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The Drow War Book Two. The Dying Of - RoseRed

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feet, the mercurius attempts to grab them and drag them<br />

into itself.<br />

Mercurius: CR 14; Large Outsider; HD 14d8+28; hp<br />

91; Init +10; Spd 60 ft.; AC 24, touch 9, flat-footed 14;<br />

Base Atk +14; Grp +29; Atk Slam +24 melee (2d4+11<br />

plus 2d6 acid); Full Atk 2 slams +24 melee (2d4+11<br />

plus 2d6 acid); SA absorb, acid, constrict, disarm,<br />

engulf, improved grab, rainbow pattern; SQ blindsense<br />

60 ft., fast healing 15, immunity to slashing and piercing<br />

damage, magic reflection; AL N; SV Fort +11, Ref +19,<br />

Will +9; Str 32, Dex 30, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 3.<br />

Skills & Feats: Hide +23, Move Silently +27; Cleave,<br />

Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved Disarm B , Mobility,<br />

Power Attack.<br />

A mercurius (plural mercurii) is a shifting, ooze-like<br />

blob made from silvery metallic fluid. Mercurii are<br />

native to planes where intelligent machines dwell,<br />

such as the Inevitables. <strong>The</strong>y digest metal and are<br />

especially attracted to magical metals, meaning that<br />

these constructs are wary of them. <strong>The</strong>y are typically<br />

trained to be guardians or hunters.<br />

Mercurii move with blinding speed; they race along<br />

vertical surfaces as easily as horizontal ones.<br />

Absorb (Su): A mercurius that snatches a magical item<br />

(other than one made from stone) can absorb it, draining<br />

its enchantment and disintegrating its substance. On<br />

each round on which the mercurius holds the item, the<br />

item is dealt 19 points of acid damage; on reaching zero<br />

hit points, it is absorbed. When a mercurius absorbs<br />

an item, it gains ten temporary hit points, irrespective<br />

of the item’s magical strength. Artefacts cannot be<br />

absorbed.<br />

Acid (Ex): <strong>The</strong> metallic blob secretes a digestive acid that<br />

dissolves organic material and metal quickly but does<br />

not affect stone. Any melee hit deals acid damage; the<br />

opponent’s armour and clothing immediately dissolve<br />

and become useless unless they succeed on Reflex<br />

saving throws (DC 19). A metal or wooden weapon<br />

that strikes a mercurius also dissolves immediately<br />

unless it succeeds on a Reflex saving throw (DC 19).<br />

<strong>The</strong> saving throw DCs are Constitution-based. <strong>The</strong><br />

mercurius’ acidic touch deals 19 points of damage per<br />

round to wooden or metal objects, but the creature must<br />

remain in contact with the object for one full round to<br />

deal this damage.<br />

Constrict (Ex): With a successful grapple check, the<br />

silver tentacle of a mercurius constricts for 2d4+11<br />

damage plus 2d6 acid damage.<br />

Disarm (Ex): Mercurii are adept at snatching objects.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y receive a +2 racial bonus to their attack rolls when<br />

making a disarm attempt.<br />

Engulf: A mercurius can dart forth swiftly and envelop<br />

a foe in its gleaming mass. It cannot make a slam attack<br />

during a round in which it engulfs. <strong>The</strong> mercurius<br />

merely has to move over the opponents, affecting as<br />

many as it can cover. Opponents can make attacks of<br />

opportunity against the mercurius but if they do so they<br />

are not entitled to saving throws. Those who do not<br />

attempt attacks of opportunity must succeed on Reflex<br />

saves (DC 28) or be engulfed; on a success, they are<br />

pushed back or aside (opponent’s choice) as the blob<br />

moves forward. Engulfed creatures are subject to<br />

the mercurius’ acid damage and are considered to be<br />

grappled and trapped within its body. <strong>The</strong> saving throw<br />

DC is Strength-based.<br />

Improved Grab: To use this ability, a mercurius must<br />

hit with its slam attack. It can then attempt to start a<br />

grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of<br />

opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes<br />

a hold and can constrict.<br />

Magic Reflection (Su): <strong>The</strong> mercurius’ gleaming form<br />

reflects all rays, lines, cones and magic missiles. <strong>The</strong>re<br />

is a 30% chance that any such spell is reflected back at<br />

the caster; otherwise it is simply negated.<br />

Rainbow Pattern (Sp): <strong>The</strong> mercurius can generate<br />

a rainbow pattern around itself at will as a standard<br />

action, as per the spell, with a Will saving throw (DC<br />

19) allowed to resist the effect. <strong>The</strong> mercurius cannot<br />

maintain the pattern and move. If it moves, the effect is<br />

broken. <strong>The</strong> save DC is Constitution-based.<br />

12. <strong>The</strong> Repository of Tomes<br />

This room contains three circular tables of white marble<br />

veined with blue, around which are chairs made from<br />

wrought iron. Against the walls stand bookcases of<br />

strange dark wood, with glass panels in the front that<br />

show the closely packed volumes within.<br />

<strong>The</strong> bookcases are made from ironwood, the most<br />

practical substance to protect the books from wet ice.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are six cases in total, each one locked (Open Lock<br />

DC 40) and trapped with a magical deterrent:<br />

Energy Drain Trap: CR 10; magic device; touch<br />

trigger; automatic reset; Atk +8 ranged touch; spell<br />

effect (energy drain, 17 th level wizard, 2d4 negative<br />

levels for 24 hours, Fortitude saving throw (DC 23)<br />

negates); Search DC 34; Disable Device DC 34.<br />

Ibon Presno Gonzalez (order #73006) 8<br />

149

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