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Cipher Stars
2013-01-07, 11:30 PM
The Gorgon
The first gorgons were Euryale ("of the wide, briny sea" or the "wide-stepping"; the eldest sister), Stheno (Sthenno, Sthenusa, the "strong one" or the "mighty one"; the middle sister) and Medusa (Medousa, the "queen" or "guardian"; the youngest)
They were three sisters, the daughters of sea-god Phorcys (Phorkys) and sea-goddess Ceto (Keto), sisters of The Graiae (Gray Women), the monster Echidna (Ekhidna, the wife of Typhon and mother of numerous other famous monsters) and Ladon (the dragon who guarded the Tree of the Apples of the Hesperides). Being born of two minor sea deities, the sisters were born nymphs.

They were sister priestesses who served in a temple of Athena, where they served in Athena's name. Any such priestess must remain virgins in order to serve the goddess Athena as such is her demand. The three sisters however were women of great beauty with many remarkable talents, none more so than their ability to captivate those who's eyes they met.
None, however, was more so attracted to the sisters as the great sea-god Poseidon, who lusted after their beauty and forced himself upon the three in the middle of Athena's temple. The three dared not resist the sea-god, one of the three most powerful of all the pantheon. At this, Athena was outraged by their behavior, and cursed the sisters.
Their beauty did not merely captivate, but turned those who met or so much as saw their eyes to stone. They emanated fear now, and not beauty. They were still beautiful, but the world could not see it anymore. They instead saw only fear, they saw those who they had turned to stone against their will. The men and women who once looked up to them now saw only monsters, and gathered their strength together to attack the ex-priestesses, fearing for their safety and wishing no harm on those who assaulted them the sisters were forced to flee on a ship where they came to stop at last on a secluded island to call their home.

The three went their separate ways after a time, growing bitter at the gods and refusing to remain isolated. In their individual travels they manage to make families along the way, which turn out to be similarly cursed as they though they appeared to have some measure of control over their curse.
Over time however, the three sisters fell. The most famous is when the "hero" Perseus slays Medusa, and decapitates her while flaunting her head around embedded into a shield like some self-righteous prick servant of Athena. Legends refer to the sisters as monsters, but the sisters and their descendants know who were the real monsters. They know who the true villains were, who is the reason why they have to defend themselves against self important heroes who hope to kill their kind the second word gets out there's a gorgon among them or living anywhere within half a league of so much as an old farm. Heavens forbid a gorgon live a nice life away from stab-happy heroes.

Gorgons are all beautiful women, equal to that of a nymph. From a physical description, simply use a nymph.
Gorgons are capable of altering their form however. The most common feature is oddly tinted skin colors, more angled features, dark snake-like eyes, and a mass of snakes rather than hair. Fine scales, not noticeable from skin at a distance, cover joints and shoulders thicker before fading into the tender skin. This is considered their subnatural form, their nymph like form being "natural". Some Gorgons are capable of simply changing their hair, rather than entering full subnatural.
Next is their Hybrid form, in which their features become much more snake like and their legs fuse and transform into a long serpent's tail, with again a full head of snakes instead of hair.
Then at last, is their ability to shapechange into a large fully formed snake with deadly poison, steely scales, and burning eyes that slay those that look upon them.


Creating a Gorgon.
Gorgon can be either an acquired, as some form of curse or perhaps blessing or inherent template, as being born to existing gorgons, that can be added to any humanoid or fey creature.
Creatures with this template inherently are descendant from Euryale, the oldest of the original sisters. Much smaller chance of one of the other sisters.

Level Adjustment: +5
or
Challenge Rating: +2

Type: Type is unchanged. They gain the augmented and shapechanger subtypes. When in Hybrid form their type becomes Monstrous Humanoid, and their type becomes Magical Beast in Serpent form.

Type: Size is unchanged, dependent on form. See Alternate Forms.

Alignment: Alignment is unchanged.

Hit Dice: A Gorgon's hit dice are unchanged.

Senses: Gorgons gain the Scent ability.
Snake Sight (Ex/Su): Gorgon's eyes quite suddenly seem to compress and their iris and pupil seem to ripple beneath their lens and their normal human looking eyes replaced by serpentine versions granting the gorgon the ability to "see" heat. They gain blindsight within 160ft in the direction they are looking, though heat radiates off their sources giving you blindsense an extra 20ft beyond that.
Seeing heat gives you an advantage when sensing intent, when Snake Sight is active the gorgon gains a +10 insight bonus to sense motive attempts and any attempt to see concealed items on a person's body.
Activating or dismissing Snake Sight is a free action.
In addition, a gorgon in subnatural or hybrid form gains 360' vision as they can sense what their snakes see and cannot be flanked.

Speed: Same as base creature, a gorgon can always take ten on swim checks. See Alternate Forms.

Armor class: Gorgons have no change to armor class in their natural form. In their subnatural form they gain 1 extra natural armor bonus every two HD. In their hybrid form they gain natural armor equal to their Charisma or 1/2 HD which ever is more, +5. When in their serpent form they gain their full HD to natural armor + 1/2 cha mod (Minimum +1).

Attack: Gorgons have a pair of retractable fangs capable of delivering a bite attack. A gorgon's fangs deal 1d4 points of damage, with an extra 1d6 points of acid damage. A target that is bitten must make a successful Fortitude against a gorgon's poison (DC is 10 + 1/2 gorgon's HD + gorgon's Constitution modifier). Targets that fail their save take 1d6 points of strength damage initially and 2d6 points of strength damage a minute later. Gorgons can also drip their poison without biting to apply it to a weapon.

A gorgon's fangs can be felt in the roof of the gorgon's mouth, and seen as two long subtle bulges. Should someone force a gorgon's mouth open, he or she may make a Heal check (DC 15) to know somethings amiss and a Knowledge (Religion) check (DC is 10 + gorgon's HD) to determine whether the creature is a gorgon.

In hybrid form, a gorgon's fangs deal 1d6 plus the gorgon's charisma modifier acid damage. In full serpent form, a gorgon's bite does 2d6 points of damage and 1d6 plus the gorgon's charisma modifier acid damage.

When in hybrid or subnatural form, their snake hair can also bite a target, giving the gorgon a Circumstance bonus to bite attack rolls equal to 1/4 of the gorgon's HD (minimum 1).

Each snake that can bite tries to do so for a total of 1 point of damage and 1 point of acid damage, The snakes increase the DC of the gorgon's poison by +1d6 if the gorgon bites at the same time.

In addition to automatically biting with the gorgon, the snakes automatically bite grappled creatures, unless the gorgon wills them otherwise. The recipient of this attack must make a Fortitude save (DC is equal to the gorgon's HD) or take 1d4 points of strength damage initially and 1d6 points of strength damage in 1 minute.

A gorgon is immune to poison and acid effects by virtue of this ability.



Special Defenses:
Gorgons retain the base creature's special defenses and gain the following:


Frightful Presence (Ex):
The gorgon’s very presence is unsettling to foes. This ability automatically activates as part of an attack, charge, or any action a creature might take as hostile. Opponents within range of 30ft who witness the action may become frightened or shaken for a duration of 5d6 rounds. This ability affects only opponents with fewer Hit Dice than the gorgon has. An opponent can resist the effects with a successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the gorgon’s HD + Cha modifier). On a failed save, the opponent is frightened, or panicked if it has 4 or less HD than the gorgon. An opponent that succeeds on the saving throw is shaken and immune to that same creature’s frightful presence for 24 hours. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.
This can be used as part of an intimidate check. Add the excess number the creature failed an intimidate check by and add it to frightful presence's DC, instead of the normal intimidate effect.
Special: If the base creature has Blinding Beauty, this effect replaces it and the gorgon can choose to have Frightful Presence automatically target any enemy and neutral creatures within 30ft. If they beat the check, they are only immune until they leave the 30ft area.



