Cranium rat - Revision history

Idran at 21:27, 31 July 2013

2013-07-31T21:27:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:27, 31 July 2013
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	{{Creature}}		{{Creature}}
	A pest across the planes, the cranium rat is a vermin with a secret. A strange sight, these look like nothing more than common rats with the tops of their skulls lopped off, letting their brains pulse out through them.		A pest across the planes, the cranium rat is a vermin with a secret. A strange sight, these look like nothing more than common rats with the tops of their skulls lopped off, letting their brains pulse out through them. However, cranium rats are in fact the eyes and ears of the god-brain [[Ilsensine]], spread throughout the planes to gain ever more information for the power. Though a few hives do fall out of its control, most notably [[the Us]] of [[Sigil]], in general these vermin serve as one of many information-gathering sources for the great deity of the [[illithid]]. Few are aware of these origins, however, and even fewer survive to inform others once they discover the truth.

	~~Cranium~~ rats are the eyes and ears of the god-brain [[Ilsensine]], spread throughout the planes to gain ever more information for ~~that being~~. Though a few hives do fall out of ~~her~~ control, most notably [[the Us]] of [[Sigil]], in general these vermin serve as one of many information-gathering sources for the great deity of the [[illithid]]. Few are aware of these origins, however, and even fewer survive to inform others once they discover the truth.

	==Appearance==		==Appearance==

	Cranium rats are almost always found in groups, for it's in groups that their greatest potential is found. The more cranium rats in close proximity to one another, the greater the intelligence of the lot, creating a powerful hive mind. Though a single cranium rat is no more brighter than a normal rat, a large swarm quickly grows in intelligence to rival the most brilliant of humanoids.		Cranium rats are almost always found in groups, for it's in groups that their greatest potential is found. The more cranium rats in close proximity to one another, the greater the intelligence of the lot, creating a powerful hive mind that rapidly gains in mental abilities as they expand their minds. Though a single cranium rat is no more brighter than a normal rat, a large swarm quickly grows in intelligence to rival the most brilliant of humanoids.

	When facing others, a hive of cranium rats prefers to keep hidden in the shadows, the crannies of walls, or the refuse along the edges of alleyways, setting up an ambush if it desires to take on a target for whatever reason. Though the central hive will usually remain secluded somewhere safe and most often underground, they will often send out small scouting parties to do Ilsensine's will and gather information; usually groups of at least 10, though more are often dispatched if greater capabilities are necessary amongst the group.		When facing others, a hive of cranium rats prefers to keep hidden in the shadows, the crannies of walls, or the refuse along the edges of alleyways, setting up an ambush if it desires to take on a target for whatever reason. Though the central hive will usually remain secluded somewhere safe and most often underground, they will often send out small scouting parties to do Ilsensine's will and gather information; usually groups of at least 10, though more are often dispatched if greater capabilities are necessary amongst the group.

	Cranium rats can be found across the Outer Planes, though they are most often found within the Lower Planes, quickly being removed as the pests they are in the Upper. They are especially tenacious within [[Sigil]] as well, with the Department of Vermin Control often hiring groups to exterminate new hives found in various sections of Undersigil.		Cranium rats can be found across the Outer Planes, though they are most often found within the Lower Planes, quickly being removed as the pests and dangers they are in the Upper. They are especially tenacious within [[Sigil]] as well, with the Department of Vermin Control often hiring groups to exterminate new hives found in various sections of [[Undersigil]].

	==References==		==References==

Idran at 21:25, 31 July 2013

2013-07-31T21:25:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:25, 31 July 2013
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	==References==		==References==

	* {{cite \|~~title=~~Planescape Monstrous Supplement \|~~pagenum=~~pp. 8-9}}		* {{cite\|Planescape Monstrous Supplement\|pp.8-9}}

			[[Category:Illithid]]
			[[Category:Psionics]]
	[[Category:Thought]]		[[Category:Thought]]

Idran: /* Appearance */

2007-09-09T22:01:17Z

Appearance

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:01, 9 September 2007
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	==Appearance==		==Appearance==

	Cranium rats are almost always found in groups, for it's in groups that their greatest potential is found. The more cranium rats ~~are~~ in close proximity ~~(at least 10 feet)~~, the greater the intelligence of the lot, creating a powerful hive mind. Though a single cranium rat is no more brighter than a ~~traditional such pest~~, a large ~~number of cranium rats~~ quickly grows in intelligence to rival the most ~~intelligent~~ of humanoids.		Cranium rats are almost always found in groups, for it's in groups that their greatest potential is found. The more cranium rats in close proximity to one another, the greater the intelligence of the lot, creating a powerful hive mind. Though a single cranium rat is no more brighter than a normal rat, a large swarm quickly grows in intelligence to rival the most brilliant of humanoids.

