Apparatus of the Lobster (3.5e Equipment)

Apparatus of the Lobster
Apparatus of the Crab was just a prototype to the real thing, the Apparatus of the Lobster. This marine crustacean based vehicle allows for deep see exploration, and effective defense.]]  Appearing as an oversized bronze lobster with a rubbery skin in between the joints, it has a small airlock at the base of its tail. Inside the main body is room for up to four medium creatures, two which typically pilot (though it can be piloted with just one). Inside is a complex control scheme of levers and switches. Pilots can perform the following actions by expending a move action.

Attack with Claw: The lobster can attack with a single claw (3d6+10, 20/x3) as a move action, using the pilot's BAB + Dex modifier or highest mental ability modifier. It possesses two claws, and thus takes two move actions to attack with both. The lobster may also make other attack options with the claws (such as grappling), though the wielder can't use martial maneuvers or spells through the claw. The claws effective Strength score is 30.

Consume Object: The lobster has a small mouth and mini-airlock for obtaining objects. It can consume a Tiny sized object or smaller and either store it away in a small containment in the belly or bring it into the cockpit by a latch. The containment has the storage space for 4 Tiny, 16 Diminutive, or 64 Fine sized objects.

Manipulate Object: The lobster can use its mandibles as a pair of medium sized hands, with all the dexterity of normal human hands, though they are not effective at wielding weapons. It typically uses these arms to shovel things into its mouth (see Consume Object). The arms effective Strength score is 14.

Move Lobster: The lobster has a move speed of 40 ft and a swim speed of 60 ft. The pilot can take a full-round action to run or swim in a straight line.

Open/Close Airlock: It is a move action to open one or both doors to the airlock, but the process of adding or draining water takes 1 round to complete. The airlock can only hold one medium creature comfortably at a time.

Shielded Stance: The lobster adopts a defensive stance, curling in its limbs and covering its face with its claws. In this state it cannot attack, but its effective hardness rises by +5. This is also how one "parks" the vehicle.

Toggle Headlights: The lobster can project powerful beams of light ideal for piercing through dark water. It can illuminate a 30 ft cone of deep or cloudy water, a 60 ft cone in shallow water, and a 120 ft cone of light on land. It projects shadowy illumination up to double this range.

Toggle Portholes: Portholes provide a view forward, to the sides, up, down, and backwards through the use of mirrors. With a move action you can open or close the shutters on one or more portholes, if that so suits you. If all portholes are closed, you are effectively blind, while if only some portholes are closed you can see, but take a -4 penalty on Spot checks.

The lobster is considered a Huge (long) Construct, with 250 hp, 10 hardness, and AC 25 (+27 natural, -2 size). If it makes saves, both pilots roll and it takes the better. It is immune to pressure damage, and provides total cover to those inside. A loudspeaker allows communication to creatures on the outside of the vehicle. The body may be enhanced as armor, and the claws enhanced as weapons. It holds enough air for a crew of four to survive 4 hours (6 hours for a crew of three, 8 for a crew of two, and 10 for a crew of one). Two pilots usually run the vehicle, one focused on movement while the other attacks.

Strong Transmutation; CL 15th; Craft Wondrous Item, animate objects, continual flame, creator must have 8 ranks in the Knowledge (architecture and engineering) skill; Price Cost::66,000 gp. Weight 1000 lb.