Mawler

The collar of the fine new cloak suddenly reveals a set of jagged teeth as you realize that it is a carnivorous creature, and you are wearing it.

Mawler CR 4

XP 1,200
NE Tiny aberration (shapechanger)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +8; Aura magic aura

hp 39 (6d8+12)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +7

Melee bite +9 (1d4+1 plus grab)
Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks constrict (1d4+1), vorpal bite

Base Atk +4; CMB +3 (+7 grapple); CMD 16 (can’t be tripped)
Feats Iron Will, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Finesse
Skills Disguise +10, Perception +8, Stealth +16; Racial Modifiers +8 Disguise
SQ mimic shape

Environment any
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure none

Sages are uncertain as to the origin of the mawler, but speculation ranges from it being related to the mimic to it being somehow related to the executioner’s hood. Whatever its origins, it is considered by many to be the bane of treasure-seekers everywhere.

A mawler’s natural form is that of a small blob of fleshy stuff approximately 2 feet across. Mawlers are rarely ever seen in their natural form, however, as they almost always take the shape of an article of clothing made for a Medium humanoid – meals are easy to come by in that form. A mawler can alter its texture, color, and shape to match such substances as leather and metal. A single mawler usually takes on the form of a single article of clothing, such as a hat, helmet, scarf, codpiece, or belt. A pair of these creatures encountered together can take the shape of a pair of boots or a pair of gloves.

A mawler radiates an aura of magic, and unwitting victims are often lured into believing that they have found a pair of magic boots or magic gloves – when in reality what they place on their legs or hands will soon grow reveal its true nature – much to the detriment of the would-be treasure hunter.

A mawler generally does not engage in melee. It lies in wait for an unsuspecting meal to don it. In the rare instance that a mawler is forced into melee, it attacks with its bite.

When an unsuspecting person dons the mimic, it usually waits 1d3 minutes before attacking with its bite. A mawler that scores a critical and severs a victim’s limb tries to move away as quickly as possible to digest the meal.