Experiment 56, A.K.A. “Volicans”
Experiment 56, or “Volicans” as most people call them now, are the result of years of work and trial and error by an insane and evil genius. The wizard, who called himself “Algaton,” spent over twenty years trying to create a completely independent species, one that would exist far past his own death. He lived in an abandoned tower, far away from any significant civilization, and from there he would conduct his mad research. Algaton would teleport to various cities around the world and kidnap people, mostly adventurers and other folks no one would miss, but he was not picky. Algaton was always very particular about his kidnappings, he would always find and collect six male and six female subjects. Three of each sex would be human, one would be elven, one would be dwarven and one would be a Halfling. Then he would take them back to his tower, strap them to whatever device he had developed, and conduct his experiment. Fifty-five times he had failed to make his new species, but on the fifty-sixth experiment, he succeeded. The human subjects responded to the change and survived the procedure, and with that Algaton’s dream became a reality.
It was not long before Algaton converted enough humans to make a small army. He began attacking nearby villages with his new minions and converted more and more humans to his cause. It was in this brief period of conquering that Experiment 56 got its new name “Volicans,” from some peasant overhearing Algaton using the word “voltage.” The peasant escaped, but misheard the wizard, and used what he did hear, “Volicans,” as a name to give the next village as a warning. Even after the name became widely used, Algaton refused to use it himself, saying “I didn’t bother to name any of my failed experiments, why should I name these?”
Algaton was defeated soon enough. He expanded too quickly and drew the attention of an adventuring party, who surgically attacked the mad wizard. Still, his death was unconfirmed, he fell from the top of his tower and his body was never found. Either way, his creations survived, and now plague the land where they were converted.
Physically, Volicans look somewhat human. They stand on two legs, they have two arms, two eyes, one nose. However, only a fool would mistake these creatures for humans. Algaton, whose obsession with lightning was almost limitless, began incorporating aspects of his favorite pet into his experiments; the shock lizard. Volicans have what appears to be the start of a tail growing out of their backside and their ears are long and pointy, even compared to elves. However, much more shocking is that a Volican’s skin is the slightest bit scaly, and a light shade of blue.
Socially, Volicans have a surprisingly family-like structure. They mate for life, they reproduce and care for their children. They would not be much of a problem, if they had retained just a little more of their human persona when the originals were transformed. The process erased their memories, and they only knew what Algaton taught them. As such, they believe that they must attack other intelligent creatures on sight, that it is their duty to their creator to not let any humans, elves or other civilized humanoid live. Fortunately, they tend not to seek out trouble, avoiding towns and cities, and are really only a menace to travelling creatures.
A Volican’s favorite class is fighter. They worship no gods, instead they follow the teachings of Algaton almost religiously. This makes it almost impossible for a Volican to be a cleric. Volicans tend to give the impression of being a very simple race, they do not seek to build anything beyond what they need, they do not form together to make cities. However, they are really clever creatures, capable of using complex magical items and tools.
Experiment 56, A.K.A. “Volicans”
Size/Type: Medium Sized Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 6d8+10 (38)
Initiative: +3
Speed: 30 ft
Armor Class: 20 (+3 Dex, +7 natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+7
Attack: 2 Claws, (+8)
Full Attack: Claws(2d6+3+2 electricity)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Electric Charge
Special Qualities: Damage Reduction 5/+1, Intuitive Device Mastery
Saves: Fort +23, Ref +28, Will +30
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 15, Cha 10
Skills: Use Magic Item: +19, Disable Device +21
Feats: Skill Focus: Disable Device, Ambidexterity, Two Weapon Fighting
Environment: Wastelands or Any
Organization: Solitary or Family (2-5)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Always Chaotic Neutral
Advancement: None
Electric Charge: Volicans can release an electric charge through their body once every five rounds. To use this as an attack, a Volican must make a touch attack, though if it is currently grappling anyone the hit is considered to be automatic to all creatures grappling it. The charge does 3d8 electric damage to every other creature touching the Volican. Volicans are immune to the electric charge of other volicans (including the two damage that is under their claw attack.) If a Volican is hit with any sort of electric attack, including another Volican’s Electric Charge, they automatically recharge. The two electric damage under “claw” remains, even while the Volican is recharging.
Intuitive Device Mastery: Volicans have an intuitive ability to figure out devices of all sorts. This translates to a +10 to Disable Device and Use Magic Item (already calculated under Skills.)