Agathion -- Psionic Monster profile

The Agathion is NOT a classic monster. It is right there opposite the Aboleth at the beginning of the 1e MM2, bit it never made an impression on me, I think probably because it has no illustration.

Reviewing it now with more mature eyes, I see pure role-playing gold. Especially if you are running a psionic campaign, the Agathion is a must-have.

The Agathion has no picture, because it can take any form, even an object. They are basically manifestations of spirit beings who come for the specific purpose of combating some great evil.

I would explain them as stars, who look down upon the earth night after night, observing and seeing, finally putting on an earthly form to take action in some intrigue they have been observing from on high.

The natural form of these living "star creatures" is described as elf-like, with "opalescent, luminous" skin and shining eyes. Your players would only see this form if it was astrally traveling. Otherwise it will appear as follows:

Human form - 60%

Roll randomly to determine appearance.

Clerical spells per day (equal to 7th level cleric with 18 WIS): 1st level - 5, 2nd level - 5, 3th level - 3, 4th level - 2

Creature form - 30%

Attacks and spell powers of the form chosen (such as unicorn, lammasu, shedu, etc.).

Turns undead as 14th level cleric.

Object form - 10%

A ring, talisman, flask, vase, key, etc... Bestows on possessor:

1st level cleric spell ability, detect evil at will, turn undead as 6th level cleric

HD 7+7 (save as 14th level cleric)

attacks: as form, by weapon, or energy touch of 7-14 points

INT: Very to genius (11-18)

Magic resistance: 35% (+1 to hit), immune to level drain, death spells, disintegration, and negative energy attacks

Psionic ability: 177

attacks/defenses: all/all

Psionic powers (14th level):

clairaudience, clairvoyance, object reading, suspend animation, aura alteration, dimension walk, mind bar, telempathic projection

Other powers:

at will:

Etherealness

Astral Travel

detect evil

Telepathy (any language)

Astral Searchers & the perils of astral travel - hidden gem of the Fiend Folio

Astral Searchers are one of the real gems from the much-maligned 1e Fiend Folio. They are really quite terrifying if you think about it: disembodied spirits, roaming around the spirit world, trying to break into the material world, to find a body to possess.

While returning from astral travel, there is a chance that a bus-load of these things (4-24 of them!!!) will latch on to you, following you back into the material world. The FF postulates a 4% chance, but I'd say roll the good ole d20, them appearing on a 20 (a 5% chance).

Successfully following you into the material world, they immediately attack, trying to destroy your soul and take over your body! Yikes....

Clarifying the Origins

The FF speculates that Astral Searchers originate in traumatic events and spell-use in the astral plane. This is only the shadow of the real truth...

The true origins of Astral Searchers are the people who had their SILVER CORDS SEVERED while astrally projecting. Their spirits are then lost in the astral mists, and stuck there, unable to return to their true bodies. They will desperately latch onto anyone they can find, hoping to catch a ride back to the material world to reattain a physical form.

Clarifying the Mechanics

Essentially, what happens is, the Astral Searcher grabs onto the victim's body while it is on the astral plane, and "rides along" as it shifts into the material plane.

What they are talking about here is the Ethereal-to-Material transition. This transition happens when a physical body shifts phases from an astral state to a material state.

Purely "spirit-only" travel, projecting your astral body but not your physical body, would not involve any danger from these things, since, in that case, there is no astral-to-material transition.

Clarifying the Combat Mechanics

I must admit, I am a bit unsatisfied with the description of the combat mechanics. The problem is, they way they describe it, there is really no parallel for this anywhere else in the D&D rulebook.

Where exactly is the rule for "fighting an attempted spirit possession"??? According to the FF, here is how it works:

Your spirit has AC 5, but the same amount of hit points as your physical body. If it knocks you down to zero hit points, your spirit is considered crushed, destroyed forever, and it takes over your body....

For one, spirit possession does NOT involve the annihilation of the host soul. The invader "over-shadows" the host spirit, but if the invading spirit is exorcised, the host soul reasserts itself.

For two, isn't there some better mechanic for fighting spirit possession???

Spirit Possession mechanic of the Magic Jar

We already have a really good mechanic given in the 5th level magic user spell Magic Jar. This is precisely a spirit-invasion, hostile-take-over attempt of some else's body by an invading spirit.

In this spell, resistance to take-over is based on a savings throw, which is modified by comparing the INT+WIS scores of the two combatants.

The time of possession is also limited based on the relative INT+WIS scores. The victim gets a save every round, turn, day, or week depending on the comparable scores.

Also, the magician spell Mind Blank protects you from possession or soul trapping... Presumably the psionic defense of the same name would provide that protection, too...

This Magic Jar mechanic makes a lot more sense than the one described in the FF, so that is what I would follow.

The Astral Searcher could still attack physically with its 2hd form and 1-6 damage strike, but if it is going to attempt a spirit takeover, let's be consistent, shall we?

INT+WIS modifier for Savings Throw versus spirit possession:

Victim at +9 or more --> +4 on save, save each round

victim at +6, +7, +8 --> +3 on save, save each round

victim at +3, +4, +5) --> +2 on save, save each round

victim at even, +1, +2 --> + 1 on save, save each round

attacker at +1,2,3,or 4 --> no adjustment on save, save each round

attacker at +5,6,7,8 --> -1 on save, save each turn

attacker at +9, 10,11,12 --> -2 on save, save each day

attacker at +13 or more --> -3 on save, save each week

Grey Ooze, Yellow Mold, Algoid - Psionic plant life

The concept of psi-powered plant life is interesting. The basic idea in all of these cases is that a colony of microscopic plant life has attained some sort of rudimentary sentience.

