| Wheelie | |
|---|---|
| |
| skill | 6-7 |
| stamina | 5-6 |
| Habitat | Caves, Dungeons, Ruins |
| Number Encountered | 1-3 |
| Type | Humanoid |
| Reaction | Neutral-Unfriendly |
| Intelligence | Average |
|
 |
There are many bizarre, impossible creatures scattered across the wild land of Allansia, but Wheelies are possibly the oddest of them all![1]
Origins and Distribution[]
Wheelies have been found in the retinue of both Balthus Dire of Craggen Rock,[2] and the Riddling Reaver at his retreat in south-western Allansia, near Arantis.[3] Wheelies have also been encountered in the Ocean of Tempests region.[4] All of these encounters suggest Wheelies are only found on or near Allansia, which seems to confirm the Allansia-only distribution of the species mentioned in Out of the Pit.
The origins of the Wheelies are completely obscure, but given both their appearance and the fact they have been found serving the Riddling Reaver, it may be possible that they owe their existence to the trickster god Logaan.[5]
Description[]
These weird creatures are disc-shaped, with large faces in the centre of one side. From around the edge of their circular bodies sprout four hands, enabling them to move by cartwheeling along![1]
One authority describes their attack as follows:
“ The footsteps that you heard - which really ought to be called 'handsteps' - belong to three WHEELIES which now roll down the passageway towards you, forcing you back to the door. These creatures are peculiar beasts, having, instead of legs, an extra set of hands. They move by cartwheeling along at quite a rapid pace. Their heads - or at least their faces - are set in the centre of their chests. Whilst they are not well-practiced at swordsmanship given their awkward means of movement, they are excellent knife-throwers. Grasping knives from their belts as they spin along, they can launch them at a rapid-fire pace, like large catherine wheels. At the moment, three such knives are speeding their way towards you...[2] ”
Special Abilities[]
Wheelies playing a round of "Heads and Tails"
Wheelies fight with small knives, which they can launch at high speed as they tumble along on their hands. The knives will hit on a roll of 1-3 on one die, for 2 points of stamina damage. (If you are using the Advanced Fighting Fantasy system, these knives count as either "Dagger" or "Throwing Dagger" on the Damage Table.[6]) Wheelies typically carry two knives - one for throwing and one for hand-to-hand fighting, although due to their odd physiology they are not so adept at this. Fighting with heavier and/or two-handed weapons is likewise rendered impossible.[1]
Additionally, some Wheelies have been reported to use pellet blowpipes if their initial assault of thrown knives fails.[7]
Further Notes[]
- Wheelies can sometimes find employment in the service of a Lord or wizard, for they make good guards. Many a would-be thief will think twice when faced with a few of these whirling beings, throwing speeding daggers as they spin towards him.[1]
- Some enterprising warlocks have attempted to create horseless chariots by chaining Wheelies to each corner of the vehicle. However, they had to abandon the experiment after suffering a puncture - to themselves, courtesy of a thrown knife hurled by one of their Wheelie chariot-bearers.[8]
- The favourite gambling game of Wheelies is called Heads or Tails, featuring a humanoid prisoner, usually Human, but most other races will do. Any victim unlucky enough to feature in such a game will unfortunately be driven mad by their ordeal, and assuming they survive, can do nothing other than sink down into a dark corner and babble numbers to themselves.[3]
- Wheelies appear as one of the 100 creatures in the "Out of the Pit" bestiary in Warlock.[9]
Further Information in Canon[]
More information can be found at:Source[10]
Out of the Pit
(Large) (pg119#*)
The Citadel of Chaos
(para139, para220#, para244, para316*, para346#)
The Riddling Reaver
(pg208*, pg209-210#)
Warlock Issue 2
(pg5#)
Notes[]
# - denotes a reference with statistics
* - denotes a picture
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Sourcebooks
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Out of the Pit - p.119/?? (stats & illustrated); The Citadel of Chaos - 139, 220 (stats), 244, 316 (illustrated), 346 (stats); The Riddling Reaver - p.208 (illustrated), pp.209-210 (stats); Warlock Issue 2 - p.5 (stats)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Citadel of Chaos - 316
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Riddling Reaver - pp.208-211
- ↑ Crystal of Storms - ???
- ↑ Non-canon
- ↑ Dungeoneer - p.155
- ↑ The Citadel of Chaos - 220
- ↑ Warlock Issue 7 - p.15
- ↑ Warlock Issue 2 - p.5
- ↑ Complete list of references catalogued by FF Titan Bestiary