Aberrations

Akatas are silent alien predators that cross space inside protective cocoons. A fallen meteorite can release hunters seeking both food and hosts for their young.

Size An adult stands about 3½ feet tall and weighs roughly 400 pounds.
Signs Broken greenish cocoons, trails leading away from an impact site, and bite victims suffering unexplained wasting suggest an infestation.
Demeanor An akata watches in stillness, tests the air for scent, and moves with sudden purpose when prey interests it.
Encounters Nearby life can awaken a cocoon's occupant, which takes several minutes to emerge. That delay gives cautious visitors a chance to retreat before the hunter breaks free.
Communication Akatas cannot hear or vocalize. Shouting and spoken threats gain no response; sight and scent guide their attention.
Conflict It stalks close before biting and lashing with its tentacles. Climbing lets it reach isolated prey from unexpected directions or escape attackers who surround it.
Special Traits It needs no air and can remain dormant without food or water for centuries, protected inside a hard, nearly metallic cocoon.
Social Life Packs can contain dozens; the first hunter encountered may have many companions nearby.
Life Cycle A bite deposits tiny larvae in a humanoid host. If the infection kills the host, a surviving larva animates the corpse as a void zombie, extending the danger beyond the adult hunters.
Origin Akatas escaped their home world's destruction on fragments of the shattered planet. Sealed within cocoons, they drifted through space until those fragments struck other worlds, carrying a living remnant of the catastrophe to unfamiliar shores.
Resources Cocoons contain greenish noqual of such poor quality that it cannot serve as a crafting material. Prospectors drawn by the apparent skymetal deposit may unwittingly disturb sleepers.

CR 1 XP 400
N Medium
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +6; Senses 120 ft., ; Perception +1
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Scent (Ex) Scent allows a creature to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell. Creatures with the scent ability can identify familiar odors just as humans do familiar sights.
     The creature can detect opponents within 30 feet by sense of smell. If the opponent is upwind, the range increases to 60 feet; if downwind, it drops to 15 feet. Strong scents, such as smoke or rotting garbage, can be detected at twice the ranges noted above. Overpowering scents, such as skunk musk or troglodyte stench, can be detected at triple normal range.
     When a creature detects a scent, the exact location of the source is not revealed—only its presence somewhere within range. The creature can take a move action to note the direction of the scent. When the creature is within 5 feet of the source, it pinpoints the source’s location. This does not allow the creature to ignore any miss chance for concealment that would otherwise apply.
     A creature with the scent ability can follow tracks by smell, making a Wisdom (or Survival) check to find or follow a track. The typical DC for a fresh trail is 10 (no matter what kind of surface holds the scent). This DC increases or decreases depending on how strong the quarry’s odor is, the number of creatures, and the age of the trail. For each hour that the trail is cold, the DC increases by 2. The ability otherwise follows the rules for the Survival skill. Creatures tracking by scent ignore the effects of surface conditions and poor visibility.
DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 15 (2d8+6)
Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +4
Defensive Abilities ; cold, disease, poison; fire 30
No Breath (Ex) This monster does not breathe, and is immune to effects that require breathing (such as inhaled poison). This does not give immunity to cloud or gas attacks that do not require breathing.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
Resistance (Ex) This creature ignores some damage of the indicated type each time it takes damage of that kind, commonly acid, cold, electricity, or fire. The entry indicates the amount and type of damage ignored. Resistance is not immunity, and it applies whether the damage has a mundane or magical source. When resistance completely negates damage from an energy attack, that attack does not disrupt spellcasting. This resistance does not stack with resistance provided by a spell.
Weaknesses , to salt water
Vulnerability (Ex) A creature with vulnerabilities takes half again as much damage (+50%) from a specific energy type, regardless of whether a saving throw is allowed or if the save is a success or failure. Creatures with a vulnerability that is not an energy type instead take a –4 penalty on saves against spells and effects that cause or use the listed vulnerability (such as spells with the light descriptor). Some creatures might suffer additional effects, as noted in their descriptions.
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., 20 ft.
     A creature with a Climb speed has a +8 racial bonus on all Climb checks. The creature must make a Climb check to climb any wall or slope with a DC higher than 0, but it can always choose to take 10, even if rushed or threatened while climbing. If a creature with a climb speed chooses an accelerated climb, it moves at double its climb speed (or at its land speed, whichever is slower) and makes a single Climb check at a –5 penalty. Such a creature retains its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) while climbing, and opponents get no special bonus to their attacks against it. It cannot, however, use the run action while climbing.
Melee bite +2 (1d6+1 plus ), 2 tentacles –3 (1d3)
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 11
Base Atk +1; +2; CMD 14 (18 vs. trip)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Skills Acrobatics +6 (+10 jump), Climb +9, Stealth +10
Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth
SQ
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3–30)
Treasure standard
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Deaf (Ex) Akatas cannot hear. They are immune to spells and effects that rely on hearing to function, but they also cannot make Perception checks to listen.
Disease (Ex) Void Death: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 12; onset 1 hour; frequency 1/day; effect 1d2 Dex and 1d2 Con damage; an infected creature who dies rises as a void zombie 2d4 hours later; cure 2 consecutive saves.
Hibernation (Ex) Akatas can enter a state of hibernation for an indefinite period of time when food is scarce. When an akata wishes to enter hibernation, it seeks out a den and surrounds itself in a layer of fibrous material excreted from its mouth—these fibers quickly harden into a dense, almost metallic cocoon. While hibernating, an akata does not need to drink or eat. The cocoon has hardness 10 and 60 hit points, and is immune to fire and bludgeoning (including falling) damage. As long as the cocoon remains intact, the akata within remains unharmed. The akata remains in a state of hibernation until it senses another living creature within 10 feet or is exposed to extreme heat, at which point it claws its way to freedom in 1d4 minutes as its cocoon degrades to fragments of strange metal.
Salt Water Vulnerability (Ex) Salt water acts as an extremely strong acid to akatas. A splash of salt water deals 1d6 points of damage to an akata, and full immersion in salt water deals 4d6 points of damage per round.
Void Bite (Ex) Akatas hold hundreds of invisibly small larval young within their mouths, spreading these parasitic creatures to hosts through their bite. Only humanoids make suitable hosts for akata young—all other creature types are immune to this parasitic infection. The disease itself is known as void death.

Shriezyx are ravenous artificial predators that outlasted their makers. Breaching an ancient wall can release a colony that has survived for generations on scraps and vermin.

Size A typical adult stands about 3 feet tall and weighs approximately 300 pounds.
Signs Clicking claws behind masonry, shed shells, and bones caught in fleshy webbing warn of an occupied chamber.
Demeanor A shriezyx advances eagerly toward food and reacts sharply to immediate threats. Simple rewards hold its attention better than elaborate promises.
Encounters Intruders commonly provoke a rush from hiding. Offered meat may occupy a hungry individual, while a burning torch can make it hesitate or recoil.
Conflict It spits numbing webs to hinder prey, climbs around obstructions, and closes with venomous fangs and repeated claw strikes. Regeneration helps it sustain the assault.
Special Traits Its webbing consists of sticky, unfinished flesh. Fresh strands deaden the nerves, while older webs remain adhesive after the numbing substance fades; vibrations also reveal movement near its hiding place.
Diet Rats and other vermin sustain it through lean periods, though it eagerly takes larger prey when the opportunity arises.
Social Life Hives may answer to an unusually intelligent queen who commands their movements and sends them to hunt. When she dies, the survivors often scatter or turn feral.
Relationships Some derros and drow use them as guards or mounts, enforcing obedience with food and fire. Alchemists may instead keep specimens for the useful materials they shed.
Life Cycle Shriezyx reproduce with partners or lay unfertilized eggs that yield copies of the parent. Eggs can remain viable for years before water, fresh air, or sustained warmth prompts them to hatch.
Origin Ancient arcanists learned fleshwarping from qlippoth lords, assembling shriezyx in arcane vats from the flesh of many creatures. These soldiers guarded monuments and laboratories, but their resistance to mental control frustrated their commanders. Their makers therefore bred queens capable of directing them. As the civilization declined, its creations spread far beyond the ruins it left behind.
Resources Fleshy webs provide alchemical ingredients, and shed shells can be worked into explosives. A living specimen can supply both without being killed.

CR 4 XP 1,200
CE Medium
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +7; Senses 60 ft., 60 ft.; Perception +12
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Tremorsense (Ex) A creature with tremorsense is sensitive to vibrations in the ground and can automatically pinpoint the location of anything that is in contact with the ground. Aquatic creatures with tremorsense can also sense the location of creatures moving through water. This does not allow the creature to ignore any miss chance for concealment that would otherwise apply.
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 38 (7d8+7); 3 (fire)
Regeneration (Ex) Regeneration is an extraordinary ability which makes a creature difficult to kill. Creatures with regeneration heal damage to themselves at a fixed rate, as with fast healing, but they cannot die as long as their regeneration is still functioning, although they still fall unconscious when their hit points are below 0. Certain damage types, typically acid and fire, cause regeneration to stop functioning on the round following the attack. During that round, the creature does not heal damage and can die normally. The creature’s descriptive text identifies the damage types that suppress its regeneration.
     Attacks that do not deal hit point damage are not healed by regeneration. Regeneration also does not restore hit points lost from starvation, suffocation, or thirst. Regenerating creatures can regrow lost body parts and can reattach severed limbs or body parts if they are brought together within 1 hour of severing. Severed parts that are not reattached wither and die normally.
     A creature must have a Constitution score to have regeneration.
Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +6
Defensive Abilities ; mind-affecting effects
Ferocity (Ex) This creature remains conscious and can continue fighting even if its hit point total is below 0. The creature is still and loses 1 hit point each round. A creature with ferocity still dies when its hit point total reaches a negative amount equal to its Constitution score.
     A staggered creature may take a single move action or standard action each round (but not both, nor can it take full-round actions). A staggered creature can still take free, swift, and immediate actions. A creature with nonlethal damage exactly equal to its current hit points gains the staggered condition.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
Weaknesses , to fire
Vulnerability (Ex) A creature with vulnerabilities takes half again as much damage (+50%) from a specific energy type, regardless of whether a saving throw is allowed or if the save is a success or failure. Creatures with a vulnerability that is not an energy type instead take a –4 penalty on saves against spells and effects that cause or use the listed vulnerability (such as spells with the light descriptor). Some creatures might suffer additional effects, as noted in their descriptions.
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., 30 ft.
     A creature with a Climb speed has a +8 racial bonus on all Climb checks. The creature must make a Climb check to climb any wall or slope with a DC higher than 0, but it can always choose to take 10, even if rushed or threatened while climbing. If a creature with a climb speed chooses an accelerated climb, it moves at double its climb speed (or at its land speed, whichever is slower) and makes a single Climb check at a –5 penalty. Such a creature retains its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) while climbing, and opponents get no special bonus to their attacks against it. It cannot, however, use the run action while climbing.
Melee bite +8 (1d6+1 plus ), 4 claws +8 (1d4+1)
Poison (Ex or Su) This creature can deliver poison by the method specified in its entry. The entry gives the poison’s save, frequency, effect, and cure. When no other formula is given, the save is usually Fortitude DC 10 + 1/2 the creature’s racial Hit Dice + its Constitution modifier. Neutralize poison and similar effects remove poison normally.
Special Attacks , (+8 ranged, DC 14, 7 hp)
Web (Ex) This creature can use webs to support themselves and up to one additional creature of the same size. In addition, such creatures can throw a web up to eight times per day. This is similar to an attack with a net but has a maximum range of 50 feet, with a range increment of 10 feet, and is effective against targets up to one size category larger than the web spinner. An creature can escape with a successful Escape Artist check or burst the web with a Strength check. Both are standard actions with a DC equal to 10 + 1/2 the creature’s HD + the creature’s Con modifier. Attempts to burst a web by those caught in it take a –4 penalty.
     The character is ensnared. Being entangled impedes movement, but does not entirely prevent it unless the bonds are anchored to an immobile object or tethered by an opposing force. An entangled creature moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity. An entangled character who attempts to cast a spell must make a concentration check (DC 15 + spell level) or lose the spell.
     Web spinners can create sheets of sticky webbing up to three times their size. They usually position these sheets to snare flying creatures but can also try to trap prey on the ground. Approaching creatures must succeed on a DC 20 Perception check to notice a web; otherwise they stumble into it and become trapped as though by a successful web attack. Attempts to escape or burst the webbing gain a +5 bonus if the trapped creature has something to walk on or grab while pulling free. Each 5-foot-square section of web has a number of hit points equal to the Hit Dice of the creature that created it and DR 5/—.
     A creature can move across its own web at its climb speed and can pinpoint the location of any creature touching its web.
STATISTICS
Str 13, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 2
Base Atk +5; +6; CMD 19 (31 vs. trip)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , ,
Great Fortitude You get a +2 bonus on all Fortitude saving throws.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Step Up Whenever an adjacent foe attempts to take a 5-foot step away from you, you may also make a 5-foot step as an immediate action so long as you end up adjacent to the foe that triggered this ability. If you take this step, you cannot take a 5-foot step during your next turn. If you take an action to move during your next turn, subtract 5 feet from your total movement.
Weapon Finesse With a light weapon, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls.
Special: Natural weapons are considered light weapons.
Skills Climb +15, Perception +12
Racial Modifiers +4 Perception
Languages Aklo
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary, pair, or hive (3–12)
Treasure incidental
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Fear of Fire (Ex) A shriezyx within 30 feet of a fire the size of a torch or larger becomes as long as it remains within that range. If damaged by fire, a shriezyx must make a successful Will save (DC equals the amount of fire damage dealt) or become for 1 round.
     A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Frightened is like , except that the creature must flee if possible. is a more extreme state of fear.
     A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.
     A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can’t take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened.
     The character is frozen in fear and can take no actions. A cowering character takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class and loses their Dexterity bonus (if any).
     A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than or .
     A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Frightened is like shaken, except that the creature must flee if possible. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear.
     A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can’t take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened.
     The character is frozen in fear and can take no actions. A cowering character takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class and loses their Dexterity bonus (if any).
Poison (Ex) Bite—injury; save Fort DC 14; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Str; cure 1 save.
Slowing Toxin (Su) A shriezyx’s web is coated with a supernatural toxin that numbs and deadens the nerves on contact. Any creature struck by a shriezyx’s web must succeed at a DC 14 Fortitude save or become slowed (as the slow spell) for 1 minute. Each round, a victim may attempt a new DC 14 Fortitude save to end the effect early. This toxin fades quickly from spun webs—it can only affect targets on the round the web is spun. Existing webs remain sticky and tangled, but do not have this slowing effect. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Lunar nagas study elaborate zodiacs for meaning in the stars and planets. Their observatories shelter reclusive scholars, valued advisers, and occasional prophets corrupted by the dark powers between the stars.

Size An adult exceeds 10 feet in length and weighs around 200 pounds.
Signs Star charts, carefully positioned instruments, and repeated night watches can reveal an observatory that initially appears abandoned.
Demeanor Patient with observation but guarded with strangers, it warms to informed questions. Clouded skies can make an interrupted observer unusually irritable.
Encounters It usually receives visitors after dark. A useful observation or patience during a delicate measurement earns more goodwill than interrupting with demands.
Conflict Searing rays and weakening magic hold attackers at a distance. It can turn invisible to deliver an unexpected venomous bite, or retreat with magically quickened movement when its records matter more than the fight.
Special Traits The shimmer of its swaying coils can hold watchers entranced and draw them after it while it concentrates. Magic also lets it manipulate small objects and delicate instruments without hands.
Lair Ruined towers and mountain retreats provide open views of the sky. An underground resident makes nightly trips to an exposed observing place when possible.
Social Life Some live in small nests, though their individual studies can keep each observer absorbed in separate work.
Relationships Some advise neighboring communities as soothsayers or guide travelers by the stars. Corrupted individuals instead turn their followers toward dreadful cosmic patrons.
Resources Charts, journals, and instruments may be valuable to scholars. Its venom serves as a ritual intoxicant among followers; commercial demand also fuels captivity, giving it reason to distrust those seeking to buy or sell the substance.

CR 6 XP 2,400
CN Large
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +4; Senses 60 ft., ; Perception +14
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Low-Light Vision (Ex) A creature with low-light vision can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of dim light. It retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (+4 Dex, +1 dodge, +6 natural, –1 size)
hp 68 (8d8+32)
Fort +6, Ref +8, Will +9
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +7 (2d6+3 plus )
Poison (Ex or Su) This creature can deliver poison by the method specified in its entry. The entry gives the poison’s save, frequency, effect, and cure. When no other formula is given, the save is usually Fortitude DC 10 + 1/2 the creature’s racial Hit Dice + its Constitution modifier. Neutralize poison and similar effects remove poison normally.
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks , +3d6
Sneak Attack If this creature catches an opponent unable to defend itself effectively from its attack, it can strike a vital spot for extra damage. Its attacks deal the listed sneak attack damage any time its target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when this creature flanks its target. Sneak attack damage is precision damage and is not multiplied on a critical hit. Ranged attacks count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet. With a weapon that deals nonlethal damage (such as a sap, whip, or unarmed strike), this creature can deal nonlethal sneak attack damage instead of lethal damage. It cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal sneak attack damage, even with the usual –4 penalty. This creature must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach that spot. It cannot sneak attack a creature with concealment.
(CL 5th; concentration +8)
Spells This creature casts spells as a member of the spellcasting class named in its entry. It counts as a member of that class for effects and abilities that depend on its spellcasting, can use spell-completion and spell-trigger items appropriate to that class, and can benefit from items that affect that class or its spellcasting. If the creature also has actual levels in that class, those class levels stack with its innate spellcasting level unless its entry says otherwise. The creature’s entry explains any other class-related abilities it gains or any unusual spellcasting abilities unavailable to ordinary members of the class.
2nd (5/day)—invisibility, scorching ray
1st (7/day)—charm person (DC 14), expeditious retreat, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement (DC 14)
0 (at will)—detect magic, disrupt undead, mage hand, open/close, prestidigitation, ray of frost
STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 19, Con 18, Int 13, Wis 16, Cha 17
Base Atk +6; +9; CMD 24 (can’t be tripped)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , , , (Stealth)
Combat Casting You get a +4 bonus on concentration checks made to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability when casting on the defensive or while .
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Dodge You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your AC. A condition that makes you lose your Dex bonus to AC also makes you lose the benefits of this feat.
Eschew Materials You can cast any spell with a material component costing 1 gp or less without needing that component. The casting of the spell still provokes attacks of opportunity as normal. If the spell requires a material component that costs more than 1 gp, you must have the material component on hand to cast the spell, as normal.
Lightning Reflexes You get a +2 bonus on all Reflex saving throws.
Skill Focus (Stealth) You get a +3 bonus on all checks involving the chosen skill. If you have 10 or more ranks in that skill, this bonus increases to +6.
Skills Bluff +7, Diplomacy +7, Knowledge (arcana) +5, Knowledge (nature) +9, Perception +14, Spellcraft +8, Stealth +14
Languages Aklo, Common
ECOLOGY
Environment any land
Organization solitary or nest (2–4)
Treasure standard
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Hypnosis (Su) Once per day, by weaving and coiling its body and hissing as a standard action, a lunar naga can cause its scales to shimmer and glow with moonlike radiance. All creatures within 30 feet who can see the naga must make a DC 17 Will save to avoid becoming . The lunar naga can maintain this fascination effect as long as it concentrates; creatures follow the still-glowing naga if it moves as long as it maintains the effect by concentrating. The save DC is Charisma-based.
     A fascinated creature is entranced by a supernatural or spell effect. The creature stands or sits quietly, taking no actions other than to pay attention to the fascinating effect, for as long as the effect lasts. It takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat, such as a hostile creature approaching, allows the fascinated creature a new saving throw against the fascinating effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a ranged weapon at the fascinated creature, automatically breaks the effect. A fascinated creature’s ally may shake it free of the spell as a standard action.
Poison (Ex) Bite—injury; save Fort DC 18; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d3 Con and 1 Wis; cure 1 save.
Spells A lunar naga casts spells as a 5th-level sorcerer.

Rhu-chaliks, also called void wanderers, are patient interstellar scouts that steal copies of exceptional minds. One may quietly haunt a community for years while deciding whose thoughts deserve a place in its masters' distant archives.

Size A typical individual measures about 3 feet across and weighs roughly 30 pounds.
Signs A witness may confidently remember a meeting that companions deny ever happened. Unexplained gaps in memory can conceal both the scout's visits and its interest in a particular person.
Demeanor It studies emotional reactions intently; an unusual outburst may interest it long after everyone else has forgotten the quarrel.
Encounters It usually observes invisibly and reads thoughts before approaching. An offer of an unusual experience may draw it into conversation, though revealing an extraordinary mind can also make someone its next subject.
Motivation It values a singular perspective over an easy capture. An accomplished thinker, an unfamiliar culture, or a life unlike those already sampled can justify a long and careful investigation.
Communication It shares thoughts and memories directly, offering an experience during conversation without needing to describe it in words.
Conflict It draws frightening visions from a target’s thoughts, then lashes rescuers with pain-inducing tendrils. Aerial movement and invisibility let it abandon a failed attempt without surrendering its interest in the victim.
Special Traits Once its terror has rendered a victim unconscious, it can transmit a copy of that person's consciousness across space. Reviving the victim before the process finishes prevents transmission; a completed copy leaves the original mind intact but temporarily disoriented.
Diet It feeds on thoughts and emotions without injuring their source, returning to favorite minds and sometimes stirring new feelings to change their flavor.
Relationships Believers in mental transcendence sometimes assist its work. Its masters also command neh-thalggus, whose harvesting requires physical brains.
Origin Void wanderers cross interstellar distances without ships, enduring journeys that span ages. They serve a vast alliance of alien intelligences whose archives support an immense effort to understand existence. Although solitary abroad, they number in the billions in their native regions, feeding amid populations of disembodied minds.