	When facing others, a hive of cranium rats prefers to keep hidden in the shadows, the crannies of walls, or the refuse along the edges of alleyways, setting up an ambush if it desires to take on a target for whatever reason. Though the central hive will usually remain secluded somewhere safe and most often underground, they will often send out small scouting parties to do Ilsensine's will and gather information; usually groups of at least 10, though more are often dispatched if greater capabilities are necessary amongst the group.		When facing others, a hive of cranium rats prefers to keep hidden in the shadows, the crannies of walls, or the refuse along the edges of alleyways, setting up an ambush if it desires to take on a target for whatever reason. Though the central hive will usually remain secluded somewhere safe and most often underground, they will often send out small scouting parties to do Ilsensine's will and gather information; usually groups of at least 10, though more are often dispatched if greater capabilities are necessary amongst the group.

Idran: /* Appearance */

2007-09-09T21:58:37Z

Appearance

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:58, 9 September 2007
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	==Appearance==		==Appearance==

	Cranium rats are almost always found in groups, for it's in groups that their greatest potential is found. The more cranium rats are in close proximity (at least 10 feet), the greater the intelligence of the lot, creating a powerful hive mind. Though a single cranium rat is no more brighter than a traditional such pest ~~(Int 1)~~, ~~every 5~~ rats ~~within range of one another generate another point of~~ intelligence ~~for~~ the ~~lot, to a maximum~~ of 20.		Cranium rats are almost always found in groups, for it's in groups that their greatest potential is found. The more cranium rats are in close proximity (at least 10 feet), the greater the intelligence of the lot, creating a powerful hive mind. Though a single cranium rat is no more brighter than a traditional such pest, a large number of cranium rats quickly grows in intelligence to rival the most intelligent of humanoids.

	When facing others, a hive of cranium rats prefers to keep hidden in the shadows, the crannies of walls, or the refuse along the edges of alleyways, setting up an ambush if it desires to take on a target for whatever reason. Though the central hive will usually remain secluded somewhere safe and most often underground, they will often send out small scouting parties to do Ilsensine's will and gather information; usually groups of at least 10, though more are often dispatched if greater capabilities are necessary amongst the group.		When facing others, a hive of cranium rats prefers to keep hidden in the shadows, the crannies of walls, or the refuse along the edges of alleyways, setting up an ambush if it desires to take on a target for whatever reason. Though the central hive will usually remain secluded somewhere safe and most often underground, they will often send out small scouting parties to do Ilsensine's will and gather information; usually groups of at least 10, though more are often dispatched if greater capabilities are necessary amongst the group.

Idran at 00:14, 9 September 2007

2007-09-09T00:14:50Z

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 A pest across the planes, the cranium rat is a vermin with a secret.  A strange sight, these look like nothing more than common rats with the tops of their skulls lopped off, letting their brains pulse out through them.
 Cranium rats are the eyes and ears of the god-brain [[Ilsensine]], spread throughout the planes to gain ever more information for that being.  Though a few hives do fall out of her control, most notably [[the Us]] of [[Sigil]], in general these vermin serve as one of many information-gathering sources for the great deity of the [[illithid]].  Few are aware of these origins, however, and even fewer survive to inform others once they discover the truth.
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 Cranium rats can be found across the Outer Planes, though they are most often found within the Lower Planes, quickly being removed as the pests they are in the Upper.  They are especially tenacious within [[Sigil]] as well, with the Department of Vermin Control often hiring groups to exterminate new hives found in various sections of Undersigil.
 ==References==

Idran at 01:40, 8 September 2007

2007-09-08T01:40:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:40, 7 September 2007
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	* {{cite \|title=Planescape Monstrous Supplement \|pagenum=pp. 8-9}}		* {{cite \|title=Planescape Monstrous Supplement \|pagenum=pp. 8-9}}

			[[Category:Thought]]

Idran: New page: A pest across the planes, the cranium rat is a vermin with a secret. A strange sight, these look like nothing more than common rats with the tops of their skulls lopped off, letting their...

