[The reason I wanted to make this a spellcaster is due to the micro-genre of snake-cult-lady-becomes-a-snake movies, Cult of the Cobra, The Reptile and The Lair of the White Worm.]
Lycanthrope, Werecobra
CR 6 NE Humanoid
This scaled creature has lidless, staring eyes, immense fangs and a forked tongue. It is humanoid from the waist up, but its legs are little more than stubs protruding from a snake-like lower body.
Werecobras are venomous lycanthropes that assume the form of the mighty emperor cobra. Many, but not all, werecobras are members of cults worshipping nagas or gods with serpentine aspect—the outlook of these forces effects the alignment of the werecobra involved. Even good-aligned werecobras tend to be aloof and emotionally cold. Werecobras are pragmatists first and foremost, using bluff and guile to avoid conflict, then precise and deadly strikes to finish combats quickly and decisively. The bite of a werecobra carries both the curse of lycanthropy and lethal venom. Those bitten by a werecobra frequently do not survive long enough to become werecobras themselves, unless specific measures are taken to ensure they withstand envenomation. As such, the creation of new werecobras is often ritualistic and bestowed as an intentional honor rather than happening through accident.
Werecobra (Human Form) CR 6
XP 2,400
Human werecobra druid 6
NE Medium humanoid (human, shapechanger)
Init +5; Senses low-light vision, Perception +12, scent
Defense
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+1 Dex, +1 dodge, +3 armor)
hp 42 (6d8+12)
Fort +8, Ref +4, Will +11; +4 vs. fey or plant-targeted effects
Immune reptile venom
Defensive Abilities slither (8/day)
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee masterwork spear +5 (1d8/x3)
Ranged masterwork sling +6 (1d4)
Special Attacks wild shape (2/day)
Spells CL 6th, concentration +11 (+15 casting defensively)
3rd—dominate animal (DC 18), greater magic fang, poison (DC 18), protection from energy
2nd—animal trance (DC 17), barkskin, bull’s strength, delay poison, flaming sphere (DC 17)
1st—charm animal (DC 16), cure light wounds (DC 16), entangle (DC 16), faerie fire, produce flame, speak with animals
0th—create water, detect magic, detect poison, light
Domain—Serpent
Statistics
Str 10, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 20, Cha 11
Base Atk +4; CMB +4; CMD 17
Feats Combat Casting, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Nimble Moves
Skills Bluff +9, Climb +7, Handle Animal +7, Heal +12. Knowledge (nature) +8, Perception +12, Survival +14
Languages Common
SQ change shape (human, hybrid or emperor cobra, polymorph), familiar (viper), lycanthropic empathy (snakes), nature bond (Serpent Domain), nature sense, trackless step, wild empathy (+6), woodland stride
Ecology
Environment warm forests or marshes
Organization solitary or cult (2-8)
Treasure NPC Gear (+1 leather armor, cloak of resistance +1, masterwork spear, masterwork sling with 20 bullets, pearl of power (1st level), wand of magic stone, potion of cure light wounds (x2), 23 gp)
Werecobra (Hybrid Form) CR 6
XP 2,400
Human werecobra druid 6
NE Large humanoid (human, shapechanger)
Init +6; Senses low-light vision, Perception +12, scent
Defense
AC 24, touch 12, flat-footed 21 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +3 armor, +9 natural)
hp 60 (6d8+30)
Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +11; +4 vs. fey or plant-targeted effects
DR 10/silver; Immune reptile venom
Defensive Abilities slither (8/day)
Offense
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee masterwork spear +9 (1d8+10/x3), bite +5 (2d6+3 plus poison plus curse of lycanthropy) or bite +10 (2d6+10 plus poison plus curse of lycanthropy)
Ranged masterwork sling +4 (1d4)
Special Attacks wild shape (2/day)
Spells CL 6th, concentration +11 (+15 casting defensively)
3rd—dominate animal (DC 18), greater magic fang, poison (DC 18), protection from energy
2nd—animal trance (DC 17), barkskin, bull’s strength, delay poison, flaming sphere (DC 17)
1st—charm animal (DC 16), cure light wounds (DC 16), entangle (DC 16), faerie fire, produce flame, speak with animals
0th—create water, detect magic, detect poison, light
Domain—Serpent
Statistics
Str 24, Dex 15, Con 20, Int 8, Wis 20, Cha 11
Base Atk +4; CMB +12; CMD 25
Feats Combat Casting, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Nimble Moves
Skills Bluff +9, Climb +21, Handle Animal +7, Heal +12, Knowledge (nature) +8, Perception +12, Survival +14, Swim +15
Languages Common
SQ change shape (human, hybrid or emperor cobra, polymorph), familiar (viper), lycanthropic empathy (snakes), nature bond (Serpent Domain), nature sense, trackless step, wild empathy (+6), woodland stride
Ecology
Environment warm forests or marshes
Organization solitary or cult (2-8)
Treasure NPC Gear (+1 leather armor, cloak of resistance +1, masterwork spear, masterwork sling with 20 bullets, pearl of power (1st level), wand of magic stone, potion of cure light wounds (x2), 23 gp)
Special Abilities
Poison (Ex) Bite—injury; save Fort DC 18; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d3 Con; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution based.
Starting this trip to the lava filled lands of fire Omen saw bright colors and a smell of decay. He knew that this would be a lair filled with wonderful dragons in every nook and cranny.
