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David Ross Contributor, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 aka MythMage |
![Trumpet Blower](http://cdn.paizo.com/image/avatar/trumpet.jpg)
Anzu CR 7
XP 3,200
CE Large magical beast
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +14
Aura whispers of false promise (30 ft., DC 19)
----- Defense -----
AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 18 (+2 Dex, +9 natural, -1 size)
hp 84 (9d10+36)
Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +7
Resist electricity 10, sonic 10
----- Offense -----
Speed 40 ft., fly 40 ft. (moderate)
Melee 2 bites +12 (1d8+4 and devour hope), 2 claws +12 (1d6+4)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks devour hope, howl of despair, rend (2 bites, 1d8+6)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; concentration +10)
At will—detect thoughts (DC 15), gust of wind (DC 15)
1/day—malicious spite (DC 17), reckless infatuation (DC 16), suggestion (DC 16)
----- Statistics -----
Str 19, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 18
Base Atk +9; CMB +14; CMD 27
Feats Ability Focus (whispers of false promise), Diehard, Endurance, Iron Will
Skills Bluff +12, Diplomacy +12, Fly +14, Perception +14, Stealth +14; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth
Languages Aklo, Common, Gnome
SQ change shape (human, alter self)
----- Ecology -----
Environment any plains
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure standard
----- Special Abilities -----
Devour Hope (Su) Whenever an anzu hits with a bite attack, it can feed on the emotional strength of its victim, gaining 5 temporary hit points and suppressing for 1 round all effects currently granting him a morale bonus unless he succeeds on a Will save (DC 17). If the victim has no such effects, the anzu does not gain hit points and the victim is instead shaken for 1 round on a failed save. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Howl of Despair (Su) As a standard action every 1d4 rounds, the anzu can give voice to an ear-splitting howl laced with pure doubt and regret. All creatures within a 30-ft. cone suffer 4d6 sonic damage and must attempt a Will save (DC 17). Those that fail the save are shaken for 1 minute. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Whispers of False Promise (Su) When any creature approaches within 30 feet of an anzu, barely-audible whispers of reckless encouragement crowd the edges of their thoughts. Those that fail a Will save (DC 19) are affected as if by delusional pride. Once a creature saves against this ability, he is immune to that anzu's whispers of false promise for 24 hours. Whenever a victim succumbs to a fear effect while suffering from this pride, the mingling of contradictory emotions renders him confused for 1 round. The save DC is Charisma-based and includes a +2 bonus from Ability Focus.
An anzu has a catlike body with striped purple scales and wings with brittle-seeming feathers that shine like melting glass. It has two eagle-like heads with violet eyes that seem to stare hungrily into one's heart.
Said to be the misbegotten spawn of Imbrex and another, bird-like Eldest, anzus are creatures of conflict and tension. These capricious beasts delight in the flesh of a mortal who has experienced an extreme range of emotions just before death, savoring the entwined taste of triumph cut short by despair, fear laced with hope, or shame mixed with pride. The longer and more intense the mixing, the richer the flavor. An anzu may collect useful and life-saving magic items, hide them in old ruins among difficult but surmountable hazards, and reveal the location to desperate mortals just when all hope seems lost. Then, once the pain and relief has been fully felt, the anzu inevitably returns in its true form to feast on the unsuspecting prey.