Following this build-up of mental power, they can unleash a psionic attack. But because of their basic mindlessness, they remain immune to psionic counter-attacks.

Gray Ooze

Semi-sentient subterranean slime.... Can ooze around and lash out like a snake for physical damage. Will react to any use of psionic powers nearby (6" range) with a psionic attack of its own.

Psionic ability: 21-121

attack: Psychic Crush

defenses: immune to psionic attack

Yellow Mold

Semi-sentient mold colonies will attack physically by spore clouds, or psionically if psionic powers are used nearby (2"-12" range).

Psionic ability: 10-100

attack: Id Insinuation

defenses: immune to psionic attack

Algoid

The algoid is, at base, a psionic colony of algae. It represents a slight advance on previous psionic-slime types because it can also rise up in a humanoid shape to perform physical attacks as well control other plants around them.

Psionic ability: 101-120

attack: Psionic Blast

defenses: immune to psionic attack

special powers: control over nearby trees

Guardian Monsters - Listed and Considered

There are a great number of guardian monsters to help spice up the role playing. Guardian-type monsters are a regular feature in dramatic fantasy fiction, so even new players will relate to plot hooks predicated on guardian monster intervention.

Lord of the Rings, for example, is essentially a guardian-monster-initiated adventure (Gandolf being the guardian monster). The Gandolf example is apt, as many guardian monsters do have polymorph powers, so could assume the likeness of mankind.

Guardian Animals

For low-level campaigns, dealing with the local dangers of the heath and forest, some of the best guardian monsters you can use are Grims and Moondogs. The great thing about the Grims and Moondogs is that they are elusive and mysterious, so the players would probably think they were part of the evil at first.

Grims take the form of black dogs, black cats, or black owls. The Harry Potter series used the "Grim plot hook" to great effect in book 3, when Harry kept seeing a large black canine stalking him in the shadows (which ended up being his guardian Sirius Black, of course).

Guardians of Specific Places

Some guardians are encamped in a specific locale, working to disrupt and contain some evil from breaking out.

Naga (guardian-types) would be well-used here. From their description it seems clear they would not be likely to be "roaming" guardians. I could see them patrolling a Yuan-Ti infested jungle, or the area around an evil temple...

Foo-Dogs and Foo-Lions are also described as guardians with powerful anti-evil powers. They are described as chaotic, so would not make good long-term disciplined guardians, but they could be brought in as excellent shock troops in the battle against evil.

Opinicus also appear to be well-suited to a role as guardians of some specific location. They are especially equipped to deal with undead and demons, so they would be prone to be found guarding the approaches to dangerous areas full of such creatures, such as the forest around a vampire's castle or the mountains around lich's lair, for example.

Wandering Guardian Monsters

The Agathion, Baku, Ki-rin, Lammasu, Hollyphant, and Shedu are the classic wandering guardian monsters. They are all described as "roaming" guardians, seeking out and containing evil wherever they can find it.

Most of them can polymorph into human form. I imagine they would maintain some kind of contact with locals on the ground, gathering their information. Naturally, such contact would tend to be with influential druids, clerics, magic users, or psionic warriors.

Dragon Guardians and Dragon Wars

Another creative idea would be to use a dragon, or even Bahamut the Platinum Dragon, as a guardian. His description clearly describes his regular wandering. No doubt he is gathering intelligence and keeping tabs on rising evil, ready to intervene if necessary. I would imagine he would be especially vigilant against dragon problems, particularly related to his evil arch-nemesis Tiamat.

I can imagine lots of plot hooks involving a "War Among the Dragons". Imagine the poor people caught in the middle of those battles. Of course, the good dragons would seek out the help of powerful humans of good alignment to assist in their battle. The evil dragons would perhaps have some evil humans on their side, and let us not forget the Githyanki-Red Dragon alliance...

You gotta admit, campaigning a Dragon War would be pretty freakin epic.

Good old-fashioned Guardian Angels

The ultimate guardian monsters are probably the "guardian angels" statted out in the 1e MM2 as Devas, Planetars, and Solars. If you are doing a "human-centric" campaign, these would be perfect. Perhaps especially if you are doing a "war of good vs evil, angels vs devils" type scenario. Solars are so ridiculously over-powered, they would have to be used against Demon Lords and such.

Guardian Monster Random Table

Or maybe you just need a guardian animal to bail your players out of a tight spot or severe challenge. Here you go, in random tabular form:

01-20 Grim

21-30 Moondog

31-38 Naga, guardian

39-46 Foo-creature (75% dog, 25% lion)

47-53 Opinicus

54-60 Hollyphant

61-67 Agathion

68-74 Baku

75-81 Ki-rin

82-88 Lammasu (25% Greater Lammasu)

89-95 Shedu (25% Greater Shedu)

96-97 Dragon (10% Bahamut)

98-99 Deva

00 Planetar (25% Solar)

Y is for Yuan Ti - A to Z psionic monsters

A race of evil, genius, psionic, demon-worshiping, jungle-dwelling snake-men... Win! Hard to beat that for a nice villain for fantasy high adventure.

They join the Duergar, the Su-Monsters, and the Gith in the ranks of humanoid-ish races that are entirely psionic.

Between their high hit points, their psionic powers, their magic resistance, their powerful physical attacks, and their genius INT, an adventure among the Yuan Ti would be VERY dangerous.

