Fantasy NPC: Ceramic Medium

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Ceramic Medium

An androgynous porcelain figure with featureless face, clad in simple robes of a funerary attendant.

CR 8; 4,800 XP

LN Medium Construct

Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, deathwatch; Perception +17

Defense
AC 21, touch 17, flat-footed 19 (+5 deflection, +2 Dex, +4 natural)

hp 98 (12d10+32)
Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +11

DR 10/bludgeoning; Immune construct traits

Offense
Speed 30 ft.

Melee 2 slams +15 (2d6+3)

Special Attacks spirit killer

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 12th, concentration +17)

Constant—deathwatch

At Will—call spirit (DC 22), calm spirit (DC 17), make whole

Statistics
Str 14, Dex 14, Con —, Int 15, Wis 21, Cha 21

Base Atk +12; CMB +14; CMD 31
Feats Ability Focus (call spirit), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Toughness

Skills Diplomacy +17, Knowledge (religion) +14, Perception +17, Sense Motive +17

Language Celestial, Common, Infernal

SQ spirit vessel

Spirit Killer (Su) Ceramic Medium slam attacks count as +1 ghost touch incorporeal bane weapon. Ceramic Medium may also grapple and pin an incorporeal beings.

Spirit Vessel (Su) When the Ceramic Medium calls spirit, it doesn't manifest as an intangible presence as is typical for that spell, instead inhabiting the ceramic medium's hollow body. When this happens, an illusory semblance of the spirit's self-perceived visage veils the ceramic medium as if a disguise self spell was used. The spirit can use Bluff in place of Disguise to adjust its appearance or outright pretend to be as someone else. The spirit responds to questions issued by witnesses through the ceramic medium's mouth. If the called spirit is an actual incorporeal undead, it will be transported to Ceramic Medium's location on a failed save (though it might deliberately fail the saving throw to come, having a vague idea that it is being called by a medium and aware of identities of people present). Ceramic Medium can also serve as a voluntary host for a ghost or another incorporeal undead capable of possession. Such possession doesn't give the entity control over the body, though it can communicate with Ceramic Medium and speak through its mouth.

Ceramic Medium is a mercenary conjurer of deceased spirits, an animate figure offering its service as speaker for the dead, and an occasional banisher of restless souls. It does fight back when attacked by wrathful entities and will defend clients if there is such need, but won't accept contracts where fighting or destroying spirits – instead of putting them to rest – is the goal.

Interestingly, Ceramic Medium is very strict and inflexible when it comes to payments for its  service, both pre-contracted and those that came up spontaneously. What happens with the money after the Ceramic Medium deposits them in the bank accounts remains a mystery, though.

Fantasy Monster: Blobdog

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Blobdog

A blubbery pile with an extended canine-looking snout.

CR 6; XP 2,400
N Medium Ooze

Init +7; Senses blindsight 60 ft., scent; Perception +13

Defense
AC 19, touch 17, flat-footed 12 (+3 Dex, +4 dodge, +2 natural)
hp 75 (10d8+30)
Fort +10; Ref +10; Will +6

Immune ooze traits; Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10, 

Offense
Speed 30 ft.

Melee corrosive bite +10 touch (6d6 acid)

Space 5 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

Special Attacks bouncing snappiness

Statistics
Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int –, Wis 17, Cha 1
Base Atk +7; CMB +10; CMD 27 (can't be tripped)

Skills Perception +13, Stealth +13; Racial Modifier +10 Perception, +10 Stealth

Ecology
Environment warm ruins
Organization solitary, pair, kennel (3–10)
Treasure standard

Special Abilities

Bouncing Snappiness (Ex) A blobdog's movement is highly unpredictable and unrestrained by limitations of solid bodies. A blobdog gets +4 dodge bonus to AC, and +4 racial bonus to initiative and Reflex saving throws. It can also make unlimited number of attacks of opportunity and has longer reach than it would seem possible.

Blobdogs look like a half-melted gelatinous sculptures of canines, and are as active, unpredictable, and potentially aggressive as poorly-trained, hyperactive dog, except that their lick-bite can erode flesh and bones with a quick-acting corrosive.

Blobdogs are not cognizant enough to discern between being petted and being given snacks.

Fantasy Monster: Sliming Desert

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Sliming Desert

A mound of sand slowly slithers leaving behind only dried ground and dust.

