Bestiary I - The book is here!

This is what the now 146 pages 'RPG-Creatures - Bestiary I' has to offer:

* 9 book exclusive creatures, which I will never post anywhere online, plus the first 45 from the blog, for a total of 54 original creatures.

* 54 full-page color illustrations of the creatures

* A thumbnailed interactive 'Table of Contents', linked directly to the creature images and descriptions, and quick access to the TOC from most pages of the book. (only in the eBook, of course)

* An alphabetical index of the creatures.

* A two-page text of introduction

* A two-page guide to the stats

* A well balanced lay-out and design (for a seriously improved presentation)

* A fine piece of cover art

* Three additional interior color illustrations,
*  One piece of b&w collage of creatures (sketches) that never made it to the bestiary. (eBook only)

* A hundred tiny and sometimes big corrections of language, grammar, and spelling (which now is fully American spelling btw, since that's where the biggest audience is...so far.)

* Many small improvements to, and corrections of, the stats of some creatures.

The eBook is available for $9.50 at RPGNow, where you can also check out a full-size preview. Link!

 

© Copyright 2011 - Nicholas Cloister

Many-Mouthed Mollusc Merchants?

I re-wrote the entire 'Description' of the Emphaerian Goat, about a day after I initially posted it. If you were here early, I recommend a revisit. I dare say, it has been greatly improved. And now, let's dive away from celestial farmlands into the strange waters of the sea. I hope The Little Mermaid has not entirely spoiled your mood for aquatic adventures. Those fine rings of water-breathing are rather common these days, you know. Put one on, and submerge in the pioneering spirit of Cousteau. There are mysteries and treasures left to be discovered! The chests may be empty, but the bottoms are virtually littered with goodies.

For all those of of you who live above the Equator, enjoy the rest of summer! (even if it's the rainy season...) This time of year, you can swim comfortably, even in Sweden. Water is bliss!



≡GHORD≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Invertebrate
TERRAIN: Tropical and subtropical oceans
FOOD: Carnivore
AGGRESSION: Normal
SIZE: 10 feet (3 m) long / Shell is 7 feet (210 cm) tall
NUMBERS: 1


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 15-18
AGILITY: 9-12
ENDURANCE: 13-16
INTELLIGENCE: 2-4
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 5-7
CHARM: 1-2
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

SPEED: Walking (on the bottom) x 1, Swimming x 2
(Multiple is times human speed)

MAGIC POWER: 0
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 19-24
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 5
BODY: 10 (0 without shell)
LIMBS: 0
HEAD: 1
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

The body of the Ghord is soft and unprotected. The head and mouths have developed hardenend areas, which pose as horns and teeth. These are softer than regular skeletal structures, and have to be renewed regularly, as they break comparatively easily. The shells of the giant clams used by the Ghords are strong and thick, though not as hard as metal.


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
1 BITE: 2-5
6 LIMB-MOUTH BITES: 1-6 (+ possible stinging cells, see 'Powers')
(If a Long Sword causes 1-8 points of damage)

The protective shell, stinging cells, and size of the Ghord makes the vast majority of predators leave it alone, The Ghord is not used to fighting, nor fleeing. It will stay and do what it can to bite and ward off potential enemies, but will not pursue to kill.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
STINGING CELLS: The red stinging cells growing on the Ghord's limbs and body is poisonous and will paralyse all beings (and most creatures) they come in contact with. These serve as a means of defence for the Ghord, which, though fairly intelligent, doesn't use them deliberately when attacking. However, any successful attack by a limb mouth may result in an involuntary (20% chance) and painful contact with the stinging cells. Areas protected by armour or clothes are not prone to the cells. The sting inflicts great pain and paralyzation, but causes no cellular damage. A normal sized being stay immobilized for 10-40 rounds. A succesful saving-throw vs Endurance may half that period. Holding the breath during paralyzation is impossible. Breathing is slow and frail.


REFLECTIVE CLOUD: The Ghord can eject a cloud of reflective ink. The substance looks a lot like water, but with a much greater reflective quality. Bursting out in a random shape, slightly larger than the Ghord itself, the cloud is confusing to behold, and will hide the Ghord's action for some time. Depending on the currents of the water, the clouds will last accordingly (2-5 rounds), but even drawn apart the drops and curtains of ink may confuse and blind the beholder. Unlike the octopus, Ghords rarely use the clouds to escape predators, but rather to attack them. Mouthed tentacle-like limbs will come shooting through the ink, targeted by the creatures' sensitive antenna, which grants them the ability to sense movement even when visually blinded. The Ghords may produce up to three clouds in a day.


