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    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    PirateGuy

    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Australia
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: GITP Monster Competition LIV - Achilles Heel

    'Stralian Fast Bowler

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    Some 'Stralian Fast Bowlers mid attack.


    Medium Native Outsider
    Hit Dice:6d8+18 (42)
    Initiative: +4
    Speed:40 ft(8 squares)
    Armor Class: 18 (+4 Dex + 4 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 14
    Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+8
    Attack: +2 Cherry +12 Ranged (1d8+4) or Club +8 Melee (1d6+2)
    Full Attack: +2 Cherry +12 Ranged (1d8+4) or Club +8 Melee (1d6+2)
    Space/Reach: 5ft/5ft
    Special Attacks: None
    Special Qualities: Beer Dependency, Bowling Style, Darkvision 60 Ft, Summon Cherry, 'Stralian Icon
    Saves: Fort +8, Ref +9, Will +6
    Abilities Str 15, Dex 18, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 12
    Skills: Balance +15, Bluff + 10, Intimidate +12, Jump +13, Listen +10, Sleight of Hand 15, Spot +10, Tumble +15
    Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Power Attack
    Environment: Cricket Pitch
    Organization: Solitary or Team (1 'Stralian Fast Bowler, 9 Fielders, 1 Wikit Keeper)
    Challenge Rating: 5
    Treasure: Standard + Cherry
    Alignment: LN
    Advancement: By character class


    Feared in the gladiatorial arenas in 'Stralia. The 'Stralian Fast Bowler is a master of speed and precision. He dominates the arena by throwing his signature weapon, a small hard red ball called a Cherry, at speeds up to 90 km/hr. Once thrown the Cherry rarely strays from its course and only a skilled opponent can deflect it from its path. When in direct competition with the Britannic Batsman, the 'Stralian Fast Bowler will utilize his team to beat the competition. Though it doesn't have as thick a hide as the Britannic Batsman or the heavily armored Wiki' Keeper, its thin white fur does offer it some protection. A red stain can normally be seen on one of its legs where it shines its Cherries.

    Combat
    The 'Stralian Fast Bowler relies heavily on its ranged attacks in combat. It will switch from its many different stances to best suit the situation its in. Generally it starts combat with a Fast bowl to size up the opponent. From there it will change to a Slow ball if mobility is not an issue, or a Spin bowl if the opponent seeks cover. The bowler will occasionally use the pace bowl as well hoping to catch an opponent off guard, and deal a decisive blow to them. Should it prove unsuccessful however, he is unlikely to try it again in that encounter.

    Beer Dependency (Ex):
    The 'Stralian fast bowler must imbibe at least 2 glasses of full strength beer a day or start to suffer adverse effects. For every beer missed the bowler takes a -1 to attack rolls, skill checks and to all saves. This effect ends when the bowler has at least 1/2 the number of beers missed +2, in a day. In addition, if a 'Stralian Fast Bowler should consume a light beer than he looses his Bowling Style ability for 1d4 days and also is dazed for 1 hour.

    Bowling Style (Ex):

    The 'Stralian Fast bowler can utilize many different styles of bowling to hit its opponents with the cherry. As a free action he can activate or change which of the following stances he has active. He can use each stance at will. In addition any Cherry wielded by the Australian Fast bowler is considered a +2 weapon

    Fast Bowl: The bowler lets the ball loose at ungodly speeds, rocketing towards the enemy. Grants the bowler the power attack feat only for his thrown ranged weapons. Treat thrown weapons as a one handed weapon. Using this ability means the bowler must take at least -1 to hit for +1 damage. It also allows him to use the Shot on the Run feat even if he doesn't qualify for it. While attacking in this stance the Australian fast bowler may make an intimidate check as a free action. If successful the target is shaken for 1 round.

    Spin Bowl: With a flick of the wrist the ball twists in the air, bouncing unpredictably before striking the opponent. The bowler gets a +2 to hit while in this stance. In addition allows the bowler the use of the Improved Precise Shot feat even if he doesn't qualify for it. While attacking in this stance, the Australian fast bowler may make a sleight of hand check as a free action against the opponent. If successful the bonus to hit is doubled to +4.

    Pace Bowl: The standard shot but no less useful in a skillful bowlers arsenal. This stance grants the bowler a +1 to attack and damage checks for thrown weapons. While attacking in this stance, the Australian fast bowler may make a Bluff check as a free action, and if successful he may also apply the effects of any other stance for the duration of that round. The DC for the bluff increases by +5 for every use in an encounter, whether successful or not.

    Slow Bowl: Though the ball takes longer to get their when it arrives it is all the more devastating. Grants the bowler the power attack feat only for his thrown ranged weapons. Treat thrown weapons as a two handed weapon. Using this ability means the bowler must take at least -1 to hit for +2 damage. The bowlers move speed is reduced to 10 feet while this stance is active. While in this stance the Australian fast bowler receives a +2 bonus to any physical skill checks.

