Nyambe Monsters.pdf

MONSTER FACTORY

BY CHRIS DOLUNT

(This article first appeared in Gaming Frontiers in

2002.)

well as new weapons, armor, and equipment

designed for a tropical climate where the heat of the

vast savannah is more dangerous than an enemy’s

spear. The spirit-worship of the mortals has called

upon the orisha for new spells and domains such as

Darkness, Exile, Fertility, Lightning, and Plague ever

since Dark Time when the Overpower ascended into

the sky on the web of a giant spider. Mad omurogo

wizards contemplate the contents of mojuba bags to

prepare their divination spells, and new magic items

like zombi powder turn fallen warriors into true zom-

bis that keep a hideous memory of their former lives,

ritual masks let the wearer become the orisha, and

vodou nkisi statues hurl powerful curses at those

who dare to use them.

In the land of the Overpower, the jaws of the croco-

dile are the only reward for the unwary.

Nyambe is a vast land of exotic creatures and wide

expanses, where ancestor orisha cry for brave tribal

warriors to carve out the hearts of foul mchawi wiz-

ards, and where dragon-blooded sei sorcerers once

joined the fierce Amazons of Nibomay in the bloody

Rebelling Time to win their freedom. This campaign

setting for the D20 System brings high fantasy to

African myth, legend, and history in a 256-page

hardcover sourcebook from Atlas Games.

Nyambe: African Adventures includes twelve new

human tribal cultures and six variant non-human

races, like the brown-skinned, tailed Wakyambi elves

who meddle in the affairs of men from the depths of

the bIda rainforest. New core class variants and

prestige classes change druids into shamen who

worhip the natural orisha spirits and are as comfort-

able in the skin of a panther as in humanoid form.

New skills, and feats like Ancestral Blessing, Drum

Dancer, Elephant Warrior, Fire Blood, and Ritual

Cannibalism are the heritage of every Nyamban, as

And in the dark interior of the continent lurk crea-

tures never before seen by the men of the tamed

north lands … like the aigamuxa, mbilintu, ssanga,

vampire moth, giant sloth, and werehyena. But rav-

enous beasts of the jungle and desert are only the

beginning of the danger that awaits those who walk

the lands of Nyambe. These out-takes are just a sam-

pling from Nyambe: African Adventures , coming this

summer from Atlas Games!

Aigamuxa

Aigamuxa are not blind, and have eyes on the soles

of their feet. In order to see, they must get down on

their hands and knees, and arch their feet over their

back to see what is in front of them. This would be

comical if not for the fact that they are extremely

dangerous flesh-eating monsters. According to leg-

end, the aigamuxa are responsible for the deadly

sandstorms that sometimes sweep the region, and the

appearance of one is often accompanied by roaring

winds and stinging sands.

A igamuxa (eye-gah-MOO-zhah) stalk the sand dunes

of Marak’ka-land. These tall, thin creatures look like

naked humans from a distance, but close up they

have claws, fangs, and most disturbingly, blank

patches of flesh where their eyes should be.

Aigamuxa

Combat

An aigamuxa usually attacks as soon as it becomes

aware of a potential meal. Though intelligent, aiga-

muxa devote most of their energies to hunting and

eating, and think about little else. Aigamuxa speak

Infernal and Abyssal.

Sandstorm (Su): If within desert terrain, an aiga-

muxa can generate a powerful magical sandstorm

around itself in a 60-foot radius, at will, as a free

action. This is considered a severe wind . It automati-

cally extinguishes unprotected flames, protected

flames have a 50% chance of extinguishing, and

ranged weapon attacks and Listen checks are at a –4

penalty. In addition, the flying sand causes all living

creatures (except the aigamuxa) to suffer 1d4 points

of subdual damage each round (no saving throw), and

creatures with unprotected eyes must make a

Fortitude save each round against DC 14 or be blind-

ed for the duration of the round.

Tremorsense (Ex): Aigamuxa can automatically

sense the location of anything within 60 feet that is in

contact with the ground.

Blind (Ex): Aigamuxa cannot see unless they get

down on their hands and knees and arch their feet

over their back. This is a full-round action, and an

aigamuxa cannot move while in this position. When

it is not using its eyes, it is totally immune to attacks

that depend on vision, such as gaze attacks, blindness

spells, and visual illusions.

Medium-size Monstrous Humanoid

Hit Dice : 4d8+8 (26 hp)

Initiative : +1 (Dex)

Speed : 30 ft., burrow 10 ft.

