DnDChick
Demon Queen of Templates
PROTO-SHOGGOTH
"A mass of proto-shoggoth tissue looks like a large piece of human flesh, light brown or tan colored, with nipples, navels, what seem to be ridges where muscle or bone is sticking up, and even eyes or other human orifices. There may be what appear to be large open wounds that do not bleed, acting as openings to the interior, where intestines and other organs may be visible. The whole continually quivers, breathes rhythmically, and heaves. It can thrust out a limb at will, which will resemble a human limb, though it may bend in the wrong spot, or have thickly corded muscles where they should not be. The thing may be compared to a purse of human skin that encloses a mass of different organs and body parts. The 'purse' is packed too full, so the parts within seem to be pushing out against its walls."
—Various authors, in the adventure module "The Asylum and Other Tales."
The process for creating a proto-shoggoth involves a roomful of machinery, chemicals, and reagents the likes of which haven’t been on this earth for one hundred million years. Capacitors, wires, electrical control banks, and glass cylinders of various unknown and unknowable materials surround a large bathtub-like vat beneath a huge parabolic mirror. One large glass cylinder is used to contain the proto-shoggoth matter; before organic material is added some shoggoth tissue must be in this cylinder. A victim is strapped into the vat under the cylinders and charged with electrical energy. Carefully timed doses of the various chemicals are released into the vat to seethe and react with the body. After hours have passed, the body is lifted into the cylinder of proto-shoggoth tissue where it slowly dissolves and joins the mass. If a single living victim is used, the resulting proto-shoggoth will retain the victim’s mental attributes and skills, but the process shatters the mind. Victims are automatically reduced to 0 Sanity. If more than one victim is used in the creation of a proto-shoggoth, the resulting mass is a great mindless lump of tissue that strikes out at anything within range.
A proto-shoggoth can create multiple limbs and mouths as needed from its mass, but only has the coordination to attack with two punches or kicks and a bite in a single round. It can make each of its three attacks against three different opponents. Enraged, a proto-shoggoth will single out a foe for its crush attack.
Creating a Proto-Shoggoth
"Proto-shoggoth" is a template that can be added to any organic being (hereafter referred to as the "base creature"). Its type changes to aberration. It uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities, except as noted here.
Hit Dice: Same as base creature, increase to 1d8; if more than one victim is used in the creation of the proto-shoggoth, the HD is equal to the total HD of the victims. For humans and other creatures that advance as investigators, only count the creature’s base number of HD when determining the HD of a proto-shoggoth (i.e. 1HD for a human, 2HD for a mi-go, etc.)
Speed: Same as base creature.
Attacks: A proto-shoggoth made from a single victim retains the attacks of the base creature and also gains slam and bite attacks if it didn’t already have one. Proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have only two slams and a bite attack.
Damage: Proto-shoggoths have slam and bite attacks. If the base creature does not have these attack forms, use the damage values in the table below. Creatures with natural attacks retain their old damage ratings or use the values below, whichever is greater.
Size Bite Damage Slam Damage
Fine 1d2 1
Diminutive 1d3 1d2
Tiny 1d4 1d3
Small 1d6 1d4
Medium-size 2d4 1d6
Large 2d6 1d8
Huge 2d8 2d6
Gargantuan 4d8 2d8
Colossal 4d8 4d6
Special Attacks: A proto-shoggoth made from a single victim retains all the special attacks and spells of the base creature and also gains those listed below. Proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have only the qualities below. Saves have a DC of 10 + ½ proto-shoggoth’s HD + proto-shoggoth’s Constitution modifier unless otherwise noted.
Engulf: Although it moves slowly, a proto-shoggoth can simply mow down one creature its size or smaller as a standard action. It cannot make a slam attack during a round in which it engulfs. The proto-shoggoth merely has to move over the opponent. Opponents cant make opportunity attacks against the proto-shoggoth, but if they do they are not entitled to a saving throw. Those who do not attempt opportunity attacks must succeed at a Reflex save (DC 10 + ½ proto-shoggoth’s HD + proto-shoggoth’s Strength modifier) or be engulfed; on a success, they are pushed back or aside (opponent’s choice) as the proto-shoggoth moves forward. Engulfed creatures are subject to the proto-shoggoth’s crush attack, and are considered to be grappled and trapped within its body. An opponent must make a Strength or Escape Artist check (DC 10 + ½ proto-shoggoth’s HD + proto-shoggoth’s Strength modifier) to escape.
