Living Rune (Arcane)
Creature 13 (rare) — construct
Pre-Remaster content. May include legacy alignment.
SniperShadeLANDconstruct
The most famous living runes are those of the ancient Runelords of Thassilon, resurging as Thassilon rebuilds in the modern era. Other living runes can be found, however, each with its own particular abilities. Living runes can also be crafted to deal different types of energy damage with their Strikes. Magic is a complex thing to begin with, and at a certain level of sophistication, the differences between a spell and an autonomous creature become increasingly blurry. Living symbols are constr
Source: pathfinder-bestiary-3 (Pre-Remaster)
Perception +25; darkvision, truesight 60 feet
Languages truescript
Skills arcana +27, deception +24, stealth +25 (+31 to Hide or Sneak among inscriptions)
Str
+1
Dex
+6
Con
+1
Int
+8
Wis
+8
Cha
+5
AC 34
Fort +20
Ref +23
Will +27
HP 245
Speed 25 feet
Offense
Ranged Electrical Blast (electricity) +25, range increment 60 feet, Damage 4d12 electricity
Abilities
Truescript — A living rune can't speak, but it can sculpt its form into complicated scripts and pictographs that can be understood by any creature with the ability to read written language. A living rune can also understand any written or spoken language.
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.
Backdrop — When a creature attempts to Strike a living rune and critically misses, the attacker hits the surface (a canvas, wall, or so on) behind the living rune. This might damage the surface or the attacker's weapon, at the GM's discretion.
Surface-Bound — A living rune can move only along flat surfaces. If the surface it's on is destroyed (such as a portrait hit by a Fireball spell or a wall being smashed), the rune takes 7d6 untyped damage and is shunted to the nearest flat surface. If there is no flat surface within 5 feet, the rune is destroyed.
Arcane Innate Spells DC 35, attack +27
7th Prismatic Spray (×2)
6th Chain Lightning, Disintegrate, True Seeing, Wall of Force
5th Black Tentacles (×2), Cloudkill (×2)
3rd Glyph of Warding (At Will)
Cantrips (7th) Detect Magic
WORKS WELL WITH
AnvilLANDA durable interceptor preserves the rune's line of sight and prevents disruption of its sustained ranged output.
WeaverLANDRepositioning support overcomes the rune's movement limitations by dragging targets into its preferred engagement zone.
FlankerLANDAggressive melee pressure keeps enemies from isolating the rune on its defensible surface position.
PUNISHES
✖ frequent Strikes✖ Will-save dependency
Double Sniper overinvests in ranged output without a frontline element to absorb closing threats.
Works well with · Punishes · Pairing advice
Unlock with Tactics
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