Hsiao
by John Walter BilesThis race of intelligent owl priests serve the Immortals of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire, but not the Immortals of Entropy. They dwell in the forests, resembling giant owls with golden eyes, working with other fae and woodland creatures to defend the forests from destruction and to aid servants of their Immortal masters. The bulk of the population (75%) are Hsiao Scholars; Loremasters are less common.
Hsiao Scholar, Level 6 Controller (Leader)
Medium fae beast (owl) XP 250
Initiative +6 Senses Perception +12; low-light vision
HP 72; Bloodied 36
AC 20; Fortitude 18, Reflex 18, Will 19
Speed 4; Fly 10
m Claw (standard; at-will)
+12 vs. AC; 1d8 +4
M Holy Strike (standard; at-will)
Ranged 10; +11 vs. Reflex; 1d6 +4 radiant damage and an ally of the Hsiao gains +2 to hit the target until the end of his next turn
Command (standard; refresh 5-6)
Ranged 10; +11 vs. Will; target is dazed and he slides the target up to 4 squares or can render him prone.
Healing Word (minor; 2/encounter)
Close Burst 5; A single target may spend a healing surge, adding +2d6 to the total healed.
Rituals
Hsiao can cast rituals and know them without needing a book; they can use scrolls. Most know Animal Messenger, Gentle Repose, Traveller’s Feast, Commune with Nature, Cure Disease and Discern Lies
Alignment Good or Lawful Good Languages Common, Elven, Supernal
Skills Heal +11, Nature +11, Religion +9
Str 14 (+5) Dex 16 (+6) Wis 19 (+7)
Con 16 (+6) Int 15 (+5) Cha 17 (+6)
Lesser Hsiao are the most common kind; they work with actaeons and other leaders of the fae and forest creatures to defend the woodlands from marauders. Many serve the Immortal Zirchev.
Hsiao Loremaster, Level 14 Controller (Leader)
Medium fae beast (owl) XP 1000
Initiative +6 Senses Perception +12; low-light vision
HP 72; Bloodied 36
AC 20; Fortitude 18, Reflex 18, Will 19
Speed 4; Fly 10
m Claw (standard; at-will)
+18 vs. AC; 1d8 +4
M Holy Strike (standard; at-will)
Ranged 10; +18 vs. Reflex; 1d6 +4 radiant damage and an ally of the Hsiao gains +2 to hit the target until the end of his next turn
Searing Light (standard; Refresh 5-6)
Ranged 10; +18 vs. Reflex; 1d10+4 Radiant Damage and the target is blinded (save ends)
Astral Defenders (standard; Encounter) | Conjuration, Divine, Radiant
Ranged 10; The Hsiao summons two spectral Actaeon, each occupying a 2x2 square area. They can appear in any squares within range. They can be moved up to 3 squares with a move action. (One move action moves one Astral Defender). Nothing can move through the squares they occupy and they can provide flanking. They do not make normal attacks, but do get Opportunity attacks as if they were alive; their OAs are made at +18 vs. Reflex, inflicting 1d10+6 Radiant Damage. They last until the end of the encounter.
Mantle Of Glory (standard; Encounter)
Close Blast 5; +18 vs. Will; 2d10+6 damage; all allies in the area of effect may spend a healing surge.
Healing Word (minor; 3/encounter)
Close Burst 5; A single target may spend a healing surge, adding +3d6 to the total healed.
Rituals
Hsiao can cast rituals and know them without needing a book; they can use scrolls. Most Greater Hsiao know Animal Messenger, Gentle Repose, Traveller’s Feast, Commune with Nature, Cure Disease, Discern Lies, Raise Dead, Remove Affliction, Consult Mystic Sages, Eye of Warning
Alignment Good or Lawful Good Languages Common, Elven, Supernal
Skills Diplomacy +17, Heal +18, Insight +18, Nature +18, Religion +16
Str 18 (+11) Dex 20 (+12) Wis 23 (+13)
Con 20 (+12) Int 19 (+11) Cha 21 (+12)
Great Hsiao are rare; a handful are even more potent than this. They coordinate a flock of subordinate lesser Hsiao and work to neutralise the worst threats to the forest.