THE SLAVE TAKERS
CHAPTER 5
hazardous areas more quickly and safely than most attackers can. All neogi speak Common and Undercommon, and a large number of them also speak Terran. Neogi Traits: The tactics of these monsters vary according to the kind of neogi involved. No neogi is particularly brave, but all of them are ruthless. They all share the following abilities. Poison (Ex): Neogi poison is exceptionally virulent, considering that the creature itself is so frail. A neogi delivers its poison with each successful bite attack. The initial damage is 1d4 points of Dexterity damage, and the secondary damage is 1d4 points of Wisdom damage. The save DC is Constitution-based and includes a +3 racial bonus. Immunity to Mind-Affecting Spells and Abilities (Ex): Neogi are immune to all mind-affecting spells and abilities. Skills: Adult and spawn neogi use their Dexterity score instead of their Strength score for Climb and Jump checks. Neogi have a +8 bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks even if rushed or threatened.
ADULT NEOGI
10–20 umber hulk slaves plus 10–60 spawn and 1–2 great old masters) Challenge Rating: 3 Treasure: Double standard Alignment: Usually lawful evil Advancement: By character class Level Adjustment: +3 This spiderlike monster has a long, flexible neck and an eel-like head with tiny, needle-sharp teeth. Its body is covered with stiff hair, dyed in complex designs, and it wears a light leather harness for carrying pouches and weapons. Its small black eyes glitter with intelligence.
Adult neogi are the backbone of the community. They spend most of their time trying to acquire as much wealth and power as possible. A neogi’s eight-legged body is covered with stiff hair, which makes it look something like a giant wolf spider. Instead of a spider’s head, however, the neogi has a long, flexible neck that extends upward and backward, then bends toward the front again in a large S-curve. Atop that sleek neck sits a small, narrow head, like that of an eel. Its jaws are lined with tiny, needle-sharp teeth, and small, black eyes are pushed well forward on the face. An occasional individual has a narrow beard growing from the front edge of its chin. A typical neogi dyes its naturally tan fur in one of a multitude of different hues and patterns. Some of these patterns signify family or rank; others are just for decoration. A neogi wears simple articles of decorative clothing and a belt or bandoleer with pouches for carrying its valuables.
Small Aberration Hit Dice: 5d8–5 (18 hp) Initiative: +3 Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 20 ft. Armor Class: 17 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +3 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 14 Base Attack/Grapple: +3/–3 Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d4–2 plus poison) or light crossbow +7 ranged (1d6/19–20) Full Attack: Bite +7 melee (1d4–2 plus poison) and 2 claws +2 melee (1d3–2), or light crossbow +7 ranged (1d6/19–20) Combat Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Adult neogi are frail fighters, and they know it. Wherever possible, they have their umber hulk slaves (see Neogi Society, Special Attacks: Enslave, poison below) fight for them while they linger nearby looking for Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., neogi traits opportunities to use their enslave ability. Adult neogi try to Saves: Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +6 make foes more vulnerable to enslavement by using their Abilities: Str 6, Dex 17, Con 9, Int 15, Wis 14, Cha 16 poison first, delivered via a crossbow bolt (see below). These Skills: Appraise +6, Balance +7, Climb +11, Disable Device creatures are nimble and difficult to corner. +7, Intimidate +7, Jump +7, Move Silently +7, Search +6, Spot +6 Adult neogi are proficient with simple weapons. Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 14, initial damage 1d4 Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Weapon FinesseB Environment: Warm marshes Dex, secondary damage 1d4 Wis. As a standard action, an adult Organization: Solitary (1–2 plus 0–3 umber hulk slaves), neogi can coat a weapon with poison from its fangs. The poison nest (3–8 plus 3–8 umber hulk slaves), or blight (10–20 plus remains active for 1 minute after application and functions as it does when delivered by means of a bite.
pqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqrs NEOGI AND UMBER HULKS Neogi have bred umber hulks as slaves for generations. Neogi are rarely encountered without their powerful slaves at their side. A single neogi with one umber hulk slave is an EL 8 encounter. Neogi are perfectly content to allow their umber hulks to do the fighting for them, sniping at their foes from behind the
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safety of their allies. If possible, a neogi uses its climbing ability to stay well above any possible danger. If not, the neogi remains close to its slave, so that anyone attempting to attack the neogi in melee must enter within range of the umber hulk’s confusing gaze and melee attacks. Neogi are willing to sacrifice their slaves to escape from a dangerous situation, and do so at the slightest provocation.
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