Spellwarped creatures have been tainted by powerful magic. Long ago, powerful spellcasters infused magic into the bodies of many creatures, seeking to make them stronger, tougher, and more tractable. The magic used in this process changed the nature of the affected creatures. These changes were irreversible, and the changes bred true as the creatures matured and produced offspring of their own. The process was a partial success, and the creatures did indeed grow stronger and faster than normal creatures of their kind. The creatures invariably proved unruly, however, and they seemed more clever and quick-thinking than others of their type. In addition, the creatures gained a strange and alien mind-set, reacting to many situations in unusual but cunning ways.
“Spellwarped” is an inherited template that can be added to any corporeal aberration, animal, dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, magical beast, monstrous humanoid, plant, or vermin (referred to hereafter as the base creature).
A spellwarped creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and abilities except as noted here.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to aberration. Do not recalculate the creature’s Hit Dice, base attack bonus, saves, or skill points if its type changes. The creature gains the augmented subtype if necessary. Size is unchanged.
Armor Class: Natural armor bonus improves by 2 (this stacks with any natural armor bonus the base creature has).
Special Qualities: A spellwarped creature has all the special qualities of the base creature, plus the following special qualities.
Spell Resistance (Ex): A spellwarped creature gains spell resistance equal to 11 + its Hit Dice. If the creature already has spell resistance, use the greater of the two values.
Spell Absorption (Su): Whenever a spell fails to penetrate a spellwarped creature’s spell resistance, the creature gains one of the following benefits, chosen at the time that the spell resolves.
Might: The spellwarped creature gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength for 1 minute.
Agility: The spellwarped creature gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Dexterity for 1 minute.
Endurance: The spellwarped creature gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Constitution for 1 minute.
Life: The spellwarped creature gains temporary hit points equal to 5 × the level of the failed spell.
Speed: The spellwarped creature’s base speed increases by a number of feet equal to 5 × the level of the failed spell.
Resistance: The spellwarped creature gains resistance 10 to one energy type (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic).
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex +2, Con +4, Int +4.
Challenge Rating: HD 3 or less, as base creature; HD 4 to 10, as base creature +1; HD 11 or more, as base creature +2.
Alignment: Usually evil (any). Spellwarped creatures are typically selfish and cruel.
Level Adjustment: +3.
Long before humans walked Eberron, dragon sorcerers experimented on various lesser creatures in a vain attempt to improve upon them. The dragons pitted their spellwarped creations against each other in battle, mostly for their mutual amusement. After centuries of experimentation, they grew bored with the exercise and became more immersed in the draconic Prophecies. Many of their spellwarped creations survived the ages and continue to inhabit Eberron to this day, although few have any recollection of their true origins.
The giants of Xen’drik learned the secrets of creating spellwarped creatures from the dragons and revived the arcane practice, creating spellwarped elves, orcs, ettins, and even more monstrous creatures. Many spellwarped creatures that once served the giants as slaves now haunt the ruins of the giants’ shattered civilization.
The origin of spellwarped creatures can be traced back to Netheril, possibly back to the Nether Scrolls themselves. Netherese wizards worked their spellwarped creations into the armies of the day, even putting them to use defending cities against the phaerimm onslaught. Explorations of Netheril’s ancient ruins enabled the Red Wizards of Thay to unlock the secrets of creating spellwarped creatures, and new variations have begun to emerge from the Thaymount to perform the Red Wizards’ bidding.
Source: Monster Manual III, page 162.