CR 12; XP 19,200
N Colossal Ooze

Init –5; Senses tremorsense 300 ft.; Perception +0

Defense
AC 17, touch –3, flat-footed 17 (–5 Dex, +20 natural, –8 size)
hp 304 (32d8+160); fast healing 10
Fort +23; Ref +5; Will +10

Immune ooze traits

Offense
Speed 15 ft., burrow 10 ft.

Melee 4 slams +21 (2d6+5 plus suck-in)

Space 30 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

Special Attacks boundless sands, crushing desiccation (6d6 plus 6d6), suck-in

Statistics
Str 20, Dex 1, Con 20, Int –, Wis 11, Cha 1
Base Atk +24; CMB +37; CMD 42 (can't be tripped or forcibly moved)

Skills Perception +0, Stealth +4; Racial Modifier +20 Stealth

SQ trail of dust

Ecology
Environment borders of deserts
Organization solitary
Treasure standard

Special Abilities

Boundless Sands (Ex) A sliming desert can make an unlimited number of attacks of opportunity each round, one per triggering event.

Crushing Desiccation (Ex) A corporeal creature underneath the sliming desert suffers 6d6 points of damage from desiccation and 6d6 points from crushing at the start of its turn until it escapes.

Suck-In (Ex) Any Large or smaller corporeal creature hit by sliming desert's slam attack has to make a Reflex saving throw (DC 21) or becomes pulled underneath the sliming desert, and pinned by its mass. The saving throw DC is Dexterity-based.

Trail Of Dust (Ex) A sliming desert leaves only dried ground, sand, and dead, desiccated vegetation in its wake, destroying any vegetation and minor life forms that aren't magically protected.

A sliming desert is  a massive living dune, composed of uncountable number of minute spores,  made of slime-covered sand grains. It moves around drawing any traces of moisture from plants, animals, and the ground itself.

Fantasy Monster: Scullrab

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Scullrab

A blackened skull with faintly glowing ghostly flames in its eye sockets is being rolled with an utmost finesse by a black-and-blueish scarab, almost as large as the skull itself.

CR 2; XP 600
N Tiny Vermin

Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +1

Defense
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 size)
hp 22 (5d8)
Fort +4; Ref +3; Will +2

Defensive Abilities all-around vision; Immune vermin traits

Offense
Speed 30 ft., burrow 20 ft.

Melee skull-bump +3 touch (3d6 negative energy) or bite +3 (2d4–2)

Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft. (5 ft. with skull-bump)

Special Attacks channel negative energy 4/day (DC 13, 3d6)

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 5th, concentration +6)

Constant—hide from undead

Statistics
Str 6, Dex 14, Con 12, Int –, Wis 13, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +5; CMD 11 (21 to trip it or disarm it of its skull)

Skills Perception +1, Stealth +10

SQ unholy skull

Ecology
Environment warm deserts and ruins
Organization solitary
Treasure standard

Special Abilities

Unholy Skull (Su) A scullrab is bonded to an animate skull that contains lingering power of an evil (or corrupted after their death) cleric, and the main source of a danger that scullrab presents. When threatened, the critter can channel the lingering negative energy as if it was a 5th level cleric (always instinctively excluding itself from the effect), or simply bump the skull it into individual enemies dealing 3d6 points of negative energy damage on a successful melee touch attack roll. If the skull is taken away with a successful disarm maneuver, it loses its channel negative energy power, and immediately scurries away, seeking shelter, and then looking for a new skull to roll around.

A scullrab is a overgrown scarab that feed on bones until it dug up a skull of an evil priest and now somehow draws on its power. Does the lingering spirit controls this vermin, or is the vermin somehow tapping into blasphemous powers on its own?

A scullrab can make a fine familiar for a necromancer, requiring Improved Familiar feat and 7th caster level.

Fantasy Monster: Trail Of Thought

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Trail Of Thought

A translucent strand of scintillating colors, floating in the air, circling over heads of others.

CR 2; XP 600
N Tiny Construct (animate, incorporeal)

Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, detect thoughts; Perception +6

Aura implant idea (10 ft.)

Defense
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+1 deflection, +1 Dex, +2 size)
hp 22 (4d10)
Fort +1; Ref +2; Will +3

Defensive Abilities hold the thought, incorporeal; Immune construct traits

Weakness susceptible to damage and conditions caused by mind-affecting effects

Offense
Speed fly 20 ft. (perfect)

Melee incorporeal touch +6 (3d6 nonlethal)

Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 5 ft.

