Cloud-Thing
AC: 9
HD: 1 to 1000
Move: See below
Attacks: None (or special)
Damage: None (or special)
No. Appearing: 1-20
Save As: Fighter 36
Morale: 4
Treasure Type: None
Intelligence: 8-24
Alignment: Neutral
XP Value: Variable (low)
Amidst the clouds seen in the skies almost every day may lurk the cloud-things. These uncommon (but not rare) beings are elemental creatures, a hybrid mix of air and water, their life-essences somehow bound to the resulting cloud-like formation. They are usually identical to common clouds, though they are able to change their forms (and parts thereof) at will, as well as their density: at will a cloud-being may become as insubstantial as air (their normal state) or nearly as dense as water.
Cloud-things never approach the earth, always remaining at least 500 feet above it and often ascending to 5000 feet or higher. They distrust all earthbound things and are easily 'spooked' (ML 4). Cloud-things tend to associate with one another, and the occasional avian or other air-dweller, but rarely anyone or anything else. Their origins and methods of reproduction are unknown.
The movement of a cloud-thing is enabled by self-telekinesis. (It is able to affect only its own body with this effect, and absolutely nothing else.) When concentrating, the being can increase or decrease its movement rate by 10'/round in the first round, 20'/r in the second, and so forth.* (It can of course move more slowly if it chooses.) It can ascend, dive, or turn at the same rate, again by simple concentration. Cloud-beings move rather slowly most of the time, but their maximum speed is effectively unlimited, and great speeds can be achieved by extended concentration.
Cloud-things are immune to all forms of elemental summoning or control and almost all forms of attack, though they take one-quarter damage from lightning bolts and may be affected by certain spells that involve wind (though a successful saving throw indicates no effect whatsoever). They communicate with each other telepathically, and use a form of that ability on those rare occasions when they have any other contact. They are able to minimally vocalize, pushing air past makeshift 'vocal cords'.
These strange beings often enjoy natural weather disturbances, and may cavort about in the midst of heavy storms. However, natural lightning within the storm may cause a cloud-being to become deranged (extremely rare, less than 1% chance). When this occurs the being may lash out randomly, creating lightning bolts within the clouds (never striking the ground of course), and these bolts may inflict a wide range of damage (from 2d6 to 20d20).
On certain very rare occasions an earthly being (such as a wizard) may befriend a cloud-being and thereafter make use of its unique abilities, usually for long-range travel or information-gathering. Their high aerial viewpoint can be extremely valuable in certain situations, such as the observation of armies. And despite their mundane appearance and behavior, cloud-beings are the fastest mode of transportation known (see below).
* Notes on Velocity: After 10 rounds (1 turn) of concentrating exclusively on movement, a cloud-being can achieve the rate of 550 feet per round (6 1/4 miles per hour). One full hour spent thereby will produce a speed of 18,300 feet per round, or nearly 208 mph! The maximum speed of about 67,000 feet per round (slightly over 760 mph) -- nearly the speed of sound itself -- is reached after 115 1/2 minutes, i.e. less than two hours. The time needed to decelerate must be carefully considered in such ventures.
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