Novarin - Dungeon Caretakers

The core idea for these creatures is kind of like petitioners for dungeons.  These are dungeon inhabitants, not monsters, not adventurers but people who look after the dungeon...picking up things, cleaning up the messes, etc. They should be neutral to both sides of the adventuring game, neither to help the creatures or the adventurers. Fun to use when the major scene is over and they come in to do some clean-up, see the adventuring party on spot, then have them make an awkward exit.

Novarin

N Medium Humanoid
Init +2 Senses Low-Light Vision, Perception +4

 DEFENSE
AC 14 touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 11hp (2d8+2 con)
Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +0
Defensive Abilities   Dmg Rebound +1 / 2 levels for native creatures; +1/level for outsiders  

 OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Short Sword +3 (1d6+1)
Ranged Short Bow+3 (1d6)

 STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 12
Base Atk +1 CMB +2 CMD 14
Feats Weapon Focus
Skills Acrobatics, Knowledge (Dungeon), Perception, Stealth, +4
Languages Dwarf, or Common
Typical Gear: Hammer, Bucket, Pitons, Rope, Lantern

 ECOLOGY
Environment      Always Dungeon or outside of a dungeon entrance
Organization      Group (3-6) or Clan (21-40)
Treasure Value  Poor, Quarter of the stated wealth of adventurers

Novarin are an odd group, humanoids whose job is to work at the most infamous dungeons in the land but not as raiders or even protectors but caretakers. They clean up messes, instruct visitors of the etiquette, clear bodies when they begin to reek, and try to keep vermin under control. They remain neutral in terms of the dungeon process as they are are not permitted inside of sealed or locked doors nor take treasure.

Only accidents or mortal creatures harm them in the dungeons that they care for as they have a damage rebound - the dungeon itself is taking care of them, harming those that hurt the Novarin. Evil creatures are fully aware of them and most just ignore them. Some try to torment the caretakers but the Novarin try to to be vigilant for illusions or other tricks that the monsters use. These evil creatures may get local mortal creatures to attack the Novarin, knowing they suffer less rebound damage. While threatened or ridiculed, the wisest of the Novarin understand that their job is not to serve the monsters but the dungeon itself as a living entity, so they refuse many orders that the monster inhabitants may try to impose on them.

They appear very similar to the local human population, but their eyes are pupil-less. Their hair grows in small circular batches on their head, never growing very long. Their skins brightly shine, especially in darkness thus most wrap themselves tightly in bandages when inside dungeons. Unwrapping their facial bandages is a highly personal act of trust, never doing so in front of creatures they do not trust. Their skins cannot be permanently marked even by tattoos, as their skin always repairs itself within a few days of cutting or marking.

Novarin appear as full adults at the dungeon they are to serve, within small villages that often appear outside dungeon sites. They seem to know the general areas of the dungeon by instinct but not the secret or hidden places. They do not willingly discuss the dungeon or its features. They state only vague generalities such as the rumors around the dungeon or creatures within, never confirming anything. One of the dungeon services they do provide are supplies, outside an entrance site, selling various items. Some of these items may be useful, some are not, it is based on what a typical adventurer will bring – not what is actually needed. This is one of the ways they can earn their own limited funds. Few adventurers should ever realize these little recognized vendors outside the dungeon are also inside it, doing maintenance.

No children or youth of their kind have ever been seen. Some claim that they are the offspring of adventurers caught in the bowels of dungeons, raised by a lawful entity until ready to serve. Others believe they are the reincarnated adventurers who died in a dungeon, nobody is sure and since the Novarin have no knowledge of their predecessors it remains a mystery. There is no stratum or level among the Novarin, all are equal, all serve the dungeon and do not give orders to each other, instinctively knowing their task for the day.

These humanoids serve active dungeons with willing adventurers and inhabitants regardless of the alignment of either. When dungeons are cleared of both monsters and treasure, their numbers start to dwindle as they seem to be reassigned to other locations. Some believe this means there must be a divine power with a portfolio of dungeons that either rules or controls the Novarin.

The overwhelming number of Novarin serve their dungeon faithfully but a few take risks for personal gain. If caught by their kin, they can be stripped of their status as dungeon inhabitants. These forsaken individuals must turn away from dungeons as every door, trap or mechanism fails in their presence, not just their own but in every dungeon they enter.

