Back in the day, White Dwarf magazine was the British answer to the Dragon, and its regular "Fiend Factory" column was a source of many monsters for early D&D games. In fact, the first edition Fiend Folio (1981) was largely a collection of monsters submitted to WD. This 3e conversion is part of an ongoing project to resurrect some interesting WD monsters that, for one reason or another, fell by the wayside. The cyclops was a submission of Albie Fiore and appeared in White Dwarf 21 (Oct/Nov 1980) as part of the article "Fiend Factory: One Eye Canyon - Mini-Wilderness Scenario, 5th-7th Level."

This one-eyed giant looms nine feet tall. Its skin is a dull weathered tan, while its clumps of straggly hair are greenish black. It has powerful arms, clawed hands and a large, wide maw. Its single eye is a clear sea-green.

Amiraspian Cyclops CR 4

An Amiraspian Cyclops

Usually CE Large giant

Init -1; Senses low-light vision; Listen +6, Spot +1

Languages Giant

AC 14, touch 8, flat-footed 14
(-1 size, -1 Dex, +6 natural)

hp 45 (6 HD)

Fort +9, Ref +1, Will +3 (+5 vs. illusions)

Weakness monocular vision

Spd 30 ft (6 squares)

Melee 2 claws +7 (1d6+4) and bite +5 (2d6+2)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

Base Atk +4; Grp +12

Special Action hypnotic glance (60 f.t, DC 15)

Abilities Str 19, Dex 9, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 14

Feats Alertness, Iron Will, Multiattack

Skills Climb +9, Intimidate +7, Listen +6, Move Silently +3, Spot +1

Environment any

Organization gang (2-9) or tribe (10-19 plus 1 4th level warrior leader plus 20% noncombatants)

Treasure standard

Advancement by character class; Favored Class barbarian

Level Adjustment +2

Hypnotic Glance (Su) As a standard action, an Amirispian cyclops can fascinate a creature within 60 feet with a look. The target creature must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or be fascinated for 3d4 rounds. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Monocular Vision (Ex) Since the single eye of the Amirispian cyclops gives it poor depth perception, it suffers a -2 penalty on ranged attacks.

Amiraspian Cyclopes can be found in almost any terrain, including underground complexes. They habitually dwell in caves. They are frequently found in control of a group of orcs, gnolls, goblins or hobgoblins that they dominate because of their ferocity and strength. They are innate foes of humankind and continually raid villages for females and food.

The Amiraspian cyclops will use its hypnotic glance ability against foes at range. In melee a cyclops attacks with its 2 claws and its large, wide maw, with which it can inflict horrendous bites.

Amiraspian Cyclops Society

Amiraspian Cyclopes eat human flesh, though they prefer halfling, as well as gnomes, dwarves and elves. They dislike orc flesh, which they leave for scavengers. They will always attempt to capture any human females for purposes of reproduction (see below). Consequently in any lair, there will be 1-6 pregnant female humans, and a 10% chance of live prisoners being kept for food.

There are no female Amiraspian cyclops—possibly due to genetic deficiencies. They do, however, reproduce with human females they have captured and will devour after childbirth. The children of this unholy union are cyclops (40%), human but with a single eye (30%) and normal (?) human (30%). Of these the normal human is devoured with the mother; the cyclops becomes one of the group; and the cyclopian human is cast out to fend for him/herself. These half-breeds are believed to have established a hidden kingdom somewhere on a high plateau. They are known as Amiraspians, High Plainsmen or Griffon Riders, though little is known of them.

Amiraspian Cyclops as Characters

+8 Strength, -2 Dexterity, +6 Constitution, -2 Wis, +4 Charisma.
Large size. -1 penalty to Armor Class, -1 penalty on attack rolls, -4 penalty on Hide checks, +4 bonus on grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits double those of Medium characters.
Space/Reach: 10 feet/10 feet.
An Amiraspian cyclops's base land speed is 30 feet.
Low-light vision.
Racial Hit Dice: An Amiraspian cyclops begins with six levels of giant, which provide 6d8 Hit Dice, a base attack bonus of +4, and base saving throw bonuses of Fort +5, Ref +2, and Will +2.
Racial Skills: An Amiraspian cyclops's giant levels give it skill points equal to 9 × (2 + Int modifier). Its class skills are Climb, Intimidate, Listen, and Move Silently.
Racial Feats: An Amiraspian cyclops's giant levels give it three feats.
+6 natural armor bonus.
Special Attacks (see above): Hypnotic glance
Special Qualities: An Amiraspian cyclops gains a +2 bonus on saving throws against illusions. Its monocular vision gives it a -2 penalty on ranged attacks.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An Amiraspian cyclops is automatically proficient with simple weapons, martial weapons, light and medium armor, and shields.
Automatic Languages: Giant. Bonus Languages: Goblin, Orc, Gnoll
Favored Class: Barbarian.
Level adjustment: +2.