Monster, Brainiac

This grotesque creature appears to be a furred, bat-like caricature of a human figure, with an oversized head and a fanged mouth. A long forked tongue protrudes from its jaws. Rather than hands, the thing bears two-pronged, fleshy pincers, each ending in a sucker-like tip. Despite its hideous form, it dressed in fashionable attire.

Taken from the Creature Codex

Sometimes referred to as “space vampires”, brainiacs are weird undead creatures that use psychic powers and shapeshifting to revenge their own deaths. A brainiac is created when a wronged occult caster culminates a ritual in which they are slain by others, destroying their body in flame and recreating it in monstrous form on a comet. Brainiacs may spend decades or centuries flying through the solar system, plotting an elaborate revenge method to destroy the lineages, countries and legacies of those who scorned them in life. When they do return, they often pose as nobles, eccentric scholars or amateur astronomers, the better to explain their in depth knowledge of past events and occult lore.

A brainiac is usually too clever to get themselves trapped in combat against a prepared foe, but they are extremely arrogant and sensual creatures. Pleasurable senses are dulled in their monstrous bodies, and many brainiacs enjoy committing their crimes and indulging in hedonism while in living form. Rather than eat the brains they extract immediately, many brainiacs choose to elaborately cook and season them before consuming them in mortal guise, increasing the likelihood they are caught in the act.

A brainiac is the size of a human, but their heads are overlarge. In their monstrous form, their deformed craniums tend to pulse and warp when the creature uses its hypnotic stare. Although they can traverse the gulfs of space as they choose without waiting for planetary alignments or the paths of comets, doing so drains them of all of their psychic magic for the day, and even a simple spell will prevent a brainiac from being able to accomplish the journey.

Brainiac               CR 8

XP 4,800

NE Medium undead
Init +10; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +16, thoughtsense 60 ft.

Aura mental static (30 ft., DC 20)

Defense

AC 22, touch 17, flat-footed 15 (+6 Dex, +1 dodge, +5 natural)

hp 102 (12d8+48); fast healing 3
Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +9

DR 10/magic and silver; Immune cold, fire,undead traits; Resist channel resistance +2

Offense

Speed 30 ft.

Melee 2 slams +15 (1d6+4 plus grab), bite +15 (1d8+4)

Special Attacks extract brain, mesmerizing stare

Psychic Magic CL 8th, concentration +12 (+16 casting defensively)

30 PE—analyze aura (2 PE), confusion (4 PE, DC 19), greater synaptic pulse (5 PE, DC 20), hold person (3 PE, DC 18), interplanetary teleport (30 PE), levitate (2 PE), mind probe (3 PE, DC 19), object reading (1 PE) suggestion (2 PE, DC 18), unnatural lust (2 PE, DC 17)

Statistics

Str 18, Dex 22, Con -, Int 21, Wis13, Cha 19
Base Atk +9; CMB +15 (+19 grapple); CMD 30

Feats Agile Maneuvers,Combat Casting, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Intimidating Glance, Weapon Finesse

Skills Appraise +11,Bluff +16, Disguise +13 (+21 using living form), Intimidate +19, Knowledge (arcana) +20, Knowledge (history) +17, Knowledge (religion) +20, Perception +16, Sense Motive +16, Stealth +21
Languages Aklo, Common, Draconic, Infernal

SQ living form

Ecology

Environment any land or underground

Organization solitary

Treasure standard

Special Abilities

• Extract Brain (Ex) As a full-round action that provokes an attack of opportunity, a brainiac can insert its tongue into the skull of a pinned or helpless opponent in order to remove its brain. If the creature fails a DC 20 Fortitude save, it is immediately slain. The save DC is Strength based.
• Living Form (Su) At will as a standard action, a brainiac can transform into a humanoid form resembling what it looked like in life. This functions as an alter self spell, but the brainiac does not detect as undead when in living form and takes half damage from positive energy. A brainiac in living form also heals half damage from negative energy, and cannot use its natural attacks or extract brain ability. A brainiac can dismiss this as a move action.
• Mesmerizing Stare (Su) A brainiac has access to the hypnotic stare and bold stare class abilities of a mesmerist of a level equal to its Hit Dice (12th level for the average brainiac). Most brainiacs take the allure, disorientation and susceptibility bold stares.