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(Message inbox:357) Return-Path: appel@erzo.berkeley.edu Delivery-Date: Mon, 07 Feb 94 00:42:59 -0800 Received: from localhost (uucp@localhost) by soda.berkeley.edu (8.6.5/PHILMAIL-1.10) with UUCP id AAA12944 for appel@soda.berkeley.edu; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 00:32:39 -0800 Received: from localhost by erzo.berkeley.edu (8.6.5/LUCK-AND-DEATH-1.1) id XAA00311; Sun, 6 Feb 1994 23:32:29 -0800 Resent-Message-Id: <199402070732.XAA00311@erzo.berkeley.edu> Received: from localhost by erzo.berkeley.edu (8.6.5/LUCK-AND-DEATH-1.1) id QAA07752; Sat, 5 Feb 1994 16:52:03 -0800 Received: from Sun.COM (Sun.COM [192.9.9.1]) by soda.berkeley.edu (8.6.5/PHILMAIL-1.10) with SMTP id QAA21802 for ; Sat, 5 Feb 1994 16:51:03 -0800 Received: from snail.Sun.COM (snail.Corp.Sun.COM) by Sun.COM (4.1/SMI-4.1) id AA04217; Sat, 5 Feb 94 16:50:13 PST Received: from Holland.Sun.COM (isunnl) by snail.Sun.COM (4.1/SMI-4.1) id AA15317; Sat, 5 Feb 94 16:49:48 PST Received: from yelm.Holland.Sun.COM by Holland.Sun.COM (4.1/SMI-4.1e) id AA16310; Sun, 6 Feb 94 01:49:40 +0100 Received: by yelm.Holland.Sun.COM (5.0/SMI-SVR4) id AA16463; Sun, 6 Feb 94 01:48:40 +0100 Date: Sun, 6 Feb 94 01:48:40 +0100 Message-Id: <9402060048.AA16463@yelm.Holland.Sun.COM> To: RuneQuest-Digest@glorantha.holland.sun.com From: RuneQuest-Request@glorantha.holland.sun.com Subject: Volume 10, no 7: RQ rules for Tekumel monsters (1 of 3) Reply-To: RuneQuest-Digest-Editor@glorantha.holland.sun.com Sender: Henk.Langeveld@holland.sun.com Precedence: bulk Content-Length: 23028 Status: O Resent-To: appel@soda.berkeley.edu Resent-Date: Sun, 06 Feb 1994 23:32:28 -0800 Resent-From: Shannon Appel Rules and conversions for running a Tekumel campaign with the RuneQuest rule system. By Sandy Petersen. Contents: Part 1: Underworld Creatures Acknowledgments: Tekumel and related materials are copyright M.A.R Barker and used with permission 1-1-1994. These rules and conversions are Copyright 1994 Sandy Petersen. All rights reserved. RuneQuest is the Avalon Hill Game Company's Trademark for its fantasy role-playing game. -------------------- UNDERWORLD CREATURES AQAA (The Worm of the Catacombs) These huge accordion-shaped worms range from 6m to 18m long. They are covered with ragged brown bristles and swallow prey whole. A victim swallowed by an aqaa can try to cut his way out if he has a short edged weapon in hand. He must succeed in an attack roll first, and then roll damage (the aqaa has no internal armor). Damage rolled times 5% gives his chance of cutting a hole big enough to crawl out. Friends can try to cut him out using the same procedure; except that the aqaa's armor counts vs. their attacks. If the aqaa is killed, all subsequent attacks automatically hit. characteristic average STR 2d6+6 per 3m length 26-78 Move 5/3m CON 2d6+6 per 3m length 26-78 Armor 2+1 per d6 damage bonus SIZ 2d6+12 per 3m length 38-114 Hit Pts 32-96 POW 4d6 14 DEX 1d6 3-4 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Engulf 8 90 3d6 to 11d6 (equal to damage bonus) Tail Lash 8 90 3d3 to 11d3 (equal to 1/2 damage bonus) COMBAT NOTES: Engulf does no actual damage. Instead, if the "damage" exceeds the target's SIZ, he is swallowed, and takes 4 pts acid damage ignoring armor, and do so each round thereafter. The aqaa can use both engulf & tail lash on each combat round, if the tunnel is wide enough to permit it. BIRIDLU (The Mantle) Ancient treasure guardians are cape-like, black, flying creatures which cling to ceilings and drop down upon their prey. They then suffocate their gibbering victim in their powerfully-muscled folds. They are immune to chlen-hide and crushing weapons (like maces). A trapped victim can cut