Baku

Large Outsider (Extraplanar, Psionic)
Hit Dice:	12d8+60 (114 hp)
Initiative:	+5
Speed:	50 ft.
Armor Class:	22 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +12 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 21
Base Attack/Grapple:	+12/+29
Attack:	Gore +19 melee (2d8+12), or +1 light mace +12 melee (2d6+9)
Full Attack:	Gore +19 melee (2d8+12) and 2 slams +18 melee (2d6+4), or +1 heavy mace +12/+7/+2 melee (2d6+9)
Space/Reach:	10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks:	Psi-like abilities, trample 2d8+12, trumpet
Special Qualities:	Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, power resistance 19, scent
Saves:	Fort +13, Ref +9, Will +12
Abilities:	Str 26, Dex 13, Con 21, Int 16, Wis 15, Cha 13
Skills:	Autohypnosis +17, Concentration +20, Diplomacy +18, Heal +17, Knowledge (the planes) +18, Listen +19, Psicraft +18, Search +18, Sense Motive +17, Spot +19, Survival +17
Feats:	Ability Focus (trumpet), Alertness, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Multiattack
Environment:	Region of Dreams
Organization:	Solitary or group (2-5)
Challenge Rating:	10
Treasure:	½ standard
Alignment:	Neutral Good
Advancement:	13-16 HD (Large); 17-24 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment:	+4

“What are these animals?” asked the little fox. They were the size of lions, and they snuffled about the rocks, their long noses rooting and snuffling in the barren ground. They are Baku, said the great fox. They are the Dream Eaters. The little fox had heard of the Baku. If a dreamer wakes from a dream of ill-omen, or a portent of dark things, the dreamer may invoke the Baku and hope that the Baku will eat the dream and take it and what it foretells, away.She stared at the Baku as they moved across the rocky desert of dreams.“And if one were to catch a Baku after it had consumed a dream,” asked the little fox “What then?”The great fox said nothing for some time. - Neil Gaiman, The Dream HuntersMany primitive cultures know of the Dream Eaters, benevolent elephantine beings that feed on the unwanted dreams of mortals. Although native to the Region of Dreams, these reclusive spirits can be found in the Outlands and also some tropical forests on the Prime Material Plane, utilizing their psionic powers to travel between these planes.Baku speak their own language as well as Planar Trade, and many also learn Celestial or Sylvan.CombatBaku rarely engage in combat, being peaceful and slow to anger. They prefer to avoid any conflict by stealth or extraplanar escape, but they will fight to defend weaker creatures. Despite their bulk, they are quite agile and fleet of foot; they attempt to dispatch attackers using psionics, but if that doesn’t work, they charge in and trample them.A baku’s 4-ft. long prehensile trunk can hold one-handed melee or ranged weapons (often magically enhanced) or simple magic items such as rods and wands. Attacks with manufactured weapons are always made adding the baku’s Dexterity modifier (instead of Strength) to the roll.Psi-Like Abilities: At will – body adjustment (4d12*), conceal thoughts, ectoplasmic form, mass cloud mind (DC 17*), telempathic projection; 3/day – animal affinity (2 ability scores*), aura sight (70 ft.*), mind thrust (12d10; DC 17*), psychic crush (4d6 on successful save; DC 16*); 1/day – dream travel, metamorphosis, restoration. Manifester level 12th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.* includes augmentations for the baku’s manifester levelTrample (Ex): 2d8+12, Reflex half DC 24. The save DC is Strength-based.Trumpet (Su): Once every 1d4 rounds, a baku can produce a trumpeting roar that frightens evil creatures. All creatures within 40 feet of the blast take 2d6 points of sonic damage; additionally, evil-aligned creatures in the area must succeed on a DC 17 Will save or become panicked for 1 minute. A successful save renders a creature immune to that baku’s trumpet ability for one day. The save DC is Charisma-based. The ability description above assumes a baku of good alignment. Evil-aligned baku frighten good creatures instead, and a neutral-aligned baku are able to frighten either good or evil creatures (GM’s choice), but not both.Habitat/SocietyMost baku live in small nomadic groups, and elders often choose solitude. A baku occasionally becomes part of a primitive humanoid community, often using shape-shifting as a disguise. While the vast majority of baku are benevolent beings, some are known to turn to evil. These “Dark Ones” always seek to disrupt the plans of their good brethren and cause suffering among mortals. Also, some baku elders become disillusioned with the issues of ethics and morality, and adapt a neutral outlook. These “Holy Ones” are revered as great philosophers and enlightened, semi-divine beings.EcologyAs an Outsider, a baku does indeed feed on dreams, but its mortal form is that of a large herbivore, and can live on plants and water for months. Eventually it becomes necessary to visit the Region of Dreams and graze on the substance that supports the baku's immortal spirit.As a partial substitute, some baku planewalkers have developed a bond with their fellow travelers that allows them to feed on their willing mortal companion's dreams directly, without passing into a Dreamscape.Artwork by Yoshitaka Amano. Used without permission.