Numenera Discovery
Mastigophores are automatons that look human but can instantly transform their hands into long, barbed whips whenever they wish. When first encountered, they appear to be average, uniformed humans with a military stance. Quiet and excellent stalkers, they are encountered in one of two modes: on guard or hunting.
Mastigophores guard certain ancient ruins, complexes, or machines. They usually warn trespassers away once with unintelligible words (but obvious intentions), and if their warning is not heeded, they attack and fight without regard for their safety. They are almost always in groups of two or more.
The automatons need to consume organic material to function and create their weapons. Although they can subsist on plant matter, whoever created mastigophores designed them to enjoy hunting and killing animal prey. In this endeavor, they are very aggressive, and they act alone, leaving their "partners" behind to guard whatever it is they're protecting.
Motive: Standing vigil, consuming organic matter
Environment: Anywhere
Health: 15
Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (5 points)
Armor: 3
Movement: Long
Modifications: Defends as level 5 when on guard. Attacks as level 5 when hunting. Perception as level 5. Hides, moves stealthily, and climbs as level 6.
Combat: With a thought, mastigophores can extrude organic matter from their wrists in the form of long, barbed whips. These whips stun foes for one round, causing the victims to lose a turn. While on guard, mastigophores fight until destroyed. When hunting, they retreat if they suffer more than 5 points of damage.
Interaction: Mastigophores speak, but not in any language known today. Stern and focused, they cannot be convinced to shirk their duties. However, if they are not hunting, and if the PCs don't try to get past them while they are standing guard, mastigophores are not hostile.
Use: The PCs find the entrance to an ancient complex in the side of a forested mountain. However, it is guarded by a pair of mastigophores that defend it until they are destroyed.
Loot: The inner workings of a mastigophore can provide 1d6 shins and 1d6 cyphers to someone trained in scavenging them.
GM Intrusion: The damaged mastigophore explodes, inflicting a moderate wound (5 points) on all creatures in immediate range.