In the AZ Adventures campaign, the Yuan Ti homeland is slightly "off the map", down in the jungles of Mexico. Subject for a long-range adventure, perhaps. The interaction of the jungle-dwelling but good-aligned Coualt with the evil-aligned Yuan Ti would be a very interesting plot line to work out.

They are in the perfect location: close enough to be on the periphery of awareness, to provide small parties of wandering Yuan Ti in encounters in the main campaign area.

"Pureblood" Yuan Ti, those who look almost human, could also be found ranging the land, posing as ambassadors, perhaps, looking for areas of migration and conquest, while cultivating evil allies.

Keep in mind their polymorph-other power! They would polymorph their kidnap victims for easy transport, as well as for various other evil purposes.

For example, they could be posing as a traveling circus/menagerie. Of course, their menagerie would be polymorph victims!

Although the text only mentions "demon worship", it seems obvious to me that they are worshipers of Marilith (see here: http://oldschoolpsionics.blogspot.com/2011/04/m-is-for-marilith-to-z-psionic-monsters.html). No doubt, it was their worship of the demon snake lady which caused this group of former-humans to degenerate into their snake form, in exchange for their tremendous psionic and magic-resistant powers.

HD: 6-9

attacks: depending on form: bite, tail or weapons attack

INT: Genius

Magic resistance: 20%

Psionic Ability: 150

attack modes: Mind Thrust, Id Insinuation

defense modes: Mind Blank, Intellect Fortress, Tower of Iron Will

Special powers (human-headed only):

1x per day:

cause fear

darkness (15' radius)

snake charm

stick to snakes

neutralize poison

suggestion

polymorph other

X is for Xag-ya and Xeg-yi - A to Z psionic monsters

Floating balls of pure energy and anti-energy, that is what we are talking about here. The idea is definitely more sci-fi-fantasy than traditional fantasy.

The 1e MM2 suggests they would be used mainly as guardian monsters, summoned to deal with theft.

They would also be cool if used as a "bodyguard" monster of some wizard, tagging along with him, operating at his beck and call.

Also, they would make a very spooky and intimidating "assassination" monster, sent by a wizard to kill his enemies.

Another nice plot hook would be to have one of these locked into a cube of force in some mad wizard's lab. Of course, it would escape, mess up the wizard in the process, and take off to float aimlessly through the countryside (or underground)...

However you use them, they would be unusual and mysterious. They have no natural ecology, and they are "mindless by human standards", meaning some sort of alien intelligence, nothing in common with us at all in terms of motivation or empathy.

HD 5-8

attacks: tendril slap or energy blast (7-12 damage)

INT: High

Magic Resistance: 15% (+1 or better to hit)

Psionic Ability:130-180

attack/defence modes: all/all

Psionic powers: none listed, but it would make sense (and make them more bad ass) to equip them with Energy Control and Telekinesis.

Random encounter table for Psionic monsters - underground, above ground, and astral

[Well, there is no W psionic monster, so today I am going with this]

The DMG recommends that anytime psionics or psionic-like spells are used, there is a 1 in 4 chance that the next random encounter will be with a psionic monster.

Here are some exapanded tables of my devising, with all 1e psionic monsters included

Psionic Encounter Tables

Underground

01-05 Aboleth

06 Agathion

07 Baku

08-11 Brain mole

12-15 Cerebral parasite

16 Couatl

17-20 Crysmal

21-24 Demon, major (type 5 or 6)

25-29 Demon, minor (type 1-4)

30-31 Demon, prince

32 Deva/Planetar/Solar

33-34 Devil, arch

35-39 Devil, greater

40-50 Duergar

51 Enveloper

52-55 Githyanki

56-57 Githzerai

58-62 Gray ooze

63 Hollyphant

64-70 Intellect Devourer

71-75 Lich

76-80 Men (human psionic)

81-84 Mind Flayer

85 Modron

86-88 Mold, yellow

89 Shedu

90 Slaad

91-94 Su-monster

95 Thought Eater

96 Titan

97 Ustilagor

98 Vagabond

99 Xagya & Xegyi

00 Yochlol

Above Ground

01-05 Algoid

06-07 Agathion

08-09 Baku

10-15 Brain mole

16-20 Cerebral parasite

21-25 Couatl

26-29 Demon, major (type 5 or 6)

30-34 Demon, minor (type 1-4)

35-36 Demon, prince

37 Deva/Solar/Planetar

38-39 Devil, arch

40-44 Devil, greater

45-46 Elemental Princes

47 Enveloper

48 Foo Creatures

49 Githyanki

50 Githzerai

51 Gray ooze

52-53 Hollyphant

54 Intellect Devourer

55-59 Ki-rin

60 Lich

61-70 Men (human psionic)

71 Mind Flayer

72 Modrons

73-75 Mold, yellow

76 Opinicus

77 Phoenix

78-80 Shedu

81 Slaad

82-86 Su-monster

87 Thought Eater

88-89 Titan

90 Ustilagor

91-92 Vagabond

93-94 Xagya & Xegyi

95Yochlol

96-00 Yuan Ti

Astral Plane

01-03 Agathion

04-05 Baku

06-12 Cerebral parasite

13-15 Couatl

16-18 Demon, major (type 5 or 6)

19-24 Demon, minor (type 1-4)

25-26 Demon, prince

27-33 Deva/Planetar/Solar

34-35 Devil, arch

36-40 Devil, greater

41-42 Foo Creatures

43-52 Githyanki

53-59 Githzerai

60-61 Hollyphant

62 Intellect Devourer

63-64 Ki-rin

65-67 Lich

68-73 Men (human psionic)

