You are drawn first to the being’s fiery, piercing eyes, then to the long mane of coppery-red hair that crowns its pale head. Marble-white flesh covers the being’s stately frame. Its legs end in birdlike talons with ruby-sharp claws, and wings of crackling flame spring from its narrow shoulders.
Asuras serve deities as messengers and heralds with righteous zealotry. Sometimes one or more asuras are sent on missions to other planes, carrying messages of revenge, punishment, and death to those who have challenged or angered one of the powers. Other celestial beings find them impertinent and needlessly violent; however, most asuras take great pride in their ability to intimidate and “correct” evildoers.
An asura stands about 61⁄2 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds.
Combat
Asuras travel light and prefer the scimitar and bow.
An asura’s natural weapons, as well as any weapons it wields, are treated as having the chaotic and good alignments for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Asuras can be summoned with the summon monster VI spell.
Asura
Medium outsider (chaotic, extraplanar, good)
Init +2; Senses darkvision, true seeing; Perception +13
Defense
AC 27, touch 12, flat-footed 25 (+2 Dex, +6 natural, +7 armor, +2 shield)
hp 52 (8d8+16)
DR 5/evil
Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +6
SR 19 (23 vs. evil)
Immune fire, petrification, charm, compulsion
Offense
Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (good)
Melee +1 flaming scimitar +13/+8 (1d6+4/18–20 plus 1d6 fire)
Melee 2 claws +11 melee (1d8+3/19–20)
Ranged longbow +12/+7 (1d8+3/×3)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks burning wind (15-ft. radius, 2d6 fire)
Spell-like Abilities
- Constant—true seeing
- At will—detect good, detect evil, discern lies (DC 15)
- 1/day—holy smite (DC 16), magic circle against evil (self only)
Statistics
Str 16, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 17
Base Atk +8; CMB +11; CMD 23
Feats Exalted Spell Resistance, Improved Critical (claw)B, Iron Will, Weapon Focus (longbow), Weapon Focus (scimitar)
Skills Diplomacy +14, Escape Artist +13, Fly +17, Intimidate +14, Perception +13, Sense Motive +13
Languages Celestial
Morale indomitable (+6)
Special Qualities change shape
Ecology
Environment Celestial realms
Organization solitary, pair, or host (3d4)
Equipment +1 mithral breastplate, +1 buckler, +1 flaming scimitar, trumpet of doom, masterwork longbow, quiver with 20 arrows
Special Abilities
Burning Wind (Su)
An asura can beat its wings as a standard action and generate a searing wave of heat that deals 2d6 points of damage to all creatures within a 15-foot radius.
Change Shape (Su)
An asura can assume any humanoid form. While in humanoid form, the asura loses its flight and its burning wind ability.