Alabstermious, Ancient Loremaster Keeper,
Elder, Thorough Biter Creed
Illithid Wizard / Keeper (from Unveiled Masters: The Essential Guide
to Mind Flayers)
Medium-Size Aberration (Mind Flayer)
10th level Wizard / 10th level Keeper/5th level
Lore Master (23rd level caster)
Hit Dice: 8d8+25d4+33 (132 Hit Points)
Initiative: +6 (+2 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed: 30 ft
AC: 16 (+2 Dex, +3 Natural, +1 Deflection)
Attacks: 4 tentacles +21 melee
Damage: Tentacle 1d4+1
Face/Reach: 5 ft by 5 ft/5ft
Special Attacks: Mind Blast, Psionics, Improved Grab, Extract, Spells
Special Qualities: SR 25, Telepathy, Scribe Scroll, Summon Familiar,
Knowledge Focus, Knowledge Marking, Flayer Lore, Keepers Marking, Growth of
Mind, Markings Arcana, Lore, Secrets
Saves: Fort +12, Ref +13, Will +26
Abilities: Str 12, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 27 (29), Wis 19, Cha 17
Skills: Bluff +8, Concentration +27, Craft (Tattoo) +20, Craft (Drawing)
+17, Craft (Bookbinding) +12, Decipher Script +26, Diplomacy +13, Gather Information
+28, Hide +8, Intimidate +10, Knowledge (Arcana) +37, Knowledge (History) +61,
Knowledge (The Planes) +30, Knowledge (Religion) +17, Knowledge (Geography)
+12, Knowledge (Local) +12, Knowledge (Space) +12, Knowledge (Genetics) +12,
Listen +10, Move Silently +7, Spot +10, Scry +30, Spellcraft +35 (gains an
additional +1 to all checks when pale green ioun stone
is orbiting his head)
Feats: Alertness, Combat Casting, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Weapon
Finesse (tentacle), Taste For Knowledge, Skill Focus (Knowledge-history), Maximize
Spell, Empower Spell, Inquisition Spell, Improved Levitation, Eldritch Blast,
Wisdom of Ages, Knowledge of Millennia, Improved Spell Capacity (Loremaster
Secret), Epic Skill Focus (Knowledge: History), Automatic Quicken Spell, Epic
Spellcasting, Spell Knowledge
Climate/Terrain: Any Underground
Challenge Rating: 31
Treasure: Double Standard
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Advancement: by Character class
Possessions: Spell book, Portable Passage, Thrall Collar, Friendship
Shield Ring (the other ring is worn by a thrall to insure the thrall's death
if he should be harmed), Ring of Epic Wizardry IX, Python Rod, Bag of Holding
(Type 1 – carries his spell book), Pale Green Prism Ioun Stone, Pearly White spindle Ioun
Stone, Scarlet and blue sphere ioun stone, Dusty rose
prism ioun stone, Mirror of Mental Prowess (kept in
his library), Astral Projection Pod, Cloak of Arachnida, Grand Library (see
Spells and Spellcraft by Fantasy Flight Games), Psionic Tattoos of Invisibility
x3, Ectoplasmic Cocoon x2, Displacement,
Time Hop, Body Adjustment x9 [heal 3d6 damage] and Brain Lock.
Alabstermious is an ancient keeper. Over 2,300 years old, Alabstermious loves
to research history, a subject few mind flayers find palatable. His tentacles
and forehead are covered in archaic runes, etched into the soft mauve flesh
by both brand and ink. He is usually dressed in his embroidered (web-like pattern)
black cloak of silk (cloak of arachnida).
Several Ioun Stones circle his head in strange orbits.
One allows him to regenerate 1 point of damage per hour.
He collects and recalls the information of millennia: the great battles, the
planes they have taken and lost, and changes in the race and the slave races
over the ages. Alabstermious also studies the diversity of life on Inzeladun,
for the illithid flesh crafters are responsible for creating many aberrations
and monstrosities, and Alabstermious likes to uncover the facts about the illithid
origins of many of the species on the planet. Also, he has been involved in
many flesh crafting experiments on Inzeladun in the last two thousand
years, and he actively participates in the breeding of psions in Lamapacher. Very likely, any person in Lamapacher
who develops psionic powers came from a genetic line began by Alabstermious
and the inquisition led by him 1500 years ago.
