New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Forsaker

As was mentioned on my Google+ post of this image, it was inspired by beholder doodle from Dyson Logos. It's a a forsaker (the opposite of a beholder?). Instead of one gaping maw and a bunch of eyes, it has one eye and a bunch of gaping maws with different bite effects. So here is the full set of stats/description as promised.

The forsaker (mouth slave, flail of many mouths) is the stuff of nightmares—an aberration likely originating from the kind chaos that can only be birthed from the Beyond. These freakish things are found mainly underground but encountered occasionally in desolate wilderness locations. The “body” of this savage is a central unblinking eye, set on all sides by a septet of gaping maws filled with dagger-like teeth. They are often referred to as “mouth slaves” for they are servants to their own insatiable appetites, always on a quest to eat, to consume, to devour—never fulfilled. Ironically, it moves regretfully slowly about as it wills through the power of levitation. Nonetheless, those who encounter such a beast have their work cut out for them. Any seeing creature that gazes upon its unblinking eye must save vs. spells or flee in fear for 2 turns, and those with 3 Hit Dice or fewer fail automatically. Each round, the first four of its mouths may strike to its front side and the last three may strike to its rear side. Those strikes to the rear suffer a –2 “to hit” penalty due to limited scope of vision. Sneak attacks to the creatures rear (e.g., theives’ backstabbing) are unaffected. Each successful attack not only does 2d4 damage from the bite, the victim of such a bite must save vs. poision or suffer a venomous effect that coordinates with each mouth as outlined below: confusion (as spell): 2d4 rounds charm (as philter of love, with the forsaker as its love interest): 3d6 turns paralysis: 1d4 turns acid: +1d6 damage slow: movement halved, –1 “to hit,” and +1 AC for 2d4 rounds disease: temporary loss of 1 point of Strength and 1 point of Constitution until cured, then recovered at a rate of 1 point of each per full day’s rest blindness: 4d4 turns Rarely does a forsaker establish a true lair, opting instead to take up residence only temporarily in the den of a previous victim, resting as needed before continuing on its quest to consume. However, it has been known for some forsakers with a slightly higher intelligence to stay in locations that potential prey is known to frequent (e.g., watering holes in the wilderness, places where treasure hunters regularly seek reward, etc.). The latter conditions are represented by the Percent in Lair and Treasure Types indications noted in parentheses above. Forsakers speak deep speech (barely), and have their own language which is incomprehensible when spoken (even with the use of an ability like comprehend languages). Telepathic communication with a forsaker is possible, but mentally draining on the creature trying to communicate with it. Those communicating telepathically with a forsaker must save vs. paralysis each round or temporarily lose 1 point of Intelligence (recovered at a rate of 1 point per full day’s rest).

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1 ARMOR CLASS: 0 MOVE: //3" HIT DICE: 7 % IN LAIR: 0 (30%) TREASURE TYPE: Nil (F) NO. OF ATTACKS: 7 DAMAGE/ATTACK: See below SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Low ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil SIZE: L (15' across) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 0 HIT DICE: 7 MOVE: //30'(10') ATTACKS: 7 bites/1 ray DAMAGE: See below NO. APPEARING: 1 SAVE AS: Fighter:7 MORALE: 10 TREASURE TYPE: Nil (F) ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Psionic Oe/1e/BX Monster: Ghaozeg

This is an adaptation of the guardian creature from Robert E. Howard's story The Fire of Asshurbanipal. The creature is unnamed in the story (and is referenced only as the "guardian"), so I created something to that lived alongside some of the other things in the campaign world I've been developing over the last few years (to support the BX Psionics stuff I've been running off and on).

If you've never read it/heard of it, check out this blog post from Black Gate.

Originating from the Beyond, a ghaozeg is gigantic, black and shadowy thing—a hulking monstrosity that walks upright like a man, but like a toad too, winged and tentacled. Borne of the eternal chaos of the Beyond, ghaozeg are primordially tied to the Elemental Plane of Sand. When these things are encountered in the Material Plane, it most often in lost desert cities, guardians of soul gems and jarred demons. A chill hangs in the air about this atrocity. Even unseen, its mere presence is detected up to 60' away as a drop in temperature of approximately 5°. In shadow, this creature is near invisible, surprising on a 1-4 (on 1d6) when emerging from or encountered in shadow or low light conditions (even if the drop in temperature has been discerned). Ghaozeg are immune to damage from both heat and cold. The loathsome visage of a ghaozeg causes stark black madness. Creatures looking upon such a thing must save vs. death or fall into a coma-like state for a number of days equal to the difference between the target number and the result of the saving throw (e.g., a result of 9 when a 12 or better is needed results in 3 days of the coma-like state). This state cannot be removed or negated by any means. After the victim awakes, an additional save is made vs. paralysis: on a successful save, the victim is conscious but stunned for a number of hours equal to the number of days spent in the coma-like state, then returns to normal; on a failed save, the victim awakes but indefinitely remains in the conscious-but-stunned state. At any time after the victim emerges from the coma-like state, the woken catatonia may be negated with a remove curse spell or the psionic discipline psychic surgery. A ghaozeg has soul-shakingly foul breath. All caught in its 30' diameter cloud must save vs. breath or have their sleep filled with nightmares for 1d6 days’ worth of restless sleep. After such nights, spells cannot be memorized and PSPs cannot be restored through meditation. Remove fear will cause the nightmares to cease (restoring restful sleep), but remove curse will not. It may use this breath weapon once every 3 rounds in lieu of its bite attack. The touch of each ghaozeg tentacle drains 1d6 hp (on a successful “to hit” roll), and its bite does 1d4 damage. Surviving the unearthly horror of a ghaozeg bolsters one’s resilience to the horrors of the world and the chaos beyond it. For 24 hours after encountering such a thing, survivors make their saving throws vs. fear as if 1 level/HD higher.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1-2 ARMOR CLASS: 3 MOVE: 12"/24" HIT DICE: 6 % IN LAIR: 65% TREASURE TYPE: Q×3 NO. OF ATTACKS: 5 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6/1-6/1-6/1-6/1-4 SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: Immune to heat and cold MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Average ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil SIZE: L (10' long) PSIONIC ABILITY: 100 Attack/Defense Modes: C,D/F,G,H BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 3 HIT DICE: 6** MOVE: 120'(40')/240'(80') ATTACKS: 4 tentacles/ 1 bite or breath DAMAGE: 1d6+special (×4)/ 1-4 or special NO. APPEARING: 1 (1-2) SAVE AS: Fighter:6 MORALE: 11 TREASURE TYPE: L×3 ALIGNMENT: Chaotic PSIONIC ABILITIES PSIONIC LEVEL: 5 (25 PSPs) Attack modes: ego whip, id insinuation Defense modes: mind blank, mental barrier, thought shield

New B/X Extra-planar Creature: Jikibria

This is another of the creatures from my Fifty Fiends project.

