Shapeless Ones «Ameebies (as blob)»

Description (Initial Observations): Ameebies may be descended from giant microbes produced in genetic-engineering laboratories during the Shadow Years, though little else is known of their origins. An ameebie has two forms. The first is that of an amophous blob, roughly 2-3 m in diameter. The blob is omnivorous and attacks living prey by attempting to stretch out, envelope, and smother the victim. A successful to hit roll means the ameebie has extended a pseudopod and successfully covered the victims face. (Being rather intelligent, the ameebie knows where to aim.) The victim takes 2d6 damage per Action Turn there- after until either it or the ameebie is slain. Blunt weapons (clubs, maces, etc.) do no damage to the ameebie in this form, as it can reshape itself to absorb the blows impact.The ameebie's second form is that of a humanoid being, devoid of facial features, hair, and so forth. This form is about 1.5 m tall, and takes 2 Action Turns without interruption to assume. In this form, the ameebie cannot digest prey, as it is using all of its energy to maintain the humanoid shape. It is not known if ameebies can assume other forms.Ameebies cannot be affected by cold. They automatically form a hard, rubbery surface when subjected to cold tempera- tures, and actually gain 1 armor class level for every 10 hit points of cold damagethey absorb (even from mutant cold-generating powers). The lowest armor class they can attain is AC 3.Ameebies are quite intelligent and may join adventuring parties out of curiosity. They see by using thousands of minute eyespots over their bodies. Though severely myopic (missing all objects fur- ther than 10 m away), they cannot be surprised within their limited visual range. Ameebies are deaf, but have normal senses of touch. They eat any organic matter, being immune to poisons. Some ameebies have learned to communicate with other beings using very rudimentary sign language. They also regenerate any physical damage they take.Nothing is known about how ameebies reproduce, though it is guessed that they use budding or fission. Ameebies cannot be contacted by using telepathic powers of any sort. For some reason, they seem to avoid their own kind, and are only encountered singly.