Cristian Andreu
Explorer
This is a prestige class I designed for a homebrew campaign setting. I have checked it all over several times for balance issues, but I think it would be better if I had external people reviewing it.
I will certainly appreciate any feedback.
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"Queen Naiwan may hold her Governesses on a higher regard than us, but without our expert skills and unique magic, who could call this the City of Gargoyles? They ride our creations, battle with them, but they always forget who has true control over the stone creatures" - Dowan, Royal Gargoleer
Royal Gargoleers are a particular kind of artisans whose skills allow them to create animated creatures of pure stone, Gargoyles (these are not the same Gargoyles from the Monster Manual; see below). Their power bestowed by Queen Naiwan of Gadox centuries ago, they use their uniquely crafted tools to shape stone into any creature, and give those creatures false life. These gargoyles are then used across the queendom, serving as military mounts for the Governesses, the Queen's personal female bodyguards and messengers, or guardians of important places. The capital city of Gadox, also known as the City of Gargoyles, features a large amount of these living statues, guarding the tall gothic towers and cathedrals, with uttermost patience, as statues ready to prey on their enemies.
Royal Gargoleers, however, go even further with their art, to the point of turning themselves into beings of hard stone, granting them unique abilities, that they keep well hidden.
Hit Die: d8
Prerequisites:
Skills: Craft (Stoneworking) 8 ranks; Knowledge (Arcana) 8 ranks; Knowledge (Nature) 8 ranks
Race: Human
Class Skills: The Royal Gargoleer’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Craft (Stoneworking)(Int), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana)(Int), Knowledge (Nature)(Int)
Skill Points: 2 Int modifier
Level
1st: Bab +0; Fort +2; Ref +0; Will +2;Gargolic Companion, Transform, Natural Armor 2
2nd: Bab +1; Fort +3; Ref +0; Will +3; Claws and Bite, Ability Bonus (STR 2)
3rd: Bab +2; Fort +3; Ref +1; Will +3; Natural Armor 3, Bonus HP
4th: Bab +3; Fort +4; Ref +1; Will +4; Ability Bonus (Con 2)
5th: Bab +3; Fort +4; Ref +1; Will +4; Natural Armor 4, Statue Shape 1/day
6th: Bab +4; Fort +5; Ref +2; Will +5; Frightful Presence, Ability Bonus (STR 4)
7th: Bab +5; Fort +5; Ref +2; Will +5; Natural Armor 5, Statue Shape 2/day
8th: Bab +6; Fort +6; Ref +2; Will +6; Wings, Ability Bonus (STR 6)
9th: Bab +6; Fort +6; Ref +3; Will +6; Natural Armor 6, Statue Shape 3/day
10th: Bab +7; Fort +7; Ref +3; Will +7; Bonus HP
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Royal Gargoleers are not proficient with any weapon or armor, nor shields.
Oath to the Queen: As part of his training to learn the arts, a Royal Gargoleer must swear absolute fidelity to Queen Naiwan of Gadox. Through this, he receives the power channeled directly from the Queen. Therefore, shall the Royal Gargoleer ever act against such oath, such as acting against the Queendom or not complying with the orders or requests of a royal envoy of superior rank, such as a Governess, he will loose all powers bestowed upon him, and his tools will crumble to dust. (this is an optional element I use on my campaign setting)
Gargoleer's Tools: These tools, a hammer and a chisel, that are given to the Royal Gargoleer once it joins the ranks of this art, glow with a dim purplish light, and release waves of energy over the stone they work. Only with these tools can the Royal Gargoleer animate the gargoyles it crafts from stone; otherwise, they are merely statues. Furthermore, he who holds the tools controls the gargoyle(s) created by them. So while the Royal Gargoleer keeps his tools, he can control his Gargolic Companion (see below). If someone else picks them up, that person becomes the new controller of the gargoyle. See below for more details.
Gargolic Companion: The Royal Gargoleer has the ability for creating creatures from stone and granting them life, with the use of his special tools. These gargoyles he create can be used as companions, that will exits entirely under the control of the person who holds the tools that made it.
The Royal Gargoleer may create a gargoyle based on any creature that he knows, as long as the Challenge Rating of that creature is equal or lower than his level in the Royal Gargoleer prestige class his Intelligence modifier. In order to generate a gargolic companion, apply the Gargolic Creature template (found at the end). Creature type restrictions apply normally.
The Royal Gargoleer requires an amount of stone equal to the size of the creature in order to have enough material to work on. For example, in order to create a heavy warhorse gargoyle, the Royal Gargoleer would need 10x10x10 feet of stone. This stone must either come from a single piece, or divisions of the total in a rate of 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8, but not less (for example, the same horse could be created from two 10x10x5 blocks). Such amount of stone is hard to come by in stores or markets, forcing the Royal Gargoleer to search in quarries or in the wilderness. In quarries, the stone can be bought by 5 copper pieces per cubic foot (1x1x1). If stone is used directly from it's source, such as a mountain or cliff side, it can be worked directly from it, with no need for the stone to be extracted.
