The Vorpal Tribble
2008-08-22, 07:49 AM
Another one of my old creatures rescued from dusty databanks...
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Aurcach
A low, deep rumble sounds from above and upon looking up you see a massive shape disappear into the aurora-lit clouds with the flick of a fluke...
Gargantuan Magical Beast (psionic)
Hit Dice: 14d10+86 (163 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: Fly 50 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 16 (–4 size, +1 Dex, +9 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple: +14/+38
Attack: Bite +22 melee (4d6+12)
Full Attack: Bite +22 melee (4d6+12) and tail slap +17 melee (1d8+6)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Podmind
Special Qualities: Blindsight 120 ft., darkvision 60 ft., hold breath, low-light vision, resistance to cold/5, psionics, psionic subtype
Saves: Fort +15, Ref +11, Will +9
Abilities: Str 35, Dex 14, Con 22, Int 4, Wis 20, Cha 11
Skills: Autohypnosis +18, Listen +8, Spot +8, Knowledge (Psionics) +10
Feats: Alertness, Diehard, Endurance, Open Minded, Psionic Body
Environment: Any cold
Organization: Solitary, Mates, or Pod (5–11)
Challenge Rating: 11
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: 15–20 HD (Gargantuan); 21–40 HD (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: —
It is said that whales were the first creatures pre-elans used to experiment upon, trying to bring forth their psionic potential. The results were discouraging as there seemed to be no affect. Several hundred years later however stories began to emerge from the artics of great beasts that dwelt within the clouds, feeding on the wavering rainbows of aurora. Elans have yet to make the connection, but though it took many generations their experiments were ultimately successful, if not entirely what was planned.
Aurcachs are the descendants of sperm whales that were tested by the elans, and appear normal accept for a lack of barnacles and eyes that occasionally flicker with suppressed energy.
Mentally however they are far beyond their ancestors, having gained a slightly more than minimal sentience. They live their lives traveling with storms, relishing the moisture that keeps them hydrated and their skin from drying. They have also learned how to channel electricity into energy that they can metabolize, so many tend to venture within thunderstorms. They particularly enjoy the flashing herring when they visit low enough to be caught.
When not feeding they simply waft within the clouds singing their songs or deep in philosophical thoughts. They are extremely slow thinkers but thorough ones, possessing much wisdom.
Also known as Spirit Whales or Aurorans, these creatures can be up to 60 feet long and weigh 55,000 to 110,000 lbs. They speak their own language which consists of a complex collection of whistles, clicks and deep, reverberating moans.
Combat
Aurcachs are slow to anger and even slower to combat, but if sufficiently endangered the head bull will generally set upon the offender, slamming down with its powerful flukes. If this is not sufficient they resort to teeth, and if this ultimately fails their mental essences merge into a podmind.
Blindsight (Ex): Aurcachs can “see” by emitting high-frequency sounds, inaudible to most other creatures, that allow them to locate objects and creatures within 120 feet. A silence spell negates this and forces the whale to rely on its vision, which is approximately as good as a human’s.
Hold Breath (Ex): An aurcach can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to 10 x its Constitution score.
Podmind (Ps):
Once a day when the entire pod is in danger of death they can combine their minds to become as one mental entity as if using metaconcert. When this occurs they may use the ultrablast ability, dealing 13d6 points of damage, plus 1d6 for each aurcach joined into the podmind after the minimal 2, to all enemies within a 60 foot radius. All wishing to join in must be within 100 feet of the 'conductor' and cannot move out of this range while joined into the podmind. The DC to resist the power raises by two per whale.
Psionics: Manifester level 14. Save DC's are Wisdom-based.
At Will/Mind Over Energy, Overland Flight, Slow Breathing.
Skills: An aurcach gains a +10 bonus to autohypnosis checks.
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Aurcach
A low, deep rumble sounds from above and upon looking up you see a massive shape disappear into the aurora-lit clouds with the flick of a fluke...
Gargantuan Magical Beast (psionic)
Hit Dice: 14d10+86 (163 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: Fly 50 ft. (average)
Armor Class: 16 (–4 size, +1 Dex, +9 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple: +14/+38
Attack: Bite +22 melee (4d6+12)
Full Attack: Bite +22 melee (4d6+12) and tail slap +17 melee (1d8+6)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Podmind
Special Qualities: Blindsight 120 ft., darkvision 60 ft., hold breath, low-light vision, resistance to cold/5, psionics, psionic subtype
Saves: Fort +15, Ref +11, Will +9
Abilities: Str 35, Dex 14, Con 22, Int 4, Wis 20, Cha 11
Skills: Autohypnosis +18, Listen +8, Spot +8, Knowledge (Psionics) +10
Feats: Alertness, Diehard, Endurance, Open Minded, Psionic Body
Environment: Any cold
Organization: Solitary, Mates, or Pod (5–11)
Challenge Rating: 11
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: 15–20 HD (Gargantuan); 21–40 HD (Colossal)
Level Adjustment: —
It is said that whales were the first creatures pre-elans used to experiment upon, trying to bring forth their psionic potential. The results were discouraging as there seemed to be no affect. Several hundred years later however stories began to emerge from the artics of great beasts that dwelt within the clouds, feeding on the wavering rainbows of aurora. Elans have yet to make the connection, but though it took many generations their experiments were ultimately successful, if not entirely what was planned.
Aurcachs are the descendants of sperm whales that were tested by the elans, and appear normal accept for a lack of barnacles and eyes that occasionally flicker with suppressed energy.
Mentally however they are far beyond their ancestors, having gained a slightly more than minimal sentience. They live their lives traveling with storms, relishing the moisture that keeps them hydrated and their skin from drying. They have also learned how to channel electricity into energy that they can metabolize, so many tend to venture within thunderstorms. They particularly enjoy the flashing herring when they visit low enough to be caught.
When not feeding they simply waft within the clouds singing their songs or deep in philosophical thoughts. They are extremely slow thinkers but thorough ones, possessing much wisdom.
Also known as Spirit Whales or Aurorans, these creatures can be up to 60 feet long and weigh 55,000 to 110,000 lbs. They speak their own language which consists of a complex collection of whistles, clicks and deep, reverberating moans.
Combat
Aurcachs are slow to anger and even slower to combat, but if sufficiently endangered the head bull will generally set upon the offender, slamming down with its powerful flukes. If this is not sufficient they resort to teeth, and if this ultimately fails their mental essences merge into a podmind.
Blindsight (Ex): Aurcachs can “see” by emitting high-frequency sounds, inaudible to most other creatures, that allow them to locate objects and creatures within 120 feet. A silence spell negates this and forces the whale to rely on its vision, which is approximately as good as a human’s.
Hold Breath (Ex): An aurcach can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to 10 x its Constitution score.
Podmind (Ps):
Once a day when the entire pod is in danger of death they can combine their minds to become as one mental entity as if using metaconcert. When this occurs they may use the ultrablast ability, dealing 13d6 points of damage, plus 1d6 for each aurcach joined into the podmind after the minimal 2, to all enemies within a 60 foot radius. All wishing to join in must be within 100 feet of the 'conductor' and cannot move out of this range while joined into the podmind. The DC to resist the power raises by two per whale.
Psionics: Manifester level 14. Save DC's are Wisdom-based.
At Will/Mind Over Energy, Overland Flight, Slow Breathing.
Skills: An aurcach gains a +10 bonus to autohypnosis checks.