<div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/wbhL65A.jpg)</div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 24pt;">Nyag'thon, The Mind Spider</span></span><br/><hr/><strong>Size/Type:</strong>Small Outsider (Chaotic, Evil, Extraplanar, Obyrith, Shapeshifter, Symbiont)<br/><strong>Hit Dice:</strong>16d8+224 (352 hp)<br/><strong>Initiative:</strong>+15<br/><strong>Speed:</strong>20 ft. (4 squares), climb 20 ft.<br/><strong>Armor Class:</strong>36 (+11 Dex, +11 Natural, +1 Size, +3 Deflection), 25 touch , 25 flat-footed<br/><strong>Base Attack/Grapple:</strong>+16/+32<br/><strong>Attack:</strong><em>Tentacle</em>+31 melee (1d4+15)<em>or</em><em>Bite</em>+29 melee (1d8+8)<em>poison</em><br/><strong>Full Attack:</strong><em>4 Tentacles</em>+31 melee (1d4+15),<em>Tentacle</em>+26 melee (1d4+15), Bite +29 melee (1d8+8)<em>poison</em><br/><strong>Space/Reach:</strong>5 ft./15 ft.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Special Attacks:</strong><br/><br/><strong>Constrict (Ex):</strong>Nyag'thon deals 2d4+2 points of damage with a successful grapple check.  Receiving damage from this attack also subjects it's victim to poison.<br/><br/><strong>Improved Grab (Ex):</strong>To use this ability Nyag'thon must first hit with two tentacle attacks.  It can then immediately attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking attacks of opportunity.  If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and may immediately constrict.  Nyag'thon receives a +4 racial bonus on grapple checks which is already included in its stats above.<br/><br/><strong>Poison (Ex):</strong>Injury from Constrict, Fortitude Save (DC 10 + 1/2 HD + Con + 4), 1d3 Dex/1d3 Dex; Injury from Bite, Fortitude Save (DC 10 + 1/2 HD + Con + 4), 1d6 Str/1d6 Str.<br/><br/><strong>Take Spells (Su):</strong>If Nyag'thon replaces a spellcaster (see below) it retains any arcane spells prepared by the dead character and may cast them as if it had prepared the spells itself.  It must meet the minimum ability score needed to cast the spell based on the type of caster replaced, or else the spell is unavailable to it.  If it replaces a spontaneous caster, it retains the available spell slots of the dead spell caster, and can use any spells the dead host knew.   If it replaces a psionic character capable of manifesting powers, it retains the remaining power points the dead manifester had in a separate pool of points and may only use them to manifest powers that the dead psion knew. In any case, it cannot regain spells, spell slots, or power points it expends from the dead character’s spellcasting or manifesting ability.<br/><br/><strong>Wear Flesh (Su):</strong>Nyag'thon may bore its way into a helpless or willing living creature's body, slipping its slimy tentacles into the spaces between organs and muscles and disappearing into the victim.  The victim must be the same size or larger than it.  The entire process requires 1 minute of work as it slithers its way in through any available orifice.  It may choose to either inhabit or replace the victim (see below).  Incorporeal creatures, constructs, elementals, oozes, plants, and undead are immune to this ability.  Nyag'thon may abandon a body it has inhabited or replaced with a full-round action that deals 3d6 points of damage to the host.  It may also be forced to vacate the body by a<em>remove disease</em>or<em>dispel evil/chaos</em>spell (the caster must succeed on a check to overcome Nyag'thon's spell resistance) or a<em>heal</em>or<em>limited wish</em>spell (which expels Nyag'thon without dealing damage to the hose).<br/><em>Inhabit:</em>Nyag'thon leaves it s victim alive and aware.  It is tied directly into the victim's mind and may inflict any array of sensations that it desires, a Will Save (DC 10 + 1/2 HD + Cha + 4) nullifies the majority of the effect.  This means it may inflict a wide variety of status conditions upon the host at will (Fear effects are most common).  Nyag'thon may take only limited physical actions while inhabiting a host, but is unrestricted in the mental actions it may take.  When the host takes damage, Nyag'thon takes half of the damage before applying any of it's damage reduction or resistances.  This does not reduce the amount of damage the host takes.<br/><em>Replace:</em>Nyag'thon bores out the victim's mind, killing the victim.  It then animates the body, effectively acting as the nervous system of the dead host.  