Lithic Locus
Level 14Abilities
Tremorsense allows a monster to feel the vibrations through a solid surface caused by movement. It is an imprecise sense with a limited range (listed in the ability). Tremorsense functions only if the monster is on the same surface as the subject, and only if the subject is moving along (or burrowing through) the surface.
A lithic locus contains at least one magic item. Any such antiques are durable, permanent items that were part of the locus's site and typify their culture. The locus receives the benefits of such an item as if wearing or holding it and can activate it. A lithic locus typically has an item of their level.
Any creature hit by the locus's ancient stone Strike is partially buried in a tide of earth and rock, becoming Immobilized (Escape).
The locus calls forth a remnant of the past civilization to impart a lesson or control the present. Using this ability again ends any previous manifestation. The locus casts one of the following occult innate spells (DC 34) for the listed purpose. Dominate The dominated creature takes on the role of a historical figure or someone in the social hierarchy (such as high priest) from the locus's civilization. Illusory Scene The scene reenacts a historical event from the locus's civilization. Invoke Spirits The spirits are drawn from the locus's memories of people from their civilization. Wall of Stone The locus recreates the wall of a building from their civilization, complete with decorations.
Description
Civilizations die, buried by time, but their memory may yet linger in shattered pottery, collapsed edifices, and destroyed artwork, compressed and clarified under the weight of rock and soil. Some excavated sites might still hold a sliver of consciousness in their base materials, which walks again as an avatar of an extinct people when awakened. These lithic loci represent the triumphs and folly of their society. Speaking to one is speaking to a witness of an archaic time. The lithic locus's persona expresses their culture in all dimensions, and thus the attitudes of lithic loci vary greatly. Their appearances show the aesthetics and technology of their time, suspended in a cloud of excavated earth.
As plentiful as archaeological sites are in the Universe, the Plane of Earth holds countless more of far older provenance. Some of its inhabitants have even found lithic loci from peoples far older than themselves, seeing directly what would remain should they dwindle out of living memory. This has led some civilizations to even plan their decline by leaving a legacy in the living rock.
Ancient Finds
Lithic loci often contain important and valuable items. None of these elemental constructs are likely to agree to be looted, but some loci bestow their antiquities upon worthy successors, proud to see their culture's creations put to effective use in the modern day. Lithic loci can also direct earnest seekers to other lost treasures, helping to restore knowledge of an extinct society.