[C&C] New Creature: Terrator

[serleran]

1,000 bonus XP to anyone who can guess what inspired this creature (the source is why I'm not putting the creature in the stickied thread...)

Terrator

No. Encountered: 2-5 or 1
Size: Large
HD: 4 (d10)
Move: 30 feet
AC: 16
Attack: 2 Claws (1d6), Stinger (1d4), and Bite (1d4)
Special: Immobilize, Magnetic Field, Frightening Presence
Saves: M, P
Int: High
Alignment: Lawful Good
Type: Monstrous Humanoid
Treasure: 9
XP Value: 150 + 8

Terrators are accomplished combatants, having engaged in a continual battle against their hated rivals, the chimera. The constant state of warfare has encouraged them to develop a variety of technology and tactics that are rarely seen by any but barbaric cultures. The fact that terrators are physically intimidating, standing a full thirteen feet, and have a gruesome appearance, makes them rather desperate; other races, even those that despise the same foes, typically attack terrator on sight, treating them as an enemy instead of a helpful ally. Terrator, however, remain civil and courteous, bound by a sacred code of conduct that none will breach.

Should a creature seek to assist or communicate with a terrator, they discover a helpful and willing friend, but also one with a preternatural determination. They seek the freedom of their homeland which has been dominated by chimera, a release that has been desired for ages. To accomplish this goal, terrators are willing to side with all manner of creatures, but they refuse to ally with those of a steadfast evil, or those that are unpredictable. Any other, especially those with advanced magic are regarded with wonder and esteem.

To many steeped in the lore of ancient civilizations, terrator are virtually unknown, but some records do exist, leading many to conclude that, like that which they hate so much, the race is chimerical, bastardized and formed from experiments gone awry. This is ironic considering the beast’s shape, it being a roughly humanoid form, but with a spider’s head, complete with enlarged mandible. Instead of hands, a terrator has vicious claws, and their spine grows beyond the pelvis and forms a scorpion-like stinger; the stinger lacks a venomous sac, and the terrator is unable to generate a web effect. Across the chest and vital areas, a chitinous armor grows, protecting the terrator. They are surrounded by a strong magnetic field that prevents terrator from using metallic weapons or armor, but also serves to deflect electrical and light-based attacks, in addition to powering the creature’s most devastating ability - that of immobilization.

If the terrator gain victory over the chimera, they have vowed to restore their land to its natural state, full of lush vegetation and wildlife. In its current form, the territory a terrator calls home is a wild, depraved wasteland blasted with sinkholes and debris. Many terrator have abandoned their homes and are exploring, seeking aid; those unfortunate to remain have been enslaved and forced to build elaborate castles for their chimera masters.

Combat: Honor prevents a terrator from attacking any non-chimera opponent first, gauging and sizing any who would challenge before engaging. However, once a terrator enters combat, it fights to win, but does not fight to kill unless it must, preferring to immobilize and question rather than slaughter wantonly. They are unafraid of entering melee, but do so as a last resort; against a chimera, however, terrator are vindictive and bloodthirsty, all veneer dropped.

Immobilization: Any creature directly in front of a terrator can be affected by this attack, which is barely perceptible as a thin white line of radiant energy, formed from the terrator’s hands or stinger. One target, who is allowed a save vs. breath weapons, is subjected to its effects. If the save is failed, the victim is rendered immobile, in exactly the position and location of the ability’s use, to the point of causing loss of movement in midair. No damage is sustained, but the recipient is unable to move or perform any physical action for as long as the terrator desires, able to release individuals at will. A terrator can delay the use of this ability if it has initiative over its opponent, striking with it any time before the resolution of the target’s action. However, use of immobilization in this way grants the subject a +4 bonus on the save to resist its effects. In all other cases, the difficulty of the save against immobilization is 8. Chimera are immune to the effects of immobilize.

Magnetic Field: Surrounding a terrator is an uncommonly strong magnetic field, preventing the creature from wielding or using any items composed of metal. However, it also prevents nonmagical metallic weapons from striking the creature, and also serves to reduce damage from electrical attacks by half, before a save is made. In addition, a terrator is able to manipulate light-based spells and effects to create opposites, or variants, so as to shift an area of magical darkness to that of magical light, or to create a space of shifting grey. Castle Keepers are encouraged to develop specific rules and effects for conditions that are not wholly light or dark.

Frightening Presence: Any creature that sees a terrator assumes it is an evil foe, and must make a save vs. charm or attack. Such victims are overcome with fear, however, and suffer a -3 penalty on their attack rolls.

Special: A terrator is 65% likely to have the class abilities of a warrior class, with the favorites being fighter, ranger, paladin, or monk, each with equal chance; should the terrator fail to be a member of the warrior caste, it will be a cleric, bard, or wizard, with cleric having a 50% likelihood and the rest at 25%. In addition, all terrator have the case target ability of the assassin class.

[Julian Grimm]

Sounds like either an alien or a predator. Either way it's an awesome creature.

[Nym Freyasdottir]

Sounds interesting, Serl. Must be an ugly dude, though.

[johns]

I think there was a creature called a terrator in an old Thundercats episode, but I don't remember anything about it.