UPPER DUNGEONS LEVEL TWO 34D OPERATING THEATRE.

34D OPERATING THEATRE. The center of the room is dominated by two large stone slabs, each of which holds a humanoid form. The eastern slab is attended by five skeletons of pitch black color. To the south of the slabs is a disembodied brain (with attached eyeballs) inside a transparent cylindrical housing which itself sits upon a sturdy metal stand. The entire room is quite warm (nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit). The room is well lit by Continual Light globes placed on metal tripods in the corners.

The black skeletons (Skelly Surgeons) lack hands, instead surgical instruments are placed at the ends of the long bones of the forearm. They are engaged in a dissection of the still-living body of Paozo Triskelion, which lies on the east slab. The heart in Paozo's body is still beating. Instead of blood, a clear nutrient solution similar to vat media courses through Paozo's blood vessels. Small hoses connect the body to holes in the slab. The slab is actually a reservoir of the nutrient fluid and works to filter out waster products and restore nutrients.

Paozo, a dedicated (but crazed) vivisectionist, has realized his own dream of dissecting himself by using the skeletons as his hands to perform the required manipulation. Paozo directs the action from his place as a disembodied brain and eyes floating in a clear solution of nutrient fluid from atop a perch on the nearby stand. He resides within a Glassteel cylinder. There is almost 10 gallons of the fluid and the cylinder, fluid, and Paozo's brain weigh about 80 lbs. (800 gp weight) altogether.

The Skelly Surgeons have been at their work for quite a long time, and Paozo's body is almost completely dis-assembled, with skin, muscle, bone, and vital organs placed carefully aside in metal bins brimming with more nutrient fluid. Paozo is moderately fond of his old body and is taking care to pick himself apart most carefully.

5 Skelly Surgeons (AC 3; MV 12"; HD 3; hp 16, 14, 15, 21, 10; #AT 1; D 1-8; SD Sharp weapons score half damage only, limited spell immunity; XP 98, 92, 95, 113, 80)

These creatures are enhanced and may only be turned as “Special”. Their bones are covered with a protective layer of black iron, giving them a much improved armor class. Each has a black opal embedded in its forehead (1000 gold crescent value). Removing the opal from a Skelly Surgeon will cause it to lose its magic and it will become “un-animated”.

Paozo Triskelion (as disembodied brain), Lawful Evil male human Magic-User (AC 1; MV 0”; MU 9; hp 1 (because he is just a brain); #AT 0; D 0; SA Psionics; S 0, I 17, W 12, D 0, C 1, Ch 16; XP 1514)

Psionic Strength: 113

Psionic Ability: 226

Attack/Defense Modes: A,C/F,G,H

Minor Disciplines:

Cell Adjustment, Domination, Mind Over Body, Suspend Animation

Major Disciplines:

Telekinesis, Telepathy

Paozo is not interested in fighting with interloping player characters. He would prefer to contact party members with telepathy and offer them a bribe (the contents of Room 34F) to go away. He will explain how to retrieve the treasure in that room if the adventurers agree to leave. He will not disclose the existence of Room 34G, if he can help it. If combat occurs, Paozo will use Psionic Blast, Domination, and Telekinesis to fight. He will also order the Skelly Surgeons to protect his brain.

Paozo has the following spells memorized, but he cannot use them because he has no mouth or hands to perform vocal or somatic components (he has no material components, either).

First Level Magic user Spells:

Feather Fall, Light, Protection From Evil, Read Magic

Second Level Magic User Spells:

Darkness, 15' Radius, Forget, Shatter

Third Level Magic user Spells:

Dispel Magic, Haste, Lightning Bolt

Fourth Level Magic user Spells:

Confusion, Fear

Fifth Level Magic user Spells:

Animate Dead

On the western stone slab, there is a huge form resembling a flesh golem, its calvarium is cut open to show a lack of brain. Its vascular system is also connected to its slab by tiny hoses feeding nutrient fluid to the body. After directing the Skelly Surgeons to take apart his old body, Paozo intends to be placed within the golem. If Paozo is allowed to complete his operation, he may be later added to the list of wandering monsters.

Paozo Triskelion (with Flesh Golem body) (AC 9; MV 8”; MU 9; hp 40; #AT 2; D 2-16/2-16; SD Magic weapons to hit; immunity to most spells, psionics, spell use; S 19, I 17, W 12, D 9, C 19, Ch 16; XP 3180)

As long as Paozo can obtain access to his material spell components in Room 34G, he will be able to also use his spells even though he is in a golem body.