Date: Fri, 17 Oct 1997 21:55:06 +1000 From: David Mitchell Subject: Monster - Gnawflesh the Shapeshifter Alright peoples, here is a new character-monster I've developed for use in your quests. He is a Skaven Warlock who uncontrollably changes his shape due to a warp-experiment that went horribly wrong... GNAWFLESH THE SHAPESHIFTER (Warlock Engineer). Gnawflesh was once one of the most revered and respected Warlock (amoungst the Skaven community) until his experiment went terribly wrong (but hey - that's the skaven way of life!). Here's a brief history about him: "Oh revered, oh mighty honourable members of the Council of Thirteen, I have gathered the information you sought regarding the 'scaped Gnawflesh. This rat will be a threat to anyone who dares approach him. I'll begin with a brief history of his life. There was a young and most interesting clanrat that possessed an unnatural ability to work warpstone to wonderous success. He went by the name Gnawflesh. His undoubtable success went rather unnoticed by many other clans; the most concealed feature about him was the patch of white fur upon his back. I approached him with the intent to persuade him to harnessing the power of warpstone for the research of a new superweapon to be designed in the dens of clan skyre. He agreed and progress was unusually high. It seemed very likely that the Horned One himself bestowed great blessings upon this devout follower, and following several challenges in various gathering chambers, it was clear that there was a blessing upon this rat. Gnawflesh went on to developing a most creative invention yet - a high powered jezzail-type gun, which was supposed to release raw warp energy on its target. This information was most utterly secret, yet many rumours were passed to various clans about the existence of this superpowered warp-weapon. Suprisingly, no assassination attempt was successful on Gnawflesh, and the time came for the warp weapon to be tested. Several dozen human, goblin, skaven (and various other monsters) slaves were placed in a crude cage, and Gnawflesh activated the weapon... An incredible backblast of pure warp power surged through the den, frying the imprisoned slaves to a crisp. Unfortunately, Gnawflesh was critically injured as a result of the warp surge. All the minds, shapes and memories of the slaves in the cage were blended into his own, causing a breakdown of sanity. Yet, Gnawflesh was not destroyed, he was somewhat...changed. It is reported that he fled the scene of utter disaster, taking all plans of the warp-weapon, also managing to destroy the prototype after the incident. The last known whereabouts of Gnawflesh were somewhat vague, but it's been confirmed that he is somewhere in the vicitnity of the old world. I know the questions all you councillors wish to know - do I know the effects the warp surge had on this blessed warlock engineer? From what we can conclude, our rogue ratkin has great uncontrollable power. He is able to change his shape and form, shifting sometimes into a goblin, sometimes a human, and other times... well, our sources are inconclusive as to the nature of some of the other shapes Gnawflesh can assume - apparently in his research cavern, many other creatures lurked closeby, all being centralised into Gnawflesh as he activated the warp-weapon. As I said, information is sketchy about what forms these could be, you see, none else have lived to report on what those forms could be. What should we do about the current situation? As far as we can tell, he still has enough of his 'former' self to view fellow skaven as 'friends', yet he fights, kills, then flee's from anyone who comes near to him. His behaviour is clearly mad. But yet, there is so much we don't know about the power of warpstone and its full potential. But it is my adivce that we leave him alone, oh most high clanlords, yet my opinion is in no way meant to challenge your own plans..." --- A History of Gnawflesh the Shapeshifter, reported to the Council of Thirteen by a member of Clan Skyre, who was shortly sacrificed for his most displeasing news. Gnawflesh the Shapeshifter: Wounds = 13 (if skaven) or Special Move = 4 WS = 5 BS = - S = 4 (if skaven) or Special T = 4(5) A = 2 I = 6 Damage = 1D6(2D6 5+) Gold = 700 Weapon: Warpblade, a sword that possesses the power of warpstone, which filled the blade when the backblast occured. It causes an extra 2 wounds per successful hit made on any enemy. Armour: Although Gnawflesh's shape will change, his 'physical' weapons and armour remain the same. He wears skaven armour giving him +1 toughness. Shapeshifter: Gnawflesh, though of Skaven origin, will continually change shape each new warrior's phase. To represent this, the first time the warrior's encounter Gnawflesh, he will be in his natural Skaven form. At the start of each subsequent warrior's phase, roll 2D6: D6 Effect 1 Warp power sizzles around Gnawflesh, changing his shape into that of a small rat. He quickly scuttles away into the dark with incredible speed, and cannot be found if pursued... 2-3 "Goblin!" Gnawflesh turns into a greeny-brown coloured goblin! His wounds are now at 10; his strength at 3. 4-7 "Ratshape!" The monster's form wavers into a large stormvermin shape. Gnawflesh's wounds are reset to full as he takes strength from this stronger form. 8 "Ogre?" Gnawflesh seems to grow rather large and resembles that of an ogre, only much more hairy. Treat his wounds and strength to that of an ogre, with a fear value of 7. 9-10 "Human Slave" Gnawflesh shifts into a human form, changing his strength to 3 and his wounds to 7. 11 "Random shapeshift!" Make a roll on the warriors battle level monster's table, taking the form of one (random) monster rolled. Use this monster's strength, toughness and wounds for this turn. 12 "Warp Surge!!!" A huge surge of raw warp energy consumes Gnawflesh, releasing a massive blast compareable to that of the warp-weapon. Every model on the board section suffers 5D6 wounds, with no modifiers for non-magical armour. Gnawflesh is then removed (has he been killed, or will he reappear in adventures to follow???) Each turn after he has shifted shape, Gnawflesh will revert to his natural skaven form. When he is in this form, he may cast a random spell from the skaven magic table. The effects that the warp-weapon have caused him to have a magic resistance of 4+. For the warriors to successfully defeat Gnawflesh, they must reduce his natural skaven form to zero wounds. When he shifts shape, make a record of how many wounds the new shape has sustained. If the warriors manage to kill one of Gnawflesh's shapes, he will is caused revert to his original form. Gnawflesh should be used for warriors around battle level 2-4, but I haven't playtested him yet. Email me with your opinions of him. David Mitchell. ------------------------------------------------ Quote of the day: "Some days your the dog, some days your the hydrant." -------------------------------------------------