Cadaver Collector (CR 12)
Large Construct
Alignment: Usually lawful neutral
Initiative: +4; Senses: Listen +15 and Spot +15
Languages: understands creators language, cannot speak
AC: 29 (-1 size, +20 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 29
Hit Dice: 17d10+30 (123 hp); DR: 10/adamantine
Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +8
Speed: 40 ft.
Space: 10 ft./10 ft.
Base Attack +12; Grapple +26
Attack: Slam +22 melee
Full Attack: 2 slams +22 melee
Damage: Slam 4d8+10
Special Attacks/Actions: Breath weapon, impale, improved grab, trample 4d8+15
Abilities: Str 31, Dex 10, Con -, Int 5, Wis 16, Cha 14
Special Qualities: Construct traits, immunity to magic
Feats: Alertness; Cleave; Improved Initiative; Improved Natural Attack (slam); Power Attack; Weapon Focus (slam)
Skills: Listen +15 and Spot +15
Advancement: 18-34 HD (Large)
Climate/Terrain: Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, or squad (3-5)
Treasure/Possessions: Standard
Source:
Monster Manual III
Breath Weapon (Su): 30-foot cone, once every 1d4 rounds, paralyzing gas, Reflex DC 18 negates. The save DC is Constitution-based. The duration is 1 minute, or until the paralyzed creature takes lethal damage.
Impale (Ex): If a cadaver collector has successfully grappled a Medium or smaller creature, it can attempt to impale the creature on its back spikes by making a successful grapple check. Doing so is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. If the collector successfully impales a creature, the creature takes 4d8+15 points of damage and is considered pinned. Each round, the creature takes another 2d8 points of damage as the movement of the cadaver collector causes additional pain to the impaled creature.
The creature cannot break free unless it makes a DC 28 Strength check. Success indicates the creature is free of the spike but takes an additional 2d8 points of damage in the process. Failure means the creature takes 4d8 points of damage and remains pinned in place. An ally can try to free an impaled creature with a DC 20 Strength check.
Once a cadaver collector has a creature or creatures impaled on its back spikes, it is no longer considered to be in a grapple and can attack other opponents without penalty. It cannot use its slam attacks against impaled opponents. Creatures that get free of a cadaver collector become its immediate and most urgent targets. It typically pursues such creatures exclusively if it has any chance of catching and impaling them again.
A cadaver collector's back spikes can hold up to 4 Medium creatures, 16 Small creatures, or 64 Tiny creatures. Creatures smaller than Tiny are too minuscule to be impaled on the collector's back spikes, although the collector can still deal 4d8+15 points of damage to such opponents by grinding them into its back spikes with a successful grapple check once it has them grappled.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a cadaver collector must hit with a slam attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can attempt to impale the following round.
Trample (Ex): Reflex DC 28 half. The save DC is Strength-based.
Immunity to Magic (Ex): Like golems, cadaver collectors are especially resilient to magic. However, this resilience takes a slightly different form in the cadaver collector.
A cadaver collector is immune to any spell or spell-like ability that allows spell resistance. In addition, spells of 3rd level or lower that target a cadaver collector automatically rebound back at their caster as if the collector were under the effects of an unbeatable spell turning effect. This effect cannot be dispelled or suppressed, except against spells that deal electricity damage (see below). Spells that deal rust damage or alter stone penetrate the immunity to magic. Other spells and effects function differently against the creature, as noted below.
A magical attack that deals sonic damage slows a cadaver collector (as the slow spell) for 3 rounds, with no saving throw. Sonic spells of 3rd level or lower are absorbed by the collector and nor reflected.
A magical attack that deals electricity damage is absorbed rather than reflected. Such an attack breaks any slow effect on the collector and heals 1d6 points of damage for every 6 points of damage the attack would otherwise deal. If the amount of healing would cause the collector to exceed its full normal hit points, it gains any excess as temporary hit points.
A cadaver collector is affected normally by rust attacks. In addition, magical attacks that alter the nature of stone, such as transmute rock to mud, deal 1d6 points of damage per spell level to the cadaver collector.
A cadaver collector typically begins a battle with its breath weapon, then grabs any paralyzed opponents and impales them on its spikes to die before turning to deal with other foes. If enemies prove resilient to its breath, it doesn't hesitate to snatch up and impale any enemy it can reach.