74-79 Mind Flayer

80 Modron

81 Opinicus

82 Phoenix

83-84 Shedu

85-87 Slaad

88-91 Thought Eater

92 Titan

93-94 Vagabond

95-96 Xagya & Xegyi

97-99 Yochlol

00 Yuan Ti

The original table was confined to 1e MM:

01-05 Brain mole

06-12 Cerebral parasite

13-15 Couatl

16-18 Demon, major (type 5 or 6)

19-24 Demon, minor (type 1-4)

25-26 Demon, prince

27-28 Devil, arch

29-34 Devil, greater

35-38 Gray ooze

39-48 Intellect Devourer

49-51 Ki-rin

52-56 Lich

57-62 Men (human psionic)

63-69 Mind Flayer

70-72 Mold, yellow

73-82 Shedu

83-92 Su-monster

93-98 Titan

99-00 Triton

V is for Vagabond - A to Z psionic monsters

Welcome to Invasion of the Body Snatchers! Or, maybe, more like, Cocoon... I dunno, but whatever the case, a Vagabond is some kind of weird E.T. spirit that takes human (or other) form.

Vagabonds want to figure things out... They are curious, naive... They want to see new places... explore new surroundings, that kind of thing. They are like curious little children who don't understand anything, but have a zest for exploration and figuring things out.

Honestly, they sound fun to role play. I think there was a movie back in the 80's with this premise. Jeff Bridges comes to mind, but can't remember the movie title...

Another example I can think of would be the early Data character on the new Star Trek. A total oddball with no social skills, incredibly intelligent, always asking weird questions...

They might even agree to join the adventure! Oh yes, now we are talking! Because if they complete an adventure, they will even leave behind a cool magic gift! This would be a cool ally to have if you are about to send your players off on a "psionic campaign".

HD: depends on the form they take

attacks: depends on form

INT: Genius to Supra-genius

Psionic ability: 201-300

attack/defense modes: all/all

Psionic powers:

None listed, but it would be cool to give them some, stuff that really solidifies their status as "powerful alien creature", like Cell Adjustment (healing), Energy Control, ESP, Precognition, Levitation, that kind of thing

Special powers:

immunity to mind control

U is for Ustilagor - A to Z psionic monsters

Ustilagor.... what can we say... not exactly a classic old-school monster... To tell you the truth, before this article, I had no idea what this even looked look, having never heard of it.

From the "semi-sentient fungus" files, it looks kinda like a brain which can scuttle around like a crab... with caustic alkaline (not acid!!!) tendrils that can whip you in the face. Definitely a creative concept.

While not huge game-changers for a campaign, they definitely provide another interesting random monster encounter for the psionic adventure.

I get the definite impression these things would exist in a symbiotic relationship with some other more-intelligent monsters. Perhaps they are created or cultivated by Mind Flayers, Aboleths, Duergars, or Githyanki as some sort of guardian pets. [Later editions turned this thing into an Intellect Devourer larva... I'm not sure I'd go in that direction.]

HD: 3+3

attacks: 1 tendril slap (2-5 damage + caustic alkali)

INT: n/a

Psionic Ability: 155-180

attacks: Id Insinuation

defense: Mind Blank + immune to all but Psionic Blast

Psionic powers:

Telempathic projection: hate or distrust for associate, fear of fungi, loathing of area, uncertainty

Energy control

T is for Thought Eater - A to Z psionic monsters

I don't care what anybody says, this is a cool monster. Alright, admittedly, I think the problem is the picture. Some kind of weird flying duck, not exactly epic, yeah, I get that.

But when you consider this thing as an example of a creative, fun, and frankly HORRIFIC monster to throw at your players, well, it is hard to beat. If the duck-image throws you off, just change it so it looks like some bad-ass little demon-looking thing. It doesn't matter what it looks like, it is invisible in the ethereal state anyway.

--Imagine your spells just being eaten in midair... Could be a real disaster in the middle of a battle...

--Then, your head starts to get woozy and you go all glassy eyed as this thing starts feeding on your mental energy...

If you can turn ethereal, you can just wack these things to death (since they have AC 9 and no physical attacks). But if you can't turn ethereal, you could be in for a real rough time.

It has an emaciated look because, like the Githyanki, it is a physical being which spends most of its time in an ethereal state. Like the undead (and probably the Githyanki to a limited degree), it eats the spirit energy of living creatures.

Any psionic or psionic-like powers attract their attention. It will consume psionic and magical power first, and feed directly on someone's INT points if it doesn't get enough psionics or psionic-like magic energy

--Psionic-like magic is considered 5 psionic points per spell level;
-- 1 INT point equals 10 psionic points.
-- it will need to eat 101-200 psionic points before it breaks of its attack (10-20 INT points, yikes!)

You definitely want to add these nasties to your encounter tables, even if you don't have psionics per se, because they are attracted to the psionic-like magic too.


HD: 3
INT: non

Psionic ability: nil

S is for Su-Monster - A to Z psionic monsters

Lots of options for the "S" psionic monsters:

--I am going to pass on the Shedu, since I have done so many other "Guardian/Watcher" monsters of good alignment. The Shedu and the Lamassu are basically the same beast, mythologically speaking, btw.

--The Solar? Statting out an arch-angel.... wow, ok, that's cool.... I probably won't be using these things, since I am dispensing with the "all-powerful extra-planar gods" thing.... I could see using them as stars in the sky. Literal stars, I mean... like in Voyage of the Dawn Treader, a star in human form.

