Blog Archive

Tuesday 25 December 2018

Synast - gaunt psionic humanoid, with a large extended brain and no skull

These were some of my ongoing evil masterminds, found in dungeons or other places of wealth. They are basically 3.5 psionic creatures, I've been working on a new Nyssian Psionic process, but I don't game enough and I'm always a bit too busy working on something else.

Synast CR 7
NE Medium Humanoid
Init +1 Senses Perception +7

 DEFENSE
AC 13 touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 45hp (7d8+14 con)
Fort +7, Ref +3, Will +4
Defensive Abilities    DR 10/magic

 OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Short Sword +6 (1d6+1)
Special Attacks Synaptic Blast
Spell Like Abilities (CL 7th - Psion)

 STATISTICS
Str 11, Dex 12, Con 7, Int 15, Wis 14, Cha 13
Base Atk +5 CMB +6 CMD 17
Feats Synaptic Focus, Inquisitor, Opportunity Power

Skills Autohypnosis+10, Bluff +10, Disguise: +9, Diplomacy +12, Sense Motive +10, Knowledge (Psionics) +9, Knowledge (History)+9, Perception +7

Languages Dwarven, Giant, Elven, Common

 ECOLOGY
Environment: Usually Urban (towers and libraries)
Organization: Solitary, Pair, Trio, Synod (5-9)
Treasure Value  Double
Alignment: Usually Neutral Evil
Advancement: By character class

 SPECIAL ABILITIES

Synaptic Blast: This psionic ray slows a creatures ability to maneuver and attack, inflicting a –2 attack penalty on attack capacity for the next three rounds. To avoid this effect, a victim must make a Will DC of 14. Unlike their other powers, this has no psp cost for a synast to manifest. Also, the three round duration begins when the first round the ray has stopped, so if a character is hit for four consecutive rounds, they will suffer a –8 for the three rounds.

A gaunt, grey-skinned humanoid with a large extended brain and no apparent skull-case around it, a cerebrum twice the size of a regular man. When using their psionic powers, the blood vessels in its brain glow a bright green. They seemingly always appear as frail especially during of times of physical stress.

Synasts are evil humanoids obsessed with obtaining great riches or powerful artifacts. While often seen alone, synasts always work in synods, teams loyal to each other and a particular goal. Death of an individual member doesn't deter them from their goals, and sometimes may motivate them to invite others into their group. Synod leaders are at least 5th level psions.

With sharp eyes and keen minds, they carefully study both problems and people before taking action. Synasts may work with other races or groups in an apparent subservient role but they usually control events behind their master’s back. Even without psionics, a synast can easily manipulate creatures, convincing others to do its dirty work. They are content to let things stream quietly if things are going as they need them to but if problems occur, synasts don't have a problem completely taking over.

Combat
A synast is a nasty combatant as they can control other creature’s synapses, able to paralyze, blind or turn some men temporarily insane with a touch. These cowards avoid danger whenever possible, preferring to manipulate events behind the scenes.

New Feat: Synaptic Focus: A Synast is considered always focused when it comes to its synaptic powers. They never need to make a focus check to activate or renew any synaptic power.

Psionic Powers* They manifest as a 7th level Psionic; DC 13+ power level; 56 PSPs
4th Level: Synaptic Shut-Down, Psychic Vampire
3rd Level: Synaptic Short, Hustle, Energy Retort
2nd Level Power: Synaptic Lock, Animal Affinity, Mental Disruption, Chameleon
1st level Power: Synaptic Manipulation, Synaptic Grapple, Call to Mind, Inertial Armor, Energy Ray

*These are the typical powers known by a synast, some may choose different powers per power level.

Synaptic Manipulation: This ability temporarily makes a ligament move in the direction the psion desires. It is for one round only Required Touch; Cost: Base 1 PSP, Save: SC11+1

Synaptic Lock: This ability temporarily locks a ligament so it cannot move. It is for three rounds. Required Touch; Cost: Base 2 PSP, Save: SC12+1

Synaptic Short: This ability shorts a ligament so it cannot move. The effect lasts for five rounds. Even if the victim makes their saving throw on the first round, they must make it again every round to be free. Cost: Base 2 PSP, Save: SC12+1

Tuesday 18 December 2018

Silver Bulette

Most of the time adventurers in my games are in spires or underground dungeons but at mid to lower levels much of the story is getting to the locations, so wandering monsters are a big part of the game. That's where the Silver Bullete comes in, a huge size, hungry creature that can jump teleport. Plus I just love the name of the creature and what it can do...

