Animatactum
Size/Catagory: Large(Spider)
Stats:
Mind: Untrained 20
Body: Skilled 14
Magic: Untrained 20
Number of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: By formed fangs and other appendages, or by soul draining
Special Attacks: They have the ability to launch part of their muscle like flesh at a target, eating of their soul should the target be hit. The technique usually doesn't have a range of more then eight feet.
Special Defenses: None
Special Abilites: They have the ability to shape their dark armor at will; forming spikes, legs, claws, and the like. This ability can be used to decrease the size of the creature, but not it's mass. They have the ability to traverse the storm over very short distances, in effect giving them the ability to walk through walls. This ability can not be used consecutively, some time is required before the next attempt. They also have the ability to their body as webbing, left in the beds of the unsuspecting this grey material will turn blue as it brings the souls to it's owner. The 'flesh' of the creature is easily rejuvenated and replicated. They can regrow their flesh from a mere fist. They also have the ability to sense the presence of souls, using this to hunt down their victims.
Magic Resistence: Nil
Stats:
Mind: Untrained 20
Body: Skilled 14
Magic: Untrained 20
Number of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: By formed fangs and other appendages, or by soul draining
Special Attacks: They have the ability to launch part of their muscle like flesh at a target, eating of their soul should the target be hit. The technique usually doesn't have a range of more then eight feet.
Special Defenses: None
Special Abilites: They have the ability to shape their dark armor at will; forming spikes, legs, claws, and the like. This ability can be used to decrease the size of the creature, but not it's mass. They have the ability to traverse the storm over very short distances, in effect giving them the ability to walk through walls. This ability can not be used consecutively, some time is required before the next attempt. They also have the ability to their body as webbing, left in the beds of the unsuspecting this grey material will turn blue as it brings the souls to it's owner. The 'flesh' of the creature is easily rejuvenated and replicated. They can regrow their flesh from a mere fist. They also have the ability to sense the presence of souls, using this to hunt down their victims.
Magic Resistence: Nil
Climate/Terrain: Animatactum do not prefer a climate. They do, however, tend to avoid deserts and other barren wastelands. These areas generally provide little cover, and are thus less suitable.
Frequency: Very rare
Organization: Wandering loners
Activity Cycle: Nocturnal
Intelligence: Average
Language: Any that they have a great deal of contact with
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Description:
The Animatactum very in appearance. Their natural instinct is to take on similar appearance to that of a spider. They can shift their black armor into whatever form suits them, generally creating segmented bodies to reduce the amount of change required while walking. Their main body that houses their mind as well as the undigested souls of their victims, is greyish in color. It appears like groups of muscles, generally clinging under the protection of their armor. As they feed their grey flesh takes on a glowing blue color. Their eyes are little more then holes in their armor, usually located towards the creature's front. The wholes allow the flesh to peak through to sense the presence of souls that may be above them. Their black armor reflects little light during the night, appearing a very dark grey during the day. The Animatactum are generally most at ease with a body length of eight feet.
Frequency: Very rare
Organization: Wandering loners
Activity Cycle: Nocturnal
Intelligence: Average
Language: Any that they have a great deal of contact with
Alignment: Usually chaotic evil
Description:
The Animatactum very in appearance. Their natural instinct is to take on similar appearance to that of a spider. They can shift their black armor into whatever form suits them, generally creating segmented bodies to reduce the amount of change required while walking. Their main body that houses their mind as well as the undigested souls of their victims, is greyish in color. It appears like groups of muscles, generally clinging under the protection of their armor. As they feed their grey flesh takes on a glowing blue color. Their eyes are little more then holes in their armor, usually located towards the creature's front. The wholes allow the flesh to peak through to sense the presence of souls that may be above them. Their black armor reflects little light during the night, appearing a very dark grey during the day. The Animatactum are generally most at ease with a body length of eight feet.
Combat:
The Animatactum tend to try and avoid fights whenever possible. When they do they are a frightful beast to encounter. This is most likely do to their large size and the unpredictability of the beasts. Being both sentient and being on their own from birth, the Animatactum develop techniques to suit their needs and surroundings.
The Animatactum always fights alone. It is rare to even see two together at all. If one were to engage two in combat they would soon seperate, likely one retreating from the battle.
Aside from swinging around spiked or serrated limbs, the Animatactum use their own flesh as a weapon. This flesh is what they use to drain the souls of the living. The process is not automatic, it requires a conscious effort by the creature. They have been known to sling the flesh at their victims, or even use them as tentacle like appendages. The victim's soul is drained slowly, this normally taking a good hour if not two. During this time the victim's feels fatigued until finally dying as the last of the victim's soul is drained from his body.
Though not usually seen in combat, the Animatactum will often lay their greyish flesh in web like fashion to drain the souls of the unknowing sleeper. The flesh is left about beds, chairs, and other areas where the Animatactum observes resting. The thin webbing drains the victim's soul, taking days or even weeks. During this time the victim slowly begins to feel fatigued, much the same as if it were being drained directly into the Animatactum's body. Memories and personality traits can become distorted or found missing. The victim will eventually die, it's soul departed, it appears much the same as some strange incurable illness. Of course these webbings can be found and easily removed, the placement depending on the cleverness of it's crafter.
