Benefic Polymorph...!

BENEFIC POLYMORPH

FREQUENCY: Rare
 
NO. APPEARING: 1
 
ARMOR CLASS: 9

MOVE: 8"

HIT DICE: 5 hit points

% IN LAIR: 0%

TREASURE TYPE: Nil

NO. OF ATTACKS: 0

DAMAGE/ATTACK: Nil

SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below

SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil

MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard

INTELLIGENCE: Average

ALIGNMENT: Neutral

SIZE: S

PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil

       Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

The Benefic Polymorph is a strange sentient creature whose normal form resembles a lump of blue clay-like material. Its purpose in life and what it feeds upon in order to survive in this form is not known, and it will only contact another sentient being in a very specific set of circumstances. If it senses that another being is missing a major limb, such as a hand, foot, leg or arm it will introduce itself and explain that it can help. It will explain that it can assume the form of that missing part and will function in its stead for the lifetime of its host. It requires nothing in return, save that the host treats with the same reverence as their other limbs. It speaks all known languages, including cants and alignment tongues and has a deferential, softly-spoken manner.

 

Should the prospective host agree to the offer, the polymorph will take the place of the missing limb and quickly assume it's form, but can no longer speak. It will look like an exact copy of it but will still have the appearance of blue clay, and tendrils will mark the join between the polymorph and the host. The host will then have a fully functioning limb that feels completely natural. It will not be any stronger, weaker, more dextrous nor more resilient than a normal limb (as defined by the player-character's statistics), and will feel heat, cold, etc in a normal manner.

 

However, the polymorph requires 1 hit point per year from its host, which cannot be regained via magic or healing. This will not be revealed to the host at any time. If the host's body is near death from unnatural causes (i.e. 1 hit point above zero), the polymorph will absorb the hit point, resume it's normal form and will attempt to scurry away. If the host is in a situation where they are killed instantly or die of old age, the polymorph will also resume its normal shape and flee if it can. If the host is attacked or involved in an accident or similar occurrence, there is a 20% chance that the polymorph is hit instead (unless the Dungeon Master or the situation rules otherwise). If more than 5 hit points of damage is then inflicted upon the polymorph, it dies and inflicts 1 point of damage on its former host. It quickly becomes greyish-green, amorphous and without any apparent bone structure but remains attached to the host. It can then only be removed by a reversed Regenerate spell.

 

The Benefic Polymorph is not choosy about who or what becomes its host being. It can remember all of its former hosts and is thought to live for many hundreds of years, possibly thousands. 

 

Captive examples are worth at least 5000 gold pieces, but if forced to become a body part whilst captive (i.e. threatened with death), it extracts 2 hit points per year from its host and 2 hit points when leaving a host that is near death.

Certain rumours state that two extremely rare, smaller types of polymorph exist. One is gold in colour and can only replace a host's missing eye. It is said to have the ability to see far into the distance and into the other Planes, to detect invisibility and have various other sight-based powers. The other, silver in colour, can only replace the host's tongue and allows them to speak all languages, cants and alignment tongues as well as converse with all animals and monsters.

Spiders...! (Part Two)

SIEGE SPIDER

 

FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: Varies
ARMOR CLASS: 2
MOVE: 5"
HIT DICE: 12 +10
% IN LAIR: 0%
TREASURE TYPE:  Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 6-60, 6-60
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Low
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L (35' long excluding forelegs, 25' wide)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
                Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

It is not known whether these creatures owe their huge size to some freak of nature, breeding or from magical experimentation. They are usually encountered during battles but may also be met as part of an army or large war party en-route to some battlefield.

 

Siege Spiders are trained from birth to be inured to rigours and terrors of warfare, and they seem to know no fear. Training them is a specialised task and takes at least 5 years, during which time the spider learns to take commands only from the specific individuals who eventually become their controllers. This is always a team of four: the commander (who makes tactical decisions and issues orders), the drummer (who beats the orders as a code onto the carapace of the spider, which the creature then responds to) and two 'drivers' (who each pull on huge chains fixed to the left and right foreleg, reinforcing the orders transmitted by the drummer. These chains can only be pulled by those with a Strength of 18/75-00). Should any member of the team be killed, it can take up to 2 years to train the spider to follow orders from a new individual.

 

During combat, the team resides within with a specially constructed and armoured howdah, effectively a small bunker riveted onto the back of spider, which also contains a signaller (who sends and receives messages using various methods to and from other howdahs, or from the higher chain of command). In this manner, Siege Spiders act as semi-independent units tasked with the dismantling and destruction of enemy fortifications. They usually do not climb over these but instead are trained to stand against walls, etc as they endeavour to breach them. Some howdahs form the base of larger siege towers and some armies add large metal spikes and other objects to the spider's body in order to guard against attacks or to enhance its offensive capabilities. Against weaker defences the weight of the spider is sometimes enough to breach them.

The creature is generally similar to other spiders in overall shape except that its two forelegs are 30' long and end in large hook-like talon, each capable of prising apart or smashing stone and mortar and delivering 6-60 points of damage. Despite their size, these are particularly dextrous. Siege Spiders are usually black or darker shades of brown, purple or blue in colour, with vivid red undersides and yellow-white talons. However, it is common for armies to paint them in other colours or to decorate them with various patterns, flags, banners or slogans. The creature's chitin is also thick enough to have designs permanently carved into it. The remains of dead Siege Spiders can be repurposed as armour for others of their kind or made into suits and shields, usually of AC3 or 4.

