Ant Swarm, Hivemind

The sea of dark purple ants parts for a moment. It reveals the face of a tortured creature trapped within, silently screaming as little moving bumps travel under their skin.

Hivemind Ant Swarm CR 10

XP 9,600
Skilled
N Fine magical beast (swarm)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +17

DEFENSE

AC 23, touch 23, flat-footed 18 (+8 size, +5 Dex)
hp 126 (12d8+72)
Fort +10, Ref +13, Will +9
Defensive Abilities swarm traits; Immune mind-affecting effects, weapon damage

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., burrow 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Melee swarm (4d6 plus poison)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks consume, cling, distraction (DC 22), sudden strike
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 12th)

• At will–dominate monster (touch range, DC 14)

STATISTICS

Str 1, Dex 21, Con 22, Int -, Wis 20, Cha 1
Base Atk +9; CMB -; CMD –
Skills Climb +3, Perception +17; Racial Modifiers +12 Perception

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Cling (Ex)

If a creature leaves the hivemind ant swarm’s square, the swarm suffers 1d6 points of damage to reflect the loss of its numbers. A creature with the members of the swarm clinging to it takes the swarm’s damage at the end of its turn each round. As a full-round action, the creature can remove the clinging swarm with a DC 21 Reflex save. High wind or any amount of damage from an area effect destroys all clinging swarm vermin. The save DC is Dexterity-based.

Consume (Ex)

The hivemind ant swarm can rapidly consume any creature it swarms over. Against helpless or nauseated targets, the hivemind ant swarm deals 8d6 points of damage.

Poison (Ex)

Bite injury; save Fort DC 22; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d6 Wis damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Sudden Strike (Ex)

The hivemind ant swarm is particularly adept at moving quickly when its foes are surprised. During a surprise round, the hivemind ant swarm may act as if it had a full round, rather than just one standard action.

ECOLOGY

Environment any tropical
Organization solitary, pair, patrol (3 6 swarms plus 1 2 slaves), or legion (7 16 swarms plus 4 8 slaves)
Treasure none

Those who travel in the wild jungles sat that a hive of red or black ants can consume a person in moments, but the purple do so only if the victim is fortunate. This breed surges up from the ground or drops from the trees in rolling waves. They bite into flesh, delivering a mind-altering soporific poison… before they crawl inside. The unfortunate creature awakens to find their every movement controlled and for the benefit of the hive. The ants keep the creature alive and controlled until food becomes scarce, at which point the victim is finally devoured.