Book of Exalted Deeds

Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+10Attack: +1 flaming scimitar +13 melee (1d6+4/18–20 plus 1d6fire) or claw +11 melee (1d8+3/19–20) or masterworkcomposite longbow +11 ranged (1d8+3/×3)Full Attack: +1 flaming scimitar +13/+8 melee (1d6+4/18–20plus 1d6 fire) or 2 claws +11 melee (1d8+3/19–20) and +1flaming scimitar +8 melee (1d6+2/18–20 plus 1d6 fire) ormasterwork composite longbow +11/+6 ranged (1d8+3/×3)Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.Special Attacks: Burning wind,spell-like abilitiesSpecial Qualities: Damage reduction5/cold iron or evil, darkvision 60 ft., immunities,outsider traits, spell resistance 19 (23against evil spells and spellscast by evil outsiders)Saves: Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +8Abilities: Str 16, Dex 14, Con 15,Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 17Skills: Concentration +13, Diplomacy+16, Escape Artist +9, Intimidate +14,Knowledge (the planes) +11, Listen+15, Sense Motive +13, Spot +15,Survival +2 (+4 on other planes), UseRope +2 (+4 bindings)Feats: Alertness, Exalted Spell Resistance,Improved Critical (claw) B , WeaponFocus (scimitar)Environment: Upper PlanesOrganization: Solitary, pair, or host(3–12)Challenge Rating: 8Treasure: No coins or goods; doubleitemsAlignment: Always chaoticgoodAdvancement: 9–12(Medium); 13–18 (Large)Level Adjustment: +6You are drawn first to thebeing’s fiery, piercing eyes, then tothe long mane of coppery-red hair that crowns itspale head. Marble-white flesh covers the being’s stately frame.Its legs end in birdlike talons with ruby-sharp claws, andwings of crackling flame spring from its narrow shoulders.A noble warrior, the asura (ah-SOO-rah) is found throughout theUpper Planes, serving deities as messengers and heralds withrighteous zealotry. Sometimes one or more asuras are sent onmissions to other planes, carrying messages of revenge, punishment,and death to those who have challenged or angered oneof the powers. Other celestial beings find them impertinent andneedlessly violent; however, most asuras take great pride intheir ability to intimidate and “correct” evildoers.Asuras distrust angels (especially lawful ones) and see themas rivals for the attention of the good deities. Due to the natureof both types of beings, neither resorts to any sort of violence,Bariaur defenderof Ysgarddouble-dealing, or underhanded measures, although themutual feelings of contempt are obvious.An asura stands about 6 1/2 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds.Asuras speak Celestial.CombatAsuras travel light and prefer the scimitar and bow. A typicalasura will be encountered with the following equipment: +1mithral breastplate, +1 buckler, +1 flaming scimitar, trumpet of doom(described in Chapter 6: Magic), masterwork composite longbow(+3 Str bonus), quiver of 20 normal arrows.An asura’s natural weapons, as well as any weapons it wields,are treated as having the chaotic and good alignments for thepurpose of overcoming damage reduction.Burning Wind (Su): An asura can beat its wings as a standardaction and generate a searing wave of heatthat deals 2d6 points of damage to all creatureswithin a 15-foot radius.Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detectgood, detect evil, discern lies (DC 15), trueseeing; 1/day—holy smite (DC 16), magiccircle against evil (self only), polymorph(self only; humanoid forms only).Caster level 8th. The save DCs areCharisma-based.Immunities: Asuras are immuneto fire, petrification,charms, and compulsions.Outsider Traits: Anasura cannot be raised,reincarnated, or resurrected(though a limitedwish, wish, miracle, ortrue resurrection spellcan restore life). Darkvision60 ft.BARIAURThe creature looks a bitlike a centaur, butitmixes the forms ofhuman and ram ratherthan a human andhorse. From the waistdown, it is indistinguishablefrom a powerful ram. From the waist up, it looks human, except fortwo curling horns emerging from the top of its forehead.Bariaurs travel the rolling hills and woods of Ysgard, protectingall who call that plain their home. When evil is afoot, they trackit to its source, then charge into glorious battle. Creatures ofwanderlust, bariaurs rarely remain in one place for long. Theirflocks follow a single leader who remains in charge as long as heor she can defeat opponents in a “clash of horns” (a sequence ofcharge attacks similar to a jousting competition). Bariaurs lovecontests, which tend to be sources of good-natured amusementrather than rigorous tests of fitness.CHAPTER 8:MONSTERS165