New Monster – Tasked Servitor: Traveling Companion

The Arch-Wizard and Master Conjurer Vablake arrived mounted on a beautifully sleek winged mare, its coat as black as a starless night.  As soon as the conjurer dismounted, the winged mare shimmered and shrunk, becoming a black hair young woman in a simple gray gown who followed Vablake meekly, carrying his satchel.  I had never seen its like that before and I followed, hoping to learn more about this magic . . . . and the strange shape-changing woman.

Tasked Servitor: Traveling Companion

These summoned servants are unique among the tasked servitors in possessing two distinct forms: one humanoid, the other that of a winged mount (usually a horse but occasionally more exotic forms are chosen).

Their humanoid form is almost inevitably attractive and graceful while the mount is always swift and determined in travel.

Tasked Servitor: Traveling Companion CR 4 (1,200 XP)
N medium outsider (air, bound, extraplanar, shapeshifter)
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60′; Perception +15
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+3 Dex, +1 dodge, +3 natural)
hp 6d10+18 (51 hp)
Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +7
Defensive Abilities guarding wind, resistance to electrical and sonic 5
OFFENSE
Spd 40 ft, fly 60 ft (average)
Melee slam +7 melee (1d4+1) or by weapon
Missile cutting wind +9 ranged touch (1d8+2 + 1d2 bleed)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th)
At will— gust of wind, message
1/day— bull’s strength (self only), freedom of movement (effects both self and rider), haste, wind wall
STATISTICS
Str 13, Dex 17, Con 17, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 14
Base Atk +6; CMB +7; CMD 20
Feats dodge, improved initiative, skill focus (fly)
Skills Acrobatics +12, Fly +19, Knowledge (any one) +10, Perception +15, Profession (Servant) +11, Sense Motive +15, Stealth +12; Racial Modifier +4 Fly, +4 Perception, +4 Sense Motive
SQ alternate form
Environment where summoned
Organization single, pair
Treasure Value incidental
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Alternate Form (Su): As a move action a Traveling Companion can shift between their human and mount forms.  Anyone on the mount when it shifts to human form are deposited next to the companion.
Cutting Wind (Su): The Traveling Companion can throw a focused burst of air up to 120′ that cuts deeply, leaving a bleeding wound.
Guarding Wind (Su): The wind itself protects the Traveling Companion and anyone mounted on it, non-magical ranged attacks made against either suffer from a 20% miss chance.

Alternate Form – Mount
Large Size
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 15 (+2 Dex, +1 dodge, +6 natural, -1 size)
hp 6d10+18 (51 hp)
Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +7
Defensive Abilities guarding wind, resistance to electrical and sonic 5
OFFENSE
Spd 50 ft, fly 90 ft (good)
Melee 2 hooves +10 melee (1d8+5)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th)
At will— gust of wind, message
1/day— bull’s strength (self only), freedom of movement (effects both self and rider), haste, wind wall
STATISTICS
Str 21, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 14
Base Atk +6; CMB +11; CMD 23
Feats dodge, improved initiative, skill focus (fly)
Skills Acrobatics +12, Fly +17, Knowledge (any one) +10, Perception +15, Profession (Servant) +11, Sense Motive +15, Stealth +8; Racial Modifier +4 Fly, +4 Perception, +4 Sense Motive
SQ alternate form, strong flyer

Strong Flyer (Ex): A light load for a Traveling Companion in mount form is up to 450 pounds; a medium load, 451–900 pounds; and a heavy load, 901–1,350 pounds.  The Traveling Companion gains a +2 racial bonus to saves resist fatigue or exhaustion from flying.

What you may know about the Traveling Companion:
Knowledge (Arcana or Planes) DC 20. The spirits of other planes can be conjured and bound into particular forms for service.  These are have two, that of a humanoid servant and a mount for travel.

Knowledge (Arcana or Planes) 27.  The traveling companion is a loyal and true servant, though both are enforced by the magical binding that ties them to their master and this plane.

Conjurers and Summoners receive a +2 bonus on this knowledge check.

TACTICS
Before Combat: The Traveling Companion watches and serves.

During Combat: The Traveling Companion will act to guard and protect their master.

Morale: The magics that bind the servant to their master are unbreakable as long as their master lives.

Notes: Inspired by the Tasked Genie of Al-Qadim, I intend to play more with the tasked servitor theme in the future.  But this one fits right into the month’s travel theme.  Enjoy.