Monster Brief: Masters for Savage Worlds
Written by Steven Trustrum
Illustration by Brett Neufeld
Illustration Copyright Brett Neufeld. Other Content Copyright 2018 Misfit Studios
This content appears in the Monster Brief: Masters for Savage Worlds PDF.
Attributes: Agility d4, Smarts d10, Spirit d12, Strength d8, Vigor d8
Skills: Fighting d6, Intimidation d10, Knowledge (Mass Battles) d6, Notice d10, Persuasion d10, Psionics d10
Pace: 2; Parry: 5; Toughness: 10 (2)
Treasure: Treasure Trove in lair
Special Abilities
- Armor +2: Rubbery flesh.
- Command: A banakki can give clear instructions to surrounding creatures under the influence of its dominate ability. Such creatures are more willing to fight on despite their wounds, and so add +1 to their Spirit rolls to recover from being Shaken.
- Dominate: A banakki can impose its will on any sentient, living creature (i.e., no undead, constructs, animals, or the like.) This ability functions as per the puppet power, working on anyone who makes eye contact (maximum range Smarts x 4) with the creature and fails an opposed Spirit roll. This ability can be used simultaneously against multiple targets, and there is no limit to how many creatures a banakki can dominate.
A character may avert their eyes by taking a penalty to their attack roll against the banakki. The attacker may take a –1, –2, –4, or –6 penalty to their attack roll (their choice.) Whether the attack is successful or not, the attacker must then make a Spirit roll with a bonus equal to the penalty applied to their attack roll. On a failure, they make eye contact with the banakki and must resist being dominated. A character Surprised by a banakki may make an Agility roll at –4 to avert their gaze.
- Levitate: Banakki float with a Flying Pace of 6″ and Climb –2.
- Psychic: Banakki have 20 Power Points. Typical psychic powers include barrier, blast, confusion, dispel, fear, mind reading, and stun.
- Rapid Recharge: Banakki recover 1 Power Point every 30 minutes.
- Size+2: Banakki are big creatures.
Banakki a.k.a. Horde Lord
CR: 15
More often known by the name “horde lords,” banakki are as monstrous to behold as they are in purpose and ability. Appearing much like a floating squid with a massive, exposed brain and a ring of eyes encircling their body, these powerfully psychic creatures are driven by the desire for power and a need to control and lord over others. They speak using distant-sounding, gurgling voices.
A banakki typically remains isolated, luring creatures to their lair by some means, forcing them to make eye contact and dominating their will. When enough subjects have been controlled in this fashion, the horde lord will seek to employ its slaves to stealthily infiltrate and then dominate a community, or conquer by force of arms if necessary. Banakki only ever desire to expand the horde at their command, and the land and power they wield through them.
Banakki are incredibly rare and have never been seen with another of their kind. How they propagate remains a mystery, as no young have ever been spotted.
Steven Trustrum
Steven Trustrum has been writing in the RPG industry since the end of the '90s and publishing via Misfit Studios since 2003. Aside from writing and publishing role-playing game content, he ... dabbles ... in content and social media marketing.