Brainstormer
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate/Terrain | Temperate woods and subterranean |
| Frequency | Uncommon |
| Organization | Solitary |
| Activity Cycle | Day |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Intelligence | Low (5-7) |
| Treasure | B, Q\x5, V |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| No. of Appearing | 1-6 |
| Armor Class | 4 |
| Move | 15 |
| Hit Dice | 8 |
| THAC0 | 13 |
| No. of Attacks | 3 + special |
| Damage/Attack | 1-10/1-10/2-16 |
| Special Attacks | Psionic mind blast |
| Special Defenses | Nil |
| Magic Resistance | 15% |
| Size | M (7') |
| Moral | Steady (11-12) |
| XP Value | 3,000 |
Description
Brainstormers are a lizard-like creature of about 7' in length. They are a dull yellow in color with small green and red speckles. Hatchlings are light brown with no speckles. Brainstormers have a very keen sense of smell and also have infravision out to 60'.
Combat
Brainstormers can attack with a claw/claw/bite routine. In times of need, they can use the special attack that gives these creatures their name: three times per day, they may employ a psionic mind blast or "brainstorm" as it is also called. This weapon may be used in one of two ways: it can be used to inflict 2-16 points of damage on every creature within 30', or it may be employed against a single target up to 50' away, in which case it causes 3-30 points of damage. In either case, a successful saving throw vs. spell reduces the damage by half. Those who fail their saving throw are also stunned (as per the power word, stun spell) for 1d4 rounds. Brainstormers are themselves immune to this weapon.
Habitat
Brainstormers are found in temperate woods, but also love to live underground. Although they are generally solitary in nature, they gather in small groups to hunt. Larger groups sometimes attack small bands of humanoids or adventurers, if there is a good chance of obtaining treasure (they especially like gems.) Brainstormers usually lair underground.
Ecology
Brainstormers eat small and medium-sized rodents and snakes, but have also been known to eat the flesh of larger creatures (such as humanoids) they have killed for treasure. Brainstormer blood is an ingredient in the ink used to create a power word, stun scroll.