For this game, I capped level advancement at 6th level. The party just hit 5th, meaning that the only people higher level than them are very, very rare. 5th level puts them on the same level individually as Leonidas or William Wallace in this universe.

On top of that, the party has some pretty heavy super powers. The sorcerer and paladin both have +2 AC / Reflex while flying up to 200' and can reach the sound barrier in a straight line if the try. Paladin included, three party members have strength scores of 26 and DR 10 / -. On top of all that, they are loaded down with 2-3 times their wealth level. The bard has a +4d6 long bow (Axiomatic and Elemental Damage). There are 6 of them all together.

That said, they are planning on taking on Shuma Gorath. They know where the giant tentacle beast lives under his mountain and have fought his minions several times. Now that the Paladin has his cosmic flight, axiomatic long sword they are planning on going after him.

His first form is a colossal monster filling a cavern under a volcano once inhabited by Drow. His second form is a huge, flying tentacle monster with a giant eye that flies through the air raining all forms of energy. His final form is a thin, athletic looking man with long black hair, radiant fields of energy, a long sword, and a smug, logical (but emotional decisions) disposition. (OK, I just finished watching Claymore).

When I wrote this bad guy, I didn't really write him for the party to beat. He's nasty for a level cap 6 world. This is, technically, a fight the party is picking and the game is little closer to sandbox than story. They don't HAVE to go after the thing right now. They have avoided other fights in the past. As far as they know, the beast is trapped and can't get out. They have seen it. They know it is colossal. If they gather enough more power, maybe allies, get a healer, level up maybe, I think they can take this thing. Heck, they might be able to now. It is so random. Anyway, I'd love some suggestions to make this thing better at being Shuma Gorath - Anime style.

The Melee AC thing is +1/2 Strength mod to AC vs. melee, to offset the auto hit factor of all these super beings with low levels and super strength, and to reflect the fact that blocking and covering is easier for stronger people.

I'm also thinking as a reward for the fight, to offer a new feat after surviving 5 rounds of combat with this thing in each of its forms (three new feats) for those left conscious. Gaining new abilities in the middle of a fight is a staple of anime.

Shuma Gorath – Form 1 - Tentacle Monster

XP 25,000
Chaotic Evil Colossal Alien Intelligence
Init -2; Senses blind sight; Perception +20

DEFENSE
AC 26   
Melee AC 34    Base 10, Strength +8, Dexterity -2, Size -8, Natural +18, Deflection +8
hp 148 (9d12+72)
Fort +20, Ref +6, Will +19
DR 20 / - Immune fire, lightning, cold, sonic; Resist 10 / acid; Vulnerable: force
Immunities paralysis, sleep; SR 21

OFFENSE
Speed Stationary
Melee 4 Tentacles +17 (2d8+24) Critical 20 (x2)
Space 30 ft.; Reach Limit of Cavern

Tentacles
DR 20 / Epic; AC 28
HP 50 /
HP 50 /
HP 50 /
HP 50 /

Each tentacle destroyed reduces the DR of the main body by 5 and natural AC by 2. Normally housed in its body, they have no fire or cold resistance.

STATISTICS
Str 42 (+16), Dex 6 (-2), Con 26 (+8), Int 25, Wis 25, Cha 25
Base Atk +9; CMB +31; CMD 41
Feats Power Attack, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Focus Natural Attack, Furious Assault
Skills All +30
Languages All
SQ Cosmic

Shuma Gorath – Form 2 – Cosmic Destroyer

XP 9,600
Chaotic Evil Huge Alien Intelligence
Init -2; Senses blind sight; Perception +20

DEFENSE
AC 25   
Melee AC 29    Base 10, Strength +3, Dexterity -2, Size -2, Natural +9, Deflection +8, Flight +2
hp 84 (9d10+36)
Fort +15, Ref +7, Will +18
DR 10 / - Immune fire, lightning, cold, sonic; Resist 10 / acid; Vulnerable: force
Immunities paralysis, sleep; SR 21

OFFENSE
Speed 50 Flight
Melee 2 Tentacles +14 (2d6+11) Critical 20 (x2)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15ft.

