Myths & Monsters: Sthagati

STHAGATI

"The Stranglers of Bombay" film 1959

HD: As per Level

AC As per armor, usually padded

ATK: Clubs 1d4 / Garotte 1d6

MOVE: 12,

SAVE: as per Level

AL: C

CL/XP: As per Level

Special: Strangulation.

Sthagati, from the Sanskrit, meaning "to conceal", are murderous religious fanatics. They carry out ritualistic sacrifices in the form of strangulation of their victims, to appease their terrible goddess. These victims are often random encounters, but can also be targets of vendetta, or chosen by the leaders of the local cult for various reasons. This causes terror and compliance from the local population and officials, who are fearful of becoming targets should they speak out or interfere in any way.

Sthagati are treated as thieves, who use their skills to hunt down and kill their victims. Religious restrictions do not allow them to draw blood, so they use clubs and garrotes, with all sacrifices by garrote. They do this entirely out of zealous service to their blood-thirsty goddess, not for personal gain. It is not uncommon for the leaders of the cult to specifically target enemies for self enrichment and personal gain, but it is done carefully under the guise of their religion. They are not assassins, who's profession involves many various ways to infiltrate and multiple ways to kill targets.

Strangulation: Using Swords & Wizardry rules - add all additional backstabbing multiples as d6 to unarmed combat rolls.

A local cult will have 10-20 members, from all walks of life All should be treated as 1st level Thieves. 1 out of 5 will be a headman (sub-leader) of 3rd level, and 1 out of 10 will be a Leader of 5th level. Every 20 cultists will have an additional Master, of Cleric level 5. Every 100 will have an additional High Priest of 9th level Cleric. Sthagati priests will never bring the dead back to life, but they will create undead to guard their temples and secret meeting places.

Sthagati Cultist - Cultist / Headman / Leader

Level:                   Thief 1 / 3 / 5
Save:                    15 / 13 / 11
Climb Walls          85% / 87% / 89%
Delicate Tasks 
   and Traps          15% / 25% / 35%
Hear Sounds        3 in 6 / 4 in 6 / 4 in 6
Hide in Shadows  10% / 20% / 30%
Move Silently        20% / 30% / 40%
Open Locks          10% / 20% / 30%
Backstab               x2 / x2 / x3
CL / XP                 2 (30) / 4 (120) / 6 (400)


Sthagati Priests - Priest / High Priest

Level:                    Cleric 5 / Cleric 9
Save:                     11 / 7
CL / XP                  6 ( 400) / 12 (2,000)