------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
The Ghords are large invertebrates, typically "walking" around slowly on the ocean floor. There they filter large amounts of water for plankton and other minute forms of life, sucking it all in through six great inlets. These mouths, at the edge of retractable tentacle limbs, may also trap a careless fish or two, and will happily consume any other moving thing in the water.

Though impressive creatures, Ghords protect themselves by seeking out the discarded shells of giant clams. These are pierced for extra holes and made into custom fit armours. All limbs may be drawn back into the shell at great speed, and can re-appear with equal velocity. When moving around the Ghords are not as swift. They can swim, even inside the shell, but do so in a rocking fashion, paddling themselves forward with two shovel-like limbs, and pushing for altitude with their big sluggish “foot”.

It may be the innate mode of survival, to look out for suiting shells of protection, that is behind the Ghords' habit of hoarding. The creatures are unusually interested in all things uncommon to the natural forms of the sea. Especially hollow items, like canoes, coffins, and amphorae attract their attention. They are even more interested in glimmering ones, reminiscent of the surface of clams and mother of pearl. Coins and trinkets may be found discarded on the floors of the caves in which the Ghords keep their collections, which suggests a specific interest in the vessels themselves.

As the hoard grows the Ghord becomes increasingly reluctant to leave its cave of treasures, and will try to find what food it needs in the immediate surrounding of the entrance. In rich waters, the creatures may well be posted, like a sentry, just outside the cave, refusing to leave its valuable collection. Most Ghords will fiercely protect every part of their findings, but some specimens are reported to have engaged in trade. It seems a few of these creatures are intelligent enough to evaluate the threat level, the offers, and the desires of visitors, to the extent that they present one item in return for another. Persistence, repeated sign-language, and a great sense of balance are said to have done the trick in these reported cases.

Ghords are solitary creatures, which live for 60-70 years. They mate early, while only 5-10 years of age. They then redraw from reproduction, and spend their time standing, or walking slowly, in search for food and other items of interest. They change shells 3-5 times during the span of their lives.



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


© Copyright 2011 - Nicholas Cloister

Pneumonia delays gold delivery

The illustration of this creature has been ready for quite some time, but my daughter was stricken by pneumonia, which distracted me for a while. It seems every time a certain flow is built up some bump in the road comes along to break the current. I guess that's good in a way, since it reminds you of the way things are, and gives you some time to re-evaluate the priorities. Breathing is clearly more important than creature design and games, and gold less sparkling than the eyes of a three year old.

I'd like to give thanks to the following blogs, zines, and pages, for recommending and writing about RPG Creatures. If I forgot anyone, please remind me.

Ethereal Sunshine
The Secret DM
Talislanta
Greifenklaue's Blog
Storie Di Ruolo
Multiplayer.it

Some treasures walk...



≡AEGARIM≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Mammal
TERRAIN: Caves and mines
FOOD: Omnivore
AGGRESSION: Normal
SIZE: 5-6 feet tall (150 - 180 cm)
NUMBERS: 1- 20


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 14-18
AGILITY: 1-14
ENDURANCE: 11-16
INTELLIGENCE: 7-10
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 6 -12
CHARM: 2-4
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

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

MAGIC POWER: 0
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 13 - 20
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 2 (+ 1-8 of gold cover)
BODY: 2 (+ 1-8 of gold cover)
HEAD: 2 (+ 1-8 of gold cover)
LEGS: 2 (+ 1-8 of gold cover)
TAIL: 1 (+ 1-8 of gold cover)
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

The Aegarim has a dark skin that slightly shifts in colour to blend with the rocks and minerals in the caves they inhabit. It gives little protection in itself, but is often strengthened by layers of gold (see 'Description')


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
2 CLAWS: 2 – 6
1 BITE: 1-4 (plus 1-2 of corrosion damage for 1-8 rounds)
(If a Long Sword makes a damage of 1-8)

The front claws of the Aegarim are strong and hard enough to scrape out the gold from veins and ores in the mountains. The bite is not very powerful in itself but the saliva of the creatures is corrosive to dissolve gold, and can cause serious damage to living tissue, as well as armour.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
MELT GOLD: The Aegarim have the psionic ability to heat up, and even melt, gold from afar. They can use this power once per day. When undisturbed for two rounds they can psionically produce a field of molecular instability, with a diameter of 60 feet (20 m), in which the temperature of all gold increases dramatically. Rings, bracelets and other gold in direct contact with the body will cause 1-4 points of burn injury per round, and melt completely in another 2-4 rounds, if the Aegarim is left undisturbed and allowed to focus. (The power of magic items deformed by this ability may be lost or lessened.) The field begins 10 (25 cm) inches away from the creature, and doesn't affect its own layers of gold.


