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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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PFS StandardNightwood Guardian

The nightwoods are parts of the Plane of Wood permanently bathed in darkness due to an absence of fluorescent plants. Here, the flora and fauna require darkness, not light, to thrive. Troll-like creatures known as nightwood guardians patrol these woods to ensure they remain in perpetual shadow. Considering themselves righteous gardens, they care little for the excuses of anyone else—intruders or residents. The guardians absolutely loathe the light, though it doesn't harm them as it does some varieties of creatures. Though wary of both light and any interloping lifeforms in their natural habitat, a nightwood guardian's fear turns easily to wrath, making the guardian a force of fury who seeks to drive out intruders.

Unspecific Lore: DC 26
Specific Lore: DC 23

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

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

Weak Nightwood GuardianCreature 8

Uncommon Large Giant Troll Wood 
Source Rage of Elements pg. 216 2.0
Perception +17; darkvision
Languages Fey, Jotun, Muan
Skills Athletics +21, Intimidation +19, Nightwood Lore +13
Str +6, Dex +3, Con +6, Int +0, Wis +2, Cha +2
Light Blindness
Items club, elemental wooden shield (Hardness 8, Hit Points 64, BT 32)
AC 24 (20 with shield raised); Fort +19, Ref +14, Will +15
HP 180 (flesh of wood); Weaknesses axes 10, fire 10
Fire-fueled Rage When a nightwood guardian takes fire damage, they become enraged. The guardian gains 15 temporary Hit Points, deals 2 additional damage with melee Strikes, and has a –1 penalty to AC. They can't Raise their Shield or use actions with the concentrate trait except for Seek. This effect ends when the nightwood guardian no longer observes any fire for 1 round or when they fall unconscious, whichever comes first.Flesh of Wood (primal, wood) Wounds inflicted on a nightwood guardian turn their flesh to wood. When the guardian is reduced to 40 HP or fewer, their body becomes solid wood. They are stunned, have resistance 10 to all damage, and have regeneration 40 (deactivated by fire). This ends once the guardian has 100 HP or more, though they can choose to stay in this form indefinitely.Shield Eyes When a nightwood guardian has their shield raised, they protect their eyes, losing the blinded and dazzled conditions from light blindness and other light effects.Reactive Strike [reaction] Shield Block [reaction]
Speed 30 feet
Melee [one-action] club +19 [+14/+9] (reach 10 feet), Damage 3d8-2+6 bludgeoningMelee [one-action] jaws +19 [+14/+9] (reach 10 feet), Damage 2d12-2+6 piercingNightwood Roar [two-actions] (concentrate, darkness, primal) Frequency once per hour; Effect The guardian roars, snuffing out lights in a 30-foot cone. Ordinary flames and lights are extinguished, and the guardian attempts to counteract any magical light with a +21 counteract modifier and a counteract rank of 5.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Rare Gentleness

Though most encounters with nightwood guardians end in violence, the Plane of Wood has many folktales about these giant creatures escorting youngsters lost in the nightwoods safely out of the darkness. Whether these stories are true or wishful thinking is debated, with some arguing that a nightwood guardian would only perform such a kindness on the orders of another creature