D20r:Cataclysm
From Fax Encyclopedicus
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<small><i>Dead I am the one / Exterminating sun<br> | <small><i>Dead I am the one / Exterminating sun<br> | ||
Slipping through the trees / strangling the breeze<br> | Slipping through the trees / strangling the breeze<br> | ||
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<big>'''Pre-combat'''</big><br> | <big>'''Pre-combat'''</big><br> | ||
| - | '''Init | + | '''Init''' +30; '''Senses''' Awareness +30; Darkvision 60'<br> |
| - | '''Languages | + | '''Languages''' All languages; telepathy 1 mile |
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<big>'''Defense'''</big><br> | <big>'''Defense'''</big><br> | ||
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'''HP''' 630 (30d8+390 HD); '''DR''' 5/-<br> | '''HP''' 630 (30d8+390 HD); '''DR''' 5/-<br> | ||
'''GD''' 18<br> | '''GD''' 18<br> | ||
| - | '''Immune''' Mind-Affecting; '''Resist''' None; '''Weak''' None<br> | + | '''Immune''' Death Effects, Mind-Affecting, Polymorph; '''Resist''' None; '''Weak''' None<br> |
'''Fort''' +30 '''Ref''' +29 '''Will''' +34<br> | '''Fort''' +30 '''Ref''' +29 '''Will''' +34<br> | ||
'''SR''' 30<br> | '''SR''' 30<br> | ||
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<big>'''Post-Combat'''</big><br> | <big>'''Post-Combat'''</big><br> | ||
| - | '''Death | + | '''Death''' Death Throes (15d6 force, 50' radius, DC 38 Reflex half)<br> |
| - | '''Linger | + | '''Linger''' Poison (15 points for 13 rounds, DC 38 Fort neg); Boon (granted ability)<br> |
| - | '''Treasure | + | '''Treasure''' None |
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<big>'''Other'''</big><br> | <big>'''Other'''</big><br> | ||
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''Resilience:'' A cataclysm gains maximum Hit Points per Hit Die.<br> | ''Resilience:'' A cataclysm gains maximum Hit Points per Hit Die.<br> | ||
| - | Cataclysms are complicated monsters, and as such have a more in-depth explanation of their statistics included here. | + | Cataclysms are complicated monsters, and as such have a more in-depth explanation of their statistics included here. A cataclysm's spell resistance is equal to twice its Hero Value. Its DR/- is equal to one-third its Hero Value. Saving throws (except where specifically stated otherwise) for a cataclysm's abilities are equal to 10 + 1/2 its Hit Dice + the relevant ability modifier. The Poison and Boon lingering effects apply only if the cataclysm has that particular Variable Defense ability: they are listed in the statistics block for ease of use. Its feat selection is representative of a typical 'combative' cataclysm: other cataclysms that are more subtle, ranged-focused, or otherwise differently created may have different feats or different prowess distribution. While a cataclysm may use items and equipment, most generally do not: as such, the one presented here does not use any equipment, nor carry any items. Cataclysms may be advanced in Hit Dice: if they do so, they do so by class or by racial Hit Dice. They do not change size unless they acquire the Size Decrease or Size Increase Variable Defense ability, but they do increase their prowess, BAB, saves, and Hero Value like all other creatures. |
===Variable Defenses=== | ===Variable Defenses=== | ||
| - | *''Blindsense'': A cataclysm with this ability gains blindsense 100' | + | *''Blindsense'': A cataclysm with this ability gains blindsense 100'. |
| - | *''Blindsight'': A cataclysm with this ability gains blindsight 30'. | + | *''Blindsight'': A cataclysm with this ability gains blindsight 30' as long as it is capable of hearing. |
*''Boon:'' A cataclysm with this ability may grant a boon to a number of creatures equal to its Charisma modifier (15 for a standard cataclysm). A cataclysm must have an ability itself in order to grant it as a boon. Up to an equal number of creatures within 100' of a cataclysm when it dies also immediately gain the cataclysm's boon as a permanent, supernatural effect. Creatures affected by a cataclysm's boon gain one of the following properties, as determined by the DM upon creating the cataclysm: Blindsense 30', Damage Reduction variable defense ability, Elemental Affinity variable defense ability, Evasion, Flight variable defense ability, Intense Fortitude, Mindsight variable defense ability, Natural Attacks variable defense ability, or Tremorsense 30'. Creatures granted a cataclysm's boon (but not those who receive the boon as it dies) gain some of the cataclysm's appearance as their own, typically a sigil or marking on the forehead, an aura, or (rarely) horns, claws, or similar physical alterations. A cataclysm takes a -1 penalty to its Hero Value for each creature it has a boon granted to at a time. A cataclysm may grant or cease a boon as a swift action on one or multiple creatures at any distance (including across planar boundaries) and for any reason. | *''Boon:'' A cataclysm with this ability may grant a boon to a number of creatures equal to its Charisma modifier (15 for a standard cataclysm). A cataclysm must have an ability itself in order to grant it as a boon. Up to an equal number of creatures within 100' of a cataclysm when it dies also immediately gain the cataclysm's boon as a permanent, supernatural effect. Creatures affected by a cataclysm's boon gain