himself loose in the same way as with the aqaa (see above). However, the biridlu's armor counts against any such attempt. A victim's friends cannot free him except by killing the biridlu. Biridlus fight maniacally until slain. Their bodies must be burned or dissolved in acid to prevent them returning to life, as they regenerate 3 pts per combat round. characteristic average STR 8d6 28 Move 20/35 flying CON 3d6+6 16-17 Armor 6 pts SIZ 4d6+6 20 Hit Pts 19 POW 4d6 14 DEX 4d6 14 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Strangle 7 70 1d6 per round COMBAT NOTES: the strangle attack ignores all armor protection. Biridlu are immune to chlen-hide weapons, and regenerate 3 HP per round. CHNELH (The Ape Mutant) These were created from some ancient Earth ape stock millenia ago. They have long sharp jaws and teeth and large jewel-like eyes beneath beetling brows. They'll attack groups they outnumber, but flee if outnumbered. They use crude clubs and spears, but cannot be tamed. They travel in large bands, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. characteristic average STR 2d6 7 Move 40 CON 2d6 7 Armor 1 pt hide SIZ 3d6 10-11 Hit Pts 9 INT 2d6 7 POW 1d6+6 9-10 DEX 4d6 14 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Parr% Pts Club 9 55 1d8 55 6 Spear 8 55 1d6+1 55 6 DLAQO (The Carrion Beetle) Great armored creatures with iridescent green carapaces, six legs, and powerful scissors-like mandibles. They attack only if they can surprise a group, or if the party is a small one (1-12). Otherwise they scuttle away. They are carrion-feeders, and may be found in any area containing a recently-slain being. They range in size from 2m to 6m long. characteristic average STR 4d6 per 2m length 14-42 Move 20 CON 3d6 per 2m length 10-32 Armor 8 pts SIZ 3d6+6 per 2m length 16-50 Hit Pts 13-41 POW 3d6 10-11 DEX 1d6 3-4 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Bite 7 80 1d10 + 1d4 to 5d6 HLI'IR (The Beast With the Unendurable Face) These mad creatures are so hideous to look upon that anyone who does so may go insane. When in combat, anyone fighting a hli'ir must roll INTx5 each round or look at the face; which entails a POW x 3 roll to keep from going mad. A mad victim generally attacks his friends, but effects vary. A hli'ir often (1/3 of the time) simply rushes through a party, without stopping to fight. They are immune to chlen-hide, but a mace, flail, or other crushing weapon may stun the hli'ir if it penetrates the hli'ir's armor (chances of success are equal to 10% times the damage done to the hli'ir). characteristic average STR 6d6 21 Move 40 CON 4d6+12 26 Armor 6 pts SIZ 2d6+6 13 Hit Pts 20 POW 2d6+12 19 DODGE: 85 DEX 4d6 14 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Slash 8 80 2d8+1d6 HRA (The Bloodsucker) These great, gray undead monsters fight as men do, with swords or lances. They cannot stand daylight. Their victims are drained of all blood and body fluids and nothing is left but a husk. They can only be slain by touching them with an Amulet of the Great God after they are reduced to 0 HP. Otherwise, they keep regenerating. characteristic average STR 3d6 x 3 30-33 Move 40 CON 3d6 x 3 30-33 Armor 4 SIZ 2d6+6 13 Hit Pts 23 INT 2d6+6 13 POW 1d6+12 15-16 DEX 3d6 10-11 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Parr% Pts Bastard Sword 7 75 1d10+1+2d6 75 12 Long Spear 6 75 1d8+1+2d6 75 10 Bite 9 75 2d6 + 1d6 STR drain -- COMBAT NOTES: Can attack with melee weapon followed by a bite 3 SRs later. If the bite hits home, the hra drains 1d6 of the target's STR (recoverable by an hour or two of rest per pt.). They regenerate at the rate of 2 pts per round. HURU'U The Howler Spectral undead which wander howling. They can be heard up to 60m away, but their howl has the virtue