Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Devastation Drive-In: The Final Cut — 'The Hideous Sun Demon' (1959)



Sun Demon

No. Enc.:  1 (1)
Alignment:  Chaotic (See Below)
Movement:  150' (50')
Armor Class:  4
Hit Dice:  15 (See Below)
Attacks:  2 or 1 (2 claws, or 1 bludgeon of opportunity)
Damage:  1d10+2 / 1d10+2, or 3d6
Save:  L15 (See Below)
Morale:  10
Hoard Class:  XX
XP:  3,900

As the ancients unleashed the wondrous powers of the atom, they innovated technology, warfare, and medicine...

...AND ALSO CREATED HERETOFORE UNKNOWN ISOTOPES THAT TRANSFORMED MEN INTO DAYLIGHT-POWERED DEVILS!!!

Sun demons are Pure Humans afflicted with a bizarre, radiation-based affliction.  By night, they are by all appearances normal individuals of any ethnicity and Alignment, and they don't register as "abnormal" on medical devices.  However, when exposed to the sun's rays, they transform into reptilian, carnivorous brutes of savage strength, fury, and appetites!  This transformation takes 1d4 rounds, and requires direct sun to trigger; artificial lighting has no effect.  Once metamorphosed, the effect lasts until nightfall.  Active sun demons that enter darkened areas or structures still retain their beastly visage for the duration.

The hides of sun demons are thick and resilient, making the creatures impervious to all missile attacks (no matter the weapon) fired from Medium or Long Ranges.  Only shots made at Short Range have an effect, and damage is reduced by half.  Point-blank (within 3') missile strikes do full damage.  Melee damage also reduces by half.

The default sun demon is detailed above, based on an "average" Pure Human NPC.  To customize one based on a specific NPC, just add an additional +4 HD to the CON score (plus requisite HP) and +4 STR, subtract 5 from INT and WIL, and add the listed attacks to represent the bestial form.

Player Character Pure Humans have a 40% chance of becoming sun demons if they fail both 1 Saving Throw Vs. Energy and 1 Saving Throw Vs. Radiation in the same 4 hour span. That percentage increases by 15% for every consecutive failed Saving Throw Vs. Radiation over the duration.  Those affected gain the same HD / HP bonuses and stat penalties as above when changed.

Some sufferers of the sun demon curse become recluses, shielding the world at large from their monstrousness.  Others of a more wicked temperament relish the terror and destruction wrought by their savage halves.

Mutations:  Reflective Epidermis (Laser / Light, Fire / Heat, Radiation)