Iron Cobra
Alchemy, Machina
A mechanical snake that bites or sprays venom from an internal reservoir.
From the book
A mechanical serpent costing 15,000 G.P. in materials and able to take 30 H.P. of damage. Inside is an apparatus that either sprays venom as far as 10 ft. or poisons with a bite; its reservoir takes 2 doses of any venom, which covers 20 bites or 10 sprays. It attacks as an 8th level monster, its bite does 1-8 points of damage plus poison, and its armor equals chain mail.
Machina are intricate, machine-like constructs of iron built to resemble various creatures, with mechanisms that imitate the abilities of the creature they copy. Building one takes a large workroom, a full set of metal working tools, 4 months (16 weeks) and a fluid ounce of aqua vitae to bring it to life; it cannot be done without an alchemist or a scholar skilled in both engineering and inventing. The chance of success is 55%, or 80% with a hired engineer, sculptor or scholar, who also halves the time. Machina are immune to non-magical weapons, poison, heat and cold (though lightning does full damage), move like the creature they resemble, and either follow up to three programmed commands or obey their master's spoken orders.
At a glance
- Cost
- 15,000 G.P. in materials
- Hit points
- 30
- Venom
- Holds 2 doses: 20 bites or 10 spits; spit range 10 ft.
- Attacks as
- 8th level monster
- Damage
- Bite 1-8 plus poison
- Armor
- Chain mail equivalent
- Animation
- 1 fl. oz. aqua vitae
- Requires
- A large workroom with a full set of metal working tools; must be built by an alchemist, or by a scholar skilled in engineering and inventing
- Time to complete
- 4 months (16 weeks); halved with engineer, sculptor or scholar
- Chance of success
- 55% (+25% with engineer, sculptor or scholar)
- Immunities
- Non-magical weapons, all poisons, heat and cold (lightning does full damage)
- Speed
- As the creature it resembles
- Commands
- Up to 3 programmed commands, or follows master's verbal orders