Su-Monster
Climate/Terrain:
| Dark areas/Wilderness and subterranean |
|
Frequency:
| Uncommon
|
Organization:
| Family/clan
|
Activity Cycle:
| Dawn and Sunset
|
Diet:
| Omnivorous
|
Intelligence:
| Average (8-10)
|
Treasure:
| C, Y
|
Alignment:
| Chaotic (evil)
|
No. Appearing:
| 1d12
|
Armor Class:
| 6
|
Movement:
| 9
|
Hit Dice:
| 5+5
|
THAC0:
| 15
|
No. of Attacks:
| 5
|
Damage/Attack:
| 1d4/1d4/1d4/1d4/2d4
|
Special Attacks:
| Psionic, ambush
|
Special Defenses:
| Psionic
|
Magic Resistance:
| Nil
|
Size:
| M (large ape)
|
Morale:
| Average (8-10)
|
XP Value:
| 650
|
Su-monsters look like big gray monkeys, 4 to 5 feet tall. They have large
bones and muscular limbs, but they always appear a bit underfed, because their ribs
and vertebrae show prominently. Their long, prehensile tails can easily
support their weight. Their hands and feet are virtually alike, each having three
long, thick fingers and an opposable thumb, all equipped with claws. Like the
tail, their hands and feet are very strong, allowing them to hang by one limb for
several hours. Short, dirty gray fur covers most of their body. Their face and
tail are black, while their paws are always bloody red (making them look like
they just finished killing something, which is the case more often than not).
They frequently grin, but this is usually a sharp-toothed threat rather than a
gesture of friendliness.
Combat: Su-monsters attack with all four legs when possible, raking their extremely
sharp nails across their victim. They can also deliver a powerful bite with their
canine-like mouth. These creatures like to hunt in small packs (1d12 members).
Their favorite hunting grounds are well-traveled trails through the
jungle/forest. They search for a sturdy branch overhanging a trail, and perch in the
trees, waiting patiently. When a victim passes beneath them, they an swing down,
using their tails as anchors. This way they can attack with all four claws plus
the bite. Victims of this kind of ambush suffer a -4 penalty to their surprise
rolls.
What really makes these beasts ferocious is their tribal protectiveness. Half
the time (50% chance), the entire family takes part in the hunt: male, female,
and two young. If the young are attacked or threatened, the females fight as if
under a
haste spell (i.e., double movement and number of attacks). Likewise, if the they
females are attacked, the males appear to fight with
haste. A surge of adrenaline accounts for this ferocity. Females can maintain the
effect for up to 6 turns (an hour), and males can maintain it for up to 4 turns.
Psionically these creatures can be deadly. They know three attack modes. They
are also impervious to telepathic attacks. When su-monsters are using
enhancement, they can attack both psionically and physically if they choose (instead of
a double attack rate).
Psionics Summary:
Level
| Dis/Sci/Dev
| Attack/Defense
| Score
| PSPs
|
2
| 3/1/3(2/5)
| PsC,MT,PB/Nil
| = Int
| 120
|
Su-monsters always know the following powers, and there is a 10% chance that
they will have one more science and two more devotions in the psychometabolic
discipline.
Psychometabolism - Devotions: enhancement (no cost, see above).
Metapsionics - Devotions: psionic sense (always on, no cost) .
Telepathy - Sciences: psychic crush. Devotions: mind thrust, psionic blast.
Habitat/Society A su-monster family is composed of two parents (adult male and female) and two
young. When two or more families live together, they form a clan. Su-monsters
are very territorial and have a particular hatred for the psionically empowered.
According to legend, su-monsters were created by a powerful evil cleric or
mage, who wished to guard his forest from intruders (especially psionic ones). The
creatures do make a formidable attack force, which tends to support this
theory. According to some sages the creatures are magical hybrid of humanoids and
apes. In any event, many evil wizards and priests employ su-monsters as forest
guards today.
Ecology: Su-monsters keep their valuables well hidden in the high boles of the trees in
their territory. They have no food value, since their meat is mildly
poisonous. Characters who eat su-monster meat must save vs. poison or become ill, and no
natural healing is possible for 1 week.