Landing safely Omen heard a faint clanking coming from a large room. The hallway down lined with stunning armor. Flashes of wars and battles these pieces have seen filled his mind with each passed. The warm glow of lava filled the room with a stunning crackled imp in the center working on an old worn down chest piece.
"What a wonderful armor smith. Her future looks very bright. And a loving mate as well! My Cinder. You are quite the crafting queen." Taking off a flower from his hyacinth he placed it at her tail before slipping away. "What a pleasure to see a master at work hehehe"
The smell of flowers and decay filled Omen's nose as he flew from the hall of armor. Sitting in a clearing of magma was Death. The dragon whom no two dragons have seen at the same time. Slipping up for a bit of tea Omen had spent more than a few hours chatting with the bright winged female. But sadly before he could ask for a little more about her he had blinked. Almost as if she had never been there, Death was gone.
A flash of tomato and seafoam flew past the stunned coatl. The females dashing green standing out as she ran with her snowfall elk. Hooves and claws scraping the cooled lava ground. Without even a word of hello they were gone. Omen could see a dragon like her would fit in with his own lair. Maybe one day she will nest another like her. Why only time could tell him that.
Wandering around in a daze after the close run in and a dream like chat with Death Omen was almost ready to leave. He wished to take a quick peek at two more dragons whom had visited his good dreams.
Glistening in the dying sun a burning gem coated pearlcatcher sat shining his pearl. Fire colored wings casting dancing red shadows over his precious gem. This Jalapeno was just as hot as his name and quite an eye catcher. Still it was time to move on as a small flower floated down to him down below.
Last on the way out was Pepo. How fluffy he was. A tundra of bright greens stood out from his warm colored home. The stench of sickness hung around him mixed with burnt fur. Hopefully he would stay safe within this fur death trap of a land. Darting around in Pepo's shadow was a cute shadow sprite. Dancing in the darkness of a bright land.
"I wish your clan well oh mighty Skink Clan. I bid you a farewell. I shall visit again some day."
Fabios's Fantastical Firey Adventure in Clan Skink: Part 1
"Oh goodness, Luxior, these spines are going to need an extra polishing when we get home! All this ash and smoke is no good for my complexion."
"pruu~"
The dainty Ridgeback winged his way through the air, soaring in large, graceful arcs as he searched for his destination among the Ashfall Wastes.
Fabios landed delicately as he could, for a dragon of his size at least, in front of the glowing, rough-hewn entrance to the clan's lair. A shower of flower petals cascaded down around him, many of them immediately igniting in in the nearby lava pools. Luxior perched on his shoulder, ruffling his vibrant feathers and clicking his beak nervously--he was considerably more flammable than his bedazzled companion.
The pink pair ducked their way into the warmly-lit caves, and Fabios couldn't resist flinging his patterned wings wide open as he shouted a melodic greeting.
"Hellooooo everyone! I am the most esteemed and fab--"
He was cut off by a squawk of indignation from the Skydancer he had nearly flattened against the cave wall.
"Hey, glitterbutt, watch it!" She landed in front of him with a cross expression, and he shuffled uncomfortably, his excited demeanor completely erased. The ever-present fires flickered across the gilded patterns that traced her hide and wings, her bright eyes gleaming.
"Eesh, flowers and sparkles everywhere...you must be the guy from Clan Vhyx I got the letter about."
"The guy? I am Fabios, one of the most fashionable and talked-about dragons in all of the Sunbeam Ruins."
"Uh huh. Yep. Great. And you're here becaaaaaaause..." the Skydancer flicked her feather crest skeptically.
"Oh you know, this and that," Fabios replied with an airy sigh. "It's been so long since I've seen a Fire lair, I got a touch of the wanderlust, and the Council always is singing your leader's praises so I popped on by!" He bent over in an elaborate bow. "Forgive me, your radiance, for the intrusion--I must say you could be one of the Suntouched Council yourself, such lovely brightness on your wings."
The Skydancer looked away, unsure whether to be flattered or creeped out. "Flamecaller help me," she muttered under her breath, before turning back to the eager Ridgeback. "Well, I suppose you can hang around for a bit, since you and your...friend came all this way."
His long foreclaws clacked audibly as he clapped in delight. "Wonderful!"
His glee was once again short-lived as a shadow fell over him, blocking out most of the cave's substantial firelight.
"This charming fellow's not giving you any trouble, is he Skink? I can get him out of here if you like," a deep voice grumbled menacingly. A massive, earth-toned Guardian loomed over them, scrutinizing their guest.
Skink waved her claws to shush the mountain of a dragon. "Chill, Clayton. He's just a visitor, all the way from Light territory, if you can believe it. I can handle him juuust fine, big guy."
Now it was Fabios's turn for indignation. "Hey now, I don't mind handling, but at least buy me a meal or a diamond or two first--"
"Come on, you wanna see a real lair or not?" Skink called back to Fabios as she led him past the Guardian, who lowered his head down to the white dragon's level as he passed.
"Feel free to come visiting again any time, stud," the brown dragon murmured playfully, and Fabios felt the smack of a tail on his flank as he walked away. With a squeak of surprise and a blush, he scrambled to catch up with his reluctant tour guide.
~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~
((Part 1 of a lair review trade with pixelsaurs, omg this is so much fun. I'm sorry it's gonna be super long. Also, sorry not sorry about Clayton, I couldn't not do it. kept it family-friendly tho this time. Working on part 2!))
