Weapon (Su): A jotunblood cloud
the following table. giant can breathe a 40-foot-long cone of thunderous
noise once every 1d4 rounds. Each creature caught
Damage in the cone must make a Reflex save (DC 10 +
1/2 jotunblood giant’s character level + jotunblood
Old Damage New Damage giant’s Con modifier) or take 10d6 points of sonic
damage. A successful save halves the damage.
1 1d2
1d2 1d3 Ettin: Extra Attacks (Ex): A jotunblood ettin has four
1d3 1d4 heads and four arms. Since it has twice as many arms
1d4 1d6 and enough heads to control them all, it can attack
1d6 1d8 with all four arms at no penalty.
1d8 2d6
1d10 2d8 Fire Giant: Breath Weapon (Su): A jotunblood fire giant can
2d6 3d6 breathe a 40-foot cone of fire once every 1d4 rounds.
2d8 3d8 Every creature caught in the cone must make a
4d6 6d6 Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 jotunblood fire giant’s
4d8 6d8 racial HD + jotunblood fire giant’s Con modifier) or
take 10d6 points of fire damage. A successful save
Space/Reach: The jotunblood giant has a space and reach halves the damage.
156 appropriate for its new size, as described in the following
Frost Giant: Breath Weapon (Su): A jotunblood frost giant
can breathe a 40-foot cone of cold once every 1d4
rounds. Every creature caught in the cone must
make a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 jotunblood frost
giant’s racial HD + jotunblood frost giant’s Con
modifier) or take 10d6 points of cold
damage. A successful save halves the

Jotunblood Giant
damage.
Hill Giant: Earth-Shaking Bellow (Su): Once
every 1d4 rounds, a jotunblood hill
giant can loose an earth-shaking bellow
that functions like an earthquake spell,
except that the area is a 40-foot cone-
shaped spread directed away from the
jotunblood hill giant.
Ogre, Merrow, or Ogre Mage: Stunning
Blow (Ex): Once every 1d4 rounds,
a jotunblood ogre can imbue its
melee attacks with stunning force.
A creature damaged by such an attack
must succeed on a Fortitude save
(DC 10 + 1/2 jotunblood ogre’s
racial HD + jotunblood ogre’s Str
modifier) or be stunned for 1 round.
Stone Giant: Stone Calling (Su): A jotunblood
stone giant can cause any rock within
1,000 feet to fly at a foe simply
by calling to it. The rock must be
unattended and of a size that the
jotunblood stone giant could normally
lift and throw. Resolve the attack as
though the jotunblood stone giant were
standing where the rock is and throwing
it at the foe, adding the jotunblood
stone giant’s Strength bonus to damage
as normal. The jotunblood stone giant
can even use this ability to hurl rocks at
creatures it cannot see, including foes that
have total cover from its position. However, it
must guess where such foes are, and even if it
guesses correctly, it has a 50% miss chance. Jotunblood
stone giants often use this ability to confuse foes and
attack enemies outside their normal rock-throwing
range. Trample
Storm Giant: Breath Weapon (Su): A jotunblood storm giant Size Base Trample Damage
can breathe a 40-foot cone of lightning once every
1d4 rounds. Every creature caught in the cone must Huge 2d6
make a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 jotunblood storm Gargantuan 2d8
giant’s racial HD + jotunblood storm giant’s Con Colossal 4d6
modifier) or take 10d6 points of electricity damage. A
Special Qualities: The jotunblood giant retains all the base
successful save halves the damage.
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
Troll: Great Rend (Ex): When a jotunblood troll hits
Jotunblood Quality: The exact jotunblood qualities gained
with both claw attacks, it rips its foe apart and
depend on the kind of giant, as follows.
automatically deals an additional 4d8 points of
damage plus 1-1/2 times its Strength bonus. This Cloud Giant: Immunity to Sonic (Ex): Jotunblood cloud
ability replaces the troll’s rend ability. giants are immune to sonic damage.
Other Giant Type: Trample (Ex): The jotunblood giant can Ettin: Shift Sleeping (Ex): A jotunblood ettin’s heads sleep in
trample foes up to two size categories smaller than shifts. Since at least two heads are awake at any time,
itself. See the glossary in the MM for a description the jotunblood ettin can never be taken unaware as
of this ability and its effects. The trample deals it sleeps. Two of a jotunblood ettin’s heads can sleep
bludgeoning damage as described in the following while the other two are awake and working; thus,
table, plus 1-1/2 times the jotunblood giant’s Strength it can regain hit points and heal ability damage as
modifier. though it had bed rest even while remaining active. 157
 Sleeping heads do not control their arms, however, Storm Giant: Resistance to Sonic (Ex): A jotunblood storm giant
and heads cannot sleep during combat. Jotunblood is inured to thunder, so it has resistance to sonic 20.
ettins are immune to sleep effects.
Troll: Statue Form (Su): At will and as a free action, a
Fire Giant: Resistance to Cold (Ex): A jotunblood fire giant jotunblood troll may turn itself to stone as though
burns with internal fire, which gives it cold resistance 20. with the statue spell, gaining a hardness of 8. It can
remain in this form as long as it wishes. As with the
Frost Giant: Resistance to Fire (Ex): A jotunblood frost giant
Jotunblood Giant

spell, it can return to normal as a free action, act,

has a core like ice, which gives it fire resistance 20.
and then become a statue again as a free action. This
Hill Giant: Meld into Earth (Su): At will, a jotunblood hill ability is likely the source of the erroneous belief that
giant can meld into earth (but not solid stone) as sunlight can turn a troll to stone.
though using the meld into stone spell, except that it
Other Giant Type:Fast Healing (Ex): The jotunblood giant
can remain in the earth for as long as it wishes. In
regains hit points at the rate of 5 per round. See the
addition to the effects of the spells listed in the meld
MM for a more detailed description of this ability.
into stone description, a move earth spell cast on the
melded jotunblood hill giant’s location causes it to Rock Catching (Ex): Once per round, when a jotunblood
be expelled from the earth and take 5d6 points of giant would normally be hit by a rock (or a similarly shaped
damage in the process. While melded with earth, a projectile) of any size from Small up to its own size category,
jotunblood hill giant heals 1 hit point of damage per it may make a Reflex save (DC 15 for a Small object, +5 for
round, as if it had fast healing 1. each size larger, plus any magic bonus the projectile has) to
catch it. The jotunblood giant must have a free hand and be
Ogre, Merrow, or Ogre Mage: Greater Darkvision (Ex): A
aware of the attack to catch the rock. This ability replaces any
jotunblood ogre has darkvision with a range equal to
rock catching ability the base creature has.
its normal vision.
Scent (Ex): A jotunblood giant can detect approaching
Stone Giant: Damage Reduction (Su): A jotunblood stone
enemies and sniff out hidden foes by sense of smell alone.
giant has damage reduction 10/adamantine.
See the MM for details of this quality.
Spell Resistance (Ex): A jotunblood giant has spell resistance
equal to that of the base creature or 8 + the jotunblood
giant’s CR, whichever is higher.
Saves: The jotunblood giant’s base save bonuses increase with its
additional Hit Dice. Replace the portion of each of the base
creature’s save bonuses derived from racial HD with a new
one based on the new value. The portion of the base save
bonus derived from class levels remains the same. Fortitude
is a jotunblood giant’s good save; the others are poor. See
Chapter 3: Classes of the PHB for the progression of good
and poor saves. New ability scores and new feats may also
alter save bonuses.
Abilities: The jotunblood giant’s abilities change
based on its size, as shown in the chart below:

Abilities
Jotunblood Giant Size Str Dex Con
Huge +8 –2 (minimum 1) +4
Gargantuan +8 +0 +4
Colossal +8 +0 +4
Skills: The jotunblood giant gains a number
of additional skill points equal to (2 + Int
modifier, minimum 1) x 10. Skills given
in the base creature’s description are
class skills, and all others are cross-class
skills. The jotunblood giant retains any
skill points gained from class levels. New
racial bonuses, new size modifiers, and new
ability scores all modify skills. In addition,
the size change also changes the jotunblood
giant’s size modifier on Hide checks.
Feats: The jotunblood giant retains the base
creature’s bonus feats, but it loses all other feats
that the base creature had. Recalculate the number
of feat slots the jotunblood giant has based on its
158 character level (racial and class HD) and assign feats
 as desired, giving preference to the feats that the base
creature possessed. The jotunblood giant must still meet any Jotunblood Characters
prerequisites for feats chosen to fill vacant feat slots. A jotunblood giant favors whichever class giants of its kind usually
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +4. favor. If the GM allows players to play giants, the jotunblood
template has a level adjustment of +3. The extra racial HD granted
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.

Lifespark Construct
by this template also count toward character level.

- Sample Creature: Jotunblood Hill Giant -

Huge Giant Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: —
Hit Dice: 22d8+132 (222 hp)
Initiative: –2 Here is an example of a jotunblood giant using a hill giant as the
Speed: 35 ft. in hide armor (7 squares); base speed 50 ft. base creature.
Armor Class: 25 (–2 size, –2 Dex, +16 natural, +3 hide armor),
At about 20 feet tall, a jotunblood hill giant looks down on cloud
touch 6, flat-footed 25
giants and stands nose to nose with storm giants, even with its
Base Attack/Grapple: +16/+36
stooped posture. It otherwise resembles a normal hill giant.
Attack: Greatclub +27 melee (4d6+18) or slam +26 melee
(1d6+12) or rock +13 ranged (2d8+12) Jotunblood hill giants are the undisputed rulers of hill giant tribes.
Full Attack: Greatclub +27/+22/+17/+12 melee (4d6+18) or 2 Although they lack the intelligence and charisma that normally
slams +26 melee (1d6+12) or rock +13 ranged (2d8+12) mark hill giant leaders, they maintain their positions by dint of
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft. their great strength and supernatural powers. A tribe of hill giants
Special Attacks: Earth-shaking bellow, rock throwing led by a jotunblood hill giant is often more aggressive and bold
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, meld into earth, rock in its raiding efforts than other tribes, and sometimes the tribe
catching, scent, spell resistance 20 attempts to subjugate other creatures and seize land for its leader.
Saves: Fort +19, Ref +5, Will +7
Abilities: Str 33, Dex 6, Con 23, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 7 Combat
Skills: Climb +11, Jump +11, Listen +10, Spot +13
Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, A jotunblood hill giant uses its earth-shattering bellow to make its
Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder, Power Attack, foes flounder, then overruns enemies until it reaches the toughest-
Weapon Focus (greatclub) looking opponent. It mercilessly batters the most dangerous-
looking foe in an effort to cow or frighten off the others. If the
Environment: Temperate hills battle goes poorly, it melds with the earth to heal.
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–5), band (6–9 plus 35%
noncombatants), hunting/raiding party (6–9 plus 2–4 dire Earth-Shaking Bellow (Su): See the jotunblood giant template.
wolves), or tribe (21–30 plus 35% noncombatants plus Rock Catching (Ex): See the jotunblood giant template.
12–30 dire wolves, 2–4 ogres, and 12–22 orcs)
Challenge Rating: 11 Meld into Earth (Su): See the jotunblood giant template.
Treasure: Standard Rock Throwing (Ex): The range increment for a jotunblood hill
Alignment: Often chaotic evil giant’s thrown rocks is 150 feet.

Lifespark Construct
All those knowledgeable in the creation and use of constructs know that such creatures obey the commands of their creators. Constructs
without instructions are no more than mindless hulks, following their last commands to the best of their feeble ability or awaiting
commands until their parts begin to decay.
Thus, it comes as a shock to most when an object still moves after the duration of the spell that gave it the semblance of life ends. Even
more shocking is the rare instance when a created construct goes rogue. Few understand why such events occur, since most creators who
discover that their constructs have a free will destroy them immediately. Some constructs, however, imbued with an intelligence and will
of their own by some spark of life, escape or overcome their creators to pursue whatever ends suit their developing minds and souls.

Creating a Lifespark Construct

“Lifespark” is a template that can be added to any Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but
nonintelligent construct (referred to hereafter as some features of the construct type no longer apply,
the base creature). At the GM’s option, intelligent as noted in the following sections.
golems that go berserk might instead gain the
Special Qualities: The lifespark construct retains all
lifespark template.
the base creature’s special qualities and gains those
A lifespark construct uses all the base creature’s described here.
statistics and special abilities except as noted below.
159
 Open Mind (Ex): Unlike normal constructs, the lifespark Feats: The lifespark construct retains the base creature’s bonus
construct is not immune to mind-affecting effects. In fact, feats, but it loses all other feats that the base creature had.
perhaps because of its past need for commands, its mind Recalculate the number of feat slots the lifespark construct
is especially vulnerable to magical compulsion. A lifespark has based on its character level (racial and class HD) and
construct takes a –2 penalty on saving throws against assign feats as desired, giving preference to the feats that the
mind-affecting effects. Golems are still immune to magic, as base creature originally possessed. The lifespark construct
Lifespark Construct

described in the MM. must still meet any prerequisites for feats chosen to fill
vacant feat slots.
Spirit Within (Ex): Though the lifespark construct is not a
living creature, a “spirit” still resides within it. Unlike most Treasure: Standard items. A lifespark construct collects items
constructs, the lifespark construct is not immune to all it finds useful. Potions and other items useless to it are
necromantic effects. Certain spells that rely on the existence discarded in favor of other items. A lifespark construct that
of a creature’s soul (not “life force”)—namely astral projection, takes a class usually carries items appropriate to that class.
clone, magic jar, and soul bind—can affect lifespark constructs.
Alignment: Usually neutral. Lifespark constructs can have any
No other necromantic effects affect lifespark constructs, and
alignment, but most tend not to care about law, chaos, good,
they are still immune to death effects. Though they cannot be
or evil. They generally seek to know more of the world
raised or resurrected, lifespark constructs can be reincarnated
around them while plumbing the mystery of their own
as described by the reincarnate spell. Golems are still immune
awakened intelligence. Even so, some lifespark constructs
to magic as described in the MM.
seem to be possessed of great evil or great good from the
Abilities: Replace the base creature’s Intelligence, Wisdom, moment they first refuse their masters’ commands.
and Charisma scores with new ones between 3 and 18.
Advancement: By character class. Because spellcasting lifespark
Determine each one by rolling 3d6. All the creature’s other
golems are still immune to most spells, as described in the
ability scores remain the same.
MM, they are often forced to use spells that affect creatures
Skills: Because of its recently awakened intelligence, a lifespark and objects other than themselves.
construct gains a number of skill points equal to (2 + Int
modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3). A lifespark construct has
a number of class skills equal to one-half of its Intelligence
Lifespark Construct Characters
score; all other skills are considered cross-class skills. A The lifespark construct template gives players the option of playing
lifespark construct typically devotes skill points to whatever constructs that they were unable to play before. Though the
Craft skill is appropriate for repairing damage it sustains template has no level adjustment, GMs should be careful when
(see the base creature’s description for details), and several allowing a player to use a construct as a character. Constructs have
other skills favored by its creator. many natural immunities and hidden benefits, such as immunity
to fatigue, and they have many hidden penalties, such as no natural
Languages: A lifespark construct can speak even without a mouth. It healing and immunity to normal healing magic. Even so, playing a
can automatically speak the language of its creator and chooses construct can be a rewarding roleplaying experience.
its bonus languages from among those its creator knows.

- Sample Creature: Lifespark Iron Golem Sorcerer 7 -

Large Construct Here is an example of a lifespark construct using an iron golem as
the base creature.
Hit Dice: 18d10+7d4 (116)
Initiative: +4 A lifespark iron golem looks like any other iron golem, except no
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares) one commands its actions, and it occasionally carries items.
Armor Class: 31 (–1 size, +22 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 31
Base Attack/Grapple: +15/+31 Combat
Attack: Slams +26 melee (2d10+11)
Full Attack: 2 slams +26 melee (2d10+11) Freed of the commands of its master, the lifespark iron golem is
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. busy pursuing goals of its own. It realizes that it’s more powerful
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, spells that most other creatures, and it knows its own vulnerabilities.
Special Qualities: Construct traits, damage reduction 15/ Thus, it casts fire-based spells in combat to harm its enemies while
adamantine, darkvision 60 ft., immunity to magic, low-light removing any slow effects on itself and healing its own damage.
vision, open mind, spirit within Breath Weapon (Su): As a free action every 1d4+1 rounds, a
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +11 lifespark iron golem can breathe a cloud of poisonous gas that
Abilities: Str 33, Dex 10, Con –, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15 fills a 10-foot cube. The gas persists for 1 round. The poison’s
Skills: Concentration +21, Craft (armorsmithing) +20, Knowledge initial damage is 1d4 Con, and its secondary damage is 3d4 Con
(arcana) +20, Listen +14, Spellcraft +20, Spot +14 (Fortitude DC 19 negates). The save DC is Constitution-based.
Feats: Cleave, Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Wand,
Empower Spell, Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Sorcerer Spells Known (6/7/7/4, DC 12 + spell level): 0
Power Attack, Silent Spell, Spell Focus (evocation) level–daze, ghost sound, flare, light, mending, open/close, ray of frost;
1st–burning hands, cause fear, charm person, grease, unseen servant;
Environment: Any land 2nd–flaming sphere, web, glitterdust; 3rd–dispel magic, fireball.
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 18 Construct Traits: A lifespark iron golem has immunity to poison,
Treasure: Standard items (see below) sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, necromancy
Alignment: Neutral evil effects, mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms,
Advancement: By character class patterns, and morale effects), and any effect that requires a
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Fortitude save unless it also works on objects or is harmless. It
is not subject to critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage,
ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain. Cannot heal
damage, but can be repaired. Darkvision 60 ft. and low-light
vision.
Immunity to Magic (Ex): A lifespark iron golem is

Lunatic Creature
immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell
resistance. In addition, certain spells and effects function
differently against the creature, as noted here. A
magical attack that deals electricity damage slows a
lifespark iron golem (as the slow spell) for 3 rounds,
with no saving throw. A magical attack that deals fire
damage breaks any slow effect on the golem and heals
1 point of damage for each 3 points of damage the attack
would otherwise deal. If the amount of healing would cause
the golem to exceed its full normal hit points, it gains any
excess as temporary hit points. A lifespark iron golem gets no
saving throw against fire effects. It is affected normally by rust
attacks, such as that of a rust monster or a rusting grasp spell.
Open Mind (Ex): See the lifespark construct template.
Spirit Within (Ex): See the lifespark construct template.
Possessions: Bead of force, eyes of the eagle, necklace of fireballs
(Type II), wand of burning hands.

Lunatic Creature
Ruled by the phases of the moon, lunatic creatures are moody beings whose hearts and minds shift with the shadows crawling across the
face of that silvery orb. Even during the day, when the sun is the only heavenly body visible in the sky, lunatic creatures continue to act as
the moon demands of them.
Lunatic creatures look just like normal specimens of their kinds, but their attitudes at any given time depend on the phase of the moon.
Two lunatic creatures of different races might not be visually similar to one another, but they might both sneer with suspicion during
the new moon or laugh uproariously for no reason when the moon is full. As the moon changes phases, the lunatic creature’s alignment
shifts. Even a despicably evil lunatic creature feels remorse for its actions during the full moon, and even the most decent and upstanding
one should be avoided during the days and nights surrounding a new moon.

Creating a Lunatic Creature

“Lunatic creature” is an inherited template that can be applied to
any intelligent creature (hereafter referred to as the base creature). New Moon Template
A lunatic creature uses all of the base creature’s statistics and When the moon is new in the sky, it is cloaked in darkness and
special abilities except as noted here. hidden from view. A lunatic creature is similarly reclusive during
Mechanically, the lunatic creature template is a package of several this time, and it often becomes surly and emotionally cold.
templates, each of which is applied to the base creature during Special Attacks: During the new moon, the lunatic creature
the appropriate moon phase and then removed before the next retains all the base creature’s special attacks and gains the
template is added. The changes are not cumulative, and each one described here.
template lasts about 4 days. All the lunatic creature “subtemplates”
share the following characteristics.

Using the Lunatic Creature Template

The lunatic creature template can be applied in many ways, but a few concepts work particularly well.
Lycanthropes: The lunatic template could be applied to all lycanthropes, or to only natural lycanthropes, or to only afflicted
lycanthropes, or only to lycanthrope leaders and moon-worshiping priests.
Eclipse: A lunar eclipse might cause some cataclysm that curses large numbers of people with the lunatic template.
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 Deeper Darkness (Sp): At will, a lunatic creature can use Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Dex +4.
deeper darkness, as the spell (caster level equals lunatic
Skills: The lunatic creature gains a +2 racial bonus on Hide checks.
creature’s character level).
Alignment: The lunatic creature’s alignment shifts one step toward
Special Qualities: During the new moon, the lunatic creature
evil. If the base creature is already evil, the lunatic creature’s
retains all the base creature’s special qualities and gains the
alignment shifts one step toward chaotic.
one described here.
Lunatic Creature

Darkvision (Ex): The lunatic creature has

darkvision to a range of 120 feet.
First Half-Moon
Abilities: Change from the base Template
creature as follows: Dex +4, When the moon reaches this
Con –2 (minimum 1), Int phase, its right side is lighted,
+2. and its left side appears dark.
Skills: The base creature gains During this period, a lunatic
a +4 racial bonus on creature seems numb and
Hide, Intimidate, and noncommittal. Although
Move Silently checks it continues to conduct its
and takes a –4 penalty daily affairs normally, it
on Bluff, Diplomacy, seems lost in thought much
and Gather of the time.
Information checks. Special Attacks: During the
Feats: The lunatic creature first half-moon, the lunatic
gains Blind-Fight as a creature retains all the base
bonus feat if it did creature’s special attacks and
not already have it. gains those described here.

Alignment: The lunatic Darkness (Sp): Three times per

creature’s alignment day, a lunatic creature can use
becomes evil during darkness, as the spell (caster level
the new moon. If the equals lunatic creature’s character level).
base creature is already evil, Light (Sp): Three times per day, a lunatic
the lunatic creature becomes creature can use light, as the spell (caster level
chaotic. If it is already chaotic equals lunatic creature’s character level).
evil, no further alignment shift
occurs. Shadow’s Friend (Ex): In conditions of low
light or shadowy illumination, the lunatic
Waxing Crescent Template creature gains a +2 morale bonus on attack
and damage rolls.
The waxing crescent rises in the sky after the new Special Qualities: During the first half-
moon, but before the first half-moon. A scimitar of light moon, the lunatic creature retains all the
on the right side of the darkened orb grows larger every base creature’s special qualities and gains
day, until the moon reaches its half-moon configuration. those described here.
When the moon waxes crescent, the gloom that has held
the lunatic creature in its grip begins to abate—not that Darkvision (Ex): The lunatic creature has
most creatures would notice. The lunatic creature’s darkvision to a range of 60 feet.
surliness becomes mere irritability, and what seems to
Low-Light Vision (Ex): A lunatic creature can
be an unfeeling nature resolves itself into bitterness.
see twice as far as a human in starlight, torchlight,
Special Attacks: During the waxing crescent, the moonlight, and other low-light conditions.
lunatic creature retains all the base creature’s
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows:
special attacks and gains those described here.
Dex +2, Wis +2.
Darkness (Sp): At will, a lunatic creature can use darkness, as
Skills: The lunatic creature gains a +5 racial bonus on Balance
the spell (caster level equals lunatic creature’s character level).
checks.
Light (Sp): Once per day, a lunatic creature can use light, as
the spell (caster level equals lunatic creature’s character level). Waxing Gibbous Template
Shadow’s Friend (Ex): In conditions of low light or shadowy The waxing gibbous moon follows the first half-moon and
illumination, the lunatic creature gains a +2 morale bonus precedes the full moon. The moon appears as a lighted orb flanked
on attack and damage rolls. on the left by a crescent of darkness. When the moon waxes
Special Qualities: During the waxing crescent, the lunatic creature gibbous, the lunatic creature opens itself up to new ideas and
retains all the base creature’s special qualities and gains the experiences, and its mood begins to brighten.
one described here. Special Attacks: During the waxing gibbous moon, the lunatic
Darkvision (Ex): The lunatic creature has darkvision to a creature retains all the base creature’s special attacks and
162 range of 60 feet. gains those described here.
 Darkness (Sp): Once per day, a lunatic creature can use darkness, lunatic creature becomes lawful. If it is already lawful good,
as the spell (caster level equals lunatic creature’s character level). no further alignment shift occurs.
Light (Sp): At will, a lunatic creature can use light, as the
spell (caster level equals lunatic creature’s character level). Waning Gibbous Template
Shadow’s Friend (Ex): In conditions of low light or shadowy The waning gibbous moon follows the full moon and precedes the last
illumination, the lunatic creature gains a +2 morale bonus half-moon. The moon appears as a lighted orb flanked on the right

Lunatic Creature
on attack and damage rolls. by a crescent of darkness. When the moon wanes gibbous, the lunatic
creature begins to settle down. Although the creature remains upbeat
Special Qualities: During the waxing gibbous moon, the lunatic and optimistic, its happiness has lost the manic edge it recently had,
creature retains all the base creature’s special qualities and and its perception and understanding of the world increases.
gains those described here.
Special Attacks: During the waxing gibbous moon, the lunatic
Low-Light Vision (Ex): A lunatic creature can see twice as creature retains all the base creature’s special attacks and
far as a human in starlight, torchlight, moonlight, and other gains those described here.
low-light conditions.
Darkness (Sp): Once per day, a lunatic creature can use
Scent (Ex): A lunatic creature can detect approaching darkness, as the spell (caster level equals lunatic creature’s
enemies and sniff out hidden foes by sense of smell alone. character level).
See the MM for details of this quality.
Light (Sp): Three times per day, a lunatic creature can use light,
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Wis +4. as the spell (caster level equals lunatic creature’s character level).
Alignment: The lunatic creature’s alignment shifts one step Shadow’s Friend (Ex): In conditions of low light or shadowy
toward good. If the base creature is already good, the lunatic illumination, the lunatic creature gains a +2 morale bonus
creature’s alignment shifts one step toward lawful. on attack and damage rolls.

Full Moon Template Special Qualities: During the waning gibbous moon, the lunatic
creature retains all the base creature’s special qualities and
When the moon is full, the Earth, sun, and moon are nearly in a gains the one described here.
straight line, with the Earth in the middle. The moon’s lighted side,
Low-Light Vision (Ex): A lunatic creature can see twice as
the one reflecting the light of the sun, faces toward the Earth and
far as a human in starlight, torchlight, moonlight, and other
looks like a bright, perfectly round beacon in the night sky. During
low-light conditions.
the full moon, the lunatic creature becomes positively gleeful. The
increased wisdom of the past few days vanishes, replaced by potent Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +2, Con +2.
strength and verve.
Skills: The lunatic creature gains a +2 racial bonus on Move
Special Attacks: During the full moon, the lunatic creature Silently and Sense Motive checks.
retains all the base creature’s special attacks and gains those
Feats: The lunatic creature gains Alertness as a bonus feat if it did
described here.
not already have it.
Light (Sp): At will, a lunatic creature can use light, as the
Alignment: The lunatic creature’s alignment shifts one step
spell (caster level equals lunatic creature’s character level).
toward good. If the base creature is already good, the lunatic
Lycanthrope Control (Su): When the moon is full, a lunatic creature’s alignment shifts one step toward lawful.
creature can automatically detect the presence and location
of every lycanthrope within 30 feet. With a standard action,
it can force a single lycanthrope within that range to assume
Last Half-Moon Template
whichever lycanthropic form the lunatic creature desires (no When the moon reaches this phase, its left side is lighted, and its
save). This change happens on the lunatic creature’s turn, not right side appears dark. During this period, the lunatic creature’s
the lycanthrope’s. mood seems unaffected by the moon. It perceptions grow even
more acute, and it becomes abnormally reasonable.
Special Qualities: During the full moon, the lunatic creature
retains all the base creature’s special qualities and gains Special Attacks: During the last half-moon, the lunatic creature
those described here. retains all the base creature’s special attacks and gains those
described here.
Low-Light Vision (Ex): A lunatic creature can see twice as
far as a human in starlight, torchlight, moonlight, and other Darkness and Deeper Darkness (Sp): A lunatic creature can
low-light conditions. use darkness and deeper darkness, as the spells (caster level
equals lunatic creature’s character level), once each per day.
Scent (Ex): A lunatic creature can detect approaching
enemies and sniff out hidden foes by sense of smell alone. Light (Sp): Once per day, a lunatic creature can use light, as
See the MM for details of this quality. the spell (caster level equals lunatic creature’s character level).
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Con Shadow’s Friend (Ex): In conditions of low light or shadowy
+2, Wis –2 (minimum 1). illumination, the lunatic creature gains a +2 morale bonus
on attack and damage rolls.
Feats: The lunatic creature gains Track as a bonus feat if it did not
already have it. Special Qualities: During the first half-moon, the lunatic creature
retains all the base creature’s special qualities and gains
Alignment: The lunatic creature’s alignment becomes good during those described here.
the full moon. If the base creature is already good, the
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 Darkvision (Ex): The lunatic creature has darkvision to a range Darkness (Sp): At will, a lunatic creature can use darkness, as
of 60 ft. the spell (caster level equals lunatic creature’s character level).
Low-Light Vision (Ex): A lunatic creature can see twice as Shadow’s Friend (Ex): When it is in conditions of low-light
far as a human in starlight, torchlight, moonlight, and other or shadowy illumination, the lunatic creature gains a +2
low-light conditions. morale bonus to hit and damage rolls.
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Con +2, Int +2. Special Qualities: During the waxing crescent, the lunatic creature
Lunatic Creature

retains all the base creature’s special qualities and gains the
Skills: The lunatic creature gains a +4 racial bonus on Listen,
one described here.
Sense Motive, and Spot checks.
Darkvision (Ex): The lunatic creature has darkvision to a
Waning Crescent Template range of 60 feet.

The waning crescent rises in the sky after the last half-moon, Low-Light Vision (Ex): A lunatic creature can see twice as
but before the new moon. A scimitar of light on the left side far as a human in starlight, torchlight, moonlight, and other
of the darkened orb grows smaller every day, until it disappears low-light conditions.
completely. When the moon wanes crescent, the lunatic creature Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Dex +2, Int +2.
sinks into a deep depression. Although it retains its reasoning
power, its health suffers, and it grows increasingly suspicious of Skills: The lunatic creature gains a +2 racial bonus on Hide and
others. Sense Motive checks.

Special Attacks: During the waxing crescent, the lunatic creature Alignment: The lunatic creature’s alignment shifts one step toward
retains all the base creature’s special attacks and gains those evil. If the base creature is already evil, the lunatic creature’s
described here. alignment shifts one step toward chaotic.

Deeper Darkness (Sp): Once per day, a lunatic creature can

use deeper darkness, as the spell (caster level equals lunatic
Lunatic Creature Characters
creature’s character level). A lunatic creature favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Lunatic Yeth Hound (Full Moon) -

Medium Outsider (Extraplanar, Evil) When they find a lycanthrope, they chase it down and force it into
humanoid form before ripping it apart.
Hit Dice: 3d8+9 (22 hp)
Initiative: +6 A lunatic yeth hound is a wolf like creature that stands 5 feet tall
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), fly 60 ft. (good) at the shoulder and weighs about 400 pounds.
Armor Class: 20 (+2 Dex, +8 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 18
Lunatic yeth hounds cannot speak, but they understand Infernal.
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+8
Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d8+9)
Full Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d8+9) Combat
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Like their normal brethren, lunatic yeth hounds hunt only at night.
Special Attacks: Bay, light, lycanthrope control, trip They fear the sun and never venture out in daylight, even if their
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/silver, darkvision 60 ft., lives depend on it.
low-light vision, flight, scent
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +4 A lunatic yeth hound’s natural weapons, and any weapons it wields,
Abilities: Str 23, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 10 are treated as evil-aligned for overcoming damage reduction.
Skills: Listen +10, Spot +10, Search +7, Survival +10 (+12 Bay (Su): When a lunatic yeth hound howls or barks, every creature
following tracks)* (except another evil outsider) within a 300-foot spread must succeed
Feats: Improved Initiative, Track on a DC 11 Will save or become panicked for 2d4 rounds. The lunatic
Environment: An evil-aligned plane yeth hound’s bay is a sonic, mind-affecting, fear effect. Whether or
Organization: Solitary, pair, or pack (6–11) not the save is successful, an affected creature is immune to the same
Challenge Rating: 4 lunatic yeth hound’s bay for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Treasure: None Light (Sp): Caster level 3rd; see the lunatic creature template.
Alignment: Always neutral good
Advancement: 4–6 HD (Medium); 7–9 HD (Large) Lycanthrope Control (Su): See the lunatic creature template.
Level Adjustment: +3 (cohort) Trip (Ex): A lunatic yeth hound that hits with its bite attack
Here is an example of a lunatic creature at full moon using a yeth can attempt to trip the opponent (+3 check modifier) as a free
hound as the base creature. action without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of
opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip
For twelve days out of each month, a lunatic yeth hound tends not the lunatic yeth hound.
to trouble good creatures. Stranger still, on four of those twelve days,
when the moon is full, a lunatic yeth hound is the bane of lycanthropes. Flight (Su): A lunatic yeth hound can cease or resume flight as a
free action.
Although often terrifying to settled communities, a pack of lunatic
yeth hounds can become their savior when the moon is full. On Skills: *A lunatic yeth hound has a +4 racial bonus on Survival
such nights, the hounds fly out in search of lycanthropic prey. checks when tracking by scent.
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 Magma Creature
Magma creatures are produced by the fusion of elemental earth and fire. These elemental beings are at home both on the Plane of Earth
and the Plane of Fire, but a few exist on the Material Plane, roaming the incredibly hot realms beneath the crust of the world. Magma
creatures sometimes pour out of volcanoes during an eruption, increasing the devastation of such events tenfold.

Magma Creature
The typical magma creature resembles a normal being and has a similar temperament. However, its alien mind and blisteringly hot body
make communication with it nearly impossible.

Creating a Magma Creature

“Magma creature” is an inherited template that can be added exits, the magma creature’s malleable body closes the hole. A
to any living, corporeal creature with the fire or earth subtype magma creature may only engulf one creature at a time.
(referred to hereafter as the base creature).
Fiery Aura (Ex): A magma creature emits an aura of heat
A magma creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special that can burn nearby creatures to cinders. Any creature
abilities except as noted here. within 10 feet of it takes 2d6 points of fire damage per
round that it remains within range. A successful Fortitude
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to elemental with the
save (DC 10 + magma creature’s character level + magma
appropriate augmented subtype, plus the earth, extraplanar, and
creature’s Con modifier) halves the damage for that round.
fire subtypes if the base creature did not already have them. Do
A magma creature can suppress or resume the use of this
not recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is
ability as a free action.
unchanged.
Fiery Touch (Ex): A magma creature is hot to the touch.
Hit Dice: Change all racial HD to d8s.
Any creature that makes a successful touch attack against
Speed: The magma creature gains a burrow speed equal to the base it takes 2d6 points of fire damage. Each of the magma
creature’s highest speed. Its blisteringly hot body allows it creature’s natural melee attacks (including successful grapple
to melt and burrow through solid stone, leaving behind a checks made during its turn) and attacks with metallic melee
molten tunnel that collapses and fills after 1 minute. The weapons deals +2d6 points of cold damage. (This damage is
tunnel deals 2d6 points of fire damage each round to every in addition to any damage dealt by the magma creature’s fiery
creature inside it. aura and engulf special attacks.) This fire damage is
cumulative but does not stack; each 2d6 points of fire
Armor Class: The magma creature’s natural armor damage is considered damage from another source.
bonus improves by +2 over that of the base
creature. Improved Grab (Ex): If a magma creature hits a
creature at least one size category smaller than
Special Attacks: The magma creature retains all the itself with a natural melee attack, it deals normal
base creature’s special attacks and gains those damage and may attempt to start a grapple as a
described here. free action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
Burn (Ex): A creature damaged by a magma creature’s fiery If the grapple check succeeds, the magma creature may
touch, engulf, or fiery aura special attack must succeed on a immediately attempt to engulf the foe.
DC 15 Reflex save or catch fire. For complete rules about Special Qualities: The magma creature retains all the base
catching on fire, see the DMG. creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
Engulf (Ex): A magma creature can pull any creature at Earth Mastery (Ex): A magma creature gains a +1 morale
least one size category smaller than itself that it has already bonus on attack and damage rolls if both it and its foe
grabbed into its body with a successful grapple check. are touching the ground. If a magma creature attacks an
Once inside, the opponent takes 2d6 points of bludgeoning airborne or waterborne creature, it takes a –4 morale penalty
damage and 4d6 points of fire damage each round from on attack and damage rolls.
burning magma and crushing rock. While a magma creature
engulfs another creature, it is not considered grappled. The Magma Movement (Ex): A magma creature can swim through
engulfed creature is considered grappled and can free itself magma and lava at a speed equal to its burrow speed, as though
with a successful grapple check or by dealing 5 points of cold it were moving through water with a swim speed. This ability
damage to the magma creature. The interior has the same does not grant the magma creature a swim speed in water.
AC as the magma creature, not counting its Dexterity bonus,
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: +4 Str, –6 Dex
armor bonus, or shield bonus. Once the engulfed creature
(minimum 1), +4 Con.

Other Magma Creatures

If you wish, you can expand the range of creatures that qualify for this template by simply ignoring the subtype restrictions.
Alternatively, you can make it an acquired template, using the only the subtypes, special attacks, special qualities, skill
adjustments, ability adjustments, CR adjustment, and level adjustment portions of the template.
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 Languages: If the magma creature can speak, it gains the ability to
speak Ignan and Terran in addition to any other languages Magma Creature Characters
the base creature knows. A magma creature favors whichever class the base creature does.
Environment: Same as the base creature plus underground. A magma creature’s ability to burrow through stone makes it an
unusually powerful PC. Although a level adjustment is provided,
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1. carefully consider the effects on your campaign before allowing a
PC to play a magma creature.
Magma Creature

Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +5.

- Sample Creature: Magma Azer -

Medium Elemental (Augmented Outsider, Earth, Extraplanar, Fire)
Hit Dice: 2d8+6 (15 hp)
Initiative: -1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), burrow 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 17 (–1 Dex, +8 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+5
Attack: Warhammer +5 melee (1d8+3/x3 plus 2d6+1 fire and
burn) or unarmed attack +5 melee (1d3 nonlethal plus
2d6+1 fire) or short-spear +0 ranged (1d6+3 plus 1 fire)
Full Attack: Warhammer +5 melee (1d8+3/x3 plus 2d6+1
fire and burn) or unarmed attack +5 melee (1d3
nonlethal plus 2d6+1 fire) or short-spear +0 ranged
(1d6+3 plus 1 fire)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Burn, engulf, fiery aura, fiery touch, heat,
improved grab
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., earth mastery, elemental
traits, immunity to fire, magma movement, spell resistance
13, vulnerability to cold
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +1, Will +4
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 7, Con 17, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 9
Skills: Appraise +6, Climb +6, Craft (any two) +6, Hide +1,
Jump +0, Listen +6, Search +6, Spot +6
Feats: Power Attack
Environment: Elemental Plane of Fire and underground
Organization: Solitary, pair, team (3–4), squad (11–20 plus
2 3rd-level sergeants and 1 leader of 3rd–6th level), or
clan (30–100 plus 50% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level
sergeant per 20 adults, 5 5th-level lieutenants, and 3 7th-
level captains)
to attack foes from unexpected directions and trusts in its strength
Challenge Rating: 3
and fiery touch to overwhelm most foes. If an enemy is small
Treasure: Standard coins; double goods (nonflammables only);
enough, a magma azer typically engulfs it and then burrows away
standard items (nonflammables only)
or dives into a pool of magma—a tactic that almost always means
Alignment: Always lawful neutral
certain death for the trapped creature.
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +9 Burn (Ex): DC 15 Reflex save; see the magma creature template.
Here is an example of a magma creature using an azer as the base Engulf (Ex): See the magma creature template.
creature.
Fiery Aura (Ex): See the magma creature template.
Like standard azers, magma azers are dwarflike beings native to
the Elemental Plane of Fire. The two kinds of creatures get along Fiery Touch (Ex): See the magma creature template.
famously, and matings between them are not uncommon. Normal Improved Grab (Ex): See the magma creature template.
azers value magma azers for their ability to move through earth
and magma, while magma azers value the goods created by the less Heat (Ex): A magma azer’s body is intensely hot, so each of its
nomadic azer culture. unarmed attacks deals 1 point of extra fire damage. Its metallic
weapons also conduct this heat.
A magma azer resembles a dwarf with hair of fire and a beard of
flames. Its body appears to be made of cracked and cooling magma. Earth Mastery (Ex): See the magma creature template.

Magma azers speak Ignan, Terran, and Common. Elemental Traits: A magma azer has immunity to poison, sleep effects,
paralysis, and stunning. It is not subject to critical hits or flanking. It
Combat cannot be raised, reincarnated or resurrected (though a limited wish, wish,
miracle, or true resurrection spell can restore life). Darkvision 60 ft.
A magma azer knows that its mere presence can cause many
166 creatures to erupt in flames and die. Thus, it uses its burrow ability Magma Movement (Ex): See the magma creature template.
 Manimal
Somewhere between human and animal lies the manimal. Some say that these creatures are the abominable results of sorcerous
crossbreeding between humans and animals. Others speak of bizarre druidic rites that can give animals human forms.
A manimal is an animal-like creatures with a humanoid shape and intellect. A manimal has two legs to walk upon and two arms with
hands that can manipulate tools. Manimals are often mistaken for lycanthropes—more powerful creatures whose origins are lost to time.

Creating a Manimal

Manimal
“Manimal” is an inherited or acquired template that can be added
to any animal (referred to hereafter as the base creature).
Space/Reach
Size New Space/Reach
A manimal uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities
except as noted here. Fine 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Diminutive 1 ft./0 ft.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to monstrous
Tiny 2-1/2 ft./0 ft.
humanoid with the appropriate augmented subtype. Size is
Small 5 ft./5 ft.
unchanged.
Medium 5 ft./5 ft.
Hit Dice: If the base creature has only a fractional racial Hit Die, Large 10 ft./10 ft.
increase it to 1 racial HD. Huge 15 ft./15 ft.
Gargantuan 20 ft./20 ft.
Shape: If the base creature has wings or a tail, these appendages Colossal 30 ft./30 ft.
adjust to fit the manimal. Of its other limbs, two become
legs, and all others become arms. Any creature that does not Special Attacks: A manimal retains all of the base creature’s
have enough limbs of the appropriate kind to form at least special attacks except rake.
two legs and two arms simply grows the necessary limbs.
Special Qualities: The manimal retains all the base creature’s
Speed: If the creature has a land speed slower than 10 feet (or no special qualities and gains those described here.
land speed at all), its land speed becomes 10 feet.
Amphibious (Ex): If the base creature was aquatic but did
Base Attack Bonus: The manimal’s base attack bonus from racial not have the amphibious special quality, the manimal gains
Hit Dice is equal to its racial Hit Dice. it now. An amphibious creature can breathe both air and
water equally easily.
Attack: The manimal retains all the base creature’s attacks except
those that depended on limbs that have turned to legs. Animal Blood (Ex): A manimal counts both as an animal and
Any other natural attacks it has retain the same primary or a humanoid for the purpose of spells, abilities, and effects that
secondary status they had for the base creature. The manimal specifically affect animals. It is allowed a Will save to resist
has the weapon and armor proficiencies of spells and effects that specifically affect animals, even
creatures of the monstrous humanoid type. if the effect does not normally allow a Will save.
The DC for such a save equals 10 + the spell’s level +
Space/Reach: The manimal has a space and reach caster’s appropriate ability modifier. If the effect is not
appropriate for its size, as noted in the a spell, the DC is equal to 10 plus 1/2 manimal’s HD
following table. If the base creature had plus manimal’s Charisma modifier. Success renders
greater than normal reach for its size, add 5 the manimal immune to that particular effect for 24
feet to the reach indicated on the table. hours. Awaken animal has no effect on a manimal.

Using Manimals in Your Game

Manimals can provide an interesting way to introduce anthropomorphic creatures into your games without the unbalancing
effect that lycanthropes can have. Some might consider anthropomorphic creatures and characters silly, but lycanthropes are
really no less so. Anthropomophic creatures can be funny, but they can also be terrifying, depending upon how they are played
and presented.
Before you try out the manimal template, consider how you want it to work in your game. Once you know what purpose your
manimals will serve, you can find a way to introduce them that suits their function in your game. Here are a few ideas.
• The template might be applied to animals because of a spell, such as the one in the New Spell sidebar on page 168.
• A magic item could transform all the animals that live nearby or that touch it into manimals.
• A manimal race might be one of your game worlds normal races, just like gnolls or lizardfolk.
• A single crazed wizard or druid might be responsible for all the manimals in your world.
• A distant island or a different plane could be home to a host of different manimal races.
• A curse might transform PCs or NPCs into manimals until it is ended.
• A disrupted reincarnate or awaken animal spell might cause the creation of a manimal.

167
 Changing Manimal Sizes
If you’re comfortable with advancing monsters and using difficult templates, you may find it fairly easy to alter a manimal’s size
to suit your game. If you want Medium manimal horses, Small manimal cats, or any size other than the base creatures’ for your
manimals, follow the guidelines in the MM for advancing a creature and extrapolate that information to cover shrinking the
creature. Changing the manimal’s size usually affects its Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, natural armor, natural attack damage,
Hide modifier, size modifier to attack, and size modifier to damage.
Manimal

Saves: Reflex and Will are a manimal’s good saves; Fortitude is Advancement: By character class
poor. Recalculate the portion of each of the base creature’s
Level Adjustment: The template has no standard level adjustment
save bonuses derived from racial HD. The portion of the
because the resulting creature is a new monster. To
base save bonus derived from class levels remains the same.
determine the level adjustment of a manimal, look at the
See Chapter Three: Classes of the PHB for the progression
level adjustments of creatures of similar size and HD and
of good and poor saves. New ability scores and new feats
adjust the level adjustment accordingly. In most cases, the
may also alter save
level adjustment should be +1,
bonuses.
but great Strength or special
Abilities: Increase from the attacks might warrant a level
base creature as follows:
Int +8, Cha +4. New Spell: Create Manimal adjustment of up to +3.

Skills: Ignore the base Transmutation Manimal

creature’s skill modifiers.
Recalculate skill points
Level: Druid 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 7
Components: V, S, XP
Characters
for the manimal’s racial Casting Time: 1 day The manimal template allows
Hit Dice according to Range: Touch players to play animal-
the formula (2 + Int Target: Animal touched like characters, and it also
modifier, minimum 1) x Duration: Instantaneous provides a way to create all the
(HD +3), then purchase Saving Throw: Will negates anthropomorphic creatures
its skills afresh, treating Spell Resistance: Yes a GM could want for a
the base creature’s skills campaign.
and Listen, Spot, and If you’d like a swift way to introduce manimals into your
Survival as class skills campaign, try this new spell. A manimal lacks a favored class
and all others as cross- and can multiclass as easily a
You grant an animal humanoid form and intelligence.
class skills. The manimal human can. If you decide to
If it fails a Will saving throw (DC 10 + target’s
retains any skill points make whole races of manimals
HD), the target animal transforms into a manimal,
gained from class levels in your game, you might want
gaining the manimal template. The resulting creature
and any racial bonuses to give each one a favored class
initially reacts to you with a friendly attitude (see the
the base creature has. that suits the base creature’s
DMG), but you have no special empathy with it. A
New size modifiers and nature. For example, a manimal
manimal speaks a number of languages equal to 1 +
new ability scores all dire rat’s favored class might be
its Intelligence bonus, chosen from among those its
modify skill modifiers. rogue, a manimal wolverine’s
creator knows.
If the manimal’s bonus might be barbarian, a manimal
to Intelligence (see XP Cost: 250 XP. wolf ’s might be ranger, and a
Abilities, above) did not manimal elephant’s might be
increase its Intelligence cleric. Alternatively, you could
score to at least 10, you assign a favored class based on
may leave the skill point the manimal race’s best ability
assignments unchanged, and the manimal’s skills will be score. If you use that logic, most manimals will end up with
correct number. melee-oriented favored classes.

