Volt

Volts were a strange, uncommon species of electrical blood-sucking creatures.

Description
Volts had flat, nearly-spherical bodies in diameter that were covered in a bundle of bristly grey hair. Their bodies were surrounded by a faint, blue electrical aura that was only visible in low-light conditions. In addition, a low humming sound was given off by their bodies that could only be heard in the quietest of conditions.

At the rear of a volt's body was a long, naked tail that spanned in length. This tail helped to provide their bodies balance while floating and they moved by rapidly twitching it, similar to the way in which snakes swam. At the very end of these tails were barbed stingers and their electricity producing organ.

They had two bulbous eyes as well as two small curved horns, the latter of which were above their mouths. These mouths resembled that of an eell, sucker-like and full of tiny teeth.

Behavior
Volts had an animal degree of intellect and were very ill-tempered creatures, liable to attack anything they encountered. However, they ignored creatures that had little to no nerve impulses, such as plants and golems.

Volts were drawn towards sources of lightning like thunderstorms, even those caused by spells like lightning bolt, and tended to be more aggressive around such sources.

Biology
Volts were capable of detecting electrical impulses, such as nerve activity.

Reproduction
Once per year, in areas of violent thunderstorm activity a volt would reproduce by means of sudden bright discharges of electrical energy. Newlyborn volts, sometimes known as microvolts, could only achieve maturity if they were struck by lightning. If not struck within six hours after birth a newlyborn volt's body would wither away and die.

Abilities
Volts floated by a magical means, in a similar manner to the spell levitation. They were also impervious to harm from electricity. In fact, electricity could heal their bodies.

Combat
These creatures fought by biting at their opponents and locking onto their necks with their jaws. Once locked on to an opponent this way, suction tendrils snaked out from their mouths and drained blood from their victim. Once suctioned to a victim it was difficult to remove them without either killing them or the bolt. Besides their jaws, volts would lash out with their tails.

History
One room within the Assassin's Run complex of the Assassins Guild of the Galenas was infested with volts.

Rumors & Legends
Some sages speculated that the electrical aura which surrounded them helped to initiate thunderstorms.

Ecology
Volts traveled in herds, led by an individual that had drained the blood of other competing members of their herd. These herds were nomadic, following weather fronts which showed a promise of thunderstorm activity, rather than staying in or defending one locale.

Diet
These creatures fed upon electrical impulses and blood. They extracted substances from blood, primarily salt, which served to charge their electrical organ.

Habitats
Volts could be found in wide variety of lands, but typically those with a temperate or tropical climate. They were most often found in or around areas of where thunderstorm activity was at its peak. Some could be found in the ruins of Myth Drannor.

Outside of the Prime Material plane, they could be found inhabiting the jungles of the 500 layer of the Abyss, the realm of Kali.

Usage
If properly harvested, the electrical organ within their tail could be used in the creation of a wand of lightning. Their barbs could be mixed with the blood of a blue dragon to enchant its tooth.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * The Bloodstone Wars • The Throne of Bloodstone