Space Mimic

Space mimics are a mimic strain bred by wizards for long voyages. Like their worldbound cousins they fill about 150 cubic feet, the size of a 3-by-6-by-8-foot chest or a small lifeboat, and they have a thick, resilient hide. Their natural skin is jet black flecked with twinkling points of light, like the starfield behind them. In a round they can reshape and recolor themselves into furniture of any wood, stone or metal, plain or carved, but they cannot change their size. Favorite disguises are drifting ship wreckage, an ornate chest, or a cluttered wizard's desk aboard a derelict.

Two eyes stay hidden under heavy lids, and the mimic also senses heat and light within 90 feet. It speaks its own language and often three or four others. Roll for the most likely: 01-20 web-eel slaver, 21-40 the arcane tongue, 41-70 human common, 71-75 gazer tyrant, 76-90 elven, 91-95 mind reaver; on 96-00 it is keen to learn a new language.

Victims roll surprise at -4. A space mimic that is attacked strikes with a pseudopod for 3d4, and its strong glue holds anyone or anything it touches; only a flask of alcohol weakens the glue enough to pull a victim free in three rounds. It can dissolve the glue at will and choose which parts of its hide are sticky. Acid, molds, green slime and puddings do not affect it.

It also casts spells as a 4th-level illusionist, innately and without components, though it must first find each spell in a book or scroll and needs rest to regain spells it has cast. A common repertoire includes cantrip, spook, audible glamer, invisibility, magical aura, improved phantasmal force and hypnotic pattern.

It hungers for magic as much as for food. When visitors arrive it watches them while invisible. If there is a wizard, it lures that caster off alone, hypnotizes the victim and takes books, scrolls and magic items. After a meal it hides, and if the group lingers, the undiscovered mimic may pick off another member when hunger returns.

Space mimics live alone in the void between worlds, levitating at will to drift slowly from place to place. They are intelligent and bookish, fond of space lore and magical texts, and trade books they have finished for food or new reading. Unlike common mimics they develop cultures, usually shaped by what they read, though they have no faith or morals.

When food runs out, one goes invisible and dormant for up to two or three years, dying if it does not eat by then. One or two humans keep it fed for 1d4+4 months.

They proved unreliable servants and were discarded, but they survived and multiplied by fission. Besides glue they give off a scent that draws rodents, space vermin and the occasional larger monster. Their body parts are as valuable as a common mimic's, and they often keep a few books or scrolls in a pouch beneath the belly.