Iggmy

Iggmy Copyright 1998 Randall A. Dorn

Appearance: These diminutive humanoids are legends of folklore and stories told to children to keep them to behave. These stories, and the extreme rarity of their sightings have led these creatures to become an almost mythical presence, and it is not widely believed that they exist. Sightings of these humanoids are remarkably similar however, with each account detailing their stark white skin marred by fiendish expressions and haunting black tattoos covering their faces in various patterns of morbidity. These tattoos vary as widely as the creatures do themselves, each one a reflection of the individual, although most share a common theme, that of making more ominous their appearance to outsiders. Their fat, pudgy bodies keep them well insulated in a wide range of climates, and makes clothing unnecessary. The body of the Iggmy is completely hairless. Their corpulent three-fingered hands end in sharp blackened claws, as do their five toed feet. These feet are unique in that they consist of three primary toes per foot, and a smaller, less functional toe on either side of the foot. The eyes of the Iggmy are normally a milky white substance, indistinguishable from the white of their eyes. However, when excited, these pupils glow a fierce red. Their tight-lipped mouths are filled with sharp fangs, which are surrounded by blackened gums and tongue, matching their parched lips. Their plump faces are bordered by pointed ears, which can be of any size, to the point that it appears that some Iggmy do not have them. Iggmy move about in a relatively slow waddle-like movement, which would almost seem comical if not for the horrid visage that corrupt their faces.

 Combat: While not normally combative, when the need arises the Iggmy is a terribly ferocious beast, using its long claws and fat fingered hands to simultaneously rake and bludgeon their target, causing 1d6 points of damage per round. The Iggmy has the option of foregoing its two hand attacks in favor of its vicious bite. This attack is made at a -3 penalty, effectively giving the creature a 20 THAC0. This bite attack can cause a wicked 1d8 points of damage, as well as causing severe scarring and deformities with their jagged teeth. If both hand attacks were successful in the previous round, the Iggmy is considered to have found a grip on the target, and gains a +3 to its bite attack, as opposed to -3, effectively giving the Iggmy a 14 THAC0 in such cases.

Iggmy prefer to attack in overwhelming numbers, from as many different directions as possible. They usually open combat by use of a special gaze attack, with eye contact made between the Iggmy and the target, the target is affected as if by a fear spell. Those creatures that fail a saving throw versus Paralyzation are caused to flee the

Iggmy in panic, dropping any held items in their possession. Panic-stricken individuals will flee at their top movement rate for 1d4+4 rounds, usually placing themselves a far enough distance away from the Iggmy, for a while, at least.

Iggmy have keen hearing and eyesight, as they can see as well in any shade of darkness as well as they can light. Their keen perception allows them to only be able to be surprised ten percent of the time, or a 1 on a 1d10.

The most fearsome ability of the Iggmy is their command of mimicry. The Iggmy can assume the illusory form of any victim it has touched in the past, with ninety percent accuracy. This illusion is complete, involving voice patterns, smell, and tangibility of the victim, as well as appearance. The Iggmy will use this power to full effect, taking the forms of past victims that future targets hold dear. The Iggmy can alter this illusion however they feel, such as making the vision appear more demonic, or as one of the walking dead, or various other methods, to further instill fear into their victims.

The Iggmy's primary method of defense is to blink in and out of existence, which it can do for short periods of time, usually no longer than three to five rounds. They will employ this power when their life force ebbs against a more powerful opponent, or when fleeing, in order to better avoid their pursuer. They will also blink as a scare tactic, one of their favorite methods being to surround an opponent with multiple Iggmies, and then proceeding to take turns blinking in and out of sight. The limitations of this power is that they can only remain 'unexistent' for a short period of time, or no more than three to five (1d3+2) rounds, or they will have permanently willed themselves out of existence. They also must appear in the exact location from which they left, in other words, the Iggmy cannot travel or move about while 'unexistent.'

Habitat / Society: Iggmy have the unique ability of being able to sense the relative strength of bond among a given group of people. Iggmy are thus found within a day's ride of discordant settlements, where their vandalism will be less easily hindered. Iggmy are somewhat lazy, preferring to raid established settlements rather than hunting or foraging for their own source of sustenance. Iggmy live in loosely bound tribal gatherings, and rarely travel alone. Their penchant for mischief precludes that they have cohorts to share in their mirth. They usually reside in dark subterranean quarters, usually caves or crevices, and have also been found living in holes in the ground in light to heavily forested areas near the village in question. Iggmy enjoy the terror they bring to their victims, having been known to break into buildings, vandalizing to the point of desecration, and leaving without actually taking anything from the building in question.

Female and male Iggmy are remarkably similar, as their obese, hairless bodies and blackened tattoos make them nearly indistinguishable from each other. Female Iggmy are fairly promiscuous among their own kind, making long-winded relationships non-existent. Females carry unborn for a period of four months, but rarely have more than one child, as the act of childbirth makes most of them sterile.

Although the Iggmy's mouth consists of sharp, yellowed teeth more apt to a diet of primarily meat, they do indeed feed on anything they can get their hands on. They steal food from wherever they can get it, and do not seem to be choosy of their eating habits.

Ecology: The folklore goes that these creatures appear to towns and villages that have lost their identity, and have forgotten the unity that once held them together. When such dissention has taken place, the Iggmy are said to appear, little by little, slowly growing in number until the townspeople are forced to work together to eradicate their presence. These appearances are not initially hostile, and rather serve as a warning to any that see them of the impending doom. Their attacks then escalate to minor theft and petty crimes, and later intensifying into murderous acts of random violence. It is said that whole villages have been wiped out before measures are taken to the contrary. It is not known from where they come, only that they arrive, and always at pleasantly temperate times of the year. They are thought to have been created from the manifestations of the brooding thoughts of the goodly gods, at their displeasure at their people's lack of unity. Much to the chagrin of these goodly gods, the Iggmy seem to have been spawned from their darkest thoughts, in times most vulnerable.