Special Attacks:
Gorgons retain the base creature's special attacks and gain the following:

Stone Eyes (Su):
The gorgon has the power to turn creatures to stone as a standard action gaze attack. Creatures get a reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 the gorgon’s HD + Cha modifier) to look away, if they fail they take 1d4/2 gorgon's HD+Cha mod dexterity damage. If this would bring their dexterity to 0, the creature is petrified as the flesh to stone spell permanently. If creatures are surprised, dazed, or stunned they cannot look away appropriately. However, simply not knowing the gorgon is a gorgon has no effect on whether they know to look away or not, natural instincts spike them with fear and a sense of doom when they see the gorgon's eyes when they would use Stone eyes.
A petrified character has been turned to stone and is considered unconscious. If a petrified character cracks or breaks, but the broken pieces are joined with the body as he returns to flesh, he is unharmed. If the character’s petrified body is incomplete when it returns to flesh, the body is likewise incomplete and there is some amount of permanent hit point loss and/or debilitation. A petrified character appears to be a normal statue of remarkable lifelike quality, but does not register to spells that detect life or death, such as death watch or detect living or detect dead.
Once per day, in a phenomenon known as a stone flair, when the gorgon would be killed by an attack, her serpentine Snake Eyes reveal themselves and react to the attacker as an immediate interrupting action, even if the gorgon herself is unaware of the attack so long as she'd normally be able to react.
If the creature is petrified, it's attack obviously fails. If they do not get petrified they complete the attack with the newly damaged dexterity. If the stone flair fails, the attack completes as normal.
In serpent form, this effect instead slays a creature on a failed save and deals it's dex damage on a succeeded save.

When you use this ability, it cannot be used again for 1d10 rounds.


Special Qualities:
Gorgons retain the base creature's special qualities and gain the following:

Alternate Forms (Ex):
The gorgon can alter it's forms. It's nymph like form is it's natural form, while it can assume three other forms:

Natural: The gorgon's natural body is nymph like and beautiful, their species has learned to stifle their abilities some what so others can see this beauty, a feature sorely missed by the original three. A base gorgon has a +4 charisma and a +2 dexterity. The Natural form's ability increases increase by +2 every four HD, if the Natural form's bonus would surpass that of a higher form they instead keep the bonus from Natural.

Subnatural: The gorgon's body remains nymph like, but scales rise and appear on the gorgon's skin concentrated around joints and their hair becomes a tangle of writhing snakes.
In this form the gorgon gains +2 strength, +4 dexterity, +2 Con. They also gain +4 to charisma checks related to intimidation and fear.
This form is still medium sized, but at 19 HD this form can be Large*.

Hybrid: The gorgon's legs mold into a long serpent tail, their scales become visibly apparent on their joints and in general thicker throughout, though it retains soft flesh around the belly, above the hips, throat, and face. Their hair is a mess of writhing snakes in this form as well, and their eyes always look snake like and piercing.
In this form the gorgon gains +4 strength, +4 dexterity, and +4 con. They also gain a +6 to charisma checks related to intimidation and fear. In this form the gorgon actually gains a swim speed equal to 1/2 it's land speed as it's tail undergoes a minor change in the water, developing fins similar to a mermaid's tail.
In this form it can wrap it's lower body around a subject to constrict dealing 1d4 bludgeoning damage every round it maintains a grappling pin, it's hair can automatically deal it's bite as normal as well.
In this form, the gorgon gains a tail attack dealing 1d6 damage.
This is still medium sized, but at 14 HD this form is large. At 19HD this form is Huge.

Serpent: The gorgon's body becomes wholly snake like, no nymph or humanlike features remaining. It's color and exact appearance vary from gorgon to gorgon, just like how no two humans look the same (or exactly the same at least).
In this form the gorgon gains +6 strength, +2 dexterity, and +6 con. It's scales are plate like and dense. They gain damage reduction equal to 1/2 their HD/adamantine.
These thick hard scales cover the gorgon, difficult to penetrate. When in serpent form the gorgon gains immunity to critical hits.
When submerged in water, the serpent's body undergo a minor shift as it sprouts several fins along it's body, gaining a swim speed equal to it's land speed +20ft.
In this form it can wrap it's body around a subject to constrict dealing 1d8 bludgeoning damage every round it maintains a grappling pin and can make a bite attack at no penalty.
In this form the gorgon retains the tail attack of the previous form and gains the Swallow Whole ability.
Their size is Large. At 14HD this form is Huge. At 19HD this form is Gargantuan.


*- if the base creature is something other than medium, simply increase it's size by one for wherever it mentions a new size.

Abilities: See alternate forms.

Skills: +4 Bluff, +4 gather information, +6 Disguise, +6 intimidate, +6 move silently, +8 spot, +8 Swim.

Environment: Varies, but never naturally too far from a major source of water. Some take to enjoying the comforts of civilization.

Organization: Usually singular, but may form families or groups of like-minded gorgons.

Treasure: Standard.







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Medusa-kin Gorgon
Descendant from Medusa, the youngest of the three gorgon sisters and by far the most mortal, Medusa-kin Gorgons or simply medusakin are weaker than other gorgons, at least as far as raw racial power is concerned.

Personality: Medusakin are often rash people, easily angered or upset, they seem to think the world is out to get them and that if anything goes wrong it's probably their fault. They are defined by generations of paranoia and secrecy, it's in their very bloods to resort to lies easier than truths. These gorgons strive to hide away from other races, though are drawn to civilization like a moth to flame. They are far from mean and monstrous as myths and legends make them out to be, they are in actuality remorseful and love to please. If one has not been discovered, they can often be found in positions that allow them to defend or protect, such as a guard or somewhere close to people of power who are likely to be targeted for assassins... which in turn seems to have given people the idea that Medusakin are bloodthirsty and cunningly ruthless in their methods and are always trying to creep into society and get close to rulers so they can satiate some nonexistent need for blood and violence.
They are, naturally after so many years of persecution, a naturally defensive and as stated paranoid race. When they are discovered their first instinct is to run or kill those who know less they be killed, because they will surely tell others or even try to kill her themselves. A cornered medusakin will feel it has no choice but to fight it's way out, which of course it does usually have to do less they be slain.

Physical Description: Medusakin appear as averaged sized humanoids or fey, with hair like any real "humanoid" would. More then some average humanoid however, they have a fey like quality and subtle grace to their features. Their bodies having not forgotten the same beauty of the original sisters. They are beautiful, often more so than elves, yet have a human quality to them making the medusakin easier to identify with or to blend in with human races, while not being too different from elves.
There are differences however, the roof of a medusakin's mouth has subtle bulges leading to miniscule easy to miss holes that stretch easily open or closed with the same muscles that allow a medusakin to extend a pair of sharp hollow fangs.
They always have defined and almost cat-like eyes, slightly angled giving them a seductive edge that can be found appealing to most humans.
Their ears are pointed as an elf or nymph's. They do not have snake-hair or scales like a normal gorgon does.

Relations: Medusakin on an individual basis try to keep upstanding relations with all races, if they are liked they're less likely to have curious eyes prying into their life. Meanwhile once discovered they rarely stick around to see how they'd react. Medusakin are rarely distinguished from normal gorgons despite being more humanlike, many or most races view them as monsters capable of turning them to stone, and as part of their curse it's difficult to see past that as normal minds get directed immediately to the conclusion: Snake lady! Stone! Kill it! That is of course after it is discovered.

