Glitterskulls are creatures that closely resemble the dreaded demilich, but arise from a completely alternate pathway. Each glitterskull was originally an inanimate object, a skull kept by sinister spellcasters as a decoration or arcane focus. After a century of remaining in the custody of such mages (the same individual or a succession of owners), the skull comes to life on its own, imbued with a cruel intellect, magical prowess and a sardonic sense of humor. Some long lived arcanists, such as elves, intentionally cultivate skulls for awakening as a glitterskull, which they adopt as apprentices. The balance of power can be interrupted if the mage is foolish or weak, and some wizards find themselves the servant of their relic, or simply dead.
Most glitterskulls are vain and proud, and collect decorations. They attach these to themselves with the help of minions and spells, and rare is the glitterskull that is not bejeweled, gilded or fitted with treasures. This enhances their demilich-like appearance, and glitterskulls use this to their advantage, bluffing that they have soul consuming powers or tricking foes into thinking they will remain quiescent until disturbed. Neither of these is true. No two glitterskulls have the same tactics, as they have a wide array of different spells. They do tend to avoid melee combat, however, as they are small and weak (and most of them have henchmen to take care of such tasks).
Glitterskull CR 13
XP 25,600
NE Tiny construct (tsukumogami)
Init +6; Senses arcane sight, darkvision 60 ft., Perception +13
Aura unholy (DC 25)
Defense
AC 24, touch 23, flat-footed 17 (+2 size, +6 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 natural, +4 deflection)
hp 175 (13d10+104)
Fort +8, Ref +14, Will +10
DR 15/bludgeoning and magic; Immune construct traits; Resist fire 10
Defensive Abilities blazing, reflect magic missiles, soul-powered; Weakness haunted
Offense
Speed fly 40 ft. (perfect)
Melee slam +15 (1d4 plus 2d6 fire)
Space 2 ½ ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Spell-like Abilities CL 13th, concentration +20 (+24 casting defensively)
Constant—arcane sight, unholy aura (self only, DC 25)
Spells CL 12th, concentration +19 (+23 casting defensively)
6th (2/day)—forceful hand
5th (6/day)—cloudkill (DC 22), cone of cold (DC 23)
4th (7/day)—dimension door, fire shield, stone shape
3rd (8/day)—dispel magic, displacement, lightning bolt (DC 21), vampiric touch
2nd (8/day)—alter self, glitterdust (DC 19), mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility
1st (8/day)—mage armor, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement (DC 18), shield, unseen servant
0th—acid splash, dancing lights, ghost sound (DC 17), light, mage hand, open/close, prestidigitation, touch of fatigue (DC 17)
Statistics
Str 10, Dex 22, Con -, Int 21, Wis 14, Cha 24
Base Atk +13; CMB +11; CMD 32
Feats Combat Casting, Dodge, Eschew Materials (B), Extend Spell, Flyby Attack, Mobility, Spell Focus (evocation), Toughness
Skills Appraise +16, Bluff +18, Disguise +18, Fly +21, Knowledge (arcana, dungeoneering, planes) +16, Perception +13, Spellcraft +16
Languages Abyssal, Aklo, Common, Draconic, Infernal
Ecology
Environment underground
Organization solitary
Treasure double standard
Special Abilities
Blazing (Su) A glitterskull emits light as a torch. It deals 2d6 points of fire damage on a touch attack or slam, and creatures that strike it with a natural weapon, unarmed strike or touch attack take 2d6 points of fire damage (Reflex DC 23 half). This fire does not harm any of the glitterskull’s equipment. A glitterskull can extinguish or re-ignite this flame as a move action. The save DC is Charisma based.
Haunted (Ex) A glitterskull is healed by negative energy and takes damage from positive energy. It is treated as an undead creature for the purpose of spells and effects that specifically target the undead.
Reflect Magic Missiles (Su) A glitterskull is treated as being under the effects of a permanent spell turning as a supernatural ability, except that it only effects magic missile spells.
Soul-Powered (Ex) A glitterskull adds its Charisma modifier to each Hit Die for the purposes of determining hit points.
Spells A glitterskull casts spells as a 12th level sorcerer. It does not gain other abilities of the sorcerer class, such as bloodline spells or abilities. In its natural form, a glitterskull treats all spells as being affected by the Still Spell metamagic feat without an increase in casting time or spell level.