He has cast Sigil Sanctuary on his spell book, so that his essence will
be drawn into the words of that tome upon his death, allowing him to possibly
possess anyone who reads his spell book after his death.
He likes to surprise his opponents by using shapechange
to hide and gain surprise on enemies, casting Mordenkainen's Disjunction
(modified with the inquisition spell feat so it will avoid any allies), then
blasting out with an Eldritch Mind Blast (with a ninth level spell slot channeled
into it to increase the save DC). He uses Hold Person so he can more
easily consume the victim's brain.
Alabstermious has written several tomes on the origins of several species.
Although Alabstermious writes either in Qualith or in Ancient Illeth, several
of his books have been translated into humanoid tongues by his thralls. His
thralls often are sent to seek out various species of beasts and monsters to
aid in his research. Many times the thralls hire adventurers to do the hunting.
Alabstermious is the keeper of a Grand Library (see Spells and Spellcraft
by Fantasy Flight Games) of Knowledge (History), focused on Illithid History
and Illithid Flesh Crafting History. The library has a secondary focus on Spellcraft.
Any skill check that fall under the library's primary focus receives a +30 bonus
after an hour of study. Any skill check that falls under the secondary focus
receives a +15 bonus after an hour of study. This library houses over 470 "books"
(bound volumes, scrolls, collections of notes, sample materials, et. al.).
He also keeps a Mirror of Mental Prowess in the library, as well as precious
artwork looted from a hundred worlds and kingdoms throughout history.
Alabstermious is a fan of the artwork of the illithid flesh crafter named Kaxalli'ulibossk. Several of this illithid artist's flesh
crafted works of art and insane paintings are displayed in Alabstermious' home.
He recently acquired two paintings done by an Ingaran painter named Zografos.
He sees a hint of potential toward perfection in the two paintings, and is currently
searching for more recent works.
Mind Blast (Sp): This attack is 60 feet long. Anyone caught in this cone
must succeed at a Will save (DC 17) or be stunned for 3d4 rounds. He often
channels spells into this attack as a full round action (Eldritch Blast feat).
The attack triggers as normal, but deals damage at +1 per die (stuns for 3d4+3
rounds), and all saves are at a penalty equal to the level of the spell channeled
into the attack. For example, if he channels a ninth level spell slot into
the mind blast, the save DC is 26.
Psionics (Sp): At Will – Astral projection, charm monster, detect
thoughts, levitate, plane shift, and suggestion. These abilities
are as the spells cast by an 8th level sorcerer (Save DC 13+ spell
level). He prefers to cast charm monster and suggestion as an
arcane spell (listed below) since the save is higher (DC 18+ spell level).
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the mind flayer must hit a small
to large critter with its tentacle attack. If it gets a hold, it attaches the
tentacle to the opponent's head. After a successful grab, it can try to attach
its remaining tentacles with a single grapple check .
Extract (Ex): A mind flayer that begins its turn with all four tentacles
attached and successfully maintains its hold automatically extracts the opponent's
brain, instantly killing the creature.
Telepathy (Su): Mind flayers can communicate telepathically with any
creature within 100 feet that has a language.
Spells (Sp): Alabstermious casts spells as a sixth level spell caster.
Save DCs = 18 + spell level (19 + spell level when
scarlet and blue ioun stone circles his head). All
spells of 3rd level or below are automatically quickened.
0 level – Daze, Read Magic, Detect Magic, Open/Close, Detect
Poison
1st level – Comprehend Languages, Detect Undead, Identify,
True Strike, Arcane Blade, Unseen Servant
2nd level – Locate Object, See Invisibility, Accelerate
Magic, Tendrils of Darkness, Web, Invisibility
3rd level – Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Brain Drain,
Brain Burrow, Spell Ravel, Hold Person x2
4th level – Devour Intellect, Charm Monster x5
5th level – Eternal Darkness, Shadow Killer, Slave
Sending, Touch of Madness, Dominate Person
6th level – Legend Lore, Mass Suggestion, Disintegrate
x3
7th level – Finger of Death, Greater Scrying,
Vision, Teleport without Error, Delayed Blast Fireball
8th level – Eclipse, Mass Charm, Demand, Discern Location,
Horrid Wilting
9th level – Servitude x5, Inquisition Mass Charm,
Meteor Swarm, Wish, Shapechange, Teleportation Circle
10th level – Inquisition Mordenkainen's Disjunction
Epic – Spell Worm (Epic Handbook, page 86), Experience
the Origin (Unique; Detailed below). Can cast 3 per day.
