Maerok
2006-09-14, 04:51 PM
Slaughter Engine
The corridors around you surge forth as you race down their empty expanse. You can only hear your footsteps and the beat of your heart. Moments ago you were with that cleric and paladin from the city, but the thing... It was too fast... Now there is a dead end coming up ahead of you and the path forks off to the left and right. As you reach the intersection, you catch a glimpse of metal to either side and you push backwards off the wall as two walls of metal soar past each other. In a flash, they are gone, but a series of deep scars have been carved into the ancient wall. The agony of torn stone cries out as the figures return. You look directly in front of you but the noise seems to come from somewhere else... the ceiling! The towering behemoth drops down and it drops into a crouch as its agile bulk pulls its body down. In a second, it launches into a dive from that position, right at you. Those two scythes poised at your face were the last thing you saw...
Size/Type: Large Construct
Hit Dice: 20d10+30 (140 hp)
Initiative: +7
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 38 (-1 size, +7 Dex, +22 natural), touch 16, flat-footed 31
Base Attack/Grapple: +15/+29
Attack: Slash +29 melee (2d10+14 slashing)
Full Attack: 2 slash +29 melee (2d10+14 slashing)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Berserk, spined chassis
Special Qualities: Construct traits, damage reduction 15/adamantine, darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, spider climb, twin existence
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +13, Will +6
Abilities: Str 38, Dex 24, Con Ř, Int Ř, Wis 11, Cha 1
Skills: —
Feats: Great Cleave, Spring Attack, Combat Reflexes, Run
Environment: Ruins and forgotten cities.
Organization: Pair
Challenge Rating: 22
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 21-25 HD (Large)
Slaughter engines are rumored to be created by the same makers as the Magnok. But these constructs kills any intruding creature that comes into the designated area. They resemble sleeker, almost liquid in design, iron golems but bear a large scythe-like blade on each arm. Each slaughter engine has various markings, runes, and designs carved into its entire polished metal hide, adding even more mystery to their origins. These engines were built fast and powerful, using advanced technology that has long since been hidden by the bitter grasp of time. These fiercesome creations leave intruders in tatters. Much like their cousins, the Magnoks, a slaughter engine will melt down to a useless slag upon its destruction.
Slaughter engines always work in pairs and communicate in some unknown manner, but the sparse research suggests something of mechanical telepathy. They are aware of their counterpart's location, condition, and sensory input as if scrying had been placed on it. Together, they act as one and cannot function without the other. This has given them the nickname of Gemini Guardians.
The true process was found inscribed into a massive metal pillar which was guarded by several pairs of slaughter engines. Upon their defeat and vigorous study of the metal, scholars were able to uncover part of the process. A massive metal cube, like the pillar they had uncovered, was pumped with magical energies from the heart of the world. Upon glowing with such power, a member of the ancient populace's army would enter the now liquid yet solid cube of metal. As the magic bound their soul to the metal, an artisan would complete the ritual and strike the cube with a hammer of great power. The cube would then split off into two and meld into the forms they now possess. Two slaughter engines are produced and bound by the soul of the sacrificed soldier. While bound by a soul of a living creature, they only adopt a single attribute of the person - natural aggression. It is suggested that participating in this ritual is one of the greatest achievements.
Twin Existence (Su): If a slaughter engine's counterpart is destroyed, its partner is reduced to -10 HP and destroyed instantly.
Spined Chassis (Ex): The body of a slaughter engine is encircled by rows of spines across its shoulders, back, arms, and legs. Grappling a slaughter engine deals 2d6 points of piercing damage each round.
Berserk (Ex): When a slaughter engine enters combat, there is a cumulative 1% chance each round that the engine goes berserk. The uncontrolled engine goes on a rampage, attacking the nearest living creature or smashing some object smaller than itself if no creature is within reach, then moving on to spread more destruction. It takes 1 minute of inactivity by the engine to reset the slaughter engine’s berserk chance to 0%. A slaughter engine will avoid its counterpart while berserking.
A slaughter engine is affected normally by rust attacks, such as that of a rust monster or a rusting grasp spell. Slaughter engines do not rust under normal, mundane conditions.