Alignment: Medusakin can be of any alignment.

Lands: Medusakin have little lands of their own, though they can be found with any other gorgon society or organization. When Medusakin civilizations do manage to crop up and sustain themselves, it is usually done on islands away from most other races.

Religion: Medusakin make it a point to avoid religion, the deities are the ones that cursed the original sisters in stupid spite without thinking, Poseidon who raped the sisters, and Athena who cursed the sisters for nothing of their own intent. There is no gorgon deity, though all gorgons praise and think highly of "The original sisters", which can be considered a religion though it has no doctrine besides a general consensus that the gods and goddesses are pricks.

Language: Medusakin speak common and are perfectly capable of learning other languages. Medusakin are also capable of speaking with snakes in a serpent tongue other medusakin can understand.

Adventures: Medusakin are as stated drawn by an indescribable longing to belong. They do what they can to fit into a civilization and share a sense of protectiveness and have a desire to serve and protect. This leads them to adventure for a variety of reasons; to protect people of all walks of life, to explore and witness new cultures, or to simply avoid lingering in one place for too long.

Medusa-kin Gorgon
Humanoid
+2 Cha
(Or: +2 Dex, +4 Cha, -2 Int)
30ft speed
Medium Size: Medusakin don't have benefits or penalties due to size.
Snake Bite (Ex): Medusakin have a pair of retractable fangs. They deal 1d4 damage. Once per encounter they can deliver a DC 10+Con mod+1/2HD poison attack dealing 1d4 strength damage and 2d6 strength damage one minute later.
Stone Eye (Su): Medusakin can make a gaze attack as a standard action. On a reflex save DC 10+Cha mod+1/2HD, the target creature takes 1d6 Dex damage as it's body hardens and turns stone-like. If a creature would be reduced to 0 dexterity, they are petrified permanently as the flesh to stone spell. On a successful save there is no effect. When you use this ability, it cannot be used again for 1d10 rounds.
Skill Bonuses: The medusakin have a +2 to Disguise.
Automatic Languages: Common
Bonus Languages: Aquan, Elven, Sylvan
Favored Class: Bard or Sorcerer

Medusakin Aging:
Medusakin Random Starting Ages
{table=head]Start|Simple|Moderate|Complex
15 |+12d6|+12d8|+12d12[/table]

Medusakin Aging Effects:
{table=head]Middle Age|Old Age|Venerable|Maximum Age
75 | 120 years| 150 years|+10d6 years[/table]


Medusakin random Height and Weight
{table=head]Gender|Base Height|Height Modifier|Base Weight|Weight Modifier
Female|4’8”|+2d6| 90 lb.|+ (1d6 * 1d10) lb.[/table]






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(Medusa-kin) Gorgon Paragon
Some Medusakin aren't nearly so distant from their gorgon cousins, and can tap into their racial abilities and expand on them.


{table=head]Level | BaB | Fort | Reflex | Will | Special Abilities
1st | +1 | +2 | +2 | +0 | Snake Hair, Intimidate boost
2nd | +2 | +3 | +3 | +0 | Improved Bite
3rd | +3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | Ability Boost (Cha +2), Scales
[/table]

Abilities
Gorgon paragons favor fighting from ambush, making Dexterity important for its role in sneaking and striking with ranged weapons. Charisma increases the gorgon's stone eye ability, while constitution increases their poisoning ability. Wisdom helps in detecting a potential foe before the foe detects the gorgon in turn.

Alignment
Any.

Hit Die
d6.

Class Skills
The gorgon paragon's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Disguise (Cha), Hide (Dex), intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Skill Points at Each Level
4 + Int modifier.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the gorgon paragon class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency
Gorgon paragons are proficient with all simple weapons, rapiers, longswords, and hand crossbows, and with light armor.

Snake Hair (Su/Ex): The medusakin can, as a swift action, supernaturally cause her hair to be replaced by living breathing snakes. Once transformed they remain as an extraordinary ability, thus can enter effects such as antimagic and cannot be dispelled.
These snakes can deliver a bite attack whenever you do, dealing 1 point of piercing damage. Whenever they bite at the same time as you, their own minor poison lessens the creature's immune system, increasing the DC for the gorgon's poison by 1d8 (signifying the number of bites received, however no matter the result they still only deal 1 damage in total).
They can automatically bite any creature you grapple with unless you will them otherwise.
Dismissing the snake hair is a supernatural free action.

Intimidate boost (Ex): Whenever snake hair is active, the gorgon gains a boost to it's intimidate checks equal to 1/2 it's HD as the many snakes leer and hiss at the foe.

Improved Bite (Ex): The gorgon's bite increases in effectiveness. The poison increases to 1d6 strength damage poison DC=10+1/2Gorgon HD+Gorgon Con modifier, dealing 2d6 strength damage in one minute. A gorgon can force this poison to drip without biting to apply it to a weapon.
In addition, when snake hair is active you deal an additional 1d4 acid damage with a bite attack, and the snake hair's 1 damage bite attack deals 1 extra point of acid damage.

Ability Boost (Ex): The gorgon's presence increases with a predatory grace that can be taken as seductive or intimidating. At 3rd level, a gorgon paragon's Charisma score increases by 2 points.

Scales (Ex): The gorgon paragon can manifest more snake like traits when it activates it's snake hair. When snake hair is active, the gorgon paragon also gains glistening scales that give it natural armor equal to 1/2 it's HD. They can also make an intimidate check as part of their Stone Eyes ability, spiking the uncanny fear present in it's eyes at the moment of contact intimidating the creature in question if it survives or manages to avoid the attack.





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Gorgon-born
The gorgon-born bloodline. People who may seem like members of ordinary races, yet within them courses the blood of Stheno, the middle of the three Original Sisters. This blood boosts their power and gives them traits of the bloodline's namesake, the gorgons.


{table=head] Level |
Minor |
Intermediate |
Major

1 | | | Disguise +2
2 | | Disguise +2 | Snake Bite
3 | | | Cha +1
4 | Disguise +2 | Snake Bite | Stone Eye
5 | | | Snake Affinity +2
6 | | Cha +1 | Serpent Hair
7 | | | Intimidate +2
8 | Snake Bite | Stone Eye | Poisoned Bite
9 | | | Con +1
10 | | Snake Affinity +2 | Snake Affinity +4
11 | | | Scales
12 | Cha +1 | Serpent Hair | Intimidating Gaze
13 | | | Move Silently +2
14 | | Intimidate +2 | Hybrid Form
15 | | | Dex +1
16 | Stone Eye | Poisoned Bite | Frightful Presence
17 | | | Snake Affinity +6
18 | | Con +1 | Potent Gaze
19 | | | Hide +2
20 | Snake Affinity +2 | Snake Affinity +4 | Great Serpent
[/table]

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Snake Affinity (Ex): The gorgon gains a bonus to interactions with snakes or snake like creatures and beings. They can communicate with snakes as per the speak with animals spell.

Snake Bite (Ex): The gorgon gains a bite attack dealing 1d4 damage if medium sized, 1d6 for large, 1d3 for small.

Stone Eye (Su): The gorgon gains a gaze attack. As a standard action the gorgon can meet the eyes of another creature. The creature gets a reflex save DC 10 + 1/2 HD + cha mod to look away in time before the gaze takes effect. If they fail, they take 1d4 dexterity damage. If their dexterity would be reduced to 0, they become petrified permanently as the flesh to stone spell. When you use this ability, it cannot be used again for 1d10 rounds.

