Essence reavers are aberrations native to the continent of Sarlona. They are feared apex predators with a draconic aspect and murderous disposition that hunt sources of psionic or magical power.[1]
Description[]
Essence reavers are emaciated, bone-plated aberrations that resemble a wingless black dragon at first glance. The coloration of essence reavers varies from ebon black to a dull slate gray, and they have no variation in appearance based on age or gender, with each being roughly 10 feet (3 meters) tall, 16 feet (4.9 meters) long with a 16‑foot-long (4.9‑meter) tail for a total length of 31 feet (9.4 meters), and weighing 3,000 pounds (1,400 kilograms). Reavers possess dead-white eyes, a slavering maw filled with razor teeth, and a 15‑foot (4.6‑meter) whip-like tail tipped with a membranous spike that glows a dull red.[1]
Behavior[]
Essence reavers are apex predators that prey on anything that moves, but are particularly interested in spellcasters, wielders of psionics, and items of magical or psionic power. Essence reavers are attracted to the ambient power from magical locations and psionic locations in Sarlona. They target settlements such as the yuan-ti and the nomadic half-giants, but shun more inhabited settlements for unknown reasons, and never come close to the hanbalani altas of Riedra. Reavers do not collect mundane treasure or magic items or psionic items.[1]
Essence reavers prefer hunting alone, and spend days stalking targets. In areas with high levels of magical or psionic power, reavers may gather to form a small hunting pack. These packs of up to six reavers operate with a surprising degree of tactical cunning. Lone reavers lead a feint to drive prey into an ambush by the other members of the pack, or instead the pack surrounds the prey while they are distracted.[1]
Essence reavers slaughter mundane animal life and psionic creatures they encounter in their hunting area. Slaughtered livestock and wild animals are taken as an indicator of the presence of reavers in the general area.[1]
Ecology[]
Precious little is known about the lifecycle of essence reavers. The absorbed magical and psionic power is assumed to fill a role in their reproduction cycle. Clutches of fist-sized eggs have been found in isolated sandflats of deserts and are thought to have been laid by essence reavers, but no young have been observed, the adults do not guard them, and lesser predators sometimes feast on these eggs.[1]
Abilities[]
Essence reavers are intelligent predators that radiate a faint aura of both magic and psionics, which is strengthened based on the strength of any additional magic or psionics they absorb. Reavers are immune to fear and intimidation, paralysis, and sleep effects. They are skilled trackers, especially if they've sampled the magic or psionics of a target, object, or location before.[1]
Essence reavers possess the ability to detect magic and detect psionics, which they rely on for hunting. Additionally, reavers are adept at seeing in the dark, and can see four times as well as humans in shadowy or dark illumination, with darkvision to 60 feet (18 meters). Reavers can use true seeing three times each day.[1]
Reavers drain magical and psionic power through their tail from people and items. Reavers can deploy or manifest powers absorbed in such a manner for a short period of time. The wounds left by essence reavers do not heal naturally and injuries sustained are resistant to healing spells. Reavers can use their locate creature and locate object powers once per day each against creatures and objects subject to their magic or psionic absorption abilities.[1]
Essence reavers are unable to absorb or make use of divine spells or divine items.[1]
Essence reavers can emit a supernatural scream three times each day that stuns all other kinds of creatures within a 30 feet (9.1 meters) proximity of it.[1]
History[]
While most aberrations that once roamed Sarlona have been hunted to extinction by the Inspired of Riedra, essence reavers have managed to survive. They are kept around because they tend to inhabit more remote areas and they are useful in hunting down rogue magic users.[1]
Lands[]
Essence reavers roam the harsh deserts and hills of Sarlona. They range from the Tashana Tundra to the Adaran foothills and Syrkarn. Essence reavers are rare in Riedra proper, but have been reported in the provinces of Borunan and Khalesh.[1]
Rumors & Legends[]
Essence reavers superficially resemble dragons and this may hint at past attempts by ancient dragons to pursue psionic power, which gave rise to the aberrations in the first place.[1][2] Some speculate that essence reavers are degenerate dragons merged with the spirits of Dal Quor, or even hybrids of dragons and demons formed in the Age of Demons.[1]
Adarans speculate that the Inspired have attempted to bring essence reavers to the nation, to little success so far.[1]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 147–150. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, & Amber Scott (2007). Dragons of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 110. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.