The corridors around you surge forth as you race down their empty expanse. You can only hear your footsteps and the beat of your heart. Moments ago you were with that cleric and paladin from the city, but the thing... It was too fast... Now there is a dead end coming up ahead of you and the path forks off to the left and right. As you reach the intersection, you catch a glimpse of metal to either side and you push backwards off the wall as two walls of metal soar past each other. In a flash, they are gone, but a series of deep scars have been carved into the ancient wall. The agony of torn stone cries out as the figures return. You look directly in front of you but the noise seems to come from somewhere else... the ceiling! The towering behemoth drops down and it drops into a crouch as its agile bulk pulls its body down. In a second, it launches into a dive from that position, right at you. Those two scythes poised at your face were the last thing you saw...
Size/Type: Large Construct
Hit Dice: 20d10+30 (140 hp)
Initiative: +7
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 38 (-1 size, +7 Dex, +22 natural), touch 16, flat-footed 31
Base Attack/Grapple: +15/+29
Attack: Slash +29 melee (2d10+14 slashing)
Full Attack: 2 slash +29 melee (2d10+14 slashing)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks: Berserk, spined chassis
Special Qualities: Construct traits, damage reduction 15/adamantine, darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, spider climb, twin existence
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +13, Will +6
Abilities: Str 38, Dex 24, Con Ř, Int Ř, Wis 11, Cha 1
Skills: —
Feats: Great Cleave, Spring Attack, Combat Reflexes, Run
Environment: Ruins and forgotten cities.
Organization: Pair
Challenge Rating: 22
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 21-25 HD (Large)
Slaughter engines are rumored to be created by the same makers as the Magnok. But these constructs kills any intruding creature that comes into the designated area. They resemble sleeker, almost liquid in design, iron golems but bear a large scythe-like blade on each arm. Each slaughter engine has various markings, runes, and designs carved into its entire polished metal hide, adding even more mystery to their origins. These engines were built fast and powerful, using advanced technology that has long since been hidden by the bitter grasp of time. These fiercesome creations leave intruders in tatters. Much like their cousins, the Magnoks, a slaughter engine will melt down to a useless slag upon its destruction.
Slaughter engines always work in pairs and communicate in some unknown manner, but the sparse research suggests something of mechanical telepathy. They are aware of their counterpart's location, condition, and sensory input as if scrying had been placed on it. Together, they act as one and cannot function without the other. This has given them the nickname of Gemini Guardians.
The true process was found inscribed into a massive metal pillar which was guarded by several pairs of slaughter engines. Upon their defeat and vigorous study of the metal, scholars were able to uncover part of the process. A massive metal cube, like the pillar they had uncovered, was pumped with magical energies from the heart of the world. Upon glowing with such power, a member of the ancient populace's army would enter the now liquid yet solid cube of metal. As the magic bound their soul to the metal, an artisan would complete the ritual and strike the cube with a hammer of great power. The cube would then split off into two and meld into the forms they now possess. Two slaughter engines are produced and bound by the soul of the sacrificed soldier. While bound by a soul of a living creature, they only adopt a single attribute of the person - natural aggression. It is suggested that participating in this ritual is one of the greatest achievements.
Twin Existence (Su): If a slaughter engine's counterpart is destroyed, its partner is reduced to -10 HP and destroyed instantly.
Spined Chassis (Ex): The body of a slaughter engine is encircled by rows of spines across its shoulders, back, arms, and legs. Grappling a slaughter engine deals 2d6 points of piercing damage each round.
Berserk (Ex): When a slaughter engine enters combat, there is a cumulative 1% chance each round that the engine goes berserk. The uncontrolled engine goes on a rampage, attacking the nearest living creature or smashing some object smaller than itself if no creature is within reach, then moving on to spread more destruction. It takes 1 minute of inactivity by the engine to reset the slaughter engine’s berserk chance to 0%. A slaughter engine will avoid its counterpart while berserking.
A slaughter engine is affected normally by rust attacks, such as that of a rust monster or a rusting grasp spell. Slaughter engines do not rust under normal, mundane conditions.