CR 6 XP 2,400
CE Small
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +7; Senses 60 ft., ; Perception +10
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
See in Darkness (Su) This creature can see perfectly in darkness of any kind, including that created by deeper darkness.
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (+4 armor, +3 Dex, +1 size)
hp 68 (8d8+32); 2
Fast Healing (Ex) This creature regains hit points swiftly, usually 1 or more per round, as given in the creature’s entry. Except as noted below, fast healing is just like natural healing. Fast healing does not restore hit points lost from starvation, suffocation, or thirst, nor does it allow a creature to regrow lost body parts. Unless otherwise stated, it does not allow lost body parts to be reattached. Fast healing continues to function (even at negative hit points) until a creature dies, at which point the effects of fast healing end immediately.
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +8
Defensive Abilities all-around vision; cold, disease
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
OFFENSE
Speed 5 ft., 60 ft. (perfect)
     A creature with a Fly speed can cease or resume flight as a free action on its turn. Without making a check, a flying creature can remain flying at the end of its turn so long as it moves a distance greater than half its speed. It can also turn up to 45 degrees during its turn by sacrificing 5 feet of movement, can rise at half speed at an angle of 45 degrees (ignoring the penalty for diagonal movement), and can descend at any angle at normal speed. At the beginning of its turn, a flying creature can move in a different direction than it did previously without needing a Fly check.
     A creature with a natural fly speed receives a bonus (or penalty) on Fly skill checks depending on its maneuverability:
• Clumsy –8
• Poor –4
• Average +0
• Good +4
• Perfect +8
     Creatures without a maneuverability rating are assumed to have average maneuverability and take no penalty on Fly checks. These modifiers are already included in the creature’s stat block.
Melee 4 tendrils +11 (1d4+3 plus )
Special Attacks pain touch, ,
(CL 10th; concentration +12)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
Constant—mage armor
At will—detect thoughts (DC 14), invisibility, share memory (DC 14)
1/day—modify memory (DC 16)
STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 16, Con 19, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 15
Base Atk +6; +8; CMD 21
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , , (tendril)
Combat Expertise You can choose to take a –1 penalty on melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +1 dodge bonus to your Armor Class. When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every +4 thereafter, the penalty increases by –1 and the dodge bonus increases by +1. You can only choose to use this feat when you declare that you are making an attack or a full-attack action with a melee weapon. The effects of this feat last until your next turn.
Combat Reflexes You may make a number of additional attacks of opportunity per round equal to your Dexterity bonus. With this feat, you may also make attacks of opportunity while .
Normal: A character without this feat can make only one attack of opportunity per round and can’t make attacks of opportunity while .
Special: The Combat Reflexes feat does not allow a rogue to use her opportunist ability more than once per round.
     A creature that has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, unable to react normally to the situation. A flat-footed creature cannot take immediate actions and loses their Dexterity bonus to AC and CMD (if any). The creature cannot make attacks of opportunity unless they have the Combat Reflexes feat or Uncanny Dodge class ability.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Weapon Focus (tendril) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.
Skills Bluff +8, Diplomacy +8, Fly +13, Intimidate +10, Perception +10, Sense Motive +7, Stealth +15, Use Magic Device +10
Languages Aklo; 100 ft.
Telepathy (Su) This creature can mentally communicate with any other creature within a certain range (specified in the creature’s entry, usually 100 feet) that has a language. It is possible to address multiple creatures at once telepathically, although maintaining a telepathic conversation with more than one creature at a time is just as difficult as simultaneously speaking and listening to multiple people at the same time.
SQ ,
Compression (Ex) This creature can move through an area as small as one-quarter its space without squeezing, or one-eighth its space when squeezing.
No Breath (Ex) This monster does not breathe, and is immune to effects that require breathing (such as inhaled poison). This does not give immunity to cloud or gas attacks that do not require breathing.
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Pain Touch (Ex) A rhu-chalik secretes an enzyme that coats its tendrils. When this enzyme comes into contact with a living creature, it causes excruciating pain. Any creature that comes into contact with the enzyme must succeed at a DC 18 Fortitude save or take a –2 penalty on attack rolls, ability checks, and skill checks for 1d4 rounds. If a creature is affected by multiple pain touch attacks, the duration stacks but the penalty doesn’t. This is a pain effect. The save DC is Charisma-based. 
Project Terror (Su) As a standard action, a rhu-chalik can harness the fears of any creature on which it has successfully used detect thoughts within the last minute. This effect creates terrible, nightmarish visions in the target’s mind; the target must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or be and take 1d4 points of Wisdom damage. The save DC is Charisma-based. 
     A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Frightened is like , except that the creature must flee if possible. is a more extreme state of fear.
     A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.
     A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can’t take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened.
     The character is frozen in fear and can take no actions. A cowering character takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class and loses their Dexterity bonus (if any).
Void Transmission (Su) If a creature takes an amount of Wisdom damage from the rhu-chalik’s project terror ability that equals or exceeds the creature’s Wisdom score, the creature falls as normal. At that point, the rhu-chalik can take 10 minutes to copy and absorb the creature’s entire consciousness and send that consciousness through the void of space to its waiting masters. If the creature’s Wisdom damage is healed and the creature is revived prior to the end of this process, this effect fails. If the creature’s Wisdom damage is healed after its consciousness is successfully transmitted, the creature awakens disoriented, and takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, ability checks, and skill checks for 24 hours. This effect otherwise doesn’t harm the target, as the target’s consciousness isn’t eliminated, only duplicated and transmitted.
     Unconscious creatures are knocked out and . Unconsciousness can result from having negative hit points (but not more than the creature’s Constitution score), or from nonlethal damage in excess of current hit points.
     A helpless character is paralyzed, held, bound, sleeping, unconscious, or otherwise completely at an opponent’s mercy. A helpless target is treated as having a Dexterity of 0 (–5 modifier). Melee attacks against a helpless target get a +4 bonus (equivalent to attacking a prone target). Ranged attacks get no special bonus against helpless targets. Rogues can sneak attack helpless targets.
     As a full-round action, an enemy can use a melee weapon to deliver a coup de grace to a helpless foe. An enemy can also use a bow or crossbow, provided he is adjacent to the target. The attacker automatically hits and scores a critical hit. (A rogue also gets his sneak attack damage bonus against a helpless foe when delivering a coup de grace.) If the defender survives, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or die. Delivering a coup de grace provokes attacks of opportunity.
     Creatures that are immune to critical hits do not take critical damage, nor do they need to make Fortitude saves to avoid being killed by a coup de grace.

Aatheriexas turn captives into guards, laborers, and experimental subjects. A settlement under one’s hidden direction may maintain its usual routines while its people become another creature’s possessions.

Size The central body is about 2 feet across; relaxed tentacles spread roughly 5 feet wide, and an adult weighs around 150 pounds.
Signs Animals recoil from its proximity. Unexplained obedience to a hidden master and prisoners bearing wasting injuries can reveal the reach of its control.
Demeanor It appraises strangers for usefulness and tests its captives’ endurance, often more interested in a puzzling result than their pleas.
Encounters It may inspect newcomers through magical sight before sending a servant to approach them. Unfamiliar magical knowledge can buy a hearing, especially when its bearer has enough protection to make capture costly.
Motivation It wants capable servants and greater command of magic. A promising experiment or a source of unfamiliar lore can persuade it to delay other ambitions.
Communication It can address minds directly. An intermediary repeating its offer may already be under magical compulsion.
Conflict It sends enthralled guards forward while charming or dominating a useful opponent. Behind that screen, it seizes one foe with its long tentacles and drags them into a withering, venomous constriction. Lightning breaks concentrated resistance; when pressed, it leaves servants fighting while it skims toward an escape.
Special Traits It glides close to solid or liquid surfaces, crossing water as readily as floors. Its occasional journeys between planets use teleportation, allowing it to abandon a world or carry its ambitions to a new one.
Lair A concealed workshop inside an occupied stronghold provides experimental space and labor. Captive quarters double as guard posts, forcing rescuers to contend with the people they came to save.
Social Life Small pods and larger invading groups cooperate in acquiring captives and magical knowledge. Such associations can unravel when a member decides its companions have nothing more to offer.
Relationships An ambitious spellcaster might become a temporary collaborator or teacher. The alliance becomes precarious once the aatheriexa believes it has learned everything useful.
Origin Before their homeworld was destroyed, aatheriexas belonged to a civilization of conquerors and slavers. One tradition blames a disastrous magical ritual or civil war for the catastrophe, though its cause remains uncertain. The scattered survivors carried their old ambitions into exile, rebuilding influence through captives and acquired knowledge.

CR 7 XP 3,200
NE Medium
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +9; Senses , 120 ft., , see invisibility; Perception +28
All-Around Vision (Ex) This creature sees in all directions at once. It cannot be flanked.
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Low-Light Vision (Ex) A creature with low-light vision can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of dim light. It retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
Aura (30 ft.)
Unnatural Aura (Su) Animals do not willingly approach within the listed range of this creature unless the animal’s master makes a DC 25 Handle Animal, Ride, or wild empathy check.
DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 15, flat-footed 16 (+5 Dex, +6 natural)
hp 84 (13d8+26)
Fort +6, Ref +9, Will +8
5/magic; cold, disease, poison
Damage Reduction (Ex or Su) The creature ignores damage from most weapons and natural attacks. Wounds heal immediately, or the weapon bounces off harmlessly; in either case, the opponent knows the attack was ineffective. The creature takes normal damage from energy attacks, including nonmagical ones, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. A certain kind of weapon can sometimes damage the creature normally, as described below.
     The entry indicates the amount of damage ignored, usually 5 to 15 points, and the type of weapon that negates the ability. Some monsters are vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Others are vulnerable to materials such as adamantine, cold iron, or silver. Attacks from weapons that are not the correct type or material have their damage reduced, although a high enhancement bonus can overcome some forms of damage reduction.
     Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, injury disease, and effects delivered only when the attack deals damage. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drain, and it does not affect poisons or diseases delivered by contact, ingestion, or inhalation. If damage reduction completely negates an attack’s damage, that attack does not disrupt a spell being cast.
     Damage reduction does not stack with itself. When a creature has more than one form, apply the single form that gives the greatest reduction against the attack; the attacker must overcome only the qualities required by the form being applied.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to magic weapons. A weapon with at least a +1 magical enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls overcomes this damage reduction; the +1 attack bonus from a masterwork weapon does not count as a magical enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons, but not their attacks with manufactured weapons, are treated as magic weapons for overcoming damage reduction. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with at least a +1 enhancement bonus is treated as magic for overcoming damage reduction.
     A few powerful monsters are vulnerable only to epic weapons—magic weapons with at least a +6 enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons are also treated as epic weapons for overcoming damage reduction.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to chaotic-, evil-, good-, or lawful-aligned weapons. When a cleric casts align weapon, affected weapons might gain one or more of these properties; certain magic weapons also have them. A creature with a chaotic, evil, good, or lawful alignment subtype overcomes matching damage reduction with its natural weapons and wielded weapons as though those attacks had the alignment or alignments matching its subtype. Ammunition fired from an aligned projectile weapon is treated as having that alignment for overcoming damage reduction.
     A weapon with a +3 enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction as though it were made of cold iron and silver. A weapon with a +4 enhancement bonus also overcomes damage reduction as though it were adamantine, but this does not allow it to ignore hardness. A weapon with a +5 enhancement bonus also overcomes alignment-based damage reduction. These equivalences are cumulative with the weapon’s actual material and alignment qualities.
     When a damage reduction entry has a — after the slash, no weapon negates it.
     If either of two listed attack types can overcome the reduction, a weapon that deals either type does so. If a listed combination is required, the weapon must have every listed type or quality; a weapon with only one remains subject to the damage reduction.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
OFFENSE
Speed 5 ft., 50 ft. (good)
     A creature with a Fly speed can cease or resume flight as a free action on its turn. Without making a check, a flying creature can remain flying at the end of its turn so long as it moves a distance greater than half its speed. It can also turn up to 45 degrees during its turn by sacrificing 5 feet of movement, can rise at half speed at an angle of 45 degrees (ignoring the penalty for diagonal movement), and can descend at any angle at normal speed. At the beginning of its turn, a flying creature can move in a different direction than it did previously without needing a Fly check.
     A creature with a natural fly speed receives a bonus (or penalty) on Fly skill checks depending on its maneuverability:
• Clumsy –8
• Poor –4
• Average +0
• Good +4
• Perfect +8
     Creatures without a maneuverability rating are assumed to have average maneuverability and take no penalty on Fly checks. These modifiers are already included in the creature’s stat block.
Melee +15 (3d6 plus and )
Grab (Ex) If this creature hits with the indicated attack, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it takes a –20 penalty on its CMB check to make and maintain the grapple, but does not gain the grappled condition itself. A successful hold does not deal any extra damage unless the creature also has the constrict special attack. If the creature does not constrict, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals the damage indicated for the attack that established the hold. Otherwise, it deals constriction damage as well (the amount is given in the creature’s descriptive text).
     Creatures with the grab special attack receive a +4 bonus on combat maneuver checks made to start and maintain a grapple.
     Unless otherwise noted, grab can only be used against targets of a size equal to or smaller than the creature with this ability. If the creature can use grab on creatures of other sizes, it is noted in the creature’s Special Attacks line.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (15 ft. with tentacles)
Special Attacks (3d6 plus withering), , (tentacles, 5 feet)
Constrict (Ex) This creature can crush an opponent when it makes a successful check, dealing bludgeoning damage in addition to any other effects caused by a successful check, including additional damage. The amount of damage is given in the creature’s entry and is typically equal to the amount of damage caused by the creature’s melee attack.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Pull (Ex) This creature can choose to make a free combat maneuver check with a successful attack. If successful, this check pulls a creature closer. The distance pulled is set by this ability. The type of attack that causes the pull and the distance pulled are included in the creature’s description. This ability only works on creatures of a size equal to or smaller than the pulling creature. Creatures pulled in this way do not provoke attacks of opportunity and stop if the pull would move them into a solid object or creature.
(CL 13th; concentration +17)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
At will—calm emotions (DC 16), charm monster (DC 18), clairaudience/clairvoyance (clairvoyance only), daze monster (DC 16), feather fall
3/day—dispel magic, lightning bolt (DC 17)
1/day—dominate monster (DC 23)
1/month—interplanetary teleport
STATISTICS
Str 11, Dex 21, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 19
Base Atk +9; +9 (+21 grapple); CMD 24 (32 vs. grapple, can’t be tripped)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , , , , (Perception), , (tentacle),
Combat Reflexes You may make a number of additional attacks of opportunity per round equal to your Dexterity bonus. With this feat, you may also make attacks of opportunity while .
Normal: A character without this feat can make only one attack of opportunity per round and can’t make attacks of opportunity while .
Special: The Combat Reflexes feat does not allow a rogue to use her opportunist ability more than once per round.
     A creature that has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, unable to react normally to the situation. A flat-footed creature cannot take immediate actions and loses their Dexterity bonus to AC and CMD (if any). The creature cannot make attacks of opportunity unless they have the Combat Reflexes feat or Uncanny Dodge class ability.
Critical Focus You receive a +4 circumstance bonus on attack rolls made to confirm critical hits.
Flyby Attack When flying, the creature can take a move action and another standard action at any point during the move. The creature cannot take a second move action during a round when it makes a flyby attack.
Normal: Without this feat, the creature takes a standard action either before or after its move.
Hover A creature with this feat can halt its movement while flying, allowing it to hover without needing to make a Fly skill check.
If a creature of size Large or larger with this feat hovers within 20 feet of the ground in an area with lots of loose debris, the draft from its wings creates a hemispherical cloud with a radius of 60 feet. The winds generated can snuff torches, small campfires, exposed lanterns, and other small, open flames of non-magical origin. Clear vision within the cloud is limited to 10 feet. Creatures have concealment at 15 to 20 feet (20% miss chance). At 25 feet or more, creatures have total concealment (50% miss chance, and opponents cannot use sight to locate the creature).
Normal: Without this feat, a creature must make a Fly skill check to hover and the creature does not create a cloud of debris while hovering.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Skill Focus (Perception) You get a +3 bonus on all checks involving the chosen skill. If you have 10 or more ranks in that skill, this bonus increases to +6.
Weapon Finesse With a light weapon, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls.
Special: Natural weapons are considered light weapons.
Weapon Focus (tentacle) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.
Wingover Once each round, a creature with this feat can turn up to 180 degrees as a free action without making a Fly skill check. This free turn does not consume any additional movement from the creature.
Normal: A flying creature can turn up to 90 degrees by making a DC 15 Fly skill check and expending 5 feet of movement. A flying creature can turn up to 180 degrees by making a DC 20 Fly skill check and expending 10 feet of movement.
Skills Acrobatics +21, Diplomacy +17, Fly +20, Knowledge (arcana) +14, Perception +28, Sense Motive +13, Spellcraft +15, Stealth +21, Use Magic Device +17
Racial Modifiers +6 Perception
Languages Aklo, Common, Draconic, Undercommon; 100 ft.
Telepathy (Su) This creature can mentally communicate with any other creature within a certain range (specified in the creature’s entry, usually 100 feet) that has a language. It is possible to address multiple creatures at once telepathically, although maintaining a telepathic conversation with more than one creature at a time is just as difficult as simultaneously speaking and listening to multiple people at the same time.
SQ , ,
Compression (Ex) This creature can move through an area as small as one-quarter its space without squeezing, or one-eighth its space when squeezing.
No Breath (Ex) This monster does not breathe, and is immune to effects that require breathing (such as inhaled poison). This does not give immunity to cloud or gas attacks that do not require breathing.
ECOLOGY
Environment any land
Organization solitary, pair, pod (3–5), or invasion (6–36)
Treasure standard
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Float (Ex) Aatheriexa can fly, though they must remain with 2 feet of a solid or liquid surface. 
Gnaw (Ex) When an aatheriexa shares the same square as a creature, it can automatically deal 3d6 points of damage as a swift action by gnawing with its central maw. 
     A helpless character is paralyzed, held, bound, sleeping, unconscious, or otherwise completely at an opponent’s mercy. A helpless target is treated as having a Dexterity of 0 (–5 modifier). Melee attacks against a helpless target get a +4 bonus (equivalent to attacking a prone target). Ranged attacks get no special bonus against helpless targets. Rogues can sneak attack helpless targets.
     As a full-round action, an enemy can use a melee weapon to deliver a coup de grace to a helpless foe. An enemy can also use a bow or crossbow, provided he is adjacent to the target. The attacker automatically hits and scores a critical hit. (A rogue also gets his sneak attack damage bonus against a helpless foe when delivering a coup de grace.) If the defender survives, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or die. Delivering a coup de grace provokes attacks of opportunity.
     Creatures that are immune to critical hits do not take critical damage, nor do they need to make Fortitude saves to avoid being killed by a coup de grace.
Tentacles (Ex) An aatheriexa’s barbed eyestalk tentacles must all strike at a single target, but they do so as a primary attack. The tentacles deal bludgeoning and slashing damage and grant the aatheriexa a +8 bonus on grapple combat maneuver checks. 
Withering (Ex) An aatheriexa’s tentacles secrete a toxin that causes flesh to swiftly rot and slough off the bone. A creature damaged by an aatheriexa’s tentacles or constrict attack must succeed at a DC 18 Fortitude save or take 1d4 points of Strength damage and 1d4 points of Constitution damage. This is a poison effect and the save DC is Constitution-based.

Aboleths rule through concealed agents, coerced servants, and patient deception. One lurking beneath a settlement may be establishing a foothold for an ancient aquatic civilization that still considers surface peoples its subjects.

Size An adult is approximately 25 feet long and weighs about 6,500 pounds.
Signs Greasy slime along the waterline and residents making secret visits to a flooded site can suggest its presence. Its illusions may conceal the true arrangement of a chamber.
Demeanor Controlled and condescending, it expects other beings to justify their usefulness. Open devotion to a rival divine authority can offend its sense of entitlement.
Encounters A servant or projected image receives visitors first. Information and access can buy a hearing, but the proposed exchange often creates another dependency.
Conflict It screens itself with servants and illusions, drawing opponents toward false openings while attempting to dominate a useful attacker. At close quarters it lashes with its tentacles; when the fight turns against it, it slips into deeper water and leaves its agents to delay pursuit.
Special Traits Underwater mucus can alter a victim’s breathing, while a tentacle strike can leave the skin dependent on moisture. Rescuing an affected captive may require water and treatment as well as escape.
Diet Living creatures can become meals as readily as servants; intelligence offers no protection from that appraisal.
Lair Submerged ruins and cavern lakes offer concealment, controlled approaches, and room for attendants who cannot safely leave the water.
Social Life Individuals work alone or in groups within a larger aquatic civilization. Far below the surface, their cities combine immense, unsettling architecture with populations of captive servants drawn from many peoples.
Relationships Skum can serve as guards, while faceless stalkers carry influence into settlements. Veiled masters occupy a higher place in their civilization.
Origin Aboleths belong to a civilization that claimed dominion over the world in its earliest ages and still regards younger peoples as subjects. Its rulers cultivated surface societies through hidden influence and the reshaping of living creatures. When those societies resisted, their masters answered with a catastrophe intended to destroy them, yet survivors rebuilt beyond their control. The cities beneath the sea endure, and renewed activity among their servants suggests ambitions that centuries of retreat have never extinguished.
Resources Wealth and magical objects support its schemes. A recovered agent's instructions may reveal more of the threat than the contents of a treasure chamber.

CR 7 XP 3,200
LE Huge ()
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
     Aquatic creatures always have swim speeds and can move in water without making Swim checks. An aquatic creature can breathe water. It cannot breathe air unless it has the amphibious special quality. Aquatic creatures always treat Swim as a class skill.
Init +5; Senses 60 ft.; Perception +14
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Aura (5 feet)
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 9, flat-footed 19; (+1 Dex, +11 natural, –2 size)
hp 84 (8d8+48)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +11
OFFENSE
Speed 10 ft., 60 ft.
     A creature with a Swim speed can move through water at its indicated speed without making Swim checks. It gains a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform a special action or avoid a hazard. The creature can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered when swimming. Such a creature can use the run action while swimming, provided that it swims in a straight line.
Melee 4 tentacles +10 (1d6+5 plus )
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
(CL 16th; concentration +19)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier unless the creature’s entry explicitly declares another ability-score basis; that individual declaration governs its block and is not overridden by this generic popup.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
At will—hypnotic pattern (DC 15), illusory wall (DC 17), mirage arcana (DC 18), persistent image (DC 18), programmed image (DC 19), project image (DC 20), veil (DC 19)
3/day—dominate monster (DC 22)
STATISTICS
Str 20, Dex 12, Con 22, Int 15, Wis 17, Cha 17
Base Atk +6; +13; CMD 24 (can’t be tripped)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , , (tentacle)
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Iron Will You get a +2 bonus on all Will saving throws.
Lightning Reflexes You get a +2 bonus on all Reflex saving throws.
Weapon Focus (tentacle) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.
Skills Bluff +11, Intimidate +14, Knowledge (any one) +13, Perception +14, Spellcraft +13, Swim +24
Languages Aboleth, Aklo, Aquan, Undercommon
ECOLOGY
Environment any aquatic
Organization solitary, pair, brood (3–6), or shoal (7–19)
Treasure double
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Mucus Cloud (Ex) While underwater, an aboleth exudes a cloud of transparent slime. All creatures adjacent to an aboleth must succeed on a DC 20 Fortitude save each round or lose the ability to breathe air (but gain the ability to breathe water) for 3 hours. Renewed contact with an aboleth’s mucus cloud and failing another save extends the effect for another 3 hours. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Slime (Ex) A creature hit by an aboleth’s tentacle must succeed on a DC 20 Fortitude save or his skin and flesh transform into a clear, slimy membrane over the course of 1d4 rounds. The creature’s new “flesh” is soft and tender, reducing its Constitution score by 4 as long as it persists. If the creature’s flesh isn’t kept moist, it dries quickly and the victim takes 1d12 points of damage every 10 minutes. Remove disease and similar effects can restore an afflicted creature to normal, but immunity to disease offers no protection from this attack. The save DC is Constitution-based.

A neh-thalggu, commonly called a brain collector, is an alien investigator whose stolen brains enlarge its knowledge and magical power. It treats intelligent inhabitants as specimens, so a meeting may begin with clinical questions or a tempting offer before its purpose becomes apparent.

Signs Brainless bodies are its clearest calling card. A decaying mass of unfamiliar organic material may mark the landing place of the living vessel that delivered it.
Demeanor It discusses memories with clinical interest, treating a specimen’s objections as practical obstacles rather than reasons for remorse.
Encounters It may assume a humanoid form to question isolated travelers without revealing itself. Useful information can prolong the conversation, but a subject who follows it somewhere private gives it the opportunity it wants.
Motivation It protects and improves its collection. Empty stores make replacement urgent; a well-supplied collector can spend longer pursuing a particular mystery or choosing an informative victim.
Communication It projects thoughts into nearby minds, offering quiet invitations even when its proposal is to add the listener’s brain to its collection.
Conflict It shields itself with magic and immobilizes or weakens a chosen victim before closing with rending claws and a debilitating bite. Flight and invisibility protect its brain collection when a hunt goes badly.
Special Traits Seven blisters preserve stolen humanoid brains as an external store of knowledge and arcane power. Extraction requires a helpless victim or a very fresh corpse, giving the collector reason to linger near someone it has just brought down.
Diet It eats flesh, but preserves the brains it collects for analysis and spellcraft rather than digesting them for nourishment.
Relationships Some cultists willingly offer their own brains, and may shelter or provision a collector while awaiting that fate. Rhu-chaliks serve the same distant masters by harvesting copies of minds.
Life Cycle After absorbing enough thoughts, it curls into torpor and consumes its oldest stored brain. Over several days, its body changes until a more powerful yah-thelgaad emerges from the old shell.
Origin Neh-thalggus arrive from distant worlds aboard enormous living vessels. They serve an interstellar alliance of alien intelligences, balancing personal investigations against their overlords’ directives. Primordial cosmic forces inspire in them the reverence and fear that other peoples reserve for gods.

