Gargoyle Brood ('Goyle or Cross-Breed Template)

One of my favorite creatures in a Tower Dungeon is the Gargoyle and the core idea of this beast was to mix the race to create a mixed variety of them. I really like this template and its one of the most useful templates in my gaming world. The idea is that the Gargoyle brood, referred to as Goyles, is a mish-mash of different creatures, winged warriors with minotaur, elven or dwarven abilities.

I will be honest, it was only after thinking about the whole process that I kinda grossed myself out. It made sense but its ugly. It's not really something that has come up in -game, but its a neat process that works out stylistically.

Gargoyle Brood (Template)

Size and type: Change to Monstrous Humanoid

Hit Dice: +1d8
Speed: As original creature; gains fly 20 (Poor)
Armor Class: +2 natural AC on top of base creature
Attack: Gains Claw Attack (2 X 1d4 dmg)
Feat: Gain Multi-Attack

Adjustments:
1-3 HD: 1d4 dmg; +2 Natural AC Bonus; 1 Dmg Red; Fly 20 (Poor)
3-6 HD:1d6 dmg; +3 Natural AC Bonus; 3 Dmg Red; Fly 30 (Average)
7-8 HD: 1d6 dmg; +4 Natural AC Bonus; 5 Dmg Red; Fly 40 (Average) + Tail Atk (1-3 dmg)
9-10 HD: 1d8 dmg; +5 Natural AC Bonus; 7 Dmg Red; Fly 50 (Good) + Tail Atk (1-6 dmg)
11-13 HD: 1d10 dmg; +6 Natural AC Bonus; 10 Dmg Red; Fly 60 (Good) + Tail Atk (1-8 dmg)
14-16 HD: 2d12 dmg; +8 Natural AC Bonus; 15 Dmg Red; Fly 80 (Perfect) + Tail Atk (1-10 dmg)

Special Attacks: Tail Swing (1d3) at 7 HD
Special Qualities: Dmg Reduction/by HD, Darkvision, Plus feature from maternal side
Abilities: Str +4, Dex +2, Con +4 at birth; +2 / every HD higher
Skills: Gain base skills as per their matron species. Then +4 bonus on acrobatics, intimidate, perception, +8 fly skill check bonus; +6 / every HD higher
Environment: Spirelands or Lonely Towers
Organization: Wing (3-6 gargoyles); Brood (11-20); Family (23-80)
Treasure: Half Standard
Alignment: Always Evil (Tend towards Neutral)
Level Adjustment: As base class +1

Appear quite similar to the standard gargoyle race, but these are the by-products of gargoyle’s ability to inter-breed with other species. Most have small horns, tough leathery skin, long but lightweight wings which appear folded while on foot. While most gargoyles use claws, the brood will use short swords or short bows to gain an advantage on their foes. They prefer smaller weapons as it is easier for them to carry in the air.

A gargoyle has two ways to reproduce: the first is through a rookery, which creates the standard gargoyle found in the Monster Manual, with small broods every year. As a fecund species, they can mate with any other humanoid species to create a cross-breed with features of both. Many tribes expand their numbers by forcefully mating with humanoids for specific traits to grow their tribes abilities.

For example, a dwarf-breed would be short and squat with abilities mimic their home species ability with precious stones. While a minotaur-breed would be larger and stronger. However, Goyle types are infertile, they cannot reproduce to form their own distinct racial group.

Most times, the "other" or mother species, are kept prisoner in the gargoyle lair, as their gestation period is half the time of the non-goyle. Sadly, due to the birthing process, most mothers do not survive the birth, thus there is always a need for more slaves. Mother is a generic breeding term, as the carrying breed does not actually have to be a female, but since the gargoyles are always looking for a mate that can survive the gestation and birth process, they look for female volunteers.

The brood have long been hated through-out the domain, as their slavery and mating process angers many peoples who have suffered at their hands. Their raids occur in a cyclical pattern usually every five to ten years. They attack towns at night to steal females away. They prefer smaller towns because the defenses are usually a lot less, and it is much easier to travel to and from them without being noticed.

Most packs have lairs in abandoned ruins. They will sometimes work with a lamia or medusa, but they really have no need as they have a wide group of brood members with various abilities. Goyles are fiercely territorial, claiming a mountain or Tower as their own territory and defend it to the bitter end.

Every Goyle pack is unique. Some work wing-on-wing with standard gargoyles, others are seen to be servants to the stone masters, in non-combat roles. They are strongest when the Goyle Brood forms a pack on their own.

Goyles do not gain the Freeze ability of full-blooded Gargoyles naturally, however after 7 HD they can gain it by taking using a feat to gain the ability.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Minotaur-Goyle

AC 17 touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+2 Dex, +6 natural, -1 size) 
hp 60hp (8d10+16 con)
Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +6
Special defenses  8 Dmg reduction

Speed 30 ft.
Melee Heavy Axe +11  (2d6+6/×3) and gore +4 (1d6+2) or +9/+9 claw (1d10+4)
Special Attacks powerful charge (gore +12, 2d6+6)

Str 19, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 8
Base Atk +8 CMB +13 CMD 25
Feats Great Fortitude, Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack, Multi-Attack, Track
Skills Fly +8, Intimidate +10, Perception +10, Stealth +2, Survival +10; Racial Modifiers +4 Perception, +4 Survival
Languages Minotaur, Gargoyle