Templates (misc)

Abominations (often called hybrids) are fusions of two normal creatures that are just as often intelligent as they are rampaging beasts. No one knows how abominations come to be: perhaps the result of experimentation by a mad wizard or druid, a wish or miracle gone awry, or the wrath a deity. The end result that fuses two creatures together often destroys the mind of the hapless beings, forcing them into madness and evil. Druids almost universally view evil abominations as profane violations of nature that must be eliminated wherever they are found. The most well known examples of abominations are hippogriffs, griffons, gorilla bears, and the terrible owlbear.

Creating an Abomination

“Abomination” is an acquired template that can be added to any animal, vermin, or humanoid (referred to hereafter as the base creature). The base creature is usually assumed to be the larger of the two animals to be hybridized. The abomination uses the statistics and special abilities (or an average of the two) of both base creatures.

CR: Equal to the higher of the two base creatures +1.

Size and Type: A hybrid of animals or vermin becomes a magical beast; a hybrid that includes a humanoid becomes a monstrous humanoid. The abomination’s size is the same as the larger of the two base creatures. Recalculate base attack bonus, base saves, and skill points based on the creature’s new type and its new Hit Dice total.

AC: Natural armor bonus, if any, is equal to the higher of the two base creatures.

Hit Dice: If both base creatures are of the same size category, add the HD of both and divide by two. Otherwise, use the higher of the two HD totals –1. Change all current and future Hit Dice to d10s.

Defensive Abilities: If both base creatures have the same defensive abilities, the abomination has them as well. For a defensive ability possessed by only one of the base creatures, there is a 50% chance the abomination has it.

Speed: Average the speeds of the base creatures to be hybridized (round up); if the smaller base creature can fly, there is a 75% chance that the ability to fly is lost if the size of the abomination is more than one category above that of the smaller creature.

Attacks: If both base creatures have the same attack forms, the abomination has them as well. For an attack possessed by only one of the base creatures, there is a 50% chance the abomination has it. If both base creatures have two different attack forms on the same limb, such as a claw and a slam, the abomination has a 50% chance of having either attack form, but never both.

Damage: The highest damage die of the two base creatures, modified for possible change in Strength. The attack forms of a smaller base creature are increased in die type using the standard size increase rules.

Space/Reach: Equal to that of the larger creature.

Special Attacks: If both base creatures have the same special attacks, the abomination has them as well. For a special attack possessed by only one of the base creatures, there is a 50% chance the abomination has it. Save DCs to special attacks are adjusted for any change in ability scores.

Abilities: The abomination’s ability scores are modified or determined as follows:

• Strength: Add the Strength scores of both base creatures together and divide by two. Modify the result as follows:
  • If both base creatures are of the same size category, do nothing.
    
  • If one base creature is smaller but within two sizes of the larger base creature, subtract 2 from the Strength score.
    
  • If one base creature is three or four sizes smaller than the larger of the base creatures, subtract 4 from the Strength score.
    
  • If one base creature is five or more sizes smaller than the larger of the base creatures, subtract 6 from the Strength score.
• Dexterity: Add the Dexterity scores of both base creatures together and divide by two. Modify the result as follows:
  
  • If both base creatures are of the same size category, do nothing.
    
  • If one base creature is larger but within two sizes of the smaller base creature, subtract 2 from the Dexterity score.
    
  • If one base creature is three or four sizes larger than the smaller of the base creatures, subtract 4 from the Dexterity score.
    
  • If one base creature is five or more sizes larger than the smaller of the base creatures, subtract 6 from the Dexterity score.
• Constitution: Average the Constitution of two like-sized creatures, or take the highest Constitution score if the creatures are of different sizes. Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma: These abilities are rerolled for the abomination as follows: Intelligence is rolled using 1d4+2, Wisdom is rolled using 2d6, and Charisma is rolled using 2d6.

Feats: Abominations retain all feats of the base creatures. If this gives the abomination more feats than it would normally have based on its Hit Dice, the additional feats are considered bonus feats.

Skills: Abominations lose all current skill points and recalculate as follows: if the abomination is a magical beast, it gains skill points equal to 2 + Intelligence modifier (minimum 1) per Hit Die; if the abomination is a monstrous humanoid, it instead gains skill points equal to 4 + Intelligence modifier (minimum 1) per Hit Die. Class skills are determined by the creature’s new type. Abominations retain any bonuses to skills and checks possessed by either base creature. Identical bonus types to the same skill or skill check do not stack (they overlap).

Special Qualities: If both base creatures have the same special qualities, the abomination has them as well. For a special quality possessed by only one of the base creatures, there is a 50% chance the abomination has it.

Environment: 50% chance of either base creature.

Organization: Solitary, pair, or pack (5–8).

Treasure: None.

An amphisbaena is a creature with a head on each end. More specifically, an amphisbaena consists of two sets of forequarters of a creature conjoined in the middle. Each head of the creature is independent, but they share a close bond that enables them to coordinate attacks and movement. Bipedal amphisbaena creatures have two sets of arms. One set of arms is used for attacking and manipulating, while the other set is used for locomotion. Which set of arms is used for which purpose doesn’t matter to a humanoid amphisbaena; they can easily switch positions.

Creating an Amphisbaena Creature

“Amphisbaena Creature” is an inherited template that can be applied to any creature with a definite head (referred to as the “base creature”). It retains all the special abilities of the base creature, except as noted here.

CR: Same as the base creature +2.

Type: Animals and vermin become magical beasts, and humanoids become monstrous humanoids, but otherwise the type remains unchanged. The amphisbaena gains the augmented subtype if its type changes. Do not recalculate the creature’s base attack bonus, saves, or skill points.

Hit Dice: Same as base creature +3. Animals and vermin that become magical beasts change their HD type to d10s.

Defensive Abilities: An amphisbaena gains cold resistance 10 and the following defensive abilities:

• All-Around Vision (Ex) An amphisbaena sees in all directions at once. It cannot be flanked.
• Split (Ex) Each of the amphisbaena’s heads functions independently of the other. An amphisbaena that is cut in half by 10 or more points of slashing damage from a single attack for a Tiny creature, 20 or more points of damage for a Small or Medium creature, 30 or more points of damage for a Large creature, 40 or more points of damage for a Huge creature, 50 or more points of damage for a Gargantuan creature, and 60 or more points of damage for a Colossal creature continues to function normally (each with half its current hit points) and reattaches its body together in 1d2 days. An amphisbaena that has been split cannot be split again until it reattaches.

Attacks: An amphisbaena retains all the attacks of the base creature, except those which originate from the hind quarters. Each head, however, can make use of any attack that originates from the forequarters. Although a bipedal amphisbaena has two sets of arms, it can only attack with one set; the other set are used for balance and movement.

Special Attacks: An amphisbaena retains all the special attacks of the base creature, except those which originate from the hind quarters. Each head, however, can make use of any attack that originates from the forequarters. For example, an amphisbaena red dragon gains an additional breath weapon and bite attack (for the other head), but loses its tail slap. Increase the save DCs of any special attacks due to the base creature’s increased HD and increased ability scores.

Abilities: Str +4, Dex –2, Con +2.

Feats: An amphisbaena gains additional feats as normal from the increase in HD when applying this template.

Skills: An amphisbaena gains additional skill points from the increase in HD when applying this template. Amphisbaena have a +4 racial bonus on Perception skill checks.