CR 8 XP 4,800
CE Large
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +7; Senses 60 ft.; Perception +17
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 19, flat-footed 18 (+3 Dex, +2 natural, +7 insight, –1 size)
hp 105 (10d8+60)
Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +11
10/magic; confusion effects; 19
Damage Reduction (Ex or Su) The creature ignores damage from most weapons and natural attacks. Wounds heal immediately, or the weapon bounces off harmlessly; in either case, the opponent knows the attack was ineffective. The creature takes normal damage from energy attacks, including nonmagical ones, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. A certain kind of weapon can sometimes damage the creature normally, as described below.
     The entry indicates the amount of damage ignored, usually 5 to 15 points, and the type of weapon that negates the ability. Some monsters are vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Others are vulnerable to materials such as adamantine, cold iron, or silver. Attacks from weapons that are not the correct type or material have their damage reduced, although a high enhancement bonus can overcome some forms of damage reduction.
     Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, injury disease, and effects delivered only when the attack deals damage. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drain, and it does not affect poisons or diseases delivered by contact, ingestion, or inhalation. If damage reduction completely negates an attack’s damage, that attack does not disrupt a spell being cast.
     Damage reduction does not stack with itself. When a creature has more than one form, apply the single form that gives the greatest reduction against the attack; the attacker must overcome only the qualities required by the form being applied.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to magic weapons. A weapon with at least a +1 magical enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls overcomes this damage reduction; the +1 attack bonus from a masterwork weapon does not count as a magical enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons, but not their attacks with manufactured weapons, are treated as magic weapons for overcoming damage reduction. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with at least a +1 enhancement bonus is treated as magic for overcoming damage reduction.
     A few powerful monsters are vulnerable only to epic weapons—magic weapons with at least a +6 enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons are also treated as epic weapons for overcoming damage reduction.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to chaotic-, evil-, good-, or lawful-aligned weapons. When a cleric casts align weapon, affected weapons might gain one or more of these properties; certain magic weapons also have them. A creature with a chaotic, evil, good, or lawful alignment subtype overcomes matching damage reduction with its natural weapons and wielded weapons as though those attacks had the alignment or alignments matching its subtype. Ammunition fired from an aligned projectile weapon is treated as having that alignment for overcoming damage reduction.
     A weapon with a +3 enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction as though it were made of cold iron and silver. A weapon with a +4 enhancement bonus also overcomes damage reduction as though it were adamantine, but this does not allow it to ignore hardness. A weapon with a +5 enhancement bonus also overcomes alignment-based damage reduction. These equivalences are cumulative with the weapon’s actual material and alignment qualities.
     When a damage reduction entry has a — after the slash, no weapon negates it.
     If either of two listed attack types can overcome the reduction, a weapon that deals either type does so. If a listed combination is required, the weapon must have every listed type or quality; a weapon with only one remains subject to the damage reduction.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
     A creature with Spell Resistance has the extraordinary ability to avoid the effects of spells and spell-like abilities that directly affect it. To determine if a spell or spell-like ability works against a creature with spell resistance, the caster must make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level). If the result equals or exceeds the creature’s spell resistance, the spell works normally, although the creature is still allowed a saving throw.
OFFENSE
Speed 10 ft., 40 ft. (perfect)
     A creature with a Fly speed can cease or resume flight as a free action on its turn. Without making a check, a flying creature can remain flying at the end of its turn so long as it moves a distance greater than half its speed. It can also turn up to 45 degrees during its turn by sacrificing 5 feet of movement, can rise at half speed at an angle of 45 degrees (ignoring the penalty for diagonal movement), and can descend at any angle at normal speed. At the beginning of its turn, a flying creature can move in a different direction than it did previously without needing a Fly check.
     A creature with a natural fly speed receives a bonus (or penalty) on Fly skill checks depending on its maneuverability:
• Clumsy –8
• Poor –4
• Average +0
• Good +4
• Perfect +8
     Creatures without a maneuverability rating are assumed to have average maneuverability and take no penalty on Fly checks. These modifiers are already included in the creature’s stat block.
Melee bite +13 (1d8+7 plus ), 2 claws +13 (1d6+7)
Poison (Ex or Su) This creature can deliver poison by the method specified in its entry. The entry gives the poison’s save, frequency, effect, and cure. When no other formula is given, the save is usually Fortitude DC 10 + 1/2 the creature’s racial Hit Dice + its Constitution modifier. Neutralize poison and similar effects remove poison normally.
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks (2 claws, 2d6+7)
Rend (Ex) If it hits with two or more natural attacks in 1 round, this creature causes tremendous damage by latching onto the opponent’s body and tearing flesh. This automatically deals the listed additional damage, but no more than once per round. The type of attacks that must hit and the additional damage are included in the creature’s description.
(CL 7th; concentration +17)
Spells This creature casts spells as a member of the spellcasting class named in its entry. It counts as a member of that class for effects and abilities that depend on its spellcasting, can use spell-completion and spell-trigger items appropriate to that class, and can benefit from items that affect that class or its spellcasting. If the creature also has actual levels in that class, those class levels stack with its innate spellcasting level unless its entry says otherwise. The creature’s entry explains any other class-related abilities it gains or any unusual spellcasting abilities unavailable to ordinary members of the class.
3rd (5/day)—lightning bolt (DC 16), hold person (DC 16)
2nd (7/day)—acid arrow, alter self, invisibility
1st (7/day)—grease (DC 14), magic missile, ray of enfeeblement (DC 14), shield, unseen servant
0 (at will)—acid splash, dancing lights, detect magic, mage hand, open/close, prestidigitation, read magic
STATISTICS
Str 24, Dex 16, Con 23, Int 19, Wis 18, Cha 17
Base Atk +7; +15; CMD 35 (can’t be tripped)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , , , ,
Arcane Strike As a swift action, you can imbue your weapons with a fraction of your power. For 1 round, your weapons deal +1 damage and are treated as magic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction. For every five caster levels you possess, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.
Combat Reflexes You may make a number of additional attacks of opportunity per round equal to your Dexterity bonus. With this feat, you may also make attacks of opportunity while .
Normal: A character without this feat can make only one attack of opportunity per round and can’t make attacks of opportunity while .
Special: The Combat Reflexes feat does not allow a rogue to use her opportunist ability more than once per round.
     A creature that has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, unable to react normally to the situation. A flat-footed creature cannot take immediate actions and loses their Dexterity bonus to AC and CMD (if any). The creature cannot make attacks of opportunity unless they have the Combat Reflexes feat or Uncanny Dodge class ability.
Eschew Materials You can cast any spell with a material component costing 1 gp or less without needing that component. The casting of the spell still provokes attacks of opportunity as normal. If the spell requires a material component that costs more than 1 gp, you must have the material component on hand to cast the spell, as normal.
Extend Spell An extended spell lasts twice as long as normal. A spell with a duration of concentration, instantaneous, or permanent is not affected by this feat. An extended spell uses up a spell slot one level higher than the spell’s actual level.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Power Attack You can choose to take a –1 penalty on all melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +2 bonus on all melee damage rolls. This bonus to damage is increased by half (+50%) if you are making an attack with a two-handed weapon, a one-handed weapon using two hands, or a primary natural weapon that adds 1-1/2 times your Strength modifier on damage rolls. This bonus to damage is halved (–50%) if you are making an attack with an off-hand weapon or secondary natural weapon. When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every 4 points thereafter, the penalty increases by –1 and the bonus to damage increases by +2. You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn. The bonus damage does not apply to touch attacks or effects that do not deal hit point damage.
Skills Fly +15, Knowledge (arcana, dungeoneering, and planes) +23, Perception +17, Sense Motive +17, Spellcraft +17, Stealth +12, Use Magic Device +16
Languages Abyssal, Aklo, Common, Draconic, Protean, Undercommon; (100 feet)
Telepathy (Su) This creature can mentally communicate with any other creature within a certain range (specified in the creature’s entry, usually 100 feet) that has a language. It is possible to address multiple creatures at once telepathically, although maintaining a telepathic conversation with more than one creature at a time is just as difficult as simultaneously speaking and listening to multiple people at the same time.
SQ ,
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary
Treasure double
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Brain Collection (Ex) A neh-thalggu can store up to seven humanoid brains and use them to enhance its knowledge and power. Each stored brain grants a neh-thalggu a cumulative +1 insight bonus to AC, concentration checks, and Knowledge checks. A neh-thalggu can extract a brain from a opponent with a coup de grace attack, or as a standard action from a body that has been dead for no more than 1 minute. A neh-thalggu that has fewer than seven brains gains one negative level for each missing brain. These negative levels can never become permanent, but they can only be removed by replacing one of its collected brains. The stats presented here assume a monster with a full collection.
     A helpless character is paralyzed, held, bound, sleeping, unconscious, or otherwise completely at an opponent’s mercy. A helpless target is treated as having a Dexterity of 0 (–5 modifier). Melee attacks against a helpless target get a +4 bonus (equivalent to attacking a prone target). Ranged attacks get no special bonus against helpless targets. Rogues can sneak attack helpless targets.
     As a full-round action, an enemy can use a melee weapon to deliver a coup de grace to a helpless foe. An enemy can also use a bow or crossbow, provided he is adjacent to the target. The attacker automatically hits and scores a critical hit. (A rogue also gets his sneak attack damage bonus against a helpless foe when delivering a coup de grace.) If the defender survives, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or die. Delivering a coup de grace provokes attacks of opportunity.
     Creatures that are immune to critical hits do not take critical damage, nor do they need to make Fortitude saves to avoid being killed by a coup de grace.
Poison (Ex) Bite—injury; save Fort DC 21; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Strength damage and staggered for 1 round; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Spells A neh-thalggu casts spells as a 7th-level sorcerer. For each negative level it takes from missing brains, its caster level is reduced by 1. A neh-thalggu with no collected brains cannot cast any of its spells.
Strange Knowledge (Ex) All knowledge skill are class skills for neh-thalggus.

Yithians are scholars whose minds travel between bodies, worlds, and eras. Their patient study can resemble peaceful diplomacy until a promising observer becomes an unwilling host. They preserve civilizations in their records while readily sacrificing individual freedom to obtain that knowledge.

Size Their familiar conical bodies stand about 10 feet tall and can weigh several tons.
Signs An acquaintance abruptly changes habits, struggles with familiar movements, and develops an appetite for obscure information; recovered hosts may dream of an immense alien city.
Demeanor A yithian is methodical and inquisitive, often asking precise questions while overlooking the distress behind an answer.
Encounters Firsthand testimony or access to a closed archive can encourage cooperation. A yithian may obtain the same knowledge from an unwilling informant through body exchange.
Motivation Knowledge and the survival of its people outweigh the convenience, privacy, and sometimes the lives of other beings.
Communication Pincer clicks and movements carry speech among their own kind. Telepathy lets them converse with unfamiliar peoples and hosts.
Conflict It paralyzes dangerous opponents, crushes nearby foes with its pincers, or exchanges minds to seize a useful host. Preserving its discoveries usually matters more than finishing a fight.
Special Traits It explores distant worlds through astral projection. Mind exchange leaves the displaced person inhabiting the yithian's body, and the returning host may retain only dreamlike fragments after the yithian erases the experience.
Diet The conical bodies consume soft vegetable preparations and manufactured nutrients; a visiting mind must instead accommodate its borrowed body's needs.
Lair Their cities hold immense archives, with volumes stored in fitted metal cases. A captive scholar may earn access by recording the history and customs of their own time.
Social Life Their communities share research institutions and exchange ideas across eras. Parents raise the relatively few young, while much adult leisure goes to scholarship and art.
Relationships They fear flying polyps, ancient enemies they once forced underground. Guarded passages and an unwillingness to discuss that enemy betray anxiety beneath their scholarly composure.
Life Cycle The conical form produces spores that develop in shallow nursery pools, and its natural lifespan can extend for thousands of years. Exceptional minds sometimes escape bodily death by taking a younger host.
Origin Facing extinction on a dying world, their ancestors cast their minds into another world’s conical inhabitants. The displaced beings perished in the abandoned bodies. These refugees carry their civilization through successive forms rather than belonging to one enduring bodily species. Their explorations of later eras have revealed further catastrophes, prompting preparations for another migration.

CR 9 XP 6,400
LN Large
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +1; Senses , 60 ft., 60 ft.; Perception +25
All-Around Vision (Ex) This creature sees in all directions at once. It cannot be flanked.
Blindsense (Ex) A creature with blindsense notices things it cannot see. The creature usually does not need to succeed at Perception checks to pinpoint the location of a creature within range of its blindsense ability, provided that it has line of effect to that creature. Any opponent the creature with blindsense cannot see still has total concealment from the creature, and the creature still has the normal miss chance when attacking foes that have concealment. Visibility still affects the movement of a creature with blindsense. A creature with blindsense is still denied its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class against attacks from creatures it cannot see.
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
DEFENSE
AC 23, touch 10, flat-footed 22 (+1 Dex, +13 natural, –1 size)
hp 105 (14d8+42); 5
Fast Healing (Ex) This creature regains hit points swiftly, usually 1 or more per round, as given in the creature’s entry. Except as noted below, fast healing is just like natural healing. Fast healing does not restore hit points lost from starvation, suffocation, or thirst, nor does it allow a creature to regrow lost body parts. Unless otherwise stated, it does not allow lost body parts to be reattached. Fast healing continues to function (even at negative hit points) until a creature dies, at which point the effects of fast healing end immediately.
Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +15
10/magic; acid 10, cold 10, fire 10
Damage Reduction (Ex or Su) The creature ignores damage from most weapons and natural attacks. Wounds heal immediately, or the weapon bounces off harmlessly; in either case, the opponent knows the attack was ineffective. The creature takes normal damage from energy attacks, including nonmagical ones, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. A certain kind of weapon can sometimes damage the creature normally, as described below.
     The entry indicates the amount of damage ignored, usually 5 to 15 points, and the type of weapon that negates the ability. Some monsters are vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Others are vulnerable to materials such as adamantine, cold iron, or silver. Attacks from weapons that are not the correct type or material have their damage reduced, although a high enhancement bonus can overcome some forms of damage reduction.
     Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, injury disease, and effects delivered only when the attack deals damage. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drain, and it does not affect poisons or diseases delivered by contact, ingestion, or inhalation. If damage reduction completely negates an attack’s damage, that attack does not disrupt a spell being cast.
     Damage reduction does not stack with itself. When a creature has more than one form, apply the single form that gives the greatest reduction against the attack; the attacker must overcome only the qualities required by the form being applied.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to magic weapons. A weapon with at least a +1 magical enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls overcomes this damage reduction; the +1 attack bonus from a masterwork weapon does not count as a magical enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons, but not their attacks with manufactured weapons, are treated as magic weapons for overcoming damage reduction. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with at least a +1 enhancement bonus is treated as magic for overcoming damage reduction.
     A few powerful monsters are vulnerable only to epic weapons—magic weapons with at least a +6 enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons are also treated as epic weapons for overcoming damage reduction.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to chaotic-, evil-, good-, or lawful-aligned weapons. When a cleric casts align weapon, affected weapons might gain one or more of these properties; certain magic weapons also have them. A creature with a chaotic, evil, good, or lawful alignment subtype overcomes matching damage reduction with its natural weapons and wielded weapons as though those attacks had the alignment or alignments matching its subtype. Ammunition fired from an aligned projectile weapon is treated as having that alignment for overcoming damage reduction.
     A weapon with a +3 enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction as though it were made of cold iron and silver. A weapon with a +4 enhancement bonus also overcomes damage reduction as though it were adamantine, but this does not allow it to ignore hardness. A weapon with a +5 enhancement bonus also overcomes alignment-based damage reduction. These equivalences are cumulative with the weapon’s actual material and alignment qualities.
     When a damage reduction entry has a — after the slash, no weapon negates it.
     If either of two listed attack types can overcome the reduction, a weapon that deals either type does so. If a listed combination is required, the weapon must have every listed type or quality; a weapon with only one remains subject to the damage reduction.
Resistance (Ex) This creature ignores some damage of the indicated type each time it takes damage of that kind, commonly acid, cold, electricity, or fire. The entry indicates the amount and type of damage ignored. Resistance is not immunity, and it applies whether the damage has a mundane or magical source. When resistance completely negates damage from an energy attack, that attack does not disrupt spellcasting. This resistance does not stack with resistance provided by a spell.
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., 10 ft.
     A creature with a Climb speed has a +8 racial bonus on all Climb checks. The creature must make a Climb check to climb any wall or slope with a DC higher than 0, but it can always choose to take 10, even if rushed or threatened while climbing. If a creature with a climb speed chooses an accelerated climb, it moves at double its climb speed (or at its land speed, whichever is slower) and makes a single Climb check at a –5 penalty. Such a creature retains its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) while climbing, and opponents get no special bonus to their attacks against it. It cannot, however, use the run action while climbing.
Melee 2 pincers +15 (2d8+9/×3)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks , ,
(CL 15th; concentration +19)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
At will—astral projection (self only), detect thoughts (DC 16), hold monster (DC 19), modify memory (DC 18)
STATISTICS
Str 22, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 24, Wis 19, Cha 18
Base Atk +10; +17; CMD 28
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , , , , ,
Alertness You get a +2 bonus on Perception and Sense Motive skill checks. If you have 10 or more ranks in one of these skills, the bonus increases to +4 for that skill.
Combat Expertise You can choose to take a –1 penalty on melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +1 dodge bonus to your Armor Class. When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every +4 thereafter, the penalty increases by –1 and the dodge bonus increases by +1. You can only choose to use this feat when you declare that you are making an attack or a full-attack action with a melee weapon. The effects of this feat last until your next turn.
Great Fortitude You get a +2 bonus on all Fortitude saving throws.
Improved Great Fortitude Once per day, you may reroll a Fortitude save. You must decide to use this ability before the results are revealed. You must take the second roll, even if it is worse.
Improved Iron Will Once per day, you may reroll a Will save. You must decide to use this ability before the results are revealed. You must take the second roll, even if it is worse.
Iron Will You get a +2 bonus on all Will saving throws.
Vital Strike When you use the attack action, you can make one attack at your highest base attack bonus that deals additional damage. Roll the weapon’s damage dice for the attack twice and add the results together before adding bonuses from Strength, weapon abilities (such as flaming), precision-based damage, and other damage bonuses. These extra weapon damage dice are not multiplied on a critical hit, but are added to the total.
Skills Climb +14, Diplomacy +18, Heal +18, Knowledge (arcana, engineering, geography, history) +21, Knowledge (planes) +24, Linguistics +21, Perception +25, Sense Motive +22, Use Magic Device +18
Languages Aklo, Common, Yithian, 20 other languages; 100 ft.
Telepathy (Su) This creature can mentally communicate with any other creature within a certain range (specified in the creature’s entry, usually 100 feet) that has a language. It is possible to address multiple creatures at once telepathically, although maintaining a telepathic conversation with more than one creature at a time is just as difficult as simultaneously speaking and listening to multiple people at the same time.
SQ
ECOLOGY
Environment Any
Organization solitary, pair, band (3–9), or enclave (10–100)
Treasure standard
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Amnesia (Su) Once per day as a standard action, a yithian can attempt to inflict amnesia on a target it is able to communicate telepathically with. A target can resist this attack with a DC 21 Will save. If the target fails its save, it takes a permanent –4 penalty on Will saving throws and all skill checks, and loses all memories save for those the yithian chooses to leave intact. This effect can be cured by heal or greater restoration. This is a mind-affecting insanity effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Deadly Pincers (Ex) A yithian always applies 1–1/2 times its Strength modifier to damage dealt by its pincer attacks, and deals triple damage on a critical hit. Pincers are primary attacks for yithians.
Mind Swap (Su) As a full-round action, a yithian can trade minds with another living creature it is able to communicate telepathically with. This functions as magic jar, except the two minds trade bodies. An unwilling target can resist the mind swap with a DC 21 Will save, after which that particular yithian cannot attempt to swap minds with that creature again for 24 hours. The yithian can end the effect of this mind swap at any time and over any distance as a full-round action, instantly returning both minds to the proper bodies—if the yithian wishes, it may attempt to use its amnesia power on the other mind as a free action when it ends the mind swap in this way. This is a mind-affecting effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Scholar (Ex) Yithians treat all knowledge skills as class skills.

An egregore gives a fellowship's shared will a separate body and voice. A hospitable refuge and a ruthless conspiracy can produce very different guardians, each defending the purpose that unites its creators.

Size Its core spans about 12 feet and weighs roughly 300 pounds; extended light bands reach 13–15 feet across.
Signs Pulses of light accompany its presence. Nearby associates may react together to news that no one has spoken aloud.
Demeanor It speaks with the certainty of someone surrounded by agreement, returning difficult questions to the fellowship's shared purpose.
Encounters It watches how visitors treat its people. A trusted member's introduction can encourage conversation; threats against that member can prompt intervention.
Motivation Preserve its community and advance the purpose around which its members united.
Communication Telepathy carries its voice to outsiders, while bonded members share simple thoughts and emotions through their guardian.
Conflict It hovers beside allies, strengthening and healing them while hypnotic lights occupy foes outside the melee. Luminous lashes and psychic barriers let it shield its fellows when enemies close.
Special Traits Its brainlike core and floating emblem embody communal identity. The light bands can become solid enough to handle objects.
Social Life A psychic leader and twelve followers usually form its circle. Their guardian has its own personality, and disagreements with it may require persuasion.
Life Cycle A full gathering can ritually replace departed members. The egregore fades when its last sustaining bond ends.
Creation An egregore begins with thirteen people united around a common purpose: a strong-willed psychic leader and twelve followers whose latent mental energies the leader gathers through a shared ritual. Their combined will takes living form as a guardian shaped by the fellowship’s ideals, perhaps bearing an eye for a vigilant order or a shield for a protective community. Although bound to its creators and formed to advance their aims, the egregore possesses its own personality and exists as a distinct living being of the Material Plane, rather than a summoned outsider. Larger congregations can produce mightier manifestations; accounts tell of doomsday cults gathering hundreds of participants to awaken an abomination, only to lose control and perish at their creation’s hands. Its continued existence depends on the fellowship that sustains it, and when that community finally ceases to exist, the egregore dissolves into the psychic ether from which it arose.

