Scalescribe
Creature 3 — aberration
Pre-Remaster content. May include legacy alignment.
SniperWeaverLANDaberration
Often seen at the sides of spellcasters, scalescribes are tiny, snakelike creatures with numerous hands that usually hold a multitude of fountain pens in various ink colors. The words scrawled across their bodies shift depending on what texts they've encountered recently. Scalescribes have a fondness for language, especially magical language, and make their homes in libraries or other places of learning.
Source: pathfinder-bestiary-3 (Pre-Remaster)
Perception +11; darkvision
Languages aklo, common, draconic
Skills arcana +11, Library Lore +11, occultism +9, Scribing Lore +11, stealth +8
Str
-2
Dex
+3
Con
+1
Int
+4
Wis
+4
Cha
+0
AC 18
Fort +6
Ref +10
Will +11
+2 status to all saves vs. linguistic effects
HP 45
Speed 20 feet
Offense
Melee Fountain Pen (agile, finesse, magical) +10, Damage 1d6+2 piercing plus Inkstain
Ranged Morpheme Glyph (magical) +10, range 40 feet, Damage 3d6 force
Abilities
Mage Bond — After performing a 1-hour ritual, a scalescribe can bond with one willing creature capable of Casting Spells.
The scalescribe can Aid their bonded caster in Crafting a scroll, and they can make their Transcribed spell available to the caster so long as the spell is of the caster's tradition.
A bonded prepared caster can prepare the spell. A bonded spontaneous caster can add the spell to their spell repertoire during their daily preparations, and it remains as long as the Transcribed scroll exists.
The scalescribe can Aid their bonded caster in Crafting a scroll, and they can make their Transcribed spell available to the caster so long as the spell is of the caster's tradition.
A bonded prepared caster can prepare the spell. A bonded spontaneous caster can add the spell to their spell repertoire during their daily preparations, and it remains as long as the Transcribed scroll exists.
+2 Status Bonus on Saves vs. Linguistic Effects —
Transcribe — The scalescribe can Cast a Spell from any scroll they Transcribe as if it were on their spell list. Transcribing a new scroll renders any previously Transcribed scroll inert.
Critical Success If the triggering spell's rank was no more than 3 higher than the scalescribe's counteract rank, the scalescribe captures a copy of the spell in a scroll that appears in their hand. This scroll can be used normally but fades after 24 hours if not used before then.
Success As critical success, but only if the spell's rank is no more than 1 higher than the scalescribe's counteract rank.
Failure As critical success, but only if the spell's rank is lower than the scalescribe's counteract rank.
Critical Failure The scalescribe fails to copy the spell.
Critical Success If the triggering spell's rank was no more than 3 higher than the scalescribe's counteract rank, the scalescribe captures a copy of the spell in a scroll that appears in their hand. This scroll can be used normally but fades after 24 hours if not used before then.
Success As critical success, but only if the spell's rank is no more than 1 higher than the scalescribe's counteract rank.
Failure As critical success, but only if the spell's rank is lower than the scalescribe's counteract rank.
Critical Failure The scalescribe fails to copy the spell.
Inkstain — When the scalescribe deals damage to a creature with their fountain pen, the creature takes 1d4 persistent poison.
When a creature taking this damage attempts to take an action with the concentrate trait, it must succeed at a DC 5 Flat check or the action is disrupted.
When a creature taking this damage attempts to take an action with the concentrate trait, it must succeed at a DC 5 Flat check or the action is disrupted.
Arcane Innate Spells DC 20, attack +12
3rd Secret Page
2nd Comprehend Language (Self Only) (×3), Dispel Magic
Cantrips (3rd) Detect Magic, Message, Read Aura, Sigil
WORKS WELL WITH
AnvilLANDAnvil protects the fragile Sniper while it delivers ranged force damage from safety.
FlankerLANDFlanker engages in melee while Sniper provides ranged damage and Inkstain disrupts concentrate actions.
MenderLANDMender sustains the low-HP Sniper, compensating for its fragility in prolonged encounters.
PUNISHES
✖ concentrate actions
Works well with · Punishes · Pairing advice
Unlock with Tactics
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