AC : 15 (+1 Dex, +4 natural)

Attacks : 2 claws +7 melee, bite +2 melee

Damage : Claw 1d4+3, bite 1d6+1

Face/Reach : 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks : Sandstorm

Special Qualities : Tremorsense, Blind

Saves : Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +2

Abilities : Str 17, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha

Skills : Climb +6, Hide +3, Intimidate +1, Jump +6,

Listen +4, Move Silently +4

Climate/Terrain : Warm desert

Organization : Solitary

Challenge Rating : 3

Treasure : None

Alignment : Always chaotic evil

Advancement : 5-8 HD (Medium-size)

Mbilintu

Daka-kara name isiququmadevu (ees-ee-quoo-quoo-

mah-DEHV-oo) or the Daka-alif name nzefu-loi (neh-

ZEH-foo LOH-ee).

The Mbilintu (mb-LEEN-too) resembles a lizard,

with a long giraffe-like neck, snake-like head, ele-

phantine legs, and a long tail.

This creature’s name means “the frightful unknown

monster” in Kordo, but it is also known under the

Mbilintu

Combat

The mbilintu is an herbivore, and it rarely has to

defend itself physically, as its Death Gaze protects it

from most predators. Unfortunately, the mbilintu has

an insatiable sense of curiosity, and if it sees a group

of adventurers slogging through a swamp, it will most

certainly attempt to sneak up on them and get a better

look. Any sort of attack hurts the creature’s feelings,

and it runs away when confronted with aggressive

behavior.

Death Gaze (Su): Any creature that looks into the

mbilintu’s eyes must make a Fortitude save vs. a DC

of 10 or die from massive cardiac arrest.

Spell Resistance (Ex): To determine if a spell or

spell-like ability works against an mbilintu, the spell-

caster makes a level check (1d20 + caster level). If

the result equals or exceeds 15, the spell works nor-

mally, though the target still gets a saving throw if the

spell allows such.

Huge Magical Beast

Hit Dice : 10d10+50 (105 hp)

Initiative : +1 (Dex)

Speed : 20 ft.

AC : 20 (-2 size, +12 natural)

Attacks : Tail slap +12/+7 melee

Damage : Tail slap 1d6+6

Face/Reach : 10 ft. by 20 ft./10 ft.

Special Attacks : Death Gaze

Special Qualities : Spell Resistance 15, Darkvision

Saves : Fort +12, Ref +8, Will +4

Abilities : Str 19, Dex 12, Con 20, Int 3, Wis 8, Cha 7

Skills : Listen +2, Spot +4, Move Silently +4, Hide -5

Feats : Iron Will, Power Attack

Climate/Terrain : Warm swamp

Organization : Solitary

Darkvision (Ex): Mbilintu can see in the dark up to

60 feet. Darkvision is black and white, but otherwise

like normal sight, and Mbilintu can function with no

light at all.

Challenge Rating : 11

Treasure : 50% Standard

Alignment : Always neutral

Advancement : 11-20 HD (Huge), 21-30 HD

(Gargantuan)

Nsanga

ings, and it can snare prey with its sticky tongue and

swallow it whole.

An nsanga looks something like an armor-plated, 20-

foot long giant chameleon. Chameleons are consid-

ered symbols of good luck amongst the people of

Nyambe, and killing an nsanga, despite the danger it

presents, is considered a bad omen.

The nsanga (n-SAHN-gah) is a dangerous species of

giant lizard found in the Nyamban rainforest. It can

climb trees, it can change color to match its surround-

Nsanga

Combat

Nsanga are essentially fearless, and attack any crea-

ture that looks edible.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the nsanga

must hit with its tongue attack. If it gets a hold, it

swallows the victim whole.

Huge Beast (Reptilian)

Hit Dice : 8d10+40 (84 hp)

Initiative : +1 (Dex)

Swallow Whole (Ex): A nsanga can try to swallow a

grabbed opponent of Large or smaller size by making

a successful grapple check. Once swallowed, the

opponent takes 2d6+8 points of crushing damage plus

1d10 points of acid damage per round from the nsan-

ga’s digestive secretions. A swallowed creature can

climb out of the stomach with a successful grapple

check. This returns it to the nsanga’s mouth, where

another successful grapple check is needed to get

free. A swallowed creature can also cut its way out by

using claws or a Small or Tiny slashing weapon to

deal 25 points of damage to the stomach (AC 20).

Once the creature exits, muscular action closes the

hole; another swallowed opponent must cut its own

way out. A nsanga’s stomach can hold up to one

Large, two Medium-size, four Small, or eight Tiny

creatures.

Low-Light Vision (Ex): Nsanga can see twice as far

as humans in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, etc.