Serpent Hair (Su/Ex): The gorgon can convert it's hair, or grow, a mess of writhing snakes atop it's head. Doing so is a swift action as a supernatural ability, while they remain as an extraordinary ability and are not effected by antimagic, dismissing them is a free action that is also supernatural.
These snakes bite whenever you do and automatically bite at anyone you're in a grapple with unless you will them otherwise. The snakes deal 1 point of damage, and if used with your own bite increase the DC to resist your poison attack, if any, by 1d6 damage.

Poisoned Bite (Ex): The gorgon now has a poison attack. It injects poison into a creature with every bite attack. Poison deals 1d6 strength damage initially on a failed fort save DC 10+1/2 HD+Con mod. It deals 2d6 str damage one minute later.

Scales (Ex): Whenever the gorgon manifests it's snake-hair it grows matching scales, granting it natural armor equal to 1/2 it's HD.

Intimidating Gaze (Su): The gorgon can make an intimidate check as part of it's stone eye ability.

Hybrid Form (Ex): When manifesting snake hair, the gorgon can instead go through a more complete transformation as a move action instead.
This hybrid form has the lower body of a great snake, more scales concentrated around it's joints and a mass of snakes for hair. Their eyes are fierce and snake like.
In this form it's natural armor bonus increases by 1/2, it gains 1/2 it's HD as a bonus to intimidate checks and gains +2 strength, dexterity, and constitution in this form. It gains a swim speed equal to 1/2 it's land speed as it grows find along it's snake portion of it's body similarly to a mermaid.

Frightful Presence (Su): The gorgon’s very presence is unsettling to foes. This ability automatically activates as part of an attack, charge, or any action a creature might take as hostile. Opponents within range of 30ft who witness the action may become frightened or shaken for a duration of 5d6 rounds. This ability affects only opponents with fewer Hit Dice than the gorgon has. An opponent can resist the effects with a successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the gorgon’s HD + Cha modifier). On a failed save, the opponent is frightened, or panicked if it has 4 or less HD than the gorgon. An opponent that succeeds on the saving throw is shaken and immune to that same creature’s frightful presence for 24 hours. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.

Potent Gaze (Su): The gorgon's stone eye ability deals 1d4 dexterity damage for every two HD instead of a flat 1d4.

Great Serpent (Ex) When the gorgon manifests it's snake hair, it can again choose to instead manifest a more complete form. As a standard action the gorgon can assume the form of a great snake that is one size larger than the gorgon's base form.
In this form it gains +4 strength, +4 Dex, and +4 Con. It's natural armor is equal to it's full HD. It gains 1/2 it's HD as a bonus to intimidate checks.
It gains a swim speed equal to it's base land speed +20ft when submerged in water as it grows fins along it's body.

Frathe
2013-01-07, 11:52 PM
You're aware of the medusa (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/medusa.htm)?

tallonRook
2013-01-08, 12:02 AM
I'm quite fond of the Medusa-kin Gorgon- with an edit or two of the ability scores to bring it more in line with PF's standards (or maybe not, it seems fine on its own) I finally have something to give the gorgon character who one of my players wants to play in the sequel of the game I'm currently running. I think it'd be nice to give them snake-hair for the looks of it without the grapple benefit, but that's more or less a looks thing. The other things also look nice, and I would have used the bloodline for a certain half-gorgon aaismar my party faced if it had existed when I'd made him. Hm, they never did kill him...

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 12:09 AM
You're aware of the medusa (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/medusa.htm)?
I choose not to acknowledge it's existence. Because they are gorgons, not "Medusa" Medusa was a person.
Besides, just because there is a "Medusa" monster doesn't mean it's playable just yet.
Besides, I'm basing these guys around the whole sea-god children, aka; nymphs. I expand on the beauty of the sisters and the perversion of that beauty into lethality as the curse of athena.


I'm quite fond of the Medusa-kin Gorgon- with an edit or two of the ability scores to bring it more in line with PF's standards (or maybe not, it seems fine on its own) I finally have something to give the gorgon character who one of my players wants to play in the sequel of the game I'm currently running. I think it'd be nice to give them snake-hair for the looks of it without the grapple benefit, but that's more or less a looks thing. The other things also look nice, and I would have used the bloodline for a certain half-gorgon aaismar my party faced if it had existed when I'd made him. Hm, they never did kill him...

Yay~<3
How would you go about the ability adjustments? Perhaps +2 Dex +4 Cha?

Debihuman
2013-01-08, 12:14 AM
I am not sure what this means:
Stone Eyes has a 1d10 round cool down. If you mean it useable once every 10 rounds then perhaps you should stick to the more common language.

Also, templates are either acquired or inherited. Inherent is a bonus type.

Debby

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 12:17 AM
I am not sure what this means:

Debby


Same as it means wherever else, like a dragon's breath weapon. 1d10 round cooldown... is a 1d10 round cooldown..........?

tallonRook
2013-01-08, 12:20 AM
Yay~<3
How would you go about the ability adjustments? Perhaps +2 Dex +4 Cha?
Maybe? A lot of the standard races there have that whole +2 to a mental and physical stat, and then -2 to one stat thing, and in this world they are a standard race (along with unicorns and minotaurs, but that's another story). So +2 Dex and +2 Cha works, but I'm not sure what I'd penalize. Not wisdom, as their in-universe deity is the goddess of wisdom, and I never like penalizing intelligence. Maybe con or str, seeing as how the person who'll be playing the gorgon is getting into the race through non-standard methods, ones that would make a physical penalty hurt but a mental penalty ignored.

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 12:20 AM
One-way Gaze:
Prerequisite: Stone Eyes ability, BaB +6
Benefit: Your Stone Eyes ability relies on your enemies seeing your eyes, not you meeting their eyes. Stone Eyes now effects all within a 60ft cone who can see your eyes.



Maybe? A lot of the standard races there have that whole +2 to a mental and physical stat, and then -2 to one stat thing, and in this world they are a standard race (along with unicorns and minotaurs, but that's another story). So +2 Dex and +2 Cha works, but I'm not sure what I'd penalize. Not wisdom, as their in-universe deity is the goddess of wisdom, and I never like penalizing intelligence. Maybe con or str, seeing as how the person who'll be playing the gorgon is getting into the race through non-standard methods, ones that would make a physical penalty hurt but a mental penalty ignored.

In-universe deity? I thought I made a point in saying they hate the gods, though they would perhaps be neutral to the two sea deities that parented the Original Sisters.

The only score I could maybe reasonably penalize would be intelligence, they don't really think all that rationally.

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 12:36 AM
Half-Gorgon
Humanoid
+2 Cha
30ft speed
Medium Size: Half-Gorgons don't have benefits or penalties due to size.
Stone Eye (Su): Half-Gorgons can make a gaze attack as a standard action. On a reflex save DC 10+Cha mod+1/2HD, the target creature takes 1d6 Dex damage as it's body hardens and turns stone-like. If a creature would be reduced to 0 dexterity, they are petrified until the dexterity damage is restored.
When you use this ability, it cannot be used again for 1d10 rounds.
Kindred Ability: The Half-Gorgon selects one racial ability of the father's race.
Skill Bonuses: The Half-Gorgon have a +2 to Disguise.
Automatic Languages: Common
Bonus Languages: Aquan, Elven, Sylvan
Favored Class: Bard or Sorcerer

Debihuman
2013-01-08, 12:38 AM
Do you mean it is useable once every 10 rounds? Sorry but "cool down" is not a gaming term with which I am familiar .

Pathfinder doesn't use that term in its Universal Monster terms and I've never seen it used in the SRD. So please define it.

Debby

vasharanpaladin
2013-01-08, 12:41 AM
"When you use this ability, it cannot be used again for 1d10 rounds."