Languages: A manimal speaks a number of languages equal to 1 + Another easy way to distinguish the various manimal races you
its Intelligence bonus (if any), chosen from among those its create is to give them different standard alignments. For example,
creator knows. most predator races might be evil, omnivores neutral, and
herbivores good. The reliance of the base creature on a social unit
Challenge Rating: Base creature 1 HD or less, increase to 1/2; might determine its alignment on the law-chaos axis. Creatures
1 HD or greater, same as the base creature. Increase by +1 that live in groups with strict hierarchies might be lawful, while
if the application of the template grants the creature much those that normally live solitary lives could be chaotic. Neutrality
greater combat ability than the base creature based on the might be apply to creatures that have a less strict social hierarchy
manimal’s ability to wield weapons and wear armor. or that often live singly but sometimes form social groups. Using
Treasure: Standard. this system, manimal wolves might be considered lawful evil,
manimal bears could be chaotic neutral, and manimal horses might
Alignment: Usually neutral be neutral good.
168
 - Sample Creature: Manimal Triceratops -
Huge Monstrous Humanoid (Augmented Animal)
Hit Dice: 16d8+124 (196 hp)

Metal-Clad Creature
Initiative: –1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 25 (–2 size, –1 Dex, +7 half-plate, +11 natural),
touch 7, flat-footed 25
Base Attack/Grapple: +16/+36
Attack: Greatclub +24 melee (3d8+15) or gore +24 melee
(2d8+10)
Full Attack: Greatclub +24/+19/+14/+9 melee (3d8+15) and gore
+19 melee (2d8+10)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Powerful charge, trample 2d12+15
Special Qualities: Animal blood, darkvision 60 ft., low-light
vision, scent
Saves: Fort +19, Ref +9, Will +6
Abilities: Str 30, Dex 9, Con 25, Int 9, Wis 12, Cha 11
Skills: Listen +13, Spot +12
Feats: Alertness, Great Fortitude, Toughness (4)
Environment: Temperate plains
Organization: Solitary, pair, or herd (5–8)
Challenge Rating: 10
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually chaotic neutral
Advancement: By character class (fighter is favored)
Level Adjustment: +3
Here is an example of a manimal using a triceratops as the base
creature.
This massive reptilian creature stands 20 feet tall and weighs Combat
almost 20,000 pounds. Three long horns project from its frilled
A manimal triceratops usually
head, and its small eyes glimmer with a mean intelligence.
tramples smaller opponents on its way to charge more
The manimal triceratops is short-tempered and aggressive. It uses worthy foes. When smaller opponents present a significant threat,
its great size and strength to force other creatures to do its labor it mercilessly pounds them into the ground with its huge greatclub.
and often enslaves weaker creatures to work on vast plantations.
Powerful Charge (Ex): When a manimal triceratops charges, its
Sometimes a settlement of weaker creatures can bargain with a
gore attack deals 4d8+20 points of damage.
manimal triceratops, offering food and shelter for its protection of
the town, but the manimal often asks for too much or boorishly Trample (Ex): Reflex half DC 28. The save DC is Strength-based.
takes what it wants from farmers’ fields and merchant’s market
stalls, regardless of any bargain it made. Animal Blood (Ex): See the manimal template.

Metal-Clad Creature
Metal-clad creatures are bonded to metal either by birth or through magic. Shining metal shells coat their forms, armoring them against
attacks but also burdening them with unwieldy weight.
A metal-clad creature can be born of metal-clad parents, and indeed whole races of metal-clad creatures can exist. Conversely, a magical
ritual or a spell can cover a creature in metal, and sometimes the gods curse greedy individuals by covering them in the precious metals
they most covet.

Creating a Metal-Clad Creature

“Metal-clad creature” is an acquired, inherited, or created template Speed: Except in the case of a mithral-clad creature, each of a
that can be added to any corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as metal-clad creature’s speeds is slower by 10 feet than the
the base creature) that does not already have the metal-clad template. corresponding speed of the base creature (minimum 5 feet).
The mithral-clad creature has no reduction in speed.
A metal-clad creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and
special abilities except as noted here. 169
 Cladding with Other Materials
The metal-clad template is a simple idea that lends itself to many applications. By applying some creativity, you could create
Metal-Clad Creature

different gem-clad, wood-clad, stone-clad, or element-clad creatures. With the metal-clad template or a differently themed but
similar template, you could make almost any creatures into constructs. Any creature that becomes a construct, however, loses its
Constitution score.

Armor Class: The metal-clad creature’s natural armor bonus adamantine weapons, overcoming hardness and
improves over that of the base creature by an amount that damage reduction just as an adamantine weapon
depends on the kind of metal that covers it, as given on the would.
following table.
Iron: Iron Limbs (Ex): An iron-clad creature’s natural attacks
and grapple deal damage as cold iron weapons,
Armor Class overcoming damage reduction just as a cold iron
Metal Natural Armor Bonus Increase weapon would.

Adamantine +10 Lead: Virulent Poison (Ex): If the metal-clad creature possesses a
Brass +3 natural poison attack, its DC increases by +1.
Bronze +4 Silver: Silver Limbs (Ex): A silver-clad creature’s natural attacks
Copper +3 and grapple deal damage as silver weapons, overcoming
Gold +3 damage reduction just as a silver weapon would.
Iron +6
Lead +3 Special Qualities: A metal-clad creature retains all the base
Mithral +8 creature’s special qualities and gains those described
Platinum +5 here.
Silver +4 Metallic Quality: The exact metallic quality bestowed
Steel +8 depends on the kind of metal that covers the metal-
Attack: The metal-clad creature retains all the base clad creature’s body, as follows.
creature’s attacks, and its weapon and armor
proficiencies. These attacks retain the same
primary or secondary status they had for the
base creature. The metal-clad creature gains a
primary slam attack if it has no other natural
attacks.
Damage: If the metal-clad creature gained a slam
attack from the application of this template, its
base damage is as given on the following table.

Damage
Size Slam Base Damage
Fine 1
Diminutive 1d2
Tiny 1d3
Small 1d4
Medium 1d6
Large 1d8
Huge 2d6
Gargantuan 2d8
Colossal 4d6
Special Attacks: A metal-clad creature retains all the
base creature’s special attacks and gains those
described here.
Metallic Attack: The exact metallic attack
bestowed depends on the kind of metal that
covers the metal-clad creature’s body, as
follows.
Adamantine: Adamantine Limbs (Ex): An
adamantine-clad creature’s natural
attacks and grapple deal damage as
170
Adamantine: Damage Reduction (Ex): An adamantine-clad creature, there is a 75% chance that the extra damage
creature gains damage reduction 10/adamantine. is negated and damage is rolled normally.
Heavy Fortification (Ex): The adamantine-clad Resistance to Fire (Ex): A mithral-clad creature has fire
creature is immune to sneak attacks and critical hits. resistance 15.

Metal-Clad Creature
Resistances (Ex): An adamantine-clad creature has Platinum: Light Fortification (Ex): Whenever a sneak
electricity resistance 15 and fire resistance 20. attack or critical hit is scored against a platinum-clad
creature, there is a 25% chance that the extra damage
Brass: Light Fortification (Ex): Whenever a sneak attack or
is negated and damage is rolled normally.
critical hit is scored against a brass-clad creature, there
is a 25% chance that the extra damage is negated and Resistances (Ex): A platinum-clad creature has
damage is rolled normally. electricity resistance 5 and fire resistance 20.
Resistance to Fire (Ex): A brass-clad creature has fire Silver: Light Fortification (Ex): Whenever a sneak attack
resistance 5. or critical hit is scored against a silver-clad creature,
there is a 25% chance that the extra damage is
Bronze: Medium Fortification (Ex): Whenever a sneak attack
negated and damage is rolled normally.
or critical hit is scored against a bronze-clad creature,
there is a 75% chance that the extra damage is Mirrored Finish (Su): A silver-clad creature is immune
negated and damage is rolled normally. to gaze attacks. Furthermore, its finish reflects such
attacks. Thus, a creature with a gaze attack that actively
Resistance to Fire (Ex): A bronze-clad creature has fire
gazes at the silver-clad creature must save against its
resistance 10.
own gaze attack, suffering the consequences of a failed
Copper: Light Fortification (Ex): Whenever a sneak attack save even if it would normally be immune.
or critical hit is scored against a copper-clad creature,
Resistance to Fire (Ex): A silver-clad creature has fire
there is a 25% chance that the extra damage is
resistance 5.
negated and damage is rolled normally.
Steel: Medium Fortification (Ex): Whenever a sneak attack
Resistance to Fire (Ex): A copper-clad creature has fire
or critical hit is scored against a steel-clad creature,
resistance 10.
there is a 75% chance that the extra damage is
Gold: Light Fortification (Ex): Whenever a sneak attack or negated and damage is rolled normally.
critical hit is scored against a gold-clad creature, there
Resistance to Fire (Ex): A steel-clad creature has fire
is a 25% chance that the extra damage is negated and
resistance 15.
damage is rolled normally.
Rust Vulnerability (Ex): A steel-clad creature counts
Resistance to Fire (Ex): A gold-clad creature has fire
as ferrous for the purpose of rusting attacks such as
resistance 10.
rusting grasp.
Iron: Medium Fortification (Ex): Whenever a sneak attack
Vulnerability to Electricity (Ex): A metal-clad creature
or critical hit is scored against an iron-clad creature,
takes half again as much damage as normal (+50%) from
there is a 75% chance that the extra damage is
electricity, regardless of whether a saving throw is allowed,
negated and damage is rolled normally.
and whether the save is a success or failure.
Resistance to Fire (Ex): An iron-clad creature has fire
Abilities: Change from the base creature. See the following table.
resistance 15.
Rust Vulnerability (Ex): An iron-clad creature counts Abilities
as ferrous for the purpose of rusting attacks such as
rusting grasp. Metal Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha

Lead: Divination Immunity (Ex): A lead-clad creature is Adamantine +4 –6* +6 +0 +0 +2

immune to divination spells and effects cast to derive Brass +2 –2* +2 +0 –2* +0
information about it. Detect magic, detect poison, detect Bronze +2 –2* +2 +0 +0 +0
thoughts, and detect alignment spells fail to reveal Copper +0 +0 +0 +0 +2 –2*
any information about the lead-clad creature or the Gold +0 –6* +0 +2 –2* +6
objects it carries. Furthermore, a lead-clad creature Iron +2 –4* +2 +0 –2* +0
is invisible and inaudible to scrying, arcane eyes, and Lead +0 –6* +4 –2* –2* –2*
clairaudience/clairvoyance. Lead-clad creatures and Mithral +4 +0 +2 +0 +0 +2
their equipment cannot be located by discern location, Platinum +2 –4* +2 +2 +0 +4
nor can locate object find objects they carry. Silver +0 –2* +0 +2 +2 +4
Steel +4 –4* +2 +0 +0 +0
Light Fortification (Ex): Whenever a sneak attack or
critical hit is scored against a lead-clad creature, there *Minimum 1
is a 25% chance that the extra damage is negated and Skills: Each metal-clad creature (except a mithral-clad creature)
damage is rolled normally. takes a –4 penalty on Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide,
Resistance to Electricity (Ex): A lead-clad creature has Jump, Move Silently, Sleight of Hand, Swim, and Tumble
electricity resistance 5. checks. Additional racial bonuses and penalties apply to
certain skill checks based on the kind of metal that covers
Mithral: Medium Fortification (Ex): Whenever a sneak the creature’s body, according to the following table.
attack or critical hit is scored against a mithral-clad 171
 Skills Challenge Rating
Metal Racial Skill Bonuses Metal CR Increase
Copper +4 on Craft (any) Adamantine +6
Metal-Clad Creature

Gold +4 on Profession (any) Brass +1

Lead +4 on Survival checks to avoid getting lost Bronze +2
Mithral –4 on Swim checks Copper +1
Silver +4 on Bluff and Diplomacy Gold +1
Iron +3
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature, except adamantine, Lead +1
mithral, and steel same as the base creature +1. Mithral +5
Treasure: Same as the base creature, but at the GM’s option, PCs Platinum +3
may be able to peel off the metal cladding from the creature Silver +3
and sell it. Steel +4

Challenge Rating: The CR increases based on the metal, as

follows.
Metal-Clad Characters
A metal-clad creature favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Lead-Clad Wyvern -

Large Dragon
Hit Dice: 7d12+28 (73 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 10 ft. (4 squares), fly 50 ft. (poor)
Armor Class: 18 (–1 size, -2 Dex, +11 natural), touch 9, flat-
footed 18
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+15
Attack: Sting +10 melee (1d6+4 plus poison) or talon +10 melee
(2d6+4) or bite +10 melee (2d8+4)
Full Attack: Sting +10 melee (1d6+4 plus poison) and bite +8
melee (2d8+4) and 2 wings +8 melee (1d8+2) and 2 talons
+8 melee (2d6+4) Combat
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved grab, poison, virulent poison Slow on the
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., divination immunity, ground and
immune to paralysis and sleep, light fortification, low-light ponderous in the air,
vision, resistance to electricity 5, scent, vulnerability to a lead-clad wyvern
electricity prefers to have a lot
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +3, Will +6 of room to fight foes.
Abilities: Str 19, Dex 6, Con 19, Int 4, Wis 10, Cha 7 Its favorite tactic is
Skills: Hide +0, Listen +12, Move Silently +4, Spot +15 to swoop down on
Feats: Ability Focus (poison), Alertness, Flyby Attack, foes and sting them as
MultiattackB it flies by. It often uses
a hill as cover when it
Environment: Warm hills wings about.
Organization: Solitary, pair, or flight (3–6)
Challenge Rating: 6 Improved Grab (Ex): To use
Treasure: Standard this ability, a lead-clad wyvern
Alignment: Usually neutral must hit with its talons. It can
Advancement: 8–10 HD (Huge); 11–21 HD (Gargantuan) then attempt to start a grapple
Level Adjustment: — as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it
wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and stings.
Here is an example of a metal-clad creature using a wyvern as the
base creature and lead as the metal. Poison (Ex): Injury, DC 20 Fortitude, initial and secondary
damage 2d6 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Because they have good reason to be skittish about lightning, lead-
clad wyverns spend most cloudy days sulking in their cavern lairs Virulent Poison (Ex): See the metal-clad creature template.
or deep in hollows between hills. Divination Immunity (Ex): See the metal-clad creature template.
A lead-clad wyvern looks like a normal wyvern plated over with Light Fortification (Ex): See the metal-clad creature template.
dull metal. No rivets or fasteners pierce the metal, the creature
looks as though its individual scales were dipped in lead. Skills: A lead-clad wyvern has a +3 racial bonus on Spot checks
and a +4 racial bonus to Survival checks to avoid getting lost. It
Lead-clad wyverns speak Draconic, but only barely. They use few takes a –4 penalty on Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump,
words, and most creatures find their speech unintelligible. Move Silently, Sleight of Hand, Swim, and Tumble checks.
172
 Miniature
Miniatures are normal beings whose size has been greatly diminished by magic. Humans become the size of mice, and great wyrm
dragons become the size of humans.
Miniatures look exactly like normal specimens of their kinds save for their size.

Creating a Miniature Creature

Miniature
“Miniature” is an acquired template that can be added to any would have a speed of 50 feet when miniaturized (20 feet
creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). for the first 100 feet, 20 feet for the second 100 feet, and 10
feet for the last 50, from the table).
A miniature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here.
Speed
Size and Type: The creature’s type does not change. Its size
decreases by four categories below that of the base creature Old Speed New Speed
(see the following table for new dimensions). Creatures 5 to 35 feet 5 feet
of different size categories that decrease to the same size 40 to 55 feet 10 feet
category because of the table’s lower limit retain their 60 to 75 feet 15 feet
proportions to one another within their new size category. 80 to 100 feet 20 feet
Thus, a miniature halfling is smaller than a miniature 100+ feet 20 feet plus another table increment
human, and a miniature Fine creature is smaller than the
normal Fine version. The size change can Armor Class: The base creature’s size modifier to
affect AC, attack bonus, natural armor, AC is replaced by one based on the miniature’s
Constitution, Strength, Dexterity, Hide new size, as given in the following table. In addition,
checks, and grapple checks. Most of these its natural armor decreases from that of the base
changes are noted in the following sections. creature by the amount indicated. Reduction of
the natural armor bonus cannot result in a natural
Size & Type armor penalty (minimum +0 natural armor bonus).

Old Size New Size New Size Range

Armor Class
Fine Fine 6 in. or less
Diminutive Fine 6 in. or less Old New Size Natural Armor
Tiny Fine 6 in. or less Size Size Modifier Bonus Change
Small Fine 6 in. or less Fine Fine +8 +0
Medium-size Fine 6 in. or less Diminutive Fine +8 +0
Large Diminutive 6 in.–1 ft. Tiny Fine +8 +0
Huge Tiny 1 ft.–2 ft. Small Fine +8 +0
Gargantuan Small 2 ft.–4 ft. Medium-size Fine +8 +0
Colossal Medium 4-ft.–8 ft. Large Diminutive +4 –2
Huge Tiny +2 –5
Hit Dice: The miniature creature retains the base creature’s Hit Gargantuan Small +1 –9
Dice. To determine the miniature’s hit points, divide the Colossal Medium +0 –14
hit points it gains from Hit Dice by four before modifying
the hit points by the creature’s new Constitution score (see Grapple: The miniature’s size modifier on grapple checks is based
Abilities, page 174). Constructs gain bonus hit points based on its new size, as given on the following table. It may
on size, so use the normal bonus amount for the creature’s also have a new Strength modifier if its Strength score has
new size. The application of this template cannot reduce a increased.
creature’s hit points below 1.
A creature that took damage before miniaturization Grapple
has either its current hit point total or the hit points it
Miniature’s Size Modifier for
would have with the application of this template (the
Size Grapple Checks
base creature’s undamaged hit point total divided by 20),
whichever is lower. A creature that loses this template and Fine –16
returns to normal size retains its current hit points but heals Diminutive –12
2 hit points per HD, to a maximum of its normal hit point Tiny –8
total. Small –4
Medium +0
Speed: Each of the miniature’s speeds decreases with its size, as
given on the following table. If the base creature’s speed is Attack: The miniature retains all the base creature’s attacks, and
greater than 100 feet, subtract 100 feet and consult the chart its weapon and armor proficiencies. Its bonus on attack rolls
again, adding +20 feet to the new speed to obtain the final changes based on its new Strength modifier and its new size
speed. For example, a base creature with a speed of 250 feet modifier, as given on the following table. 173
 Why a Template?
The miniature template does not simply reduce the size of a creature. A simple size reduction can be accomplished by following
the guidelines in the DMG and the MM for size changes. Instead, the miniature template is designed to dramatically reduce
both the size and the threat level of a creature, so that other creatures at their normal size represent correspondingly greater
threats. To a miniature, rats seem like behemoths, and orcs seem like titans.
Perhaps the best use of this template is on the PCs, since it makes feasible the classic concept of an evil wizard who shrinks her
Miniature

enemies. This template makes it possible for shrunken PCs to fight normal-sized but ordinarily weak creatures and uses rules
that make that process fun.

the following table. If the base creature had greater than

Attack normal reach for its size, add 5 feet to the reach indicated
Miniature Size Size Modifier for Attacks on the table.
Fine +8
Diminutive +4 Space/Reach
Tiny +2 New Size New Space/Reach
Small +1
Medium +0 Fine 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Diminutive 1 ft./0 ft.
Damage: Each of a miniature’s natural attacks and weapon attacks Tiny 2-1/2 ft./0 ft.
deals less damage than it would for the base creature. Small 5 ft./5 ft.
Scale down the base damage once for each size category Medium 5 ft./5 ft.
of difference between the base creature and the miniature
(minimum 1 point). Special Attacks: A miniature retains all of the base creature’s special
attacks. For spells and spell-like abilities, the ranges, areas,
and damage dealt for these attacks change. To find the new
Damage range and area, divide the base creature’s value by 20 and
Old Damage New Damage round down to the nearest 5-foot increment. For example, a
fireball spell cast by a miniature 7th-level caster would have
1d2 1
a range of 30 feet (680 feet divided by 20 equals 34, rounded
1d3 1d2
down to 30 feet), and it would affect a single 5-foot square.
1d4 1d3
1d6 1d4 If the special attack deals hit point damage, its base damage
1d8 1d6 decreases as described in the Damage section (minimum
2d6 1d8 1). For example, a fireball spell cast by a miniature creature
2d8 1d10 would deal 1 point of fire damage per caster level. In addition,
3d6 2d6 changes in ability scores may change special attack DCs.
3d8 2d8
Special Qualities: The miniature retains all the base creature’s
6d6 4d6
special qualities and gains those described here. To find
6d8 4d8
the new range and area for a special quality, divide the base
Space/Reach: The miniature creature’s value by 20 and round down to the nearest 5-foot
has a space and reach increment. This procedure applies to special qualities that
appropriate for its new give specific ranges, such as darkvision and scent, but not
size, as described in low-light vision.
Damage reduction, fast healing, energy resistance,
regeneration, and similar abilities work differently, as
given below.
Damage Reduction and Energy Resistance: These abilities
reduce damage differently for a miniature creature. Divide
the normal damage reduction or energy resistance by
5 to learn how the new reduction value (minimum 1).
Thus, damage reduction 10/silver would become damage
reduction 2/silver.
Fast Healing and Regeneration: Divide the hit point
benefit associated with these abilities by 5 to learn the new
benefit provided (minimum 1). For example, fast healing 3
would become fast healing 1, and regeneration (acid 10, fire
10) would become regeneration 2 (acid 2, fire 2).
Abilities: The miniature’s ability scores change based on its
size change, as given in the following table.
174
 Abilities
Old Size New Size Str Dex Con New Spell: Miniaturize
Fine Fine +0 +0 +0 Transmutation
Diminutive Fine +0 +2 +0
Tiny Fine –2* +4 +0 Level: Druid 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 6
Small Fine –6* +6 +0 Components: V, S
Medium Fine –10* +8 –2* Casting Time: 1 standard action
Large Diminutive –18* +8 –6* Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)

Miniature
Huge Tiny –24* +8 –10* Target: One creature
Gargantuan Small –28* +6 –14* Duration: Permanent
Colossal Medium –32* +4 –16* Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
*Minimum 1
You dramatically shrink the target, granting it the
Skills: A change in size changes the creature’s Hide modifier, and miniature template.
a change in speed changes the base creature Jump modifier.
The miniaturize spell makes it an easy matter to introduce
Challenge Rating: The miniature template drastically and the miniature template into play. Because it requires the
unpredictably changes a creature’s challenge rating. Against GM or player to apply the miniature template, and that
other miniature foes, the creature’s CR may stay the same. task can slow down play, the spell should be used only
Against normal-sized foes, however, the creature’s CR should rarely—mainly by NPCs until you become familiar with
be diminished. Consider one-half or one-quarter normal as a the template’s changes. If you decide to use the spell
rule of thumb, but evaluate each creature individually. against the PCs and they have access to dispel magic,
Treasure: Same as the base creature, but all items are of a size consider placing the spell’s effect in a unique magic item
commensurate with the miniature’s. Non-magic items are whose destruction is required to break the effect.
worth 1/8th of their normal value.
Advancement: Same as the base creature, but reapply the template
–4, but application to PCs is not the best way to use the template.
to an advanced version of the base creature.
If the GM wishes to run an adventure in which miniature PCs
fight normal-sized monsters and other miniature creatures, he
Miniature Creature Characters should consider PCs to be 1/2 their normal level. When planning
A miniature favors whichever class the base creature does. If the encounters with miniature PCs, carefully weigh the threat of any
GM allows a miniature PC, the template has a level adjustment of creature they encounter and dole out experience accordingly.

- Sample Creature: Miniature Formian Warrior -

Fine Outsider (Extraplanar, Lawful) Here is an example of a miniature using a formian warrior as the
base creature.
Hit Dice: 4d8+4 (8 hp)
Initiative: +7 Miniature formians are as aggressive as their full-sized cousins.
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares) They rapidly take over areas claimed by various kinds of vermin
Armor Class: 30 (+8 size, +7 Dex, +5 natural), touch 25, flat- and creature miniature cities of their own.
footed 23
A miniature formian looks like a 5-inch-long insectoid centaur. It
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/–14
has the general form of an ant, except that the front section of its
Attack: Sting +10 melee (1d2-2 plus poison)
body is held upright. Its two front legs act as arms, and its front
Full Attack: Sting +10 melee (1d2–2 plus poison) and 2 claws +8
claws serve as surprisingly dexterous hands.
melee (1–2) and bite +8 melee (—)
Space/Reach: 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison Combat
Special Qualities: Hive mind, immunity to poison, petrification, A miniature formian warrior fights in the same manner as its
petrification, and cold, resistances (electricity 2, fire 2, sonic full-sized cousin. Knowing full well that its potential for dealing
2), spell resistance 18 damage is limited, however, it always attempts to hide and attack
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +11, Will +5 by surprise, hoping its poison can incapacitate its foes.
Abilities: Str 7, Dex 24, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 11
Skills: Climb +5, Hide +30, Jump –3, Listen +8, Move Silently +14, A miniature formian warrior’s natural weapons, and any weapons it
Search +7, Spot +8, Survival +1 (+3 following tracks), Tumble +16 wields, are treated as lawful-aligned for the purpose of overcoming
Feats: Dodge, Multiattack damage reduction.

Environment: Any lawfully aligned plane Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 13, initial and secondary
Organization: Solitary, pair, team (3–4), or troop (6–11) damage 1d6 Str. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Challenge Rating: 1 Hive Mind (Ex): All miniature formians within 2 1/2 miles of their
Treasure: None queen are in constant communication. If one is aware of a particular
Alignment: Always lawful neutral danger, they all are. If one in a group is not flat-footed, none of them
Advancement: 7–9 HD (Medium) are. No formian in a group is considered flanked unless all of them are.
Level Adjustment: — 175
 Mist Creature
Mist creatures live in areas where mists rise in the morning and fogs roll over the land at night. These beings of elemental air and water
occasionally choose to leave the Elemental Plane of Air and dwell instead on the Material Plane, where their abilities can be used to
greater effect. Mist creatures tend to be flighty but highly adaptable beings. They go where the wind takes them and deal with what they
encounter along the way as best as they can.
Mist Creature

A typical mist creature resembles a being of air or water with a pure white body and hair or feathers the color of fog.

Creating a Mist Creature

“Mist creature” is an inherited template that can be added to any a mist creature due to such conditions. A mist creature may
living, corporeal creature with the air or water subtype (referred to use this ability while gaseous.
hereafter as the base creature).
Gaseous Form (Su): A mist creature can assume gaseous
A mist creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special form at will. This ability works like the gaseous form spell
abilities except as noted here. gaseous form. Becoming gaseous or resuming its normal form
is a move action.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to elemental with
the appropriate augmented subtype, plus the air and water Immunities (Ex): A mist creature is immune to inhaled
subtypes if the base creature did not already have them. Do poisons and gas-, fog-, or cloud-based attacks and spells.
not recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or skill points.
Resistances (Ex): A mist creature has resistance 10 to cold
Size is unchanged.
and fire 10.
Hit Dice: Change all racial HD to d8s.
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Dex +4, Int
Special Attacks: The mist creature retains all the base creature’s +2, Wis +2.
special attacks and gains the one described here.
Skills: If the mist creature is gaseous in an area affected by fog,
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—obscuring mist, fog cloud, stinking cloud, smoke or any similar condition, it receives a +15
cloud; 1/day—solid fog, cloudkill. Caster level circumstance bonus on Hide checks.
equals mist creature’s character level. The save
Languages: If the mist creature can speak, it gains
DCs are Charisma based. A mist creature
the ability to speak Aquan and Auran in addition to
may use these spells while in gaseous form.
any other languages the base creature knows.
Special Qualities: The mist creature retains all the
Environment: Elemental Plane of Air and any land.
base creature’s special qualities and gains
those described here. Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Air Breather (Ex): A mist creature can breathe air even if Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +5.
the base creature breathed only water.
Air Mastery (Ex): Any airborne creature takes a –1 penalty Mist Characters
on attack and damage rolls against a mist creature.
A mist creature favors whichever class the base creature does. The
Cloud Sight (Ex): A mist creature can see through clouds, ability to become gaseous at will can ruin many dungeon-based
gases, fogs, mists, and smoke as though they didn’t inhibit adventures, so GMs should be wary of allowing mist creature
vision. Creatures and objects do not gain concealment from characters in their campaigns.

- Sample Creature: Mist Djinni -

Large Elemental (Air, Augmented Outsider, Extraplanar, Water) Abilities: Str 18, Dex 23, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 17, Cha 15
Skills: Appraise +13, Concentration +12, Craft (any one) +13,
Hit Dice: 7d8+14 (45 hp)
Diplomacy +4, Escape Artist +16, Hide +2*, Knowledge (any
Initiative: +10
one) +13, Listen +13, Move Silently +16, Sense Motive +13,
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), fly 60 ft. (perfect)
Spellcraft +13, Spot +13, Use Rope +6 (+8 with bindings)
Armor Class: 18 (–1 size, +6 Dex, +3 natural), touch 15, flat-
Feats: Combat Casting, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved InitiativeB
footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+15 Environment: Elemental Plane of Air and any land
Attack: Slam +10 melee (1d8+4) Organization: Solitary, pair, company (3–4), or band (6–15)
Full Attack: 2 slams +10 melee (1d8+4) Challenge Rating: 6
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft. Treasure: Standard
Special Attacks: Spell-like abilities, whirlwind Alignment: Always chaotic good
Special Qualities: Air mastery, air breather, cloud sight, darkvision Advancement: 8–10 HD (Large); 11–21 (Huge)
60 ft., elemental traits, gaseous form, immunities, immunity to Level Adjustment: +11
acid, plane shift, resistances (cold 10, fire 10), telepathy 100 ft.
Here is an example of a mist creature using a djinni as the base
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +11, Will +10
176 creature.
 Other Mist Creatures
If you wish, you can expand the range of creatures that qualify for this template by simply ignoring the subtype restrictions.
Alternatively, you can make it an acquired template, using the only the subtypes, special attacks, special qualities, ability
adjustments, CR adjustment, circumstance bonus on Hide checks, and level adjustment portions of the template.

Mist Creature
Mist djinn are creatures of the Elemental Plane of Air that are tied An affected creature must succeed on a DC 20 Reflex save when
to the Elemental Plane of Water in a way only they can comprehend. it comes into contact with the whirlwind or take 3d6 points of
They are equally at home any place on the Material Plane where damage. It must also succeed on a second DC 20 Reflex save or
mist rises at dawn or where the night covers the land in fog. Their be picked up bodily and held suspended in the powerful winds,
expansive powers over fogs and mists make them formidable foes on automatically taking 1d8 points of damage each round. A creature
the Material Plane, but on their home plane, other creatures’ powers to with a fly speed is allowed a DC 20 Reflex save each round to
disperse fogs with wind put the mist djinn at a distinct disadvantage. escape the whirlwind. The creature still takes damage but can
leave if the save is successful. The save DC is Strength-based and
A mist djinni looks like a human between 10 and 12 feet tall.
includes a +3 racial adjustment.
It has pure white skin and foggy gray hair that constantly floats
about its head as though ruffled by a persistent breeze. Fog and Creatures trapped in the whirlwind cannot move except to go
light spray always surround its often naked form. where the mist djinni carries them or to escape the whirlwind. A
creature caught in the whirlwind can otherwise act normally but
Mist djinn speak Aquan, Auran, Celestial, Common, and Ignan.
must make a Concentration check (DC 15 + spell level) to cast a
spell. Any creature caught in the whirlwind takes a –4 penalty
Combat to Dexterity and a –2 penalty on attack rolls. The mist
From the safety of gaseous form, a mist djinni usually djinni can have only as many creatures trapped inside a
shrouds the battlefield in stinking cloud, solid fog, and whirlwind at one time as will fit inside its volume. The
cloudkill effects, then uses its immunity to them and its mist djinni can eject any carried creatures whenever
ability to see through cloudy conditions to strike at foes it wishes, depositing them wherever the whirlwind
with impunity. If it finds these tactics ineffective, it uses happens to be.
its whirlwind ability to carry enemies high into the If the whirlwind’s base touches the ground, it
air before dropping them back into the areas of its creates a swirling cloud of debris. This cloud is
deadly cloud-based spell effects. If it must, it flees centered on the mist djinni and has a diameter
using the wind walk spell. equal to half the whirlwind’s height. The cloud
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—invisibility (self obscures all vision, including darkvision,
only); 1/day—create food and water, create beyond 5 feet. Creatures 5 feet away have
wine (as create water, but wine instead), concealment, while those farther away have
major creation (created vegetable matter is total concealment. Anyone caught in the cloud
permanent), persistent image (DC 17), wind must succeed on a Concentration check (DC
walk. Caster level 20th. 3/day—obscuring 15 + spell level) to cast a spell.
mist, fog cloud, stinking cloud; 1/day—solid fog, A mist djinni in whirlwind form cannot make
cloudkill. Caster level 3rd. The mist djinni melee attacks and does not threaten the area
may use these spells while in gaseous form. around it.
The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Air Mastery (Ex): Any airborne creature
Plane Shift (Sp): A mist djinni can enter any takes a –1 penalty on attack and damage
of the elemental planes, the Astral Plane, or the rolls against a mist djinni.
Material Plane. This ability transports the genie
and up to eight other creatures, provided they all link Air Breather: See the mist creature template.
hands with the mist djinni. It is otherwise similar
Cloud Sight (Ex): See the mist creature
to the spell of the same name (caster level 13th).
template.
Whirlwind (Su): A mist djinni can transform
Elemental Traits: A mist djinni has
itself into a whirlwind once every 10 minutes and
immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis,
remain in that form for up to 7 rounds. In this
and stunning. It is not subject to critical hits
form, it can move through the air or along a surface
or flanking. It cannot be raised, reincarnated or
at its fly speed. The whirlwind is 5 feet wide at the
resurrected (though a limited wish, wish, miracle, or
base, up to 30 feet wide at the top, and up to 50 feet tall. The
true resurrection spell can restore life). Darkvision 60 ft.
mist djinni controls the exact height, but it must be at least 10 feet.
Gaseous Form (Su): See the mist creature template.
A mist djinni’s movement while in whirlwind form does not
provoke attacks of opportunity, even if it enters the space another Immunities (Ex): See the mist creature template.
creature occupies. Another creature might be caught in the
whirlwind if it touches or enters the whirlwind, or if the mist Resistances: See the mist creature template.
djinni moves into or through the creature’s space. Creatures one Skills: *If the mist djinni is gaseous in an area affected by
or more size categories smaller than the mist djinni might take fog, cloud, smoke or any similar condition, it receives a +15
damage when caught in the whirlwind and be lifted into the air. circumstance bonus on Hide checks. 177
 Monstrous Lycanthrope
Monstrous Lycanthrope
A monstrous lycanthrope is a creature of humanoid form that can assume the form of another creature, or even take on a form that is a
hybrid of the two. Natural monstrous lycanthropes can control their forms and communicate the disease of lycanthropy to other creatures
with its natural attacks. Afflicted monstrous lycanthropes are slaves to the phases of the moon, becoming monstrous beings at certain
times regardless of their will.

Creating a Monstrous Lycanthrope

“Monstrous lycanthrope” is a template that can be added to any Hit Dice: A monstrous lycanthrope has a number of racial
living humanoid, monstrous humanoid, giant, or other creature Hit Dice equal to the base creature’s racial HD + the
with a generally humanoid form—namely, two arms, two legs, and werecreature’s racial HD. All its racial HD are of the same
a head (referred to hereafter as the base creature). The monstrous type as the base creature’s racial HD. To calculate its hit
lycanthrope template can be inherited (for natural monstrous points, apply the base creature’s Constitution modifier
lycanthropes) or acquired (for afflicted monstrous lycanthropes). to the base creature’s racial HD and the werecreature’s
Constitution modifier to the werecreature’s HD.
The monstrous lycanthrope takes on the characteristics of
some other kind of living creature (referred to hereafter as the Speed: Same as the base creature or werecreature, depending
werecreature). The werecreature can be any creature whose on which form the monstrous lycanthrope is using. The
size is within one step of the base creature’s size. A monstrous hybrid form retains the speeds of the base creature. If the
lycanthrope can also adopt a hybrid shape that base creature lacks a particular type of movement
combines features of the base creature with those of that the werecreature possesses, the hybrid form
the werecreature. possesses that mode of movement at one-half the
werecreature’s speed.
A monstrous lycanthrope uses either the base
creature’s or the werecreature form’s statistics and Armor Class: The monstrous lycanthrope’s natural
special abilities, as described here. armor bonus improves by +2 over that of the base
creature in all its forms. A monstrous lycanthrope
Size and Type: The monstrous lycanthrope retains
in hybrid form has a natural armor bonus equal to the
the base creature’s type and gains the shapechanger subtype
werecreature’s or the base creature’s, whichever is higher.
and the subtypes of the werecreature if the base creature did
not already have them. If two subtypes conflict (such as fire Base Attack Bonus: Recalculate the monstrous lycanthrope’s base
and cold), the monstrous lycanthrope retains all immunities attack bonus for its racial Hit Dice based on its creature
granted by the conflicting subtypes but loses them both. type and number of racial HD, according to the following
table. Add to this value the base attack bonus for any class
Size of the monstrous lycanthrope is the same as the base
Hit Dice it has.
creature in its normal form and the same as the werecreature
in monster form. Its hybrid shape is the same size as the
werecreature’s or the base creature’s form, whichever is larger. Base Attack Bonus
Form: A monstrous lycanthrope can take any of three forms: the Base Attack Bonus Creature Type
base creature’s form (called normal form), a hybrid form, or HD x 3/4 (as cleric) Aberration, animal, construct, elemental,
the werecreature’s form (called monster form). The hybrid giant, humanoid, ooze, plant, vermin
form has the base creature’s body shape and number of HD (as fighter) Dragon, magical beast, monstrous
limbs and heads, but it shares certain characteristics of humanoid, outsider
the werecreature form, including scales, fur, or skin tones. HD x 1/2 (as wizard) Fey, undead
The hybrid form might also include smaller versions of
the werecreature’s wings, horns, or facial features, or even Grapple: The monstrous lycanthrope’s grapple modifier varies
vestigial limbs (or heads) of the werecreature form that the with the size and Strength of the form it is using. The size
base creature form does not possess. modifier for grapple checks is given on the following table.

Using the Monstrous Lycanthrope Template

You can use the monstrous lycanthrope template in many ways. Here are a few suggestions.
• An afflicted monstrous lycanthrope’s change might be controlled by a different phase of the moon than a standard
lycanthrope’s. Alternatively, it could be controlled by an hour of day, a season, a natural monstrous lycanthrope, or some
other trigger altogether.
• The monster chosen for the werecreature form might not appear in your campaign world except as a natural or afflicted
lycanthrope. Consider, for instance, having only weresahuagin in your game but no true sahuagin.
• Your game world might feature only afflicted monstrous lycanthropes, but no natural ones. In such a case, the monster
chosen as the alternate form might inflict lycanthropy itself. For instance, chimeras might inflict lycanthropy that turns
victims that escape them into werechimeras.

178
 A Weretreant?

Monstrous Lycanthrope
The monstrous lycanthrope template is modeled very closely after the lycanthrope template in the MM, but it allows more
creatures to gain the template and does not limit the alternate forms to those of animals. Even wereconstructs and wereundead
are possible, though they lack the features of the construct or undead type in werecreature form. Although it might seem silly
to have a werebugbear or werenaga, consider how silly a werebear would sound to you were it not for the creature’s long history
in legend and in the d20 game.
Creating a credible and threatening monstrous lycanthrope begins with the selection of the base creature. If you choose a
very threatening creature and then choose a nonthreatening creature for its alternate form, an encounter with the resulting
werecreature may not be particularly exciting. You should consider choosing an alternate form that follows a theme. For
example, it’s much more believable and far less incongruous if the lizardfolk warrior is a werewyvern than a wereformian. It
also helps if monstrous lycanthropes are already part of your world. If the players have heard hints about such creatures before
encountering them, their first encounter with it may be much better received.
A great deal of your success in creating the desired effect in a monstrous lycanthrope encounter is based on the description you
give. Spend some time devising the best way to present your monster. If you wish, you can try the following exercise: Read the
template and then think about what a human with the template would look like in hybrid form. A little imagination can make
a somewhat silly idea downright horrifying.

Space/Reach: A monstrous lycanthrope has the base creature’s space

Grapple and reach in normal form and the werecreature’s space and
Amalgam’s Size Size Modifier for Grapple Checks reach in werecreature form. In hybrid form, the monstrous
lycanthrope has the space of either the base creature or
Fine –16
the werecreature, whichever is larger. If the base creature is
Diminutive –12
smaller than the werecreature but has a longer reach, the
Tiny –8
hybrid creature’s reach is equal to that of the base creature. If
Small –4
the werecreature is the larger form but has an unusually long
Medium +0
reach, the hybrid form has the reach typical for a humanoid
Large +4
creature of the monster form’s size category. Otherwise, the
Huge +8
hybrid form has the reach of the larger of the two forms.
Gargantuan +12
Colossal +16 Special Attacks: The monstrous lycanthrope retains all the special
attacks of the base creature or the werecreature when it is
Attack: In normal or monster form, the monstrous lycanthrope
in normal or monster form, respectively. The hybrid form
retains all the attacks of the form it is using, and the weapon
does not gain any special attacks of the werecreature form.
and armor proficiencies of both forms. In hybrid form,
A monstrous lycanthrope spellcaster cannot cast spells with
it gains a bite attack with each head if the werecreature
V, S, or M components in werecreature form, or spells with
has a bite attack and a claw attack with each arm if the
V components in hybrid form, unless its werecreature form
werecreature has a claw attack. The bite attack is primary
can cast spells in the same manner as the base creature can.
if the creature has no other natural attacks, or secondary
The monstrous lycanthrope also gains the following special
otherwise. The claw attacks (if any) are primary. Any other
attack while in the forms specified.
natural attacks it has retain the same primary or secondary
status they had for the base creature. In hybrid form, a Curse of Lycanthropy (Su): Any humanoid, monstrous
monstrous lycanthrope usually attacks with a weapon, a humanoid, giant, or creature with a generally humanoid
natural attack, or a claw. form (two arms, two legs, and a head) that is hit by the
bite attack of a natural monstrous lycanthrope in animal
Damage: If the monstrous lycanthrope gained bite or claw attacks
or hybrid form must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save
for its hybrid form from the application of this template, the
or contract lycanthropy. If the victim is not within one
base damage for each is as given on the following table.
size category of the monstrous lycanthrope’s monster form
(for example, a hill giant bitten by a weresprite), the victim
Damage cannot contract lycanthropy from that creature. Afflicted
monstrous lycanthropes cannot pass on the curse of
Size of Bite Base Claw Base
lycanthropy.
Hybrid Form Damage Damage
Special Qualities: The monstrous lycanthrope retains all the
Fine — 1
special qualities of the base creature or the werecreature
Diminutive 1 1d2
when it is in normal or monster form, respectively. The
Tiny 1d2 1d3
hybrid form does not gain any special qualities of the
Small 1d3 1d4
werecreature form. The monstrous lycanthrope also gains
Medium 1d4 1d6
the following special qualities while in the forms specified.
Large 1d6 1d8
Huge 1d8 2d6 Alternate Form (Su): A monstrous lycanthrope can shift
Gargantuan 2d6 2d8 into normal, monster, or hybrid form as though using the
Colossal 2d8 4d6 polymorph spell on itself, except that its gear is not affected,
it does not regain hit points for changing form, and only 179
 one specific werecreature’s form can be assumed. The Saves: The monstrous lycanthropes base saves for its racial Hit
monstrous lycanthrope does not assume the ability scores of Dice depend on its type, as given on the following table.
the werecreature; instead, it adds the werecreature’s physical Any saves not noted as good for a particular type are poor.
ability score modifiers (see Abilities, below) to the ability See Chapter 3: Classes of the PHB for the progression
Monstrous Lycanthrope
scores of the base creature when assuming either monster of good and poor saves. Add to each of these values the
or hybrid form. A slain monstrous lycanthrope reverts to corresponding base save bonuses for any class Hit Dice
its normal form, although it remains dead, but separated the monstrous lycanthrope has, and apply the appropriate
body parts retain their current form. Afflicted monstrous modifiers from ability scores and feats for whichever form
lycanthropes find this ability difficult to control (see the the creature is using.
Lycanthropy as an Affliction section on the next page), but
natural monstrous lycanthropes have full control over this Saves
power.
Creature Type Good Saves
Damage Reduction (Ex): A monstrous lycanthrope in hybrid
or monster form gains damage reduction 10/silver. If the Aberration Will
werecreature has damage reduction of another sort, the Animal Fortitude and Reflex (and sometimes
monstrous lycanthrope becomes vulnerable to damage from Will)
silver weapons in all forms. Construct —
Dragon Fortitude, Reflex, Will
Lycanthropic Empathy (Ex): In any form, a monstrous Elemental Fortitude (Earth or Water) or Reflex
lycanthrope can communicate and empathize with normal (Air or Fire)
creatures of its werecreature kind. This ability gives the Fey Reflex and Will
creature a +4 racial bonus on Charisma-based checks made Giant Fortitude
to influence the creature’s attitude. Humanoid Fortitude or Reflex or Will
Magical beast Fortitude, Reflex
Monstrous humanoid Reflex, Will
Ooze —
Outsider Fortitude, Reflex, Will
Plant Fortitude
Undead Will
Vermin Fortitude
Abilities: When a monstrous lycanthrope is in werecreature or
hybrid form, each of its physical ability scores (Strength,
Dexterity, and Constitution) improves by an amount equal
to the corresponding score for the werecreature –10 (if even)
or –11 (if odd). For example, a werecrocodile (Str 19, Dex
12, Con 17) would add Str +8 (19–11), Dex +2 (12–10),
and Con +6 (17–11) to the appropriate scores for the base
creature upon taking crocodile form. If the werecreature
lacks a certain ability (such as a Constitution score for a
construct or undead), ignore this adjustment for that score.
The monstrous lycanthrope may also gain additional
ability score increases by virtue of its extra Hit
Dice, just as any other character would.
Skills: The monstrous lycanthrope gains a
number of additional skill points from its
added Hit Dice based on its type, as given
in the following table. Skills given in
the werecreature’s description are class
skills for its werecreature Hit Dice,
and all others are cross-class skills. The
monstrous lycanthrope retains any
skill points gained from class levels.
In any form, the monstrous lycanthrope
also retains the base creature’s and the
werecreature’s racial skill bonuses,
although conditional skill bonuses
(such as a weretiger’s camouflage bonus
on Hide checks) apply only in forms
with the proper coloration. New racial
bonuses, new size modifiers, and new
ability scores all modify skill modifiers. In
addition, any size change also changes the size
modifier on Hide checks.

