New Oe/BX/1E Monster: Cyclorc

Between the image of the cyclops orcs from the British edition of Holmes Basic and the fact the orc deity Gruumsh only has one eye, I figured it was time to give cycloptic orcs their due (i.e. "stats".)

Cyclorc

DESCRIPTION Cyclorcs are a slightly larger cycloptic version of an orc. While they are stronger than normal orcs (having a +4 bonus to their HD and fighting/saving as 2 HD monsters), their cycloptic sight gives them poor depth perception and all “to hit” rolls are made with a 1 point penalty. Furthermore, like normal orcs they are nocturnal and prefer to live underground, so they must subtract an additional an additional point from their “to hit” rolls while fighting in daylight. Cyclorcs tend to the same weapon choices as normal orcs. Cyclorcs have a temperament similar to normal orcs (have bad tempers, kill for amusement, hate elves and will attack on sight). They are, however, much more independent than standard orcs and will rarely serve in any type of organized military, regardless of the strength, charisma, or alignment of the group’s leader. Instead, they prefer to roam in loose bands (small tribes) comprised only of other cyclorcs. When 12 or more cyclorcs are encountered, they will be accompanied by a leader with 4 HD (will have at least 1 hit point more than the other strongest member of the group), that fights as a 4 HD monster and saves as a 4th level fighter. If the leader of the group is killed, the morale of the other cyclorcs becomes 7 instead of 8. Cyclorc tribes usually live underground (80%) or above ground in crude wooden huts (20%). For each male cyclorc in a tribal lair, there will be one female, and for each 2 adults in a tribal lair there will be 2 whelps (cyclorc children). Additionally, there is a 50% chance for each family unit in a tribe to possess 1-4 slaves (except elves). Cyclorcs prefer not to have ogres or trolls among their number. In addition to speaking the standard orc language, cyclorcs have their own dialect which few standard orcs understand (10% chance for standard orc leaders or better only). Additionally, most cyclorcs are able to speak the languages of goblins, hobgoblins, and ogres as well as their alignment language (lawful evil).

Oe/1E STATS FREQUENCY: Uncommon NO. APPEARING: 5-20 ARMOR CLASS: 5 MOVE: 12” HIT DICE: 1+4 % IN LAIR: 25% TREASURE TYPE: Individuals L; C in lair NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-9 or by weapon type SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard INTELLIGENCE: Low ALIGNMENT: Lawful evil SIZE: L (7’+ tall) PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Attack/Defense Modes: Nil BX STATS HIT DICE: 1+4 MOVE: 120’ ATTACKS: 1 weapon DAMAGE: 2-9 or by weapon NO. APPEARING: 4-20 SAVE AS: Fighter: 2 MORALE: 8 TREASURE TYPE: Individuals L; C in lair ALIGNMENT: Chaotic: Nil