Page 100 - Lords of Madness: The Book of Aberrations

secrecy, the exploitation of weakness, and the flaunting of

strength. Worship of Vecna doesn’t exactly constitute an NEOGI MAGIC
underground movement within neogi society, but it is not Unlike many of the other sentient aberration races, neogi are
practiced openly. Other neogi disapprove, resisting the notion not very innovative with their magic. Instead, they are the
of venerating a human deity, no matter how evil. As long as ultimate scavengers, freely stealing from any interesting magi-

Vecna’s followers conduct their rites in secrecy, they suffer no cal tradition they come across, taking what they find useful,
undue consequences at the hands of their fellows. Where’s the and discarding the rest. A neogi wizard might know spells
profit in pointless religious debates, after all? originating on a half-dozen different worlds, some of them

Information about Tharizdun and the Patient One is pre- created by fearsome beholder mages, others by ancient human
sented in Chapter 9: The Aberration Hunter. necromancer-liches, and still others by elf enchanters.
The anatomy of the neogi imposes restrictions on which
RELATIONS WITH OTHER RACES magic items they can use and how the creatures use them. A
The only creatures that trust neogi are those that have nothing neogi can wear: TAKERS THE SLAVE CHAPTER 5

to fear from them, and few races fit that description. Undead,
because they are immune to mind control, cannot be enslaved • One headband, hat, helmet, or phylactery on the head.
by neogi. Illithids are not entirely immune, but their mental • One pair of lenses or goggles over the eyes.
power is so much greater than the neogi’s that they might • One amulet, brooch, medallion, necklace, periapt, or scarab
as well be. Besides, the illithids never allow themselves to around the neck.
be placed in a position where neogi could gain an advantage • One cape, cloak, or mantle around the shoulders.
over them. • Two pairs of bracers or bracelets on its two uppermost pairs
The combination of the neogi’s predatory tendencies and of limbs.
their utterly evil outlook prevents most humans, dwarves, • One glove, pair of gloves, or pair of gauntlets on its fore-
and elves from forming permanent treaties with them. Neogi claws.
caravans and trading vessels sometimes call at human, dwarf, • One ring on each claw (total of two rings).
or elf towns, but they are not welcome, and their stay is
short. It’s likely that some mutually beneficial trades can be Neogi cannot wear vests, vestments, shirts, robes, belts, boots,

worked out during a short stay, but there’s always a chance or shoes.
that at least a few townspeople will turn up missing after
the neogi depart.
Races and societies that make use of slaves are more likely NEOGI GOALS
to have dealings with neogi. These far-roving traders have In the neogi’s view of the universe, all things are, were, or will
the advantage of bringing slaves from points so distant that eventually be owned by the neogi. At that point, they will fulfill

there’s little chance of their kin or countrymen coming to their racial destiny and the universe will achieve its perfect
set them free. form—in effect, the living world will transform into the neogi
When faced with well-defended, savvy customers, the image of paradise. A key factor in this view is that it concerns
neogi can actually be good trading partners. They recognize not just material things, but all things. All living creatures will
value and because of their lawful natures, they honor agree- also be owned by neogi, and all other neogi will be owned by

ments once they’re finalized. The only way to be secure when the almighty leader of the race, the administrarch.
dealing with neogi is to operate from a position of strength. In the short term, neogi goals are simple. Each wants to
Intimations of weakness invite subterfuge and double-deal- become as rich as possible and to own the longest chain of
ing, and possibly even trigger an attack. The neogi need to slaves it can assemble, eventually working its way up to the

keep their slave pens filled somehow, and raiding is the most position of administrarch.
direct method.
While slaves and mercantilism are the backbone of neogi SLAVES
enterprise, they have another area of expertise that is less Even more than trade, slaves are the cornerstone of neogi life.
recognized but sometimes even more valuable: naviga- Without slaves, neogi could not operate their ships, build their
tion. Neogi travel more widely than nearly any other race, nests, move their goods, or even feed and clothe themselves.
across continents, oceans, entire worlds, and even planes Neogi have lost the will and the knowledge to perform such
of existence. They know where to find almost anything, tasks because those matters are the work of slaves. A typical
and there are few places they cannot reach, if they’re paid neogi knows how to do just two things, and it does them
well enough. Taking passage on a neogi vessel or with a exceedingly well: strike a hard bargain and manage slaves.
neogi caravan is risky business for desperate customers. Every adult neogi owns at least one slave. Many neogi own
Those tempted, or forced by necessity, to travel this way are more than one, but because of the limitations of their enslave
advised to work out an iron-bound contract ahead of time, power, few use more than three on a daily basis. Excess slaves

to travel in strength, to keep their business secret, and to are kept penned up until they are sold, brought out of confine-
sleep with one eye open. ment as replacements, or relegated to become food.
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