Tanar'ri, Alu-fiend

Strength 5d

Agility 3x

Intellect 5d

Willpower 4x

Hand Size: Edge:

3 (17) 1

Origin:

There are theoretically an infinite amount of alu-fiends in the Abyss, but these tanar'ri are somewhat rare. The descendants of demonic succubi and mortal males, the alu-fiends are most often evil entities, and possessed of startling supernatural powers both natural and trained.

Powers:

Tanar'ri Physique: while they are weaker than most other tanar'ri, alu-fiends are considered 'actual' members of the race. The offspring of tanar'ri succubi and mortal males, alu-fiends are true planar entities, and possess these tanar'ric capabilities:

* Darkness (a): all tanar'ri have the ability to share the inherent darkness of their very souls with the world at large. This rudimentary power functions at but intensity 4, but basically 'blacks out' everything within near missile distance of the alu-fiend.

* Dimensional Transit (i): in addition to being able to teleport, tanar'ri can transition between planes of existence. They may do so with intensity 5 ability, though on a failed action dimensionally transiting tanar'ri may be subject to error, per a failed teleport. *

* Infravision (w): many of the Abyss' countless layers are dark beyond mortal ken, and have never seen the light (physically or otherwise). As such, all tanar'ri have evolved the ability to see by heat as well as by visible light, and can do so with intensity 5 skill.

* Invulnerability to Fire, Electricity, Heat, and Poison (s): the tanar'ri are hardy creatures - they have to be to survive at all in the endless, horrific wastes of the Abyss. Their forms have evolved over time to give them complete immunity to fire, electricity, heat, and poison.

* Portal Sense (w): planar beings all, alu-fiends have the ability to perceive the various rifts that dot the planescape of the multiverse. Most of these doorways are invisible to the naked eye, but all alu-fiends can spy them with ease, doing so with intensity 8 ability.

* Resistance to Cold Attacks (s): though they are not immune to the effects of cold attacks, tanar'ri are considerably resistant to such. When exposed to any form of cold in their environment, a tanar'ri may resist such as if their Strength were +2 higher (intensity 8).

* Resistance to Magic (s): furthermore, most tanar'ri possess some degree of resistance to magical attacks, whether they come in the form of environmental effects, spells, or even magic items. Alu-fiends possess intensity 9 (+2) protection against all forms of mystic assault.

* Telepathy (w): almost all tanar'ri are able to communicate directly from mind to mind - a vital skill when so few speak the same tongue. They can usually broadcast and receive thoughts with intensity 5 skill, enough to get their point across when necessary.

* Teleportation (i): chaotic creatures all, the tanar'ri can bend space itself to their will. All tanar'ri possess the power to teleport with intensity 10 ability, and can avoid teleportation's usual side effects while transporting themselves within the same plane of existence. *

Additional Limbs / Wings (a): alu-fiends have small, bat-like wings issuing forth from their back. Only a foot or so long, these seemingly useless appendages are nonetheless imbued with the magical power of flight, which alu-fiends can use with intensity 2 ability (60 m.p.h.).

Body Armor (s): supplementing their already impressive defensive supernatural powers, alu-fiends also possess natural ruggedness. They possess intensity 4 (+1) protection against attacks, which helps to make up for their lack of physical weaponry.

Charm (w): alu-fiends possess the ability to charm a single target, per the spell of the same name. This skill lets them make temporary 'friends' if they pass an easy difficulty Charm (willpower) action at intensity 10, until either she attacks or they can break free of it.

Danger Sense (w): a powerful gift they inherit from their mothers, alu-fiends are rarely surprised. They possess this supernatural awareness of their environment at intensity 8, which informs them of any dangers, active or passive, that threaten them.

Disguise (a): this intensity 6, spell-like power allows alu-fiends to superficially change their appearance. They may assume the form of any humanoid being, regardless of gender or other qualities, but must remain the same approximate size (no size change greater than 50 percent.)

Flight (a): alu-fiends have small, bat-like wings issuing forth from their back. Only a foot or so long, these seemingly useless appendages are nonetheless imbued with the magical power of flight, which alu-fiends can use with intensity 2 ability (60 MPH).

Mesmerism (w): alu-fiends possess a limited form of mind control. They may direct a target to engage in any reasonable activity they desire, and their foe must resist this intensity 7 power or comply. Of course, obviously harmful instructions automatically fail.

Portal (i): in addition to the normal tanar'ri ability to teleport, alu-fiends wield the power to build a momentary portal between one location and another once per day. This skill works with intensity 10 strength, but only within far missile distance.

Vampirism (i): while they possess no inherent physical weaponry like most tanar'ri, alu-fiends have the ability to drain energy from those they touch. This power works at intensity 6, but life drained can only be used to restore lost Health points.

Schooling:

Philosophical Magic: a small number of alu-fiends possess actual education in sorcery. These typically have an Intellect score above the normal 5, listed above, and will be from novice to disciple level in this school (from one to eight spells).

Alu-fiends most often wield the power of Destruction, a blending of Chaos and Evil, but occasionally lean towards one or the other of those core philosophical forces instead. Very rare alu-fiends will wield philosophical magics of Corruption, Disruption or even Balance.

Hindrances / Augmentations:

Susceptibility: like all tanar'ri, alu-fiends are weak against the use of cold-wrought iron weapons, as well as holy water and weapons. Their supernatural defenses are ineffective against such assaults, which inflict at least a quarter of an alu-fiend's maximum Health in damage.

Equipment:

Magic Items (s): alu-fiends usually carry at least one magical item, a gift (or gifts) from their mothers. These are most often low-level magical items, providing a +1 to hit and/or damage (weapons), or +1 to their Body Armor (armors).

Skills:

Lore (i): whether or not they embrace magic as a supplement to their own power, alu-fiends all possess dark knowledge. Their mothers often give them great secrets and insights into the tanar'ri and the Abyss, and they attempt Intellect actions in this area at a reduced difficulty.

Weapon Skill (s): similarly, alu-fiends will also train rigorously in at least one weapon, even if they have sorcery to lean on. This will most often be an education in the use of whatever magical weapon(s) they possess, which they'll be able to use at a reduced difficulty.

Calling:

Outcast, with a liberal sprinkling of Vengeance: the countless alu-fiends feel unwanted in their home, and with good cause. Only their mothers sympathize with them at all - and then only minimally. Alu-fiends are thus all too happy to indulge the rage this causes them when possible.

Characteristics:

Alu-fiends are all rather hateful. Feeling outcast from both human and tanar'ri society, the alu-fiends rage against all who would belittle them, and avenge all slights real and imagined when possible. A rare few alu-fiends are a little less extreme in their behavior.

Appearance:

Alu-fiends appear, on a first glance, as perfectly normal human females. A closer inspection however will reveal their seemingly 'powerful' features, along with conspicuously up-sloping eyebrows, not to mention the small, supernaturally powerful bat-like wings on their backs.

Ecological Niche:

The alu-fiends are low on the tanar'ri totem pole, and most tanar'ri look upon them with disdain since they did not earn their power; alu-fiends only come about as the children of succubi. Of course an alu-fiend, like all tanar'ri, can earn the respect of its kind with raw power.

Notes:

* Depending on which version of the Planescape lore you wish to use, the alu-fiends (along with the rest of the tanar'ri) may not have access to these powers any longer, having lost them due to yugoloth meddling. Their presence is at the discretion of the individual Narrator.

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