Knowledge Focus (Ex): At each level gained, Alabstermious gains an additional
two skill points beyond those gained for advancing a level in this class. One
of these skill points must be spent on the Knowledge (History) skill, but the
other may be spent on any Knowledge skill.
Flayer Lore (Ex): Alabstermious knows a vast collection of mind flayer
information. This is treated identically as the bard's bardic knowledge ability, but can only be used in the gathering
of information regarding mind flayer society, history, their traditional enemies and so on.
Knowledge Marking (Su): The tattoos on Alabstermious are not only mnemonic
devices… they are also imbued with the knowledge of ancient flayers and their
legacy, granting Alabstermious a +3 profane bonus on Knowledge (History) and
+2 to Knowledge (The Planes) and +2 to Knowledge (Arcana).
Keepers Marking (Ex): Alabstermious can mark keepers-to-be with the
sigils of his rank and craft, just as he was marked when he was found by Alabstermious.
Growth of Mind (Ex): The lore of the mind flayers so infuse Alabstermious
that he earns a one-time +2 bonus to Intelligence and Wisdom.
Markings Arcana (Su): Alabstermious inscribed markings and tattoos that
grant mighty powers indeed. He scribed onto himself the feats of Quicken Spell
and Silent Spell
Lore (Ex): As a Loremaster, Alabstermious gathers knowledge. He has
the ability to know legends and information regarding various topics just as
a bard. He adds his Loremaster level and intelligence modifier to the knowledge
check.
Secrets (Ex): Alabstermious has learned the secret of instant mastery
(4 ranks of a skill [Craft: bookbinding] in which the character had no ranks),
the secret of applicable knowledge (Improved Spell Capacity feat), and
the secrets of inner strength (+1 Will save).
Spell book: Alabstermious's spell book is a large (3' diameter, 1.5' thick)
octagonal volume covered in crafted drow flesh. The pages are crafted human
flesh. The book will turn its own pages on command. The book contains many
notations made by Alabstermious in Ancient Illeth, and includes large portions of his research toward
the two epic spells he knows. Contains all spells memorized (above) plus Sigil
Sanctuary, Aria of Insanity, Bind Shapechanger, Clutching Tentacles, Foresight,
Refuge, Gate, Prismatic Sphere, Freedom, Clone.
Epic Spells
Experience the Origin
Divination
Components: V,S
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Touch
Effect: Magical Sensor
Duration: 20 Minutes (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
Factors: Seed: Reveal (DC 25), mobile sensor (+2 DC), breach time (+8),
Seed: Foresee (DC 17), Gain specific information about living target (+2 DC);
Mitigating Factors: Increased casting time (-20 DC)
This spell allows the caster to know the lineage of a touched object. The caster
can see and hear the origin of the touched object for twenty minutes. He can
see the crafting of a sword (or at least twenty minutes worth of it), the conception
of a living creature or any of that creature's ancestors, or even the creation
of the species lost deep in the mists of time. The sensor is mobile and can
move around as the caster wishes, and it sees through illusions, allowing the
viewer to see and hear things as they really were. The caster can see through
normal and magical darkness, notice invisible creatures or objects, see onto
the ethereal plane, see the exact locations of creatures, etc.
Familiar of Alabstermious:
Monstrous Spider, Small
Small Vermin
Hit Dice: 1d8 (36 hp)
Initiative: +3 (Dex)
Speed: 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
AC: 19 (+1 size, +3 Dex, +5 Natural)
Attacks: Bite +13 melee
Damage: Bite 1d4-2 and poison
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison, web
Special Qualities: Vermin, Alertness, Improved Evasion, Share Spells, Empathic
Link, Touch, Speak with Master, Speak with Spiders
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +14
Abilities: Str 7, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 2
Skills: Climb +10, Hide +14, Jump -2*, Spot +7*
Feats: Weapon Finesse (bite)
Climate/Terrain: Temperate and warm land and underground