Dakomyd

Dakomyd are a very rare and powerful species of Agarashi. They have the ability to regenerate and reconstitute their bodies after destruction, unless they are exposed to the goodly auras of an artefact blessed by either Kai or Ishir.

Biology

Appearance

A Dakomyd in its death throes.

Dakomyd are tall (10 feet), bipedal, lumbering, reptilian monsters. They possess pale, scaly skin. Their eyes are yellow and bulge from slits in its shell-armoured head. Their hands have eight fingers, tipped with razor-sharp talons, and they have a muscular tail that is used to whip its victims. Like all Agarashi, Dakomyd blood is highly-corrosive.

When it is agitated, it emits a hideous and peculiar gibbering sound.

Traits and powers

Dakomyd are intelligent creatures. They possess the ability to install primitive traps to protect their spawning chambers.

Dakomyd are even feared by other creatures and followers of Evil. During the events of Dead in the Deep, Grand Master and Steel Hand are pursued in Emolyria, but the pursuit halts when the two stumble into a Dakomyd lair.

In combat, they attack with their talons and muscular tail. They possess a crude intelligence and a highly-developed survival instinct. They will always seek out the strongest leader in any group, perceiving them as the greatest threat to their safety and survival, and in doing so, hope to cause the leader's comrades to flee from combat. A Dakomyd's weak spot is the base of its shell-like skull.

A Dakomyd's most dangerous trait is its ability to regenerate after death. The dismembered segments of their bodies will slowly come together to reconstitute the slain Dakomyd, a process during which a Dakomyd is technically helpless, but this process can only be stopped by the powers of an artefact blessed by either Kai or Ishir.

Larvae

Dakomyd larvae resemble thin strips of pale-green gossamer fabric, and can be mistaken for a web. These larvae strands will attempt to coil and dissolve any intruder that enters the breeding chamber.

Dakomyd larvae produce a dangerous yellow acid that is able to eat through flesh and steel.

Dakomyd larvae have a very high mortality rate: Less than 2% will survive and grow to full maturity.

In the gamebooks

During the events of The Kingdoms of Terror, Lone Wolf encounters a Dakomyd in Tekaro Cathedral's Crypt, a final encounter before obtaining the Lorestone. This Dakomyd is slain for good after Lone Wolf exposes its regenerating corpse to the Lorestone of Varetta, paralysing it, and preventing it from regenerating.

During the events of Dead in the Deep, Grand Master and Steel Hand, while trying to escape, stumble into an area of Emolyria where Dakomyd have made their lair. Dakomyd are so feared, even their pursuers do not chase them further. The two Kai Grand Masters awaken a Dakomyd Pack, and must fight them until their allies can rescue them.

Combat statistics

The Kingdoms of Terror

• Combat Skill: 25
• Endurance: 50

It is immune to Mindblast and Psi-Surge.

Dead in the Deep

This is a fight against a Dakomyd Pack.

• Combat Skill: 59
• Endurance: 80

These creatures are immune to all psychic attacks. The effects of the Kai Weapons Spawnsmite and Sunstrike apply here, as does Star-Ska. Since Grand Master fights alongside Steel Hand, Grand Master can increase their Combat Skill by 5, or 10 if you lent Steel Hand a Sword, Broadsword, Mace, Warhammer or Axe, or 15 if you recovered Steel Hand's Kai Weapon. The Combat Skill bonus of the Nyxator Mail, lent to Steel Hand, also applies. All Endurance point losses are also halved and shared by Steel Hand.

The combat lasts a maximum of 6 rounds, at which point allies will arrive to rescue the two. This is reduced to 4 rounds if Grand Master possesses Telegnosis and has reached the rank of Sun Knight, as Grand Master will be able to communicate telepathically to direct them to their location.