So for the first Monster Monday post, I’m actually going to post a Pathfinder update to a critter I created in 3.5 for the Kobold Quarterly blog.
This writeup uses my original text, but the KQ text works just fine. Go with the one you prefer!
Grimdaw (CR 1/3)
N Tiny Magical Beast
Init +3; Senses Darkvision (60 feet), Low-Light Vision; Perception +12
AC 17, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +2 size, +2 natural)
hp 5 (1d10)
Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +2
Immune paralysis, disease, energy drain, fear
Spd 10 ft., Fly 60 feet (Average)
Melee Talon x2 +6 (1d4-3/20/x2) plus disease
Space 2.5 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Abilities Str 5, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 4, Wis 14, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +2; CMD 9
Feats Weapon Finesse
Skills Fly +7, Perception +12, Stealth +11
SQ Disease (DC 11) (Ex)
Disease (DC 11) (Ex) Any creature struck by the claws of a grimdaw must make a Fortitude save vs. DC 11 (Constitution-based) or become nauseated by infectious bacteria attacking their nervous system, causing symptoms ranging from numbness to phantom sensations and extreme pain. After 1d4 rounds the victim becomes slowed (as per the spell). The secondary attack of the disease happens after 24 hours and causes paralysis for 1d4 days.
Grimdaw Immunities (Ex) Grimdaws are immune to disease, drain effects, supernatural fear, and paralysis, making them uniquely suited to existing among the undead. (Their immunity to fear doesn’t make them recklessly brave— in fact, they tend to be quite cowardly creatures— it simply prevents them from fleeing in supernatural terror from a mummy’s despair ability, or instance.)
The Grimdaw, or “ghoul crow,” tends to nest and flock around graveyards, abandoned churches, swamps, or other unwholesome places and resembles a large and shabby crow or raven with a gruesome, skeletal-like head. Despite their appearance they are not undead, but actually scavengers and carrion-eaters that can coexist among the undead and feed on the remains of those the undead slay.
On their own, grimdaws retreat from larger creatures and will only attack if their mates or young are threatened; however, they are occasionally known to form into large swarms, commonly known as “riots,” which become very aggressive and will attack any creature of size Large or smaller size on sight. The exact reasons for the forming of a riot of ghoul crows is unknown.
Grimdaws are bright and, if tamed, can make good pets. They have been known to become the Arcane Familiar of necromancers (acting as a raven except without the ability to speak), or may be taken as an Animal Companion by clerics with the Death domain in place of the Bleeding Touch ability as if the cleric were a druid of the same level. While not terribly fearsome in combat, grimdaws make excellent spies or couriers.
Grimdaw Riot (CR 2)
N Tiny Magical Beast (Swarm)
Init +3; Senses Darkvision (60 feet), Low-Light Vision; Perception +16
AC 17, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +2 size, +2 natural)
hp 16 (3d10)
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +3
Immune Grimdaw Immunities, flanking, staggered, critical hits, precision damage, Swarm Traits
Weakness Vulnerability to Area Effects
Spd 10 ft., Fly 60 (Average)
Melee Swarm 1d6 plus disease
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks Distraction (DC 11), Swarm Attack (1d6)
Abilities Str 5, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 4, Wis 14, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +4; CMD 11 (can’t be Bull Rushed, Grappled, or Tripped)
Feats Skill Focus: Perception, Weapon Finesse
Skills Fly +11, Perception +16, Stealth +11
SQ Disease (DC 11) (Ex)
Disease (DC 11) (Ex) Any creature struck by the claws of a grimdaw must make a Fortitude save vs. DC 11 (Constitution-based) or become nauseated by infectious bacteria attacking their nervous system, causing symptoms ranging from numbness to phantom sensations and extreme pain. After 1d4 rounds the victim becomes slowed (as per the spell). The secondary attack of the disease happens after 24 hours and causes paralysis for 1d4 days.
Grimdaw Immunities (Ex) Grimdaws are immune to disease, drain effects, supernatural fear, and paralysis, making them uniquely suited to existing among the undead. (Their immunity to fear doesn’t make them recklessly brave— in fact, they tend to be quite cowardly creatures— it simply prevents them from fleeing in supernatural terror from a mummy’s despair ability, or instance.)
Distraction (DC 11) (Ex) A creature with this ability can nauseate the creatures that it damages. Any living creature that takes damage from a creature with the distraction ability is nauseated for 1 round; a Fortitude save negates.
Swarm Attack (1d6) Creatures with the swarm subtype don’t make standard melee attacks. Instead, they deal automatic damage to any creature whose space they occupy at the end of their move, with no attack roll needed. Swarm attacks are not subject to a miss chance for concealment or cover. A swarm’s stat block has “swarm” in the Melee entries, with no attack bonus given.
Enjoy!
-The Gneech
Open content using the OGL. The Grimdaw was created by John “The Gneech” Robey. Stat blocks created by Hero Lab®.