--Slaad are pretty cool. They are basically just frog-demons by another name. I could see introducing one or two of them in that context.

The Su-Monster offers a nice psionic addition to the average "non-celestial/non-demonic" game. They can be used as nice wilderness or dungeon encounter for example.

As far as I can tell, they are unique in being a race of psionic animals. Basically, they are a race of psionic baboons! Come on, you gotta admit, that is pretty cool!

The one thing I don't like in their 1e MM description is the idea that they are "immune to psionic attacks". I say fie to that. If they can attack with psionics, they can also be attacked by psionics. I am not willing to put them in the same class as the Phoenix, as being somehow immune. The Phoenix, sure, he is the apex monster, literally immortal, I'll give him a pass. But a psionic baboon being immune, come on...

Anyway, the Su-Monsters like to hang from their tails and attack in ambush. Makes sense to me. First, deliver a mind attack, and when the victims is sitting there trying to figure out what the heck just happened, drop down on it and tear it to shreds with your four claws! Sounds kinda like an Intellect Devourer, really.

I can see a troop of these blighters carving out a niche in a dark, evil forest... Even the goblins and orcs avoid the area... In AZ adventure, they live mainly up in the Chuska Mountains, which is Ground Zero for the psionic monsters of AZ, nearby the Githzerai fortresses in Monument Valley, the Githyanki lairs of Canyon de Chelly, and the Mind Flayer infestation of Chaco Canyon....

They have a latent "6th sense" for detecting psionic power usage, which as always, includes psionic-like spells... Thus, these things could quickly become your stalkers if you use your powers anywhere in their domain... For that reason, they would also be used underground as guardian type monsters.

--Perhaps taking on one of these things would be a nice "initiation ritual" for a young Psionic Warrior...

--The brains of these things are also highly valued for use as magic ingredients for spells and magic items that emulate psionic powers.... Thus, there would be a definite market for the capture of Su-monsters, which is always a nice plot hook.

HD: 5+5

INT: Average

attacks: 4 claws and bite (1-4 and 2-8)

Psionic ability: 120

attacks: d6: 1-2 Psychic Crush, 3-4 Psionic Blast, 5-6 Mind Thrust

defences: Thought Shield

For the effects of these attacks on non-psionics, see:

Psychic Crush http://oldschoolpsionics.blogspot.com/2010/11/psionic-attack-upon-non-psionics.html

Mind Thrust http://oldschoolpsionics.blogspot.com/2010/11/psionic-attacks-on-non-psionics-mind.html

Psionic Blast http://oldschoolpsionics.blogspot.com/2010/11/psionic-attacks-on-non-psionics-psionic.html

R is for "Release the Kraken" - A to Z Psionic Monsters

There is no psionic monster beginning with R, so I am going to go with something a little creative today: the Greater Kraken. You gotta admit, the Kraken is an epic monster. Its appearance in any number of major motion pictures attests to that.

But there are elements of the Kraken that really intrigue me, evoking the possibility of something greater than merely "extra-giant squid":

-- INT: Genius+

--"It is said that at one time these monsters were smaller, lived in shallow coast waters, and had human worshippers who served them and brought them sacrifices."

--"It is rumored that some kraken maintain complexes of caverns wherein they keep and breed human slaves to serve and feed them."

Taken in totality, Genius intelligence, human worshippers and human slaves all imply one thing: PSIONICS.

Imagine one of these things slowly rising up out of the water, head first, until its eyes are visible, hovering above the still, dark, water...

Red, glowing, pulsing eyes, entrancing you, drawing your closer...

You stare into its eyes, while its mind works its tentacles into yours, taking over your thoughts, strangling your will to fight...

The Role of Kraken in the Underdark

These Greater Kraken are another race of tentacled slavers vying for Underdark supremacy, neutral evil in alignment.

Like the other tentacled slavers of the Underdark -- the Aboleth and the Mind Flayers -- they use their slaves as a proxy army, to wipe away their enemies (especially the hated Duergar, who can resist their psionic powers).

When not fighting to expand their kingdom, the human slaves worship the ego-maniacal Kraken, and build up magnificent temples and monuments to the glory of their Kraken overlords. Kraken slaves can also be found digging, expanding and connecting the underground seas which are the Krakens' domain.

Their power of Molecular Rearrangement is utilized to make their underdark kingdom an incredible sight to see - and full of uncountable riches - as statuary and other objects made of precious metals abound.

Their willing worshippers are often rewarded either with weapons transformed into mithral steel or adamantium (the material base for +4 and +5 weapons).

HD: 20

attacks: 6-8 tentacles (2 barbed) + bite -- 2-8 (2-12) + 5-20

INT: Genius+

Psionic Ability: 236-265

attacks: Mind Thrust, Ego Whip, Id Insinuation, Psychic Crush

defenses: Mind Blank, Thought Shield, Mental Barrier, Intellect Fortress

Psionic Powers:

Animal Telepathy, Detection of Good/Evil, Mass Domination, Molecular Rearrangement

Special powers:

at will:

airy water

faerie fire

control temperature, 40' rad.

3x per day:

animal (fish) summoning III

1x per day:

control winds

weather summoning

P is for Phoenix - A to Z psionic monsters

The Phoenix bird, as written up in the 1e MM2, is quite possibly the APEX monster of Good alignment. Naturally, it would only be used in some high-level situations, especially against great demonic forces.