That would be the verbiage you're looking for.

tallonRook
2013-01-08, 12:42 AM
One-way Gaze:

In-universe deity? I thought I made a point in saying they hate the gods, though they would perhaps be neutral to the two sea deities that parented the Original Sisters.

The only score I could maybe reasonably penalize would be intelligence, they don't really think all that rationally.

Yes, she's an in universe deity. In the campaign setting each race has a god that created them, and each god has only one race, with the main exceptions being A. Categories of races and B. This goddess, because the queen of the goddesses was like "oh, snakes and unicorns aren't real people. Oh, gorgons? I guess I can slide them through as snakes." There are other similar shenanigans where gods get more than one race, but for the most part it's a one for one thing.

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 12:48 AM
"When you use this ability, it cannot be used again for 1d10 rounds."

That would be the verbiage you're looking for.
Alright.


Yes, she's an in universe deity. In the campaign setting each race has a god that created them, and each god has only one race, with the main exceptions being A. Categories of races and B. This goddess, because the queen of the goddesses was like "oh, snakes and unicorns aren't real people. Oh, gorgons? I guess I can slide them through as snakes." There are other similar shenanigans where gods get more than one race, but for the most part it's a one for one thing.

| <--- Head... What you're saying ---> |

Athena is far from some patron deity of the gorgons >,..,> She's a spiteful witchysmitch who would see all gorgon's head on a pike if she could be bothered to.. well, bother. Read; Perseus- champion of Athena putting Medusa's head on a shield...

tallonRook
2013-01-08, 12:55 AM
Alright.



| <--- Head... What you're saying ---> |

Athena is far from some patron deity of the gorgons >,..,> She's a spiteful witchysmitch who would see all gorgon's head on a pike if she could be bothered to.. well, bother. Read; Perseus- champion of Athena putting Medusa's head on a shield...

No no, in my universe I have a different set of deities, and the one who made the gorgons there is Elolei. She's very different from Athena, her sister (and one of her brothers) run all the war stuff, and her other brother does art stuff, and there's other deities who do the smart stuff. Really the only portfolio thing they share is wisdom. I have a very small set of custom deities for that campaign setting.

Debihuman
2013-01-08, 01:06 AM
Under Stone Eyes, you have this:

Once per day when the gorgon would be killed by an attack, her serpentine Snake Eyes reveal themselves and lash out at the attacker as an immediate interrupting action, even if the gorgon herself is unaware of the attack so long as she'd normally be able to react.

So, is Snake Eyes a new ability or part of the Stone Eyes ability. And why would her eyes lash out? That's kinda gross. You also mention Stone flair. I'm having a little trouble trying to follow you there. It could be a lot clearer.

Debby

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 01:22 AM
No no, in my universe I have a different set of deities, and the one who made the gorgons there is Elolei. She's very different from Athena, her sister (and one of her brothers) run all the war stuff, and her other brother does art stuff, and there's other deities who do the smart stuff. Really the only portfolio thing they share is wisdom. I have a very small set of custom deities for that campaign setting.
Ah XD


Under Stone Eyes, you have this:

Once per day when the gorgon would be killed by an attack, her serpentine Snake Eyes reveal themselves and lash out at the attacker as an immediate interrupting action, even if the gorgon herself is unaware of the attack so long as she'd normally be able to react.

So, is Snake Eyes a new ability or part of the Stone Eyes ability. And why would her eyes lash out? That's kinda gross. You also mention Stone flair. I'm having a little trouble trying to follow you there. It could be a lot clearer.

Debby

It's a descriptor. Snake eyes, visual appearance of the eye.

Snake Sight (Ex): Gorgon's eyes roll, their normal human looking eyes replaced by serpentine versions granting the gorgon the ability to "see" heat. They gain blindsense within 60ft and blindsight within 160ft in the direction they are looking. Constructs and undead that hold still are hard to see, and can make hide checks anywhere. Living creatures that lower or raise their temperatures to match their surroundings and similarly hide can also blend into the environment and hide without shadows. Activating or dismissing Snake Sight is a free action.
It should be noted that the gorgon may still detect you through it's scent ability.

Debihuman
2013-01-08, 02:25 AM
I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of introducing Infravision again (or seeing "heat" as you put, though equating it to blindsight and blindsense helps a bit.

Can this ability be confounded by a strategically placed heat metal spell or any spell that creates heat but no light. Conversely, what about cold-blooded PCs (not that there are many). Can they be detected? Personally, I'd just remove all this and give them darkvision 60 feet and if the base creature already has darkvision, it is extended an additional 30 feet.

Also: "A gorgon's fangs can be felt in the roof of their mouth, and seen as two long subtle bulges. Should someone force a gorgon's mouth open they may make a Heal check to know something’s amiss and a Knowledge ( Religion) check to determine if a creature is a gorgon or not."

What is the DC of those checks?'

Debby

Frathe
2013-01-08, 02:38 AM
I choose not to acknowledge it's existence. Because they are gorgons, not "Medusa" Medusa was a person.
Besides, just because there is a "Medusa" monster doesn't mean it's playable just yet.
Besides, I'm basing these guys around the whole sea-god children, aka; nymphs. I expand on the beauty of the sisters and the perversion of that beauty into lethality as the curse of athena.


You realize my link (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/medusa.htm) was to the SRD, right?

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 03:01 AM
I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of introducing Infravision again (or seeing "heat" as you put, though equating it to blindsight and blindsense helps a bit.

Can this ability be confounded by a strategically placed heat metal spell or any spell that creates heat but no light. Conversely, what about cold-blooded PCs (not that there are many). Can they be detected? Personally, I'd just remove all this and give them Darkvision 60 ft.

They'd still see you if you're cold. They still define shapes, even with fair accuracy, however the change in the way the "visual" information is interpreted allows hide checks to be made without shadow by hiding against objects of similar temperature.
I'll have to give it more thought, or just leave it blindsense/blindsight and be rid of that hide crap.



Also: "A gorgon's fangs can be felt in the roof of their mouth, and seen as two long subtle bulges. Should someone force a gorgon's mouth open they may make a Heal check to know something’s amiss and a Knowledge ( Religion) check to determine if a creature is a gorgon or not."

What is the DC of those checks?'

Debby

I didn't give them a DC. The heal could have a DC, but the knowledge would be dependent on the game it's in...
Though a flat 25 might due.



You realize my link (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/medusa.htm) was to the SRD, right?

And...?




Locational Transformation [Racial]
You can only partially transform at your leisure.
Prerequisites:Gorgon race, template, or bloodline. Charisma 13
Benefit: When you would transform, you can choose only to manifest a single trait. Such as only snake hair as opposed to snake hair and scales, or small structural changes, or just a serpent tail rather than scales and hair as well. You may also select a form's fins, to gain a swim speed in a natural or subnatural form, or the full fins of the serpent form in the hybrid form. You can only display one trait, however. You could have snake hair, for example, but not scales or serpent tail. This is only if you choose to use this feat, the normal forms still apply.


Condensed Transformation [Racial]
You can condense the benefit of a higher form into a lower one.
Prerequisites: Locational Transformation, Charisma 19
Benefit: When you manifest your subnatural or hybrid form you can benefit from the effects of your higher forms as well. This is with locational transformation, thus you could have snake hair or scales, yet retain full benefit of the whole serpent form. Your size would remain the same, however, unless your size is the feature you choose to retain and exclude the others.


Injected Venom
You release excess acid that slowly eats away the target from the inside out, it lingers carried by the subjects circulatory system before reacting to the blood after a delay.
Prerequisite: A bite attack dealing acid damage.
Benefit: Instead of dealing your normal acid damage, the subject makes a fortitude save DC 10+1/2 your HD+your Con mod. If they fail, they take 1d4 acid damage every round for 1d12/HD rounds. It subtracts it's con mod from the total rounds it suffers from the acid. Every 5 points of acid damage it deals, the subject takes 2 constitution damage.


