Dark Naga

CR 8

XP 4,800

LE Large aberration

Init + 5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., detect thoughts; Perception + 19

Defense

AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 16 (+ 5 Dex, + 1 dodge, + 7 natural, – 1 size)

hp 85 (10d8 + 40)

Fort + 7, Ref + 10, Will 9 ( 11 vs. charm effects)

Defensive Abilities guarded thoughts; Immune poison

Offense

Speed 40 ft.

Mêlée bite + 8 (1d4 + 2), sting + 8 (2d4 + 2 plus poison)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.

Spells Known (CL 7th)

3rd (5/day)—_displacement_, lightning bolt (DC 16)

2nd (7/day)—_cat’s grace_, invisibility, scorching ray

1st (7/day)—_expeditious retreat_, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement (DC 14), shield, silent image

0 (at will)—_daze_, detect magic, light, mage hand, open/close, ray of frost, read magic

Statistics

Str 14, Dex 21, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 17

Base Atk + 7; CMB + 10; CMD 26 (can’t be tripped)

Feats Alertness, Combat Casting, Dodge, Eschew MaterialsB, Lightning Reflexes, Stealthy

Skills Bluff + 13, Diplomacy + 9, Disguise + 9, Escape Artist + 13, Intimidate + 12, Knowledge (arcana) + 13, Perception + 19, Sense Motive + 10, Spellcraft + 12, Stealth + 18

Languages Tradespeak, Infernal

Ecology

Environment any underground

Organization solitary or nest (2–4)

Treasure standard

Special Abilities

Detect Thoughts (Su) A dark naga can continuously use detect thoughts as per the spell (caster level 9th; Will DC 18 negates). The save DC is Charisma-based.

Guarded Thoughts (Ex) Dark nagas are immune to any form of mind reading, such as that granted by detect thoughts. This ability also grants a +2 racial bonus on all saves against charm effects.

Poison (Ex) Sting—injury; save Fort DC 19; frequency 1 round; effect sleep for 2d4 minutes; cure 1 save.

Spells Dark nagas cast spells as 7th-level sorcerers.

Dark nagas covet luxury, wealth, and power over others. With bodies covered by shimmering, eel-like black scales, dark nagas slither deftly through forsaken lands and abandoned ruins, scouring such places for treasures and weaker creatures they might force into service. Their forked tongues spread only lies, and others whom they can’t manipulate they destroy with their insidious poison and destructive magical abilities. A typical dark naga measures approximately 12 feet long and weighs upward of 300 pounds.

Arrogant and sybaritic, dark nagas seek to dominate lesser creatures, relishing the fear they inspire and power over other beings. While some manage to carve indulgent fiefdoms from tribes of goblins, orcs, lizardfolk, or other barbarous races, the luster of cosmopolitan fineries proves enticing as well, leading some to infiltrate city sewers and slums to gather an urban following. They particularly relish morbidly crafted jewelry and treasures, often adorning themselves with jeweled bands or taking their ease atop piles of treasure.

Dark nagas hate others of their kind, especially other dark nagas, seeing their brethren as deadly opponents to be dispatched swiftly and mercilessly—often rightly so.