Formian Taskmaster

This centaurlike creature is equipped with an ant's mandibles and antennae.

Formian Taskmaster (CR 7)

Medium Monstrous Humanoid
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Initiative: +2 (+6 with hive mind)
Senses: Blindsight 30 feet, Darkvision 60 feet, hive mind; Perception +16 (+20 with hive mind)

Speed: 40 feet
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+2 Dex, +8 natural)
Hit Points: 85 (10d10+30)
Saving Throws: Fort +6, Ref +9, Will +10
Energy Resistance: sonic 10

Offense

Melee: sting +13 (1d4+3 plus poison), 2 claws +13 (1d4+3)
Reach: 5 feet
Ranged: dart +12/+7 (1d4+3)

Special Attacks: poison

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th; Concentration +14):

• 3/day- Detect Thoughts (DC 16), Sending (to the hive queen only)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
17 (+3)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)	13 (+1)	16 (+3)	19 (+4)

Base Attack Bonus: +10
CMB +13
CMD 26 (30 vs. Trip)

Feats: Combat Casting, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Rapid Shot, Spell Focus (enchantment)

Skills: Appraise +6, Bluff +9, Climb +11, Craft (armor) +9, Diplomacy +14, Perception +16 (+20 with hive mind), Sense Motive +8, Spellcraft +6

Languages: Common; telepathy 120 ft.

Special Qualities: formian traits, mental motivator (20 rounds/day)

Special Abilities

Mental Motivator (Su)

A formian taskmaster can inspire competence or inspire courage as a 7th-level bard (typically 20 rounds/day). The taskmaster's performance is purely mental and only affects formians from its own hive within telepathic range.

Poison (Ex)

Sting-injury; save Fort DC 18; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d4 Dexterity; cure 2 consecutive saves.

Spells

A formian taskmaster casts spells as a 7th-level bard. It favors enchantment and illusion spells.

Ecology

Environment: Warm or Temperate Land or Underground
Organization: solitary, work crew (1 plus 6-12 workers), band (1 plus 3-15 workers and 5-8 warriors), embassy (2-6)
Treasure: standard (10 darts, other treasure)


Formian taskmasters are merchants, traders, diplomats, and spies, and particularly talented taskmasters may even advise the queen. Taskmasters can often be found outside the hive engaging in commerce or routine diplomatic missions.

While traveling, a taskmaster is usually accompanied by 3-5 workers and at least 5 warriors. When dealing with other creatures, formians recognize that their telepathy can be off-putting and use normal speech, although their mandibles are not well suited for the task and their voices are often hoarse and difficult to understand.

Like myrmarchs, taskmasters are highly competitive and take great pride in their successes. Notable accomplishments are carved into their carapaces and highlighted with the use of bright inks, precious metals, or gems.

Formian society is largely free of the crime that is common in other humanoid societies, but formians do have occasional duels within a caste. Two taskmasters might have a duel over promotions, a trade route, or an insult. These duels are rarely lethal for fear of weakening the hive, and taskmasters who are too aggressive attract the wrong kind of attention from the myrmarchs.

Dueling victories are often recorded on taskmasters' carapaces alongside their other major accomplishments.