Improved Serpent Hair [Racial]
The writhing mass of snakes atop the gorgon's heads look vicious, with long and lethal fangs dripping with venom.
Prerequisites: Gorgon race, template, or bloodline.
Benefit: Whenever your serpent hair would deal it's 1 damage, you instead roll 1d4. That is the number of bites your snakes deal, each one dealing 1 damage, and you add your 1.5x your strength modifier to the end result, as the snakes share your strength with their deceptively powerful jaws. They still only deal 1 point of acid damage however, but their bonus to your poison save increases to 1d10.


Manifest Scales [Racial]
You will your scales to appear, developing over your desirable skin to help increase your defense.
Prerequisites: Gorgon race, template, or bloodline, and the ability to have scales.
Benefit: When in any of your forms, you can manifest your scales to benefit from their natural armor as if you were in the next best form. A natural form gorgon could benefit from the subnatural form's natural armor, while a hybrid could benefit from the serpent's natural armor.


Piercing Gaze [Racial]
Your stony eyes are more piercing than normal, turning a creature's flesh to stone faster
Prerequisites: Gorgon race, template, or bloodline.
Benefit: When you use your ability to petrify a target, you increase the dexterity damage you deal by 1 per die.


Relentless Gaze [Racial]
Your stony eyes are more piercing than normal, turning a creature's flesh to stone faster
Prerequisites: Piercing Gaze
Benefit: You are able to use your petrifying ability on creatures normally immune to dexterity damage, as you actually turn their limbs bit by bit or all at once into stone and not simply hamper movement in an ignorable way. Constructs remain immune however.


Gorgon Persecutor [General]
Gorgons, Gorgons I tell you! They're everywhere, you need to keep your wits about you. Never know when one of the she-devils will pop up and turn yer very bones to stone!
Prerequisites: Knowledge: Religion 8 ranks, and have encountered a gorgon before or someone who has.
Benefit: You gain a +10 bonus to Knowledge: Religion and Heal checks made to discover a gorgon character. You may use the sense motive check at any time to get a hunch as to who might be a gorgon.

Debihuman
2013-01-08, 10:21 AM
I think your feats should have the [racial] descriptor and prerequisite Gorgon unless other creatures like yuan-ti can take these feats.

Your wording is a bit awkward under attack line. I'd forgotten that a Knowledge check is always 10 + creature's HD. However, you failed to state how many snakes a gorgon has (since each one bites for 1 point of damage, it's sorta important). You also don't state when a gorgon's snake hair is active. Those issues still need to be addressed, but I cleaned up some of the wording to be a little clearer.

Attack: Gorgons have a pair of retractable fangs capable of delivering a bite attack. A gorgon's fangs deal 1d4 points of damage, with an extra 1d6 points of acid damage. A target that is bitten must make a successful Fortitude against a gorgon's poison (DC is 10 + 1/2 gorgon's HD + gorgon's Constitution modifier). Targets that fail their save take 1d6 points of strength damage initially and 2d6 points of strength damage a minute later. Gorgons can also drip their poison without biting to apply it to a weapon.

A gorgon's fangs can be felt in the roof of the gorgon's mouth, and seen as two long subtle bulges. Should someone force a gorgon's mouth open, he or she may make a Heal check (DC 15) to know somethings amiss and a Knowledge (Religion) check (DC is 10 + gorgon's HD) to determine whether the creature is a gorgon.

In hybrid form, a gorgon's fangs deal 1d6 plus the gorgon's charisma modifier acid damage. In full serpent form, a gorgon's bite does 2d6 points of damage and 1d6 plus the gorgon's charisma modifier acid damage.

When in hybrid or subnatural form, or they at least have snake hair active, their snakes can also bite a target, giving the gorgon a Circumstance bonus to bite attack rolls equal to 1/4 of the gorgon's HD (minimum 1).

Each snake bites for 1 point of damage and 1 point of acid damage, The snakes increase the DC of the gorgon's poison by +1d6 if the gorgon bites at the same time.

In addition to automatically biting with the gorgon, the snakes automatically bite grappled creatures, unless the gorgon wills them otherwise. The recipient of this attack must make a Fortitude save (DC is equal to the gorgon's HD) or take 1d4 points of strength damage initially and 1d6 points of strength damage in 1 minute.

A gorgon is immune to poison effects.

Debby

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 12:07 PM
I think your feats should have the [racial] descriptor and prerequisite Gorgon unless other creatures like yuan-ti can take these feats.

I thought about it. Dismissed it at the time, but now I don't really see a reason not to.




I'd forgotten that a Knowledge check is always 10 + creature's HD.

That makes no sense. How strong an independent creature is makes no correlation with how rare and/or understood a creature is...





However, you failed to state how many snakes a gorgon has (since each one bites for 1 point of damage, it's sorta important).




I did not fail. They have plenty of snakes on their head. How many can bite at once is another matter, slightly represented by the die used to determine the boost to the poison effect. The snakes are small however, with small needle like fangs. They don't deal much damage without that feat I made.


You also don't state when a gorgon's snake hair is active.


Such was written before I designed the alternate forms. I later went from "snake hair" to subnatural. Will fix...





Those issues still need to be addressed, but I cleaned up some of the wording to be a little clearer.


Debby

*Shrug* Thanks for that. Anything to save me time :3

Debihuman
2013-01-08, 12:12 PM
II did not fail. They have plenty of snakes on their head. How many can bite at once is another matter, slightly represented by the die used to determine the boost to the poison effect. The snakes are small however, with small needle like fangs. They don't deal much damage without that feat I made.

Color me stupid because I cannot figure out where you noted that.


*Shrug* Thanks for that. Anything to save me time :3

You're welcome. Seems I forgot to mention that I LOV3 LOv3 LOV3 this template. I always hated that D&D referred to the generic gorgon as a medusa and relegated the gorgon to that stupid bull-like creature.

Debby

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 12:37 PM
Color me stupid because I cannot figure out where you noted that.

I didn't. It didn't need to be. "The Snakes" deal 1 damage and 1 acid damage, and increase the DC of your poison should you bite in the same action as they by 1d6.
I state nothing larger than 1 damage, 1 acid damage.
For one, their bite already has three nice things. The Bite. The Acid. The Poison. Adding The Snakes may be overkill, but it would be silly if they didn't do anything so I simply had to make them do something.



You're welcome. Seems I forgot to mention that I LOV3 LOv3 LOV3 this template. I always hated that D&D referred to the generic gorgon as a medusa and relegated the gorgon to that stupid bull-like creature.

Debby

Indeed. I was filled with disappointment, when I had read Medusa was... well, Medusa and not Gorgon. Then to add insult to injury, I saw some metal bull use the name Gorgon. I made a point to skip that page of the Monster Manual and never acknowledge it's existence.

Frathe
2013-01-08, 12:47 PM
And...?




"And..." if it's in the SRD, of course it's currently playable! Though I understand if you don't like the name or the theme.

Debihuman
2013-01-08, 01:13 PM
I didn't. It didn't need to be. "The Snakes" deal 1 damage and 1 acid damage, and increase the DC of your poison should you bite in the same action as they by 1d6.
I state nothing larger than 1 damage, 1 acid damage.
For one, their bite already has three nice things. The Bite. The Acid. The Poison. Adding The Snakes may be overkill, but it would be silly if they didn't do anything so I simply had to make them do something.

Gotcha, the snakes bite in unison. I thought each bite was separate.


