Shivhad (CR 21)

Gargantuan Aberration (Cold)
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Initiative: +2 (Dex); Senses: darkvision 60 ft., Listen +29, and Spot +29
Languages: All languages native to its area


AC: 34 (-4 size, +2 Dex, +26 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 32
Hit Dice: 24d8+144 (252 hp); DR: 15/epic
Fort +14, Ref +10, Will +16
Speed: 40 ft., burrow 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
Space: 20 ft./15 ft.
Base Attack +18; Grapple +41
Attack: Bite +26 melee
Full Attack: 6 bites +26 melee and 3 claws +20 melee
Damage: Bite 4d6+11/19-20, claws 2d8+5
Special Attacks/Actions: Ability drain, cold aura, crush 4d6+11
Abilities: Str 32, Dex 15, Con 23, Int 21, Wis 14, Cha 12
Special Qualities: Absorb cold, glacier bond, immunity to cold, SR 34, vulnerability to fire
Feats: Combat Expertise; Dodge; Improved Critical (bite); Improved Natural Attack (bite, claw); Mobility; Power Attack; Spring Attack; Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills: Balance +29, Climb +46, Hide +17, Intimidate +28, Knowledge (geography) +32, Listen +29, and Spot +29
Advancement: 25-48 HD (Gargantuan); 49-72 HD (Colossal)
Climate/Terrain: Cold mountains
Organization: Solitary
Treasure/Possessions: Double standard

Source: Frostburn

Ability Drain (Su): Any creature struck by a shivhad's bite must make a DC 28 Fortitude save or take 2 points of drain to each ability score (or 4 points to each score on a critical hit). A shivhad gains 5 temporary hit points (10 on a critical hit) whenever it drains ability scores. Temporary hit points gained in this way last for up to 1 hour. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Cold Aura (Su): A shivhad radiates an aura of extreme cold. Any creature within 60 feet of a shivhad takes 3d6 points of cold damage at the beginning of its turn each round. This aura extinguishes non-magical flames in its area as well.

Crush (Ex): A shivhad can drop its body on opponents three or more size categories smaller than itself (usually, Medium or smaller) as a full-round action, using its weight to crush them. A crush attack affects as many creatures as can fit under the shivhad's space. Each creature in the affected area must succeed on a DC 33 Reflex save or be pinned, automatically taking 4d6+11 points of bludgeoning damage. Thereafter, if the shivhad chooses to maintain the pin, treat it as a normal grapple attack. While pinned, the opponent takes bludgeoning damage each round. The save DC is Strength-based.

Absorb Cold (Su): Any cold spell or effect targeted on a shivhad that fails to overcome its spell resistance is absorbed into the creature's body. This effect cures s points of damage per level of the spell or effect absorbed.

Glacier Bond (Su): A shivhad has a mystical bond with its home glacier. As long as it remains on this glacier, it can determine the exact location of any living creatures in contact with the glacier, up to a range of 10 miles. This knowledge grants it a +6 insight bonus to its Armor Class and Reflex saving throws against any opponent who is also in contact with its glacier, and allows the shivhad to pinpoint otherwise hidden or invisible targets with ease. These bonuses to Armor Class and Reflex saving throws are included in the statistics above.

A shivhad makes full use of its feats in combat. Against single foes, it usually uses a Spring Attack tactic: burrowing up close to the victim, attacking with a bite, and then burrowing down into the ice out of reach. When presented with more than six foes, a shivhad enjoys wading into their midst, perhaps making a crush attack. A shivhad usually sacrifices 5 points from its attack rolls to aid its Armor Class using the Combat Expertise feat, as well; it rarely encounters creatures that it has difficulty hitting.

Cold Subtype

A creature with the cold subtype has immunity to cold. It has vulnerability to fire, which means it takes half again as much (+50%) damage as normal from fire, regardless of whether a saving throw is allowed, or if the save is a success or failure.