According to rumors passed across dimly lit tabletops and through the mouths of the barmy, the stupid, and the wicked, the baern created the fiends. Such rumors are quickly dismissed or even outright laughed at. However, whatever truths may be behind such rumors, the baern are powerful, supposedly as powerful as the Dukes of Hell, the Dark Eight, and some Demonic Lords. Even the yugoloths give them a wide berth, though whether this is due to their raw power or to some unknown status afforded them, none knows.

Chaotic: A chaotic creature takes 6d6 points of damage as the chaos is violently purged from its body. If the creature fails its save, its ethical alignment becomes neutral and it is stunned for 2d4 rounds. Creatures with the chaotic subtype automatically take 6d8 points of damage (no save) and must make a Will save or be utterly destroyed, the body torn apart into the very primal energies of the multiverse.

Lawful: A lawful creature takes 6d6 points of damage as the forces of law are ripped from its body. If the creature fails its save, its ethical alignment becomes neutral and it is nauseated for 2d4 rounds. Creatures with the lawful subtype automatically take 6d8 points of damage (no save) and must make a Will save or be utterly destroyed, the body turned into stone.

Good: A good creature takes 6d6 points of damage as the forces of good are expunged from its body. If the creature fails its save, its moral alignment moves one step closer to evil (becoming neutral) and it is exhausted for 2d4 rounds. Creatures with the good subtype automatically take 6d8 points of damage (no save) and must make a Will save or be utterly destroyed, the body blasted into ash.

Neutral: A creature with a neutral moral alignment (ie lawful neutral) takes 6d6 points of damage as unholy power suddenly overwhelms its mind and body. If the creature fails its save, its moral alignment becomes evil and it is exhausted for 2d4 rounds.

Horrid Touch (Su): The mere touch of a baernaloth can inflict grievous wounds. A baernaloth that succeeds on a touch attack against a target deals 5d8 points of damage, plus a number of points equal to its Charisma bonus (normally +10). Creatures touched are allowed a Will save (DC 32) to halve the damage. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Immunities (Ex): In addition to their normal yugoloth immunities, the baern are also immune to polymorph effects (though they can still polymorph themselves), fear effects, ability damage, and ability drain.

Malignant Presence (Su): A baernaloth’s personal presence manifests itself as an unseen protective force. The baernaloth adds its Charisma bonus as a profane bonus to all of its saves and to its Armor Class.

Corrupt Flesh: As a standard action, the baernaloth can warp and twist the flesh of creatures with its malignant touch. This causes 1d8 points of Constitution and Wisdom drain as viscous, pus-oozing sores break out on the creature’s body. The creature also begins to exude a horrible, nauseating stench. Anyone within 20 ft. of that creature must make a Fort save (DC 34) or be nauseated for 10 rounds. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature cannot be affected more than once in 24 hours by the stench effect from the same creature. A successful Fort save DC 34 halves the Con and Wis drain and negates the stench effect. Outsiders with the evil subtype are immune to this ability. Creatures with immunity to poison are immune to the debilitating effects of the stench. The affected creature stops exuding the stench only when all of the ability drain is healed.

A creature reduced to 0 Con in this manner is reduced to a puddle of black, viscous corruption. Only a limited wish, wish, or miracle can save the creature at this point.

Deform: As a standard action, the baernaloth’s touch can deform flesh, shaping it into hideous forms. A creature touched takes 1d6 points of Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution damage as its muscles and flesh begin to liquefy. A successful Fort save (DC 34) halves the ability damage.

A creature reduced to 0 Str, Dex, or Con in this manner is killed and its form is changed into whatever suitable shape the wicked baernaloth has in mind. Favorite shapes include simple balls of flesh or a horrible mockery of the creature’s previous form. Some have been known to fashion thrones or statues from the bodies of creatures they have deformed.

Mutate: As the most destructive and dangerous of the baernoloth’s abilities, the baernaloth must take a full-round action (provoking an attack of opportunity) and succeed on a touch attack against a target. A creature touched must succeed on a Will save (DC 34) or mutate into a hideously warped version of a common creature.

This is similar to a baleful polymorph spell (caster level 24th) with the following changes. The effect is instantaneous. An affected creature can be mutated into any animal, plant, or vermin with 10 Hit Dice or less. If the current environment would prove hazardous to the newly changed creature, it does not get the normal +4 bonus on its save.

A creature that fails its save immediately gains the new form’s Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, its alignment (now evil, due to the fiendish template), and it gains all of the new form’s abilities (both extraordinary and supernatural). The creature loses any memories of its former life along with any abilities granted by its former class and race. Its base attack bonus, base saves, hit points, and skills are reset to its new form (see the Monster Manual for these statistics). In essence, it truly becomes the new creature.

At this point, only a wish or a miracle can return the creature to normal.