    Summon Cherry (Su): The 'Stralian Fast bowler may summon a Cherry as a swift action once per round. This is a spell like ability usable at will. The summoned cherry appears in the bowlers hand if he has hands free or at his feet if he doesn't. The cherry lasts an amount of rounds equal to the bowlers hit dice or until it is dismissed. Dismissing a cherry is also an immediate action.

    'Stralian Icon: All 'Stralian's know of the Fast Bowlers and their part in the great war. As such anyone who is native to Stralia has a +2 circumstance bonus to knowledge checks to find information about them.

    -=-=-=-=-=-=-

    Cherry
    A Small red sphere the size of a bullet. The Cherry is a magical weapon commonly used in the cricket arenas around 'Stralia. It is a ranged thrown weapon that deals 1d8 damage and has a range increment of 30 feet. A Cherry is always a masterwork weapon.

    Lore

    {TABLE=head]DC|Lore
    16| A nursery rhyme as old as any parent can remember is passed down about the 'Stralian Fast Bowler. "You can get it bowling, You can get it catching, You can get it any old how. Matter of fact I've got it now." Though the origins are lost, the meaning is clear and its one the the 'Stralian populace has adopted. (Reveals Beer Dependency)
    21| The 'Stralian Fast Bowler's signature weapon is a red sphere called a Cherry. Though many people are able to wield it, none seem to have the endless source that the 'Stralian Fast Bowlers are able to use on the battlefield. (Reveals summon cherry.)
    26| During the great war the 'Stralian Fast Bowlers and the Britannic Batsmen clashed many times. In order to defeat the enemy the 'Stralian Fast Bowlers had to use all their cunning. Coming up with many new ways to dispatch their opponents. (Reveals Bowling Style and gives a +2 circumstance bonus against bluff checks against pace bowl)
    [/table]

    Story:
    Back before the great rock was cracked, when those of the dreaming slept their endless slumber. One of the Tall Fellas was searching the desert for his dinner, tracking a big snake to its nest, to catch it in the cold of the night. As he approached the nest a great ship was beached on the land in front of him. The Tall Fella thought this was very odd. He was out in the middle of nowhere. This was not the place for a ship to be. So he took his boomerang and crept forward. When he got closer though he heard voices from amongst the ship. Inside were a few dozen creatures chained to the ship. They had white fur covering all of them but their faces and hands. The Tall Fella was sure they would not live through the desert's day, and so he freed them and took them back to his village. The elders in his village cast a spell on the strange creatures and sat down to hear their tale.

    The strange creatures introduced themselves as Cricketers. They came from a place far away ruled by the crown of Britannica. Britannica was a god who ruled over them all and they were banished from the realm for defying the will of her clerics. While searching for a suitable prison the clerics found 'Stralia and thought that the land would claim the Cricketers lives. Luckily for them they were saved by the Tall Fellas.

    Owing a great debt to the Tall Fellas the Cricketers asked to live with them and learn their ways. They taught each other many things over the years and eventually the Cricketers took their leave of the Tall Fellas to moved closer to the jungles. Every year though they would meet before the big rains and share stories and mock battles.

    Countless years pass and the Cricketers have became as much a part of 'Stralia as the Tall Fellas themselves. The God, Britannica looked back to 'Stralia to dispel doubt in those who seek to defy her in her realm. Seeing the banished Cricketers survival as a threat to the pride and safety of her great plane, she bid her paladins and the Cricketers loyal to her to seek out the ancestors of those banished and destroy them. Her Clerics created a giant gate that would span the two planes and when they were finished, three pillars of wood wider than any tree descended from the heavens to pierce 'Stralia's desert sand. A forth, the bail, connected the top of the three together completing the gate. From it poured the Britannica Cricket team. Seeing the danger the Tall Fellas summoned their friends and together they fought against the invaders.

    Many lives were lost on both sides and the battle raged for years. Neither the 'Stralians nor those of Britannica could win the war. Eventually as a last resort the elder's invoked an ancient magic. They broke the great rock and woke the dreaming. They used the power to destroy the gate, and finally seal Britannica away from 'Stralia. However this came at a great cost. The dreaming could not be sedated again, and although the elders contained it, the dreaming would once again break free if they did not keep it in check.

    Now days you see the ancestors of Britannica's warriors around in the cities all the time. Those who were left behind, or used the remaining magics to force their way through. Neither the Blue's nor the Stubbies are native to 'Stralia, yet without them "civilization" would not have arrived either. But as long as the ashes of the gate are kept on our soil. Britannica herself and her crown will never truly threaten 'Stralia.
    - Story from a bushman on the origins of the 'Stralian Cricket Team and the Great War


    Plot Hook:
    A faction within the Britannic church is plotting to steal the Ashes and summon Britannic and her army back to 'Stralia. The party must team up with a 'Stralian Fast Bowler to help defeat the unknown forces before they succeed.

    A 'Stralian Fast Bowler has gone rogue and started hunting those born a Blue or Stubbie. The party must track down and stop the 'Stralian Fast Bowler by any means before he kills again.
    Last edited by Mangles; 2011-02-12 at 04:25 PM.