Extinct reptile cheats death

Before you read any further, please quickly answer the simple poll to the left.

I'd like to get a better image of the visitors to this blog, and how it is currently being used. Have you answered that poll yet? ; )

If you have, you may continue with intact conscience and expand your dreams with the once beautiful Enjirachs, and ponder how to expose your players (if you have any) to their unforgotten urge of revenge. Before I leave you with their hooks and teeth I'd like to humbly remind you of the poll to the left... and say that if you think of purple as a girly colour, you may now reconsider your disposition. Purple is the colour of the Sahasrara (crown chakra) and is, in some traditions, understood as the gateway to sexless, non-dual Eternity. As any Enjirach would tell you; Death is not the end.



≡ENJIRACH≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Undead
TERRAIN: Ruins and caves
FOOD: (Carnivore)
AGGRESSION: Very high
SIZE: 8 feet (240 cm) tall
NUMBERS: 1


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 21-27
AGILITY: 10-15
ENDURANCE: 22-25
INTELLIGENCE: 3-4
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 7-11
CHARM: 0
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

SPEED: Running x 1,5
(Multiple is times human speed)

MAGIC POWER: 0
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 27-33
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 0 (1)
BODY: 0 (1-2)
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

The Enjirachs have no no skin or natural armour left to speak of. The rare specimens with richer patches of feathers left, may keep 1-2 points of protection on certain parts of their bodies.
The bones of the creatures are unusually hard, and can stand quite a substantial amount of damage before breaking apart.


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
1 BITE: 1-10
2 HOOK CLAWS: 1-12
2 CLAWED KICKS: 1-8
(If a Long Sword causes 1-8 points of damage)

Though dead, the force of the Enjirachs' natural weapons have kept their former strength, and are used with great skill and ferocity. The magical life-force of the creatures moves their skeletons as if invisible muscles were still surrounding their ancient bones.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
FEATHERS OF LIFE: The main life-force of the Enjirach was not located in the heart or the brain, but rather in its legendary feathers. Touching a single feather of the Enjirach reptile will restore several hit points and heal minor wounds, with no scarring. A night in a full bed of them can restore a two day dead person to life, with no observable traces of death. If the corpse is older still, minor brain damage, or more severe zombie-like side effects are probable. Torn off the Enjirach, the feathers fade after 10-20 healing touches, or 2-3 times of full resurrection. They then lose colour as well as their power to heal. If untouched by injured beings the magical feathers will last forever, and are easily preservable. Naturally, they are extremely rare.

The undead reptiles can heal themselves (or others if so inclined) by simply caressing themselves with their remaining feathers. The skeletal structures of bones will become whole again as long as they are held together and not completely crushed. 2-6 hit points are restored automatically each round as long as some feathers are still attached to the Enjirach. When the hit points of the creatures reach zero they are considered damaged enough to go still. However, if not properly destroyed, or stripped of feathers, the beasts may rise again the next day.


------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
Once great feathered reptiles walked the lands. Purple and proud, their plumes played in the wind - a spectacular impression of beauty on the green prairies where they hunted. It is said the grazers were drawn to these displays of colour, like moths to light, and that the Enjirachs could feed with little exertion, as they took down the enchanted prey with hooks and jaws of dreadful power.

Men had killed these creatures for the beauty of their feathers alone, but when they learned of their life-giving power, the fate of the Enjirachs was sealed. In less than a century the last living Enjirach was slain and stripped of its purple treasure. Despite the value of the Enjirach feathers, some creatures were sloppily plucked. When the sacks were full, the hunters cared little for the last remaining feathers. Why spend the strength it took to rip these out of the bone, when they had all the gold they would ever need anyway? Also, some creatures managed to escape. When considered dead, the bird-like reptiles simply rose half stripped in the night and ate their sleepy captors.

