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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mesh Hong" data-source="post: 5267446" data-attributes="member: 73463">This is a good one as I am partial to aberrations, and “feeding on magic” gives me the excuse for some interesting powers. I notice you have a large group so I have devised an initial selection of 3 types of similar creatures in order for you to build an appropriate encounter or encounters. Hulth Hound Lockjaw (level 14 soldier)Hulth Hound Stalker (level 14 lurker)Hulth Hound Absorber (level 15 elite controller) Hulth Hound LoreThe origin of the Hulth hound is at present still unclear, and as such is source of speculation for those scholars specialising in far realm studies. Present theory states Hulth Hounds are either natural hunting beasts that were mutated by the strange magical forces that exist in the proximity of portals to the far realms, or that they are creatures native to the far realms that are drawn to portals to other worlds by the strange magical forces in worlds alien to them. Hulth Hounds are sometimes mistaken by the inexperienced for Displacer Beasts due to their similar physical appearance, large dog with tendrils branching from their backs or shoulders. But their nature is much different and it should quickly become apparent that these beasts are something altogether more deadly. Hulth Hounds are drawn to sources of magical energy and usually lair near to portals to the far realms. The pack leader (usually a large Absorber) collects together items of a magical nature and the whole pack feeds from them until their enchantments are finally consumed which is a process that can take either months or years depending on the power of the item. What remains is transferred into a separate section of the lair. Strangely the pack never abandons these items but seem to hold the remains as some form of trophy or historical record of the success of the pack. As a species all Hulth Hounds exhibit elemental resistance and a variety of traits and protections evolved from their strange diet and proximity to the powerful magical forces that exist near portals to the far realms. Hulth Hound LockjawThe Lockjaw is the most common type of Hulth Hound encountered. They commonly have the appearance of a large hunting dog with an oversized head and two, four foot long black/purple tendrils branching from their powerful shoulders. In combat they attempt to grab and hold their enemies with their powerful bite, then crush them with their vice like jaws. Hulth Hound Lockjaw Level 14 Soldier Medium Aberrant Beast XP 1,000  Initiative +14 Senses Perception +8, darkvision HP 138; Bloodied 69 AC 29; Fortitude 27, Reflex 26, Will 25 Resist 10 variable (1/encounter), also see Elemental Shield Speed 6  Siphon Power♦ trait Lockjaw gains a +1 bonus to AC for each adjacent Arcane or Divine powered enemy  Grounding Field♦ trait Aura 3; all enemies inside the aura cannot teleport  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Lockjaw Bite (Standard; at-will) Lockjaw cannot use this power if it already has a target grabbed; attack +19 vs. AC; 2d8+12 damage; on hit target is grabbed (escape ends), aftereffect (unless Lockjaw releases grab) target takes 10 damage  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Tendril Lash (Standard; at-will) ♦ psychicAttack +19 vs. Reflex; 1d10+12 psychic damage  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Lockjaw Crush (Standard; at-will) Target must be grabbed by Lockjaw Bite; attack +19 vs. Fortitude; 3d8+12 damage; on hit target takes a cumulative -1 penalty to AC until the end of the encounter  Elemental Shield (Free) ♦ triggered actionMust have activated variable resistance; whenever Lockjaw is hit by an attack it is resistant to all adjacent enemies take 10 damage of the appropriate type  Alignment Unaligned Languages deep speech Skills Athletics +18, Intimidate +16, Stealth +17 Str 23 (+13) Dex 20 (+12) Wis 12 (+8) Con 18 (+11) Int 10 (+7) Cha 8 (+6)   Hulth Hound StalkerStalker as rarer than Lockjaws and can be immediately identified by their single eight foot long black/red tendril that sprouts from the centre of their back. Stalkers are sly combatants who use their invisibility from shadows to lunge at enemies when most advantageous pushing them away from their allies and leaving them open to the rest of the pack. Hulth Hound Stalker Level 14 Lurker Medium Aberrant Beast XP 1,000  Initiative +18 Senses Perception +15, darkvision HP 106; Bloodied 53 AC 27; Fortitude 25, Reflex 28, Will 24 Resist 