Qethosian Steel Defender

The **Qethosian Steel Defender** is a large canine construct designed as a security robot. Utilized across Qethos alongside smaller Iron Defender units, one of these robots was encountered in the offices of Glav Entertainment by former wresting star Felsic and her allies during a heist.

## Description

### Appearance

The Qethosian Steel Defender takes the appearance of a large canine resembling a bulldog. It is made entirely of metal and possess a pair of red glowing eyes.

### Personality

Like most constructs, the Steel Defender's personality is limited by its programming. In this instance, the Steel Defender simply obeys its orders and treats all intruders as hostile. Like the other Iron Defenders, it demonstrates some doglike behavior, such as barking.

## History

### Background

Qethosian Steel Defenders are constructed by an unknown manufacturer in Qethos. Once completed, they are put on the market as security robot. One such Steel Defender was eventually hired out by Glav Entertainment to protect their offices in Klaybury, along with several smaller Iron Defender units.

## Phase 3 Story

### Break-in at Glav Entertainment

The Qethosian Steel Defender taken by Glav Entertainment was stationed in the trophy room in the office's basement. It was able to hide itself by clinging to the ceiling above, where it would ambush any intruders that entered the room. One night, a group of wanted fugitives led by disgruntled ex-wrestler Felsic broke into the offices, seeking the payments she had been denied by the company. Making their way to the basement, their friend Beau went in to investigate the trophy room while transformed as a rat. He failed to spot the Steel Defender lying in wait and returned to erroneously inform the group the room was clear.

The party followed the Raccling into the trophy room with the intent to loot it, only for the Steel Defender to drop from the ceiling and lock them inside. The Steel Defender immediately activated its offensive parameters and engage the intruders in combat. The party struggled against the construct, which was able to radiate a violent heat in response to being struck. As Beau, transformed into a bear, held the defender's attention, the strange slime creature they had adopted launched a toxic blast at the construct, melting away the internal components and shutting it down. With their foe conquered, Felsic and Zugg began to take apart the construct, with Zugg taking useful parts for his tinkering and Felsic taking the legs to break open the trophy cases. The ruined body of the defender also helped convince Prexes, Pride of Flame, that the intruders were the sort of worthy challenge he was seeking.

## Powers and Abilities

* **Ceiling Cling**: The Qethosian Steel Defender was capable to clinging to the ceiling to get the drop on its potential targets.
* ***"Offensive Parameters Engaged"*** (Reaction)
* ***Aura of Hostile Intent***
	+ When first damaged by an enemy attack, the Qethosian Steel Defender will unleash a hot-red Aura with 10ft radius.
		- After activation, the Aura's radius increases by 5ft for every subsequent hit received by the Qethosian Steel Defender.
		- At the beginning of the Steel Defender's turn, it will absorb the Aura back into its body.
			* [Speculation] 3 Fire damage is added to the Steel Defender's attacks after the Aura is absorbed.
	+ Any hostile creature that initially enters the Aura's AoE will need to roll a Constitution Save (DC ≥ 10).
		- Any hostile creature that ends their turn within the Aura will also need to roll a Constitution Save (DC ≥ 10).
	+ All hostile creatures that roll below the threshold receive 2 Fire damage.
* ***Bite:*** 2d8(?) Slashing Damage
* ***Violent Claw:*** 2d8(?) Slashing Damage
* ***Legendary Action***

## Etymology

"Qethosian" denotes an person or object originating from Qethos, a continent on the planet of Io.

"Steel Defenders" are a type of construct in Dungeons and Dragons, usually used as protective companions by the Artificer subclass, Battle Smith. A "defender" is an individual or object that protects people or property from attack or theft.

## Trivia

* The battle with the Qethosian Steel Defender premiered the second Io exclusive battle theme, composed by Jordan Chin.