Five-Color Orchid Mantis
Level 9Attacks
Abilities
When Hiding, the five-color orchid mantis is Concealed by any amount of leaves or petals, even if they aren't thick enough to make other creatures concealed.
Requirements The mantis has an elemental trait from Color Shift
Elemental energy pushes back against the blow, giving the attacker a –2 status penalty to attack rolls until the beginning of its next turn. If the weapon contains material that matches the mantis's trait (such as earth for a thrown rock or fire for a lit torch), the mantis gains resistance 10 to all damage from this Strike.
Frequency once per round Effect The mantis attunes itself to one of five elements, changing color accordingly (yellow for earth, red for fire, white for metal, black for water, or green for wood). It gains that trait and a +2 status bonus to saving throws against effects with that trait until the beginning of its next turn. If the mantis uses Color Shift on its next turn, it must choose a different color.
The mantis makes two leg attacks. If both attacks hit, the mantis gains 10 temporary Hit Points, and the target must succeed at a DC 27 fortitude saving throw or become Drained 1 (Drained 2 on a critical failure). The drained condition ends when the mantis is reduced to 0 Hit Points.
On the first round of combat, creatures that haven't acted are Off-Guard to the mantis.
Description
Few creatures appear as beautiful as the orchid mantises. Their elegant form and coloration resemble flowers, and many people adopt the delicate creatures as short-lived pets. While these mundane insects aren't dangerous to humanoids, they can still bring down prey several times their own size. Unfolding from their flowery pose, orchid mantises lash out with blinding speed, even chasing foraging butterflies with their sharp-toothed arms and powerful bite.
Orchid mantises naturally live short lives that don't offer a great deal of time to gather spiritual energy. However, a mantis in a rich enough environment can extend their life span and grow to understand the elements. These creatures become five-color orchid mantises and, despite their violent attitudes, are thought to be especially sacred to Qi Zhong. As such, these dangerous mantises are often avoided or placated while gathering herbs rather than driven off.