CR 10 XP 9,600
N Large
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +7; Senses 60 ft., ; Perception +21
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Lifesense (Ex) Using nonvisual senses, this monster notices and locates living creatures within 60 feet. Invisibility, darkness, and most kinds of concealment are irrelevant, though the monster must have line of effect to a living creature to discern that creature. The monster usually does not need to make Perception checks to notice creatures within range of its lifesense ability.
Aura (30 ft., DC 22)
Mental Static Aura (Su) This creature creates a field around them that makes concentrating difficult. Living creatures within 30 feet must succeed at a concentration check (DC = 10 + 1/2 the HD of the creature with this aura + that creature’s Charisma modifier) to cast a spell with a thought component. Failing this check causes the spell to be lost with no effect. In addition, all spellcasters must attempt this check at the start of their turns if they are concentrating on an active spell or effect. Failing it means that they cease concentrating on the spell or effect. Creatures with this ability are immune to its effects and can cast spells normally.
DEFENSE
AC 27, touch 13, flat-footed 23 (+4 armor, +3 Dex, +1 dodge, +6 natural, +4 shield, –1 size)
hp 123 (13d8+65), 5
Fast Healing (Ex) This creature regains hit points swiftly, usually 1 or more per round, as given in the creature’s entry. Except as noted below, fast healing is just like natural healing. Fast healing does not restore hit points lost from starvation, suffocation, or thirst, nor does it allow a creature to regrow lost body parts. Unless otherwise stated, it does not allow lost body parts to be reattached. Fast healing continues to function (even at negative hit points) until a creature dies, at which point the effects of fast healing end immediately.
Fort +10, Ref +9, Will +15
Defensive Abilities ; 5/—; 21
Amorphous (Ex) This creature is malleable. It is immune to precision damage (like sneak attacks) and critical hits.
Damage Reduction (Ex or Su) The creature ignores damage from most weapons and natural attacks. Wounds heal immediately, or the weapon bounces off harmlessly; in either case, the opponent knows the attack was ineffective. The creature takes normal damage from energy attacks, including nonmagical ones, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. A certain kind of weapon can sometimes damage the creature normally, as described below.
     The entry indicates the amount of damage ignored, usually 5 to 15 points, and the type of weapon that negates the ability. Some monsters are vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Others are vulnerable to materials such as adamantine, cold iron, or silver. Attacks from weapons that are not the correct type or material have their damage reduced, although a high enhancement bonus can overcome some forms of damage reduction.
     Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, injury disease, and effects delivered only when the attack deals damage. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drain, and it does not affect poisons or diseases delivered by contact, ingestion, or inhalation. If damage reduction completely negates an attack’s damage, that attack does not disrupt a spell being cast.
     Damage reduction does not stack with itself. When a creature has more than one form, apply the single form that gives the greatest reduction against the attack; the attacker must overcome only the qualities required by the form being applied.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to magic weapons. A weapon with at least a +1 magical enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls overcomes this damage reduction; the +1 attack bonus from a masterwork weapon does not count as a magical enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons, but not their attacks with manufactured weapons, are treated as magic weapons for overcoming damage reduction. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with at least a +1 enhancement bonus is treated as magic for overcoming damage reduction.
     A few powerful monsters are vulnerable only to epic weapons—magic weapons with at least a +6 enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons are also treated as epic weapons for overcoming damage reduction.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to chaotic-, evil-, good-, or lawful-aligned weapons. When a cleric casts align weapon, affected weapons might gain one or more of these properties; certain magic weapons also have them. A creature with a chaotic, evil, good, or lawful alignment subtype overcomes matching damage reduction with its natural weapons and wielded weapons as though those attacks had the alignment or alignments matching its subtype. Ammunition fired from an aligned projectile weapon is treated as having that alignment for overcoming damage reduction.
     A weapon with a +3 enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction as though it were made of cold iron and silver. A weapon with a +4 enhancement bonus also overcomes damage reduction as though it were adamantine, but this does not allow it to ignore hardness. A weapon with a +5 enhancement bonus also overcomes alignment-based damage reduction. These equivalences are cumulative with the weapon’s actual material and alignment qualities.
     When a damage reduction entry has a — after the slash, no weapon negates it.
     If either of two listed attack types can overcome the reduction, a weapon that deals either type does so. If a listed combination is required, the weapon must have every listed type or quality; a weapon with only one remains subject to the damage reduction.
     A creature with Spell Resistance has the extraordinary ability to avoid the effects of spells and spell-like abilities that directly affect it. To determine if a spell or spell-like ability works against a creature with spell resistance, the caster must make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level). If the result equals or exceeds the creature’s spell resistance, the spell works normally, although the creature is still allowed a saving throw.
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., 40 ft. (perfect)
     A creature with a Fly speed can cease or resume flight as a free action on its turn. Without making a check, a flying creature can remain flying at the end of its turn so long as it moves a distance greater than half its speed. It can also turn up to 45 degrees during its turn by sacrificing 5 feet of movement, can rise at half speed at an angle of 45 degrees (ignoring the penalty for diagonal movement), and can descend at any angle at normal speed. At the beginning of its turn, a flying creature can move in a different direction than it did previously without needing a Fly check.
     A creature with a natural fly speed receives a bonus (or penalty) on Fly skill checks depending on its maneuverability:
• Clumsy –8
• Poor –4
• Average +0
• Good +4
• Perfect +8
     Creatures without a maneuverability rating are assumed to have average maneuverability and take no penalty on Fly checks. These modifiers are already included in the creature’s stat block.
Melee 4 +14 (1d8+6)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks , light tentacles 
(CL 13th; concentration +19)
     A creature with this ability can use the power of its mind to cast certain spells. Each spell cast using psychic magic consumes an amount of psychic energy. The creature has a maximum amount of psychic energy (PE) per day that refreshes after a night’s rest. A creature with this ability can cast any of the spells listed in this entry as long as it has enough psychic energy remaining to pay the spell’s PE cost. The DC for any of these spells is equal to 10 + the amount of psychic energy used to cast the spell + the creature’s Charisma or Intelligence modifier (whichever is higher). Creatures that gain access to undercast spells via this ability can cast an undercast version of the spell by spending 1 PE fewer for each level lower that the spell is cast. A psychic magic spell with a PE cost of 0 can be cast any number of times, and can be cast even if the creature has 0 PE remaining. The psychic magic granted by this ability has the same thought and emotion components as psychic spells. The monster can apply metamagic feats to these spells by spending an amount of additional PE equal to the level increase of the metamagic feat and by increasing the casting time as normal for spontaneously casting a metamagic spell. Because this ability grants psychic spellcasting, it also allows the creature to use occult skill unlocks.
24 PE—heal (6 PE), mass bear’s endurance (6 PE), mass bull’s strength (6 PE)
(CL 13th; concentration +19)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
Constant—mage armor, mental barrier I
At will—cure moderate wounds
STATISTICS
Str 22, Dex 17, Con 18, Int 19, Wis 20, Cha 23
Base Atk +9; +16; CMD 30
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , , , , ,
Combat Reflexes You may make a number of additional attacks of opportunity per round equal to your Dexterity bonus. With this feat, you may also make attacks of opportunity while .
Normal: A character without this feat can make only one attack of opportunity per round and can’t make attacks of opportunity while .
Special: The Combat Reflexes feat does not allow a rogue to use her opportunist ability more than once per round.
     A creature that has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, unable to react normally to the situation. A flat-footed creature cannot take immediate actions and loses their Dexterity bonus to AC and CMD (if any). The creature cannot make attacks of opportunity unless they have the Combat Reflexes feat or Uncanny Dodge class ability.
Dodge You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your AC. A condition that makes you lose your Dex bonus to AC also makes you lose the benefits of this feat.
Great Fortitude You get a +2 bonus on all Fortitude saving throws.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Iron Will You get a +2 bonus on all Will saving throws.
Lightning Reflexes You get a +2 bonus on all Reflex saving throws.
Toughness You gain +3 hit points. For every Hit Die you possess beyond 3, you gain an additional +1 hit point. If you have more than 3 Hit Dice, you gain +1 hit points whenever you gain a Hit Die (such as when you gain a level).
Skills Bluff +19, Escape Artist +19, Fly +25, Intimidate +22, Knowledge (arcana) +20, Perception +21, Sense Motive +18, Spellcraft +20
Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Infernal; 100 ft.
Telepathy (Su) This creature can mentally communicate with any other creature within a certain range (specified in the creature’s entry, usually 100 feet) that has a language. It is possible to address multiple creatures at once telepathically, although maintaining a telepathic conversation with more than one creature at a time is just as difficult as simultaneously speaking and listening to multiple people at the same time.
SQ ,
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization cult (1 plus 13–20 cultists)
Treasure standard
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Cult Mind (Su) An egregore is created by the combined will of a number of cult members equal to its Hit Dice (minimum 13), and can have a maximum number of members in its cult mind equal to its Hit Dice. Each member must be an intelligent, living creature. These cultists pour their collective psychic consciousness into the collaborative creation of the egregore, granting each member a number of advantages. Creating an egregore involves a ritual lasting 1 day and costing 1,000 gp per Hit Die of the egregore. New creatures can be added to the cult mind only if previous members die or depart. Adding a new member to the cult mind requires a ritual lasting 1 day and costing 1,000 gp. All the other members who are still a part of the cult mind must be present during this ritual or it fails.  As long as a member of the cult mind is within 1 mile of the egregore, the egregore can use any of its spell-like abilities on that member, regardless of the spell’s range. If a member of the cult mind is targeted by a mind-affecting spell, the egregore can attempt a Will save as well, and the cult member uses the better of the two results. If the cult member still fails, another member of the cult mind can choose to be affected instead.  In addition, the members of the cult mind share a limited form of telepathy: they are able to send and receive simple messages and emotions, much like the empathic link between a wizard and his familiar.  If a member of the cult mind is slain or travels more than 1 mile from the egregore, its link to the cult mind is severed, and every other member must succeed at a DC 20 Will save or be for 1 round. If the number of members in the cult mind drops below half of the number of Hit Dice possessed by the egregore, the egregore must succeed at a DC 20 Will save or suffer from confusion. The egregore can attempt a new save at the start of each round to regain its senses. As long as the remaining number of members is less than half the egregore’s Hit Dice, the egregore must attempt a new save each time a member of its cult mind is slain or leaves the cult mind. If the last member of the cult is slain or leaves the cult mind, the egregore dissipates harmlessly in 1d4 rounds. 
     A sickened character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
Hypnotic Oscillation (Sp) As a standard action, an egregore can weave a hypnotic pattern using its bands of light in a 10-foot radius around itself. Members of its cult mind are immune and don’t count towards the spell’s Hit Die limit, but otherwise this ability functions as the spell. 
Light Tentacles (Su) An egregore produces bands of light powered by its concentrated mental energy. It can cause these bands to become solid and lash out as tentacles. These tentacles follow all the normal rules for tentacles, except that they function as though they had the brilliant energy weapon special ability. 
Psychic Conduit (Ex) Any member of a cult mind can channel any psychic spells it casts through the egregore, as long as the cultist is within 30 feet of the egregore. If a cultist casts spells in this way, treat the egregore as if it were the spellcaster for purposes of the spell’s range, point of origin, and other functions that depend on the caster’s location. The creature casting the spell still provokes any attacks of opportunity or other negative consequences of casting a spell. The egregore takes 1d6 points of slashing damage per level of spell cast through it in this way as the energy cuts its way out of the creature, though its damage reduction applies. (A 0-level spell channeled through the egregore deals no damage to it.)

EGREGORE MASTER
When a larger cult creates an egregore, it is often considerably more dangerous than standard egregores. Use the following guidelines when creating an egregore master. An egregore master is created by combining the will of a powerful cult leader and his followers. While the minimum number of cultists required for the creation of a normal egregore is 13, the more members willing to surrender to the cult mind and the stronger their belief in the ideals of the leader, the more powerful the resultant being.  
Hit Dice: An egregore master always has more Hit Dice than a normal egregore, though after 13 Hit Dice, increasing its Hit Dice by 1 typically requires adding two or more cult members. An egregore master can have a cult of any size (minimum 15).  
Challenge Rating: For every 2 Hit Dice over 13 an egregore master possesses, increase its CR by 1. Size: Once an egregore master reaches 15 Hit Dice, its size increases to Huge; at 20 Hit Dice it becomes Gargantuan, and at 25 or more Hit Dice it becomes Colossal.  
Armor Class: An egregore master has a natural armor bonus equal to half its Hit Dice.  
Attacks: For every 3 Hit Dice the egregore master possesses beyond 13, it gains one additional light tentacle attack.  
Caster Level: An egregore master has a caster level equal to its HD or the caster level of the cult leader, whichever is lower.  
Psychic Magic: For every 2 Hit Dice the egregore master possesses above 13, it adds one spell to those it can cast using psychic magic, and its maximum PE increases by an amount equal to the spell’s level. An egregore master can choose a spell from any spell list, but it can’t choose a spell with a level equal to more than half its Hit Dice. Egregore masters typically choose spells that enhance the powers of their cult minds or protect their members. It is very rare for an egregore master to choose offensive spells.

Leng hounds are intelligent grave guardians from a distant nightmare realm. A stolen burial treasure can draw their attention far beyond the cemetery, turning a brief intrusion into a prolonged pursuit.

Size A typical Leng hound stands about 7 feet tall but weighs only 150 pounds.
Signs Scratching at shuttered windows, unexplained wingbeats, and gathering bats can precede its appearance. A pursued victim may hear howling that companions cannot hear.
Demeanor It prolongs uncertainty with mocking calls and glimpses of movement, letting its quarry wonder when the attack will come.
Encounters Visitors who leave a burial untouched might pass unchallenged. Returning stolen goods gives them something to negotiate over, but the hound may value punishment more than restitution.
Motivation Protect its chosen grave, punish intruders, and preserve access to the cemetery's carrion.
Conflict It harrows quarry with its howl and bat swarms, then swoops in to savage them with jaws and claws. Flight and short teleporting retreats keep it from being surrounded; when badly pressed, it returns magically to its linked grave to recover.
Special Traits A bond with the grave of someone evil in life lets it trace thieves and stolen goods across otherwise impossible distances.
Diet It eats carrion, including the cemetery's buried dead.
Lair It retracts its wings, fur, and jaws to wait inside a coffin as an apparent humanoid corpse.
Social Life It may work alone or in a small pack; several guardians need not reveal themselves together.
Origin These living horrors haunt ancient ruins on the nightmare plateau of Leng. Summoners draw them into grave service by offering a corpse furnished with valuable burial goods and access to the cemetery’s dead.
Resources Stolen grave goods can carry the guardian’s attention home with the thief, making restitution a practical question rather than an abstract moral one.

Calling A caster can contact a Leng hound through contact entity III, but must provide a corpse accompanied by grave goods worth at least 2,000 gp for the hound to guard.

CR 10 XP 9,600
CE Medium ()
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
     The Extraplanar subtype is applied to any creature when it is on a plane other than its native plane. A creature that travels the planes can gain or lose this subtype as it goes from plane to plane. Monster entries assume that encounters with creatures take place on the Material Plane, and every creature whose native plane is not the Material Plane has the extraplanar subtype (but would not have it when on its home plane). Creatures not labeled as extraplanar are natives of the Material Plane, and they gain the extraplanar subtype if they leave the Material Plane. No creature has the extraplanar subtype when it is on a Transitive Plane (the Astral Plane, the Ethereal Plane, or the Plane of Shadow).
Init +11; Senses 60 ft., , sense fear; Perception +21
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Scent (Ex) Scent allows a creature to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell. Creatures with the scent ability can identify familiar odors just as humans do familiar sights.
     The creature can detect opponents within 30 feet by sense of smell. If the opponent is upwind, the range increases to 60 feet; if downwind, it drops to 15 feet. Strong scents, such as smoke or rotting garbage, can be detected at twice the ranges noted above. Overpowering scents, such as skunk musk or troglodyte stench, can be detected at triple normal range.
     When a creature detects a scent, the exact location of the source is not revealed—only its presence somewhere within range. The creature can take a move action to note the direction of the scent. When the creature is within 5 feet of the source, it pinpoints the source’s location. This does not allow the creature to ignore any miss chance for concealment that would otherwise apply.
     A creature with the scent ability can follow tracks by smell, making a Wisdom (or Survival) check to find or follow a track. The typical DC for a fresh trail is 10 (no matter what kind of surface holds the scent). This DC increases or decreases depending on how strong the quarry’s odor is, the number of creatures, and the age of the trail. For each hour that the trail is cold, the DC increases by 2. The ability otherwise follows the rules for the Survival skill. Creatures tracking by scent ignore the effects of surface conditions and poor visibility.
DEFENSE
AC 25, touch 18, flat-footed 17 (+7 Dex, +1 dodge, +7 natural)
hp 123 (13d8+65); 10
Fast Healing (Ex) This creature regains hit points swiftly, usually 1 or more per round, as given in the creature’s entry. Except as noted below, fast healing is just like natural healing. Fast healing does not restore hit points lost from starvation, suffocation, or thirst, nor does it allow a creature to regrow lost body parts. Unless otherwise stated, it does not allow lost body parts to be reattached. Fast healing continues to function (even at negative hit points) until a creature dies, at which point the effects of fast healing end immediately.
Fort +9, Ref +11, Will +13
Defensive Abilities ; cold, disease
Negative Energy Affinity (Ex) This creature is alive but is healed by negative energy and harmed by positive energy, as if it were an undead creature.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., 40 ft. (good)
     A creature with a Fly speed can cease or resume flight as a free action on its turn. Without making a check, a flying creature can remain flying at the end of its turn so long as it moves a distance greater than half its speed. It can also turn up to 45 degrees during its turn by sacrificing 5 feet of movement, can rise at half speed at an angle of 45 degrees (ignoring the penalty for diagonal movement), and can descend at any angle at normal speed. At the beginning of its turn, a flying creature can move in a different direction than it did previously without needing a Fly check.
     A creature with a natural fly speed receives a bonus (or penalty) on Fly skill checks depending on its maneuverability:
• Clumsy –8
• Poor –4
• Average +0
• Good +4
• Perfect +8
     Creatures without a maneuverability rating are assumed to have average maneuverability and take no penalty on Fly checks. These modifiers are already included in the creature’s stat block.
Melee bite +18 (2d6+9/19–20), 2 claws +18 (1d6+9)
Special Attacks ,
(CL 12th; concentration +16)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
Constant—sense fear
At will—locate creature, locate object
3/day—dimension door, quickened summon swarm (bats only)
1/day—word of recall ()
STATISTICS
Str 29, Dex 24, Con 21, Int 14, Wis 20, Cha 19
Base Atk +9; +18; CMD 36
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , (bite), , , (summon swarm),
Dodge You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your AC. A condition that makes you lose your Dex bonus to AC also makes you lose the benefits of this feat.
Flyby Attack When flying, the creature can take a move action and another standard action at any point during the move. The creature cannot take a second move action during a round when it makes a flyby attack.
Normal: Without this feat, the creature takes a standard action either before or after its move.
Improved Critical (bite) When using the weapon you selected, your threat range is doubled.
Special: This effect doesn’t stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Mobility You get a +4 dodge bonus to Armor Class against attacks of opportunity caused when you move out of or within a threatened area. A condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses.
Dodge bonuses stack with each other, unlike most types of bonuses.
Quicken Spell-Like Ability (summon swarm) Choose one of the creature’s spell-like abilities, subject to the restrictions described in this feat. The creature can use the chosen spell-like ability as a quickened spell-like ability three times per day (or less, if the ability is normally usable only once or twice per day).
Using a quickened spell-like ability is a swift action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The creature can perform another action—including the use of another spell-like ability (but not another swift action)—in the same round that it uses a quickened spell-like ability. The creature may use only one quickened spell-like ability per round.
The creature can only select a spell-like ability duplicating a spell with a level less than or equal to 1/2 its caster level (round down) – 4. For a summary, see the table below.
A spell-like ability that duplicates a spell with a casting time greater than 1 full round cannot be quickened.

Spell Level	Caster Level to Empower	Caster Level to Quicken
0	4th	8th
1st	6th	10th
2nd	8th	12th
3rd	10th	14th
4th	12th	16th
5th	14th	18th
6th	16th	20th
7th	18th	—
8th	20th	—
9th	—	—

Normal: The use of a spell-like ability normally requires a standard action (at the very least) and provokes an attack of opportunity.
Vital Strike When you use the attack action, you can make one attack at your highest base attack bonus that deals additional damage. Roll the weapon’s damage dice for the attack twice and add the results together before adding bonuses from Strength, weapon abilities (such as flaming), precision-based damage, and other damage bonuses. These extra weapon damage dice are not multiplied on a critical hit, but are added to the total.
Skills Acrobatics +23, Disguise +17 (+27 when using ), Fly +27, Perception +21, Stealth +23, Survival +21
Racial Modifiers +10 Disguise when using charnel deception
Languages Aklo, Common
SQ charnel deception, (as human skeleton when using charnel deception), grave link,
Freeze (Ex) This creature can hold itself so still it appears to be an inanimate object of the appropriate shape (a statue, patch of fungus, and so on). The creature can take 20 on its Stealth check to hide in plain sight as this kind of inanimate object.
No Breath (Ex) This monster does not breathe, and is immune to effects that require breathing (such as inhaled poison). This does not give immunity to cloud or gas attacks that do not require breathing.
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary or pack (2–8)
Treasure standard
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Charnel Deception (Ex) A Leng hound can retract its bestial features into its body as a full-round action—its fur and wings retract, the skin covering them slithers into hidden cavities, and its jaws pull back into a humanlike face. This grants it a +10 bonus on Disguise checks to appear as the decayed corpse of a slightly deformed human or similarly sized humanoid. 
Grave Link (Su) As a full-round action, a Leng hound can designate a grave containing the corpse of a creature that was evil in life as its grave link. When the Leng hound uses word of recall, it returns to this grave (a Leng hound with no active grave link cannot use word of recall). If a creature disturbs this grave or loots it, the Leng hound’s locate creature and locate object spell-like abilities have no range limit when searching for the creature that disturbed the grave or any objects looted from the grave. 
Haunting Howl (Su) Three times per day, a Leng hound can emit a deep, sardonic howl. Only creatures within 300 feet that the Leng hound has tracked or attempted to find with divination spell-like abilities can hear this haunting howl. Such creatures must succeed at a DC 20 Will save or take 1d4 points of Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma damage and become for 1 hour. This is a mind-affecting fear effect. The save DC is Charisma-based. 
     A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than or .
     A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Frightened is like shaken, except that the creature must flee if possible. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear.
     A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can’t take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened.
     The character is frozen in fear and can take no actions. A cowering character takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class and loses their Dexterity bonus (if any).
Mutilate (Ex) A Leng hound savages its victims, shredding flesh and crushing bones. Whenever a Leng hound hits a creature with all three natural attacks in a single round, or with Vital Strike, the target must succeed at a DC 21 Fortitude save or take 2 points of Constitution drain. The save DC is Constitution-based.

A trench mist is a thinking battlefield fog that turns casualties into a company of its own. It carries war beyond the battle that created it, hunting survivors and raiding settlements to replenish its servants' weapons and supplies.

Size Its cloud usually spans about 20 feet and weighs less than a pound.
Signs Moving silhouettes and soldiers' equipment emerge within discolored ground fog; the dead advance together beneath its cover.
Demeanor It drifts with deliberate purpose, waiting for an opening before its soldiers move together.
Encounters Battlefield scavengers and rescuers offer fresh victims. Armies familiar with these mists sometimes call a cease-fire and evacuate after gas attacks; their abandoned positions can remain dangerous long after the fighting stops.
Communication It has no speaking voice but addresses nearby minds, drawing on the experience of the dead within it.
Conflict It rolls over clustered living foes, scalding and draining them while concealed servants strike from within. They sense enemies through its cover; the cloud itself can slip through cracks when opposed.
Special Traits The cloud cannot carry or manipulate objects, so its servants handle weapons, doors, and other solid equipment.
Relationships Its juju zombies contribute memories and practiced skills to its consciousness. A veteran soldier among them can make the whole company more resourceful.
Life Cycle Those killed inside the mist may rise moments later as juju zombies bound to it. Deprived of this company, the mist can settle into battlefield soil for years, until farming or renewed war awakens it.
Origin Trench mists arise when lingering poisonous gases absorb the souls and anguish of soldiers killed in mass attacks. Both battlefield chemicals and deadly magical vapors can give rise to them, turning the means of slaughter into a consciousness intent on continuing it.

