Sand Prince
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Size/Type | Large Elemental (Air, Earth) |
| Hit Dice | 10d8+50 (95 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares), burrow 40 ft. (sand only) |
| Armor Class | +12 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +12 natural), touch +0, flat-footed +11 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +7/+21 |
| Attack | Slam +16 melee (1d10+10 plus blind) |
| Full Attack | 2 slams +16 melee (1d10+10 plus blind) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Improved grab, submerge, blind, spell-like abilities |
| Special Qualities | Damage reduction 10/magic, darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., dust form, sand glide, immunity to fire, vulnerability to water, elemental traits |
| Saves | Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +7 |
| Abilities | Str 30, Dex 12, Con 20, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 14 |
| Skills | Diplomacy +4, Concentration +10, Hide *+10, Knowledge (local) +5, Knowledge (nature) +7, Listen +8, Move Silently +10, Spot +8 |
| Feats | Alertness, Cleave, Iron WillB, Power Attack |
| Environment | Warm desert |
| Organization | Solitary or court (1-2 sand lords and 1-4 medium earth elementals) |
| Challenge Rating | 9 |
| Treasure | Standard |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 11-20 HD (Large) |
| Level Adjustment | ― |
Description
A mass of sand rises from the ground, forming a hulking, monstrous figure with indistinct features that constantly sheds wispy streams of sand. Two heavy projections along the sides resemble arms and a great bulge at the crest possesses large, pit-like eyes and a wide, gaping jaw.
These elemental beings consists entirely of very fine, desert sand of differing hues that forms a pattern of horizontal bands. While at rest upon the surface, the sand prince resembles a wind-worn stand of sandstone. Like its solitary relative the sand lords, a sand prince can blend effortlessly into the desert sand by burrowing beneath it, leaving no traces of its movements except a faint sound of shifting sand.
Whenever it moves across the ground, the body dissolves into a swirling, cloudy vortex that shifts and dances above the surface like a dust devil. It then coalesces back into a more solid form once the sand prince ceases moving or performs a physical activity.
A sand prince is found only in desert regions filled with towering sand dunes, far from any sources or civilization. It claims ownership of the surrounding area of desert out to the horizon, and all those who want to pass through are required to pay homage. It normally dwells beneath the surface of the dunes, where sand beings and other earth elemental creatures may attend it.
Combat
Where possible a sand prince will use its spell-like abilities to punish its opponents from a distance. If this proves insufficient it will pass through the sand to attack from below, pulling opponents beneath the sand to suffocate. As a last resort it will use its limb-like projections to deliver a powerful slam attack.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a sand prince must hit with its slam attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can attempt to submerge the foe the following round.
Submerge (Ex): A sand prince can submerge a grabbed opponent beneath the sand by making a successful grapple check. The foe is pulled completely below the surface and is submerged by 5 feet of sand. Unless the buried foe has a burrow movement rate, they are effectively immobilized. Buried creatures are subject to suffocation.
Blind (Ex): The save DC is 20.
Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day―blur; 1/day―heat metal (DC 14), confusion (DC 16), control winds, glitterdust (DC 14), mirage arcana (DC 17), searing light, wind wall. Caster level 10th. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Tremorsense (Ex): A sand prince can detect and pinpoint any creature or object within 60 feet in contact with the ground.
Advanced Benefits
In addition to the standard changes due to Hit Dice advancement, sand princes also gain the following special benefits.
- The natural armor equals HD + 2.
- 11+ HD ― Add 1/day―move earth.
- 13+ HD ― Add 1/day―sunbeam.
- 14+ HD ― Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares), burrow 50 ft. (sand only)
- 15+ HD ― Damage reduction improves to 15/magic.
- 16+ HD ―Tremorsense range increases to 90 ft.
- 17+ HD ― Add 1/day―sunburst.
- 18+ HD ― Speed: 80 ft. (10 squares), burrow 60 ft. (sand only)
- 19+ HD ― Add 1/day―horrid wilting.