The body remains alive, hosting Nyag'thon.  This functions like a<em>polymorph</em>spell into the victim's exact form, except that Nyag'thon may remain in the victim's form for up to a year, and it leaves the victim's corpse behind when it chooses to leave.  Nyag'thon uses the victim's physical ability scores in place of its own, as described by<em>polymorph</em>.<br/><br/><strong>Alternate Form (Su):</strong>Nyag'thon has learned how to adopt the form of three unique humanoid shapes: a Female Drow (https://i.imgur.com/0yvAC0P.jpg), a Male Goliath (https://i.imgur.com/zo381be.jpg), and a Hermaphrodite Human (NSFW) (https://i.imgur.com/r9bcyG2.jpg).  This ability functions like alter self as cast by a 16th level sorcerer, but Nyag'thon can remain in the chosen form indefinitely. Nyag'thon can assume an alternate form in this way as a standard action.  True seeing, or similar effects, reveal Nyag'thon as a mass of shadowy tentacles beneath the exterior flesh of the form.<br/><br/><strong>Form of Madness (Sp):</strong>A creature within 60 feet that has line of sight to Nyag'thon must attempt a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 HD + Cha + 4).  Failure indicates the creature's mind is warped and twisted, and they come to see their own imperfections magnified.  The victim takes 1d6 points of Charisma drain as his sense of self-worth and personality are diminished.  Additionally it sees that fusing with another creature (likely Nyag'thon) will remove their imperfections and replace it with a more perfect form--the victim takes a -4 penalty to resist any mental influence (spells or skill checks) designed to convince the victim to fuse with a greater being in some way.  A creature that makes the save is immune to this effect for 24 hours.  This is a mind-affecting ability.  Outsiders with the Chaotic subtype are immune to its form of madness ability.  The insanity caused is permanent in most cases, but can be removed by<em>greater restoration, heal, limited wish, miracle</em>, or<em>wish</em>.<br/><br/><strong>Power Points/Day:</strong>150;<strong>Psion (Shaper)</strong>(ML 12th) (DC 10 + Power Level + Int + 4):<br/>1st--<em>Telempathic Projection, Create Sound, Psionic Minor Creation, Astral Construct, Empathy</em><br/>2nd--<em>Ego Whip, Serenity, Forced Sense Link, Crystalstorm</em><br/>3rd--<em>Mindfire, Forced Share Pain, Dispel Psionics, Body Adjustment</em><br/>4th--<em>Psionic Fabricate, Implanted Suggestion, Quintessence, Psionic Dimension Door</em><br/>5th--<em>Psionic Major Creation, Psychotic Break, Psychic Crush, Adapt Body</em><br/>6th--<em>Greater Psionic Fabricate, Psychometry, Fuse Flesh</em><br/><br/><strong>Spell-Like Abilities</strong>Caster level 16th, (DC 10 + Spell Level + Cha + 4).<br/>At-will -<em>Word of Chaos, Desecrate, Detect Good, Detect Law, Empathy, Greater Dispel Magic, Greater Teleport, Major Image, Mind Poison, Plane Shift, Telekinesis, Unhallow, Cloak of Chaos, Chaos Hammer</em><br/>3/day -<em>Evard's Black Tentacles, Crawling Darkness, Symbol of Insanity</em><br/>1/day -<em>Brain Spider, Solipism</em><br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Special Qualities:</strong><br/><br/><strong>Senses:</strong>Darkvision 60 ft, True Seeing<br/><br/><strong>Defenses:</strong><br/><em>Damage Reduction</em>20/magic, good, cold iron<br/><em>Resistance</em>Cold 10, Acid 10, Electricity 10, Fire 10<br/><em>Spell Resistance</em>29<br/><em>Immunities (Ex):</em>Fear, Sleep, Charm, Poison, Mind Affecting<br/><em>Fast Healing (Ex):</em>5<br/><br/><strong>Languages:</strong><br/><em>Telepathy 100 ft</em><br/><em>Abyssal, Common, Undercommon, Infernal, Draconic, Elvish, Drow, Sylvan, Giant, Goblin, Orc, Gnome, Halfling</em><br/><br/><strong>Enhanced Attributes (Ex):</strong>Nyag'thon's skills are extremely potent, increasing the save DC of all special attacks, spells, and spell-like abilities by 4.<br/><br/><strong>Regrow Limbs (Ex):</strong>If Nyag'thon loses a limb, head, or body part, a new one grows in 1 round.  Nyag'thon cannot be slain by a vorpal weapon's head-severing ability.<br/><br/><strong>Swarm Form (Su):</strong>Nyag'thon can take the form of a swarm of spiders or fuse back to its normal form at will as a standard action.  Changing shape in this way infuses Nyag'thon with a surge of vigor healing by 1 point of damage per Hit Die it possesses.  