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Stone Lion
Stone lions are a common sight outside of banks, temples, palaces, and even private residences. The fierce expressions affixed on their faces remind passersby to stay on their best behavior.Stone lions remain faithful guardians of a site, regardless of whether it falls into disrepair. Even if people abandon a place, the lion remains dutiful until its statue is too worn or broken to inhabit any longer.
Stone lions are carved in complementary pairs in order for each to defend their wards from different types of threat. Traditionally, one lion defends from spiritual threats, while the other defends against physical dangers. Occasionally, they subvert this trend; one notable manor in Quain is guarded by two proud, identical male lions.
Recall Knowledge - Celestial (Religion): DC 21
Unspecific Lore: DC 19
Specific Lore: DC 16
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 Stone LionCreature 3
Uncommon Large Celestial Holy Source Monster Core 2 pg. 183
Perception +11; darkvision
Languages Common, Empyrean; telepathy 60 feet
Skills Athletics +8, Intimidation +6, Meteorology Lore +9, Religion +11
Str +4, Dex +3, Con +3, Int +1, Wis +5, Cha +0
Anchored Soul The stone lion is mystically bonded to their bonded vessel and must remain within 1 mile of it. Some might be further restricted to the location they guard.
AC 19; Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +11; +1 status to all saves vs. unholy
HP 35; Immunities disease, paralyzed, petrified, poison
Bonded Vessel The condition of a stone lion's vessel dictates the lion's maximum Hit Point value. Undamaged, the vessel is an object with 50 hit Points (BT 25). When the cub is in spirit form, damaging it doesn't hurt the vessel, but damaging the vessel deals an equal amount of damage to the lion. When the lion Inhabits its Vessel, they're a single target, and damage reduces the Hit Points of both the lion and the vessel. If the vessel is broken, the lion can still fight normally while inhabiting it and takes no ill effect, but if the vessel is ever destroyed, the lion is instantly slain and can't reconstitute.Reconstitution (divine) When the lion reaches 0 Hit Points, its spirit dissipates. If its bonded vessel is intact, the lion re-forms in this vessel after 2d4 days, fully healed. If the vessel is broken, it must first be Repaired, after which the cub reforms in 3d4 days.
Speed fly 40 feet
Inhabit Vessel [two-actions] (manipulate) The lion touches and melds with its bonded vessel, bringing the statue to life. It can cease Inhabiting its Vessel by Dismissing the effect. While Inhabiting the Vessel, it loses its fly Speed and gains: Immunities healing, nonlethal; but Resistances physical 5 (except bludgeoning), Speed 20 feet, and it gains the following Strikes.
- Melee [one-action] jaws +14, Damage 2d6+7 bludgeoning plus Grab
- Ranged [one-action] stone ball +13 (range increment 30 feet), Damage 2d4+7 bludgeoning
All Monsters in "Guardian Beast"
| Name | Level |
| Stone Lion | 4 |
| Stone Lion Cub | 2 |
Guardian Beast
Source Monster Core 2 pg. 182Stone statues of beasts can often be found paired and standing guard on either side of an entryway. While some are merely lifeless statues, others are far more than they appear to be. Guardian beasts ward against unholy forces and misfortune. Some of these celestial spirits were assigned this task, while others assumed their roles out of a sense of duty. To allow them to maintain a constant presence in the material world, pious artisans carve stone vessels of the beasts in their likeness; these statues then serve as anchors for the guardian beasts' souls. Should the need arise, guardian beasts can merge with their stony form, becoming a dangerous foe with noble courage, an indomitable will, and few weaknesses.
By day, guardian beasts stay in their vessels and pretend to be inanimate. Past nightfall, they might patrol the grounds in their stone form or leave the heavy vessel behind to go where a solid body can't reach. Some take this chance to visit the dreams of individuals they favor and send them messages, notifying them of strange occurrences or warning them of incoming danger. Despite their good intentions, the dream messages from guardian beasts can be obscure, often overshadowed by the spirit's personality or strange assumptions they make due to their nature as resolute guardians.
While guardian beasts can work alone, they usually appear in bonded pairs who complement each other in nature. One could be a jokester, the other gloomy; another could be nurturing, their partner strict. To make two otherwise identical-looking beasts distinct, sculptors often depict one stone animal with their young. In the case of stone lions, a common type of guardian beast, this approach means carving stone lion cubs to accompany one of the guardians.
Animal Varieties
Guardian beasts; can take many forms. For example, Tian-Min culture calls upon the service of stone guardian dogs to guard their temples. Shrines to Daikitsu, the Lady of Foxes, on the other hand, use stone guardian foxes.
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