Buy me a coffeeFachan, the One-Limbed Terror
“The terrifying Fachan: a one-eyed, one-armed, one-legged monster so horrifying it can kill you with a glance!”
The Fachan is a nightmarish creature from Scottish and Irish mythology, instantly recognizable due to its bizarre and unnatural anatomy. It possesses only one massive eye, one thick, sinewy arm, and one powerful, muscular leg, all grotesquely centered on its body. Its frame is covered in bristling coarse hair or thorn-like feathers, and its skin is often described as dark, leathery, or mottled like diseased bark. Some accounts say it has a wide, jagged mouth filled with sharp teeth and a hunched, twisted form that gives it a permanently menacing posture. It is often depicted wielding a massive, spiked club, which it swings with devastating force.
Behaviour
The Fachan is solitary and territorial, known for its violent and aggressive nature. It despises all forms of life, particularly humans, and will attack anything that enters its domain. Unlike other mythical creatures that rely on trickery or magic, the Fachan is purely a force of brute strength and terror. It does not engage in elaborate schemes or deceptions—it simply destroys intruders outright. Its presence is said to cause intense fear, sometimes so overwhelming that the mere sight of it can induce heart failure.
Habitat
The Fachan is believed to dwell in remote, desolate landscapes, far from civilization. It prefers rugged mountains, mist-laden moors, and shadowy forests where few dare to tread. These locations are often described as being eerily silent, as if even the wildlife fears the Fachan’s wrath. Some folklore suggests that it lurks near ancient ruins or cursed battlefields, places steeped in dark history.
Modus Operandi
The Fachan does not stalk or hunt in a traditional sense. Instead, it waits in isolation, guarding its territory like a cursed sentinel. If a traveler unknowingly trespasses into its domain, the Fachan will explode into a sudden, terrifying attack, using its powerful single leg to launch itself at incredible speed. With its immense strength, it can crush bones with a single blow of its club, or hurl boulders with its lone arm. In some tales, it is said to emit an unearthly roar that paralyzes its victims in fear before it strikes.
Motivation
The Fachan’s primary motivation is simple: rage and destruction. Unlike other creatures of legend that seek power, wealth, or revenge, the Fachan seems to exist solely to guard its territory and annihilate anything that dares to enter it. Some legends suggest that it may be an ancient cursed being, bound to its isolated existence by a divine punishment. Others believe it is simply a primordial force of nature, embodying pure, undying hostility.
Fachan 5e
Fachan Pathfinder
Fachan, The One-Eyed Horror
Huge Monstrosity, Chaotic Evil
Armor Class: 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 300 (24d12 + 144)
Speed: 40 ft. (Movement is slow and deliberate, with a heavy gait from its singular, muscular leg.)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 (+8) | 16 (+3) | 22 (+6) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) |
Saving Throws:
Strength +14, Constitution +12, Wisdom +10
Skills:
Perception +10, Intimidation +7
Damage Resistances:
Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities:
Psychic
Condition Immunities:
Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Senses:
Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 20
Languages:
Understands Common and Sylvan but cannot speak.
Challenge:
CR 18 (20,000 XP)
Traits
Singular Vision. The Fachan’s enormous, unblinking eye sees through all forms of magical invisibility and can perceive through illusions. The creature has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks to detect hidden or invisible creatures.
Abominable Form. The Fachan’s twisted, unnatural body is both terrifying and grotesque. Any creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of the Fachan must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.
Regeneration. The Fachan regains 20 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. If the Fachan takes radiant damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of its next turn.
One-Eyed Gaze. The Fachan’s single eye can project an unholy, hypnotic gaze. As an action, it can force one creature within 60 feet to make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Fearsome Roar (Recharge 5-6). The Fachan can let out a primal roar that echoes through the air. Each creature within 60 feet of the Fachan that can hear it must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or be stunned for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Actions
Multiattack. The Fachan makes three attacks: one with its Crushing Fist, one with its Taloned Strike, and one with its Gaze of Madness.
Crushing Fist.
Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 35 (4d10 + 8) bludgeoning damage. On a critical hit, the target must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of its next turn.
Taloned Strike.
Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 28 (4d6 + 8) slashing damage. On a hit, the target must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
Gaze of Madness.
Ranged Spell Attack: +10 to hit, range 30 ft., one target.
Hit: The target takes 27 (6d8) psychic damage and must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be driven mad, becoming confused for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Giant Step (Recharge 6).
