Taer

This hulking shaggy brute has a large sloping head, icy blue eyes, and an ape-like appearance. Its body is covered in thick snow-white fur and its hands end in powerful fists.

Taer (CR 2)

Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Cold)
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +2
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet, Scent; Perception +9
Aura: stench (DC 13, 10 rounds)

Speed: 50 feet
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 17, touch 12, flat-footed 15 (+2 Dex, +5 natural)
Hit Points: 25 (3d10+9)
Saving Throws: Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +4
Immunity: cold
Weaknesses: vulnerability to fire

Offense

Melee: 2 slams +6 (1d4+3), bite +6 (1d4+3)
Reach: 5 feet
Ranged: shortspear +5 (1d6+3)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
16 (+3)	15 (+2)	15 (+2)	6 (-2)	12 (+1)	6 (-2)

Base Attack Bonus: +3
CMB +6
CMD 18

Feats: Skill Focus (Perception), Toughness

Skills: Climb +8, Perception +9, Stealth +6

Languages:

Special Abilities

NONE

Ecology

Environment: Cold Mountains
Organization: solitary, band (2-10), or clan (10-40)
Treasure: 50% standard (2 shortspears plus other treasure)


Taer are shaggy, primitive, naked humanoids that may be related to the yeti. They resemble prehistoric humans but are more bestial and apelike. Their fur is coated with an oily, fatty substance excreted through the pores, which protects them from cold. Taer can see clearly even in heavy snowstorms due to a second transparent eyelid that protects the eye from blowing winds and heavy snow. Taer never wear clothing, although they do sometimes wear necklaces and bracelets of tooth and horn. Taer do not have a formal language as such; they communicate with one another through grunts, hooting, and yelling, as well as a body language similar to that of apes. Taer attack with their fists and bite, but occasionally use stone spears in combat. They are fierce creatures and very territorial, attacking any living creature that wanders into the area. Taer use their knowledge of the land to their advantage during combat by creating avalanches, burrowing under snow and attacking from surprise, and using snow-covered pits to trap their prey. They prefer to drive intruders off rather than kill them.

Taer Society

Taers are nomadic creatures that band together in clans for protection, hunting, and social reasons. During the day, adults hunt for food, which consists of fruits, berries, nuts, insects, and game (goat, sheep, rodents, and the like). Though they do eat meat, taer do not hunt or eat humans or humanoids. Taer are extremely superstitious and fear metal and clothing and those that use and wear them. No taer ever wields or wears items of cloth or metal. Taer clans worship a snow-god to whom they offer sacrifices for protection and guidance. Each clan has a large stone idol of this snow god that is often located in the very heart of the clan or near the clan leader's cave.

Taer Characters

Taer characters possess the following racial traits. +6 Strength, +4 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, -4 Intelligence, +2 Wisdom, -4 Charisma. Cold Subtype: This grants taer immunity to cold and vulnerability to fire. Darkvision: Taer can see in the dark out to a range of 60 ft. Aura: Stench (see above). Racial Hit Dice: A taer begins with three levels of monstrous humanoid, which provide 3d10 Hit Dice, a base attack bonus of +3, and base saving throw bonuses of Fort +1, Ref +3, and Will +3. Racial Skills: A taer's monstrous humanoid levels give it skill points equal to 3 x (4 + Int modifier). Racial Feats: A taer's monstrous humanoid levels give it two feats. AC: +5 natural armor bonus. Speed: Taer have a base land speed of 50 ft. Natural Weapons: Taer can fight with 2 slam attacks that deal base 1d4 damage, as well as a bite attack that deals a base 1d4 damage. They are naturally proficient with clubs, shortspears, and spears. Languages: Taer begin play knowing only their own primitive vocalizations and gestures that pass for a language. Taer with an intelligence of at least 10 also begin knowing Common. Bonus languages for taer are Draconic, Giant, Goblin, and Orc.

Credit

The Taer originally appeared in the First Edition Monster Manual II (© TSR/Wizards of the Coast, 1983) and is used by permission.

Copyright Notice

Author Scott Greene, based on original material by Gary Gygax.