Manual of the Planes

CHAPTER 9:MONSTERSIllus. by M. Cavotta160COMBATIn a fight, an astral dreadnought is a terrifying, if unimaginative,foe. Aware of how dangerous spellcasters can be,it maneuvers to keep as many opponents as possiblewithin its antimagic cone while it rushes forward. It triesto swallow foes within the cone while clawing and rendingfoes lurking at its sides and rear. Given a chance, itsevers the silver cords of astral travelers.Sever Silver Cord (Ex): If the astral dreadnoughtcan attack an astral traveler’s back(by flanking it, catchingit flat-footed, or pursuingit while panickedand fleeing),it can attack thesilver cord that connectsthe astralform to its materialcounterpart.The normallyinsubstantialcord is treatedas a tangibleobject withthe owner’sAC, hardness10, and 20hit points(see Attackan Object inChapter 8 ofthe Player’sHandbook).A silvercord visiblytrails 5feet behind an astral traveler before fading into the astralmedium. Attacking it draws an attack of opportunityfrom the astral traveler.When the cord is damaged, the astral traveler mustsucceed at a Fortitude save (DC 13) or be immediatelyforced to return to its body. Severing the silver corddestroys both the astral form and the body on theMaterial Plane.Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the astraldreadnought must hit with its bite attack. If it gets a hold,it automatically deals bite damage and can try to swallowthe opponent.An astral dreadnought that hits with a claw attackgrabs as above. If it gets a hold, it picks up the opponentand transfers it to the mouth as a partial action, automaticallydealing bite damage as above.Swallow Whole (Ex): The round after it grabs anopponent, an astral dreadnought can try to swallow it bymaking a successful grapple check. Once inside, theopponent takes 2d8+16 points of crushing damage plus2d8 points of acid damage every round. A swallowed creaturecan crawl out of the gullet by making a successfulgrapple check. This returns it to the astral dreadnought’smaw, where another successful grapple check is neededto get free. A swallowed creature can also cut its way outby using claws or a Small or Tiny slashing weapon to deal35 points of damage to the gullet (AC 24). Once the creatureexits, muscular action closes the hole; another swallowedcreature must cut its own way out.The astral dreadnought’s gullet can hold two Huge,four Large, eight Medium-size, sixteen Small, or thirtytwoTiny or smaller opponents.Rend (Ex): If an astral dreadnought hitswith both claw attacks, it latches onto theopponent’s body and tears the flesh.This attack automaticallydeals an additional 4d6+24points of damage.Antimagic Cone(Su): An astraldreadnought’ssingle eyecontinuallyproduces a150-footantimagiccone extendingstraight aheadfrom the creature’sfront. Thisfunctions justlike antimagicfield cast by an18th-level sorcerer,with theexception notedbelow. Once eachround, during itsturn, the astraldreadnoughtdecides which way itseye faces. The astral dreadnought can only make biteattacks against creatures to its front.All magical, spell-like, and supernatural effects withinthe cone are suppressed, except for those that broughtthe subjects to the Astral Plane in the first place (the astralprojection spell, for example). Those effects are locked inplace while the subjects are in the cone and cannot bedismissed, trapping the subjects on the Astral Planewhile under its effect.Frightful Presence (Ex): The mere sight of an astraldreadnought can unsettle or even panic opponents. Theability takes effect automatically whenever the astraldreadnought attacks or moves within 200 feet of a foe.Those within range must succeed at a Will save (DC 23)or be affected. Creatures with 4 HD or fewer become panickedfor 4d6 rounds, and those with 5 HD or morebecome shaken for 4d6 rounds. Those who succeed at theWill save are immune to the astral dreadnought’s frightfulpresence for one day.