FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 4
MOVE: 12″
HIT DICE: 3
% IN LAIR: 0%
TREASURE TYPE: M (x10), N (x5)
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 or 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: weapon type or 1-6
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See Below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See Below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Very
ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil
SIZE: M
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
ATTACK/DEFENSE MODES: Nil
XP: 300 +3/hp
Nagdu are a race of humanoid parasites that live off the blood of warm-blooded creatures. In their natural form, these monsters have bulbous bodies covered with many layers of folded flab and thick, slimy skin. Their eyes are empty sockets, and their mouths are elongated snouts surrounded by curved teeth and ending in a sucker-like appendage. Their hands and feet are undeveloped, with only a few fingers and toes.
Nagdu have the ability to mutate themselves into humanoid races ranging between three to seven feet in height. In addition to changing forms, nagdu can speak any language and lie without being detected. Lastly, these monsters have infravision with a 90-foot range.
In their natural form, these creatures lack opposable fingers and cannot wield weapons or employ shields. Instead, they attack by latching hold of prey with their sucker-like maws. This attack requires a successful “to hit” roll. Once an attack is successful, the beast automatically inflicts 1d6 damage each combat turn. Because of its hook-like teeth, it is impossible to break free from a nagdu. The only way to stop its blood draining is to kill it.
While in mutated form, a nagdu can handle any weapon and inflict standard weapon damage. In addition, they can wear armor and carry shields and often do so to keep up appearances. However, while employing armor, nagdu cannot mutate because of the armor’s constrictive nature.
Whether using their sucker-like maw or a weapon, nagdu attack as a 5 hit dice monster.
Despite their appearance, these monsters are cowardly and do not attack if they think they will be killed. Furthermore, even while draining blood from a victim, they will detach themselves and flee if rescuers draw too near.
Nagdu are encountered in almost every climate and terrain save the coldest. Their diet consists of blood, which they can steal from any warm-blooded creature, but they prefer the blood of humans and elves. Because of this predilection, nagdu use their mutation ability to infiltrate populated frontier communities.