Difference between revisions of "Homunculus"
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| THAC0 = 20 | | THAC0 = 20 | ||
| hpdie = d2 | | hpdie = d2 | ||
| − | | attack = | + | | attack = '''1''': [[Fangs (attack)|fangs]] |
| dmg = 1–3 | | dmg = 1–3 | ||
| special = [[Flight|flight]], [[Saving Throw|saving throw]], [[Telepathy|telepathy]], [[Venom (substance)|venom]] | | special = [[Flight|flight]], [[Saving Throw|saving throw]], [[Telepathy|telepathy]], [[Venom (substance)|venom]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | '''Homunculi''', also ''doorkeepers'', are artificial creatures made through alchemical methods derived from the study of [[Golems (sage study)|golems]]. The process is unsettling, requiring putrefaction and the infusion of spent human waste with arcane energy, culminating in the unnatural birth of the creature from an [[Animal|animal's]] womb. In both form and origin, the homunculus is an aberration, a grotesque mockery of life. It is this repugnant nature that has led many to view them as intrinsically evil. | ||
| + | [[File:homunculus.jpg|left|350px]] | ||
| + | __TOC__ | ||
| + | For its creator, the homunculus is a loyal and tireless servant, functioning similarly to a [[Familiar|familiar]] but with a broader range of capabilities. Though small, it is intelligent enough to act as an assistant in alchemical or magical work, capable of measuring ingredients, maintaining equipment and even conducting minor experiments under direction. It also serves in mundane roles, such as cleaning, fetching tools and performing repetitive tasks that do not require independent judgment. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Its lack of speech prevents it from communicating complex thoughts, but it is adept at making a variety of high-pitched shrills and hissing noises that its creator can learn to interpret, allowing for a crude but effective form of communication. Unlike most creatures, homunculi do not require rest, allowing them to stand watch indefinitely, making them ideal sentinels and earning them the title of "doorkeeper." | ||
| − | + | == Behaviour == | |
| + | Homunculi possess a detached and mechanical mindset, lacking any real sense of empathy, remorse or ethical considerations. Their actions are driven solely by the instructions of their creator and their own intrinsic curiosity, which often manifests in morbid ways. They have an innate fascination with suffering and will torment helpless creatures when given the opportunity, often without their creator's explicit direction. They are known to experiment on small animals, pulling them apart methodically or observing their reactions to pain. When left unchecked, they may dismember captured foes, gouge out the eyes of prisoners or mutilate bodies for no reason beyond their own grotesque interest. | ||
| − | + | Despite their unwavering loyalty to their creator, they are only partially obedient. A homunculus will follow direct orders, but it is prone to acting independently when it believes its master is unaware or inattentive. If its creator is asleep or occupied, it may wander, seeking opportunities to satisfy its own curiosities or indulge in its darker inclinations. Though it will not betray its creator outright, it lacks moral boundaries and may take actions that cause indirect harm, such as tampering with experiments, playing with dangerous substances or provoking unwanted attention. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | Homunculi move in an unnatural, rolling shuffle, their bodies appearing bloated and misshapen. Their legs are short and bowed, causing them to compensate with occasional knuckle-walking when moving at speed. The most unsettling feature of the homunculus is its singular, lidless eye, which remains unnervingly fixed on its surroundings. It does not blink and seems to glisten constantly, as if coated in a thin film of moisture. Some scholars believe this fluid prevents the eye from drying out, while others suggest it is a form of excretion produced as a byproduct of the creature's unnatural origins. Regardless of the cause, its unblinking stare is unsettling, and many describe the sensation of being watched even when they are certain the creature is not present. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | Despite their small size, homunculi are voracious eaters and will consume nearly anything, including meat, bones, rotting plant matter and even humanoid flesh. Though they do not require sustenance in the same way living creatures do, they take pleasure in the act of feeding, often chewing methodically on whatever they can find. If given a body to dispose of, a homunculus will happily consume as much as it can, often reducing a corpse to little more than scraps of gristle and bone. | |