To craft the gargoyle to be animated, the Royal Gargoleer must succeed at a Craft (Stoneworking) check with a DC equal to 15 the creature's Challenge Rating. Advancement can be checked daily or weekly. In order to complete the desired gargoyle, an amount of craft points equal to the Difficulty Class of the creature x DC x 10 (since the size of the gargoyle affects the time required, the multiplier changes depending on the size, x4 for Diminutive, x6 for Tiny, x8 for Small, x10 for Medium, x20 for Large, x40 for Huge. Creatures bigger than Huge or smaller than Diminutive can not be made into gargoyles this way). So, for example, in order to create a centaur gargoyle, the Royal Gargoleer would need to complete 1,080 craft points (for a CR of 3, the DC is 18 [15 + 3], and the size is Large, so the multiplier is x20, 3x18x20 = 1,080). For daily advancement, multiply the total by 7. If the check is failed by 4 or less, no advancement is made. If it is failed by 5 or more, 1/4 of the material is rendered useless.
The knowledge held by the Royal Gargoleer about the creature directly affects how difficult creating the creature can be. The DC can change as follows:
DC modifier based on knowledge
Full knowledge of the creature: DC -2
Sufficient studies about the creature: DC +0
Just enough knowledge to identify it: DC +4
Seen once: DC +8
Known only through written or spoken word: +12
Vaguely heard about it: Impossible
Never heard about it: Impossible
Once the crafting is completed, the Royal Gargoleer must hit the gargoyle with the hammer strongly. This, instead of breaking part of it, instills the creature with life. After this, the Gargolic Companion remains fully under control of the individual who holds the tools that made it. The communicates telepathically, and even while it has (in some cases; depends on the creature) an Intelligence score, it will do anything that it is ordered to do, even if it can be destroyed as result of said order. If no person holds the tools, the gargoyle automatically activates it's Statue Form (see Gargolic Creature template, below) and remains that way, unless directly threatened, in which case it will act on it's own to eliminate the threat, and then return to the place where it rested as statue, or as close to it as possible. A gargoyle who enters Statue Form can not be reanimated until at least one full hour has passed since it entered that state, even if it's tools have been retrieved.
It is possible for the Royal Gargoleer to control more than one Gargolic Companion at a given time, as long as the sum of the Challenge Ratings of all the Gargolic Companions he controls is equal or lower than his level on the Royal Gargoleer prestige class + his Intelligence modifier.
Transform: Among the special abilities of the Royal Gargoleer lies the Transformation, that allows him to turn his body into something with the characteristics of a gargoyle. The new characteristics gained through Transformation depend on the level of the character in the Royal Gargoleer class.
Upon transforming, the body of the Royal Gargoleer becomes heavier and clumsier, automatically bestowing a -2 penalty to Dexterity while it remains transformed. Using this ability is a full-round action that generates an attack of opportunity. Canceling it is also a full-round action that generates an attack of opportunity.
The Royal Gargoleer can choose which abilities to activate while transformed, although these must be stated when Transform is activated, not while the ability is in effect. So, for example, a 10th level Royal Gargoleer could choose to Transform and develop wings, but not his Frightful Presence, or choose to have only bite attack instead of bite and claw attacks.
Transform can be used as many times per day as desired, but at least one full hour must pass between each transformation.
Natural Armor: Starting at 1st level, upon using the ability Transform, the Royal Gargoleer develops a thicker, harder, rougher skin that in many ways resembles stone. This grants a +2 natural armor bonus to AC. In higher levels, the body becomes more and more like stone. Every two new levels after the 1st, this bonus increases by +1 (+3 in 3rd, +4 in 5th, +5 in 7th and +6 in 9th).
Claws and Bite: In 2nd level, upon using the ability Transform, the teeth of the Royal Gargoleer turn into hard stone and grow very sharp, while from his fingers grow razor-sharp claws of stone. This grants the Royal Gargoleer claw and bite attacks. These attacks deal damage as listed below. If the Royal Gargoleer already had claw and/or bite attacks, use the higher damage:
Bite and Claw damage based on Size
Small: Bite: 1d4; Claw: 1d6
Medium: Bite: 1d6; Claw: 1d8
Large: Bite:1d8; Claw: 2d6
The Royal Gargoleer is considered proficient with these attacks. When performing a full attack, the Royal Gargoleer uses his full attack bonus on his bite attack, but taking a -5 penalty on his claw attack.