The remaining Enjirachs cannot naturally die. What few feathers they retain keep them alive, but are not enough to restore them to a life of breathing. A long time ago their flesh fled their bones, and cold blood dripped out of dissolving veins. Flies and worms took care of the sinews and left-overs while their hardy skeletons stayed erect and mobile, enforced and animated by the magical power of the feathers.

Thus they hide, ashamed to display themselves in the open air. Lurking in places where a glimpse of sunlight is still available, they welcome all chances to take down the two-legged creatures that caused their living death. Patiently they harness their wrath, intelligent enough to know with certainty, that in time, people will enter their hide-outs, for shelter or curiosity, often in small groups, easily slain and devoured. Yes, eaten, not for the sake of nutrition, but for a taste of the old days, and for the humiliation of those still watching.

A few terrible stories however, speak of Enjirachs still surprisingly rich in plumes, which by stroking their kills with their remaining feathers, restores them to life only to slay them again. In such a way they keep them imprisoned in a limbo of pain, re-enacting their retribution until there is nothing left of the body to revive.


(Check out more creatures in the 'Creature Archive' menu to the left.)


© Copyright 2011 - Nicholas Cloister

Chased by Bad Balls of Magic.

Midsummer, a great festival here in Sweden, is soon upon us. But before I enter into the halls of herring, fresh potatoes, sour cream, chives, beer, snaps, and strawberries (typical Swedish Midsummer dish) I release the Gendrohka. Let it enter your imagination and allow it to shape some exciting new adventures. I see a lot of potentially entertaining, and perhaps even humorous situations coming about with their special kind of magic.

Perhaps it all starts with the rumours of a poor but charismatic healer, that roams the street of a desert town? Maybe the mayor of this place is sick and sees an opportunity to become well? Who could possibly have known the source of the healers power? Who could have foreseen his influence in the halls of power? Why was the Gendrohka later invited into the very midst of political schemes? How come the King himself was willing to bargain with these monsters? Why has he now locked himself into his heavy door chamber, frightened to emerge? Why are there hundreds of flying spheres encircling the palace? Did this all happen before the players got involved, or did they come into contact with the healer before it all started? What made that man meddle with the old magicians in the first place? Is his daughter still, at this moment, held prisoner beneath the sand... in the lowest pit of the inverted tower? Or was he perhaps only tempted by the power? After all, people were charmed beyond belief by his new-found piety. It shone, didn't it? It embraced him in a warm aura of healing light. To change the world for the better? Isn't it worth at least some kind of sacrifice?



≡GENDROHKA≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Magical
TERRAIN: Deserts and dry areas
FOOD: Carnivore (barely eats)
AGGRESSION: Normal to high
SIZE: 5-6 feet (150-180 cm) tall
NUMBERS: 1-6


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 6-9
AGILITY: 3-7
ENDURANCE: 5-11
INTELLIGENCE: 6-9
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 9-15
CHARM: 1-2
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

SPEED: Running x 0,5
(Multiple is times human speed)

MAGIC POWER: 30-40
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 17-25
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 5
HEAD: 2
BACK: 12
BELLY: 3
LEGS: 3
ARMS: 2
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

The main body of the Gendrohka is covered by a thick iron-like shell, and the rest is reminiscent of a fish left to dry in the sun – a ridgy sort of skin, glimmering in some places, and pale dead in others. Its lower legs are strengthened by further segmented shell growth.


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
2 SHARP DIGITS: 1-3
1 BITE: 1-6
1 KICK: 1-4
(If a Long Sword causes 1-8 points of damage)