180
 in combat. It feels an overwhelming rage building up and must
Skills succeed on a Control Shape check to resist changing into monster
Creature Type Skill Points form (see the Control Shape feat in the MM). Any monstrous
lycanthrope not yet aware of its condition temporarily becomes an
Aberration (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)

Monstrous Lycanthrope
NPC under the GM’s control during an involuntary change and
Animal (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
acts as described above. A good or neutral creature immediately
Construct (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
seeks to get away from civilization and intelligent creatures
Dragon (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
(including its former companions), while an evil creature attacks
Elemental (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
anyone in its vicinity.
Fey (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Giant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) A monstrous lycanthrope that is aware of its condition retains its
Humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) identity and does not lose control of its actions upon changing.
Magical beast (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) However, each time it changes to its monster form, it must make
Monstrous a Will save (DC 15 + the number of times it has been in monster
humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) form) or permanently assume the alignment of the werecreature
Ooze (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) in all shapes. An evil monstrous lycanthrope that is aware of
Outsider (8 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) its actions in monster form is not compelled to murder and
Plant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) kill indiscriminately, but it delights in bloodshed and seeks out
Undead (4 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) opportunities to slaughter intelligent beings, preferably those of its
Vermin (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) own race.
Feats: The monstrous lycanthrope retains the feats of both the base Once the base creature becomes aware of the affliction, it can
creature and the werecreature. If the monstrous lycanthrope voluntarily attempt to change to monster or hybrid form, using the
ends up with the same feat twice, it loses the duplicate appropriate Control Shape DC. Each such attempt is a standard
feat unless it is one that can normally be taken more than action and can be tried once per round. Any voluntary change
once. If the monstrous lycanthrope has more feats than its to animal or hybrid form immediately and permanently changes
character level would allow, the “extra” feats are gained as the monstrous lycanthrope’s alignment to that of the appropriate
bonus feats. If the monstrous lycanthrope cannot meet the werecreature.
prerequisites for a given feat in a particular form, it still
has the feat but cannot use it in that form. A monstrous Changing Form
lycanthrope also receives Iron Will as a bonus feat if neither
the base creature nor the werecreature already has it. Changing form is a standard action. If the change is involuntary,
it occurs on the monstrous lycanthrope’s next turn after the
Environment: Same as either the base creature or the triggering event. Changing to monster or hybrid form ruins the
werecreature. base creature’s armor and clothing (including any items worn) if
the new form is larger than the base creature’s natural form. Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, family (3–4), or pack (6–10).
carried items are simply dropped. The monstrous lycanthrope can
Challenge Rating: Same as the challenge rating of the base hastily doff clothing while changing, but not armor. Magic armor
creature + the challenge rating of the werecreature. survives the change if it succeeds on a DC 15 Fortitude save. An
afflicted monstrous lycanthrope that is not aware of its condition
Treasure: Standard or same as the werecreature, whichever is remains in monster form until the next dawn. An afflicted
greater. monstrous lycanthrope that is aware of its condition can try to
Alignment: Any, usually same as the werecreature. resume normal form following a change (voluntary or involuntary)
with a Control Shape check. Failure leaves the monstrous
Advancement: Same as either the base creature or the lycanthrope in monster (or hybrid) form until the following dawn.
werecreature.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature plus either the Curing Lycanthropy
level adjustment of the werecreature or +2, whichever is An afflicted monstrous lycanthrope that eats a sprig of belladonna
greater. The monstrous lycanthrope’s effective level equals its (also called wolfbane) within an hour of acquiring the curse of
character level. lycanthropy can attempt a DC 20 Fortitude save to shake off the
affliction. If a healer administers the herb, use the base creature’s
Lycanthropy as an Affliction save or the healer’s Heal check, whichever is higher, to modify
the roll. The victim gets only one save, no matter how much
When a creature contracts lycanthropy via a monstrous belladonna is consumed.
lycanthrope’s natural attack, no symptoms appear until the first
night of the next full moon. On that night, the afflicted creature The belladonna used for the cure must be reasonably fresh (picked
involuntarily assumes monster form and forgets its own identity, within the last week). Fresh or not, however, belladonna is toxic.
temporarily becoming an NPC under the GM’s control. The The monstrous lycanthrope must succeed on a DC 13 Fortitude
creature remains in monster form, assuming the appropriate save or take 1d6 points of Strength damage. One minute later, it
alignment, until the next dawn. The monstrous lycanthrope’s must succeed on a second save or take an additional 2d6 points of
actions during this first change are dictated by the alignment of Strength damage.
its monster form. The base creature remembers nothing about the
A remove disease or heal spell cast by a cleric of at least 12th level
entire episode (or subsequent episodes) unless it succeeds on a
also cures the affliction, provided the victim receives the spell
DC 15 Wisdom check, which makes it aware of its lycanthropic
within three days of the monstrous lycanthrope’s attack. The only
condition.
other way to remove the affliction is to cast remove curse or break
Thereafter, the monstrous lycanthrope is subject to involuntary enchantment on the monstrous lycanthrope during one of the three
transformation under the full moon and any time it is damaged days of the full moon. After receiving the spell, it must succeed 181
 on a DC 20 Will save to break the curse. The caster automatically
knows whether the spell works. Otherwise, the process must be Monstrous Lycanthrope Characters
repeated. Monstrous lycanthropes undergoing this treatment are Very few cautions apply equally to all monstrous lycanthrope
often kept bound or confined in cages until the cure takes effect. characters. Thus, a GM who is considering allowing a monstrous
Monstrous Lycanthrope
Only afflicted monstrous lycanthropes can be cured of lycanthropy. lycanthrope PC must work out all the details of the creature first.

- Sample Creature: Tiefling Werehellhound Warrior 1 -

Here is an example of a monstrous lycanthrope using a tiefling as Skills: Bluff +4, Hide +12, Jump +7, Listen +7, Move Silently +10,
the base creature and a hell hound as the werecreature. Sleight of Hand +2, Spot +7, Survival +7*
Feats: Improved Initiative, Iron WillB, RunB, TrackB, Weapon
Tiefling Form Focus (rapier)

Medium Outsider (Evil, Fire, Lawful) Environment: Temperate plains

Organization: Solitary, pair, family (3–4), or pack (6–10)
Hit Dice: 1d8+1 plus 4d8+4 (27 hp) Challenge Rating: 4
Initiative: +5 Treasure: Standard
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares) Alignment: Always lawful evil
Armor Class: 17 (+1 Dex, +2 natural, +3 studded leather, +1 light Advancement: By character class
shield), touch 11, flat-footed 16 Level Adjustment: +4
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+6
Attack: Rapier +7 melee (1d6+1/18–20) or light crossbow +6
ranged (1d8/19–20)
Hell Hound Form
Full Attack: Rapier +7 melee (1d6+1/18–20) or light crossbow +6 Medium Outsider (Evil, Fire, Lawful)
ranged (1d8/19–20)
Hit Dice: 1d8+2 plus 4d8+8 (32 hp)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Initiative: +7
Special Attacks: Darkness
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/silver, darkvision 60 ft.,
Armor Class: 19 (+2 Dex, +7 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 17
hell hound empathy, immunity to fire, resistances (cold 5,
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+6
electricity 5), scent, vulnerability to cold
Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d8+2 plus 1d6 fire)
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +5
Full Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d8+2 plus 1d6 fire)
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 9, Cha 6
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Skills: Bluff +4, Hide +11, Jump +7, Listen +7, Move Silently +9,
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, curse of lycanthropy, fiery bite,
Sleight of Hand +1, Spot +7, Survival +7*
darkness
Feats: Improved Initiative, Iron WillB, RunB, TrackB, Weapon
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/silver, darkvision 60 ft.,
Focus (rapier)
hell hound empathy, immunity to fire, resistances (cold 5,
Environment: Temperate plains electricity 5), scent, vulnerability to cold
Organization: Solitary, pair, family (3–4), or pack (6–10) Saves: Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +5
Challenge Rating: 4 Abilities: Str 15, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 9, Cha 6
Treasure: Standard Skills: Bluff +4, Hide +14, Jump +10, Listen +7, Move Silently
Alignment: Always lawful evil +12, Sleight of Hand +4, Spot +7, Survival +7*
Advancement: By character class Feats: Improved Initiative, Iron WillB, RunB, TrackB, Weapon
Level Adjustment: +4 Focus (rapier)
Environment: Temperate plains
Hybrid Form Organization: Solitary, pair, family (3–4), or pack (6–10)
Medium Outsider (Evil, Fire, Lawful) Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: Standard
Hit Dice: 1d8+2 plus 4d8+8 (32 hp) Alignment: Always lawful evil
Initiative: +7 Advancement: By character class
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares) Level Adjustment: +4
Armor Class: 23 (+2 Dex, +7 natural, +3 studded leather, +1 light
shield), touch 12, flat-footed 21 Even in humanoid form, a tiefling werehellhound bears the sinister
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/+6 marks of an otherworldly heritage. Small horns, cloven hooves, or a
Attack: Rapier +8 melee (1d6+2/18–20) or bite +7 melee (1d6+2) devil’s tail marks a tiefling werehellhound as something other than
or light crossbow +7 ranged (1d8/19–20) human. In hellhound form, the tiefling werehellhound looks like
Full Attack: Rapier +8 melee (1d6+2/18–20) and bite +2 melee the shaggy, evil beast that often accompanies it, but the fiendish
(1d6+1) or 2 claws +7 melee (1d4+2) and bite +2 melee intelligence that characterizes both glimmers even more brightly in
(1d6+1) or light crossbow +7 ranged (1d8/19–20) the tiefling werehellhound’s eyes. A tiefling werehellhound’s hybrid
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. form is a true horror to look upon, with a demonic dog face and a
Special Attacks: Curse of lycanthropy, darkness muscular body bristling with fur that stinks of ash and brimstone.
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/silver, darkvision 60 ft., A tiefling werehellhound is wholly evil and seeks to dominate
hell hound empathy, immunity to fire, resistances (cold 5, everyone it encounters. If confronted with an evil greater than its
electricity 5), scent, vulnerability to cold own, it may attempt to ally itself with that force.
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +5
182 Abilities: Str 15, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 9, Cha 6 Tiefling werehellhounds speak Common and Infernal.
 Darkness (Sp): A tiefling werehellhound can use darkness once per
Combat day (caster level equals class levels).
In combat, a tiefling werehellhound changes to hybrid form to fight
Curse of Lycanthropy (Su): See the monstrous lycanthrope template.
foes at range, then takes hellhound form and breathes fire while
closing to melee. If its foes show resistance to fire, it reverts to hybrid Fiery Bite (Su): A tiefling werehellhound in hellhound form
form and continues the attack. Should defeat seem imminent, a deals an extra +1d6 points of fire damage every time it bites an
tiefling werehellhound assumes hellhound form and retreats. opponent, as if its bite were a flaming weapon.

Muck Creature
A tiefling werehellhound’s natural attacks, and any weapons Alternate Form (Su): See the monstrous lycanthrope template.
it wields, are treated as lawful-aligned and evil-aligned for
overcoming damage reduction. Hell Hound Empathy (Ex): See the monstrous lycanthrope template.

Breath Weapon (Su): Once every 2d4 rounds, a tiefling Skills: A tiefling werehellhound has a +7 racial bonus on Hide
werehellhound can breathe a 10-foot cone of fire. Any creature checks, a +5 racial bonus on Move Silently checks, and a +2 racial
within this area takes 2d6 points of fire damage (Reflex DC 14 bonus on Bluff checks. *It also receives a +8 racial bonus on Survival
half ). The save DC is Constitution-based. checks when tracking by scent, due to its keen sense of smell.

Muck Creature
Muck creatures are elemental beings made of earth and water. They exist in small numbers on both the Elemental Plane of Water and the
Elemental Plane of Air, but many also thrive on the Material Plane in marshlands and other swampy locations.
A muck creature resembles a pile of dripping mud and slime formed into the vague shape of some other being. Its sludge like body drips
nauseating muck, and it leaves puddles of the slippery stuff wherever it goes.
Muck creatures tend to be lazy and antisocial, but almost any personality type can come to the fore in an individual.

Creating a Muck Creature

“Muck creature” is an inherited template that can be added to any the muck creature may automatically affect the opponent
living, corporeal creature with the water or earth subtype (referred with its smother attack.
to hereafter as the base creature).
Mudball (Su): A muck creature can launch a mudball as
A muck creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special a thrown weapon with a range increment 20 feet. It deals
abilities except as noted here. nonlethal damage based on the water-infused creature’s
size, according to the following table. As with other thrown
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to elemental with the
weapons, the water-infused creature’s full Strength bonus
appropriate augmented subtype, plus the earth, extraplanar, and
applies to the damage roll. In addition, the target is covered
water subtypes if the base creature did not already
in slippery mud and takes a –3 circumstance penalty
have them. Do not recalculate base attack bonuses,
on all attack rolls, Reflex saving throws, and checks
saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
based on Strength or Dexterity, though it also gains
Hit Dice: Change all racial HD to d8s. a +3 circumstance bonus on saves against fire effects.
The effects of the slippery mud last for 1 minute or
Speed: The muck creature gains a climb speed and until the mud is washed off by total immersion in
a swim speed equal to one-half its highest water or washing with at least 10 gallons of water or
speed. If the base creature already has either other liquid. The bonuses and penalties from multiple
speed, the muck creature either retains that speed or replaces mudballs do not stack, but the slippery mud effect continues
it with a speed equal to one-half the base creature’s highest until 1 minute after the last mudball struck, or until the
speed, whichever is faster. mud is washed away. Muck creatures are immune to this
Special Attacks: The muck creature retains all the base creature’s attack.
special attacks and gains those described here.
Exude Muck (Su): At will as a full-round action, a muck
Mudball
creature can exude a puddle slippery muck in a 20-foot- Size Mudball Base Damage (Nonlethal)
diameter spread centered on its body. This muck remains
in the affected area until washed away. Any creature Fine —
attempting to move in, through, or out of the area must Diminutive 1
succeed on a DC 15 Balance check when or fall prone. Tiny 1d2
Muck creatures are immune to this effect. Small 1d4
Medium 1d6
Improved Grab (Ex): If a muck creature hits a creature of Large 1d8
any size with a natural melee attack, it deals normal damage Huge 2d6
and may attempt to start a grapple as a free action without Gargantuan 2d8
provoking an attack of opportunity. It the grapple succeeds, Colossal 4d6 183
 Other Muck Creatures
If you wish, you can expand the range of creatures that qualify for this template by simply ignoring the subtype restrictions.
Alternatively, you can make it an acquired template, using the only the subtypes, special attacks, special qualities, skill
adjustments, ability adjustments, CR adjustment, and level adjustment portions of the template.
Muck Creature

Smother (Ex): With a successful grapple check, a muck creature or attacks while airborne takes a –4 morale penalty
creature can fill the mouth and nose (or other breathing and on attack and damage rolls.
speaking orifices) of a creature with noxious muck. If the
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Con +4, Cha
target creature breathes air or water, it must immediately
–2 (minimum 1).
begin holding its breath (see Drowning in the DMG).
A creature affected by a muck creature’s smother attack Skills: A muck creature gains a +10 racial bonus on Escape Artist
cannot speak. Furthermore, it must succeed on a Fortitude checks. It also has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to
save (DC 10 + 1/2 muck creature’s character level + muck perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always
creature’s Con modifier) each round that it is unable to choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or
breathe or be nauseated (see the DMG for a description of endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided
the nauseated condition) until 1d4 rounds after its breathing it swims in a straight line. *In addition, a muck creature gains a
orifices are clear. A creature affected by this attack can clear +4 circumstance bonus on Hide checks in areas of mud or silt.
the mud from its mouth and nose as a move-equivalent
action (even while grappled) by succeeding on a DC 15 Languages: If the muck creature can speak, it gains the ability to
Constitution check. Muck creatures are immune to this speak Aquan and Terran in addition to any other languages
special attack. the base creature knows.

Special Qualities: The muck creature retains all the base creature’s Environment: Same as the base creature plus marshes,
special qualities and gains those described here. underground, the Elemental Plane of Earth, and the
Elemental Plane of Water.
Air Breather (Ex): A muck creature can breathe air even if
the base creature breathed only water. Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.

Earth and Water Mastery (Ex): A muck creature gains a +1 Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
morale bonus on attack and damage rolls if its foe touches
the ground or water while the muck creature touches the
ground or water. A muck creature that attacks an airborne
Muck Creature Characters
A muck creature favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Adult Muck Tojanida -

Medium Elemental (Augmented Outsider, Earth, Extraplanar, Challenge Rating: 6
Water) Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always neutral
Hit Dice: 7d8+28 (59 hp)
Advancement: 8–14 HD (Medium)
Initiative: +1
Level Adjustment: +7
Speed: 45 ft. (9 squares), swim 45 ft. (9 squares)
Armor Class: 23 (+1 Dex, +12 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 22 Here is an example of a muck creature using an adult tojanida as
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+10 the base creature.
Attack: Bite +10 melee (2d8+3) or mudball +8 ranged (1d6+3)
Muck tojanidas are equally at home on land or in the water, but
Full Attack: Bite +10 melee (2d8+3) and 2 claws +5 melee
they prefer to lair in areas where both are abundant. Thus, they
(1d6+1) or mudball +8 ranged (1d6+3)
particularly love muddy marshlands. Muck tojanidas live as simple
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
hunter-gatherers, feeding off smaller creatures and the minerals
Special Attacks: Exude muck, improved grab, ink cloud, mudball,
found in silt. Muck tojanidas tend to ignore creatures they do not
smother
consider prey, but if attacked, they react fiercely.
Special Qualities: Air breather, all-around vision, darkvision 60
ft., earth and water mastery, elemental traits, immunities A muck tojanida looks like an animate lump of sludge with shapes
(acid, cold), resistances (electricity 10, fire 10) barely recognizable as limbs projecting from it. Four of these
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +6 projections resemble paddles and serve as flippers or fins to help propel
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 13, Con 19, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 7 the creature through the water and aid it in gliding over land. Two
Skills: Diplomacy +0, Escape Artist +21, Hide +11*, Knowledge other projections end in mud-slicked claws, and still another bears a
(the planes) +6, Listen +11, Search +14, Sense Motive vertically opening maw flanked on each side by a small black eye.
+11, Spot +15, Survival +1 (+3 other planes and following
tracks), Swim +11, Use Rope +1 (+3 with bindings) Muck tojanidas speak Aquan and Terran.
Feats: Blind-Fight, Dodge, Power Attack
Combat
Environment: Marshes, underground, the Elemental Plane of
Earth, and the Elemental Plane of Water A muck tojanida uses its great speed on land and in the water to
184 Organization: Solitary, pair, or clutch (3–4) advantage. Slippery muck often coats the area that a muck tojanida
frequents, giving it even greater ability Air Breather (Ex): See the muck creature template.

Negative-Energey-Charged Creature
to outmaneuver foes. This increased
All-Around Vision (Ex): The multiple apertures
mobility helps a muck tojanida stays
in a muck tojanida’s shell allow it to look in any
out of danger while it blinds foes
direction, granting it a +4 racial bonus on Search
and hits them with mudballs. Prone
and Spot checks. Opponents gain no flanking
opponents and those struck by
bonuses when attacking a muck tojanida.
mudballs make prime targets for
the creature’s smother ability. Earth and Water Mastery (Ex): See
the muck creature template.
Exude Muck (Su): DC 15
Balance check; see the muck Elemental Traits: A muck
creature template. tojanida has immunity
to poison, sleep
Improved Grab (Ex): See the
effects, paralysis, and
muck creature template.
stunning. It is not
Ink Cloud (Ex): A muck subject to critical
tojanida can emit a spherical, hits or flanking.
30-foot-radius cloud of jet- It cannot
black ink once per minute be raised,
as a free action. Its effect is reincarnated
similar to fog cloud (caster or resurrected
level equals muck tojanida’s (though a
racial Hit Dice). Out of limited wish,
water, the ink emerges in wish, miracle, or true
a stream up to 30 feet long, resurrection spell can restore life).
which the muck tojanida can Darkvision 60 ft.
squirt into an opponent’s eyes.
Skills: A muck tojanida gains
The affected creature must succeed
a +10 racial bonus on Escape
on a DC 17 Reflex save or be
Artist checks. It also has a +8
blinded for 1 round. The save DC is
racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or
Constitution-based.
avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even
Mudball (Su): 1d6+3 nonlethal; see the muck creature template. if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming,
provided it swims in a straight line. *In addition, a muck tojanida gains
Smother (Ex): DC 17 Fortitude save; see the muck creature template.
a +4 circumstance bonus to Hide checks in areas of mud or silt.

Negative-Energy-Charged Creature
Undead creatures are intrinsically linked to the Negative Energy Plane, and this linkage grants them both their semblance of life and
their death-bringing powers. Through dark magic, a spellcaster can strengthen an undead creature’s link to the chilling source of its
unnatural existence. The resulting creature is empowered by the Negative Energy Plane and cloaked in its black energy.

Creating a Negative-Energy-Charged Creature

“Negative-energy-charged creature” is an acquired template that also gains one extra attack with a natural or manufactured
can be added to any undead creature (referred to hereafter as the weapon of its choice at its highest attack bonus each round
base creature). that it makes a full attack.
A negative-energy-charged creature uses all the base creature’s Damage: Each of a negative-energy-charged creature’s natural
statistics and special abilities except as noted here. attacks, touch attacks, incorporeal touch attacks, and
weapon attacks deals negative energy damage (see Charged
Speed: Each of a negative-energy-charged creature’s speeds is
Attacks, below) in addition to normal damage.
double the corresponding speed of the base creature.
Special Attacks: The negative-energy-charged creature retains all the
Armor Class: A negative-energy-charged creature gains a +2
base creature’s special attacks and gains those described here.
dodge bonus to Armor Class.
Charged Attacks (Su): Each of a negative-energy-
Full Attack: A negative-energy-charged creature
charged creature’s natural attacks, touch attacks,
fighting without weapons uses all its natural
incorporeal touch attacks, and weapon attacks deals
attacks when making a full attack. If armed
+1d6 points of negative energy damage in addition to
with a weapon, it uses that as its primary
its normal damage. Undead are healed by this negative
attack and all its natural attacks that do not
energy, so the negative-energy-charged creature can
depend on its arms as secondary attacks. It 185
 heal 1d6 points of damage its form and providing it with
Negative-Energey-Charged Creature
by using touch attacks (as concealment. Thus, attacks
an attack action or part of
a full attack action) against
New Spell: Empower Undead against it suffer a 20% miss
chance, and it can hide behind
itself or other undead. The Necromancy [Evil] its energy “shield” when
negative-energy-charged Level: Clr 6, Sor/Wiz 6 unobserved. This negative
creature’s natural weapons, Components: V, S, M energy takes the form of a black
and any weapons it wields, Casting Time: 1 standard action cloud and is thus easy to locate
are treated as evil-aligned Range: Touch in normal light, but it still grants
for overcoming damage Target: Undead creature touched the negative-energy-charged
reduction. Duration: Instantaneous creature total concealment (50%
Saving Throw: None miss chance) and allows it to
Searing Darkness (Sp):
Spell Resistance: No make an attack from hiding.
Once every 1d4 rounds, a
negative-energy-charged The following new spell is an excellent way to introduce Resistant to Positive Energy
creature can blast a the negative-energy-charged creature template. Evil (Su): A negative-energy-
distant creature with clerics and wizards that deal with undead should enjoy charged creature takes 10 fewer
a dark ray of negative employing this spell on their minions. points of damage than normal
energy. This ability from positive energy effects that
works like a searing light This spell grants the touched undead the negative-energy- deal hit point damage.
spell (caster level equals charged creature template. The target is immediately
empowered with the benefits of the template and knows Turn Resistance (Ex): A
negative-energy-charged
how to utilize all the abilities it grants. negative-energy-charged
creature’s character level),
creature has turn resistance +4.
except that the damage
Material Component: A gem worth at least 10 gp that
is due to negative energy. Turn Vexing (Ex): A negative-
has spent a night within the body of an undead creature.
This attack heals undead, energy charged creature that
and such targets benefit would normally be turned
from the greater damage or rebuked instead loses the
normally dealt to undead by the searing light spell. The negative-energy-charged template. A negative-energy-
negative-energy-charged creature can use this ability on charged creature that would be destroyed or commanded
itself to heal damage. loses the negative-energy-charged template in addition to
being turned or rebuked.
Special Qualities: The negative-energy-charged creature retains all
the base creature’s special qualities and gains the following. Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex
+4, Cha +4.
Blindsight (Su): A negative-energy-charged creature has
blindsight to a range of 60 feet. This blindsight is based on Feats: The negative-energy-charged creature gains Improved Initiative
a supernatural awareness and does not go away in the area as a bonus feat if the base creature did not already have it.
of a silence spell, nor is it negated if the negative-energy-
charged creature is blinded. Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.

Damage Reduction (Su): The negative-energy-charged Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
creature gains damage reduction 5/good.
Obscuring Energy (Su): Black negative energy plays about
Negative-Energy-Charged Characters
the body of a negative-energy-charged creature, obscuring A negative-energy-charged character favors whichever class the
base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Negative-Energy-Charged Wight -

Medium Undead Saves: Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +5
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 16, Con —, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 19
Hit Dice: 4d12 (26 hp)
Skills: Hide +10, Listen +7, Move Silently +18, Spot +7
Initiative: +7
Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Improved Initiative
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armor Class: 19 (+3 Dex, +4 natural, +2 dodge bonus), touch 15, Environment: Any
flat-footed 14 Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–5), or pack (6–11)
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+5 Challenge Rating: 4
Attack: Slam +5 melee (1d4+4 plus 1d6 negative energy plus Treasure: None
energy drain) Alignment: Always lawful evil
Full Attack: 2 slams +5 melee (1d4+4 plus 1d6 negative energy Advancement: 5–8 HD (Medium)
plus energy drain) Level Adjustment: —
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Here is an example of a negative-energy-charged creature using a
Special Attacks: Charged attacks, create spawn, energy drain,
wight as the base creature.
searing darkness
Special Qualities: Blindsight 60 ft., damage reduction 5/good, Shrouded in flickering black fire, a negative-energy-charged wight
darkvision 60 ft., obscuring energy, resistant to positive delights in its powers to harm the living and heal the dead.
energy, undead traits, turn resistance +4, turn vexing
186 Negative-energy-charged wights speak Common.
 Obscuring Energy (Su):
Combat See the negative-energy-
Negative-energy-charged wights attack charged creature template.
with their fists and their searing
Resistant to Positive
darkness attacks. They fearlessly
Energy (Su): See the
confront clerics and paladins,

Nightmare Creature
negative-energy-charged
confident in their ability to
creature template.
confound turning attempts.
Turn Resistance (Ex):
Charged Attacks (Su): See
See the negative-energy-
the negative-energy-charged
charged creature template.
creature template.
Turn Vexing (Ex): See the
Create Spawn (Su): Any
negative-energy-charged
humanoid slain by a negative-
creature template.
energy-charged wight becomes
a wight in 1d4 rounds. Spawn Undead Traits: A
are under the command of the negative-energy-charged
negative-energy-charged wight wight is immune to mind-
that created them and remain affecting effects, poison,
enslaved until its death. They sleep effects, paralysis,
do not possess any of the stunning, disease, death
abilities they did in life. effects, and any effect that
requires a Fortitude save
Energy Drain (Su): Any
unless it also works on
living creature hit by a
objects or is harmless. He
negative-energy-charged
is not subject to critical
wight’s slam attack gains one
hits, nonlethal damage,
negative level. The DC for the
ability damage to his
Fortitude save to remove a
physical ability scores,
negative level is 16. The save
ability drain, energy
DC is Charisma-based. For
drain, fatigue, exhaustion,
each such negative level bestowed,
or death from massive
the negative-energy-charged wight
damage. He cannot be
gains 5 temporary hit points.
raised, and resurrection
Searing Darkness (Sp): See the negative-energy- works only if he is willing.
charged creature template. Darkvision 60 ft.
Blindsight (Su): 60 feet; see the negative-energy-charged creature Skills: A negative-energy-charged wight has a +8 racial bonus on
template. Move Silently checks.

Nightmare Creature
Sleep, that little death, is made heavenly by dreams. These fancies of the unconscious mind are rarely troubled by dark or fearful thoughts,
but when they are, relief from them usually comes in the blink of an eye when the afflicted creature awakens. Not so, when a nightmare
creature becomes involved.
Nightmare creatures can enter another’s dreams and turn them into murderous nightmares. In the dream world, they have absolute power,
and they can even keep a creature asleep and trap it in its dreams.

Player Characters vs. Nightmare Creatures

The night terrors attack of a nightmare creature can be deadly to PCs, but such an event can also be an excellent plot device. A
character who witnesses the effects of night terrors for the first time on a PC or NPC should be allowed a Knowledge check, a
bardic knowledge check, or the option of doing research about the topic. Success might reveal some information about how to
defend against such an attack. Even without such information, however, a party can defend against night terrors by judicious
use of low-level spells, though some long nights and tense moments could still result. Eventually, the player characters should
learn what they’re up against and then make an effort to find the nightmare creature, but each time they rest from their battles,
the nightmare creature gains another opportunity to invade their dreams.

187
 Nightmare creatures are born evil, but few possess the full range of their abilities, or the skill to use them, at birth. Most nightmare
creatures gain their powers gradually, blundering into other creature’s dreams without understanding what they have done at first.
Gradually, however, a nightmare creature learns to use its ability to control other creatures’ dreams for its own purposes, causing
“prophetic” dreams or killing those who anger it. When such events begin to occur, nightmare creatures are often driven from their
communities. Unfortunately, such precautions rarely prevent the nightmare creature from exacting its revenge.
Nightmare Creature

Nightmare creatures have all kinds of motivations for their evil acts, but most harm others just for the sense of empowerment that doing
so gives them. Some take sadistic glee in terrifying other creatures and thrill at the powers they have in the dream world. Others enjoy
impersonating deities and granting worshipers “revelations” that can benefit the nightmare creature or turn good people against one
another. Whatever forms their tortures take, nightmare creatures have no pity or empathy for their victims.

Creating a Nightmare Creature

“Nightmare creature” is an inherited template that can be renders the creature immune to that nightmare creature’s
added to any creature of evil alignment whose Intelligence and frightful presence for 1 hour.
Charisma scores are each at least 6 (referred to hereafter as the
Night Terrors (Su): A nightmare creature can enter the
base creature). A nightmare creature uses all the base creature’s
dreams of a sleeping creature at will as a standard action.
statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
This ability has the same effect as a dream spell, except
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the creature that once inside the dream of another creature, the
gains the evil subtype if the base creature nightmare creature can control the dream world
did not already have it. with which the sleeper interacts.
Speed: The avian creature retains the base creature’s When the nightmare creature first arrives in the
speeds and gains a fly speed of 10 feet with dream, it can deliver a message, as described in
perfect maneuverability. If the base creature the dream spell. So long as it does not attempt to
already has a fly speed, it increases to 10 feet control the victim’s dreams, this message is harmless
or remains the same, whichever is faster. In and the dreamer can awaken at any time.
either case, its maneuverability becomes perfect. Although
Immediately upon entering the victim’s dream or at any time
ponderously slow in the air, a nightmare creature’s flight is
thereafter while it remains there, the nightmare creature can
nonetheless ominous to see.
attempt to control the victim’s dream. The victim must then
Special Qualities: A nightmare creature retains all the base succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 nightmare creature’s
creature’s special attacks and gains those described here. character level + nightmare creature’s Cha modifier) or
remain unconscious and asleep, trapped in the dream world
Fear Aura (Su): Any creature within 60 feet of a nightmare
with the nightmare creature. The nightmare creature controls
creature must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2
all aspects of the dream world, and the victim is powerless
nightmare creature’s character level + nightmare creature’s
to change anything—although the nightmare creature
Cha modifier) or become shaken each time it comes
might allow it to think it has such power or even that it has
within 60 feet of the nightmare creature during the next
awakened from the dream. Each hour thereafter, the victim
24 hours. (See the DMG for a description of the shaken
must make a new Will save. Success allows it to awaken
condition.) If the save is successful, the creature is immune
immediately; failure means it remains asleep and trapped in
to that nightmare creature’s fear aura for 24 hours. This
the dream world. The victim automatically awakens after 8
ability affects even creatures that cannot see the nightmare
hours if it is still alive.
creature.
Each hour that the victim remains trapped in sleep by the
Frightful Presence (Ex): When the nightmare creature
nightmare creature, it takes 1d4 points of Charisma damage.
charges, makes a surprise attack, or succeeds on a DC 15
A creature that has taken Charisma damage during its
Intimidate or Perform check, every creature within 30
dream awakens fatigued and does not heal or regain spells
feet must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 nightmare
as it normally would while resting. A creature reduced to 0
creature’s character level + nightmare creature’s Cha
Charisma by the night terrors dies.
modifier) or become panicked for 2d6 rounds. Success

Nightmare Creatures as Undead

If desired, you can alter the nightmare creature template to include undead. Such an altered template is excellent for mimicking
horror movie villains like the one from Nightmare on Elm Street. To do so, simply alter the features of the nightmare creature
template in the following ways.
• Make nightmare creature an acquired template gained when an evil individual is killed in a particularly torturous manner
by good creatures.
• The creature’s type changes to undead. Its current and future Hit Dice change to d12s, and it loses its Constitution score.
• Change the regeneration quality to fast healing 5.
• Drop the feign death ability. Since an undead nightmare creature is destroyed when it drops to 0 hit points, that ability
is useless unless you allow it to feign its destruction. Depending on what happens to undead when they are destroyed in
your game, such a solution may not be possible.
188
 A wish or miracle spell or an antimagic field ends the effect destruction, to gain revenge, or to trick foes into
and awakens the victim. A protection from evil spell blocks approaching them.
night terrors for its duration, but it does not awaken the
Illusion Immunity (Su): Nightmare creatures are immune to
creature. A dream spell used on the sleeping creature allows
illusion spells and effects. These effects function as though
the victim a new save to break free of the effect, but the
they had failed to penetrate spell resistance.
deliverer of the dream message must succeed on a Will save

Nightmare Creature
or be trapped in sleep with the nightmare creature ruling Protection from Good (Su): A nightmare creatures gains a +2
its dreams, just as though it were the original target of the deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves
night terrors. A blanket of silver links worth at least 2,000 against attacks by good creatures. Furthermore, it is immune to
gp prevents a nightmare creature from entering a creature’s any attempt by a good creature to possess, charm, or influence it.
dreams so long as it in contact with the sleeping creature,
Regeneration (Su): A nightmare creature regenerates 5 hit
but it has no effect if placed on a sleeping creature already
points per round. Silver or good-aligned weapons and spells
embroiled in night terrors.
or effects with the good descriptor deal normal damage to it.
Nightmare Spellcasting (Su): A nightmare creature’s
Shadow Walk (Sp): Once per day, a nightmare creature may
effective caster level for fear, phantasm, and shadow spells
use shadow walk, as the spell (caster level equals nightmare
increases by +2 over that of the base creature.
creature’s character level).
Special Qualities: A nightmare creature retains all the special
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Dex +4, Int
qualities of the base creature and gains those described here.
+2, Cha +4.
Damage Reduction (Su): The nightmare creature gains
Skills: A nightmare creature has a +6 racial bonus on Hide, Move
damage reduction 5/silver or good.
Silently, and Intimidate checks.
Darkvision (Su): A nightmare creature has darkvision to a
Organization: Solitary.
range of 120 feet.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Feign Death (Ex): With a successful Bluff check, a nightmare
creature can make itself appear dead. Any creature wishing Alignment: Any evil.
to ascertain whether the nightmare creature is really dead
must make a Heal check opposed by the nightmare creature’s Level Adjustment: —
Bluff check. The nightmare creature cannot move or take any
actions while pretending to be dead. Nightmare Characters
In addition, whenever a nightmare creature falls A nightmare character favors whichever class the base creature
unconscious, it appears dead. The Heal DC to ascertain does. This template does not provide a level adjustment because
that the nightmare creature is alive is 10 + nightmare the night terrors ability can be very deadly in the hands of a PC. A
creature’s Hit Dice + the nightmare creature’s Cha character who merely sleeps in some distant guarded location and
modifier. Nightmare creatures use this ability to escape dreams monsters to death doesn’t make for many fun adventures.

- Sample Creature: Nightmare Chain Devil (Kyton) -

Medium Outsider (Evil, Extraplanar, Lawful) Alignment: Always lawful evil
Advancement: 9–16 HD (Medium)
Hit Dice: 8d8+16 (52 hp)
Level Adjustment: —
Initiative: +8
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), fly 10 ft. (perfect) Here is an example of a nightmare creature using a chain devil
Armor Class: 22 (+4 Dex, +8 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 18 (kyton) as the base creature.
Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+10
A nightmare chain devil looks like a normal specimen of its kind,
Attack: Chain +10 melee (2d4+2/19–20)
but it has an aura of menace that no ordinary kyton can hope
Full Attack: 2 chains +10 melee (2d4+2/19–20)
to match. In another creature’s dreams, a nightmare chain devil
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. (10 ft. with chains)
can take on any form, but it often appears as a humanoid made
Special Attacks: Dancing chains, fear aura, frightful presence,
wholly of chains or as dismembered body parts connected by
night terrors, nightmare spellcasting, unnerving gaze
barbed chains.
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/silver or good, darkvision
120 ft., illusion immunity, immunity to cold, protection Few creatures in Hell sleep, but those that do sometimes find
from good, regeneration 5, shadow walk, spell resistance 18 themselves plagued by nightmares that only devils can have.
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +6 Nightmare chain devils use their powers to gain influence in
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 19, Con 15, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 16 Hell. Those that work for more powerful devils hope for an
Skills: Climb +13, Craft (blacksmithing) +18, Escape Artist +15, assignment on the Material Plane, where many more dreamers
Hide +10, Intimidate +20, Move Silently +10, Listen +13, sleep.
Spot +13, Use Rope +4 (+6 with bindings)
Feats: Alertness, Improved Critical (chain), Improved Initiative Nightmare chain devils speak Infernal and Common.

Environment: Hell Combat

Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 7 A nightmare chain devil fills its victims’ dreams with the clatter of
Treasure: Standard chains and the faces of dead loved ones. Imprisonment, slavery, and
regret are central themes of its night terrors attacks. If engaged in 189
 battle, it enjoys trapping Night Terrors (Su): DC 17
foes and subjecting Will save negates; see the
them to its fear aura nightmare creature template.
and dancing chains, Nightmare Spellcasting
but it steps in to fight (Su): See the nightmare
personally if necessary.
Nocturnal Creature

creature template.
A nightmare chain Unnerving Gaze (Su): A
devil’s natural weapons, and any nightmare chain devil can
weapons it wields, are treated make its face resemble one of an
as evil-aligned and lawful- opponent’s departed loved ones or
aligned for the purpose bitter enemies. Anyone within 30
of overcoming damage feet who fails a DC 17 Will save
reduction. takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls
Dancing Chains (Su): A for 1d3 rounds. The save DC is
nightmare chain devil can Charisma-based.
control up to four chains Feign Death (Ex): See the
within 20 feet as a standard nightmare creature template.
action, making them dance
or move as it wishes. In Illusion Immunity (Su): See
addition, it can increase the the nightmare creature
length of each chain by up to template.
15 feet and cause it to sprout
Protection from Good
razor-edged barbs. Whether
(Su): See the nightmare
augmented or not, these
creature template.
chains attack as effectively as
the devil itself. If a chain is in Regeneration (Ex):
another creature’s possession, Nightmare chain devils take
the creature can attempt a DC normal damage from silvered
17 Will save to break the nightmare chain devil’s weapons, good-aligned weapons, and spells
power over it. If the save is successful, the nightmare kyton or effects with the good descriptor. A
cannot attempt to control that particular chain again for 24 hours nightmare chain devil that loses a piece of its
or until it leaves the creature’s possession. The save DC is Charisma- body regrows it in 2d6 x 10 minutes. Holding
based. A nightmare chain devil can climb chains it controls at its the severed member against the stump reattaches it instantly.
normal speed without making Climb checks.
Shadow Walk (Sp): Caster level 8th; see the nightmare creature
Fear Aura (Su): DC 17 Will save negates; see the nightmare template.
creature template.
Skills: A nightmare chain devil has a +8 racial bonus on Craft
Frightful Presence (Ex): DC 17 Will save negates; see the checks involving metalwork. It also has a +6 racial bonus on Hide,
nightmare creature template. Intimidate, and Move Silently checks.

Nocturnal Creature
Nocturnal creatures spend their days sleeping and awaken at night to go about the tasks that diurnal creatures would do during the day.
They have larger eyes and ears than their diurnal cousins, and they detest bright light.

Creating a Nocturnal Creature

“Nocturnal creature” is an inherited template that can be added to are dazzled. See the DMG for a description of the dazzled
any living, corporeal creature that is normally active condition.
during the day (referred to hereafter as the base
Night Vision (Ex): A nocturnal creature gains low-
creature).
light vision and can see twice as far as a human in
A nocturnal creature uses all the base creature’s starlight, torchlight, moonlight, and other low-light
statistics and special abilities except as noted here. conditions. If the base creature already has low-
light vision, the nocturnal creature instead gains
Special Qualities: A nocturnal creature retains all
darkvision to a range of 60 feet.
the special qualities of the base creature and
gains those described here. Skills: A nocturnal creature benefits from a +4 racial bonus on
Hide, Listen, and Move Silently checks and takes a –4
Light Sensitivity (Ex): When operating in an area of continual
circumstance penalty on Spot checks when inside or looking
190 bright light (such as a daylight spell), nocturnal creatures
into areas of bright light.
 Using the Nocturnal Template
The nocturnal template is relatively simple, but it can have a profound affect on your campaign world. Adding this template to
a character race can greatly change cultures and racial relations. For example, a city often visited by nocturnal halflings might

Nocturnal Creature
have a surprisingly boisterous nightlife. Nocturnal elves that make peace with diurnal elves could ally to provide formidable
protection of their mutual forest home.

the character is normally asleep during daylight hours. Thus,

Nocturnal Characters not sleeping during the day could make the character irritable,
A nocturnal character favors whichever class the base creature paranoid, or merely sleepy. Intergrating this sort of subtle nuance
does. When roleplaying a nocturnal creature, keep in mind that can be a big roleplaying challenge.

- Sample Creature: Nocturnal Brown Bear -

Large Animal Light Sensitivity (Ex): See the nocturnal creature template.
Hit Dice: 6d8+24 (51 hp) Skills: A nocturnal brown bear has a +4 racial bonus on
Initiative: +1 Hide, Listen, Move Silently, and Swim checks. *It takes a –4
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares) circumstance penalty on Spot checks when inside or looking into
Armor Class: 15 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +5 natural), touch 10, flat- areas of bright light.
footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+16
Attack: Claw +11 melee (1d8+8)
Full Attack: 2 claws +11 melee (1d8+8) and bite +6 melee (2d6+4)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved grab
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., light sensitivity, low-light
vision, scent
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +3
Abilities: Str 27, Dex 13, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12,
Cha 6
Skills: Hide +1, Listen +8, Move Silently +5,
Spot +7*, Swim +12
Feats: Endurance, Run, Track
Environment: Cold forests
Organization: Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating: 4
Advancement: 7–10 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: —
Here is an example of a nocturnal creature
using a brown bear as the base creature.
Bad-tempered and territorial, nocturnal brown
bears are the bane of travelers who camp in the
wilderness. These carnivores hunt by scent at night,
seeking unwary or sleeping victims.
The nocturnal brown bear is a massive carnivore
that weighs more than 1,800 pounds and stands
nearly 9 feet tall when it rears up on its hind
legs. Its ears are longer than a normal brown
bear’s, and they flop forward and droop a bit.

Combat
A nocturnal brown bear attacks mainly by
tearing at opponents with its claws.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a
nocturnal brown bear must hit with a claw
attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple
as a free action without provoking an attack
of opportunity. 191
 Ooze Creature
An ooze creatures is an intelligent ooze created when a creature dies in the slime left behind by another ooze creature. The first ooze
creature might have been the creation of a deity of oozes and slimes, but today ooze creatures are self-perpetuating races in their own
right.
Ooze Creature

An ooze creature resembles the creature it once was, but its body consists of semi-translucent slime and dripping goo. Though it possesses
many of the same skills as it did before, it lacks the personality and memory of its original form and is interested only in dissolving and
eating other living creatures.

Creating an Ooze Creature

“Ooze creature” is an acquired template that can be added to any Bilious Globule (Ex): An ooze creature can throw a glob
living, corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature) of acid at foes as a ranged touch attack. An acid globule is
that is not of the ooze type. considered a thrown weapon with a range increment of 20
feet. The globule deals the same amount of acid damage as
An ooze creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
the ooze creature’s natural attack does.
abilities except as noted here.
Create Spawn (Ex): Any living creature reduced to 0 or
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to ooze with the
fewer hit points and lying prone in an ooze creature’s
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not
exuded ooze makes stabilization checks normally.
recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or skill
However, when a stabilization check fails, the
points. Size is unchanged.
creature immediately transforms into ooze, gaining
Hit Dice: Increase all racial Hit Dice to d10s. the ooze template instead of losing a hit point. The
new ooze creature arises on the following round with
Speed: Each of the ooze creature’s speeds is reduced average hit points for its character level. The new
to one-half the corresponding speed of the ooze creature is controlled by the one that exuded
base creature. If the base creature has a fly the ooze that transformed it. Because of the deadly
speed, its maneuverability becomes clumsy if it was not acidic nature of these ooze puddles, the spawning of ooze
already. creatures is rare and often happens entirely at random.
Armor Class: The ooze creature loses the base creature’s natural Exude Ooze (Su): At will as a full-round action, an ooze
armor bonus. creature can exude a circle of slippery ooze in a spread
Attack: The ooze creature retains all the base creature’s attacks, centered on its body. The diameter of the spread and the
and its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain duration that it remains in the area depend on the ooze
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base creature’s size, as given in the following table. Any creature
creature. The ooze creature gains a primary slam attack if it attempting to move in, through, or out of the area must
has no other natural attacks. succeed on a DC 15 Balance check when or fall prone.
Each round that a creature remains in contact with the
Damage: If the ooze creature gained a slam attack from the ooze puddle, it takes 1d6 points of acid damage. A creature
application of this template, its base damage is as given on that falls prone or maintains a higher-than-normal degree
the following table. In addition, each of an ooze creature’s of contact with the ooze (such as a snake wriggling
natural attacks deals acid damage, as shown on the table. through it) instead takes 3d6 points of acid damage per
round. This acid also damages the area it covers, and each
Damage object in that area takes 3d6 points of acid damage per
round of contact, though half damage and hardness apply
Size Acid Damage Slam Base Damage normally.
Fine 1 —
Diminutive 1d2 1 Exude Ooze
Tiny 1d3 1d2
Small 1d4 1d3 Size Diameter of Puddle Duration of Effect
Medium 1d6 1d4 Fine One 5-foot square 2 rounds
Large 1d8 1d6 Diminutive One 5-foot square 3 rounds
Huge 2d6 1d8 Tiny One 5-foot square 5 rounds
Gargantuan 2d8 2d6 Small 5 feet 1 minute
Colossal 4d6 2d8 Medium 10 feet 1 minute
Special Attacks: The ooze creature retains all the base creature’s Large 15 feet 2 minutes
special attacks and gains those described here. Huge 20 feet 3 minutes
Gargantuan 30 feet 5 minutes
Acid (Ex): An ooze creature deals acid damage with each Colossal 40 feet 10 minutes
of its natural attacks, as given on the preceding table. Any
creature grappling with an ooze creature automatically takes Improved Grab (Ex): If an ooze creature hits a creature
the ooze creature’s acid damage each round that the grapple of any size with a natural attack, it deals normal damage
is maintained. This damage is in addition to any damage the and may attempt to start a grapple as a free action without
192 ooze creature might deal with a successful grapple check. provoking an attack of opportunity.
Special Qualities: The ooze creature retains all the base creature’s Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex
special qualities and gains those described here. –6 (minimum 1), Con +4, Int –4 (minimum 1), Wis –4
(minimum 1), Cha –4 (minimum 1).
Acid Immunity (Ex): Ooze creatures are immune to acid.
Skills: An ooze creature retains the base creature’s skills, modified
Mutable Form (Ex): An ooze creature’s body is only semi-
by its new ability scores. In addition, an ooze creature gains
solid. This fluidity allows the ooze creature to squeeze
a +20 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks.
its form through apertures and into spaces that its size
would normally prevent it from entering. An ooze creature Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–4).

