Ophiduan, Anguineum Caste

Bestiary‎ > ‎(Bestiary) By Type‎ > ‎Monstrous Humanoids‎ > ‎Ophiduan‎ > ‎

This horrific creature appears to be a great serpent with humanoid features. A serpentine torso boasts a pair of slender arms, each of which is abnormally long and possessed of two elbow joints. The torso splits into two long, writhing tails. A cobra-like hood flares open behind its head, which boasts an oversized face that — despite its scales and unhinged jaw — appears as much human as snake.

Ophiduan, Anguineum Caste

CR 7

XP 3,200
CE Medium monstrous humanoid (reptilian)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., scent; Perception +15

DEFENSE

AC 24, touch 12, flat-footed 22 (+4 armor, +1 Dex, +1 dodge, +6 natural, +2 shield)
hp 85 (9d10+36)
Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +9
Defensive Abilities immune to poison; SR 20

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee Masterwork spiked chain +14/+9 (2d4+4), bite +8 melee (1d6+2 plus poison)
Ranged masterwork longbow +10/+5 (1d8/x3)
Special Attacks ophidiophobia, chain expertise, poison, spit
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 8th)
At will—deep slumber (DC 18), entangle (DC 15), hypnotism (DC 15)
3/day—charm monster (DC 18), deeper darkness, freedom of movement

Tactics Anguineum prefer to observe their foes while lesser combatants (such as semiferum) engage them in battle. Once the anguineum have identified the weaknesses of the enemy, they strike with mystical or physical force, as appropriate.

STATISTICS

Str 19, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 17, Wis 17, Cha 18
Base Atk +9; CMB +13; CMD 24 (cannot be tripped)
Feats Combat Casting, Diehard, Dodge, Endurance^B, Improved Initiative, Stealthy^B, Weapon Focus (spiked chain)
Skills Acrobatics +10, Escape Artist +12, Intimidate +16, Knowledge (religion) +12, Perception +15, Spellcraft +12, Stealth +15
Languages Ophiduan, Common, Abyssal, Aklo, Draconic
SQ speak with serpents
Gear ophiduan scale, masterwork heavy shield

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Chain Expertise (Ex)

Due to their abnormal arms and special training, anguineum caste ophiduan are capable of wielding spiked chains, and similar weapons, as one-handed weapons.

Ophidiophobia (Sp)

An anguineum ophidian can psionically implant a terrible fear into the mind of a chosen creature within 30 feet. The subject must succeed on a DC 20 Will save or instantly develop an insurmountable phobia of snakes, which lasts for 5d4 minutes. For the duration, the subject is instantly panicked should any snake or snake-like creature (including ophaduan) come within 20 feet, and will not voluntarily move to within 20 feet of such a creature. This ability has an equivalent caster level of 16th; the save DC is Charisma-based and includes a +2 racial bonus.

Poison (Ex)

Bite—injury; save Fort DC 18, frequency 1/round for 6 rounds, effect 1d3 Con, cure 1 saves

The save DC is Constitution-based.

Spit (Ex)

As a standard action, an anguineum can spit a mouthful of poison as a ranged touch attack with +10 to hit.

Spit—contact; save Fort DC 18, frequency 1/round for 6 rounds, effect 1d2 Con and blinded for 2d20 minutes, cure 1 saves

The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY

Environment warm forest, jungle
Organization solitary, pair, clutch (3–4), nest (2–5 hominis, 2–13 semiferum, and 2–4 anguineum), or brood (10–80 hominis, 20–160 semiferum, and 10–40 anguineum)
Treasure double standard

The oldest of the ophiduan castes, the anguineum are the true progenitors of the race, and the creators of the other ophiduan. The anguineum are an ancient race, older than humanity and even, according to their own myth, older than elves. They are merciless, predatory, and despise the fact that mammals
are currently the dominant civilized species.

For most of their recorded history, the anguineum ruled the ophiduan, but they were eventually overthrown by their own creation, the hominis caste. While any given anguineum is more powerful than a hominis, the hominis’ greater intelligence, and their aptitude for clerical magic, allowed them to prevail.While some anguineum still resent their reduced position in society,most now accept it as the will of their unnamed god. Should his will ever dictate that the anguineum rise again, then circumstances will permit them to do so.

As with the other ophiduan, anguineum are covered in snake-like scales, though theirs are thicker than those of their brethren. Anguineum ophiduan are actually long enough — often exceeding 10 feet, when fully stretched out — that they should seem to qualify as large creatures. Due to their distribution of weight,however, and the fact that much of that length is in the tail, they mechanically qualify as medium. They average around 400 pounds.

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