> The Basics Normal Domain: Shyiol, Astral Frequency: Very Rare Organization: Singular When Active: Any time Diet: Carnivorous Intelligence: Godlike Alignment: Lawful Evil Game Statistics Number Appearing: 1 AC: -10 Movement: 42, Fl 60(C), Astral 80 HD: 20 THAC0: 1 # Attacks: 4 + special (front), 3 (back) Attacks: horn (1d12), hoof (1d8), bite (1d4), stinger (tail) 2d20 + injection, type E poison Special Attacks: Breath, fire - 22d10 + 11 dmg, 3/day; diving attack (horn only), 3d12 dmg; wing buffet, 1d6 dmg Special Defenses: Fear aura, 75' radius; hold monster/person gaze, 20' range Magical Resistance: 70% Size: Large (6 feet at the shoulder) Morale: Fanatic Experience: 26,000 Information Daemonsteeds are one of the most feared of all creatures which roam the Astral Plane due to their power, wit, dunning and intellectual prowess. Not natural to any reality, daemonsteeds cannot reproduce naturally - powerful outside magicks are necessitated to duplicate the steed. The only time daemonsteeds are encountered outside of the Astral Plane is when it has been summoned by a powerful magic user. If the daemonsteed is conquered, it is a fearsome servant, doing what is requested of it while quietly biding its time, waiting for the slightest slip in their conquerer's control so that it may turn on that which captured it, slay its temporary master, and return to the Astral plane. Daemonsteeds vocally unleash snorts, roars and terrifying screams of rage - using natural ESP, they can communicate with any intelligent creature should they choose. In the Astral Plane, daemonsteeds seldom attack. They will only strike if hungry, usually by ambushing its prey. However, if encountered outside of the Astral Plane, the daemonsteed has been summoned - it WILL attack. If controlled, the steed will attack in accordance to its master's wishes. If uncontrolled, the monster will frenzy, usually opening combat with its breath weapon, then thundering in to trounce its opponents with hooves, bite with its fants and skewer with its jagged horn. The daemonsteed's breath weapon is a searing jet of flame expelled from its nostrils. The jet is 30' long, 6" wide at the creature's nose and 7' wide at its base. Creatures struck with the flames may save vs. breath weapon for half damage. The steed's flaming hooves catch all flamable things on fire within a 5' radius of each hoof. Daemonsteeds can execute a diving attack (minimum height 30' required) with their horn. They emmit a 75' fear aura that automatically sends 1-5th level/HD characters fleeing in terror (50% chance to drop all equipment), and forces 6-10th level/HD characters to make a save vs. spell at -4 penalty or flee (10% chance to drop all equipment). Daemonsteeds are immune to fire, take half-damage from cold, and full damage from electrical attacks. While they can be struck by non-magical items, all weapons used on a daemonsteed must save vs. magical fire due to the incredible heat generated by the monster (unless it is controlled and regulating its heat as to not sear its rider to a crisp) or melt/burst into flames. Enchanted weapons do not require a saving throw. Daemonsteeds NEVER associate with other creatures unless its own means can be furthered or unless it is controlled and required to do so by its master. These monsters only eat freshly killed flesh - preferably that which they themselves slaughtered. The Daemonsteed can be summoned using a 9th level spell. This spell is heavily guarded by those mages who have discovered it, and not readily released. It is stated that the material components for this spell will cost the magus who desires to tempt fate a minimum of 10,000 gold pieces, and of course runs the terrifying risk of certain death at the hooves and horn of an enraged, wicked beast which is never pleased to be stripped from the Astral Plane it calls home. Only one successful summoning is known to have taken place in the Demiplane of Power, and the Night Bringer who managed the feat is recorded in history as having been able to ride the beast for two months before his untimely demise at the steed's stinger. Back