Cephalid Concept Test

CEPHALIDS The monstrous cephalids were but one of many races created by the Primordials while they ruled Creation. This Darkbrood was considered a failure by its creators, however, as the cephalids were completely insane. Disgusted, the Primordials drove the cephalids from the surface of Creation and made them vulnerable to the light of the Unconquered Sun. Rejected by their creators and banished from the surface world, the cephalids not only survived, but thrived, fueled by their hatred of all other life. By the standards of other races, cephalids are hideous. From the waist up, a cephalid vaguely resembles a humanoid, with two lithe and sinewy arms that end in delicate seven-fingered hands with suckers lining the inside. The creature’s lower body, however, is a writhing mass of thick, muscular tentacles, each one more than capable of supporting its body weight. Even more disturbing is the cephalid’s large head, with its eyes reduced to glittering slits and its horrible mouth featuring a triple row of inward curving teeth and a rasping tongue. A ring of interlocking chelicerae surrounds the mouth, making it appear as if the creature has no mouth at all until it opens, blooming like some obscene flower. Several of the cephalid’s powers require a successful bite attack, which represents the monster physically altering its victim’s brain with these nimble chelicerae. Cephalids are naturally a sickly gray-green color, but their skins contain chromatophores that allow them to camouflage themselves to better match their surroundings. As these creatures’ communication is entirely non-verbal, the term cephalid was one applied to the Darkbrood by Jadeborn savants that they might put a name to these horrors. Being neither particularly social nor fecund creatures, cephalids are usually encountered in clutches of three to six adults, though occasionally these guard a nest of jellylike eggs (which take an entire decade to hatch). Attributes: Strength 4, Dexterity 5, Stamina 4; Charisma 1, Manipulation 4, Appearance 0; Perception 4, Intelligence 6, Wits 5 Virtues: Compassion 1, Conviction 4, Temperance 3, Valor 2 Abilities: Athletics 3 (Contortion +3), Awareness 3, Dodge 3, Integrity 3, Lore 3, Martial Arts 3, Occult 5, Presence 2 (Intimidation +3), Resistance 2, Stealth 5 (When Immobile +3), Survival 3 (Underground +3) Supernatural Powers: Call—May mentally communicate with other cephalids Dreamscape—The mind of a cephalid may communicate through dreams Harrow the Mind—A cephalid may override other beings’ perceptions Hoodwink—The power of the cephalid’s brain overwhelms simpler minds Memory Mirror—Only those successfully bitten by a cephalid are vulnerable to having their minds invaded by this power Mind-Knife Sacrament—Given time, the cephalid may permanently alter the mind of another with its bite Natural Prognostication—The fate of others is apparent to the cephalid Regalia of Authority—Lesser beings cannot help but do the cephalid’s bidding Stoke the Flame—It is a simple matter for the cephalid to toy with others’ emotions Join Battle: 8 Attacks: Bite: Speed 6, Accuracy 8, Damage 6L, Parry DV —, Rate 1, N, P Punch: Speed 5, Accuracy 9, Damage 4B, Parry DV 5, Rate 2, N Tentacle Whip: Speed 5, Accuracy 8, Damage 7B, Parry DV 3, Rate 3, N, R Tentacle Clinch: Speed 6, Accuracy 8, Damage 4B, Parry DV —, Rate 1, C, N, P, R Soak: 6L/8B (Rubbery hide, 4L/4B) Health Levels: -0/-0/-0/-1/-1/-1/-2/-2/-2/-4/Incap Dodge DV: 6  Willpower: 9 Essence: 3  Essence Pool: 30 Other Notes: Though the cephalids’ supernatural powers are modeled on them, they are not actually spirit Charms, but rather innate powers based on their unique physiology. Cephalids possess the equivalent of the Night Vision (x2) pox, the Chameleon and Tusks afflictions, the Armored Hide, Tentacles and Wall Walking blights, a unique Regeneration abomination (heals two levels of bashing damage or one level of lethal damage an action, unless the damage is dealt by heat or flame) and a unique debility that renders sunlight deadly to them (it inflicts one health level of aggravated damage per minute a cephalid is exposed to it). Cephalids are considered creatures of darkness (see Exalted, p. 192). A cephalid may maintain up to nine clinches simultaneously, thanks to its numerous tentacles.