Puppeteer

If uncommanded, the psion-killer usually follows its last instruction to the best of its ability, though if attacked it returns the attack. The creator can give the golem a simple program to govern its actions in his or her absence, such as “Remain in this area and attack all psionic creatures that enter.”

Construct: Immune to mind-influencing effects, poison, disease, and similar effects. Not subject to critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage, energy drain, or death from massive damage.

Psionic Immunity (Ex): Psion-killers completely resist psionic effects, including psionic attack modes.

Negate Psionics (Su): A psion-killer can use negate psionics as a free action once per round. The effect is as an area negation in a 30-foot-radius burst.

CONSTRUCTION

A psion-killer's body is constructed from massive blocks of quartz crystal, with a total weight of at least 4,000 pounds.

The golem costs 90,000 gp to create, which includes 10,000 gp for the body. Assembling the body requires a successful Craft (sculpting) or profession (masonry) check (DC 17).

The creator must be 18th level and able to manifest psionic powers. Completing the construction drains 1,600 XP from the creator and requires emulate power, matter manipulation, negate psionics, and psychic chirurgery.

Fine Vermin Hit Dice: 1/16 d8 (1 hp) Initiative: +4 (Dex) Speed: 5 ft. AC: 22 (+8 size, +4 Dex) Attacks: Bite +3 melee Damage: Bite 1d2-5 Face/Reach: 1/2 ft. by 1/2 ft./0 ft. Special Attacks: Psionics, thrall Special Qualities: Blindsight, psionics, host protection Saves: Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +3 Abilities: Str 1, Dex 19, Con 11, Int 18, Wis 16, Cha 14 Skills: Hide +24, Listen +7, Spot +7 Feats: Psychic Bastion

Climate/Terrain: Any land and underground Organization: Solitary or pack (2-8) Challenge Rating: 1 Treasure: None Alignment: Usually lawful evil Advancement: — Puppeteers are psionic parasites that vicariously experience the lives of their victims by taking control of their minds.

A puppeteer resembles a 4-inch-long, dark brown leech with no definable anatomy or sense organs. Once one establishes control over a victim (now called a host), it attaches to the host's skin in a spot hidden by fur, hair, or clothing. It draws nutrients from the host's blood, but since it is so small, its requirements are minimal. Only when twenty or more puppeteers ride a single host—a rare occurrence—is there direct risk to the host's health. Puppeteers seek to secretly infect the societies of other creatures and take control of them so as to have a continuous supply of bodies. They do not speak except when directing a host body to do so.

COMBAT

Puppeteers use their psionic powers to dominate potential hosts. Once in control, a puppeteer almost exclusively relies on the host's mental and physical abilities, although it may use its own psionic powers to enhance their effectiveness in a particularly dangerous situation. Puppeteers are most commonly encountered secretly riding a host, so their presence is not obvious to most opponents. Psionics (Sp): At will— brain lock, glide, and lesser domination. These abilities are as the powers manifested by a 16th-level psion.

Attack/Defense Modes (Sp): At will—ego whip/mental barrier.

Thrall (Sp): If a puppeteer successfully dominates a victim seven times, the final effect is permanent, bonding the host to the puppeteer as thrall manifested by an 18th-level psion.

Blindsight (Ex): A puppeteer can ascertain creatures by nonvisual means within 60 feet.

Host Protection (Ex): An attached puppeteer uses its host's base saving throw bonuses if they're better than its own. Furthermore, only psionic powers, spells, and effects that specify the host's type can affect the puppeteer; thus, effects that target vermin can't affect a puppeteer riding a humanoid.

Feats: Puppeteers gain Psychic Bastion as a bonus feat.