Dark Faerie Flyers

With this creature Bestiary II is initiated. I hope to find the financial means and energy to complete it in a steady and even rythm, and to maintain (and perhaps even improve) the quality of Bestiary I. Though a lot of the creatures will still be free for all, more concepts will now be saved for the book/pdf-version, than the 5 of the 50 first creatures. I hope to have some news about a printed Bestiary I soon, and perhaps other news as well, next time. In the meanwhile you can always support the general birth-rate of new RPG Creatures by purchasing the PDF, which is getting really good ratings, so far.

Don't forget to join us (no we won't precious) on facebook, for the latest whispers. This is the Gharlakan. I hope you enjoy it!



≡GHARLAKAN≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Dark Faerie
TERRAIN: Steep cliffs and stone towers
FOOD: Carnivore
AGGRESSION: Normal (to high)
SIZE: 4 feet (120 cm) tall, without tail.
NUMBERS: 5-40


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 6-12
AGILITY: 13-17
ENDURANCE: 5-15
INTELLIGENCE: 3-4 (18 - see 'Description')
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 4-7 (18 - see 'Description')
CHARM: 2-3
(If stats of humans range from 3 to 18)

SPEED: Run x 0,1, Fly (eagle x 2)
(Multiple is times human speed)

MAGIC POWER: 5
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 5-9
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 2
HEAD: 1
BODY: 2
WINGS: 2
LEGS: 1
TAIL: 2

The skin and fur of the Gharlakans are light enough to allow flight, and give only moderate protection.


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
2 WING CLAWS: 1-4 (1-6 when swooping)
2 FEET CLAWS: 1-6
1 BITE/BEAK: 1-4 (1-6 when swooping)
1 TAIL: 2-6
(If a Long Sword causes 1-8 points of damage)

The Gharlakans prefer to attack at speed, diving down towards their enemies. They either change direction quickly to lash with their jagged tails, or crash straight into targets with their pointy wings and beaks first.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
DARK SILENCE: When two or more in number, the Gharlakans can generate a field of silence. This is not a mere lack of sound, but a physical experience of mute density. Attempting to talk or scream in this silence will make a thick black smoke come out of the mouth, and other loud sources of sound will equally leave trails of darkness in the air. The flapping of the Gharlakan wings thus produce a shadowy haze around them, making them hard to see, as well as impossible to hear. The size of the field is a 60 feet (20 m) diameter globe, increased by another 60 feet for every 2 additional Gharlakans. It lasts for 10-20 rounds and may be produced 3 times per day. The Gharlakans cannot attack while initiating the field of Dark Silence, which takes one round. Rolls of initiative, and skills dependent on hearing (and sight in some cases), should of course be penalized while under this spell.

PSIONIC CHILL: The Gharlakans are dark faerie creatures, magical by nature, and mysterious to encounter. They radiate an ancient pagan darkness, which causes a chill in the hearts of normal creatures and beings. The Gharlakans can willfully increase this chill by mentally directing their essence towards specific individuals. When doing so they can't perform any other attack, but success is otherwise automatic. The effect of this power varies with the mental capacities of the victim. A saving throw vs Mental Resilience results in 0-2 (success) to 2-4 (failure) points of inner cold damage. Since this wound is purely mental, it heals at once if the Gharlakan is slain. As such, it still weakens the heart, which obeys all signals of the brain. This power can actually kill, and is the Gharlakans' main weapon toward heavily armored enemies.


------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
Tiny, winged, and wicked, the smallest of dark faeries sometimes invade magpie nests, to curse selected eggs with strange and eerie magic. In such a way the Gharlakans are born, and come into power by feeding on their half-siblings. Finally they consume their parents, leave the nests, and take off into the world able and flying.

A year later, when fully grown, the creatures seek out others of their species, and make with them an aerie upon the top of a steep cliff or dark tower. They then level the top of the chosen pinnacle and commence the creation of a magical portal. To succeed with this feat, at least six Gharlakans must work in unison.

Perched in a circular formation, facing outward to protect the center, the creatures make a dome with their long tails, and thus initiate their purpose. A cold blue or turquoise flame is born, and slowly starts growing into a shining dome of power. This is a portal to the clandestine realms of the Dark Faerie. From this gateway their master will emerge. Opening such a rift takes seven days. At all times at least five Gharlakans must remain in position to keep it active. All others may leave to defend the portal, and to gather food.

The Gharlakans are servant creatures. Their only mission is to bring a greater faerie power into the world, when times are ripe for such entries. Once mature, and in the company of other Gharlakans, the creatures telepathically connect with their still hidden master, and abandon all self-governing. While up to that point, they have relied on acute hearing and touch to maneuver, they now see, think, and feel, through the telepathic powers of the Greater Faerie. To manifest and protect a portal, is the sole purpose of the Gharlakan life. If that succeeds it will shield and obey whatever comes out through the gateway, acting as if one with it.

The Gharlakans are swift and silent flyers, that hunt at night. Their wings are short, and the creatures spend a lot of energy flying. Most of the time they sit perched somewhere, feasting on prey, or scanning the surrounding areas for dangers. On the ground they are slow and awkward, so they avoid landing there.

