Homunculus, Arbalester
This light crossbow has been modified so that it has two hind legs and two stubby arms. Across the central mounting bar, a pair of dull grey eyes stare up at you; its small mouth in a stern grimace. In a single, smooth motion, it takes a bolt from a quiver on its belly, loads itself and aims the bolt at your stomach. From behind, a dry voice coughs and with a crisp accent, says "I see you have met my over-watch. I suggest that you disarm yourself before he and his brethren perforate you."
Homunculus, Arbalester
CR 1/2
XP: 200
Any alignment (same as creator) Tiny Construct
Init: +4; Senses: Darkvision 60', low-light vision; Perception +1
DEFENSE:
AC: 16, Touch 16, Flat-Footed 12 (+2 size, +4 Dex)
HP: 5 hp (1d10)
Fort: +0; Ref: +4; Will: +0
Immune: Construct traits
OFFENSE:
Speed: 10 ft
Melee: Masterwork light crossbow +8 (1d8 / 19-20), bite +6 (1d4-1)
Space: 2 1/2 ft.; Reach: 0 ft.
STATISTICS:
Str 8, Dex 19, Con -, Int 12, Wis 10, Chr 7
Base Atk: +1; CMB: -2 (); CMD: 12
Feats: Point Blank Shot
Skills: Acrobatics +5, Perception +1, Stealth +5
SPECIAL ABILITIES:
Crossbow Proficiency: An arbalester is proficient with the masterwork light crossbow that it is built around and is capable of reloading itself as a typical move action.
Receive Enchantment (Su): The arbalester can be enchanted as per a magic weapon, affecting only the light crossbow that makes up the bulk of its frame. A base arbalester is considered a masterwork light crossbow for the purposes of enchanting and requires the standard feats, time and cost for enchanting a regular masterwork light cross.
Telepathic Link (Su): Arbalesters cannot speak, but maintain a constant telepathic link to their master. Through this link, they instantly understand everything their master desires, knows what he knows and can provide complete understanding of their surroundings back to their master. This link is maintained regardless of the distance, but going more than 1,500 feet causes a noticeably nervousness within the construct. An arbalester will never willing go beyond this range. Should an arbalester be forced outside of this distance, it will attempt to return to the master regardless of commands, until it is within 1,500 feet again.
ECOLOGY:
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: None
Role: None
Source: MoE, pg. 152
This construct is made from altering a masterwork light crossbow to give it vision, mobility and the ability to load and fire itself. It has a quiver that can hold 20 bolts without affecting its carrying capacity. The arbalester can be picked up and fired like a regular light crossbow, but cannot reload itself until it is put back down on the ground. Masters can direct targets for the arbalesters to shoot at via telepathic link without spending an action. Like all homunculi, should an arbalester be destroyed, its master takes 2d10 points of damage and should the master be destroyed, or the telepathic link somehow becomes severed, the arbalester goes insane, loosing its Intelligence, feats, and skills.
Construction:
Arbalesters are crafted around a masterwork light crossbow made from fresh wood. Silver and gold inlay is needed around the parts that articulate. The body itself costs 350 gp. In addition, a pint of blood must be donated from the creature that the arbalester will call master. Arbalesters can be created with additional hit dice, each additional an additional 2,000 gp to the base cost.
Caster Level: 7th; Price: 2,500 gp
Requirements: Craft Construct, arcane eye, mending; Skill: Craft (carpentry) DC 14; Cost: 1,250 gp.