The Fachan stomps its foot, creating a tremor. Each creature within 15 feet of the Fachan must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked back 10 feet and knocked prone. On a failed save, creatures also take 17 (2d10 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
Legendary Actions
The Fachan can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Fachan regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Fist of Fury. The Fachan makes a Crushing Fist attack.
Eye Beam (Costs 2 Actions). The Fachan uses its Gaze of Madness attack.
Stomp (Costs 3 Actions). The Fachan uses Giant Step.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Fachan can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the Fachan can’t use the same effect two rounds in a row:
- Spiritual Ripping: The Fachan’s eerie eye emanates a supernatural pulse. All creatures within 30 feet of the Fachan must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on attack rolls until the end of their next turn.
- Tremor of Madness: The ground beneath the Fachan shakes, causing tremors. Each creature within 15 feet of the Fachan must make a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
- Flesh to Stone: The Fachan can target one creature it can see within 60 feet. The creature must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be petrified until it succeeds on a saving throw at the end of each of its turns.
Tactics
The Fachan is a terrifying combatant with brutal, relentless fighting tactics. It will generally begin combat with its Gaze of Madness, seeking to disorient and disable a target immediately. The One-Eyed Gaze ensures that it can incapacitate anyone attempting to remain hidden or escape its presence.
Once in range, it will use its Crushing Fist and Taloned Strike to dominate any enemies foolish enough to close the distance. If it’s surrounded or losing control, the Fachan will roar with its Fearsome Roar, causing widespread panic and confusion.
The Giant Step is a useful tool to reposition or scatter enemies, especially when it needs space to get away from melee threats. The Fachan is not afraid of a prolonged fight, relying on Regeneration to heal over time.
Roleplaying the Fachan
The Fachan is a nightmarish being that craves dominance and fear. It will typically be found in dark, misty caves or overgrown forests where it has carved out a twisted lair for itself. If encountered, the Fachan may initially try to mesmerize intruders with its unsettling gaze, luring them into a false sense of confidence before launching a brutal attack.
While intelligent enough to understand tactics, it is driven by a primal desire to destroy. It does not hesitate to use its fear-inducing abilities to instill terror and break its enemies before moving in for the kill.
Fachen
This half-bodied monstrosity with an overly wide mouth and stringy hair hops about on a single leg, balancing in defiance of its awkward physical form. A single arm—centered on the creature’s torso and formed of tightly corded muscle—and single eye round out the being’s features.
Fachen CR 5
XP 1,600
NE Medium aberration
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +9; Aura fear (30 ft., DC 15)
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dex, +3 dodge, +4 natural)
hp 45 (7d8+14)
Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +8
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee battleaxe +10 (1d8+5/×3), bite +5 (1d6+2)
STATISTICS
Str 20, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 15
Base Atk +5; CMB +10; CMD 24 (28 vs. trip)
Feats Acrobatic, Cleave, Iron Will, Power Attack
Skills Acrobatics +13, Perception +9, Stealth +6
Languages Common
SQ incredible balance
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Fear (Su)
Each creature within a 30-foot radius that sees a fachen must succeed at a DC 15 Will save or be paralyzed by fear for 1d4 rounds. A creature that successfully saves is not subject to the same fachen’s fear aura for 24 hours. This is a paralysis effect and a mind-affecting fear effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Incredible Balance (Ex)
Despite its strange anatomy, a fachen is adept at keeping itself upright and out of danger. A fachen gains a +3 dodge bonus to AC and a +4 racial bonus to its CMD against trip combat maneuvers.
ECOLOGY
Environment temperate hills and plains
Organization solitary
Treasure none
The fearsome fachen’s terrifying visage stops the hearts of all but the most intrepid. Reports disagree on just what it is about the fachen that turns one’s blood to ice—the single leg and foot that somehow don’t affect the being’s balance or speed, the seemingly too-strong arm jutting out from the center of the creature’s torso, or the lone bulbous eye leering maliciously at its would- be prey.
Though the fachen’s grotesque approximation of a humanoid form could be enough to scare a traveler witless on its own, no single part of the abomination’s appearance induces fear like that of its mouth, which spans the creature’s face and is filled with a full row of long, sharp teeth.
A typical fachen stands just short of 6 feet tall, and despite appearing to be half a person, weighs around 150 pounds because of its muscle mass. While it is not a very large creature, its fearsome composition increases its perceived presence.
Ecology
It is unknown how the first (or subsequent) fachens were produced. The studies performed on the few viable specimens successfully collected showed no anatomical means of reproduction, leading to a theory of otherworldly intervention.
