New Mutant Monday series Two #88 - Umbral
No one knows for certain exactly what these creatures are. They have two forms, that of a young humanoid figure with pale skin, obsidian eyes and a mouth filled with needle teeth, and the full adult version which appears to be nothing more than a living shadow. Some scholars believe these creatures are some sort of mutant, while there are those who believe the creatures come from the darkest depths of space, from some far-distance world where light is but a concept. There are also those who think these creatures come from an alternate dimension, and somehow found their way to inhabit the wastelands.
As stated, these creatures have two forms. The first type, what is known as a larval form, are always young children, never older than about twelve or thirteen. These creatures live together in packs and seem to have a hive mind, working and acting as a single entity. The adult version appears to be an incredibly tall and thin shadow, with arms which appear to drag upon the ground, and a skull which appears from the shape to be feline or canine, although no features can be made out due to the beast being made of pure shadow.
The Chimerians strike once again. This time they have decided to see if they could create something nature never intended – or man, for that matter.
By genetically combining the Silverback Gorilla and the common raven, they have created a truly bizarre chimera which have left many people who have seen the strange little beasts scratching their heads in bewilderment.
The creatures are significantly smaller than the gorilla, but quite a bit larger and heavier than the raven. The average specimen is about four feet in height, and they weigh in excess of one hundred pounds. The body is that of a raven, but the head is pure gorilla.
For the most part, the creatures are quite skittish, and prefer to stay away from potential predators. They live in small flocks, almost like gorilla troop of old, and just like their ape ancestors, they have an alpha male who leads and protects the troop. This is not necessarily the strongest male; instead it is the most intelligent male present which takes this leadership role. They live high in trees, or in not easily accessible ruins or areas which will provide natural protection against predators.
They do pair off for mating purposes. The females will lay up to four eggs, which require a month to gestate. The young quickly grow to sexual maturity within a single year, and although they are watched over by the entire troop, they are carefully guarded and cared for by the mated pair.
Although not that imposing, the creatures can be quite dangerous when provoked into combat. They can use their talons to great effect, but instead of pecking, they can and will deliver a painful bite. What gave them their unique name is their ability to howl. This is an area effect weapon, and will cause 3d6 points of sonic-based damage, centered on the creature. Those with increased senses (hearing) will take double damage. These creatures are likewise immune to sonic-based attacks. They can use this ability once per day, and are careful enough to not use it at the same time as another member of their flock if multiple members are engaged in combat.
When not engaged in fighting, they love to sing. This is a very bizarre mixture of caws, clicks, and whistles, which also include grunts and ape-like howls.
They live off diets of fruit, grains, and insects. They are also quite partial to shiny objects and love to snatch shiny coins to line their nests and communal homes with. Sometimes gemstones and jewellery can likewise be found in their homes.
Mutations: Aberrant form (natural weapons, xenomorphism - chimera), immunity (sonics), shriek (modified)
No. Enc: 2d12
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90’ (30’) ground
210’ (70’) Fly
AC: 5
HD: 2
Attacks: 1 bite, 2 claws and sonic howl
Damage: 1d6, 1d4+3 / 1d4+3, see description
Save: L2
Morale: 5
Hoard Class: I, II, III, X, XIII (70% both types)
No. Enc: 1 or see description
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 90’ (30’)
AC: 2
HD: 1d4 hit points
Attacks: 1 bite or 1 sting
Damage: 1d2 or 1d3 plus class 4 poison
Save: L1
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: Incidental
No. Enc: 1d6 or 2d10 in communities
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 90’ (30’)
AC: 7
HD: 2
Attacks: By weapon or eyebeam (see description)
Damage: By weapon
Save: L2
Morale: 4
Hoard Class: I (x5), II (x5), VII (x5), X (x2)
No. Enc: 1
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: N/A
AC: 6
HD: 14
Attacks: See description
Damage: See description
Save: L14
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: VIII, IX, X, XIII, XIV (no coin, 45% for any type of artifact)
No. Enc: 2d3
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90’ (30’)
AC: 4
HD: 4
Attacks: 1 bite, 1 tail slap, 2 bashes
Damage: 1d12+3, 1d8+3, 1d6+3 / 1d6+3
Save: L7
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: Incidental
No. Enc: 1d6 or 3d100 in communities
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90. (30’)
AC: 1
HD: 6
Attacks: 1 pincer, 1 stinger and one weapon
Damage: 2d6+2, 1d8+ class 7 poison, and by weapon type.