Special Attacks implant idea

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 4th, concentration +5)

Constant—detect thoughts (DC 13)

Statistics
Str —, Dex 12, Con —, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 13
Base Atk +4; CMB +3; CMD 13

Feats Hover, Improved Initiative

Skills Fly +17, Perception +6, Stealth +13

Language none; passively and constantly read thoughts of nearby creatures with detect thoughts

Ecology
Environment settlements, ruins
Organization solitary, pair, stream (3–10)
Treasure incidental

Special Abilities

Hold The Thought (Su) While trail of thought can't actually possess other beings, it can attach itself to a non-mindless being, usually while the creature is fascinated, sleeping, or otherwise unaware of its surroundings. Being incorporeal and weightless it doesn't disturb the host, and can take 10 on Stealth checks  to avoid being noticed. Whenever the host takes an action that matches the trail of thought's nature, the trail heals 5 hit points.

Implant Idea (Su) A trail of thought projects its essential concept into the minds of nearby sapient beings, which lingers at the edge of their consciousness as long as they remain in range. Any saving throw against a mind-affecting effect that would compel to act or behave in accordance with the core idea of the trail of thought suffers ‒4 penalty, as does Charisma check made to avoid following similarly resonant appeal while under effects of a charm. Any actions taken in direct accordance with the particular trail of thoughts gain +2 morale bonus to attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks. This is a mind-affecting effect.

Shocking Thought (Su) A trail of thought can lash at a nearby creature delivering a mental shock, inflicting 3d6 points of nonlethal damage on a successful incorporeal touch attack. This is a mind-affecting effect.

When a powerful entity forcibly sheds an unwanted idea, an inconvenient memory, an annoying desire, or an intrusive thought, the discarded concept can coalesce into one or more of self-sustaining mindforms, bodiless presences that wander around, seeking sapient beings that will enact the trail of thought's underlying nature more often than not.

While they don't actively compel people do anything, trail of thoughts subtly empower anyone who chooses to follow through, which might convince them to do so again in the future. With enough reinforcement, a sapient being might lock itself into a cycle of repetition, over and over again.

A trail of thought can be bound as an improved familiar (requires caster level 7th), though finding one fitting would-be master's personality might be challenge in itself... Skilled casters could in theory create one themselves, but by very definition, a trail of thoughts are made from parts of their minds they cast away forever.

Fantasy Monster: Alchembulk

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Alchembulk

A fused mass of bottles, racks, pipes, and alembics, twisted wire, and wooden splinters walking on crocked table legs.

CR 9; XP 6,400
N Large Construct (animate)

Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, sense vulnerability; Perception +24

Defense
AC 23, touch 14, flat-footed 17 (+3 deflection, +2 Dex, +8 natural, ‒1 size)
hp 112 (15d10+30); fast healing 10
Fort +8; Ref +10; Will +12

Defensive Abilities enhanced protection 3, hardness 10; Immune construct traits; Resist acid 20, cold 20, electricity 20, fire 20

Weakness vulnerability to impact

Offense
Speed 30 ft.

Melee 4 slam +16 (2d4+4)

Ranged 4 alchemical splashes +16 touch (3d6 points of acid, cold, electricity, or fire damage)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.

Special Attacks critical reaction

Statistics
Str 14, Dex 14, Con —, Int —, Wis 19, Cha 1
Base Atk +15; CMB +18; CMD 33 (41 vs. trip)

Skills Perception +24; Racial Modifier +20 Perception

Ecology
Environment settlements, ruins
Organization solitary, pair, lab (3–5)
Treasure standard

Special Abilities

Alchemical Splashes (Ex) Alchembulks are filled with constantly churning volatile chemicals and active ingredients, allowing them to spew endless streams of noxious substances. Alchembulks can squirt a splash of burning, corrosive, shocking, or freezing substance as an attack action, or up to four with a full attack action. They can also freely mix slam attacks and alchemical splashes during the full attack action. Each alchemical splash has range of 60 feet with no increment and deals 3d6 points of acid, cold, electricity, or fire damage on a successful touch attack and 3 points of splash damage within 10 feet of the point struck.

Critical Reaction (Ex) Any alchembulk reduced to 0 hit points falls apart and then, after 1d4 rounds, explodes in a spectacular 60-ft. radius explosion inflicting 3d6 acid, 3d6 cold, 3d6 electricity, and 3d6 points of fire damage. A successful Reflex saving throw (DC 19) halves the damage. The saving throw DC is Dexterity-based. The explosion doesn't occur if the alchembulk is disintegrated or the alchemical reaction is otherwise suppressed from occurring (be creative).