2 HD Damage Rebound 1 / 2 HD; Open Door or Portal; +5 skill points; +2 to any ability score
3 HD Charm Person (3/day);+5 skill points; feat
4 HD Damage Rebound 1 / HD; +1 in Natural AC; +5 skill points; +2 to any ability score
5 HD Dimension Door (200 feet); +5 skill points; feat;  +1 in Natural AC
6 HD Double Rebound (2/day); +5 skill points;
7 HD Charm Monster (3/day); +1 in Natural AC; +5 skill points; feat; +2 to any ability score
8 HD Charm Fey (3/day); +5 skill points; +1 in Natural AC
9 HD Triple Rebound +3 dmg (3/day);  +5 skill points; feat
10 HD Charm Elemental or  (3/day); +3 in Natural AC; +10 skill points; ; +2 to any 3 ability scores

Novarin continue this racial ability chart when they gain levels. For the few that reach the highest HD, they can choose to gain new levels as fighter, rogues but bard, cleric or sorcerer is also possible. Except for the forsaken, no Novarin chose other classes until they complete this listing.

Open Door: When in their native Dungeon, Novarin can mentally open or close doors within 200 ft.

Damage Rebound: One of their main defenses is that the dungeon gives them a type of damage rebound, any time they are damaged (by spell or weapon), one half their HD level is reflected back onto their attacker each round. Foes only take this type damage once a round, regardless of how many Novarinn they hurt in any given round. At higher levels, they can temporarily increase the rebound damage inflicted (double at 6 HD, triple at 9 HD) for the same number of rounds as their HD. Outsiders automatically suffer an increased multiplier, so at 4 HD, they suffer two damage per HD instead of 1 damage, etc.

Charm Person (or Monster, Fey, Elemental): For the most part, they allow monster or animal or adventurer to do as they wish, however, if creatures interfere with their activities, they can use their magic charming to convince them to depart.

Dimension Door: As per the spell of the same name. They get another casting every two additional levels.

Spire Giant

Spire Giant

N(E) Giant                CR 14
Init +1 Senses Perception +10

 DEFENSE
AC 22 touch 11, flat-footed 21 (+2 Leather Armor, +11 natural) 
hp 142hp (15d8+75 con)
Fort +14, Ref +5, Will +7
    
 OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee Slam +21 (2d10+10) 

 STATISTICS
Str 31, Dex 10, Con 21, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +11 CMB +21 CMD 32
Feats: Awesome Blow, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Sunder, Intimidating Prowess, Iron Will, Power Attack
Skills Climb +16, Jump +15, Intimidation +15, Perception +10, Survival +12 
Languages Giant, Common or one other local (Dwarven or Jahlen most common)
SQ Low Light Vision, Elemental Resistance (20), Unnamed Magical Resistance (20), Immune to Necromancy or Undead spells or effects

 ECOLOGY
Environment      Spirelands
Organization      Solitary or Group (3-6); Tribes rarely have more than 100 members
Treasure Value   Quarter Standard

This is the default giant-kin on Nyssa, a brute which is both gentle outside battle but savage in combat.  Standing 20 feet tall and weighing more then two tons, these giants are a sight to behold. Incredibly strong and physically in proportion to humans. Most mimic in a very general way, the local human population lifestyle.

They are among the most destructive creatures known when provoked or hungry. They usually reside in remote caverns and spires, and are utterly despised for their unceasing hunger, hunting all animal life in the region around them. When an area is depleted, they move on to find a new hunting ground. It usually takes a giant clan 10-20 years before clearing a 500 mile radius of all life. Spire Giants fear nothing and attack all animal life they encounter. One of the most dangerous consequences of these giants moving into a new area is their constant attack on ice-jammers (ships) by bombarding these vehicles with rocks and spears. While it is rarely successful in destroying a vessel, it certainly does tend to limit travel to those regions. Perhaps the only benefit to Spire Giants invading an area is their their ability to devour any type of carrion or corpse. They are one of the few creatures known to consume corporeal undead (ghouls, skeletons); thus when they clear out a region it is virtually empty of all moving entities not smart enough to hide or too slow to run.

While far from intellectuals, spire giants are not mindless. These creatures organize patrols, and are selective before moving to a new area. Manically violent when hunting, they are peaceful around kin, they care for and educate their young, rarely engage in group fighting and even attempt artistic endeavors. The few treaties they have made, they devoutly keep. However they are usually paid off with food, and when the food runs out they tend to go back to hunting everything in sight. Rangers and druids understand it is their hunger that drives their impulses - and while they are quick to attack a ship or caravan, small groups can beseech them for favors or to work for a cause.

Elemental & Magical Resistance: Spire Giants have 20 resistance versus any type of elemental and unnamed magical damage.