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Warped Tyrant

The Warped Tyrant is the result of experiments in beholder flashcrafting by the other denizens of the Outer Planes. The first experiments of the Silthilar were, to some extent, of a kinder nature, and sought to bridge the rational and intuitive minds of the beholder with the hopes of removing the inherent paranoia and xenophobia. Other experiments, such as those by the Aboleth, attempted to create a new breed of subservient beholders. These experiments were far less successful for both the Aboleth warpers and the beholders, as the beholders lost much of their magical abilities without nothing quite so great gained.

These experiments were met with varied success, although were not without their own drawbacks. As such, many warped tyrants have more tolerance for other races and some even exhibit behaviors that could be seem as altruistic (although to what extent this is masked selfishness is uncertain).

Society: Warped tyrants, as their beholder cousins, dislike living with other creatures than itself. However, some have found their place within communities, provided the tyrant has some location that it can isolate itself in.

Alignment and Religion: Tyrants are largely driven by selfish motives and have a tendency to dislike having any larger power over them – save for, perhaps, that of the Great Mother. Most tyrants are lawful neutral or lawful evil.

Adventurers: Tyrants make for rare adventurers, as most prefer to lay claim to a lair – whether cave or tower – and stay there. However, some have found that their own minds make for the best home, and hence venture out to experience more of the world around them.

Age Range: 0-120 naturally, potentially hundreds with magic.

Standard Racial Traits

  • Ability Score Racial Traits: Tyrants are nimble and intelligent, but also a bit weak. They gain +4 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, -4 Strength.

  • Size: Tyrants start as Medium creatures but grow larger as they become more powerful. See Tyrant Growth for more information.

  • Type: Tyrants are Aberrations.

  • Base Speed: Tyrants have a base fly speed of 20 feet (good) and can also roll (AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND) at a base speed of 5 feet.

  • Languages: Due to racial memory, tyrants begin speaking Beholder and Common. Any non-secret language can be learned by a tyrant.

Tyrant Growth

At 10th level, the tyrant grows to large size, gaining +2 Strength, -2 Dexterity, +2 Natural AC, and increasing its bite damage to 1d8.

At 17th level, the tyrant grows to huge size, gaining +2 Strength, -2 Dexterity, +2 Natural AC, and increasing its bite damage to 2d8.

Defense Racial Traits

  • Tyrant Anatomy: A Tyrant’s strange body grants it immunity to any decapitation effects. They possess 10 stalks in total. Given their alien form, they have the followng magic item slots: 1 head slot, 3 eye/lens slots, 3 neck slots, 1 waist slot, 3 ring slots, and 1 wrist slot. Furthermore, a head slot may also function as a body slot for specifically tyrant-crafted armor, increasing the cost to six times the cost as armor for a human.

  • Thick Skin: Tyrants have a thicker skin, giving them a +2 natural AC.

Senses Racial Traits

  • Darkvision: Tyrants can see in the dark up to 60 feet.

Offense Racial Traits

  • Bite: Tyrants possess a natural bite attack. See Tyrant Growth for bite progression.

  • Grasping Stalks: Two of the tyrant’s stalks have been warped in such a way to resemble grasping tentacles. These grant the tyrant the ability to manipulate and hold objects, albeit with some clumsiness. Weapons of one size category smaller than the tyrant can be wielded without penalty.

Magical Racial Traits

  • Antimagic Eye: Although largely inert, the tyrant’s eye can create a 30-foot cone of antimagic that functions just like an antimagic field for up to 2 rounds per day. The caster level for this ability equals the tyrant’s level.

Alternate Racial Traits

  • Muscled Jaw: During some process of warping, some tyrants have gained an extra powerful bite at the expense of their already damaged stalks, dealing bite damage as if one size category larger. This replaces Grasping Stalks.

  • Blinding Eye: As a result of Aboleth dabbling, some tyrants can emit a blinding light from their central eye. This 60 foot beam can be used 3 times per day and deals 1d6 points of force damage and those in the beam must make a Reflex save or become blinded. The Save DC is 10 + 1/2 level + Charisma Modifier. Additionally, the eye can emit a 60 foot cone of light equal to a torch at will. This replaces Darkvision and Antimagic Eye.

  • Weakened Stalks: Tyrants can use two of their eye stalks to deal 1d4+1d4 points of force damage twice per day. This replaces Grasping Stalks.

Racial Subtypes

  • Eye of the Deep: This aquatic variant dwells deep underwater. Eyes of the Deep lose 2 eye stalks and gain 2 pincers as natural attacks (1d6 per) along with the ability to breath underwater. They can fly at 10 feet (good) and swim at 30 feet.

Racial Archetypes

Racial Feats

Reconstituted Stalks

The tyrant regains limited functionality of their eye stalks.

Requirement: Weakened Stalks

Benefit: Tyrants can use half their eye stalks to deal 1d4 points of force damage per eye stalk. This ability can be used up to half their HD per day.

Greater Stalks

The tyrant’s eye stalks become more capable.

Requirement: Level 6, Reconstituted Stalks

Benefit: The tyrant can now shoot rays from all eye stalks and can choose the energy type of the rays at will to any of the following: Electricity, Fire, or Force

Distended Maw

The tyrant’s jaw extends a truly disturbing distance from their body, granting them additional reach.

Requirement: Level 4

Benefit: The tyrant gains an additional 5 feet of range on their bite attack.