Appearance
Tlachatl are the smallest and most degenerate of the Tlak mutant species. Their limbs have degenerated into grasping claws, suitable only for crawling into position and hooking into the flesh of other species. They are blind, and use their antennae and telepathic senses to find prey.
Special Abilities
Tlachatl can read the surface thoughts of their “mounts”, and dominate their minds until they obey.
Tactics
Tlachatl attach themselves to their “mounts” and, attaching with claws and mouthparts, use their psionic talents to “break” them. On a human or similar-sized humanoid, the preferred purchase is on his or her back, with the mouth behind the neck and the antennae reaching over the shoulders. Once servile, the hapless mount carries the Tlachatl around as long as they both live; Tlachatl have a mental rapport with their mounts, so they can give commands silently and get a rough description of what the mount sees and hears. They can also use their telepathic gifts to read and speak with other minds, but a concerted effort to dominate another being risks losing control of their mount.
Ecology
Tlachatl are, as one would expect, domineering, greedy parasites. When Tlachatl gain control of an isolated settlement, they frequently begin breeding a race of “mounts” who are hardy and easy to dominate … humanoids by preference. They also design armored cowls to protect themselves. When they must go disguised, they prefer loose clothes and hoods to conceal their antennae; because they’re control freaks, they never rely solely on their mounts’ senses.
TLACHATL (Nomad)
| Size | Stamina | Armor | Damage | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 10 | 2 | claws 1D-1D | Knowledge 3, Social 2, Stealth 3 |
Talents/Abilities/Inabilities
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Ambushes: A Tlachatl gains +1D Advantage to Combat when surprising its prey.
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Climb: A Tlachatl can scale any rough surface, usually in an attempt to jump on a potential mount’s back.
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Grapple: Once a Tlachatl latches on, it refuses to let go. Someone other than the victim must succeed at a Physical throw to remove it. The victim may make the throw, at -1D Disadvantage due to the difficulty of pulling something off their back.
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Psionic Powers: All Tlachatl have the following powers, which they can use with a successful Knowledge check. A failure disables the power for the rest of the day.
- Mind Blast (FTLN p. 34)
- Mind Control (FTLN p 34)
- Suggestion (FTLN p 34-35)
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Stealth: Stealth 3 at no cost.