PSYKONS

Init +1d10
Melee Atk
 • Slam +2 (1d6, goo)
 • collapse +1 (1d3, pin, goo)
  Ranged Atk
 • Flung Goo +0 (1-in-8 blinded, goo)
AC 14
HD 1d8
MV 25
Act 1d20
SP psycho-reactive goo
Fort +7
Ref +0
Will +2
AL C

Psykons dwell deep under settlements, favoring locations where they can find humanoids in a constant dreaming state (e.g., a large hospital where some patients would always be asleep and dreaming). The psykons feed off of the brain waves of the dreamers, which in turn keeps the psykons docile.

They can become addicted to those brain waves, however, and will become violent should the dreaming stop completely. Psykons will gather and grow in number around a source, often undetected for years, and suddenly go on a terrible rampage once the dreaming stops, seeming to attack the town or city they are under for no obvious reason to the citizens.

Their bodies are similar in size and shape to those of gorillas, and their skin secretes a heavy semi-liquid wax constantly. The gooey wax causes a psychotropic reaction in humanoids on contact (1-in-100 individuals are completely immune). This reaction involves a severe change in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition and/or behavior. The effect can be avoided at each exposure with a Fortitude Save vs. DC 14.

When the creatures are docile, exposure would only likely happen by touching a psykon. However, when they are rampaging, they attack by pounding other creatures with their mighty fists, or by falling upon creatures smaller than themselves (and then pounding them while pinned, escaping being pinned takes a Str vs. Str check; individual psykons have a 3d6+6 Strength). Additionally a crowd of the beasts shambling and swaying along are going to be flinging a fair amount of the goo off in all directions, as they shake their fists over their heads in their rage, and as they slam into each other, so uncoordinated are the monsters. The blindness this may cause is entirely temporary, taking only an action or two to clear the eyes -- if one is not delusional and unaware of being blind....

When hit with the goo, humanoids are affected as follows:

Roll 1d7:

1. Attack anything that comes near, friend and foe alike, for (1d3)d4 rounds.

2. Join the psykons as if they were one of them for 1d8 rounds.

3. Paralyzed for 1d4 rounds, then 'super-charged' for the same span of time (performing double actions).

4. Severe flashback to a previous moment of extreme peril. The character spends 1d6 rounds re-living a momentous, dangerous event from their past as if it is happening now for the first time, e.g. if they were falling they fall to the ground screaming, if they were surrounded by ghouls, then they react as if that were happening now, etc.

5. Everyone they see is a family member or an old, long-absent friend. They are overcome with nostalgia or melancholy or bliss for 1d6 rounds, and remain oblivious to real dangers and events around them, interpreting everything in light of being part of their reunion.

6. Get really unhinged; eat insects, slap friends, drop weapons, hug monsters, give away money, sleep in the gutter, climb buildings, flirt with nobility, blab secrets, fold, spindle, mutilate, shake, rattle and roll... This happens for the next 1d4 days for any hour that a DC 9 Will save is failed.

7.The individual is knocked out for 1d3 rounds. Upon awakening, they suffer a lingering alteration of their persona, perhaps a new obsession or phobia, perhaps selective amnesia, paranoia, megalomania or even multiple personalities. Players should be encouraged to be creative, but should be admonished to not make choices or take things so far that they break the campaign. Effects last 1d24 months of game time.

After being hit by one of these effects, an individual is immune to the goo for 2d12 hours.

The GM should certainly develop additional options to suit their campaign.


The Psykons are featured in my entry for the One Page Dungeon Contest for 2014.