Limbjack (CR +1)[3pp]

A limbjack is a living creature that has had one or more limbs replaced with golem-like construct limbs. The first limbjacks were created to restore maimed soldiers, but soon it was found they could also make the soldiers stronger, hardier, and more effective killers. The experiments expanded and were applied to mounts, guard animals, and even assassins.

Creating a Limbjack

Limbjack” is an acquired template that can be added to any living, corporeal creature except those with the ooze type (referred to hereafter as the base creature). For the purposes of this template, an arm is defined as a limb that can potentially wield a weapon (even if the base creature does not use weapons) or is not used for movement. A leg is defined as all limbs that are used for movement or cannot potentially wield a weapon. A limbjack uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.

Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1. If the base creature has more than two arms, adjust the CR an additional +1 for every 2 arms replaced. If all of the base creature’s limbs are replaced adjust the CR an additional +1.

Armor Class: The limbjack gains a shield bonus to AC equal to 1 + 1/arm replaced + 2 if all legs are replaced. For example, a limbjack behir with all its leg’s replaced would have a +3 shield bonus to AC (+1 +2 for all legs)

Defensive Abilities: A limbjack retains all of the base creature’s defensive abilities and gains the following.

Limb Defense (Ex)

Against damage directed specifically at a limbjack’s replaced limb (for example, attempts to sunder a limb, or attacks from foes that deal damage to the limbjack touching or attacking it), the limbjack gains DR 20/adamantine, and resist acid, cold, and fire 30.

Against spells that specifically target a replaced limb (such as stay the hand), the limbjack gains SR equal to 15 + it’s CR.

Weaknesses: The base creature gains the following weakness:

Metal Body (Ex)

Though only some of a limbjack is replaced with metal, it’s enough to make it vulnerable to effects that target metals. It counts as a ferrous creature for the purposes of rusting grasp and other spells that have special effects on metal.

Speed: If a limbjack creature replaces all its legs, its base land speed is doubled and gains the following.

Tireless (Ex)

The limbjack does not have a limit to how long it can run, nor does it risk fatigue or exhaustion from forced marching.

Attacks: For each replaced arm that does not have a natural attack associated with it, a limbjack gains either a slam or claw attack that deals damage appropriate as if it was one size category larger. If the limbjack has no other attacks these natural attacks are primary, otherwise they are secondary. If the base creature already has a natural attack associated with a replaced limb (arm or leg), it keeps the primary/secondary status as the base creature and the damage from that attack increases by one step.

Special Attacks: A limbjack gains the following.

Abilities: Str +2 for each arm replaced, +2 if all legs are replaced; Con +2 if all arms or all legs are replaced. These bonuses stack with each other. For example, human with both arms replaced it would have Str +4, Con +2. If it had all arms and legs replaced the bonuses would be Str +6, Con +4

Special Qualities: A limbjack gains the following special quality.

Upgradable Limbs (Ex)

Any of the natural attacks associated with a replaced limb can be upgraded to be masterwork, made of different materials, or made into a magic weapon. The cost for this is the same as for a longsword of the same size as the limbjack creature.

Augmented Or Limbjack?

Both the limbjack and augmented templates offer a way to introduce cyborg-like creatures into your game. The difference between the two is a matter of degree. The augmented template offers a great number of options for a GM, but can be tricky to apply. A limbjack, on the other hand, is an easier template to apply, but it is limited to replacement of limbs only.

Creating Limbjack Prosthetics

Creating limbjack prosthetics and bonding them to living creatures is a process similar to creating a golem.

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

CL 9th; Price 1,200 gp × recipient’s HD × number of limbs replaced; Feats Craft Construct; Spells greater polymorph, limited wish, regenerate; Special creator must be caster level 9th; Skills Heal DC 25; Cost 600 gp × recipient’s HD × number of limbs replaced

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Advanced Bestiary, Copyright 2014, Green Ronin Publishing, LLC; Author Jeff Hersh, Developer Owen K.C. Stephens

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