Library / Bestiary

Elder Thing

CR 5.00 Aberration LN Medium
This strange being has a star-shaped head and numerous writhing appendages arranged radially around its barrel-shaped body.

Known by various names on various worlds, but most often as "elder things" or "old ones," these alien creatures are interested in creating lasting works of art, architecture, and even life (such as the dreaded shoggoths). They possess a boundless capacity for war and egotism.

A typical elder thing is 6 feet tall from head to foot, with a 7-foot wingspan. Surprisingly heavy for its size, an elder thing generally weighs about 450 pounds.

STR
15
DEX
14
CON
19
INT
20
WIS
16
CHA
17
HP
59 (7d8+28)
AC
18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+2 Dex, +6 natural)
Speed
30 ft., fly 20 ft. (clumsy), swim 40 ft.
Init
+2
Melee
5 tentacles +7 (1d4+2 plus grab)
BAB
+5
CMB
+7 (+11 grapple)
CMD
19 (can't be tripped)
Fort
+8
Ref
+4
Will
+8

constrict (1d4+2)

amphibious

Hibernation — An elder thing can enter a state of hibernation at will; doing so takes 1 minute. While in this state, it can take no actions and is effectively helpless, as if it were in a deep sleep. An elder thing can remain in hibernation for as long as it wishes—while in this state, it does not need to eat or drink, nor does it age. Time effectively stands still for a hibernating elder thing. If it is jostled or damaged while hibernating, an elder thing can attempt a DC 20 Will save. If it succeeds, it awakens in 2d4 rounds. Otherwise, it takes 1d4 days to awaken from hibernation. An elder thing can set the length of its hibernation when it first enters this state, so that it can awaken after a set amount of time has passed. When awakening at a set time in this manner, an elder thing needs only 1d3 rounds to rouse itself, with no Will saving throw necessary.

Limited Starflight — An elder thing can survive in the void of outer space, and its wings allow it to use its fly speed in that environment despite the lack of air. Unlike creatures with full starflight, an elder thing's ability to fly in outer space does not allow it to reach unusually high speeds—an elder thing that wishes to travel from one planet to another typically calculates the distance and then hibernates for the majority of the journey, relying on its momentum and inertia to carry it to its destination while it slumbers along the way.

no breath

Combat Expertise from Feat

<p class="stat-block-1"> You can choose to take a &ndash;1 penalty on melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain a +1 dodge bonus to your Armor Class. When your base attack bonus reaches +4, and every +4 thereafter, the penalty increases by &ndash;1 and the dodge bonus increases by +1. You can only choose to use this feat when you declare that you are making an attack or a full-attack action with a melee weapon. The effects of this feat last until your next turn.</p>

Combat Reflexes from Feat

<p class="stat-block-1"> You may make a number of additional attacks of opportunity per round equal to your Dexterity bonus. With this feat, you may also make attacks of opportunity while flat-footed.</p>

Endurance from Feat

<p class="stat-block-1"> You gain a +4 bonus on the following checks and saves: Swim checks made to resist nonlethal damage from exhaustion; Constitution checks made to continue running; Constitution checks made to avoid nonlethal damage from a forced march; Constitution checks made to hold your breath; Constitution checks made to avoid nonlethal damage from starvation or thirst; Fortitude saves made to avoid nonlethal damage from hot or cold environments; and Fortitude saves made to resist damage from suffocation.</p><p class="stat-block-2">You may sleep in light or medium armor without becoming fatigued.</p>

Great Fortitude from Feat

<p class="stat-block-1"> You get a +2 bonus on all Fortitude saving throws.</p>

Disable Device +9, Fly +4, Heal +10, Knowledge (arcana) +12, Perception +13, Spellcraft +15, Survival +13, Swim +20, Use Magic Device +10

Details
Type
Aberration
Alignment
LN
Size
Medium
Environment
any
Organization
solitary, pair, pod (3–8), or expedition (9–16)
Treasure
standard
Senses
all-around vision, darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +13
Languages
Elder Thing
Source
Bestiary 4
Sources Used in This Record
4 House/Core
  • Uses feat: Combat Expertise (Feat)
    House/Core — covered by the site's Section 15.
  • Uses feat: Combat Reflexes (Feat)
    House/Core — covered by the site's Section 15.
  • Uses feat: Endurance (Feat)
    House/Core — covered by the site's Section 15.
  • Uses feat: Great Fortitude (Feat)
    House/Core — covered by the site's Section 15.
OGL 1.0a Notice. Pathfinder-derived Open Game Content on this page is used under the Open Game License v1.0a and Section 15 notice.