It is interesting to note that the Phoenix has the ability to polymorph self, 3x per day. Thus is added great role playing potential, as there is no guarantee the players would recognize the creature when they encounter it.

In AZ Adventures, there is a Phoenix aerie in central AZ, giving its name to the Phoenix settlement. The Applied Spellcasting University towers were built nearby to befriend and study this powerful creature, and it has a positive relationship with the head wizard located there. [Fawkes and Dumbledore, you say? Perhaps, but imagine Fawkes not as a pet,, but far more powerful than Dumbledore, and play that scenario out.]

HD: 20

attacks: beak or talons (2-12 or 1-8/1-8)

magic resistance: 50% (+3 or better weapons to hit)

INT: Genius

Psionic Ability: powers (see below), but no ability points

attacks/defences: immune to all attacks

Psionic powers:

at will:

etherealness

astral travel

telepathy

empathy

telempathy

3x per day:

Energy control

Molecular agitation

1x per day:

Cell adjustment (20th level -- 100 hp max.)

1x per week:

Probability travel (10th level)

Special powers:

at will:

affect normal fires

audible glamer

blink

blindness

blur

control temperature, 10' rad

continual light

cure light wounds (limit twice per person per day)

cure disease

dancing lights

detect charm

detect evil

detect magic

dispel illusion

dispel magic

exorcise

find traps

fire charm

fire shield

improved invisibility

misdirection

produce fire

pyrotechnics

remove curse

remove fear, 10' radius

snake charm

3x per day:

color spray

heat metal

polymorph self

1x per day:

call woodland beings

duo dimension

find the path

fire quench

fire seeds

fire storm

neutralize poison

reincarnate

veil

wall of force

1x per week:

incendiary cloud

in extremis:

double-strength fire storm/incendiary cloud

O is for Opinicus - A to Z psionic monsters

Opinicus are magic winged camel-lions, with a monkey-looking face. Sounds pretty wacky, but they can bail you out in a pinch.

Due to their clerical and psionic powers, they could easily be played as "guardian spirits of the deserts", to which creatures would make pilgrimage and offer sacrifice in exchange for blessings or favors. Consider them as wild Clerics of the desert lands. Like Hollyphants, they seem specially designed to combat undead and demonic threats.

Unlike the other "Sentinel/Watcher/Guardian" psionic good monsters, these guys are Chaotic in alignment, and noted to be quite mischievous. They would be fond of "testing" their worshipers, and playing jokes on those they deemed superficial or unworthy, which would definitely restrict the popularity of their cults...

HD: 7+7

attacks: 4 claws (1-3, 1-3, 1-6, 1-6)

Magic resistance: 35%

INT: very to exceptional

Psionic ability: 205-250

attacks/defenses: All/All

3-5 minor disciplines (choose from):Clairaudience, Clairvoyance, Detection of Good/Evil, Detection of Magic, ESP, Molecular Agitation, Object Reading, Precognition, Sensitivity to Psychic Impressions

1-2 major disciplines (choose from): Body Control, Energy Control, Telekinesis, Molecular Manipulation, Molecular Rearrangement, Shape Alteration

Clerical spells per day (all spells available, including turning undead):

4th level - 1, 3rd - 2, 2nd - 3, 1st - 3

Other powers:

at will:

Etherealness

Astral Travel

1x per turn (10 rounds)

Sun Sparkle Gaze attack (2-16 damage on undead and devils/demons)

1x per day:

Holy Word

2x per day:

Dimension Door

3x per day:

Heal

N is for Nalfeshnee - A to Z psionic monsters

Nalfeshnee is the name of one of the powerful type 4 demons.

HD: 11

Attacks: claw/claw/bite (1-4/1-4/2-8), +2 to hit

Magic resistance: 65%

INT: Very

Psionic Ability: 150

attacks: Psionic Blast, Ego Whip, Psychic Crush

defenses: Mind Blank, Thought Shield, Mental Barrier

Special powers:

at will:

cause darkness, 10' rad,

create illusion

cause fear

levitate (1200 pounds)

detect magic

read languages

dispel magic

polymorph self

telekinesis (500 pounds)

project image

symbol of fear

symbol of discord

gate: demon (d6 for type) - 60%

M is for Marilith - A to Z psionic monsters

[Mind Flayers are obviously the most iconic "M" psionic monsters, but I have already done a detailed post on them, http://oldschoolpsionics.blogspot.com/2011/01/psionic-megamonster-mind-flayers-sith.html]

A Marilith is an awesome psionic monster, a demoness in fact. Unfortunately, while you are busy trying to check out her bodacious double D's, she is going to be chopping your head off with one of her six swords...

Basically, Marilith are the perfect physical manifestation of the Feminist Ideal. Let me quote directly from the 1e MM on this one:

"Lower level [males] greatly fear the domineering and cruel [feminists].... [Feminists] of this type are likely to desire the sacrifice of strong warriors to them."

See what I mean? There is more:

--They slither around looking like strippers, and they can Charm Person at will, but all they really want to do is sqeeze the life out of you...

--They are experts at looking great, making appearances, and causing sparks (polymorph self, project image, cause pyrotechnics)...

--No, you CANNOT touch them (AC: -7)!!!!

--They are, however, vulnerable to sweet talk, especially if you use their right name... ("All of these creatures have names which can be used to aid in negotiations.")

--They are chaotic evil! 'Nuff said.

Frankly, with so many attacks, with such a low AC and such a high magic resistance, combined with their psionic and magic powers, if your players don't handle a Marilith encounter skillfully, they could very easily be looking at a TPK. Your best bet is definitely to mind blast them into submission.

