Zoanoid, Vamore

Vamore CR 6

XP 2,400
LE Medium aberration (zoanoid)
Init +4; Senses blindsense 40 ft., darkvision 60 ft., Perception +13

DEFENSE

AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed15 (+4 Dex, +5 natural)
hp 67 (9d8+27)
Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +4
Immune fire
Defensive Abilities zoanoid saves

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee bite +9 (1d6+3), 2 claws +9 (1d4+3)
Ranged 2 fire beams +10 touch (3d6 fire plus burn)
Special Attacks blazing rend, burn (DC 16, 1d6)

STATISTICS

Str 16, Dex 19, Con 14, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +6; CMB +9; CMD 23
Feats Blind-fight, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Target of Opportunity, Toughness
Skills Acrobatics +16, Climb +15, Perception +13, Stealth +16
Languages Common, Zern
SQ alter ego (Small or Medium humanoid, alter self)

ECOLOGY

Environment any land or underground
Organization solitary, pair, squad (3-6) or battalion (7-24)
Treasure standard

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Alter Ego (Su)

A vamore can assume the form of a specific Small or Medium humanoid. This functions as the change shape special quality, except that the vamore cannot choose the form it assumes.

Blazing Rend (Ex)

A creature struck by two of a vamore’s fire beams in a single round suffers a -2 penalty on its save against the vamore’s burn attack. If it fails its save, it takes 2d6 points of fire damage from the burn.

Blindsense (Ex)

A vamore’s blindsense is hearing based. It cannot use its blindsense if it is deafened or in the area of a silence spell or similar effect.

Fire Beams (Ex)

As a standard action, a vamore can fire two beams of fire from its shoulder pods. Treat these as ranged touch attacks with a range of 120 feet and no range increment. A creature struck takes 3d6 points of fire damage and is exposed to the vamore’s burn attack.

Zoanoid Saves (Ex)

A zoanid treats Fortitude as its good save and Will as a poor save.

ABOUT

This vaguely humanoid figure has long, bat-like ears, a triangular snout and leathery brown skin. It is dwarfed by two bulbous growths emerging from its shoulders, which open like mouths to reveal sphincter tipped nozzles.

Zoanoids are fleshwarped monsters created by the activities of the zern. Rather than being tied to the species of the individual transformed, as many fleshwarps are, zoanoids are tied to the personality traits and individual character of the fleshwarped victim. The victim becomes evil in the process, but can assume its original shape as a disguise. Many zoanoids live their lives as they once did, awaiting the signal to assume monstrous form and carry out the zern’s designs.

Vamores are among the most common of the zoanids, as they are relatively easy to make and the personality traits that influence their manifestation are common ones. A vamore is a zoanid of vaguely bat-like aspect, but its body is overwhelmed by organic cannons growing from its shoulders. These fire beams of concentrated heat. A vamore cannot constantly fire streams of flame, instead releasing it in bursts.

In combat, a vamore prefers to rely on its ranged capacity whenever possible, resorting to melee only once all enemies have been set on fire or if facing foes with fire resistance. They work well in groups, overwhelming foes in a barrage of fiery beams. Their ears grant them incredibly precise hearing, and they are often used by their zern masters to find and flush out hidden targets.