that they automatically perceive any beings that can hear them. Anyone within 3m of a huru'u is completely deafened by the howling. This distraction lowers all skill chances by 10, in addition to its more obvious effects. Anyone killed by a Huru'u and then revivified loses 1/2 his or her CON, in addition to other penalties of revivication. Huru'u can be driven off by protective spells, and are vulnerable to fire. characteristic average STR 3d6 10-11 Move 30 CON 3d6 x 2 20-22 Armor 2 pts SIZ 2d6+6 13 Hit Pts 17 INT 2d6+6 13 POW 3d6 10-11 DEX 3d6 10-11 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Claw 8 65 1d10 COMBAT NOTES: chlen-hide weapons do only 1/2 damage. This is done BEFORE subtracting for the Huru'u's armor. KAYI (The Eye) An odd creature consisting of a large gas bag and a huge, single, bulging eye. They prefer to hang high in the air in dark corners or forest canopies and drop their thin, fibrous tentacle nets down upon passersby. The web can be pulled off or cut away with a successful DEX x 3 roll. If this is done, the kayi can continue to fight, using other tentacles, but it cannot recreate its deadly net without several hours of time. They normally fight just out of reach of weapons with SRs less than 4. A flaming arrow will ignite their gas bag and bring them to the ground on any hit penetrating armor. characteristic average STR 2d6 7 Move 50 CON 3d6+6 16-17 Armor 2 pts SIZ 3d6+6 16-17 Hit Pts 17 POW 3d6 10-11 DEX 2d6+12 19 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Tentacle Net 1 95 2d6 Tentacle 2 70 1d10 COMBAT NOTES: anyone hit by the Tentacle Net loses 1d4 STR (permanently) each round after the first. Their Tentacle Net is for all intents and purposes a ranged weapon, and their regular tentacle attack has such a long reach it has a base SR of 0. KURGHA (Eaters of Carrion) Scuttling six-limbed furry beasts around 4' long and 3" tall. They have sharp, horny beaks and three eyes. They live on refuse and carrion, and only attack if they outnumber a party. Their repulsive stench warns a party of their presence at a distance of 15m. characteristic average Weapon SR Attk% Damage STR 2d6 7 Bite 9 50 1d8 CON 3d6 10-11 Move 40 SIZ 1d6+6 9-10 Armor 2 pt hide POW 2d6 7 Hit Pts 10 DEX 2d6+6 13 MARASHYALU (The Whimperer) Supernatural masters of illusion, appearing as children, women, wounded friends, etc., and they weep, imploring help. If the marashyalu succeeds in carrying off a victim, it sucks all the soft organs out of his body by inserting a long proboscis into the mouth or other opening. Magical defenses can hold them off. characteristic average STR 3d6 10-11 Move 40 CON 2d6+12 19 Armor 6 pts SIZ 2d6+6 13 Hit Pts 16 INT 2d6+6 13 Magic Pts 19 POW 2d6+12 19 DEX 2d6+6 13 DODGE: 50 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Parr% Pts Spur 5 70 1d8 70 10 Hypnotize 1 Auto hypnotize -- -- COMBAT NOTES: Fights using a long bony spur (base SR 1). The spur may look like whatever type of weapon the Marashyalu desires, but does damage as the spur. MAGIC: the hypnosis attack has a range of 10 meters, and costs the Marashyalu 1 MP to use. Anyone failing to resist is overcome, and can be commanded to fight against his own party. MRUR (The Undead) Mindless animated corpses, usually dead warriors. They always attack and never retreat. They regenerate from their wounds at 1 pt/round unless destroyed by fire, acid, or similar techniques. Normally, their attack and parry are equal to their DEX x 5. characteristic average STR 3d6 x 1.5 15-17 Move 20 CON 3d6 x 1.5 15-17 Armor 2 pts SIZ 2d6+6 13 Hit Pts 15 POW 3d6 10-11 DEX 3d6 10-11 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Parr% Pts Broadsword 6 55 1d8+1+1d4 55 8 COMBAT NOTES: can wield any type of weapon. Usually only