The Gendrohka can kick, bite and claw, but usually avoid physical combat. In close encounters they try scratching and stabbing their enemies with their umbrella-like “hands”, but may also use their teeth.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
HALO MAGIC: Though weak of intelligence, the Gendrohka possess the innate power of halo magic, and can produce a wide variety of spells which affects the “wearer” of the weakly luminous sphere(s). The halos are created in a field of energy between the pointy digits of the Gendrohka and released immediately into the air. Flying by themselves they seek to immerse the head of the intended target. They move swiftly but cannot keep up with a running human being. However, once created, a halo will not dissipate unless dispelled, and it will continue to chase its target for as long as it remains. A halo is unable to pass through walls, but thinner obstacles like armour and shields will not hinder it. It can sense the location of the designated being or creature wherever it is, and will move ceaselessly to attach itself to its head. Once the head is embraced, the halo stays in place until it has run out of energy, or is dispelled. The Gendrohka can produce halos that seek out the nearest possible life-form, and they often create halos for their own personal use. The number of spells/halos possible per day depends upon the power of the individual creature. Common spells are mind-warping, draining, protective, and strengthening halos, but all spells that affect a single being (the wearer) may be infused into a halo sphere of magical energy. Powerful halos tend to have negative effects upon the wearer's vision. Up to three halos may be operative at once. Further spheres will circle the target until any worn halo is drained.

GLOVES OF UNMAGIC: The strange anatomical constructions of elongated bones and membrane that are the Gendohka's hands are flexible and used to parry and disarm all forms of visible magic aimed at the creature. Like antenna these giant “gloves” attract and captures all bolts, balls, missiles, beams, breaths, and darts of magic aimed at the Gendrohka. All such low level spells are immediately dispelled. The effect of all mid-level spells are reduced by 50%, and high level spells are weakened by 30%. This applies to effect as well as range and duration. The creatures must be able to see the spell in order to parry it, but need to do little more than to raise a glove in order to capture and weaken all spells directed towards them. With appropriate spells the energy may be collected and reshaped into a halo sphere and thrown back towards the caster.


------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
As the mystics and wizards of the old desert cultures invoked the powers of rain and water, something vile and hideous stumbled out of the sea in answer to their rituals. A strange species, made by the deities of the ocean, sat foot upon the dry lands, and brought a new kind of magic with them.

The Endrokk, later known as the Gendrohka (Sea Warlocks), produced for the people of the desert powerful spheres of magic. Like halos these surrounded the heads of the natives and made them immune to thirst and hunger. Immersed in the translucent orbs, their minds were eventually thrown off balance, and the Endrokk seized control over the lands. These new rulers from the sea were later overthrown, but some remain in hidden communities, in the remote and dry areas of the world.

The Gendrohka are immortal. Spawned from dark divine magic they cannot die by age. They may be weakened by lack of food, but need no water, and will go on living until physically destroyed. The small groups that remain cave out upside-down spiral towers in the sand or dry earth to protect themselves from undesired attention. What they want or seek is unknown, but once in a while they leave their lairs to attack caravans or remote villages. It is believed they search for opportunities to enslave and lay beneath them greater areas of culture, but in the meantime they surface now and then to investigate the state of the world, and to unleash some of their dark magic. Others claim they are just the sorry leftovers from an ancient plot, unable to retire or perish, and with no remaining purpose or aim to guide them.

The vertical horn on top of the creatures' shells is a spike of power which can pierce and destroy undesired halos directed towards the Gendrohka themselves, and other halos which they no longer desire. On two feet the creatures walk bent over like old men, often supporting themselves on their long digits. They have a vacant sort of look but are well aware of their surroundings. Always silent, and without speech, they produce halos of telepathy to communicate with other beings. Pitch black blood fills their veins, but hardly run at all, so the creatures barely bleed when wounded. A mysterious sort of air surrounds these creatures, which radiate a sense of antique magic and living death.

(Check out more creatures in the 'Creature Archive' menu to the left.)


© Copyright 2011 - Nicholas Cloister

Meat museums of the glaciers

While modern scientists are happy to find bacteria or single cell organisms in the cores drilled out from the polar ices, a fantasy explorer may be more fortunate. With the mysteries of the ages however comes a certain risk, and in this case that risk is called the Con'laihs. As amazing artists of the ice, with a tantalizing sort of power and hidden aims, these pose an obvious threat to any who seek to learn what ancient treasures may have slipped into their deep-buried fridges. Is this where the old gods are sleeping?



