Gorgonborne

[jdrich]

Forever is a very long time.

It is said that the petrifying gaze of a gorgon (the Greek gorgons, not the bull-like magical beasts, though possibly) lasts into eternity. Unfortunately, that just isn't the case.

'Gorgonborne' is an acquired template that can be added to any animal, giant, humanoid, or monstrous humanoid (referred to hereafter as the base creature), provided the creature can be turned to stone by the gaze of a gorgon.

A gorgonborne has all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

Size and type

The creature's type changes depending on its base type. Animals become magical beasts. All other types become monstrous humanoids. The creature's size remains unchanged.

Hit Dice

Increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12s. The endless stone prison hardens even the least resilient of souls.

Speed

A gorgonborne's run, burrow, and climb speed (if any) is reduced by 10'. Any fly speed is reduced to half (max 50'), and the manuverability level becomes clumsy.

Armor Class

A gorgonborne's natural armor improves by +7. If a gorgonborne did not previously have a natural armor bonus, that bonus becomes +3.

Attack

A gorgonborne gains a natural slam attack based on its size. A medium gorgonborne's slam attack deals 1d8 damage, plus its strength bonus.

Special Attacks

Breath Weapon (Su)

A gorgonborne gains a breath weapon. By expelling the noxious gasses held within its lungs for ages past, a gorgonborne can create a 5' cone of petrifying gas up to three times per day. Turn to stone for 1d3 minutes, the save DC is Charisma based. Even some evil gorgonborne are loathe to use this ability, as it reminds them of thier ageless prison.

Gorgonbane (Ex)

A gorgonborne has an undying hatred of all creatures that cause petrification. A gorgonborne gains +4 to attack and damage against any creature that causes petrification or paralysis.

Special Qualities

A gorgonborne has Darkvision out to 120 feet.

Immunity to petrification.

Light Sensitivity.

A gorgonborne, due to its partially stone nature, has a +4 to saving throws against poison.

Damage reduction based on hit dice:

1-4: 2/adamantine
5-9: 4/adamantine
10-15: 6/adamantine
16+: 10/adamantine

The remnants of hard stone that dot the gorgonborne's body harden it against attacks.

Abilities

Str +2, Dex -6 (Min 3), Con +8, Wis +2, Int +2.

Because of it's partially stone nature, a gorgonborne is hardy and strong, but somewhat clumsy. Due to ages in contemplation, a gorgonborne has gained a deeper prespective on life.

Challenge Rating

HD 4 to 15, as base creature +2; HD 16 or more, as base creature +3.

Level Adjustment

+3.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Pretty cool. But IIRC, monstrous humanoids and magical beasts have d10 HD. If you really want the gorgonborne to have more HP than d10s would give you, give them bonus hp like constructs and oozes.

[jdrich]

Monstrous humanoids have d8 hit die. I guess I could change it to d10,

[Mike_Lemmer]

So how are they made? Does a gorgon's victim, if left undamaged, eventually regain consciousness & mobility? Could they be mistaken for living statues? How is their personality changed?

All the chunks are there, but there isn't enough fluff to figure out how to insert it.

[jdrich]

How I'm using them:

After a gorgon is slain, her powers of petrification fade. 1d100 years per HD of the gorgon later, the petrified creature, if still intact, will break free of its stony prison.

The creatures would look like thier normal selves, except with clumps of stone where the petrification didn't fade.

They wouldn't look like statues, but rather and more likely like normal creatures with portions of thier skin being stone.