have old deteriorated arms (hence the lower armor points) MU'AGH (The Jellyfish) Acid-secreting gelatinous creatures which range from 1' to 10' in diameter. They hide in dark, damp places. Damage done by the mu'agh is incurable -- the area destroyed is permanently out of action. The acid cannot penetrate chlen-hide, but eats away steel, cloth, leather, etc., with no problem. They can be slain by fire and intense cold. The mu'agh automatically "hits" its prey, since all it needs to do is make contact. The target can leap away by succeeding in a DEX x 5 roll. characteristic average STR n/a n/a Move 10 CON 3-12d6 10-42 Armor 0 SIZ 1-10d6 3-35 Hit Pts 7-39 POW 3d6 10-11 DEX 1d6 3-4 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Touch 10 Auto 6 pt acid COMBAT NOTES: any weapons hitting the Mu'agh take 6 pt acid damage per hit, except for chlen-hide weapons. NGAYU (The Eater of Swords) Flattish crustaceans with powerful claws and six legs; an artificial creature of long ago. Their main weapon is a secretion which they can squirt up to 6m; this liquid affects only metal, destroying it completely. The secretion has no effect upon organic material, including chlen-hide. characteristic average STR 4d6 14 Move 40 CON 4d6 14 Armor 6 pts SIZ 4d6 14 Hit Pts 14 POW 4d6 14 DEX 4d6 14 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Claw 8 70 2d4+1d4 Spray 2 70 Special COMBAT NOTES: If metal is present, there is a 50% chance it will use the spray, rather than its claws. Anyone hit by the spray must roll 1d6. 1 = 1/6 of his steel objects are gone; 2 = 2/6, and so forth, up to 6 = all are gone. NGORO (The Whelk) A huge (10m across) flattened entity whose upper side looks much like rough stone, and whose underside is covered with millions of cilia. It is intelligent and communicate via telepathy. It sometimes lies flat upon the ground, waits until someone steps on it, then rolls up, crushing the prey. It may also simply hump up over its targets, enfolding and crushing them. Anyone trapped in this way cannot escape until the NgUro is killed. They can hold miniature weapons in their cilia (including Eyes), and may fight in this manner as well. characteristic average STR 15d6 52-53 Move 20 CON 10d6 35 Armor 3 pts SIZ 20d6 70 Hit Pts 53 INT 3d6+6 16-17 POW 6d6 21 DEX 3d6 10-11 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Parr% Pts Crush 6 Auto. 7d3/round -- -- Weapons 6 90 1d10 (impales) 90 8 COMBAT NOTES: Crush does 1/2 the Ngoro's damage bonus. It can make 1 attack with Weapons per d6 damage bonus. A typical Ngoro can attack 7 times simultaneously. It has enough weapons that it will never run out. NSHE The Flowing One Another product of ancient sorcery. These are composed entirely of viscous, watery liquid, and can flow into any shape they wish, pass under doors, through cracks, etc. It can rise up in a rough form (humanoid, serpent, etc.). In practice, the nshe is nearly impossible to destroy. Weapons cannot slay it, nor can most spells, though damage can temporarily disrupt its internal structure. Poison and disease are completely ineffective. A standard defense against the nshe is fire. Each round in which the nshe takes damage from fire gives a 10% chance that the nshe will flee, since fire is one of the few things that can harm the monster. Other techniques include the Amulet Against the Iniquitous Nshe (which forces the nshe to retreat automatically), and the spell of Calm (which forces the nshe to retreat if its resistance is overcome). characteristic average STR 2d6+12 19 Move 50 CON 4d6+24 38 Armor 0 (but see below) SIZ 2d6+12 19 Hit Pts 28 INT 3d6 10-11 POW 3d6+6 16-17 DEX 3d6+12 22-23 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Strike 4 90 1d6+1d6 Engulf 4 Auto. 1d6/round COMBAT NOTES: The strike does normal combat damage. If the Nshe chooses to engulf its target, it pools around him and forces itself into his internal organs, doing 1d6 damage per round until armor is overcome, then all extra damage is done right to hp. ARMOR: The Nshe has no armor, but all attacks by all weapon types do only minimum possible damage (i.e., a hit by a broadsword does 2 damage, 3 if the user has a damage bonus). Once its internal structure has been completely disrupted (i.e., at 0 HP), it takes it at least a minute to reorganize, during which time a party could flee. Once it has reorganized, the Nshe is back to full HP. Flame attacks also do only minimum damage, but the Nshe takes time to heal, and cannot simply reorganize itself. QOL (The Serpent-Headed Ones) Mutants from human stock created by the priests of Ksarul. Their bodies are vaguely humanoid, with a slender reptilian neck and a flat rattler-like skull. They see well in darkness, and fear bright light. They fight with poison weapons, including arrows, and their bite is also deadly. They are not courageous, and usually Qol will not attack unless the Qol outnumber potential prey. characteristic average STR 1d6+6 9-10 Move 30 CON 3d6 10-11 Armor: 6 pt horny hide + robes SIZ 1d6+6 9-10 Hit Pts: 11 INT 2d6+3 10 POW 2d6 7 DEX 3d6 10-11 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Parr% Pts Scimitar 8 50 1d6+2+poison 50 10 Mdm Shield 9 05 1d6 50 10 Short Bow 3/9 50 1d6+1+poison 20 5 Bite 9 50 1d6+poison -- -- COMBAT NOTES: Each round, a qol can bite plus attack and parry with weapons. The bite injects venom with a POT equal to the qol's CON. All weapons are normally coated with the qol's own venom. QUMQUM (The Thunderer) This spectral creature is invisible to humans, but not to Pe Choi. It can be heard coming, however, at a distance of up to 150 meters, since it makes a terrible roaring noise as it goes. It fights with a heavy polearm forged long ago by the Brethren of the Scarlet Nail, a sect of the Priesthood of Sarku. It can be driven off with an Eye of Detestation, or controlled by the Incomparable Eye of Command. Fire may also drive it off (10% chance per point of damage it takes) characteristic average STR 2d6+12 19 Move 40 CON 3d6+12 22-23 Armor: 2 pts SIZ 3d6+12 22-23 Hit Pts: 23 INT 2d6+4 11 POW 4d6 14 DEX 3d6 10-11 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Parr% Pts Halberd 4 85+20 3d6+2d6 85 12 COMBAT NOTES: Because the qumqum is invisible, it normally gets to add +20 to its attacks, since the target does not know exactly where the attack is coming from. In addition, an enemy's chances of hitting the qumqum in melee are halved. Missiles only have 1/4 normal chances of hitting. None of these penalties apply to Pe Choi, or to others capable of seeing these creatures. RU'UN (The Demon of Bronze) Animated bronze automatons set to guard dimensional nexus points by the ancients, as well as watch over other treasures. There are many varieties of Ru'un, since they could be manufactured in any form. Essentially, they are war robots. Most Ru'un can see invisible planes and hear sounds inaudible even to a Pe Choi. They obey only the Incomparable Eye of Command the Amulet of Ruling the Ru'un (and even these are not infallible). One common type is covered with a fine network of wires imparting a powerful electric shock to anyone touching it. This type also carries an enchanted sword at the end of one arm, and a steel-bolt thrower in the other. SAGUN (The Fungus) An animated fungus standing about eight feet tall. This pallid convoluted, leafy-looking creature sways forward upon its mobile stalk to strike with woody claws. It also emits devastating spores. characteristic average STR 3d6+6 16-17 Move 30 CON 3d6+12 22-23 Armor: 7 pts