Nel’barzoth, Greater

Greater Nel’barzoth CR 15

XP 51,200
CN Large outsider (chaotic, extraplanar)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +30

DEFENSE

AC 31, touch 16, flat-footed 31 (+15 natural, +7 profane, –1 size)
hp 229 (17d10+136)
Fort +20; Ref +17; Will +23
Defensive Abilities divine aegis, DR 15/good; Immune cold, poison; Resist acid 15, electricity 15, fire 15; SR 26

OFFENSE

Speed 50 ft., fly 90 ft. (perfect)
Melee +4 flaming burst greatsword +33/+28/+23/+18 (3d6+22/17–20 plus 1d6 fire)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks smite infidel, weapon master
Domain Spell-Like Abilities (CL 17th)

• 9/day—battle rage

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 17th)

• Constant—fly
• 5/day—cure serious wounds
• 2/day—plane shift (self only)
• 1/day—atonement

STATISTICS

Str 35, Dex 10, Con 27, Int 19, Wis 22, Cha 24
Base Atk +17; CMB +30 (+32 bull rush, +34 trip); CMD 47 (49 vs. bull rush and trip)
Feats Alertness, Combat Expertise, Greater Trip, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical (greatsword), Improved Initiative, Improved Trip, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (greatsword)
Skills Bluff +27, Diplomacy +27, Disguise +27, Fly ++26, Intimidate +27, Knowledge (planes) +24, Knowledge (religion) +24, Perception +30, Sense Motive +30, Stealth +16
Languages Common, Ignan; telepathy 100 ft.

SQ domain, change shape (target creature; alter self)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Divine Aegis (Su)

A ziphna is the ultimate hunter of the gods, and as such garners extra protection. It adds its Charisma bonus as a sacred or profane bonus (as appropriate) to AC and CMD as well as all saving throws. It retains this bonus to AC and CMD even when flat-footed or otherwise denied its Dexterity bonus.

Domain (Ex)

A nel’barzoth possesses one domain from the deity that created, and it gains all the special abilities of that domain, but not the spells. Its caster level is equal to its Hit Dice. Any saving throw DCs of abilities are calculated normally. This nel’barzoth has the War domain.

Smite Infidel (Su)

A ziphna adds its Charisma bonus to all attack rolls made against the target creature and its allies, and adds its number of Hit Dice to all damage rolls (including those for any domain spell-like ability). It gains a deflection bonus to AC equal to its Charisma bonus against the target creature and all allies. This bonus stacks with the bonus from divine aegis. These bonuses remain in effect until either the infidel or quinbac is slain, or the infidel voluntarily agrees to be the target of the quinbac’s atonement spell-like ability. In addition, the ziphna gains a +8 sacred or profane bonus (as appropriate) to confirm critical hits against the target and its allies and does one extra multiplier of damage (x2 becomes x3, x3 becomes x4, etc).

Weapon Master (Su)

At 8th level, as a swift action, the ziphna gains the use of one combat feat for a number of rounds per day equal to its Hit Dice. These rounds do not need to be consecutive and it can change the feat chosen each time it uses this ability. The ziphna must meet the prerequisites to use this feat.

ABOUT

Environment any plane
Organization solitary, pair, pack (3–6)
Treasure none

The most powerful of the standard nel’barzoth, deities are loathe to create these ultimate hunters, known as ziphna. It is rumored that while a ziphna is in existence a deity is almost as vulnerable as a mere mortal. Whether that is actually true or not is unknown to scholars; however, what is known is that a deity who creates a ziphna suffers great pain each time the nel’barzoth is wounded. Every cut from a sword, every scorching flame from a spell, injuries the deity as much as the ziphna.

The ziphna presented here was created by Bowbe, God of War and Slaughter.

Divine Customizations

Each nel’barzoth is unique, formed by a deity for a specific purpose. But most possess similar abilities that enable the hunter to track and destroy its prey. Each nel’barzoth also possesses three traits that change based on the nature of its divine creator.

Alignment: The nel’barzoth shares its alignment with its deity. It gains any appropriate subtypes based on this alignment.

Damage Reduction: Good-aligned nel’barzoth gain evil DR while evil-aligned gain good DR. A nel’barzoth that is neutral on the good-evil axis gains silver DR instead. A lesser nel’barzoth gains DR 5; an intermediate DR 10; and a greater DR 15.

Domain: A nel’barzoth gains all the special abilities of one of the domains of its deity (but not spells). It treats its Hit Dice as its cleric level, including for determining which abilities it has access to.

Deities, taken as a group, value their followers like a devil values souls. That is, followers are essentially currency and power for those with the divine spark. Unfortunately for most deities, followers possess free will; nothing gets in the way more of the best-laid plans.

Most times when a true believer strays, a simple atonement spell —typically coupled with a suitable quest — is enough to steer things back toward the deity’s favor. Sometimes, though, the offense is so severe an atonement spell just isn’t enough.

Some offenses are so severe, so drastic, that forgiveness is nigh impossible. The only recourse in these circumstances is to dole out swift and severe punishment. Most of the time, deities are loath to interact directly with mortals. To handle these special circumstances, they have an unusual breed of hunters called the nel’barzoth.

A deity forms each nel’barzoth from appropriate planar substances and imbues it with a spark of life when the creature is needed. A nel’barzoth resembles its target, except it possesses pure white eyes that shimmer, even in total darkness. A nel’barzoth that opts to assume its natural form has a humanoid shape, but is otherwise nondescript. An infidel who sees its nel’barzoth (regardless of shape) instinctively knows why the creature is hunting.

Deities have full control over when to send a nel’barzoth and what kind to send. Generally speaking, deities don’t send an over-powerful nel’barzoth to hunt as the creature requires a spark of the deity’s essence in order to gain life, and while the nel’barzoth hunts the deity is slightly weakened. Should a nel’barzoth be defeated, however, most deities won’t hesitate to escalate, sending a pair or pack, or even sending a tougher nel’barzoth if that’s deemed necessary.

If a nel’barzoth defeats the target, it returns to its creator, even if allies of the target remain alive. A defeated nel’barzoth (including its weapon) dissolves into a pool of noxious ichor that lasts for 1 minute.

Any living creature touching this substance must make a Fortitude save (DC equal to 10 + 1/2 the nel’barzoth’s HD + its Constitution modifier) or become nauseated for one hour. A creature that succeeds on this saving throw is instead sickened for 3d6 minutes.

Common Traits

All nel’barzoth share several common traits, regardless of its relative power or the deity it was created for. Defensively, in addition to its Damage Reduction a nel’barzoth is immune to cold and poison and has resistance against acid, electricity, and fire. The amount of resistance depends upon whether it is a lesser, intermediate, or greater nel’barzoth (5, 10, and 15 points, respectively). It possesses spell resistance equal to 11 plus its challenge rating.

Each nel’barzoth has a number of spell-like abilities to aid it during the hunt. Each can cast atonement once per day, should its target suddenly repent and seek forgiveness. Each also possesses the ability to plane shift twice per day — once to arrive at its target’s location, and once to return to its home domain. A nel’barzoth also possesses the ability to heal itself, or others, with the relative power of this spell-like ability increasing with the creature. A nel’barzoth, especially intermediate and greater variety, may have other spell-like abilities.

Its signature ability, however, is its “smite infidel” special attack.

This ability gives the nel’barzoth an enhanced armor class against its target, as well as enhanced attack and damage rolls against any who stand in its way. A nel’barzoth uses — and is always proficient with — the favored weapon of its deity.