Inkubus 4 (12)

High Noon at Midnight

An inkubus enjoys two different states of being. One is as an alchemically marked up page, whether that's a sheet in a book or newspaper, a letter, a broadsheet, or a wanted poster. There's little to distinguish this inkubus "seed" from regular paper without a concerted search for magical influence. Each seed has a trigger, set by the alchemists who created it. The trigger could be when the page is read, when a certain amount of time is expired, when a specified individual sees the page, or something else.

A triggered inkubus takes on substance either immediately, as nearby paper swirls in and accretes around the seed, or gradually, if the inkubus is meant to remain unobtrusive (as often happens when the seed is a wanted poster whose target just wandered by).

When fully embodied, an inkubus appears as a human sized dragonfly like paper sculpture covered in constantly scrolling words.

Motive: As determined when seeded (but actually, break the control of their creator or whoever has control over them; see Temperamental)

Environment: Almost anywhere

Health: 21

Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (5 points)

Movement: Short; long when flying

Modifications: Stealth as level 8 (when not fully manifest)

Combat: Inkubuses slice targets with knife sharp paper cuts as their attack.

Inkubuses may have one or more of the following additional traits, depending on their purpose.

• Word of Power. An inkubus contains a "word of power" that it can display as an action once per day. A target in short range who sees it and fails an Intellect defense roll is affected as indicated for one minute (or longer for Forget):
  • Stunned. Target takes no action.
  • Confess. Target starts with their most egregious crimes/secrets, one per turn.
  • Betray. Target attacks nearby allies.
  • Forget. Target goes back to whatever they were doing and doesn't remember meeting the inkubus unless or until they meet again.
• Words on the Floor. The inkubus can send written words to their creator (or anyone), such as a warning, an update on their status, or some other predetermined signal. Words appear on a surface near the creator.
• Forgeborn Traits. Inkubuses are Resistant and Temperamental.

Interaction: The inkubus is more self aware than most other forgeborn, and may interact with characters by using its Words on the Floor ability.

Use: The PCs receive a letter from a famous alchemists, which becomes an inkubus that relays the alchemist's message (an invitation, a warning, a threat, or something else).

GM Intrusion: Important documents or other papers the character carries flap away and become part of the inkubus.