Defiler
Large Aberration (Zerg)
Hit Dice: 9d8+30 (70 hp)
Initiative: +6 (+2 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares), burrow 10 ft.
Armour Class: 17 (+2 Dex, -1 size, +6 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+12
Attack: --
Full Attack: --
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Consume, dark swarm, plague.
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., fast healing 3, immunity to poison and cold, resistance to acid and eletricity 15, Zerg traits.
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +9
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 1, Wis 17, Cha 19
Skills: Hide +8 (+12 underground), Listen +9 (+13 underground)
Feats: Ability Focus (plague), Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Toughness
Environment: Any
Organization: Solitary, pair, or escort (2-4, plus 10-20 Zerglings)
Challenge Rating: 13
Treasure: None
Alignment: Lawful evil
Advancement: 10-14 HD (Large), 15-18 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: --

   This creature looks like a large silverfish, black with red eyes. The disgusting creature smells most foul, and is covered with tiny, swarming insects.

Description
   Defilers are the perfect example of the fanatic and sadistic nature of the Zerg. Like the Larvae, the Defiler carries within it the genetic code of every other Zerg breed, but it does not produce them. To the contrary, the Defiler uses these genetic matrices to produce cancer-like toxins which have dramatic and deadly effects.

Combat
   The defiler prefers to avoid direct combat, relishing instead in the use of its unique bio-chemical abilities. A common tactic of these vile creatures is to attack until they run out of prepared toxins, and then burrow down until they can rejuvenate their stores of venom.
   Dark Swarm (Ex): The body of a Defiler is covered with a countless number of smaller creatures that feed off each other. By spontanteously launching a number of these creatures into the fray, the Defiler can create a thick cloud of living insects to distract the Swarm's enemies and provide cover for other breeds. This insect swarm is 20 ft. wide and 20 ft. high, centered on any point the creature wishes (within 30 ft. of itself). The swarm obscures all sight, including darkvision, beyond 5 feet. A creature 5 feet away has concealment (attacks have a 20% miss chance). Creatures farther away have total concealment (50% miss chance, and the attacker cannot use sight to locate the target). This effect lasts for up to nine minutes, unless dispersed by a powerful wind (21+ mph), or fire (such as a flamethrower). The defiler may use this ability 2/day.
   Plauge (Ex): With this ability, the Defiler produces a batch of corrosive spore that it then explosively projects in a dense cloud around its enemies. This highly toxic cloud corrodes anything caught within its midst. The plague has a 20 ft. radius of effect, centered on any point the creature wishes (within 30 ft. of itself). Anything within this area it affected by the plague - regardless of whether it moves out. They make 3d6 points of damage per round, for 9 rounds. This affliction can be removed by a medic using restoration or greater restoration. The plague stops affecting a victim when they would be reduced to 1 hit point/vitality point. If a Protoss is struck by the plague, the damage goes straight to its hit points, ignoring (but not depleting) its shield points. Creatures that succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 19) take half damage each round instead. The save DC is Constitution-based. The defiler may use this ability 1/day.
   Consume (Ex): As the only breed in the Swarm to show tendencies of cannibalism, the Defiler sometimes feeds off of its own species to regain lost energy. While this practice is particularly replusive to most civilized species in the galaxy, it has proven to be an effective, if unsavory, tactic. As a full-round action that provokes an attack of oppurtunity, a defiler can devour an adjacent Zerg unit of size medium or smaller (usually a zergling). No check is required, as the creature is presumed willing (for a cerebrate is in complete control of them both). The defiler may then regain one use of one of its special abilities, dark swarm or plague, that has been already expended for the day.
   Skills: Defilers have a +4 racial bonus to Hide and Listen checks while underground.