| Climate/Terrain: | Plane of Mineral |
|---|---|
| Frequency: | Rare (very rare) |
| Organization: | Solitary or pair |
| Activity Cycle: | Any |
| Diet: | Positive energy |
| Intelligence: | Low |
| Treasure: | Nil (U,V) |
| Alignment: | Neutral |
| No. Appearing: | 1 (10% chance of 2) |
| Armor Class: | 0 |
| Movement: | Fl 12 (B) |
| Hit Dice: | 8 |
| THAC0: | 13 |
| No. of Attacks: | 2 per opponent |
| Damage/Attack: | Variable (see text) |
| Special Attacks: | Nil |
| Special Defenses: | +2 or better weapon to hit, flight, elemental abilities |
| Magic Resistance: | 100% (see text) |
| Size: | L (8’ diameter) |
| Morale: | Steady (11) |
| XP Value: | 6,000 |
The spherical energy pod is yet another bizarre life form native to the fringe area that lies between the Positive Material plane and the quasi-plane of Mineral. Although it is mainly a native of the positive realms, this fairly large creature dwells within the border area storing energy and making occasional forays into the Mineral domains.
Combat: The stored energy is kept in the botryoidal clusters that are located at the ends of its eight stubby tentacles. Each cluster contains 6d4 nodules, all of which glow with a pulsing, lambent power. During combat, the energy pod flails with these limbs, being able to use two against each opponent in range, two opponents maximum. On a successful hit, 2d4 of the nodules burst open, each releasing a blast of positive energy. Each nodule that breaks inflicts 1d4 +2 hp damage. Once all of the nodules on a tentacle have been broken, that appendage has no effective attack.
Weapons of at least +2 enchantment are required to strike an energy pod. Since it feeds on power, the creature automatically absorbs the energy of any spells cast upon it, including spell-like effects from devices. This energy is used to create additional nodules, one per spell level absorbed. These nodules appear immediately on a random appendage (roll 1d8 to determine which tentacle).
Acid thrown on an energy pod will do double damage. The pods have no other particular resistances or vulnerabilities.
Energy pods are very rarely encountered on the Prime Material plane, almost always as guardians for magical treasures. It is also rumored that there exists a Negative Material plane creature that is a mirror image of the energy pod.