HD: 7+7

attacks: 6 hand weapons and 1 tail (2-8)

Magic resistance: 80%

INT: high

Psionic Ability: 130

attacks: Psionic Blast, Psychic Crush

defenses: Mind Blank, Thought Shield, Mental Barrier

Special powers:

at will:

cause darkness, 5' rad

charm person

levitate (1100 pounds)

read languages

detect invisible object

cause pyrotechnics

polymorph self

project image

gate demon (50%): type 1 (30%), type 2 (25%), type 3 (15%), type 4 (15%), type 6 (10%), lord or prince (5%)

L is for Lolth - A to Z psionic monsters

Lolth is a well-known demoness, hardly needing introduction. Chaotic evil spider/Drow goddess, the star of her own old school module, Queen of the Demonweb Pits. The premise of that module is interesting, but invading her extra-planar lair is a bit much more most campaigns. Using a little creativity, she can be integrated a bit more seamlessly into your campaign.

Spider Invasion scenario

Imagine the local forest suddenly being overwhelmed by huge webs. Perhaps the local Elf clans send envoys asking for assistance... Perhaps the local human authorities investigate on their own.

The deeper you get in the forest, the more webs and spiders appear... Strange "dark elves" also seem to be afoot...

At the center of the forest-disturbance lies an old temple... Demonic creatures patrol the ground... A pit or cave leading underground...

Somehow, a gate down to Hell has been opened, and Lolth is staging an invasion... She seems to be intent on establishing a lair on the upper world... Our brave heroes need to shut that gate, before it is too late...

CHAOTIC Evil Alignment

The Vault of the Drow classic module was a tour de force of Underdark mapping and scenario building. I only have one big problem with it: the Drow are supposed to be chaotic. I found that the complex hierarchical society of the Drow depicted therein to be just a bit too lawful....

In my mind, a Drow society would NOT be organized that well, and the Spider Invasion scenario described above would not be well organized. I don't imagine chaotic evil armies forming. More like, a chaotic evil horde makes its way haphazardly around... With a certain amount of in-fighting and a decided lack of organization marking their progress.

HD: 16 (66hp)

attacks: 1 poisonous bite (4-16) and 1 web strand (1-4)

Magic resistance: 70%

INT: godlike

Psionic ability: 266

attack/defense: All/All

Psionic disciplines (16th level)

Minor: body equilibrium, clairvoyance, domination,

Major: dimension walking, mind bar, molecular rearrangement, probability travel

Special powers:

In spider form only:

at will:

comprehend languages

confusion (by gaze)

darkness, 10' rad

dispel magic

telepathy

3x per day:

Heal self

2x per day:

phase door

read magic

shape change

1x per day:

gate (66% chance): type 1 (45%), type 2 (35%), or type 3 (20%) demon

summon spiders: 9-16 large (20%), 7-12 huge (30%), 2-8 giant (40%), 1-4 phase (10%)

teleport

tongues

true seeing

While in Drow form:

16th cleric/14th magic user (but no psionic powers):

Cleric spells per day (all spells available):

7th level - 1; 6th - 3; 5th - 5; 4th - 6, 3rd - 7, 2nd - 7, 1st - 7

Magic User spells per day (all spells available):

7th level - 1, 6th - 2, 5th - 4, 4th - 4, 3rd - 5, 2nd - 5, 1st - 5

K is for Ki-Rin - A to Z psionic monsters

Ki-rin are like flying unicorns with shaggy, luminous gold hair; they are striking and majestic indeed. They are incredibly powerful creatures of lawful good.

It is easy to see how these things are essentially gods of the aerial kingdoms. If you throw out the Deities and Demigods extra-planar pantheons, as I have done, going for the "primitive, naturalist" religious concept, these things are pretty much at the top of the food chain in D&D.

I think a great way to incorporate these things into the campaign would be as the "distant benefactor". Imagine a Ki-rin living on a nearby mountain top... He tends to keep the whole area cleared of evil monsters... Naturally, humans would tend to bring gifts and sacrifices of thanksgiving to his lair on that mountain top...

But then, one day, after an epic nighttime battle, with flashing lights and explosions viewable for miles around, the Ki-rin seems to be gone... Dark evil begins to stalk the land... Heroes are called to investigate the Ki-rin's mountain lair...

Or, suppose this strange, golden, flying unicorn begins to make new appearances in the area... But so are demons and devils... The humanoids and beast-men are on the move... The dark forces are gathering, and something portentous seems to be gathering momentum...

The Ki-rin lands in the middle of the town square amidst a huge lighting storm... He calls for the bravest and most valorous warriors, priests, and magicians, to ride forth immediately with him to stem the tide against the ancient foe....

Whatever it is, the presence of a Ki-rin signals something big, very big.

HD: 12

attacks: hoof/hoof/horn

damage: 2-8/2-8/3-18

Magic resistance: 90%

INT: Supra-genius

Psionic Ability: 130-200

attack/defense: All/All

4 major disciplines (choose from): etherealness, astral travel, body control (hostile environs), energy control, mind bar, molecular manipulation, molecular rearrangement, telekinesis, teleportation

6 minor disciples (choose from): cell adjustment, clairaudience, clairvoyance, detection of good/evil, detection of magic, invisibility, molecular agitation, object reading, precognition, sensitivity to psychic impressions

Spell use (18th level), per day:

9th level - 1x, 8th - 2x, 7th - 3x, 6th - 4x, 5th - 5, 4th - 6, 3rd - 7, 2nd - 8, 1st - 9 (note: sky/air related spells at double strength)

Other powers:

at will:

telepathy

1x per day:

Create food, water, and Ki-rin beer, 2-24 people

create minor goods

create metal goods

create programmed illusion

assume gaseous form

wind walk

call lightning

summon weather

J is for Juiblex - A to Z psionic monsters

Juiblex, the Faceless Demon Lord, a nauseating and disgusting pile of sentient, poisonous slime. He can spread himself in a pool or rise up in a column, but his filthy and loathsome form will always evidence several glaring red eyes. The more you study these high-powered demons, the more fun they seem.