Enhanced Protection 3 (Ex) Alchembulks have +3 deflection bonus to AC and +3 resistance bonus to their saving throws.

Sense Vulnerability (Ex) Alchembulks have an innate sense of immunities, resistances, and vulnerabilities of creatures and objects within 60 feet, using the most efficient alchemical splashes against those who would harass them and interfere with their actions.

Vulnerability To Impact Alchembulk suffer +50% of damage from falls and sonic damage. They also suffers 1d6 points of damage whenever they are knocked prone or fall from 5 feet.

Alchembulks might form when a catastrophic incident destroys an alchemical lab, the bigger the event, the larger amount of alchemical tools are broken, and the more components are mixed together, the greater are the chances of one or more forming out of the fused remains.

While rarely directly hostile, alchembulks are dangerous nevertheless, due to volatile nature of the fluids and gases they leak, and their irresistible push to consume more and more alchemical components, and break more and more glassware, seemingly trying to recreate circumstances of their own formation.

Fantasy Monster: Plagued Doctor

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Plagued Doctor

A tall figure in black coat, top hat, and a mask that resembles a beak of a carrion bird.

CR 7; XP 00
LE Medium Undead

Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft., smell illness; Perception +14

Defense
AC 20, touch 14, flat-footed 16 (+3 armor, +4 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 85 (10d8+40); fast healing X
Fort +6; Ref +7; Will +10

Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4; Immune blindness, dazzled, undead traits

Offense
Speed 30 ft.

Melee scalpel +11/+11/+6 (1d4+4 plus 1 Con, 19‒20/×2)

Special Attacks skillful bloodletting

Statistics
Str 10, Dex 18, Con —, Int 19, Wis 13, Cha 17
Base Atk +7; CMB +7; CMD 21

Feats Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Nimble Moves, Toughness

Skills Bluff +16, Diplomacy +16, Heal +14, Intimidate +16, Knowledge (nature) +17, Perception +14, Profession (apothecary) +14, Stealth +17

Languages Aklo, Common, Infernal

SQ experimental treatment, medical diploma

Ecology
Environment urban, rural
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure standard (medical supplies and research notes, with notable worth to other physicians)

Special Abilities

Experimental Treatment (Su) Plagued doctors can take approximately half an hour treating a willing or incapacitated patient with various weird and disturbing method, such as leeching, bloodletting, drawing other humors, enemas of noxious medicines, and so. This targets one particular disease afflicting the patient chosen by the plagued doctor, suppressing its effects for 1d4+1 days, but also causing 1 point of Constitution damage, and preventing natural healing for the same time. There is 10% chance that the disease is passed to another person in close proximity, and another 10% chance the disease is suppressed for 1d4+1 years, instead. Experimental treatment can even affect supernatural diseases. Effects of this experimental treatment can be broken with restoration or by removing a curse. This is a curse effect.

Medical Diploma (Ex) Plagued doctors treats Diplomacy, Heal, Knowledge (nature), and Profession (apothecary) as class skills.

Skillful Bloodletting (Ex) Plagued doctors can wield their scalpel using Dexterity to calculate attack bonus and damage, and may make one additional attack at the highest attack bonus during a full-attack. Each successful strike of the plagued doctor's scalpel inflicts 1 point of Constitution damage on creatures not immune to bleeding.

Smell Illness (Ex) Plague doctors can smell diseased affliction, and both nauseated and sickened conditions. This allows them to detect afflicted individuals as if using scent, and helps with finding infected people hiding their conditions. Plagued doctors are energized by presence of ill people, gaining fast healing equal to number of people suffering from diseased, nauseated, or sickened condition within 30 feet.

Plague is a terrible disease that can strike in already bad times, overwhelming physicians and healers alike. Some doctors get so obsessed by the challenge it presents that they become willing to do anything to defeat it, attempting any treatment, no matter how ruthless, and paying any price, no matter how high. Some go even further and stay among the living past their own inevitable death.

Plagued doctors are obsessed with treating the plague (or some other highly infamous and thoroughly deadly disease), finding their way into cities and villages where it spreads, sometimes even showing up before the public becomes aware of the outbreak.

Plagued doctors might merely observe situation or a specific individual and take notes, or might experiment. They often react angrily, or outright violently when others interfere with the observed situation without consulting them first, the patient, or the treatment.