# Brain in a Jar >[!rimg]+ > ![[Placeholder2.png]] *Something gray and shriveled sloshes within a grimy glass canister— a disembodied brain afloat in alchemical preservatives.* <div class="grid-container"><div class="MON">Brain in a Jar</div> <div class="CR">CR 4 (1,200 XP)</div> <div class="SOU">Libris Mortis pg. 90</div> <div class="SYS">Dungeons & Dragons 3.5</div></div> NE Diminutive Undead **Init** +2 **Senses** blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 60 ft.; **Perception** +9 #### defense **AC** 17, 17 touch, 15 flat-footed (+1 deflection, +2 Dex, +4 size) **hp** 23 (3d8+9) **Fort** +4, **Refl** +3, **Will** +6 **Feint** 13, **Demoralize** 14 **Defensive Abilities** madness **Immune** undead traits #### offense **Speed** fly 30 ft. (good) **Space** 2-1/2 ft., **Reach** 0 ft. **Special Attacks** channel negative energy (DC 14, 3d6), madness, mind thrust Psi-Like Abilities (ML 10th; Concentration +13) > 3/day— _suggestion_, _telekinesis_ > 1/day — _dominate person_ #### statistics **Str** —, **Dex** 14, **Con** —, **Int** 16, **Wis** 12, **Cha** 16 **BAB** +2, **CMB** +0, **CMD** 11, **TA** +6, **RTA** +8 **Feats** [[Alertness]], [[Iron Will]] **Skills** Bluff +6, Diplomacy +6, Fly +18, Knowledge (arcana) +9, Knowledge (history) +6, Knowledge (religion) +9, Perception +9 **Languages** Common, Necril; telepathy 100 ft. #### special abilities ### Madness (Su) Anyone targeting a brain in a jar with a thought detection, mind control, or any sort of telepathic or psionic ability that makes direct contact with its tortured mind takes 1d4 points of Wisdom damage. ### Mind Thrust (Su) A brain in a jar can deliver a mental assault on the thought pathways of any one creature, undermining its intellect. An affected creature must succeed on a DC 14 Will save or take 2d10 points of damage. This is a mind-affecting effect. The save DC is Charisma-based. #### tactics A brain in a jar prefers control to direct combat, since brains in fragile glass jars can’t stand too much jostling. However, when it can’t stay completely clear of combat, it seeks to put off aggressors with its mind thrust ability. #### ecology **Terrain** Any **Organization** Solitary **Treasure** None **Advancement** 4–9 HD (Tiny) The brain in a jar is a masterpiece of preservation—but where alchemical preservatives leave off, necromancy picks up. An animate brain in a jar is, in truth, an undead creature. Additionally, possibly because it is free of the need to worry about controlling and animating an entire body, a brain in a jar possesses potent mental powers. Of course, merely removing the brain of a zombie or some other undead creature and storing it in alchemical preservatives is not enough to create an undead brain with psionic ability. The ritual of extraction, the spells of formulation, and the alchemical recipes of preservation are closely guarded secrets held by only a few master necromancers. The creation of a brain in a jar is difficult and fraught with danger, because once its mental powers are fully developed, this undead creature is adept at controlling the thoughts and minds of other creatures, especially living creatures. It is not unknown for a brain in a jar to take control over the necromancer who created it. A brain in a jar weighs about 25 pounds, which includes the weight of the glass canister and the preservative fluids.