Carapace, Backwatcher (CR 1/8)
Tiny Aberration (Symbiont)
Alignment: Usually lawful evil
Initiative: +4 (Dex); Senses: all-around vision, darkvision 60 ft., true seeing, Listen +7, and Spot +11
AC: 20 (+2 size, +4 Dex, +4 natural), touch 16, flat-footed 20
Hit Dice: 2d8+2 (11 hp)
Fort +1, Ref +4, Will +3
Speed: 5 ft.
Space: 2 1/2 ft./0 ft.
Base Attack +1; Grapple -8
Attack: -
Full Attack: -
Damage: -
Special Attacks/Actions: -
Abilities: Str 9, Dex 18, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 13 (Ego: 11)
Special Qualities: natural armor bonus, preferential dodge, soul feeding, symbiont traits, uncanny dodge (Dex bonus to AC)
Feats: Alertness; Dodge
Skills: Balance +6, Escape Artist +9, Hide +17, Jump +1, Listen +7, Search +7, Spot +11, and Tumble +9
Advancement: -
Climate/Terrain: Any underground
Organization: Solitary (symbiont)
Treasure/Possessions: -
Source:
Dragon #308
All-Around Vision (Ex): A backwatcher carapace can see in all directions at once. Because of this ability, it gains a +4 racial bonus on Search and Spot checks, and it cannot be flanked. It grants these same benefits to its host.
Preferential Dodge (Ex): Whenever an opponent successfully hits the host in battle, the backwatcher carapace takes note of the specific creature that struck the blow. Thereafter, it grants the host the benefit of the Dodge feat against that opponent for the next 24 hours. A backwatcher carapace can identify and defend against up to four different opponents simultaneously. The host can extend this protection against up to four enemies so identified for an additional 24 hours as a standard action. Each time the protection is so extended, the host takes 1 point of Charisma damage per enemy specified.
True Seeing (Su): A backwatcher carapace is continuously under the influence of a true seeing effect, as the spell (divine version). It does not grant this benefit to its host.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A backwatcher carapace retains its Dexterity bonus to AC even if caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. (It still loses its Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.) It grants this same benefit to its host.
Natural Armor Bonus (Ex): A carapace symbiont increases its host's natural armor bonus by +4.
Soul Feeding (Su): A carapace symbiont survives by consuming its host's personal essence. This ongoing process deals point of Charisma damage each day the carapace symbiont remains attached. Ordinarily, the host regains lost point of Charisma each night, just before the carapace symbiont drains a new point, keeping the host at an equilibrium point of -1 to its base Charisma. Some carapace symbionts have abilities that damage additional Charisma with each use (see individual descriptions).
A carapace symbiont has no way to attach itself to an unwilling host unless that host is helpless. In general, creatures seek out a carapace symbiont to gain its benefits and voluntarily attach it to their own bodies. On occasion, illithids apply carapace symbionts to helpless creatures to test the symbiont's powers or to enhance the combat abilities of slaves.
A backwatcher carapace's extra eyes identify the host's enemies and offer aid in dodging their attacks. They also allow the host to be more aware of its surroundings.