Indeed. I was filled with disappointment, when I had read Medusa was... well, Medusa and not Gorgon. Then to add insult to injury, I saw some metal bull use the name Gorgon. I made a point to skip that page of the Monster Manual and never acknowledge it's existence.

LOL. I know exactly how you felt since I felt the same way. I just renamed the medusa as gorgon and renamed the gorgon as taurus.

Debby

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 01:20 PM
LOL. I know exactly how you felt since I felt the same way. I just renamed the medusa as gorgon and renamed the gorgon as taurus.

Debby

I ignored it outright... I couldn't bring myself to care for the name-thief at all :smallfrown:
Though Taurus is definitely one of the names I'd consider renaming it :3, nice name. +1

The-Mage-King
2013-01-08, 01:27 PM
"And..." if it's in the SRD, of course it's currently playable! Though I understand if you don't like the name or the theme.

She's implying that it's not valid.

Which, really, it isn't.




Also, good work, Cipher. At least on casual inspection, this looks good. Gimmie a bit for a more detailed eyeover.

Cipher Stars
2013-01-08, 01:47 PM
Also, good work, Cipher. At least on casual inspection, this looks good. Gimmie a bit for a more detailed eyeover.
Thanks.


Flurry Gaze [Racial]
As you attack a foe with your petrifying gaze, suddenly all your shakes look to the foe- their own eyes blazing with intent.
Prerequisites: Piercing Gaze
Benefit: You are able to use your snakes to deliver a petrifying gaze attack whenever you do so. Their DC's are always the same as yours, but their dexterity damage only deals 1 point of dexterity damage per snake. You can have one snake every 4 HD deliver a petrifying gaze whenever you do. If the snakes target the same creature as you, they add 1 to the reflex DC and 1 to the dex damage. If they target the same creature as another snake, they do the same.



Great Snakes [Racial]
As your hair shimmers and gathers, becoming snakes, they elongate and build themselves up becoming long and threatening.
Prerequisites: Gorgon race, template, or bloodline; BAB +5 or Long Hair (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266793) feat.
Benefit: Your snakes have a much longer reach. When any creature would provoke an attack of opportunity within 5ft of you, they automatically take damage from the snakes as though they were grappling you (As detailed in their entry).
The long snakes coil and bite at a foe in grapple, now they add a bonus to grapple attempts equal to your HD.


Rapid Gaze [Racial]
Your foe's body begins to turn to stone, their limbs stiff and colorless, yet your gaze was not enough. The man with the shiny shield and brutal sword approaches ready to deliver a killing blow, thinking it safe. Yet your eyes flair with power again, catching him off guard...
Prerequisites: Piercing Gaze, BaB +6
Benefit: You are able to use your petrifying gaze attack more often. You may use it twice before rolling how many rounds it is inactive for. You can only use your spare gaze on a separate creature than your first gaze, and you only roll 1d6 instead of 1d10.

Edit:
Lovely picture: http://sakimichan.deviantart.com/art/Medusa-s-Saviour-Resubmit-213160335

Just to Browse
2013-01-08, 02:42 PM
+4 Cha, +2 Dex makes this pretty much the sorcerer master race. I'd tone that down.

Cipher Stars
2013-01-10, 03:39 PM
Secret Serpent [Racial]
You're capable of taking on the forms of average snakes in order to hide, blend in, or move through smaller areas in secret.
Prerequisites: Gorgon race, template, or bloodline
Benefit: Whenever your one of your forms would allow you to become a size larger, you can instead become a size smaller at your option.

Debihuman
2013-01-10, 04:25 PM
One thing that is missing from your Template is how or if it affects the base creature's Size and Type. It probably doesn't but you should mention it. Gaining HD can increase the gorgon's size see 19 HD.

I'd love to see some sample gorgons. A Human (warrior class) for sure and maybe even a dryad or pixie to see how it all plays out.

Debby

Cipher Stars
2013-01-10, 05:09 PM
One thing that is missing from your Template is how or if it affects the base creature's Size and Type. It probably doesn't but you should mention it. Gaining HD can increase the gorgon's size see 19 HD.

Mmk... I think. Edited.




I'd love to see some sample gorgons. A Human (warrior class) for sure and maybe even a dryad or pixie to see how it all plays out.

Debby


I've never been so swell at making example creatures.
Even when I DM I just bull**** things using existing rules, I don't have an actual statblock for NPCs/monsters... and I'm glad for that :P It's boring using presets, I keep myself open to throw whatever monster I imagine at players.

Though I may try... if not just to add more official-ness feelings to them. The species already has background and story, leading to the three types of gorgon for the three original sisters amounting to a template, a bloodline and a race complete with a paragon racial class with some nifty feats... Might as well make some samply NPCs if I can/can find the time.

InfiniteNothing
2013-01-12, 04:45 PM
Hey, Cipher, if it's not too much to ask do you think you could turn the Gorgon template into a monster class, a la http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192151?

Actually, anyone who's willing to take up the challenge, I'd appreciate it, thanks.

Cipher Stars
2013-01-12, 06:10 PM
*shrug* Maybe.





Gorgon
No image because Gitp's image rules are all over the place, I can't get any image without fear of it randomly being scrubbed without warning for some reason, even if it was off of some free image sharing site of a very public character widely used pretty much everywhere.


Gorgon Prerequisites
To become a gorgon, the character must meet the following requirements:

Prerequisite: Born to a gorgon mother.
or, optionally.
Prerequisite: Cursed by a deity/DM allowance through DM fate-reality warping powers.
or, optionally.
Prerequisite: Wish/Miracle, or some sort of blood magic utilizing another gorgon.

Gorgon can be taken at first level if it meets the prerequisites. A child born of a gorgon may or may not show gorgon traits at first, but may find themselves transforming later in life.

HD: D10

{table=head]Level|BAB|Fort|Ref|Will|
Special

1st|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+0| Gorgon Body, Alternate form (Subnatural)

2nd|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+0| Stone Eyes

3rd|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+1| Alternate form (Hybrid)

4th|
+4|
+4|
+4|
+1| Frightful Presence

5th|
+5|
+4|
+4|
+1|Snake Sight, Alternate form (Serpent)
[/table]


Skill Points: (6 + Int modifier) per level, x4 at first level, if taken at first level.
Class Skills: The [Monster]’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha) Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (specific, each listed individually), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), and Use Rope (Dex).


Weapons and Armor Proficiencies: The gorgon gains proficiency with it's natural and simple weapons. Light and Medium armor, and all shields except tower shields. A gorgon can subtract one type of proficiency to add a different one in order of how they come. A gorgon could remove medium armor proficiency to gain martial weapon proficiency. They retain existing proficiencies.