2007-09-08T00:58:38Z

New page: A pest across the planes, the cranium rat is a vermin with a secret. A strange sight, these look like nothing more than common rats with the tops of their skulls lopped off, letting their...

New page

A pest across the planes, the cranium rat is a vermin with a secret. A strange sight, these look like nothing more than common rats with the tops of their skulls lopped off, letting their brains pulse out through them.

'''Cranium rat:''' AC 6; MV 15; HD 1; THAC0 19; #AT 1; Dmg 1d4; SA See below; SD See below; MR Variable; SZ T (6" long); ML Unsteady (7); Int Animal to supragenius (1-20); AL NE; XP 65.

Cranium rats are the eyes and ears of the god-brain [[Ilsensine]], spread throughout the planes to gain ever more information for that being. Though a few hives do fall out of her control, most notably [[the Us]] of [[Sigil]], in general these vermin serve as one of many information-gathering sources for the great deity of the [[illithid]]. Few are aware of these origins, however, and even fewer survive to inform others once they discover the truth.

==Appearance==

Cranium rats are almost always found in groups, for it's in groups that their greatest potential is found. The more cranium rats are in close proximity (at least 10 feet), the greater the intelligence of the lot, creating a powerful hive mind. Though a single cranium rat is no more brighter than a traditional such pest (Int 1), every 5 rats within range of one another generate another point of intelligence for the lot, to a maximum of 20.

When facing others, a hive of cranium rats prefers to keep hidden in the shadows, the crannies of walls, or the refuse along the edges of alleyways, setting up an ambush if it desires to take on a target for whatever reason. Though the central hive will usually remain secluded somewhere safe and most often underground, they will often send out small scouting parties to do Ilsensine's will and gather information; usually groups of at least 10, though more are often dispatched if greater capabilities are necessary amongst the group.

Cranium rats can be found across the Outer Planes, though they are most often found within the Lower Planes, quickly being removed as the pests they are in the Upper. They are especially tenacious within [[Sigil]] as well, with the Department of Vermin Control often hiring groups to exterminate new hives found in various sections of Undersigil.

==Abilities==
{| class="wikitable" align="right"
! align="center" | Intelligence || Ability
|-
| align="center" | 1-6 || Standard
|-
| align="center" | 7 || 1 spell level of wizard spells
|-
| align="center" | 8 || 2 spell levels of wizard spells
|-
| align="center" | 9 || Mind blast, 1/3 rounds
|-
| align="center" | 10 || 3 spell levels of wizard spells
|-
| align="center" | 11 || 4 spell levels of wizard spells
|-
| align="center" | 12 || Mind blast, 1/2 rounds
|-
| align="center" | 13 || 5 spell levels of wizard spells
|-
| align="center" | 14 || 6 spell levels of wizard spells
|-
| align="center" | 15 || Mind blast, 1/round
|-
| align="center" | 16 || Immune to gases
|-
| align="center" | 17 || Immune to cold
|-
| align="center" | 18 || 10% magic resistance
|-
| align="center" | 19 || 40% magic resistance
|-
| align="center" | 20 || 70% magic resistance
|}
The level of ability a cranium rat hive possesses is directly tied to its Intelligence, and thus its size. First off, when calculating area damage against a hive of cranium rats, individual hit dice are ignored, and instead the hive is treated as a massive pool. For example, against an 8-HD ''fireball'', if the hive fails its save, 8 rats will be slain; if it passes, only 4 will. A hive saves as a creature of as many HD as it has Intelligence at the time; a horde of 30 rats saves as a 6 HD creature, for example.

Coming from illithid origins, cranium rats of course also gain mental abilities as they gain in intelligence. At higher intelligences, cranium rats gain the ability to cast a certain number of levels worth of wizard spells per day, mind blast as an illithid, and at the highest levels, gain immunities to certain attack forms and resistance to magic through sheer force of will. Thus, dispersing a hive is by far the most effective means of dealing with one; even cutting a hive into two smaller groups halves the capabilities of both sides at worse. Mental methods of such are fairly ineffective, however, as any mental control is made only over an individual within the hive, to which telepathic contact is quickly cut when such a spell takes effect. Thus, spells such as ''suggestion'' or ''charm monster'', though technically effective, are poor ways of dealing with a cranium rat hive.<br clear="all">

==References==

* {{cite |title=Planescape Monstrous Supplement |pagenum=pp. 8-9}}