A collective creature is a swarm of small animals or insects that has taken on a definite single shape. The individuals in the swarm merge together and act as a single creature, gaining the benefits of one body comprised of many parts. Some kind of strange natural magic binds the creatures together, giving them a rudimentary intelligence spawned from a hive mind. The form of a collective creature vaguely resembles the shape of the animal or insect from which it is made; the collective subconscious of the individuals forces them to align in a familiar configuration. Even though the collective takes on a recognizable shape, it is featureless and obviously formed of a writhing mass of individuals.

Though a collective is intelligent, it cannot speak.

Creating a Collective Creature

“Collective” is an acquired template that can be added to any swarm composed of animals or vermin (referred to hereafter as the base swarm). A collective retains all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

CR: A collective creature’s CR is equal to the CR of the base swarm +1, plus 1 per additional swarm that comprises the collective creature.

Size and Type: The base swarm’s type changes to magical beast and it loses the swarm subtype. The size of a collective creature is determined by the number of swarms in its composition. A collective creature comprised of 1 swarm is Medium; a collective creature comprised of 2–3 swarms is Large; and a collective creature of comprised of 4 swarms is Huge.

AC: The individuals that comprise a collective creature are packed together in a dense mass. A collective creature gains a +4 natural armor bonus. This stacks with any other natural bonus the base swarm has.
Hit Dice: All current and future Hit Dice become d10s. A collective creature has HD equal to the HD of the base swarm, plus one-half the HD of all other swarms comprising the collective creature. For example, a locust swarm has 6 HD. A collective creature formed of 3 locust swarms would have 12 HD (6 HD for the first swarm, 3 HD for the second swarm, and 3 HD for the third swarm).

Defensive Abilities: Because the creature loses the swarm subtype, it loses all the associated defensive abilities. It gains the following:

• Damage Reduction (Su) A collective creature gains damage reduction based on its Hit Dice:
      5 HD or less: damage reduction 5/bludgeoning;
      6–11 HD: damage reduction 10/bludgeoning;
      12 HD or more: damage reduction 15/bludgeoning.
• One from Many (Ex) A collective creature has no clear front or back and no discernible anatomy, so it is not subject to critical hits or flanking. Reducing a collective creature to 0 hit points or lower causes it to break apart into its component creatures. Collective creatures are never staggered or reduced to a dying state by damage. At will, a collective can break into its component swarms or even into individual creatures and disperse.
• Immunities (Ex) A collective creature is immune to any spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures (including single-target spells such as disintegrate), with the exception of mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects). A collective creature rendered unconscious by means of nonlethal damage becomes disorganized and dispersed, and does not reform until its hit points exceed its nonlethal damage.

Weaknesses: A collective creature takes half again as much (+50%) damage from spells or effects that affect an area, such as splash weapons and evocation spells such as fireball.

Speed: The ground speed of a collective creature is that of the base swarm or 30 feet, whichever is better. Flying swarms reduce their fly speed by 10 feet (minimum of 10 feet) and maneuverability decreases by one grade if it is good or better.

Attacks: A collective creature loses its swarm attack and gains a single attack relative to its animal or vermin type (the attack is usually a bite or sting). Damage for its attack is based on its size: Medium, 1d6; Large, 1d8; or Huge, 2d6.

Space/Reach: A collective creature’s space/reach is standard for a creature of its size:
    Medium, 5 ft./5 ft.;
    Large 10 ft./10 ft. or 10 ft./5 ft.;
    Huge, 15 ft./15 ft. or 15 ft./10 ft.

Special Attacks: A collective creature retains all the special attacks of the base swarm, and gains the following. Saves have a DC of 10 + 1/2 collective creature’s HD + Con modifier unless noted otherwise.

• Engulf (Ex) A collective creature can occupy the same square(s) as a creature that fits within its space as a standard action (since the individuals can crawl all over the opponent). It cannot make any other attack in any round in which it engulfs. The collective creature merely has to move over its opponents, affecting as many as it can cover. Opponents can make attacks of opportunity against the collective creature, but if they do so, they are not entitled to a saving throw. Those who do not attempt attacks of opportunity must succeed on a Reflex save or be engulfed; on a success, they are pushed back or aside (opponent’s choice). Engulfed creatures take slam damage and are subjected to any other special attack the collective might have (poison, disease, and so on) each round on the collective’s turn. An engulfed creature is considered to be grappled and trapped within the collective creature’s body.
• Many from One (Ex) A collective creature can sling a clump of individuals from its body at a single target within 10 feet (with a 10-foot range increment). This requires a successful ranged touch attack. If struck, the target takes 1d6 points of damage. If the base swarm’s normal attack deals disease, poison, or any other such damage, its ranged attack does as well. If the attack allows a save to avoid or resist, the target can attempt a saving throw. A collective creature automatically takes 1 point of damage each time it uses this attack since the individual components of itself used in the attack are either killed or scurry away.
• Swarming Body (Ex) Any creature attacking a collective creature unarmed or with natural weapons automatically takes 1d4 points of damage as the swarms comprising the collective creature bite, sting or otherwise attack the opponent. Large collectives deal 1d6 points of damage; Huge collectives deal 1d8 points of damage with their swarming body attack. If the base swarm’s normal attack deals disease, poison, or any other such damage, this attack does as well. If the attack allows a save to avoid or resist, the target can attempt a saving throw.

CMD: A collective creature cannot be tripped.

Feats: Same as the base swarm. If the base swarm has no feats, then the collective creature gains one feat, plus one feat every other Hit Dice of the base swarm. If the base swarm has a feat that no longer benefits it (say Weapon Finesse and after applying this template its Strength is higher than its Dexterity), it can swap that feat for another similar feat (in the above example, the collective would lose Weapon Finesse and gain Weapon Focus).

Skills: A collective creature has skill points equal to (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1). The following are class skills for magical beasts: Acrobatics, Climb, Fly, Perception, Stealth, and Swim.

SQ: A collective creature retains all the special qualities of the base swarm other than those derived from the swarm subtype. It also gains the following:

• Collective Traits (Ex) A collective creature can move through squares occupied by enemies and vice versa without impediment, although the collective creature provokes an attack of opportunity if it does so. A collective creature can move through cracks or holes large enough for its component creatures. Moving through small openings is a full–round action that provokes an attack of opportunity and the collective creature’s speed is reduced to 5 feet (1 square) until it is clear of the obstruction.
  
  

Degenerate creatures are weaker than their ordinary cousins.

• Quick Rules: Creature suffers –2 on all rolls (including damage rolls) and to special ability DCs; –2 to AC and CMD; –2 hp/HD.
• Rebuild Rules: Reduce all ability scores by 4 (minimum 1).
  

Dire creatures are large, feral-looking animals. They are not just bigger versions of normal animals, however. On the whole, dire creatures are bigger, stronger, faster, and more aggressive than their normal counterparts.

No one is certain what causes a dire creature to be born. Some druids maintain that Nature creates dire creatures as a direct response to some environmental threat, or as an adaptation to the magic and monsters that share the world with her creations. Others insist that, rather than an evolutionary step forward, dire creatures are a regression to more savage and prehistoric days. The majority of druids are not in the habit of questioning or explaining Nature’s motives, however, and simply state that dire creatures exist and that is all that need be known.

Creating a Dire Creature

“Dire” is an inherited template that can be added to any animal that is not already dire (referred to hereafter as the base creature). A dire creature retains all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here. Some dire creatures were not created using this template and may be the exception to the rules presented here having predated the creation of this monster template.

CR: Same as the base creature +2.

Size and Type: If the base creature is Tiny or smaller, increase its size to Small. Otherwise, increase its size by one size category. The dire creature does not gain the benefits or penalties to ability scores that arise from increased size.

