Level Advancement and the Brain Ghoul (new monster)

O.K. I just can't seem to get the hang of this level advancement thing. A little over a month ago I missed the Blogger Level Advancement number by five.

Now it appears I've missed it by ten. I'm not sure what sense level advancement at 20 followers and 40 followers makes; 25 and 50 make a lot more sense, at least to me. But then, it's not my table either.

By any count, I've now made it to the illustrious level of "Thinker" so I'll take what I can get, right?

Most of these last twenty-plus followers were thanks to the A to Z April Challenge. It's not the only reason to participate in the Challenge each year, but it sure doesn't hurt.

So, a heartfelt "THANK YOU" to all my current followers, and an invitiation to any lurkers out there to follow as well. Without you, this blog is nothing more than a little ego-stroke. It's nice to know think believe that my thoughts have an effect out there in the gaming world, if even for a bit of amusement.


Now for my Joesky tax: The Brain Ghoul.

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Brain Ghoul

Tiny Undead (medium parent creature)
Hit Dice: 2d12 (13 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: fly 40 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class: 14 (+2 Dex, +2 size), touch 12, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/-11 (+5 when attached)
Attack: Sting +4 melee (1d6) (attach)
Full Attack: Sting +4 melee (1d6) (attach)
Space/Reach: 5ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Acid, Constrict 1d3+4, Improved Grab
Special Qualities: Blindsense, Undead traits
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +1
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 14, Con 8, Int 8, Wis 8, Chr 2
Skills: Escape Artist 10; Intimidate 5; Move Silently 15
Feats: Improved Initiative
Environment: Any temperate
Organization: Solitary
Advancement: 3-4 HD (Small (Large parent)); 6-9 HD (Medium (Huge parent))

CR 2

The brain ghoul is nothing more than a floating brain with an attached three-foot-long spinal column. The base of the spinal column has been transformed, however, into a wicked spike, with which the brain ghoul makes its initial attack. Acid drips from the brain itself.

Combat
A brain ghoul’s initial attack is made by landing on a victim and plunging its spike into the flesh. It will then wrap the spinal column around the victim’s neck and body to constrict and suffocate the creature while also attempting to pin its arms to its sides. The brain portion then settles upon the victim’s head, relying on its acid attack to eat through the skull of the victim and absorb the victim’s cranial fluids. Any creature killed by a brain ghoul’s acid attack will have its own brain become a brain ghoul within 1d4 hours after death.

A brain ghoul will target all creatures up to one size category larger than its parent creature.

Attach (Ex)
If a brain ghoul’s spike attack is successful, it uses the remainder of the spinal column to wrap around the victim’s neck and body. An attached brain ghoul is effectively grappling its prey and can then begin to constrict. A brain ghoul has a +12 racial bonus on grapple checks (already calculated into the Base Attack / Grapple entry above). An attached brain ghoul can be struck with a weapon or grappled itself. To remove an attached brain ghoul through grappling, the opponent must achieve a pin against the brain ghoul.

Acid (Ex)
A brain ghoul secretes an acid that dissolves organic material and metal quickly, but does not affect stone. Any constrict attack automatically deals 1d6 acid damage, and the opponent’s armor and clothing dissolve and become useless immediately unless they succeed on a DC 13 Reflex save. A metal or wooden weapon that strikes a brain ghoul also dissolves immediately unless it succeeds on a DC 13 reflex save. The save DCs are Constitution-based.

The brain ghoul’s acidic touch deals 12 points of damage per round to wooden or metal objects, but the brain ghoul must remain in contact with the object for 1 full round to deal this damage.

Improved Grab (Ex)
To use this ability, a brain ghoul must hit with its spike attack. It can then begin its grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. Once the grapple has been established it can begin to constrict.