This towering reptilian humanoid seems to be made of obsidian scales over a molten magma core.
Cherufe CR 13
XP 25,600
NE Huge magical beast (fire)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +17
Defense
AC 24, touch 9, flat-footed 23 (+1 Dex, +15 natural, -2 size)
hp 189 (18d10+90)
Fort +16, Ref +14, Will +10
Defensive Abilities fire healing; DR 10/—; Immune fire
Weaknesses vulnerable to cold
Offense
Speed 50 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +25 (2d6+8 plus burn), bite +25 (2d8+8 plus burn)
Ranged rock +19 (2d8+10 plus burn)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks burn (2d6 fire, DC 24), heat, rock throwing (120 ft.)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 18th; concentration +18)
1/month—earthquake
Statistics
Str 26, Dex 13, Con 20, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 11
Base Atk +18; CMB +28; CMD 39
Feats Diehard, Endurance, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (bite), Weapon Focus (claw), Weapon Focus (rock)
Skills Climb +23, Perception +17, Swim +30
Languages Common
Ecology
Environment any mountains
Organization solitary
Treasure standard
Special Abilities
Fire Healing (Ex) Any source that normally deals fire damage to a cherufe instead heals 1 point of damage for every 3 points of damage the attack would otherwise deal. If the amount of healing would cause the cherufe to exceed its full normal hit points, it gains any excess as temporary hit points. These temporary hit points don't stack.
Heat (Su) Cherufes transfer their heat to any weapons, including their rock throwing, causing burn.
Cherufes make their homes in the caverns of active volcanoes, where they have not only adapted to survive in these extreme conditions, but actually thrive in the pools of molten lava found therein. The cherufe's unique physiology lets it feed off of radiating heat, providing sustenance for the creature as well as mending its wounds. The hotter the source, the faster a cherufe recovers.
Some cultures worship cherufes, likening them to gods or great dragons. A cherufe's depraved and often malicious personality means that it particularly enjoys receiving sacrificial victims. The creature will often toy with an unfortunate sacrifice for days before finally decapitating the corpse and immolating the head. Cherufes cow nearby settlements with threats of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, though the creatures have little desire to cause such havoc in their own homes and usually exaggerate the power they possess.
A cherufe stands about 18 feet tall and weighs close to 8,000 pounds. As long as it remains near a heat source, a cherufe can live for hundreds or even thousands of years. Due to these long lifespans, nearby humanoids often believe the creatures immortal, and spread legends about the “gods of the volcanoes.” If taken away from a source of intense heat, a cherufe slowly withers and dies, leaving behind a stony shell of a carcass.