Although the use of this ability is a supernatural effect, remaining in one form or another is not supernatural, and while in swarm form Nyag'thon does not change into its normal shape in an antimagic field.  True seeing and similar magic reveals both forms.<br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Swarm Statistics</div><div class="spoiler_body">    Swarm Form (Spiders):  <br/>    <strong>Size:</strong>  Diminutive (Swarm)<br/>    <strong>Speed:</strong>  20 ft, climb 20 ft<br/>    <strong>Special Attacks:</strong><br/>    <strong>Distraction (Ex):</strong>  Any living creature beginning their turn in a square occupied by the swarm is nauseated for 1 round; a Fortitude save negates the effect (DC 10 + 1/2 HD + Con + 4).  Even with a successful save, spellcasting or concentrating on spells within the area of the swarm requires a Concentration check (DC 20 + Spell level + 4).  Using skills requiring patience and concentration require a DC 20 Concentration check.<br/>    <strong>Poison (Ex):</strong>  Fortitude DC 10 +1/2 HD + Cha + 4, 1d3/1d3 Str<br/>    <strong>Swarm Attack (Ex):</strong>  Any creature in a square occupied by the swarm at the end of the swarm's turn automatically takes 4d6 damage.<br/><br/>    <strong>Special Qualities:</strong><br/>    <strong>Hive Mind (Ex):</strong>  Nyag'thon is immune to any spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures while in swarm form.<br/>    <strong>Immune to Weapon Damage (Ex):</strong>  Weapon attacks are useless against a swarm of Diminutive creatures.<br/>    <strong>Tremorsense (Ex):</strong>  The swarm can pinpoint the location of anything in contact with the ground within 60 feet.<br/><br/>    <strong>Skills:</strong>  +10 bonus on Disguise checks to act like a normal grouping of its constituent creatures.<br/></div></div><br/><br/><strong>Astral Projection (Su):</strong>Nyag'thon may use astral projection as the spell, at a caster level equal to its Hit Dice, when within the astral projection room of an iron fortress or a similar locale built into its own personal domain.<br/><br/><strong>Superior Symbiont:</strong>Nyag'thon has the traits of the Symbiont subtype as modified below:<br/><br/><em>Ego:</em>Nyag'thon's Ego score is calculated normally while it is in symbiosis with a living being.  Nyag'thon's Ego is equal to the sum of its Intelligence Bonus, Wisdom Bonus, Charisma Bonus, the total number of its Special Qualities, double the number of its Special Attacks, 4 for being an Outsider, and an additional 4 for the Enhanced Attributes Special Quality (which does not grant its normal +1).  This is a total of 59.<br/><em>Share Spells (Su):</em>Any spell or spell-like effect the host creature casts on itself automatically also affects Nyag'thon.  Additionally, the host and can cast spells with a target of "You" on Nyag'thon instead of on itself.  Likewise, Nyag'thon can choose to have any spell or spell-like ability it uses on itself also affect the host creature, and can cast a spell with a target of "You" on its host instead of itself.  The host and symbiont can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the host's or symbiont's type.  Spells targeted on the host by another spellcaster do not affect the symbiont, and vice versa.<br/><em>Symbiont Traits:</em>When joined with a host, Nyag'thon cains a number of benefits.  It acts on its host's turn each round, regardless of its own initiative modifier.  It is not flat-footed unless its host is, and it is aware of any danger its host is aware of.<br/>Nyag'thon never takes damage from attacks directed at its host.  Like a worn magic item, Nyag'thon is usually unaffected by spells that damage the host, but if the host rolls a 1 on its saving throw, Nyag'thon is one of the "items" that can be affected by the spell (see Items Surviving after a Saving Throw, page 177 of the Player's Handbook).  Nyag'thon uses its host's base saving throw bonuses if they are better than its own.<br/><em>Physical Symbiosis (Ex):</em>Nyag'thon may lend its host the ability to use any of its natural weapons, any innate special attacks other than wear flesh, or any Extraordinary ability that it chooses.  Likewise, Nyag'thon can also manifest its Favored Shape ability or take one of its Alternate Forms, changing its hosts physical form as desired.  Any additional natural weapons Nyag'thon graces its host with benefit from Nyag'thon's natural 10 ft. reach.  