Callanna - Giant Snake Humanoid

Inspired by a famous fantasy artist, Boris Vallejo. This was one of the many cards in a set of art cards. He has inspired many of my early creatures.

Callanna
CR 6
XP 2,400

N (NG) Large Aberration
Init +2 Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +8

DEFENSE
AC 19 touch 15, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dex, +4 natural, -1 size, +4 inertial armor)
hp 45hp (6d8+18 con)
Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +7
Defensive Abilities Immune to Natural Poisons

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Halberd +6 (1d8+6)
Space 10 ft. Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks Coil (1d12+ 3)
Psionics: Aversion, Improved Biofeedback, Body Equilibrium, Conceal Thoughts, Greater Concussion, Detect Psionics, Ectoplasmic Form, Energy Barrier, Gravity Arc
PSPs: 50, DC 15 + level of power

STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 14, Con 17, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 10
Base Atk +4 CMB +8 CMD 20
Feats Mind-Link, Improved Disarm, Inertial Armour
Skills Swim +8, Perception +8, Knowledge (Psionics) +8, Move Silently +8
Languages Lizardith, Giant, Common

ECOLOGY

Environment Under-earth swamp, warm/forests, jungles
Organization Watch (2-5) or Tribe (15 – 100)
Treasure Value Standard

Callanna are huge, 25 feet long snakes with a green tinged human torso, arms and head. More than half the length of their body is used for stability, they rise between 8 - 12 feet from the ground. They use pouches for carrying objects. Most reside in under-earth swamp caverns seeking isolation over wealth, fame or battle. They are among the most powerful physical psionicists and have longed helped shellar, lizardith and other good-aligned psionic using humanoids to learn the talent. They speak lizardith but usually use the psionic mind-link to communicate with their own kind as well as with other psions.

Combat: These snake-men are exceptional warriors, meshing physical strengths and psionic abilities to create a powerful presence. Their preferred weapon is the halberd, which they use to make long aching arches, doing double strength damage. They use nets and maces if they want to take prisoner.

They mix groups tactics, using front-line physical attackers and others in back using psionic attack (aversion or energy barrier.) But as strong as they are, they rarely attack foes. These usually use their psionics to avoid battle or to watch opponents. Unless one of their own or an ally is in mortal danger, they usually quietly fade into the dense forest or swamp.

Society: The amphibious Callanna are strong swimmers who are also water breathers. They enjoy hot steaming pools where both their eggs are stored and where their young are raised. The young are nursed by the tribal elders until they reach the age of the molt (approximately ten years old) when they are given tests to determine their role in life. At this point they are returned to their parents and assigned an individual mentor to guide them through the next few years before becoming a full member of Callanna society.

As adults, they spend time hunting, foraging and in meditation. While not exactly shy, these snake-men prefer to spend much of their time doing solo activities. While usually called snake-men, the truth is that Callanna chose their gender, based on their own as well as the tribes needs. There is no separation or distinction in their society.

Among the great psionic masters found on Nyssa, as many of the greatest treatises were penned by this race, and many psions seek them out as mentors. Yet, the Callanna themselves venerate the coatl, it is a central figure in much of their art, religion & philosophy.

Mind-Link Feat: This is the Nyssian version of Telepathy. Any two creatures within a 60 foot radius that have this psionic feat can send simple messages to each other without paying a PSP cost. Creatures are able to attack other Open Minded creatures, but few are able to psionically attack a Closed Mind or someone without psionics. There is a small psp cost (usually 1 psp) to send a message to a closed or non-psionic mind.