Zyloek
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Size/Type | Large Aberration |
| Hit Dice | 8d8+24 (60 hp) |
| Initiative | -1 |
| Speed | 30 ft. (4 squares), burrow 20 ft. |
| Armor Class | 17 (-1 size, -1 Dex, +9 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 17 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +6/+15 |
| Attack | Gore +10 melee (2d6+9) |
| Full Attack | Gore +10 melee (2d6+9) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Soften stone, trample 1d8+9 |
| Special Qualities | Damage reduction 10/adamantine, tremorsense 60 ft., darkvision 30 ft., light sensitivity |
| Saves | Fort +5, Ref +1, Will +7 |
| Abilities | Str 22, Dex 9, Con 17, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 7 |
| Skills | Balance +11*, Climb +8, Listen +14 |
| Feats | Endurance, Improved Natural Attack (gore), Lightning Reflexes |
| Environment | Underground |
| Organization | Solitary, pair or pack (2–4) |
| Challenge Rating | 7 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Usually chaotic neutral |
| Advancement | 9–14 HD (Large), 15–20 HD (Huge) |
| Level Adjustment | ― |
Description
Bursting out of the ground is a four-legged creature shaped like a giant, dark-hued armadillo. It has four beady, black eyes, a pair of wicked horns, and heavy claws on each paw. Bits of crumbling rock are still rolling off its arched back.
The zyloek is a giant, four-legged creature with a humped back that is covered by scaly armor. It has short, massive legs, and a long, tapered tail that trails just above the ground as the zyloek waddles along with its heavy gait. The conical head has two pairs of black, circular eyes, with the larger pair able to emit rays that can temporarily soften stone to the consistency of thick mud. A pair of slightly curved horns project forward from each side. The armor that covers much of its body is a dark gray hue and sparkles whenever a light source is present.
This strange creature is only to be found in the deepest places within the earth. They reproduce by mating and then laying a clutch of eggs in a sealed chamber. Once the surviving hatchlings are sufficiently mature, they are able to tunnel their way out.
Zyloeks have sub-par vision but excellent hearing, and can sense the location of nearby movements through tremors in the rock.
Combat
A zyloek listens for approaching prey from a concealed tunnel, then springs out to attack. It employs its stone softening rays to trap prey, then charges any foe that manages to escape.
Soften Stone (Su): As a normal action a zyloek can soften a 10-foot radius area of natural rock within 60 feet, turning it into a sticky sludge to a depth of 1d4 feet. Any creatures in affected radius must succeed on a DC 15 Reflex save or become entangled in the muck. The save DC is Dexterity-based and includes a +2 racial modifier.
An entangled creature can escape with a successful DC 17 escape artist check or pull himself out with a DC 17 Strength check. The check DCs are Constitution-based.
At the end of 1d3+1 full rounds the softened stone returns to its normal hardness, pinning any creatures still entangled in the rock. Natural rock has a hardness of 8 and each foot of depth has 180 hp. A pinned creature can escape with a successful escape artist check or burst out with a successful Strength check. The DC for the escape artist check is 15 + 5 per foot of depth. The DC for the burst attempt is 15 + 10 per foot of depth.
Trample (Ex): Reflex DC 19 half. The save DC is Strength-based.
Light Sensitivity (Ex): Zyloek are dazzled in bright sunlight or within the radius of a daylight spell.
Skills: A zyloek has a +8 racial bonus on Balance and Listen checks. *It can always choose to take 10 on a Balance check, even if rushed or threatened.
Advanced Benefits
In addition to the standard changes due to Hit Dice advancement, zyloeks also gain the following special benefits.
- The save DC of the soften stone entangle ability is equal to 12 + ½ HD + Dexterity modifier.
- The save DC to escape entanglement is 10 + ½ HD + Constitution modifier.
- The save DC of the trample ability is 10 + ½ HD + Strength modifier.
- 12+ HD ― The burrowing speed improves to 30 feet.
- 15+ HD ― Damage reduction improves to 15/adamantine.
- 18+ HD ― The soften stone ability softens a 15-foot radius area of natural rock to a depth of 1d6 feet.