Ooze Creature
is treated as two size categories smaller than it is when
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
determining whether it can fit through an aperture.
Treasure: One-half the base creature’s value due to acid damage.
Remembered Abilities (Ex): An ooze creature recalls the skills
and abilities it possessed in life, but not its past personality or Alignment: Always chaotic neutral.
feelings. Every ooze creature has an Intelligence score of at
least 1, and although it might be a poor strategist, it can make Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
use of the abilities and attacks that its former self possessed,
unless the changes imposed by the template make those
functions impossible. Despite its innate intelligence, however,
Ooze Characters
ooze creatures remain immune to mind-influencing effects. An ooze creature favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Ooze Troglodyte -

Medium Ooze (Augmented Humanoid, Reptilian)
Hit Dice: 2d10+8 (19 hp)
Initiative: –4
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 6 (–4 Dex), touch 6, flat-footed 6
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+3
Attack: Claw +3 melee (1d4+2 plus 1d6 acid) or acid glob –3
ranged touch (1d6 acid)
Full Attack: 2 claws +3 melee (1d4+2 plus 1d6 acid) and bite +1
melee (1d4+2 plus 1d6 acid) or acid glob –3 ranged touch
(1d6 acid)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Acid, bilious globule, create spawn, exude ooze,
improved grab, stench
Special Qualities: Darkvision 90 ft., immunity to acid, mutable
form, ooze traits, remembered abilities
Saves: Fort +7, Ref –4, Will -2
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 3, Con 18, Int 4, Wis 6, Cha 6
Skills: Escape Artist +16, Hide +2*, Listen +1
Feats: MultiattackB, Weapon Focus (javelin)
Environment: Underground
Organization: Solitary or gang (2-4)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: 25% coins; 25% goods; 25% items
Alignment: Always chaotic neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +5
Here is an example of an ooze creature using a troglodyte as the Create Spawn (Ex): See the ooze creature template.
base creature. Exude Ooze (Ex): DC 15 Balance check, 10-foot diameter, 1-
An ooze troglodyte is a strange, gelatinous mass in a vaguely lizard minute duration; see the ooze creature template.
like bipedal form. The spawn of other ooze creatures, they seek Improved Grab (Ex): See the ooze creature template.
nothing more than to dissolve other creatures with their acidic bodies.
Stench (Ex): When an ooze troglodyte is angry or frightened, it
Combat secretes an oily, musk chemical nearly every form of animal life
finds offensive. Any living creature (except troglodytes and ooze
An ooze troglodyte usually attempts to hide from foes while it troglodytes) within 30 feet of an ooze troglodyte must succeed on
exudes ooze, hoping to cover as many of its opponents’ escape routes a DC 15 Fortitude save or be sickened for 10 rounds. The save DC
as possible in slippery acid. It then hurls acid globs at its foes from is Constitution-based. A creature that successfully saves cannot be
cover, hoping they will be foolish enough to engage it in melee. affected by the same ooze troglodyte’s stench for 24 hours. A delay
Acid (Ex): See the ooze creature template. poison or neutralize poison spell removes the effect. Creatures with
immunity to poison are unaffected, and those resistant to poison
Bilious Globule (Ex): See the ooze creature template. receive their normal bonuses on the saving throws.
193
 Mutable Form (Ex): See the ooze creature template. Remembered Abilities (Ex): See the ooze creature template.
Ooze Traits: An ooze troglodyte is blind (blindsight 60 ft.) and Skills: An ooze troglodyte has a +20 racial bonus to Escape Artist
immune to gaze attacks, visual effects, illusions, and other attack checks. In addition, its skin changes color somewhat, allowing it
forms that rely on sight. It is immune to poison, sleep effects, to blend in with its surroundings like a chameleon and providing a
paralysis, stunning, and polymorphing. It is not subject to critical +4 racial bonus on Hide checks. *In rocky or underground settings,
hits or flanking. this bonus improves to +8.
Plague Bearer

Plague Bearer
Plague bearer creatures bring doom with them everywhere. These living agents of infection and corruption are host to a dozen illnesses
and half a dozen plagues. Whether they intend it or not, they spread disease wherever they go, contaminating other creatures by their
mere presence. Some plague bearers relish this power, but others despise and fear it.
A plague bearer looks like a normal creature infected with many terrible plagues. Black boils cover its body, its skin is red and cracked, its
hair is patchy, and its hide and nails flake off and fall around it. It coughs, it wheezes, and its eyes well with tears, but still its back remains
unbent by its apparent suffering, and it lives on despite all manner of maladies.

Creating a Plague Bearer

“Plague bearer” is an inherited template that can be applied to level check (DC 10 + 1/2 plague bearer’s character level +
any living, corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base plague bearer’s Con modifier) or be unable to remove the
creature). disease that day.
A plague bearer uses all of the base creature’s statistics and Diseased Flesh (Ex): The plague bearer carries the disease
special abilities except as noted here. known as blinding sickness within its body. Any creature
that makes a successful bite attack against plague bearer,
Damage: Each of the plague bearer’s natural and weapon attacks
or swallows it whole, or otherwise eats some of its flesh
can infect the target with disease (see Disease, below).
must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 plague
Special Attacks: The plague bearer retains all the base creature’s bearer’s character level + plague bearer’s Con modifier) or
special attacks and gains those described here. contract blinding sickness. (See the DMG for a description
of this disease.) Anyone casting a remove disease spell to
Disease (Ex): With a successful melee touch attack, the rid a creature of these diseases must succeed on a caster
plague bearer can infect a creature with slimy doom and level check (DC 10 + 1/2 plague bearer’s character level +
the shakes. In addition to these two maladies, the plague plague bearer’s Con modifier) or be unable to remove the
bearer’s natural and weapon attacks can inflict red ache. disease that day.
Any creature touched by a plague bearer must succeed Special Qualities: The plague bearer retains all the base
on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 plague creature’s special qualities and gains those
bearer’s character level + plague bearer’s described here.
Con modifier) or contract both slimy doom
and the shakes. A creature damaged by the Carrier (Ex): Although a plague bearer is immune
plague bearer’s natural or weapon attack must to the effects of diseases, it can still carry infections,
succeed on a Fortitude save at the same and it continues to do so regardless of magical
DC or contract red ache, slimy doom, and healing or successful Fortitude saves.
the shakes. (See the DMG for descriptions
Immunity to Disease (Ex): A plague bearer is immune
of these diseases.) Anyone casting a remove disease spell to
to the effects of all diseases, including magical diseases
rid a creature of these diseases must succeed on a caster
such as mummy rot.
level check (DC 10 + 1/2 plague bearer’s character level +
plague bearer’s Con modifier) or be unable to remove the Quick Incubation (Ex): Each of the diseases that a plague
disease that day. bearer carries has an incubation period of 1 round.
Disease Cloud (Ex): An invisible cloud of contagion Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Con +6.
surrounds a plague bearer. Any breathing creature that Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
begins its turn within 30 feet of the plague bearer must
succeed on two Fortitude saves (DC 10 + 1/2 plague Alignment: Often evil (any).
bearer’s character level + plague bearer’s Con modifier) Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
against inhaled diseases. A failure on the first save infects
the creature with crackle fever; failure on the second
infects it with mindfire. (See the DMG for descriptions Plague Bearer Characters
of these diseases.) Anyone casting a remove disease spell to A plague bearer favors whichever class the base creature does.
rid a creature of these diseases must succeed on a caster
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 Using the Plague Bearer Template
This template is defined as inherited, but like the poisonous template, it can easily be used as an acquired template if desired.
A deity of disease might grant it to his favored followers, or it might result from a curse laid upon one or more creatures to
prevent them from enjoying the company of their own kind.

Plague Bearer
- Sample Creature: Vargouille Plague Bearer -
Small Outsider (Evil, Extraplanar) A plague bearer vargouille’s natural weapons, and any weapons it
wields, are treated as evil-aligned for the purpose of overcoming
Hit Dice: 1d8+4 (9 hp)
damage reduction.
Initiative: +1
Speed: Fly 30 ft. (good) (6 squares) Disease (Ex): Fortitude save DC 14; see the plague bearer template.
Armor Class: 12 (+1 size, +1 Dex), touch 11, flat-footed 11
Disease Cloud (Ex): Fortitude save DC 14; see the plague bearer
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/–3
template.
Attack: Bite +3 melee (1d4 plus poison and disease)
Full Attack: Bite +3 melee (1d4 plus poison and disease) Diseased Flesh (Ex): Fortitude save DC 14; see the plague bearer
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. template.
Special Attacks: Disease, disease cloud, diseased flesh, kiss, poison,
shriek Kiss (Su): A plague bearer vargouille can kiss a paralyzed target
Special Qualities: Carrier, darkvision 60 ft., immunity to disease, with a successful melee touch attack. An affected opponent
quick incubation must succeed on a DC 18 Fortitude save or begin a terrible
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +3 transformation that turns it into a plague bearer vargouille within
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 5, Wis 12, Cha 8 24 hours (and often much sooner; roll 1d6 separately for each
Skills: Hide +9, Intimidate +3, Listen +5, Move Silently +5, Spot +5 phase of the transformation).
Feats: Weapon Finesse First, over a period of 1d6 hours, all the victim’s hair falls out.
Environment: Any evil-aligned plane Within another 1d6 hours thereafter, its ears grow into leathery
Organization: Solitary, pair, cluster (3–5) or mob (6–11) wings, tentacles sprout on its chin and scalp, and its teeth become
Challenge Rating: 3 long, pointed fangs. During the next 1d6 hours, the victim takes 1
Treasure: None point of Intelligence drain
Alignment: Always neutral and 1 point of Charisma
evil each hour (to a minimum
Advancement: 2–3 HD of 3 in each score). The
(Small) transformation is complete
Level Adjustment: — 1d6 hours later, when the head
breaks free of the body (which
Here is an example of a plague promptly dies) and becomes a
bearer using a vargouille as the plague bearer vargouille. This
base creature. transformation is interrupted
by sunlight, and even a daylight
A plague bearer vargouille
spell can delay the victim’s death,
looks like a demonic head
but reversing the transformation
with large bat wings for
requires remove disease. The save
ears. Covered in boils and
DC is Constitution-based and
cracking skin that oozes pus
includes a +4 racial bonus.
and blood, the plague bearer
vargouille’s visage has been Poison (Ex): Injury,
know to drive creatures Fortitude DC 12 or
mad. be unable to heal the
plague bearer vargouille’s
Because plague bearer
bite damage naturally or
vargouilles enjoy spreading
magically. A neutralize poison
disease, they gleefully bite other
or heal spell removes the
creatures and flap away, leaving
effect, while delay poison
the diseases to do their worst.
allows magical healing. The
Plague bearer vargouilles speak save DC is Constitution-
Infernal. based and includes a +1
racial bonus.
Combat Shriek (Su): Instead of
Plague bearer vargouilles attack by biting biting, a plague bearer
with their jagged teeth, but their special vargouille can open its
attacks make them even more dangerous. distended mouth and let
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 out a terrible shriek. Every creature within 60 feet (except other the same plague bearer vargouille’s shriek for 24 hours. The shriek
vargouilles) that hears the shriek and can clearly see the creature is a mind-affecting fear effect. The save DC is Constitution-based
must succeed on a DC 14 Fortitude save or be paralyzed with and includes a +1 racial bonus.
fear. This effect lasts 2d4 rounds or until the monster attacks the
Carrier (Ex): See the plague bearer template.
creature, goes out of range, or leaves its sight. A paralyzed creature
is susceptible to the plague bearer vargouille’s kiss (see Kiss on page Quick Incubation (Ex): The diseases a plague bearer carries have
Poisonous Creature

195). A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by an incubation period of 1 round.

Poisonous Creature
Poisonous creatures are deadly to all but their own kind. Contact with toxins that surround these flukes of nature often kills their mothers
and incapacitates others nearby during the birthing process. Sometimes, however, the toxic nature of poisonous creatures does not
reveal itself until adolescence. These cursed children are usually cast out from their communities or killed, making those who survive to
adulthood rare. No one knows what accident of birth creates a poisonous creature, and few care to give the tragic topic much study.
A poisonous creatures resembles a normal member of its race, but its body is surrounded by an invisible cloud of toxin. Often angry and
resentful beings, many poisonous creatures yearn for revenge against those who are too weak to bear their presence. Some are proud of
their poisonous natures and despise creatures that lack immunity to their toxic bodies.

Creating a Poisonous Creature

“Poisonous creature” is an inherited template that can be applied to any contact with another creature, it delivers its poison (Fortitude
living, corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). DC 10 + 1/2 poisonous creature’s character level + poisonous
creature’s Con modifier, initial and secondary damage 1d6
A poisonous creature uses all of the base creature’s statistics and
points of Dexterity damage). Such contact includes grappling
special abilities except as noted here.
and successful touch or natural attacks by either the poisonous
Damage: Each of the poisonous creature’s natural and weapon creature or its foe, unless a glove or gauntlet prevents flesh-to-
attacks can deliver poison (see Poison, below). flesh contact. This contact poison loses its effectiveness when
removed from the poisonous creature, so it is not effective
Special Attacks: The poisonous creature retains all the when placed upon objects. In addition, any creature
base creature’s special attacks and gains those that eats a poisonous creature’s flesh or swallows it
described here. whole is affected by the poison as if it had touched the
Poison (Ex): Each of the base creature’s natural poisonous creature.
attacks that causes slashing or piercing damage Venomous Breath (Ex): Once every 1d4
can deliver an injected poison with each rounds, a poisonous creature can spew forth a
attack. The Fortitude save for the poison has disorienting spray of contact poison in a 60-foot
a DC of 10 + 1/2 poisonous creature’s character cone as a standard action. Each creature in the area must
level + poisonous creature’s Con modifier. The initial and succeed on a Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 poisonous creature’s
secondary damage is 1d2 points of Constitution damage. character level + poisonous creature’s Con modifier) to
Poisonous Cloud (Ex): A poisonous creature is constantly avoid contact with the spray. Failure means the poison
surrounded by an invisible cloud of poisonous gas. This inhaled (Fortitude DC 10 + 1/2 poisonous creature’s character level
poison affects any creature that breathes the air or water within + poisonous creature’s Con modifier, initial damage 1d6
10 feet of the poisonous creature. The DC for the Fortitude points of Intelligence damage and 1d6 points of Wisdom
save is 10 + 1/2 poisonous creature’s character level + poisonous damage, secondary damage confusion for 1 hour). See the
creature’s Con modifier. The initial damage is 1d6 points of DMG for a description of the confused condition.
Strength damage plus sickness for 1 minute (see the DMG for Special Qualities: The poisonous creature retains all the base
a description of the sickened condition). The secondary damage creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
is 2d6 points of Strength damage plus sickness for 1 hour.
Detect Anti-Poison (Su): At will as a standard action, the
Toxic Flesh (Ex): The poisonous creature’s flesh exudes a poisonous creature can detect alchemical items, magic
contact poison. Each time a poisonous creature makes physical effects, and magic items within 30 feet that neutralize or

Using the Poisonous Creature Template

This template is defined as inherited, but it can easily be used as an acquired template if desired. A deity of poisons might grant
it to her favored followers, or it might result from a curse laid upon one or more creatures to prevent them from enjoying the
company of their own kind. The poisonous template can also be applied to all creatures of a particular race. For instance, all
trolls in your game might be poisonous trolls.
196
 delay poisons, or determine whether a creature in the same Immunity to Poison (Ex): Poisonous creatures are immune to all
range is naturally immune or resistant to poisons. For each poisons.
qualifier in the area, the poisonous creature can make a DC
15 Wisdom check. Success indicates that the poisonous Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Con +4.
creature knows the location of the qualifying creature, object, Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1. For characters with
or magic effect and why it qualifies. Knowing the location easy access to delay poison and neutralize poison, the poisonous

Poisonous Creature
of a hidden or invisible qualifier does not reveal it; the creature template doesn’t add much of a challenge unless the
poisonous creature merely knows what square or squares the poisonous creature has the ability to dispel these effects.
qualifier occupies. The poisonous creature knows the location
a qualifying object, effect, or creature at the moment of the Alignment: Often neutral evil.
detection, but it cannot follow the qualifier’s movement
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
without another detection attempt. Most poisonous creatures
use this ability to determine whether their poisons can affect
a certain foe, but some spellcasting poisonous creatures use it Poisonous Creature Characters
to detect spells so that they can dispel them.
A poisonous creature favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Poisonous Manticore -

Large Magical Beast and its long tail ends in a cluster of deadly spikes. Its jaws and
tail spikes drip with poison, and a green toxic substance oozes
Hit Dice: 6d10+36 (69 hp)
from its pores.
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), fly 50 ft. (clumsy) Poisonous manticores tend to be excitable and easy to anger. They
Armor Class: 17 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +6 natural), touch 11, flat- enjoy hunting creatures larger than themselves, knowing that
footed 15 their poisons give them an unfair advantage.
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+15
Poisonous manticores speak Common.
Attack: Claw +10 melee (2d4+5 plus poison) or 6 spikes +8
ranged (1d8+2/19–20 plus poison)
Full Attack: 2 claws +10 melee (2d4+5 plus poison) and bite Combat
+8 melee (1d8+2 plus poison) or 6 spikes +8 ranged A poisonous manticore begins most attacks
(1d8+2/19–20 plus poison) with a volley of spikes, then uses its breath
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft. weapon. Thereafter, it closes to melee and
Special Attacks: Poison, poisonous cloud, spikes, toxic flesh, slashes with claws and teeth.
venomous breath
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., detect anti- Spikes (Ex): With a snap of its tail, a poisonous
poison, immunity to poison, low-light manticore can loose a volley of six spikes as a
vision, scent standard action, making an attack roll for each
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +7, Will +3 spike. This attack has a range of 180 feet
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 15, Con 23, Int 7, Wis with no range increment. All targets
12, Cha 9 must be within 30 feet of each other.
Skills: Listen +5, Spot +9, Survival +1 The poisonous manticore can launch only
Feats: Flyby Attack, Multiattack, twenty-four spikes in any 24-hour period.
TrackB, Weapon Focus (spikes) Poison (Ex): DC 19 Fortitude save;
Environment: Warm marshes see the poisonous creature template.
Organization: Solitary, pair, or pride Poisonous Cloud (Ex): DC 19
(3–6) Fortitude save; see the poisonous
Challenge Rating: 6 creature template.
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Often neutral evil Toxic Flesh (Ex): DC 19 Fortitude save;
Advancement: 7–16 HD see the poisonous creature template.
(Large); 17–18 HD Venomous Breath (Ex): DC 19
(Huge) Fortitude save; see the poisonous
Level Adjustment: +7 creature template.
Here is an example of a Detect Anti-Poison
poisonous creature using (Su): See the
a manticore as the base poisonous creature
creature. template.
A poisonous Skills: *A
manticore has the poisonous
body of a lion manticore has
and the wings a +4 racial
of a dragon. Its bonus on
back is set with Spot checks.
curved barbs, 197
 Poltergeist
A poltergeist is created when a creature dies under traumatic circumstances in a place of great importance to it. Often the locations that
house poltergeists are places where they felt a sense of ownership and security. A simple death, even a murder, is rarely enough to cause the
victim’s spirit to remain as a poltergeist—the death must intimately involve the location. A gravedigger buried alive in his graveyard might
become a poltergeist, as might a ferryman who drowned beneath his dock, or a steward crushed beneath his desk.
Poltergeist

Poltergeists are mad and erratic beings that often lie dormant for weeks or even months at a time. A poltergeist may resurface when some
creature reminds it of its former life or defiles the place it is attached to. Naturally invisible and possessed of frightening powers, poltergeists
usually manage to frighten off trespassers without causing significant harm, but some are more malignant, seeking to trap and kill interlopers.

Creating a Poltergeist
“Poltergeist” is an acquired template that can be added to any Full Attack: A poltergeist uses all its incorporeal touch attacks
living, intelligent creature with a Charisma score of 3 or higher during a full attack.
(referred to hereafter as the base creature).
Damage: The poltergeist’s incorporeal touch attacks deal slashing
A poltergeist uses all the base creature’s statistics and special damage unmodified by Strength, as given on the following table.
abilities except as noted here.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead with the Damage
appropriate augmented subtype, plus the incorporeal subtype Size Slashing Damage
if the base creature did not already have it. Do not recalculate
base attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged. Fine 1
Diminutive 1d2
Hit Dice: Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. Tiny 1d3
Speed: A poltergeist loses all the base creature’s speeds and gains Small 1d4
a fly speed equal to the base creature’s highest speed, with Medium 1d6
perfect maneuverability. Large 1d8
Huge 2d6
Armor Class: The base creature’s armor, shield, and natural armor Gargantuan 2d8
bonuses no longer apply, but the poltergeist gains a deflection Colossal 4d6
bonus to Armor Class equal to its Charisma bonus or +1,
whichever is higher. Unlike most incorporeal creatures, Special Attacks: The poltergeist loses all special attacks that
poltergeists can use and carry equipment; see Manipulation require corporeal contact but gains those described here.
uner Special Attacks. Manipulation (Su): Although it is incorporeal, a poltergeist
Attack: The poltergeist retains all the base creature’s natural attacks, can use and carry equipment, manipulating the objects as
and its weapon and armor proficiencies. However, all its it did in life, so long as the total weight of the items does
attacks become incorporeal touch attacks, retaining the same not exceed 10 pounds per the character level the poltergeist
primary or secondary status they had for the base creature. possesses. Thus, a poltergeist can wear armor, use weapons,
The poltergeist gains a primary incorporeal touch attack if it and benefit from magic items worn just as any corporeal
has no other natural attacks. A poltergeist uses its primary creature can. These items do not encumber the poltergeist,
incorporeal touch attack when making an attack action. so it does not take from armor check penalties or have an
Because an incorporeal creature has no Strength score, its arcane spell failure chance. Its items do not become invisible
Dexterity modifier rather than its Strength modifier applies or incorporeal, and the poltergeist cannot take them along
to all its attack rolls. as it passes through objects and creatures.

Unlike most incorporeal creatures, a poltergeist can use A poltergeist cannot grapple foes or move living creatures
and carry equipment (see Manipulation). When it has a with its manipulation ability; it can move only objects
weapon, it usually uses that instead. within its weight limit that are not held by creatures. Even

Creating a Dread Poltergeist

If you’d like a template for a dread poltergeist, just make the following changes to the poltergeist template.
• The dread poltergeist gains turn resistance +2 and damage reduction 10/good.
• A dread poltergeist is permanently destroyed only when it is brought to 0 hit points when the area where it died is under
the effects of a hallow spell.
• In addition to the ability score changes in the template, the Dexterity increases by an additional +4.
• The dread poltergeist gains Ability Focus (terrifying image) and Ability Focus (telekinesis) as bonus feats if the base
creature does not already have them.
• The Challenge Rating becomes same as the base creature +3.

198
 if it wears a full suit of armor, a poltergeist cannot use its Bonded to Site (Ex): A poltergeist must remain within 300
gauntlet to grab a creature. It cannot use manipulation to feet of the site where its living form died. It cannot be
disarm foes or take items from creature holding them, but it permanently destroyed unless that place is affected by a
can use a weapon to disarm or trip a foe, using its Dexterity consecrate or hallow spell; otherwise, the poltergeist returns
modifier instead of its Strength modifier on the roll. A to its bonded site 1d4 days after being destroyed. These
poltergeist resists disarm attempts normally, using Dexterity spells do not automatically destroy a poltergeist, they only
rather than Strength to modify its opposing attack roll. render permanent destruction possible.
If a poltergeist is wearing clothing or armor, an opponent Greater Invisibility (Su): A poltergeist is always invisible,
can attempt to grab its garb with a touch attack as though even when it attacks. True seeing, see invisibility, and similar

Poltergeist
starting a grapple, then bull rush or overrun the clothing or effects allow a creature to see the poltergeist’s ghostly
armor. A poltergeist automatically fails all grapple checks form. Invisibility purge renders its ghastly visage visible, but
and all attempts to resist bull rush or overrun attacks. On it can become invisible again as a free action. Objects it
such a failure, it can choose to move with the armor or manipulates are not invisible and can be seen normally.
clothes as though wearing them or it can remain where it is
Mage Hand (Sp): At will, a poltergeist can use mage hand, as
and lose possession of the items.
the spell (caster level equals the poltergeist’s character level).
Telekinesis (Sp): Once every 1d4 rounds, a poltergeist can
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Cha +4. If
use telekinesis as the spell (caster level equals poltergeist’s
the base creature’s Strength is higher than its Dexterity, the
character level). The save DC is Charisma-based.
poltergeist’s Dexterity becomes equal to the base creature’s
Terrifying Image (Sp): At will, the poltergeist can produce Strength. As an incorporeal creature, a poltergeist lacks
an effect like that of the major image spell, (caster level equals a Strength score, and as an undead creature, it has no
poltergeist’s character level), except that the poltergeist can Constitution score.
make the image frightening if desired. Upon first seeing or
Environment: Any, usually same as the base creature.
hearing such an illusion, a creature must succeed on a Will save
(DC 13 + poltergeist’s Cha modifier) or be panicked while Organization: Solitary.
the image is within its sight or hearing range. Success avoids Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
the effect if the creature’s character levels equal or exceed the
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil.
poltergeist’s; otherwise the creature is still shaken. See the
DMG for descriptions of the panicked and shaken conditions. Level Adjustment: —
Special Qualities: The poltergeist retains all the base creature’s
special qualities that do not require corporeal contact with Poltergeist Characters
another creature and gains those described here. A poltergeist favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Athach Poltergeist -

Huge Undead (Augmented Aberration, Incorporeal)
Hit Dice: 14d12 (84 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: Fly 50 ft (perfect).
Armor Class: 20 (–2 size, +8 Dex, +3 hide armor, +1 deflection),
touch 17, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/—
Attack: Morningstar +18 melee (3d6) or rock +18 ranged (2d6) or
bite +18 melee (1d8)
Full Attack: Morningstar +14/+9 melee (3d6) and 2 morningstars
+14 melee (3d6) and bite +14 melee (1d8) or rock +14
ranged (2d6) and 2 rocks +14 ranged (2d6)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., incorporeal traits, undead traits
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +12, Will +10
Abilities: Str —, Dex 26, Con —, Int 7, Wis 12, Cha 10
Skills: Climb +4, Jump +13, Listen +7, Spot +7
Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Multiweapon Fighting, Power Attack,
Weapon Focus (bite)
Environment: Temperate hills
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 10
Treasure: 1/2 coins; double goods; standard items
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Advancement: 15–28 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —
199
 Here is an example of a poltergeist using an athach as the base Telekinesis (Sp): Caster level 14th; see the poltergeist template.
creature.
Terrifying Image (Sp): Caster level 14th; see the poltergeist
When visible, the athach poltergeist appears as a hulking, template
misshapen biped with three arms. One arm juts from its chest just
Bonded to Site (Ex): See the poltergeist template.
below a head filled with tusklike fangs. This particular poltergeist
athach died in a mudslide in the lee of the hill that was his home. Greater Invisibility (Su): See the poltergeist template.
Poltergeist athaches speak a crude dialect of Giant. Mage Hand (Sp): Caster level 14th; see the poltergeist template.

Combat Incorporeal Traits: A poltergeist athach is harmed only by other

Primative

incorporeal creatures, magic weapons, spells, spell-like abilities, and

A poltergeist athach fills its bonded area with images of itself in supernatural abilities. It has a 50% chance to ignore any damage
life that greatly exaggerate its ferocity and strength. To terrify from a corporeal source, except for force effects or attacks made
foes, it creates illusions of itself tearing apart illusory doubles of its with ghost touch weapons. It can pass through solid objects, but
enemies. not force effects, at will. Its attacks ignore natural armor, armor,
and shields, but deflection bonuses and force effects work normally
If its opponents are out of reach, the poltergeist athach throws
against them. An incorporeal creature always moves silently and
rocks; otherwise it charges into melee. With its first few melee
cannot be heard with Listen checks if it doesn’t wish to be.
attacks, it tends to flail about indiscriminately, but after a few
rounds, it concentrates on the foes that have hit it most often Undead Traits: A poltergeist athach is immune to mind-affecting
and uses its bite on the one that has dealt it the most damage. If effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death
disarmed, the poltergeist athach often attempts to regain its arms effects, and any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless it also
and armor using telekinesis. Should this prove difficult, it happily works on objects or is harmless. It is not subject to critical hits,
uses telekinesis to fling foes into walls or over cliffs. nonlethal damage, ability damage to its physical ability scores,
ability drain, energy drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or death from
Manipulation (Su): 140 pound maximum; see the poltergeist
massive damage. It cannot be raised, and resurrection works only if
template.
he is willing. Darkvision 60 ft.

Primitive
Primitives are thought to be evolutionary throwbacks or devolved creatures. Their origins are unknown, but they are obviously different
from normal specimens of their kinds. A primitive has a heavily muscled and thick-skinned body, but it lacks the intelligence common
to its more evolved cousins.

Creating a Primitive
“Primitive” is an inherited template that can be added to any living,
corporeal, intelligent creature (referred to hereafter as the base
Damage (continued)
creature). Size Slam Base Damage
A primitive uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities Medium 1d6
except as noted here. Large 1d8
Huge 2d6
Armor Class: The primitive’s natural armor bonus improves by +2
Gargantuan 2d8
over that of the base creature.
Colossal 4d6
Attack: The primitive retains all the base creature’s attacks, and
Special Qualities: The primitive retains all the base creature’s
its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain the
special qualities and gains those described here.
same primary or secondary status they had for the base
creature. The primitive gains a primary slam Low-Light Vision (Ex): A primitive can see twice
attack if it has no other natural attacks. as far as a human in starlight, torchlight, moonlight,
and other low-light conditions.
Damage: If the primitive gained a slam attack from
the application of this template, its base Scent (Ex): A primitive can detect approaching
damage is as given on the following table. enemies and sniff out hidden foes by sense of smell
alone. See the MM for details of this quality.
Damage Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Con
Size Slam Base Damage +4, Int –4 (minimum 1), Cha –2 (minimum 1).

Fine 1 Skills: The primitive loses all skill ranks the base creature
Diminutive 1d2 possessed. Recalculate skill points for the cave creature’s
Tiny 1d3 racial Hit Dice according to its type, as given on the
200 Small 1d4 following table, then purchase its skills afresh, treating
 Climb, Hide, Listen, Spot, Move Silently, and Survival as
class skills as class skills and all others as cross-class skills. A
Skills (continued)
primitive creature retains the base creature’s racial modifiers Creature Type Skill Points
on skill checks and gains a +4 racial bonus on Hide, Move
Ooze (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Silently, and Survival checks. The primitive creature retains
Outsider (8 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
any skill points gained from class levels.
Plant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Undead (4 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Skills Vermin (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Creature Type Skill Points

Primative
Aberration (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Feats: A primitive gains Alertness, Great Fortitude, Toughness,
Animal (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) and Track as bonus feats if the base creature did not already
Construct (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) have them.
Dragon (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Elemental (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature, or +1 if the template
Fey (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) plays heavily on the creature’s strengths.
Giant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2.
Humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Magical beast (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Monstrous Primitive Characters
humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) A primitive character favors the barbarian class.

- Sample Creature: Primitive Ogre -

Large Giant
Hit Dice: 4d8+22 (40 hp)
Initiative: –1
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 15 (–1 size, –1 Dex, +7 natural), touch 8, flat-
footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+14
Attack: Greatclub +10 melee (2d8+10)
Full Attack: Greatclub +10 melee (2d8+10)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-
light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +0, Will +1
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 8, Con 19, Int 2,
Wis 10, Cha 5
Skills: Climb +10, Hide –1, Listen
+4, Move Silently +3, Spot +4,
Survival +4
Feats: Alertness, Great Fortitude,
Toughness (2), Track, Weapon Focus
(greatclub)
Environment: Temperate hills
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or band (5–8)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +4
Here is an example of a primitive using an ogre as
the base creature.Primitive ogres are hun
Primitive ogres usually cannot speak any language, but exceptional
ter-gatherers that have no compunctions about preying on sentient
individuals sometimes learn to speak Common or Giant.
creatures.
A primitive ogre has the intelligence of a gorilla, but what it lacks Combat
in mental faculties it makes up in physical power. It is exceptionally
Primitive ogres lack the intelligence to use real tactics, but like
strong and hale, and although it doesn’t wear armor, its hide is
wolves, they stalk prey by scent and attempt to surprise their
thick and hard.
quarry.
201
 Prismatic
Glowing and beautiful, prismatics have bright forms that belie their sometimes dark natures. Their bodies shift through the colors of the
rainbow, and though most find them difficult to dislike, they run the gamut of good and evil.
A creature can become a prismatic by surviving exposure to great prismatic assaults, such as many color spray, rainbow pattern, searing
light, or similar spells in a day. Alternatively, the transformation can occur after a creature has managed to survive all the terrible effects of
a spell such as prismatic wall. The exact reason why such exposure should create prismatics baffles sages, but many suspect that some long-
Prismatic

dead god’s essence might still be exerting influence through the release of such energies. Regardless of their origins, prismatic creatures
are rare, since the effects that create them are hard to reproduce.

Creating a Prismatic
“Prismatic” is an acquired template that can be added to any Prismatic Body (Su): A prismatic’s body glows with a light
creature with a Charisma score of 3 or higher (referred to hereafter equivalent to that of a candle, illuminating a 5-foot radius
as the base creature). around itself. Each round, this light takes on a different hue,
determined at random. While so lit, a prismatic creature
A prismatic uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
cannot benefit from concealment due to darkness or shadowy
abilities except as noted here.
conditions. Once per round, the prismatic may suppress its
Special Attacks: The prismatic retains the base creature’s special light or choose its color as a free action with a successful
attacks and gains those described here. DC 15 Concentration check. The light resumes its random
color changes on the prismatic creature’s next turn unless it
Spell-Like Abilities: A prismatic has two or succeeds on another DC 15 Concentration check.
more spell-like abilities, depending on its Reinstating the suppressed light is a free action.
Hit Dice, as indicated on the following table.
These abilities are cumulative. Caster level equals In addition, the hue of the prismatic creature’s light
prismatic’s character level, and the save DCs are grants it an immunity as given in the following table.
Charisma-based. At the end of each round, roll on the chart below to
determine the color of the prismatic creature’s light.
While its light is suppressed, it does not benefit from
Spell-Like Abilities any immunity granted by the prismatic body special quality.
Character Level Abilities
1–2 Dancing lights 3/day, flare at will Prismatic Body
3–4 Color spray 2/day Color Immunity
5–6 Hypnotic pattern 1/day
7–8 Daylight 1/day Red Fire
9–10 Searing light 1/day Orange Acid
11–12 Rainbow pattern 1/day Yellow Electricity
13–14 Prismatic spray 1/day Green Poison
15–16 Scintillating pattern 1/day Blue Mind-affecting effects
17–18 Prismatic wall 1/day Indigo Cold
19–20 Prismatic sphere 1/day Violet Sonic
Special Qualities: The prismatic retains all the base creature’s Prismatic Immunities (Ex): Prismatics are immune to
special qualities and gains those described here. the adverse effects of the spells noted in the Spell-Like
Abilities section. In addition, they are immune to all
Low-Light Vision (Ex): A prismatic can see twice as far as a blinding, dazzling, or dazing effects caused by exposure to
human in starlight, torchlight, moonlight, and other low-light light. If the base creature suffers negative effects in bright
conditions. light, the prismatic loses that vulnerability.

Using the Prismatic Template

If you’re looking for another explanation as to why creatures become prismatics, consider the following options.
Rainbow People: A certain race of creatures in your campaign world has always consisted of prismatics. These creatures do not
shift colors as described in the prismatic template; instead, each color is a separate subrace that has a different culture and lives
in a different environment. If you choose this option, consider reducing the prismatic’s level adjustment to +2.
Rainbow Rulers: Different races or cultures might give birth to prismatics within their royal lines. Each ruling family has a
different color. If you choose this option, consider reducing the prismatic’s level adjustment to +2.
The End of the Rainbow: The end of the rainbow or the source of all rainbows is a place that truly brave adventurers can go.
Creatures that go to such a place might come back as prismatics, or its many guardians might be prismatic monsters.
202
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Cha +4. Alignment: Usually chaotic neutral.
Skills: If the base creature gains a bonus on Hide checks due to Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
coloration, the prismatic loses that bonus. It also takes a –8
penalty to Hide checks while lit.
Organization: Same as the base creature or solitary.
Prismatic Characters
A prismatic creature favors whichever class the creature is is based
Challenge Rating: 8 or fewer HD, same as the base creature; 9 or on does.
more HD, same as the base creature +1.

- Sample Creature: Prismatic Chimera -

Prismatic
Large Magical Beast
Combat
Hit Dice: 9d10+27 (76 hp)
A prismatic chimera stalks
Initiative: +1
its prey from the air. When
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), fly 50 ft. (poor)
it spots good hunting, it lands
Armor Class: 19 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +9
and hides in its quarry’s path, using
natural), touch 10, flat-footed 18
hypnotic pattern to distract potential
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+17
victims when they come near. It then
Attack: Bite +12 melee (2d6+4)
attacks with color spray to incapacitate
Full Attack: Bite +12 melee (2d6+4) and
as many creatures as possible before
bite +12 melee (1d8+4) and
using its breath weapon on them. If
gore +12 melee (1d8+4) and
necessary, it continues its attack
2 claws +10 melee (1d6+2)
from the air, using searing light
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
and breath weapon attacks to
Special Attacks: Breath weapon,
kill foes at range.
spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Darkvision Breath Weapon (Su): A
60 ft., low-light vision, prismatic chimera’s breath
prismatic body, prismatic weapon depends on the color of
immunities, scent its dragon head, as summarized
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +7, on the following table. The
Will +6 breath weapon is usable
Abilities: Str 19, Dex 13, once every 1d4 rounds,
Con 17, Int 4, Wis 13, deals 3d8 points of damage, and
Cha 14 allows a DC 17 Reflex save for
Skills: Hide +1*, Listen +9, half damage. The save DC is
Spot +9 Constitution-based.
Feats: Alertness, Hover, Iron
To determine a prismatic
Will, Multiattack
chimera’s head color and breath
Environment: weapon randomly, roll 1d10 and
Temperate hills consult the following table.
Organization: Solitary, pride
(3–5), or flight (6–13) Breath Weapon
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: Standard 1d10 Head Color Breath Weapon
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
1–2 Black 40-foot line of acid
Advancement: 10–13 HD (Large); 14–27 HD (Huge)
3–4 Blue 40-foot line of lightning
Level Adjustment: +5 (cohort)
5–6 Green 20-foot cone of gas (acid)
Here is an example of a prismatic using a chimera as the base 7–8 Red 20-foot cone of fire
creature. 9–10 White 20-foot cone of cold
A prismatic chimera is about 5 feet tall at the shoulder and nearly 10 Spell-Like Abilities: At will—flare (DC 12); 3/day—dancing
feet long, and it weighs about 4,000 pounds. It has three heads—a lights; 2/day—color spray (DC 13); 1/day—daylight, hypnotic pattern
goat, a lion, and a dragon—on long, dragon like necks. Its forelegs are (DC 14), searing light (DC 15). Caster level 9th. The save DCs are
those of a lion, its rear legs are hoofed like a goat’s, and its body is that Charisma-based.
of a dragon—complete with great wings. The dragon head resembles
Prismatic Body (Su): See the prismatic template.
that of any one kind of chromatic true dragon— black, blue, green,
red, or white—and it can use a weaker version of that dragon’s breath Prismatic Immunities (Ex): See the prismatic template.
weapon. Because its color constantly shifts, however, creatures not
Skills: A prismatic chimera’s three heads give it a +2 racial bonus
familiar with chromatic dragon facial features often have a difficult
on Listen and Spot checks.
time predicting what breath weapon the chimera can use.
Carrying Capacity: A light load for a prismatic chimera is up to
Prismatic chimeras can speak Draconic but seldom bother to do
348 pounds; a medium load, 349–699 pounds, and a heavy load,
so, except when toadying to more powerful creatures.
700–1,050 pounds.
203
 Psychic
Gifted with abnormal mental fortitude and strange mind powers by some accident of birth, psychics have access to knowledge and talents
that other creatures of their kinds do not. As they age, experience hones their minds even further, granting them ever more power.
Psychics come in eight different varieties according to their particular specialties: clairaudiant, clairvoyant, empath, precognizant,
psychometer, pyrokinetic, telekinetic, and telepath. Any given psychic may have one or more of these specialties, which are defined as
follows.
Psychic

• Clairaudiants can hear sounds made in locations other than their own and have powers over sound.
• Clairvoyants can see events in locations other than their own and have power over sight.
• Empaths are sensitive to other creature’s feelings and have powers over emotion.
• Precognizants can see future events and determine appropriate courses of action.
• Psychometers can determine the history and qualities of an object or place by concentrating.
• Pyrokenetics can control and produce flame with a thought.
• Telekinetics can move objects and produce force effects with their minds.
• Telepaths can read and project thoughts.
A psychic looks like any other member of its race, and psychics with different specialties are indistinguishable except for their abilities.

Creating a Psychic Creature

“Psychic” is an inherited template that can be added to any creature
whose Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores are each 3 or
Clairaudiant Spell-Like Abilities (continued)
higher (referred to hereafter as the base creature). Character Level Ability
A psychic uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities 15–16 Shout 1/day
except as noted for its type. The psychic gains all the abilities noted 17–18 Greater shout 1/day
for each of its specialties in addition to those that pertain to all 19–20 Wail of the banshee 1/day
psychics.
Clairvoyant: Spell-Like Abilities: A clairvoyant gains
Initiative: A precognizant gains a +8 insight spell-like abilities according to its character level, as
bonus on initiative rolls. indicated on the following table. These abilities are
cumulative. Caster level equals clairvoyant’s character
Speed: A telekinetic retains the base creature’s
level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
speeds and gains a fly speed equal to the
base creature’s highest speed, with perfect
maneuverability. If the base creature already Clairvoyant Spell-Like Abilities
has a fly speed, it either remains the same or increases Character Level Ability
until it is equal to the creature’s highest other speed plus 5
feet per point of Charisma bonus, whichever is faster. The 1–2 Detect magic 3/day
telekinetic’s maneuverability becomes perfect if it was not 3–4 Detect secret doors 1/day
already. 5–6 See invisibility 1/day
7–8 Arcane sight 1/day
Armor Class: A telekinetic gains a +4 deflection bonus to AC. 9–10 Arcane eye, clairaudience/clairvoyance (sight only) 3/day
Special Attacks: A psychic retains all the base creature’s special 11–12 Blindness/deafness (blindness effect only) 3/day
attacks and gains those described here. 13–14 Prying eyes 1/day
15–16 True seeing 1/day
Psychic Attack: The exact psychic attacks bestowed depend on the 17–18 Greater arcane sight 1/day
psychic’s particular specialties, as follows. 19–20 Greater prying eyes 1/day
Clairaudiant : Spell-Like Abilities: A clairaudiant gains Empath: Spell-Like Abilities: An empath gains spell-like
spell-like abilities according to its character level, as abilities according to its character level, as indicated
indicated on the following table. These abilities are on the following table. These abilities are cumulative.
cumulative. Caster level equals clairaudiant’s character Caster level equals empath’s character level. The save
level. The save DCs are Charisma-based. DCs are Charisma-based.

Clairaudiant Spell-Like Abilities Empath Spell-Like Abilities:

Character Level Ability Character Level Ability
1–2 Ghost sound 3/day 1–2 Remove fear 3/day, hideous laughter 1/day
3–4 Ventriloquism at will 3–4 Cause fear 1/day
5–6 Sound burst 1/day 5–6 Calm emotions 3/day, scare 1/day
7–8 Silence 3/day, shatter 1/day 7–8 Good hope 2/day
9–10 Clairaudience/clairvoyance (hearing only) 5/day 9–10 Rage 2/day
11–12 Blindness/deafness (deafness only) 3/day 11–12 Fear 2/day
204 13–14 Zone of silence 1/day
 Psychic Quality: The exact psychic qualities bestowed
Empath Spell-Like Abilities: (continued) depend on the psychic’s particular specialties, as follows.
Character Level Ability
Precognizant : Foresight (Su): A precognizant functions as
13–14 Crushing despair 3/day though constantly affected by a foresight spell (caster level
15–16 Symbol of fear 1/day equals precognizant’s character level). The precognizant
17–18 Sympathy 1/day receives instantaneous warnings of impending danger to
19–20 Antipathy 1/day itself and gains a general idea of what actions it might
take to protect itself. It is never surprised or flat-footed
Precognizant : Spell-Like Abilities: At will—guidance (self only);
and gains a +2 insight bonus to AC and on Reflex saves.
3/day—augury, moment of prescience; 1/day—foresight.
This insight bonus is lost whenever the precognizant

Psychic
Caster level equals precognizant’s character level.
creature would be denied its Dexterity bonus to AC.
Psychometer: Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect chaos, detect
Pyrokinetic: Conscious Immunity to Fire (Su): So long as a
evil, detect good, detect law, detect magic, detect poison,
pyrokinetic is conscious, it is immune to fire.
legend lore; 3/day—detect secret doors, detect snares and
pits; 1/day—analyze dweomer, locate object. Caster level Telepathic: Informed Prediction (Su): If the telepath has
equals psychometer’s character level). To use its at will successfully used detect thoughts against a creature
abilities, a psychometer must touch a single object or within 24 hours, it gains a +2 dodge bonus against
creature. These abilities otherwise function as the spells that creature’s attacks and a +2 insight bonus on saves
against that creature’s spells and special attacks.
Pyrokintic: Spell-Like Abilities: A pyrokinetic gains spell-like
abilities according to its character level, as indicated Telepathy (Su): A telepathic creature can use telepathy
on the following table. These abilities are cumulative. to a range of 100 feet, as described in the MM.
Caster level equals pyrokinetic’s character level. The
Skills: A psychic gains bonuses on certain skill checks according
save DCs are Charisma-based.
to its particular specialties, as follows.

Pyrokinetic: Spell-Like Abilities Clairaudiant: A clairaudiant gains a +10 bonus on Listen checks.

Character Level Ability Clairvoyant: A clairvoyant gains a +10 bonus on Spot checks.

1–2 Produce flame 3/day, pyrotechnics 1/day Empathic: An empath gains a +10 bonus on Sense Motive
3–4 Flaming sphere 1/day checks and a +5 bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, and
5–6 Flame arrow 3/day Intimidate checks.
7–8 Firetrap, quench 3/day Psychometer: A psychometer gains a +5 bonus on Appraise,
9–10 Fireball 1/day Disable Device, Open Lock, Search, and Use Magic
11–12 Wall of fire 2/day Device, as well as Survival checks made to track creatures.
13–14 Firestorm 1/day
15–16 Delayed blast fireball 1/day Feats: The psychic gains Iron Will as a bonus feat if the base
17–18 Incendiary cloud 1/day creature did not already have it.
19–20 Meteor swarm 1/day
Challenge Rating: The CR increases based on the psychic’s
Telekinetic: Spell-Like Abilities: A telekinetic gains spell-like specialties and character level, as follows. Each specialty
abilities according to its character level, as indicated adds its own CR increase.
on the following table. These abilities are cumulative.
Clairaudiant, Clairvoyant, Empath: Character level 10th or
Caster level equals telekinetic’s character level. The
below, same as the base creature; character level 11th
save DCs are Charisma-based.
or higher, same as the base creature +1.

Telekinetic Spell-Like Abilities Precognizant, Telepath: Same as the base creature +1.

Character Level Ability Psychometer: Same as the base creature.