10 variable (1/encounter) Speed 8, phasing  Siphon Power♦ trait Stalker gains a +1 bonus to AC for each adjacent Arcane or Divine powered enemy  Shadow Stalk♦ trait Whenever Stalker starts its turn inside a shadowed or dark square it becomes invisible until it makes an attack or ends it turn in bright light  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Bite (Standard; at-will) Attack +19 vs. AC; 2d8+12 damage, if stalker has combat advanatge this attack instead deals 3d8+14 damage and on hit the target is slowed (save ends)  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Tripping Tendril (Minor; at-will) ♦ 1/round Reach 2; attack +17 vs. Fortitude or Reflex (whichever is higher); on hit target is knocked prone  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Sudden Lunge (Standard; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) Stalker must be invisible to target or have combat advantage against target and be at least 4 squares away from target; Stalker moves 8 squares and make the following attack; attack +18 vs. Fortitude; 4d8+12 damage; on hit target is pushed 4 squares, knocked prone and slowed (save ends); hit or miss Stalker may move 3 squares after making this attack  Alignment Evil Languages deep speech Skills Acrobatics +19, Athletics +16, Stealth +19 Str 18 (+11) Dex 24 (+14) Wis 16 (+10) Con 16 (+10) Int 10 (+7) Cha 12 (+8)   Hulth Hound AbsorberAbsorber are noticeably larger than the lesser Hulth Hounds and can be identified by their mane of black tendrils that can dart forward up to ten feet. They also have more pronounced claws on their forefeet which use to bat opponents to the ground. Absorbers are so called from the powerful magical abilities they have manifested from their successful leadership. No two are completely identical but it is most common for an Absorber to have gained the ability to render magic useless in a limited area as this is one way it can control its pack, by controlling the availability of their food. Hulth Hound Absorber Level 15 Elite Controller Large Aberrant Beast XP 2,400  Initiative +13 Senses Perception +17, darkvision HP 292; Bloodied 146 AC 28; Fortitude 26, Reflex 28, Will 27 Resist 10 variable (1/encounter) Saving Throws +2, +5 vs. charm Speed 6, teleport 3 Action Points 1  Siphon Power ♦ trait Absorber gains a +1 bonus to AC for each adjacent Arcane or Divine powered enemy  Threatening Reach♦ trait Absorber can make opportunity attacks against all enemies within reach <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Claw Rake (Standard; at-will) Reach 2; attack +18 vs. AC; 2d6+13 damage; on hit target is knocked prone  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Psychic Projection (Standard; at-will) ♦ psychic Range 10/20; 1 or 2 targets; attack 3d6+10 psychic damage; on hit slide target 3 squares  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Absorbing Tendrils (Standard; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ psychic, charm Close burst 5; enemies only; attack +18 vs. Will; 2d10+10 psychic damage; on hit target cannot use daily or encounter powers (save ends)  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/area.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":area:" title="Area    :area:" data-shortname=":area:" /> Magic Disjunction (Standard; encounter) ♦ psychic, zone Area burst 2 within 15; attack +18 vs. Fortitude; 2d6+14 psychic damage; on hit target is dazed; hit or miss creates a zone, all creatures inside the zone cannot use or be affected by powers with the arcane or divine keyword, Absorber may move the zone 4 squares as a move action, sustain minor  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Arcane Feedback (Immediate Reaction; at-will) ♦ triggered action When Absorber is hit by an attack with the arcane keyword it may make the following attack against the triggering enemy; does not provoke opportunity attacks; attack +18 vs. Will; 1d10+14 psychic damage  Alignment Evil Languages deep speech Skills Arcana +14, Dungeoneering +17, Stealth +18 Str 16 (+10) Dex 23 (+13) Wis 20 (+12) Con 18 (+11) Int 14 (+9) Cha 12 (+8)   Well there they are, I think the Hulth could be developed into a broader group. You could have humanoid masters that breed and train the Hounds in order to gather magical items for collection. Periodically they could come through the nearby portals and collect anything the hounds have found that they find interesting. Anyway I hope these creatures are interesting or give you some ideas.</blockquote>

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