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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

Pathfinder RPG (1st Edition) Pathfinder RPG (2nd Edition) Starfinder RPG

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Sanzuwu

Those who feast on the sun are said to carry its power within them. Sanzuwus are small crows with red plumage and dark throats. According to legend, they stole their burning power from the sun and now fly across the sky as blinding streaks of fire. When they land on the earth, it ignites around them, causing unbound destruction. A handful of people worship these radiant birds and inscribe their three-legged visage on coins, items, and weapons.

Recall Knowledge - Beast (Arcana, Nature): DC 36
Unspecific Lore: DC 34
Specific Lore: DC 31

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 SanzuwuCreature 16

Legacy Content

Uncommon N Tiny Beast Fire 
Source Pathfinder #168: King of the Mountain pg. 85
Perception +28; greater darkvision
Languages Common; telepathy 100 feet
Skills Acrobatics +32, Athletics +29, Diplomacy +27
Str +4, Dex +8, Con +6, Int +4, Wis +5, Cha +4
AC 38; Fort +28, Ref +31, Will +25
HP 315; Immunities fire, light; Weaknesses cold 15
Golden Sun (abjuration, aura, primal) 10 feet. A golden aura envelopes the sanzuwu, protecting them from weak magic. Any non-cold spells of 3rd level or lower burn away and are ineffective. A sanzuwu can deactivate or activate the golden aura as a free action with the concentrate trait.Scorching Gaze [reaction] (evocation, fire, primal) Trigger A creature within 30 feet targets the sanzuwu or one of their allies with a weapon attack; Effect The sanzuwu focuses their gaze on the triggering creature's weapon, heating it to a burning temperature for an instant. The creature takes 4d8 fire damage unless the creature Releases the weapon as a free action.
Speed 25 feet, fly 60 feet
Melee [one-action] beak +32 [+27/+22] (finesse, fire, magical), Damage 3d6+2+14 piercing plus 3d6+2 fireMelee [one-action] talon +32 [+28/+24] (agile, finesse, fire, magical), Damage 3d4+2+14 piercing plus 3d6 fireFiery Transformation [two-actions] (concentrate, fire, polymorph, primal, transmutation) The sanzuwu transforms into an enormous bird made of flame. As the sanzuwu begins their transformation, creatures within a 10-foot emanation take 6d8 fire damage (DC 35 basic Reflex save). While in their flame form, the sanzuwu gains the effects of 4th-level enlarge. They can use Fiery Transformation again to revert back to their standard form.Radiant Blast [two-actions] (evocation, fire, primal) The sanzuwu opens their mouth to produce a bead of burning energy, hurling it a point within 200 feet. The bead detonates, dealing 7d8 fire damage and 4d10 sonic damage to all creatures in a 30-foot burst (DC 35 basic Reflex save). Creatures that critically fail become blinded for 1 round. The sanzuwu can't use Radiant Blast again for 1d4 rounds.Scorch Earth [two-actions] Requirements The sanzuwu is standing on the ground; Effect The sanzuwu Strides. A 6th-level wall of fire appears in all the spaces the sanzuwu left during this movement, lasting for 1 round. The sanzuwu can't use Scorch Earth again for 1d4 rounds.Transfixing Sunbeam [two-actions] (evocation, incapacitation, light, primal) Requirements The sanzuwu is in their fiery form; Effect The sanzuwu spreads their wings, emitting a bright cascade of light in a 30-foot cone. Creatures in the cone must attempt a DC 35 Fortitude save.
Success The creature is unaffected.
Failure The creature is stunned 1.
Critical Failure The creature is stunned 2.

Sidebar - Additional Lore A Fiery Murder

When several sanzuwus are together the immense heat radiating from them can cause an inferno of devastation. Legends tell of sanzuwus gathered together as the ground rends into volcanic rifts and uncontrollable blazes. Though they bring destruction in their wake, some stories claim that a brave individual who can follow these cataclysmic rifts for 10 days will reach the sun and earn its blessing