JIKIBRIA (pron. ji-kib-BREE-uh)

ATTACKS/SPECIAL ABILITIES Diseased Touch. Although a successful touch attack of a jikibria does no hp damage, there is a possibility it will cause as many as 6 diseases in a victim. The victim gets a saving throw vs. each effect, and contracts all those with failing rolls. 1. leprosy: lose 1d3 hp per day (from bleeding) and unable to heal naturally until cured 2. lycanthropy: as wererat 3. mummy rot: as a mummy 4. plague: loss of 1d3 points of Constitution and unable to get restful sleep (cannot recover lost hp or memorize spells) until cured 5. rabies: loss of 1 point of Intelligence per day until cured 6. tuberculosis: –2 on all attack rolls, +2 AC penalty, and exhaustion (cannot recover lost hp or memorize spells) until cured Once a creature has been touched by a jikibria (whether it failed any of its saving throws or not), the creature is immune to the touch of all jikibriae for the remainder of the encounter. A single disease cannot be contracted multiple times (e.g., in future encounters with jikibriae before previously contracted diseases are healed). A single cure disease spell will remove all of the diseases. Once cured, lost ability points are regained at a rate of 1 point per day of full rest. Cause Disease. In lieu of making its touch attacks, a jikibria may use the spell cause disease as a 6th level cleric. This ability is usable as many times per day as the jikibria wishes. Any creature that is currently afflicted by a jikibria’s tuberculosis is immune to this ability. Disease Immunity. Jikibriae are immune to all disease, both of a standard and magical nature. Disease Deflection. In addition to being immune to disease, a jikibria deflects all instances when a disease might otherwise come in contact with it, shirking off the disease magically on a chosen target within a 120' range. This is done as a free action at the moment the jikibria and the disease (or disease effect) come into contact with one another. Targets of the deflection are permitted a save vs. breath to avoid the jikibria’s deflection. If the target fails, it is still permitted any saving throws normally allowed to avoid the original disease or disease effect. Summon. Two times per day, a jikibria may summon 1-2 other jikibriae with a 30% chance of success. DESCRIPTION/ECOLOGY Appearance. A jikibria would measure nearly 7' tall, if it were able to stand upright. Instead, the gangly jikibria hobbles at a nearly unbelievable speed. The skin of the hairless jikibria is sickly gray mottled with putrid yellow, and the entire creature is surrounded by a sort of membrane sack that is a nearly-transluscent green. This sack is vestigial and self-healing, and while it provides some protection for the jikibria, it affects neither the jikibria’s Armor Class, nor attacks made against it. Ecology. Jikibriae hail from the 149th layer of the Abyss—a feverish, diseased place where the air is thick and humid. This layer is known by two names—“Innapih” by those who know its ruling demon prince by the name “Asag,” and as “Ganzer” by those who know the ruling demon prince by the name “Nergal.” Languages. Jikibriae speak abyssal, celestial, and common.

HOME: Innapih/Ganzer (the 149th layer of the Abyss) SERVES: Asag/Nergal (Demon Prince of Sickness) ARMOR CLASS: 2 ARMOR CLASS: 4 HIT DICE: 6** MOVE: 240'(80') ATTACKS: 1 touch DAMAGE: Disease NO. APPEARING: 1-3 (1-6) SAVE AS: Fighter:6 MORALE: 7 TREASURE TYPE: B ALIGNMENT: Chaotic (CE) RESISTANCE/IMMUNITIES ACID: Normal COLD: Half ELECTRICITY: Half FIRE: Half GAS: Half IRON: Normal MAG. ENERGY: Normal POISON: None SILVER: None REQ. “T.H.”: +1 or better PSIONIC ABILITIES PSIONIC LEVEL: 6 (30 PSPs) Attack modes: all Defense modes: all Psychometabolic: all

New B/X Extra-planar Creature: Holsohr

This is one of the creatures from my Fifty Fiends project.
Please note, it also uses one of my new psionic Treasure Type designations.

HOLSOHR (pron. HOLE-sore)

ATTACKS/SPECIAL ABILITIES Silent Scream. Although the holsohr are voiceless, they are able to emit a silent “roar” of sonic distortion in a 60' long radius and a 180° arc. All creatures caught within in the area take take 4d6 damage; a successful save vs. breath halves this damage. This ability is usable 3×/day. Phobia Aura. In addition to possessing the telepathic devotion phobia ampli cation, holsohr are always surrounded by a 30' radius effect equal to that ability. All creatures caught within the area must make a psionic saving throw or suffer the effects for a duration of 2 turns. Phobia Reflection. This ability is similar to the illusionist spell alter self, except that all creatures that view the holsohr will see it as the living embodiment of their greatest fear. A psionic saving throw results in the creature being able to see the holsohr as it truly is. This ability is usable 3×/day and has a duration of 1 hour (6 turns). Cause Nightmares. At will, a holsohr may touch a sleeping victim and cause it to have nightmares. On a failed psionic saving throw, the sleeping victim will be wracked with nightmares and restless sleep. When the victim wakes, it will have gained none of the ben ts from such a period of sleep (e.g., natural healing can- not take place, spells cannot be memorized, etc.). If the victim is woken, the nightmares will be disrupted and the victim may then return to restful sleep. The holsohr must be in the same plane as the actual body of the victim for this ability to work (e.g., the holsohr may not reach into the Prime Material from the Dream Plane to use this ability). DESCRIPTION/ECOLOGY Appearance. These dreadful creatures are a horror to behold. A holsohr’s body is generally humanoid in form, but its extremities feature bird-like hands and feet, its arms and torso are covered with feathers, and it wings are composed of long feathers. The head of a holsohr appears as a human skull with sunken eyes and a ghastly, fang-filled, vertically- set mouth that extends down its elongated neck. Ecology. Holsohr are native to Melas Oneiros (the Black Dream realm of the Dream Lands)—the place where the most terrifying and dreadful of nightmares are born. In fact, it is believed that the holsohr themselves were born into existence from nightmare. Holsohr prowl through Dream in search of the unattended bodies of dream travelers, through which the holsohr may escape from Dream into the plane occupied by the sleeper, in order to bring chaos, confusion and mayhem to the waking world. The holsohr are the sworn enemies of both baku and zowls. Languages. Holsohr are voiceless, communicating via a form of sign language (unique to the holshor). They do, however, understand common, auran, celestial, nocturne, primordial, and supernal.

