Episode 35: A Gateway to the Stars

May 2, 2026

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We turn our attention to Yanghu as he hunts for those who had meddled with his Gorum and Carver tech.

The Master

The Master was once a gifted and driven chirurgeon called Haidran. His failure to save South Nar from the purple plague drove him halfway to madness. He sought out the ability to perfect himself and discovered Yanghu’s secret cache of Carver Tech. With it he has made himself into a monster.

The Master (human Ur-Cleric 9*): HD: 9d6+9; 54 hp; AC 7 [12]; SV: 7; att: Tentacle Orb (2d4+grab); MV: 12″; SQ: spells, +2 save vs. petrification & paralysis, mutations; AL C; Str 14** Int 15 Wis 16 Dex 10 Con 15** Cha 16**;

Spells Prepared: 1st: Detect Good, Detect Magic, Darkness; 2nd: Hold Person, Snake Charm, Silence 15′ radius; 3rd: Bestow Curse, Cure Disease; 4th: Cause Serious Wounds; Cure Serious Wounds; 5th: Commune, Finger of Death

Mutations: The Master can steal traits from any creature he has captured and experimented on. He can maintain one mutation in his body per two levels. He can change these after a week of research and some time spent in a Carver Surgical Pod. His current mutations include:

• the paralytic touch of a carrion crawler
• the ability to phase like a phase spider
• the immortality of the gorum

Carried Equipment: tentacle orb, bracers of defence +2, blowpipe of inhaled poison, fine clothing, spawn of Frix

*The Ur-Cleric is the equivalent of a Cleric, but Chaotic in alignment; they have no ability to turn the unholy. They worship themselves only, but make pacts with alien intelligence for their power.

**The Master has used the art of flesh-crafting to increase each of these ability scores by 4. He will be able to improve a 3rd ability at level 12, and again at 15th and 18th levels.

The Master’s Concubines

Master’s Concubine: HD: 5; AC: 5 [14] Att: 4 claws (1d4); SV: 12; Special: speed, mutation; MV: 15; AL: Chaotic; ML: 9; Int: 9; #App: 2d4; CR/ XP: 7 / 600

Women who have been warped and mutated by the Master. They cannot fail morale if they are in The Master’s presence. They have a +1 on initiative. Each one of them possesses a random mutation granted to them by the master:

d6	Mutation
1	Paralytic Touch of the Carrion Crawler
2	Phase power of the Phase Spider
3	Cloying Pollen of the Yellow Musk Creeper
4	Immortality of the Gorum
5	Song of a Harpy
6	Bite and blood drain of a Giant Tick

New Magic Item

Tentacle Orb: This object serves as The Master’s unholy symbol. He may cause it to open and tentacles to reach out. These attack, dealing 2d4 damage if they hit. A target that is hit is coiled in tentacles and may not move or take actions except to attempt to break free, which requires a successful save.

Music in this Episode

• “COMBAT: Classic Metal Chugga-Chugga” by Jon Cohen, used with permission.

From the Free Music Archive:

• “King Edward” by Mr. Smith a CC-BY song released through the FMA

From Pixabay:

• “Powerful Stylish Rock (Motivational Indie Rock Trailer)” by Sound for You
• “Scorched Fields” by Alexander Nakarada
• “Outlaw’s Reckoning” by Moodmode
• “This Heavy Metal” by Mr. Claps_
• “Hate” by Mr. Claps_
• “Game Show” by Mr Claps_
• “Earthquake‘ by Leva
• “Dark Temple (Geisha)” by Yellowbird Beats
• “Powerful stylish rock” by Sound for You
• “Dark Pagan Ritual Chant” by Domarti Studios
• Acidcore” by Jumping Bunny