1–2 Mage hand at will, shield 1/day Pyrokinetic, Telekinetic: Character level 10th or below, same
3–4 Animate rope 1/day, hold portal 2/day as the base creature +1; character level 11th or higher,
5–6 Floating disk 1/day same as the base creature +2.
7–8 Control water 1/day, sympathetic vibration 2/day Level Adjustment: The level adjustment increases based on the
9–10 Resilient sphere 1/day psychic’s specialties, as follows. Each specialty adds its own
11–12 Telekinesis 3/day level adjustment.
13–14 Repel wood 1/day, repel metal or stone 1/day
15–16 Reverse gravity 1/day Clairaudiant, Clairvoyant, Empath, Precognizant: Same as
17–18 Telekinetic sphere 1/day the base creature +2.
19–20 Wall of force 3/day Psychometer: Same as the base creature +1.
Telepath: Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect thoughts; Pyrokinetic, Telekinetic, Telepath: Same as the base creature +3.
1/day—dream, mind blank, phantasmal killer, telepathic
bond. Caster level equals telepath’s character level. The
save DCs are Charisma-based. Psychic Characters
Special Qualities: A psychic retains all the base creature’s special A psychic character favors whichever class the base creature does.
qualities and gains those described here. Alternatively, if you use Green Ronin’s Psychic Handbook, the
character gains Psychic in addition to the normal favored class. 205
 - Sample Creature: Psychic Bugbear -
Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid)
Hit Dice: 3d8+3 (16 hp)
Quadrupedal Creature

Initiative: +1
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 17 (+1 Dex, +3 natural, +2 leather armor,
+1 light wooden shield), touch 11, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+4
Attack: Morningstar +5 melee (1d8+2) or javelin +3
ranged (1d6+2)
Full Attack: Morningstar +5 melee (1d8+2) or javelin +3
ranged (1d6+2)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., informed
prediction, scent, telepathy
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +3
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 9
Skills: Climb +3, Hide +4, Listen +14, Move Silently +6,
Spot +14
Feats: Alertness, Iron Will, Weapon Focus
(morningstar)
Environment: Temperate mountains
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or band (11–20
plus 150% noncombatants plus 2 2nd-level
sergeants and 1 leader of 2nd–5th level)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +8
Here is an example of a psychic creature using a bugbear
as the base creature and clairaudiant, clairvoyant, and
telepath as the psychic specialties.
A psychic bugbear swiftly becomes a leader among its kind. With and eyesight to spy on enemies at greater than normal range and
its abilities to detect foes and communicate silently, a clairaudiant/ its telepathic bond to communicate with distant allies.
clairvoyant/telepath bugbear makes any bugbear hunting party or Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect thoughts, ventriloquism;
guerilla team dramatically more effective. 3/day—detect magic, ghost sound; 1/day—detect secret doors, dream,
Bugbears speak Goblin and Common. mind blank, phantasmal killer, telepathic bond. Caster level 3rd.
The save DCs are Charisma-based. The psychic bugbear gains
Combat additional spell-like abilities as it gains Hit Dice.

Bugbears prefer to ambush opponents whenever possible. When Telepathy (Su): See the psychic template.
hunting, they normally send scouts ahead of the main group. If the Informed Prediction (Su): See the psychic template.
scouts spy prey, they return to report and bring up reinforcements.
When a clairaudiant/clairvoyant/telepath bugbear is part of such Skills: A psychic bugbear has a +4 racial bonus on Move Silently
a group, it often serves as the scout, using its tremendous hearing checks.

Quadrupedal Creature
A quadrupedal creature possesses the features of a humanoid but the general form of a lion or horse. A quadrupedal version of a
humanoid creature has legs instead of arms and a longer-than-normal torso placed between and behind its front legs. Its elongated neck
and shortened legs give it a general form similar to that of a sphinx or a barghest.
Quadrupedal creatures rarely have the ability to manipulate tools, and most live nomadic existences, following sources of food and
traveling with the seasons. A quadrupedal race inclined to settle down might ally itself with nearby humanoids, gaining equipment and
dwellings in return for service as mounts.
206
 Creating a Quadrupedal Creature
“Quadrupedal creature” is an inherited or created template that can
Damage

Quadrupedal Creature
be added to any humanoid, giant, or monstrous humanoid, or any
living creature with a generally humanoid shape—namely, two arms, Size Bite Base Damage Slam Base Damage
two legs, and a head (referred to hereafter as the base creature).
Fine — —
A quadrupedal creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and Diminutive 1 1
special abilities except as noted here. Tiny 1 1
Small 1d3 1d3
Shape: The base creature’s arms become legs, and its hands become
Medium 1d4 1d4
hooflike or pawlike, depending upon whether its lower body
Large 1d6 1d6
resembles that of a horse or a lion. A quadrupedal must
Huge 1d8 1d8
wear barding instead of normal armor and cannot wear
Gargantuan 2d6 2d6
boots designed for bipeds.
Colossal 2d8 2d8
Speed: The base creature’s land and burrow speeds (if any) each
Space/Reach: The quadrupedal creature has a space and reach
increase by +10 feet. If the base creature has a climb speed, it
appropriate for its new shape, as described in the following
is replaced by a climb speed equal to one-half the quadrupedal
table. If the base creature had greater than normal reach for
creature’s land speed or 10 feet, whichever is faster. If the base
its size, add 5 feet to the reach indicated on the table.
creature has a fly speed based on the possession of wings, the
quadrupedal creature’s maneuverability class is reduced by one Space/Reach
step (minimum clumsy).
Size New Space/Reach (Long)
Grapple: If the quadrupedal creature’s body is more like that of a
deer or a horse than a lion, the GM may choose to impose a Fine 1/2 ft/—
penalty on grapple checks it makes as an aggressor, or even Diminutive 1 ft./—
disallow grappling attacks altogether. Even so, however, the Tiny 2-1/2 ft./—
quadrupedal creature retains its grapple bonus for use in Small 5 ft./—
escaping grapples and fending off pin attempts. Medium 5 ft./5 ft.
Large 10 ft./5 ft.
Attack: The quadrupedal creature retains all the base creature’s attacks, Huge 15 ft./10 ft.
each of which retains the same primary or secondary status Gargantuan 20 ft./15 ft.
it had for the base creature. If the base creature possessed a Colossal 30 ft./20 ft.
single claw or slam attack, the quadrupedal creature gains an
additional attack of the same type with the same primary or Special Attacks: A quadrupedal creature retains all of the base
secondary status and the same base damage. If the base creature creature’s special attacks except those that rely on find
has at least one head but lacks a bite attack with manipulation with the hands. If a special attack relies on
it, the quadrupedal creature gains a secondary the base creature taking humanoid form, it must
bite attack with each head. If the base creature instead take quadrupedal form.
possesses arms but has no claw or slam attacks Special Qualities: The quadrupedal creature retains
with them, the quadrupedal creature gains a all the base creature’s special qualities except those
primary slam attack with each such limb. that rely on fine manipulation with the hands. It
The quadrupedal creature’s lack of humanlike also gains the qualities described here. If a special
hands prevents it from using weapons, employing quality relies on the base creature taking humanoid
a shield, or manipulating items any better than a bear or a horse form (such as the doppelganger’s change shape ability), it
could. Thus, it loses all the base creature’s weapon and armor must instead take quadrupedal form.
proficiencies unless it gains the regular use of the ability to take Stability (Ex): A quadrupedal creature gains a +4 bonus on
a shape with hands. (In that case, the proficiencies of its class checks made to resist bull rush or trip attacks.
or creature type should automatically be restored so that the
quadrupedal creature need not take weapon proficiency feats to Carrying Capacity (Ex): A quadrupedal creature has a carrying
regain them.) capacity 1-1/2 times greater than normal for its size. It can also
carry a rider up to one size category smaller than itself.
Damage: If the quadrupedal creature gained bite or slam attacks
from the application of this template, the base damage for Skills: The quadrupedal creature retains the base creature’s racial
each is as given on the following table. skill bonuses. If the base creature has skills that require
fine manipulation with the hands (such as Open Lock or

Quadrupedal Spellcasters
Quadrupedal creatures may cast spells, but those requiring somatic and material components cannot be used unless the
quadrupedal creature has a means of bypassing the need for such components. In most cases, it is easiest to assume that
quadrupedal creatures can make use of somatic and material components in the same ways that other monstrous spellcasters
can. Spell-like abilities may be used in the same manner as the base creature used them.
207
 Perform [string instruments]), recalculate skill points for Feats: If the base creature has feats that require fine manipulation
the quadrupedal creature’s racial Hit Dice according to its with the hands (such as Skill Focus [Sleight of Hand]),
type, as given on the following table, then purchase its skills replace those feats.
afresh, treating the base creature’s skills as class skills and all
others as cross-class skills. The quadrupedal creature retains Quadrupedal Characters
Quadrupedal Creature

any skill points gained from class levels.

A quadrupedal character favors whichever class the base creature
Skills does. However, if the base creature favored a spellcasting class and
the GM has determined that the quadrupedal version cannot cast
Creature Type Skill Points spells requiring somatic or material components, its favored class
should be changed to barbarian, monk, or fighter.
Aberration (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Animal (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Although quadrupedal creatures might not be able to construct
Construct (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) equipment, most are still intelligent enough to employ it if they
Dragon (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) can.
Elemental (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Fey (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Quadrupedal creatures make strange PCs, but they can be fun,
Giant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) especially if another player’s character uses the quadrupedal
Humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) character as a mount. The template has no level adjustment
Magical beast (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) because although it grants greater speed and more natural attacks,
Monstrous it takes away a great deal.
humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Consider granting a quadrupedal PC benefits such as an extra level
Ooze (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) and small bonuses to ability scores to counter these losses. Don’t be
Outsider (8 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) too generous, though; its humanoid form might be just a low-level
Plant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) spell or potion away.
Undead (4 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Vermin (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)

- Sample Creature: Quadrupedal Succubus -

Medium Outsider (Chaotic, Demon,Extraplanar, Evil)
Hit Dice: 6d8+6 (33 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), fly 50 ft. (poor)
Armor Class: 20 (+1 Dex, +9 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 19
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+7
Attack: Claw +7 melee (1d6+1)
Full Attack: 2 claws +7 melee (1d6+1), bite +2 melee (1d4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Energy drain, spell-like abilities, summon demon
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/cold iron or good,
darkvision 60 ft., immunity to electricity and poison,
resistances (acid 10, cold 10, fire 10), spell resistance 18,
telepathy 100 ft., tongues
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +7
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 26
Skills: Bluff +19, Concentration +10, Diplomacy +12, Disguise
+17* (+19 acting), Escape Artist +10, Hide +10, Intimidate
+19, Knowledge (any one) +12, Listen +19, Move Silently
+10, Search +12, Spot +19, Survival +2 (+4 following tracks),
Use Rope +1 (+3 with bindings)
Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Persuasive
Environment: Infinite Layers of the Abyss
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: 7–12 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment: +6
flesh. It especially delights in entrapping and draining the life from
Here is an example of a quadrupedal creature using a succubus as unicorns, lammasu, and young good dragons.
the base creature.
A quadrupedal succubus in its natural form looks something like
The quadrupedal succubus offers perverse temptations to a furless, tailless gynosphinx. It walks about on four legs, and its
humanoids and corrupts other intelligent quadrupedal creatures, front feet look much like hairless lion paws. Great red-and-black,
208 such as androsphinxes and manticores, with the delights of the batlike wings sprout from its nude back near is shoulders, and
blond or black hair grows on its disturbingly beautiful humanlike of opportunity. The quadrupedal succubus’s kiss or embrace bestows
head. Its luscious and full lips hide deadly fangs. one negative level. The kiss also has the effect of a suggestion spell, in
which the victim is asked to accept another kiss from the quadrupedal
A quadrupedal succubus spends most of its time in the form of
succubus. The victim must succeed on a DC 21 Will save to negate
whatever quadrupedal creature it wants to ensnare. Yet a quadruped
the effect of the suggestion. The DC is 21 for the Fortitude save to
succubus also enjoys corrupting humanoid victims, so it sometimes
remove a negative level. These save DCs are Charisma-based.
spends time near humanoid settlements. In such cases, it usually takes
the form of a beautiful mount or a piece of valuable livestock to entice Spell-Like Abilities: At will—charm monster (DC 22), detect good,
a humanoid within reach of its enchanting spells and killing kiss. detect thoughts (DC 20), ethereal jaunt (self plus 50 pounds of objects
only), polymorph (quadrupedal form only, no limit on duration),

Quickling
Combat suggestion (DC 21), greater teleport (self plus 50 pounds of objects
only). Caster level 12th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Quadrupedal succubi avoid combat if possible, preferring to use
their powers of suggestion and their charm to win foes to their Summon Demon (Sp): Once per day, a quadrupedal succubus can
sides and lure victims into their life-draining embraces. attempt to summon one vrock with a 30% chance of success. This
ability is the equivalent of a 3rd-level spell.
A quadrupedal succubus’s natural weapons, and any weapons it
wields, are treated as chaotic-aligned and evil-aligned for the Tongues (Su): A quadrupedal succubus has a permanent tongues
purpose of overcoming damage reduction. ability (as the spell, caster level 12th). Succubi usually use verbal
communication with mortals.
Energy Drain (Su): A quadrupedal succubus drains energy from
a mortal it lures into some act of passion, or by simply planting Skills: A quadrupedal succubus has a +8 racial bonus on Listen
a kiss on the victim. If the target is not willing to be kissed, the and Spot checks. *While using its alter self ability, it gains a +10
quadrupedal succubus must start a grapple, which provokes an attack circumstance bonus on Disguise checks.

Quickling
Quicklings are creatures that possess incredible speed. Some inherit their powers from quickling parents or distant ancestors, but others seem to
become quicklings spontaneously. Such creatures are often individuals in need of great speed to flee a foe or reach a loved one in time to prevent
tragedy. Most count their gift of speed as a great blessing at first, but they soon learn to curse it when they see their lives rapidly leaving them.
Quicklings are prime examples of the old adage, “Live fast and die young.” In fact, they age four times as fast as normal for their kinds.
Elf quicklings die of old age before their companions are old enough to be married, and human quicklings rarely live past twenty-five.
Knowledge of their impending doom, however, drives many quicklings to accomplish great deeds in the small amount of time they have.

Creating a Quickling
“Quickling” is an acquired or inherited template that can be added Quick Casting (Ex): When casting any spell with a casting time
to any living creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). greater than 1 action, the quickling can cast it in 1 action.
A quickling uses all the base creature’s statistics and special Special Qualities: A quickling retains all the base creature’s special
abilities except as noted here. qualities and gains the one described here.
Initiative: A quickling gains a +4 bonus on initiative rolls. Fast Healing (Ex): A quickling regains 1 hit point per round.
Speed: Each of a quickling’s speeds is quadruple the Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: +8 Dex.
corresponding speed of the base creature. If the quickling
Skills: A quickling rapidly gains an understanding of its
has a fly speed, its maneuverability increases by two
environment, which grants it a +2 racial bonus on Listen,
categories (maximum perfect).
Search, and Spot checks. In addition, it gains a +10 racial
Armor Class: The base creature gains a +4 dodge bonus to AC. bonus on Tumble checks and can use Tumble as though
Conditions that cause the quickling to lose its Dexterity trained even if it possesses no ranks in the skill..
bonus to AC also cause it to lose this dodge bonus.
Feats: A quickling gains Dodge, Improved Initiative, Mobility,
Special Attacks: A quickling retains all the base creature’s special Quick Draw, Quicken Spell, and Spring Attack as bonus
attacks and gains those described here. feats, assuming that it meets any prerequisites and the base
creature does not already have them.
Rapid Attacks (Ex): A quickling may make an extra ranged
attack at its highest attack bonus during any attack action Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
and when making a full attack. Furthermore,
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +5.
it may modify any or all of its melee attack
rolls with its Dexterity modifier instead of its
Strength modifier, if desired. When it makes Quickling Characters
this substitution for all its melee attacks in an
A quickling character favors whichever class the
attack action or a full attack, it gains an extra
base creature does.
melee attack at its highest attack bonus. 209
 Using the Quickling Template
If one of your players has a character of significantly lower level than the rest of the group, consider allowing that character to
gain the quickling template spontaneously at a time when she desperately needs to move quickly. If the character seizes this
option, make it clear over time that the character is aging rapidly. Such an effect is relatively easy to depict over the long term in
a campaign, but in the short term, the signs of aging might be less clear. Mention that the character’s hair is growing noticeably
faster than before, and that her rapidly beating heart pains her from time to time. If the player objects to the aging effects,
make an option for removing the template available in the form of a quest.
Quickling

- Sample Creature: Quickling Magmin -

Small Elemental (Extraplanar, Fire) A quickling magmin rarely appears as more than a red blur trailing
a line of fire. When it slows down enough to be distinguishable
Hit Dice: 2d8+2 (11 hp)
from the fire it creates, a quickling magmin looks like a stumpy
Initiative: +12
human sculpted from fire and flowing lava. It radiates heat like a
Speed: 120 ft. (24 squares)
bonfire from the searing flame that envelop its body, and its gleeful
Armor Class: 25 (+1 size, +4 Dex, +4 Dodge, +6 natural), touch
grin looks malicious.
19, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/–1 Quickling magmins speak Ignan, but they speak it at such a
Attack: 2 burning touches +6 melee touch (1d8 fire plus breakneck pace that few other creatures can understand their
combustion) or 2 slams +6 melee (1d3+3 plus combustion) speech.
Full Attack: 2 burning touches +6 melee touch (1d8 fire plus
combustion) or 2 slams +6 melee (1d3+3 plus combustion) Combat
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Combustion, fiery aura, quick casting, rapid attacks Quickling magmins are braver than normal ones because of
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/magic, darkvision 60 their great speed and agility. They charge into battle without fear,
ft., elemental traits, fast healing 1, immunity to fire, melt trusting their mobility to help them escape slower foes if the fight
weapons, vulnerability to cold turns against them.
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +0 Combustion (Ex): Anyone a quickling magmin touches must
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 19, Con 13, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 10 succeed on a DC 12 Reflex save or take an extra
Skills: Climb +4, Listen +2, Jump +39, Search +2, Spot +5, 1d8 points of fire damage from its clothes
Tumble +14 igniting or its armor becoming searing
Feats: Dodge, Great Fortitude, hot. The damage continues for another
Improved Initiative, Mobility, 1d4+2 rounds after the quickling
Quick Draw magmin’s last successful attack.
Environment: Elemental Plane Quickling magmins can also
of Fire ignite flammable materials
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang with simply a touch of their
(3–4), or squad (6–10) firey flesh. The save DC is
Challenge Rating: 4 Constitution-based.
Treasure: Standard coins; Fiery Aura (Ex): Anyone
standard goods within 20 feet of a quickling
(nonflammables magmin must succeed on a
only); standard items DC 12 Fortitude save or
(nonflammables only) take 1d6 points of heat
Alignment: Always chaotic damage per round from the
neutral intense heat. The save DC is
Advancement: 3–4 HD Constitution-based.
(Small); 5–6 HD
(Medium) Melt Weapons (Ex): Any
Level Adjustment: — metal weapon that strikes
a quickling magmin must
Here is an example of a succeed on a DC 12
quickling using a magmin Fortitude save or melt
as the base creature. away into a lump of
Quickling magmins useless slag. The save DC
love setting things on is Constitution-based.
fire. When they reach Quick Casting (Ex): See
the Material Plane, they the quickling template.
often run amuck, trailing
fiery destruction in their Rapid Attacks (Ex): See the
wake. quickling template.
210
Elemental Traits: A quickling magmin has immunity to poison, Skills: A quickling magmin rapidly gains an understanding of
sleep effects, paralysis, and stunning. It is not subject to critical hits its environment, which grants it a +2 racial bonus on Listen,
or flanking. It cannot be raised, reincarnated or resurrected (though a Search, and Spot checks. In addition, it gains a +10 racial bonus
limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection spell can restore life). on Tumble checks and can use Tumble as though trained even if it
Darkvision 60 ft. possesses no ranks in the skill.

Ravenous Creature
Ravenous Creature
Unnatural acts provoke unnatural hungers, and depravity follows perversity in a cascade. Dark powers watch for the growth of evil in
mortals’ hearts, and they reward such creatures with great power to nurture the black bloom of their wickedness. Cannibalism garners a
particularly abhorrent “blessing.” Ravenous creatures are living beings that have eaten the flesh of their own kind and been cursed with
a supernatural hunger for more. A ravenous creature must continue to eat the flesh of its own kind or starve to death. Most ravenous
creatures welcome this burden because of the power it brings them.

Creating a Ravenous Creature

“Ravenous creature” is an acquired template that can be added to Damage Reduction (Ex): The ravenous creature gains
any living, intelligent creature that has eaten the flesh of its own damage reduction 5/—.
kind (referred to hereafter as the base creature).
Darkvision (Ex): A ravenous creature has darkvision
A ravenous creature uses all the base creature’s to a range of 60 feet.
statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Favored Prey (Ex): A ravenous creature gains a +2
Attack: The ravenous creature retains all the base bonus on damage rolls against creatures of its own
creature’s attacks, and its weapon and armor type and a +2 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive,
proficiencies. These attacks retain the same Spot and Survival checks when using these skills
primary or secondary status they had for the against creatures of this type. Against a creature of
base creature. If the base creature possesses at its own kind, each of the bonuses increases to +4.
least one mouth but has no natural attack with it, the ravenous
Low-Light Vision (Ex): A ravenous creature can see twice as
creature gains a secondary bite attack with each mouth.
far as a human in moonlight, starlight, torchlight, and other
Damage: If the ravenous creature gained bite or claw attacks from conditions of poor lighting.
the application of this template, the base damage for each is
Ravenous Body (Su): A ravenous creature can eat other food,
as given on the following table.
but only the flesh of its own kind satiates its hunger. It must
feed upon the flesh of a creature of its own kind at least
Damage once every three days or it suffers the effects of starvation,
Size Bite Base Damage as outlined in the DMG. When the ravenous creature’s
nonlethal damage due to starvation equals its Constitution
Fine — score, it dies.
Diminutive 1
Tiny 1d2 Sprint (Ex): Once per hour, a ravenous creature can move at
Small 1d3 ten times its normal speed when it makes a charge.
Medium 1d4 Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +6, Dex
Large 1d6 +4, Con +4.
Huge 1d8
Gargantuan 2d6 Skills: A ravenous creature has a +4 bonus on Balance, Escape
Colossal 2d8 Artist, Hide, Intimidate, and Move Silently checks, and a +8
bonus on Climb, Jump, Listen, Spot, Search, and Survival
Special Attacks: The ravenous creature retains all the base checks.
creature’s special attacks and gains those described here.
Feats: A ravenous creature gains Blind-Fight, Improved Grapple,
Hungry Special Attacks (Ex): Any creature of the same kind and Improved Unarmed Strike as bonus feats if the base
as the ravenous creature takes a –2 penalty on saving throws creature does not already have them.
against the ravenous creature’s spells and special attacks.
Organization: Same as the base creature or solitary.
Special Qualities: The ravenous creature retains all the base
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here. Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.

Ageless (Ex): A ravenous creature does not age. Alignment: Usually chaotic evil.

Cannibalistic Healing (Ex): So long as the ravenous creature Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
has fed upon the flesh of its own kind within the last 24
hours, it has fast healing 10. Feeding on a creature of its
own kind that was killed within the last hour heals all ability
Ravenous Characters
damage and ability drain the ravenous creature has taken. A ravenous character favors whichever class the base creature does. 211
 - Sample Creature: Kazunne Brokentongue -
(Female Ravenous Half-Orc Ranger 8) Medium Humanoid
Combat
Hit Dice: 8d8+24 (60 hp)
Kazunne concerns herself only with killing and devouring half-
Initiative: +1
Ravenous Creature

orcs. She tries to avoid confrontations with other beings, and in

Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
a battle, she fights any half-orc present while using her spells to
Armor Class: 18 (+1 Dex, +1 natural, +5 +2 studded leather, +2 +1
delay its companions.
buckler), touch 11, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+16 Half-Orc Traits (Ex): Half-orcs possess the following racial traits.
Attack: Bastard sword +18 melee (1d10+9/19-20)
Typical Ranger Spells Prepared (2/1; save DC 12 + spell level):
Full Attack: Bastard sword +16/+11 melee (1d10+9/19-20) and short
1st—entangle (2); 2nd—spike growth.
sword +14/+9 (1d6+4/19-20) and bite +11 melee (1d4+4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Hungry Special Attacks (Ex): A half-orc opponent takes a –2
Special Attacks: Combat style (Two-Weapon Fighting), favored penalty on saving throws against Kazunne’s spells.
enemy (orcs +4, humans +2), hungry special attacks, improved
combat style (Improved Two-Weapon Fighting), spells Ageless (Ex): See the ravenous template.
Special Qualities: Ageless, animal companion (light warhorse), Cannibalistic Healing (Ex): See the ravenous template.
cannibalistic healing, damage reduction 5/—, darkvision
60 ft., favored prey (half-orcs +4, humanoids +2), low-light Favored Prey (Ex): Half-orcs +4, humanoids +2; see the ravenous
vision, ravenous body, sprint, swift tracker, wild empathy, template. With Kazunne’s favored enemy bonuses, she gains a +4
woodland stride bonus on damage rolls against humans and a +4 bonus on Bluff,
Saves: Fort +7, Ref 7, Will +4 Listen, Sense Motive, Spot and Survival checks when using these
Abilities: Str 26, Dex 12, Con 17, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 8 skills against them. Against other half-orcs, she gains a +8 bonus
Skills: Balance +5, Climb +24, Escape Artist +5, Hide +15, on damage rolls against and a +8 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense
Intimidate +3, Jump +24, Listen +18, Move Silently +15, Motive, Spot and Survival checks.
Ride +9, Search +8, Spot +18, Survival +18 Ravenous Body (Su): Kazunne must eat other half-orcs to avoid
Feats: Blind-FightB, EnduranceB, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard starvation; see the ravenous template.
sword), Improved GrappleB, Improved Unarmed StrikeB, Track,
Weapon Focus (bastard sword), Weapon Focus (short sword) Sprint (Ex): See the ravenous template.
Challenge Rating: 9 Skills: Kazunne has a +4 bonus on Balance,
Treasure: See Possessions Escape Artist, Hide, Intimidate, Move
Alignment: Neutral evil Silently, and a +8 bonus on
Advancement: By character class Climb, Jump, Listen, Spot,
Level Adjustment: +4 Search, and Survival
checks.
Here is an example of a ravenous creature using a half-orc ranger
as the base creature. Possessions: +1
studded leather armor,
Kazunne Brokentongue hates her heritage. Abandoned as a child, +1 buckler, +1
she grew up on the streets of a human town, where she was abused bastard sword,
and reviled by the citizens. Imagining that life with orcs would be amulet of natural
preferable, she left civilization when she amassed enough gear to armor +1.
survive in the wild. Alas, the orcs she found were far from hospitable,
and she suffered far worse at their hands than she ever had in the town
where she had been born. After escaping the orc tribe, she learned all
she could about orcs and began a personal crusade to destroy them all.
Kazunne attacked orcs wherever she could find them, and her
reputation grew. Finally, in one fateful assault, she met a half-orc
chieftain of an orc tribe. Her fearsome reputation among orc
tribes had preceded her, and the chieftain met her on the
field of battle with a challenge of single combat. Kazunne,
furious at the half-orc’s position of authority, accepted
the challenge by leaping bodily upon her foe. As they
struggled in the mud, Kazunne was overcome with hatred,
and in an act of utter savagery, she bit out her opponent’s
eye and swallowed it. Though she won that battle and
escaped the wrath of the orc tribe, Kazunne Brokentongue
became a ravenous creature.
These days, Kazunne sticks close to large cities. She hunts
half-orcs there. When she depletes a town of prey, or when the
incessant murder of half-orcs finally comes to the attention of the
local authorities, she moves on to the next city.
Kazunne Brokentongue speaks Common and Orc.
212
 Saurian
Saurians are lizardlike beings that live closer to the natural world than others of their kinds. Carnivorous and voracious, saurians fight
with food on their minds, tearing happily into the bodies of their fallen foes to feed on the tender meat.
A saurian looks like a normal member of its race, except that is has the scales, teeth, and claws of a hunter. Its scales may be any color of
the rainbow, but a given saurian tends to have scales of only one or two shades. Saurian fire giants, for instance, have patterned red and
orange scales, whereas saurian hill giants have dark brown scales on their backs and creamier scales covering their bellies and faces.

Saurian
Creating a Saurian
“Saurian” is an inherited template that can be added to any nonreptilian Special Attacks: The saurian retains all the base creature’s special
animal, giant, humanoid, monstrous humanoid, or magical beast attacks and gains those described here.
(referred to hereafter as the base creature). A saurian uses all the base
Leaping Pounce (Ex): When a saurian charges a foe and
creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
jumps at least the last 10 feet of, it may make a full attack,
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but if including two rake attacks.
the base creature is humanoid, the saurian
Rake (Ex): The saurian gains this ability if it has
gains the reptilian subtype.
at least four limbs and the base creature does not
Armor Class: The saurian’s natural armor bonus already have rake. Against a creature with which it
improves by +2 over that of the base creature. grapples, a saurian may make two secondary rake
attacks that deal claw damage. See the Glossary in
Attack: The saurian retains all the base creature’s
the MM for more details.
attacks, and its weapon and armor proficiencies.
These attacks retain the same primary or secondary status Special Qualities: The saurian retains all the base creature’s special
they had for the base creature. If the base creature possesses at qualities and gains those described here.
least one mouth but has no natural attack with it, the saurian
Low-Light Vision (Ex): A saurian can see twice as far as
gains a secondary bite attack with each mouth. If the base
a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar
creature possesses at least two arms but has no natural attacks
conditions or poor illumination. It retains the ability to
with them, the saurian gains two primary claw attacks.
distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
Full Attack: A saurian fighting without weapons uses all its natural
Scent (Ex): A saurian can detect approaching enemies and
attacks when making a full attack. If armed with a weapon,
sniff out hidden foes by sense of smell alone. See the MM
it uses that as its primary attack and a claw and a bite as
for details of this quality.
secondary attacks.
Abilities: Change from the bas creature as follows: Dex –2
Damage: If the saurian gained bite or claw attacks from the
(minimum 1), Con +2, Wis +2.
application of this template, the base damage for each is as
given on the following table. Skills: A saurian has a +8 racial bonus on Jump and Survival
checks.
Damage Languages: If the saurian can speak, it gains the ability to speak
Size Bite Base Damage Claw Base Damage Draconic in addition to any other languages the base
creature knows.
Fine 1 —
Diminutive 1d2 1 Challenge Rating Same as the base creature +1.
Tiny 1d3 1d2 Alignment: Usually neutral.
Small 1d4 1d3
Medium 1d6 1d4 Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2.
Large 1d8 1d6
Huge
Gargantuan
2d6
2d8
1d8
2d6
Saurian Characters
Colossal 4d6 2d8 A saurian favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Saurian Centaur -

Large Monstrous Humanoid (Reptilian) Full Attack: Longsword +7 melee (2d6+6/19–20) and 2 hooves
+3 melee (1d6+2) and claw +2 melee (1d6+2) and bite +2
Hit Dice: 4d8+12 (30 hp)
melee (1d8+2) or 2 hooves +8 melee (1d6+4) and 2 claws
Initiative: +1
+2 melee (1d6+2) and bite +2 melee (1d8+2) or composite
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares)
longbow (+4 Str bonus) +4 ranged (2d6+4/x3)
Armor Class: 16 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +5 natural), touch 11, flat-
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
footed 14
Special Attacks: Leaping pounce, rake 1d6+2
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+12
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent
Attack: Longsword +7 melee (2d6+6/19–20) or claw +7 melee (1d6+4)
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +6
or composite longbow (+4 Str bonus) +4 ranged (2d6+4/x3) 213
 Abilities: Str 18, Dex 12, Con 17, Int 8, Wis 15, Cha 11
Skills: Jump +20, Listen +4, Move Silently +3, Spot +4,
Survival +11
Feats: Dodge, Weapon Focus (hoof )
Environment: Temperate forests
Organization: Solitary, company (5–8), troop (8–18 plus 1 leader
of 2nd–5th level), or tribe (20–150 plus 30% noncombatants
plus 10 3rd-level sergeants, 5 5th-level lieutenants, and 1
leader of 5th–9th level)
Challenge Rating: 4
Savant

Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually neutral good
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +4
Here is an example of a saurian using a
centaur as the base creature.
Saurian centaurs are
carnivorous, nomadic hunters
that spend most of their time
following migrating herds
of herbivores. However, they are happy to prey
upon any creatures that cannot speak their languages,
considering them to be inferior. Saurian centaurs are careful not
to overhunt their prey, and this mentality affects how they fight
enemies. In many cases, they kill and take with them only a few
of a larger group of foes, leaving the rest for later hunts.
A saurian centaur is as big as a heavy horse, but much taller and
heavier, standing about 7 feet tall and weighing about 2,200
Combat
pounds. The creature looks something like a lizardfolk with four A saurian centaur charges from foe to foe, leaping upon its prey
legs and a body covered in small green scales. Its face, which and raking with its hind legs as it claws, bites, and batters. A
features a mouth filled with dagger-point teeth, looks like a saurian centaur employing a lance deals double damage when it
melding of dinosaur and human. Its forelegs have blunt, hooflike charges, just as a rider on a mount would.
feet, while its rear legs and hands bear sharp claws.
Leaping Pounce (Ex): See the saurian template.
Saurian centaurs speak Draconic, Sylvan, and Elven. Rake (Ex): See the saurian template.

Savant
Savants are creatures gifted with unusual intelligence due to some accident of birth. Physically weak and socially inept, they live on
the fringes of the social order and are viewed as oracles at best or freaks at worst. Despite their quick wits, flawless memories, and
faultless logic, few savants become leaders of their kind. Some, however, gain considerable political power by serving as advisors to more
charismatic leaders who are socially acceptable to others. Such injustice often makes savants bitter and vengeful creatures.
A savant looks much like any normal member of its race, though it usually has an enlarged skull to house its extra-large brain. The typical
savant also has some physical deformity, such as a club foot or a twisted back—a feature that further erodes its ability to relate to others.

Creating a Savant
“Savant” is an inherited template that can be added to any creature Deductive Leap (Ex): Once per round, a savant can choose
with an Intelligence score of 3 or higher. A savant uses all the base to substitute its Intelligence modifier for the ability modifier
creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here. usually associated with a saving throw it is about to make.
The decision to use this ability must be made before the
Special Qualities: The savant retains all the base creature’s special
saving throw is rolled, and this ability can be used
qualities and gains those described here.
even if the savant does not know what the saving
Combat Insight (Ex): A savant gains a +2 throw is for.
insight bonus on attack and damage rolls
Terrain Insight (Ex): A savant gains a +4 insight
and A +2 insight bonus to AC against any
bonus on initiative rolls and Hide, Listen, Move
creature it has watched in combat for at least
Silently, Search, and Spot checks in any area with
214 3 rounds.
 which it is very familiar (that is, a place that the savant has
been to often and feels at home in).
Skills
Creature Type Skill Points
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A savant retains its Dexterity bonus to
AC regardless of being caught flat-footed or attacked by an Humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
unseen opponent. If the base creature already has uncanny Magical beast (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
dodge or gains it later as a result of class levels or a template, Monstrous
it gains the improved uncanny dodge quality instead. humanoid (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Ooze (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Skill Mastery (Ex): A savant chooses number of skills equal
Outsider (8 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
to 3 + its Intelligence modifier when the template is added. It
Plant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
may take 10 on checks made with any of these skills, even if

Savant
Undead (4 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
stress or distraction would normally prevent it from doing so.
Vermin (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str –2
A savant gains a +4 insight bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate,
(minimum 1), Dex –2 (minimum 1), Con –2 (minimum 1),
and Sense Motive checks against creatures it has observed
Int +10, Wis +6, Cha –4 (minimum 1). Savants are often
or interacted with for 1 minute. Furthermore, it can use all
physically weak and socially inept, but they have keen minds.
Knowledge skills, plus Decipher Script, Disable Device,
Skills: The savant retains the racial skill bonuses of the base Open Lock, and Use Magic Device untrained.
creature, but it loses all skill ranks the base creature
Languages: A savant often speaks many languages, chosen from
possessed. Recalculate skill points for the savant’s racial
the bonus languages available to creatures of its type.
Hit Dice according to its type, as given on the following
table, then purchase its skills afresh. Treat the base creatures’ Feats: A savant gains Blind-Fight as a bonus feat if the base
skills and Decipher Script, Disable Device, Knowledge (all), creature does not already have it.
Open Lock, and Use Magic Device as class skills and all
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature. The savant’s
others as cross-class skills. The savant retains any skill points
high Intelligence should make it a much greater threat
gained from class levels.
than an average member of its race because of the plots
and machinations it can invent, but in physical combat,
Skills no adjustment or a +1 adjustment to CR should be
Creature Type Skill Points appropriate. If the savant can cast spells as a cleric, druid,
or wizard, the abnormally high save DCs may justify a +2
Aberration (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) CR adjustment.
Animal (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Construct (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
Dragon (6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Elemental
Fey
(2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
(6 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3)
Savant Characters
Giant (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3) A savant favors the wizard class because the study of magic comes
easily to it.

- Sample Creature: Pseudodragon Savant -

Tiny Dragon Environment: Temperate forests
Organization: Solitary, pair, or clutch (3–5)
Hit Dice: 2d12 (12 hp)
Challenge Rating: 1
Initiative: +1
Treasure: None
Speed: 15 ft. (3 squares), fly 60 ft. (good)
Alignment: Always neutral good
Armor Class: 18 (+2 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural), touch 14, flat-
Advancement: 3–4 HD (Tiny)
footed 16
Level Adjustment: +7
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/–9
Attack: Sting +3 melee (1d3-3 plus poison) Here is an example of a savant using a pseudodragon as the base
Full Attack: Sting +3 melee (1d3–3 plus poison) and bite –2 creature.
melee (1)
A pseudodragon savant is slightly smaller than a housecat and
Space/Reach: 2-1/2 ft./0 ft. (5 ft. with tail)
resembles a weak-looking, miniature red dragon. It has fine scales
Special Attacks: Poison
and sharp horns and teeth, and its head seems a little large for its
Special Qualities: Blindsense 60 ft., combat insight, darkvision
body. Its barbed, flexible tail is about twice as long as its body.
60 ft., deductive leap, immunity to sleep and paralysis, low-
light vision, skill mastery (Diplomacy, Hide, Listen, Open Finding the pranks that other pseudodragons enjoy tiresome,
Lock, Search, Sense Motive, Spot, Survival), spell resistance pseudodragon savants constantly seek out mental stimulation in the
19, telepathy 60 ft., terrain insight, uncanny dodge form of complex puzzles or riddles. They also enjoy complicated politics
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +7 and power mongering, but their weak physical bodies and lack of
Abilities: Str 4, Dex 13, Con 11, Int 20, Wis 18, Cha 6 charisma ensure that they rarely become leaders. Pseudodragon savants
Skills: Decipher Script +10, Diplomacy +3*, Hide +18*, Knowledge sometimes attach themselves to thieves’ guilds for the adventure, and
(local) +10, Listen +9, Open Lock +6, Search +10, Sense their skills also tend to make them excellent members and advisors.
Motive +9*, Spot +9, Survival +9 (+11 following tracks)
Feats: Blind-FightB, Weapon Finesse A pseudodragon savant can communicate telepathically and speaks
Draconic, Common, Elven, Dwarven, Sylvan, and Gnome. 215
 Combat
A pseudodragon savant tries to avoid direct
confrontation, though it can bite and sting foes.
Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 13, initial damage
sleep for 1 minute, secondary damage sleep for 1d3 hours.
Seasonal Creature

The save DC is Constitution-based and includes a +2

racial bonus.
Blindsense (Ex): A pseudodragon savant can locate
creatures within 60 feet by nonvisual means (mostly
hearing and scent, but also by noticing vibrations and
other environmental clues). Opponents the pseudodragon
savant can’t actually see still have total concealment
against it.
Combat Insight (Ex): See the savant template.
Deductive Leap (Ex): See the savant template.
Telepathy (Su): Pseudodragon savants can communicate
telepathically with creatures within 60 feet that speak
Common or Sylvan.
Terrain Insight (Ex): See the savant template.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): See the savant template.
Skill Mastery (Ex): Diplomacy, Hide, Listen, Open
Lock, Search, Sense Motive, Spot, Survival; see the savant
template.
Skills: A pseudodragon savant has a chameleonlike Intimidate, and Sense Motive checks against creatures it has
ability that grants it a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks. *In forests observed or interacted with for 1 minute. A pseudodragon savant
or overgrown areas, this bonus improves to +8. In addition, a can use all Knowledge skills, plus Open Lock, Decipher Script,
pseudodragon gains a +4 insight bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Disable Device, and Use Magic Device unskilled.

Seasonal Creature
Seasonal creatures change as the world does. Their bodies and souls are linked to the slow shift from spring to summer, summer to
autumn, and autumn to winter.
In spring, a seasonal creature exhibits great strength and lust for life. It seems exuberant and foolhardy, young again despite all its years
and frail like a newborn. In summer, some of the zest for living that characterized it in spring has faded, tempered by thoughts of the
autumn and winter to come. Autumn brings physical weakness and growing wisdom, plus a need to prepare for the coming winter.
Winter is a time for thoughtfulness—a time to reflect on the events of the year and learn from them before the coming spring makes the
seasonal creature a young fool again.
Like its outlook, the seasonal creature’s appearance changes throughout the year. In spring, its skin is bright green, and new leaf shoots
and budding flowers grow from its head like hair. Summer darkens the greens and causes the flowers to fall as fruit begins to ripen. In
autumn, the seasonal creature’s skin turns yellow or brown, and its leaves become fiery red and orange. In winter, its leaves and vine like
hair wither and fall away, its skin pales to pure white, and hair the color of the winter sky grows in where the green shoots once sprouted.

Creating a Seasonal Creature

“Seasonal creature” is an inherited template that can be added to Special Attacks: The seasonal creature retains all the base
any living creature that normally lives aboveground (referred to creature’s special attacks and gains those described here.
hereafter as the base creature).
Energy Damage (Su): Each of a seasonal creature’s
A seasonal creature uses all the base creature’s natural and weapon attacks deals an extra +1d4 points
statistics and special abilities except as noted here. of cold damage in autumn and winter, and an extra
When the season changes, the seasonal creature loses +1d4 points of fire damage in spring and summer.
the changes imposed during the previous season and
Seasonal Spellcasting (Su): If the base creature casts
gains those for the next one.
216 spells or possesses spell-like abilities, the seasonal
 Using the Seasonal Template
The seasonal template is a package of four templates that can be divided and used separately. It can also can be made an
acquired template with no modification.

Seasonal Creature
You can use this template to redefine any d20 creature. Fey creatures are excellent choices as base creatures, though the template
can also be used to create subraces for humans, elves, or other PC races.

creature gains special benefits to its spellcasting according to Summer: The seasonal creature gains a +2 bonus on
the season, as follows. saves against fire effects and a –2 penalty on saves
against cold effects.
Spring: The seasonal creature’s effective caster level for
illusion effects increases by +1 over that of the base Autumn: The seasonal creature gains a +2 bonus on
creature, and the save DC for its illusions increases by +1. saves against cold effects and a –2 penalty on saves
against polymorphing.
Summer: The seasonal creature’s effective caster level
for evocation effects increases by +1 over that of the Winter: The seasonal creature gains a +2 bonus on
base creature, and the save DC for its evocations saves against cold effects and a –2 penalty on saves
increases by +1. against fear.
Autumn: The seasonal creature’s effective caster Abilities: A seasonal creature’s ability scores change from the base
level for transmutation effects increases by +1 over creature according to the season, as given in the following table.
that of the base creature, and the save DC for its
transmutations increases by +1. Abilities
Winter: The seasonal creature’s effective caster level Season Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha
for necromancy effects increases by +1 over that of
the base creature, and the save DC for its necromancy Spring +4 +4 –4* –4* –4* +4
effects increases by +1. Summer +2 +2 –2* –2* –2* +2
Autumn –2* –2* +2 +2 +2 –2*
Special Qualities: A seasonal creature retains all the special Winter –4* –4* +4 +4 +4 –4*
qualities of the base creature and gains those described here.
*Minimum 1.
Resistances (Ex): A seasonal creature gains energy resistance
based on the season, as follows. Skills: Do not recalculate the seasonal creature’s skills based on
its Intelligence changes. The seasonal creature gains a +2
Spring: The seasonal creature gains resistance 5 to circumstance bonus on Hide checks in natural environments
cold and fire. where its seasonal colors blend with the environment.
Summer: The seasonal creature gains resistance 5 to Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
electricity and fire.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +1.
Autumn: The seasonal creature gains resistance 5 to
cold and electricity.
Winter: The seasonal creature gains resistance 10 to cold.
Seasonal Characters
A seasonal character favors the druid class. The seasonal template offers
Seasonal Change (Ex): A seasonal creature gains morale a wide range of roleplaying possibilities for a player character and offers
modifiers on certain saves based on the current season, as interesting new challenges with each new season. A GM who allows
follows. a seasonal PC should choose certain dates as the times for the seasons
Spring: The seasonal creature gains a +2 bonus on to change. Such days can be cause for great celebration and annual
saves against fear and a –2 penalty on saves against festivals of various kinds. Certainly the change from winter to spring
cold effects. would be reason enough for merriment, as the cares of winter are
forgotten and seasonal creatures look forward to the new year.

- Sample Creature: Seasonal Dryad (Autumn) -

Medium Fey Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Energy damage, seasonal spellcasting, spell-like
Hit Dice: 4d6+4 (18 hp)
abilities
Initiative: +3
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/cold iron, resistances
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
(cold 5, electricity 5), seasonal change, tree dependent, wild
Armor Class: 16 (+3 Dex, +3 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 13
empathy +
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+1
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +7
Attack: Dagger +5 melee (1d4–1/19–20 plus 1d4 cold) or
Abilities: Str 8, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 17, Cha 16
masterwork longbow +6 ranged (1d8–1/×3 plus 1d4 cold)
Skills: Escape Artist +10, Handle Animal +10, Hide +10*,
Full Attack: Dagger +5 melee (1d4–1/19–20 plus 1d4 cold) or
Knowledge (nature) +12, Listen +10, Move Silently +10,
masterwork longbow +6 ranged (1d8–1/×3 plus 1d4 cold) 217
 Ride +5, Spot +10, Survival +10, Use Rope +3 (+5 with threat to its tree or the forest very seriously
bindings) and uses its powers of charming and
Feats: Great Fortitude, Weapon Finesse suggestion to make foes flee far away
and become lost in the forest.
Environment: Temperate forests
Organization: Solitary or grove (4–7) Spell-Like Abilities: At will—
Challenge Rating: 4 entangle (DC 15, caster level
Treasure: Standard 7th), speak with plants, tree shape
Seelie Creature

Alignment: Usually chaotic good (caster level 7th); 3/day—charm

Advancement: By character class person (DC 14), deep slumber
Level Adjustment: — (DC 16), tree stride; 1/day—
suggestion (DC 16). Caster
Here is an example of a seasonal creature using a
level 6th. The save DCs are
dryad as the base creature.
Wisdom-based.
Creatures unfamiliar with fey might not be
Energy Damage (Su): See the
able to tell the difference between a normal
seasonal template.
dryad and a seasonal dryad in autumn.
Closer examination, however, reveals that Seasonal Spellcasting (Ex):
the seasonal dryad’s “hair” is a train of See the seasonal template.
autumn-tinged leaves, and its hands are
Seasonal Change (Ex): See the
rimed with hoarfrost.
seasonal template.
A seasonal dryad’s temperament
Tree Dependent (Su): Each
varies with the season. In winter,
seasonal dryad is mystically bound
it spends as much time as possible
to a single, enormous oak tree and
within its oak tree. In spring, it
must never stray more than 300
often lingers at the limit of its
yards from it. Doing so causes it to
tree dependence, yearning to see
become ill and die within 4d6 hours.
new things and meet new creatures.
A seasonal dryad’s oak does not radiate
Summer brings it closest to the
magic.
personality of a normal dryad,
then in autumn, it becomes more Wild Empathy (Ex): This power works like
cautious. the druid’s wild empathy class feature, except
that the seasonal dryad has a +6 racial bonus
Seasonal dryads speak Common,
on the check.
Elven, and Sylvan.
Skills: *A seasonal dryad gains a +2 circumstance
Combat bonus on Hide checks when in natural
environments where its seasonal colors blend with the
A seasonal dryad in autumn is a
environment.
cautious but stern creature. It takes any

Seelie Creature
Hidden from sight in forests and fields are the Kingdoms of Faerie. Normal creatures dwelling in such green places often pass right
through the domain of the Seelie Court without suspecting that seelie creatures watch and follow their every move. Circles of stones or
rings of mushrooms serve as signposts for the seelie creatures that walk in the lands of mortal creatures, and the appearance of such signs
might hint that seelie creatures live nearby.
A seelie creature often appears superficially similar to a normal creature, but careful observation reveals that it has a lighter step and
sleeker form than a normal creature of its kind. Sometimes a seelie creature can be distinguished by the fact that it carries or wears a
strange flower from the Seelie Realm.

