Monsters of Hyerune

Ba'alzegroth, Lord of Scales (CR 14 )
CE Huge Magical Beast
Init: +5; Senses: darkvision 60 ft, low-light vision, scent, Listen +9, Spot +9
Languages: Common, Draconic, Telepathic

AC 20, touch 13, flat-footed 15
(-2 size, +5 Dex, +7 natural)
HD 12d10 + 36 (108 hp)
Immune poison
Fort +8 Ref +10 Will +6

Speed 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Melee Bite +19 (2d6+10 plus poison)
Space 15 ft; Reach 10 ft.
Base Atk +12; Grp +20
Atk Options Constrict, improved grab, poison (DC 16, 1d6 Con/ 1d6 Con), Power Attack
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 12th): At will- charm animal, darkness, speak with animals. Once/day- cure moderate wounds, dominate animal, greater magic fang (DC 13 + spell level)

Abilities Str 24, Dex 20, Con 16, Int 17, Wis 13, Cha 11
SQ Spell-like abilities, scent, telepathy
Feats Dodge, Mobility, Power Attack
Skills Balance +14, Climb +15, Knowledge (nature) +7, Listen +9, Move Silently +11, Spot +9, Survival +6
Environment: Tropical jungle
Organization: Solitary, unique
Treasure Standard
Advancement: None
Level Adjustment -

Deep in the heart of the oppressive Dark Jungle, on the peninsula east of the Basalt Hills, local legends tell of an enormous coiled serpent that dwells in an ancient temple pogoda. The Yuan-ti population of that region claim that this creature is a living avatar of their deity Jhorgrund, the World Serpent.

The claim of Ba'alzegroth's divine origin is highly doubted by the sages of Anubia but the Yuan-ti pay homage to the Lord of Scales in any case. Ba'alzegroth is a monstrous serpent similar in appearance to a hooded king cobra but at a length of over 30 feet. It has dark green scales with patches of mottled black and brown. Its hood, when unfurled, is lighter in color and he has horrible fangs roughly 6 inches in length with which he can deliver a painful bite.

It spends much of its day in slumber waking only on occasion to feed. The Yuan-ti will often bring the creature live sacrificial offerings but the snake is said to possess the ability to control the animals of the jungle. If it needs to, Ba'alzegroth can command an animal within range to come to it where the snake can feed on the hapless creature. The Lord of Scales is believed to be intelligent with the power to communicate to others telepathically.

Combat
Ba'alzegroth will begin a battle by calling any animals in the area to fight for him. He will then attempt to gain hold of an enemy in order to use its constriction. If the battle is going against him, he will attempt to escape using darkness to cover his tracks.

Constrict (Ex): When Ba'alzegroth makes a successful grapple check, he can constrict a grappled opponent, dealing 1d8+10 points of bludgeoning damage.

Poison (Ex): Ba'alzegroth's bite delivers a poison with each successful attack. (Fort save DC 16). The initial damage is 1d6 Constitution and the secondary damage is 1d6 Constitution.

Improved Grab (Ex): If Ba'alzegroth hits an opponent at least one size category smaller than itself with a bite attack, it deals normal damage and attempts to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity (grapple bonus + 20). If it gets a hold, it can also constrict in the same round. Thereafter, it has the option to continue a normal grapple, or simply use its jaws to hold the opponent (-20 penalty on grapple check but it is noe considered grappled). In either case, each successful grapple check it makes during successive rounds automatically deals bite and constriction damage.

Telepathy (Su): Ba'alzegroth may communicate telepathically with any intelligent creature with a language as long as that creature is within a 60 foot radius.