Fachens are carnivorous beings, and greatly prefer fresh humanoid meat over other, often more readily available fauna. Fachens will pass by a family of deer or a pasture full of cattle to sniff out and hunt a single humanoid. Fachens are not content with simply killing and eating their meal; they like to mutilate their prey as they ingest it, particularly if their food still holds on to the final traces of life and consciousness as the fachens’ teeth pierce its flesh. Fachens’ tendency to mutilate their victims and feed off the creatures’ fear help to sate the rage simmering just beneath their surfaces—but only temporarily. Food alone will never sate this hatred. The source of the fachens’ anger and hatred is unknown, perhaps even to them. Whether their eating habits actually alleviate the seething rage or merely cover it up, the fachens care not.
Though not very intelligent, a fachen is relatively skilled when it comes to tracking prey, especially if it failed to catch a meal using ambush and scare tactics. Rage and hunger focus a fachen so intensely that it relentlessly tracks down any being that manages to get past it.
Despite a physiology that should lead to problems balancing and getting around, fachens are accustomed to their weight distribution and single-appendage movement. They also have an instinctual ability to defend themselves by dodging. A fachen springs off with its single leg and foot at a high enough speed to keep pace with most bipedal creatures, and has an uncanny ability to jump. Fachens’ movements add to the overall fear the creature exudes. Their strange but dexterous locomotion and the single-armed striking of their attacks frighten and bewilder those who engage the creatures.
A fachen is not particularly careful or perceptive in the midst of a meal. Unless battling multiple targets from the outset, once a fachen takes down its prey, it focuses solely on that meal until it’s had its fill of food and fun. A fachen takes its meal right where its prey drops, be it along some goat trail through the hills or in the middle of a high-traffic road. It takes no pains to hide the corpse of its kill after feeding, nor does it strip the body of valuables. It’s content to leave the body in its final resting place and go off in search of water, more food, or a place to rest until its hunger and anger stir again.
Habitat & Society
Fachens are solitary by nature; they hold no fraternal love for their ilk, and are just as likely to view them as prey as they would any other creature. They possess no special defense against the fearsome appearance of others of their kind, and this knowledge keeps them apart as well. Unfortunately, only a few warning signs alert one fachen that another is in close proximity. A mutilated corpse on or near a path serves as a warning between the monstrous beings, which are able to identify another fachen’s handiwork with just a glance. A felled orchard can also signify a fachen’s presence, if the remaining boles show signs of damage from the axes fachens prefer to wield.
Fachens are most often found in areas of temperate climate, typically in hills or plains. They have no particular love or hatred for hot or cold climes, but find prey is easier to come by in areas with more moderate temperatures. A few may be found in truly harsh climates, but usually end up there after chasing prey for an extended time.
Fachens are more likely to drift than to settle in any permanent home or lair. They track food as necessary and find new places to rest in close proximity to their latest kills. They tend to make camp near natural trails or roadways frequented by travelers to ensure a steady supply of meals. However, if a fachen finds a location that ends up being particularly rich in prey, it might attempt to locate a small cave, rocky overhang, or copse of trees to set up as a more permanent residence. However, any would-be treasure hunter who locates the lair of a fachen finds only squalor—any trinkets or treasures carried by a fachen’s meal remain with the corpse.
Rumors and myths about fachens are less prevalent in major cities than in small towns, villages, and farmlands. They know that the larger the population, the greater the chance of being put down by local authorities. Like with many other mythical monsters and beasts, tales of prowess and heroics in the face of fachens are often shared over pints of ale and around campfires, and tales of sightings—though hardly believed—are often good for a few free rounds at the local pub. Parents use fachen stories to scare unruly children into behaving or completing their chores.
Despite the levity with which they tell tales or make warnings about fachens, residents of these outlying areas still make sure they aren’t alone when traveling outside the known safe zones, especially if the trip requires passing through areas where there have been fachen sightings or activity. When the presence of a fachen is confirmed outside a town or village, the bravest members of that society often band together to kill it or drive it off, knowing the danger of the beast. Yet even so, fachen trophies are rare—even dead, the creatures are frightening to look upon.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 4 © 2013, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors: Dennis Baker, Jesse Benner, Savannah Broadway, Ross Byers, Adam Daigle, Tim Hitchcock, Tracy Hurley, James Jacobs, Matt James, Rob McCreary, Jason Nelson, Tom Phillips, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Sean K Reynolds, F. Wesley Schneider, Tork Shaw, and Russ Taylor.
Ecology from Pathfinder Adventure Path #63: The Asylum Stone © 2012, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: James L. Sutter.