Crush: A proto-shoggoth can contract its muscles and grind its many bones against an engulfed opponent, automatically dealing double slam damage to the victim. An engulfed opponent is also smothered by the folds of flesh and entrails, and is subject to suffocation as described in the Combat section (see pg. 90).
Special Qualities: A proto-shoggoth made from a single victim retains all the special qualities of the base creature and also gains those listed below. Proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have only the qualities below. Saves have a DC of 10 + ½ proto-shoggoth’s HD + proto-shoggoth’s Constitution modifier unless otherwise noted.
Soft-Bodied (Ex): The constantly shifting, rearranging body of a proto-shoggoth provides it with DR 20/—, and Regenerate 2.
Amorphous (Ex): A proto-shoggoth is not subject to critical hits. It has no clear front or back, so it cannot be flanked.
All-Around Vision (Ex): A proto-shoggoth can open an eye at will anywhere on its body, and usually has several of them at any given time. This ability gives them a +4 racial bonus to Spot and Search checks.
Alternate Form (Ex): This ability is only possessed by proto-shoggoths made from a single victim. The proto-shoggoth is able to maintain a humanoid form to disguise its true nature. In moments of stress or great emotion, however, the proto-shoggoth must make a Will save (DC determined by the GM based on the situation) or loose control and revert to the amorphous form.
Saves: If one victim was used in the creation of the proto-shoggoth, same as base creature. Proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have Saves as per an Aberration with HD equal to the proto-shoggoth.
Abilities: A proto-shoggoth made from a single victim has the same ability scores as the base creature. A proto-shoggoth made from multiple victims has the following ability scores: Str 10 + 3 per victim, Dex 10 +/- twice its size modifier, Con 10 + 2 per victim, Int 1, Wis 4, Cha 10.
Skills: Same as base creature if made from a single victim. Proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have Intelligence × 2 skill points, plus 2 per EHD.
Feats: Same as base creature if made from a single victim; proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have receive the Power Attack feat for free even if they don’t qualify for it.
CR: Same as base creature +2
Climate/Terrain: Any
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: As an investigator if made with a single victim; if made with multiple victims >1/8HD Diminutive, 1/8-¼HD Tiny, ¼-½HD Small, ½-1HD Medium-size, 2-4HD Large, 5-8HD Huge, 9-16HD Gargantuan, 17HD+ Colossal.
Sanity Loss: 1/1d0
Sample Proto-Shoggoth
The following sample proto-shoggoth uses a 7th level Defense Option Psychologist as the base creature.
Dr. Terrence Freygan, 7th Level Defense Option Psychologist (Proto-Shoggoth)
Medium-size Aberration (Lesser Independent Race)
Hit Dice: 7d8+7 (38 hp)
Initiative: +2 (Dex)
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 12 (+2 Dex)
Attacks: 2 slams +7, bite +2
Damage: Slam 1d6+2, bite 2d4+1
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Engulf, crush 2d6+4, spells (gate, call Arawassa, create scrying window)
Special Qualities: Soft-bodied (DR 20/—, regenerate 2), amorphous, all-around vision, alternate form
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +6
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 7
Skills: Cthulhu Mythos +9, Diplomacy +13, Gather Information +11, Heal +14, Knowledge (biology) +14, Knowledge (chemistry) +14, Knowledge (electrical repair) +14, Knowledge (medicine) +14, Knowledge (psychology) +14, Listen +3, Psychoanalysis +15, Research +14, Sense Motive +12, Spot +3
Feats: Alertness, Dodge, Mobility, Trustworthy
CR: 9
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Advancement: As investigator
Sanity: -10
Sanity Loss: 1/1d10
Proto-shoggoths were introduced to the modern world through the experiments of Dr. Terrence Freygan. Through delving into tomes not meant for human eyes and visions he studied through a gate-like scrying window, Dr. Freygan learned the dread secrets of the creation of shoggoths from the Old Ones. Combining this ghastly knowledge with his own brilliant insights into biochemistry, Dr. Freygan was able to combine the alien substance of the shoggoths with human flesh. His first successful experiment was on himself.
Although Dr. Freygan’s notes and laboratory were destroyed when the Greenwood Asylum burned to the ground, rumors have recently been circulating that at least a few of his journals and diagrams survived. At least one gibbering lunatic tucked away in a dark corner in the asylum in Arkham claims to have been present during the fire, and through screams and throat-splitting laughter rants about a 'bag of flesh' that crawled from the flames and dropped into the nearby river. (DnDchick Note: this was my character, BTW...she saw one too many things and read one too many tomes on that adventure...)