------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
The Aegarim are highly intelligent creatures, but make no use of spoken languages or tools. They normally move about alone or in small groups but occasionally gather in larger numbers. Their main activity, apart from feeding, is to seek out and swallow gold. They are drawn to mines, ores, underground rivers and great treasures. Once consumed the gold enters the creatures and is transported to their skin where it is deposited in thin layers that grows into plates of natural armour.

Initially these deposits protect the creatures from outer harm, but as they thicken they burden the Aegarim and hinder their movement substantially. It is therefore believed that this process is a cultural expression rather than a purely biological one. The Aegarim, some say, believe that by leaving a permanent golden shell of themselves they attain immortality. Thus they continue to eat gold until they become fully immobile and perish from starvation. In later states, when all but the joints are covered in gold, the creatures look a lot like statues, and are known to pose as such, to avoid notice, or draw near to themselves wealthy merchants and successful adventurers.

Strange carvings and hieroglyphs have been found in caves where the Aegarim dwell. They are believed to have deep magical or symbolical meanings, rather than conveying a message. Attempts of translation speak of 'The thousand years of sleep', and 'The great resurrection', but the sages involved in this work stress the inadequacy of human concepts, and the high level of guess-work involved in the translations.

The Aegarim's urge for gold is great, and they have been known to gather in greater numbers to take on dragons and other formidable hoarders. When subterranean findings are scarce they may venture out of the caves and seek out gold in other places. Their eyes are sensitive to daylight and when possible they keep hidden during the day. It may take anything from 20 to 80 years for a Aegarim to cover itself close to fully in gold. If they fail in making themselves into a sculpture, they die naturally at about 100-120 years of age. Nothing but the double row of nipples distinguishes the females from the males.



© Copyright 2011 - Nicholas Cloister

Faeries voice the Will of Nature

A new year, and a new creature. As I write this the year looks uncertain. It may be that I'll be offered a teacher's position in a couple of weeks or so, and it might be that I have to agree to the offer. If that happens RPG-creatures will slow down considerably, for quite some time. Nothing is decided right now, and in any case, this isn't the last creature.

We are entering into the strange realms of elves and faeries this week, and try to retain some of the dangerous and mysterious aspects of the deep woods. I can't bare it when these spiritual powers are reduced into sex icons and ball-dress butterfly beauties of fashion. Busty babes with long ears are almost worse than bare bodied tattooed rock stars with angelic wings. Try to savour the last pieces of dignity in folk-lore and fantasy. Then we can have sex and a party afterwards... Well, perhaps I'm just getting old?... : )



≡NI-OTH≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Faerie
TERRAIN: Forest
FOOD: Sunlight and water
AGGRESSION: Controlled
SIZE: 10 inches tall (25 cm)
NUMBERS: 1


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 1
AGILITY: 12-15
ENDURANCE: 11-13
INTELLIGENCE: 5-15
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 18-22
CHARM: 13-20
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

SPEED: Flying (Eagle x 0,2)
(Multiple is times human speed)

MAGIC POWER: 5-30
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 1-2
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 0
BODY: 0
LEAF WINGS: 0
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

The Ni-Oths are thin and delicate constructions without any natural armour to speak of. They rely on magical illusions for their protection.


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
1 TENTACLE BURN: 1-6 of acidic damage
(If a Long Sword makes a damage of 1-8)

The Ni-Oths are equipped with several burning tentacles and pointy ends to protect them from being captured. These are used for defence only, and they normally affect only one enemy at a time.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
VENTRILOQUISM: The Ni-Oths are master ventriloquists. They can mimic any sounds they have ever heard, and make them appear as if coming from any spot within 100 yards from their location. This is a natural magical ability of the Ni-Oths, who may produce such tricks at will, but they cannot distort the natural volume of mimicked sounds into painful levels.

