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Chaositech
Chaos-Shaped Creature Template “Chaos-shaped creature” can mean two different things, though the two are similar. The first is a creature that has undergone extensive modifications due to chaositech and chaos surgery. Frequently, a chaos cult will capture and modify a creature in this way, or a power-mad tyrant will employ a chaositechnician† to modify those who serve him. The process involves opening up the creature and manipulating its musculature, its nervous system, and sometimes even its skeletal structure. Frequently whole new limbs or body parts are attached (usually with crude stitching or metal staples). Modifying a creature in this way requires a Chaos Surgery† check (DC 28) as well as the checks required for its implants. It costs 200 gp per Hit Die in materials, as well as half the price of the implants and builtin device the template requires (see below). The other type of chaos-shaped creature is one that has been created entirely through chaositech procedures. The creator can copy any creature he knows about, then make his own changes if he wishes. If he needs a flying spy, he can create a bird, and if he needs a powerful bodyguard he can copy a troll. These creatures are typically grown in vats, their appearance entirely redesigned by the creator. These creatures look less crude than those that have simply been modified, but always wholly unnatural. While there is only rarely scarring or stitching, a created creature betrays its creator’s imperfect hand in its always (at least) slightly misshapen form and its unnatural countenance. Creating a chaosshaped creature whole cloth costs 2,000 gp per Hit Die in materials, as well as half the price of the implants and builtin device the template requires (see below). Chaos-shaped creatures are sometimes modified (more often created) to become the recipients of brain transfers using a mind transference apparatus†. Mostly, however, they are used as guardians or soldiers in the service of chaos. The created or modified creature owes no special allegiance to its creator—in fact, it most likely hates him for the painful and horrific procedures. An allegiance implant† is a wise choice for most creators. Chaos-shaped creatures are almost always ugly, misshapen abominations that owe their current existence to something other than nature.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to aberration. Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, or saves. Size goes unchanged. Speed: If the base creature’s speed is higher than 30, reduce it by 10 feet. Flying maneuverability rating (if any) worsens by one category. Armor Class: Increase the base creature’s natural armor bonus by +2. Special Attacks: A chaos-shaped creature retains all the base creature’s special attacks and also gains the following special abilities: • Built-In Chaositech: The chaos-shaped creature can have any one non-intrinsic chaositech device that costs less than 20,000 gp built into its body (making it an intrinsic device). This device cannot be a one-use device, like a bomb. It can be a weapon or armor. It runs off the energy in the creature’s body, so one does not need to make chaotic failure checks for it. The device is permanently destroyed if removed from the creature’s body or if the creature dies. • Implant: The chaos-shaped creature can have any one implant that costs less than 100,000 gp. • Mind Implant: The chaos-shaped creature can have any one mind implant† that costs less than 20,000 gp. Frequently, this is an allegiance implant†. Special Qualities: A chaos-shaped creature has all the base creature’s special qualities. Abilities*: Alter the base creature’s as follows: Strength +4, Dexterity +2, Constitution +2, Intelligence –4, Wisdom –4, and Charisma –4. Challenge Rating: As base creature’s +2 Alignment: Always chaotic (any) Level Adjustment: As base creature’s +2 *
Any of the creature’s ability scores can be lower than those listed if the character creating or modifying the creature so wishes it. Also, implants may modify ability scores even further. An ability score has a minimum of 1 unless the creator or modifier wants it to be 0.
Sample Chaos-Shaped Creature As an example of the chaos-shaped creature template, here’s a new creature based on the owlbear to drop into your game.
Creating a Chaos-Shaped Creature Chaos-Shaped (Modified) Owlbear “Chaos-shaped creature” is a template that one can add to any living, corporeal creature. A chaos-shaped creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities, except as noted here.
Large Aberration Hit Dice: 5d10 + 30 + 20 (77 hp) Initiative: +1 Speed: 30 feet
