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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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PFS StandardFive-Color Orchid Mantis

Orchid mantises naturally live short lives that don't offer a great deal of time to gather spiritual energy. However, a mantis in a rich enough environment can extend their life span and grow to understand the elements. These creatures become five-color orchid mantises and, despite their violent attitudes, are thought to be especially sacred to Qi Zhong. As such, these dangerous mantises are often avoided or placated while gathering herbs rather than driven off.

Recall Knowledge - Beast (Arcana, Nature): DC 28
Unspecific Lore: DC 26
Specific Lore: DC 23

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Changes from being Elite are marked in red below.
NOTE: The +2 damage bonus to non-strike offensive abilities (+4 if the ability is limited, such as spells) is NOT factored in.

Elite Five-Color Orchid MantisCreature 10

Uncommon Medium Beast 
Source Tian Xia World Guide pg. 293
Perception +20; darkvision
Skills Acrobatics +21, Athletics +21, Stealth +23, Survival +20
Str +4, Dex +6, Con +4, Int -3, Wis +3, Cha -4
Floral Camouflage When Hiding, the five-color orchid mantis is concealed by any amount of leaves or petals, even if they aren't thick enough to make other creatures concealed.
AC 29; Fort +21, Ref +23, Will +18
HP 157
Elemental Expulsion [reaction] Requirements The mantis has an elemental trait from Color Shift Trigger It's damaged by a weapon Strike; Effect Elemental energy pushes back against the blow, giving the attacker a –2 status penalty to attack rolls until the beginning of its next turn. If the weapon contains material that matches the mantis's trait (such as earth for a thrown rock or fire for a lit torch), the mantis gains resistance 10 to all damage from this Strike.
Speed 50 feet, climb 25 feet, fly 25 feet
Melee [one-action] mandibles +23 [+18/+13] (finesse), Damage 3d10+2+7 piercingMelee [one-action] leg +23 [+19/+15] (agile, finesse), Damage 3d8+2+7 piercingColor Shift [one-action] Frequency once per round; Effect The mantis attunes itself to one of five elements, changing color accordingly (yellow for earth, red for fire, white for metal, black for water, or green for wood). It gains that trait and a +2 status bonus to saving throws against effects with that trait until the beginning of its next turn. If the mantis uses Color Shift on its next turn, it must choose a different color.Harvesting Limbs [two-actions] The mantis makes two leg attacks. If both attacks hit, the mantis gains 10 temporary Hit Points, and the target must succeed at a DC 29 Fortitude saving throw or become drained 1 (drained 2 on a critical failure). The drained condition ends when the mantis is reduced to 0 Hit Points.Sudden Strike On the first round of combat, creatures that haven't acted are off-guard to the mantis.

All Monsters in "Orchid Mantis"

NameLevel
Five-Color Orchid Mantis9
Giant Orchid Mantis2
Orchid Mantis Swarm6

Orchid Mantis

Source Tian Xia World Guide pg. 292
Few creatures appear as beautiful as the orchid mantises. Their elegant form and coloration resemble flowers, and many people adopt the delicate creatures as short-lived pets. While these mundane insects aren't dangerous to humanoids, they can still bring down prey several times their own size. Unfolding from their flowery pose, orchid mantises lash out with blinding speed, even chasing foraging butterflies with their sharp-toothed arms and powerful bite.

Animal Masters

While many sapient beings like to put themselves above the animal kingdom, the gap can be closer than many realize and catch the arrogant off guard. Tian stories abound with tales of masters learning mystic or martial arts from animals, though many scholars dismiss these creatures as powerful beings simply taking animal form. The five-color mantis is a strong counterargument to the latter claims, as are animals who undergo the transformation into yaoguai. Rarer tales speak of mimic birds who cast spells that they overhear or larvae that cocoon themselves into artifact shells and pupate into living weapons.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Colorful Companions

Orchid mantises are common choices for familiars, even beyond their natural range. At the GM's discretion, such familiars can take the plant form familiar ability, despite not being plants themselves, to represent and enhance their exceptional camouflage.

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Elemental Blossoms

Undisturbed forests, forgotten valleys, and medicinal gardens hide plants that carry elemental or magical essences. Hiding among these flowers, mantises grow stronger with the rich environment, preying on the other fabulous creatures living among the blossoms, such as apothecary bees