Friday, May 16, 2014

"L" is for "Leapsteed"

Leapsteed

No. Enc.:  0 (2d6)
Alignment:  Neutral
Movement:  240' (80')
Armor Class:  3 / 6
Hit Dice:  5+2
Attacks:  2 or 1 (2 kicks, or 1 headbutt)
Damage:  (1d10 / 1d10, or 2d6)
Save:  L3
Morale:  9
Hoard Class:  None
XP:  860

Leapsteeds are bison-sized amphibians adapted to drier terrestrial climes.  Thick armored plating covers their heads and upper-bodies [AC 3 when attacked from the front and sides], while their backs, abdomens, and extremities are slick and smooth [AC 6 from behind].  They travel in family herds.

Leapsteeds are omnivores, dining on vegetation, tubers, and small animals.  They also, bizarrely enough, feed on psychic energies, which they procure by mentally manipulating (via Empathy) sentient beings into physical contact.  Upon a successful Mental Attack (as if from a WIL score of 2d6+5), a leapsteed motivates the target into using it as a trusted mount.  Sticky secretions adhere the target in place on the leapsteed's back (even during full-bore movement), and the leapstead is "steered" with its rein-like antennae, which also serve as telepathic conduits.  Leapsteeds drain 1d3 HP per day from their riders.

Despite the seemingly negative implications of mind-control-based relationships, leapsteeds genuinely care for their "masters", and crave positive symbiotic bonds.  In fact, most leapsteeds find that, with enough time, they don't have to use their mutations on their riders, thanks to engendered trust and goodwill.

Leapsteeds are powerful enough to carry two riders (sitting one in front of the other) and all their gear, plus an additional 200 lbs.

Mutations:  Empathy (Modified), Neural Telepathy (Modified)