When either Nyag'thon or its current host make any normal or special attacks, the attack rolls, damage rolls, and save DCs are calculated using the better of either Nyag'thon's or its host's ability scores.  Additionally, the host's physical ability scores are treated as the better of either its own or Nyag'thon's physical ability scores, modifying saving throws and ability checks as appropriate.  Any effective increase this would cause to the host's Constitution score does not cause an increase in total hit points.<br/><em>Inflict Sensation (Ex):</em>Due to being directly connected to its host's nervous system and mind, Nyag'thon can inflict any kind of sensation, or emotion upon its host as a move action.  The host may resist this effect by making a Will save vs. Nyag'thon's Ego.  Typically this is used to goad the host into specific behaviors without Nyag'thon needing to take direct control of its host.<br/><em>Psychic Symbiosis (Su):</em>Nyag'thon does not need to consume food in the way most other beings do, instead it subsists off of the residual psychic energy of its host body.  It's generally thought of that Nyag'thon is simply devouring the host's will, or stray thoughts and emotions.  Nyag'thon must have a host or it will slowly begin to starve and wither away.  Nyag'thon can survive a number of days without a host equal to its Constitution Score.  After that time has passed it will begin to lose 1 point of Constitution per day.  Dead hosts (see the Wear Flesh ability above) still provide sustenance, but their bodies no longer sustain Nyag'thon after 1 month per point of their previous Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (whichever is highest).  Dead hosts are also less appetizing to Nyag'thon and so it prefers to leave its host alive unless it becomes necessary to do otherwise.<br/><em>Damage:</em>When Nyag'thon takes a host they immediately lose 2 points of Wisdom as their will becomes eroded by the chaotic influence of the creature.  Similarly if Nyag'thon is ever forcefully removed from its host it deals 1 damage to its host for every Hit Die is possesses.  The host must also make a Fortitude save vs. a DC equal to the damage taken + 4 or be sickened for 1d6 hours.<br/><br/><strong>Favored Shape (Su):</strong>Nyag'thon gains 3 favored shapes and an additional favored shape for every 2 Hit Die it possesses.  Favored shapes may be of any creature except of creatures of the following types:  Construct, Dragon, Elemental, Outsider, Undead, or anything with the Lawful subtype.  Nyag'thon may, at will, manifest certain physical abilities of these creatures chosen from the following list:  Natural Weapons, Movement Modes, Senses, and Extraordinary Abilities.  Nyag'thon may adopt up to 4 of these abilities as a move action.<br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Chosen Shapes</div><div class="spoiler_body">        Rust Monster<br/>        Umber Hulk<br/>        Cloaker<br/>        Roper<br/>        Aboleth<br/>        Gibbering Mouther<br/>        Aranea<br/>        Rylkar Harrigan (MM5)<br/>        Gullvorg (MM5)<br/>        Harpoon Spider (MM3)<br/>        Rampager (MM2)<br/></div></div><br/><br/><strong>Morphic Weapons (Su):</strong>Nyag'thon may change any or all of its tentacle natural weapons into any other type of natural weapon it desires as a free action when it attacks.  For example, a lashing tentacle may suddenly grow a miniature maw at the end to deliver a bite instead of a bludgeoning slap.  The damage die remains the same for each type of weapon.  Use the following table to determine the damage type for any alternate natural weapons.<br/><table class="bbc_table"><tbody><tr><td>Bite</td><td>Piercing/Slashing/Bludgeoning</td></tr><tr><td>Claw</td><td>Piercing/Slashing</td></tr><tr><td>Gore</td><td>Piercing</td></tr><tr><td>Slam</td><td>Bludgeoning</td></tr><tr><td>Sting</td><td>Piercing</td></tr><tr><td>Tentacle</td><td>Bludgeoning</td></tr></tbody></table><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Special Weaknesses:</strong><br/><br/><strong>Stasis of Truth:</strong>Being unable to change is Nyag'thon's only true fear.  It's<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">true shape</div><div class="spoiler_body">(http://i.imgur.com/VNuBRmh.jpg)</div></div>is still a lie, but it is the original form to which it was bound when it formed from the endless chaos of the abyss.  