Ability Bonus: Starting at 2nd level, upon using the ability Transform, the Royal Gargoleer sees his body stronger and more capable. He gains a bonus to Strength of +2, that increases to +4 on level 6 and +6 on level 8. Furthermore, he gains a bonus to Constitution of +2 on level 4. The Hit Point gained from this bonus to Constitution last while the Royal Gargoleer is transformed, and thus is not temporary (since the transformation can extend indefinitely), and they are not lost first in the way temporary hit points are.
Statue Form: Starting from level 5, the Royal Gargoleer gains the ability to fully transform his body into hard, motionless stone, falling into a state of suspended animation, during which his body repairs itself from wounds. While on Statue Form, the Royal Gargoleer heals Hit Points damage (but not nonlethal damage) each hour. How many Hit Points he heals per hour depends on his size:
HP per hour based on Size
Small: HP Per Hour: 2
Medium: HP Per Hour: 4
Large: HP Per Hour: 4
The Royal Gargoleer may heal would trough this method, but can not regenerate missing body parts, such as an arm that was removed by a sword.
The effect of poisons and diseases are halted while on Statue Form, and remain dormant until the ability is canceled, point at which they start working again. So, for example, if a disease contracted by the Royal Gargoleer has an incubation period of one day, he may extend that period indefinitely by remaining in Statue Form. However, once he cancels the effect, the incubation continues, until a full day has passed while not in Statue Form.
While on Statue Form, the Royal Gargoleer is considered for all purposes an inanimate object, with a hardness of 8, that follows all the rules for inanimate objects listed on page 165 of the Player's Handbook. Recalculate the AC as if the Royal Gargoleer were an inanimate object, but add a 8 natural armor bonus.
The Royal Gargoleer can cancel this effect at any moment, but not before at least one full hour has passed since it was activated. Canceling this effect takes a full round action, after which the Royal Gargoleer is flat-footed and fatigued. While on Statue Form, the Royal Gargoleer is trapped inside his mind, unable to see, hear or feel. However, the Royal Gargoleer gains the Blindsense ability with a range of 60 feet while on Statue Form.
The Royal Gargoleer can use this ability once per day on level 5, two times per day on level 7 and three times per day on level 9.
Frightful Presence: In level 6, upon using the ability Transform, the body of the Royal Gargoleer, particularly his face, becomes hideously twisted and horrid, with exaggerated expressions much like a gargoyle. This grants him Frightful Presence, with a range of 30 feet. When the Royal Gargoleer charges, any creature with less HD than the Royal Gargoleer's character level must succeed on a Will saving throw, with a DC equal to 10 + the Royal Gargoleer's character level + the Royal Gargoleer's Charisma modifier, or become shaken for 4d6 rounds. Creatures with 5 or more HD less than the Royal Gargoleer's character level who fail the saving throw become frightened instead. A creature who succeeds at the saving throw is immune to this effect for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Since the Royal Gargoleer becomes so awful when transformed once this ability is gained, he receives a -4 circumstance penalty of Bluff, Diplomacy and Disguise checks, and a +4 circumstance bonus on Intimidate checks.
Bonus Hit Points: In level 3, upon using the ability Transform, the body of the Royal Gargoleer gains sheer resistance, increasing his maximum Hit Points while transformed. The amount of HP that the Royal Gargoleer gets depends on his size, as listed below:
Bonus HP based on Size
Small: +5 HP
Medium: +10 HP
Large: +15 HP
This bonus HP are considered temporary, and thus follow the rules for Temporary Hit Points listed on page 146 of the Player's Handbook. So, if the Royal Gargoleer gains 10 HP while transformed, loses 5 HP and then returns to his normal form, he would be with his full HP. While transformed, however, the points, while temporary, can be healed; they are just not carried over once the transformation ends.
While on Statue Form, these bonus HP are also gained, but are lost once the Statue Form is canceled. During the effect of Statue Form, any lost bonus HP are healed.
All bonus HP lost while transformed are carried over to the next transformation, unless these bonus HP are healed through the use of Statue Form. So, for example, if a transformed Royal Gargoleer loses 4 HP and then cancels the transformation, and transforms again one hour later, he would gain all the bonus HP, minus 4.
Upon reaching level 10, this bonus is increased as listed below:
Bonus HP based on Size
Small: +10 HP
Medium: +20 HP
Large: +30 HP
Wings: In level 9, upon using the ability Transform, large, bat-like wings of stone sprout from his back, granting his the ability to fly. The Royal Gargoleer gains a fly speed equal to half his land speed, with Poor maneuverability.
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Gargolic Creature Template
Their bodies of pure, hard stone is the first thing that reveals the true properties of these creatures. Their facial and body aspect is also revealing, with exaggerated traits and melodramatic facial expressions, ranging from mocking to agonizing, their eyes, noses and ears unnaturally large or small. Gargoyles come in many types and forms, as distorted images of stone made alive by magic of true creatures and beings.
Gargolic is a template that can be added to any corporeal creature except the following types: Construct, Elemental, Ooze and Undead.
