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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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Noppera-Bo Occultist

Some noppera-bos harness their natural magic to further frighten victims.

Recall Knowledge - Aberration (Occultism): DC 18
Unspecific Lore: DC 16
Specific Lore: DC 13

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

Noppera-Bo OccultistCreature 2

Uncommon CE Medium Aberration 
Source Pathfinder #196: The Summer That Never Was pg. 85
Perception +8; no face
Languages Common; telepathy 30 feet
Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +5, Crafting +7, Deception +9, Occultism +7, Stealth +7
Str +1, Dex +3, Con +2, Int +3, Wis +0, Cha +3
No Face Noppera-bos have no sense of vision, but their sense of hearing is precise. They don't breathe and are immune to effects that require breathing. They gain sustenance by absorbing fluids through their skin—traditionally by immersing their hands or faceless head into the fluid to “drink” through osmosis; they can also benefit from consumables, such as potions or elixirs, in this way.
Items staff
AC 17; Fort +6, Ref +9, Will +8
HP 30; Immunities inhaled, olfactory, visual; Weaknesses sensitive hearing
Sensitive Hearing As long as a noppera-bo is deafened, they are slowed 1.
Speed 25 feet
Melee [one-action] staff +7 [+2/-3] (two-hand d8), Damage 1d4+3 bludgeoningOccult Innate Spells DC 18, attack +9; 1st fear, phantom pain, sleep; Cantrips (1st) daze, ghost sound, prestidigitation, read aura, shield
Impersonate Shape [two-actions] (concentrate, occult, polymorph, transmutation) The noppera-bo changes into a Small or Medium humanoid they've touched during the last 24 hours, and the noppera-bo gains the target creature's face and voice. While transformed and their face is covered, the noppera-bo gains a +2 circumstance bonus to Impersonate that creature. As long as the noppera-bo has a face, it loses its no face ability and its listed immunities. The noppera-bo can change back by using this ability again.Remove Face [two-actions] (emotion, enchantment, fear, mental, occult, visual) Requirements The noppera-bo is Impersonating a creature with a face; Effect The noppera-bo occultist's facial features melt into nothingness, and they menace a creature within 30 feet. The creature becomes frightened 1 on a failed DC 18 Will save (frightened 2 on a critical failure).Steal Face [two-actions] (concentrate, curse, incapacitation, occult, polymorph, transmutation) Frequency once per day; Requirements The noppera-bo occultist is faceless; Effect The noppera-bo occultist targets one creature within 30 feet. The creature must attempt a DC 18 Fortitude save.
Critical Success The target is unaffected.
Success The target is dazzled until the start of its next turn.
Failure The noppera-bo gains the target's face. The target's face vanishes until the end of its next turn. Until then, it is blinded, can't speak or ingest, and can't smell. The target must also hold its breath or begin to suffocate.
Critical Failure As failure, but the effect doesn't end automatically. The target can attempt a new save at the end of each of its turns, and the DC cumulatively decreases by 1 on each such attempt.

All Monsters in "Noppera-Bo"

NameLevel
Noppera-Bo Grunt0
Noppera-Bo Occultist2
Noppera-Bo Trickster1

Noppera-Bo

Source Pathfinder #196: The Summer That Never Was pg. 84
Noppera-bos appear to be regular humans from behind, and might even resemble someone you know, until they turn to reveal a featureless face.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Consummate Professionals

While the typical noppera-bo is cruel and revels in the act of frightening or tormenting humanoid creatures, not all of them wallow in evil. Neutral noppera-bos tend to be pranksters who use their abilities to trick and tease, while the rare good nopperabos instead use their abilities to honor and idolize those they admire while focusing their own time on developing their skills at art or crafting.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Noppera-Bo Origins

There are many theories on the origins of noppera-bos—from tanuki whose change shape ability went wrong, to humanoids who were warped by curses, to naturally spawning yokai. Some even theorize this condition is a transmissible curse like lycanthropy. Most noppera-bos don't recall their origins, and are often more interested in pretending to be someone else entirely.