Opinicus (pronounced: /oʊˈpɪnɪkʌs/ o-PIN-i-kus[2]), a name used when referring to both one or many, were strange good-hearted creatures found in the deserts and ruins of Zakhara, the Land of Fate.[1]
Description
Opinicus appeared to be a blend of several animals. They possessed the body of a camel with the face of a monkey. They also had a lion’s mane and tail with eagle wings sprouting from their back. Their front paws had opposable thumbs, allowing them to grasp things like monkeys.[1]
Most opinicus were light brown or golden in color, with darker faces and wings.[1]
Combat
Though they usually avoided combat, opinicus had a strong hatred of evil creatures, especially undead and al-jahar, whom they attacked on sight. They would often come to the aid of a good cause.[1]
Their sharp senses made it nearly impossible to surprise an opinicus. They were very stealthy creatures, allowing them to sneak up on others with ease.[1]
During combat, an opinicus attempted to strike an opponent with its front paws, followed up by a rake with the rear claws.[1]
These creatures were able to turn undead similar to a priest. Additionally, they possessed the following spell-like abilities: holy word and heal. They could become ethereal at will.[1]
The unique attack of an opinicus was a glowing gaze that created a cone of light that damaged any undead or creatures of the lower planes.[1]
Opinicus possessed natural psionic talents. Though they usually used them for travelling and playing pranks, they could be used during combat as well. These powers included: probability travel, teleport, astral projection, dimension door, dimension walk, dream travel, teleport trigger, time/space anchor, telekinesis, animate objects, control winds, inertial barrier, and levitation.[1]
Habitat/Society
Ancient ruins were the preferred home of an opinicus. When found elsewhere, they were usually on some kind of personal mission. They enjoyed playing harmless pranks on travelers.[1]
An opinicus could live for centuries. Many sages believed they were initially summoned to battle vargouilles or Al-Jahar.[1]
Ecology
These creatures did not have much of an influence on their habitat. They would sometimes clean the ruins they called home, or make sculptures to decorate them.[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 Monstrous Compendium included in Tim Beach, Tom Prusa and Steve Kurtz (1993). City of Delights. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 1-56076-589-5.
- ↑ Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 28.