CR 10 XP 9,600
NE Gargantuan ()
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
     The air subtype is usually used for outsiders with a connection to the Elemental Plane of Air. Air creatures always have fly speeds and usually have perfect maneuverability. Air creatures treat Fly as a class skill.
Init +9; Senses 60 ft., ; Perception +25
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Lifesense (Ex) Using nonvisual senses, this monster notices and locates living creatures within 60 feet. Invisibility, darkness, and most kinds of concealment are irrelevant, though the monster must have line of effect to a living creature to discern that creature. The monster usually does not need to make Perception checks to notice creatures within range of its lifesense ability.
DEFENSE
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 6 (+5 Dex, +1 dodge, –4 size)
hp 127 (15d8+60); 5
Fast Healing (Ex) This creature regains hit points swiftly, usually 1 or more per round, as given in the creature’s entry. Except as noted below, fast healing is just like natural healing. Fast healing does not restore hit points lost from starvation, suffocation, or thirst, nor does it allow a creature to regrow lost body parts. Unless otherwise stated, it does not allow lost body parts to be reattached. Fast healing continues to function (even at negative hit points) until a creature dies, at which point the effects of fast healing end immediately.
Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +10
Defensive Abilities , ; 10/magic; acid, electricity, sonic
Amorphous (Ex) This creature is malleable. It is immune to precision damage (like sneak attacks) and critical hits.
Negative Energy Affinity (Ex) This creature is alive but is healed by negative energy and harmed by positive energy, as if it were an undead creature.
Damage Reduction (Ex or Su) The creature ignores damage from most weapons and natural attacks. Wounds heal immediately, or the weapon bounces off harmlessly; in either case, the opponent knows the attack was ineffective. The creature takes normal damage from energy attacks, including nonmagical ones, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. A certain kind of weapon can sometimes damage the creature normally, as described below.
     The entry indicates the amount of damage ignored, usually 5 to 15 points, and the type of weapon that negates the ability. Some monsters are vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Others are vulnerable to materials such as adamantine, cold iron, or silver. Attacks from weapons that are not the correct type or material have their damage reduced, although a high enhancement bonus can overcome some forms of damage reduction.
     Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, injury disease, and effects delivered only when the attack deals damage. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drain, and it does not affect poisons or diseases delivered by contact, ingestion, or inhalation. If damage reduction completely negates an attack’s damage, that attack does not disrupt a spell being cast.
     Damage reduction does not stack with itself. When a creature has more than one form, apply the single form that gives the greatest reduction against the attack; the attacker must overcome only the qualities required by the form being applied.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to magic weapons. A weapon with at least a +1 magical enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls overcomes this damage reduction; the +1 attack bonus from a masterwork weapon does not count as a magical enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons, but not their attacks with manufactured weapons, are treated as magic weapons for overcoming damage reduction. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with at least a +1 enhancement bonus is treated as magic for overcoming damage reduction.
     A few powerful monsters are vulnerable only to epic weapons—magic weapons with at least a +6 enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons are also treated as epic weapons for overcoming damage reduction.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to chaotic-, evil-, good-, or lawful-aligned weapons. When a cleric casts align weapon, affected weapons might gain one or more of these properties; certain magic weapons also have them. A creature with a chaotic, evil, good, or lawful alignment subtype overcomes matching damage reduction with its natural weapons and wielded weapons as though those attacks had the alignment or alignments matching its subtype. Ammunition fired from an aligned projectile weapon is treated as having that alignment for overcoming damage reduction.
     A weapon with a +3 enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction as though it were made of cold iron and silver. A weapon with a +4 enhancement bonus also overcomes damage reduction as though it were adamantine, but this does not allow it to ignore hardness. A weapon with a +5 enhancement bonus also overcomes alignment-based damage reduction. These equivalences are cumulative with the weapon’s actual material and alignment qualities.
     When a damage reduction entry has a — after the slash, no weapon negates it.
     If either of two listed attack types can overcome the reduction, a weapon that deals either type does so. If a listed combination is required, the weapon must have every listed type or quality; a weapon with only one remains subject to the damage reduction.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft. (perfect)
     A creature with a Fly speed can cease or resume flight as a free action on its turn. Without making a check, a flying creature can remain flying at the end of its turn so long as it moves a distance greater than half its speed. It can also turn up to 45 degrees during its turn by sacrificing 5 feet of movement, can rise at half speed at an angle of 45 degrees (ignoring the penalty for diagonal movement), and can descend at any angle at normal speed. At the beginning of its turn, a flying creature can move in a different direction than it did previously without needing a Fly check.
     A creature with a natural fly speed receives a bonus (or penalty) on Fly skill checks depending on its maneuverability:
• Clumsy –8
• Poor –4
• Average +0
• Good +4
• Perfect +8
     Creatures without a maneuverability rating are assumed to have average maneuverability and take no penalty on Fly checks. These modifiers are already included in the creature’s stat block.
Melee touch +7 (6d6 acid plus 6d6 negative energy)
Space 20 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks , ing mists (DC 22, 6d6 acid plus 6d6 negative energy)
Engulf (Ex) This creature can engulf creatures in its path as part of a standard action. It cannot make other attacks during a round in which it engulfs. The creature merely has to move over its opponents, affecting as many as it can cover. Targeted creatures can make attacks of opportunity against the creature, but if they do so, they are not entitled to a saving throw against the engulf attack. Those who do not attempt attacks of opportunity can attempt a Reflex save to avoid being engulfed—on a success, they are pushed back or aside (target’s choice) as the creature moves forward. Engulfed opponents gain the condition, are in danger of , are trapped within the creature’s body until they are no longer pinned, and may be subject to other special attacks from the creature. The save DC is Strength-based.
     A pinned creature is tightly bound and can take few actions. A pinned creature cannot move and is denied its Dexterity bonus. A pinned character also takes an additional –4 penalty to his Armor Class. A pinned creature is limited in the actions that it can take. A pinned creature can always attempt to free itself, usually through a combat maneuver check or Escape Artist check. A pinned creature can take verbal and mental actions, but cannot cast any spells that require a somatic or material component. A pinned character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level) or lose the spell. Pinned is a more severe version of , and their effects do not stack.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
     A character who has no air to breathe can hold her breath for 2 rounds per point of Constitution. If a character takes a standard or full-round action, the remaining duration that the character can hold her breath is reduced by 1 round. After this period of time, the character must make a DC 10 Constitution check in order to continue holding her breath. The check must be repeated each round, with the DC increasing by +1 for each previous success. When the character fails one of these Constitution checks, she begins to suffocate. In the first round, she falls (0 hit points). In the following round, she drops to –1 hit points and is dying. In the third round, she suffocates and dies.
     Unconscious creatures are knocked out and . Unconsciousness can result from having negative hit points (but not more than the creature’s Constitution score), or from nonlethal damage in excess of current hit points.
     A helpless character is paralyzed, held, bound, sleeping, unconscious, or otherwise completely at an opponent’s mercy. A helpless target is treated as having a Dexterity of 0 (–5 modifier). Melee attacks against a helpless target get a +4 bonus (equivalent to attacking a prone target). Ranged attacks get no special bonus against helpless targets. Rogues can sneak attack helpless targets.
     As a full-round action, an enemy can use a melee weapon to deliver a coup de grace to a helpless foe. An enemy can also use a bow or crossbow, provided he is adjacent to the target. The attacker automatically hits and scores a critical hit. (A rogue also gets his sneak attack damage bonus against a helpless foe when delivering a coup de grace.) If the defender survives, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or die. Delivering a coup de grace provokes attacks of opportunity.
     Creatures that are immune to critical hits do not take critical damage, nor do they need to make Fortitude saves to avoid being killed by a coup de grace.
STATISTICS
Str —, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 7, Wis 13, Cha 10
Base Atk +11; +15; CMD 31 (can’t be tripped)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats (engulfing mists), , , , , , (Perception),
Ability Focus (engulfing mists) Choose one of the creature’s special attacks. Add +2 to the DC for all saving throws against the special attack on which the creature focuses.
Combat Reflexes You may make a number of additional attacks of opportunity per round equal to your Dexterity bonus. With this feat, you may also make attacks of opportunity while .
Normal: A character without this feat can make only one attack of opportunity per round and can’t make attacks of opportunity while .
Special: The Combat Reflexes feat does not allow a rogue to use her opportunist ability more than once per round.
     A creature that has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, unable to react normally to the situation. A flat-footed creature cannot take immediate actions and loses their Dexterity bonus to AC and CMD (if any). The creature cannot make attacks of opportunity unless they have the Combat Reflexes feat or Uncanny Dodge class ability.
Dodge You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your AC. A condition that makes you lose your Dex bonus to AC also makes you lose the benefits of this feat.
Flyby Attack When flying, the creature can take a move action and another standard action at any point during the move. The creature cannot take a second move action during a round when it makes a flyby attack.
Normal: Without this feat, the creature takes a standard action either before or after its move.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Mobility You get a +4 dodge bonus to Armor Class against attacks of opportunity caused when you move out of or within a threatened area. A condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses.
Dodge bonuses stack with each other, unlike most types of bonuses.
Skill Focus (Perception) You get a +3 bonus on all checks involving the chosen skill. If you have 10 or more ranks in that skill, this bonus increases to +6.
Toughness You gain +3 hit points. For every Hit Die you possess beyond 3, you gain an additional +1 hit point. If you have more than 3 Hit Dice, you gain +1 hit points whenever you gain a Hit Die (such as when you gain a level).
Skills Fly +25, Perception +25
Languages Common (can’t speak); 30 ft.
Telepathy (Su) This creature can mentally communicate with any other creature within a certain range (specified in the creature’s entry, usually 100 feet) that has a language. It is possible to address multiple creatures at once telepathically, although maintaining a telepathic conversation with more than one creature at a time is just as difficult as simultaneously speaking and listening to multiple people at the same time.
SQ ,
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary, pair, or horror (3–5)
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Create Juju Zombie (Su) A trench mist can animate any corporeal creature that is slain while engulfed within the mist’s form. The victim rises as a juju zombie in 1d4 rounds, and is under the control of the trench mist that created it. A juju zombie becomes free-willed if it is separated from its parent trench mist. A trench mist can animate and control a number of juju zombies whose Hit Die total does not exceed twice the trench mist’s own Hit Dice. Any additional juju zombies beyond that become free-willed.
Engulfing Mists (Ex) A trench mist can engulf foes. A creature engulfed by a trench mist does not gain the condition and can move normally—such a creature is not in danger of suffocating, but as long as it begins its turn engulfed, it takes the trench mist’s touch damage. A trench mist’s vapors obscure sight as per the spell obscuring mist. The save DC to avoid the engulfing mists is Constitution-based.
     A pinned creature is tightly bound and can take few actions. A pinned creature cannot move and is denied its Dexterity bonus. A pinned character also takes an additional –4 penalty to his Armor Class. A pinned creature is limited in the actions that it can take. A pinned creature can always attempt to free itself, usually through a combat maneuver check or Escape Artist check. A pinned creature can take verbal and mental actions, but cannot cast any spells that require a somatic or material component. A pinned character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level) or lose the spell. Pinned is a more severe version of , and their effects do not stack.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Gaseous (Ex) A trench mist has a body composed of vapor. This form grants it the amorphous defensive ability and allows it to pass through small holes or even mere cracks with no reduction to its speed, but it can’t enter water or other liquids. A trench mist doesn’t have a Strength score. It can’t manipulate or wear objects, and it is treated as a creature three size categories smaller than its actual size (Medium for most trench mists) for the purpose of how wind affects it.
Juju Zombie Symbiosis (Su) Because of its symbiotic relationship with the juju zombies it creates, a trench mist shares its senses with its animated zombies as long as they are engulfed within its form, granting them lifesense and making them immune to the concealment the trench mist imposes upon creatures within and outside of its foggy form.

Moon-beasts conduct an interworld trade in captives, dispatching black galleys to distant ports. An encounter may begin as a commercial proposition while concealing a plan to turn visitors into cargo.

Size A typical adult is about 9 feet long and weighs around 800 pounds.
Signs Black galleys, a penetrating foul odor, and intermediaries offering unusually fine rubies can announce their presence before the masters appear.
Demeanor They expect obedience and linger over another creature's distress, treating submission as an achievement to savor.
Encounters A trader may negotiate through an agent while secretly reading visitors' thoughts. Useful information or a profitable bargain can delay hostility, but hospitality may conceal preparations for abduction.
Communication They converse telepathically and perceive their surroundings without eyes; their silence gives no assurance that they have overlooked an intruder.
Conflict It spreads confusion and turns opponents against companions from behind a screen of servants. At close quarters, rending tentacles sap mental resilience to heal its wounds. It can escape into the air or flee alone to another plane.
Special Traits Their yielding bodies squeeze through narrow openings, and they need not breathe, making ordinary cells unreliable confinement.
Diet Captives may become food, mine and field laborers, or sacrifices to its otherworldly patrons.
Lair Their stone cities overlook dark, oily seas on the far side of the dreaming moon. Elsewhere, cliffside trading stations and shipboard quarters shelter them near cargo and prisoners.
Social Life Cabals cooperate in commerce and worship, relying on captive crews and agents to sustain their enterprises.
Relationships Denizens of Leng serve as merchants and crews, sometimes as partners and sometimes as slaves. Their shared dealings do not assure equal standing.
Origin Moon-beasts hail from the shared moon of sleeping minds in the Dimension of Dream. Ancient frescoes depict black galleys arriving on the nightmare plateau of Leng and its people submitting to their crews’ masters as gods. The moon-beasts themselves worship demanding powers beyond the stars, gathering captives as offerings as well as merchandise.
Resources Cargo may include rubies, ritual objects, and unfamiliar goods. Transaction records can lead rescuers toward prisoners who have already been sold or transported onward.

CR 11 XP 12,800
CE Large
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +7; Senses 90 ft.; Perception +21
Blindsight (Ex) Using nonvisual senses, such as sensitivity to vibrations, keen smell, acute hearing, or echolocation, a creature with blindsight can maneuver and fight as well as a sighted creature. Invisibility, darkness, and most kinds of concealment are irrelevant, though a creature with blindsight must have line of effect to an object or another creature to discern that object or creature. The ability’s range is specified in the creature’s descriptive text. The creature usually does not need to succeed at Perception checks to notice creatures within range of its blindsight ability. Unless noted otherwise, blindsight is continuous, and the creature doesn’t need to do anything to use it. Some forms of blindsight, however, must be triggered as a free action. If so, this is noted in the creature’s description. If a creature must trigger its blindsight ability, it gains the benefits of blindsight only during its turn.
DEFENSE
AC 25, touch 13, flat-footed 21 (+3 Dex, +1 dodge, +12 natural, –1 size)
hp 133 (14d8+70)
Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +15
Defensive Abilities ; 10/piercing or slashing; cold, gaze attacks, illusions, poison; electricity 30; 22
Amorphous (Ex) This creature is malleable. It is immune to precision damage (like sneak attacks) and critical hits.
Damage Reduction (Ex or Su) The creature ignores damage from most weapons and natural attacks. Wounds heal immediately, or the weapon bounces off harmlessly; in either case, the opponent knows the attack was ineffective. The creature takes normal damage from energy attacks, including nonmagical ones, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. A certain kind of weapon can sometimes damage the creature normally, as described below.
     The entry indicates the amount of damage ignored, usually 5 to 15 points, and the type of weapon that negates the ability. Some monsters are vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Others are vulnerable to materials such as adamantine, cold iron, or silver. Attacks from weapons that are not the correct type or material have their damage reduced, although a high enhancement bonus can overcome some forms of damage reduction.
     Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, injury disease, and effects delivered only when the attack deals damage. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drain, and it does not affect poisons or diseases delivered by contact, ingestion, or inhalation. If damage reduction completely negates an attack’s damage, that attack does not disrupt a spell being cast.
     Damage reduction does not stack with itself. When a creature has more than one form, apply the single form that gives the greatest reduction against the attack; the attacker must overcome only the qualities required by the form being applied.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to magic weapons. A weapon with at least a +1 magical enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls overcomes this damage reduction; the +1 attack bonus from a masterwork weapon does not count as a magical enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons, but not their attacks with manufactured weapons, are treated as magic weapons for overcoming damage reduction. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with at least a +1 enhancement bonus is treated as magic for overcoming damage reduction.
     A few powerful monsters are vulnerable only to epic weapons—magic weapons with at least a +6 enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons are also treated as epic weapons for overcoming damage reduction.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to chaotic-, evil-, good-, or lawful-aligned weapons. When a cleric casts align weapon, affected weapons might gain one or more of these properties; certain magic weapons also have them. A creature with a chaotic, evil, good, or lawful alignment subtype overcomes matching damage reduction with its natural weapons and wielded weapons as though those attacks had the alignment or alignments matching its subtype. Ammunition fired from an aligned projectile weapon is treated as having that alignment for overcoming damage reduction.
     A weapon with a +3 enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction as though it were made of cold iron and silver. A weapon with a +4 enhancement bonus also overcomes damage reduction as though it were adamantine, but this does not allow it to ignore hardness. A weapon with a +5 enhancement bonus also overcomes alignment-based damage reduction. These equivalences are cumulative with the weapon’s actual material and alignment qualities.
     When a damage reduction entry has a — after the slash, no weapon negates it.
     If either of two listed attack types can overcome the reduction, a weapon that deals either type does so. If a listed combination is required, the weapon must have every listed type or quality; a weapon with only one remains subject to the damage reduction.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
Resistance (Ex) This creature ignores some damage of the indicated type each time it takes damage of that kind, commonly acid, cold, electricity, or fire. The entry indicates the amount and type of damage ignored. Resistance is not immunity, and it applies whether the damage has a mundane or magical source. When resistance completely negates damage from an energy attack, that attack does not disrupt spellcasting. This resistance does not stack with resistance provided by a spell.
     A creature with Spell Resistance has the extraordinary ability to avoid the effects of spells and spell-like abilities that directly affect it. To determine if a spell or spell-like ability works against a creature with spell resistance, the caster must make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level). If the result equals or exceeds the creature’s spell resistance, the spell works normally, although the creature is still allowed a saving throw.
OFFENSE
Speed 50 ft., 20 ft.; air walk
Melee 2 claws +15 (1d6+6), 4 tentacles +11 (1d6+3)
     A creature with a Climb speed has a +8 racial bonus on all Climb checks. The creature must make a Climb check to climb any wall or slope with a DC higher than 0, but it can always choose to take 10, even if rushed or threatened while climbing. If a creature with a climb speed chooses an accelerated climb, it moves at double its climb speed (or at its land speed, whichever is slower) and makes a single Climb check at a –5 penalty. Such a creature retains its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) while climbing, and opponents get no special bonus to their attacks against it. It cannot, however, use the run action while climbing.
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks (2 tentacles, 1d6+9 plus )
Rend (Ex) If it hits with two or more natural attacks in 1 round, this creature causes tremendous damage by latching onto the opponent’s body and tearing flesh. This automatically deals the listed additional damage, but no more than once per round. The type of attacks that must hit and the additional damage are included in the creature’s description.
(CL 11th; concentration +18)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier unless the creature’s entry explicitly declares another ability-score basis; that individual declaration governs its block and is not overridden by this generic popup.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
Constant—air walk
At will—detect thoughts (DC 19)
3/day—charm monster (DC 21), dispel magic, dominate person (DC 22), shadow conjuration (DC 21), shadow evocation (DC 22), veil (DC 23)
1/day—confusion (DC 21), major image (DC 20), mirage arcana (DC 22), plane shift (self only)
STATISTICS
Str 22, Dex 17, Con 20, Int 19, Wis 18, Cha 25
Base Atk +10; +17; CMD 31
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , , , , , (tentacle)
Combat Casting You get a +4 bonus on concentration checks made to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability when casting on the defensive or while .
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Dodge You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your AC. A condition that makes you lose your Dex bonus to AC also makes you lose the benefits of this feat.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Iron Will You get a +2 bonus on all Will saving throws.
Lightning Reflexes You get a +2 bonus on all Reflex saving throws.
Mobility You get a +4 dodge bonus to Armor Class against attacks of opportunity caused when you move out of or within a threatened area. A condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses.
Dodge bonuses stack with each other, unlike most types of bonuses.
Weapon Focus (tentacle) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.
Skills Climb +14, Diplomacy +14, Intimidate +24, Knowledge (arcana) +11, Knowledge (planes) +18, Perception +21, Sense Motive +18, Spellcraft +21, Stealth +24, Use Magic Device +21
Racial Modifiers +8 Stealth
Languages Aklo (cannot speak); 300 ft.
Telepathy (Su) This creature can mentally communicate with any other creature within a certain range (specified in the creature’s entry, usually 100 feet) that has a language. It is possible to address multiple creatures at once telepathically, although maintaining a telepathic conversation with more than one creature at a time is just as difficult as simultaneously speaking and listening to multiple people at the same time.
SQ ,
Compression (Ex) This creature can move through an area as small as one-quarter its space without squeezing, or one-eighth its space when squeezing.
No Breath (Ex) This monster does not breathe, and is immune to effects that require breathing (such as inhaled poison). This does not give immunity to cloud or gas attacks that do not require breathing.
ECOLOGY
Environment any land
Organization solitary, pair, or cabal (3–5)
Treasure double
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Wisdom Drain (Su) A creature that takes rend damage from a moon-beast must succeed at a DC 22 Will save or take 1d4 points of Wisdom drain. A moon-beast heals 5 points of damage for each point of Wisdom it drains in this manner. If it drains a victim to 0 Wisdom, the moon-beast gains the effects of a heal spell. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Syrictas are ritual-bred enforcers created by serpentfolk. Their makers bind formidable strength and a cruel temperament to obedience, producing guards that may defend an order long after their own survival is in doubt.

Size An adult stands about 9 feet tall and weighs roughly 550 pounds.
Signs A broad tangle of winding trails can resemble several snakes passing together rather than one heavy creature.
Demeanor An uncommanded syricta asserts itself with threats and torments anyone who appears unable to retaliate.
Encounters A guard confronts visitors according to its orders; learning whom or what it protects gives negotiations a starting point. An unsupervised syricta may back down from confident resistance.
Motivation Its master’s orders override self-preservation; without commands, personal safety comes before loyalty to a place or companion.
Conflict It bowls through opponents with its biting lower snakes, then seizes and constricts a survivor. Surrounded, it exhales a brief venom cloud to discourage enemies from closing; it flees a losing fight unless ordered to stand and die.
Special Traits Its smaller heads can use weapons and tools, though an occupied head cannot bite.
Social Life Independent groups submit to the strongest member but seldom last. Syrictas cannot breed replacements and form few lasting attachments.
Origin A ritual transfers the vitality of snake eggs into a malformed serpentfolk egg. Its makers condition the resulting hybrid to accept their commands.

CR 12 XP 19,200
CE Large
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +2; Senses 60 ft., ; Perception +22
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Scent (Ex) Scent allows a creature to detect approaching enemies, sniff out hidden foes, and track by sense of smell. Creatures with the scent ability can identify familiar odors just as humans do familiar sights.
     The creature can detect opponents within 30 feet by sense of smell. If the opponent is upwind, the range increases to 60 feet; if downwind, it drops to 15 feet. Strong scents, such as smoke or rotting garbage, can be detected at twice the ranges noted above. Overpowering scents, such as skunk musk or troglodyte stench, can be detected at triple normal range.
     When a creature detects a scent, the exact location of the source is not revealed—only its presence somewhere within range. The creature can take a move action to note the direction of the scent. When the creature is within 5 feet of the source, it pinpoints the source’s location. This does not allow the creature to ignore any miss chance for concealment that would otherwise apply.
     A creature with the scent ability can follow tracks by smell, making a Wisdom (or Survival) check to find or follow a track. The typical DC for a fresh trail is 10 (no matter what kind of surface holds the scent). This DC increases or decreases depending on how strong the quarry’s odor is, the number of creatures, and the age of the trail. For each hour that the trail is cold, the DC increases by 2. The ability otherwise follows the rules for the Survival skill. Creatures tracking by scent ignore the effects of surface conditions and poor visibility.
DEFENSE
AC 29, touch 11, flat-footed 27 (+2 Dex, +18 natural, –1 size)
hp 178 (17d8+102)
Fort +11, Ref +9, Will +12 
mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison; 23
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
     A creature with Spell Resistance has the extraordinary ability to avoid the effects of spells and spell-like abilities that directly affect it. To determine if a spell or spell-like ability works against a creature with spell resistance, the caster must make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level). If the result equals or exceeds the creature’s spell resistance, the spell works normally, although the creature is still allowed a saving throw.
Weaknesses
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee 3 bites +22 (2d6+10/19–20 plus ), tentacle +20 (1d6+5 plus )
Grab (Ex) If this creature hits with the indicated attack, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it takes a –20 penalty on its CMB check to make and maintain the grapple, but does not gain the grappled condition itself. A successful hold does not deal any extra damage unless the creature also has the constrict special attack. If the creature does not constrict, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals the damage indicated for the attack that established the hold. Otherwise, it deals constriction damage as well (the amount is given in the creature’s descriptive text).
     Creatures with the grab special attack receive a +4 bonus on combat maneuver checks made to start and maintain a grapple.
     Unless otherwise noted, grab can only be used against targets of a size equal to or smaller than the creature with this ability. If the creature can use grab on creatures of other sizes, it is noted in the creature’s Special Attacks line.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Poison (Ex or Su) This creature can deliver poison by the method specified in its entry. The entry gives the poison’s save, frequency, effect, and cure. When no other formula is given, the save is usually Fortitude DC 10 + 1/2 the creature’s racial Hit Dice + its Constitution modifier. Neutralize poison and similar effects remove poison normally.
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks (1d6+10), , ,
Constrict (Ex) This creature can crush an opponent when it makes a successful check, dealing bludgeoning damage in addition to any other effects caused by a successful check, including additional damage. The amount of damage is given in the creature’s entry and is typically equal to the amount of damage caused by the creature’s melee attack.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
STATISTICS
Str 31, Dex 14, Con 22, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 17
Base Atk +12; +23 (+27 overrun); CMD 35 (37 vs. overrun, can’t be tripped)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , (bite), , , , , , (bite), (tentacle)
Greater Overrun You receive a +2 bonus on checks made to overrun a foe. This bonus stacks with the bonus granted by Improved Overrun. Whenever you overrun opponents, they provoke attacks of opportunity if they are knocked by your overrun.
Normal: Creatures knocked by your overrun do not provoke an attack of opportunity.
     The character is lying on the ground. A prone attacker has a –4 penalty on melee attack rolls and cannot use a ranged weapon (except for a crossbow). A prone defender gains a +4 bonus to Armor Class against ranged attacks, but takes a –4 penalty to AC against melee attacks. Standing up is a move-equivalent action that provokes an attack of opportunity.
Improved Critical (bite) When using the weapon you selected, your threat range is doubled.
Special: This effect doesn’t stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon.
Improved Overrun You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when performing an overrun combat maneuver. In addition, you receive a +2 bonus on checks made to overrun a foe. You also receive a +2 bonus to your Combat Maneuver Defense whenever an opponent tries to overrun you. Targets of your overrun attempt may not choose to avoid you.
Normal: You provoke an attack of opportunity when performing an overrun combat maneuver.
Intimidating Prowess Add your Strength modifier to Intimidate skill checks in addition to your Charisma modifier.
Lightning Reflexes You get a +2 bonus on all Reflex saving throws.
Multiattack The creature’s secondary attacks with natural weapons take only a –2 penalty.
Normal: Without this feat, the creature’s secondary attacks with natural weapons take a –5 penalty.
Power Attack You can choose to take a –1 penalty on all melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +2 bonus on all melee damage rolls. This bonus to damage is increased by half (+50%) if you are making an attack with a two-handed weapon, a one-handed weapon using two hands, or a primary natural weapon that adds 1-1/2 times your Strength modifier on damage rolls. This bonus to damage is halved (–50%) if you are making an attack with an off-hand weapon or secondary natural weapon. When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every 4 points thereafter, the penalty increases by –1 and the bonus to damage increases by +2. You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn. The bonus damage does not apply to touch attacks or effects that do not deal hit point damage.
Weapon Focus (bite) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.
Weapon Focus (tentacle) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.
Skills Intimidate +31, Perception +22, Survival +7
Languages Aklo, Draconic, Undercommon
ECOLOGY
Environment any land
Organization solitary, pair, knot (3–5)
Treasure standard
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Poison (Ex) Bite—injury; save Fort DC 24; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d4 Strength; cure 2 consecutive saves. 
Poison Cloud (Ex) Once per day as a swift action, a syricta can exhale a poisonous cloud from its nostrils in a 20-foot radius centered on it. Any creature within the cloud or entering it must immediately succeed at a DC 24 Fortitude save or be affected by the syricta’s poison. The cloud dissipates at the beginning of the syricta’s next turn. 
Serpentfolk Pawn (Ex) A syricta’s immunity to mind-affecting effects doesn’t apply against serpentfolk or any effects originating from a serpentfolk (for example, a mind fog cast by a serpentfolk would bypass the syricta’s immunity to mind-affecting effects). 
Snake Overrun (Ex) The numerous snake heads and tails of a syricta’s lower torso deal 6d6 points of bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage to creatures when it succeeds on an overrun combat maneuver against them. Creatures that take damage from a syricta’s snake overrun are also subjected to the syricta’s poison.