SIZ 3d6+18 28-29 Hit Pts: 35 POW 4d6 14 DEX 2d6 7 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Claws 7 85+20 3d6+2d6 Spores 4 Auto poison POT COMBAT NOTES: each round the Sagun attacks with claws and also breathes out spores. Everyone within 3m of the Sagun must hold their breath each round or inhale the poison. SHEDRA (The Eater of the Dead) Flesh-eating undead, gray and shriveled almost beyond human form. They wander ceaselessly seeking food. They fight with cursed steel swords and a person killed by one of them will himself become a Shedra unless Alleviation is cast upon the corpse. characteristic average STR 3D6 x 2 20-22 Move 30 CON 3d6 x 2 20-22 Armor: 2 pts SIZ 2d6+6 13 Hit Pts: 18 POW 3d6 10-11 DEX 3d6 10-11 Weapon SR Attk Damage Parr Pts Scimitar 7 50 1d6+2+1d6 50 12 SRO (The Dragon) These reptiles can walk, swim, and fly. Like so many of Tekumel's fauna, they are six-legged with a pair of small arms just beneath their long, dragon-like head. They are intelligent enough to value treasure and use it in exchange for goods, and thus can be bought off. Typically, they range from 4m to 20m in length. characteristic average STR 2d6 per 2m length 14-70 Move 30 land/40 swim/70 fly CON 2d6 per 2m length 14-70 Armor: 8 SIZ 3d6 per 2m length 21-105 HP: 18-88 INT 2d6 7 POW 1d6+12 16-17 DEX 3d6 10-11 Weapon SR Attk Damage Parr Pts Bite 6 80 1d6+1d6 to 10d6 -- -- Sword 5 80 2d6+1d6 to 10d6 50 12 COMBAT: each round, the sro can attack with both swords and its bite, plus it can parry with each sword. THUNRU'U (The Eater of Eyes) Manlike, doughy and blubbery, with two saucer-like eyes, a grayish beak, and rolls of skin which hang about it like a robe. They like to kill the Kayi, but also attack men to eat the eyes, relishing these over any other type of food. They can often be repelled by the odor of the aphrodisiac Tsural buds. characteristic average STR 3d6+12 22-23 Move 40 CON 2d6+12 19 Armor: 4 pts SIZ 3d6+12 22-23 Hit Pts: 21 INT 3d6 10-11 POW 3d6+6 16-17 DEX 2d6+6 13 Weapon SR Attk Damage Fist 5 70 1d3+2d6 Grapple 5 70 1d6+2d6 COMBAT NOTES: fight as unarmed humans (usually get two fist attacks per round or one grapple). A grappled human is held down while another Thunru'u has his way with the victim. TSU'URU (The Illusion-Master) Beings related to the Marashyalu. They appear as naything they wish, using telepathy to determine what potential prey is likeliest to believe. The illusion is maintained until they are slain, whereupon they revert to their own forms -- a bundle of ropy, lump tentacles with a central brain ganglion. They can appear as a Ru'un, a friend, etc. Tsu'uru are immune to all magic, including mind-reading. characteristic average STR 4d6 14 Move 40 CON 3d6+12 22-23 Armor 6 pts SIZ 3d6+6 16-17 Hit Pts 20 INT 3d6+6 16-17 POW 3d6+12 22-23 DEX 2d6+6 13 DODGE: 50 MAG 1d4+2 4-5 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Tentacle whip 5 90 1d6+1d4 COMBAT NOTES: Can attack with four tentacles at once (base SR of 1). Tentacles can entangle as with a flail weapon. YELETH (The Angel of Doom) Androids looking like beautiful maidens or youths. They have paper-white skin and hair like polished ebony. characteristic average STR 3d6+12 22-23 Move 30 CON 25 25 Armor 3 pts SIZ 2d6+4 11 Hit Pts 18 INT 15 15 POW 3d6 10-11 DEX 19 19 DODGE: 90 Weapon SR Attk% Damage Rapier 5 90 1d6+1+1d6 Hypnotize 1 Auto. POW vs. POW MAGIC: Each round, the Yeleth matches its POW vs. the POW of everyone else it is battling (within 6m). Anyone who is overcome is hypnotized, and can be ordered to fight against his own friends (in which case he gets a chance to resist the hypnosis at the end of each full round) or simply paralyzed forever (in which case he stays frozen forever). Disenchantment cures the problem.