Page 31 - Lords of Madness: The Book of Aberrations

foul deity is viewed as heresy at best and treachery at worst ABOLETH LAIRS
by their respective races, Ghaunadaur-worshiping drow and Aboleth cities are located primarily in deep underground
aboleths frequently join forces to create cities that are difficult seas and buried waterways miles below the surface of the

to assault by land or by sea. world, but not all aboleths dwell in these infamous sunken
Illithids: Aboleths make alliances with illithids more often cities. A relatively large number can be found closer to
than with any other lesser race, for two reasons. First, the aboleths the surface.
and the illithids have similar mindsets; they’re coldly logical, Aboleths that live near the surface fall into one of three
emotionless, and constantly hungry for knowledge. In addition, categories. Some are slavers that live in regions heavily trav-
the illithids view all other races as little more than fodder or eled by members of useful slave races (such as humanoids
or giants); these aboleths dwell in small lakes or rivers near
slaves, a viewpoint the aboleths naturally identify with.
CHAPTER 2 THE DEEP MASTERS Second, the inscrutable mind flayers are the race that underground trade routes. Once a slaver aboleth has collected

its quota of slaves (usually a dozen), it returns with them to
aboleths come the closest to fearing. The aboleths do not
its home city before coming back to gather more.
remember the genesis of the illithid race, not even in their
racial memories. As far as the aboleths know, the illithids
Aboleths can also be found near the surface. These indi-

simply appeared from nowhere, and that makes the aboleths
religious or philosophical beliefs. They seek out others of their

uncomfortable. The origin and capabilities of the mind flayers viduals have been forced to flee the deeper cities due to their
are unknown. Of course, the reason for this is simple: Mind kind with like-minded desires and form small communities
flayers came to the world from the distant future. In a way, of their own.

the aboleths and the illithids are like cosmic bookends: two The most commonly encountered aboleths near the surface
similar races with similar goals, one from the ancient past and are nomadic members of their race. These aboleths have
one from the doomed future. become disillusioned with life in their sunken city, curious
Ixitxachitl: Ixitxachitl (Monster Manual II page 128) are about the surface world, or perhaps just too egotistical to
a common ally among the oceanic aboleths, serving them remain a small part of a larger whole. These aboleths fancy
as elite warriors in a similar manner to the way the kuo-toas themselves leaders and deities, and they travel to the surface
serve the underground-dwelling aboleths. Certain pockets to establish cults of enslaved humanoids to worship and tend
of aberrant ixitxachitl known as ixzan are said to lurk in the to their needs. They retain the standard aboleth disdain for
deepest underground seas; the aboleths there welcome these divinity but lack the desire to add to the legacy of the race.
creatures into their cities as well. Aboleths are immortal, after all; perhaps these nomads simply
Kopru: The aboleths feel strong ties of kinship to the kopru figure that the goals of their home city won’t be realized for

(Monster Manual II page 134), a fellow aquatic race with the several thousand years and decide to take a few centuries off
power of mental domination and a history of a vast civiliza- to relax near the surface.
tion fallen into ruin. Yet where the aboleths have recovered Whatever their reason for relocating closer to the surface
the glory of their past empires many times over the eons, the world, aboleths craft lairs similar to those of their deeper-
kopru have yet to rebuild their cities. dwelling kin. An aboleth lair almost always features an
Krakens: The aboleths pay these mighty and fierce lords underground waterway that eventually connects to a vast

of the deep a measure of respect similar to that given to the underground sea that is home to an aboleth city. Aboleths
Elder Evils themselves. Willful enough that they are difficult that live in lakes or rivers not connected in this manner

to enslave and powerful enough to crush an aboleth to pulp always have a magical method of travel, such as teleportation
in seconds, krakens are afforded a wide berth. An aboleth city or shadow walking, that they use to travel to and from the
might try to woo a kraken with offers of alliance—perhaps deep sunless seas.
a trade of slaves and treasure in return for defense and alle- Aboleths prefer to lair in natural caverns, although they
giance—but they rarely attempt to coerce the mighty beasts. sometimes seek out partially flooded ruins as well. An

A kraken escaped from enslavement is a force few aboleths aboleth’s personal lair is completely underwater, with perhaps
wish to encounter. a small beach or ledge overlooking a portion of the water’s
Kuo-toas: The kuo-toas are an obvious choice as allies for surface. The route that connects the primary lair to the surface
the aboleths for many reasons. First, they are individually or to more commonly traveled underground trade routes is a

much weaker than the aboleths and can be bullied into ser- maze of chambers and rooms, flooded and populated with a
vitude. Second, they are amphibious and can carry out their host of enslaved minions. These minions must visit the abo-
masters’ plans on the surface. The aboleths keep the kuo-toas leth at least once a day to have their enslavements rekindled,
docile with their enslavement powers, but favored kuo-toa but only the creature’s favorite slaves are kept nearby and
leaders are allowed to keep their own minds as a reward transformed by its mucus cloud. Unless some of the minions
for good service. Since most of the other kuo-toas remain are particularly adept at crafting traps, aboleth lairs are free
enslaved, the aboleths have no fear that the few free-willed of such hazards. The primary exceptions, of course, are the
kuo-toas can engender rebellion. illusions it uses to protect its personal lair.

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