AC: Natural armor increases by +5. If the base creature has no natural armor bonus, it gains a natural armor bonus of +5. This bonus stacks with the bonus gained from the increase in size.

Hit Dice: If the dire creature is Small, it has a number of Hit Dice equal to the base creature +1 (minimum of 2 HD). If the dire creature is Medium, it has a number of Hit Dice equal to the base creature +3 (minimum of 4 HD). If the dire creature is Large or larger it has a number of Hit Dice equal to double the base creature (minimum of 6 HD). Recalculate base attack bonus and base saves according to the dire creature’s new Hit Dice total (base attack bonus equals 3/4 Hit Dice, Fort and Ref equal 1/2 Hit Dice +2, Will equals 1/3 Hit Dice).

Speed: Same as the base creature +10 ft.

Attacks: Adjust damage dice of all natural attacks upwards to the dire creature’s new size according to the natural attack progression table.

Special Attacks: Increase the damage dice for any special attacks to its new size (usually by on step).

Abilities: Str +8, Dex +2, Con +8, Wis +4 and Cha +4.

Feats: Same as base creature, with additional feats gained through the usual means from the increase in HD. If the base animal has Weapon Finesse and the feat would become useless after its increase in Strength, then it may trade Weapon Finesse for Weapon Focus with one of its natural attacks.

Skills: A dire creature gains skill points equal to 2 + Intelligence modifier (minimum 1) for each HD it gained. Its class skills are unchanged.

“Dream Eater” is an acquired template that can be added to any living intelligent creature.

CR: Same as base creature +2.

Alignment: Chaotic evil—most dream eaters become worshipers of chaotic evil deities.

Senses: The base creature gains darkvision 60 ft.; if the base creature already possesses darkvision, the range of that ability increases by 60 ft.

Immunity: The base creature becomes immune to mind-affecting effects.

Special Attacks: A dream eater gains two special attacks, as detailed below. Both of these special attacks have save DCs equal to 10 + 1/2 the dream eater’s Hit Dice + the dream eater’s Charisma modifier.

• Dream Eating (Su) As a full-round action that provokes attacks of opportunity, a dream eater can consume a creature’s subconscious dreams if the victim fails to resist with a Will save. A sleeping victim takes a –2 penalty on saving throws against this ability, but automatically wakens if the save is successful. On a failed save, the victim takes 1d4 points of Charisma damage, and the dream eater gains a number of psychic points equal to the Charisma drained, to a maximum amount of psychic points equal to the dream eater’s Hit Dice.
• Psychic Assault (Su) As a swift action, a dream eater can imbue any melee attack he makes with a psychic assault, infusing the mind of the creature struck with hideous nightmare visions and hallucinations. The magnitude of the effect depends on how many psychic points the dream eater spends in the assault. By expending 1 point, the dream eater can cause the victim to become dazzled for 1d6 rounds. By expending 3 points, he can make a victim become staggered for 1d6 rounds. By expending 5 points, he can make the victim nauseated for 1d6 rounds. By expending 7 points, he can make the victim confused for 1d6 rounds. And by expending 9 points, he can stun the victim for 1d6 rounds. The victim can resist the psychic assault entirely by making a Will saving throw.

Special Abilities: A dream eater gains telepathy with other dream eaters to a range of 30 feet.

Ability Scores: Str +6, Dex +2, Con +4, Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +4.

Skills: A dream eater gains a +4 racial bonus on Perception and Stealth checks. He also gains a +8 racial bonus on Knowledge (religion) and Knowledge (planes) checks, and these two skills are now always considered class skills for the creature.

As titans are to halflings so gigantean creatures are to normal specimens of their kinds. The world trembles beneath the steps of these huge and terrible creatures as they move. Giganteans are aberrant, super-sized versions of normal creatures. The massive creatures sometimes have sympathy for their smaller cousins, but there can also be as much enmity between them as there is between dwarves and giants. The origins of giganteans are varied. They can be produced by very powerful magic, or a seminal event (such as the impact of a strange meteor) could cause an entire population to grow into giganteans. and once a tribe of giganteans comes into existence, it could potentially grow (in numbers and size) for generations, protected or trapped by some natural or magical barrier.

Creating a Gigantean

“Gigantean” is an inherited or acquired template that can be added to any creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). A gigantean uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

Challenge Rating: Increase the base creature’s CR by +1 for every 4 HD added, except for creatures of the dragon, outsider, magical beast, and monstrous humanoid type. For dragons and outsiders, increase the CR by +1 per 2 additional HD. For magical beasts and monstrous humanoids, increase the CR by +1 per 3 additional HD. Then compare the gigantean to creatures with Challenge Ratings up to 3 higher to determine whether the CR you have assigned is reasonable.

Size: A gigantean creature’s size increases by up to four categories over that of the base creature as indicated on Table 2-23 (maximum Colossal; see the Table 2-25 for new dimensions). Creatures of different size categories that increase to the same size category because of the table’s upper limit retain their proportions to one another within their new size category. Thus, a gigantean human is smaller than a gigantean ogre, and a gigantean Colossal creature is larger than the normal Colossal version.

Old Size     New Size     Natural AC Bonus     Racial HD Multiplier     Str     Dex     Con
Fine     Medium     +0     ×6     +10     -8     +2
Diminutive     Large     +2     ×6     +18     -8     +6
Tiny     Huge     +5     ×6     +24     -8     +10
Small     Gargantuan     +9     ×6     +28     -6     +14
Medium     Colossal     +14     ×6     +32     -4     +16
Large     Colossal     +12     ×4     +24     -2     +12
Huge     Colossal     +9     ×4     +16     +0     +8
Gargantuan     Colossal     +5     ×2     +8     +0     +4
Colossal     Colossal     +0     ×2     +0     +0     +0

Senses: The range of all senses increases by the value of the base creature’s value multiplied by the number of size categories gained.

Armor Class: The base creature’s size modifier to AC is replaced by one based on the gigantean’s new size. In addition, its natural armor bonus increases over that of the base creature by the amount indicated in Table 2-23.

Hit Dice: The gigantean creature gains racial Hit Dice depending on the number of size categories it gained. Multiply the base creature’s racial HD by the racial HD multiplier in Table 2-23 for its new total racial HD.

Hit Dice gained from character classes are not multiplied, though they still count normally toward the creature’s character level. If all a creature’s HD are from class levels, the creature has 1 racial HD for the purpose of the multiplication. If the base creature is Fine to Medium size and has 2 or fewer racial HD, ignore the multipliers—its gigantean version simply has 15 HD.

Bonus hit points for certain creature types are sometimes based on size (such as for constructs). In this case, use the normal bonus hit points for the creature’s new size.

Saving Throws: The gigantean’s base save bonuses increase with its additional racial Hit Dice. Replace the portion of each of the base creature’s save bonuses derived from racial HD with a new one based on its type, its new racial HD, and new ability scores.

Speed: Each of the gigantean’s speeds increases with its size. Multiply each of the base creature’s speeds by the number of size categories the gigantean version gained.

Attacks: The gigantean retains all the base creature’s attacks and its weapon and armor proficiencies. Its bonus on attack rolls changes based on its new base attack bonus, its new Strength modifier, and its new size modifier. Scale up the base damage once for each size category of difference between the base creature and the gigantean (see Table 2-24). Ability score damage, drain and energy damage also scale up in the same manner, but negative levels bestowed via attacks do not increase.