"A mass of proto-shoggoth tissue looks like a large piece of human flesh, light brown or tan colored, with nipples, navels, what seem to be ridges where muscle or bone is sticking up, and even eyes or other human orifices. There may be what appear to be large open wounds that do not bleed, acting as openings to the interior, where intestines and other organs may be visible. The whole continually quivers, breathes rhythmically, and heaves. It can thrust out a limb at will, which will resemble a human limb, though it may bend in the wrong spot, or have thickly corded muscles where they should not be. The thing may be compared to a purse of human skin that encloses a mass of different organs and body parts. The 'purse' is packed too full, so the parts within seem to be pushing out against its walls."
—Various authors, in the adventure module "The Asylum and Other Tales."
The process for creating a proto-shoggoth involves a roomful of machinery, chemicals, and reagents the likes of which haven’t been on this earth for one hundred million years. Capacitors, wires, electrical control banks, and glass cylinders of various unknown and unknowable materials surround a large bathtub-like vat beneath a huge parabolic mirror. One large glass cylinder is used to contain the proto-shoggoth matter; before organic material is added some shoggoth tissue must be in this cylinder. A victim is strapped into the vat under the cylinders and charged with electrical energy. Carefully timed doses of the various chemicals are released into the vat to seethe and react with the body. After hours have passed, the body is lifted into the cylinder of proto-shoggoth tissue where it slowly dissolves and joins the mass. If a single living victim is used, the resulting proto-shoggoth will retain the victim’s mental attributes and skills, but the process shatters the mind. Victims are automatically reduced to 0 Sanity. If more than one victim is used in the creation of a proto-shoggoth, the resulting mass is a great mindless lump of tissue that strikes out at anything within range.
A proto-shoggoth can create multiple limbs and mouths as needed from its mass, but only has the coordination to attack with two punches or kicks and a bite in a single round. It can make each of its three attacks against three different opponents. Enraged, a proto-shoggoth will single out a foe for its crush attack.
Creating a Proto-Shoggoth
"Proto-shoggoth" is a template that can be added to any organic being (hereafter referred to as the "base creature"). Its type changes to aberration. It uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities, except as noted here.
Hit Dice: Same as base creature, increase to 1d8; if more than one victim is used in the creation of the proto-shoggoth, the HD is equal to the total HD of the victims. For humans and other creatures that advance as investigators, only count the creature’s base number of HD when determining the HD of a proto-shoggoth (i.e. 1HD for a human, 2HD for a mi-go, etc.)
Speed: Same as base creature.
Attacks: A proto-shoggoth made from a single victim retains the attacks of the base creature and also gains slam and bite attacks if it didn’t already have one. Proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have only two slams and a bite attack.
Damage: Proto-shoggoths have slam and bite attacks. If the base creature does not have these attack forms, use the damage values in the table below. Creatures with natural attacks retain their old damage ratings or use the values below, whichever is greater.
Size Bite Damage Slam Damage
Fine 1d2 1
Diminutive 1d3 1d2
Tiny 1d4 1d3
Small 1d6 1d4
Medium-size 2d4 1d6
Large 2d6 1d8
Huge 2d8 2d6
Gargantuan 4d8 2d8
Colossal 4d8 4d6
Special Attacks: A proto-shoggoth made from a single victim retains all the special attacks and spells of the base creature and also gains those listed below. Proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have only the qualities below. Saves have a DC of 10 + ½ proto-shoggoth’s HD + proto-shoggoth’s Constitution modifier unless otherwise noted.
Engulf: Although it moves slowly, a proto-shoggoth can simply mow down one creature its size or smaller as a standard action. It cannot make a slam attack during a round in which it engulfs. The proto-shoggoth merely has to move over the opponent. Opponents cant make opportunity attacks against the proto-shoggoth, but if they do they are not entitled to a saving throw. Those who do not attempt opportunity attacks must succeed at a Reflex save (DC 10 + ½ proto-shoggoth’s HD + proto-shoggoth’s Strength modifier) or be engulfed; on a success, they are pushed back or aside (opponent’s choice) as the proto-shoggoth moves forward. Engulfed creatures are subject to the proto-shoggoth’s crush attack, and are considered to be grappled and trapped within its body. An opponent must make a Strength or Escape Artist check (DC 10 + ½ proto-shoggoth’s HD + proto-shoggoth’s Strength modifier) to escape.
Crush: A proto-shoggoth can contract its muscles and grind its many bones against an engulfed opponent, automatically dealing double slam damage to the victim. An engulfed opponent is also smothered by the folds of flesh and entrails, and is subject to suffocation as described in the Combat section (see pg. 90).