Type and Size: The base creature’s type is changed to Construct. Recalculate Hit Dice, Hit Points, Base Attack Bonus, and Saves accordingly. The creature now acquires Skill Points as a Construct, but all previously acquired skill bonuses are left unchanged. Size does not change.
Hit Dice and Hit Points: Because their body is a mass of inorganic stone, Gargolic creatures are very hard to destroy. They gain bonus Hit Points based on their size, as indicated below. This table replaces that of bonus Hit Points gained by Constructs, and so both do not stack:
Bonus HP based on Size
Fine: +1 HP
Diminutive: +3 HP
Tiny: +5 HP
Small: +10 HP
Medium: +20 HP
Large: +30 HP
Huge: +40 HP
Gargantuan: +60 HP
Colossal: +80 HP
Speed: Gargolic creatures retain all the movement modes of the base creature. The speed of all it’s modes is decreased by 1/3. If the base creature is able to fly, upon applying the Gargolic template it’s maneuverability is decreased by 2 levels. If the base creature has a maneuverability class of Clumsy, the Gargolic form will have the same level, plus decreasing it's flight speed by an additional 1/3. Base creatures with maneuverability better than Clumsy will be reduced either by 2 movement modes or directly to Clumsy (Perfect->Average, Good->Poor, Average->Clumsy, Poor->Clumsy, Clumsy->Clumsy plus additional speed penalty)
Creatures whose flying ability is magical, or not dependent on their physical traits, have their speed and maneuverability unchanged.
Armor Class: The Gargolic creature’s natural armor improves by +8
Attacks: The Gargolic creature retains all attacks as the base creature, and is proficient in the same weapons and armor as the base creature. A Gargolic creature also gains a Slam attack if it had no original natural weapons.
Damage: Claw and bite attacks have it's damage increased by one damage category (for example, a Small Gargolic creature will dead 1d6 points of damage with it's bite attack and 1d4 with it's claw attack). Slam attacks now do damage as listed below:
Slam Damage based on Size
Fine: -
Diminutive: 1d2
Tiny: 1d3
Small: 1d6
Medium: 1d8
Large: 2d6
Huge: 2d8
Gargantuan: 4d6
Colossal: 6d8
Special Attacks: A Gargolic creature retains all the special attacks of it’s base creature, except those based on it’s Constitution score.
Special Qualities: The Gargolic creature retains all the special qualities from it’s base creature, with the exception of healing qualities –such as Regeneration (Fast Healing Works normally). Furthermore, it gains the following traits:
--Construct traits
--Immunity to electricity and disease
--Resistance to fire and cold 20
--Damage reduction 5/magic
--Can not heal damage on their own, nor they can be healed. They may be repaired when in Statue Form (see below for details)
Frightful Presence: Gargoyles are made for the purpose of scaring intruders away. Therefore, they are made with exaggerated body structures and faces with twisted and extreme expressions, that grant them a characteristically unsettling and fearsome look. When a Gargolic Creature charges, any creature with less HD than it must succeed on a Will saving throw, with a DC equal to 10 + 1/2 the Gargolic Creature's HD + the Gargolic Creature's Charisma modifier, or become shaken for 4d6 rounds. Creatures with 5 or more HD less than the Gargolic Creature's HD who fail the saving throw become frightened instead. A creature who succeeds at the saving throw is immune to this effect for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Statue Form: Gargolic creatures may enter a state of absolute immobility and inactivity 3 times per day as a full-round action that provokes and attack of opportunity action, effectively turning into inanimate statues. When under this state, which can last for as long as the creature wishes to, it will rebuild itself, regaining lost body parts, and healing at a rate as listed below:
HP per hour based on Size
Fine: 1
Diminutive: 1
Tiny: 2
Small: 2
Medium: 4
Large: 4
Huge: 6
Gargantuan: 10
Colossal: 20
When in Statue Form, a Gargolic creature is considered an inanimate object, with a hardness of 8, it’s AC recalculated as any object, and follows all the rules for inanimate objects –page 165 of the Player’s Handbook. A Gargolic creature may cancel this effect whenever it sees fit as a free action. However, at least 1 full hour must pass –after activating this ability- before canceling the effect. Gargolic creatures in Statue Form may not spot or listen any threat, but gains Blindsense with a 120 feet range.
When not in combat –or when no threat is present-, Gargolic creatures will always stay in Statue Form.
Abilities: Gargolic creature attain a +8 bonus to Strength and a -8 penalty to Dexterity. A Gargolic creature has no Constitution score.
Feats: A Gargolic creature retains all the feats of it’s base creature.
Skills: A Gargolic creature gains skill points as it’s base creature, and retains all the bonuses from it’s original. Gargolic creatures speak any language the base creature had.
Advancement: Gargolic creatures advance as their base creature.
Alignment: Gargolic creature retain the alignment of it’s base creature.
