Psionics Summary

Telepathy - Sciences: domination, mind link, probe; Devotions: attraction, contact, ESP, invisibility, phobia amplification, psionic impersonation.

The yochlol are Lloth's servants in her home layer and her agents on the Outer Planes; and some of them have made their way to Bane's Hell within the Demiplane of Power, following those drow who were similarly taken by the plane's power-hungry mists.

In their natural form, the yochlol bear a passing resemblance to a roper or an alkilith - they're man-size heaps of amorphous slime, with eight powerful tentacles and a single, glaring, red eye. However, they can also assume the form of beautiful young woman of human or elven race (usually drow), or take the form of a giant black spider. Like alkiliths, yochlol can assume gaseous form, taking the shape of a small stinking cloud. Some sage've guessed that Lolth chose her handmaidens from the most suitable tanar'ri at hand and modified them for her own purposes, but there's no way to prove this short of a trip to the Abyss (and that would involve escaping the Demiplane of Power's terrible grasp). It's not surprising that most sages're happy to leave this particular question unanswered.

Yochlol stand apart from the common tanar'ri causes, existing only to serve their dark mistress' will in the wayward pocket dimension they've been trapped within as they recall her wishes being before their departure. They couldn't care less about the Blood War. The only part of Bane's Hell where the yochlol are common is in the spider-web riddled stalagtites deep in the caverns in the remote fiery volcano ridges where the drow that have met Bane upon their demise have congregated; they don't leave their home caverns except when compelled to travel to Shyiol to ensure that the vague will of Lloth that they hold within their collective recollections is delivered to her people.

Combat: Yochlol've got no fewer than four different body forms, and possess different powers and vulnerabilities in each. In Hell, they're most commonly found in their amorphous or natureal state. On Shyiol, yochlol prefer to travel in their humanoid or spider shapes. Regardless of their shape, yochlol can be struck only by cold iron or weapons of +2 or better enchantment. They're immune to nonmagical fire, gasses, poison, and electricity and take only half damage from magical fire or cold.

In their natural amorphous forms, yochlol are AC 10. They can attack with each of their 8 tentacles, striking for 1d4 points of damage each, +4 for the yochlol’s Strength.

In spider-form, yochlol can move freely in webs, have an AC of 4, and can attack once per round for 1d8 points of damage. As spiders, their poisonous bite immediatly kills their victim unless he or she succeeds with a saving throw vs. poison.

In human form, yochlol are AC 10 but often use chain or plate mail of drow make to improve their Armor Class. They favor weapons used by drow, including short swords, hand crossbows, and javelins. Yochlol retain their 18/51 Strength rating in humanoid form, and strike with a +2 attack bonus and inflict +4 points of damage with whatever weapon they use.

Last but not least, yochlol can assume gaseous form, creating a stinking cloud roughly 10 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter. Yochlol can't use any physical attacks or spell-like abilities in this form, but they can make use of their psionic powers. In gaseous form, yochlol are immune to all physical damage and can be injured only by magical cold, magical fire, or magic missiles. A gust of wind spell inflirts 6d6 points of damage to a yachlol in this form, and a wind walk spell slays the yochlol instantly with no saving throw or magic resistance check.

Yochlol've got the spell-like powers common to all tanar'ri, and can also use the following abilities at will as 6th-level spellcasters: charm person, spider climb, stone shape, and web. Yochlol also command modest psionic powers, as shown above. Generally, a yochlol'll carefully evaluate a situation and decide if its mistress's interests would be best served through a deceptive approach of misdirection and subtlety, or a naked show of force. In the first instance, the yochlol hides its true form and uses its beauty and charm to beguile its opponents; in the latter case, it shows itself in its true form.

Habitat/Society: As Lolth's chosen servants in service of Bane while while trapped in Shyiol, yochlol are not well-liked by other tanar'ri, but they are guaranteed free passage throughout most of the tanar'ri controlled regions of Bane's Hell. A guy who meets a yochlol somewhere other than Bane's Hell usually finds that the creature's too busy with the business of enforcing Bane's, and according to their ingrained beliefs, Lloth's will for the drow to bother with him.

'Course, things're a lot different if the cutter himself is drow business.

Yochlol cooperate with each other surprisingly well. They're unswervingly loyal to Lolth's ideals and place her interests before their own - a rare characteristic in creatures of chaos and evil.

Ecology: The yochlol were recruited from the numberless ranks of least tanar'ri and subjected to unspeakable ceremonies and torture to win their elevated station prior to being pulled into the Demiplane of Power's grasp.

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