[LL] Earthmen

Earthman

No. Enc.: 1 (3d8)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90' (30')

Meld: 210' (70')
Armor Class: 6
Hit Dice: 3
Attacks: 2 (claws or weapon)
Damage: 1d6 or weapon
Save: F3
Morale: 8
Hoard Class: XX
XP: 80

Only ever encountered in the large earthen tunnel complexes beneath the ancient woods in the east, the so-called Earthmen are primitive, tribal creatures, vaguely resembling humanoids in appearance. They consist however entirely of a thick, clayish substance and lack all external or internal organs, their faces featuring only rudimentary ears and noses, and gaping holes in lieu of eyes and mouths. They are seldom taller than five feet, and on average twice as bulky as a normal human, and always go unclad.

As far as they have been observed, they seem to possess basic intelligence, speech and a form of cultural development. Earthmen sometimes wield crudely crafted weapons, and their lairs are often decorated with chalk drawings, pieces of pottery and very plain jewellery, a recurring theme in which are the depiction of birds and the use of feathers, which seem to fascinate Earthmen greatly. Earthmen live in small tribes of up to two dozen individuals, and are extremely reclusive, never venturing out of their lairs. All Earthmen tribes have in common the belief in a being called Burachbaladuuv, or variations thereof, usually worshipped as a deity. According to their legends, Burachbaladuuv descended from the sky as a giant, resplendent peacock, and when he landed took on the form of a twelve feet tall humanoid. He then made the Earthmen in five times five days, and finally breathed life in them before once more taking to the skies.

Earthmen have the unique ability to meld nearly instantaneously with sand, earth, clay and such natural materials, and are able to travel great distances in this fashion. In battle, they take advantage of this ability by appearing behind or below their enemies in their narrow tunnels, or making their escape by walking through the earthen walls. Underground deposits of solid rock, water, dense roots and such will bar their way, though an opening as small as five inch will allow the Earthman to pass through. They are however mortally afraid of water, and will never cross streams to pursue their assailants.