Challenge Rating: +3
Level Adjustment: +3
I will certainly appreciate any feedback.
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"Queen Naiwan may hold her Governesses on a higher regard than us, but without our expert skills and unique magic, who could call this the City of Gargoyles? They ride our creations, battle with them, but they always forget who has true control over the stone creatures" - Dowan, Royal Gargoleer
Royal Gargoleers are a particular kind of artisans whose skills allow them to create animated creatures of pure stone, Gargoyles (these are not the same Gargoyles from the Monster Manual; see below). Their power bestowed by Queen Naiwan of Gadox centuries ago, they use their uniquely crafted tools to shape stone into any creature, and give those creatures false life. These gargoyles are then used across the queendom, serving as military mounts for the Governesses, the Queen's personal female bodyguards and messengers, or guardians of important places. The capital city of Gadox, also known as the City of Gargoyles, features a large amount of these living statues, guarding the tall gothic towers and cathedrals, with uttermost patience, as statues ready to prey on their enemies.
Royal Gargoleers, however, go even further with their art, to the point of turning themselves into beings of hard stone, granting them unique abilities, that they keep well hidden.
Hit Die: d8
Prerequisites:
Skills: Craft (Stoneworking) 8 ranks; Knowledge (Arcana) 8 ranks; Knowledge (Nature) 8 ranks
Race: Human
Class Skills: The Royal Gargoleer’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Craft (Stoneworking)(Int), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana)(Int), Knowledge (Nature)(Int)
Skill Points: 2 Int modifier
Level
1st: Bab +0; Fort +2; Ref +0; Will +2;Gargolic Companion, Transform, Natural Armor 2
2nd: Bab +1; Fort +3; Ref +0; Will +3; Claws and Bite, Ability Bonus (STR 2)
3rd: Bab +2; Fort +3; Ref +1; Will +3; Natural Armor 3, Bonus HP
4th: Bab +3; Fort +4; Ref +1; Will +4; Ability Bonus (Con 2)
5th: Bab +3; Fort +4; Ref +1; Will +4; Natural Armor 4, Statue Shape 1/day
6th: Bab +4; Fort +5; Ref +2; Will +5; Frightful Presence, Ability Bonus (STR 4)
7th: Bab +5; Fort +5; Ref +2; Will +5; Natural Armor 5, Statue Shape 2/day
8th: Bab +6; Fort +6; Ref +2; Will +6; Wings, Ability Bonus (STR 6)
9th: Bab +6; Fort +6; Ref +3; Will +6; Natural Armor 6, Statue Shape 3/day
10th: Bab +7; Fort +7; Ref +3; Will +7; Bonus HP
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Royal Gargoleers are not proficient with any weapon or armor, nor shields.
Oath to the Queen: As part of his training to learn the arts, a Royal Gargoleer must swear absolute fidelity to Queen Naiwan of Gadox. Through this, he receives the power channeled directly from the Queen. Therefore, shall the Royal Gargoleer ever act against such oath, such as acting against the Queendom or not complying with the orders or requests of a royal envoy of superior rank, such as a Governess, he will loose all powers bestowed upon him, and his tools will crumble to dust. (this is an optional element I use on my campaign setting)
Gargoleer's Tools: These tools, a hammer and a chisel, that are given to the Royal Gargoleer once it joins the ranks of this art, glow with a dim purplish light, and release waves of energy over the stone they work. Only with these tools can the Royal Gargoleer animate the gargoyles it crafts from stone; otherwise, they are merely statues. Furthermore, he who holds the tools controls the gargoyle(s) created by them. So while the Royal Gargoleer keeps his tools, he can control his Gargolic Companion (see below). If someone else picks them up, that person becomes the new controller of the gargoyle. See below for more details.
Gargolic Companion: The Royal Gargoleer has the ability for creating creatures from stone and granting them life, with the use of his special tools. These gargoyles he create can be used as companions, that will exits entirely under the control of the person who holds the tools that made it.
The Royal Gargoleer may create a gargoyle based on any creature that he knows, as long as the Challenge Rating of that creature is equal or lower than his level in the Royal Gargoleer prestige class his Intelligence modifier. In order to generate a gargolic companion, apply the Gargolic Creature template (found at the end). Creature type restrictions apply normally.
The Royal Gargoleer requires an amount of stone equal to the size of the creature in order to have enough material to work on. For example, in order to create a heavy warhorse gargoyle, the Royal Gargoleer would need 10x10x10 feet of stone. This stone must either come from a single piece, or divisions of the total in a rate of 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8, but not less (for example, the same horse could be created from two 10x10x5 blocks). Such amount of stone is hard to come by in stores or markets, forcing the Royal Gargoleer to search in quarries or in the wilderness. In quarries, the stone can be bought by 5 copper pieces per cubic foot (1x1x1). If stone is used directly from it's source, such as a mountain or cliff side, it can be worked directly from it, with no need for the stone to be extracted.