Caster – Sorcerer 9
Spells 7 / 7 / 7 / 5

1- Protection from Law
1- Corrosive Touch
1- Magic Missile
1- Burning Disarm
1- Shield
2 – Acid Arrow
2 – Protection from Arrows
2 – Detect Thoughts
2 – Burning Gaze
3 – Cloak of Winds
3 – Dispel Magic
3 – Lightning Bolt
4 – Fire Shield
4 – Ice Storm

STATISTICS
Str 26 (+7), Dex 6 (-2), Con 18 (+4), Int 25, Wis 25, Cha 25
Base Atk +9; CMB +23; CMD 28
Feats Power Attack, Improved Disarm, Improved Trip, Focus Natural Attack, Furious Assault
Skills All +30
Languages All
SQ Cosmic

Shuma Gorath – Form 3 – Beautiful Human

Chaotic Evil Medium Alien Intelligence
Init +9; Senses blind sight; Perception +20

DEFENSE
AC 28   
Melee AC 31    Base 10, Strength +3, Dexterity +5, Mage Armor +4, Flight +2, Shield +4, Skill +3
hp 57 (6d8+24)
Fort +12, Ref +10, Will +13
DR 10 / - Immune fire, lightning, cold, sonic; Resist 10 / acid; Vulnerable: force
Immunities paralysis, sleep; SR 21

OFFENSE
Speed 50 Flight / Cosmic Flight
Melee Hammer of Destruction +13 (1d8 + 12 + 2d6 vs. Lawful Creatures +1d6 Shuma Gorath’s Fire Damage Aura)
Spell Combat Concentration +17 (and reroll)

Magus Arcana

Pool Strike 3d6 (1)
Dispel Strike (1-3)
Close Range
Concentration

Caster – Magus 6[/b]
Spells 7 / 7 / 7 / 5

1- Freezing Grasp
1- Burning Grasp
1- Shocking Grasp
1- Mage Armor
1- Shield
1 – Magic Missile
2 – Protection from Arrows
2 – Detect Thoughts
2 – Scorching Ray (Frost)
2 – See Invisibility
2 – Scorching Ray (Fire)

STATISTICS
Str 26 (+7), Dex 20 (+5), Con 18 (+4), Int 25, Wis 25, Cha 25
Base Atk +4; CMB +12; CMD 26
Feats Improved Initiative, Combat Casting, Power Attack, Furious Assault, Improved Unarmed, Improved Grapple, Improved Trip, Improved Disarm
Skills All +30
Languages All
SQ Cosmic

Wondering how you were imagining the fight to play out w/ regard to his forms? I notice each of the forms has a different HP number...so, do they destroy one form and then it automatically respawns in the new form at max HPs?  Or does it change forms as it sees fit to gain tactical advantages, in which case you might want to them all one set of HPs (and the same HP total for convenience).
I might be tempted to trade Improved Disarm for Improved Sunder and have it try to shatter the amazing magic sword rather than disarming it...
 
The SR may be slightly high (CL 6 needs a 15+ to penetrate a 21; 30% chance) but its not too bad.
 
I'd be tempted to add some sort of grab ability to the to the tentacle form (Improved grab as a special ability, or Snatch). Then maybe it can grab people, and they have to spend time hacking at tentacles before it can drag them to its maw (if it has one).

Quote from: Bloody Stupid Johnson;475888Wondering how you were imagining the fight to play out w/ regard to his forms? I notice each of the forms has a different HP number...so, do they destroy one form and then it automatically respawns in the new form at max HPs?  Or does it change forms as it sees fit to gain tactical advantages, in which case you might want to them all one set of HPs (and the same HP total for convenience).
I might be tempted to trade Improved Disarm for Improved Sunder and have it try to shatter the amazing magic sword rather than disarming it...
 
The SR may be slightly high (CL 6 needs a 15+ to penetrate a 21; 30% chance) but its not too bad.
 
I'd be tempted to add some sort of grab ability to the to the tentacle form (Improved grab as a special ability, or Snatch). Then maybe it can grab people, and they have to spend time hacking at tentacles before it can drag them to its maw (if it has one).

I might drop its SR. I don't want the Sorcerer to feel too useless. I hope I can work in her getting a more powerful evocation she can use on it. I might make it a trick - someone can teach her a force power that works on everything or a more powerful lightning attack - which wouldn't work on it.

The grab ability is a good idea. For whatever reason, I wasn't picturing a mouth for any form. It doesn't speak or eat. The first is more like a mound of flesh. The second is a giant eye with tentacles.

When it runs out of HP, it changes forms. It is large, safe, and comfortable in its big form, plus magical barriers keep it trapped there. Its second form is its fun form it can use to burn down cities. Its last form is more forced by the other gods and he takes it when he is weak.