Skills : Nsanga have excellent binocular vision, and

receive a +4 racial bonus to spot checks. They have

the ability to change color, which grants them a +8

concealment bonus to Hide checks, and are capable of

slow and deliberate motions that grant them a +4

racial bonus to Move Silently checks.

Speed : 40 ft., climb 40 ft.

AC : 16 (-2 size, +1 Dex, +7 natural)

Attacks : Bite +12/+7 melee; or tongue +5 ranged

touch (maximum range 20 ft.)

Damage : Bite 2d6+8, tongue no damage

Face/Reach : 10 ft. by 20 ft./10 ft.

Special Attacks : Improved Grab, Swallow Whole

Special Qualities : Low-light Vision

Saves : Fort +11, Ref +7, Will +2

Abilities : Str 27, Dex 12, Con 20, Int 2, Wis 10, Cha

Skills : Hide +4 (+16 in forest and tall undergrowth),

Climb +19, Listen +3, Spot +7, Move Silently +7

Feats : None

Climate/Terrain : Warm forest

Organization : Solitary or colony (2-5)

Challenge Rating : 6

Treasure : None

Alignment : Always neutral

Advancement : Huge (9-16)

Vampire Moth

Luckily, the moths are lacking many of the traditional

vampire powers. They cannot assume gaseous form,

summon animals, shapechange, or dominate victims.

Unfortunately, they also lack most of the classic vampire

vulnerabilities. Most importantly, they are not harmed

by sunlight, though it does cause them to fall dormant.

The name “vampire moth” is not a misnomer. The vampire

moth is an undead moth that drains life energy. Scholars of

the arcane are completely baffled by this monster — it is

simply too small and weak to be a vampire — yet it exists.

Vampire moths look like oversized moths with dull

black wings.

Vampire Moth

Energy Drain (Su): Living creatures struck by a

vampire moth’s slam attack have a 10% chance to

suffer 1 negative level. This level loss is temporary

and returns at the rate of 1 per day. For every nega-

tive level the vampire moth inflicts, it heals itself 5

points of damage.

Create Spawn (Su): Any living creature killed by the

vampire moth’s Energy Drain ability becomes a zombie

in 1d4 rounds. Mundane moths killed by the Energy

Drain attack become new vampire moths instead.

Undead : Immune to mind-influencing effects, poison,

sleep, paralysis, stunning, and disease. Not subject to

critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage, energy

drain, or death from massive damage. Immune to any-

thing requiring a Fortitude save unless it affects objects.

Fire Vulnerability (Ex): Vampire moths are actually

attracted to flames, and always fail saving throws

against fire-based attacks.

Sunlight Vulnerability (Ex) : A vampire moth immediate-

ly goes dormant when exposed to direct sunlight. The

moth remains helpless as long as the sun shines upon it.

Cold and Electricity (Ex) : A vampire moth ignores

the first 20 points of cold and electricity damage dealt

to it each round.

Diminutive Undead

Hit Dice : 1/4 d12 (1 hp)

Initiative : +3 (Dex)

Speed : Fly 20 ft. (clumsy)

AC : 23 (+3 Dex, +4 size, +6 natural)

Attacks : Slam +7 melee

Damage : 1d2-2 and energy drain (10%)

Face/Reach : 1 ft. by 1 ft./0 ft.

Special Attacks : Energy Drain (10%), Create Spawn

Special Qualities : Undead, Fire Vulnerability,

Sunlight Vulnerability, Cold and Electricity

Resistance 20, Damage Reduction 15/+1, Turn

Resistance +4, Darkvision

Saves : Fort +0, Ref +3, Will -1

Abilities : Str 6, Dex 17, Con —, Int —, Wis 3, Cha 5

Skills : Hide +20, Move Silently +4, Spot +1

Feats : Weapon Finesse (slam)

Climate/Terrain : Warm forest and underground

Damage Reduction (Su) : A vampire moth ignores

damage from most weapons and natural attacks; the

attacks simply bounce off. Damage dealt by an attack

is reduced by 15 points, but a weapon with a +1 or

better magical bonus deals full damage.

Organization : Swarm (2-20)

Challenge Rating : 2

Treasure : None

Alignment : Always neutral evil

Advancement : 1/2 HD (Diminutive), 1 HD (Tiny)

Turn Resistance (Ex): A vampire moth is treated as

a 4 Hit Dice monster when subject to turning or

rebuking attempts.

Combat

Vampire moths attack in swarms, hurling themselves

against foes in a desperate attempt to drain life energy.

Darkvision (Ex): Vampire moths can see in the dark

up to 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white, but oth-

erwise like normal sight, and vampire moths can

function with no light at all.

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