Page 170 - Lords of Madness: The Book of Aberrations
P. 170
restrain their research to volunteers who seek out the silthilar Infestation (Su): A silthilar can infest any living creature
to enhance their own bodies. it strikes with its claws or its swarm damage. A creature so
A silthilar swarm that is at rest or performing research struck must make a DC 17 Fortitude save or take 1d4 points
appears as a roiling cloud of green particles. Up close, a single of ability damage selected randomly from Strength, Dexterity,
particle appears as a tiny sphere of fleshy tendrils and bony or Constitution. The save DC is Constitution-based.
spines, no more than half an inch in diameter and often much Warp Flesh (Su): As a full-round action that provokes
smaller than that. attacks of opportunity, a silthilar in swarm form can focus
Unlike other swarms, a silthilar swarm can organize itself its attention on a single living creature that shares one of its
and transform into a solid shape that closely approximates that squares. The target must make a DC 19 Fortitude save or be
of their original body, although one without distinguishing transformed into an entirely different creature. This effect
features. In this form, a silthilar is roughly human-sized and is identical to polymorph any object
shaped, with eight long, thin limbs arranged (caster level 9th), except that it can MONSTERS CHAPTER 8
in a radial pattern around the body in two only change a living creature into NEW
rings of four. Its four lower extremities another living creature (see the spell
end in tiny hands, each with four description, pager 263 of the Player’s
fingers extending in a radial pattern Handbook). A silthilar does not deal
from the palm, that wield kukris. normal swarm damage or cause
(When a silthilar assumes swarm distraction on a round in which
form, it stores these weapons in it warps flesh. The save DC is
an extradimensional pocket.) Its Constitution-based.
upper arms are arranged in a Coalesced Form (Su): As
similar manner, and each ends a standard action that pro-
in a long, thin spine that serves vokes attacks of opportunity,
as a natural weapon. A silthilar’s a silthilar can switch from
head is a roughly spherical mass its swarm form to its solid
of hundreds of thin tendrils. form. Retrieving its weapons
Silthilar speak their own from their extradimensional Illus. by M. Phillippi
language, and their high intel- pockets is a free action that
ligence allows them to speak does not provoke attacks of
many other languages as well. opportunity. A silthilar
All languages are considered does not regain lost hit
bonus languages for silthilar. points when it changes
Their voices have a distinct form. It can remain in
buzzing to their otherwise airy either form as long as
tones. it likes.
In its coalesced form,
COMBAT a silthilar is treated as a
A silthilar swarm’s attacks depend Medium aberration with
on its current shape. As a swarm, it a space/reach of 5 feet/5
prefers to simply engulf enemies and scour feet. It loses its +8 size bonus to its
away at exposed flesh, dealing 2d6 points of Silthilar Armor Class and attack rolls, but gains a
damage to any creature whose space it occupies at the end +8 natural armor bonus from the dense plates of hardened bone
of its move. In its coalesced form, a silthilar attacks more and chitin that cover its body. It retains the swarm subtype and
conventionally; it can use its kukris or its spines with great all the traits associated with that swarm with the exception
finesse, although it can only bring four natural weapons to of its swarm attack and distraction ability. As a swarm of Fine
bear in a single round (either the four kukris or the four creatures, it is not subject to extra damage from critical hits
spines, but not some of each). and retains its immunity to weapon damage. If a silthilar is
Distraction (Ex): Any living creature that begins its turn struck with a physical attack, it must make a Concentration
with a silthilar in swarm form in its square is nauseated for 1 check (DC 10 + the number of points of damage dealt by the
round; a DC 17 Fortitude save negates the effect. Even with a attack) or revert immediately to swarm form and be nauseated
successful save, spellcasting or concentrating on spells within for 1d4 rounds.
the area of a swarm requires a Concentration check (DC 20 Immortality (Ex): A silthilar does not age, nor can it be
+ spell level). Using skills requiring patience and concentra- harmed by effects that cause magical aging.
tion requires a DC 20 Concentration check. The save DC is Swarm Traits: A swarm has no clear front or back and no
Constitution-based. discernible anatomy, so it is not subject to extra damage from
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