Gorgon Body: The gorgon loses all other racial bonuses and they gain the augmented and shapechanger subtypes. When in Hybrid form their type becomes Monstrous Humanoid, and their type becomes Magical Beast in Serpent form. It gains the traits of the type while they have it, granting it the type's given benefits. Gorgons are medium sized creatures in their natural form with a base land speed of 30', orgons have a pair of retractable fangs capable of delivering a bite attack. A gorgon's fangs deal 1d4 points of damage, with an extra 1d6 points of acid damage. A target that is bitten must make a successful Fortitude against a gorgon's poison (DC is 10 + 1/2 gorgon's HD + gorgon's Constitution modifier). Targets that fail their save take 1d6 points of strength damage initially and 2d6 points of strength damage a minute later. Gorgons can also drip their poison without biting to apply it to a weapon.
A gorgon's fangs can be felt in the roof of the gorgon's mouth, and seen as two long subtle bulges. Should someone force a gorgon's mouth open, he or she may make a Heal check (DC 15) to know somethings amiss and a Knowledge (Religion) check (DC is 10 + gorgon's HD) to determine whether the creature is a gorgon.
In hybrid form, a gorgon's fangs deal 1d6 plus the gorgon's charisma modifier acid damage. In full serpent form, a gorgon's bite does 2d6 points of damage and 1d6 plus the gorgon's charisma modifier acid damage.
When in hybrid or subnatural form, their snake hair can also bite a target, giving the gorgon a Circumstance bonus to bite attack rolls equal to 1/4 of the gorgon's HD (minimum 1).
Each snake that can bite tries to do so for a total of 1 point of damage and 1 point of acid damage, The snakes increase the DC of the gorgon's poison by +1d6 if the gorgon bites at the same time.
In addition to automatically biting with the gorgon, the snakes automatically bite grappled creatures, unless the gorgon wills them otherwise. The recipient of this attack must make a Fortitude save (DC is equal to the gorgon's HD) or take 1d4 points of strength damage initially and 1d6 points of strength damage in 1 minute.
Gorgons have no change to armor class in their natural form. In their subnatural form they gain 1 extra natural armor bonus every two HD. In their hybrid form they gain natural armor equal to their Charisma or 1/2 HD which ever is more, +5. When in their serpent form they gain their full HD to natural armor + 1/2 cha mod (Minimum +1).
A gorgon has Sylvan as a starting language, with additional languages for a high Int score as normal.


Alternate Forms (Ex):
The gorgon can alter it's forms. It's nymph like form is it's natural form, while it can assume three other forms:

Natural: The gorgon's natural body is nymph like and beautiful, their species has learned to stifle their abilities some what so others can see this beauty, a feature sorely missed by the original three. A base gorgon has a +4 charisma and a +2 dexterity. The Natural form's ability increases increase by +2 every four HD, if the Natural form's bonus would surpass that of a higher form they instead keep the bonus from Natural.

Subnatural: The gorgon's body remains nymph like, but scales rise and appear on the gorgon's skin concentrated around joints and their hair becomes a tangle of writhing snakes.
In this form the gorgon gains +2 strength, +4 dexterity, +2 Con. They also gain +4 to charisma checks related to intimidation and fear.
This form is still medium sized, but at 19 HD this form can be Large*.

Hybrid: The gorgon's legs mold into a long serpent tail, their scales become visibly apparent on their joints and in general thicker throughout, though it retains soft flesh around the belly, above the hips, throat, and face. Their hair is a mess of writhing snakes in this form as well, and their eyes always look snake like and piercing.
In this form the gorgon gains +4 strength, +4 dexterity, and +4 con. They also gain a +6 to charisma checks related to intimidation and fear. In this form the gorgon actually gains a swim speed equal to 1/2 it's land speed as it's tail undergoes a minor change in the water, developing fins similar to a mermaid's tail.
In this form it can wrap it's lower body around a subject to constrict dealing 1d4 bludgeoning damage every round it maintains a grappling pin, it's hair can automatically deal it's bite as normal as well.
In this form, the gorgon gains a tail attack dealing 1d6 damage.
This is still medium sized, but at 14 HD this form is large. At 19HD this form is Huge.

Serpent: The gorgon's body becomes wholly snake like, no nymph or humanlike features remaining. It's color and exact appearance vary from gorgon to gorgon, just like how no two humans look the same (or exactly the same at least).
In this form the gorgon gains +6 strength, +2 dexterity, and +6 con. It's scales are plate like and dense. They gain damage reduction equal to 1/2 their HD/adamantine.
These thick hard scales cover the gorgon, difficult to penetrate. When in serpent form the gorgon gains immunity to critical hits.
When submerged in water, the serpent's body undergo a minor shift as it sprouts several fins along it's body, gaining a swim speed equal to it's land speed +20ft.
In this form it can wrap it's body around a subject to constrict dealing 1d8 bludgeoning damage every round it maintains a grappling pin and can make a bite attack at no penalty.
In this form the gorgon retains the tail attack of the previous form and gains the Swallow Whole ability.
Their size is Large. At 14HD this form is Huge. At 19HD this form is Gargantuan.


*- if the base creature is something other than medium, simply increase it's size by one for wherever it mentions a new size in this ability.


Stone Eyes (Su):
The gorgon has the power to turn creatures to stone as a standard action gaze attack. Creatures get a reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 the gorgon’s HD + Cha modifier) to look away, if they fail they take 1d4/2 gorgon's HD+Cha mod dexterity damage. If this would bring their dexterity to 0, the creature is petrified as the flesh to stone spell permanently. If creatures are surprised, dazed, or stunned they cannot look away appropriately. However, simply not knowing the gorgon is a gorgon has no effect on whether they know to look away or not, natural instincts spike them with fear and a sense of doom when they see the gorgon's eyes when they would use Stone eyes.
A petrified character has been turned to stone and is considered unconscious. If a petrified character cracks or breaks, but the broken pieces are joined with the body as he returns to flesh, he is unharmed. If the character’s petrified body is incomplete when it returns to flesh, the body is likewise incomplete and there is some amount of permanent hit point loss and/or debilitation. A petrified character appears to be a normal statue of remarkable lifelike quality, but does not register to spells that detect life or death, such as death watch or detect living or detect dead.
Once per day, in a phenomenon known as a stone flair, when the gorgon would be killed by an attack, her serpentine Snake Eyes reveal themselves and react to the attacker as an immediate interrupting action, even if the gorgon herself is unaware of the attack so long as she'd normally be able to react.
If the creature is petrified, it's attack obviously fails. If they do not get petrified they complete the attack with the newly damaged dexterity. If the stone flair fails, the attack completes as normal.
In serpent form, this effect instead slays a creature on a failed save and deals it's dex damage on a succeeded save.

When you use this ability, it cannot be used again for 1d10 rounds.


Frightful Presence (Ex):
The gorgon’s very presence is unsettling to foes. This ability automatically activates as part of an attack, charge, or any action a creature might take as hostile. Opponents within range of 30ft who witness the action may become frightened or shaken for a duration of 5d6 rounds. This ability affects only opponents with fewer Hit Dice than the gorgon has. An opponent can resist the effects with a successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the gorgon’s HD + Cha modifier). On a failed save, the opponent is frightened, or panicked if it has 4 or less HD than the gorgon. An opponent that succeeds on the saving throw is shaken and immune to that same creature’s frightful presence for 24 hours. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.
This can be used as part of an intimidate check. Add the excess number the creature failed an intimidate check by and add it to frightful presence's DC, instead of the normal intimidate effect.
Special: If the base creature has Blinding Beauty, this effect replaces it and the gorgon can choose to have Frightful Presence automatically target any enemy and neutral creatures within 30ft. If they beat the check, they are only immune until they leave the 30ft area.


Snake Sight (Su):
Gorgon's eyes quite suddenly seem to compress and their iris and pupil seem to ripple beneath their lens and their normal human looking eyes replaced by serpentine versions granting the gorgon the ability to "see" heat. They gain blindsight within 160ft in the direction they are looking, though heat radiates off their sources giving you blindsense an extra 20ft beyond that.
Seeing heat gives you an advantage when sensing intent, when Snake Sight is active the gorgon gains a +10 insight bonus to sense motive attempts and any attempt to see concealed items on a person's body.
Activating or dismissing Snake Sight is a free action that is supernatural in nature. Thus it can't be activated or dismissed in an antimagic field, but functions normally therein otherwise.
In addition, a gorgon in subnatural or hybrid form gains 360' vision as they can sense what their snakes see and cannot be flanked.

InfiniteNothing
2013-01-12, 08:19 PM
:smallbiggrin: All right, thank you!