Old Damage     New Damage
1     1d2
1d2     1d3
1d3     1d4
1d4     1d6
1d6     1d8
1d8     2d6 
1d10   2d8  
2d6     3d6
2d8     3d8
4d6     6d6
4d8     6d8

Space/Reach: The gigantean has a space and reach appropriate to its new size, as described in Table 2-25. If the base creature had greater than normal reach for its size, add 5 feet to the reach indicated on the table.

Special Attacks: Except for spells and spell-like abilities, the ranges, areas, and damage of the base creature’s Special attacks change. To find the new range and area, add the value of the base creature’s value multiplied by the number of size categories gained. If the special attack deals hit point damage, its base damage increases as described on Table 2-24. In addition, changes in ability scores may change special attack DCs.

A gigantean gains the trample special ability. To determine the base trample damage of a creature that does not have a slam attack, use the slam (See Natural Attacks) for a creature of the gigantean’s size.

Abilities: The gigantean’s ability scores change based on its size change, as given on Table 2-23. If the base creature has the undead or construct type ignore the bonuses to Constitution.

BAB: The gigantean’s base attack bonus increases with its additional Hit Dice. Replace the portion of the base creature’s base attack bonus derived from racial HD with a new one based on its type and its new racial HD.

CMB/CMD: The gigantean’s CMB and CMD change based on its new size as well as its new Strength and Dexterity.

Feats: The gigantean retains the base creature’s bonus feats, but it loses all other feats the base creature had. Recalculate the number of feat slots the gigantean has based on its character level (racial and class HD) and assign feats as desired, giving preference to the feats that the base creature possessed. The gigantean must still meet any prerequisites for feats chosen to fill vacant feat slots.

Skills: Ignore the base creature’s skill modifiers. Recalculate skill points for the gigantean’s racial Hit Dice according to its type then purchase its skills afresh, treating the base creature’s skills as class skills. The gigantean retains any skill points gained from class levels and any racial skill bonuses the base creature has. New size modifiers and new ability scores all modify skills.

Special Qualities: If the base creature is Gargantuan or Colossal, the gigantean gains the massive special quality.

• Massive (Ex) Because giganteans are so massive, uneven ground and other terrain features that form difficult terrain generally pose no significant hindrance to a gigantean’s movement, though areas of forest or settlements are considered difficult terrain to a gigantean. A Huge or smaller creature can move through any square occupied by a gigantean, or vice-versa. A gigantean can make attacks of opportunity only against foes that are Huge or larger, and can be flanked only by Huge or larger foes. A gigantean gains a bonus for being on higher ground only if its entire space is on higher ground than that of its target. It’s possible for a Huge or smaller creature to climb a gigantean—this generally requires a successful DC 30 check, and unlike the normal rules about gigantean and attacks of opportunity, a Small or larger creature that climbs on a gigantean’s body provokes an attack of opportunity from the monster.

Old Size     New Size     New Size Range     New Space/Reach (Tall)     New Space/Reach (Long)
Fine     Medium     4 ft.-8 ft.     5 ft./5 ft.     5 ft./5 ft.
Diminutive     Large     8 ft.-16 ft.     10 ft./10 ft.     10 ft./10 ft.
Tiny     Huge     16 ft.-32 ft.     15 ft./15 ft.     15 ft./10 ft.
Small     Gargantuan     32 ft.-64 ft.     20 ft./20 ft.     20 ft./15 ft.
Medium     Colossal     64 ft.+     30 ft./30 ft.     30 ft./20 ft.
Large     Colossal     64 ft.+     30 ft./30 ft.     30 ft./20 ft.
Huge     Colossal     64 ft.+     30 ft./30 ft.     30 ft./20 ft.
Gargantuan     Colossal     64 ft.+     30 ft./30 ft.     30 ft./20 ft.
Colossal     Colossal     64 ft.+     30 ft./30 ft.     30 ft./20 ft.

Using the Gigantean Template

The gigantean template can create a wealth of interesting monsters, especially when applied to small creatures with few HD. It can also make for creatures with very high Challenge Ratings, so before applying the template, check to see whether the resulting creature will be of a CR you can use. If the creature gains fewer HD than called for, it will have a lower CR, and the reverse is also true. If you want to add more or fewer additional Hit Dice when you apply this template to a monster, there’s no reason you can’t do so. If you decide to grant fewer additional HD, be sure that the ability modifications don’t make the creature too dangerous for its decreased CR.

If you apply the gigantean template and the resulting creature is not deadly enough, consider adding a breath weapon as a dragon of the same size, SR equal to 10 +CR,. or even spell turning as a constant spell, turning 1d4+4 levels of spell each turn. Each of these increases the final CR by +1.

Creatures who have been “blessed” by a demon lord‘s attention may acquire this template, which leaves them hunched and knotted with corded muscles and awkwardly formed limbs. Though slower and clumsier than their fellows, gnarled creatures are much stronger and hardier and have thick, horny skin.

Creating a Gnarled Creature

“Gnarled” is an acquired template that can be applied to any creature of the animal, dragon, fey, humanoid, magical beast, monstrous humanoid, outsider, undead, or vermin type.

Quick Rules: +1 on all rolls based on Str or Con, +1 hp/HD, –1 penalty on all rolls based on Dex, –2 penalty on all rolls based on Cha, gains Diehard as a bonus feat.

Rebuild Rules: AC increase natural armor by +3; Speed reduce base speed by 10 ft. (cannot be lower than 10 ft.); Defensive Abilities gains the ferocity ability; Ability Scores +2 Str, +2 Con, –2 Dex, –4 Cha.

A guardian spirit is bound to the fate of a mortal being (called its “ward”). This bond may be formed by any number of beings or events carrying the weight of destiny, such as deities, the Eldest, norns, and mythic creatures and magic.

A spirit can bind itself willingly if it believes that doing so is likely to further its agenda, give it more power, or allow it access to the world of mortals. Mortals can generally invoke a guardian spirit only with summoning and calling spells.
Creating a Guardian Spirit

“Guardian spirit” is an acquired template that can be added to any fey or outsider that qualifies to become a familiar through the Improved Familiar feat (this template does not make it a familiar, however). A guardian spirit uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here. A guardian spirit has a rune on its forehead similar to that on an eidolon (though its ward does not gain a matching rune).

CR: The guardian spirit’s CR increases based on the level of spell used to summon it, as noted on the Conjured Guardian table.

Armor Class: The guardian spirit’s natural armor bonus increases based on the level of spell used to summon it, as noted on the Conjured Guardian table.

Hit Dice: The guardian spirit’s Hit Dice increase based on the level of spell used to summon it, as noted on the Conjured Guardian table. It gains appropriate skill points, feats, ability score increases, base attack bonus, and base saving throw advancements for its increased Hit Dice.
Table: Conjured Guardian Conjuration
Spell Level     CR     Armor
Class     Hit
Dice     Ability
Scores     Special
3     +0     +0     +0     +2     Smite threat 1/day, spell-like abilities
4     +2     +2     +2     +2     Fated guardian, spell-like ability
5     +4     +4     +4     +4     Spell-like ability
6     +6     +6     +6     +4     Smite threat 2/day, spell-like ability
7     +8     +8     +8     +6     Spell-like ability
8     +10     +10     +10     +6     Co-walker, spell-like ability
9     +12     +12     +12     +8     Smite threat 3/day, spell-like ability

Defensive Abilities: The guardian spirit has an amount of spell resistance equal to 11 + its CR unless the base creature’s SR was higher.

Ability Scores: The guardian spirit’s Charisma score becomes 18 unless the base creature’s Charisma score was higher. Each of the guardian spirit’s ability scores increases when it’s summoned by higher-level spells, as noted on the Conjured Guardian table above.

