XANKA

These small globes of metal have three to six jointed legs which are attached near the base of the sphere of their bodies. Most often, these creatures are formed from copper, brass, or bronze, though gold, silver, and platinum varieties have been seen in the houses of nobles and rich merchants. Designed and given a semblance of life by a gnomish tinkerer, their purpose was to act as clean up for the somewhat messy gnomish enchanters that tended to leave their workshops in a state of littered disarray.

While xanka do not actively seek combat, they are capable of determining if they are threatened by another creature, and will defend themselves.

Xanka do not have language of their own, though they understand commands from intelligent beings speaking the language of the xanka’s creator, most commonly gnomish. However, xanka only obey commands that relate to the removal of garbage. Xanka seem to be able to communicate with one another, though it is not truly understood how this occurs.

When a xanka touches matter with its globe shaped body, it can absorb that matter into itself, and break it down into energy. This way, the gnomes used them to clean up litter and refuse throughout the halls and streets of the city. Xanka are capable of absorbing half their body size in matter per round.

               Constructed Nature.  Xanka do not require air, food, drink, or sleep.

XANKA

Small construct, unaligned

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 9 (2d4)

Speed 25 ft., Climb 15 ft.

STR 10 (+0)

DEX 15 (+2)

CON 12 (+1)

INT 8 (-1)

WIS 10 (+0)

CHA 7 (-2)

Skills Perception +2

Damage Resistances fire, cold

Damage Immunities

Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Senses blindsight 120 ft., passive Perception 12

Languages Understands the languages of its creator but can’t speak

Challenge ½ (100 xp)

Gaping Wound. With a touch attack, absorbs whatever portion of matter it is touching. This leaves living creatures with gaping wounds and chunks of missing tissue, flesh, and bone. An excruciating sensation, the wound will more than likely continue to bleed profusely, until either healed or the flow is staunched somehow. This blood loss results in an additional 1d6 points of damage per round until the loss is halted.

Magic Weapons.  The xanka’s weapon attacks are magical.

ACTIONS

Absorb. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature or object.  Hit: 4 (1d8) force damage.

Matter to Energy. Xanka replenish lost energy as they absorb material. In this manner, they regain 1d4 points at the end of any turn they have absorbed matter. When a xanka is at full health, it bleeds off the excess energies that are created. This has a visual effect of a soft gold glow and a faint hum, which emanates from the xanka’s orb-like body.  Excess energy is not counted as temporary hit points.

REACTIONS

Damage Weapons. Xanka are capable of damaging items that are used as weapons against them. If struck, a xanka can absorb a portion of the item touching it, halving the damage done to it, and causing holes to appear in the weapon. Magical items are not immune to this affect, though the percentage chance of absorption goes down by 5% per +1 modifier on the item.  Matter absorbed in this manner cannot be converted to energy to heal the xanka at the end of the turn.