To craft the gargoyle to be animated, the Royal Gargoleer must succeed at a Craft (Stoneworking) check with a DC equal to 15 the creature's Challenge Rating. Advancement can be checked daily or weekly. In order to complete the desired gargoyle, an amount of craft points equal to the Difficulty Class of the creature x DC x 10 (since the size of the gargoyle affects the time required, the multiplier changes depending on the size, x4 for Diminutive, x6 for Tiny, x8 for Small, x10 for Medium, x20 for Large, x40 for Huge. Creatures bigger than Huge or smaller than Diminutive can not be made into gargoyles this way). So, for example, in order to create a centaur gargoyle, the Royal Gargoleer would need to complete 1,080 craft points (for a CR of 3, the DC is 18 [15 + 3], and the size is Large, so the multiplier is x20, 3x18x20 = 1,080). For daily advancement, multiply the total by 7. If the check is failed by 4 or less, no advancement is made. If it is failed by 5 or more, 1/4 of the material is rendered useless.
The knowledge held by the Royal Gargoleer about the creature directly affects how difficult creating the creature can be. The DC can change as follows:
DC modifier based on knowledge
Full knowledge of the creature: DC -2
Sufficient studies about the creature: DC +0
Just enough knowledge to identify it: DC +4
Seen once: DC +8
Known only through written or spoken word: +12
Vaguely heard about it: Impossible
Never heard about it: Impossible
Once the crafting is completed, the Royal Gargoleer must hit the gargoyle with the hammer strongly. This, instead of breaking part of it, instills the creature with life. After this, the Gargolic Companion remains fully under control of the individual who holds the tools that made it. The communicates telepathically, and even while it has (in some cases; depends on the creature) an Intelligence score, it will do anything that it is ordered to do, even if it can be destroyed as result of said order. If no person holds the tools, the gargoyle automatically activates it's Statue Form (see Gargolic Creature template, below) and remains that way, unless directly threatened, in which case it will act on it's own to eliminate the threat, and then return to the place where it rested as statue, or as close to it as possible. A gargoyle who enters Statue Form can not be reanimated until at least one full hour has passed since it entered that state, even if it's tools have been retrieved.
It is possible for the Royal Gargoleer to control more than one Gargolic Companion at a given time, as long as the sum of the Challenge Ratings of all the Gargolic Companions he controls is equal or lower than his level on the Royal Gargoleer prestige class + his Intelligence modifier.
Transform: Among the special abilities of the Royal Gargoleer lies the Transformation, that allows him to turn his body into something with the characteristics of a gargoyle. The new characteristics gained through Transformation depend on the level of the character in the Royal Gargoleer class.
Upon transforming, the body of the Royal Gargoleer becomes heavier and clumsier, automatically bestowing a -2 penalty to Dexterity while it remains transformed. Using this ability is a full-round action that generates an attack of opportunity. Canceling it is also a full-round action that generates an attack of opportunity.
The Royal Gargoleer can choose which abilities to activate while transformed, although these must be stated when Transform is activated, not while the ability is in effect. So, for example, a 10th level Royal Gargoleer could choose to Transform and develop wings, but not his Frightful Presence, or choose to have only bite attack instead of bite and claw attacks.
Transform can be used as many times per day as desired, but at least one full hour must pass between each transformation.
Natural Armor: Starting at 1st level, upon using the ability Transform, the Royal Gargoleer develops a thicker, harder, rougher skin that in many ways resembles stone. This grants a +2 natural armor bonus to AC. In higher levels, the body becomes more and more like stone. Every two new levels after the 1st, this bonus increases by +1 (+3 in 3rd, +4 in 5th, +5 in 7th and +6 in 9th).
Claws and Bite: In 2nd level, upon using the ability Transform, the teeth of the Royal Gargoleer turn into hard stone and grow very sharp, while from his fingers grow razor-sharp claws of stone. This grants the Royal Gargoleer claw and bite attacks. These attacks deal damage as listed below. If the Royal Gargoleer already had claw and/or bite attacks, use the higher damage:
Bite and Claw damage based on Size
Small: Bite: 1d4; Claw: 1d6
Medium: Bite: 1d6; Claw: 1d8
Large: Bite:1d8; Claw: 2d6
The Royal Gargoleer is considered proficient with these attacks. When performing a full attack, the Royal Gargoleer uses his full attack bonus on his bite attack, but taking a -5 penalty on his claw attack.
Ability Bonus: Starting at 2nd level, upon using the ability Transform, the Royal Gargoleer sees his body stronger and more capable. He gains a bonus to Strength of +2, that increases to +4 on level 6 and +6 on level 8. Furthermore, he gains a bonus to Constitution of +2 on level 4. The Hit Point gained from this bonus to Constitution last while the Royal Gargoleer is transformed, and thus is not temporary (since the transformation can extend indefinitely), and they are not lost first in the way temporary hit points are.
