Leliel
2008-04-15, 03:52 PM
Well, in my "Alien Invasion in Eberron" Thread, I mentioned the Nic'en (the aforementioned alien invaders) leader, Areis Maen. Well, although I can pretty much stat his initial being out myself, by the time the projected campaign path ends, his abuse of his absorbed quori essence (long story) has caused him to grow so much in psionic power that he has literally become to much for his organic body to hold, and he requires a machine to hold his soul in a coherent form (sort of like Gigyas from Earthbound). I can also stat that out myself, but when the PCs destroy it...Well:
The machine bursts in an azure explosion of dark matter. As the dust clears, you see a metallic sphere at the center of the ruins. As you approach what is obviously Aries' container, however, it begins to flicker and bulge with psychic energy. Cracks appear in it's hull, revealing glowing white light. Finally, it explodes, releasing what is best termed as living darkness escapes, enveloping the room. Chaotic swirls of energy wheel within the shadow, becoming ordered at one point to give the impression of a bird-like figure standing where the capsule was, regarding you with "eyes" made of pure hate. Normally, you would guess this to be Maen, and indeed, your subconscious tells you that this is the focus of the alien commander's thoughts. But something tells you that that isn't the only place he is.
For he is everywhere.
Well, creepy thematic effects aside, Aries, in his unbound state, has a lesser range of powers, but the ones he gains are far stronger than before, to the point where the PCs lose the ability to properly perceive his attacks. He also gains a far more, if you pardon the expression, alien way of thought, to the point where it becomes hard for him to communicate with normal mortals (example: A perfectly normal question-"Why do you fight?"- becomes a nearly incoherent jumble which manages to get the point across-"Self. Do not. Comprehend. Battle. Query. Describe. Fight. Reasons. Humanoids?") The trouble is, I don't know how to stat him in this form (other than his being some kind of outsider, probably quori, with psionic powers through the roof, and some ability to mask his attacks).
So how does one go about creating what is essentially a mortal Lovecraftian horror?"
The machine bursts in an azure explosion of dark matter. As the dust clears, you see a metallic sphere at the center of the ruins. As you approach what is obviously Aries' container, however, it begins to flicker and bulge with psychic energy. Cracks appear in it's hull, revealing glowing white light. Finally, it explodes, releasing what is best termed as living darkness escapes, enveloping the room. Chaotic swirls of energy wheel within the shadow, becoming ordered at one point to give the impression of a bird-like figure standing where the capsule was, regarding you with "eyes" made of pure hate. Normally, you would guess this to be Maen, and indeed, your subconscious tells you that this is the focus of the alien commander's thoughts. But something tells you that that isn't the only place he is.
For he is everywhere.
Well, creepy thematic effects aside, Aries, in his unbound state, has a lesser range of powers, but the ones he gains are far stronger than before, to the point where the PCs lose the ability to properly perceive his attacks. He also gains a far more, if you pardon the expression, alien way of thought, to the point where it becomes hard for him to communicate with normal mortals (example: A perfectly normal question-"Why do you fight?"- becomes a nearly incoherent jumble which manages to get the point across-"Self. Do not. Comprehend. Battle. Query. Describe. Fight. Reasons. Humanoids?") The trouble is, I don't know how to stat him in this form (other than his being some kind of outsider, probably quori, with psionic powers through the roof, and some ability to mask his attacks).
So how does one go about creating what is essentially a mortal Lovecraftian horror?"