2002-07-26 - 2:29 p.m.
Gundahk (plural: Gunda)
Medium-Size Monstrous Humanoid (Reptilian)
Hit Dice: 2d8+4 (13 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 40 ft.
AC: 15 (+5 natural)
Attacks: 2 claws +3 melee, bite -2 melee;
or sonic disruptor +2 ranged (see below)
Damage: Claw 1d4+1, bite 1d3, or sonic disruptor 2d8+2
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: None
Special Qualities: Low-Light Vision
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +3
Abilities: Str 13, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 11
Skills: Appraise +2, Balance +2, Bluff +1, Climb +6,
Diplomacy +3, Hide +1 (+5 in forest or jungle), Jump +6,
Knowledge (alien races) +2, Listen +0, Move Silently +1,
Profession (as appropriate) +4, Search +4 (+2 for hearing),
Sense Motive +1, Spot +4, Wilderness Lore +1
Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (small sonic weapons)
Climate/Terrain: Any, but warm forest is preferred
Organization: Solitary, scouting party (2-3), exploratory outpost
(5-10 + commander of 2nd - 4th level), resource colony (10-20,
plus 2 subcommanders of 2nd - 4th level, 1 commander of 3rd - 8th
level, and 1-4 Human slaves), hidden community (22-58, plus 50%
noncombatants, 1 subcommander of 2nd - 5th level per 10 adults,
1 commander of 5th - 10th level leader, and 6-12 Human slaves)
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: Standard coins; double goods; standard items
Alignment: Usually True Neutral
Advancement: By character class
Picture Link: Click Here
Gunda are reptilian aliens that originally evolved on a warm, wet Earth-like planet, orbiting a type G7 V sun (somewhat smaller and dimmer than Earth's but also somewhat closer). Although they appear lizard-like and are cold-blooded, they have a highly evolved metabolism that is much more efficient than that of any reptile on Earth. They are also very long-lived, by Human standards, often attaining an age of four centuries or more.
Male Gunda are usually around 6½ feet tall and weigh about 260 pounds, being quite solidly built, especially in the upper body area. Females are only slightly smaller, and Human cannot usually tell them apart. A typical Gundahk is dark green in color, shading toward pale blue on the ventral side. It has dark, hair-like bristles running along its entire dorsal half, including the back of its arms and legs. This, combined with the back-sweeping structure of the legs and the lack of a tail, makes its lower body appear similar to that of a satyr, rather than a lizard. Its large, dark eyes and wide mouth, filled with numerous small, needle-like teeth, give its head a vaguely fish-like appearance. This is made all the more pronounced by the thickness of its throat, which makes it look as though its head blends directly into its body. All of its digits sport sharp talons, and its feet are unusually flexible - about on par with those of a bird. Gunda evolved from carnivores and still prefer to eat small game, fish, and insects; however, they can metabolize fruit and soft vegetables and are quite fond of the former.
Gunda do not really like to wear clothing and, lacking a warm-blooded metabolism, do not benefit from it as effectively as Humans do, anyway. When forced to enter cold areas they sometimes wear web-like mesh suits that provide direct heat, as opposed to insulation. As an advanced, star-faring race, they have many useful tools and will often carry them in mesh belts.
Gunda speak their own tongue, Jud'mar, and are quite capable of learning any Human language, as well. Those living on Earth will usually know at least one or two local tongues, and some may know the language of the Surd, as well. Being natural linguists, Gunda receive one extra bonus language, beyond the number indicated by their Intelligence.
Combat
Despite their size and strength, Gunda prefer to avoid direct confrontation unless their chance of winning seems comfortably high. Because they tend to weigh everything in terms of profit and risk, they will avoid fights that do not promise some sort of clear reward. This also means that, when they do enter combat, they are ruthless and self-centered. They seldom take prisoners, unless they can do so in complete safety and are currently in need of hostages or slaves.