HOME: Melas Oneiros (the Black Dream Realm of the Dream Lands) SERVES: Phobetor (Demon Prince of Nightmares) ARMOR CLASS: 2 HIT DICE: 7+7* MOVE: 60'(20')/180'(60') ATTACKS: 2 claws/1 bite DAMAGE: 1-6/1-6/1-8 NO. APPEARING: 1-3 SAVE AS: Fighter:7 MORALE: 11 TREASURE TYPE: W ALIGNMENT: Chaotic (CN) RESISTANCE/IMMUNITIES ACID: Normal COLD: Half ELECTRICITY: Half FIRE: Half GAS: None IRON: None MAG. ENERGY: Normal POISON: Normal SILVER: None REQ. “T.H.”: +1 or better PSIONIC ABILITIES PSIONIC LEVEL: 7 (35 PSPs) Attack modes: ego whip, id insinuation Defense modes: mind blank, thought shield* Telepathic: D) thought concealment*, phobia amplification* Psychoportative: D) dream travel* * Costs no PSPs to use.

New Psionic Oe/1e/BX Monster: Grizzle

A few weeks ago, I previewed the stats for this through my Twitter account,
then previewed a sketch there a couple of weeks ago.

PSIONIC ABILITIES PSIONIC LEVEL: 6 (30 PSPs) Attack modes: id insinuation Defense modes: mental barrier Clairsentient: S) 360° vision* (always on); D) infravision* (always on); Telepathic: S) death urge (see below) A grizzle is a headless, furry, tentacled beast with a bear-like frame and legs. It “sees” psionically with 360° vision and infravision (both are always on, and neither has a PSP/psionic point cost), so the grizzle can be “blinded” with the use of synaptic static. A grizzle attacks with four tentacles. Each tentacle does 1d6 on a successful “to hit” roll. Additionally, if the grizzle has enough PSPs/psionic points remaining, the victim must make a psionic saving throw or become the victim of the grizzle’s death urge ability. For each failed save by a victim against the death urge, the grizzle expends 3 PSPs (or 10 points for Oe/1e). If the grizzle does not have enough points to power the death urge, the ability fails automatically and no saving throw is required. The grizzle may not choose when to use or not use the death urge on a tentacle attack (it is based solely on the conditions outlined above; the grizzle may not otherwise use the death urge ability (i.e., the grizzle may not use it proactively as a standard ranged psionic ability).

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1 ARMOR CLASS: 9 MOVE: 9" HIT DICE: 6+1 % IN LAIR: 50% TREASURE TYPE: Q×5 NO. OF ATTACKS: 4 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6 + special (×4) SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: 30% INTELLIGENCE: Average ALIGNMENT: Chaotic SIZE: L (9' tall) PSIONIC ABILITY: 100 Attack/Defense Modes: D/H BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 5 HIT DICE: 6+1* MOVE: 90'(30') ATTACKS: 4 tentacles DAMAGE: 1-6 + special (×4) NO. APPEARING: 1 SAVE AS: Elf:6 MORALE: 10 TREASURE TYPE: Y,Z ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Ambler

This is something I drew a while back and shared on Google+ as an illustration only.
Now it's a fully-statted creature.

An ambler (a contraction of the words “armored” and shambler”) is an elemental creature created from the massive sphere of armor and weapons located at the center of the Demi-plane of Electro-magnetism. When one of these anomalies escape their home plane (e.g., ported in by a powerful magic-user), the ambler appears as a shambling mishmash of mismatched pieces of armor in a vaguely humanoid form with 1-4 usable limbs, each of which has a 75% chance of holding a small-to-medium weapon (hand axe, dagger, 1-handed sword, etc.). Because producing an ambler requires it to be summoned (as opposed to being conjured from existing material), control of the ambler is not automatic, nor will it serve any creature (even its summoner), so it will not follow orders unless compelled to do so my some additional force (e.g., a charm or control spell). The ambler can understand any language that was possessed by the previous owner of any piece of armor used in its composition, or weapon it holds (usually this will include common, dwarvish and elvish, though it is not unheard of for this to also include halfling and orcish; other languages known are at the discretion of the DM but is suggested that there be a 90% chance of the ambler knowing any common language, 30% for any uncommon language, 10% for any rare language, and 1% for any very rare language, assuming the language in question is spoken by species that normally wears armor). The electromagnetism in the ambler is so strong that should a successful melee strike be made against the ambler by a normal (i.e., non-magical) weapon made of a magnetic metal (e.g., steel or iron), there is a 50% chance that the weapon will become “stuck” to the ambler, and useless by the attacker. Amblers are affected by protection from evil spells, and can be returned to their home plane by dispel magic, but can also be dealt with using extraplanar dismissal or banishment. If dismissed or banished, any weapon stuck to the ambler will be transported with it.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1 ARMOR CLASS: 0 MOVE: 6" HIT DICE: 5-8 % IN LAIR: Nil TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 1-4 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6 or by weapon SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil SPECIAL DEFENSES: +1 or better needed “to hit” MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Low ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: M-L PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 0-3 HIT DICE: 5-8* MOVE: 60'(20') ATTACKS: 1-4 DAMAGE: 1-6 or by weapon NO. APPEARING: 1 SAVE AS: Fighter:5-8 MORALE: 10 TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Neutral