Psionic Random Encounters - with Demons

The use of psionics, or psionic-like spell powers, will attract the attention of psionically-powered creatures. Think of it as "a disturbance in the force".

The 1e DMG recommends (on pg. 182) that if a player has used psionic or psionic-like powers in the last turn, if a random encounter turns up, there is a 25% chance that random encounter will be a psionic monster.

According to the table, there is a 19% chance that this random psionic creature will be a demon or a devil. Thus, if psionic powers are used, there is a roughly 5% chance that the next random encounter will be with a demon or devil. Ha, now that is a pretty sweet stat.

Of course, if you are really itching to encounter one of these things, just start screaming out its name while in an ethereal state -- Gygax recommends a base 5% chance that the named demon will pay attention to the summons.

Spells Resembling Psionic Powers

astral spell, augury, blink, charm (any), clairaudience, clairvoyance, cure (any), detect (any), dimension door, enlarge, ESP, feather fall, feign death, heal, heat metal, hypnotism, invisibility (any), know alignment, levitation, plane shift, polymorph (any) remove curse, shape change, stone tell, tele- (any), temporal statis.

Basically, any power that taps into the spirit/astral plane to find information or create some physical effect is emulating psionics. I would think that gate and summons spells would also fall into that category.

This is just like Sauron, with his big flaming eyeball, being immediately able to see anytime his ring was used. That ring was like a ring of etherealness, allowing Frodo to see things also in the ethereal state, and of course, to be seen by things in the ethereal state. "Popping into" the ethereal state gets the attention of things who can see into that state.

In other words: BEWARE! When you use these astral powers, you call the attention of astral beings.

Back to Juiblex specifically:

HD: 88 hp

attacks: lashing blow (4-40 dam.)

magic resistance: 65% (+2 weapons or better weapons to hit)

INT: genius

Psionic Ability: 225

attacks/defences: All/All

Special Powers:

at will:

etherealness

astral travel

Teleport

circle of darkness (15' rad)

cause fear

circle of cold (10' rad)

regenerate 2 hp per round

detect invisible

locate object

ESP

fly

dispel magic

invisibility (10' rad)

charm monster

hold monster

telekinesis (1500 pounds)

project image

phase door

putrify food & water

cause disease

speak with monsters

1x per day:

unholy word

gate (1-4 type 2 demons)

I is for Intellect Devourer - A to Z psionic monsters

Boy this is a classic, isn't it? A giant brain on four monstrous-looking legs, it feeds upon your dying shrieks as it psionically attacks you, then takes over your body to seek more victims. Nice.

Uh, yeah, it is chaotic evil. If I am remembering correctly, Expedition to Barrier Peaks implies that it came from another world.

This is one of those cool monsters that can sense psionic or psionic-like magic being used nearby, which then launches it into "stalk mode". They can hide in shadows as a 10th level thief, meaning a 63% base chance. Combined with their ability to go ethereal, that makes them VERY effective stalkers...

This is a GREAT monster to really screw with your players, putting them into the "hunted prey" category. Imagine them being attacked with Id Insinuation or Ego Whip from this thing while it was hiding in shadows, i.e. they had no idea where the attack was coming from... Or hit-and-run tactics, as this thing tried to pick off stray members... Trying to put out any bright lights, attacking in the dark, then disappearing when the lights come back on... Yes, this monster should be used for maximum "player terrorism" effect!

I have postulated elsewhere that ALL psionic attacks should be able to affect non-psionics, and this thing's description in the 1e MM implies as much, as it will attack your mind with Id Insinuation or Ego Whip while it jumps on you and claws you. See my tables for saves vs these attacks for a helpful resource if you decide to go with this fun house rule:

http://oldschoolpsionics.blogspot.com/2010/11/psionic-attacks-upon-non-psionics-ego.html

and

http://oldschoolpsionics.blogspot.com/2010/11/psionic-attacks-on-non-psionic-id.html

Pseudo-Undead Characteristics

Many of its characteristics demonstrate that it is a pseudo-undead monster, being a living beast but drawing power from and feeding on spirit/astral energy.

--It can go ethereal and travel on the astral plane

--It feeds on the psychic energy of pain and fear

--It takes magic weapons to hit it

--It is warded off by strong light and protection from evil

Physical combat with these things would not be fun. It takes a +3 weapon to hit them, and that only causes 1 point of damage if it hits. Yikes.

Additionally, they are immune to most magic. A fireball is just a bright light to them, and lightning bolts cause only 1 hp per die.

Clearly, outside of powerword kill, your best bet is to take this down with psionic attacks.

HD: 6+6

Attacks: 4 claws (d4 x 4)

INT: Very

Psionic Ability: 200

attack modes: Ego Whip, Id Insinuation

defense modes: Mind Blank, Thought Shield

Special powers:

Etherealness (at will)

Astral travel

Telepathy