Neogi

Neogi are hateful slavers that consider most other creatures, even weaker neogi, to be servants and prey. A neogi looks like an outsize spider with an eel's neck and head. The creature can poison the body and the mind of its target, able to subjugate other beings that are otherwise physically superior.
To meet their need to navigate great distances, the neogi first dominated and assimilated the umber hulks. Then, with these slaves providing the physical labor, the neogi designed and built sleek vessels, some capable of traversing the planes, to carry them to their new frontiers. These vessels have a distinct spidery aspect.
Some neogi use magic-the result of a pact between the neogi and aberrant dieties from their home world. These entities look like stars and embody the essence of evil.
Nothing about the neogi is more unfathomable than their mentality. Because they have the power to control minds, neogi consider doing so to be entirely appropriate. Their society makes no distinction between individuals, aside from the ability that a given creature has to control others, and they don't comprehend the emotional aspects of existence that humans and similar beings experience. To a neogi, hatred is as foreign a sensation as love, and showing loyalty in the absence of authority is foolishness.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Neogi are small eight-legged creatures, the adults no bigger than a small child. They have a head with reflective eyes that sits upon a long eel-like neck. With their hairy flattened abdomen, they are sometimes described as akin to a cross between a wolf spider and an eel. Despite the similarities, neogi are warm-blooded creatures.

Genetics and Reproduction

A neogi lives about as long as a human, and like a human it faces physical and mental infirmity as it ages. When an individual is rendered weak by advanced age, the other neogi in the group overpower it and inject it with a special poison. The toxin transforms the old neogi into a bloated, helpless mass of flesh called a great old master. Young neogi lay their eggs atop it, and when the hatchlings emerge, they devour the great old master and one another, until only a few of the strongest newborns are left.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Surviving neogi hatchlings begin their lives under the control of adult neogi. They must learn about their society and earn a place in it, and each one starts its training by gaining mastery over a young umber hulk.
Neogi mark themselves and their slaves through the use of dyes, transformational magic, and tattoos intended to signify rank, achievements, and ownership. By these signs, each neogi can identify its betters-and it must defer to those of higher station or risk harsh punishment.
Neogi personality is utterly alien. Their innate ability to control other individuals leads them to believe that mind control is entirely normal and appropriate. They do not comprehend the basic aspects of social relationships of other humanoids and operate on the assumption that individuals are always the property of others. For example, neogi crewmembers consider themselves the property of their captain, but can own their own slaves.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Live in Neogi Home.

Civilization and Culture

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Outside the obligations of a servant to its master, neogi are willing to engage in any activity that profits them, and they are as devious as devils when doing so. Neogi buy and sell, but they pose a grave risk to potential patrons that might instead be easily enslaved, so their customers generally consist of desperate or evil individuals, or creatures that are formidable enough to treat with the neogi as equals. Neogi traders might set up shop in a planar bazaar or near an illithid enclave. In other locations, the natives are more likely to join together to destroy a neogi caravan than to allow it safe conduct and trading privileges.
Despite their reputation as a trader race, the neogi only engage in trade if they can not get away with taking what they wanted.
Because trading is just another facet of the neogi predatory practices, they are extremely clever and devious when conducting their affairs. When not working for their masters, they are free to pursue any profitable activities they see fit. Even when doing business, neogi are extremely dangerous due to the possibility that they could enslave their patrons. For that reason, everyone except the most desperate individuals avoid trading with neogi. However, the neogi's ability to travel to extremely hostile environments and to conduct business with races that would be aggressive and inimical to any other creature does allow them access to a variety of rare and precious commodities, so they are still sought after by greedy humanoids in search for profit.