Genderless and without need to procreate, the creatures have no concerns but keeping strong and joining forces with others. They do not communicate, but act as a single and perfectly coordinated will, due to the mental connection with the same faerie power. Their smell is reminiscent of wet dogs, they move jerkily like birds, but in fashion that reveals knowledge, and with an expression that conveys intelligent malice. Two hundred years may pass before a Gharlakan body disintegrates. Usually they are called to duty well before that.



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


© Copyright 2011 - Nicholas Cloister

Blood Sugar Death Magik

Hey all! The length of the Creature Archive list is becoming decent, I think, and it continues to grow. I suppose the number of visitors should also be, but summer seems to drag people away from their computers... which may be a good thing, all things considered. Do all of these critters a favour and tell someone about RPG-Creatures today. I fear this bestiary is still largely undiscovered, and I have no real idea of how it can reach a wider audience. I can't currently afford sporting it in any of the huge conventions in the US...(which would include besting the Atlantic) though I might try next year. Role-players are either too far apart these days, or the bestiary isn't making enough of an impression to spread mouth by mouth...yet. Oh well, I'll keep the little beasties coming and we'll see. Just don't keep it a secret. ; )

So, where was I? Yes...the blood. Here is an ex-demon that could cause a few troublesome adventures I believe. Anatomically I noticed it has a lot in common with the Con'Laih, but apart from their mysterious backgrounds, and their ability to produce strange energies, and hopping, they have very little in common... wait a minute, that's quite a bit to share. Perhaps they actually are related? Whatever the case, they now share the same bestiary. Here is the Darratha for you! Sweet dreams are made of these...



≡DARRATHA≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Reptile (demonic)
TERRAIN: Mountains and caves (Any)
FOOD: Carnivore
AGGRESSION: High
SIZE: 3' 5" - 3' 7" (100-120 cm) tall
NUMBERS: 1-4


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 13-16
AGILITY: 8-10
ENDURANCE: 18-20
INTELLIGENCE: 2-4
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 7-8
CHARM: 0
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

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

MAGIC POWER: 0
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 14-17
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 5
BACK: 11 (0 without shell)
BELLY: 3
HEAD: 6
FRONT LEGS: 5
BACK LEGS: 3
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

The overlapping leathery shells, strengthened by bony spikes, that cover the back of the Darratha, give a natural protection like few others in the animal world. Underneath the shields is a soft and feathery structure to protect the Darratha from its own razor sharp physique.


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
1 BITE: 2-5
2 FRONT CLAWS: 2-4
(If a Long Sword causes 1-8 points of damage)

The sharp teeth of the Darratha are short but with its bite comes an infection that few withstand (hard saving throw vs Endurance). The blood of the victim is injected by a demonic bacterium that reproduces and permeates the blood system in two day's time (see 'Powers'). The dagger-like claws of the front legs are used as pointy hooks towards soft throats, or cutting devices, ripping up into the guts from below.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
CALLING THE BLOOD: The Darratha usually waits a while before attacking, to scan the state of creatures or beings. The blood of an infected one may be called from afar. The Darratha can produce a third magical eye hovering between the horns of its back. Within sixty yards (54m) this eye can pierce into the body of the infected and control the blood in the victim's vessels. To uphold this abysmal magic the Darratha must remain focused. Attacks causing more than 2 points of damage will thwart the call for the round to come, and keep the creature busy defending itself. When successful, the magic will generate a great increase in the blood temperature, and cause an instant fever in the infected targets, affecting all within range with a -4 penalty on all rolls. The Darratha may use a second undisturbed round to further this power, and cause arteries to blow from within (causing 2-8 points of damage). A third round will suffer the heart of all victims to explode and blood to burst out through all orifices. A successful roll vs Endurance may stall this graphical finale for another round and reduce the effect to another 3-9 points of internal damage. If the Darratha is disturbed the call fails and the blood is immediately returned to initial temperatures. It may also deliberately keep the effect low to force or control its targets. The Darratha can use this power at will, but unless the bacteria have had two days to reproduce the call will cause nothing but a warm and uneasy sensation. The infection only spreads further if the blood of a victim is intermingled with another's. An exchange of saliva, or other intimate ways of relation are not enough, as the bacteria never reaches these bodily fluids, as it does in the Darratha.


------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
When the Darratha are young they are limbless. Born in the waters of cold subterranean lakes, they swim around like armoured ray-fish for some years before they crawl ashore. There they develop legs and haste through the tunnels and mountains like curious dogs, but hopping, in a more rabbit-like fashion. Restlessly they hunt and eat, killing indiscriminately, and eventually, leave to examine the greater world.

Ages ago some Darratha young are said to have entered into this world from the dark waters of the Abyss, finding a passageway of sorts, leading eternally upwards, until it connected with water-filled caves far beneath the weight of ancient mountains. Now, folklore proclaim, they are trapped like misfits in a landscape foreign to them – lost in regions too bright and lush for their nature.

