View source for SRD:Neh-Thalggu

{{OGL Top}}
=NEH-THALGGU (BRAIN COLLECTOR)=

{{3.5e Monster Classic
|style=
|creature=
|size=Huge|type=Aberration |subtypes=Extraplanar, Incorporeal
|hd=32d8+192  |hp=336 
|init=+12 (+4 [[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]], +8 [[SRD:Superior Initiative|Superior Initiative]])  
|speed=60 ft. or via ''[[SRD:Dimension Door|dimension door]]''  
|ac=35 (–2 size, +4 [[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]], +3 deflection, +20 insight)   |touch=35  |flat=11 
|bab=+24 |grapple=–
|at=Bite +26 (4d10 + 12 plus [[SRD:Poison|poison]]) melee
|full_at=Bite +26 (4d10 + 12 plus [[SRD:Poison|poison]] ) melee, 10 head-tentacles +21 (2d10 plus [[SRD:Ability Score Loss#Ability Drain|ability drain]] ) melee [[SRD:Touch Attack|touch attack]]
|space=15 ft. |reach=10 ft.  
|sa=Extract brains ([[SRD:Ranged Attack|ranged attack]]), [[SRD:Poison|poison]], [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]]  
|sq=''Dimensional travel,'' DR 10/epic, [[SRD:Incorporeal|incorporeal]] traits, amorphous physiology, manifest maw, SR 30, [[SRD:Darkvision|darkvision]] 60 ft.
|fort=+16|ref=+14|will=+23  
|str=–|dex=19|con=22 |int=20|wis=20|cha=17  
|skills=[[SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration]] +41, [[SRD:Hide Skill|Hide]] +39, [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (arcana, the planes) +40, [[SRD:Move Silently Skill|Move Silently]] +39, [[SRD:Search Skill|Search]] +40, [[SRD:Spellcraft Skill|Spellcraft]] +40
|feats=[[SRD:Blind-Fight|Blind Fight]], [[SRD:Combat Reflexes|Combat Reflexes]], [[SRD:Dodge|Dodge]], [[SRD:Eschew Materials|Eschew Materials]], [[SRD:Combat Expertise|Expertise]], [[SRD:Improved Initiative|Improved Initiative]], [[SRD:Maximize Spell|Maximize Spell]], [[SRD:Mobility|Mobility]], [[SRD:Power Attack|Power Attack]], [[SRD:Spring Attack|Spring Attack]]  
|Epic feats=[[SRD:Superior Initiative|Superior Initiative]]  
|env=Any  
|org=Solitary
|cr=26  
|treas=Triple standard  
|align=Usually [[SRD:Chaotic Neutral|chaotic neutral]], [[SRD:Neutral Evil|neutral evil]], or [[SRD:Chaotic Evil|chaotic evil]]  
|adv=33–66 [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]] (Gargantuan); 67–112 [[SRD:Hit Dice|HD]] (Colossal)  
}}
A creature whose brain has been harvested by a brain collector cannot be raised, [[SRD:Reincarnate|reincarnate]]d, or resurrected while the brain is in the creature, because the collector preserves and draws upon the soul and basic personality of the creature for as long as it retains the brain. Neh-thalggus’ own [[SRD:Speak Language Skill|language]] is a silent sign [[SRD:Speak Language Skill|language]] “spoken” with their writhing head-tentacles. They can also communicate telepathically with any creature that has a [[SRD:Speak Language Skill|language]] within 100 feet.  

A neh-thalggu’s [[SRD:Natural Weapons|natural weapons]] are treated as epic for the purpose of overcoming [[SRD:Damage Reduction|damage reduction]].

===Combat===

'''[[SRD:Poison|Poison]] ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):''' A neh-thalggu’s bite injects a debilitating [[SRD:Poison|poison]] ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 32) that Damages the victim’s [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]]. He or she loses half his or her current [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]] immediately on a failed save and must save again 1 minute later or lose half of his or her remaining [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]]. If the character survives, he or she heals the [[SRD:Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss#Energy Drain (Su)|Energy Drain]][[SRD:Ability Score Loss#Ability Damage|Ability Damage]] at the normal rate (1 point per day). The save [[SRD:DC|DC]] is [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]]-based.

