Averx

In their normal form, averxes look like tiny, thin humans with gray skin, horns, small wings and amber eyes, wearing very little. Folk who have met them call them cave devils or dungeon demons.

An averx moves silently, hides in shadows and reads languages with 85% success, and has all other thief skills at 5th-level proficiency. Each sees 120 feet with infravision, yet light does not bother them.

Each can cast blink, enlarge, invisibility and levitate twice a day, and light, spook, phantasmal force, faerie fire and audible glamer three times a day, all at 5th level. A leader can additionally use warp wood, fear and silence 15' radius, each once daily. They need their hands free to gesture but can cast even in total silence. Curiously, no averx is ever affected by cursed weapons or items, and they are immune to every kind of curse spell.

They avoid straight fights, preferring sabotage, traps, misdirection, bluffing and quick raids. They attack only when attacked or when intruders damage their territory, although they also enjoy stirring up trouble for fun. They are clever, sharp-eyed and decisive in any fight. The approaches to their most treasured realms are lined with devious traps: pits, snares, poisons and worse. They also hunt down small evil creatures like jermlaine and similar deep-underworld pests, killing them and tossing the bodies into the nearest deep pit.

Averxes make their homes deep below ground in the loveliest natural places imaginable, vast crystal caves above all. They light these spaces in creative ways to show off their beauty and hold elaborate ceremonies honoring their homes at no fixed schedule. Anyone who damages the caverns by mining, building or even picking up rocks earns the anger of the whole community.

A lair is usually tucked high in a cave ceiling, in a hole, tunnel or ledge, carefully hidden and protected. It holds only a little treasure, though individuals carry a few gems for their own enjoyment. Otherwise an averx carries useful kit such as cord or thin rope, wire, knives, oil, tinderboxes, darts and caltrops. Leaders may plant cursed items for annoying intruders to stumble on.

Now and then one or two curious averxes wander into a dungeon or deep cellar. They seldom stay long, picking up a few small treasures and leaving, maybe after a bit of mischief.

Their powers make them seem like simple pests, but some sages think unknown, perhaps vanished, greater powers made averxes to guard the underground and protect its beauty. They eat small animals and evil creatures and mostly leave everything else in peace.