Creeping Gaze (Tunnels & Trolls)

A General narrative about Creeping Gaze can be found here. What follows are stats for the game of Tunnels and Trolls.

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Str: .25, Con: .5, Dex: 1.25, Lk: 1.25, IQ: 1.25, Wiz: .1.25, SP: 1 Chr: 1.25

Height: 1, Weight: .1

A Creeping Gaze has the following special qualities:

1) A Creeping Gaze has no actual means of attack, but it can roll 2d6 plus adds against an opponent. In the event of victory, the roll of the Creeping Gaze is subtracted from the damage done to the enemy, and if the Creeping Gaze has no allies, then it scores no damage, not even on a Spite roll. In effect, its combat dice are merely a measure of its active defense (which is mostly dodging).

2) Although a Creeping Gaze may understand languages as would a normal character, it has no means of speaking.

3) At a cost of 2 points of Wiz and 1 round of concentration, a Creeping Gaze may trigger an ability to see anything invisible within a 30 degree arc out to a range of 10’ for every 2 points of IQ rounded down.

4) At a cost of 3 points of Wiz and 1 round of concentration, a Creeping Gaze may learn each of the following things about a creature within a range of 10’ for every 2 points of IQ rounded down.

a: Whether or not they have killed any sentient creatures within the last day or within the last week.

b: whether or not they have broken any applicable laws within the last day or within the last week.

c: Whether or not they are a virgin.

d: Whether or not they have done anything for which they might feel guilty.

5) A Creeping Gaze enjoys a +3 bonus on any rolls to search or spot anything by means of sight.

6) A Creeping Gaze can walk on a vertical surface just as easily as any other character can walk on the ground.

 

 

Creeping Gaze (First Edition D&D)

© Daniel S. Wall, May 21, 2026.

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A general narrative about the Creeping Gaze can be found here. What follows are rules for running a Creeping Gaze in first edition, D&D.

FREQUENCY: Rare.

NUMBER APPEARING: 1

ARMOR CLASS: 7

MOVE: 5”.

HIT DICE: 1d6.

PERCENT IN LAIR: 25%.

TREASURE TYPE: E.

NUMBER OF ATTACKS: None.

DAMAGE OF ATTACKS: N/A.

SPECIAL ATTACKS: None.

SPECIAL DEFENSES: None.

MAGIC RESISTANCE: 10%.

INTELLIGENCE: High.

ALIGNMENT: Neutral.

SIZE: Small (2’ tall).

PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil.

Attack/Defense Modes: Nil.

1) A Creeping Gaze has no actual means of attack.

2) Although a Creeping Gaze may understand languages as would a normal character, it has no means of speaking.

3) 3 times per day, a Creeping Gaze may 1 segment to study a given area. It thus sees anything invisible within a 30 degree arc out to a range of 6”.

4) 3 times per day, a Creeping Gaze may 1 segment to study a creature within 6”. It thus learns the following about the creature:

a: Whether or not they have killed any sentient creatures within the last day or within the last week.

b: whether or not they have broken any applicable laws within the last day or within the last week.

c: Whether or not they are a virgin.

d: Whether or not they have done anything for which they might feel guilty.

5) A Creeping Gaze enjoys a +3 bonus on any rolls to search or spot anything by means of sight.

6) A Creeping Gaze can walk on a vertical surface just as easily as any other character can walk on the ground.

Character Stats: A creeping Gaze would have the following adjustments to attributes in first edition D&D: A creeping Gaze would have the following adjustments to attributes in first edition D&D: Strength: is half (rounded high), Dexterity is +1, Constitution is half (rounded high), Intelligence is +1, Wisdom is +2, Charisma is +1.

 

Gnagén

© Daniel S. Wall, April 18, 2026.

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“Klezh held his right hand up with its palm facing the rest of us, His, great eye in the center of his palm staring back at us, Klezh motioned us all to stop. His left hand, he slid gently under the edge of the door frame. After a moment’s pause, he stood up dropping both hands to his side, angling the palms slightly foreword so as to look at us. His face, itself completely devoid of sight, Klezh now held the thinnest trace of a smile; ‘the next room is clear’.”

– Kanis Targ, Story-Teller

Illustration by Lucas Seven

Appearing as tall and thin persons, Gnagén seem always to have their eyes closed. If one looks closely, she will see that the eyes of a Gnagén are actually in her palms, and that Gnagén  have neither eyelids nor eyes upon her face. A Gnagén must hold her hands up in order to see anything.

Naturally, this makes use of tools and weapons a little bit problematic.

Gnagén are spiritual warriors with a special gift for divination. Recognizing that their natural skills are best suited to complement those with more conventional abilities, these creatures often seek to join others in need of help. They travel freely among other peoples, associating with whomever they will (and with any that will have them).

Gnagén vary in their outlook on life, and this is easily reflected in their personal associations, but they are alwayss keen to learn as much as they can about a broad range of subjects. While some of these creatures may ally themselves with dark powers or unsavory company, others will happily commit to a righteous cause. Whatever their moral commentments and personal tastes, it is common for a Gnagén to remain just a bit aloof to the short term interests of their company. It is well to remind oneself that whatever interest a Gnagén may have in common with those around her, she is always just a little more interested in developing her own powers and using them in whatever manner she deems appropriate.

Creeping Gaze

© Daniel S. Wall, April 21, 2026.

“It’s looking at me.” – Gorlis

“What’s looking at you?” – Myai

“A looking thing.” – Gorlis

“What do you mean, a looking thing?” – Myai

“Well, look at it!” – Gorlis

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Illustration by Stefano Marinetti

A Creeping Gaze is an eye about the size of a large apple with 6 long spindly legs attached to it. It is a fragile critter, but it is also highly intelligent. All of these creatures have been blessed with powers of divination, the effect of which most people seem to find rather disconcerting.

Their limited means of communication makes it difficult for others to appreciate their powers of insight. Still, any spell caster powerful enough to resolve this problem is likely to find a Creeping Gaze useful to have around. They make wonderful familiars.

The rules for Creeping Gaze in first edition D&D can be found here. Rules for a creeping Gaze in Tunnels & Trolls can be found here.