With senses always alert to the smell of evil, seeking eagerly for a trace of their cradle, some Darratha mysteriously manage to find a master to guide them. Several adept mages of demonology and necromancy have found a Darratha waiting on their doorstep, anxious to be led, submitting to the role of familiar, for guidance, for company, or a hope perhaps of one day being channeled back into the depths where they once dwelt.

These creatures have been closely connected with death in several cultures, and the way they often stand still at a distance watching, with a blood red gaze piercing the darkness, has a fearful impact on most beings. They have served many dark powers through time, and have a deservedly bad reputation. Seeing a Darratha in the streets typically means trouble. Wicked men have used their saliva to contaminate drinks, and water-supplies, and one infamous cleric went as far as breeding a small army of them in great tubs of copper beneath his temple, in an attempt to control his unwilling disciples.

The layered shields of the Darratha are highly flexible and shift as soon as the creature moves its head or bends its double spine. The front legs grow a softer but similar structure as the creature matures, while the back legs remain comparatively bare. Along the back of the creature are flexible needle tubes full with the red venom that is also abundant in the saliva of the creature, when it attacks.

Darrathas hiss and produce unsettling rattling sounds with their back-shields, but have no advanced means of communication. They live for 30-40 years and return into the mountains to breed and lay 4-6 eggs in lakes hidden to most. No one has ever seen them asleep.



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


© Copyright 2011 - Nicholas Cloister

The silent slaughters of the sea

The flu, which peaked two weeks ago, has yet to let me fully out of its grip. Reality presents itself behind a hazy layer of "tired heavyness", but I know it has to yield some day soon.
Speaking of soon, I can now confirm that I will spend much of this year teaching (Multimedia, Media Communication etc), and I start in May. This will make RPG-Creatures slow down, but new creatures will continue to show up, now and then. Bread, I here, is more vital than imaginary beasts. ; )

To be honest, I will enjoy another round in the class rooms. Freelance illustration can be a bit too solitary in the long run. Schools, though not always the most stimulating of places, do at least present a certain movement, and faces of real animated flesh. A Crombhala would move eagerly through the corridors...




≡CROMBHALA≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Crustacean
TERRAIN: Salt water
FOOD: Carnivore
AGGRESSION: High
SIZE: 7 feet (210 cm) tall
NUMBERS: 1-12


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 17-23
AGILITY: 5-11
ENDURANCE: 15-21
INTELLIGENCE: 2-3
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 5-7
CHARM: 0
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

SPEED: Running x 0,5 (In water x 2)
(Multiple is times human speed)

MAGIC POWER: 0
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 25-30
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 7
BODY: 8
BELLY: 3
LEGS: 7
HEAD: 7
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

The exoskeleton of the Crombhala is tough, and gives good protection. The belly is softer and vulnerable to spears and long swords.


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
1 BITE: 1–6
2 HOOKS: 1-8
(If a Long Sword makes a damage of 1-8)

Though equipped with four powerful legs, the Crombhala is too heavy to use these for kicking.


------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
The Crombhalas are hunter-scavenger creatures that have specialized in attacking surface-swimming prey. Their antennae are sensitive and pick up all surface disturbances, even in the unsettled waters of storm. They generally keep to the shallows, where from the bottom they can strike upwards to penetrate the creatures and small vessels above. The spikes on their heads are only used for the initial surprise and puncturing. The hooks and and the hideous mouth are their primary tools of killing.

Rarely do they venture on to the shore, but can breath air without problem. The heavy bodies of the creatures slow them down on land, so they only briefly come out of the water. Stranded whales and other feasts, may tempt them to linger.

The beasts are ferocious and hungry by nature. They rarely miss a chance to feed, and do so with great fervour. When there is no large prey or carcass about, they move around very slowly to save energy, and lazily pick a snack or two in the form of clams and starfish from the bottom. As winter comes, and sheets of ice claim the coastline seas, the Crombhalas seek out warmer areas, or move temporarily into the unknown depths of the ocean.

In stories and myths Crombhalas are mainly known for their eyes. These are unique constructions whose outer layer is hard as glass, and whose interior liquid is a mystery. Sorcerers have found that by gazing into these globes, one may witness long and clear episodes from the life of the Crombhala to which they belonged. The creatures are thought to preserve memories inside their organs of vision. Staring into the eye of a dead Crombhala is not an activity suited for the weak-minded and sensitive. The memories emerging are mainly the highlights of killing and feeding, and some say the mood and blood-lust of the Crombhala is somehow communicated through these biological “crystal balls”.

According to some scriptures, there are complicated rituals, in the case that one manages to steal away with a single eye of a living Crombhala, that enables the gazer to gain access to the live sight and mind of the giant crustacean, and thus control the beast through telepathy.

The creatures grow to be several centuries old. In some cases their eyes have revealed the locations of wrecked ships, taken down long ago by groups of hungry Crombhalas. Though events like these are rare, and the crustaceans typically hunt alone, they are not unheard of. Once dozens of small holes are made in the hull, the creatures clamber up the ship and gunwale to come down upon the crew. As they attack they cough out water and let out series of course and loud hissing sounds. In the sea, they kill silently.

© Copyright 2011 - Nicholas Cloister