Special Attacks: If the guardian spirit has extraordinary or supernatural abilities that deal hit point damage measured in dice, the number of dice increases by an amount equal to the level of spell used to conjure it – 3. If the ability requires at least a standard action to activate and has an instantaneous duration, the damage increases by an additional die.

Special: The guardian spirit gains a smite and additional special abilities as noted on the table.
Smite Threat (Su)

Once per day as a swift action, the guardian spirit can add its Charisma bonus on attack rolls and its HD on damage rolls against a foe that currently threatens its ward or has attacked the ward within the past 24 hours; this smite persists until the target is dead or the summoning of the guardian spirit ends. If the spirit is summoned by a 6th-level spell, it can use smite threat an additional time per day, and if the spirit is summoned by a 9th-level spell, it can use smite threat a third time per day.

Spell-Like Abilities: A guardian spirit’s caster level for its spell-like abilities is equal to its Challenge Rating + 1, or to the base creature’s caster level, whichever is higher.
Guidance (Sp)

It can cast guidance at will.

Additionally, for every spell level of the conjuration spell used to call or summon it (such as planar ally, planar binding, or summon monster if the summoner has the Summon Guardian Spirit feat), the guardian spirit gains access to one additional spell-like ability of the ward’s choice from the following list:

    Spell Level 3: Chill touch, ill omen, protection from chaos/evil/good/law (choose one; its alignment descriptor must oppose the guardian spirit’s alignment).
    Spell Level 4: Call lightning, detect thoughts, invisibility.
    Spell Level 5: Cure serious wounds, dispel magic, shout.
    Spell Level 6: Call lightning storm, death ward, freedom of movement.
    Spell Level 7: Break enchantment, breath of life, contagious flame.
    Spell Level 8: Cloak of dreams, greater heroism, sunbeam.
    Spell Level 9: Greater shout, power word blind, regenerate.

Each chosen spell-like ability is available once per day.
Fated Guardian (Su)

When conjured by a 4th-level or higher spell, a guardian spirit can protect the destiny of another creature within 30 feet as a standard action once per day. For 1 round, any time the creature makes an attack or attempts a saving throw, it rolls twice and takes the better result.
Co-Walker (Sp)

When conjured by an 8th-level or higher spell, a guardian spirit can assume the shape of its ward as if with alter self, except it can appear to be only the ward (even if the ward is not of a creature type or size that can normally be assumed with alter self ) and it gains a +10 bonus on Disguise checks to appear to be the ward.

A hivemind consists of a swarm of smaller creatures whose individual minds have supernaturally bonded into one to become a single, collective intelligence. Hiveminds often occur in swarms that have existed for generations and that have dwelled in areas of potent magical influence, particularly areas of strong psychic magic. Over time, the swarm learns to work together in more intelligent ways to achieve its goals, and it eventually evolves a cohesive mind. of course, this evolution can be hastened by direct intervention of potent magic (typically something on the level of a miracle or wish), or as an unintended side effect of esoteric rituals, the use or destruction of artifacts, or the deaths of powerful minds.

A hivemind swarm learns from its surroundings, which in turn shape its choices in the languages it learns and the psychic spells it develops a penchant for casting. An urban swarm may pick up Common, Dwarven, Elven, or Halfling from snippets of conversations overheard through sewer grates, whereas an underground swarm may learn Dwarven or Undercommon. A hivemind may begin to exert its psychic abilities by compelling animals or people to bring it food or protect it from larger creatures, and it slowly graduates to defending itself and actively attacking as it gains experience.

Eventually, the hivemind’s mental network takes on more complex tasks as a collective mind. At this point, the hivemind creates a nexus, a single individual in the swarm through which the collective routes all thought. While the nexus is often fairly inconspicuous within the teeming mass of the swarm, it is possible for a highly perceptive observer to notice its decisive movements, spellcasting gestures, or intense gaze. The death of the nexus does not eliminate the shared intelligence of a hivemind, but it is disruptive, forcing the collective to focus inward to regroup and form a new nexus.

Creating a Hivemind Swarm

“Hivemind swarm” is an acquired or inherited template that can be added to any creature with the swarm subtype (referred to hereafter as the base creature). The hivemind template allows a swarm to increase in power and abilities, much like a class—when you create a hivemind swarm, you can customize its CR as needed by adjusting the number of additional Hit Dice (and thus associated statistics). A hivemind swarm uses the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

Challenge Rating: +1 for each additional Hit Die gained above the base creature’s Hit Dice.

Type: A hivemind swarm’s type remains unchanged unless the base creature was an animal or vermin. In this case, its type changes to magical beast.

Senses: A hivemind swarm gains thoughtsense to a range of 60 feet.

Armor Class: A hivemind swarm gains a +1 insight bonus to its AC per additional Hit Die.

Hit Dice: A hivemind swarm gains at least one racial Hit Die in addition to the Hit Dice of the base creature. The type of racial Hit Die the hivemind swarm gains is the same as that of the base creature. A hivemind swarm can never gain more than 20 racial Hit Dice in this manner.

Saves: The hivemind swarm’s base saves increase as appropriate for a creature of its type as the hivemind swarm gains racial Hit Dice.

Defensive Abilities: A hivemind creature retains all of the base creature’s defensive abilities and special qualities, including all swarm traits. Due to its increased Intelligence score, a hivemind swarm is not immune to mind-affecting effects; since a hivemind swarm has a single mind, mind-affecting effects treat it as a single target despite its numerous separate bodies.

Attacks: A hivemind creature retains its swarm attack, and continues to deal automatic damage to any creature whose space it occupies at the end of its move, with no attack roll needed. The swarm base damage is based on the hivemind’s Hit Dice, starting at 1d6 for 1 Hit Die and increasing by 1d6 for every additional 5 Hit Dice beyond the first.

Special Attacks: A hivemind creature retains all of the base creature’s special abilities and gains the following special ability.

• Psychic Spellcasting (Su) A hivemind creature gains the ability to cast psychic spells as per a psychic of a caster level equal to the number of additional Hit Dice it gains when it gains this template. A hivemind swarm can still deal swarm damage to creatures whose space it occupies at the end of its move, even if it has already cast a psychic spell in that round.
  

Ability Scores: If a base creature’s Intelligence score is 10 or lower, the hivemind swarm gains a base Intelligence score of 11. A hivemind swarm’s Intelligence score increases by 1 point for every Hit Die it gains beyond the base creature’s Hit Dice. If the base creature’s Charisma is lower than 10, the hivemind swarm gains a base Charisma score of 10. For every 4 Hit Dice the hivemind swarm gains beyond the base creature’s Hit Dice, it gains a +1 bonus to an ability score of its choice (this bonus can be applied to Intelligence, and it stacks with the bonus to Intelligence that a hivemind swarm gains for every Hit Die it attains).

BAB: A swarm’s base attack bonus increases as it gains racial Hit Dice as appropriate for a creature of its type.

Feats: A hivemind swarm loses all feats that the base creature had but gains a number of feats as normal for a creature of its Hit Dice.

Skills: A hivemind swarm loses all skill ranks that the base creature had but has skill ranks per racial Hit Die as defined by its creature type. A hivemind swarm’s class skills are the same as those that its creature type had and also include all Knowledge skills and Spellcraft.

Languages: A hivemind creature gains telepathy (100 ft.) and can speak a number of languages of its choice equal to 1 + its Intelligence modifier.

Special Qualities: A hivemind gains the following.