≡CON'LAIH≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Mammal
TERRAIN: Glaciers, polar ices, and deep snow regions
FOOD: Carnivore
AGGRESSION: Normal
SIZE: 5 feet (150 cm) tall
NUMBERS: 5-100


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 9-12
AGILITY: 13-16
ENDURANCE: 15-18
INTELLIGENCE: 3-7
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 3-8
CHARM: 2-4
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

SPEED: Running (leaping) x 1,2
(Multiple is times human speed)

MAGIC POWER: 0
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 10-15
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 3
BACK: 5
BELLY: 3
HEAD: 2
ARMS: 2
LEGS: 2
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

Underneath the thick fur the back of the Con'laih is covered in a segmented bony shell which gives good protection of the inner organs and spine. The delicate tentacles are fully unprotected but when severed these grow out again in about six months.


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
2 JAGGED CLAWS: 2-7
1 KICK: 1-8
(If a Long Sword causes 1-8 points of damage)

The formidable front claws of the Con'laihs are their main weapon, but as a means of defence they may also use powerful kicks to keep enemies at bay.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
ICE CONTROL: Through their thin tentacles the Con’laihs wield a strange energy. Though the creatures can cut through the ice with their saw-like claws it is mainly this energy they us to control and shape their beautiful abodes. The energy manipulates the quality and properties of the ice and makes it possible for them to make fantastic architectural constructions inside the glaciers. As the creatures wiggle, their tentacle ends start glowing and a sound like a thousand tiny bells is produced. The energy enters the ice which transforms according to the will of the Con'laih, who may quickly melt and reform great section of their lairs. If working in unison, the creatures can easily confuse or trap any unwanted intruders. The energy is also used to prevent undesired cellular damage to any still breathing catching as it is frozen and stored in the ice (see 'Description').



------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
In deep burrows, inside the great glaciers and polar ice sheets, live the Con’laihs. The natural cracks and shafts produced by water are intersected by extensive mazes of Con’laih produced tunnels and caves. They hunt in the areas surrounding these ices, and occasionally send out groups to scout and find food in regions further away. These smaller parties cave out temporary lairs in deep snow, or frozen lakes. Birds, seals, foxes and bears are common on their menu, but the Con’laihs take down anything within their power. They are not especially aggressive, but due to a strong instinct of gathering, they tend to attack even when not hungry.

What the Con’laihs don’t eat at once they store deep frozen in the ice. In great chambers, far beneath the ice surface, they create museums of meat, which some speculate are not only for eating. When possible, prey is frozen alive and restored to life before eaten. Only the mysterious Con’laih energy can revive a life-form so frozen. All things stored are marked by complex patterns of burns, and many captures are saved for eons in the freezer. Truly ancient creatures and beings have been found preserved in the Con’laih reserves. These facts have led to the theory that the creatures freeze prey not only for preservation, but also to communicate in some manner with future generations.

Con’laihs are not great climbers, and tend to keep the floors of their lairs even. They are however natural jumpers and effortlessly leap straight across the crevices and cold rivers of the subterranean ice worlds. Jumping down upon their prey is also their favorite way of striking.

Ranging from golden yellow, to brown and dark grey, the fur colour of the Con’laihs vary greatly between specimens. The eyes are always dark green and glimmer with an otherworldly kind of intelligence. They communicate through rasping hissing sounds which are sometimes contrasted by high-pitched squeals.

The last stage of the Con’laih fetus development takes place outside the womb, in translucent cocoons, which are normally attached to the roof of ice tunnels. These glow gently with the mysterious energy of to the adult tentacles, and are spread out across the vast burrows to function as lamps in important sections. The young reach full maturity in three years and begin to weaken from old age about 60 years later.

(Check out more creatures in the 'Creature Archive' menu to the left.)


© Copyright 2011 - Nicholas Cloister