Creating a Seelie Creature

“Seelie creature” is an inherited template that can be added to Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the creature
any land-dwelling, intelligent, nonevil plant, animal, beast, fey, gains the extraplanar subtype if the base creature did not
or magical beast (referred to hereafter as the base already have it. If the base creature is not of the fey
creature). It is also an acquired template that can type, it also gains the feyblood subtype.
be added to any creature that has lost the unseelie
Feyblood Subtype: The seelie creature is considered
template by becoming a creature of good alignment.
both a fey creature and a creature of its normal type
A seelie creature uses all the base creature’s statistics for the purpose of spells, abilities, and effects that
218 and special abilities except as noted here. affect those types. If its type renders it immune to
 an effect that would normal affect a fey creature, it remains voluntarily cross the boundaries prohibited by the faerie
immune unless the effect specifically targets creatures of walk ability. In addition, the creature remains ethereal for
the fey type. In addition, the seelie creature may use magic only as long as the seelie creature does, or until the seelie
items with racially specific qualities as though it were of creature decides to send it back to the Material Plane.
the fey type.
Seelie creatures often transport earth, plants, building
Special Attacks: The seelie creature retains all the base creature’s materials, and supplies to the Ethereal Plane and set up
special attacks and gains those described here. homes there. Over time, an entire ethereal kingdom of

Seelie Creature
seelie creatures might abide on the Ethereal Plane, with its
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—dancing lights, ghost sound, silent
residents emerging only to defend their forests and fields.
image, speak with animals, speak with plants; 1/day—change
Such kingdoms are collectively known as the Seelie Realm.
self, magic mouth, quench, sleep. Caster level equals seelie
creature’s character level. The save DC is Charisma-based. Low-Light Vision (Ex): A seelie creature has low-light
vision and can see twice as far as a human in moonlight,
Special Qualities: The seelie creature retains all the base
starlight, torchlight, and other conditions of poor lighting.
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
Seelie Pact (Ex): A seelie creature that becomes evil loses
Charmed Life (Ex): A seelie creature gains a +4 luck
the seelie template and gains the unseelie template.
bonus on all saves against figment-based illusions and
compulsion effects. Seelie Sight (Ex): Seelie creatures can see ethereal creatures
and objects to the extent of their normal vision, low-light
Damage Reduction (Ex): A seelie creature has damage
vision, or darkvision, whichever provides the greatest
reduction 5/cold iron.
range. In addition, a seelie creature can identify an unseelie
Faerie Walk (Su): In a forest or field where living plants creature on sight, regardless of mundane or magical
thrive, a seelie creature can become ethereal as per the disguises Effects that prevent the seelie creature from
ethereal jaunt spell at will as a full-round action. It can remain seeing the unseelie creature (such as invisibility) prevent
ethereal for as long as it wishes, so long as it remains in a such identification.
forest or natural field of living plants, and it can return to
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Dex +4, Int
the Material Plane as a free action. A seelie creature using
+2, Cha +4.
its faerie walk power cannot enter structures on the Material
Plane that were not built by a seelie creature, nor can they go Skills: A seelie creature gains a +2 luck bonus on Search and
underground or pass beyond the boundaries of forests and Spot checks and a +4 racial bonus on Heal, Survival, and
fields where living plants thrive. A seelie creature that crosses Knowledge (nature) checks. The seelie creature may use
into such forbidden areas ethereally immediately leaves the Knowledge (nature) as though trained even if it possesses
Ethereal Plane and becomes tangible on the Material Plane. no ranks in the skill.
In addition, a seelie creature that willingly crosses such a
Languages: If the seelie creature can speak, it gains the ability to
boundary while ethereal loses the ability to use faerie walk
speak Sylvan in addition to any other languages the base
for 1 week. Swamps, caverns, deserts, barren rock, and frozen
creature knows.
wastelands are the territory of the unclean unseelie, and cities
and mortal-made structures are too far removed from nature Environment: Any forests and the Ethereal Plane.
for this ability to work.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
A seelie creature can use its faerie walk ability to bring
another willing creature or a creature affected by its sleep Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +3.
spell to the Ethereal Plane. The creature is subject to
the same constraints of movement as the seelie creature,
becoming material and losing the ability to travel to the
Seelie Characters
Ethereal Plane with a seelie creature for 1 week should it A seelie creature favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Seelie Grig -

Tiny Fey (Extraplanar) Saves: Fort +1, Ref +8, Will +3
Abilities: Str 5, Dex 22, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 18
Hit Dice: 1/2 d6+1 (2 hp)
Skills: Craft (any one) +5, Escape Artist +10, Heal +5, Hide +18,
Initiative: +6
Jump +3, Knowledge (nature) +5, Listen +3, Move Silently
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), fly 40 ft. (poor)
+10*, Perform (string instruments) +8, Search +6, Spot +6,
Armor Class: 20 (+2 size, +6 Dex, +2 natural), touch 18, flat-
Survival +5
footed 14
Feats: DodgeB, Weapon Finesse
Base Attack/Grapple: +0/–11
Attack: Short sword +8 melee (1d3–3/19–20) or longbow +8 Environment: Any forests and the Ethereal Plane
ranged (1d4–3/×3) Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), band (6–11), or tribe
Full Attack: Short sword +8 melee (1d3–3/19–20) or longbow +8 (20–80)
ranged (1d4–3/×3) Challenge Rating: 1
Space/Reach: 2-1/2 ft./0 ft. Treasure: No coins; 50% goods; 50% items
Special Attacks: Fiddle, spell-like abilities, seelie spell-like abilities Alignment: Always neutral good
Special Qualities: Charmed life, damage reduction 5/cold iron, Advancement: 1–3 HD (Tiny)
faerie walk, low-light vision, seelie pact, seelie sight, spell Level Adjustment: +3
resistance 17 219
 Here is an example of a seelie creature using a grig as the base creature.
Combat
Seelie grigs look nearly identical to the grigs that are bound to the
Seelie grigs are fierce defenders of the Seelie Realm. They use
Material Plane. Seelie grigs, however, spend very little time on the
spells to confuse and misdirect opponents, and when combat is
Material Plane.
inevitable, they attack fearlessly with bow and dagger.
From their positions on the Ethereal Plane, seelie grigs watch
Fiddle (Su): A seelie grig carries a tiny, grig-sized fiddle. When
travelers entering their woods. They trust few such travelers,
it plays this instrument, any nonsprite within 30 feet of it must
knowing well the danger that their penchant for fire represents.
Seelie Creature

succeed on a DC 14 Will save or be affected as though by

Thus, the seelie grigs use their faerie walk ability and their talent
irresistible dance for as long as the music continues. The save DC is
for hiding to stay out of sight of foes while attempting to lead
Charisma-based.
them out of the forest, hopefully never to return.
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—disguise self, entangle (DC 15),
Seelie grigs speak Sylvan and Elven.
invisibility (self only), pyrotechnics (DC 16), ventriloquism (DC 15).
Caster level 9th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
3/day—dancing lights, ghost sound, silent image, speak with animals,
speak with plants; 1/day—change self, magic mouth, quench, sleep.
Caster level 1st. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Charmed Life (Ex): See the seelie creature template.
Faerie Walk (Su): See the seelie creature template.
Seelie Pact (Ex): See the seelie creature template.
Seelie Sight (Ex): See the seelie creature
template.
Skills: A seelie grig has a +8 racial bonus on
Jump checks, a +2 luck bonus on Search
and Spot checks, a +2 racial bonus
on Listen, Search, and Spot
checks, and a +4 racial bonus
on Heal, Survival, and
Knowledge (nature)
checks. The seelie
creature may
use Knowledge
(nature) as though
trained even if it
possesses no ranks
in the skill. *It
also has a +5 racial
bonus on Move
Silently checks in a
forest setting.

Other Seelie Creatures

The seelie template can also be applied to other creature types than those specified in the description. The humanoid type offers
great potential for seelie creatures such as elves and gnomes. Outsiders such as the lillend and triton can also make effective
seelie creatures. You might even choose to apply this template to storm giants or cloud giants, thus making the seelie creatures
of your world huge and imposing. You could even choose one such giant to represent the seelie king.
220
 Slithering Ooze
Not all oozes look like puddles of liquid at rest. One of the most bizarre creatures known is the slithering ooze, which often looks more
like a coating of slime than a true creature. Less than 2 inches thick at most times, a slithering ooze moves like water over surfaces and
climbs them as quickly as a wave splashing up the side of a ship.

Slithering Ooze
Creating a Slithering Ooze
“Slithering ooze” is an inherited template that can be added to any Full Attack: A slithering ooze fighting without weapons uses all
ooze (referred to hereafter as the base creature). its natural weapons when making a full attack. With its
pseudopodia attack, it may attempt one attack against every
A slithering ooze uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
creature within reach.
abilities except as noted here.
Damage: The base damage for each of the
Size and Type: Type is unchanged, but the
slithering ooze’s natural or weapon attacks increases
slithering ooze’s size increases by one
by one step, as given in the following table.
category over that of the base creature
(maximum Colossal). The size change can
affect AC, attack bonus, natural armor, Damage
Constitution, Strength, Dexterity, Hide Old Damage New Damage
checks, and grapple checks. Most of these
changes are noted in the following sections. 1 1d2
1d2 1d3
Speed: Each of a slithering ooze’s speeds is double the 1d3 1d4
corresponding speed of the base creature. If the base 1d4 1d6
creature lacks a climb speed, it gains a climb speed equal to 1d6 1d8
its highest speed. 1d8 2d6
Armor Class: The base creature’s size modifier to AC is replaced by 1d10 2d8
one based on the slithering ooze’s new size, as given in the 2d6 3d6
following table. In addition, its natural armor bonus increases 2d8 3d8
over that of the base creature by the amount indicated. 4d6 6d6
4d8 6d8
Armor Class Space/Reach: Because the slithering ooze’s body is a few inches
thick at most, it covers a vast area—a larger space than
New Size Natural Armor Bonus Change Size Modifier
usual for a creature its size, as given on the following table.
Diminutive +0 +4 However, it has a very short reach.
Tiny +0 +2
Small +0 +1 Space/Reach
Medium +0 +0
Large +2 –1 New Size New Space/Reach
Huge +3 –2 Diminutive 5 ft/ 0 ft.
Gargantuan +4 –4 Tiny 5 ft./0 ft.
Colossal +5 –8 Small 10 ft./0 ft.
Grapple: The slithering ooze’s size modifier on grapple checks Medium 15 ft./5 ft.
increases by +4 over that of the base creature. Large 20 ft./5 ft.
Huge 30 ft./5 ft.
Attack: The slithering ooze retains all the base creature’s attacks, Gargantuan 40 ft./5 ft.
and its weapon and armor proficiencies. Its bonus on attack Colossal 60 ft./5 ft.
rolls changes based on its new Strength modifier and its
new size modifier, as given on the following table. A slithering ooze can fit into any space, and its body is
as flowing and mutable as water. It takes no penalties for
squeezing into a space smaller than its own space rating, and
Attack it can pass through any hole, crack, or barrier through which
Slithering Ooze Size Size Modifier for Attacks liquid can pass.

Diminutive +4 Special Attacks: A slithering ooze retains all of the base creature’s
Tiny +2 special attacks except engulf and gains those described here.
Small +1
Flow (Ex): A slithering ooze can enter the space of
Medium +0
any creature, though doing so provokes an attack of
Large –1
opportunity as normal. Neither the slithering ooze nor the
Huge –2
other creature takes any penalty for fighting in the same
Gargantuan –4
space. Each provokes attacks of opportunity for movement
Colossal –8
normally.
221
 Pseudopodia (Ex): When making a full attack, a slithering Abilities: The slithering ooze’s abilities change based on its size, as
ooze may choose to make a single melee attack against shown in the chart below:
every foe it detects within reach. In addition, it can make
a number of attacks of opportunity equal to its Dexterity Abilities
score in a single round.
Old Size New Size Str Dex Con
Slick (Ex): An area covered by a slithering ooze functions
like an area covered by ice for the purpose of movement and Fine Diminutive +0 +6 +2
Slithering Ooze

Balance checks, and it counts as slippery for the purpose Diminutive Tiny +2 +6 +2
of Climb checks. See the skill descriptions in the PHB and Tiny Small +4 +6 +2
The Environment in the DMG for details. Furthermore, if Small Medium +4 +6 +2
the base creature has the engulf attack, the slithering ooze Medium Large +8 +6 +4
can make an attack of opportunity against any creature that Large Huge +8 +6 +6
rises from prone within its space. Huge Gargantuan +8 +4 +6
Gargantuan Colossal +8 +4 +6
Special Qualities: The slithering ooze retains all the base Colossal Colossal +0 +4 +2
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
Skills: If the slithering ooze gained a climb speed from the
Diminished Space/Reach (Ex): A slithering ooze does not application of this template, it receives a +8 racial bonus on
occupy a cube. Instead, it covers the area within its space like a Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb
spread, even sloughing up walls and around corners. A slithering checks, even if rushed or threatened.
ooze is considered to occupy all the squares its body covers in a
plane of 5-foot tall cubes, and it has a maximum vertical reach Feats: A slithering ooze gains Mobility as a bonus feat if the base
of 5 feet from where its body pools. If the slithering ooze is not creature did not already have it.
on a surface (when it is swimming underwater or flying, for Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
example), it naturally orients itself as a plane of ooze.
Level Adjustment: —

- Sample Creature: Slithering Gray Ooze -

Large Ooze
Combat
Hit Dice: 3d10+21 (37 hp)
A slithering gray ooze attacks with many slime-tentacles that drip
Initiative: –2
acid.
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 30 ft.
Armor Class: 9 (–2 Dex, –1 size, +2 natural), touch 7, flat- Acid (Ex): A slithering gray ooze secretes a digestive acid that
footed 9 quickly dissolves organic material and metal, but not stone.
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+11 A n y creature struck by its melee or constrict attack
Attack: Slam +6 melee (1d6+5 plus 1d6 acid) takes 1d6 points of acid damage. Armor
Full Attack: Slam +6 melee (1d6+5 plus 1d6 acid) and clothing dissolves and becomes
Space/Reach: 15 ft./5 ft. useless immediately unless it succeeds on
Special Attacks: Acid, constrict 1d6+1 plus 1d6 acid, flow, a DC 16 Reflex save. A metal or wooden
improved grab, pseudopodia, slick weapon that strikes a slithering gray
Special Qualities: Blindsight 60 ft., diminished space/reach, ooze also dissolves immediately unless it
immunities (cold, fire), ooze traits, transparent succeeds on a DC 16 Reflex save. The save
Saves: Fort +8, Ref –1, Will –4 DCs are Constitution-based.
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 7, Con 25, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1
The ooze’s acidic touch deals 16 points of
Skills: Climb +13
damage per round to any wooden or metal
Feats: Mobility
object, but only if the ooze remains in
Environment: Cold marshes contact with the object for 1 full round.
Organization: Solitary
Constrict (Ex): A slithering gray ooze deals
Challenge Rating: 5
automatic slam and acid damage with a successful
Treasure: None
grapple check. The opponent’s garb (clothing or armor)
Alignment: Always neutral
takes a –4 penalty on Reflex saves against the acid.
Advancement: 4–6 HD (Medium); 7–9
HD (Large) Flow (Ex): See the slithering ooze template.
Level Adjustment: —
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a
Here is an example of a slithering slithering gray ooze must hit with its
ooze using a gray ooze as the slam attack. It can then attempt
base creature. to start a grapple as a
free action without
A slithering gray ooze
provoking an attack of
is difficult to see—in
opportunity. If it wins
fact, it generally looks like
the grapple check, it
nothing more than an area of
establishes a hold and
slick ground or a puddle.
can constrict.
222
Pseudopodia (Ex): See the slithering ooze template. notice one. Any creature that fails to notice a slithering gray ooze
and walks into it is automatically hit with a melee attack for slam
Slick (Ex): See the slithering ooze template.
and acid damage.
Diminished Space/Reach (Ex): See the slithering ooze template.
Skills: A slithering gray ooze receives a +8 racial bonus on Climb
Transparent (Ex): A slithering gray ooze is difficult to identify, checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if
even under ideal conditions, and it takes a DC 15 Spot check to rushed or threatened.

Smoke Creature
Smoke Creature
Some sages have speculated that a smoke creature is a kind of psychic reflection of an air creature that died of agonizing burns. The flaw
in this theory became apparent when it was learned that fiery smoke creatures also existed on the Elemental Plane of Fire. The current
theory is that smoke creatures are native to the Elemental Plane of Fire or to some as yet undiscovered intermediate plane between Air
and Fire. Whatever their origins, smoke creatures are coming to the Material Plane with greater frequency and in greater numbers than
ever before.
A smoke creature can be easily recognized by its ash-gray body and soot-black hair or feathers. Smoke constantly whirls and plays about
its body, concealing much of it from view.
Smoke creatures are deadly foes that use choking smoke to suffocate foes. They can flit about through smoky areas with disturbing
adroitness, and they enjoy using this ability to confound foes.

Creating a Smoke Creature

“Smoke creature” is an inherited template that can be added to any Special Attacks: A smoke creature retains all the base creature’s
living, corporeal, nonaquatic creature with the air or fire subtype special attacks and gains the one described here.
(referred to hereafter as the base creature).
Breath Weapon (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds, a smoke
A smoke creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special creature can breathe a cloud of superheated smoke and
abilities except as noted here. cinders. This cloud fills a 20-foot cube adjacent
to or surrounding the smoke creature,
Size and Type: The creature’s type
as desired. Every creature within
changes to elemental with
the cloud takes 2d6 points of fire
the appropriate augmented
damage each round (no save).
subtype, plus the air,
Furthermore, any breathing
extraplanar, and fire subtypes
creature within the cloud
if the base creature did not
must succeed on a Fortitude
already have them. Do not
save (DC 10 + 1/2 smoke
recalculate base attack
creature’s character level
bonuses, saves, or skill
+ smoke creature’s Con
points. Size is
modifier) each round or take
unchanged.
1d4 points of Constitution
Hit Dice: Change all damage. A creature within
racial HD to the smoke can hold its breath on
d8s. its initiative to avoid taking the
Constitution damage in later
Speed: The smoke rounds (see the DMG for
creature retains more information). The
the base creature’s smoke grants concealment
speeds and gains as though it were a fog
a fly speed equal cloud spell. The smoke
to the base remains in place for 5
creature’s slowest rounds despite prevailing
speed, with perfect winds; thereafter the
maneuverability. If cloud becomes normal
the base creature smoke and disperses
already has a fly normally.
speed, it remains
the same, but the Special Qualities: The
smoke creature’s smoke creature retains all
maneuverability the base creature’s special
becomes perfect if qualities and gains those
it was not already. described here. 223
 Air Mastery (Ex): Any airborne creature grant the smoke creature concealment. The effects
takes a –1 penalty on attack and damage of blur or displacement do not stack with this effect;
rolls against a smoke creature. only the best miss chance applies.
Cloud Sight (Ex): A smoke creature can Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows:
see through clouds, gases, fogs, mists, and +4 Dex, +2 Int, +2 Cha.
smoke as though they didn’t inhibit vision.
Skills: A smoke creature gains a +5 circumstance
Creatures and objects do not gain concealment
Smoke Creature

bonus on Hide checks in areas of fog, smoke, or clouds.

from a smoke creature due to such conditions.
Languages: If the smoke creature can speak, it gains the ability to
Immunities (Ex): A smoke creature is immune to inhaled
speak Auran and Ignan in addition to any other languages
poisons and gas-, fog-, or cloud-based attacks and spells.
the base creature knows.
Smoke Travel (Su): At will as a move action, a smoke
Environment: Same as the base creature plus warm climates, the
creature can use dimension door (caster level equals smoke
Elemental Plane of Air, and the Elemental Plane of Fire.
creature’s character level) to move from any area filled with
smoke to any other smoke-filled area within range. Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Smokey Form (Ex): The smoke that constantly wreathes a Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4.
smoke creature’s semisolid body is always makes it hard
to determine its exact location. Attacks against a smoke
creature suffer a 20% miss chance, though true seeing allows
Smoke Characters
the caster to ignore that miss chance. This ability does not A smoke creature favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Smoke Will-O’-Wisp -

Small Elemental (Air, Augmented Aberration, Fire) Like normal will-o’-wisps, smoke will-o’-wisps feed on the fear
and horror of dying creatures, but they especially enjoy the taste
Hit Dice: 9d8 (40 hp)
of the pain and anguish experienced by a creature dying of burns
Initiative: +15
or smoke inhalation. Smoke will-o’-wisps are attracted by fires
Speed: Fly 50 ft. (perfect) (10 squares)
and enjoy hiding in campfires to conceal the origins of their
Armor Class: 31 (+1 size, +11 Dex, +9 deflection), touch 31,
attacks.
flat-footed 20
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/–3 A smoke will-o’-wisp speaks Common, Auran, and Ignan. It has
Attack: Shock +18 melee touch (2d8 electricity) no vocal apparatus but can vibrate to create a voice with a ghostly
Full Attack: Shock +18 melee touch (2d8 electricity) sound.
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon Combat
Special Qualities: Air mastery, cloud sight, darkvision 60 ft.,
elemental traits, immunities (fire, inhaled poisons and Since smoke will-o’-wisps have little to fear from most creatures,
other substances, magic), natural invisibility, smoke travel, they attack boldly, using their breath weapons to confuse and
smokey form, vulnerability to cold burn foes before moving in to attack.
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +14, Will +9 Breath Weapon (Su): DC 14 Fortitude save; see the smoke
Abilities: Str 1, Dex 33, Con 10, Int 17, Wis 16, Cha 14 creature template.
Skills: Bluff +14, Diplomacy +3, Disguise +2 (+4 acting), Hide
+16*, Intimidate +14, Listen +17, Search +15, Spot +17, Air Mastery (Ex): See the smoke creature template.
Survival +5 (+7 following tracks) Cloud Sight (Ex): See the smoke creature template.
Feats: Alertness, Blind-Fight, Dodge, Improved Initiative,
Weapon FinesseB Elemental Traits: A smoke will-o’-wisp has immunity to poison,
sleep effects, paralysis, and stunning. It is not subject to critical
Environment: Temperate and warm marshes, the Elemental hits or flanking. It cannot be raised, reincarnated or resurrected
Plane of Air, and the Elemental Plane of Fire (though a limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection spell can
Organization: Solitary, pair, or string (3–4) restore life). Darkvision 60 ft.
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: 1/10 coins; 50% goods; 50% items Immunities (Ex): See the smoke creature template.
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil Immunity to Magic (Ex): A smoke will-o’-wisp is immune to
Advancement: 10–18 HD (Small) most spells or spell-like abilities that allow spell resistance, except
Level Adjustment: — magic missile and maze.
Here is an example of a smoke creature using a will-o’-wisp as Natural Invisibility (Ex): A smoke will-o’-wisp can extinguish
the base creature. its glow, effectively becoming invisible as the per the invisibility
The smoke will-o’-wisp looks like a smoking torchlight floating spell.
on the wind. It has no recognizable features that would make Smoke Travel (Su): See the smoke creature template.
it resemble a living creature, but its evil intent is obvious by its
constant need to attack other creatures. Smokey Form (Ex): See the smoke creature template.

224
 Solaric Creature
Some creatures are born under a lucky star. Good fortune follows them from birth throughout their days. Solaric creatures are similarly
blessed, although their good fortune has little to do with luck.

Solaric Creature
A solaric creature is born when conditions are right—perhaps on a night when planets are aligned or during an eclipse.
Parents of a solaric creature rarely know their child’s true nature. In most cases, they are simply proud to have such a talented and
exceptional child. As the child grows older and begins to display magical abilities, however, there can be little doubt of the supernatural
forces at work at its birth. The suspicion and superstition that such abilities usually breed often make solaric creatures pariahs among their
own kind.

Creating a Solaric Creature

“Solaric creature” is an inherited template that can be applied to Special Qualities: The solaric creature retains all the base creature’s
any intelligent living creature (hereafter referred to as the base special qualities and gains those described here.
creature).
Resistance to Fire (Ex): A solaric creature has fire
A solaric creature uses all of the base creature’s resistance 20.
statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Solaric Immunities (Ex): Solaric creatures are
Special Attacks: The solaric creature retains all the immune to the negative effects of bright light.
base creature’s special attacks and gains those Thus, if the base creature normally took penalties
described here. in bright light, it no longer does so. Bright light
that would normally dazzle or blind the base creature no
Spell-Like Abilities: A solaric creature gains spell-like abilities
longer has any negative effect. Solaric creatures are immune
according to its character level, as indicated on the following
to searing light and to spells and effects with the light
table. These abilities are cumulative. Caster level equals solaric
subtype (such as flare, sunbeam, and sunburst).
creature’s character level. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
Sun Savior (Ex): In sunlight or within the radius of a
Spell-Like Abilities daylight spell, each of the solaric creature’s speeds increases
by +10 feet, and the solaric creature gains a +2 morale bonus
Character Level Ability on attack rolls, checks, and saves.
1–2 Flare 3/day, light at will Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Cha +4.
3–4 Flame blade 1/day, heat metal 1/day
5–6 Continual flame 1/day, scorching ray 1/day Challenge Rating: Character level 6th or below, same as the
7–8 Daylight 3/day base creature; character level 7th or more, same as the base
9–10 Searing light 2/day creature +1.
11–12 Flame strike 1/day Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2.
13–14 Greater teleport (destination must be an area lit by
sunlight or the daylight spell) 1/day
15–16 Sunbeam 1/day Solaric Characters
17–18+ Sunburst 1/day A solaric creature favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Solaric Gynosphinx -

Large Magical Beast Environment: Warm deserts
Organization: Solitary, pair, or covey (3–4)
Hit Dice: 8d10+8 (52 hp)
Challenge Rating: 9
Initiative: +5
Treasure: Double standard
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), fly 60 ft. (poor)
Alignment: Always neutral
Armor Class: 21 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +11 natural), touch 10, flat-
Advancement: 9–12 HD (Large); 13–24 HD (Huge)
footed 20
Level Adjustment: +7 (cohort)
Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+16
Attack: Claw +11 melee (1d6+4) A solaric gynosphinx is as territorial as other sphinxes, but unlike
Full Attack: 2 claws +11 melee (1d6+4) many of her cousins, she tolerates the presence of other creatures
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft. that give her tribute and obey her edicts. Such creatures can
Special Attacks: Pounce, rake 1d6+2, spell-like abilities greatly benefit from a solaric gynosphinx’s rule. The wisdom and
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, resistance to intelligence of such creatures are legendary, and they always keep
fire 20, solaric immunities, sun savior always have the interests of their followers at heart.
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +8
A typical solaric gynosphinx is about 10 feet long and weighs
Abilities: Str 19, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 19, Cha 23
about 800 pounds. Her leonine body, flaxen hair, and human face
Skills: Bluff +17, Concentration +12, Diplomacy +10, Disguise +6
possess an alien beauty that is both comforting and intimidating.
(+8 acting), Intimidate +15, Listen +17, Sense Motive +15,
Her golden wings shimmer and gleam, reflecting the sun’s golden
Spot +17
light. 225
Feats: Combat Casting, Improved Initiative, Iron Will
 Using the Solaric Creature Template
A solaric creature doesn’t have to be an accident of birth. This template is especially suited to the worshipers of a sun deity or
the guardians of a temple or relic of such a deity. For example, a magic item devoted to the god could grant this template while
it is worn. If your campaign features Egyptian aspects, the solaric template could even be applied to one of the mummies or to
their tomb guardians.
Sonic Creature

A solaric gynosphinx speaks languages, locate object, dispel

Common, Draconic, Elven, magic, legend lore, remove curse
Ignan, and Sphinx. (DC 20). Caster level 14th. The
save DC is Charisma-based.
Combat At will—light; 3/day—flare,
A solaric gynosphinx flies out daylight; 1/day—continual flame,
of the sun at its foes, using flame blade, heat metal (DC 18),
scorching ray and heat metal to scorching ray. Caster level 8th.
soften up her opponents before The save DC is Charisma-
swooping in to pounce on based.
them. If the sun does not shine,
Once per week a gynosphinx
the solaric gynosphinx casts
can create a symbol of death,
daylight on a piece of jewelry it
a symbol of fear, a symbol of
is wearing before engaging foes.
insanity, a symbol of pain, a
Pounce (Ex): If a solaric symbol of persuasion, a symbol of
gynosphinx charges a foe, it can sleep, and a symbol of stunning,
make a full attack, including as the spells (caster level 18th).
two rake attacks. The save DCs for each of these
effects is 22, and each symbol
Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +11 remains for a maximum of 1
melee, damage 1d6+2. A solaric week once scribed. The save
gynosphinx that pounces on DCs are Charisma-based.
a creature can make two rake
attacks with its hind legs. Solaric Immunities (Ex): See
the solaric creature template.
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/
day—clairaudience/clairvoyance, Sun Savior (Ex): See the solaric
detect magic, read magic, see creature template.
invisibility; 1/day—comprehend

Sonic Creature
Some say the Plane of Sound lies somewhere in the multiverse; others say it is all around us. Whatever its nature, the Plane of Sound
remains an obscure theory to most people. The most popular theory is that the Plane of Sound is transitive like the Ethereal Plane, but
even more expansive—since noise occurs on all planes, the transitive Plane of Sound must extend through every plane. If this theory is
true, the Plane of Sound should provide the means to travel anywhere in the multiverse. A transitive plane that reaches all other planes
might seem preposterous, but the existence of sonic creatures lends some credence to this idea.
Sonic creatures are invisible and incorporeal beings that can be found on any plane. They take the form of normal creatures, but they are
made entirely of sound, and many scholars believe that these beings were somehow influenced by the Plane of Sound.
Most sonic creatures aren’t adventuring wizards who gained their sound forms during quests for the Plane of Sound; indeed, few sonic
creatures can explain how they came to consist only of noise. But this mystery doesn’t deter those who are dedicated to the concept of a
Plane of Sound. They theorize that the Plane of Sound has vortices connecting with the Material Plane that catch creatures unawares,
bringing them to the Plane of Sound without their knowledge. Once they are there, their corporeal forms are transformed into sonic
ones, much like creatures on the Ethereal Plane can sometimes become ethereal. The truth of this theory has yet to be determined.
Though it is invisible and intangible, a sonic creature constantly makes a terrible noise. This sound could range from a deep hum to a
high-pitched keening to a cacophonous racket like that of armor thrown down the stairs. Sometimes the noise a sonic creature makes is
somehow related to its corporeal life. A particularly cruel sonic creature’s sound might make be a babble of every mean and spiteful thing
it ever said, and a birdlike sonic creature might sound like a riotous flock of thousands of birds. All such sounds are obviously unnatural,
226 and most are quite disturbing.
Sonic creatures feed on sounds similar to those they made as corporeal creatures. Thus, a sonic yeth hound might be drawn to follow its
old pack, but it might also linger near a wolf or worg pack, feeding off the noises those creatures make. Alternatively, a sonic creature
particularly keen on music might seek out bards to feed upon. Sonic creatures must feed on sounds like those they once made for a full
day at least once per week or begin to starve. A starving sonic creature often terrifies and wounds creatures in order to force them to
make the sounds it needs, or to feast off their screams. Corporeal creatures find pursuit by a sonic creature eerie at best. Some think their
pursuer a ghost; others are simply terrified of the noise it makes.
Like most living beings, sonic creatures must sleep regularly. As incorporeal creatures, they have little to fear from foes while they sleep, but

Sonic Creature
most still choose to sleep high in the air or deep within the earth, lest they be disturbed by curious or frightful creatures. Such practices make
following a food source for long periods difficult and often force sonic creatures to cast about for new creatures to feed from.

Creating a Sonic Creature

“Sonic creature” is an acquired template that can be applied to A sonic creature uses its primary incorporeal touch attack
any living, corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base when making an attack action. Because an incorporeal
creature). creature has no Strength score, its Dexterity modifier rather
than its Strength modifier applies to all its attack rolls.
A sonic creature uses all of the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here. Full Attack: A sonic creature uses all its incorporeal touch attacks
during a full attack.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to elemental with
the appropriate augmented subtype, plus the incorporeal Damage: Each of a sonic creature’s incorporeal touch attacks that
subtype. Do not recalculate base attack was converted from an attack that dealt hit point
bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is damage now deals sonic damage instead. If the attack
unchanged. additionally dealt damage of an energy type (such
as acid, cold, electricity, or fire), that damage is also
Hit Dice: Change all racial HD to d8s.
converted to sonic damage. If the sonic creature gained
Speed: A sonic creature loses all the base creature’s an incorporeal touch attack from the application of this
speeds and gains a fly speed equal to double template, its damage is as given on the following table.
the base creature’s highest speed, with perfect
maneuverability. Damage
Armor Class: The base creature’s armor, shield, and natural armor Size Incorporeal Touch Damage (Sonic)
bonuses no longer apply, but the dread sonic creature gains
a deflection bonus to Armor Class equal to its Charisma Fine 1
bonus or +1, whichever is higher. Sonic creatures cannot use Diminutive 1d2
or carry equipment of any kind. Tiny 1d3
Small 1d4
Attack: The sonic creature retains all the base creature’s natural Medium 1d6
attacks, and its weapon and armor proficiencies. However, Large 1d8
all its attacks become incorporeal touch attacks, retaining Huge 2d6
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base Gargantuan 2d8
creature. The sonic creature gains a primary incorporeal Colossal 4d6
touch attack if it has no other natural attacks.

Alternate Origins for Sonic Creatures

The sonic creature template turns creatures into beings of incorporeal sound. The strange new monsters thus created can be
incorporated into your game in many ways.
Unique Creature: You could apply the template to a particular monster to make a creature unique to your world. For instance,
in your game world, howlers might appear only as sonic howlers, and the sonic creature template might not ever be applied to
another creature.
Created by a Magic Item: Sonic creatures might be created by a powerful artifact or some other magic item. Such an item
might also bend the sonic creatures to its wielder’s will.
Created by a Spell: You could devise a high-level spell that allows the caster to take on the sonic creature template for a limited
time.
A God’s Gift or a Curse: Sonic creatures might be created only by some unique event, such as a god’s gift or a curse. For
example, perhaps the servants of a god of music take the form of sonic creatures.
A Spell Gone Awry: A spell or scroll reading gone awry could transform the caster into a sonic creature.
Ghosts: Sonic creatures might be ghosts or a specific form of undead. In this case, the template should change the creature’s
type to undead, and the sound the sonic creature makes should be mournful wailing.

227
 Special Attacks: The sonic creature loses all special attacks that Invisibility (Ex): Sonic creatures are naturally invisible;
require corporeal contact, except those that dealt hit point they have no visible solid form. Spells or effects that reveal
damage. Such attacks now deal sonic damage in the same invisible creatures reveal the sonic creature as a glasslike,
amounts. The sonic creature also gains the special qualities transparent version of the base creature. The sonic creature
described here. A sonic creature cannot cast spells that does not normally have access to gaze attacks and other
require material components unless it has the Eschew effects that require other creatures to see it, but it may use
Materials feat. such attacks against creatures using magic to render the
sonic creature visible.
Sonic Creature

Sonic Trample (Ex): The sonic creature may cause sonic

damage to creatures and objects simply by passing through Invisibility grants the sonic creature a 50% miss chance
them. As a full-round action, the sonic creature can move due to total concealment, and foes it attacks are considered
up to twice its speed in a straight line. Any creature it flat-footed (see the invisibility spell in the PHB for more
moves through can attempt either a Reflex save (DC 10 + details).
1/2 sonic creature’s character level + sonic creature’s Dex
Although a sonic creature cannot normally be seen, it can
modifier) for half damage or an attack of opportunity.
often (as one might ecpect) be heard. A creature wishing
An unattended, nonmagical object receives no save. No
to pinpoint the square that a sonic creature occupies
creature or object can be damaged twice in a round by
can do so with a successful Listen check opposed by the
this attack. Sonic creatures do not damage creatures or
sonic creature’s Move Silently check. Modify the DC as
objects they move through when not using this ability. The
described in the PHB.
creature has to actually intend to cause damage.
Silence Vulnerability (Ex): Though an incorporeal creature
The damage dealt by this attack depends on the sonic
normally has a 50% chance of remaining unaffected by
creature’s size, as given in the following table.
a spell originating from a corporeal source, silence spells
Sonic Trample are an exception to this rule for sonic creatures. A sonic
creature is considered entangled (see Conditions in the
Size Sonic Trample Damage DMG) while within the area of a silence spell. A silence
Fine 1d2 spell also negates all the sonic creature’s normal and
Diminutive 1d4 special attacks within its area. A silence spell cast directly
Tiny 1d6 on a sonic creature does not have a silencing effect on the
Small 1d8 area or an entangling effect on the sonic creature; instead,
Medium 2d6 it causes the sonic creature to become nauseated (see
Large 2d8 Conditions in the DMG) for 1 round per caster level on a
Huge 4d6 failed save.
Gargantuan 4d8 Sonic Immunity (Ex): Sonic creatures are immune to sonic
Colossal 8d6 damage, spells with the sonic descriptor, and other sonic
Wounding Sound (Ex): When the sonic creature is and sound-based effects.
wounded, its body involuntarily makes a thunderous Abilities: As an incorporeal creature, a sonic creature lacks
report. Anyone within 30 feet of a sonic creature when a Strength score, and as an undead creature, it has no
it is wounded must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 Constitution score.
sonic creature’s character level + sonic creature’s Con
modifier) or take 1d6 points of sonic damage, be stunned Skills: As a master of sound, a sonic creature gains a +10 racial
for 1 round, and be permanently deafened by the sudden bonus on Listen checks, and it never takes a penalty
sound blast. A creature that cannot hear or one that makes on Listen checks because of ambient noise or its own
its save is not deafened or stunned, but it still takes 1d6 cacophony. Unlike most incorporeal creatures, a sonic
points of sonic damage on a failed save. Any unattended creature cannot move silently at will. Its body always
object in the area automatically takes 1d6 points of sonic makes a telltale humming or keening noise, which gives it
damage each time the sonic creature makes a wounding a –15 penalty on Move Silently checks. If the base creature
sound. has a bonus on Hide checks due to coloration, the sonic
creature loses that bonus.
Special Qualities: The sonic creature retains all the base
creature’s special qualities that do not require corporeal Environment: Any.
contact with another creature and gains those described Organization: Solitary.
here.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
Breathless (Ex): Sonic creatures do not need to breathe
and are immune to all inhaled effects, including substances Treasure: None; sonic creatures cannot use equipment.
such as nauseating gas.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +7.
Improved Blindsight (Ex): A sonic creature can see using
sound, even while within a solid object. This ability allows
it to discern objects and creatures within 60 feet regardless
Sonic Creature Characters
of terrain or barriers that would normally impede vision. A sonic creature favors whichever class the base creature does.
The sonic creature usually does not need to make Spot The sonic template is very dangerous when placed in a player’s
or Listen checks to notice creatures within range of its hands. Natural invisibility, an incorporeal form, and sonic powers
blindsight. A silence spell negates this ability and forces the against which few creatures have protection makes a sonic PC
sonic creature to rely on the base creature’s vision. unusually deadly. GMs should exercise extreme caution.
228
 - Sample Creature: Sonic Howler -
Large Elemental (Augmented Outsider, Chaotic, Evil,
Extraplanar, Incorporeal)
Hit Dice: 6d8+12 (39 hp)
Initiative: +7

Sonic Creature
Speed: Fly 60 ft. (perfect) (12 squares)
Armor Class: 13 (–1 size, +3 Dex, +1 deflection), touch 13, flat-
footed 10
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+15
Attack: Incorporeal touch +8 melee (2d8 sonic)
Full Attack: Incorporeal touch +8 melee (2d8 sonic) and 1d4
incorporeal touches +3 melee (1d6 sonic)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Howl, sonic trample, wounding sound
Special Qualities: Breathless, darkvision 60 ft., elemental traits,
improved blindsight 60 ft., incorporeal traits, invisibility,
silence vulnerability, sonic immunity
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +7
Abilities: Str —, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 8
Skills: Climb +9, Hide +8, Listen +23, Move Silently –3, Search
+7, Spot +13, Survival +2 (+4 following tracks)
Feats: Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or pack (6–10)
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: 7–9 HD (Large); 11–18 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: +10
Sonic Trample (Ex): DC 16 Reflex save, 2d8 sonic damage; see
Here is an example of a sonic creature using a howler as the base
the sonic creature template.
creature.
Wounding Sound (Ex): DC 15 Fortitude save; see the sonic
A sonic howler sounds like the yips, yowls, howls, growls, whines,
creature template.
barks, and bays of a score of wolves. If the viewer can see invisible
creatures, it looks like a moving sculpture of glass in the form of Breathless (Ex): See the sonic creature template.
a large and lanky hound with demonic features and huge spikes
Elemental Traits: A sonic howler has immunity to poison, sleep
growing from its back.
effects, paralysis, and stunning. It is not subject to critical hits or
A sonic howler hungers for the screams of terror and woe that its flanking. It cannot be raised, reincarnated or resurrected (though a
corporeal presence once elicited from other creatures. Secure in the limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection spell can restore life).
knowledge that it cannot be seen and can flee into solid objects Darkvision 60 ft.
when necessary, a sonic howler typically uses its howls outside a
Improved Blindsight (Ex): See the sonic creature template.
settlement for several nights, and then for many hours on the last
night. At that point, it creeps in close to howl again and invoke Incorporeal Traits: A sonic howler is harmed only by other
frightened screams from its victims. This noise satisfies the sonic incorporeal creatures, magic weapons, spells, spell-like abilities, and
howler, and it ceases its predations for a time unless the people of supernatural abilities. It has a 50% chance to ignore any damage
the settlement set out to hunt it. In that case, the howler makes an from a corporeal source, except for force effects or attacks made
example of a hunting party or two in hopes of cowing the others. with ghost touch weapons. It can pass through solid objects, but
If the sonic howler’s howls fail to result in terrified screams, it not force effects, at will. Its attacks ignore natural armor, armor,
enters the settlement to kill everyone within, eliciting countless and shields, but deflection bonuses and force effects work normally
screams of terror. against them. An incorporeal creature always moves silently and
cannot be heard with Listen checks if it doesn’t wish to be.
Sonic howlers understand Abyssal but speak no language.
Invisibility (Ex): See the sonic creature template.
Combat Sonic Immunity (Ex): See the sonic creature template.
In combat, sonic howlers use a combination of melee attacks and
sonic trample attacks to devastate foes. They make full use of their Silence Vulnerability (Ex): See the sonic creature template.
incorporeal natures, fleeing into solid objects when badly wounded. Skills: As a master of sound, a sonic creature gains a +10 racial
Howl (Ex): Any creature other than an outsider that is within bonus on Listen checks, and it never takes a penalty on Listen
hearing range of a sonic howler for a full hour must succeed on checks because of ambient noise or its own cacophony. Unlike
a DC 12 Will save or take 1 point of Wisdom damage. The save most incorporeal creatures, a sonic creature cannot move silently
DC is Charisma-based. The save must be repeated for each hour of at will. Its body always makes a telltale humming or keening noise,
exposure. Howl is a sonic mind-affecting effect. which gives it a –15 penalty on Move Silently checks.
229
 Stone Idol
Hidden beneath a silken cloth and carried on the shoulders of priests, a stone idol can send a frisson of fear through an audience with its
mere presence. When the cloth is removed, those nearby rush to worship it, feeling its power in their very souls. When at last its gaze has
turned all their fear into love, the stone idol speaks, answering the high priest’s questions about what its people must do. Finally, when the
moment is right, the idol moves upon the high priest’s command, to the rapturous joy of the congregation.
Stone idols are constructs that grant their creators power, prestige, and control over others. Crafted to resemble gods, monstrous creatures,
Stone Idol

or even heroic individuals, stone idols are used in worship services and to gather cults of both the faithful and the fanatical. The idols’
masters must be forever wary, however, since the worship of others sometimes leads stone idols to share their masters’ hunger for power.

