Ashmedai: The Crawling Horrors

• Supernatural Vision: Although the Ashmedai have no eyes in their true form, they can see through supernatural senses. They can see the invisible and in total darkness (up to 2000 feet/610 m). This works in any and all forms it may select.
• Bio-regenerate 1D6x10 S.D.C./Hit Points every minute (4 melee rounds).
• Shape shifting: The Ashmedai can shape shift at will into the form of any living creature, from a mouse to an elephant. It is believed that mouse-size is the limit; they cannot transform themselves into insects. While wearing an animal form, the Ashmedai can use all the abilities of that form (such as flight, running, swimming, etc). The Ashmedai can even create monstrous shapes for themselves, with claws, sharp teeth, etc., however. Changing into small creatures will temporarily reduce the Ashmedai's S.D.C., but not its hit points. Changing from one form to the next counts as one melee attack/action.

Description:

Many are the fearsome stories about the Ashmedai, the monstrous servants of the Chaos Lords. They are said to live in some hellish dimension until the Chaos Lords summon them. Some legends claim the Ashmedai are actually demons, and that their horrible worm-like forms are the Demon's True Shape.

As an independent race, they have more initiative and self-reliance and are often used by the Chaos Lords on special missions where the servile Hounds and Hunters won't do. A few Ashmedai have left the service of the Ba'al, because the worms' malevolent natures make it impossible to form a lasting alliance with an other beings. They either roam the Waste or have made a home on The Prime Material Plane, where they hunt Humanoids for pleasure. It is rumored that a few nests of as many as six crawling horrors have been built in some The Prime Material Plane cities, where the renegades hunt at will. These renegade Ashmedai are persecuted by the Chaos Lords and their minions for their treachery and because they jeopardize their schemes.

The true form of the Ashmedai is a worm-like, fleshy giant, with no apparent eyes and four long tentacles protruding from the sides of his serpentine trunk. The head is dominated by a gaping maw filled with sharp teeth and four main fangs in each corner. Unfortunately, the creatures are master shape-shifters, able to assume any form they desire. The monsters can hide themselves in a humanoid or animal shape, undetected and unsuspected. Only some magical spells and psychic powers can unmask the creatures.

In addition to their shape-shifting abilities, the Ashmedai have limited psionic powers that enable them to act as spies and manipulators. Some Ashmedai do pass themselves off as Heros, however, using special magic artifacts created by the Chaos Lords to hide their true nature. Luckily, only a few such artifacts exist.

Their shape-shifting powers make them ideal agents for the Chaos Lords, they are great for espionage and assassination missions.

Combat:

As Stated, the monsters can hide themselves in a human or animal shape, undetected and unsuspected. Only some magical spells and psychic powers and Because of thier psionic abilities have access to the skills and memories of those they imitate.

Habitat/Society:

A race of supernatural predators, the Ashmedai live not on flesh but on the life force of their victims. While the monsters often bite and tear the victim's flesh, they will rarely eat much, if any, of it. The only goal of their brutality is to "flavor" the life energies with terror and agony. When hunting on their own, the Ashmedai will stalk and toy with the victim.

Ecology:

As Stated, the monsters can hide themselves in a human or animal shape, undetected and unsuspected. Only some magical spells and psychic powers and Because of thier psionic abilities have access to the skills and memories of those they imitate.