== Advantages == | == Advantages == | ||
| − | + | A homunculus maintains a constant '''telepathic connection''' with its creator while the creator is awake and within range. This allows both to see through each other's eyes and hear what the other hears, granting the master an extended awareness of their surroundings. This connection extends up to a ¼-mile; beyond this distance, the link is severed. Because of this bond, the homunculus shares its master's '''saving throw''' against magical effects so long as it remains within range. | |
| − | The | + | The creature possesses two small, membranous wings that fold against its back, allowing it to engage in short bursts of '''flight''' lasting no more than two [[Combat Round|rounds]]. During flight, it moves at '''[[Movement (stride)|stride-3]]''', darting erratically around enemies when confined to small spaces. This unpredictable movement makes the homunculus difficult to target, imposing a -4 penalty to hit against it during flight. However, for every round spent flying, the creature must rest for twice as many rounds before it can take flight again. |
| − | + | One of the most dangerous aspects of the homunculus is its '''bite'''. When it sinks its needle-like teeth into a victim, the target must make a [[Saving Throws|save vs. magic]] or fall into a deep, unnatural sleep. Larger creatures have greater resistance to this effect, gaining a +1 bonus to their saving throw for every 200 lbs. of body weight. A sleeping victim becomes a [[Helpless Defenders|helpless defender]], and if the homunculus is not engaged or threatened, it will attempt to [[Assassination (sage ability)|assassinate]] the unconscious target by methodically biting at the throat or using a [[Spear (weapon)|spear]] or [[Dagger (weapon)|dagger]] to finish the job. If unable to use its bite effectively, it will resort to stabbing attacks that cause 1-3 damage. | |
| + | |||
| + | Because of its small size and grotesque nature, most people find the presence of a homunculus deeply unsettling. It is rare to see one openly accompanying a master in civilised settings, as townsfolk and guards are likely to react with fear and hostility. While they make invaluable assistants to alchemists and sorcerers, they are universally regarded as abominations — mockeries of life born from unnatural experiments. Whether viewed as tools, servants or creeping horrors, homunculi remain one of the more disturbing creations known to scholars of the arcane. | ||
See [[Bestiary]] | See [[Bestiary]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category: Reviewed]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:18, 13 February 2025
| Species | construction |
| No. Appearing | 1 |
| Behaviour | servant |
| Range | rural, subterranean, urban |
| Size | 1 ft. 6 in. tall |
| Weight | 6 lbs. |
| Intelligence | 13 |
| Armour Class | 6 |
| Hit Dice | 2 |
| Action Points | 4 |
| Max. Stride | 1 |
| THAC0 | 20 |
| Hp/Die | d2 |
| Attack Forms | 1: fangs |
| Damage | 1–3 |
| Special Attacks | flight, saving throw, telepathy, venom |
Homunculi, also doorkeepers, are artificial creatures made through alchemical methods derived from the study of golems. The process is unsettling, requiring putrefaction and the infusion of spent human waste with arcane energy, culminating in the unnatural birth of the creature from an animal's womb. In both form and origin, the homunculus is an aberration, a grotesque mockery of life. It is this repugnant nature that has led many to view them as intrinsically evil.
Contents
For its creator, the homunculus is a loyal and tireless servant, functioning similarly to a familiar but with a broader range of capabilities. Though small, it is intelligent enough to act as an assistant in alchemical or magical work, capable of measuring ingredients, maintaining equipment and even conducting minor experiments under direction. It also serves in mundane roles, such as cleaning, fetching tools and performing repetitive tasks that do not require independent judgment.
Its lack of speech prevents it from communicating complex thoughts, but it is adept at making a variety of high-pitched shrills and hissing noises that its creator can learn to interpret, allowing for a crude but effective form of communication. Unlike most creatures, homunculi do not require rest, allowing them to stand watch indefinitely, making them ideal sentinels and earning them the title of "doorkeeper."