Creating a Stone Idol

“Stone idol” is a created template that can be added to any living, Special Qualities: A stone idol retains all the base creature’s
corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). special qualities and gains those described here.
A stone idol uses all the base creature’s statistics and special Creator’s Failsafe (Su): The creator is immune to all the
abilities except as noted here. stone idol’s special attacks (both those granted by this
template and retained from the base creature) so long
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to construct with the
as control of the stone idol is retained. Normal physical
appropriate augmented subtype. Do not recalculate base
attacks still affect the creator. Thus, the creator could stand
attack bonuses, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
unharmed in the midst of the stone idol’s breath weapon,
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d10s. but a melee attack from the stone idol would affect
The stone idol gains bonus hit points as a the creator normally.
construct of its size, as described in the MM.
Hardness (Ex): A stone idol has a hardness
Armor Class: The stone idol natural armor bonus of 8. Whenever it takes normal hit point damage,
improves by +3 over that of the base creature. subtract 8 from the amount of damage dealt, then
subtract any damage negated by damage reduction
Special Attacks: A stone idol retains all the base before applying the damage to the stone idol’s hit
creature’s special attacks and gains those point total. Divide damage from fire, electricity, and
described here. ranged attacks (except siege weapons) by 2 and damage
Charming Gaze (Su): Any creature within 10 feet of the from cold by 4 before applying hardness.
stone idol that meets its gaze must succeed on a Will Power from Worship (Ex): For every ten creatures with
saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 stone idol’s Intelligence scores of 6 or higher that are currently
character level + stone charmed by the stone idol’s charming
idol’s Cha modifier) or gaze, the stone idol gains 2 temporary
be affected as though by hit points and a +1 bonus on Listen,
the charm monster spell Sense Motive, and Spot checks.
(caster level 7th). So Temporary hit points lost due to
long as the stone damage cannot be regained, but
idol’s creator retains new temporary hit points can be
control of it, creatures acquired by charming additional
thus charmed are creatures. The creator shares the
considered charmed benefits of this ability so long as
by both the stone idol control is retained.
and its creator.
Restless Spirit (Ex): A stone idol
Fear Aura (Su): At has a will of its own that remains
will as a free action, a sublimated to its creator’s so long
stone idol can project as the latter retains control.
a continuous aura of While controlled, the stone
fear. Every creature idol follows its creator’s
within 60 feet must commands and acts in that
succeed on a Will creature’s best interests. The
saving throw (DC stone idol recognizes its
10 + 1/2 stone idol’s creator because of their linked
character level + stone spirits, so no deception can
idol’s Cha modifier) allow another to command
or be shaken for the stone idol.
1 hour. Creatures
charmed, dominated, If the stone idol’s
or summoned by the Charisma score exceeds its
stone idol are immune creator’s, or it uses its charming
to this effect. gaze to charm more creatures of
230
 Intelligence 6 or higher than its creator’s character level Environment: Same as the creator.
× 10, the creator and the stone idol must immediately Organization: Solitary.
make an opposed Charisma check. If the stone idol loses, Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
the creator retains control for 1 full day, regardless of
circumstances that would normally require additional Alignment: Always neutral evil.
opposed Charisma checks. Thereafter, the process begins Advancement: Same as the base creature.
anew the next time conditions would require such a check. Level Adjustment: —
If the creator loses the opposed Charisma check, the stone
idol is forever freed from its creator’s control. A free-willed Creating a Stone Idol

Stone Idol
stone idol often seeks to destroy its creator before pursuing
any other activities. Thereafter, it seeks to keep as many Stone idols are created in the same manner as golems. Because a stone
intelligent creatures charmed by its gaze as it can while idol is composed of stone, it weighs three times what the base creature
pursuing its own agenda. does. Creating the stone idol costs 1,500 gp × the stone idol’s CR.
Assembling the body requires successful DC 20 Craft (sculpting or
Sonic Vulnerability (Ex): A stone idol takes double damage masonry) check and the Craft Construct feat (see the MM).
from sonic energy on a failed save and half damage on
a successful save. If the base creature is immune to sonic The creator must have a character level that equals or exceeds 4 + stone
energy, the stone idol takes no damage, but it is dazed for 1 idol’s CR and be able to cast either arcane or divine spells. Completing
round on a failed save against any sonic attack. the ritual drains a number of XP equal to the stone idol’s creation cost
divided by 25, and it requires the spells charm monster, cause fear, geas/
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, and resist elements.
–2 (minimum 1), Wis –2 (minimum 1), Cha –4 (minimum
1). In addition, the stone idol’s Intelligence score becomes 6,
regardless of its previous value. As a construct, a stone idol Stone Idol Characters
has no Constitution score. A stone idol favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Stone Idol Imp -

Tiny Construct (Augmented Outsider, Evil, Extraplanar, Lawful) congregation who ask too many questions must sometimes be brought
before the idol and exposed to its gaze for hours to ensure their loyalty.
Hit Dice: 3d10 (16 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), fly 50 ft. (perfect)
Combat
Armor Class: 22 (+2 size, +2 Dex, +8 natural), touch 14, flat- A stone idol imp relies on its tough skin and hardness to resist
footed 20 damage, and it enters combat fearlessly. It typically uses its
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/–3 suggestion ability on those that resist its charming gaze, then
Attack: Sting +7 melee (1d4+3 plus poison) employs any creatures it manages to turn to its side as bodyguards.
Full Attack: Sting +7 melee (1d4+3 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 2-1/2 ft./0 ft. A stone idol imp’s natural weapons, and any weapons it wields, are
Special Attacks: Charming gaze, fear aura, poison, spell-like treated as evil-aligned and lawful-aligned for overcoming damage
abilities reduction.
Special Qualities: Alternate form, creator’s failsafe, damage Charming Gaze (Su): DC 10 Will save; see the stone idol
reduction 5/good or silver, darkvision 60 ft., fast healing template.
2, hardness 8, immunity (poison), power from worship,
resistance (fire 5), restless spirit, vulnerability to sonic Fear Aura (Su): DC 10 Will save; see the stone idol template.
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +3 Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 13, initial damage 1d4 Dex,
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 15, Con —, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10 secondary damage 2d4 Dex. The save DC is Constitution-based
Skills: Diplomacy +6, Hide +16, Knowledge (any one) +6, Listen and includes a +2 racial bonus.
+6, Move Silently +8, Search +6, Spellcraft +6, Spot +6,
Survival +0 (+2 following tracks) Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect good, detect magic, invisibility
Feats: Dodge, Weapon Finesse (self only); 1/day—suggestion (DC 13). Caster level 6th. The save
DC is Charisma-based. Once per week, a stone idol imp can use
Environment: Same as creator commune to ask six questions. This ability otherwise works as the
Organization: Solitary spell (caster level 12th).
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: None Alternate Form (Su): A stone idol imp can assume another form
Alignment: Always lawful evil at will as a standard action. This ability functions as a polymorph
Advancement: 4–6 HD (Tiny) spell (caster level 12th) cast on itself, except that the stone idol imp
Level Adjustment: — does not regain hit points for changing form, and it can assume
only one or two specific forms no larger than Medium. Common
A stone idol imp is an excellent false god for cult formation. It forms include monstrous spider, raven, rat, and boar.
appears impressively otherworldly with its bat wings, horns and
barbed tail, and its ability to commune once per week makes it an Creator’s Failsafe (Su): See the stone idol template.
excellent oracle for worshipers to consult. Power from Worship (Ex): See the stone idol template.
Because the stone idol imp’s restless spirit is relatively, weak, the Restless Spirit (Ex): See the stone idol template.
creature is easy to control. Unfortunately, that same lack makes its
charming gaze easy for willful creatures to resist. Thus, members of the Vulnerability to Sonic (Ex): See the stone idol template. 231
 Suzerain
Some are simply born to lead; others seize the moment and rise to greatness. Whatever their paths to leadership, those who show the
greatest promise in such roles garner the attention of gods. Occasionally a deity may grant a particularly effective leader the powers of a
suzerain as a reward. At other times, a god may create a suzerain because it needs a leader but cannot find a worthy worshiper among its
flock.
A suzerain resembles a normal specimen of its kind, but it has an unmistakably regal bearing. Charismatic and confidant, it has many
dedicated allies and hundreds who would call it friend. Most suzerains make good use of their gifts by becoming the generals of armies
Suzerain

and the leaders of nations.

Creating a Suzerain
“Suzerain” is an acquired template that can be added to any or hear it gains a +2 morale bonus on all attack and damage
intelligent creature with a Charisma score of 1 or higher (referred rolls, checks, and saves so long as the suzerain is alive (or not
to hereafter as the base creature). destroyed, if it is an undead or a construct).
A suzerain creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and Stirring Speech (Su): As a standard action, a suzerain
special abilities except as noted here. creature can inspire greatness in its allies, granting
them extra fighting capability. The suzerain can
Speed: Each of the suzerain’s speeds increases by
target one ally plus one for every 3 character levels it
+10 feet over the corresponding speeds of the
possesses. To inspire greatness, a suzerain must say a
base creature.
few inspiring words (or sounds, if it is incapable of
Special Attacks: A suzerain retains all the base speech), and the targeted allies must hear them. The
creature’s special attacks and gains those effect lasts for 5 rounds.
described here.
A creature inspired with greatness gains 2 bonus Hit Dice
Born to Lead (Ex): So long as another free-willed servant (d10s), the commensurate number of temporary hit points
of the suzerain is within sight and capable of witnessing its (apply the target’s Constitution modifier, if any, to these
actions, the suzerain has a +4 morale bonus to AC, attacks, bonus Hit Dice), a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls, and
damage rolls, checks, and saves. Mounts, familiars, animal a +1 competence bonus on Fortitude saves. The bonus Hit
companions, and trained animals do not count as free-willed Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining the effects
creatures for the purpose of this bonus, but cohorts and of spells such as sleep. Inspire greatness is a mind-affecting
followers the suzerain has gained via the Leadership feat do ability. The suzerain can use this ability a number of times
count. per day equal to its Charisma bonus.
Enchanting Presence (Su): The first time a creature other than Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Int +4, Wis
a PC comes within 30 feet of the suzerain, its attitude toward +4, Cha +6.
the suzerain shifts one category toward the
Skills: A suzerain gains a +6 racial bonus on
positive, if it was not initially hostile.
all Diplomacy and Intimidate checks.
Thus, unfriendly creatures become
indifferent, indifferent creatures Feats: A suzerain gains Leadership
become friendly, and friendly (creature HD count as levels
creatures become helpful. This for the purpose of the suzerain
shift can be further modified by
the suzerain’s actions, or it might
change over time naturally. The
creature must be able to see, hear,
or otherwise notice the suzerain
to be affected. Enchanting
presence is a mind-affecting
enchantment effect. PCs are
unaffected by this ability.
Special Qualities: A suzerain retains all
the base creature’s special qualities
and gains those described here.
Dauntless Courage (Ex): A suzerain
is immune to fear. In addition, any
allies within 30 feet that view
the suzerain as their leader are
immune to fear effects.
Inspiring Example (Ex):
Each ally within 60 feet of
232 the suzerain that can see
 creature’s Leadership score) as a bonus feat if the base
creature did not already have it Suzerain Characters
Organization: Solitary plus cohort and followers. A suzerain character favors whichever class the base creature does.
Consider granting this template temporarily to a cleric, paladin, or
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1. other character devoted to a god as the deity’s blessing for a great
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +4. service or as an answer to desperate prayers.

- Sample Creature: Suzerain Dire Lion -

Swamp Lord
Large Animal
Combat
Hit Dice: 8d8+24 (60 hp)
A suzerain dire lion fearlessly leads the charge into battle. With a
Initiative: +2
terrible roar that frightens most enemies, it heartens its allies and
Speed: 50 ft. (8 squares)
tears into foes with an awful ferocity.
Armor Class: 15 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +4 natural), touch 11, flat-
footed 13 Born to Lead (Ex): See the suzerain template.
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+17
Enchanting Presence (Su): See the suzerain template.
Attack: Claw +13 melee (1d6+7)
Full Attack: 2 claws +13 melee (1d6+7) and bite +7 melee (1d8+3) Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a suzerain dire lion must
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft. hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a
Special Attacks: Born to lead, enchanting presence, improved free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins
grab, pounce, rake 1d6+3 the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can rake.
Special Qualities: Dauntless courage, inspiring example, low-light
vision, scent, stirring speech Pounce (Ex): If a suzerain dire lion charges, it can make a full
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +9 attack, including two rake attacks.
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 6, Wis 16, Cha 16 Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +12 melee, damage 1d6+3.
Skills: Diplomacy +9, Hide +2*, Intimidate +9, Listen +9, Move
Silently +5, Spot +9 Dauntless Courage (Ex): See the suzerain template.
Feats: Alertness, LeadershipB, Run, Weapon Focus (claw) Inspiring Example (Ex): See the suzerain template.
Environment: Warm plains Stirring Speech (Su): 3/day, 3 allies; see the suzerain template.
Organization: Solitary plus cohort and followers (see below)
Challenge Rating: 6 Cohort and Followers: The suzerain dire lion has a leadership
Treasure: None score of 11 (8 character levels, +3 Charisma bonus, +1 for special
Alignment: Always neutral power, –1 for moving around a lot). This score grants it a 7th-level
Advancement: 9–16 HD (Large); 17–24 HD (Huge) cohort and six 1st-level followers. This suzerain dire lion’s cohort is
Level Adjustment: — a 7th-level human druid with a lioness for an animal companion.
The suzerain dire lion allows his cohort to ride him when not in
Here is an example of a suzerain using a dire lion as the base battle and treats the lioness as if she were his mate. Seven 1st-level
creature. human druids make up the suzerain dire lion’s cadre of followers.
Suzerain dire lions are beautiful to look upon, and their presence Each has a camel as an animal companion, and the camels serve
and charisma is undeniable. Atop this immense lion’s long, regal as mounts for crossing the savanna. Although the humans are
mane, spiky ridges of bone project from its brow like a crown. Its more intelligent than their leader, they have a deep respect for the
15-foot-long body is covered in lustrous, tawny fur. suzerain dire lion’s instincts and the power of his spirit, and they
rely on him to make all important decisions.
A suzerain dire lion is almost never found alone. It typically leads a
group of other creatures that recognize its authority and are willing Skills: A suzerain dire lion has a +4 racial bonus on Hide
to die for it if needed. and Move Silently checks and a +6 bonus on Diplomacy and
Intimidate checks. *In areas of tall grass or heavy undergrowth, the
A suzerain dire lion understands Common but cannot speak. Hide bonus improves to +8.

Swamp Lord
A marsh inhabited by a swamp lord is always a dangerous place, thick with entangling vines and sucking quicksand, and it quickly gains
a dark reputation throughout the nearby lands. Sometimes, the geography of such a swamp changes overnight, becoming unfamiliar even
to longtime neighbors and inhabitants. Worse still, such places are often sucking graveyards that hide the bones of victims drowned,
suffocated, or strangled by the swamp lords that hold sway there.
A swamp lord is an evil plant creature that inhabits a fen or quagmire. Its body—a mass of vines, moss, and pond scum—gives it excellent
camouflage for moving about its domain. The swamp feeds and cares for the swamp lord, and the creature guards this resource jealously.
A swamp lord always seeks to be the dominant power in the watery land it inhabits. It demands the allegiance of any thinking beings
that live in its domain and harries those who refuse its suzerainty until they leave.
233
 Creating a Swamp Lord
“Swamp lord” is an inherited template that can be applied to any hold its breath or suffocate if it is an air-breather. It can
living, corporeal creature whose Intelligence and Charisma scores escape with a successful grapple or Escape Artist check,
are each at least 3 (hereafter referred to as the base creature). but upon exiting, it is considered grappled by the swamp
lord if the latter wishes and is not already grappling as
A swamp lord uses all of the base creature’s statistics and special
many other creatures as it can. The swamp lord is not
abilities except as noted here.
Swamp Lord

considered grappled when it engulfs a creature.

Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to plant with the
Improved Grab (Ex): If a swamp lord hits a creature of
appropriate augmented subtype, plus the aquatic subtype
any size with a natural attack, it deals normal damage and
if the base creature did not already have it. Do not
may attempt to start a grapple as a free action without
recalculate base attack bonuses or saves. Size is unchanged.
provoking an attack of opportunity.
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s.
Spell-Like Abilities: A swamp lord gains spell-like
Speed: Each of a swamp lord’s speeds is slower by 10 feet than abilities according to its character level, as indicated on
the corresponding speed of the base creature (minimum the following table. These abilities are cumulative. Caster
5 feet). If the base creature lacks a land speed, the swamp level equals swamp lord’s character level. The save DCs are
lord gains a land speed 10 feet slower than the base Charisma-based.
creature’s highest speed. If the swamp lord lacks a climb
speed or a swim speed, the swamp lord gains the missing Spell-Like Abilities
mode of movement at a speed equal to its modified land
speed. Character Level Ability

Armor Class: The swamp lord’s natural armor bonus improves by 1–2 Entangle 2/day, obscuring mist 2/day
+2 over that of the base creature. 3–4 Warp wood 2/day
5–6 Fog cloud 1/day, soften earth and stone 1/day
Attack: The swamp lord retains all the base creature’s attacks, and 7–8 Plant growth 1/day, quench 1/day
its weapon and armor proficiencies. These attacks retain 9–10 Command plants 1/day
the same primary or secondary status they had for the base 11–12 Control water 1/day
creature. Furthermore, the swamp lord gains two tentacle 13–14 Wall of thorns 1/day
attacks. If it has other natural attacks, it must choose upon 15–16 Move earth 1/day
creation whether the tentacles are primary or secondary 17–18 Control plants 1/day
attacks. It cannot thereafter change that decision. 19–20 Shambler 1/day
Damage: The base damage for the tentacle attacks granted by Special Qualities: A swamp lord retains all the base creature’s
this template is as given on the following table. special qualities and gains those described here.
Amphibious (Ex): A swamp lord can breathe both
Damage air and water with equal ease.
Size Tentacle Base
Commune with Marshlands (Su): At will, the swamp
Damage
lord can learn facts about any marsh it is in, and the
Fine 1 surrounding territory, as though it had cast commune
Diminutive 1d2 with nature.
Tiny 1d3
Marsh Fast Healing (Su): While in a marsh, a swamp lord
Small 1d4
has fast healing 5.
Medium 1d6
Large 1d8 Resistance to Energy (Ex): A swamp lord has resistance 10
Huge 2d6 to electricity, sonic, and fire.
Gargantuan 2d8
Trackless Step (Ex): A swamp lord leaves no trail in natural
Colossal 4d6
surroundings and cannot be tracked. It may choose to
Reach: Each of the swamp lord’s tentacle attacks has a reach 5 leave a trail if it desires.
feet longer than the base creature’s normal reach.
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex
Special Attacks: A swamp lord retains all the base creature’s –2 (minimum 1), Con +4.
special attacks and gains those described here.
Skills: Recalculate the swamp lord’s skill points for its racial Hit
Constrict (Ex): A swamp lord deals automatic tentacle Dice according to the following formula (2 + Int modifier) x
damage with a successful grapple check. (HD +3). Then spend its skill points afresh, treating the base
creature’s skills as class skills and all others as cross-class skills.
Engulf (Ex): A swamp lord not wearing armor or other
garments can make a grapple check to absorb any creature A swamp lord has a +5 racial bonus on Knowledge
up to one size category smaller than itself that it is already (nature), Listen, Move Silently, Spot, and Survival
grappling. On a success, the creature is drawn inside the checks, and a +10 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks.
swamp lord’s body. An engulfed creature is considered Furthermore, a swamp lord may use Knowledge (nature) as
grappled and automatically takes constrict damage each though trained. *When in a marsh or woodland, it gains a
round. The engulfed creature lacks air to breathe and must +10 racial bonus on Hide checks.
234
 Changing the Swamp Lord Template
The swamp lord template can be applied to nearly any creature. The Intelligence and Charisma requirements can be ignored,
or the template can be applied to creatures that lack high scores in those abilities and grant substantial increases to them.
The template could avoid changing the creature’s type, or it could change a creature’s type to something else, such as undead.

Swamp Lord
If the swamp lord gained a climb speed from the Environment: Any marsh.
application of this template, it has a +8 racial bonus on
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on a
Climb check, even if rushed or threatened. If the swamp Alignment: Often neutral evil.
lord gains a swim speed from the application of this
template, it has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +6.
to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It
can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if
distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while
Swamp Lord Characters
swimming, provided it swims in a straight line. If the base creature favored a class rather than advancing by Hit
Dice, its favored class changes to druid. Otherwise, the swamp
Feats: A swamp lord gains Track as a bonus feat if the base lord favors whichever class the base creature does.
creature did not already have it.

- Sample Creature: Swamp Lord Barghest -

Medium Plant (Aquatic, Augmented Outsider, Evil,
bear thornlike claws. Two long and powerful tentacle-vines
Extraplanar, Lawful, Shapechanger)
extend from its shoulders over a lupine head made of vegetable
Hit Dice: 6d8+18 (45 hp) matter.
Initiative: +5
The swamp lord barghest can also assume a goblinoid form or a
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
wolf, both of which lack tentacles. It takes these forms only to
Armor Class: 19 (+1 Dex, +8 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 18
confuse and deceive foes, since the shapes offer little in the way
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+11
of combat advantages and its plant nature is still obvious.
Attack: Bite +11 melee (1d6+5) or tentacle +11 melee (1d6+5)
Full Attack: Bite +11 melee (1d6+5) and 2 claws +6 melee Swamp lord barghests grow stronger by devouring the bodies of
(1d4+2) and 2 tentacles +6 melee (1d6+2) creatures as powerful as themselves. When it comes to a Material
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. (10 ft. with tentacles) Plane swamp, the swamp lord barghest seeks out the most
Special Attacks: Constrict, engulf, feed, improved grab, spell-like powerful creatures there and observes them, seeking to determine
abilities whether victory through direct confrontation is feasible. If not,
Special Qualities: Amphibious, commune with marshlands, it schemes toward its rivals’ downfall, arranging “accidents,”
change shape, damage reduction 5/magic, darkvision 60 ft., ambushes, and attacks by other creatures.
marsh fast healing 5, resistances to electricity 10, fire 10,
and sonic 10, scent, trackless step Barghests speak Goblin, Infernal, and Worg.
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +7
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 14 Combat
Skills: Climb +19, Escape Artist +11, Hide +7*, Knowledge A swamp lord barghest hides and observes its foes, waiting for
(nature) +7, Listen +13, Move Silently +12, Spot +13, an opportune moment to attack. When it does decide to strike,
Swim +19, Survival +13 it usually does so in its tentacled form. The swamp lord barghest
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Track makes liberal use of its spell-like abilities, using charm monster,
Environment: Hell crushing despair, entangle, and warp wood to stymie foes before
Organization: Solitary engaging in melee. Once it does so, it tries to engulf Small foes
Challenge Rating: 6 and batter larger enemies with its many natural attacks. If the
Treasure: Double standard battle seems to be going against it, the swamp lord barghest
Alignment: Always lawful evil grapples a foe and flees underwater, hoping to drown one enemy
Advancement: Special (see below) and return later to win complete victory over the others.
Level Adjustment: — A swamp lord barghest’s natural weapons, and any weapons
Here is an example of a swamp lord using a barghest as the base it wields, are treated as evil-aligned and lawful-aligned for
creature. overcoming damage reduction.

A swamp lord barghest is a marsh creature from the lower planes. Constrict (Ex): See the swamp lord template.
Accustomed to the deadly swamps of the Hell and the Abyss, Engulf (Ex): See the swamp lord template.
swamp lord barghests consider the marshes of the Material Plane
nothing short of paradise. Feed (Su): When a swamp lord barghest slays a humanoid
opponent, it can feed on the corpse, devouring both flesh and life
In its natural form, a swamp lord barghest has a body made of force, as a full-round action. Feeding destroys the victim’s body
moss, swamp slime, and vines. It has two legs, and its two arms and prevents any form of raising or resurrection that requires part 235
 of the corpse. There is a 50% chance that a wish, miracle, or true warp wood (DC 14); 1/day—charm monster (DC 16), crushing
resurrection spell can restore a devoured victim to life. Check once despair (DC 16), dimension door, fog cloud, soften earth and stone.
for each destroyed creature. If the check fails, the creature cannot Caster level 6th. The save DCs are Charisma-based. As the
be brought back to life by mortal magic. swamp lord barghest gains HD due to feeding, it gains more
spell-like abilities; see the swamp lord template.
A swamp lord barghest advances in Hit Dice by consuming
corpses in this fashion. For every three suitable corpses it Amphibious (Ex): See the swamp lord template.
devours, it gains 1 Hit Die, and its Strength, Constitution, and
Change Shape (Su): A swamp lord barghest can assume the
natural armor each increase by +1. Its attack bonus and saves
Swamp Lord

shape of a goblin or a wolf as a standard action. In goblin form, it

improve as normal for an outsider of its Hit Dice, and it gains
cannot use its natural weapons but can wield weapons and wear
skill points, feats, and ability score improvements normally.
armor. In wolf form, it loses its claw attacks but retains its bite
The swamp lord barghest advances only by consuming the attack.
corpses of creatures whose character levels are equal to or greater
Commune with Marshlands (Su): See the swamp lord template.
than its own current total. A swamp lord barghest that reaches 9
Hit Dice through feeding immediately becomes a greater swamp Marsh Fast Healing (Su): See the swamp lord template.
lord barghest upon completion of the act (see Greater Swamp
Lord Barghest, below). Pass without Trace (Ex): A swamp lord barghest in wolf form
can use pass without trace (as the spell) as a free action.
Improved Grab (Ex): See the swamp lord template.
Trackless Step (Ex): See the swamp lord template.
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—blink, levitate, misdirection (DC
14), rage (DC 15); 2/day—Entangle (DC 13), obscuring mist, Skills: A swamp lord barghest has a +5 racial bonus on
Knowledge (nature), Listen, Move Silently, Spot, and Survival
checks, and a +10 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks.
Furthermore, a swamp lord barghest may use Knowledge
(nature) as though trained. *When in a marsh or
woodland, it gains a +10 racial bonus on Hide
checks, regardless of its form.
The swamp lord barghest has a +8
racial bonus on Climb checks and
can always choose to take 10 on
a Climb check, even if rushed or
threatened. It also has a +8 racial
bonus on any Swim check to
perform some special action or avoid
a hazard. It can always choose to take
10 on a Swim check, even if distracted
or endangered. It can use the run action
while swimming, provided it swims in a
straight line.

Greater Swamp
Lord Barghest
A swamp lord barghest
that reaches 9 Hit Dice
through feeding becomes a
greater swamp lord barghest. At this
point, it can change shape into a goblinoid
creature of Large size (about 8 feet tall and 400
pounds) or a dire wolf. In goblinoid form, a greater swamp
lord barghest cannot use its natural weapons but can wield
weapons and wear armor. In dire wolf form, it loses its claw
attacks but retains its bite attack. A greater swamp lord barghest
can reach a maximum of 18 Hit Dice through feeding.
Spell-Like Abilities: In addition to the spell-like abilities all
swamp lord barghests possess, a greater swamp lord barghest
gains the following abilities: At will—invisibility sphere;
1/day—mass bull’s strength, mass enlarge. Caster level equals the
greater barghest’s character level.

236
 Thunder Child
A thunder child is the essence of a summer storm given physical form. On the Elemental Plane of Air, thunder children live and frolic in
storm fronts a thousand miles wide. They tend to be short-tempered and impatient but mentally astute and perceptive. Thunder children
are quick to anger and quick to action, but a natural wariness saves them from getting into too much trouble. Thunder children have a
cruel streak, and many enjoy lashing out with lightning without provocation.

Thunder Child
A thunder child’s body is the color of clouds heavy and dark with rain, and lightning crackles about its form. When it takes gaseous form,
it appears as a lightning-laden storm cloud.

Creating a Thunder Child

“Thunder child” is an inherited template that can be added to use these abilities and all its extraordinary abilities while in
any living, corporeal creature (referred to hereafter as the base gaseous form.
creature).
Special Qualities: A thunder child retains all the base creature’s
A thunder child uses all the base creature’s statistics and special special qualities and gains those described here.
abilities except as noted here.
Air Breather (Ex): A thunder child can breathe air even if
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to elemental with the the base creature breathed only water.
appropriate augmented subtype, plus the air and extraplanar
Cloud Sight (Ex): A thunder child can see through clouds,
subtypes if the base creature did not already have them. Do
gases, fogs, mists, and smoke as though they didn’t inhibit
not recalculate base attack bonuses, saves, or skill points.
vision. Creatures and objects do not gain concealment
Size is unchanged.
from a thunder child due to such conditions. A thunder
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d8s. child may use this ability while gaseous.
Speed: Each of the thunder child’s speeds is double Resistance to Cold (Ex): A thunder child has cold
the corresponding speed of the base resistance 10.
creature.
Immunities (Ex): A thunder child is immune
Armor Class: A thunder child gains a +4 dodge to inhaled poisons and gas-, fog-, or cloud-based
bonus to AC. attacks and spells.
Special Attacks: A thunder child retains all the Lightning Jump (Ex): When a thunder child
base creature’s special attacks and gains those breathes lightning, it may teleport with no chance of
described here. error to any location within the area of the lightning attack
as a free action. It must make this jump immediately after
Breath Weapon (Ex): Once every 1d4 rounds, a thunder
using its breath weapon.
child can breathe a 5-foot-wide line of lightning 100 feet
long plus 10 feet per 2 character levels it possesses. If the Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Dex +4, Int
thunder child wishes, it may breathe a line half as long +2, Wis +2.
but 10 feet wide. Every creature in the area must make a
Skills: The base creature gains a +4 racial bonus on Knowledge
Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 thunder child’s character level
(nature) and Survival checks.
+ thunder child’s Con modifier) or take 1d6 points of
electricity damage per 2 character levels the thunder child Languages: If the thunder child can speak, it gains the ability to
possesses (minimum 1d6). Success halves the damage. speak Auran in addition to any other languages the base
creature knows.
Electric Aura (Ex): A thunder child emits an aura of
electricity that can wound nearby creatures. Any creature Feats: A thunder child gains Improved Initiative, Lightning
within 10 feet of a thunder child must succeed on a Reflexes, and Quick Draw as bonus feats, assuming that
Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 thunder child’s character level + it meets any prerequisites and the base creature does not
thunder child’s Con modifier) each round that it remains already have them.
within range or take 1d6 points of electricity damage. A
thunder child can suppress or resume the use of this ability Environment: Same as the base creature, plus the Elemental
as a free action. Plane of Air.

Electric Grapple (Ex): Any creature grappling a thunder Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +2.
child takes 2d6 points of electricity damage each round Alignment: Often chaotic evil.
that the grapple is maintained.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +6.
Electricity (Ex): Each of a thunder child’s natural melee
attacks and attacks with metallic melee weapons deals
+1d6 points of electricity damage. Thunder Child Characters
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—fog cloud, gaseous form, sound A thunder child favors whichever class the base creature does.
burst. Caster level equals thunder child’s character level. Thunder children tend to be tempestuous and quick to violence,
The save DCs are Charisma-based. A thunder child may but they also have a wandering nature that lends itself well to
adventuring.
237
 - Sample Creature: Thunder Child Storm Giant -
Huge Elemental (Air, Augmented Giant, Extraplanar) air around it crackles with electricity as arcs of lightning shoot
from its body to nearby objects and creatures.
Hit Dice: 19d8+114 (199 hp)
Initiative: +8 Thunder child storm giants speak Aquan, Auran, Common, Giant,
Speed: 70 ft. (14 squares), swim 60 ft. (12 squares) in breastplate; Ignan, and Terran.
base speed 100 ft., swim 80 ft.
Thunder Child

Armor Class: 33 (–2 size, +4 Dex, +4 dodge, +12 natural, +5 Combat

breastplate) touch 16, flat-footed 25
Base Attack/Grapple: +14/+36 Thunder child storm giants enjoy fighting foes from the cover of a
Attack: Greatsword +26 melee (4d6+21/19–20 plus 1d6 electricity) storm. In gaseous form, their bodies are hard to spot in low clouds,
or slam +26 melee (1d6+14 plus 1d6 electricity) or composite and their breath weapon attacks can be misconstrued as natural
longbow (+14 Str bonus) +16 ranged (3d6+14/×3) lightning strikes. When they engage in a true battle, however,
Full Attack: Greatsword +26/+21/+16 melee (4d6+21/19–20 thunder child storm giants are ruthless and quick. Their composite
plus 1d6 electricity) or 2 slams +26 melee (1d6+14 plus longbows have a range increment of 180 feet.
1d6 electricity) or composite longbow (+14 Str bonus) Breath Weapon (Ex): DC 21 Reflex, 9d6 electricity; see the
+16/+11/+6 ranged (3d6+14/×3) thunder child template.
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, electric aura, electric grapple, Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day—call lightning (DC 15), chain lightning
electricity, spell-like abilities (DC 18). Caster level 15th. 3/day—fog cloud, gaseous form, sound
Special Qualities: Cloud sight, elemental traits, freedom of burst. Caster level 19th. 2/day—control weather, levitate. Caster
movement, immunities, immunity to electricity, lightning level 20th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
jump, low-light vision, resistance (electricity 10), rock Cloud Sight (Ex): See the thunder child template.
catching, water breathing
Saves: Fort +17, Ref +12, Will +14 Elemental Traits: A thunder child storm giant has immunity
Abilities: Str 39, Dex 18, Con 23, Int 18, Wis 22, Cha 15 to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, and stunning. It is not subject
Skills: Climb +20, Concentration +26, Craft (any one) +13, Diplomacy to critical hits or flanking. It cannot be raised, reincarnated or
+4, Intimidate +19, Jump +24, Listen +23, Perform (sing) +12, resurrected (though a limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection
Sense Motive +23, Spot +25, Survival +10, Swim +18* spell can restore life). Darkvision 60 ft.
Feats: Awesome Blow, Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Improved Bull Electric Aura (Ex): DC 21 Reflex; see the thunder child template.
Rush, Improved InitiativeB, Improved Sunder, Iron Will,
Lightning ReflexesB, Power Attack, Quick DrawB Electric Grapple (Ex): See the thunder child template.
Environment: Warm mountains and the Elemental Plane of Air Electricity (Ex): See the thunder child template.
Organization: Solitary or family (2–4 plus 35% noncombatants
Freedom of Movement (Su): A thunder child storm giant has
plus 1 sorcerer or cleric of 7th–10th level plus 1–2 thunder
a continuous freedom of movement
child rocs, 2–5 thunder child
ability, as the spell (caster level 20th).
griffons, or 2–8 thunder child
The effect can be dispelled, but the
sea cats)
thunder child storm giant can create it
Challenge Rating: 15
again on its next turn as a free action.
Treasure: Standard coins; double
goods; standard items Immunities (Ex): See the thunder
Alignment: Often chaotic evil child template.
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: — Lightning Jump (Ex): See the
thunder child template.
Here is an example of a thunder
child using a storm giant as the base Water Breathing (Ex): Thunder
creature. child storm giants can breathe
underwater indefinitely and can
Thought by sages to be some sort freely use their spell-like abilities
of elemental reflection of true while submerged.
storm giants, thunder child storm
giants are in fact no relation to Skills: A thunder child storm giant
the Material Plane giants, though gains a +4 racial bonus to Knowledge
their physical similarities are (nature) (if skilled) and Survival
unmistakable. On the Material checks. A thunder child storm giant
Plane, thunder child storm giants has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim
tend to inhabit the same areas check to perform some special action
as normal storm giants, and the or avoid a hazard. It can always choose
elemental giants tend to gain to take 10 on a Swim check, even
the upper hand in conflicts over if distracted or endangered. It can
territory. use the run action while swimming,
provided it swims in a straight line.
A thunder child storm giant has *Thunder child storm giants ignore all
gray skin, lightning-blue hair, and weight penalties for gear carried when
238 eyes that flash with electricity. The swimming.
 Time Seer
Equally blessed and cursed, time seers must learn to live with two visions of events. One of a time seer’s eyes sees moments in the past, and
the other looks an instant into the future. Neither eye views the present, though the time seer can hear and feel what is going on about it. This
time disparity means the time seer’s mind must constantly reassess what it sees to match events from the recent past and the near future with
the present situation. A time seer that can manage to concentrate on what its eyes tell it can divine future events and peer into the past, gaining
considerable advantages in both combat and social situations. But the task is difficult, and most time seers eventually go mad from the strain.

Time Seer
Time seers are both born and made. Some creatures seem gifted (or cursed) with time seer powers from birth; others gain their visions by
accident or design, often much to their dismay.

Creating a Time Seer

“Time seer” is an inherited or acquired template that can be Conflicted Vision (Ex): Before a time seer rolls initiative, it
applied to any creature whose Intelligence and Wisdom scores are must attempt a DC 10 Concentration check. On a success,
each 13 or higher (hereafter referred to as the base the time seer gains a +4 bonus on its initiative roll.
creature). On a failure by less than 5, the time seer rolls for
initiative normally. A failure by 5 or more imposes a
A time seer uses all of the base creature’s statistics
–4 penalty on the initiative roll.
and special abilities except as noted here.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A time seer retains its
Armor Class: A time seer gains a +2 dodge bonus
Dexterity bonus to AC even if caught flat-footed or
to Armor Class.
struck by an invisible attacker, though it still loses its
Special Attacks: A time seer retains all the base Dexterity bonus when immobilized. If the base creature
creature’s special attacks and gains those described here. already has uncanny dodge, the time seer gains improved
uncanny dodge instead.
Preternatural Knowledge (Ex): Once per round as a free
action, a time seer may attempt a DC 15 Concentration Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Wis +4, Cha
check. On a success, the time seer gains a +4 bonus on its next –2 (minimum 1).
attack roll, check, or saving throw, whichever comes first. On
Skills: A time seer has a +5 racial bonus on Knowledge and Search
a failure, the time seer misinterprets its vision of the future
checks, and a +5 racial bonus on Spellcraft checks made to
and takes a –4 penalty on its next attack roll, check, or saving
identify spells as they are being cast. It takes a –5 penalty on
throw, whichever comes first.
Concentration, Sense Motive, and Spot checks.
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—augury; 1/day—true strike, vision.
Alignment: Often chaotic neutral.
Caster level equals time seer’s character level. Each time the
time seer wishes to use one of these abilities, it must make a Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +1.
successful Concentration check (DC 10 + spell level). Failure
means the attempt produces no effect but that usage is wasted. Time Seer Characters
Special Qualities: A time seer retains all the base creature’s special A time seer favors whichever class the base creature does.
qualities and gains those described here.

- Sample Creature: Kethane Maxurilius -

(Time Seer Hound Archon) Medium Outsider (Archon, Saves: Fort +6 (+10 against poison), Ref +7, Will +6
Extraplanar, Good, Lawful) Abilities: Str 15, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 17, Cha 10
Skills: Concentration +5, Diplomacy +2, Hide +9*, Jump +15,
Hit Dice: 6d8+6 (33 hp)
Listen +12, Move Silently +9, Search +5, Sense Motive +7,
Initiative: +4
Spot +7, Survival +12* (+14 following tracks)
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Feats: Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Track
Armor Class: 21 (+9 natural, +2 dodge), touch 12, flat-footed 19
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+8 Environment: Any lands
Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d8+2) or greatsword +8 melee (2d6+3/19– Organization: Solitary, pair, or squad (3–5)
20) Challenge Rating: 4
Full Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d8+2) and slam +3 melee (1d4+1); or Treasure: No coins; double goods; standard items
greatsword +8/+3 melee (2d6+3/19–20) and bite +3 melee Alignment: Chaotic neutral
(1d8+1) Advancement: 7–9 HD (Medium); 10–18 HD (Large)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Level Adjustment: +6
Special Attacks: Preternatural knowledge, spell-like abilities
Here is an example of a time seer using a hound archon as the base
Special Qualities: Aura of menace, change shape, conflicted
creature.
vision, damage reduction 10/evil, darkvision 60 ft.,
immunities (electricity, petrification), magic circle against Kethane Maxurilius was once a heroic hound archon who fought
evil, scent, spell resistance 16, teleport, tongues, uncanny valiantly against evil wherever he was called upon to do so. On one
dodge mission for the powers of good, he battled demons in the service 239
 Using the Time Seer Template
The time seer template offers some interesting roleplaying opportunities for both GMs and players. A character such as
Kethane Maxurilius can provide the GM with a unique, recurring character who serves alternately as welcome advisor and
dreaded aggravation. Such an NPC can adopt a role similar to Merlin, or it could be more like the Sybil. More importantly,
however, the time seer can be a rich source of adventure hooks and hints.
As GM, you could create a quest in which a character must acquire the power to see the future by gaining this template. The
Time Seer

players can then decide with the template is a blessing or a curse, and either take steps to cure the affected character or guard
her from the attentions of others who desire her power.

of a trickster deity. The waters from a certain well in the deity’s Now Kethane wanders the world in the form of a large dog or
palace were reputed to give drinkers the power to see the future, wolf. He is easily recognizable because he lacks a right eye in all of
and although Kethane did not seek to drink from the well as his forms, with ugly scar tissue covering the socket.
greedier creatures would, he found himself forced to hide there and
Kethane offers his wisdom and knowledge of future events to
inadvertently tasted the water.
other creatures according to some design that only he understands.
Some time later, his compatriots found Kethane in the well. Barely Though Kethane never reveals his nature or his knowledge, he
conscious and half drowned, he ranted and raved incoherently, sometimes acts in small ways to guide events toward the end he
answering some of his friends’ questions before they uttered them believes is proper. He never remains in one place or travels with
but offering no response to questions they had asked minutes one creature for long, since his celestial brethren are still seeking
earlier. The situation did not improve after Kethane returned him, and he wishes to avoid their ministrations.
home. At one point, in a vain attempt to blind himself to future
events, Kethane clawed out his right eye. The celestials attempted Combat
many times to cure Kethane’s madness, but before they could find
the proper spell or quest that would grant him sanity, he fled to the Kethane avoids direct involvement in conflict, but he relishes
Material Plane. witnessing the kinds of battles between good and evil that he used
to participate in on an almost daily basis. If forced to fight, he
takes hound archon form and battles foes using his greatsword and
bite attack.
Kethane’s natural weapons, and any weapons he wields, are
treated as good- and lawful-aligned for overcoming damage
reduction.
Preternatural Knowledge (Ex): See the time seer template.
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—aid, augury, continual flame, detect
evil, message; 1/day—true strike, vision. Caster level 6th. To use any
of these abilities, Kethane must make a successful Concentration
check (DC 10 + spell level).
Aura of Menace (Su): Any hostile creature within a 20-foot
radius of Kethane must succeed on a DC 16 Will save or take a
–2 penalty on attack rolls, AC, and saves for 24 hours or until
it successfully hits Kethane. A creature that has resisted or
broken the effect cannot be affected again by Kethane’s aura
for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based and includes
a +2 racial bonus.
Change Shape (Su): Kethane can assume any canine
form of Small to Large size. While in canine form,
he loses his bite, slam, and greatsword attacks but
gains the bite attack of the chosen form. For the
purpose of this ability, canines include any doglike
or wolflike creatures of the animal type.
Conflicted Vision (Ex): See the time seer template.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): See the time seer template.
Skills: Kethane has a +5 racial bonus on Knowledge and
Search checks, and a +5 racial bonus on Spellcraft checks made
to identify spells as they are being cast. He takes a –5 penalty on
Concentration, Sense Motive, and Spot checks. *While in
canine form, Kethane gains a +4 circumstance bonus
on Hide and Survival checks.
240
 Transforming Construct

Transforming Construct
Made mutable to adapt to their masters’ changing needs, transforming constructs seem like typical examples of beings created with equal
parts of craft and magic. Their seemingly normal outward appearance disguises a potent power to change shape and undertake a wealth
of different tasks. A transforming construct has limitless utility, and those who specialize in the manufacture of constructs often seek the
secrets of their creation most avidly.
Transforming constructs come in six different varieties according to their alternate forms: bipedal, climber, digger, flyer, roller, and
swimmer. These forms are defined as follows.
• Bipedal: When the transforming construct takes on bipedal form, parts of its body become legs, and other parts become arms
with grasping hands.
• Climber: When the transforming construct takes on climber form, any legs it possesses are split into a half-dozen spiderlike
limbs. If it lacks legs, part of its main body mass instead splits open and becomes legs.
• Flyer: When the transforming construct takes on flyer form, it loses any legs or wheels it originally had and gains wings.
• Digger: When the transforming construct takes on digger form, it loses any arms it has, and its torso becomes a great drill.
• Roller: When the transforming construct takes on roller form, it loses any legs and arms it possesses and gains great rollers for
movement.
• Swimmer: When the transforming construct takes on swimmer form, its shape becomes more streamlined, and its lower body
transforms into a large propeller.

Creating a Transforming Construct

“Transforming construct” is a created template that can be added its maneuverability is reduced by one category (minimum
to any construct (referred to hereafter as the base creature) that clumsy).
meets the qualifications given for the desired alternate form, as
Climber: The climber transforming construct’s land, burrow,
follows.
fly, and swim speeds are each equal to one-half the base
Bipedal: This form is available only to a transforming construct creature’s values (minimum 5 feet). It gains a climb speed
whose normal form is not bipedal. equal to the base creature’s highest speed. In
climber form, the transforming construct can climb
Climber: The climber form is available only to a
sheer surfaces and ceilings like a spider.
transforming construct that has no a climb
speed in its normal form. Flyer: When in flyer form, the transforming
construct gains a fly speed equal to double the
Flyer: This form is available only to a transforming
base creature’s highest speed and loses its land,
construct that cannot fly in its normal form.
burrow, and swim speeds. It flies with average
Digger: This form is available only to a transforming construct maneuverability.
composed primarily of stone or metal that lacks a burrow
Digger: When in digger form, a transforming construct
speed in its normal form.
gains a burrow speed equal to the base creature’s highest
Roller: This form is available only to a transforming construct that speed and loses any climb, fly, or swim speed it had. The
does not move about using wheels in its normal form. digger can burrow through stone if its body is made mostly
of metal, and it does not leave a tunnel behind it when it
Swimmer: This form is available only to a transforming construct burrows.
that lacks a swim speed in its normal form.
Roller: When the transforming construct is in roller form,
A transforming construct uses all the base creature’s statistics and its land speed is double that of the base creature, or equal to
special abilities except as noted here. the base creature’s highest speed if it lacks a land speed. The
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the creature transforming construct loses its climb speed (if any) in roller
gains the shapechanger subtype if the base creature did not form. Swim and burrow speeds, if any, are each reduced to
already have it. one-half the base creature’s values. If the base creature has
a fly speed, its maneuverability is reduced by one category
Speed: When the transforming construct takes its alternate form, (minimum clumsy).
its speed changes depending on the form assumed, as
follows. Swimmer: When in swimmer form, the transforming
construct gains a swim speed equal to double the base
Bipedal: Unless the bipedal transforming construct normally creature’s highest speed and loses its fly speed, if any. Land,
moves about on rollers or wheels, its land speed in bipedal climb, and burrow speeds, if any, are each reduced to one-
form is double that of the base creature. If it did move about half the base creature’s values.
on rollers or wheels, its land speed is one-half that of the
base creature (minimum 5 feet) when in bipedal form. Swim Attack: The transforming construct retains all the base creature’s
and burrow speeds, if any, are each reduced to one-half the attacks, which retain the same primary or secondary status
base creature’s values. If the base creature has a fly speed, they had for the base creature. When in its alternate form, 241
 it loses any attacks associated with limbs it no longer has. In Swimmer: Dire Charge (Ex): When the transforming
addition, it may gain new attacks when in its alternate form, construct charges, it deals double damage with a
as follows. successful bite attack.
Bipedal: In this form, the transforming construct gains Special Qualities: A transforming construct retains all the
Transforming Construct

two slam attacks if it did not already have them. In base creature’s special qualities. In its alternate form, the
addition, it can wield weapons and it is proficient with transforming construct loses any special qualities that
two that are given in its attack entry. depend on limbs it no longer has and gains those described
here.
Digger: The transforming construct gains a deadly gore
attack with its drill in digger form. Alternate Form (Su): A transforming construct can take
an alternate form as a standard action. The specific form is
Roller: A transforming construct in roller form gains a
chosen when the template is applied and cannot thereafter
single slam attack, which it makes by ramming into
be changed. A transforming construct retains its hit points
a foe.
in when it changes forms, and it can remain in alternate
Swimmer: In swimmer form, the transforming construct form indefinitely. True seeing or similar magic reveals the
gains a bite attack if it did not already have one. transforming construct’s many forms simultaneously.
Damage: If the transforming construct gained an attack from the Tremorsense (Ex): A transforming construct in digger
application of this template, its base damage is as given on form can sense the locations of all creatures or objects in
the following table. contact with the ground within 60 feet so long as it remains
in contact with the ground. For more information on the
tremorsense ability, see the MM.
Damage
Abilities: Change from the base creature (in all forms) as follows:
Size Slam Base Gore Base Bite Base
Str +2.
Damage Damage Damage
Skills: A transforming construct gains bonuses on certain skill
Fine — 1d2 1
checks according to its alternate form, as follows.
Diminutive 1 1d3 1d2
Tiny 1d2 1d4 1d3 Climber: A transforming construct in climber form receives
Small 1d3 1d6 1d4 a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always
Medium 1d4 1d8 1d6 choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or
Large 1d6 2d6 1d8 threatened.
Huge 1d8 2d8 2d6
Gargantuan 2d6 4d6 2d8 Flyer: A transforming construct in flyer form has a +4
Colossal 2d8 4d8 4d6 competence bonus on Spot checks.
Swimmer: A transforming construct in swimmer form has
Special Attacks: A transforming construct retains all the base a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform
creature’s special attacks. In its alternate form, it loses any some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always
special attacks that depend on limbs it no longer has and choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted
gains those described here. or endangered. It can use the run action while
Alternate Attack: The exact attacks that the transforming swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
construct gains depend on its alternate form, as follows. Feats: While in its alternate form, the transforming construct
Digger: Dire Charge (Ex): When the transforming gains the indicated bonus feats assuming that the base
construct charges, it deals double damage with a creature does not already have them.
successful gore attack. Bipedal: Two-Weapon Fighting.
Roller: Trample (Ex): The transforming construct can Climber: Skill Focus (Climb).
trample foes up to one size category smaller than
itself. This attack follows the normal rules for Digger: Toughness.
trample attacks as described in the MM. The base
Flyer: Fly-by Attack.
damage depends on its size, as given in the following
table, and it adds 1-1/2 times its Strength bonus, if Swimmer: Weapon Focus (bite).
any.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature with one alternate
form; same as the base creature +1 with two or three
Trample alternate forms; same as the base creature +2 with four to six
Size Trample Base Damage alternate forms.

Diminutive 1d2 Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2 for each
Tiny 1d3 application of the template.
Small 1d4
Medium
Large
1d6
1d8
Transforming Construct Characters
Huge 2d6 Most constructs are not playable characters, but if it the base
Gargantuan 2d8 creature has a level adjustment, the transforming construct favors
Colossal 4d6 whichever class the base creature does.
242
 Transforming Construct
- Sample Creature: Transforming Colossal Animated Object -
Galleon Form Swimmer Form
Colossal Construct (Shapechanger) Colossal Construct (Shapechanger)
Hit Dice: 32d10+80 (256 hp) Hit Dice: 32d10+80 (256 hp)
Initiative: –3 Initiative: –3
Speed: 10 ft. (2 squares); 20 ft. legs, 30 ft. multiple legs, 50 ft. Speed: 5 ft. (1 square), swim 20 ft.
wheels Armor Class: 11 (–8 size, –3 Dex, +12 natural), touch –1, flat-
Armor Class: 11 (–8 size, –3 Dex, +12 natural), touch –1, flat- footed 11
footed 11 Base Attack/Grapple: +24/+51
Base Attack/Grapple: +24/+51 Attack: Bite +28 melee (4d6+11)
Attack: Slam +27 melee (4d6+16) Full Attack: Bite +28 melee (4d6+11) and slam +22 melee
Full Attack: Slam +27 melee (4d6+16) (4d6+5)
Space/Reach: 30 ft./30 ft. Space/Reach: 30 ft./30 ft.
Special Attacks: Blind, constrict 4d6+16 Special Attacks: Dire charge
Special Qualities: Alternate forms, construct traits, darkvision 60 Special Qualities: Alternate forms, construct traits, darkvision
ft., hardness 5, low-light vision 60 ft., hardness 5, low-light vision
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +7, Will +5 Saves: Fort +10, Ref +7, Will +5
Abilities: Str 32, Dex 4, Con —, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1 Abilities: Str 32, Dex 4, Con —, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1
Skills: — Skills: Swim +19
Feats: — Feats: Weapon Focus (bite)
Environment: Any Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 11 Challenge Rating: 11
Treasure: None Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: — Advancement: —
Level Adjustment: — Level Adjustment: — 243
 Using the Transforming Construct Template
Transforming Construct
This template offers a way to add zest and surprise to a construct by allowing it to take another shape. For example, a
transforming flesh golem could leap into the water and set its legs to spinning around like a propeller while its face opens to
reveal sharklike jaws. Or a transforming iron golem could spread its legs into wings and soar into the air. Or a transforming
shield guardian could change its legs to wheels and crush enemies even as it speeds away. This template can also be applied to a
construct more than once, allowing it to take multiple forms.
The template uses some broad language so that you have some latitude to interpret how it should be applied to the particular
construct you have chosen. If you need an idea or for some reason find yourself at a loss as to how the template should be
applied, review the quadrupedal and bipedal templates for rules on changing a creature’s form. You might even want to put your
construct through one of these two templates first.
If you allow players to create transforming constructs or want to be stringent about how NPCs do so, add 2,000 gp per
alternate form to the cost of a transforming construct and increase the Craft DCs by +1 per new form. If you create a
transforming animated object using the animate object spell, each new form counts as two Small objects toward the spell’s
limitations.

Bipedal Form Combat

Colossal Construct (Shapechanger) A transforming animated galleon fights well on land in bipedal
form. Its creator can command it to lash out at foes with its anchor
Hit Dice: 32d10+80 (256 hp) as though it were wielding a flail and attack with its spar as though
Initiative: –3 it were wielding a light mace. In water, it fights best in swimmer
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares) form, chewing through enemy ships with a prow formed into a
Armor Class: 11 (–8 size, –3 Dex, +12 natural), touch –1, flat- biting maw. Even in normal galleon form, a transforming animated
footed 11 galleon represents a significant threat, especially to foes who board it.
Base Attack/Grapple: +24/+51
Attack: Slam +27 melee (2d8+11) or flail +27 melee (6d6+11) A transforming animated galleon obeys the commands only of the
Full Attack: 2 slams +27 melee (2d8+11) or flail powerful spellcaster who created it.
+25/+20/+15/+10/+5 melee (6d6+11) and light mace +25 Blind (Ex): An animated galleon can wrap its sails around foes to
melee (4d6+5) blind them. If it grapples an opponent up to three size categories
Space/Reach: 30 ft./30 ft. larger than itself, it may make a normal grapple check. On a
Special Attacks: — success, it wraps itself around the opponent’s head, blinding it until
Special Qualities: Alternate forms, construct traits, darkvision 60 its grapple is broken or removed. A transforming animated galleon
ft., hardness 5, low-light vision can make blind attacks against multiple creatures at once, as long
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +7, Will +5 as each of them is at least two sizes smaller than the galleon and
Abilities: Str 32, Dex 4, Con —, Int —, Wis 1, Cha 1 can fit in its squares.
Skills: —
Feats: Two-Weapon Fighting Constrict (Ex): A transforming animated galleon can wrap its
ropes and anchor chains around foes up to one size category larger
Environment: Any than itself, dealing damage equal to its base slam damage plus
Organization: Solitary 1-1/2 times its Strength bonus on a successful grapple check. An
Challenge Rating: 11 animated galleon can make constriction attacks against multiple
Treasure: None creatures at once, as long as each of them is at least two sizes
Alignment: Always neutral smaller than the galleon and can fit in its squares.
Advancement: —
Level Adjustment: — Dire Charge (Ex): See the transforming construct template for
details.
Here is an example of a transforming construct using a galleon
turned into a colossal animated object as the base creature. Alternate Forms (Su): The transforming animated galleon can
take bipedal and swimmer forms; see the transforming construct
A transforming animated galleon is a beautiful ship that can be template for details.
commanded to guard against pirates. As a Colossal animated
object, it can move about on its own and attack foes, or even Construct Traits: A transforming animated galleon has immunity
moving onto land with its legs. As a transforming construct, to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects,
however, it can present an even greater threat. necromancy effects, mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions,
phantasms, patterns, and morale effects), and any effect that
When the transforming animated galleon takes its swimmer form, requires a Fortitude save unless it also works on objects or is
the aft of the ship becomes a great propeller that gives it greater harmless. It is not subject to critical hits, subdual damage, ability
maneuverability both on and below the surface of the water. Its damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain. Cannot
prow forms a jagged mouth, and its masts and sails lay along its heal damage, but can be repaired. Darkvision 60 ft. and low-light
back like great fins. In its bipedal form, the transforming animated vision.
galleon can walk about on land with great alacrity and wield its
anchor and one of its masts as weapons. Hardness (Ex): An animated galleon has a hardness of 5. See the
244 animated object entry in the MM for details.
 Unholy Creature
Just as good deities can empower their most devout followers, so too can deities of darkness grace their champions with greatness. These unholy
creatures bear the black taint of ultimate corruption, which gives them unholy strength. Not only are their bodies and souls are immune to the
evil energies of the Plane of Negative Energy, they can draw power from the black energy that drains most creatures. The very presence of an

Unholy Creature
unholy creature brings a chill to the souls of creatures whose hearts are not equally black, and their touch is a blight to pure souls.
An unholy creature appears much as it did before receiving its dark gods’ gifts, but its exceptional strength and unnatural quickness mark
it as somehow changed.

Creating an Unholy Creature

“Unholy creature” is an acquired template that can be added to caster level for a spell that fits both parameters is higher by
any evil creature that uses negative energy or has the evil subtype +2 than that of the base creature.
(referred to hereafter as the base creature). Evil clerics, blackguards,
Special Qualities: An unholy creature retains all the base
evil necromancers, demons, devils, and most undead are
creature’s special qualities and gains those described here.
appropriate choices for the unholy template. Should the creature’s
alignment ever change from evil, it loses this template. Damage Reduction (Su): The unholy creature gains damage
reduction 5/good.
An unholy creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special
abilities except as noted here. Darkvision (Su): An unholy creature has darkvision to a
range of 60 feet.
Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the creature gains
the evil subtype if the base creature does not already have it. Negative Energy Immunity (Su): Unholy creatures are
immune to energy drain, ability damage and ability drain
Speed: Each of an unholy creature’s speeds increases by +10 feet
due to negative energy (such as the special attacks of
over the corresponding speed of the base creature.
undead), and hit point damage from negative energy.
Special Attacks: An unholy creature retains all
Protection from Good (Su): An unholy creature gains
the base creature’s special attacks and gains
a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus
those described here.
on saves against attacks by good creatures. Furthermore,
Awful Presence (Su): Every nonevil creature it is immune to any attempt by a good creature to
within 30 feet of an unholy creature possess, charm, or influence it.
automatically takes a –1 penalty on all attack
Unholy Body (Su): An unholy creature is healed
rolls, checks, and saves. Awful presence is a
by negative energy and harmed by positive energy like an
mind-affecting fear effect.
undead creature. Thus, inflict light wounds would heal an
Profane (Su): Each of an unholy creature’s melee attacks unholy creature and cure light wounds would harm it.
with a natural or manufactured weapon deals +1d6 points
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex
of extra damage to a creature of good alignment. All of its
+4, Cha +4.
natural and manufactured weapons are treated as evil-
aligned for overcoming damage reduction. Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Unholy Spellcasting (Su): An unholy creature’s effective Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +5.
caster level for necromancy spells or spells with the evil
descriptor increases by +1 over that of the base creature. This
benefit stacks with itself, so the unholy creature’s effective
Unholy Characters
An unholy character favors whichever class the base creature does.

- Sample Creature: Grakkus Heartfeast -

Orc Cleric 9, Medium Humanoid (Evil, Orc) Saves: Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +10
Abilities: Str 24, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 18
Hit Dice: 9d8+9 (49 hp)
Skills: Concentration +9*, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (religion)
Initiative: +1
+10, Listen +5, Ride +8, Spellcraft +10, Spot +5, Survival +7
Speed: 30 ft. (5 squares); base speed 40 ft.
Feats: Alertness, Combat Casting, Lightning Reflexes, Skill Focus
Armor Class: 24 (+1 Dex, +10 +2 full plate, +2 heavy wooden
(Ride)
shield, +1 ring of protection +1), touch 12, flat-footed 21
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+13 Environment: Temperate hills
Attack: +14 morningstar (1d8+7 plus profane) Organization: Solitary, mounted (Grakkus plus winter wolf ),
Full Attack: +14/+9 masterwork morningstar (1d8+7 plus profane) cadre (Grakkus plus winter wolf, and 48 HD of skeletons
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. and zombies)
Special Attacks: Awful presence, profane, rebuke undead, spells, Challenge Rating: 10
unholy spellcasting Treasure: Standard (see equipment)
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/good, darkvision 60 ft., Alignment: Always chaotic evil
light sensitivity, immunity (negative energy), protection Advancement: By character class
from good, unholy body Level Adjustment: +5 245
 Here is an example of an unholy creature Rebuke Undead (Su): Grakkus receives a +2
using an orc cleric 9 as the base creature. bonus on rebuke attempts because of his
ranks in Knowledge (religion).
When Grakkus Heartfeast heard the
call of a deity of cold and death, he Spells: Grakkus Heartfeast casts
answered without hesitation. Once spells as 9th-level cleric.
the laughingstock of a tribe of
Unseelie Creature

Typical Cleric Spells Prepared

barbarian orcs, Grakkus is now feared
(6/6/6/5/3/2; DC 13 + spell level):
by his former tormentors and all who
0—cure minor wounds (2), detect
meet him. Chosen by his god to be
magic (2), read magic, resistance;
its instrument of negative energy,
1st—bane (2), bless, cause fear*†, cure
Grakkus Heartfeast is nearly
light wounds, shield of faith; 2nd—
always accompanied by a host of
aid, bull’s strength (2), desecrate††, hold
undead servitors that he has raised
person, shield other; 3rd—animate
from the bodies of fallen foes.
dead†††, deeper darkness, dispel magic
Grakkus rides a winter wolf (2), protection from energy; 4th—air
named Frost Tooth into battle. walk, greater magic weapon, unholy
The winter wolf agreed to blight*††; 5th—flame strike, slay
serve Grakkus and his god living†††.
after the priest wrestled him
*Domain spells. Domains:
into submission. Mounted
Death (death touch 1/day),
on this terrible creature,
Evil (cast evil spells at +1 caster
Grakkus leads his minions
level).
to war, casting spells and
laying about him with his †Caster level 10th. ††Caster
morningstar. level 11th. †††Caster level
12th.
Grakkus Heartfeast speaks Common,
Elven, and Orc. Unholy Spellcasting (Su):
See the unholy creature template.
Combat Damage Reduction (Su): See the unholy creature template.
Grakkus reserves his cure spells to heal Frost Tooth, but he casts
his other spells liberally. Mounted on Frost Tooth and protected by Darkvision (Su): See the unholy creature template.
defensive magic, he has no fear of melee and eagerly attacks those Immunity to Negative Energy (Su): See the unholy creature template.
foolish enough to think they can match him in battle.
Protection from Good (Su): See the unholy creature template.
Grakkus Heartfeast’s natural weapons, and any weapons he wields,
are treated as evil-aligned for overcoming damage reduction. Unholy Body (Su): See the unholy creature template.

Awful Presence (Su): See the unholy creature template. Possessions: Masterwork morningstar, +2 full plate, +2 heavy
wooden shield, ring of protection +1, gauntlets of ogre power, cloak of
Profane (Su): See the unholy creature template. resistance +1, boots of the winterlands.

Unseelie Creature
Unseelie creatures are evil beings that oppose the seelie. Though these strange creatures are native to the Ethereal Plane, they rely on the
verdant Material Plane for most of their needs.
Seelie creatures that turn toward selfishness or sinful acts are cast out from the Seelie Realm. Such beings become unseelie creatures and must
live out their lives in the Material World. This practice has resulted in generations of embittered unseelie creatures, all of which are now native
to the Material Plane. Unseelie creatures strive to block the seelie creatures at every opportunity. They often defile forests and fields in hopes of
destroying all areas where the seelie creatures can use their faerie walk ability, thus forcing them to the Material Plane where they can be destroyed.

Creating a Unseelie Creature

“Unseelie creature” is an inherited template that can be added to Size and Type: Size and type are unchanged, but the creature gains
any living, intelligent, evil creature (referred to hereafter as the the extraplanar subtype if the base creature did not already
base creature). It is also an acquired template that is added to any have it. If the base creature is not of the fey type, it also gains
creature that loses the seelie template. the feyblood subtype (see Feyblood Subtype on page 218).
An unseelie creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and Special Attacks: The unseelie creature retains all the base creature’s
246 special abilities except as noted here. special attacks and gains those described here.
 Spell-Like Abilities: At will—invisibility; 3/day—ghost sound, In addition, it automatically succeeds on saves against
silent image; 1/day—alter self, darkness, magic mouth, sleep. Caster illusion spells and effects produced by unseelie creatures
level equals unseelie creature’s character level. The and immediately recognizes such effects as
save DCs are Charisma-based. illusions.
Special Qualities: The unseelie creature retains all the Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows:
base creature’s special qualities and gains those Dex +4, Cha –2 (minimum 1).

Unseelie Creature
described here.
Skills: An unseelie creature gains a +4 racial bonus
Damage Reduction (Ex): A seelie creature has on Hide and Move Silently checks.
damage reduction 5/silver.
Languages: If the unseelie creature can speak, it gains the ability
Darkvision (Ex): An unseelie creature has darkvision with a to speak Sylvan in addition to any other languages the base
60-foot-range. creature knows.
Resistance to Cold (Ex): An unseelie creature has cold Environment: Any.
resistance 5.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Unseelie Pact (Ex): An unseelie creature that becomes neutral
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2.
or good loses the unseelie template, but it retains the evil
subtype and vulnerability to silver weapons. If it becomes a
good-aligned creature, it gains the seelie template. Unseelie Characters
Unseelie Sight (Ex): An unseelie creature using its invisibility An unseelie creature favors whichever classes the base creature
ability can see other unseelie creatures using the same ability. does.

- Sample Creature: Unseelie Shadow Mastiff -

Medium Outsider (Extraplanar, Feyblood)
Hit Dice: 4d8+12 (30 hp)
Initiative: +7
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares)
Armor Class: 16 (+3 Dex, +3 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+7
Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d6+4)
Full Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d6+4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Bay, spell-like abilities, trip
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/silver, darkvision 60
ft., resistance (cold 5), shadow blend, scent, unseelie pact,
unseelie sight
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +5
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 17, Con 17, Int 4, Wis 12, Cha 11
Skills: Hide +14, Listen +8, Move Silently +14, Spot +8, Survival
+8*
Feats: Dodge, Improved Initiative, TrackB
Environment: Plane of Shadow
Organization: Solitary, pair, or pack (5–12)
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral evil
Advancement: 5–6 HD (Medium); 7–12 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: +4
Here is an example of an unseelie creature using a pixie as the base
creature.
Unseelie shadow mastiffs travel invisibly and silently through the
world, tracking and ambushing unwary seelie creatures and creatures
who defend with the green woods and fields that the seelie call home. Combat
Even when they are not invisible, their forms blend into shadow.
Unseelie shadow mastiffs use their shadow blend and invisibility
An unseelie shadow mastiff is a sleek, powerful, black-furred hound together with their natural cunning to remain unobserved, but
with a hellish-looking mastiff ’s head. Its powerful jaws are studded they are less apt to use their other spell-like abilities. Some have
with unnaturally long teeth. learned to use silent image and ghost sound to distract foes or fool
them as to their whereabouts.
Unseelie shadow mastiffs speak broken Sylvan, but with their mean
intelligence, they rarely communicate. Bay (Su): When an unseelie shadow mastiff howls or barks,
every creature except evil outsiders within a 300-foot spread must
247
 succeed on a DC 12 Will save or become panicked for 2d4 rounds. Darkvision (Ex): See the unseelie creature template.
Bay is a sonic, mind-affecting, fear effect. Whether or not the save
Resistance to Cold (Ex): See the unseelie creature template.
is successful, an affected creature is immune to the same mastiff ’s
bay for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based. Shadow Blend (Su): In any condition of illumination other than
full daylight, an unseelie shadow mastiff can disappear into the
Spell-Like Abilities: At will—invisibility; 3/day—ghost sound (DC
shadows, gaining total concealment. Artificial illumination, even a
Verminoid Creature

10), silent image (DC 11); 1/day—alter self, darkness, magic mouth,
light or continual flame spell, does not negate this ability. A daylight
sleep (DC 11). Caster level 4th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.
spell, however, does.
Trip (Ex): An unseelie shadow mastiff that hits with its bite
Unseelie Pact (Ex): See the unseelie creature template.
attack can attempt to trip the opponent as a free action (+3 check
modifier) without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of Unseelie Sight (Ex): See the unseelie creature template.
opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip
the unseelie shadow mastiff. Skills: An unseelie shadow mastiff gains a +4 racial bonus on Hide
and Move Silently checks.*It has a +4 racial bonus on Survival
Damage Reduction (Ex): See the unseelie creature template. checks when tracking by scent.

Verminoid Creature
Verminoids are verminlike creatures with humanoid bodies and intellects. Some sages speculate that they are the abominable results of
druidic magic gone awry and the experiments of arcane spellcasters obsessed with vermin.
A verminoid has two legs to walk upon and two arms with hands that can manipulate tools. It walks upright but otherwise retains all the
hideous aspects of its vermin form.

Creating a Verminoid
“Verminoid creature” is an inherited or acquired template that can except those that depended on limbs that have turned
be added to any living vermin (referred to hereafter as the base to legs. Any other natural attacks it has retain the same
creature). It uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities primary or secondary status they had for the base creature.
except as noted here. The manimal has the weapon and armor proficiencies of
creatures of the monstrous humanoid type.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to monstrous
humanoid with the appropriate augmented subtype. Size is Space/Reach: The verminoid has a space and reach appropriate for
unchanged. its size, as noted in the following table. If the base creature
had greater than normal reach for
Shape: If the base creature has
its size, add 5 feet to the reach
wings or a tail, these
indicated on the table.
appendages adjust to fit
the verminoid. Of its other
New Spell: Create Verminoid
limbs, two become legs, Transmutation Space/Reach
and all others become arms. Level: Druid 5, Sorcerer/Wizard 7 Size New Space/Reach
Any creature that does not Components: V, S, XP
have enough limbs of the Fine 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Casting Time: 1 day
appropriate kind to form at Diminutive 1 ft./0 ft.
Range: Touch
least two legs and two arms Tiny 2-1/2 ft/0 ft.
Target: Nonintelligent vermin touched
simply grows the necessary Small 5 ft/5 ft.
Duration: Instantaneous
limbs. Medium 5 ft/5 ft.
Saving Throw: Will negates
Large 10 ft/10 ft.
Hit Dice: If the base creature has Spell Resistance: Yes
Huge 15 ft/15 ft.
only a fractional racial Hit If you’d like a swift way to introduce verminoids Gargantuan 20 ft/20 ft.
Die, increase it to 1 racial into your campaign, try this spell. Colossal 30 ft/30 ft.
HD.
You grant a nonintelligent vermin a humanlike form
Speed: If the creature has a land and intelligence. If you succeed on a Will saving
speed slower than 10 feet Special Attacks: A verminoid
throw (DC 10 + target’s character level), the vermin
(or no land speed at all), its retains all of the base creature’s
gains the verminoid template. The resulting creature
land speed becomes 10 feet. special attacks except rake.
initially views you as an ally, but you have no special
Base Attack Bonus: The empathy with it. A verminoid speaks a number of Special Qualities: The verminoid
verminoid’s base attack languages equal to 1 + its Intelligence bonus (if any), retains all the base creature’s
bonus from racial Hit Dice chosen from among those its creator knows. special qualities and gains the one
is equal to its racial Hit Dice. described here.
XP Cost: 250 XP.
Attack: The verminoid retains all Impenetrable Mind (Ex): Due to
the base creature’s attacks its heritage as a nonintelligent
248
 insect, a verminoid gains a +4 racial bonus Feats: The verminoid retains the base creature’s
on saves against mind-affecting effects. bonus feats but loses all others. Assign new feats
as desired, giving preference to those that the base
Saves: Fortitude and Reflex are a verminoid’s good
creature possessed. The verminoid must still meet any
saves; Will is poor. Recalculate the portion
prerequisites for feats chosen to fill vacant feat slots.
of each of the base creature’s save bonuses

Verminoid Creature
derived from racial HD. The portion of Challenge Rating: Base creature’s character level
the base save bonus derived from class levels less than 1, increase to 1/2; character level 1st or
remains the same. See Chapter 3: Classes of the PHB for higher, same as the base creature.
the progression of good and poor saves. New ability scores
Treasure: Standard.
and new feats may also alter save bonuses.
Alignment: Usually neutral.
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Int +8, Cha +6.
Advancement: By character class.
Skills: Ignore the base creature’s skill modifiers. Recalculate skill
points for the verminoid’s racial Hit Dice according to the Level Adjustment: The verminoid template has no level adjustment,
formula (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) x (HD +3), then but it can easily be used to make vermin playable characters. A
purchase its skills afresh, treating the base creature’s skills verminoid’s level adjustment should be relatively easy to judge.
and Listen, Spot, and Survival as class skills and all others Consider the creature’s size, ability score adjustments, and any
as cross-class skills. The verminoid retains any skill points special attacks it has. When making a particular verminoid
gained from class levels and any racial bonuses the base PC or NPC, you can determine its racial adjustments after the
creature has. New size modifiers and new ability scores all application of this template and roll 3d6 for its ability scores.
modify skill modifiers.
Languages: A verminoid speaks a number of languages equal to 1 Verminoid Characters
+ its Intelligence bonus (if any), chosen from among those
Verminoids usually favor the barbarian class, but some especially
its creator knows.
charismatic types favor the bard or the sorcerer class.

- Sample Creature: Giant Bombardier Beetle Verminoid -

Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Augmented Vermin) Like their vermin counterparts, giant bombardier beetle
verminoids feed primarily on carrion and offal, and they spend
Hit Dice: 2d8+4 (13 hp)
considerable time collecting these materials into vast piles. The
Initiative: +0
verminoids use this heaped-up refuse as homes and nesting areas
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
in which to lay eggs, carving tunnels through houses that also
Armor Class: 16 (+6 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16
serve as food supplies. They guard
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+3
their food-homes from other
Attack: Spear +3 melee (1d8+1)
creatures with intense ferocity
or bite +3 melee (1d4+1)
from all other creatures except
Full Attack: Spear +3 melee
the giant bombardier beetles
(1d8+1) and bite –2 melee
that they use as guard creature.
(1d4)
Fortunately, visitors need not blunder
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
into a giant bombardier beetle verminoids
Special Attacks: Acid spray
encampment unaware.
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft.,
The creatures have a
impenetrable mind
natural knack for
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +0
singing, and the
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 8, Wis
alien and buzzing
10, Cha 15
songs they sing
Skills: Listen +3, Spot +3, Survival +3
while working
Feats: Alertness
can often be heard
Environment: Warm forests long before the
Organization: Solitary, pair, cluster (3–5) or verminoids can be
click (6–11) seen.
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: Standard Combat
Alignment: Usually neutral
A giant bombardier beetle verminoid enters melee
Advancement: By character class (bard
combat with a courage and conviction that comes
is favored)
naturally. It usually saves its acid spray as a surprise for
Level Adjustment: +2
multiple opponents.
Giant bombardier beetle verminoids
Acid Spray (Ex): A giant bombardier beetle verminoid can
look similar to their vermin
release a 10-foot cone of acidic vapor once per round as a standard
counterparts. Indeed, when
action. Each creature within the cone must succeed on a DC 13
such a creature crawls on its
Fortitude save or take 1d4+2 points of acid damage. The save DC
belly, most viewers would not be
is Constitution-based.
able to distinguish its humanoid
characteristics from a distance. Impenetrable Mind (Ex): See the verminoid template. 249
 War Machine
A war machine is a construct of terrible power built from various metals and granted the powers of another creature. Designed to
resemble a living creature, its body is a complicated construction of layered metals that give it the shape the desired creature normally
would have. Magic grants the war machine the powers of the creature it was built to resemble.
A war machine follows the commands of its creator much as a golem does. Although unintelligent, it has an instinctual understanding of
War Machine

its abilities and of combat. A war machine is capable of limited strategy when carrying out its creator’s instructions and it can follow any
simple command that the creator can give in a couple sentences.

Creating a War Machine

“War machine” is a created template that can be added to any Special Qualities: A war machine retains all the base creature’s
living, corporeal creature except an ooze (referred special qualities and gains those described here.
to hereafter as the base creature).
Hardness (Ex): A war machine has a hardness of
A war machine uses all the base creature’s statistics 10. This quality functions like object hardness, even
and special abilities except as noted here. though a clockwork creature is not an object.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to Immunity to Electricity (Ex): A war machine
construct with the appropriate augmented is immune to
subtype. Do not recalculate base attack bonuses, electricity.
saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
Hit Dice: Change all racial Hit Dice to d10s. The creature gains
bonus hit points as a construct of its size category. Since it
has no Constitution score, it does not gain bonus hit points
based on high Constitution.
Speed: Each of the war machine’s speeds is double the
corresponding speed of the base creature.
Armor Class: The war machine’s natural armor bonus improves by
+5 over that of the base creature.
Special Attacks: A war machine retains all the base creature’s
special attacks and gains those described here.
Body Blades (Ex): Spikes and blades cover a war machine’s
body. When another creature attacks it with handheld
or natural weapons, the attacker takes 1d8
points of slashing and piercing damage.
Incorporeal creatures and creatures using
weapons with exceptional reach, such
as longspears, do not take this damage.
In addition, a war machine deals 1d8
points of piercing and slashing damage
to a grabbed opponent with each successful
grapple check.
The war machine’s creator can create a
war machine that can carry her as a rider
without subjecting her to the damage from
this effect, but for 500 gp,
Enlarged Attacks (Ex): Each of a war
machine’s natural attacks deals damage
as though the war machine were two size
categories larger than it is. Furthermore,
the war machine can wield weapons up
to two size categories larger than
the base creature could without
taking penalties.
Sprint (Ex): Once per hour,
a war machine can move
up to 10 times its normal
speed when it charges.
250
 Metal Body (Ex): Beneath its skin, a war machine is largely Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–4).
composed of metal. It counts as a ferrous creature for the
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +3.
purposed of rusting grasp and other spells that have special
effects on metal. Alignment: Always neutral.
Resistances (Ex): A war machine has resistance 10 to acid, Advancement: —
cold, and fire. If the base creature has better resistance or
immunity, use the better value. Level Adjustment: —

War Machine
Abilities: Change from the base creature as follows: Str +6, Dex
+6, Wis +4, Cha –4 (minimum 1). As an unintelligent
Creating a War Machine
construct, a war machine has no Constitution or War machines are created in the same manner as golems. Because
Intelligence score. a war machine is composed of various metals, it weighs three times
what the base creature does.
Skills: Ignore the base creature’s skill modifiers, since a war
machine has no skill points. However, it retains any racial Creating the war machine costs 1,200 gp × the war machine’s CR.
bonuses that the base creature has. In addition, a war Assembling the body requires DC 25 Craft (armorsmithing) and
machine gains a +10 racial bonus on Balance, Climb, Jump, a DC 25 Craft (weaponsmithing) check, plus the Craft Construct
Listen, Spot, and Tumble checks. A war machine creature feat (see the MM). The creator must have a character level that
can use Tumble as though trained even if it possesses no equals or exceeds 5 + war machine’s CR and be able to cast either
ranks in the skill. arcane or divine spells. Completing the ritual drains a number of
XP equal to the war machine’s creation cost divided by 25, and it
Feats: A war machine retains the base creature’s bonus feats but
requires the spells geas/quest, limited wish, polymorph any object, and
loses all others.
resist elements.
Environment: Same as creator.

- Sample Creature: War Machine Ankheg -

Large Construct tunnel, but it can be commanded to construct one. When so doing,
it burrows at half speed and creatures a tunnel 5 feet tall and 5 feet
Hit Dice: 3d10+30 (46 hp)
wide.
Initiative: +3
Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares), burrow 40 ft.
Armor Class: 26 (–1 size, +3 Dex, +14 natural), touch 9, flat-
Combat
footed 23 A war machine ankheg can be commanded to burrow beneath the
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+15 ground and lie in wait for foes it detects with tremorsense. When
Attack: Bite +10 melee (4d8+12 plus 1d4 acid) left to its own devices in combat, it takes grappled foes into the
Full Attack: Bite +10 melee (4d8+12 plus 1d4 acid) tunnels it digs and crushes them against its body blades.
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Body blades, enlarged attacks, improved grab, spit Body Blades (Ex): See the war machine template.
acid, sprint Enlarged Attacks (Ex): See the war machine template.
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., construct traits, hardness
10, immunity (electricity), low-light vision, metal body, Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a war machine ankheg
resistances (acid 10, cold 10, fire 10), tremorsense 60 ft. must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +4 as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
Abilities: Str 27, Dex 16, Con —, Int —, Wis 17, Cha 2 Spit Acid (Ex): Once every 6 hours, a war machine ankheg can
Skills: Balance +13, Climb +18, Jump +30, Listen +13, Spot +13, spit a 30-foot line of acid. Any creature in the path of this acid
Tumble +13 takes 4d4 points of acid damage (Reflex DC 14 half ). One such
Feats: — attack depletes the war machine ankheg’s acid supply for 6 hours,
Environment: Same as creator during which it cannot spit acid or deal acid damage. The save DC
Organization: Solitary, pair, or gang (3–4) is Constitution-based.
Challenge Rating: 6 Sprint (Ex): See the war machine template.
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral Construct Traits: A war machine ankheg has immunity to poison,
Advancement: — sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, necromancy
Level Adjustment: — effects, mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms,
patterns, and morale effects), and any effect that requires a
Here is an example of a war machine using an ankheg as the base Fortitude save unless it also works on objects or is harmless. It is
creature. not subject to critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage, ability
The war machine ankheg is a burrowing construct that measures drain, fatigue, exhaustion, or energy drain. It cannot heal damage,
about 10 feet long and weighs about 2,500 pounds. It looks but can be repaired. Darkvision 60 ft. and low-light vision.
something like a demonic cockroach made of metal and covered in Hardness (Ex): See the war machine template.
spikes.
Metal Body (Ex): See the war machine template.
A war machine ankheg burrows with its legs and mandibles. A
burrowing war machine ankheg usually does not make a usable Resistances (Ex): See the war machine template.
251
 Appendix: Challenge Rating Ranks
Appendix: Challenge Rating Ranks

Template
Templates By Challenge Rating
CR Modifier Template CR Modifier
Feral Dragon –4 or Special Half-Drow +1
Amalgam Varies Half-Giant +1
Gigantean Varies Holy Creature +1
Miniature Varies Icy Creature +1
Monstrous Lycanthrope Varies Id Ooze +1
Psychic Varies Inveigler +1
Transforming Construct Varies Magma Creature +1
Amphibious Creature +0 Metal Clad: Brass +1
Arboreal Creature +0 Metal Clad: Copper +1
Bipedal Creature +0 Metal Clad: Gold +1
Cave Creature +0 Metal Clad: Lead +1
Creature Swarm +0 Mist Creature +1
Fortune-Spurned Creature +0 Negative-Energy-Charged Creature +1
Fungal Creature +0 Nightmare Creature +1
Half-Plant +0 Ooze Creature +1
Lifespark Construct +0 Plague Bearer +1
Lunatic Creature +0 Poisonous Creature +1
Nocturnal Creature +0 Primitive Creature +1
Quadrupedal Creature +0 Quickling +1
Savant +0 Ravenous Creature +1
Time Seer +0 Saurian +1
Verminoid Creature +0 Seasonal Creature +1
Manimal +0 or +1 Seelie Creature +1
Prismatic Creature +0 or +1 Slithering Ooze +1
Solaric Creature +0 or +1 Smoke Creature +1
Bramble Creature +1 Suzerain +1
Celestial Blessed +1 Unholy Creature +1
Crystal Creature +1 Unseelie Creature +1
Demon Possessed: Babau +1 Blood Knight +2
Demon Possessed: Bebilith +1 Broken Soul +2
Demon Possessed: Dretch +1 Clockwork Creature +2
Demon Possessed: Hezrou +1 Demon Possessed: Balor +2
Demon Possessed: Nalfeshnee +1 Demon Possessed: Glabrezu +2
Demon Possessed: Quasit +1 Demon Possessed: Marilith +2
Demon Possessed: Retriever +1 Devil Bound: Barbed Devil +2
Demon Possessed: Succubus +1 Devil Bound: Bearded Devil +2
Demon Possessed: Vrock +1 Devil Bound: Bone Devil +2
Devil Bound: Chain Devil +1 Devil Bound: Erinyes +2
Devil Bound: Hellcat +1 Devil Bound: Ice Devil +2
Devil Bound: Imp +1 Dread Bodak +2
Divine Guardian +1 Dread Morhg +2
Dread Ghast +1 Dread Shadow +2
Dread Ghoul +1 Dread Wight +2
Dread Lacedon +1 Four Horsemen +2
Dread Skeleton +1 Genie-Bound +2
Dread Zombie +1 Metal Clad: Bronze +2
Dream Creature +1 Poltergeist +2
Dust Creature +1 Swamp Lord +2
Element-Infused Creature +1 Thunder Child +2
Flesh Plant +1 Apocalypse Swarm +3
Force Creature +1 Devil Bound: Horned Devil +3
Fortune-Blessed Creature +1 Devil Bound: Pit Fiend +3
Green Warden +1 Dread Allip +3
252
Template CR Modifier Template CR Modifier

Appendix: Challenge Rating Ranks

Dread Devourer +3 Metal Clad: Platinum +3
Dread Ghost +3 Metal Clad: Silver +3
Dread Lich +3 Sonic Creature +3
Dread Mummy +3 Stone Idol +3
Dread Spectre +3 War Machine +3
Dread Vampire +3 Jotunblood Giant +4
Dread Wraith Sovereign +3 Metal Clad: Steel +4
Metal Clad: Iron +3 Metal Clad: Mithral +5
Metal Clad: Adamantine +6

Sample Creatures by Challenge Rating

Template CR Template CR
Arboreal Halfling Warrior 1/2 Swamp Lord Barghest 6
Bramble Wild Elf Warrior 1 Unseelie Shadow Mastiff 6
Cave Squid 1 Warmachine Ankheg 6
Dread Zombie Aasimar Warrior 1 Azize Al Bikira 7
Fortune-Spurned Light Warhorse 1 Bipedal Winter Wolf of War 7
Fungal Lizardfolk 1 Dread Mummy Harpy 7
Miniature Formian Warrior 1 Dread Shadow Achaierai 7
Mud Creature 1 Dread Wight Gargoyle 7
Pseudodragon Savant 1 Green Warden Shambling Mound 7
Quasit-Possessed Goblin Warrior 1 Icy Aranea of Famine 7
Seelie Grig 1 Icy Belker 7
Crystal Shark 2 Morden Thrallhammer 7
Dread Ghast Gnoll 2 Nightmare Chain Devil 7
Giant Bombardier Beetle Verminoid 2 Quadrupedal Succubus 7
Ooze Troglodyte 2 Smoke Will-o’-Wisp 7
Amphibious Giant Preying Mantis 3 Annis Hag of Death 8
Clairaudient/Clairvoyant/Telepath Bugbear 3 Chuul Divine Guardian 8
Crystal Sahuagin 3 Dread Lacedon Cachalot Whale 8
Dread Skeleton Blink Dog 3 Prismatic Chimera 8
Half-Drow/Half-Derro 3 Dust Stone Giant 9
Magma Azer 3 Flesh Treant 9
Primitive Ogre 3 Kazunne Brokentongue 9
Vargouille Plague Bearer 3 Solaric Gynosphinx 9
Clockwork Choker 4 Athach Poltergeist 10
Force Gelatinous Cube 4 Dread Bodak Tyrannosaurus 10
Kethane Maxurilius 4 Dread Ghost Medusa 10
Lunatic Yeth Hound 4 Dread Ghoul Frost Giant 10
Negative-Energy-Charged Wight 4 Dread Spectre Nymph 10
Nocturnal Brown Bear 4 Grakkus Heartfeast 10
Quickling Magmin 4 Manimal Triceratops 10
Saurian Centaur 4 Seven-Headed Dread Morhg Cryohydra 10
Seasonal Dryad (autumn) 4 Apocalypse Hellwasp Swarm 11
Tiefling Werehellhound Warrior 4 Broken Soul Erinyes 11
Bipedal Nightmare 5 Dream Rakshasa 11
Half-Plant Green Hag 5 Inveigler Doppelganger Sorcerer 11
Harrigan Tumwater 5 Jotunblood Hill Giant 11
Ice Mephit of Pestilence 5 Transforming Colossal Animated Object 11
Slithering Gray Ooze 5 Dread Allip Spirit Naga 12
Stone Idol Imp 5 Dread Vampire Night Hag 12
Arrowtaur 6 Frost Worm Swarm 12
Fire-Infused Troll 6 Bryven Nightkirk 13
Half-Girallon/Half-Ettin 6 Holy Ghaele 14
Id Ochre Jelly 6 Dread Devourer Purple Worm 15
Lead-Clad Wyvern 6 Horned Devil-Bound Ettin Fighter 15
Mist Djinni 6 Thunder Child Storm Giant 15
Muck Tojanida 6 Dread Wraith Sovereign Trumpet Archon 17
Poisonous Manticore 6 Very Old Feral Red Dragon 17
Sonic Howler 6 Lifespark Iron Golem Sorcerer 18
Suzerain Dire Lion 6 Gigantean Dream Chaos Beast 20
Dread Lich Titan 24
253
 - Index -
Dread Skeleton Blink Dog 92 Icy Creature 150–152
A Dread Spectre 93–95 Id Ochre Jelly 153 Q
Amalgam Creature 16–20 Dread Spectre Nymph 94–95 Id Ooze 152–153 Quadrupedal Creature 206–209
Amphibious Creature 21–22 Dread Vampire 97–101 Inveigler 153–155 Quadrupedal Succubus 208–209
Amphibious Giant Dread Vampire Night Hag 99–101 Inveigler Doppelganger Quasit-Possessed Goblin
Praying Mantis 22 Dread Wight 95–97 Sorcerer 154–155 Warrior 54–55
Annis Hag of Death 126–127 Dread Wight Gargoyle 96–97 Quickling 209–210
J
Index

Apocalypse Hellwasp Dread Wraith Sovereign 101–104 Quickling Magmin 210

Swarm 23–24 Dread Wraith Sovereign Trumpet
Jotunblood Giant 155–159
Apocalypse Swarm 23–24
Arboreal Creature 25–26
Archon 103–104
Dread Zombie 105–106
Jotunblood Hill Giant 159 R
Ravenous Creature 211–212
Arboreal Halfling Warrior 26–27 Dread Zombie Aasimar
Arrowtaur 20–21 Warrior 106 K S
Athach Poltergeist 199–200 Dream Creature 107–109 Kazunne Brokentongue 212
Azize Al’Bikira 134–135 Dream Rakshasa 108–109 Kethane Maxurilius 239–240 Saurian 213–214
Dust Creature 109–111 Saurian Centaur 213–214
B Dust Stone Giant 110–111 L Savant 214–216
Seasonal Creature 216–218
Bipedal Creature 27–28 Lead-Clad Wyvern 172
Bipedal Nightmare 28 E Lifespark Construct 159–161
Seasonal Dryad 217–218
Seelie Creature 218–220
Bipedal Winter Wolf of War 130 Element-Infused Creature 111–113 Lifespark Iron Golem
Seelie Grig 219–220
Blood Knight 29–32 Sorcerer 160–161
Seven-Headed Dread Mohrg
Bramble 32–34
Bramble Wild Elf 33–34
F Lunatic Creature 161–164
Lunatic Yeth Hound 164
Cryohydra 84–85
Feral Dragon 113–115 Slithering Gray Ooze 222–223
Broken Soul 34–36
Feral Red Dragon 114–115 Slithering Ooze 221–223
Broken Soul Erinyes 35–36
Bryven Nightkirk 41–42
Fire-Infused Troll 113 M Smoke Creature 223–224
Flesh Plant 115–117 Magma Azer 166 Smoke Will-O’-Wisp 224
Flesh Treant 116–117 Magma Creature 165–166 Solaric Creature 225–226
C Force Creature 118–119 Manimal 167–169 Solaric Gynosphinx 225–226
Cave Creature 36–38 Force Gelatinous Cube 119 Manimal Triceratops 169 Sonic Creature 226–229
Cave Squid 37–38 Fortune-Blessed Creature 120–121 Metal-Clad Creature 169–172 Sonic Howler 229
Celestial-Blessed Creature 38–42 Fortune-Spurned Creature 121–123 Miniature 173–175 Stone Idol 230–231
Chuul Divine Guardian 61 Fortune-Spurned Light Miniature Formian Warrior 175 Stone Idol Imp 231
Clockwork Choker 44 Warhorse 122–123 Mist Creature 176–177 Suzerain 232–233
Clockwork Creature 42–44 Four Horsemen 123–130 Mist Djinni 176–177 Suzerain Dire Lion 233
Creature Swarm 45–47 Frost Worm Swarm 47 Monstrous Lycanthrope 178–183 Swamp Lord 233–236
Crystal Creature 48–51 Fungal Creature 131–133 Morden Thrallhammerer 31 Swamp Lord Barghest 235–236
Crystal Sahuagin 49–50 Fungal Lizardfolk 132–133 Muck Creature 183–185
Crystal Shark 50–51 Muck Tojanida 184–185 T
D G N Templates 4–14
Genie-Bound Creature 133–135 Altering 14
Demon-Possessed Creature 51–55 Giant Bombardier Beetle Naareth 61 Applying 5
Devil-Bound Creature 55–59 Verminoid 249 Negative-Energy-Charged Crea- Creating 10–13
Divine Guardian 60–62 Gigantean 135–139 ture 185–187 Using 4–5
Dread Allip 62–64 Gigantean Dream Chaos Negative-Energy-Charged Wight Thunder Child 237–238
Dread Allip Spirit Naga 64 Beast 138–139 186–187 Thunder Child Storm Giant 238
Dread Blood Knight 31 Grakkus HeartFeast 245–246 Nightmare Chain Devil 189–190 Tiefling Werehellhound
Dread Bodak 65–67 Green Warden 140–141 Nightmare Creature 187–190 Warrior 182–183
Dread Bodak Tyrannosaurus 66–67 Green Warden Shambling Nocturnal Brown Bear 191 Time Seer 239–240
Dread Devourer 67–69 Mound 141 Nocturnal Creature 190–191 Transforming Colossal Animated
Dread Devourer Object 243–244
Purple Worm 68–69
Dread Ghast 70–72
H O Transforming Construct 241–244
Half-Drow 141–143 Ooze Creature 192–194
Dread Ghast Gnoll 71–72
Dread Ghost 72–75
Half-Drow/Half-Derro 142–143 Ooze Troglodyte 193–194 U
Half-Giant 143–146 Unholy Creature 245–246
Dread Ghost Medusa 74–75
Dread Ghoul 76–78
Half-Girallon/Half-Ettin
145–146
P Unseelie Creature 246–248
Unseelie Shadow Mastiff 247–248
Dread Ghoul Frost Giant 77–78 Plague Bearer 194–196
Half-Plant 146–148 Poisonous Creature 196–197
Dread Lacedon 78–80
Dread Lacedon
Half-Plant Green Hag 147–148
Harrigan Tumwater, 120–121
Poisonous Manticore 197 V
Cachalot Whale 79–80 Poltergeist 198–200 Vargouille Plague Bearer 195–196
Holy Creature 148–149 Primitive 200–201 Verminoid Creature 248–249
Dread Lich 80–83
Holy Ghaele 149 Primitive Ogre 201
Dread Lich Titan 82–83
Horned-Devil-Bound Ettin 59
Dread Mohrg 83–85
Dread Mummy 86–88
Prismatic 202–203
Prismatic Chimera 203
W
Dread Mummy Harpy 87–88 I Pseudodragon Savant 215–216
War Machine 250–251
War Machine Ankheg 251
Dread Shadow 88–90 Ice Mephit of Pestilence 129–130 Psychic 204–206
Dread Shadow Achaierai 90 Icy Aranea of Famine 128–129 Psychic Bugbear 206
254 Dread Skeleton 91–92 Icy Belker 151–152
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
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255
 Your Egyptian
Adventures Begin Now!
Egyptian Adventures: Hamunaptra
A Mythic Vistas Campaign Setting
for the d20 System
Written by C.A. Suleiman, with Steve Kenson
and Ari Marmell
Boxed Set with 3 Books and a Full Color
Poster Map
MSRP: $39.95
GRR1407
ISBN: 1-932442-33-2
Towering pyramids rise from the sands, speaking of
the glory of kings long gone. Three mighty pharaohs,
kings and gods, rule over a land divided—over
nations hovering on the brink of war. Priests of
mighty deities guide the lives of peasants and nobles
alike, as all struggle to make the most of the fertile
lands that line the mighty river Yor, whose rushing
waters are at once the symbol and the source of all
life. But all around, the desert grows, encroaching
nearer each day to the last remaining refuge of a once
mighty civilization. Egyptian Adventures allows you
to play the world’s most popular roleplaying game in
sands of Hamunaptra, a new fantasy setting inspired
by the myths, legends, and culture of Ancient Egypt.
Neither the Egyptian feel nor the playability of the
game has been sacrificed. The classes and races that populate the lands of Hamunaptra are still recognizable as
your own favorites, yet re-imagined to convey the feel of a time of pharaohs under the shadow of war. This box set
contains three separate books, each of which contains vital setting information. From the classes, races, feats and
magic of Hamunaptra, to a complete gazetteer of the continent of Khemti and a book of GM-only secrets, this
box set contains all you’ll need to explore the world of Hamunaptra. Battle foul beasts of the desert, excavate the
curse-warded tombs of dynasties past, sabotage and spy upon the armies of rival nations, master ancient magics,
or simply attempt to solve the riddle of the expanding Red Land before the desert overtakes the last, dwindling
bastions of civilization. This is an age of legend. Make it your own!

Available Now at Fine Book and

Hobby Stores the World Over!