Sorcerous Skull SwarmCreature 14
Source Pathfinder Bestiary 3
Perception +24 (darkvision, truesight (precise) 60 feet)
Languages none
Skills Acrobatics +26, Arcana +28, Occultism +28
Str -3, Dex +6, Con +4, Int +8, Wis +4, Cha +5
AC 34; Fort +22; Reflex +26; Will +26; +1 status to all saves vs. magic
HP 190 (void healing)
Speed 0 feet (fly 40 feet)
Immunities bleed, death effects, disease, paralyzed, poison, precision, swarm mind, unconscious
Weaknesses Area Damage 12, Splash Damage 12
Resistances Bludgeoning 6, Cold 12, Electricity 12, Fire 12, Piercing 12, Slashing 12
Constant Spells
A constant spell affects the monster without the monster needing to cast it, and its duration is unlimited. If a constant spell gets counteracted, the monster can reactivate it by spending the normal spellcasting actions the spell requires.
+1 Status to All Saves vs. MagicSwarm MindThis monster doesn't have a single mind (typically because it's a swarm of smaller creatures), and is immune to mental effects that target only a specific number of creatures. It is still subject to mental effects that affect all creatures in an area.
Boneshard BurstWhen a sorcerous skull swarm is reduced to 0 Hit Points, it erupts in an explosion of foul energy and bone fragments in a 30-foot burst, dealing 3d12[piercing],3d12 void3d12 piercing damage and 3d12 void damage (DC 34 reflex save).
Consume Spell
Trigger The swarm is targeted with a spell
Effect The swarm casts Dispel Magic to counteract the triggering spell. If it successfully counteracts the spell, it gains temporary Hit Points equal to twice the level of the counteracted spell that last for 1 minute.
Void HealingA creature with void healing draws health from void energy rather than vitality energy. It is damaged by vitality damage and is not healed by vitality healing effects. It does not take void damage, and it is healed by void effects that heal undead.
Siphon Magic
(arcane, illusion, mental)The sorcerous skull swarm saps magic from nearby creatures. Any creature with the ability to cast spells (including innate spells) in the swarm's space takes 15d6 mental damage (DC 34 will save); on a failure, the creature is also Stupefied 2 (Stupefied 3 on a critical failure).
Swarming Gnaw
Each enemy in the swarm's space takes 5d8 piercing damage (DC 34 reflex save).
Arcane Innate Spells (DC 36, +26 to hit)
Cantrips (7th Level): Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Telekinetic Projectile
2nd Level: Dispel Magic (At Will)
6th Level: True Seeing (Constant)
7th Level: Spell Turning
The act of creating a demilich sometimes goes horribly awry, leaving behind a shattered remnant of a once-mighty spellcaster constantly leaking eldritch energies. The ruined spirit animates a cloud of debased copies of itself, glittering with cracked crystals in crude imitation, and it hungers constantly for the magical energies denied it in its corrupted immortality.
Some of the spellcaster's personality remains in the swarm, albeit usually unnaturally split between the skulls. As a consequence, the skulls argue among themselves as warring parts of the personality clamor to be heard, resulting in the swarm's fractious, inconstant attitude.
A skull swarm is composed of reanimated masses of craniums and jawbones, forming a terrifying avalanche of undead fury. Most skull swarms are mindless, though some retain a vestige of wit, awareness, and even magical talents from life, culminating in a highly intelligent swarm mind.
Traits
This rarity indicates that a rules element is very difficult to find in the game world. A rare feat, spell, item or the like is available to players only if the GM decides to include it in the game, typically through discovery during play. Creatures with this trait are rare. They typically can't be summoned. The DC of Recall Knowledge checks related to these creatures is increased by 5.
SwarmA swarm is a mass or cloud of creatures that functions as one monster. Its size entry gives the size of the entire mass, though for most swarms the individual creatures that make up that mass are Tiny. A swarm can occupy the same space as other creatures and must do so in order to use its damaging action. A swarm typically has weakness to effects that deal damage over an area (like area spells and splash weapons). Swarms are immune to the grabbed, prone, and restrained conditions.
UndeadOnce living, these creatures were infused after death with void energy and soul-corrupting unholy magic. When reduced to 0 Hit Points, an undead creature is destroyed. Undead creatures are damaged by vitality energy and are healed by void energy, and don't benefit from healing vitality effects.
UnholyEffects with the unholy trait are tied to powerful magical forces of cruelty and sin. They often have stronger effects on holy creatures. Creatures with this trait are strongly devoted to unholy causes, and often have weakness to holy. If a creature with weakness to unholy uses an unholy item or effect, it takes damage from its weakness.