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Gibbershroom

These fungoid creatures appear as a large (2'-3' diameter) greenish-white toadstool. On its cap, it possesses a number of mouth-like openings equal to its hit points (e.g., an 8 hp gibbershroom has 8 openings). Should any creature approach within 30' of a gibbershroom, these “mouths” will begin “gibbering.” In truth, this gibbering is created by the fluttering of its gills, amplified through the openings. As these mouths open and close, it creates a sound similar to loud human gibbering. Each point of damage inflicted on a gibbershroom will cause one of its mouths to cease functioning. Any creature near gibbering gibbershrooms will suffer an effect as determined by the total number of gibbering mouths within 30' of the creature as outlined below: Number of Gibbering Mouths Effect 21+ death (on failed save vs. death) 16-20 stun (no save) 11-15 stun (on failed save vs. paralysis) 6-10 confusion (as MU spell; on failed save vs. breath) 5 or less none The effect continues while the gibbering persists, plus 1 round for each mouth that was gibbering during the round before the gibbering ended. During each round a cluster of gibbershrooms is gibbering, there is a 5% cumulative chance per active (i.e., gibbering) opening that a nearby creature will be attracted (maximum chance of 95%). Should a spellcaster attempt to speak with plants with a gibbershroom, the caster must save vs. spells or be confused (as the MU spell) for the duration of the spell. No coherent conversation may be had with a gibbershroom, even on a successful save vs. spells or by creatures/character with an innate ability to speak with plants/fungi.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Rare NO. APPEARING: 3-18 ARMOR CLASS: 7 MOVE: Nil HIT DICE: 2 % IN LAIR: Nil TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 0 DAMAGE/ATTACK: Nil SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: Non MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Non- ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: M PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 7 HIT DICE: 2 MOVE: Nil ATTACKS: Special DAMAGE: See below NO. APPEARING: 3-18 SAVE AS: Fighter:1 MORALE: 12 TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Neutral

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Pouncer

These subterranean burrowers and dwellers are non-psionic cousins to intellect devourers, although they share an immunity with their genetic relativesto charm and control (including similar psionic abilities). The rubbery skin over their frog-like bodies is mottled with light and pale gray, and their ivory-colored eyes stare blankly forward. Though their eyes do not see, they are sensitive to sound impressions. Combined with ticking and clicking (from the pouncer’s mouth), the creature is able to “see” without the aid of sight. A silence spell will effectively “blind” them, and extremely loud noises will drive them off. Their extraordinary sense of smell also aids them in rooting out prey (even if unaided by their tick-click radar). Any attempt to blind a pouncer by normal means (e.g., a light spell cast against its eyes) has no effect. Like intellect devourers, pouncers attack by jumping on a victim, digging in with all four claws, and simultaneously biting (separate “to hit” rolls are required for each claw attack, as well as the bite). In addition to the 1d6 damage done with each successful claw attack, a successful bite attack does 1d4 and, on a failed save vs. poison, injects a toxin into the victim’s nervous system that causes blindness and deafness for 1d6 turns (cumulative for each bite).

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1-4 ARMOR CLASS: 4 MOVE: 15" (9") HIT DICE: 6 % IN LAIR: 45% TREASURE TYPE: D NO. OF ATTACKS: 5 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6(×4)/1d4 SPECIAL ATTACKS: Toxin SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Animal ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil SIZE: M PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 4 HIT DICE: 6* MOVE: 150'(50') (90'(30')) ATTACKS: 4 claws/1 bite DAMAGE: 1-6(×4)/ 1d4+special NO. APPEARING: 1 (1-4) SAVE AS: Cleric:9 MORALE: 8 TREASURE TYPE: D ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Mistwraith

These negative energy beings are natives of the Quasi-elemental Plane of Steam. They appear as clouds of mist that are vaguely human-shaped. The touch of a mistwraith (on a successful “to hit” roll) does 1d6 damage from negative energy (restores hp to undead), does an additional 1d6 damage from heat, and drains 1 level. As normal undead, mistwraiths are immune to sleep, charm, hold and psionics. They are additionally immune to silver and normal weapons, and are unharmed by heat and fire. Cold attacks do +1 point per die of damage to a mistwraith, as does holy water. A part water spell will dispel a mistwraith, as will dispel evil, and a mistwraith can be turned by a cleric as a normal wraith. Three times per day, a mistwraith may cast obscuring mist as a druid of a level equal to the mistwraith's Hit Dice.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Rare NO. APPEARING: 2-8 ARMOR CLASS: 7 MOVE: —/18" HIT DICE: 5+1 % IN LAIR: 25% TREASURE TYPE: E NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: See below SPECIAL ATTACKS: Energy drain SPECIAL DEFENSES: +1 or better “to hit” MAGIC RESISTANCE: See below INTELLIGENCE: Very ALIGNMENT: Neutral evil SIZE: M PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 7 HIT DICE: 4+1** MOVE: —/180'(60') ATTACKS: 1 touch DAMAGE: See below NO. APPEARING: 1-4 SAVE AS: Fighter:4 MORALE: 12 TREASURE TYPE: E ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Nue

This is one of a number of creatures that I drew last week and previewed over at Google+. For those familiar with Vault of the Faceless Giants, you know the campaign I'm developing has some definite Eastern influences (though it will become a little more "generic" as it progresses). You also know from the Creature Compendium that I'll mine any culture if it produces an interesting monster. That leads us to today's monster via Japanese mythology... the nue. This thing is pretty nasty, and should give even an experienced party of good size a run for their money.

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NUE

This ferocious and deadly creature is a native of the Plane of Dreams, though it is often found in warm forests and jungled mountains on the Prime Material. A nue is able to shift between two forms at will. The first form is a 10’ cloud of inky black darkness. It will often assume this form to hide in shadows, waiting to ambush its prey, emerging to attack in its standard form—a chimeric creature, 7’ long and weighing 500 pounds, with the head of a monkey, body of a raccoon dog, legs of a tiger, and tail as a poisonous snake. In either form, a +1 or better weapon is require “to hit.” A nue is only able to fly in its cloud form. The nue is vicious and malicious creature, always seeking to sate its unquenchable hunger. In its chimeric form, the nue strikes forward with 2 claw attacks, and a bite that does 1d4 and, on a failed saving throw vs. spells, drains 1d4 levels. Levels lost to a nue are regained at a rate of 1 level per full night (8 hours) of rest. The bite of a nue’s tail-snake strikes to the rear, doing 1d2 damage and, on a failed save vs. poison, causes death. Furthermore, any creature meeting the gaze of the nue’s monkey-like face must save vs. paralysis or contract a disease that, until cured, negates the natural recovery of levels lost to the bite of the nue. During any round, the nue may forego its monkey bite attack to use one of its three magical attacks (but may still use its claws and snake bite during the same round). Once per day, a nue is able to cause nightmares in a sleeping creature with sentience. The restless sleep caused by these nightmares causes the victim to flail, taking 1d4 damage per hour for a duration of 1d4 hours. A saving throw vs. spells will have the damage. Waking the victim will only postpone the completion of the nightmares’ duration, but will not stop them from happening once the victim returns to sleep. The dreams with which the nue will impregnate a mind vary from victim to victim, but will almost always feature a dark and foreboding cloud of malice. Once per day, a nue is able to send out a shockwave of fatigue. All those in a 30’ radius during the round when this wave is emitted must save vs. breath or be slowed to half movement and suffer a –1 penalty on all attack rolls and saving throws for a duration of 1d6 turns. Three times per day, a nue is able to cast hold person as a magic-user. In its cloud form, a nue becomes insubstantial, making it immune to poison and sneak attacks (in addition to normal weapons). In this form, the nue cannot make its normal physical attacks, and also loses its gaze attack. In its cloud form, the nue can still create nightmares, cause waves of fatigue attack, and use its hold person spells. Vision for those caught in the cloud is limited to 5' (even with the use of infravision). Nues have their own language, but are also able to speak common and celestial.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1-4 ARMOR CLASS: 8 MOVE: 9" (or —/3") HIT DICE: 9+1 % IN LAIR: 15% TREASURE TYPE: F NO. OF ATTACKS: 4 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6/1-6/1-4/1-2 SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: +1 or better required to hit MAGIC RESISTANCE: 35% INTELLIGENCE: Highly ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil SIZE: L PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 5 HIT DICE: 9+1** MOVE: 150'(50') (or —/30'(10')) ATTACKS: 2 claws/ 1 bite/1 bite DAMAGE: 1-6/1-6/ 1d4+energy drain/ 1-21d4+poison NO. APPEARING: 1 (1-4) SAVE AS: Cleric:9 MORALE: 8 TREASURE TYPE: F ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Slipperman