The Animatactum, sadly, have only a few weaknesses that can be exploited. Fire burns their flesh readily, however this rarely is enough to kill them. With their ability to form more flesh at will they will eventually out run the spreading fire, abandoning the burning flesh. With their ability to effectively pass through walls, it becomes difficult to trap them. The walls of their entrapment must be several feet thick in order to prevent it's escape. Because much of the Animatactum is soul, they are susceptible to such attacks, as are all whom have a soul. However, such techniques are hard to come across. In the elven kingdom of Suin'ai, ten mages were brought together. They, with the assistance of their pupils, were able to entrap a Animatactum in the body of one of it's victims. Heavy enchantments were called for, in order to ensure that the creature did not escape it's prison. The complex enchantment dampened magic other then its own effects. This was to prevent the creature from entering the storm and escaping the body, returning to it's heinous crimes. The enchantment kept the body young and healthy, preventing the creature from using it as a tool for murder. The enchantment was powerful, and required much effort. Three of the ten mages died soon after. Drastic measures are often needed when dealing with the Animatactum.
The Animatactum tend to try and avoid fights whenever possible. When they do they are a frightful beast to encounter. This is most likely do to their large size and the unpredictability of the beasts. Being both sentient and being on their own from birth, the Animatactum develop techniques to suit their needs and surroundings.
The Animatactum always fights alone. It is rare to even see two together at all. If one were to engage two in combat they would soon seperate, likely one retreating from the battle.
Aside from swinging around spiked or serrated limbs, the Animatactum use their own flesh as a weapon. This flesh is what they use to drain the souls of the living. The process is not automatic, it requires a conscious effort by the creature. They have been known to sling the flesh at their victims, or even use them as tentacle like appendages. The victim's soul is drained slowly, this normally taking a good hour if not two. During this time the victim's feels fatigued until finally dying as the last of the victim's soul is drained from his body.
Though not usually seen in combat, the Animatactum will often lay their greyish flesh in web like fashion to drain the souls of the unknowing sleeper. The flesh is left about beds, chairs, and other areas where the Animatactum observes resting. The thin webbing drains the victim's soul, taking days or even weeks. During this time the victim slowly begins to feel fatigued, much the same as if it were being drained directly into the Animatactum's body. Memories and personality traits can become distorted or found missing. The victim will eventually die, it's soul departed, it appears much the same as some strange incurable illness. Of course these webbings can be found and easily removed, the placement depending on the cleverness of it's crafter.
The Animatactum, sadly, have only a few weaknesses that can be exploited. Fire burns their flesh readily, however this rarely is enough to kill them. With their ability to form more flesh at will they will eventually out run the spreading fire, abandoning the burning flesh. With their ability to effectively pass through walls, it becomes difficult to trap them. The walls of their entrapment must be several feet thick in order to prevent it's escape. Because much of the Animatactum is soul, they are susceptible to such attacks, as are all whom have a soul. However, such techniques are hard to come across. In the elven kingdom of Suin'ai, ten mages were brought together. They, with the assistance of their pupils, were able to entrap a Animatactum in the body of one of it's victims. Heavy enchantments were called for, in order to ensure that the creature did not escape it's prison. The complex enchantment dampened magic other then its own effects. This was to prevent the creature from entering the storm and escaping the body, returning to it's heinous crimes. The enchantment kept the body young and healthy, preventing the creature from using it as a tool for murder. The enchantment was powerful, and required much effort. Three of the ten mages died soon after. Drastic measures are often needed when dealing with the Animatactum.
Habitat/Society:
Animatactum are wanderers by nature. They travel from concentration of souls to concentration. They tend to avoid barren, coverless areas. The male Animatactum search for the female as soon as they are born. It can take centuries for the male to reach the female, if it ever does. Only one or two couples of Animatactum are necessary to meet. Their large number of offspring ensuring the continuation of the species. The Animatactum have little in the way of society. A meeting between two of the same sex often leads to confusion and curiosity. These encounters have various outcomes, all depending on the individual Animatactum. The encounter between male and female most often leads to procreation, and thus the death of the parents.
Animatactum are wanderers by nature. They travel from concentration of souls to concentration. They tend to avoid barren, coverless areas. The male Animatactum search for the female as soon as they are born. It can take centuries for the male to reach the female, if it ever does. Only one or two couples of Animatactum are necessary to meet. Their large number of offspring ensuring the continuation of the species. The Animatactum have little in the way of society. A meeting between two of the same sex often leads to confusion and curiosity. These encounters have various outcomes, all depending on the individual Animatactum. The encounter between male and female most often leads to procreation, and thus the death of the parents.
Ecology:
The Animatactum tend to live until their food source runs out, or until they mate. Upon mating the female eats the flesh of the male. The female then moves her flesh over the male's armor, slowly bending it to her will until she can use it as if it were her own. This accomplished she seperates her her flesh and armor into egg shaped objects, a coating of her flesh on the outside to be used as a guide. As she finishes one it enters the storm floating aimlessly through it, it's guide acting as both sail and navigational instrament. As the guide senses a concentration of souls, it forces the egg to leave the storm. Here it will soon hatch, having much of the knowledge the parents had. Though it is not necessary for them to drain the entire soul of their victims to survive, it is often the case. They often form preferences, some choosing depending on age, others by race.
The Animatactum tend to live until their food source runs out, or until they mate. Upon mating the female eats the flesh of the male. The female then moves her flesh over the male's armor, slowly bending it to her will until she can use it as if it were her own. This accomplished she seperates her her flesh and armor into egg shaped objects, a coating of her flesh on the outside to be used as a guide. As she finishes one it enters the storm floating aimlessly through it, it's guide acting as both sail and navigational instrament. As the guide senses a concentration of souls, it forces the egg to leave the storm. Here it will soon hatch, having much of the knowledge the parents had. Though it is not necessary for them to drain the entire soul of their victims to survive, it is often the case. They often form preferences, some choosing depending on age, others by race.
