Suffragan

Suffragan

(Creature)

Type

Outsider
(evil, extraplanar, kyton, lawful)

CR

5

Environment

Any (Shadow Plane)

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Source: Nidal, Land of Shadows, pg(s). 58-59

Suffragans are a race of velstracs born from the souls of the Joyful Things, Zon-Kuthon's most twisted fanatical followers.

Appearance

Suffragans appear as humanoid torsos with chains or barbed whips sprouting from the stumps of their amputated arms and legs. These metal appendages can be configured to suit any task at hand. Albeit uncommon, other suffragan configurations include wings or fins made of interlocked limbs. Barbed blades droop from the suffragan's mouth, its tongue replaced with undulating jagged metal. Suffragans switch between climbing, crawling and walking without much thought. In humanoid form, they usually walk with painfully twisted torsos or in a disturbing crouch.

A suffragan stands about five feet tall and weighs 160 pounds.

Ecology

Suffragans are born from the souls of Joyful Things who were so warped and depraved in their post-ritual transformations that they became true velstracs. Newly created suffragans are limbless, but quickly and eagerly affix metal appendages to the stumps of their limbs.

Suffragans serve loyally and fervently as functionaries and majordomos to eremites in Zon-Kuthon's sanctuaries on the Shadow Plane. Most suffragans have entirely forgotten how to eat or drink, having been fed through tubes or magically when they were still mortal and, being outsiders, they no longer need food or water. Suffragans delight in preparing elaborate meals for their mortal victims, which range from the unusual (such as moth wings) to the gruesome (such as the suffragan's own flesh).

Society

Suffragans have a particularly alien mindset even compared to other velstracs, who consider their dedication to Zon-Kuthon unnerving and prefer to keep them busy and out of the way with minor tasks. Suffragans tend to take great pride in loyally fulfilling these tasks.

Suffragans often serve as torturers or jailers and sadistically delight in the pain they inflict. They believe that their own bodily transformations and the pain they suffer are the purest and most powerful obeisance to Zon-Kuthon, and seek to perpetuate it through inflicting what they call the blessings of Zon-Kuthon.

Suffragans particularly like oozes, keeping them as pets and feeding them cast-off flesh. Suffragans find doppelgangers and faceless stalkers intriguing, and such captives might promise an entertaining display of shape-shifting to earn a chance at escape.