This massive creature combines the trunk, tusks, and size of an elephant with the powerful jaws, scaly hide, and tail of a crocodile.
Makara Vahana CR 9
XP 6,400
N Huge magical beast (aquatic, augmented animal)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +22
Defense
AC 22, touch 10, flat-footed 20 (+2 Dex, +12 natural, -2 size)
hp 115 (11d8+66)
Fort +15, Ref +9, Will +7; +4 on Will saves vs. enchantment
DR 10/magic; Resist acid 10, cold 10, electricity 10, fire 10; SR 20
Offense
Speed 70 ft., swim 70 ft.
Melee gore +18 (2d8+12), slam +18 (2d6+12), bite +18 (2d6+12)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks trample (2d8+18, DC 27)
Statistics
Str 34, Dex 14, Con 23, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 9
Base Atk +8; CMB +22 (+24 bull rush); CMD 34 (36 vs. bull rush)
Feats Endurance, Great Fortitude, Improved Bull Rush, Iron Will, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +22
Languages Common and either Abyssal, Celestial, or Infernal; telepathy (with rider only)
SQ amphibious, blended beast, rider bond (water breathing)
Ecology
Environment any
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure none
Vahanas are steeds of legend, created by the gods. Deities gift vahanas to faithful servants to help them accomplish great deeds or as rewards for the same. Makaras, elephants with crocodile features, are one of the common types of vahana.
Creating a Vahana
Vahana is an acquired template that can be added to any living creature of the animal type. A vahana retains the base creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
CR: Base creature's CR + 2.
Alignment: Within one step of the vahana's creator deity.
Type: The creature's type changes to magical beast, and it gains darkvision 60 feet. Don't recalculate HD, BAB, or saves.
Armor Class: Natural armor improves by 3.
Defensive Abilities: A vahana gains acid, cold, electricity, and fire resistance 10; DR 10/magic, and spell resistance equal to CR + 11 (maximum 35).
Speed: +30 feet for all movement types (up to double the creature's base movement speed).
Special Abilities: A vahana gains the following.
Blended Beast (Su): A vahana's creator blends animal features to strengthen the vahana. Each vahana gains one additional natural attack, with damage typical for its size (usually a bite attack). A vahana gains one additional form of movement speed at its new base speed, usually a swim speed or a fly speed. If it gains a swim speed, it gains the aquatic subtype, the amphibious special quality, and the ability to grant its rider constant water breathing. If it gains a fly speed, both the vahana and its rider benefit from constant feather fall (in the rider's case, this includes when she falls off the vahana). Additionally, all vahana gain the devotion special ability of an animal companion.
Rider Bond (Su): A vahana's bond with its rider allows them to communicate telepathically as long as they're on the same plane. As a free action that the rider can take even when it is not her turn, a vahana's rider can choose to redirect damage dealt to the vahana to instead affect the rider.
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Dex +4, Con +4, Int +10, Wis +2, Cha +2.