Special Qualities: A proto-shoggoth made from a single victim retains all the special qualities of the base creature and also gains those listed below. Proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have only the qualities below. Saves have a DC of 10 + ½ proto-shoggoth’s HD + proto-shoggoth’s Constitution modifier unless otherwise noted.
Soft-Bodied (Ex): The constantly shifting, rearranging body of a proto-shoggoth provides it with DR 20/—, and Regenerate 2.
Amorphous (Ex): A proto-shoggoth is not subject to critical hits. It has no clear front or back, so it cannot be flanked.
All-Around Vision (Ex): A proto-shoggoth can open an eye at will anywhere on its body, and usually has several of them at any given time. This ability gives them a +4 racial bonus to Spot and Search checks.
Alternate Form (Ex): This ability is only possessed by proto-shoggoths made from a single victim. The proto-shoggoth is able to maintain a humanoid form to disguise its true nature. In moments of stress or great emotion, however, the proto-shoggoth must make a Will save (DC determined by the GM based on the situation) or loose control and revert to the amorphous form.
Saves: If one victim was used in the creation of the proto-shoggoth, same as base creature. Proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have Saves as per an Aberration with HD equal to the proto-shoggoth.
Abilities: A proto-shoggoth made from a single victim has the same ability scores as the base creature. A proto-shoggoth made from multiple victims has the following ability scores: Str 10 + 3 per victim, Dex 10 +/- twice its size modifier, Con 10 + 2 per victim, Int 1, Wis 4, Cha 10.
Skills: Same as base creature if made from a single victim. Proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have Intelligence × 2 skill points, plus 2 per EHD.
Feats: Same as base creature if made from a single victim; proto-shoggoths made from multiple victims have receive the Power Attack feat for free even if they don’t qualify for it.
CR: Same as base creature +2
Climate/Terrain: Any
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always chaotic evil
Advancement: As an investigator if made with a single victim; if made with multiple victims >1/8HD Diminutive, 1/8-¼HD Tiny, ¼-½HD Small, ½-1HD Medium-size, 2-4HD Large, 5-8HD Huge, 9-16HD Gargantuan, 17HD+ Colossal.
Sanity Loss: 1/1d0
Sample Proto-Shoggoth
The following sample proto-shoggoth uses a 7th level Defense Option Psychologist as the base creature.
Dr. Terrence Freygan, 7th Level Defense Option Psychologist (Proto-Shoggoth)
Medium-size Aberration (Lesser Independent Race)
Hit Dice: 7d8+7 (38 hp)
Initiative: +2 (Dex)
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 12 (+2 Dex)
Attacks: 2 slams +7, bite +2
Damage: Slam 1d6+2, bite 2d4+1
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Engulf, crush 2d6+4, spells (gate, call Arawassa, create scrying window)
Special Qualities: Soft-bodied (DR 20/—, regenerate 2), amorphous, all-around vision, alternate form
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +6
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 7
Skills: Cthulhu Mythos +9, Diplomacy +13, Gather Information +11, Heal +14, Knowledge (biology) +14, Knowledge (chemistry) +14, Knowledge (electrical repair) +14, Knowledge (medicine) +14, Knowledge (psychology) +14, Listen +3, Psychoanalysis +15, Research +14, Sense Motive +12, Spot +3
Feats: Alertness, Dodge, Mobility, Trustworthy
CR: 9
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Advancement: As investigator
Sanity: -10
Sanity Loss: 1/1d10
Proto-shoggoths were introduced to the modern world through the experiments of Dr. Terrence Freygan. Through delving into tomes not meant for human eyes and visions he studied through a gate-like scrying window, Dr. Freygan learned the dread secrets of the creation of shoggoths from the Old Ones. Combining this ghastly knowledge with his own brilliant insights into biochemistry, Dr. Freygan was able to combine the alien substance of the shoggoths with human flesh. His first successful experiment was on himself.
Although Dr. Freygan’s notes and laboratory were destroyed when the Greenwood Asylum burned to the ground, rumors have recently been circulating that at least a few of his journals and diagrams survived. At least one gibbering lunatic tucked away in a dark corner in the asylum in Arkham claims to have been present during the fire, and through screams and throat-splitting laughter rants about a 'bag of flesh' that crawled from the flames and dropped into the nearby river. (DnDchick Note: this was my character, BTW...she saw one too many things and read one too many tomes on that adventure...)
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