Save: L6
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: Always 1d3 handguns or melee weapons (70%/30%), I, II, III, VI, VIII (85%), XI XX
No. Enc: 1
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90’ (30’)
AC: 7
HD: 14
Attacks: 1 bite, 1 tail barb or 1 constriction
Damage: 2d8+6 plus class 13 poison, 3d8+6, see description
Save: L14
Morale: 11
Hoard Class: Incidental
No. Enc: 2d12
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 30’ (10’)
AC: 3
HD: 1d4 hit points
Attacks: 1 bite
Damage: 1
Save: L1
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: N/A
No. Enc: 3d8
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 60’ (20’)
AC: 1
HD: 2
Attacks: 1 bite, 1 claw
Damage: 1d8 plus acid, 2d6 plus grapple
Save: L6
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: Incidental
No. Enc: 1
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: N/A
AC: 4
HD: 8
Attacks: See description
Damage: See description
Save: L8
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: Incidental
No. Enc: 1d6 (50d10 in major communities)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 90’ (30’)
AC: Based on armor
HD: 7
Attacks: By weapon (+3d6 if melee weapon), or Psionic ability
Damage: By weapon or Psionic ability
Save: L10
Morale: 5
Hoard Class: 1 melee weapon (100%), 50% chance of 1d2 high tech melee weapons, 35% chance of 1d4 high tech weapons, 25% chance of high tech armor. VII (90% each coin, 70% artifact, VIII, IX, X, XIII (80%)
No. Enc: 1d12
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 60’ (20’)
AC: 0
HD: 6-16
Attacks: 1 bite, 2 claws or 1 spit
Damage: 2d6+4 & special (see description), 1d8+2 / 1d8+2 or see description.
Save: 10
Morale: 11
Hoard Class: VIII, IX, X, XIII, XVII (70% and will include weapons and potentially armor)
No. Enc: 1d4
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90’ (30’)
AC: 3
HD: 9
Attacks: 1 bite or one spit.
Damage: 1d8+3 plus poison, see description
Save: L9
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: Incidental
No. Enc: 1d4
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: Immobile (see description)
AC: 7
HD: 10
Attacks: 1d4 roots and see description
Damage: 1d8+5 per root and see description
Save: L12
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: Incidental
No. Enc: 2d10
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 120’ (40’) Swimming
60’ (20’) land
AC: 5
HD: 4-12
Attacks: 1 bite, 1 constriction and special
Damage: 1d6+1 per hit dice over 4, 2d6+1 per hit dice over 4.
Save: L4-10
Morale: 10
Hoard Class: Incidental
No. Enc: 1
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90’ (30’) fly
AC: 8
HD: 3
Attacks: 8 tentacles and one bash (see description)
Damage: 1d3 and see description
Save: L3
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: VI (75% all types of coin), VIII, IX, XIV (artifacts only, 50%)
No. Enc: 1
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90’ (30’) Land
150’ (50’) Swim
AC: 4
HD: 15
Attacks: 1 bite, 2 tentacle lashes, and 2 rear paws
Damage: 3d8+4, 2d4+4 / 2d4+4, 2d8+4 / 2d8+4
Save: L20
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: I, II, III, VIII (75% any small artifact)
No. Enc: 4d6 per crew, or 5d100 per floating city
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 90’ (30’) Swim and on land
AC: By armor but 3 points better.
HD: 8
Attacks: 1 horn attack, 2 claws or by weapon
Damage: 1d6+1, 1d4+1 / 1d4+1 or by weapon
Save: L8
Morale: 11
Hoard Class: 1d4 artifact weapons, 1d4 melee weapons, I (x5), II (x5), VII (x10, 80%), X (x5), 75% 1 suit of artifact armor, 2d12 pieces of random jewellery (valued at 1d100x10 each)
No. Enc: 2d8 or 1d6
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 240’ (80’) or 90’ (30’)
AC: 7 or 3
HD: 2 or 10
Attacks: 3 bite or 1 bite and two claws
Damage: 1d4 / 1d4 / 1d4 plus infection or 1d8+2, 2d8+4 / 2d8+4 plus infection
Save: L2 or 10
Morale: N/A
Hoard Class: N/A
