Arcadex

Arcadex CR 12

XP 19,200
NE Medium aberration (extraplanar)
Init +7; Senses low-light vision, darkvision 90 ft., see invisibility; Perception +24

DEFENSE

AC 21, touch 17, flat-footed 18 (+4 deflection, +3 Dex, +2 equipment, +2 natural)
hp 111 (17d8+34)
Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +14; SR 18
Immune lesser globe of invulnerability

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee +13 arcane strike claw (1d4+1 slashing, 20/x2)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 17th concentration +30)

Constantdetect magic, mage armor (already factored into AC), see invisibility
3x/dayidentify, lesser globe of invulnerability (already factored into immunities)
1x/weekplane shift (self plus 50 lbs. of objects only)

Spellcasting (CL 15th concentration +30; the arcadex casts spells as a 15th-level Wizard)

8thmaze (Will DC 24)
7thdeflection, limited wish, reverse gravity
6thcontagious flame, fluid form, greater dispel magic (prepared twice)
5thdominate person (Will DC 21), hold monster (Will DC 21), suffocation (prepared twice) (Fort DC 21), summon monster V (prepared twice)
4thball lightning (Ref DC 20), black tentacles (prepared twice), greater invisibility (prepared twice), rainbow pattern (Will DC 20)

TACTICS

The arcadex’s spells of 3rd level and below are not listed. The arcadex favors a balanced mix of offense and defense, preferring the precision of single target spells that kill or incapacitate neatly.

STATISTICS

Str 11, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 23, Wis 19, Cha 13
Base Atk +12; CMB +12; CMD 25
Feats Arcane Strike, Combat Casting, Combat Expertise, Improved Counterspell, Improved Initiative
Skills Acrobatics +23, Bluff +21, Craft (jewelry) +23, Knowledge (arcana, local, planes) +23, Intimidate +21, Perception +24, Stealth +20, Spellcraft +26, Use Magic Device +21
Languages Aklo, Common, Draconic, Elven, Undercommon
Gear +1 silken ceremonial armor

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Arcane Assessment (Su)

An arcadex can attempt a DC 15 Perception check against a single target as a full-round action. If this check is successful, the arcadex learns whether the target can cast arcane spells, and if so, the target’s caster level.

If an arcadex critically succeeds on this Perception check, the arcadex is aware of the most powerful spell the caster currently has prepared.

Spell Mockery (Sp)

Once per encounter, when the arcadex is subject to an arcane spell, it may immediately duplicate the spell. Doing so is a swift action, as if the spell had been quickened. The duplicated spell is always cast at the arcadex’ caster level.

If the arcadex includes the spell’s caster in the duplicated spell’s area of effect or chooses the caster as a target, the original caster does not apply their spell resistance (if any) to the duplicated spell, but may attempt a save normally.

This ability functions whether or not the arcadex successfully saves against the effect or the spell is nullified by the arcadex’s spell resistance.

ECOLOGY

Environment any (extraplanar)
Organization always solitary
Treasure standard

Arcadex are fiercely competitive magehunters from behind and beyond conventional reality. Arcadex seemingly exist only to duel and slaughter arcane spellcasters, taking their eyes, tongues and spellbooks as trophies. They hunt wizards purely for the thrill, unconcerned with politics or morality, instead choosing wizards who will be a good (but never overwhelming) challenge. Arcadex are extremely well-informed about famous magic users across a dozen dimensions, possessing a keen understanding of their targets’ capabilities and most famous acts of arcane excellence. They have a kill-list in their heads, which they check off, one defeated magic user at a time.

Arcadex can be surprisingly polite, even pleasant, to non-spellcasters. As long as ‘mundanes’ give the creature proper respect and don’t interfere with their duels, they have little to fear from an Arcadex. When interacting with ‘mundanes’, the arcadex is usually only seeking information about a particular wizard’s habits and haunts, or seeking ordinary lodging. Arcadex prefer the finer things in life, overpaying for lodgings and fine meals with weird, valuable jewels. They are great tippers and inveterate, compulsive gamblers – they can spend millions over the course of a few days at the craps table or in a high-stakes poker game. Some Arcadex might even allow a wizard to gamble for their life in the ultimate high-stakes game, rather than starting an occult duel.

Arcadex are basically humanoid monstrosities. They have lean bodies covered in cool, moist white flesh, studded with thousands of wriggling, finger-like appendages.

Their hands are dexterous, massive and well suited to the precision of occult combat. They have squid-like faces with a vertical mouth. Arcadex are hyperactive and in constant motion, with high, whispery voices.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Nemesis Unleashed Volume II. Copyright 2019, Otherverse Games. Author: Chris A. Field

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