Savage Flayers - Mind Flayers in Savage Worlds and the Warlords of Lingusia Era

 

The Hyshkorrid

A savage denizen of the Underworlds of Lingusia

Savage Flayers, a Monstrous Wild Card For Savage Worlds Adventure Edition Fantasy Companion

The Hyshkorrid are conquerors of the psionic mindscape, travelers from distant universes, and telepathic masters of manipulation. Though few in number, these cephalopodic humanoids dwell in the depths of the Underworld beneath the shifting Sands of the Hyrkanian Deserts and the Mountains of Madness (the Slithotendan Mountains). The few scholars to interact with them say the hyshkorrid are obsessed with the observation of the mad god Slithotep, though perhaps not in a reverent manner, but they do worship Thasrik, the insectoid god of control and domination.

Hyshkorrid feast on the brains of sentient beings and use their potent psionic powers to lay waste to small armies. They are not physically adept at battle so usually prefer to dominate an opponent first to make their attack certain.

Attributes: Agility D8, Smarts D12, Spirit D10, Strength D6, Vigor D6

Skills: Academics D10, Fighting D8, Intimidation D10, Occult D8, Psionics D12, Stealth D8

Pace: 6, Parry: 6; Toughness: 9 (4 from psionic deflection)

Edges: Arcane Background (Psionics), Power Points X2 (+10 PP), Extra Powers X3 (6 powers)

Power Points: 20

Powers: All powers have a psionic/mental trapping; a typical array of powers include: Blast – Psionic (3 PP base cost), Confusion (1+ PP), Disguise (2 PP), Farsight (2 PP), Invisibility (5 PP), Mind reading (2 PP), Mind Wipe (3 PP), Stun (2 PP), Telekinesis (5 PP)

Gear: robes, masking hood, usually 1D3-1 magic items (potions, scrolls, rings, wondrous items), one roll on special chart below

Special Abilities:

Brain Extraction: STR+D6 damage, 2 AP. Hyshkorrid are incredibly proficient at extracting a brain from a humanoid skull. If a target is reduced to incapacitated by this attack then the hyshkorrid will use its next action as a Finishing Move; the brain is extracted and eaten. An extracted brain immediately restores 1D4 psionic power points.

Psionic Immunity: Hyshkorrid are immune to mind-affecting powers of psionic or magical nature that impact the mind (such as mind wipe, confusion, etc.)

Psionic Armor: Hyshkorrid have perfected the art of telekinetic deflection and gain +4 for toughness due to this trait. If a hyshkorrid is somehow caught unawares this bonus cannot be applied.

Natural Telepath: The hyshkorrid can only communicate via telepathy at will within 120 feet. For 1 PP it can extend the range to 1 mile for a minute.

1D10 Items on the body of a Savage Flayer:

1 – A necklace of grown coral wrapped around a tiny crystal ball showing the image of an eerie cosmic landscape

2 – A hideous holy amulet to Thasrik, the scorpion-like god of domination and control

3 – A carefully folder flayed skin of a humanoid species with a zipper attached to the back

4 – A locket which opens up to reveal a windable watch and the painted image of a blonde woman of Imperial descent; behind the clasp is a carefully folded note: “To my beloved, whom I shall devour last.”

5 – A clutch of what look like marbles but are squishy like eggs, and against a strong light you can see tadpole like beings swimming within

6 – A mimir skull of a kobold imbued with Smarts D8, Common Knowledge D8 and Academics D12 which can speak on any subject but only in draconic or aklo languages.

7 – A belt of threaded shrunken heads, all of gnomes, which begin to animate and laugh hysterically when touched by anyone who fails a Spirit check.

8 – A small, murky globe of swirling coppery color which speaks strange and hideous chants in aklo when held by an unprotected hand, and requires a Spirit check at -2 or the bearer experiences sudden terror and must roll on the Fear table.

9 – a backpack with a folded-up, small animated skeleton of a goblin, which functions as a servant that can carry out three word commands

10 – a tiara of platinum and diamond that looks worth 1,000 GP but if worn immediately requires a Spirit check at -2 or the wearer’s mind is overwhelmed by the commanding presence of the god Thasrik; a new save can be done once per day to break the spell

Mind Flayers in 13th Age

What follows is an approximation based on my holistic grasp of monster design in the 13th Age core book; suggestions/tweaks welcome!

Hyshkorrid: The Mind Flayers of Lingusia in 13^th Age

Lingusia’s breed of mind flayers are creatures from beyond the stars that crash-landed on the world long ago, their ether engines rendered inert at a time when such devices could not function in the atmosphere of the world. The unique restrictions which prevented the function of ether engines disappeared after the god Etah began his cosmic pilgrimage centuries earlier, but by then the stranded mind flayers had imbedded themselves into the hideous cultures and politics of the Underworld.

Hyshkorrid are known for their obsession with mentally enslaving and feasting on the brains of other species; all other species are lesser species in their minds.  

Hyshkorrid

6^th Level Caster

Initiative +8

Mind Blast +10  vs. MD against 1D4 nearby targets; 16 psychic damage and target is stunned. Each round the target can make a Save (11+) to recover from the stun. Attack roll 16+: one target is also dominated. Attack roll natural 20: the mind flayer dominates all targets.

[Special Effect] Domination: this effect lasts until the target makes a save (11+); each round the mind flayer may direct one action of the target (either a move, standard or quick). If the target rolls a 1 on the save the mind flayer may direct two actions instead.

Tentacle maw melee attack; +11 vs. AC; 12 damage and target must make a save (11+) or take an additional 12 psychic damage. This attack is automatic against adjacent helpless/stunned targets.

[Special Trigger] Brain Extraction: +10 vs. PD; damage as follows (special) target must be engaged with the hyshkorrid and helpless/stunned with 0 HPs; as a swift action the hyshkorrid attempts to devour the brain. The victim who fails a Save (11+) has his/her brain extracted. The hyshkorrid gains 10 temporary hit points and the victim dies. If the save succeeds the victim takes 1D6 damage.

Nastier Specials: Dominator

The dominating mind flayer specializes in mind controlling thralls. In place of the Mind Blast the mind flayer can attempt to dominate rather than stun. Any target that becomes subject to its domination effect and fails three saves in a row is totally dominated for the remainder of the day (all actions determined by the mind flayer) and makes a new Save (11+) once per day thereafter. If the thrall fails three daily saves in a row then the saves changes to once per week.

AC: 17

MD: 19                  HP: 72

PD: 13   

Ages of Lingusia: A Summary of the many Deities in the Empire Era

Here's a little summary of the many deities of Lingusia (and probably a few still yet to be named) to help keep track of the last several days' worth of entries.

Its been a lot of fun putting up this sort of "mini campaign" for Lingusia. I had considered at one point trying to polish it all up and releasing the "Empire Era" setting as a Swords & Wizardry book, and I may yet do so, but for now at least it was fun to get all that stuff out. I still have more material, though, including write-ups on the many races and their stats in 4th edition terms. So far a few (trolls and orcs) have seen the light of day in this blog. I'll take some time to start listing the rest over the coming days.