I'm a big Genesis fan, particularly of the Peter Gabriel era. For a while now (like a few years), I've been wanting to write up a monster description for the slipperman from The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. I actually wrote this up a couple of months ago, but had forgotten about it, until this weekend. So I figured I'd go ahead and throw it for New Monster Monday.

Given the perverse nature of the slippermen, it seemed like a natural tie in to Morbiphallugus (petty god of venereal afflictions and sexual disfunction), one of my Petty Gods creations.

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SLIPPERMAN

DESCRIPTION Slippermen are members of a subterranean race of slubberdegullions—filthy, slobbering humanoids of vile appearance and depraved intentions. The slimy lumps that cover a slipperman swell and shrink with the inhales and exhales of its heavy breathing. They are driven by an unquenchable sexual desire, and see any humanoid creature of medium size as a suitable sexual mate. If 2 or more slippermen are encountered in their lair, there is a 10% cumulative chance per slipperman present that they will be engaged in a sexual ritual they refer to as “bungabunga” (i.e., group sex). The touch of a slipperman leaves an acidic viscous residue on its victims. On a successful melee attack, the acid does 1d4 damage during the first round. Unless victim is cleansed of the acid, it will do an additional 1d4 per round for an additional 1d4 rounds. Slippermen are immune to acid, disease, and all mind-controlling effects (magic, psionic, or otherwise). All slippermen worship the petty god Morbiphallugus (petty god of venereal afflictions and sexual disfunction)*. If there are 10 or more slippermen present, one of them will have 5+1 HD (fights and saves as 5 HD creature) and be able to use the touch of Morbiphallugus* 3×/day as a priest of Morbiphallugus (–2 penalty on saves against the ability). Since the touch of Morbiphallugus requires a successful touch “to hit” roll, any effects caused by this ability are in addition the slipperman’s normal acid touch (as outlined above). Slippermen speak their own language, but do know a single phrase in common and elvish—“Please join in.” * See PETTY GODS: REVISED & EXPANDED EDITION, pages 112 and 328.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 10-100 ARMOR CLASS: 7 MOVE: 12" HIT DICE: 3+1 % IN LAIR: 25% TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4 SPECIAL ATTACKS: Acid SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Low ALIGNMENT: Chaotic neutral SIZE: M PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 7 HIT DICE: 3+1* MOVE: 120'(40') ATTACKS: 1 touch DAMAGE: 1-4 + special NO. APPEARING: 1-10 (10-100) SAVE AS: Fighter:4 MORALE: 9 TREASURE TYPE: U ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Brasghong

Today's new monster started as something Mike Badolato typed mistakingly during this past week's Tavern Chat. "Brasghong about FFG deals," he said. To which Matt Finch noted, "Brasghong? Good word." Then Mike explained it away, saying, "Fat fingers and a tablet, what can I say."

I still have no idea what Mike intended to type, but as the Tavern Chat continued, I sketched away, made some notes about abilities, and voila, the brasghong was born.

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BRASGHONG

DESCRIPTION The brasghong (actually pronounced BRAH-fong, though often mispronounced BRASS-gong) is a deep dwelling creature that is fiercely territorial. It marks its area with an acrid, smoky-smelling scent; should any creature invade the perimeter set by the brasghong, it will not hesitate to attack. A brasghong will be receptive to sincere apologies for the intrusion, but only has a minimal understanding of deep speech (undercommon), and nothing else. The brasghong itself is not capable of speech, though it can make barking and whimpering sounds to express the most basic of intentions or emotions (sadness, aggression, fear, etc.). The appearance of the brasghong is quite breathtaking—its flesh and skin are amber-colored, jelly-like, and translucent, allowing hints of its skeletal understructure to be seen. Its eyeless face features a prominent beak that is white in color, and the creature's tongue is a deep crimson red. The brasghong is technically sightless (no eyes), but is capable of “sight” through an ability akin to radar. The brasghong sends out undulating waves from its body, and reads the “images” that bounce back. This makes the brasghong immune to all sight-based attacks and effects (e.g., gaze attacks, blinding light/darkness, illusions, etc.). In combat, the brasghong can attack with its massive beak (which does 3d4 on a successful “to hit” roll) or its breath weapon (a 10'L×5'W cloud of chlorine gas that does damage equal to half its remaining hit points; save vs. breath weapon for half damage). During the same melee round, the brasghong may also attack with its tail (which does 2d6 points of damage on a successful “to hit” roll). The gelatinous structure of the brasghong makes it resilient to any kind of attack except bladed weapons. Against blades, the brasghong’s AC is 5; against all other attacks, its AC is considered to be 0. Brasghongs are also immune to acid and gas, and take only half damage from electricity and fire. Although native to the Prime Material Plane, brasghongs are often found in the outer plane of Nibiru (a plane riddled with noxious gases, streaked with chemical rivers, and laden with oceans of acid).