Silver Bulette CR 10
XP 3,200
N Huge magical beast
Init +9; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent, tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +11

DEFENSE

AC 27 touch 13, flat-footed 22 (+5 Dex, +14 natural, -2 size)
hp 147hp (14d10+70 con)
Fort +14, Ref +14, Will +5

OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft., burrow 20 ft.
Melee Bite +19 (2d10+7) and 2 claws +15 (2d8+7)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks leap, savage bite, Silvery Flash

STATISTICS

Str 25, Dex 20, Con 20, Int 5, Wis 13, Cha 3
Base Atk +14 CMB +23 CMD 38 (42 vs trip)
Feats Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (bite), X3
Skills Acrobatics +11 (+19 jumping), Perception +15; Racial Modifiers +4 on Acrobatics checks made to jump

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate hills or underground
Organization solitary (adult)
Treasure Incidental (gems or coins stuck to its hide)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Leap (Ex) A silver bulette can perform a special kind of pounce attack by jumping into combat. When a bullette charges, it can make a DC 16 Acrobatics check to jump into the air and land next to its enemies. If it makes the Acrobatics check, it can follow up with four claw attacks against foes in reach, but cannot make a bite attack.

Savage Bite (Ex) A bulette's bite is particularly dangerous. It applies 1-1/2 times its Strength modifier to damage inflicted with its bite attack, and threatens a critical hit on a 18–20.

Silvery Flash: A Silver Bulette can dimensional jump, moving up to 500 feet away in one round. Treat as an improved bull rush if any creatures are in it's path. It can do this 3 times a day. When it moves in this fashion, there is a momentary flash of silver when it enters and exits the astral.

A Silver Bullette is a legend from the Spirelands - a huge creature that burrows just beneath the surface. It normally feeds on creatures that are in it's path, but if hungry it will go out of its way to attack caravans or other large groups. It is peaceful as long as it gets enough to eat, but when it does not, it starts to look for easy targets that are near it to feed on.

Named after its ability to jump or teleport small ranges, with the associated silvery flash.

These creatures are sexless, they spontaneously compost  into three or four smaller versions of themselves that stay together for 8 - 10 months until they grow large enough to survive on their own.

Tuesday 11 December 2018

Ferroplasmic Feline (Psionic Cat)


Ferroplasmic Feline (Psionic Cat)

Small Size Magical Beast

Hit Dice:
2d8+2 (11 hp)
Initiative: +2 (dexterity)
Speed: 30 ft

AC: 16 (+2 size, +2 Natural, +2 Dexterity)
BAB / Grapple: +2 / -2
Attacks: +3 Bite (1d3+1)
Special Attacks: None
Special Qualities: Detect Psionics, Scent, Buffer
Saves: Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +3

Abilities: Str 6, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 17, Cha 10
Skills: Acrobatics +8, Stealth +8, Move Silently +9, Perception +9, Sense Motive +12
Feats: Weapon Finesse (Bite), Rubbing Buffer
Climate/Terrain: Any (usually urban)
Organization: Solitary or Hex (6 cats)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually neutral good
Advancement Range: 3-6 HD (Small) 7-12 HD (Small)

Rubbing Buffer: After three rounds of rubbing their skin or tail on one creature, that creature gains a +3 on the first saving throw they need to make. Given to allies, most often children.

A small blob of goo is in a corner of the room, jumps up, and moments later you see a small orange colored cat take form hissing at something from afar.

Most generally appear the same size and shape as a regular sized cat, most are black and white or dull orange in color. Often they are trained to hunt & detect undead, rats or other vermin. They are not true cats, as their natural form is a gooey blob of green goo. But they spend so much time in the mortal world they are just as accustomed to their alternate cat form.

Their natural home is a webby nest, within a very small opening, seemingly impossible for them to get through. They can breed both domestically and wild - they prefer to hunt for their own foods, but some are spoiled by human, dwarf or tenderfoot owners. Families are sometimes adopted by the cat, especially if there are friendly children that inhabit the same same area.

Psionics: detect dimensional space, detect evil, dimension door (20 ft), sense link (100 ft), ectoplasmic form; PSP 15; Psion Level: 2