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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jerrid Al-Kundo" data-source="post: 210454" data-attributes="member: 3321">AspisHey, folks...  Got here a rough draft.  This is as written by a feller named S.H. Jones.  I've e-mailed him for permission to use and tweak, which he kindly consented.Aspis CowLarge AberrationHit Dice_10d8+50 (94 hp)Initiative_+0Speed_5 ftAC_13 (-1 size, +4 natural)Attacks_Bite +11/+6 meleeDamage_Bite 3d6+4Face/Reach_5 ft by 15 ft/5 ftSpecial Attacks_acidSpecial Qualities_telepathy, hive mind, immunities, fire and sonic resistance 15Saves_Fort +10, Ref +3, Will +9Abilities_Str 18, Dex ?, Con 20, Int 15, Wis 14, Cha 12Skills_Concentration +18, Listen +17, Search +15, Sense Motive +17, Spot +17Feats_Alertness, Great Fortitude, Skill Focus (Sense Motive)Climate/Terrain_Any land and undergroundOrganization_SolitaryCR_5Treasure_StandardAlignment_Always neutralAdvancement_11-14 HD (Large); 15-20 HD (Huge)Aspis DroneMedium Monstrous HumanoidHit Dice_6d8+12 (39 hp)Initiative_+2 (+2 Dex)Speed_30 ft, 40 ft on four legsAC_AC 16 (+2 Dex, +4 natural)Attacks_2 claws or longswords +7/+3/+2 melee; 3 darts +6/+2/+1 rangedDamage_Claw 1d4+3, longsword 1d8+3, dart 1d3+3Face/Reach_5 ft by 5 ft/5 ftSpecial Attacks_hive mind, immunities, fire and sonic resistance 15Special Qualities_Saves_Fort +4, Ref +8, Will +7Abilities_Str 16, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 7Skills_Balance +8, Climb +9, Craft or Profession (any one) +7, Listen +9, Search +7, Spot +9Feats_Alertness, Multidexterity, Multi-Weapon FightingClimate/Terrain_Any land and undergroundOrganization_Solitary, Gang (1d4+1)CR_5Treasure_StandardAlignment_Always neutralAdvancement_By character classAspis LarvaTiny AberrationHit Dice_3d8+3 (16 hp)Initiative_+2 (+2 Dex)Speed_swim 30 ft, 10 ft burrowAC_AC 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex)Attacks_Bite +5 meleeDamage_Bite 1d6+1Face/Reach_2 ft by 2 ft/0 ftSpecial Attacks_Special Qualities_blindsight, tremorsense 30 ft, immunities, fire resistance 20Saves_Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +1Abilities_Str 12, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 7, Cha 7Skills_Hide +8, Listen +4, Search +5, Spot +4Feats_Any land and undergroundClimate/Terrain_4-5 HD (Small)Organization_Gang (1d4+1), Pack (2d6+4)CR_2Treasure_NoneAlignment_Always neutralAdvancement_Alien by human standards, aspis are seldom encountered in populated lands unless raiding for food.  They commonly live in small groups, only occasionally dealing with outsiders.  They are generally very self-sufficient, crafting their own tools and implements and needing little contact with others; as a result, they are very territorial and often attack intruders with little provocation.  Few people can report meeting one of these creatures, and the existence of larvae and cows is only a subject of rumour.  These do exist, however, as they are necessary for the survival of the race.  Some believe that the aspis are a group of altered formians who long ago split away from the Lawful outsiders' hives and settled on the prime material plane.COMBAT:Hive mind (Ex): All aspis within 10 miles of their queen are in constant communication. If one is aware of a particular danger, they all are. If one of a group is not flat-footed, none are. No aspis in a group is considered flanked unless they all are.Resistances (Ex): Aspis have fire and sonic resistance 15.Immunities (Ex): Aspis have poison, electrical, and cold immunity.*Note: I have treated the aspis larvae and cow as aberrations because I could not justify calling them even "monstrous humanoids." Besides, they're larval forms of aspis, as opposed to the metamorphed humanoid drones, and this is fantasy, after all ? feel free to alter their stats if you feel it necessary.SOCIETY:Aspis lairs are found underground and consist of natural and/or excavated tunnels. A lair or nest will typically consist of 1-3 egg chambers, 2-4 food chambers, 1-6 grub hatcheries, and a central chamber.  The tunnels are commonly from 4 to 8 feet high and will be well defended by traps and guards.  Grub hatcheries will contain a gang or pack of larvae each. Only one cow will be found in any nest.There is a 30% chance that a colony of giant ants will share the nest with the aspis; these creatures are to aspis what dogs are to humans.TYPES:Aspis Cow: Unlike other aspis larvae, which harden their skins and metamorphose into drones, the larva chosen to become a cow retains its larval form, becoming a huge slug-like female from 10 to 15 feet in length. Her sole purpose in life is to care and lay eggs for the nest. A queen is virtually unable to move, but her large size makes her bite dangerous. While not having the intelligence or magical aptitude of a formian queen, the aspis queen does establish mental communion with the drones of her nest.Acid (Ex): The cow secretes an acidic slime that eats through metal or organic material and burns exposed flesh. The acid deals 10 points of damage per round to wood or metal objects, but cannot harm stone. A wooden or metal weapon that strikes the aspis cow must make a Reflex save (DC 15) or take 1d8 points of damage. Creatures who touch the cow get a similar save (Reflex DC 15) to avoid taking 1d8 points of damage. Acid damage continues for each round of exposure, and continues thereafter until the acid is washed off.Telepathy (Su): The queen can communicate telepathically with any aspis in a ten mile radius.Aspis larvae:  Ranging anywhere from 1« to 3 feet in length, aspis larvae resemble large, fat, white grubs. They are blind and deaf but can locate and identify other creatures through vibrations and scent. They have voracious appetites and require an almost constant supply of food. They are most commonly found in hatcheries maintained by the drones - usually pits of rotting materials in which the larvae burrow and feed. Occasionally the drones will select one larva and feed and treat it in such a way that it will not develop along normal lines, but will instead become an aspis cow.Aspis drones: Drones are the adult males of the nest, performing all dealings with the outside world, crafting the nest and all of the aspis' tools, and hunting and gathering food. Fierce warriors, they are capable of using all simple and martial weapons except bows and crossbows, and can fashion items and weapons they need with skill. Although they prefer to travel long distances on all six legs, in combat they will generally stand upright on their hind two legs, using the other four to wield up to two weapons (usually longswords) and two shields. Occasionally they will use two polearms or four weapons instead, foregoing the use of shields; further, if they are not using shields, they may throw five darts per round rather than just three (+6/+2/+2/+2/+1 ranged). They are fanatically loyal to a single cow and will defend her to the death.Aspis drones speak their own language that operates, at least in part, through both scent and sound; 5% will be able to speak broken common in a strange, clicking fashion.  They do not have a written language, but may communicate in a similar manner using pheromones which they exude from their bodies.A typical drone is about 8 to 9 feet long  and several feet wide, appearing as a giant hominid-weevil, with an extremely long proboscis and multi-faceted eyes. When standing upright on two legs, they reach heights approaching 7 feet; when walking on four legs, they stand about 4 to 5 feet high.  Their diet consists of vegetable matter and meat. Mammalian blood is a preferred drink amongst them.CHARACTERS:Aspis drones' preferred class is ranger, though druids, fighters, and sorcerers are not unknown among them.Change Record:6.8: Edit of Cow Speed from 1' to 5'.</blockquote>

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