It is a vaguely humanoid creature with rippling flesh that changes color and shape frequently but without any conscious control from Nyag'thon.  While within this shape it loses all extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like abilities except for<em>regrow limbs</em>and it's immunities to poison, fear, and mind-affecting spells and abilities.  Furthermore it's physical stats are reduced to 10.  There are three ways to inflict this state upon Nyag'thon:<em>Imprisonment</em>,<em>Stasis Clone</em>, or binding it within a geometrically perfect net of spider silk (Craft DC 30, materials cost 1000g).<br/><em>Imprisonment</em>forces Nyag'thon into this true shape instead of the normal effects of the spell, though it is restricted to a 10 foot cube space, this effect bypasses its spell resistance and it is not allowed to make a saving throw to resist its effect.  Nyag'thon remains imprisoned thus until either a<em>freedom</em>or<em>wish</em>spell is cast to free it, or until it has agreed to perform a task for the caster as described below.<br/><em>Stasis Clone</em>rips it's current shape away from it and shunts it into the prepared clone, leaving Nyag'thon in its true shape, however it is not imprisoned or restricted in any way and may escape if the caster does not trap it in some way.  The clone is inert and will quickly decay away over the course of 4 hours, after which Nyag'thon immediately reverts to the shape it had last used.  Its form is also returned to it if it agrees to perform a task for the caster as described below.<br/>A net of spider silk of sufficient size and perfectly shaped geometry (any geometric shape is valid) may be used to capture and bind Nyag'thon.  When the net is pulled tight its form is sucked into the spider silk, turning it a black, tar-like color as it is forced into its true shape.  Nyag'thon may attempt to escape the net, with its reduced physical stats, but remains in its true shape until it is freed by some other creature or until it agrees to perform a task for its captor as described below.<br/>To regain its shape it may enter into a contract with whoever forced it into its true shape.  This task must have an attainable goal, the captor cannot force it into agreeing to tasks that would last forever (such as "never harm another living creature" or "guard this temple from all intruders"), nor may the task be self-destructive for Nyag'thon.  After both parties agree to the terms of the bargain Nyag'thon's form is immediately returned to it, and it must begin fulfilling the task to the best of its ability.  In addition the creature that forced it into the bargain is temporarily immune to all of Nyag'thon's abilities until the task is complete.  Nyag'thon must make progress on the task every day or else it risks being forced back into it's true shape for 12 hours, during which time it is extremely vulnerable though cannot be forced into any other tasks by creatures that discover it.  This forced change requires a Fortitude save (DC 25 + the number of days Nyag'thon has not made progress on the task).<br/><br/>Similar effects may exist for other high-level spells at the GM's discretion.  Forcing Nyag'thon to revert to his true shape while inhabiting a host expels him from the host without dealing damage.<br/><br/><strong>Inchoate Nature:</strong>Born of the chaos of the Abyss has made Nyag'thon extremely reliant on the chaotic energies within its form.  It is thus extremely vulnerable to any spells with the Law descriptor.  All such spells affect it as if they were cast with the Maximize metamagic feat.  If such a spell is already benefiting from the Maximize metamagic feat then it instead gains an extra 50% of its previous base values.  Furthermore the spellcaster gains a +10 sacred bonus to bypass Nyag'thon's Spell Resistance.