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Y'hog Carnifex

by Geoff Gander

 

Warrior

Wizard

Cleric

Armour Class:

 

 

 

Hit Dice:

8****

9*******

9*******

Move:

90' (30')

90' (30')

90' (30')

Attacks:

2 claws/1 bite or 1 weapon

2 claws/1 bite or 1 weapon/spell

2 claws/1 bite or 1 weapon/spell

Damage:

1d6+1/1d6+1/2d6+2 or by weapon

1d4+1/1d4+1/2d4+2 or by weapon/spell

1d4+1/1d4+1/2d4+2 or by weapon/spell

No. Appearing:

1d6 (1d8)

1d4 (1d6)

1d4 (1d6)

Save As:

F8

MU11

C12

Morale:

9

7

8

Treasure Type:

V (E)

V (F)

V (I)

Intelligence:

13

15

15

Alignment:

Chaotic

Chaotic

Chaotic

XP Value:

2,850

5,100

5,100

Description: The Y'hog Carnifex, though not as powerful as the infamous Greater Carnifex of ancient legends, are still a force to be reckoned with, moreso than their weaker cousins, the Deep Carnifex. Though they are not nearly as prolific as their subterranean cousins, Y'hog Carnifex possess as audacity and drive that more than compensates for their lack of numbers and relative physical weakness. Y'hog Carnifex make their home in the sunken city of Y'hog, where they have been imprisoned for thousands of years by the Immortals, biding their time before they can wreak vengeance on the world.

Y'hog Carnifex measure from 5 1/2 to 6 feet in height, their slim bodies covered with fine greenish-grey scales. Their hands and feet are roughly humanoid in appearance, though they are clawed and webbed. Their tails are also slim, and have what appears to be a vestigial fin on the end, reminiscent of that of a fish. Their rough semblance of humanoid life forms ends with their heads, however. The dominant feature of this creature's face is its mouth - a large set of jaws, filled with rows of large, needle-like teeth. Many Y'hog Carnifex have such large teeth, and so many of them, that they cannot close their mouths properly. Located above the mouth is a pair of large, dark red eyes, above which protrude bony ridges - giving these creatures a brooding appearance. As their appearance implies, the Y'hog Carnifex are carnivores, preferring the flesh of sentient beings above all else, though they will eat common animals if left no choice. They are so evil, in fact, that they particularly enjoy eating their victims while they are still alive - so much so that they have incorporated this act into their rites of worship honouring the blasphemous Outer Beings.

Due to their long years deep underwater, the Y'hog Carnifex have good infravision, being able to see up to 90 feet in the dark. They are also amphibious, being able to survive underwater for periods as long as six hours. Also owing to their amphibious nature, they are capable swimmers, being able to achieve swimming speeds of up to 120' (40'). The Y'hog Carnifex also have several innate abilities that add to their strength. All of them are able to cast invisibility, shield, and cause fear three times per day. The latter ability is especially powerful, the spell's area of effect is 240' (twice that of the regular spell), and the saving throw is penalised by -4.

Socially, the Y'hog Carnifex are highly individualistic. In the absence of some outside threat, or some overarching goal that all of them share, they would be inclined to lead solitary lives. Unfortunately for Mystara, there is currently no shortage of reasons for them to co-operate, such as the desire to bring the sunken isle of Y'hegg-T'uhath, upon which Y'hog is built, back to the surface. When they do co-operate, the Y'hog Carnifex manage to do so with a minimum of internal strife, ordering themselves into a strict hierarchy, based on magical or physical prowess, that is questioned by no one.

If there is one thing the Y'hog Carnifex were known for in their heyday, it was their capacity for evil, and for destruction. Boasting many accomplished spellcasters, this evil race once ruled a great empire on Mystara, imposing their tyrannical rule on many cultures. Although long since defeated, and all but forgotten by most cultures today, these beings still exist, plotting their revenge for the day when they can free themselves. Though their magical prowess has deteriorated somewhat over the millennia of their imprisonment, they are still formidable opponents; Y'hog Carnifex clerics and magic users are able to cast spells of up to 6th level. These abilities are bolstered by the many obscure spells and magical items that they have developed over the millennia, such that the average repertoire of a magic using member of this race could easily exceed that of its human or demihuman counterparts.