Based on an idea by Slagger the Chuul of the Mind's Eye playtest community.

When we stopped doing the psionic bestiary earlier this year, we ended up bumping this creature, but every month we didn't seem to have a theme with which it fit, so it continued to slide down the schedule. So when I decided to do a potpourri month, the gajusian (sonic) crawler was one of the first things that came to mind.

Gajusian (Sonic) Crawler
Huge Vermin
Hit Dice: 10d8+20 (65 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 18 (-2 size, +2 Dex, +8 natural), touch +10, flat footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+23
Attack: Bite +13 melee (2d6+8 plus poison) or slam +13 melee (1d6+8)
Full Attack: Bite +13 melee (2d6+8 plus poison) or slam +13 melee (1d6+8)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison, psionics, web
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., sonic hum, sonic resistance 10, vermin traits
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +3
Abilities: Str 26, Dex 15, Con 14, Int --, Wis 11, Cha 2
Skills: Climb +16, Hide +2*, Move Silently +6*, Spot +4
Feats: Power Attack (B), Improved Bull Rush (B)
Environment: Temperate and warm land and underground
Organization: Solitary or colony (2-5)
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: 1/10th coins; 50% goods; 50% items
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 11-23 HD (Huge)

This massive black spider possesses iridescent blue eyes and a forest of living crystals coating the outer surfaces of its back and legs. The crystals range from ebon to clear in color and vary in size from pea-sized to up to a foot long and 6 inches in diameter. The body and legs spread across a 20-foot diameter, and it stands 9 feet tall when on all eight legs.

The gajuisan or sonic crawler is a predatory spider that uses sounds and ambush to drive prey into its web traps.

A sonic crawler is a massive black spider with iridescent blue eyes and a forest of living crystals coating the outer surfaces of its back and legs. The crystals range from ebon to clear in color and vary in size from pea-sized to up to a foot long and 6 inches in diameter. The body and legs spread across a 20-foot diameter, and it stands 9 feet tall when on all eight legs. Juvenile crawlers have few crystals, if any, and are usually indistinguishable from web-spinning spiders.

The sonic crawler prefers to lair in caves or dense wooded areas so that it can create a maze of webs.

The crystals found on the sonic crawler are prized by psions for their inherent properties. The crystal is immune to shatter effects, and if it is used in the creation of armor, it provides sonic resistance 5. A normal sonic crawler has enough crystal on it to produce one medium suit of armor.

COMBAT

A sonic crawler waits in ambush to attack. It uses its psionic powers to help itself hide and confuse prey. Its initial attack is normally a bull rush to knock a victim into one of its previously spun webs. It then uses its bite and web abilities to deal with any additional foes.

Poison (Ex): Bite, Fortitude DC 17, initial and secondary damage 1d8 points of temporary Strength.

Psionics (Sp): At will -- chameleon, control light, create sound; 3/day -- nondetection. Psion level 10th; save DC 1d20 + key ability modifier + power level.

Attack/Defense Modes (Sp): At will -- id insinuation, psychic crush/empty mind, mental barrier.

Vermin Traits: A sonic crawler is immune to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns and morale effects). It also has darkvision (60-foot range).

Web (Ex): The sonic crawler is a web-spinning spider and can cast a web eight times a day. This is a ranged touch attack (+7 ranged) with a maximum range of 50 feet. This attack is similar to a net attack, so while the range increment is 10 feet, there are no range penalties. The sonic crawler can attack creatures up to Large size.

The web anchors the target in place, allowing no movement. An entangled creature can attempt to escape with a successful Escape Artist check (DC 28) or burst it with a Strength check (DC 34). Both of these actions are standard actions.

The sonic crawler creates web mazes to ensnare approaching creatures, which must make a Spot check (DC 20) to avoid moving into the web. Any creature moving into the web by mistake, or as a result of the sonic crawler's bull rush attack, is trapped in the web as though hit by a successful web attack. Attempts to escape or burst the webbing gain a +5 bonus if the trapped creature has something to walk on or grab while pulling free. Each 5-foot section of web has 14 hit points and damage reduction of 5/fire.

Sonic Hum (Su): When a sonic crawler enters combat, the crystals on its back begins to rapidly vibrate, generating an almost inaudible hum in a 60-foot radius around it. This hum is disruptive to creatures caught within the area of effect. Each round, each affected creature must make a Will save (DC 17) or suffer a -2 circumstance penalty on attack rolls and saving throws. In addition, spellcasters and manifesters must make a Concentration check of DC 15 + spell or power level to cast or manifest. Sonic crawlers are immune to this effect. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Skills: A sonic crawler has a +8 racial bonus on Hide checks and a +4 racial bonus on Move Silently and Spot checks. It also receives a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened. *A sonic crawler gets a +8 competence bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks when using its web.

About the Authors

Scott Brocius has been "kicking around" with the D&D game since being introduced to it 1980. He's been an RPGA member for several years and has helped organize and run RPGA events for several conventions, including Origins. The new edition of D&D has renewed his love for and interest in the game. Scott also coauthors the monthly Mind's Eye feature on the Wizards of the Coast website.