Behaviour
Homunculi possess a detached and mechanical mindset, lacking any real sense of empathy, remorse or ethical considerations. Their actions are driven solely by the instructions of their creator and their own intrinsic curiosity, which often manifests in morbid ways. They have an innate fascination with suffering and will torment helpless creatures when given the opportunity, often without their creator's explicit direction. They are known to experiment on small animals, pulling them apart methodically or observing their reactions to pain. When left unchecked, they may dismember captured foes, gouge out the eyes of prisoners or mutilate bodies for no reason beyond their own grotesque interest.
Despite their unwavering loyalty to their creator, they are only partially obedient. A homunculus will follow direct orders, but it is prone to acting independently when it believes its master is unaware or inattentive. If its creator is asleep or occupied, it may wander, seeking opportunities to satisfy its own curiosities or indulge in its darker inclinations. Though it will not betray its creator outright, it lacks moral boundaries and may take actions that cause indirect harm, such as tampering with experiments, playing with dangerous substances or provoking unwanted attention.
Homunculi move in an unnatural, rolling shuffle, their bodies appearing bloated and misshapen. Their legs are short and bowed, causing them to compensate with occasional knuckle-walking when moving at speed. The most unsettling feature of the homunculus is its singular, lidless eye, which remains unnervingly fixed on its surroundings. It does not blink and seems to glisten constantly, as if coated in a thin film of moisture. Some scholars believe this fluid prevents the eye from drying out, while others suggest it is a form of excretion produced as a byproduct of the creature's unnatural origins. Regardless of the cause, its unblinking stare is unsettling, and many describe the sensation of being watched even when they are certain the creature is not present.
Despite their small size, homunculi are voracious eaters and will consume nearly anything, including meat, bones, rotting plant matter and even humanoid flesh. Though they do not require sustenance in the same way living creatures do, they take pleasure in the act of feeding, often chewing methodically on whatever they can find. If given a body to dispose of, a homunculus will happily consume as much as it can, often reducing a corpse to little more than scraps of gristle and bone.
Advantages
A homunculus maintains a constant telepathic connection with its creator while the creator is awake and within range. This allows both to see through each other's eyes and hear what the other hears, granting the master an extended awareness of their surroundings. This connection extends up to a ¼-mile; beyond this distance, the link is severed. Because of this bond, the homunculus shares its master's saving throw against magical effects so long as it remains within range.
The creature possesses two small, membranous wings that fold against its back, allowing it to engage in short bursts of flight lasting no more than two rounds. During flight, it moves at stride-3, darting erratically around enemies when confined to small spaces. This unpredictable movement makes the homunculus difficult to target, imposing a -4 penalty to hit against it during flight. However, for every round spent flying, the creature must rest for twice as many rounds before it can take flight again.
One of the most dangerous aspects of the homunculus is its bite. When it sinks its needle-like teeth into a victim, the target must make a save vs. magic or fall into a deep, unnatural sleep. Larger creatures have greater resistance to this effect, gaining a +1 bonus to their saving throw for every 200 lbs. of body weight. A sleeping victim becomes a helpless defender, and if the homunculus is not engaged or threatened, it will attempt to assassinate the unconscious target by methodically biting at the throat or using a spear or dagger to finish the job. If unable to use its bite effectively, it will resort to stabbing attacks that cause 1-3 damage.
Because of its small size and grotesque nature, most people find the presence of a homunculus deeply unsettling. It is rare to see one openly accompanying a master in civilised settings, as townsfolk and guards are likely to react with fear and hostility. While they make invaluable assistants to alchemists and sorcerers, they are universally regarded as abominations — mockeries of life born from unnatural experiments. Whether viewed as tools, servants or creeping horrors, homunculi remain one of the more disturbing creations known to scholars of the arcane.
See Bestiary
