Trilateral Template

The Trilateral template is a template which may be applied to any non-outsider creature with bilateral symmetry. The creature's general anatomy changes to a trilateral creature. A trilateral creature is arranged radially, with three anatomical features where a normal creature would have two. In general, this means that a trilateral humanoid would have 3 arms, 3 legs, 3 eyes, etc. A trilateral creature does not necessarily resemble its parent creature, so any subtypes are typically dropped (e.g., a trilateral goblin would not have the goblinoid subtype). Descriptive subtypes, such as fire or aquatic, are not dropped.

Since some creatures - particularly quadupeds - may not resemble the original creature significantly, designing trilateral creatures can be challenging. Gamemasters are encouraged to experiment with the descriptions of trilateral creatures.

The following modifications are applied to creatures with the trilateral template:

Below are several creatures with the trilateral template applied. Aside from the modifications, all other gaming mechanics, as well as creature tactics and behavior, remain unchanged.


Tri-ger

tiger with the trilateral template

This creature has six legs surrounding a central body. The limbs alternate between longer dextrous legs and strong leaping legs. All limbs end in sharp claws. The creature's head is at the top of a long prehensile neck centered on the top of the body, with three eyes radially arranged around the bottom of the head. The top of the head has a triple jaw with sharp teeth. It is covered with short fur which has a striped pattern for camoflage.

2nd Edition 3rd Edition
Movement: 12, jump 2 Speed: 40 ft. (unchanged)
No. of Attacks: 4
Damage/Attack: 1d4+1 (x3), 1d10 Full Attack 3 claws +9 melee (1d8+6), bite +4 melee (2d6+3)
Special Attacks: Rake 2d4 (x3) Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Pounce, Rake 1d8+3 (x3)
Special Defenses: All-around vision, surprised 1 in 12 Special Qualities: All-around vision, Immune to flanking, Low-light vision, scent
XP Value: 975 Challenge Rating: 5

Trivern

wyvern with the trilateral template

This creature has three wings with barb claws arranged radially around its body. It has a head with three eyes arranged around the head, and a large fanged mouth with wicked teeth. The creature stands upon three long legs ending in sharp talons. It has a long tail ending in a stinger at the bottom of its body, flicking back and forth between its three feet.

When in flight, the creature's wings alternate direction in a curious propeller-like motion, first turning clockwise, then counter-clockwise. The talons can fold up close to the body, or stretch out to tear at targets. The flexible tail normally trails behind, but is flexible enough to reach the creature's head.

2nd Edition 3rd Edition
Movement: 6, fly 27 (E) Speed: 20 ft., fly 70 ft. (poor)
No. of Attacks: 2 or 5
Damage/Attack: Bite 2d8, Stinger 1d6, claws 1d6 (x3) Full Attack Sting +10 melee (1d6+4 plus poison), bite +8 melee (2d8+4), 3 wings +8 melee (1d8+2), 3 talons +8 melee (2d6+4)
Special Attacks: Poison Special Attacks: Improved Grab, Poison
Special Defenses: All-around vision, surprised 1 in 6 Special Qualities: All-around vision, Darkvision, immunity to sleep and paralysis, Immune to flanking, Low-light vision, scent
XP Value: 2000 Challenge Rating: 7