Illustration by "Dug"

Leatherthugs AKA:  Leathermen HACKFACTOR:  4 EP VALUE:  50 CLIMATE/TERRAIN:  Plane of Despondency FREQUENCY:  Very Rare (Prime material plane), Common (Plane 263) ORGANIZATION:  Army ACTIVITY CYCLE:  Any DIET:  Nil INTELLIGENCE:  Average to High ALIGNMENT:  Lawful Evil NO. APPEARING:  2-12 (2-200) SIZE:  M (6' tall) MOVEMENT:  9" PSIONIC ABILITY:  Nil Attack/Defense Modes:  Nil/Nil MORALE:  Fanatic (20) ARMOR CLASS:  5 NO. OF ATTACKS:  2 fists or by weapon DAMAGE/ATTACK:  1-4/1-4 or by weapon SPECIAL ATTACKS:  Nil SPECIAL DEFENSES:  Resistant to natural fire and cold. Immunity to mind-affecting spells MAGIC RESISTANCE:  Standard HIT DICE:  2+1 CREATED BY:  "Dug"

Leatherthugs
DESCRIPTION:  Leatherthugs are the most common lesser Nefarion construct in the 263rd plane, and found no where else in the Abyss. Leatherthugs are human-like figures wrapped in wide strips of dark red leather. A dark hole is placed where the face is suppose to be, from which a single piercing light shines through. The sound of rubbing leather can be heard from a considerable distance. Leatherthugs, though an animated construct, move very quickly and exhibit a high degree of ingenuity and strategy. Most Leatherthugs are found on the back of Snouters (q.v.) Otherwise, they're in regiment rows, by the thousands, marching through the flat wastelands of the 263rd Plane. Leatherthugs are incapable of speech, but have a telepathic connection to each other and to their demonic leaders.

COMBAT/TACTICS: Leatherthugs attack en masse, using either weapons, preferably swords and morningstars, but if they have no weapon, they attack with their fists, which do 1-4 points of damage. Leatherthugs are resistant to natural fire and cold. They're also unaffected by illusions and any mind-affecting spells.

HABITAT/SOCIETY:  Leatherthugs exist solely to carry out the orders of their master, Aesopherate (q.v.). It is said Leatherthugs are created by a Lich-- who lives in the bowels of Aesopherate's castle-- who does nothing but create these beings. He's been at it for thousands of years, so the number of Leatherthugs is astronomical. Leatherthugs have no need for food, water, or rest, and carry out orders to the letter (oftimes to a fault).

More powerful wizards have discovered the secret of creating Leatherthugs and created their own in the prime material plane.

ECOLOGY:  Leatherthugs are only a threat under the orders of their lord and master, Aesopherate.

YIELD: Medicinal:  Nil Spell Components:  Nil Hide/Trophy Items:  Leatherthug leather can be used to construct one suit of armor, and act as one armor class higher than leather armor, however, there is a 10% cummulative chance per year of changing the wearer's alignment to evil (chaotic or lawful). Treasure:  Nil Other:  Nil

Mikeeze Wurld is © 2001 by Michael S. Hensley. HackMaster is a trademark of Kenzer and Company. Any use of trademarks is in no way to be considered a challenge to such trademark or copyright by its rightful owner.