Sneak Peek: Strife Elemental by Steven D. Russell

Here is a sneak peak at the next book in the Evocative City Sites Line When entering the abandoned warehouse known as Lorn's Entrepot: Beware the Strife Elemental

Illustration by Joe Calkins

Investigating the site and speaking to a local priest I have learned that Lorn’s Entrepot is haunted by a spirit of elemental violence, strife and discord; meetings here are likely to become more and more hostile, against the will of all parties involved, these battles are tragically triggered by accident or miscommunication. The conflicts that occur here are feeding the power of the malignant spirit that is chained to the foundations of the ruined depot -

Strife Elemental

Medium Elemental CR 3

XP 800

N Medium outsider (elemental, extraplanar, incorporeal)

Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +7

Aura Strife 30’ (DC 15)

Defense

AC 17, touch 17, flat-footed 13

(+3 Dex, +3 deflection, +1 dodge,)

hp 30 (4d10+8)

Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +1

Defensive Abilities natural invisibility,

Immune elemental traits, negative energy

Weakness: vulnerability to positive energy

Offense

Speed Fly 50 ft. (perfect)

Melee touch +7 (1d6+3 negative energy+ strife)

Special Attacks touch of strife

Tactics

Before Combat: always looking to start a fight but not engages in one the strife elemental only uses its touch attack if someone detects its presence and attacks it, often it hides inside physical objects (its aura still functions properly)

Combat: if forced into combat it seeks to touch each of its opponents once allowing them to finish off each other.

Morale: the strife elemental will flee into the structure of the water tower if it is ever damaged.

Statistics

Str - Dex 17, Con 14, Int 4, Wis 11, Cha 17

Base Atk +4; CMB +5; CMD 18

Feats Dodge, Improved Initiative^B, Mobility, Weapon Finesse^B

Skills Acrobatics +8, Fly +8, Intimidate +5, Knowledge (planes) +1, Perception +7, Stealth +7,

Special Abilites:

Aura of Strife (Su): Generally, a strife elemental’s mere presence is enough to cause problems. Anyone within 30 feet of the elemental must succeed at a DC 15 Will save (each round) to resist being compelled along a contentious, argumentative, or violent course of action whenever a situation unfolds that might conceivably warrant such a response (violence results instead of normal parley, haggle over a price, stealth, insults, or peaceful division of treasure) . This effect is mind-influencing compulsion affect.

This power should be handled very subtly, using notes to inform players of unexpected changes in their characters emotional states, the DC of the sense motive is also increased by +5. That save DC is Charisma based.

Feed on Strife (Su) Any time a strife elemental is within 30 feet of a creatures engaged in combat or under the effects of its aura or touch of strife abilities, it gains fast healing 5.

Natural Invisibility (Ex) Strife Elementals are can become invisible as per the spell with an unlimited duration as a move action (they become visible if they attack as per the spell).

Touch of Strife: This ability works like Aura of strife used as part of a touch attack it forces the opponent upon a failed Will Save DC 17 to immediately attack the closest potential foe, if only allies are present then he attacks the ally likes the least. That save DC is Charisma based; and includes a +2 racial bonus.