New Monster – Automated Laser Monkey

Automated Laser Monkey

The clicking of metal on stone is replaced by a sharp crack as the metal creature launches a beam of blazing light at you.  It dodges back around the corned before you can return fire.  Yes, it was certainly a clockwork monkey armed with an arm-mounted laser.  Who would build such a thing?

Automated Laser Monkey                                                  CR 3 (800 XP)
N small construct (clockwork, living brain)
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft., lowlight vision; Perception +5
DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 16, flat-footed 16; (+3 Dex, +2 Dodge, +5 Natural, +1 Size)
hp 21 (2d10+10)
Fort +0, Ref +5, Will +1
Defensive Abilities Resistance to Cold, Fire 5; DR 1/-; Immune construct traits
Weakness Vulnerability to Electricity
OFFENSE
Spd 35 ft., climb 30 ft.
Melee Two Claws +6 (1d4-1/19-20 + 1d4 fire), Tail Lash +1 (1d6-1)
Missile Laser +6 (2d6+2 light + dazzle)
Special Attacks rapid cycle
STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 17, Con –, Int 7, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +2; CMB +0; CMD 13
Feats Improved Initiative [B], Lightning Reflexes [B], Weapon Finesse
Skills Acrobatics +11, Climb +9, Perception +5, Stealth +11; Racial Modifiers +8 Acrobatics, +2 Climb
Languages Understands all languages spoken by creator
SQ self-destruct
Environment any
Organization solitary, pair, or squad (3-8)
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Laser (Su) The laser has a range of 400′ and takes no range penalty.  Anyone struck by the laser must make a Reflex save (DC 11) or be dazzled for 1d4 rounds.  The save is Constitution-based.
Rapid Cycle (Ex) As a full round action, the laser monkey may fire 1d4+1 laser blasts each at -2 attack but afterward the laser must cool down for 10 rounds before it can be used again.
Self-Destruct (Su) When a Laser Monkey is reduced to negative hit points, it must make a Fortitude save with a DC equal to the negative hit points, if successful, the laser monkey explodes for 3d4+3 fire damage in a 15′ radius, Reflex save (DC 14) for half damage.

Who created the original design for the automated laser monkey is unknown but it rapidly spread through the illegal clockwork underground as a quick and dirty design for an efficient, if limited, combatant.  While some balk at the use of the live monkey brain in construction, no one has yet developed a cost-effective replacement.

The automated laser monkey looks like a brass and copper monkey made of clockwork and springs.  A crystal tube attached to its right arm is capable of firing rays of focused light that burn and dazzle those hit by them.

Construction
A Laser Monkey is made from 50-pounds of copper, brass and steel clockwork cogs, gears and springs, a variety of fine crystal lens and a live monkey at the cost of at least 250 gp.

CL 10th; Price 11,250 gp
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Craft Construct, fire trap, lightning bolt, geas/quest and vampiric touch, creator must be at least caster level 10th;
Skill Craft (clockwork) DC 20 and Heal DC 21; Cost 5,750 gp

Living Brain Subtype
These are constructs that are given intelligence through use of a living brain built into them.  The brain is kept alive through alchemical or magical means (or a mixture of both) though it may slowly go insane due to lack of proper stimuli.

Living Brain Constructs are treated as constructs except:

• They are vulnerable to mind-affecting effects but gain a +6 bonus to resist charms, compulsions and morale effects, however their artificial perceptions are easily confused by patterns and phantasms and they gain no bonus to resist them.
• Often develop personality quirks.
• Rarely go insane.

Notes– Entirely inspired by the Sontarian Strax in Doctor Who and the Snowmen: “I suggest a full-frontal assault with laser monkeys, scalpel mines and acid!”

Scalpel Mines are ready to be deployed.