Cleon
Legend
Updating Powerslug Working Draft.
Okay, it should be relatively straightforward to whip up.
We just need to take some bits of the Powerslug's POWER! ability and repurpose the salt vulnerability of the Infestation.
Here's a start, I'll need to modify the SQs but don't have time to do that now:
Powered Creature (Template)
The creature bulges with exaggerated musculature and seems unusually agitated, jittering with nervous energy.
A powered creature is a warm-blooded creature that has been infested by a powerslug. They are unusually suspicious and aggressive, so their initial attitude towards beings they encounter is usually at least one step worse than is normal for their species (i.e. if a creature of its kind is normally Indifferent, a powered creature is usually Unfriendly and may be Hostile).
Creating a Powered Creature
"Powered creature" is an acquired template that can be added to any living warm-blooded creature (referred to hereafter as the base creature).
A powered creature uses all the base creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
If the powerslug is forced to abandon its host, the powered creature immediately loses all physical ability bonuses, their Powerful Temper trait and the +1 CR adjustment it granted them. It takes 1d10 minutes for a phasing powerslug to leave a Small or Medium creature's body, each size increase larger than that doubles the time (2d10 minutes for Large, 4d10 for Huge, et cetera); during this time the powerslug grants no benefits to its former host. The unpowered host retains the Weak Heart special quality until the damage to their heart heals (see below), which completely removes the Powered Creature template.
Special Qualities: A powered creature retains all the special qualities of the base creature and gains those described below.
Powerful Temper: Once a creature gains a bonus to Strength, Dexterity or Constitution from a powerslug infestation they become increasingly aggressive. Whenever something happens that might provoke anger, the creature must succeed at a Wisdom check or lose their temper. For a minor provocation, such as someone spilling their drink, the DC is 5 for every +2 of physical ability bonus, so DC 5 for +2, DC 10 for +4, DC 15 for +6 and DC 20 for +8. A moderate provocation, such as being slapped without cause, adds another +5 to the DC. A severe provocation, such as being attacked, adds +10 to the DC. Attempting to forcibly remove the powerslug is a serious provocation. All creatures infested with powerslugs hate the taste of salt, so giving one salty food is always at least a moderate provocation, whether it's a coincidence or an attempt to expel the powerslug.
If the creature fails this Wisdom check they will attack the provoking object or creature in a violent frenzy. This frenzy lasts until the host dies, loses consciousness, or the provoking creature or object is either out of their sight for 1d4 rounds or destroyed; if the provoking creature flees the host will pursue them. A calm emotion spell will stop the frenzy if the host fails their Will save.
Weak Heart: The enormous strain of powerslug infestation damages the host's heart. If the powered creature performs extremely vigorous activity, such as combat, for 1d4+1 rounds, they must succeed at a DC 5 Constitution check or suffer a fatal heart attack and die over 4d4 rounds. The save must be repeated each 1d4+1 additional rounds of vigorous activity, with the DC increasing by +1 for each previous check. The rounds of vigorous activity need not be consecutive or on the same action. The accumulated strain of vigorous activity can be healed by rest down to the minimum of DC 5: a night's sleep lowers the Con check DC by –1, a full day's rest lowers the DC by 1d2, and long-term care with a DC 15 Heal check lowers it by –3 per day. A restoration or cure critical wounds spell can prevent a host dying from a heart attack, the restoration also lowers the Con check DC by –5 (minimum DC 5). A heal or greater restoration completely cures a fatal heart attack and sets the Con check starting value to DC 5.
If the infesting powerslug is removed, the powered creature immediately loses all the physical ability bonuses and aggressiveness from the infestation, but they continue to be at risk of a fatal heart attack, retaining the Constitution check DC they had when the powerslug was removed. The damage to their heart can be healed as described above. Once the Con check is reduced to DC 5 or lower the powered creature's heart is fully healed and they lose this Weak Heart quality.
Weakness to Salt: If a powered creature consumes enough salt to feel ill (sickened for 2d6 hours) any powerslug infesting them will phase and abandon that host (as described above). This only requires a tablespoon or so of salt for a typical Medium humanoid. An overdose of salt (an ounce or more) cause nausea for 2d6 hours and forces the creatures to succeed on a DC 10 Fortitude save or take 1d4 Constitution damage, while an extreme overdose (typically requiring three or more ounces of salt) does 1d10 Con damage on a failed DC 10 Fort save.
Abilities: A powered creature gains a +8 alchemical bonus to its Strength, Dexterity and Constitution scores.
Organization: Solitary, battery (1 plus 0-4 base creatures) or dynamo (2-5). Powered creatures are usually solitary, but if the base creature is particularly social they may work in small groups despite their powerful temper.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Sample Powered Creature
The following sample creature has gained the powered creature template.