In ranged combat, Gunda use sonic weapons, since they are less susceptible to the "bleed" from them (having a rather poor sense of hearing). They are also fond of using explosives of various sorts. In close combat, they generally rely on their natural weaponry, although they will only enter melee as a last resort or when dealing with creatures that have poor natural armaments (like Humans).
Skills: As previously noted, Gunda have a poor sense of hearing and receive a -2 racial penalty on Listen and hearing-related Search checks. On the other hand, they have keen vision and receive a +2 racial bonus on Spot and vision-related Search checks. Their coloration acts as a camouflage when they are surrounded with vegetation; thus, they receive a +4 racial bonus to Hide checks in forests and jungles (only). Gunda are excellent climbers and leapers and receive a +4 racial bonus to Climb and Jump checks. They are also shrewd negotiators and receive a +2 racial bonus on Diplomacy checks.
Gundahk Weaponry: The most common Gundahk weapon is a sort of sonic disruptor: Damage 2d8+2, Critical 20/x2, Range Increment 60 feet, Weight 5 lbs., 18 shots per ½-pound energy pack. One-half of the damage (rounded up) is subdual, and the rest is lethal. It is a "dirty" weapon, in that the sound given off also causes pain (1 point of subdual damage) to any creature with normal hearing that is within one range increment (60 feet) of the weapon. The Gunda, with their poor hearing, are immune to this effect. For obvious reasons, a weapon of this sort cannot be "silenced" and is usually very obvious. The Gunda also use fragmentation and sonic grenades, exactly like those described in Paragon, and have been known to use biological weapons and poison.
Gundahk Society
On their home planet, the Gunda have a complex system of government, linked to numerous powerful guilds that have been in existence for millennia. They have a strong mercantile streak and are known, throughout space, as shrewd and enthusiastic traders. Almost everything they do revolves around a balance of profit and risk. Unfortunately, they also have a strong sense of race superiority and, thus, are not above conning "lesser beings" that are too naive to keep up with them. They are fascinated by new technology and will go to great lengths to obtain it; in fact, their rivals are prone to dismiss them as "tech thieves", incapable of making any meaningful advances of their own. This is not an entirely fair assessment, but it is true that the Gunda are, first and foremost, opportunists.
Several colonies of Gunda have been, effectively, stranded on Earth, since they first arrived in 208 A.D. and, again, in 1178 A.D. These creatures have degenerated, somewhat, and are more suspicious, less diplomatic, and a bit more primitive than their kin. Many of them have been drawn into Sheloth, Surd, Vasloi or Onjina affairs and, thus, have little control over their own destinies. These usually fall into two camps: fanatic followers and resigned slaves. It is rumored that some in South America have become involved in some sort of dark cult and are in frequent contact with like-minded Humans.
Gundahk Characters
Star-faring Gunda are almost always Experts, specializing in space travel or trade, and this is their race's favored class. On any given expedition, there will always be at least a few trained soldiers, who count as Warriors. Earthbound Gunda are often Experts or Warriors, as well, but some of those living in wilderness areas have become Rangers, as per D&D. Gunda Rangers who attain a level high enough to cast spells are invariably tied to the Onjina, Sheloth or Surd. All Gunda have an ECL of +2, putting them roughly on par with Paragon superheroes of the same level.
Gundahk Agenda
The Gunda are, without a doubt, the easiest of the alien races for Humans to understand. While their psychology is certainly inhuman, at least their motivations can be generally understood. Most are simply here to make a profit and have no more insidious goal than that. They often steal resources from Earth but not in such quantities that they pose a serious threat.
The Gunda that recently set up a base on the Moon could, eventually, become a problem, since they are exploring the idea of capturing Humans in large numbers to use as slaves. Now that they have begun to notice the activities of other alien races on Earth, however, they have pulled back a bit and are maintaining a low profile. They will probably begin to focus on locating artifacts left by these other races, since acquiring technology is always a priority for them.
The Earthbound Gunda are more varied in their goals, since they are scattered all over the globe and have developed their own agendas. Many work directly or indirectly for other races, whereas some have esoteric goals of their own. A few have even made alliances with Humans and are working to profit from that relationship.
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