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1-2 ARMOR CLASS: 5 (0) MOVE: 9" HIT DICE: 6+6 % IN LAIR: 35% TREASURE TYPE: C NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 3-12/2-12 SPECIAL ATTACKS: Acid breath SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: 50% INTELLIGENCE: Low ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: L (8'-10' long) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 5 (0) HIT DICE: 6+6 MOVE: 90'(30') ATTACKS: 1 beak or breath/1 tail DAMAGE: 3-12 or special/2-12 NO. APPEARING: 1 (1-2) SAVE AS: Dwarf:6 MORALE: 10 TREASURE TYPE: C ALIGNMENT: Neutral

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Eye Slime

This is a monster that I intend to include in PA2: Spawn of Xumaltet, the follow up to PA1: Vault of the Faceless Giants, and precursor to PA3: The Jahnu Prophecy.

From the definite extraplanar bent these adventures are taking, you can probably tell this is all going to be related to the Basic Guide to the Planes. This is really going to play a big part in the Xumaltet adventures (yes, plural adventures).

Xumaltet is really going to be more of a hex crawl as a module, with small self-contained (but very interwoven) adventures (the majority of which will be designed to play out within a single game session). Xumaltet will answer this question from Vault of the Faceless Giants... "Are there other planar rifts?" For now, that's all I'll say.

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EYE SLIME

These horrid creatures appear as a tentacled slime littered with staring eyeballs. The eye slimes were originally created by Juiblex to aid in his quest for dominance of the 99th plane of the Abyss. However, over the ages, many of these abominations have slipped into the Material Plane, mostly from the Slime Pits (the 457th layer of the Abyss, Juiblex’s home realm where they eye slimes are bred). In combat, an eye slime lashes out against a single opponent with a barrage of tentacles, doing 2d4 points of damage on a successful “to hit” roll. On a natural 20, the eye slime will succeed in grappling its opponent, and do an additional 1d6 points of squeezing damage. Every round thereafter, the eye slime will continue its hold, doing 1d6 points of damage per round until the victim or the eye slime is dead. A +1 or better weapon is required “to hit” an eye slime, and they take half damage from bashing weapons. Additionally, they are immune to acid and cold, though the latter will slow them to half movement for 2d4 rounds. Because an eye slime has 360° vision, it is never surprised except by invisible creatures (or similar), and thieves get no bonus for striking them from behind. However, an eye slime saves vs. blinding effects with a –5 penalty.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1-3 ARMOR CLASS: 4 MOVE: 12" HIT DICE: 4 % IN LAIR: 25% TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-8 SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Average ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil SIZE: M PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 4 HIT DICE: 4-8* MOVE: 180'(60')//60'(20') ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE: 2-8 or special NO. APPEARING: 1-3 SAVE AS: Fighter:4 MORALE: 10 TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Afanc

Today's new monster comes from the annals of Welsh mythology. The description of these lake-dwellers varies, so I've committed to a version that's a cross between a beaver and a frog-like reptile. The spelling also varies. From wikipedia:

The correct rendering of this name in Modern Welsh depends on the specific source. The Middle Welsh avanc of Llyn Barfog is afanc in Modern Welsh, a word which is now used to mean "Beaver". The form avanc/afanc is also used in the Red Book of Hergest and most other medieval sources. In the Middle Welsh version of Peredur's tale, in the White Book of Rhydderch, the creature in the cave is called the addanc. Afanc is by far the most common spelling.

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AFANC

DESCRIPTION Most often found in temperate and sub-arctic lakes, the amphibious afanc (pronounced avank) appears as a cross between a beaver and frog-like reptile with claws on all limbs. These carnivorous creatures have an almost insatiable appetite. During combat, an afanc will usually make a leap as his first attack, striking with all 4 claws against a single opponent. Once engaged, the afanc will attack with its ferocious bite (1d6+1) or its 2 fore-claws (1d4 each). Three times per day, an afanc in a lake is able to create a rainstorm above it. The afanc must spend 3 rounds thrashing in the waters of the lake as the storm cloud begins to form over the area. Beginning on the fourth round, the rain cloud will cover an area approximately double the surface area of the lake, and a deluge will begin, lasting for a duration of 1 turn. During that time, the land around the lake will become muddy, slowing movement to half normal. Additionally, any missiles fired in the stormy area will be at –2 “to hit.” Afancs have a particular weakness for beautiful women. Any Charisma bonus for a female (of any human, humanoid, or demi-human race) is doubled in regards to an afanc’s reactions, while Charisma penalties for similar females are negated. Additionally, any saves the afanc makes vs. charms or charm-like effects originated by similar females are made at –2.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1 ARMOR CLASS: 6 MOVE: 9"/15" HIT DICE: 4 % IN LAIR: 40% TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 4 or 2 or 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4(×4) or 1-4(×2) or 2-7 SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil MAGIC RESISTANCE: See below INTELLIGENCE: Low ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: 4'-5' long (M) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 6 HIT DICE: 4 MOVE: 90'(30')/150'(50') ATTACKS: 4 claws or 2 claws or 1 bite DAMAGE: 2-7 or 1-4 (×4) NO. APPEARING: 1 SAVE AS: Fighter:4 MORALE: 7 TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Ectoplasmic Ooze

Given the expanding planar bent that the psionics adventures I've been writing (Vault of the Faceless Giants, Spawn of Xumaltet, The Jahnu Prophecy) have been taking, a creature like this seemed only natural.

ECTOPLASMIC OOZE

DESCRIPTION Ectoplasmic oozes appear similar in size and shape to gray oozes, except that ectoplasmic oozes are bright green, give off a glowing green light, and are able to fly. Ectoplasmic oozes are common where stresses, rips and tears occur in the fabric of the planes. Ectoplasmic oozes are not aggressive, but will defend themselves earnestly if attacked. On a successful “to hit” roll, an ectoplasmic ooze does 1d8 damage, and the ooze’s victim must save vs. paralysis or become entangled (similar to the magic-user spell web). A human of normal strength can break free of the goo in 2d4 turns, but smaller creatures will take considerably longer. Once a creature is entangled, the ooze begins draining 1 hit point per round until the victim is dead or the ooze has been killed. The ooze does not absorb these hit points; instead, the lost hit points dissipate into the fabric of the planes. An ectoplasmic ooze may not make any attacks while a victim is entangled. If the ooze is attacked while a victim is entangled, the ooze will “spit out” the victim in order to defend itself against other attackers. A +1 or better weapon is required “to hit” an ectoplasmic ooze, and ectoplasmic oozes takes only half damage from energy attacks (i.e., heat, cold, electricity and sound). They are affected normally by acid and purely arcane forces (e.g., magic missile).