• Hivemind Nexus (Ex) The collective intelligence of the hivemind comprises a complex series of connections and pathways among the members of the swarm. In order to focus the mental power of the swarm, the collective network of minds selects an individual member known as a “nexus.” It is through the nexus that all actions and decisions are routed to the entire hivemind. A hivemind nexus often acts in a slightly different manner than the other members of the swarm, and an observer can single out a hivemind swarm’s nexus as a move action with a successful Perception check opposed by the hivemind’s Bluff or Stealth check (whichever skill has a higher modifier for the hivemind). The hivemind gains a racial modifier of +10 on this Bluff or Stealth check, due to the hundreds of similar-looking creatures constantly moving around it. Once a nexus is spotted, it can be slain if the observer manages to deal at least 1 point of damage to the swarm, provided that damage is applied in the same round that the observer managed to identify the nexus. If a nexus is destroyed, the hivemind swarm is staggered and must succeed at a concentration check (DC = 15 + twice the spell level) in order to cast a spell. A hivemind swarm is able to create a new nexus by spending 1d6 rounds concentrating, during which time it can take no other action (including making any swarm attacks).
  
  

Implacable stalkers embody murderous predation. They not only revel in hunting down and killing their victims in gory, brutal fashion, but they draw supernatural strength and power from their victims’ fear and terror. They look similar to other creatures of their kind, but are often covered in gruesome scars and exude an aura of menace.

Creating an Implacable Stalker

“Implacable stalker” is an acquired template that can be added to any creature with an Intelligence score of 3 or higher. Most implacable stalkers are humanoids, monstrous humanoids, or outsiders. An implacable stalker uses the base creature’s stats and abilities except as noted here.

Challenge Rating: Base creature’s CR + 2.

Alignment: Any evil.

Senses: An implacable stalker gains the following.

• Sense Fear (Su) An implacable stalker is able to sense the fear of nearby living creatures. This functions similarly to blindsight, with a range of 120 feet, except it only allows the implacable stalker to detect creatures that are currently experiencing any level of fear ranging from spooked to horrified. Additionally, this ability allows the implacable stalker to detect such creatures even through solid barriers, but 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks it.

Armor Class: Natural armor bonus increases by 6.

Defensive Abilities: An implacable stalker gains DR 5/—, and resistance to acid, cold, electricity, fire, and sonic 10. The implacable stalker also gains the following defensive ability.

• Terrifying Inevitability (Su) An implacable stalker is even more difficult to kill when in the presence of fear. As long as the implacable stalker is able to see or hear a creature currently experiencing any level of fear ranging from spooked to horrified, it gains fast healing equal to its Hit Dice, its damage reduction increases to 10/—, and it gains spell resistance equal to 16 + its CR.

Speed: An implacable stalker’s base land speed is reduced by 10 feet if its base speed is 20 feet or higher.

Special Attacks: An implacable stalker gains the following special attacks.

• Fear Aura (Su) Creatures that have at least 5 fewer Hit Dice than the implacable stalker must succeed at a Will save or become frightened for 1 minute if they come within 60 feet of it. Even if they succeed at their saves, they gain the shaken condition for as long as they remain within 60 feet of the implacable stalker, and for 1 round thereafter. All other creatures within this radius must succeed at a Will save or become shaken for as long as they remain within 60 feet of the implacable stalker, and for 1 round thereafter. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same implacable stalker’s aura until the creature has left the aura and reentered it. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.
• Gory Display (Ex) Whenever an implacable stalker kills a sentient living creature, as a swift action, it can revel in the kill, shredding its victim’s corpse in a gruesome display of power. If it does, it chooses one of the following benefits: gain a +4 morale bonus to Strength and Dexterity for 1 minute, regain a single use of a spell-like ability that it can normally use three or more times per day, or immediately heal a number of hit points equal to its Hit Dice.
  Alternatively, instead of any of these benefits, the implacable stalker can cause a single creature within 60 feet to become more vulnerable to fear. Creatures affected in this way lose any immunity to fear they may have. If the creature did not possess immunity to fear, it takes a –4 penalty on saving throws to resist fear effects, and all Intimidate checks attempted against it receive a +4 circumstance bonus. These effects last for 10 minutes. Finally, if the creature is currently immune to the implacable stalker’s fear aura because it succeeded at a previous saving throw, it loses that immunity.
  

Special Qualities: An implacable stalker gains the following special qualities.

• Nightmare Resurrection (Su) When an implacable stalker dies, it creates a psychic imprint on the mind of each intelligent creature within 60 feet that witnessed its death. Each week, such creatures are subject to a nightmare effect (DC = 10 + 1/2 the implacable stalker’s Hit Dice + the implacable stalker’s Charisma modifier; the normal modifiers for nightmare based on knowledge and connection do not apply). In this nightmare, the creature is hunted and slain by the implacable stalker (for GMs using the nightmare dreamscape rules, these nightmares always have the “being chased” nightmare feature). A creature that succeeds at three consecutive saving throws to resist the effect is freed from it. If any creature fails at three consecutive saving throws to resist the nightmare, the implacable stalker returns to life, as per true resurrection. If its corpse has been completely destroyed, it returns to life in a random location within 5 miles of the creature that failed to resist the nightmare effects. Once the implacable stalker is returned to life, the psychic imprint fades from all creatures still affected by it.
• Right Behind You (Sp) As a swift action, an implacable stalker can teleport to an unoccupied space, which must be adjacent to a creature the stalker is aware of that has the shaken, frightened, or panicked condition. The implacable stalker can travel a maximum distance of 480 feet with each use of this ability, and must wait 1d6 rounds between each use. Additionally, if the implacable stalker travels at least 40 feet, any shaken, frightened, or panicked creature it arrives adjacent to is denied its Dexterity bonus to AC against the implacable stalker’s attacks until the beginning of the implacable stalker’s next turn.

Ability Scores: Strength +4, Constitution +6 (if the implacable stalker is an undead creature, it gains Charisma +6, instead).

Skills: Implacable stalkers gain a +8 racial bonus on Intimidate checks, and a +6 racial bonus on Stealth checks and Survival checks to follow tracks.

Feats: Implacable stalkers gain Diehard, Endurance, Intimidating Prowess, and Toughness as bonus feats.

Lycanthropes are humanoids with the ability to turn into animals and animal-humanoid hybrid shapes. Natural lycanthropes are born with this ability and have perfect control over their shapechanging. Afflicted lycanthropes contract this ability like a curse or disease from another lycanthrope; they sometimes change form involuntarily.

Creating a Lycanthrope

“Lycanthrope” is an inherited (for natural lycanthropes) or acquired (for afflicted lycanthropes) template that can be added to any humanoid.

Challenge Rating: Same as base creature or base animal (whichever is higher) +1.

Size and Type: The creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature) gains the shapechanger subtype. The lycanthrope takes on the characteristics of some type of animal (referred to hereafter as the base animal) within one size category of the base creature’s size. A lycanthrope’s hybrid form is the same size as the base animal or the base creature, whichever is larger.

AC: In hybrid or animal form the lycanthrope has the natural armor bonus of the base animal increased by +2.

Defensive Abilities: A natural lycanthrope gains DR 10/silver in animal or hybrid form. An afflicted lycanthrope gains DR 5/silver in animal or hybrid form.

Speed: Same as the base creature or base animal, depending on which form the lycanthrope is using. Hybrids use the base creature’s speed.

Melee: A lycanthrope gains natural attacks in animal and hybrid forms according to the base animal.