An argus is a solitary guardian whose monstrous appearance conceals a lonely, thoughtful mind. Its long watch leaves room for conversation and a love of beautiful things, provided visitors respect the responsibility that binds it.

Size A typical adult stands about 25 feet tall and weighs 18,000 pounds.
Signs Enormous footprints and a repeatedly worn vantage point can reveal its station before visitors reach the guarded boundary.
Demeanor Loneliness and ridicule weigh heavily on it. Respectful visitors bearing songs or stories may find a thoughtful companion beneath the brooding exterior.
Encounters It must believe visitors intend neither harm nor theft. Permission to converse does not grant permission to approach its charge.
Conflict It hurls stones at approaching attackers, then seizes and crushes those who close, sometimes tearing at their eyes. Its many eyes foil flanking, and it can catch hurled boulders. It usually holds its station when pursuit would expose its charge.
Special Traits Its vision penetrates darkness, mist, and magical disguises, while distant movement remains remarkably clear. It also detects magical attempts to watch it, making covert observation difficult even for visitors who remain physically concealed.
Territory Its duty centers on a specific place, object, or captive. It may welcome company beyond that boundary while refusing to yield a single step within it.
Origin An argus belongs to an ancient lineage related to titans, reshaped by a deity into a restless sentry. The transformation commonly punishes an affront or rebellion, turning the creature’s continuing service into a reminder of its conflict with divine authority.
Resources Its recollections may preserve useful history, offered during an otherwise uneventful watch. Whatever it guards is not automatically its property to give away.

CR 13/MR 6 XP 25,600
LN Gargantuan ()
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
     A creature with the mythic subtype is infused with mythic power. The following benefits are already reflected in its stat block.
   • Ability-score increases based on mythic rank.
   • Additional hit points per mythic rank based on Hit Die type.
   • DR 5/epic with at least 5 Hit Dice; if it already has DR, add epic to the qualities required to bypass it.
   • Mythic feats are improved versions of ordinary feats and are marked `M`; preserve that marker because it changes the feat used.
   • Mythic Power (Su) and Surge (Su), with effects determined by mythic rank.
   • Mythic rank from 1 to 10.
   • Natural armor increase equal to mythic rank.
   • If the creature has spell resistance, increase it by mythic rank.
Init +12M; Senses , arcane sight, 60 ft., detect scrying, , , , true seeing; Perception +29
All-Around Vision (Ex) This creature sees in all directions at once. It cannot be flanked.
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Mistsight (Ex) The monster can see through fog, mist, and murky water as if they were perfectly clear, ignoring the miss chance for these obstructions, up to its normal range of vision.
See in Darkness (Su) This creature can see perfectly in darkness of any kind, including that created by deeper darkness.
Aura (40 ft., DC 16)
Frightful Presence (Ex) This special quality makes a creature’s very presence unsettling to foes. Activating this ability is a free action that is usually part of an attack or charge. This ability can only be used once per turn. Opponents within range who witness the action may become , , or . Unless specified otherwise, the range is 30 feet and the duration is 5d6 rounds. This ability affects only opponents with fewer Hit Dice than the creature has. An opponent can resist the effects with a successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the frightful creature’s racial HD + the frightful creature’s Cha modifier; the exact DC is given in the creature’s descriptive text). An opponent that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to further effects from that same creature’s frightful presence for 24 hours. On a failed save, the opponent is , or if it is already shaken. A frightened opponent who fails their save becomes instead, and any creature with 4 Hit Dice or fewer automatically becomes panicked on any failed save. Frightful presence is a mind-affecting fear effect.
     A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
     A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Frightened is like shaken, except that the creature must flee if possible.
     A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can’t take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened.
     The character is frozen in fear and can take no actions. A cowering character takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class and loses their Dexterity bonus (if any).
DEFENSE
AC 30, touch 12, flat-footed 28 (+2 Dex, +4 insight, +18 natural, –4 size)
hp 184 (13d8+126)
Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +9
Defensive Abilities , ; 10/epic; blindness, dazzled; cold 30, fire 30
Rock Catching (Ex) This creature can catch Small, Medium, or Large rocks (or projectiles of similar shape). Once per round, a creature that would normally be hit by a rock 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 creature must be aware of the attack in order to make a rock catching attempt.
Damage Reduction (Ex or Su) The creature ignores damage from most weapons and natural attacks. Wounds heal immediately, or the weapon bounces off harmlessly; in either case, the opponent knows the attack was ineffective. The creature takes normal damage from energy attacks, including nonmagical ones, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. A certain kind of weapon can sometimes damage the creature normally, as described below.
     The entry indicates the amount of damage ignored, usually 5 to 15 points, and the type of weapon that negates the ability. Some monsters are vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Others are vulnerable to materials such as adamantine, cold iron, or silver. Attacks from weapons that are not the correct type or material have their damage reduced, although a high enhancement bonus can overcome some forms of damage reduction.
     Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, injury disease, and effects delivered only when the attack deals damage. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drain, and it does not affect poisons or diseases delivered by contact, ingestion, or inhalation. If damage reduction completely negates an attack’s damage, that attack does not disrupt a spell being cast.
     Damage reduction does not stack with itself. When a creature has more than one form, apply the single form that gives the greatest reduction against the attack; the attacker must overcome only the qualities required by the form being applied.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to magic weapons. A weapon with at least a +1 magical enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls overcomes this damage reduction; the +1 attack bonus from a masterwork weapon does not count as a magical enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons, but not their attacks with manufactured weapons, are treated as magic weapons for overcoming damage reduction. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with at least a +1 enhancement bonus is treated as magic for overcoming damage reduction.
     A few powerful monsters are vulnerable only to epic weapons—magic weapons with at least a +6 enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons are also treated as epic weapons for overcoming damage reduction.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to chaotic-, evil-, good-, or lawful-aligned weapons. When a cleric casts align weapon, affected weapons might gain one or more of these properties; certain magic weapons also have them. A creature with a chaotic, evil, good, or lawful alignment subtype overcomes matching damage reduction with its natural weapons and wielded weapons as though those attacks had the alignment or alignments matching its subtype. Ammunition fired from an aligned projectile weapon is treated as having that alignment for overcoming damage reduction.
     A weapon with a +3 enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction as though it were made of cold iron and silver. A weapon with a +4 enhancement bonus also overcomes damage reduction as though it were adamantine, but this does not allow it to ignore hardness. A weapon with a +5 enhancement bonus also overcomes alignment-based damage reduction. These equivalences are cumulative with the weapon’s actual material and alignment qualities.
     When a damage reduction entry has a — after the slash, no weapon negates it.
     If either of two listed attack types can overcome the reduction, a weapon that deals either type does so. If a listed combination is required, the weapon must have every listed type or quality; a weapon with only one remains subject to the damage reduction.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
Resistance (Ex) This creature ignores some damage of the indicated type each time it takes damage of that kind, commonly acid, cold, electricity, or fire. The entry indicates the amount and type of damage ignored. Resistance is not immunity, and it applies whether the damage has a mundane or magical source. When resistance completely negates damage from an energy attack, that attack does not disrupt spellcasting. This resistance does not stack with resistance provided by a spell.
Weaknesses to fascination and sleep
Vulnerability (Ex) A creature with vulnerabilities takes half again as much damage (+50%) from a specific energy type, regardless of whether a saving throw is allowed or if the save is a success or failure. Creatures with a vulnerability that is not an energy type instead take a –4 penalty on saves against spells and effects that cause or use the listed vulnerability (such as spells with the light descriptor). Some creatures might suffer additional effects, as noted in their descriptions.
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee 2 claws +20 (3d6+14 plus ), bite +19 (2d8+14)
Grab (Ex) If this creature hits with the indicated attack, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it takes a –20 penalty on its CMB check to make and maintain the grapple, but does not gain the grappled condition itself. A successful hold does not deal any extra damage unless the creature also has the constrict special attack. If the creature does not constrict, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals the damage indicated for the attack that established the hold. Otherwise, it deals constriction damage as well (the amount is given in the creature’s descriptive text).
     Creatures with the grab special attack receive a +4 bonus on combat maneuver checks made to start and maintain a grapple.
     Unless otherwise noted, grab can only be used against targets of a size equal to or smaller than the creature with this ability. If the creature can use grab on creatures of other sizes, it is noted in the creature’s Special Attacks line.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Ranged rock +8 (3d6+14)
Space 20 ft.; Reach 20 ft.
Special Attacks , (3d6+14), , fascinating , 6/day, +1d8), (2 claws, 3d6+21), (200 ft.)
Constrict (Ex) This creature can crush an opponent when it makes a successful check, dealing bludgeoning damage in addition to any other effects caused by a successful check, including additional damage. The amount of damage is given in the creature’s entry and is typically equal to the amount of damage caused by the creature’s melee attack.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Gaze (Su) A Gaze attack takes effect automatically when foes look at the attacking creature’s eyes. The typical range is 30 feet, but check the creature’s entry for details. A successful saving throw negates the effect. Each opponent within range of a gaze attack must attempt a saving throw each round at the beginning of his or her turn in the initiative order. Only looking directly at a creature with a gaze attack leaves an opponent vulnerable. Opponents can avoid the need to make the saving throw by not looking at the creature, in one of two ways.
     Averting Eyes: The opponent avoids looking at the creature’s face, instead looking at its body, watching its shadow, tracking it in a reflective surface, etc. Each round, the opponent has a 50% chance to avoid having to make a saving throw against the gaze attack. The creature with the gaze attack, however, gains concealment (20% miss chance) against that opponent.
     Wearing a Blindfold: The foe cannot see the creature at all (also possible to achieve by turning one’s back on the creature or shutting one’s eyes). The creature with the gaze attack gains total concealment (50% miss chance) against the opponent.
     A creature with a gaze attack can also actively gaze as an attack action by choosing a target within range. That opponent must attempt a saving throw but can try to avoid this as described above. Thus, it is possible for an opponent to save against a creature’s gaze twice during the same round, once before the opponent’s action and once during the creature’s turn.
     Gaze attacks can affect ethereal opponents. A creature is immune to gaze attacks of others of its kind unless otherwise noted. Allies of a creature with a gaze attack might be affected. All the creature’s allies are considered to be averting their eyes from the creature with the gaze attack, and have a 50% chance to not need to make a saving throw against the gaze attack each round. The creature can also veil its eyes, thus negating its gaze ability.
Mythic Power (Su) The Mythic monster can draw upon a wellspring of power to accomplish amazing deeds and cheat fate. Each day, it can expend a number of uses of Mythic Power equal to its Mythic Rank. This amount is its maximum amount of Mythic Power. If an ability allows it to regain Mythic Power, it can never gain more than this amount. The monster automatically has the Surge ability, and can use this Mythic Power to activate it. It may have other abilities that rely on Mythic Power.
Surge (Su) This creature can call upon its Mythic Power to overcome difficult challenges. It can expend one use of Mythic Power to increase any d20 roll it just made by rolling a die and adding it to the result. Using this ability is an immediate action taken after the original roll is made and the results are revealed. The bonus die depends on the creature’s Mythic Rank. The monster can use this ability even if it’s mindless or of animal-level intelligence.
Rend (Ex) If it hits with two or more natural attacks in 1 round, this creature causes tremendous damage by latching onto the opponent’s body and tearing flesh. This automatically deals the listed additional damage, but no more than once per round. The type of attacks that must hit and the additional damage are included in the creature’s description.
Rock Throwing (Ex) This creature is an accomplished rock thrower and has a +1 racial bonus on attack rolls with thrown rocks. It can hurl rocks up to two categories smaller than its size; for example, a Large hill giant can hurl Small rocks. A “rock” is any large, bulky, and relatively regularly shaped object made of any material with a hardness of at least 5 (equal to wood). The creature can hurl the rock up to five range increments. The size of the range increment varies with the creature. Damage from a thrown rock is generally twice the creature’s base slam damage plus 1-1/2 times its Strength bonus.
(CL 14th; concentration +20)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
Constant—arcane sight, detect scrying, true seeing
At will—arcane eye, clairaudience/clairvoyance, status, true strike
3/day—quickened true strike
STATISTICS
Str 39, Dex 14, Con 23, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +9; +27 (+31 grapple); CMD 43
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats M, M, M, , (true strike), (Perception), (claw)
Alertness (Mythic) The bonus on Perception and Sense Motive skill checks from Alertness increases by 2. In addition, you can expend one use of to treat a Perception or Sense Motive check as if you had rolled a natural 20. You must decide to use this ability before making the roll.
Mythic Power (Su) The Mythic monster can draw upon a wellspring of power to accomplish amazing deeds and cheat fate. Each day, it can expend a number of uses of Mythic Power equal to its Mythic Rank. This amount is its maximum amount of Mythic Power. If an ability allows it to regain Mythic Power, it can never gain more than this amount. The monster automatically has the Surge ability, and can use this Mythic Power to activate it. It may have other abilities that rely on Mythic Power.
Combat Reflexes (Mythic) You can make any number of additional attacks of opportunity per round. As a swift action, you can expend one use of to, until the start of your next turn, make attacks of opportunity against foes you’ve already made attacks of opportunity against this round if they provoke attacks of opportunity from you by moving.
Mythic Power (Su) The Mythic monster can draw upon a wellspring of power to accomplish amazing deeds and cheat fate. Each day, it can expend a number of uses of Mythic Power equal to its Mythic Rank. This amount is its maximum amount of Mythic Power. If an ability allows it to regain Mythic Power, it can never gain more than this amount. The monster automatically has the Surge ability, and can use this Mythic Power to activate it. It may have other abilities that rely on Mythic Power.
Improved Initiative (Mythic) The bonus on initiative checks granted by Improved Initiative increases by an amount equal to your tier. This bonus stacks with the bonus from Improved Initiative. In addition, instead of rolling initiative, you can expend one use of to treat your roll as a natural 20.
Mythic Power (Su) The Mythic monster can draw upon a wellspring of power to accomplish amazing deeds and cheat fate. Each day, it can expend a number of uses of Mythic Power equal to its Mythic Rank. This amount is its maximum amount of Mythic Power. If an ability allows it to regain Mythic Power, it can never gain more than this amount. The monster automatically has the Surge ability, and can use this Mythic Power to activate it. It may have other abilities that rely on Mythic Power.
Intimidating Prowess Add your Strength modifier to Intimidate skill checks in addition to your Charisma modifier.
Quicken Spell-Like Ability (true strike) Choose one of the creature’s spell-like abilities, subject to the restrictions described in this feat. The creature can use the chosen spell-like ability as a quickened spell-like ability three times per day (or less, if the ability is normally usable only once or twice per day).
Using a quickened spell-like ability is a swift action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The creature can perform another action—including the use of another spell-like ability (but not another swift action)—in the same round that it uses a quickened spell-like ability. The creature may use only one quickened spell-like ability per round.
The creature can only select a spell-like ability duplicating a spell with a level less than or equal to 1/2 its caster level (round down) – 4. For a summary, see the table below.
A spell-like ability that duplicates a spell with a casting time greater than 1 full round cannot be quickened.

Spell Level	Caster Level to Empower	Caster Level to Quicken
0	4th	8th
1st	6th	10th
2nd	8th	12th
3rd	10th	14th
4th	12th	16th
5th	14th	18th
6th	16th	20th
7th	18th	—
8th	20th	—
9th	—	—

Normal: The use of a spell-like ability normally requires a standard action (at the very least) and provokes an attack of opportunity.
Skill Focus (Perception) You get a +3 bonus on all checks involving the chosen skill. If you have 10 or more ranks in that skill, this bonus increases to +6.
Weapon Focus (claw) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.
Skills Climb +24, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +30, Knowledge (history) +10, Perception +29 (+37 on vision–based Perception checks), Sense Motive +23, Swim +24
Racial Modifiers +8 on vision-based Perception checks
Languages Aklo, Celestial, Common
ECOLOGY
Environment any land
Organization solitary
Treasure standard
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Absolute Readiness (Ex) An argus is never surprised or flat-footed. It can act in the surprise round as if it were a normal round.
Accurate Strikes (Ex) An argus’s attacks ignore the AC bonus granted to targets by any cover less than total cover, and the miss chance granted to targets by any concealment less than total concealment.
Eye Gouge (Ex) If an argus rends or pins an opponent, as a swift action it can attempt a dirty trick maneuver to the target. If its combat maneuver check exceeds the DC by 10 or more, the opponent is permanently .
     A blinded creature cannot see. It takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class, loses its Dexterity bonus to AC (if any), and takes a –4 penalty on most Strength– and Dexterity-based skill checks and on opposed Perception skill checks. All checks and activities that rely on vision (such as reading and Perception checks based on sight) automatically fail. All opponents are considered to have total concealment (50% miss chance) against the blinded character. Blinded creatures must make a DC 10 Acrobatics skill check to move faster than half speed. Creatures that fail this check fall prone. Characters who remain blinded for a long time grow accustomed to these drawbacks and can overcome some of them.
Fascinating Gaze (Su) A creature within 40 feet of an argus must succeed at a DC 16 Will saving throw or be for 5d6 rounds. If the creature has 4 or fewer Hit Dice, it is instead for 5d6 rounds. An argus can’t use this ability in the same round it uses frightful presence. The save DC is Charisma-based.
     A fascinated creature is entranced by a supernatural or spell effect. The creature stands or sits quietly, taking no actions other than to pay attention to the fascinating effect, for as long as the effect lasts. It takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat, such as a hostile creature approaching, allows the fascinated creature a new saving throw against the fascinating effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a ranged weapon at the fascinated creature, automatically breaks the effect. A fascinated creature’s ally may shake it free of the spell as a standard action.
     The creature is unable to act normally. A dazed creature can take no actions, but has no penalty to AC. A dazed condition typically lasts 1 round.
Limitless Vision (Ex) An argus takes no distance penalties on Perception checks.

Flying polyps are alien conquerors that build cities and destroy rival civilizations with wind. Their sealed ruins may still hold the builders, nursing defeats older than the surrounding kingdoms.

Size A typical polyp extends about 30 feet but weighs no more than 2,000 pounds.
Signs Whistling drafts and wind-scoured masonry betray their presence; the piping can continue after its source vanishes from view.
Demeanor Calculated and implacable, they can nurse a defeat for ages. Intelligence makes them purposeful enemies, not reliable negotiating partners.
Encounters Opening a sealed shaft can release a polyp into passages far beyond its former prison. It treats nearby inhabitants as obstacles to reclaiming the surface.
Conflict Clinging winds hinder escape while violent blasts scatter groups. It seizes isolated targets with its tentacles, shielding itself with directed gusts, flight, and flickering visibility.
Special Traits Its damp flesh becomes intermittently transparent or invisible. Wounds release gusts and whistling air instead of ordinary blood.
Lair Sand-laden winds carve its towers and chambers from basalt. Deep wells connect ancient ruins to occupied caverns whose architecture offers unfamiliar routes and awkward footing.
Social Life Small war bands cooperate in construction and campaigns; their cities show little interest in trade or ordinary civic life.
Life Cycle They appear not to die of old age. A sealed cavern may hold survivors of a war whose other witnesses vanished long ago.
Origin Flying polyps have carried their wars from world to world; some can surround themselves with stolen air and lead their kind through space. Other peoples have occasionally defeated these invaders and imprisoned the survivors underground. The yithians number among their ancient adversaries. Geological upheavals can breach forgotten prisons, releasing conquerors still intent on avenging the humiliation of their defeat.