 

Siege Spiders do not spin webs nor do they possess a venomous bite as adults. Their fangs are very small compared to their overall size and they can consume the flesh of most creatures, living or dead. They have many eyes are can see equally well in both day and night. They are immune to fire (magical or mundane) and are unaffected by Cold or Fear-based Spells. Lightning-based attacks inflict only half damage.

These creatures are very highly prized as eggs or hatchlings, fetching as much as 50-80,000 gold pieces per individual. Hatchlings are usually pale blue or yellow in colour, some 4-6' in size, are AC4 and have 4HD. Unlike their adult form, they possess a venomous bite and those bitten must save vs poison or die instantly. Their fangs and each forearm deliver 1-8 points of damage. Siege Spiders give birth to 2-6 hatchlings but only breed once every 10 years, whilst they themselves normally have a lifespan of 30-50 years.

Woodwose...!

This week I describe creatures that once figured quite strongly in English folklore, seemingly as some sort of physical representation of a wilder aspect of nature. They're mentioned, for example, in the Arthurian tale Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, but must predate that period by at least three or four centuries as their name seems to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. It's possible (at a bit of a stretch, in my opinion) that they are in some way related to the Green Man, a similarly mysterious figure who shares some aspects with the Woodwose. Lastly, the word 'Woodwose' works both as a singular and plural form.

WOODWOSE

FREQUENCY: Uncommon
 
NO. APPEARING: 2-6
 
ARMOR CLASS: 6

MOVE: 10"

HIT DICE: 2+2

% IN LAIR: 15%

TREASURE TYPE: V

NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 (clawed hands)

DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon or 1-8

SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below

SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below

MAGIC RESISTANCE: See below

INTELLIGENCE: Low to Average

ALIGNMENT: Neutral

SIZE: M

PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil

       Attack/Defense Modes: Nil

Woodwose are only ever encountered in ancient woodlands or similarly remote and overgrown places, within which they are seldom seen unless they decide to make their presence felt. They are shy and timid creatures that will ordinarily go to great lengths to avoid any form of contact. They are dextrous and masters of camouflage and stealth, possessing abilities similar to Move Silently, Hide In Shadows and Climb Walls as if they were a 10th level thief.

Despite their timidity, they possess a curiosity that can override this aspect of their nature. When encountering parties of adventurers they will sometimes choose to follow them at a distance. Ordinarily they are terrified of fire and lightning, but should a party be engaged in cooking the woodwose might choose to break cover and approach, albeit haltingly. They seem to have a great interest in prepared food and the cooking of such things, but the sound of music also seems to have a similar attraction for them.

In combat their sharp, claw-like nails inflict 1-8 points of damage. There is a 50% chance that those encountered can also attack with poisoned darts. This poison is an insinuative B variety, the darts having a range of 20 feet and two may be thrown per turn. Otherwise they are armed with weapons equivalent to a club or quarterstaff.

 

All woodwose have the ability to cast Cure Light Wounds and Warp Wood as a 3rd level druid. They are immune to cold attacks but fire and lightning-based attacks will cause them to instantly flee. Their magic and poison resistance allows them to save at 2 levels above their actual. They possess excellent hearing and surprise on a roll of 1-4 on a 6-sided die, and see equally well by both day and night.

If encountered in their lair, there will always be one 4 HD individual, taller than the others and with hair entwined with a mass of thorny plants. It will know 1d6 druid spells in addition to those described above, casting them as a 4th level druid, and can (if threatened) summon 1d6 bears, wolves and similar creatures to its aid, which will arrive in 1-3 turns. They have no interest in treasure such as silver, gold, etc but seem to covet wands and staffs. These will be found within a giant ancient tree which stands at the centre of their lair. No woodwose children have ever been observed, and no-one knows how long they live. Some Elven folklore claims that when an old oak tree dies and collapses into ruin, woodwose spring up from the remains.

 

Woodwose speak their own language, which varies from growls to bird-like sounds. There is a remote chance (10%) that within any group encountered one individual will have a very basic knowledge of Common. However, Speak With Animals works just as well when communicating with them. If befriended or treated amiably, they will be happy to share information about recent and past events, as well as that pertaining to an area some 20 miles around them. Once per day they can accurately describe any location and on-going events within it up to a distance of 10 miles from where they stand. However, they may not understand all that they see and thus the information provided might be difficult to parse.

Description: Woodwose are tall and human-like in appearance, albeit with somewhat larger hands and feet. Aside from their hands and faces, their entire bodies are covered in thick hair that ranges in colour from black to light brown. This is covered in patches of leaves, lichen, moss and other plant material. The skin of their hands and face is dark reddish-brown and their nails are jet black. Their faces are their most striking feature, being wide and round with a pointed chin. Their eyes are large with no discernable pupils and resemble oddly reflective glass spheres. They have no teeth, but have a wide beak-like object within their mouths that is turquoise in colour.