Humantis

HUMANTIS by Reagren Wright

No one is sure how many of these strange aliens there are in the world. Some claim there is only a single individual, others believe there are a couple of dozen wandering the shores of the Yin Sloth Jungle and Land of the South Wind. It is believed they have been around since the Battle of the Gods but no one has ever lived long enough to attempt to communicate or study them for any length of time. Humantis is a tall, dark lanky man with rather long, spindly limbs, with extra long feet and hands. It has a large round head full of sharp teeth (which it never reveals until the last minute). The Humantis is always dressed like a poor beggar. This is all part of its clever disguise, to appear as a poor, helpless beggar. He will not speak, but will attempt to communicate with sign language. Once the Humantis believes its victim is in a secluded location, it will attempt to dispatch him or her with a quick strike, flinging its arms out to snatch its victim in a vice like grip. It will then bring its victim close enough to its face to give it a lethal bite to the neck. Should the victim prove to be more of a challenge then the creature thought, it will transform into a giant praying mantis, but its head remains more or less humanoid. In its giant mantis form, it uses its two large foreleg pincers that are serrated and spiky to hit/swat or they can be used to grab and incapacitate its victims, crushing them to death or to deliver its deadly bite. Humantises are carnivores and their prey is anything humanoid. They are even brave enough to attack giant size humanoids (more or less in their giant mantis form). They are only concern about killing humanoids. They are not interested in anything else, thus they scatter the victim’s personal belongings. However, they are attracted to shinny jewelry. This attraction often foils their ruse as they pretend to be a poor beggar, enough though he’s wearing a gold necklace. Humantises cannot be reasoned or bartered with. They are only interested in killing humanoids and using their bones to make simple tools. Their lair is typically a solitary thatched hutch. Humantises are for the most part fearless, however they are weary of attacking clergy and/or those adorn with holy symbols. This might have something to do with a possible encounter with the deity that brought them to this world.

Alignment: Diabolic

Attributes: I.Q. 1D4+5, M.E. 2D6+6, M.A. 1D4+1, P.S.: 3D6+12, P.P. 2D6+18, P.E. 5D6, Spd. 4D6+20 running, x2 for flight, P.B. 2D4+2 (in humanoid and giant mantis form).

Hit Points: 20 + P.E. attribute number.

S.D.C.: 3D4x10+20.

Natural Armor Rating: A.R.: 8 in humanoid form, 16 in giant mantis form.

Average P.P.E.: 4D6

R.C.C. Skills: Hand to Hand: Assassin, Sign Language 80%, Camouflage 50%, Detect Concealment/Traps 75%, Disguise 50%, Tracking (humanoid) 60%, Wilderness Survival 70%, Climbing 98%, Prowl 80%, Recognize Holy Symbols 80%, Fashion Tools 70%, Meditation 50%, and Whittling & Sculpting 60%.

Horror Factor: 8 in humanoid form, 14 in giant mantis form.

Physical Appearance: A tall, lanky man with dark skin and rather long, spindly limbs, with extra long feet and hands. It has a large round head full of sharp teeth. In humanoid form he is always dressed like a poor beggar. As a giant praying mantis, it has a dull brown color with white spots on its wings. It head doesn’t change shape or become more insect like.

Size: 6 to 7 feet (1.82-2.13 m) in humanoid form, 9-10 feet (2.74-3 m) in giant mantis form.

Weight: 160-180 lbs (72 to 81 kg) in humanoid form, 600-1000 lbs (270-450 kg) in giant mantis form.

Average Lifespan: Unknown.

Attacks per Melee: Roughly the equivalent of an 8th level Assassin, Five physical attacks per melee. Can perform auto parry and auto dodge.

Natural Abilities: In humanoid form, can rotate head nearly 180 degrees, superhuman agility, quick and alert, superior sight and taste, ultraviolet vision, polarized sight, track by smell alone 75%, predatory assassin (see damage below), sharp teeth and powerful jaws, and transform into a giant praying mantis.

Giant Mantis Form: Gain an extra attack per melee, paired weapons, +2 to strike, parry, and dodge when in flight. +1 on initiative, +3 to strike, +4 to parry, and +2 to dodge on the ground (these bonuses are in addition to those gained by physical attributes and natural bonuses shown below). Can jump/hop 20 feet 96 m) vertically and horizontally, fly and hover, fights with forearms while standing on four legs. See damage below.

Damage: In humanoid form, claws 1D6, bite 2D6+2, body flip/throw, combination grab/bite (SPECIAL!) First the Humantis rolls for a successful strike (grabbed by the head/shoulders). That’s followed by a second strike roll that represents a lethal bite to the victim’s neck or head. This bite is the equivalent of a Death Blow and does double damage directly to the victim’s hit points! No parry or dodge possible during the attack. Normal critical strike rolls apply. This attack counts as two attacks.

Giant Mantis Form: Forearm Claws/Pincers 4D6 (can be done as a paired weapon attack), Bite 5D6, Kick from one of the four legs 3D6, Abdomen/tail swat 5D6.

Combination grab/crush (SPECIAL!): First the Humantis rolls for a successful strike (grabbed and held in pincer), 01-60% incapacitated making the victim physically helpless until released (cannot move or attack), then the victim is crushed; 6D6 damage for the initial grab and crush, 3D6 damage per each additional crush/squeeze melee attack. If the victims are small enough, this can be done with each pincer or if it’s a large humanoid (giant size) it might require both. To get out of the hold, both the victim and the Humantis roll twenty-sided dice and add in their P.P. attribute scores. The Humantis also gets to add in his bonuses to hold and from his P.P. attribute. Higher rolls wins! If the Humantis win, then the hold continues. If the victim wins, the hold is released and combat can continue. This attack counts as a single attack, however he must sacrifice an action to maintain the hold throughout the melee.

Bonuses: +3 on initiative, +2 to strike, +3 to parry, +4 to dodge, auto dodge (only include bonuses from P.P. attribute), +4 to damage, +4 to disarm, +3 to roll with punch, knockout/stun on an unmodified dice roll of 17-20, and +7 to Horror Factor.

Magic: None.

Psionics: None.

Value: The plates of a dead giant mantis could be fashion into a lightweight armor with an A.R. of 14 and 140 S.D.C. In humanoid form is this is not possible.

Habitat: Along the shores of beaches (lake, river, or ocean)

Range: Yin Sloth Jungle and Land of the South Wind.

Languages: Sign Language.

Enemies: A killer of humanoids, including wolfen, ogres, and small troll. They are intimidated by those who wear holy symbols, but if force into a conflict they will fight them.

Allies: None, if they can’t get and eat a humanoid they will eat any animal they come across.