When working on a campaign setting, I will often consider what is happening behind the scenes, or even in areas of the world where none of the adventure is happening. Not always because I want to add depth or verisimilitude to the setting - just because that's how I think. That's kind of where Lord Stickybones came from. While I enjoy using "classic" monsters in my game, I also like to have some fun with it all. Here's a part of that.
Some
time ago, an ordinary gelatinous cube had an extraordinary encounter with a magic-user
in the process of becoming a lich. In a foggy transitional stage of undeath,
the would-be lich staggered blindly into the 'cube and found himself engulfed.
By uncanny happenstance, the gelatinous cube had recently survived a conflict
with adventurers where it became inundated with a large number of experimental
potions - some of which became permanent. These exceptional circumstances
resulted in the singular monstrosity known among dungeon denizens and explorers
as Lord Stickybones.
Stickybones
is the derisive moniker given to the skeletal remains inside the 'cube - sentient
remains infuriated by their present condition. Trapped within a gelatinous
cube, the skeleton makes its way through the dungeon passages and chambers,
seeking a means of escape before being utterly dissolved by digestive acids. So
far, the skeleton has lost most of its fingers and toes, making the casting of
spells almost impossible.
LORD STICKYBONES
(GELATINOUS CUBE)
FREQUENCY:
Very Rare
NO.
APPEARING: 1
MOVE:
9"
HIT
DICE: 6
%
IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE
TYPE: J, K, L, M, Q
NO.
OF ATTACKS: 2
DAMAGE/ATTACK:
2-8 + 1-10/2-8 +1-10
SPECIAL
ATTACKS: Paralyzation, surprise on a 1-3, see below
SPECIAL
DEFENSES: +1 or better weapon to hit, see below
MAGIC
RESISTANCE: See below
INTELLIGENCE:
Exceptional
ALIGNMENT:
Neutral Evil
SIZE:
L (10' cube)
PSIONIC
ABILITY: Nil
The
gelatinous cube has developed an almost symbiotic relationship with its
prisoner, granting it a heightened awareness and intelligence. The potions have
bestowed magical abilities that cause the 'cube to function as a crystal ball
for the skeleton inside, allowing the undead creature to use powers of clairaudience and clairvoyance exactly
as the respective potions. The 'cube possesses fire-resistance (invulnerability to all normal fire, plus -2 damage
per die from exceptional or magical fire and +4 to all applicable saves) and invulnerability (immunity to non-magical
weapons and unarmed attacks, or by creatures with fewer than 4 hit dice - also
+2 to armor class (included in the creature's stat block) and all saves), also
as the potions of the same name. Finally, the 'cube seems to have some kind of
influence over the skeleton which allows it to keep the creature imprisoned,
almost as a potion of undead control.
Lord
Stickybones is as transparent as other gelatinous cubes, but is never without
the full skeleton within. Thus, the creature will often be seen as a floating
skeleton, but the surrounding 'cube will be noticed only on a 3-in-6 chance.
Unlike a typical gelatinous cube, Lord Stickybones lashes out with two
pseudopods per round, each with a chance to paralyze those struck if a save is
not made, plus 1-10 points of cold damage as if from the touch of a lich. The
gelatinous cube will attempt to engulf a victim, if possible.
The
failed lich inside the 'cube has but one attack of its own. Lord Stickybones
will make a magic jar attempt upon a
suitable creature within range (16") - magic-users are preferred. The
creature's intelligence and wisdom are both 16. Inside the skull of the failed
lich is a red ruby so dark as to appear black in all but the most direct light.
This is the phylactery/magic jar.
The
'cube containing the skeleton cannot be hit by non-magical weapons and has fire resistance. Cold will slow the
creature by 50% on a failed save, but has no other effect. As with all
gelatinous cubes, Lord Stickybones is unaffected by electricity, fear, hold,
paralyzation, polymorph, or sleep.
The
skeletal figure inside the 'cube cannot generally be attacked directly, and is
considered part of the monster. If the gelatinous cube is slain or destroyed,
the figure within is released. Lord Stickybones (the magic-user cannot recall
his own name and thinks of himself in this way) is a failed lich and possesses
only some of the abilities of that undead form. The semi-successful process of
lichdom, coupled with the constant punishment of the 'cube's digestive juices
have reduced the figure's armor class and hit dice. Also, Lord
Stickybones does not possess the usual fear aura of the true lich. Finally, he
was only 16th level when attempting the transformation in the first place,
giving him fewer spells than even the least true lich.
LORD STICKYBONES
(LESSER LICH)
FREQUENCY:
Very Rare
NO.
APPEARING: 1
ARMOR
CLASS: 3
MOVE:
6"
HIT
DICE: 9 (8-sided)
%
IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE
TYPE: See below
NO.
OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK:
1-10
SPECIAL
ATTACKS: See above, and below
SPECIAL
DEFENSES: +1 or better weapon to hit, see below
MAGIC
RESISTANCE: See below
INTELLIGENCE:
Exceptional
ALIGNMENT:
Neutral Evil
SIZE:
M
PSIONIC
ABILITY: Nil
In
his current form, Lord Stickybones cannot hold objects and cannot walk, as he
has no fingers or toes. Typically, he summons an unseen servant to lift and move him about.
Though
the skeletal figure may attack for 1-10 points of cold damage exactly as a lich
(plus paralysis on a failed save), he will attempt to magic jar an opponent at first opportunity - see above. Lord
Stickybones is not entirely himself and has been somewhat addled by his
experiences. He may have moments of forgetfulness or outright delusion. This
could cause him to address a foe as someone else, cast an entirely
inappropriate spell in combat, or simply start to walk away from a battle
entirely as he suddenly recalls something else more important to do.
From
his time spent within the 'cube, Lord Stickybones has gained fire resistance and immunity to undead
control. As a type of lich, Lord Stickybones retains immunity to charm, sleep, enfeeblement, polymorph, cold, electricity,
insanity, and spells or symbols of death.
Lord
Stickybones receives his title from the silvery coronet that rests upon his
bony brow. The slender crown is only silver over ordinary metal and worth about
55 gp. The dark ruby that rests inside his skull, acting as phylactery or magic jar, is valued at 5000 gp.