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Saves:</strong>Fort +32, Ref +27, Will +26<br/><strong>Abilities:</strong>Str 36 (+13), Dex 33 (+11), Con 38 (+14), Int 24 (+7), Wis 20 (+5), Cha 26 (+8);<strong>Ego:</strong>59<br/><strong>Skills:</strong>Bluff 19 (+29), Climb 15 (+34), Concentration 15 (+29), Disguise 15 (+25), Hide 19 (+34), Knowledge (Arcana) 10 (+17), Knowledge (Religion) 10 (+17), Knowledge (The Planes) 15 (+22), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 15 (+22), Knowledge (Psionics) 15 (+22), Move Silently 19 (+34), Sense Motive 19 (+34), Spot 19 (+26), Use Magic Device 10 (+22), Use Psionic Device 10 (+22), Psicraft 15 (+22)<br/><strong>Feats:</strong>Iron Will (<em>Base Creature</em>), Weapon Finesse (<em>Base Creature</em>), Combat Reflexes (<em>Base Creature</em>), Improved Initiative (<em>Monster of Legend</em>), Multiattack (<em>Monster of Legend</em>),  Alertness (<em>Half-Doppelganger</em>), Dark Speech (<em>Archfiend</em>),  Talented (<em>Psion level 1</em>), Craft Universal Item (<em>Psion level 5</em>), Craft Psionic Construct (<em>Psion level 10</em>), Overchannel (<em>Level 1</em>), Boost Construct (<em>Level 3</em>), Craft Psionic Arms and Armor (<em>Level 5</em>), Mindsight (<em>Level 7</em>), Mind Over Body (<em>Level 9</em>), Darkstalker (<em>Level 11</em>), Rapidstrike (Tentacles) (<em>Level 13</em>), Craft Psionic Seal (<em>Level 15</em>)<br/><strong>Environment:</strong>A chaotic evil-aligned plane<br/><strong>Organization:</strong>Solitary<br/><strong>Challenge Rating:</strong>16<br/><strong>Alignment:</strong>Chaotic Evil<br/><strong>Treasure:</strong><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Sussurating Sphere of the Shapeless (88000g)</div><div class="spoiler_body">A ruby sphere, roughly the size of a human heart, thrums with a soft hiss like a faint whisper that sends chills down the spine.  This magical item must be swallowed to function, whereupon it remains within the creature that used it until it is removed.  It occupies the throat magical item slot.<br/><br/>The sphere has the following traits:<br/><br/>First it allows the bearer to wear slotted magical items even if their form would normally not permit it.  The magical item either seems to fuse to the new form of the shapeshifter, or takes position on some analogous part of the creature's body.  These items may still be removed or cut loose from the creature's body, providing no protection against such attempts to disarm them, it simply permits their use even in forms that could not normally use them.  (Wilding Clasp-like ability, 4000g x5 seems fair:  20000g)<br/><br/>Secondly it provides an enhancing vigor to the bearer's body, increasing their ability to damage foes with their natural attacks (Amulet of Mighty Fists +2, 24000g) while causing deleterious effects to slip away to cause no permanent harm (Cloak of Resistance +3, 9000g).<br/><br/>Finally it provides protection from those that might attempt to determine the truth of the bearer's location, granting a continuous <em>nondetection</em> effect (Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location, 35000g).<br/></div></div><br/>Ring of the Darkhidden (2000g)<br/>Ring of Protection +3 (18000g)<br/>Shirt of the Leech (8000g)<br/>Dimension Stride Boots (2000g)<br/>Crystal Mask of Discernment (10000g)<br/><br/>2000g of various gemstones (ruby + ebony)<br/><br/><hr/><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">A former life</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/424TWw8.png)</div>Unsurprisingly the man known as Arkerra was one of the more insidious of the evils of the world.  He was normal enough on the outside, which let him move about society without causing too much trouble, though his callous disregard for others was somewhat off-putting.  The Artificer used people in ways that would have been considered torturous by most standards, and even by the standards of some of his "colleagues".  He would fashion grafts, symbionts, magic items, arms and armor for others, though usually with some extravagant price associated with them.  In some cases they were simply explosives waiting to detonate at the right time, in other cases they would carry out specific instructions at key moments, or perhaps the flesh graft would move from one person to another until it found a specific target.<br/><br/>His pursuits were more grounded in "science" than magic.  Arcane powers were more formulaic to him.  Organized and precise he carried out long thought-out plans like a live game of chess.  He was less physically gifted than most of the others, but his mind was extremely sharp.  Still, he didn't care for anyone other than himself and viewed most others as disposable creatures worth barely any consideration--unless they had somehow proved themselves of value.<br/><br/>Despite being as hidden as he was, Arkerra was still one of the first to fall.  