NeoExodus Monsters of NeoExodus - Talikus.pdf - NeoExodus - sororita

monsters of neoexodus:

LPJ9900

talikus

Description

The talikus is a strange flying creature of

huge size. Its body is covered by a multi-

tude of tiny scales as hard as iron, which

vary in color from bright yellow to dark

green with occasional blue, red, or deep

purple hues. This aberration is oddly

shaped, with long leathery wings

issuing from its spine and a

wide but short tail ending

in a fat purplish stub. The

talikus’ body is reminis-

cent of that of a large

bird, but with a huge

goat-shaped head where

deep fiery eyes burn

amidst an amalgam

of hard scales. The

creature’s muzzle

is short but wide,

and its

powerful jaw hides great yellow fangs.

When it opens its mouth, a thick

yellowish-green mucus-like substance

emanates from between its sharp teeth.

The male talikus also has three small

black horns protruding from the top of

its cranium, but this crown is only for

show.

A talikus walks on three muscular

black legs, which end in large eagle-

like talons. These talons are as sharp as

diamonds and the creature uses

them to hunt. Its

favorite tactic is

to grab

victim

— pref-

erably a

medium or large

beast — with one

of these talons, bite

the creature to para-

lyze it with its poisonous

toxin, and then take flight so it

can tear it apart bit by bit. The brown,

stubby, leathery wings that issue from

the talikus’ back allow it to soar

through the air at great speed.

Despite their savage and unpre-

dictable nature, these creatures

are extremely loyal to their

mate and stay faithful to it

until it dies. When this happens,

the survivor mourns the loss for

several months, during which time

it is particularly angry, attacking

anything that gets in its way. The

mate of a murdered talikus is espe-

Written By Richard Farrese

Requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook, Third Edition, published by

Wizards of the Coast, Inc. This product utilizes updated material from the v.3.5 revision.

terrornomicon: Talikus

cially lethal, becoming almost fanatical in its quest to

avenge the death of its partner.

its mouth and makes its bite poisonous. Opponents

bitten by the aberration must succeed at a DC 25

Fortitude save or become paralyzed for 4d4 minutes.

A paralyzed creature remains aware of what is going

on around it, but is unable to take any action.

Typically, talikuses make their nests in remote hills

and mountains, where they can lay their eggs away

from the countless predators of the deadly Exodus

wilderness. Those that live in the deep desert,

however, bury their eggs in the sand. The gesta-

tion period of a talikus’ egg is anywhere between

five to six months. Hatchlings that are buried in the

sand eventually dig their way out, if they are strong

enough; the others perish.

On the black market of some cities and towns, the

saliva of the talikus is a prized substance worth a lot

of money. Because of this ( and also because of the

iron-hard scales of the creature, which can be used

to fashion strong suits of armor or shields ), some

bold adventurers have dedicated their lives to become

talikus hunters. Generally speaking, the career of such

a professional is short-lived, but those that make it

are regarded as brave, foolhardy, and tremendously

powerful heroes.

Because their infants are born without scales, both

parents care for the young, providing food, protec-

tion, and shelter for the first two to three years of their

lives. When they become capable of fending for them-

selves, the young talikuses leave the parental nest to

find a place — and a mate — of their own.

Snatch ( Ex ): A talikus that hits a creature of at least

Tiny size, but no larger than Large size, with a claw

attack can attempt to start a grapple as a free action

without provoking an attack of opportunity. If the

talikus achieves a hold, it can fly off with its prey and

automatically constrict its foe. Alternately, it can make

either a bite or two claw attacks each round. It can

also drop a snatched creature as a free action or use a

standard action to fling it aside.

Combat

The talikus is an extremely cunning predator and

certainly one of the most dreaded creatures in all the

lands of Exodus. Those who face these aberrations

in battle rarely live to tell about it, for the talikuses

are not only strong and savvy, but also unbelievably

cruel and savage. Afraid of nothing, talikuses usually

fight to the death — most often that of their victims

— even when confronted by great adversity. Once

they taste blood, there is no stopping them.

A flung creature travels 120 feet and takes 12d6 points

of damage upon impact. If the talikus flings it while

in flight the victim suffers this amount of damage or

falling damage, whichever is greater.

These natural hunters prowl the planet’s sky, searching

for living preys they can sink their powerful teeth

into. When hunting, the talikus uses stealth, prefer-

ring to swoop down from the sky upon unsuspecting

targets above all else. When spotted, it croaks loudly

— a dreadful sound capable of unnerving the bravest

of foes — before charging into the fray. Because

they enjoy combat, talikuses often attack the beefiest

opponents first. When they are engaged in battle

with a group of powerful adversaries, however, they

approach more carefully and work hard and intelli-

gently to separate the opposition in order to pick at the

preys one at a time.

Unnerving Croak ( Su ): A talikus communicates by

uttering abominable croaking sounds. These raspy

croaks, which seem to issue from the depths of the

abyss, can unnerve living opponents within a 90-foot

radius of the aberration. Any living creature able

to hear the croak within this area must succeed at a

DC 18 Will save to avoid the effect of the unnerving

croak. A successful save means the creature is immune

to the unnerving croak ability of any talikus for a

24-hour period. A failed save, however, unsettles the

victim, which suffers a –2 moral penalty to attack

rolls, damage rolls, as well as a –4 moral penalty on

all Will saving throws. A potential victim must be able

to hear the talikus’ cries in order to be affected by this

mind affecting, sonic effect.

Constrict ( Ex ): A talikus that successfully grabs a

target of medium or smaller size deals 6d4+8 points of

damage with a successful grapple check.

Improved Grab ( Ex ): To use this ability, the talikus

must hit with one of its claw attacks. If it gets a hold

of its target, it can constrict the opponent.

Talikus

Huge Aberration

Hit Dice: 16d8+112 ( 184 hp )

Initiative: +5 ( Dex, Improved Initiative )

Paralyzing Toxin ( Ex ): The thick mucus-like

substance produced by the talikus’ saliva glands fills

Page 2

terrornomicon: Talikus

Speed: 40 ft. ( 8 squares ), fly 120 ft. ( average ) ( 24

squares )

AC: 21 ( –2 size, + 1 Dex, +12 natural ), touch 9, flat

footed 20

Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+18

Attack: Bite +18 melee ( 4d6+8 plus paralyzation ) or

claw +16 melee ( 2d4+8 )

Full Attack: Bite +18 melee ( 4d6+8 plus paralyza-

tion ) and three claws +16 melee ( 2d4+8 )

Space/Reach: 20 ft./10 ft.

Special Attacks: Constrict, improved grab, paralyzing

toxin, snatch

Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft.

Saves: Fort +17, Ref +8, Will +12

Abilities: Str 27, Dex 13, Con 24, Int 11, Wis 15, Cha

Skills: Listen +21 and Spot +21

Feats: Improved Initiative, Multiattack, and Power

Attack

Environment: Any temperate and warm land

Organization: Solitary, mating pair, cluster ( 2-5 ),

pack ( 5-20, plus one 24 HD elder ), or swarm ( 20-40,

plus 2d4 24 HD elders, plus one 40 HD ancient )

Challenge Rating: 17

Treasure: Double standard

Alignment: Always chaotic evil

Advancement: 17-32 HD ( gargantuan ) to 33-48 HD

( colossal )

Level Adjustment: —

Written by Richard Farrese

All mechanics on all pages is Open Game Content as

defined by the Open Gaming License. See page 4 for

more information.

Page 3

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