CR 14 XP 38,400
CE Huge ()
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
     The air subtype is usually used for outsiders with a connection to the Elemental Plane of Air. Air creatures always have fly speeds and usually have perfect maneuverability. Air creatures treat Fly as a class skill.
Init +6; Senses 60 ft.; Perception +26
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Aura (90 ft., DC 24)
Frightful Presence (Ex) This special quality makes a creature’s very presence unsettling to foes. Activating this ability is a free action that is usually part of an attack or charge. This ability can only be used once per turn. Opponents within range who witness the action may become , , or . Unless specified otherwise, the range is 30 feet and the duration is 5d6 rounds. This ability affects only opponents with fewer Hit Dice than the creature has. An opponent can resist the effects with a successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the frightful creature’s racial HD + the frightful creature’s Cha modifier; the exact DC is given in the creature’s descriptive text). An opponent that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to further effects from that same creature’s frightful presence for 24 hours. On a failed save, the opponent is , or if it is already shaken. A frightened opponent who fails their save becomes instead, and any creature with 4 Hit Dice or fewer automatically becomes panicked on any failed save. Frightful presence is a mind-affecting fear effect.
     A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.
     A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Frightened is like shaken, except that the creature must flee if possible.
     A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can’t take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened.
     The character is frozen in fear and can take no actions. A cowering character takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class and loses their Dexterity bonus (if any).
DEFENSE
AC 29, touch 16, flat-footed 26 (+5 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +13 natural, –2 size)
hp 207 (18d8+126)
Fort +13, Ref +12, Will +16
Defensive Abilities , , ; 10/magic and slashing; acid, cold, sonic; 25
Amorphous (Ex) This creature is malleable. It is immune to precision damage (like sneak attacks) and critical hits.
Damage Reduction (Ex or Su) The creature ignores damage from most weapons and natural attacks. Wounds heal immediately, or the weapon bounces off harmlessly; in either case, the opponent knows the attack was ineffective. The creature takes normal damage from energy attacks, including nonmagical ones, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. A certain kind of weapon can sometimes damage the creature normally, as described below.
     The entry indicates the amount of damage ignored, usually 5 to 15 points, and the type of weapon that negates the ability. Some monsters are vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Others are vulnerable to materials such as adamantine, cold iron, or silver. Attacks from weapons that are not the correct type or material have their damage reduced, although a high enhancement bonus can overcome some forms of damage reduction.
     Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, injury disease, and effects delivered only when the attack deals damage. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drain, and it does not affect poisons or diseases delivered by contact, ingestion, or inhalation. If damage reduction completely negates an attack’s damage, that attack does not disrupt a spell being cast.
     Damage reduction does not stack with itself. When a creature has more than one form, apply the single form that gives the greatest reduction against the attack; the attacker must overcome only the qualities required by the form being applied.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to magic weapons. A weapon with at least a +1 magical enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls overcomes this damage reduction; the +1 attack bonus from a masterwork weapon does not count as a magical enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons, but not their attacks with manufactured weapons, are treated as magic weapons for overcoming damage reduction. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with at least a +1 enhancement bonus is treated as magic for overcoming damage reduction.
     A few powerful monsters are vulnerable only to epic weapons—magic weapons with at least a +6 enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons are also treated as epic weapons for overcoming damage reduction.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to chaotic-, evil-, good-, or lawful-aligned weapons. When a cleric casts align weapon, affected weapons might gain one or more of these properties; certain magic weapons also have them. A creature with a chaotic, evil, good, or lawful alignment subtype overcomes matching damage reduction with its natural weapons and wielded weapons as though those attacks had the alignment or alignments matching its subtype. Ammunition fired from an aligned projectile weapon is treated as having that alignment for overcoming damage reduction.
     A weapon with a +3 enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction as though it were made of cold iron and silver. A weapon with a +4 enhancement bonus also overcomes damage reduction as though it were adamantine, but this does not allow it to ignore hardness. A weapon with a +5 enhancement bonus also overcomes alignment-based damage reduction. These equivalences are cumulative with the weapon’s actual material and alignment qualities.
     When a damage reduction entry has a — after the slash, no weapon negates it.
     If either of two listed attack types can overcome the reduction, a weapon that deals either type does so. If a listed combination is required, the weapon must have every listed type or quality; a weapon with only one remains subject to the damage reduction.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
     A creature with Spell Resistance has the extraordinary ability to avoid the effects of spells and spell-like abilities that directly affect it. To determine if a spell or spell-like ability works against a creature with spell resistance, the caster must make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level). If the result equals or exceeds the creature’s spell resistance, the spell works normally, although the creature is still allowed a saving throw.
Weaknesses to electricity
Vulnerability (Ex) A creature with vulnerabilities takes half again as much damage (+50%) from a specific energy type, regardless of whether a saving throw is allowed or if the save is a success or failure. Creatures with a vulnerability that is not an energy type instead take a –4 penalty on saves against spells and effects that cause or use the listed vulnerability (such as spells with the light descriptor). Some creatures might suffer additional effects, as noted in their descriptions.
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., 60 ft. (perfect)
     A creature with a Fly speed can cease or resume flight as a free action on its turn. Without making a check, a flying creature can remain flying at the end of its turn so long as it moves a distance greater than half its speed. It can also turn up to 45 degrees during its turn by sacrificing 5 feet of movement, can rise at half speed at an angle of 45 degrees (ignoring the penalty for diagonal movement), and can descend at any angle at normal speed. At the beginning of its turn, a flying creature can move in a different direction than it did previously without needing a Fly check.
     A creature with a natural fly speed receives a bonus (or penalty) on Fly skill checks depending on its maneuverability:
• Clumsy –8
• Poor –4
• Average +0
• Good +4
• Perfect +8
     Creatures without a maneuverability rating are assumed to have average maneuverability and take no penalty on Fly checks. These modifiers are already included in the creature’s stat block.
Melee 4 tentacles +21 (1d8+9/19–20 plus )
Grab (Ex) If this creature hits with the indicated attack, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it takes a –20 penalty on its CMB check to make and maintain the grapple, but does not gain the grappled condition itself. A successful hold does not deal any extra damage unless the creature also has the constrict special attack. If the creature does not constrict, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals the damage indicated for the attack that established the hold. Otherwise, it deals constriction damage as well (the amount is given in the creature’s descriptive text).
     Creatures with the grab special attack receive a +4 bonus on combat maneuver checks made to start and maintain a grapple.
     Unless otherwise noted, grab can only be used against targets of a size equal to or smaller than the creature with this ability. If the creature can use grab on creatures of other sizes, it is noted in the creature’s Special Attacks line.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks (1d8+9), ,
Constrict (Ex) This creature can crush an opponent when it makes a successful check, dealing bludgeoning damage in addition to any other effects caused by a successful check, including additional damage. The amount of damage is given in the creature’s entry and is typically equal to the amount of damage caused by the creature’s melee attack.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
(CL 14th; concentration +19)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier unless the creature’s entry explicitly declares another ability-score basis; that individual declaration governs its block and is not overridden by this generic popup.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
At will—alter winds, gust of wind (DC 17), whispering wind, wind walk
3/day—control winds (DC 20), river of wind (DC 19), wind wall
1/day—control weather, whirlwind (DC 23)
STATISTICS
Str 28, Dex 15, Con 24, Int 19, Wis 20, Cha 21
Base Atk +13; +24 (+28 grapple); CMD 42 (can’t be tripped)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , , (tentacle), , , , , (tentacle)
Combat Reflexes You may make a number of additional attacks of opportunity per round equal to your Dexterity bonus. With this feat, you may also make attacks of opportunity while .
Normal: A character without this feat can make only one attack of opportunity per round and can’t make attacks of opportunity while .
Special: The Combat Reflexes feat does not allow a rogue to use her opportunist ability more than once per round.
     A creature that has not yet acted during a combat is flat-footed, unable to react normally to the situation. A flat-footed creature cannot take immediate actions and loses their Dexterity bonus to AC and CMD (if any). The creature cannot make attacks of opportunity unless they have the Combat Reflexes feat or Uncanny Dodge class ability.
Dodge You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your AC. A condition that makes you lose your Dex bonus to AC also makes you lose the benefits of this feat.
Flyby Attack When flying, the creature can take a move action and another standard action at any point during the move. The creature cannot take a second move action during a round when it makes a flyby attack.
Normal: Without this feat, the creature takes a standard action either before or after its move.
Improved Critical (tentacle) When using the weapon you selected, your threat range is doubled.
Special: This effect doesn’t stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Mobility You get a +4 dodge bonus to Armor Class against attacks of opportunity caused when you move out of or within a threatened area. A condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses.
Dodge bonuses stack with each other, unlike most types of bonuses.
Power Attack You can choose to take a –1 penalty on all melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +2 bonus on all melee damage rolls. This bonus to damage is increased by half (+50%) if you are making an attack with a two-handed weapon, a one-handed weapon using two hands, or a primary natural weapon that adds 1-1/2 times your Strength modifier on damage rolls. This bonus to damage is halved (–50%) if you are making an attack with an off-hand weapon or secondary natural weapon. When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every 4 points thereafter, the penalty increases by –1 and the bonus to damage increases by +2. You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn. The bonus damage does not apply to touch attacks or effects that do not deal hit point damage.
Vital Strike When you use the attack action, you can make one attack at your highest base attack bonus that deals additional damage. Roll the weapon’s damage dice for the attack twice and add the results together before adding bonuses from Strength, weapon abilities (such as flaming), precision-based damage, and other damage bonuses. These extra weapon damage dice are not multiplied on a critical hit, but are added to the total.
Weapon Focus (tentacle) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.
Skills Fly +27, Knowledge (engineering) +22, Knowledge (history) +22, Knowledge (nature) +22, Perception +26, Spellcraft +25, Stealth +15, Use Magic Device +23
Languages Aklo
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary, pair, or storm (3–10)
Treasure standard
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Deflecting Winds (Su) A flying polyp’s mastery over air and wind allows it to surround itself with blasts of precisely aimed gusts, granting the creature a +5 deflection bonus to its Armor Class and a +4 resistance bonus on Reflex saving throws.
Partial Invisibility (Su) A flying polyp’s body constantly flickers and shifts, passing from visibility to invisibility in a seemingly random pattern and often not wholly at once, leaving the creature’s body in what appear to be multiple sections. This ability, combined with the flying polyp’s amorphous, elastic form, makes it difficult to target the creature, granting it a 20% miss chance against all attacks. By concentrating, a flying polyp can become fully invisible.
Sucking Wind (Su) This attack allows the flying polyp to send an eerie wind out to slow and eventually stop a creature’s escape. The wind itself isn’t particularly strong, but it creates a peculiar sucking sensation as if it were attempting to pull creatures back toward the flying polyp. Activating this ability is a full-round action, and it must concentrate each round to maintain the effect. The sucking wind manifests as a 100-foot-radius spread, with the flying polyp at the center. Each round the polyp maintains concentration, the sucking wind’s radius increases by 100 feet, to a maximum radius of a mile. A flying polyp can detect creatures within this area via tremorsense. As a free action, it can increase the effects of the sucking wind on up to five different creatures within the area at one time. Each targeted creature must succeed at a DC 26 Fortitude save each round it remains in the area of the sucking wind or it is slowed until it leaves the area. A creature already under the effects of any slowing effect (such as from this sucking wind or a slow spell) that fails this save is held in place for 1 round—it is not , but cannot move via any means. Freedom of movement protects against the effects of the sucking wind, and control winds negates its effects in the area of effect of the control winds spell. Natural windstorms or other powerful winds have no effect on a sucking wind. A flying polyp can activate a sucking wind once per day, and can maintain concentration on the effect for up to an hour. The save DC is Constitution-based.
     A helpless character is paralyzed, held, bound, sleeping, unconscious, or otherwise completely at an opponent’s mercy. A helpless target is treated as having a Dexterity of 0 (–5 modifier). Melee attacks against a helpless target get a +4 bonus (equivalent to attacking a prone target). Ranged attacks get no special bonus against helpless targets. Rogues can sneak attack helpless targets.
     As a full-round action, an enemy can use a melee weapon to deliver a coup de grace to a helpless foe. An enemy can also use a bow or crossbow, provided he is adjacent to the target. The attacker automatically hits and scores a critical hit. (A rogue also gets his sneak attack damage bonus against a helpless foe when delivering a coup de grace.) If the defender survives, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or die. Delivering a coup de grace provokes attacks of opportunity.
     Creatures that are immune to critical hits do not take critical damage, nor do they need to make Fortitude saves to avoid being killed by a coup de grace.
Wind Blast (Su) Once every 1d4 rounds as a standard action, a flying polyp can create a powerful blast of wind at a range of up to 120 feet. This blast of wind creates a sudden explosion of flesh-scouring wind in a 30-foot-radius burst. All creatures within this area take 14d6 points of bludgeoning damage, with a successful DC 26 Reflex save halving the damage. In addition, these winds can check or blow away creatures as if they were tornado-strength winds. The save DC is Constitution-based.

A conqueror worm rules from concealment, treating communities as instruments of its amusement. Beneath a seat of power, it cultivates influential servants and arranges rivalries whose apparent winners may serve the same hidden master.

Size A typical worm reaches about 80 feet in length and weighs 70 tons.
Signs Opposing leaders may repeatedly make decisions that benefit the same hidden interest. Secret excavations or protected underground routes can provide a more tangible lead.
Demeanor Patient and theatrical, it lets victims believe they choose freely, arranging reversals whose cruelty becomes apparent only after they commit themselves.
Encounters Its agents may offer employment, patronage, or privileged information before anyone meets the worm. A useful party can be recruited against another of its own servants.
Motivation It wants the private satisfaction of directing a society’s choices. When that game grows stale, it engineers catastrophe and seeks another realm to manipulate.
Communication It uses speech, dreams, and persuasive telepathy to reach potential servants. Mental conversation can establish a lasting bond, through which it sends further messages and invades the victim’s mind from afar.
Conflict Controlled servants delay attackers while it breaks dangerous opponents’ resolve. Acid and a swallowing maw punish anyone reaching its refuge; it can burrow away while its agents continue the fight.
Special Traits A worm can grant divine magic to worshippers, giving its claim to godhood a tangible foundation. Each worm has its own holy emblem, often a ring of eyes.
Territory Compromised officials and dependencies form its true domain. Rival factions may serve the same master, letting it profit from a change of government.
Lair It shelters in a defended underground chamber beneath or near its chosen seat of power. Its mental bonds let it direct distant agents without exposing this refuge.
Relationships Cultists treat it as a god, while many officials never learn the nature of their patron. When its games end, even favored servants may receive a final summons underground to be killed by their master.
Life Cycle At death, it may seize someone already bound to its mind. The host loses hair, grows pale and swollen, then forms a cocoon and emerges as the worm’s new body. Expelling the possessing mind before the change finishes can save the host and stop the worm’s return.

CR 21 XP 409,600
NE Colossal
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
Init +11; Senses 60 ft., 120 ft., true seeing; Perception +37
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Tremorsense (Ex) A creature with tremorsense is sensitive to vibrations in the ground and can automatically pinpoint the location of anything that is in contact with the ground. Aquatic creatures with tremorsense can also sense the location of creatures moving through water. This does not allow the creature to ignore any miss chance for concealment that would otherwise apply.
DEFENSE
AC 37, touch 9, flat-footed 30 (+7 Dex, +28 natural, –8 size)
hp 406 (28d8+280)
Fort +21, Ref +18, Will +24
Defensive Abilities ; 15/good and piercing; acid, cold, disease, mind-affecting effects, poison; 32
Damage Reduction (Ex or Su) The creature ignores damage from most weapons and natural attacks. Wounds heal immediately, or the weapon bounces off harmlessly; in either case, the opponent knows the attack was ineffective. The creature takes normal damage from energy attacks, including nonmagical ones, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. A certain kind of weapon can sometimes damage the creature normally, as described below.
     The entry indicates the amount of damage ignored, usually 5 to 15 points, and the type of weapon that negates the ability. Some monsters are vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Others are vulnerable to materials such as adamantine, cold iron, or silver. Attacks from weapons that are not the correct type or material have their damage reduced, although a high enhancement bonus can overcome some forms of damage reduction.
     Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, injury disease, and effects delivered only when the attack deals damage. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drain, and it does not affect poisons or diseases delivered by contact, ingestion, or inhalation. If damage reduction completely negates an attack’s damage, that attack does not disrupt a spell being cast.
     Damage reduction does not stack with itself. When a creature has more than one form, apply the single form that gives the greatest reduction against the attack; the attacker must overcome only the qualities required by the form being applied.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to magic weapons. A weapon with at least a +1 magical enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls overcomes this damage reduction; the +1 attack bonus from a masterwork weapon does not count as a magical enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons, but not their attacks with manufactured weapons, are treated as magic weapons for overcoming damage reduction. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with at least a +1 enhancement bonus is treated as magic for overcoming damage reduction.
     A few powerful monsters are vulnerable only to epic weapons—magic weapons with at least a +6 enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons are also treated as epic weapons for overcoming damage reduction.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to chaotic-, evil-, good-, or lawful-aligned weapons. When a cleric casts align weapon, affected weapons might gain one or more of these properties; certain magic weapons also have them. A creature with a chaotic, evil, good, or lawful alignment subtype overcomes matching damage reduction with its natural weapons and wielded weapons as though those attacks had the alignment or alignments matching its subtype. Ammunition fired from an aligned projectile weapon is treated as having that alignment for overcoming damage reduction.
     A weapon with a +3 enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction as though it were made of cold iron and silver. A weapon with a +4 enhancement bonus also overcomes damage reduction as though it were adamantine, but this does not allow it to ignore hardness. A weapon with a +5 enhancement bonus also overcomes alignment-based damage reduction. These equivalences are cumulative with the weapon’s actual material and alignment qualities.
     When a damage reduction entry has a — after the slash, no weapon negates it.
     If either of two listed attack types can overcome the reduction, a weapon that deals either type does so. If a listed combination is required, the weapon must have every listed type or quality; a weapon with only one remains subject to the damage reduction.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
     A creature with Spell Resistance has the extraordinary ability to avoid the effects of spells and spell-like abilities that directly affect it. To determine if a spell or spell-like ability works against a creature with spell resistance, the caster must make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level). If the result equals or exceeds the creature’s spell resistance, the spell works normally, although the creature is still allowed a saving throw.
OFFENSE
Speed 60 ft., 30 ft.; air walk
     A creature with a Burrow speed can tunnel through dirt, but not through rock unless the descriptive text says otherwise. Creatures cannot charge or run while burrowing. Most burrowing creatures do not leave behind tunnels other creatures can use (either because the material they tunnel through fills in behind them or because they do not actually dislocate any material when burrowing).
Melee bite +31 (6d8+18/19–20 plus 8d6 acid), slam +31 (4d10+18/19–20)
Space 30 ft.; Reach 30 ft.
Special Attacks (100-ft. line, 20d8 acid, Reflex DC 34 half, usable every 1d4 rounds), , , (8d6 bludgeoning and 8d6 acid damage, AC 24, 40 hp)
Breath Weapon (Su) This creature has the ability to exhale a cone, line, or cloud of energy or other magical effect. A breath weapon attack usually deals damage and is often based on some type of energy. Breath weapons allow a Reflex save for half damage (DC 10 + 1/2 breathing creature’s racial HD + Con modifier; the exact DC is given in the creature’s descriptive text). A creature is immune to its own breath weapon unless otherwise noted. Some breath weapons allow a Fortitude save or a Will save instead of a Reflex save. Each breath weapon also specifies how often it can be used, including any per-day limit.
Fast Swallow (Ex) This creature can use its swallow whole ability as a free action at any time during its turn, not just at the start of its turn.
Swallow Whole (Ex) If this creature begins its turn with an opponent grappled in its mouth (see ), it can attempt a new combat maneuver check (as though attempting to pin the opponent). If it succeeds, it swallows its prey, and the opponent takes bite damage. Unless otherwise noted, the opponent can be up to one size category smaller than the swallowing creature. Being swallowed causes a creature to take damage each round. The amount and type of damage vary and are given in the creature’s statistics. A swallowed creature keeps the grappled condition, while the creature that did the swallowing does not. A swallowed creature can try to cut its way free with any light slashing or piercing weapon (the amount of cutting damage required to get free is equal to 1/10 the creature’s total hit points), or it can just try to escape the grapple. The Armor Class of the interior of a creature that swallows whole is normally 10 + 1/2 its natural armor bonus, with no modifiers for size or Dexterity. If a swallowed creature cuts its way out, the swallowing creature cannot use swallow whole again until the damage is healed. If the swallowed creature escapes the grapple, success puts it back in the attacker’s mouth, where it may be bitten or swallowed again.
     If this creature hits with the indicated attack, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. The creature has the option to conduct the grapple normally, or simply use the part of its body it used in the grab to hold the opponent. If it chooses to do the latter, it takes a –20 penalty on its CMB check to make and maintain the grapple, but does not gain the grappled condition itself. A successful hold does not deal any extra damage unless the creature also has the constrict special attack. If the creature does not constrict, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals the damage indicated for the attack that established the hold. Otherwise, it deals constriction damage as well (the amount is given in the creature’s descriptive text).
     Creatures with the grab special attack receive a +4 bonus on combat maneuver checks made to start and maintain a grapple.
     Unless otherwise noted, grab can only be used against targets of a size equal to or smaller than the creature with this ability. If the creature can use grab on creatures of other sizes, it is noted in the creature’s Special Attacks line.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
(CL 19th; concentration +28)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier unless the creature’s entry explicitly declares another ability-score basis; that individual declaration governs its block and is not overridden by this generic popup.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
Constant—air walk, true seeing
At will—detect thoughts (DC 21)
(CL 19th; concentration +29)
Spells This creature casts spells as a member of the spellcasting class named in its entry. It counts as a member of that class for effects and abilities that depend on its spellcasting, can use spell-completion and spell-trigger items appropriate to that class, and can benefit from items that affect that class or its spellcasting. If the creature also has actual levels in that class, those class levels stack with its innate spellcasting level unless its entry says otherwise. The creature’s entry explains any other class-related abilities it gains or any unusual spellcasting abilities unavailable to ordinary members of the class.
9th (5)—dominate monster (DC 29), implosion (DC 29), time stop
8th (7)—demand (DC 28), mass charm monster (DC 28), psychic crush IV (DC 27)
7th (8)—ego whip V (DC 26), insanity (DC 27), project image (DC 27)
6th (8)—mass inflict pain (DC 25), mind thrust VI (DC 25), veil (DC 26)
5th (8)—greater command (DC 25), greater synaptic pulse (DC 24), mind fog (DC 25), possession (DC 24)
4th (8)—dream, hallucinatory terrain (DC 24), mind probe (DC 23), scrying (DC 24)
3rd (9)—clairaudience/clairvoyance, dispel magic, illusory script (DC 23), telekinetic maneuver
2nd (9)—enthrall (DC 22), share memory (DC 22), status, suggestion (DC 22), undetectable alignment
1st (9)—alarm, entropic shield, mage armor, psychic reading, unseen servant
0 (at will)—arcane mark, daze (DC 20), detect magic, detect psychic significance, mage hand, message, open/close, read magic, telekinetic projectile
STATISTICS
Str 47, Dex 24, Con 30, Int 31, Wis 22, Cha 29
Base Atk +21; +47; CMD 64 (can’t be tripped)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , , , (bite, slam), , , , , , , , ,
Combat Casting You get a +4 bonus on concentration checks made to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability when casting on the defensive or while .
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Great Fortitude You get a +2 bonus on all Fortitude saving throws.
Hidden Presence While possessing another creature, you can hide yourself from divinations and pass through wards such as magic circle against evil or the effects of a forbiddance spell. You must attempt a Will save against the spell (even if it doesn’t normally allow a saving throw). If you succeed, the spell treats you as if you were your host (for instance, divinations would reveal only the host’s alignment, and forbiddance keyed to the host’s alignment wouldn’t damage you). If your saving throw fails, the spell functions against you as normal; if the spell normally allows a save, your previous failure doesn’t count as a failed save against the spell’s normal effects.
Improved Critical (bite, slam) When using the weapon you selected, your threat range is doubled.
Special: This effect doesn’t stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon.
Improved Great Fortitude Once per day, you may reroll a Fortitude save. You must decide to use this ability before the results are revealed. You must take the second roll, even if it is worse.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Intrusive Presence You can use detect thoughts at will as a spell-like ability against a host creature you possess. The host receives no saving throw, and the effect functions as if you had concentrated for 3 rounds. You can also use seek thoughts on your host as a spell-like ability once during the possession. The host can attempt a Will save with a DC equal to the DC of the original possession effect. If the host succeeds, the effect fails and the host become aware of the possession if it wasn’t already.
Iron Will You get a +2 bonus on all Will saving throws.
Lightning Reflexes You get a +2 bonus on all Reflex saving throws.
Logical Spell A logical spell can be cast without emotion components. Spells that don’t require emotion components are not affected. A logical spell uses up a spell slot 1 level higher than the spell’s actual level.
Manipulative Presence Upon completion of your possession, you can alter up to 5 minutes of your host’s memories as you see fit. This functions as the modify memory spell. Your host’s awareness of the possession doesn’t impact this ability, and if your control of the host lasted less than 5 minutes, you can cause it to forget the possession entirely. The host can attempt a Will save with a DC equal to that of the original possession effect to resist this alteration.
Quicken Spell Casting a quickened spell is a swift action. You can perform another action, even casting another spell, in the same round as you cast a quickened spell. A spell whose casting time is more than 1 round or 1 full-round action cannot be quickened.
A quickened spell uses up a spell slot four levels higher than the spell’s actual level. Casting a quickened spell doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity.
Special: You can apply the effects of this feat to a spell cast spontaneously, so long as it has a casting time that is not more than 1 full-round action, without increasing the spell’s casting time.
Vital Strike When you use the attack action, you can make one attack at your highest base attack bonus that deals additional damage. Roll the weapon’s damage dice for the attack twice and add the results together before adding bonuses from Strength, weapon abilities (such as flaming), precision-based damage, and other damage bonuses. These extra weapon damage dice are not multiplied on a critical hit, but are added to the total.
Skills Bluff +37, Diplomacy +37, Intimidate +40, Knowledge (arcana, engineering, geography, history, local, nobility, religion) +38, Perception +37, Sense Motive +34, Spellcraft +41, Use Magic Device +37
Languages Abyssal, Aklo, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Halfling, Infernal, Terran, Undercommon; 200 ft.
Telepathy (Su) This creature can mentally communicate with any other creature within a certain range (specified in the creature’s entry, usually 100 feet) that has a language. It is possible to address multiple creatures at once telepathically, although maintaining a telepathic conversation with more than one creature at a time is just as difficult as simultaneously speaking and listening to multiple people at the same time.
SQ
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary
Treasure double
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Deific Conqueror worms can grant divine spells to their worshipers. Granting spells does not require any specific action on a conqueror worm’s behalf. Conqueror worms grant access to the domains of Charm, Evil, Nobility, and Trickery, and their favored weapon varies but is always a simple weapon (daggers and sickles being the most common choices). Each conqueror worm has its own unique holy symbol, although typically it resembles a ring of eyes.
Mental Invader (Su) A conqueror worm infects the minds of others from afar, allowing it to control its puppets without leaving the safety of the earth’s depths. When a conqueror worm communicates with a creature mentally, such as by using telepathy or spells such as dream, it can attempt to form a lasting mental connection with that creature. The target can resist this connection with a successful DC 33 Will save. A target that succeeds at this save is immune to that conqueror worm’s mental invader ability forever. Once a connection is formed, the worm can communicate with the bonded creature using telepathy over any distance, and can target the bonded creature with mind-affecting spells and effects regardless of range. A worm can form bonds with a number of creatures equal to its Intelligence modifier (10 for the typical conqueror worm). If a new bond would exceed this limit, the worm must choose to break one of its previous connections. The effects of a bond are suppressed while the worm and the bonded creature are on different planes. A bond can otherwise be only via a break enchantment, miracle, or wish spell cast on the bonded creature, or by the worm’s death. This is a mind-affecting effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.
     An item with hit points equal to or lower than half its maximum hit points gains the broken condition. A broken weapon takes a –2 penalty on attack and damage rolls and scores a critical hit only on a natural 20, dealing only ×2 damage. A broken suit of armor or shield provides only half its normal AC bonus, rounded down, and its armor check penalty is doubled. A broken tool imposes a –2 penalty on skill checks made with it. A broken wand or staff uses twice the normal number of charges when activated. Other broken items may have no additional game effect unless their descriptions say otherwise. A broken item is normally worth 75% of its normal value.
     Magic can repair a broken item with mending or make whole only if the caster level is at least as high as the item’s caster level; the broken condition is removed once the item is restored above half its original hit points. A nonmagical item can be repaired with the appropriate Craft skill, typically DC 20 and requiring 1 hour of work per point of damage repaired. Repairing an item normally costs one-tenth of the item’s price.
Telepathic Escape (Su) A conqueror worm can escape death by casting its mind out of its body at the moment of death. Up to once per day, when an attack, spell, or effect would reduce a conqueror worm to 0 or fewer hit points or otherwise kill it instantly, it can transfer its mind to one of the creatures it has formed a connection with using its mental invader ability. The target can attempt a DC 33 Will save to resist being overtaken. If the target succeeds, the conqueror worm can be killed normally. If the target fails, the conqueror worm transfers its soul into the bonded creature’s body. This functions as the spell possession (CL 21st) except the possession is permanent. A host body possessed by a conqueror worm in this way undergoes terrible changes to its physiology. Every day, the host must succeed at a DC 33 Fortitude save or take 1d6 points of Charisma drain. Over time, the host slowly grows more wormlike in appearance, losing body hair, growing obese, and taking on a pale yellow-white coloration. When the host’s Charisma score is drained to 0, an ectoplasmic cocoon forms around the creature. Over the course of the next 24 hours, the host grows to an enormous size, and at the end of this time emerges in a brand new body as a new conqueror worm that retains the memories of its previous incarnation, at which point the host creature is effectively dead (and can be resurrected normally). If the host is slain before this transformation completes, the conqueror worm dies as well. The effect can also be ended by any effect that successfully expels the conqueror worm’s possessing spirit from the host. This is a mind-affecting effect. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

A drakainia turns her refuge into a nursery of monstrous offspring. She evaluates visitors as experimental material, potential collaborators, or threats to be sacrificed for her own survival.

