Vilstrak

This creature is a bipedal man-sized semi-humanoid seemingly carved of stone. It has an insect-like head, long, large arms, and thick, trunklike legs that end in hoof-like feet.

Vilstrak (CR 1/2)

Medium Aberration
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Initiative: +0
Senses: Darkvision 60 feet; Perception +7

Speed: 30 feet
Space: 5 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 18, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+8 natural)
Hit Points: 5 (1d8+1)
Saving Throws: Fort +1, Ref +0, Will +2

Offense

Melee: 2 slams +2 (1d4+2)
Reach: 5 feet

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
15 (+2)	11 (+0)	13 (+1)	6 (-2)	10 (+0)	8 (-1)

Base Attack Bonus: +0
CMB +2
CMD 12

Feats: Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills: Perception +7, Stealth +4 (+12 in rocky surroundings)

• Racial Modifiers: +8 Stealth in rocky surroundings

Languages: Terran

Special Qualities: merge with earth

Special Abilities

Merge with Earth (Su)

A vilstrak can merge with earth or stone at will as a standard action. This ability is similar to a meld with stone spell (CL 12th), except that a vilstrak can see what goes on outside and it can remain merged as long as it desires.

Ecology

Environment: Any Underground
Organization: gang (2-5) or band (6-20)
Treasure: standard


Vilstraks (or tunnel thugs) dwell underground, away from the surface world. Though they have no allergy or reaction to sunlight, they disdain its existence, preferring the cold, damp blackness of their underground world. A vilstrak's lair is a \"pocket\" formed deep inside the earth. These pockets have no exits or entrances and are only reachable by those who can pass through stone or earth.

A typical vilstrak stands six feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds. Its arms have an extra joint between the elbow and wrist, and its arms end in large, powerful fists of stone. Vilstraks are gray or brown.

Vilstraks are peaceful creatures that avoid combat if possible. They do take great joy and pride in robbing those that invade their territory. A favored tactic of the vilstrak is to hide inside the wall of a dungeon corridor and spring out when prey passes nearby.

Credit The Vilstrak 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.