Monster: Waterhole Warden

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Waterhole Warden
A huge effigy made of bones, horns, skins, and stones, topped with a pair of skulls of large animals.

CR 9; XP 1,200
N Huge Construct
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +20

Defense
AC 23, touch 11, flat-footed 20 (+3 Dex,  +12 natural, –2 size)
hp 122 (15d10+40)
Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +5
Defensive Abilities drink magic; DR 10/adamantine; Immune construct traits; SR 20

Offense
Speed 30 ft., burrow 20 ft.
Melee 2 claws +16 (2d6+3), 2 bites +16 (2d6+3 and dry curse)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks dry curse (DC 20)

Statistics
Str 16, Dex 16, Con —, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 1
Base Atk +15; CMB +20; CMD 33
Skills Perception +20; Racial Modifier +20 Perception
SQ pure waters

Ecology
Environment oasis and wells in deserts and steppes
Organization solitary, pair
Treasure standard

Drink Magic (Su) When a spell or spell-like ability fails to penetrate a waterhole warden's spell resistance, its caster suffers 1d6 points of damage per level of the spell and the waterhole warden heals equal amount of damage.

Dry Curse (Su) A creature bitten by a waterhole warden becomes vulnerable to damage from starvation and thirst until a curse is removed with break enchantment, limited wish, remove curse, or similar effect (DC 20).

Pure Waters (Su) A source of fresh water remains drinkable and free of natural impurities as long as it is guarded by a waterhole warden. The waterhole warden's spell resistance has to be penetrated to affect the source of water it guards with any spell or spell-like ability that would spoil the water, dry the source, or otherwise render it unusable.


Waterhole wardens are effigies constructed by nomadic shamans out of bones and skins of animals (and occasional humanoid) that died of thirst to protect their favored watering holes from other tribes. They attack anyone approaching the watering hole without presence of a person wearing an amulet composed of straps of leather and threads of wool interwoven into an intricate pattern, unique to each waterhole warden. Each tribe keeps patterns keyed to their waterhole wardens secret.