Skitterhaunt
Creating a Skitterhaunt
"Skitterhaunt" is a template that can be added to any vermin (referred to hereafter as the "base creature"). Vermin with this template become oozes.
A skitterhaunt uses all the base creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Hit Dice: Change to d10. A skitterhaunt also gains bonus hit points for its size as if it were an ooze.
Speed: Reduce by 10; if this reduces a speed type to 0 or less, the skitterhaunt cannot use that movement type.
AC: The base creature's natural armor bonus becomes an armor bonus for the skitterhaunt, as if the creature were actually wearing armor made from its host's exoskeleton. The reduction of the base vermin's Dexterity score reduces the skitterhaunt's AC by 2 points.
Attacks: As base creature.
Damage: The skitterhaunt deals an additional 1d6 points of acid damage on a successful hit.
Special Attacks: The skitterhaunt loses any special attacks that require the manufacturing of a substance from the base creature's body. This includes poison, acid, and webs. Special attacks like improved grab and squeeze are unaffected. In addition, the skitterhaunt gains the following additional special attacks.
Acid Spray (Ex): Once every minute, the skitterhaunt can spray a line of acid out from any cracks or openings in its chitinous armor. The skitterhaunt makes a ranged touch attack against a target within 120 feet. If it hits, the target takes as many d6 of acid damage as the skitterhaunt has HD. For example, a 4-HD giant wasp skitterhaunt would inflict 4d6 points of acid damage with its acid spray.
Infest Vermin (Ex): If a skitterhaunt damages a living vermin, it can attempt to infest the vermin. This is a free action for the skitterhaunt, although it can attempt it only once per round. The damaged vermin must make a Fortitude saving throw (DC 10 + half the skitterhaunt's HD + its Constitution modifier) to avoid becoming infested. An infested vermin takes 1d8 points of temporary Strength damage per day. Once its Strength score reaches 0, the vermin dies and the skitterhaunt begins to ooze from its previous shell into the new host's exoskeleton, replacing the creature's internal organs with its own body. This process rebuilds the host creature's lost Strength slowly, at the rate of 1 point per day. During this time, the skitterhaunt is helpless and immobile. When the host creature's Strength returns to its previous value, the skitterhaunt has completely taken over the new vermin's body. It then awakens, fully mobile, and begins to seek out new vermin to infest.
Special Qualities: The skitterhaunt loses all the special qualities granted for being a vermin, but gains all those granted for being an ooze. In addition, the skitterhaunt gains the following special qualities.
Blindsight (Ex): A skitterhaunt's entire body is a primitive sensory organ. This enables it to discern objects and creatures within 40 feet. The skitterhaunt usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to notice creatures within range of its blindsight. A silence spell negates this ability and forces the skitterhaunt to rely on its vision (which is as good as a human's).
Sonic Immunity (Ex): Skitterhaunts are immune to sonic damage and effects.
Ooze Traits: A skitterhaunt is immune to mind-affecting effects, poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, and polymorphing. It is not subject to critical hits or flanking.
Saves: Same as the base creature, modified for new ability scores.
Abilities: A skitterhaunt's Dexterity gains a -4 penalty but its Constitution gains a +4 bonus. The skitterhaunt's Wisdom and Charisma scores both drop to 1. A skitterhaunt is an ooze, and as such it does not have an Intelligence score.
Skills: A skitterhaunt loses all the skills it had as a vermin and gains no new ones.
Feats: A skitterhaunt loses any feats it had as a vermin and gains no new ones.
Climate/Terrain: Any underground.
Organization: Solitary.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature +1.
Alignment: Always neutral.
Treasure: None.
Advancement: Same as the base creature.
Sample Skitterhaunt:Skitterhaunt Spider.