Statue Form: Starting from level 5, the Royal Gargoleer gains the ability to fully transform his body into hard, motionless stone, falling into a state of suspended animation, during which his body repairs itself from wounds. While on Statue Form, the Royal Gargoleer heals Hit Points damage (but not nonlethal damage) each hour. How many Hit Points he heals per hour depends on his size:
HP per hour based on Size
Small: HP Per Hour: 2
Medium: HP Per Hour: 4
Large: HP Per Hour: 4
The Royal Gargoleer may heal would trough this method, but can not regenerate missing body parts, such as an arm that was removed by a sword.
The effect of poisons and diseases are halted while on Statue Form, and remain dormant until the ability is canceled, point at which they start working again. So, for example, if a disease contracted by the Royal Gargoleer has an incubation period of one day, he may extend that period indefinitely by remaining in Statue Form. However, once he cancels the effect, the incubation continues, until a full day has passed while not in Statue Form.
While on Statue Form, the Royal Gargoleer is considered for all purposes an inanimate object, with a hardness of 8, that follows all the rules for inanimate objects listed on page 165 of the Player's Handbook. Recalculate the AC as if the Royal Gargoleer were an inanimate object, but add a 8 natural armor bonus.
The Royal Gargoleer can cancel this effect at any moment, but not before at least one full hour has passed since it was activated. Canceling this effect takes a full round action, after which the Royal Gargoleer is flat-footed and fatigued. While on Statue Form, the Royal Gargoleer is trapped inside his mind, unable to see, hear or feel. However, the Royal Gargoleer gains the Blindsense ability with a range of 60 feet while on Statue Form.
The Royal Gargoleer can use this ability once per day on level 5, two times per day on level 7 and three times per day on level 9.
Frightful Presence: In level 6, upon using the ability Transform, the body of the Royal Gargoleer, particularly his face, becomes hideously twisted and horrid, with exaggerated expressions much like a gargoyle. This grants him Frightful Presence, with a range of 30 feet. When the Royal Gargoleer charges, any creature with less HD than the Royal Gargoleer's character level must succeed on a Will saving throw, with a DC equal to 10 + the Royal Gargoleer's character level + the Royal Gargoleer's Charisma modifier, or become shaken for 4d6 rounds. Creatures with 5 or more HD less than the Royal Gargoleer's character level who fail the saving throw become frightened instead. A creature who succeeds at the saving throw is immune to this effect for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Since the Royal Gargoleer becomes so awful when transformed once this ability is gained, he receives a -4 circumstance penalty of Bluff, Diplomacy and Disguise checks, and a +4 circumstance bonus on Intimidate checks.
Bonus Hit Points: In level 3, upon using the ability Transform, the body of the Royal Gargoleer gains sheer resistance, increasing his maximum Hit Points while transformed. The amount of HP that the Royal Gargoleer gets depends on his size, as listed below:
Bonus HP based on Size
Small: +5 HP
Medium: +10 HP
Large: +15 HP
This bonus HP are considered temporary, and thus follow the rules for Temporary Hit Points listed on page 146 of the Player's Handbook. So, if the Royal Gargoleer gains 10 HP while transformed, loses 5 HP and then returns to his normal form, he would be with his full HP. While transformed, however, the points, while temporary, can be healed; they are just not carried over once the transformation ends.
While on Statue Form, these bonus HP are also gained, but are lost once the Statue Form is canceled. During the effect of Statue Form, any lost bonus HP are healed.
All bonus HP lost while transformed are carried over to the next transformation, unless these bonus HP are healed through the use of Statue Form. So, for example, if a transformed Royal Gargoleer loses 4 HP and then cancels the transformation, and transforms again one hour later, he would gain all the bonus HP, minus 4.
Upon reaching level 10, this bonus is increased as listed below:
Bonus HP based on Size
Small: +10 HP
Medium: +20 HP
Large: +30 HP
Wings: In level 9, upon using the ability Transform, large, bat-like wings of stone sprout from his back, granting his the ability to fly. The Royal Gargoleer gains a fly speed equal to half his land speed, with Poor maneuverability.
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Gargolic Creature Template
Their bodies of pure, hard stone is the first thing that reveals the true properties of these creatures. Their facial and body aspect is also revealing, with exaggerated traits and melodramatic facial expressions, ranging from mocking to agonizing, their eyes, noses and ears unnaturally large or small. Gargoyles come in many types and forms, as distorted images of stone made alive by magic of true creatures and beings.
Gargolic is a template that can be added to any corporeal creature except the following types: Construct, Elemental, Ooze and Undead.
Type and Size: The base creature’s type is changed to Construct. Recalculate Hit Dice, Hit Points, Base Attack Bonus, and Saves accordingly. The creature now acquires Skill Points as a Construct, but all previously acquired skill bonuses are left unchanged. Size does not change.
Hit Dice and Hit Points: Because their body is a mass of inorganic stone, Gargolic creatures are very hard to destroy. They gain bonus Hit Points based on their size, as indicated below. This table replaces that of bonus Hit Points gained by Constructs, and so both do not stack:
Bonus HP based on Size
Fine: +1 HP
Diminutive: +3 HP
Tiny: +5 HP
Small: +10 HP
Medium: +20 HP
Large: +30 HP
Huge: +40 HP
Gargantuan: +60 HP
Colossal: +80 HP
Speed: Gargolic creatures retain all the movement modes of the base creature. The speed of all it’s modes is decreased by 1/3. If the base creature is able to fly, upon applying the Gargolic template it’s maneuverability is decreased by 2 levels. If the base creature has a maneuverability class of Clumsy, the Gargolic form will have the same level, plus decreasing it's flight speed by an additional 1/3. Base creatures with maneuverability better than Clumsy will be reduced either by 2 movement modes or directly to Clumsy (Perfect->Average, Good->Poor, Average->Clumsy, Poor->Clumsy, Clumsy->Clumsy plus additional speed penalty)
Creatures whose flying ability is magical, or not dependent on their physical traits, have their speed and maneuverability unchanged.
Armor Class: The Gargolic creature’s natural armor improves by +8
Attacks: The Gargolic creature retains all attacks as the base creature, and is proficient in the same weapons and armor as the base creature. A Gargolic creature also gains a Slam attack if it had no original natural weapons.
Damage: Claw and bite attacks have it's damage increased by one damage category (for example, a Small Gargolic creature will dead 1d6 points of damage with it's bite attack and 1d4 with it's claw attack). Slam attacks now do damage as listed below:
Slam Damage based on Size
Fine: -
Diminutive: 1d2
Tiny: 1d3
Small: 1d6
Medium: 1d8
Large: 2d6
Huge: 2d8
Gargantuan: 4d6
Colossal: 6d8
Special Attacks: A Gargolic creature retains all the special attacks of it’s base creature, except those based on it’s Constitution score.
Special Qualities: The Gargolic creature retains all the special qualities from it’s base creature, with the exception of healing qualities –such as Regeneration (Fast Healing Works normally). Furthermore, it gains the following traits:
--Construct traits
--Immunity to electricity and disease
--Resistance to fire and cold 20
--Damage reduction 5/magic
--Can not heal damage on their own, nor they can be healed. They may be repaired when in Statue Form (see below for details)
Frightful Presence: Gargoyles are made for the purpose of scaring intruders away. Therefore, they are made with exaggerated body structures and faces with twisted and extreme expressions, that grant them a characteristically unsettling and fearsome look. When a Gargolic Creature charges, any creature with less HD than it must succeed on a Will saving throw, with a DC equal to 10 + 1/2 the Gargolic Creature's HD + the Gargolic Creature's Charisma modifier, or become shaken for 4d6 rounds. Creatures with 5 or more HD less than the Gargolic Creature's HD who fail the saving throw become frightened instead. A creature who succeeds at the saving throw is immune to this effect for 24 hours. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Statue Form: Gargolic creatures may enter a state of absolute immobility and inactivity 3 times per day as a full-round action that provokes and attack of opportunity action, effectively turning into inanimate statues. When under this state, which can last for as long as the creature wishes to, it will rebuild itself, regaining lost body parts, and healing at a rate as listed below:
HP per hour based on Size
Fine: 1
Diminutive: 1
Tiny: 2
Small: 2
Medium: 4
Large: 4
Huge: 6
Gargantuan: 10
Colossal: 20
When in Statue Form, a Gargolic creature is considered an inanimate object, with a hardness of 8, it’s AC recalculated as any object, and follows all the rules for inanimate objects –page 165 of the Player’s Handbook. A Gargolic creature may cancel this effect whenever it sees fit as a free action. However, at least 1 full hour must pass –after activating this ability- before canceling the effect. Gargolic creatures in Statue Form may not spot or listen any threat, but gains Blindsense with a 120 feet range.
When not in combat –or when no threat is present-, Gargolic creatures will always stay in Statue Form.
Abilities: Gargolic creature attain a +8 bonus to Strength and a -8 penalty to Dexterity. A Gargolic creature has no Constitution score.
Feats: A Gargolic creature retains all the feats of it’s base creature.
Skills: A Gargolic creature gains skill points as it’s base creature, and retains all the bonuses from it’s original. Gargolic creatures speak any language the base creature had.
Advancement: Gargolic creatures advance as their base creature.
Alignment: Gargolic creature retain the alignment of it’s base creature.
Challenge Rating: +3
Level Adjustment: +3
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