Hey, there! Luis, here! It’s the final day of the year, and I have the privilege of closing out 2021 with the final Know Direction blog of the year! While I’m usually a fan of giving you holiday or end of year monsters, I’m going to do something a little different this time around. This entry is going to be a commemoration to Know Direction’s Director of Logistics, Ryan Costello! Ryan has ended his tenure as co-host for the Know Direction podcast and is going to instead be focusing on Essence20 going forward. While Ryan isn’t leaving the network, it’s still sad to see him go from KD Prime. He’s been a co-host for 12 years now and it will be difficult to fill the space that he’s leaving behind. I’ve been listening to Know Direction since about 2014, joined the network in 2016, and made my (somewhat quiet and awkward) premiere on KD later that year. In that time, I’ve been honored to get to know Ryan and call him my friend. As such, I wanted to celebrate him the only way I know how: make him into a monster! So, immortalized forevermore in Pathfinder 2E stats, I present to you the Costello-bot 4000! (Also, a huge thanks to Sheppi Rodriguez for getting this illustration of the Costello-bot made at the last minute! Gracias por todo, Sheppi!)
Costello-bot 4000 Creature 12
Unique, N, Large, Construct
Perception +22; darkvision
Languages Common
Skills Acrobatics +20, Athletics +25, Diplomacy +22, Intimidation +22, Performance +22, Society +20, Wrestling Lore +22
Str +7, Dex +4, Con +5, Int +4, Wis +5, Cha +5
Knowing is Half the Battle Costello-bot is constantly analyzing his opponents, learning their techniques and abilities. He gains a free action at the start of his turn that allows him to Recall Knowledge about any creature. In addition, he can use Wrestling Lore to Recall Knowledge about any creature, but only while in combat or observing the creature fight.
AC 33; Fort +25, Ref +20, Will +23
HP 200; Immunities death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, mental, necromancy, nonlethal attacks, paralyzed, poison; Resistances physical 10
Contender’s Belt Costello-bot carries a special belt that signifies his fighting prowess and is particularly important to him. A creature who has Costello-bot grabbed or restrained can take the belt as an Interact action by succeeding at an Athletics check against Costello-bot’s Fortitude DC. Taking Costello-bot’s belt in this way causes him to fly into a frenzy. Costello-bot becomes quickened and can use his extra action to Fly, Grapple, Stride, or Strike. He also gains a +4 status bonus to damage rolls, and takes a –4 status penalty to AC and Reflex saving throws. If he recovers the belt, Costello-bot ends his frenzy.
A creature can rightfully earn the belt by challenging Costello-bot to a one on one match, usually scheduled for one fall. If the creature bests Costello-bot, he will give the creature his belt and not enter a frenzy. Costello-bot gains a new belt again after 1 month, usually after another high-stakes match or event. While the belt is in a creature’s (other than Costello-bot) possession, it grants a +2 item bonus to Athletics check to Grapple and the constant effects of freedom of movement. The power of the belt is linked to Costello-bot’s belief. As such, it will lose its power if Costello-bot is destroyed. If a creature earns the belt in a challenge, however, it retains its power forever.
Speed 40 feet, fly 30 feet
Melee [one-action] fist +26 (reach 10 feet), Damage 2d12+13 bludgeoning
Ranged [one-action] eye beam +24 (range increment 60 feet), Damage 2d10+11 electricity
Aerial Piledriver [two-actions] Requirements Costello-bot has a creature grabbed or restrained; Effect Costello-bot leaps into the air with his opponent, and brings them crashing to the ground. He makes an unarmed melee Strike against the creature he has grabbed or restrained. This Strike deals 1d6 additional damage per weapon damage die, and it has the following additional effects on a success, failure, and critical failure.
Success The target lands prone.
Failure Costello-bot loses his grip on the target, and it is no longer grabbed or restrained by him.
Critical Failure Costello-bot loses both his grip on the target and his balance. He falls prone, and the target is no longer grabbed or restrained by him.
Running Tackle [two-actions] Costello-bot charges toward his opponent, throwing his body at them in a vicious tackle. He Strides up to his Speed and then makes an unarmed melee Strike. If he hits, he can attempt to Shove the target.
Submission Hold [one-action] Requirements Costello-bot has a creature grabbed or restrained; Effect Costello-bot employs a brutal hold such as a Cobra Clutch, Figure Four Leglock, or the Dreaded Sharpshooter. His iron grip slowly saps his opponent’s strength. Costello-bot attempts an Athletics check to Grapple the creature he has grabbed or restrained, with the following effects instead of the usual effects.
Critical Success The target is enfeebled 2 until the end of its next turn and enfeebled 1 for 1 minute.
Success The target is enfeebled 1 until the end of its next turn.
Suplex [one-action] Requirements Costello-bot has a creature grabbed or restrained; Effect Costello-bot heaves his opponent over his head and slams them into the ground. He makes an unarmed melee Strike against the creature he has grabbed or restrained; on a success, the target lands prone in any space adjacent to Costello-bot, and on a critical success, the target lands prone and takes an additional 2d6 bludgeoning damage. Regardless of whether the Strike is successful, Costello-bot immediately releases his hold on the target.
Hailing from parts unknown, the Costello-bot 4000 is a machine designed for combat. While rumors abound about his origins, one thing is for certain about the Costello-bot: he fights for honor and respect. Costello-bot has no set lair or home, instead showing up where other great warriors are gathered. Costello-bot will arrive seemingly out of nowhere, ready to issue a challenge to any warrior, regardless of their fighting technique or reputation. He seeks only the challenge of a worthy opponent willing to fight in the spirit of competition. After a fight, Costello-bot will remain only for a few moments before leaving to seek his next opponent. The few who have managed to earn the Costello-bot’s respect and speak with it tell of a kind spirit beneath steely gaze of his metal frame. While no one has yet to discern why he fights, his continued search for warriors suggests that he seeks the greatest challenge the universe can offer. Costello-bot has met destruction multiple times at the hands of other warriors, but his fighting spirit seems to return him to life, allowing him to seek the next fight. He always carries a belt that signifies the victory that comes with a noble fight and anyone who tries to take the belt with underhanded or unsporting tactics draws his ire. Only by besting him in a proper fight can someone earn the belt and Costello-bot’s respect.
That’s it for this year! If you end up adding the Costello-bot into your game or you have any request for a future Monstrous Physique, please drop me a line at KnowDirection@hotmail.com.
