A ruidium elephant is a dangerous construct that is the product of a marble elephant Figurine of Wondrous Power that has been corrupted by ruidium.
Description[]
Typically, a marble elephant Figurine of Wondrous Power would transform into a mostly typical elephant, though that beast would be friendly to whoever activated that magic item and able to understand their commands.[1]
This creature, by contrast, is a red crystalline version of an elephant, with tendrils of ruidium attached to it.[2] A ruidium elephant can't be controlled; it simply attacks everything nearby. Those in its space when it appears must make a Dexterity saving throw to avoid taking force damage and being pushed to the nearest open space.[3] Unlike typical elephants, this creature is a construct that cannot be charmed or frightened. It is all-around more potent in combat than a typical elephant. It is stronger, it is significantly harder to damage, it takes far more damage to subdue, and its attacks are more dangerous than a typical elephant's—more likely to hit and dealing more damage, including psychic damage.[4]
History[]
Official art of a ruidium-infected marble elephant figurine, by CoupleOfKooks.[art 2]
One of these figurines was exposed to and infused with ruidium, an insidious substance emanating from the Netherdeep into Cael Morrow, where the figurine was found by the Allegiance of Allsight. In Call of the Netherdeep, set in 836 PD, this figurine becomes an object of contention between factions in Ank'Harel. Depending on which faction the Player Characters (PCs) join, they are tasked with recovering the figurine from different places.
The Allegiance may learn that the figurine is for sale at the Bone Garden, a dubious shop in the Suncut Bazaar, and send the PCs to retrieve it. However, as soon as the PCs try to retrieve it, the figurine is activated and the ruidium elephant goes on an uncontrollable rampage until it is defeated.[3]
If the PCs join the Cobalt Soul, on the other hand, they are sent to the Consortium of the Vermilion Dream's temporary headquarters in the Suncut Bazaar, a tavern called the First Eclipse. Unbeknownst to them, the Consortium has just cleared out the First Eclipse, and two of its members there have just conducted a successful experiment with the figurine. The PCs arrive at the Bazaar to discover two ruidium elephants rampaging in the streets; when the elephants are defeated, only one figurine appears.[5]
References[]
- ↑ See D&D: Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), 5th ed., p. 169.
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, pp. 96–97. See also p. 117.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 See Call of the Netherdeep, pp. 96–97.
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, p. 95. Compare a typical elephant in the Monster Manual (2014), p. 322.
- ↑ See Call of the Netherdeep, pp. 116–117.
Art:
- ↑ Official art of a ruidium elephant rampaging in the streets of Ank'Harel, by Zoltan Boros (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Official art of a ruidium-infected marble elephant figurine, by CoupleOfKooks (source). Used with permission.