Special Attacks: A lycanthrope retains all the special attacks, qualities, and abilities of the base creature. In hybrid or animal form it gains the special attacks, qualities, and abilities of the base animal. A lycanthrope also gains low-light vision, scent, and the following:

• Change Shape (Su) All lycanthropes have three forms—a humanoid form, an animal form, and a hybrid form. Equipment does not meld with the new form between humanoid and hybrid form, but does between those forms and animal form. A natural lycanthrope can shift to any of its three alternate forms as a move-equivalent action. An afflicted lycanthrope can assume animal or hybrid form as a full-round action by making a DC 15 Constitution check, or humanoid form as a full-round action by making a DC 20 Constitution check. On nights when the full moon is visible, an afflicted lycanthrope gains a +5 morale bonus to Constitution checks made to assume animal or hybrid form, but a –5 penalty to Constitution checks made to assume humanoid form. An afflicted lycanthrope reverts to its humanoid form automatically with the next sunrise, or after 8 hours of rest, whichever comes first. A slain lycanthrope reverts to its humanoid form, although it remains dead.
• Curse of Lycanthropy (Su) A natural lycanthrope’s bite attack in animal or hybrid form infects a humanoid target with lycanthropy (Fortitude DC 15 negates). If the victim’s size is not within one size category of the lycanthrope, this ability has no effect.
• Lycanthropic Empathy (Ex) In any form, natural lycanthropes can communicate and empathize with animals related to their animal form. They can use Diplomacy to alter such an animal’s attitude, and when so doing gain a +4 racial bonus on the check. Afflicted lycanthropes only gain this ability in animal or hybrid form.

Ability Scores: +2 Wis, –2 Cha in all forms; +2 Str, +2 Con in hybrid and animal forms. Lycanthropes have enhanced senses but are not fully in control of their emotions and animalistic urges. In addition to these adjustments to the base creature’s stats, a lycanthrope’s ability scores change when he assumes hybrid or animal form. In human form, the lycanthrope’s ability scores are unchanged from the base creature’s form. In animal and hybrid form, the lycanthrope’s ability scores are the same as the base creature’s or the base animal’s, whichever ability score is higher.

Lycanthropy

A creature that catches lycanthropy becomes an afflicted lycanthrope, but shows no symptoms (and does not gain any of the template’s adjustments or abilities) until the night of the next full moon, when the victim involuntarily assumes animal form and forgets his or her own identity. The character remains in animal form until the next dawn and remembers nothing about the entire episode (or subsequent episodes) unless he makes a DC 20 Will save, in which case he becomes aware of his condition.

A remove disease or heal spell cast by a cleric of 12th level or higher cures the affliction, provided the character receives the spell within 3 days of the infecting lycanthrope’s attack. Alternatively, consuming a dose of wolfsbane gives an afflicted lycanthrope a new Fortitude save to recover from lycanthropy.

Magic-warping effects sometimes affect the very life force of creatures who wander the regions they affect. The dangerous effects of magic gone afoul infuse the bodies and essences of these wanderers. Those who spend too much time in these areas occasionally fall prey to the deadly energies that persist in these regions, and their bodies gradually decay more and more until they are so far removed from their original forms that they can be described only as mutants. Mutants often collaborate in small tribal groups with others similarly affected.

Creating a Mana-Wasted Mutant

“Mana-Wasted Mutant” is an acquired template that can be added to any living, corporeal creature. A Mana-Wasted mutant retains the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

CR: As base creature +1.

Alignment: Any non-lawful.

Type: The creature’s type changes to aberration. Do not recalculate HD, BAB, or saves.

Armor Class: A Mana-Wasted mutant gains a +2 bonus to its natural armor over the base creature’s natural armor bonus.

Defensive Abilities: A Mana-Wasted mutant gains a +4 bonus on saves against mind-affecting effects, DR 5/cold iron (or DR 10/cold iron if the base creature has 11 HD or more), and spell resistance equal to 11 + its adjusted CR. Mana-Wasted mutants are immune to disease and poison.

Speed: A winged Mana-Wasted mutant’s maneuverability drops to clumsy. If the base creature flew magically, it loses this ability.

Melee: A Mana-Wasted mutant retains all the natural weapons, manufactured weapon attacks, and weapon proficiencies of the base creature. It also gains a slam attack that deals damage based on the mutant’s size.

Spell-Like Abilities: A Mana-Wasted mutant loses access to any spell-like abilities the base creature may have had. Any spellcasting abilities gained from class levels remain unchanged.

Special Abilities: A Mana-Wasted mutant retains any extraordinary and supernatural special qualities of the base creature.

A Mana-Wasted mutant gains one of the following abilities for every 4 HD or fraction thereof (minimum 1–the first ability chosen must always be disease).

• Acid Resistance (Su) A Mana-Wasted mutant gains resistance to acid 10. This ability can be taken more than once. Each time it is taken, the Mana-Wasted mutant increases its resistance to acid by an additional 10. A Mana-Wasted mutant that gains acid resistance in excess of 30 becomes immune to acid instead.
• Acidic Pustules (Ex) Mana-Wasted mutants are often covered in necrotic pustules that burst at the slightest touch. Whenever a creature deals piercing or slashing damage to a Mana-Wasted mutant, all creatures adjacent to the Mana-Wasted mutant must succeed at a Reflex save (DC = 10 + 1/2 the Mana-Wasted mutant’s Hit Dice + the Mana-Wasted mutant’s Constitution modifier) or take acid damage as its boils and blisters pop and spray about. A Mana-Wasted mutant deals an amount of acid damage in this way based on its size (1d4 points of acid damage for a Medium Mana-Wasted mutant, 1d6 for a Large mutant, and so on).
• Breath Weapon (Ex) A Mana-Wasted mutant can spray a 30-foot cone of acidic bile from its mouth as a standard action once every 1d4 rounds. The acid damage caused by this attack is equal to 1d6 per two Hit Dice the mutant possesses. A successful Reflex save (DC = 10 + 1/2 the Mana Waste mutant’s Hit Dice + the Mana Waste mutant’s Constitution modifier) halves any damage taken from this attack.
• Disease (Su) Even though Mana-Wasted mutants are immune to disease, they carry a deadly magical contagion that they spread with their slam attacks. Mana fever: injury; save Fort DC = 10 + 1/2 the Mana-Wasted mutant’s Hit Dice + the Mana-Wasted mutant’s Constitution modifier; onset 1d4 minutes; frequency 1/day; effect 1d2 Con damage, 1d2 Cha drain (or 1d3 Con damage, 1d3 Cha drain if the base creature has 8 HD or more); cure 2 consecutive saves. Anyone who lives with mana fever for a week straight without dying becomes immune to the disease, but also becomes a Mana-Wasted mutant.

Increased Speed (Ex) Some Mana-Wasted mutants are transformed in such a way that their base speed increases by 10 feet.

Deformities: In addition to its special abilities listed above, a Mana-Wasted mutant gains one of the following deformities from its transformation (roll a 1d4 to randomly determine the deformity).

1d4 Deformity Effect

1. Deformed Arm One hand can’t wield weapons, but the mutant’s slam attack deals damage as if it were two size categories larger than its actual size.
2. Deformed Leg The mutant’s base speed is reduced by 10 feet (minimum base speed of 5 feet), but it gains a +4 racial bonus to its CMD.
3. Shattered Mind The mutant takes a –2 penalty to Intelligence, but gains a +2 racial bonus on Will saves.
4. Warped Hide The mutant loses its +2 racial bonus to Con, but gains an additional +2 bonus to its natural armor.

Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +2, Con +2, Cha –2.

Skills: A Mana-Wasted mutant gains Climb, Intimidate, Stealth, and Survival as class skills.

Miniatures are normal beings whose size has been greatly diminished by magic. Humans become the size of mice, and great wyrm dragons become the size of humans.

Miniatures look exactly like normal specimens of their kinds save for their size.

Creating a Miniature Creature

“Miniature” is an acquired template that can be added to any creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature). A miniature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

Challenge Rating: The miniature template drastically and unpredictably changes a creature’s challenge rating. Against other miniature foes, the creature’s CR may stay the same. Against normal-sized foes, however, the creature’s CR should be diminished. Consider one-half or one-quarter normal as a rule of thumb, but evaluate each creature individually using the Monster Creation rules as a guide.

Size: Base creature’s size decreases by four categories below that of the base creature as given on Table 2-29: Miniature Creature Abilities. Creatures of different size categories that decrease to the same size category because of the table’s lower limit retain their proportions to one another within their new size category. Thus, a miniature halfling is smaller than a miniature human, and a miniature Fine creature is smaller than a normal Fine version.

Senses: Divide the range of any sense with a specific range by 20, rounding to the nearest 5 ft. increment. For example, senses such as darkvision and scent would have their ranges reduced, but low-light vision wouldn’t.

Aura: Divide the range of any auras that the base creature has by 20 rounding to the nearest 5 ft. increment.

Armor Class: The base creature’s size modifier to AC is replaced by one based on the miniature’s new size. In addition, its natural armor decreases from that of the base creature by the amount indicated in Table 2-29: Miniature Creature Abilities in this entry. (minimum +0 natural armor bonus).

Hit Dice: The miniature creature’s racial Hit Dice are reduced by one quarter. Recalculate hit points, base attack bonus, etc. based on new HD total. If the base creature has fast healing or regeneration its value is reduced to one-fifth of its value (minimum 1).

Table 2-29: Miniature Creature Abilities

• Old Size New Size New Size Range Natural AC Change New Space/Reach Str Dex Con
• Fine Fine 6 in. or less +0 1/2 ft./0 ft. +0 +0 +0
• Diminutive Fine 6 in. or less +0 1/2 ft./0 ft. +0 +2 +0
• Tiny Fine 6 in. or less +0 1/2 ft./0 ft. -2* +4 +0
• Small Fine 6 in. or less +0 1/2 ft./0 ft. -6* +6 +0
• Medium Fine 6 in. or less +0 1/2 ft./0 ft. -10* +8 -2*
• Large Diminutive 6 in. -1 ft. -2 1 ft./0 ft. -18* +8 -6*
• Huge Tiny 1 ft. -2 ft. -5 2-1/2 ft./0 ft. -24* +8 -10*
• Gargantuan Small 2 ft. -4 ft. -9 5 ft./5 ft. -28* +6 -14*
• Colossal Medium 4 ft. -8 ft. -14 5 ft./5 ft. -32* +4 -16*
• * minimum 1

Saving Throws: Recalculate saving throws based on any change to Hit Dice and Ability Scores.

Defensive Abilities: A base creature’s damage reduction is reduced to one-fifth of its value (minimum 1). Other resistances retain their values.

Speed: Each of the miniature’s speeds decreases with its size as given on Table 2-30. If the base creature’s speed is greater than 100 feet, subtract 100 feet and consult the chart again, adding +20 feet to the new speed to obtain the final speed. For example, a base creature with a speed of 250 feet would have a speed of 50 feet when miniaturized (20 feet for the final 100 feet, 20 feet for the second 100 feet, and 10 feet for the last 50, from the table).

Table 2-30: Miniature Speeds

• Old Speed New Speed
• 5 to 35 ft. 5 ft.
• 40 to 55 ft. 10 ft.
• 60 to 75 ft. 15 ft.
• 80 to 100 ft. 20 ft.
• 100 ft.+ 20 ft. + another table increment

Attacks: A miniature creature’s bonus on attack rolls changes based on its new Strength, Dexterity, and size modifier. Each of a miniature’s natural attacks and manufactured weapons deals damage as a creature of its new size. If a natural attack is reduced to no damage and it doesn’t deal damage from some other effect (such as additional fire damage, poison, etc. ), it loses that attack.

Space/Reach: The miniature creature’s space and reach for its new size is given on Table 2-29: Miniature Creature Abilities. For creatures with extraordinary reach from a specific attack, divide it by 4 and round down to the nearest 5 ft. increment.

Special Attacks: If a special attack deals hit point damage, its base damage decreases as the damage from natural attacks do (see Attacks above). With the exception of poisons and diseases, attacks that deal ability damage or drain scale as natural attacks, but have a minimum value of 1 point of damage or drain. Poisons, diseases, and Energy drain attacks keep their original damage values. If a special attack has a range, divide it by 20 and round down to the nearest 5 ft. increment.

Abilities: The miniature’s ability scores change based on its size change, as given on Table 2-29: Miniature Creature Abilities.

BAB: Its bonus on attack rolls changes based on its new Strength modifier and its new size modifier, as given on Table 2-29: Miniature Creature Abilities.

CMB/CMD: The miniature’s CMB and CMD change based on its new size, base attack bonus, and Strength/ Dexterity scores.

Skills: Skill ranks in excess of the miniature creature’s new total due to the reduction in Hit Dice become racial modifiers. The change in size changes the creature’s Stealth and Fly skill modifiers. The change in speed changes the base creature’s Acrobatics modifier to jump.

Feats: A miniature creature retains all the base creature’s feats, even if they do not meet the usual requirements. Excess feats above the amount allowed by its new HD total become bonus feats.

Special Qualities: If a special quality explicitly states a range, divide the range by 20 and round to the nearest 5 ft. increment.

A moonbound werewolf’s lycanthropy is closely linked to the cycles of the moon. In addition to the changes for the lycanthrope template, make the following adjustments to the base creature.

Challenge Rating: Same as a normal werewolf (however, depending on the cycle of the moon, the CR of an encounter with a moonbound werewolf can shift up or down by 1).

Defensive Abilities: Regardless of whether it is a natural or afflicted lycanthrope, a moonbound werewolf gains DR 5/silver in animal or hybrid form. When the moon is near full, this increases to DR 10/silver; when the moon is full, it increases to DR 10/silver and magic; and when the moon is new, the moonbound werewolf loses this damage reduction.

Special Qualities: A moonbound werewolf gains the following special quality.

Moonbound (Su) A moonbound werewolf gains benefits and drawbacks based on the current phase of the moon. For the purposes of this ability, the moon is in one of four phases at any given time: full, nearly full, new, and other. The moon is full for the 3-day period when the moon appears the largest in the sky, it is nearly full for 4 days before it is full and 4 days afterward, and it is new for a 3-day period when the moon appears the darkest in the sky. The “other” phase encompasses the rest of each month. GMs who need to randomly determine the phase of the moon can use the table below.

• d8 Moon Phase
• 1 New
• 2–5 Other
• 6–7 Nearly full
• 8 Full

Ability Scores: When the moon is nearly full, the moonbound werewolf gains +2 Strength and +2 Constitution in human form, and the bonuses he gains in hybrid and animal forms increase to +4. When the moon is full, the moonbound werewolf gains +4 Strength and +4 Constitution in human form, and the bonuses he gains in hybrid and animal forms increase to +6. When the moon is new, the moonbound werewolf has –2 Strength and –2 Constitution in all forms, instead of the normal +2 bonuses.