At the core of its clockwork armor, the creature is a shapeless horror from beyond the stars.
Clockwork Armor. Weak and easy prey in their natural state, the ahu-nixta long ago mastered the art of clockwork design, building armor that could carry them through the voids between stars and bolster their physical abilities. After mastering clockwork design, the ahu-nixta turned to enhancing themselves to better utilize greater and greater clockwork creations.
Evolved Terrors. As ahu-nixta age and prove themselves against their people’s enemies, they are forcibly evolved in eugenic chambers and given new armor. The ahu-nixta are comprised of drudges, rank-and-file ahu-nixta, and cataphracts. The drudges are the least evolved and lowest form of ahu-nixta, evolving into standard citizens after years of meeting rigorous physical and mental demands from their superiors.
Boundless Potential. The bodies of ahu-nixta are highly responsive to forced evolution, leaving the creatures with seemingly endless potential for advancement. Scholars speculate that undiscovered stages of ahu-nixta evolution exist, hidden by the leaders of the ahu-nixta until called upon to serve the wishes of their evil gods.
Always Murmuring Praise. The ahu-nixta constantly murmur praise of dark gods, though this sound is somewhat muffled by their armored shell. In large groups, their voices always offer the same praise, like a dark chorus.
Ahu-Nixta Drudge
Medium aberration, neutral evilArmor Class 13 (clockwork armor)
Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8)
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover), swim 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 10 (+0) | 10 (+0) |
Skills Perception +2
Damage Immunities poison, psychic
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Deep Speech, Void Speech
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Clockwork Encasement. The creature within the machine is a somewhat shapeless mass, both protected and given concrete manipulators by its armor. The clockwork armor has a few manipulators that the ahu-nixta can use to attack or to interact with objects outside of the armor. Unlike other ahu-nixta, the drudge can’t live outside its armor and dies when its armor is reduced to 0 hp.
Immutable Form. The drudge’s clockwork armor is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form, as is the creature that controls it as long as the ahu-nixta remains within the armor.
Innate Spellcasting. The ahu-nixta’s innate spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 11, +3 to hit with spell attacks). The ahunixta can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: fire bolt (1d10)
1/day: fear
Actions
Whirring Blades. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage.