A Lutum, or mud-woman, is an amorphous elemental creature from the Spelljammer campaign setting.[1]
Overview[]
Lutums are malicious amorphous beings who can shapechange into almost any form, but have a distinct preference for female humanoids. They have learned that imitating attractive women – rather than plain ones or males – helps them further their goals. They are believed to be related to earth elementals in some way.[1]
Description[]
A lutum's true form is that of an amorphous ball of tan, gelatinous clay with a large central maw that moves by rolling. It can fashion limbs as needed to aid in locomotion or combat, and can sculpt itself into a bipedal or quadrupedal form at will; with few exceptions a lutum will usually assume a humanoid female shape. Most lutums prefer alternative forms to that of their own.
Furthermore, all lutum have the innate ability to use alter self (as per the spell) four times a day, with a duration of four hours each. This allows them to resemble a female human, half-elf, or elf (including drow) so closely that others cannot tell their true nature. These female forms appear nearly perfect and have beautiful, striking features. Some lutums prefer to assume the forms of specific individuals, enabling them to automatically be accepted in certain circles, and their behavior often causes a great deal of embarrassment for the people they mimic.[1]
Combat[]
In humanoid form, lutums usually attack with their spell-like abilities and magical items first. If they are forced into melee, they prefer to fight with a weapon, further adding to the ruse that they are humanoids. However, if pressed or if their true forms are revealed, lutums rely on two clay-like arms and their large maws. If an opponent is struck by all three of these attacks, they may be caught up in the gelatinous clay mass of the lutum and will asphyxiate within 5 minutes.
All lutums have the following spell-like abilities: alter self four times a day, ESP twice a day, and friends, stoneskin, passwall, stoneshape, and clairaudience once a day.
A common tactic used by lutums is to lure a male victim in close by using its feminine charms, using friends to keep him off guard, and then to attack with surprise in an attempt to smother him. If a lutum is planetside, it uses stoneshape to catch their victim, and then pummel him to death. Its passwall ability is usually held in reserve in the event it needs to escape.
Lutums are immune to transmute rock to mud and stone to flesh (and their reverse spells). Edged weapons are less effective when used on a lutum, but blunt weapons affect them normally. An earthquake spell kills a lutum instantly, and a move earth spell incapacitates them for up to an hour.[1]
Society[]
Lutums prefer to act on their own. Their greed is so overpowering that they would rather not share anything with others of their kind. However, some lutums have learned that when they combine forces they can gain more power and wealth. Such lutum clans are usually lead by the largest lutum present.
Lutums desire to gather as much magic and wealth as possible, and do so by assimilating into humanoid societies. Lutums especially love magic that enables them to retain their humanoid forms for longer. Because of their spell-like abilities, many lutums pose as wizards or druids, and about one in ten go on to study magic, becoming arcane spellcasters in their own right.
Lutums are also power-hungry. Some have been known to rise to important positions in humanoid governments by marrying the leaders, killing them, and then inheriting control, or simply by marrying the leaders and pulling their strings. In democratic societies, lutums prefer to rise to power on their own merits, campaigning for office and frequently winning because of their beauty, poise, and ruthlessness.
Lutums enjoy traveling from planet to planet, acquiring power and wealth. They usually find passage on ships by appearing as beautiful women in dire need of transportation. A few lutums have used their charms to learn how to operate a ship's helm, and have subsequently taken them over.
Lutums must eat rocks, minerals, and a variety of clay compounds to gain nourishment. They are also asexual, and reproduce by splitting in half. However, they only reproduce when they feel the need to increase the power of their race, usually after one or more lutums in a clan die. The new lutums are born as mature adults.[1]
Rumors[]
The origin of the lutums is a mystery. Some believe a mad wizard experimenting with earth elementals gave them life. Others think that they are a variety of mimic from the plane of Ooze.[1]
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Lutum article at the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from 2nd edition AD&D.