He had prepared for such an eventuality but perhaps was not exactly prepared for how the results would unfold...<br/></div></div><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">A brief history of madness</div><div class="spoiler_body">...Perhaps fate is not without a sense of humor.<br/><br/>It did not have a name until it mindlessly crawled out of the roiling chaos of the abyss and took control of its first host.  The worm that would become Nyag'thon had little more than instinct to live by, but its tiny tendrils sunk deep into the mind of its victims as it slowly crawled not up the food chain, but to the side of it.  Perhaps the Obyriths remembered him and played some strange trick on him, guiding him through his reincarnation, though without taking any longer interest in his new life once it had begun.  The subtle worm crawled through the abyss with little skill, let alone memory.<br/><br/>Years passed that it would never remember, but it grew fat on the psychic flotsam of its victims.  Whether it was the psionic energy of demons, the infinitely mutable space of the Abyss, or some unknown demonic patron was wholly unclear, but it grew and changed over time.  As the mass of oily-black tentacles grew and swelled with strength it became bolder and learned to navigate the infinite layers of the Abyss more skillfully, especially through manipulating or inhabiting others.  Most outsiders were well resistant to its various forms of guile, but still many of the lesser creatures made easy enough prey.  It didn't truly become the Archfiend that it is today until a brief scuffle with Belial and his daughter Fierna.<br/><br/>The creature was caught in the territory of another Demon, Graz'zt, and rather than being destroyed it agreed to a brief service for the Demon Lord.  Graz'zt surmised a simple plot to stretch Demogorgon's forces even thinner than they already were by opening a new conflict with the Nine Hells.  Belial and Fierna were the simplest target that he could think of, both more distracted by their own dalliances to be overly concerned with being infiltrated.  Nyag'thon was given one of Demogorgon's Mariliths which it inhabited and wholly consumed.  It then journeyed into the Nine Hells to play Graz'zt's little game.<br/><br/>It snuck through the hells until it managed to slip into the territory closest to the heart of their domain.  It made quick work to slay many of Fierna's ill-fated concubines, while capturing some of the weaker ones to presumably take back to the Abyss.  Of course Nyag'thon let itself be captured instead and it made great threats against its captors in Demogorgon's name.  Nyag'thon's host body was tortured for months until Nyag'thon found a convenient moment to escape.  It left its host and slithered through the hellish domain until it found another set of prisoners.  They were all far too weak to resist Nyag'thon's powers and so it took one of them for itself and quickly returned to the Abyss.<br/><br/>Graz'zt, while perhaps unhappy that Nyag'thon survived, thanked the Obyrith and offered one other reward: a new host, a female Paladin (https://i.imgur.com/FnGuuwA.jpg) that he had captured from the Prime Material plane.  It may have been a trick, or some way to ingratiate the chaotic being of Nyag'thon to help Graz'zt in the future, but Nyag'thon accepted and left Graz'zt's domain without incident with its new host.  The paladin was yet unbroken and so Nyag'thon spent a great deal of time with her, twisting her mind in slow, madness-causing ways until the girl saw Nyag'thon as her patron deity.  Her slavish devotion would eventually be useful, but for now she was a dutiful host.<br/><br/>Seeking to, perhaps, solidify its own standing as a member of the exclusive ranks of other Archfiends, it sent a message to Pazuzu.  They met briefly on neutral terms and Nyag'thon decided to explain its hand in the small move of Graz'zt against Demogorgon.  Perhaps Pazuzu would use the information for itself in some way that would benefit him, but Nyag'thon did not particularly care.  It asked for no particular payment, and none was offered, though perhaps if the information proved useful it would eventually find itself a favor from the Demon Prince of the sky.<br/><br/>It wasn't long after that Nyag'thon began to feel a steady call to another location in the Abyss, like a subtle tug at its mind, taking it to perhaps the beginning of its culmination of power.<br/></div></div>