'''Head-Tentacles ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):''' The long, whiplike tentacles that frame either side of a brain collector’s face can deliver a dangerous [[SRD:Touch Attack|touch attack]] that, if successful, causes the target to dehydrate and wither (2d10 points of desiccation Damage). In addition, each successful tentacle attack drains 1 point of [[SRD:Strength|Strength]], 1 point of [[SRD:Dexterity|Dexterity]], and 1 point of [[SRD:Constitution|Constitution]]. This is permanent [[SRD:Ability Score Loss#Ability Drain|ability drain]] and may only be reversed by [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]] such as ''[[SRD:Restoration|restoration]]'' and ''greater restoratio''n. It can bring all ten tentacles to bear on a single target facing it or divide its attacks against up to ten targets that it threatens.  

'''''Extract Brains'' ([[SRD:Sp|Sp]]):''' Once every 1d4 rounds, as a [[SRD:Full-Round Actions|full-round action]], a brain collector can extract the brain from a target creature in line of sight. This attack is psionic in nature and can be blocked by a ''[[SRD:Dimensional Anchor|dimensional anchor]]'' currently in force on the target. The target gets a [[SRD:Saving Throw|Will save]] ([[SRD:DC|DC]] 31) to resist the extraction. The save [[SRD:DC|DC]] is [[SRD:Intelligence|Intelligence]]-based. If the save fails, his or her brain is drawn out intact through the skull by extradimensional means and sucked up by the brain collector, lodging in an unused storage sac above and behind its eyes. If the save succeeds, he or she takes 9d6 points of Damage and is [[SRD:Stunned|stunned]] for 1d4+1 rounds. A brain collector prefers to absorb brains of high-level arcane spellcasters but is fully capable of extracting those of other foes as a highly effective attack. When encountered, assume a neh-thalggu has a full retinue of thirteen stolen brains. Each brain less than the full thirteen bestows one [[SRD:Energy Drain, Negative Levels, and Level Loss#Energy Drain (Su)|Energy Drain]] on the neh-thalggu (though these never convert to actual level loss), which is a powerful incentive for the creature to always keep its brain-sacs filled. A neh-thalggu is free to draw on all the [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] skills of each brain it currently stores, using the base ranks in a skill possessed by each brain, and adjusted by the neh-thalggu’s own skill modifiers for the [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] skill in question (or its [[SRD:Intelligence|Intelligence]] modifier, for a skill it has no ranks in).  

'''''Dimensional Travel'' ([[SRD:Sp|Sp]]):''' A brain collector’s preferred method of locomotion is via ''[[SRD:Dimension Door|dimension door]],'' which it can do as a quickened action, once per [[SRD:Round|round]]. It can also use ''[[SRD:Teleport|teleport]] without error'' or ''[[SRD:Plane Shift|plane shift]]'' at will as a move-equivalent action.

'''[[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|Spells]] ([[SRD:Sp|Sp]]):''' A fully grown brain collector can cast arcane [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Spells|spells]] as a 13th-level [[SRD:Sorcerer|sorcerer]] (one level of spell-casting ability per brain).

'''[[SRD:Incorporeal|Incorporeal]]:''' A neh-thalggu is not wholly in our reality but always remains partially extradimensional. Thus it can be harmed only by other [[SRD:Incorporeal|incorporeal]] creatures, +1 or better weapons, magic, or [[SRD:Creature Spells and Powers#Powers|psionics]], with a 50% chance to ignore any Damage from a corporeal source. It can pass through solid objects at will, and its own attacks pass through armor (except for its bite attack, which is treated as if a corporeal attack). It always moves silently unless it chooses otherwise.  

'''Amorphous Physiology ([[SRD:Ex|Ex]]):''' A brain collector does not have fixed organs. As such, it is immune to [[SRD:Critical Hit|critical hits]], death from massive Damage, sneak attacks, and coup de grace.  

'''Manifest Maw:''' Though it is an [[SRD:Incorporeal|incorporeal]] creature, a neh-thalggu can manifest its mouth in corporeal form as a [[SRD:Standard Actions|standard action]]. While so manifested, the mouth can deliver bite attacks against corporeal creatures or pick up objects. The mouth bites as if it had str=35.  

'''[[SRD:Feats|Feats]]:''' A neh-thalggu gains [[SRD:Power Attack|Power Attack]] as a bonus [[SRD:Feats|feat]], even though it has no [[SRD:Strength|Strength]] score.  


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{{SRD Creature Breadcrumb}}
{{OGL Bottom|part of the Revised (v.3.5) System Reference Document|SRD}}
[[Category:SRD]]
[[Category:OGL]]
[[Category:Epic Monster|{{BASEPAGENAME}}]]
Alignment	Usually chaotic neutral, neutral evil, or chaotic evil +
Challenge Rating	26 +
Environment	Any +
Level Adjustment	— +
Size	Huge +
Subtype	Extraplanar + and Incorporeal +
Title	Neh-Thalggu +
Type	Aberration +