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Rare NO. APPEARING: 1-6 ARMOR CLASS: 5 MOVE: 12"/12" HIT DICE: 3+1 % IN LAIR: Nil TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-8 SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Non- ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: M PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 5 HIT DICE: 3+1 MOVE: 120'(40')/120'(40') ATTACKS: 1 touch DAMAGE: 1-8 + special NO. APPEARING: 1-6 SAVE AS: Fighter:2 MORALE: 8 TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Neutral

Planes Week Bonus – New Monster: Notenac

The other day on Google+, many of you likely saw my post of the illustration below (as well as the sketch, and the source material that inspired it). I went ahead and wrote it up, and decided to include it as part of my "planes week" posts.

NOTENAC

DESCRIPTION Though it is rumored that these terrible creatures originate in the Abyss, some think it more likely they hail from the lower plane of Lethe, the Realm of Forgetfulness. The true threat of the notenac are its dreaded touch attacks. In addition to the 1d4 of lashing damage each appendage does on a successful “to hit” roll, a failed save vs. spell against their touch causes the victim to forget everything he or she knows, including who they are, who and what they know, and their skills and abilities. Affected classed characters attack and save as if they were a 1st level character, while non-classed creatures attack and save as if they only had 1 HD (or as a Normal Man for creatures with fewer than 1 HD). Furthermore, any spellcasters who had memorized spells prior to a failed saving throw will have all of their spell slots emptied for the day, and will be unable to memorize any additional spells until the condition has been removed. This forgetful state may be nullified by the spells remove curse or dispel magic. In addition to being able to become invisible at will, notenac also have the following spell-like abilities which they may use 3×/day each: animate dead (7 HD), lightning bolt (7d6), and haste (self only, 1 turn duration). Notenac are immune to cold, electricity, and poison, and a +1 or better weapon is required to harm them. Description: The gray scaly, ape-like torso of the notenac features six tentacular arms, each tipped with a pair of small tendril-like fingerlings, and the two toes on each of its feet are upturned. Its furry, oversized head features a smooth, shiny-black shell covering its forehead, a pair of large, bulging black eyes, and a trio of massive teeth set in a fish-like mouth. A scent of burned flesh permeates the air around a notenac, and can often carry as far as 120' or more.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1-3 ARMOR CLASS: 2 MOVE: 9" HIT DICE: 7+7 % IN LAIR: 10% TREASURE TYPE: C NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4 (×6) SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: 25% INTELLIGENCE: Very ALIGNMENT: Chaotic neutral SIZE: L (20' long) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 2 HIT DICE: 7+7** MOVE: 90'(30') ATTACKS: 6 tentacles DAMAGE: 1-4 + special (×6) NO. APPEARING: 1-3 SAVE AS: Dwarf:7 MORALE: 11 TREASURE TYPE: C ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Monster Double-shot: Abyssal "Vermin"

In yesterday's post, I wrote about my take on the demons and the demon lords of the Abyss. Today, my new monster features takes a look at what I'll refer to affectionately as "abyssal vermin." The concept of demon larvae and demon locusts aren't necessarily new ones, and I'm mainly looking at adapting them for BX/LL with my eye on a future "planes" book.

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ABYSSAL LARVA

DESCRIPTION Those men, who in their mortal life, were particularly sinful, selfish, and evil, sink to the lower planes after death and are incarnated as abyssal larvae—the fetal forms from which many demons (particularly quasits and imps) are “grown.” Abyssal larvae appear as puffy, bloated human-headed maggots of a pale and sickly whitish-yellow color. The acids used to digest food are always present in the fangedmouth of an abyssal larva. Therefore, the bite of one of these creatures deals 2 points of acid damage in addition to the bite itself (which does 1d4 points of damage). The mind of an abyssal larva is particularly warped, providing it protection from all mind-affecting abilities (e.g., charm, fear, illusions, etc.).

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Common NO. APPEARING: 10-60 ARMOR CLASS: 7 MOVE: 6" HIT DICE: 1 % IN LAIR: 100% TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4 SPECIAL ATTACKS: Acid damage (2 pts. per bite) SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Low ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil SIZE: 6' long (M) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 7 HIT DICE: 1* MOVE: 60'(20') ATTACKS: 1 bite DAMAGE: 1-4 + acid (2 pts.) NO. APPEARING: 2-12 (10-60) SAVE AS: Normal Man MORALE: 7 TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

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ABYSSAL LOCUST

DESCRIPTION Those abyssal larva that mature, but are not chosen by higher demons to be bred as a particular race of demon, mature naturally into abyssal locusts. The larval coloration becomes replaced by a variety of deeper, jewel-like tones (ranging from sulphur yellow to putrid jade green to blood purple). Additionally, the mind of the larva degrades, causing the chaos of its mind to be calmed, thereby eliminating any sort of immunity to mind-affecting abilities. The forelimbs of an abyssal locust are razor sharp, doing 1d4 each. Furthermore, if all 4 forelimbs attack a single target successfully, the abyssal locust may choose to pick up any victim of human size or smaller and carry the victim away at a speed of 2/3 normal for anything dwarf-sized or smaller, and 1/3 normal for any victim larger than a dwarf. This makes abyssal locusts quite desirable as aerial support to other demons.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Rare NO. APPEARING: 5-20 ARMOR CLASS: 6 MOVE: 6"/18" HIT DICE: 1+1 % IN LAIR: 20% TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 4 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4/1-4/1-4/1-4 SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 6 HIT DICE: 1+1* MOVE: 60'(20')/180'(60') ATTACKS: 4 forelimbs DAMAGE: 1-4/1-4/1-4/1-4 NO. APPEARING: 1-4 (5-20) SAVE AS: Normal Man MORALE: 8 TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Scrä-Worm

A few weeks ago, I featured a new monster race, the gorloght. The gorloght were the race enslaved by Xumaltet (the petty god of primal emotions and savage urges*) to fight the scrä-worms (the worm species mutated as a result of Xumaltet’s arrival on the plane). One of my planned psionic adventures (the one that will ramp up the characters to get them ready for The Jahnu Prophecy) is an adventure I'm tentatively naming Spawn of Xumaltet. I'm thinking it will take place in a large scale underground system (similar to Descent into the Depths of the Earth.) It will include the gorloght, the scrä-worms, and some new psionic monsters (in that 2-4 HD sweet spot). That's all I really have right now... some ideas. Now, without further ado, I present the scrä-worm.

