Manggus

This hideous humanoid stands as tall as an ogre. Wrinkled folds of loose skin hang from its body. Two long fangs curve upward towards its eyes, while another pair juts down past its chin. Its bloodshot eyes weep drops of blood.

Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.

On this Thread

A manggus is a malevolent fey shapeshifter that terrorizes human settlements and feeds upon the residents. It relies on deception and Disguise to infiltrate these settlements, using its powers to take a leadership position. Once in power, it demands offerings and living sacrifices. If it cannot convince the humans to offer it tribute, a manggus instead stalks the fringe of the community, picking off travelers or assaulting outlying homes. A manggus will quickly move on to a new community if its ruse
is exposed or if food becomes scarce.

When a manggus takes a mate, it mates for life. Other than this union, manggi typically avoid others of their kind, as greater numbers increase their chances of being revealed to their prey.

A manggus stands 8 to 10 feet tall and weighs 450 to 550 pounds.

Manggus (Greater Spirit)
Large fey (Cold, Shapechanger)
Hit Dice	8d6+24 (52 hp)
Initiative	-1
Speed	40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class	21 (-1 size, -1 Dexterity, +11 natural, +2 deflection), touch 10, flat-footed 21
Base Attack/Grapple	+4/+13
Attack	Maul +8 melee (2d8+7/x3) or bite +8 melee (2d6+7)
Full Attack	Maul +8 melee (2d8+7/x3) and bite +3 melee (2d6+7)
Space/Reach	10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	Change shape, detect thoughts, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities	Damage reduction 10/cold iron, immunity to cold, low-light vison, unearthly grace, vulnerability to fire
Saves	Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +8
Abilities	Strength 21, Dexterity 8, Constitution 16, Intelligence 15, Wisdom 10, Charisma 15
Skills	Bluff +15*, Diplomacy +17, Disguise +13* (+15 acting), Hide +2, Intimidate +17, Move Silently +3, Sense Motive +11, Listen +11, Spot +11
Feats	Improved Natural Attack (Bite), Great Fortitude, Persuasive
Environment	Cold plains
Organization	Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating	6
Treasure	Standard
Alignment	Always chaotic evil
Advancement	9-12 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment	+6

COMBAT

In its natural form, a manggus typically wields a great maul and bites with its oversized fangs. However, a manggus prefers to fight in the shape of a more powerful creature. Regardless of its form, a manggus fights fiercely in the first few rounds of combat as long as it retains the upper hand, but if the fight turns against it, a manggus
flees or surrenders if those options are available. Otherwise, it fights to the death.

Change Shape (Su): A manggus can assume the shape of any Medium, Large, or Huge creature. The creature’s hit dice cannot exceed twice the manggus’ hit dice. The new form must be a creature that the manggus has personally seen. In a different form, the manggus loses its natural attacks, but gains all extraordinary and supernatural abilities of the new form. A manggus can remain in a form until it chooses to assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, but a manggus reverts to its natural form when killed. A true seeing spell or ability reveals its natural form. If the manggus takes fire damage from any source, it is immediately forced back into its natural form.

Detect thoughts (Su): A manggus can continuously use detect thoughts as the spell (caster level 8th; Will DC 16 negates). It can suppress or resume this ability as a free action. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Spell-like abilities:

• At will–comprehend languages;
• 3/day–cause fear (DC 13), Contagion (+8 melee touch, DC 16). Caster level 8th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

Unearthly Grace (Su): A manggus adds its Charisma modifier as a bonus on all its saving throws and as a deflection bonus to its Armor Class.

Skills: *When using its change shape ability, a manggus gains a +10 circumstance bonus on Disguise checks. If it can read an opponent’s mind, it gets a further +4 circumstance bonus on Bluff and Disguise checks.

Originally found in The Horde Campaign Setting (1990).