Phylarch

Source: Alien Archive 4

CR: 11 XP: 12,800

N Large vermin

Init.: +3 Senses: blindsense (vibration) 30 ft.; darkvision 60 ft. Perception: +20

Defense

HP: 180

EAC: 24 KAC: 26

Fort: +15 Ref: +13 Will: +10; Resistances electricity 10 (20 vs. nonlethal electricity)

Offense

Speed: 30 ft., climb 30 ft.

Melee: bite +23 (4d6+19 P) or ovipositor +23 (3d8+11 P plus injection; see text) or shock tendril +21 (3d8+11 E nonlethal; critical staggered)

Offensive Abilities: strobe

Statistics

Str: +8 Dex: +3 Con: +5 Wis: +1 Int: — Cha: -1

Skills: Stealth +20

Ecology

Environment: any hill, mountain, or urban

Organization: solitary, pair, or scintillation (1 phylarch plus 2–6 utesras)

Special Abilities

Injection (Ex) When an utesra phylarch hits a target with its ovipositor, it can attempt a second attack with a +23 bonus against the same target’s EAC as a move action. If it hits, it deals 3d8+11 acid damage and exposes the target to utesra incubation (see below) by injecting a cluster of eggs into the target. Once an utesra phylarch deals this acid damage, it can’t use its injection again for 2d6 hours. Shock Tendril (Ex) An utesra can lash with its electrically charged dorsal stalk. This attack lets the utesra ensnare the target per the grab ability, though the attack result is compared to the target’s EAC to determine whether the creature is grappled or pinned. Anytime the utesra renews the grapple, it also deals the tendril’s damage and repositions the target 5 feet closer to the utesra, plus 5 more feet for every 5 by which the attack exceeds the target’s EAC + 4. If the target ends the forced movement within the utesra’s normal reach, it can bite the target as a move action. A creature can sever a shock tendril by dealing 20 points of slashing damage to it (the tendril has the same AC as the utesra). An utesra can regenerate a severed tendril over the course of a week. Strobe (Ex) As a standard action, an utesra can flicker one or more of its dorsal stalks until the beginning of its next turn, creating subtle, calming electromagnetic vibrations. The utesra can maintain this strobing each round as a move action. Any creature other than an utesra within 60 feet of the utesra and able to see the display becomes fascinated (Will DC 18 negates) for as long as the utesra continues to strobe, though threatening actions can potentially break the effect as normal. A creature that succeeds at this saving throw is immune to the strobe of utesras (but not utesra phylarchs) for 24 hours. The utesra can’t concurrently use a stalk to create a shock tendril and to strobe. <h3 class="title">Utesra Incubation</h3> Type disease (injury); Save Fortitude DC 18 Track physical; Frequency 1/day Effect No latent state; if the infected creature dies, 1d4+3 juvenile utesras hatch and devour the corpse over the course of 1d4 days. Cure 2 consecutive saves