Powered Lizardfolk
Medium Humanoid (Reptilian)
Hit Dice: 2d8+10 (19 hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 19 (+4 Dex, +5 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 15
With Shield: 21 (+4 Dex, +5 natural, +2 heavy shield), touch 14, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+6
Attack: Claw +6 melee (1d4+5) or club +6 melee (1d6+5) or javelin +5 ranged (1d6+5)
Full Attack: 2 claws +6 melee (1d4+5) and bite +4 melee (1d4+2); or club +6 melee (1d6+7)[1d6+5 with shield] and bite +4 melee (1d4+2); or javelin +5 ranged (1d6+5)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Hold breath, powerful temper, weak heart, weakness to salt
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +0
Abilities: Str 21, Dex 18, Con 21, Int 9, Wis 10, Cha 10
Skills: Balance +10, Jump +11, Swim +10
With Shield*: Balance +8, Jump +9, Swim +6
Feats: Multiattack
Environment: Temperate marshes
Organization: Solitary, battery (1 plus 0-4 base creatures) or dynamo (2-5)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: 50% coins; 50% goods; 50% items
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: by character class
Level Adjustment: +1
A tailed reptilian humanoid the height of a tall human.
A lizardfolk is usually 6 to 7 feet tall with green, gray, or brown scales and a tail 3 to 4 feet long. They can weigh 200 to 250 pounds.
Lizardfolk speak Draconic.
Combat
Lizardfolk fight as unorganized individuals who prefer frontal assaults and massed rushes, sometimes trying to force foes into the water, where the lizardfolk have an advantage.
Powered lizardfolk are even less organized but occasionally fight in small groups with powered or non-powered kinfolk; they generally attack in a frothing frenzy of claws and teeth. Powered lizardfolk usually don't bother carrying shields, and those that do often forget to use them. They prefer to wield their clubs two-handed.
Hold Breath: A lizardfolk can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to four times its Constitution score before it risks drowning.
Powerful Temper: Whenever something happens that might provoke anger, the powered lizardfolk must succeed at a Wisdom check or lose its temper. For a minor provocation, such as someone spilling their drink, the DC is 5 for every +2 of physical ability bonus, so DC 5 for +2, DC 10 for +4, DC 15 for +6 and DC 20 for +8. A moderate provocation, such as being slapped without cause, adds another +5 to the DC. A severe provocation, such as being attacked, adds +10 to the DC. Attempting to forcibly remove the powerslug is a serious provocation. All creatures infested with powerslugs hate the taste of salt, so giving one salty food is always at least a moderate provocation, whether it's a coincidence or an attempt to expel the powerslug.
If the powered lizardfolk fails this Wisdom check they will attack the provoking object or creature in a violent frenzy. This frenzy lasts until the powered lizardfolk dies, loses consciousness, or the provoking creature or object is either out of their sight for 1d4 rounds or destroyed; if the provoking creature flees the lizardfolk will pursue them. A calm emotion spell will stop the frenzy if the powered lizardfolk fails its Will save.
Weak Heart: The enormous strain of powerslug infestation damages a powered lizardfolk's heart. If the lizardfolk performs extremely vigorous activity, such as combat, for 1d4+1 rounds, they must succeed at a DC 5 Constitution check or suffer a fatal heart attack and die over 4d4 rounds. The save must be repeated each 1d4+1 additional rounds of vigorous activity, with the DC increasing by +1 for each previous check. The rounds of vigorous activity need not be consecutive or on the same action. The accumulated strain of vigorous activity can be healed by rest down to the minimum of DC 5: a night's sleep lowers the Con check DC by –1, a full day's rest lowers the DC by 1d2, and long-term care with a DC 15 Heal check lowers it by –3 per day. A restoration or cure critical wounds spell can prevent the powered lizardfolk dying from a heart attack, the restoration also lowers the Con check DC by –5 (minimum DC 5). A heal or greater restoration completely cures a fatal heart attack and sets the Con check starting value to DC 5.
If the infesting powerslug is removed, the powered lizardfolk immediately loses all the physical ability bonuses and aggressiveness from the infestation, but they continue to be at risk of a fatal heart attack, retaining the Constitution check DC they had when the powerslug was removed. The damage to their heart can be healed as described above. Once the Con check is reduced to DC 5 or lower the powered lizardfolk's heart is fully healed and they lose this Weak Heart quality.
Weakness to Salt: If a powered lizardfolk consumes enough salt to feel ill (sickened for 2d6 hours) any powerslug infesting them will phase and abandon their host (as described above). This only requires a tablespoon or so of salt. An overdose of salt (an ounce or more) cause nausea for 2d6 hours and forces the lizardfolk to succeed on a DC 10 Fortitude save or take 1d4 Constitution damage, while an extreme overdose (typically requiring three or more ounces of salt) does 1d10 Con damage on a failed DC 10 Fort save.
Skills: Because of their tails, lizardfolk have a +4 racial bonus on Jump, Swim, and Balance checks.
* If the lizardfolk is carrying a heavy shield its skill modifiers include a –2 armor check penalty (–4 on Swim checks).
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