Refractor, Pharaoh
by Jamie BatyHWR2 20
Diminutive Monstrous Humanoid
Hit Dice: (4d8+8) + (5d4+10) (48 hp)
Initiative: -5 (-5 Dex)
Speed: 0 ft. (doesn't move)
Armour Class: 11 (+4 size, -5 Dex, +2 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/-8
Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d4 -2)
Full Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d4 -2) or by weapon +8/+3
Space/Reach: 1 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks: -
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60ft., Spells
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +11
Abilities: Str 7, Dex 0, Con 15, Int 18, Wis 18, Cha 14
Skills: Concentration +12, Decipher Script +10, Diplomacy +8, Hide +17, Knowledge (arcana) +15, Knowledge (engineering) +7, Knowledge (geography) +7, Knowledge (nature) +7, Knowledge (nobility) +7, Knowledge (religion) +7, Listen +6, Sense Motive +9, Spellcraft +10, Spot +6, Survival +6
Feats: Empower Spell, Endurance, Eschew Materials, Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus, Spell Penetration
Environment: Warm deserts
Organisation: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: Triple Standard
Alignment: Usually lawful neutral
Advancement: by character class
Level Adjustment: -
The Pharaoh is a comparatively immense creature, surrounded by warriors and young, her abdomen distended with thousands of young waiting to be born.
Lording over all in refractor society is the Pharaoh. Like the queen in an ant's colony, she is the colony. Her entire life is spent in childbirth, but it is also spent dealing with the affairs of her nation. The Pharaoh is also the most powerful magic-wielder in the colony, whether arcane or divine. Unlike ants, however, refractor Pharaohs and colonies are able to form alliances and work together. In recent days, the refractors have begun to patrol the surface, making passage near the ruins the house their colonies a very dangerous proposition.
The Pharaoh of the colony must be a female drawn from the ranks of the nobles. Once invested as Pharaoh, her body goes through a huge change in order to give birth to the thousands of young needed to keep the colony healthy.
Combat
The Pharaoh usually does not attack enemies unless her life and that the colony is directly threatened. If in dire straits, she will attack with spells or ranged attacks. Her guards will block any attempt to attack her in melee, and will fight to the death to protect her. In addition, the colony as a whole will attack anyone that threatens the Pharaoh, not stopping until they are dead. The Pharaoh is proficient with simple weapons, and also may bite- but if the Pharaoh is reduced to biting or melee attacks, it usually means the colony has already met its end.
Spells (Sp): The Pharaoh can cast spells as a 9th level wizard (4 levels from its HD, 5 from class levels). She can cast 4/4/4/3/2/1 arcane spells as a wizard per day. The Pharaoh must choose and prepare her spells ahead of time.
DM Notes
This particular Pharaoh has wizard levels, but it is also possible for the Pharaoh to have cleric levels. Refractor Pharaohs that possess cleric levels may choose two of the following domains: Community, Fire, Knowledge, Law, Magic, and Protection. More powerful Refractor Pharaohs (ie. higher character levels) have been known in history as well.