Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A-to-Z Challenge, P: Psi-Bat (New Oe/1E Psionic Monster)

You may have noticed that today's A-to-Z headline does not include "BX." That's simply because today's monster has psionic abilities (and without them, wouldn't be the same monster.) I have included BX stats, however, in case you house rule psionics or play a frankensteined version of the Oe/BX/1e rulesets. The psi-bat began life as the Ytrusian moonbat and was originally intended for Starmasters. But as my co-conspirator Dave Welborn and I started digging deeper into how we imagined presenting the Starmasters content, the idea of a random catalog of pre-generated monsters didn't feel right.

Psi-Bat


DESCRIPTION

Psi-bats are an odd creature formed of a unique evolution which has given them extraordinary psionic abilities. Somewhat bat-like and somewhat human, they have hairless leather-like skin, stand approximately 5’ tall and their wingspan reaches upwards from 15’ to 20’. Normally found in the deepest of subterranean locations, they are particularly fond of colder, wet areas. Like bats, they sleep hanging from the ceilings of the caverns they inhabit, and spend most of their time in a hibernation that borders on suspended animation. This allows psi-bats a lifespan that can reach to be 500+ years.

Though possessed of eyes, these eyes are vestigial. Psi-bats are technically blind and “see” through a form of clairvoyant radar which gives them the capability to “see” in all directions (even through objects) to a radius of 100’. Psi-bats are, therefore, never surprised by any creature approaching on the prime material plane. Even creatures trying to surprise a psi-bat by approaching extra-dimensionally can only surprise a psi-bat on a 1 or 2 (on 1d6.) Should any living creature come within 100’ of a hibernating psi-bat, it will immediately come to a fully awake state, prepared to defend itself or hunt and feed on any living creature available.

Though psi-bats are able to attack with their four taloned hands and two taloned feet, their preferred forms of attack and defense are their unusual psionic abilities. In addition to their standard attack and defense modes, they also possess the following devotions: animal telepathy, domination, invisibility, and telempathic projection, all performed at the 10th level of mastery.
Oe/1E STATS
FREQUENCY: Very Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-10
ARMOR CLASS: 4
MOVE: 3”/18”
HIT DICE: 8
% IN LAIR: 90%
TREASURE TYPE: C
NO. OF ATTACKS: 6
DAMAGE/ATTACK:
1-6/1-6/1-6/1-6/1-3/1-3
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: High
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic
SIZE: L
PSIONIC ABILITY: 60-80
Attack/Defense Modes: A/F,G


BX STATS
ARMOR CLASS: 4
HIT DICE: 8**
MOVE: 30’/180’
ATTACKS: 6 claws
DAMAGE: 1-6/1-6/1-6/1-6/1-3/1-3
NO. APPEARING: 1-10
SAVE AS: Fighter: 8
MORALE: 9
TREASURE TYPE: C
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

1 comment:

  1. Whoa! I'd hate to run into those babies, anywhere! Are they psi-lent, as well? Ha ha. Great post. On my way to visit other Challengers. Good to meet'cha. Best regards to you, Ruby aka Grammy

    ReplyDelete