SCRÄ-WORM

DESCRIPTION When Xumaltet, the petty god of primal emotions and savage urges, first found his way to the Prime Material Plane from the darkest realms of the Dream Lands, his arrival created a massive cloud of subconscious residue. This residue lingered there, mutating the early nematode life living there, and creating the genetic forefathers of the large, semi-intelligent race of creatures that have since come to be known as the scrä-worms. The same subconscious residue that gave them semi-intelligence, also gave their ids dominance, causing these creatures to be driven by their needs, wants, desires, and impulses, particularly their sexual appetites and aggressive drives. If they see something they want, they take it, and they’re not opposed to killing other scrä-worms to get it. These slender, hammer-headed flatworms measure nearly 6' in length, with a head approximately 12" wide. They are moderately slow, but attack with a forceful blow from their hammer-heads, doing 2d6+2 on a successful “to hit” roll. Additionally, on a natural “to hit” roll of 20, a scrä-worm will strike the head of its target, creating confusion in its victim, with one of the following effects (roll 2d6): ROLL ACTION 2-5 attack closest target 6-8 do nothing 9-12 flee in fear Scrä-worms are incredibly resilient. They take only half damage from acid and fire-based attacks, take no damage from cold though it slows them to half movement (2d6 rounds), and electrical attacks restore their hit points (up to their normal maximum). Given their libidinous behavior, there is a 50% chance a scrä-worm lair will have 2d4 young with half the stats of an adult. Scrä-worms are the natural enemies of the gorloght, the race that Xumaltet enslaved to fend off the ever-growing population of scrä-worms. * See Petty Gods: Revised & Expanded Edition

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 1-4 ARMOR CLASS: 7 MOVE: 6" (6") HIT DICE: 5 % IN LAIR: 50% TREASURE TYPE: D NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 4-14 SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Semi- ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil SIZE: L (6' long) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 7 HIT DICE: 6* MOVE: 60'(20') (60'(20')) ATTACKS: 1 slam DAMAGE: 4-14 NO. APPEARING: 1-2 (2-20) SAVE AS: Fighter:3 MORALE: 11 TREASURE TYPE: D ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

New Psionic Monster (BX/LL): Hive-Mite

Today's creature, the hive-mite, is a low-level psionic creature I created to answer Eric Potter's request for more psionic stuff that low level characters could fight. I have dual-statted this monster (for Oe/1e and BX), but the body description is written for BX. Anyone wishing to use this for Oe/1e psionics will have to take the principals presented and do a bit of reverse engineering (based on the Oe/1e stat block), since the Original/Advanced edition of psionics don't really use psionic saving throws or psionic levels.

HIVE-MITE

DESCRIPTION These 2’-long, maggot-like creatures are typically found in areas of rot, and are particular fond of the rotting flesh of animals. Any hive-mite within 10' of another hive-mite automatically shares its mind with that hive-mite. Subsequently, all hive-mites contiguously within a 10' range of one another share their minds with all of the others in the “chain.” Solitary hive-mites have a psionic level of 1 (5 PSPs), and may opt to make a psionic attack (with id insinuation) during the round, rather than their standard bite attack. Hive-mites which are sharing their minds have a psionic level equal to the number of hive-mites in the group of shared minds, but collectively get only 1 psionic attack per round (which only one of the mites in the chain may use in lieu of its bite attack). When making a psionic attack with a shared mind, PSPs may be cannibalized from other hive-mites in the chain, deducting the cannibalized PSPs from the reservoir of those hive-mites. Psionic saving throws for any hive-mite in a chain is made as a fighter equal to the shared mind’s psionic level. Any clairsentient or telepathic ability (psionic, magic, or otherwise), as well as any attack mode, targeted against any hive-mite (or hive-mites) in a chain has a chance to affect the other hive-mites in the chain. Each member of the shared mind must make a successful psionic saving throw or suffer the ability’s/attacks effects. Hive-mites are always protected by a tower of iron will with no PSP cost. Psychometabolic, psychokinetic and psychoporative sionic abilities which target an individual “externally” (e.g., disintegration), affect only the single hive-mite against which the ability is targeted. All other (non-psionic) saving throws are made as a 1st level fighter. The morale of any hive mite is dependent upon the number of minds being shared as outlined below: # of hive- mites in chain Morale 1 7 2-3 8 4-6 9 7-10 10 11+ 11

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Very rare NO. APPEARING: 2-8 ARMOR CLASS: 7 MOVE: 3" HIT DICE: 1+1 % IN LAIR: 40% TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: Poison SPECIAL ATTACKS: 1 psionic attack per hive-mite "chain" SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Low- ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: S (2' long) PSIONIC ABILITY: 15 (per hive-mite) Attack/Defense Modes: D/J BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 7 HIT DICE: 1+1 MOVE: 30'(10') ATTACKS: 1 bite or special DAMAGE: 1-4 or special NO. APPEARING: 1-4 (2-8) SAVE AS: See below MORALE: See below TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Neutral PSIONIC LEVEL: See below (5 PSPs per hive-mite) ATTACK MODES: id insinuation DEFENSE MODES: tower of iron will* (no PSP cost, always on)

New Oe/1e/BX Monster: Scytale

Today's creature, the scytale (or scitalis) is a creature found in Medieval bestiaries.

SCYTALE

DESCRIPTION The scytale is a sluggish magical serpent that glows with all the colors of the rainbow. Any creature looking upon one must save vs. paralysis from its enrapturing and pleasurable hypnotic effect or become catatonic for 1d4 turns. The scytale then uses this opportunity to attack, its poisonous bite striking automatically against an immobilized target, and killing instantly on a failed save vs. poison. This magical glowing effect, and the hypnotic state it induces, both cease upon the scytale’s death. The catatonia produced by the scytale is quite addictive, and live specimens of these creatures are quite in demand in underworld markets, regularly fetching prices of 1,000 gp or more.

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Rare NO. APPEARING: 1 ARMOR CLASS: 7 MOVE: 3" HIT DICE: 1+1 % IN LAIR: 15% TREASURE TYPE: Nil NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: Poison SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below SPECIAL DEFENSES: None MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Animal- ALIGNMENT: Neutral SIZE: S (3' long) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS ARMOR CLASS: 7 HIT DICE: 1+1* MOVE: 30'(10') ATTACKS: 1 bite or 1 special DAMAGE: Poison NO. APPEARING: 1 SAVE AS: Fighter:1 MORALE: 7 TREASURE TYPE: Nil ALIGNMENT: Neutral