Signs Creatures with mismatched or repeated features may share the same refuge. Captives showing abrupt physical changes make delay especially dangerous.
Demeanor She can be composed and persuasive while discussing other lives with chilling detachment. Favor toward a successful creation never guarantees its safety.
Encounters Her attendants surround visitors before she speaks. A proposal advancing her work can buy time, but her favor offers captives no lasting protection.
Conflict She lets her brood engage first, then reaches past them with slashing claws and lashing tentacles. She protects herself by shifting harmful effects onto nearby offspring and can teleport away through another spawn when pressed. Her followers are both a fighting force and a reserve of escape routes.
Special Traits Her presence accelerates illnesses and developing life; even young of ordinary parents can acquire mutations when born near her. A nursery can therefore alter the surrounding creatures as well as those she deliberately creates.
Relationships Favored creations act as defenders, while others are expendable. A survivor separated from her influence could provide information about her refuge.
Life Cycle She produces mutated offspring directly and can force living captives to carry developing young. A brood may include radically different forms, and favored creations receive advantages that help them survive the nursery.
Origin A drakainia draws on uncontrolled primal life, making her both a creator and a calamity. Tales portray these otherworldly mothers as wanderers that seed distant worlds with monsters. Their strongest creations can become formidable beings in their own right, so a lasting monster lineage may begin with one mother's passing visit.

DRAKAINIA SPAWN
Whenever a drakainia produces offspring, whether carrying it herself or using a surrogate, the newborn bears unnatural mutations. Her gestation aura also warps other developing young: a pregnant creature within its reach bears a child of its parents’ kind, altered by one of the following mutations.

d%	Result
01–10	Fatal Mutation The creature is birthed stillborn and horribly disfigured.
11–20	Covered in Eyes (Ex) Eyes cover the front and back of the creature’s head. It gains all-around vision.
21–30	Chameleon Scales (Ex) This creature is covered in scales that shift their hue to blend in with their surroundings. The creature gains a +8 racial bonus on Stealth checks and gains hide in plain sight.
31–40	Poison Glands (Ex) The creature has a pair of poison sacs near its mouth. It gains immunity to poison, and three times per day it can spit a dose of poison up to 20 feet as a ranged touch attack. Poison: Contact—injury; save Fort DC 10 + 1/2 the creature’s HD + its Constitution modifier; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d3 Con damage; cure 1 save.
41–50	Sticky (Ex) The creature’s limbs are covered in tiny, hooked hairs that give its skin a downy appearance. It gains the grab ability on its primary natural attacks (if it has any) or its unarmed strike, and a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks.
51–60	Serpent-Headed Tail (Ex) The creature has a tail that ends in a snake head. This provides a +4 circumstance bonus on Perception checks and a primary bite attack (1d3 + the creature’s Strength modifier for a Medium creature). In addition, the creature gains Improved Trip as a bonus feat.
61–70	Vestigial Companion (Ex) The creature has the head of an animal (usually a goat, chicken, or dog) growing out of its back or torso, providing the scent ability. If the base creature already has scent, this mutation allows it to determine the direction of a particular scent as a free action.
71–80	Multiple Heads (Ex) The creature has 2d4 heads, granting it a +4 racial bonus on saving throws against illusions and enchantments and a +8 racial bonus on Perception checks. The creature speaks an additional number of languages equal to its total number of heads. Each head speaks with a different voice.
81–90	Tentacles (Ex) The creature’s legs are replaced with multiple tentacles. It can’t be tripped and gains a +8 racial bonus to CMD and a +8 racial bonus on combat maneuver checks to grapple.
91–99	Impenetrable Skin (Ex) The drakainia spawn’s skin is tough and scaly. It gains DR/— equal to half its HD (maximum 10).
100	Favored Spawn (Su) Favored spawn are those a drakainia has marked as successful or quasi-successful mutations. These powerful spawn gain a +4 luck bonus on all saving throws, a +4 increase to natural armor, a +4 inherent bonus to two ability scores, and 1 mythic rank.

CR 25/MR 10 XP 1,638,400
NE Huge ()
     An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three. They possess the following traits:
   • Darkvision 60 feet.
   • Proficient with its natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon it is described as using.
   • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
   • Aberrations breathe, eat, and sleep.
     A creature with the mythic subtype is infused with mythic power. The following benefits are already reflected in its stat block.
   • Ability-score increases based on mythic rank.
   • Additional hit points per mythic rank based on Hit Die type.
   • DR 5/epic with at least 5 Hit Dice; if it already has DR, add epic to the qualities required to bypass it.
   • Mythic feats are improved versions of ordinary feats and are marked `M`; preserve that marker because it changes the feat used.
   • Mythic Power (Su) and Surge (Su), with effects determined by mythic rank.
   • Mythic rank from 1 to 10.
   • Natural armor increase equal to mythic rank.
   • If the creature has spell resistance, increase it by mythic rank.
Init +9; Senses 120 ft., , true seeing; Perception +39
     Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow creatures to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.
Lifesense (Ex) Using nonvisual senses, this monster notices and locates living creatures within 60 feet. Invisibility, darkness, and most kinds of concealment are irrelevant, though the monster must have line of effect to a living creature to discern that creature. The monster usually does not need to make Perception checks to notice creatures within range of its lifesense ability.
Aura (30 ft.)
DEFENSE
AC 48, touch 13, flat-footed 43 (+5 Dex, +35 natural, –2 size)
hp 642 (25d8+530); 10 (negative energy)
Regeneration (Ex) Regeneration is an extraordinary ability which makes a creature difficult to kill. Creatures with regeneration heal damage to themselves at a fixed rate, as with fast healing, but they cannot die as long as their regeneration is still functioning, although they still fall unconscious when their hit points are below 0. Certain damage types, typically acid and fire, cause regeneration to stop functioning on the round following the attack. During that round, the creature does not heal damage and can die normally. The creature’s descriptive text identifies the damage types that suppress its regeneration.
     Attacks that do not deal hit point damage are not healed by regeneration. Regeneration also does not restore hit points lost from starvation, suffocation, or thirst. Regenerating creatures can regrow lost body parts and can reattach severed limbs or body parts if they are brought together within 1 hour of severing. Severed parts that are not reattached wither and die normally.
     A creature must have a Constitution score to have regeneration.
Fort +28, Ref +15, Will +21
10/epic; bleed, disease, poison, polymorph effects; 36
Damage Reduction (Ex or Su) The creature ignores damage from most weapons and natural attacks. Wounds heal immediately, or the weapon bounces off harmlessly; in either case, the opponent knows the attack was ineffective. The creature takes normal damage from energy attacks, including nonmagical ones, spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities. A certain kind of weapon can sometimes damage the creature normally, as described below.
     The entry indicates the amount of damage ignored, usually 5 to 15 points, and the type of weapon that negates the ability. Some monsters are vulnerable to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage. Others are vulnerable to materials such as adamantine, cold iron, or silver. Attacks from weapons that are not the correct type or material have their damage reduced, although a high enhancement bonus can overcome some forms of damage reduction.
     Whenever damage reduction completely negates the damage from an attack, it also negates most special effects that accompany the attack, such as injury poison, injury disease, and effects delivered only when the attack deals damage. Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drain, and it does not affect poisons or diseases delivered by contact, ingestion, or inhalation. If damage reduction completely negates an attack’s damage, that attack does not disrupt a spell being cast.
     Damage reduction does not stack with itself. When a creature has more than one form, apply the single form that gives the greatest reduction against the attack; the attacker must overcome only the qualities required by the form being applied.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to magic weapons. A weapon with at least a +1 magical enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls overcomes this damage reduction; the +1 attack bonus from a masterwork weapon does not count as a magical enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons, but not their attacks with manufactured weapons, are treated as magic weapons for overcoming damage reduction. Ammunition fired from a projectile weapon with at least a +1 enhancement bonus is treated as magic for overcoming damage reduction.
     A few powerful monsters are vulnerable only to epic weapons—magic weapons with at least a +6 enhancement bonus. Such creatures’ natural weapons are also treated as epic weapons for overcoming damage reduction.
     Some monsters are vulnerable to chaotic-, evil-, good-, or lawful-aligned weapons. When a cleric casts align weapon, affected weapons might gain one or more of these properties; certain magic weapons also have them. A creature with a chaotic, evil, good, or lawful alignment subtype overcomes matching damage reduction with its natural weapons and wielded weapons as though those attacks had the alignment or alignments matching its subtype. Ammunition fired from an aligned projectile weapon is treated as having that alignment for overcoming damage reduction.
     A weapon with a +3 enhancement bonus overcomes damage reduction as though it were made of cold iron and silver. A weapon with a +4 enhancement bonus also overcomes damage reduction as though it were adamantine, but this does not allow it to ignore hardness. A weapon with a +5 enhancement bonus also overcomes alignment-based damage reduction. These equivalences are cumulative with the weapon’s actual material and alignment qualities.
     When a damage reduction entry has a — after the slash, no weapon negates it.
     If either of two listed attack types can overcome the reduction, a weapon that deals either type does so. If a listed combination is required, the weapon must have every listed type or quality; a weapon with only one remains subject to the damage reduction.
Immunity (Ex or Su) A creature with immunities takes no damage from listed sources. Immunities can also apply to afflictions, conditions, spells (based on level, save type, or school), and other effects. A creature does not suffer any secondary effects that would normally be triggered by an effect it is immune to.
     A creature with Spell Resistance has the extraordinary ability to avoid the effects of spells and spell-like abilities that directly affect it. To determine if a spell or spell-like ability works against a creature with spell resistance, the caster must make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level). If the result equals or exceeds the creature’s spell resistance, the spell works normally, although the creature is still allowed a saving throw.
OFFENSE
Speed 50 ft., 30 ft., 30 ft.
     A creature with a Climb speed has a +8 racial bonus on all Climb checks. The creature must make a Climb check to climb any wall or slope with a DC higher than 0, but it can always choose to take 10, even if rushed or threatened while climbing. If a creature with a climb speed chooses an accelerated climb, it moves at double its climb speed (or at its land speed, whichever is slower) and makes a single Climb check at a –5 penalty. Such a creature retains its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) while climbing, and opponents get no special bonus to their attacks against it. It cannot, however, use the run action while climbing.
     A creature with a Swim speed can move through water at its indicated speed without making Swim checks. It gains a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform a special action or avoid a hazard. The creature can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered when swimming. Such a creature can use the run action while swimming, provided that it swims in a straight line.
Melee 2 claws +31 (4d8+14/16–20/×4), gore +28 (4d6+7), 4 tentacles +29 (2d6+7)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft. (20 ft. with claws)
Special Attacks , 10/day, +1d12), ,
Mythic Power (Su) The Mythic monster can draw upon a wellspring of power to accomplish amazing deeds and cheat fate. Each day, it can expend a number of uses of Mythic Power equal to its Mythic Rank. This amount is its maximum amount of Mythic Power. If an ability allows it to regain Mythic Power, it can never gain more than this amount. The monster automatically has the Surge ability, and can use this Mythic Power to activate it. It may have other abilities that rely on Mythic Power.
Surge (Su) This creature can call upon its Mythic Power to overcome difficult challenges. It can expend one use of Mythic Power to increase any d20 roll it just made by rolling a die and adding it to the result. Using this ability is an immediate action taken after the original roll is made and the results are revealed. The bonus die depends on the creature’s Mythic Rank. The monster can use this ability even if it’s mindless or of animal-level intelligence.
(CL 20th; concentration +35)
     Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
     A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
     For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level determines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and defines any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Charisma modifier.
     Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
Constant—freedom of movement, true seeing
At will—dimension door
3/day—antilife shell, break enchantment, contagion (DC 28), quickened cure serious wounds, dimension door
1/day—antimagic field, destruction (DC 32), regenerateM
STATISTICS
Str 38, Dex 20, Con 46, Int 29, Wis 21, Cha 41
Base Atk +18; +34; CMD 49 (can’t be tripped)
     When performing a combat maneuver, you must use an action appropriate to the maneuver you are attempting to perform. While many combat maneuvers can be performed as part of an attack action, full-attack action, or attack of opportunity (in place of a melee attack), others require a specific action. Unless otherwise noted, performing a combat maneuver provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of the maneuver. If you are hit by the target, you take the damage normally and apply that amount as a penalty to the attack roll to perform the maneuver. If your target is immobilized, unconscious, or otherwise incapacitated, your maneuver automatically succeeds (treat as if you rolled a natural 20 on the attack roll). If your target is stunned, you receive a +4 bonus on your attack roll to perform a combat maneuver against it.
     When you attempt to perform a combat maneuver, make an attack roll and add your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus. Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. The DC of this maneuver is your target’s Combat Maneuver Defense. Combat maneuvers are attack rolls, so you must roll for concealment and take any other penalties that would normally apply to an attack roll.
     If your attack roll equals or exceeds the CMD of the target, your maneuver is a success and has the listed effect. Some maneuvers, such as bull rush, have varying levels of success depending on how much your attack roll exceeds the target’s CMD. Rolling a natural 20 while attempting a combat maneuver is always a success (except when attempting to escape from bonds), while rolling a natural 1 is always a failure.
Feats , M, M, , M, M, , , (cure serious wounds), , (Perception), M (claw), (tentacle)
Combat Casting You get a +4 bonus on concentration checks made to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability when casting on the defensive or while .
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
Combat Reflexes (Mythic) You can make any number of additional attacks of opportunity per round. As a swift action, you can expend one use of to, until the start of your next turn, make attacks of opportunity against foes you’ve already made attacks of opportunity against this round if they provoke attacks of opportunity from you by moving.
Mythic Power (Su) The Mythic monster can draw upon a wellspring of power to accomplish amazing deeds and cheat fate. Each day, it can expend a number of uses of Mythic Power equal to its Mythic Rank. This amount is its maximum amount of Mythic Power. If an ability allows it to regain Mythic Power, it can never gain more than this amount. The monster automatically has the Surge ability, and can use this Mythic Power to activate it. It may have other abilities that rely on Mythic Power.
Great Fortitude (Mythic) Whenever you roll a Fortitude saving throw against a spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability from a non-mythic source, roll twice and take the higher result.
Improved Initiative You get a +4 bonus on initiative checks.
Iron Will (Mythic) Whenever you roll a Will saving throw against a spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability from a non-mythic source, roll twice and take the higher result.
Lightning Reflexes (Mythic) Whenever you roll a Reflex saving throw against a spell, spell-like ability, or supernatural ability from a non-mythic source, roll twice and take the higher result.
Multiattack The creature’s secondary attacks with natural weapons take only a –2 penalty.
Normal: Without this feat, the creature’s secondary attacks with natural weapons take a –5 penalty.
Quick Channel You may channel energy as a move action by spending 2 daily uses of that ability.
Quicken Spell-Like Ability (cure serious wounds) Choose one of the creature’s spell-like abilities, subject to the restrictions described in this feat. The creature can use the chosen spell-like ability as a quickened spell-like ability three times per day (or less, if the ability is normally usable only once or twice per day).
Using a quickened spell-like ability is a swift action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The creature can perform another action—including the use of another spell-like ability (but not another swift action)—in the same round that it uses a quickened spell-like ability. The creature may use only one quickened spell-like ability per round.
The creature can only select a spell-like ability duplicating a spell with a level less than or equal to 1/2 its caster level (round down) – 4. For a summary, see the table below.
A spell-like ability that duplicates a spell with a casting time greater than 1 full round cannot be quickened.

Spell Level	Caster Level to Empower	Caster Level to Quicken
0	4th	8th
1st	6th	10th
2nd	8th	12th
3rd	10th	14th
4th	12th	16th
5th	14th	18th
6th	16th	20th
7th	18th	—
8th	20th	—
9th	—	—

Normal: The use of a spell-like ability normally requires a standard action (at the very least) and provokes an attack of opportunity.
Selective Channeling When you channel energy, you can choose a number of targets in the area up to your Charisma modifier. These targets are not affected by your channeled energy.
Normal: All targets in a 30-foot burst are affected when you channel energy. You can only choose whether or not you are affected.
Skill Focus (Perception) You get a +3 bonus on all checks involving the chosen skill. If you have 10 or more ranks in that skill, this bonus increases to +6.
Weapon Focus (Mythic) (claw) Double the bonuses on your attack rolls from Weapon Focus and Greater Weapon Focus. As a swift action, you can expend one use of to gain a bonus on attack rolls with your selected weapon equal to half your tier until the end of your turn.
Mythic Power (Su) The Mythic monster can draw upon a wellspring of power to accomplish amazing deeds and cheat fate. Each day, it can expend a number of uses of Mythic Power equal to its Mythic Rank. This amount is its maximum amount of Mythic Power. If an ability allows it to regain Mythic Power, it can never gain more than this amount. The monster automatically has the Surge ability, and can use this Mythic Power to activate it. It may have other abilities that rely on Mythic Power.
Weapon Focus (tentacle) You gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls you make using the selected weapon.
Skills Bluff +40, Climb +45, Diplomacy +40, Handle Animal +20, Heal +30, Intimidate +43, Knowledge (arcana) +34, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +34, Knowledge (nature) +34, Perception +39, Sense Motive +30, Spellcraft +37, Swim +50, Use Magic Device +40
Languages Abyssal, Aklo, Aquan, Auran, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Ignan, Infernal, Terran
SQ , , ,
ECOLOGY
Environment any
Organization solitary
Treasure double
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Birth Spawn (Ex) As a full-round action, a drakainia can give birth to a spawn, which is a Large or smaller creature of her choice with a single random mutation. Each day she can produce any number of creatures whose combined total base CR does not exceed 3 + her Constitution modifier (usually 21).
Gestation Aura (Su) A drakainia’s aura pulses with developing life. All poisons or diseases active within her 30-foot aura have an onset of 1 round and a frequency of 1/minute. Impregnated creatures within her aura gestate in 2d4 rounds. Any creature born within her aura gains a mutation as if it were the drakainia’s spawn, though if the creature’s parent was not impregnated by the drakainia, the creature born is an infant of the kind its biological parents would produce, and doesn’t count toward the CR limit the drakainia can spawn per day.
Impregnate Surrogate (Su) A drakainia can disgorge a monstrous embryo into the mouth of a living, corporeal creature that is or . She makes a grapple combat maneuver check, and if she succeeds she impregnates that creature regardless of its gender. A mythic character must succeed at a DC 38 Fortitude saving throw to avoid being impregnated; a non-mythic character is impregnated automatically. An impregnated creature’s pregnancy lasts for 2d4 rounds. During this pregnancy, the victim is until the monster bursts forth from the victim’s abdomen, which deals 10d6 points of damage to the pregnant creature and applies the condition to any armor it is wearing. Remove disease (DC 28) eliminates the unnatural embryo. Alternatively, as a full-round action another creature can attempt to cut out the growing monster with a DC 38 Heal check. On a successful check, the offspring is removed, and the formerly pregnant creature takes 1d4 points of bleed damage. On failed check, the pregnant creature takes 2d6 points of bleed damage and is for 1 round, but the offspring is not removed. The creature spawned by means of this impregnation is any creature of the drakainia’s choice that is at least one size category smaller than the creature she impregnated. These spawn count against the drakainia’s daily CR allowance for birth spawn.
     Creatures with the nauseated condition experience stomach distress. Nauseated creatures are unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move action per turn.
     A helpless character is paralyzed, held, bound, sleeping, unconscious, or otherwise completely at an opponent’s mercy. A helpless target is treated as having a Dexterity of 0 (–5 modifier). Melee attacks against a helpless target get a +4 bonus (equivalent to attacking a prone target). Ranged attacks get no special bonus against helpless targets. Rogues can sneak attack helpless targets.
     As a full-round action, an enemy can use a melee weapon to deliver a coup de grace to a helpless foe. An enemy can also use a bow or crossbow, provided he is adjacent to the target. The attacker automatically hits and scores a critical hit. (A rogue also gets his sneak attack damage bonus against a helpless foe when delivering a coup de grace.) If the defender survives, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or die. Delivering a coup de grace provokes attacks of opportunity.
     Creatures that are immune to critical hits do not take critical damage, nor do they need to make Fortitude saves to avoid being killed by a coup de grace.
     An item with hit points equal to or lower than half its maximum hit points gains the broken condition. A broken weapon takes a –2 penalty on attack and damage rolls and scores a critical hit only on a natural 20, dealing only ×2 damage. A broken suit of armor or shield provides only half its normal AC bonus, rounded down, and its armor check penalty is doubled. A broken tool imposes a –2 penalty on skill checks made with it. A broken wand or staff uses twice the normal number of charges when activated. Other broken items may have no additional game effect unless their descriptions say otherwise. A broken item is normally worth 75% of its normal value.
     Magic can repair a broken item with mending or make whole only if the caster level is at least as high as the item’s caster level; the broken condition is removed once the item is restored above half its original hit points. A nonmagical item can be repaired with the appropriate Craft skill, typically DC 20 and requiring 1 hour of work per point of damage repaired. Repairing an item normally costs one-tenth of the item’s price.
     A pinned creature is tightly bound and can take few actions. A pinned creature cannot move and is denied its Dexterity bonus. A pinned character also takes an additional –4 penalty to his Armor Class. A pinned creature is limited in the actions that it can take. A pinned creature can always attempt to free itself, usually through a combat maneuver check or Escape Artist check. A pinned creature can take verbal and mental actions, but cannot cast any spells that require a somatic or material component. A pinned character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level) or lose the spell. Pinned is a more severe version of , and their effects do not stack.
     A grappled creature is restrained by a creature, trap, or effect. Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform. A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.
     A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
     A stunned creature drops everything held, can’t take actions, takes a –2 penalty to AC, and loses its Dexterity bonus to AC (if any). Attackers receive a +4 bonus on attack rolls to perform combat maneuvers against a stunned opponent.
Invert Birth (Su) When a drakainia uses her dimension door spell-like ability, instead of the normal range, she can choose to teleport to any space occupied by one of her spawn that is within 1 mile of her. She doesn’t need line of sight or knowledge of the spawn’s location. If she chooses a spawn that is farther than a mile away, she does not lose the use of the spell-like ability, but does lose the action. On arrival, she explodes out from her offspring, destroying it entirely.
Polymorphism (Ex) The spawn gestating inside the drakainia constantly alter her internal construction, making her immune to bleed, disease, poison, and polymorph effects. When she is subject to a critical hit or a sneak attack, this polymorphism grants her a 75% chance of negating such attacks.
Razor Claws (Ex) A drakainia’s claws are razor sharp with a critical threat range of 17–20 and a critical multiplier of ×4.
Transfer Suffering (Su) As a swift action, a drakainia can transfer a single harmful spell effect or condition from herself to one of her offspring that is currently within her gestation aura.
Well of Life (Su) A drakainia can unleash the primal life energy within in her body to channel positive energy as if she were a 20th-level cleric (DC 35). She can use this ability 18 times per day and can choose to expend 1 use of mythic power at each use to maximize the damage healed.