Mothcraft Chitin Titan

The mothfolk are magically inclined, but small in stature and, thus, freqently the target of predation from larger bandits, regional hegemons, and carnivorous species alike. When a hive-town is threatened repeatedly by external threats and cannot hope to protect itself through the usual mundane or even magical means, some may choose to cast conventional morality aside in the quest for a weapon to surpass those of their rivals. Though golemcraft might pose a solution, these darker branches of mothfolk society develop a biological solution in the form of the dreaded engineered lifeform known as a chitin titan.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Some chitin titans are 'constructed' through alchemical and arcane manipulation of an otherwise non-viable mothfolk egg. Alternatively, in rare cases, a mothfolk grub exhibiting a particular blend gigantism and certain other congenital traits can be subjected to a different alchemical and magical regiment to imbue it with the traits of a chitin titan that develop as it grows. Still others are amalgams of anatomical structures derived from mothfolk, crustaceans, and insects of prodigious size united through surgery and necromantic ritual. Whatever the case may be, each chitin titan is unique in its details but not its most definining traits: a giant-like stature, powerful musculature, diminished intellect, and latent psychic potential. All chitin titans also possess a greatly forshortened lifespan and, to compensate and reduce upkeep costs in terms of food, have the capability to hibernate until awakened by the scent of mothfolk stress hormones.

Dietary Needs and Habits

A given chitin titan may require a specialized diet, and, if it does, its hibernation cycle can also be controlled through dietary changes. Chitin titans are generally omnivorous, though they prefer meat, and are often allowed to consume fallen opponents as a means of pyschological warfare.

Behaviour

Chitin titans lack much in the way of free will or a psyche independent from that of the zeitgeist of their parent hive, but the control of a chitin titan is tenuous as a result of the creature's dim intellect, unnatural physiology, and innate propensity towards violence. Each time the creature is thrust into combat or aroused from its hibernation state, there is about a 1 in 100 chance that the creature will start attacking anything and everything within reach until it is slain or rendered unconscious once more. This chance is cumulative for every time in a given day that any of these conditions is met, as the creature lacks a focus except that granted by its psychic link to its masters. For this reason, a chitin titan is more useful for extended engagements rather than a series of shorter ones, as each new encounter with the enemy raises the risk of the abomination running rampant.

Additional Information

Domestication

Chitin titans follow the orders of their creators, their riders, and other mothfolk of their creators' hive-town in that order of priority. A chitin titan can serve as a piece of siege engineering equipment if commanded properly and is capable of wielding a ballista, repeating ballista, shovel, pick, maul, or battering ram as required by its masters. Using harnesses at the creature's back, chest, and each hip, a chitin titan can accomodate a rider and up to three passengers. In this configuration, each mothfolk provides support with crossbows or magic and can also assist in loading the chitin titan's own ranged weapon.

In-Game Statistics (3.5e)

Mothcraft Chitin Titan (CR 7)
CN Large Monstrous Humanoid (psionic)
Hit Dice: 8d8+40 (80 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 40ft ground
Armor Class: 22 (-1 size, +5 natural, +3 hide armor, +5 force screen)
Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+19
Full Attack: 2 claws (1d8+7, x2) +14 melee; ballista (3d8, 19-20/x2) +7 ranged; large heavy pick (1d8+10, x4) +14/9 melee; psi-like abilities
Space/Reach: 10ft x 10ft / 10ft
Special Attacks: Psi-like abilities
Special Qualities: Monstrous humanoid traits, darkvision 60ft, resist 10/sonic, PR 18.
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +6
Abilities: Str 24, Dex 10, Con 20, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 22
Skills: Spot +6, Intimidate +8, Climb +9
Feats: Blind Fight (b), Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Awesome Blow
Environment: Dry plains
Organization: Siege crew (1 chitin titan plus 4 mounted dromites) ; task force (1d3+2 siege crews plus 6d6 dromite foot soldiers)
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually Chaotic Neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +5

Psi-Like Abilities (Ps): 3/day - defensive precognition, empty mind, energy ray (sonic), mind thrust. 1/day - aversion, body adjustment, brain lock, energy missile (sonic), force screen. ML 8th. Save DCs are Cha-based.
Naturally Psionic (Su): The chitin titan possesses 1 power point.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Mothfolk

Conservation Status

The secret to creating a chitin titan is closely guarded, and the species is not generally capable of reproduction on its own.