Xixel
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Xixel is a monster NPC from the METAMORPHOSIS trilogy published by EN Publishing.
This chitinous fiend resembles an insectoid centaur, with a vaguely anthropomorphic upper torso connected to a beetle-like thorax. It wears a vest of boiled leather, specially constructed to allow it full use of its four multi-jointed arms. The fiend is armed with four jagged-edged short swords, worn in an odd bandolier across its back, and a bulky crossbow strapped to abdomen along with a quiver bulging with bolts.
Xixel (CR 18)
Advanced Cryptodaemon Rogue 5/Assassin 5
NE Large Outsider (Evil, Extraplanar)
Init +10; Senses darkvision 60 ft; Listen +20, Spot +20
Language Abyssal, Draconic, Infernal, telepathy 100 ft.
AC 24 (-1 size, +6 Dex, +4 natural, +5 armor), touch 15, flat-footed 24; improved uncanny dodge, uncanny dodge
hp 190 (20 HD); DR 5/good
Immune poison
Resist cold 10, fire 10, electricity 10, evasion; SR 23
Fort +14, Ref +21, Will +11
Speed 40 ft. (8 squares), climb 20 ft.
Melee +2 large cold iron short sword +22/+17/+12/+7 (1d8+7/19-20) and 3 +2 large cold iron short swords +22/+17 (1d8+4/19-20) and bite +16 (1d6+2 plus poison)
Ranged +1 large heavy repeating crossbow +22/+17/+12/+7 (2d6+1/19-20)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +16; Grp +25
Attack Actions Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, death attack, master flanker, poison, sneak attack +8d6
Special Actions hide in plain sight, summon daemon
Combat Gear potion of cat’s grace, potion of cure serious wounds, potion of sneak
Assassin Spells Known (CL 5th)
- 3rd (1/day) – magic circle against good, nondetection
- 2nd (3/day) – cat’s grace, darkness, pass without trace
- 1st (4/day) – feather fall, jump, obscuring mist, true strike
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 8th)
3/day – invisibility, silence (DC 15)
1/day – greater magic weapon
Abilities Str 20, Dex 22, Con 20, Int 17, Wis 14, Cha 16
SQ daemon traits, poison use, trapfinding, trap sense +1
Feats Exotic Weapon Proficiency (heavy repeating crossbow), Improved Initiative, Improved Multi-Weapon Fighting, Multi-Weapon FightingB, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (short sword)
Skills Balance +23, Bluff +21, Climb +26, Diplomacy +12, Disguise +8 (+10 acting), Jump +29, Intimidate +10, Hide +29, Listen +20, Move Silently +33, Search +21, Sense Motive +12, Spot +20, Survival +4 (+6 following tracks), Tumble +26
Possessions combat gear plus 4 +2 large cold iron short swords, +3 large leather armor, +1 large heavy repeating crossbow, 20 large masterwork bolts, 25 +1 large flaming bolts, 25 +1 large shock bolts
Death Attack (Ex): If Xixel studies his victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of possibly either paralyzing or killing the target (Xixel's choice). While studying the victim, Xixel can undertake other actions so long as his attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the assassin or recognize him as an enemy. If the victim of such an attack fails a Fortitude save (DC 18) against the kill effect, he dies. If the saving throw fails against the paralysis effect, the victim is rendered helpless and unable to act for 1d6+5 rounds. If the victim’s saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. Once Xixel has completed the 3 rounds of study, he must make the death attack within the next 3 rounds.
Hide in Plain Sight (Su): Xixel can use the Hide skill even while being observed. As long as he is within 10 feet of some sort of shadow, the daemon can hide from view in the open without having anything to actually hide behind.
Master Flanker (Ex): Xixel is quite adept at attacking foes from surprise or from behind. When flanking, he gains a +4 to hit, and any weapon or natural attack he uses while flanking is considered to have the keen weapon special ability, doubling its critical threat range. In addition, any critical threat rolled that would strike the target is automatically confirmed.
Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 25, initial damage 1d8 Dex, secondary damage 1d4 Dex.
Summon Daemon (Sp): Once per day, Xixel can attempt to summon 1d4 additional cryptodaemon with a 60% chance of success. This is the equivalent of a 5th-level spell.
Xixel is the least of Yaghur Hod’s generals. He commands the Archodaemon’s vast force of cryptodaemons and orchestrates all scouting, spying, and assassinations at his master’s behest.
Background
Like many powerful fiends, Xixel’s success and power has more to do with luck and perseverance than any defining trait setting him apart from his brethren. The fact that he was able to survive, learn from experience, and hone the natural talents of his race all but ensured that he would rise to prominence.
Xixel’s luck was evident even as he crawled from the egg, as he managed to form a ghoroka, the clan or fighting unit integral to cryptodaemon society, composed of seven other hatchlings. Most hatchling cryptodaemons are killed and devoured by adult cryptodaemons, are any number of other lower planar predators that haunt the planes of Gehenna and Hades. The fact that Xixel was able to quickly form a ghoroka, which offered protection through numbers and cooperation, ensured that he would survive, at least to adulthood.
Xixel’s ghoroka existed on the fringe of cryptodaemon society at first, as it’s members gained experience by hiring themselves out as mercenaries to more powerful daemons or serving either side of the war between the Abyss and the Nine Hells. In time, Xixel came to lead his ghoroka, and after many successful ventures as a spy, scout, and assassin, he and his clan mates began to rise in both prestige and power.
Now that his ghoroka had garnered enough power and prestige to compete with the other ghorokas at the pinnacle of cryptodaemon society, Xixel’s turned his considerable abilities and those of his clan mates upon their rivals. In a furtive and deadly bid for power, Xixel and his ghoroka systematically eliminated their competition through a series of flawless assassinations, until at last, he and his clan mates stood atop the chaotic pile of cryptodaemon influence.
Since he led his ghoroka, and his ghoroka was the most powerful among cryptodaemons, Xixel was viewed as the de facto ruler of his entire race of daemons. Now he profited not only by the exploits of his own ghoroka, but he also gathered a percentage of all cryptodaemon activities, and was the point of contact for any fiends seeking cryptodaemon mercenaries.
When Yaghur Hod returned, Xixel and his ghoroka soon fell under the sway of the mighty daemons’ influence, and where Xixel went, the rest of his race followed. Xixel now serves his master by leading cryptodaemon troops into battle, as well as planning scouting forays and assassinations, should they be required. Unlike the other three generals that serve Yaghur Hod, Xixel does not see his peers as rivals. Since they are not cryptodaemons, he views them as outside of the vicious pecking order of ghorokas and therefore not a threat.
Strategies and Tactics
Like all cryptodaemons, Xixel will rarely be encountered alone. He typically keeps at least three members of his ghoroka around him at all times. These clan mates, powerful daemons in their own right, serve as both bodyguards and a vital connection to cryptodaemons society.
Before combat, if given time, Xixel will cast cat’s grace and invisibility, and then attempt to move into position for a death attack. If he is alone, he attempts to hide in plain sight every round, or, if there are no shadows available, cast invisibility, again allowing him to position himself for a death attack. When fighting along with members of his ghoroka, he will attempt to flank his opponents every round, bringing his deadly array of attacks and formidable sneak attack damage into play as often as possible.