one of the following properties, as determined by the DM upon creating the cataclysm: Blindsense 30', Damage Reduction variable defense ability, Elemental Affinity variable defense ability, Evasion, Flight variable defense ability, Intense Fortitude, Mindsight variable defense ability, Natural Attacks variable defense ability, or Tremorsense 30'. Creatures granted a cataclysm's boon (but not those who receive the boon as it dies) gain some of the cataclysm's appearance as their own, typically a sigil or marking on the forehead, an aura, or (rarely) horns, claws, or similar physical alterations. A cataclysm takes a -1 penalty to its Hero Value for each creature it has a boon granted to at a time. A cataclysm may grant or cease a boon as a swift action on one or multiple creatures at any distance (including across planar boundaries) and for any reason. | ||
*''Conditional Incorporeality:'' A cataclysm with this ability may become incorporeal or become corporeal as an immediate action, gaining the Incorporeal subtype and all features thereof. While incorporeal, its natural attacks gain the ''ghost touch'' weapon enhancement. | *''Conditional Incorporeality:'' A cataclysm with this ability may become incorporeal or become corporeal as an immediate action, gaining the Incorporeal subtype and all features thereof. While incorporeal, its natural attacks gain the ''ghost touch'' weapon enhancement. | ||
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|Petrify || Permanent || Fortitude || -5 | |Petrify || Permanent || Fortitude || -5 | ||
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::<sup>1</sup>If a cataclysm has an elemental subtype, this damage matches that type; otherwise, it is at the cataclysm's discretion. | ::<sup>1</sup>If a cataclysm has an elemental subtype, this damage matches that type; otherwise, it is at the cataclysm's discretion. | ||
*''Flight'': A cataclysm with this ability gains a fly speed equal to its land speed with perfect maneuverability. This can be natural flight (such as from wings) or supernatural levitation. | *''Flight'': A cataclysm with this ability gains a fly speed equal to its land speed with perfect maneuverability. This can be natural flight (such as from wings) or supernatural levitation. | ||
| - | *''Immunity'': A cataclysm with this ability selects a status condition, spell, or power: the cataclysm is immune to that condition or effect. 'Damage' is not a condition or effect. | + | *''Immunity'': A cataclysm with this ability selects a status condition, spell, or power: the cataclysm is immune to that condition or effect. 'Damage' is not a condition or effect. As an example, selecting 'death' would render the cataclysm immune to effects that inflict the Dead condition (like ''phantasmal killer''), but not death by Hit Point damage. |
*''Improved Grab'': A cataclysm with this ability gains the Improved Grab ability, usable with touch attacks, claws, and bite attacks. | *''Improved Grab'': A cataclysm with this ability gains the Improved Grab ability, usable with touch attacks, claws, and bite attacks. | ||
*''Incorporeal Motion'': A cataclysm with this ability becomes incorporeal as it moves, gaining the Incorporeal subtype and all features thereof. | *''Incorporeal Motion'': A cataclysm with this ability becomes incorporeal as it moves, gaining the Incorporeal subtype and all features thereof. | ||
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===Ecology=== | ===Ecology=== | ||
| - | So named because the first of such creatures emerged from a magical conflict and decimated both sides, cataclysm are cause for plane-wide (and even cross-planar) alarm. The appearance of a cataclysm is rarely, if ever | + | So named because the first of such creatures emerged from a magical conflict and decimated both sides, cataclysm are cause for plane-wide (and even cross-planar) alarm. The appearance of a cataclysm is rarely, if ever, unprecedented by magical or psychic conflict on a grand scale. Just as rarely is the appearance of a cataclysm not immediately followed by widespread destruction and plane-wide panic. |
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| + | Cataclysms appear in a form of their choosing that they select upon their creation. Many take the shape of bizarre monsters, while others make themselves appear to be made of light, energy, thousands of smaller creatures, or even stranger amalgamations of eldritch horror and shapes that should not exist within the bounds of reality. | ||
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| + | Cataclysms have no place in the ecology of the world; rather, they exist merely to destroy as much as they possibly can. They seem to take a perverse pleasure in global destruction, genocide, and similar malicious actions, but they are also intelligent enough to know when they are bested and when they should retreat and regroup. While most cataclysms work alone, it is not unheard of for a cataclysm to acquire a cadre or cult following, generally via providing its boon (should it have that ability) to leaders of the cult or to their more elite minions. However, cataclysms tend to be sparing with their boons as they do inflict a rather hefty penalty upon them. | ||
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| + | Cataclysms do not eat, sleep, or breathe. | ||
