Hunchback
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate/Terrain | Any/Urban |
| Frequency | Very Rare |
| Organization | Solitary |
| Activity Cycle | Any |
| Diet | Omniverous |
| Intelligence | Low - Avg |
| Treasure | K |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| No. Appearing | 1 |
| Armor Class | 10 |
| Movement | 9 |
| Hit Dice | 2 |
| THAC0 | 20 |
| No. of Attacks | 1 |
| Damage/Attack | 1-4 or by weapon |
| Special Attacks | Gaze, Curse |
| Special Defenses | None |
| Magic Resistance | Nil |
| Size | M |
| Morale | Unsteady |
| XP Value | 80 |
Description
Horribly deformed, these creatures are sometimes caused by a pregnant woman suffering a terrible shock. Any pregnant woman who fails a horror check while has a 5% chance of giving birth to a hunchback. The creature is terribly deformed, with one eye almost useless, slacking features, long spindly arms and a curved back that gives them their distinctive "hunched" appearance.
Usually abandonned at birth, and widely feared by the community, they are often raised by churches, or other kindly individuals or institutions.
Apart from those listed above, they have one other physical deformity: they are stone deaf. This causes them to be at +2 on surprise rolls, and suffer double the normal penalties if blinded in some manner (-8 to hit etc). However, they are quite agile despite their appearance, with a Climb Walls ability similar to that of a thief of 95%, and can also employ the abilities of the Jumping, Tumbling and Tightrope Walking non-weapon proficiencies as a 10th level character with a DEX of 17.
Hunchbacks usually avoid contacts with others, living hermit lives in towers, cellars, dungeons etc. However, they seem to be strangely attracted to the Vistani, and will risk their own lives to protect one of the gypsies in danger. Similarly, the Vistani do not show the same fear and distrust that the rest of the population seem to show towards hunchbacks, and are not repulsed by their looks. A hunchback will never curse a Vistani.
Combat
Hunchbacks fight clumsily, but with great strength. They occasionally employ crude clubs, or other weapons that they may have found or been given.
Once a round, hunchbacks may gaze upon one opponent within 10 feet. If that opponent meets the gaze of the hunchback, s/he must Save vs. Spells or be so struck by the sadness and lonelyness in the hunchback's eyes that they are struck with fear (as the spell) and flee. Evil characters Save at +4.
Anyone who behaves particularly cruelly to a hunchback or to anyone who the hunchback cares for (a protected Vistani for example) may be subject to a curse from the creature. These curses are usually of "Troublesome" strength (see the section on Curses in the RAVENLOFT Box Set booklet). This cursing power is also conveyed by the creature's gaze, and is similar to the Evil Eye power of a Vistani elder.
Habitat/Society
Because of their nature, hunchbacks are usually solitary creatures, spending their lives apart from the general populous who fear them because of their looks and their possession of the Evil Eye. They usually seek to avoid contact with others, fleeing and hiding from those who invade their normal habitat, but fighting fiercely if cornered or if something that they value is threatened. It is difficult to gain the confidence of a hunchback, but once this has been achieved, they will defend and assist their friends to the best of their abilities, even at the expense of their own life.
Ecology
Because they live apart from others, and scavenge what they can, these creatures make little impact on the Ecosystem. A bone from the foot of a hunchback can be used as an alternative material component for the "jump" spell.