Re: Neogi and Umber Hulks - air breathing?

On Jul 8, 2006, at 3:56 AM, Dreamer wrote:

> How about we say it is a non-combat effect, such as the neogi
> being able to put themselves (and maybe even their umber hulk
> servants?) into a death-like suspended animation trance that
> reduces their air consumption to almost nothing?  Maybe a side-
> effect of their (Slow inducing) poison?

Well, it should be noted that the Mindspider (I think it was the 
Mindspider?) reference assumes they *do* use air, even if their math is 
wonky. So stretching to accomodate a one-time possibly erroneous 
allusion to an ability that doesn't exist is a bit much.

> Could they also do this to slaves?

Clearly not, since the ship description explains alludes to the fact 
that the slaves still need to breathe.

>
> (Presumably such a trance would also greatly reduce food and
> water use.)

See, now you're prancing off into non-official rules creation  :-p

>
> If they can do this then they can probably wake themselves, and
> their umber hulks, pretty fast.

The main problem I have with this idea is that it doesn't fit with the 
Neogi personality. If a Neogi has this ability... why would he ever use 
it? Entering into a hibernative trance would not be desirable at all to 
a paranoid Neogi, air conservation or no. It leaves them vulnerable to 
attack (especially if their umber hulk slaves are also in a trance!) 
from both revolting slaves and rival neogi.

> On the other hand, neogi have the ability to Charm Monster,
> probably at will, on Umber Hulks, and the ability to cast spells
> needing gestures (somatic), even though they don't have hands,
> and these are abilities only mentioned in the text.  I could
> imagine someone missing what they might think a minor ability.
> The monster description (on LotV, pg.36-37) does not say anything
> about them not needing to breathe, though.

They can "charm monster"? I'm not familiar with that ability...
Also, there are texts that describe Neogi wielding weapons and using 
items, so clearly they have some ability to manipulate objects with 
their limbs. The artistic representations we of the Neogi vary wildly; 
some pictures show small claws at the ends of their spiderian limbs, 
while others show nothing of the kind.

> It is also interesting that the rules say in one place that neogi
> use paired Lifejammer Helms (CoAS, pg.39), and in another that
> they use Major (SJ) Helms (LotV, pg.37) for the Mindspider.
>
> Maybe they use either, depending on which neogi group it is?

Yeah, they use either  :)  War Captain's Companion lists most Neogi 
ships, IIRC, as being able to support various helm-types.