ILLUSORY PROJECTION: The Ni-Oths can project an illusory version of themselves, that may be up to 20 feet (6 m) tall. This illusion lasts for up to five minutes, and may be projected up to 30 feet (10 m) away from the real Ni-Oth. The projected image moves and acts just like the Ni-Oth itself, but has no real body or weight. This power can be used once a day.



------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
Every once in a while, when conditions are right, and a considerable age has been reached, it comes to pass that specific parts of a forest awaken to consciousness. This can happen to a grove, a glade, a pond, or any other special location, that makes itself distinct from the rest of the wood-land. As this occurs the place emanates a sacredness that can be sensed by sensitive minds, and a Ni-Oth is born from the soil among the undergrowth. Initially it grows, attached to the ground, like any other plant. But as it matures, it lets go and takes it first flight under the stars of night.

The Ni-Oth is the voice of the sacred location. It speaks and acts on behalf of the conscious place that raised it. It has no will on its own but is merely an animated tool, or extension, of its parent. Whatever power the Ni-Oth wields is actually the power of the grove, glade, pond, or place itself. If the location is burnt or otherwise destroyed, so is the Ni-Oth.

These creatures can move about at day-time, but normally fly during the night. They hover above the sacred ground and tend to it in secret and mysterious ways. Once in a while they leave their homes to fly slowly through the woods, and communicate silently with other faerie powers. They thus brings back tidings, and are kept alert to the events of the larger forest.

The look and colour of any Ni-Oth may vary substantially, but they all have wing-like leaves and tentacles. An eerie glow surrounds them when they act, and they never fly above the tree-tops. All Ni-Oth can cast spells of illusion, but apart from their natural power of ventriloquism and projection, these vary. The might of these spells depend on the power and size of their home location.

Once it is parted from the ground, the Ni-Oth drinks water through its mouth. It requires sunlight to live, and can last no more than a week without it. The creature has no need of food, and live for as long as the sacred location remains. Desecration, in the form of black magic or blasphemous rites, may kill the Ni-Oth's source of power. If only the Ni-Oth itself is slain, the consciousness of the forest location produces a new Voice. This takes about six months.

Scholars speculate about if these creatures might the first signs of a greater forest consciousness. If so, some ask, would there be more powerful Ni-Oths, or other forms of life, produced to speak for the forest as a whole? Some Ni-Oths know only elven, or similar faerie languages. Others seem able to convey their message in the language known best to the target of communication. Some kind of mind-reading ability is therefore suggested.


© Copyright 2011 - Nicholas Cloister

Original creature concepts

One of the real challenges with inventing a new creature is the desire to do something different. The more different you make it the less creature-like and believable it turns. There is a balance of sorts between 'original' and 'working'. Also, in an rpg context, the design must serve some kind of use or interest to the plot, and preferably deliver 'that' special mood.

While I find some really weird creatures absolutely amazing (like the many strange life-forms you find in a coral reef), there are only a few of those that would serve to make a story more interesting, and even fewer that can pose as some kind of action, or suspense element in a fantasy adventure. It seems I always end up drawing creatures that I enjoy, and if they are all that different or all that special, obviously doesn't hold that much priority to me. Perhaps it should? This next creature is something that reminds me of a great number of traditional fantasy beasts and beings, but for some reason, it wanted to see the light of day anyway.

Here is something I put together on YouTube, that you might want to look at, in 1080p: LINK

Finally, many thanks to all those who mentioned this blog in emails, twitts, facebook updates, forums etc. Keep it up, and I'll keep the creatures coming.

Now let us welcome, without prejudice, directly from the dark depths; The Holath-Uhr!
..and perhaps I'll manage to strike a more original chord in the future.



≡HOLATH-UHR≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Demon (Orc)
TERRAIN: The Abyss
FOOD: Carnivore
AGGRESSION: Extreme
SIZE: 6-7 feet tall (180-210 cm) when completely upright
NUMBERS: 1 to hundreds


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 16-24
AGILITY: 3-13
ENDURANCE: 14-20
INTELLIGENCE: 3-10
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 4-16
CHARM: 1-5
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

SPEED: Running x 1, Flying (eagle x 0,5)
(Multiple is times human speed)

MAGIC POWER: 0
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 16-26
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 3
HEAD: 2
BODY: 3
LOWER ARMS: 5
UPPER ARMS: 2
LEGS: 2
WINGS: 3
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

The Holath-Uhr is partly scaled and horned. The rest is covered in a sinewy and tough skin. These creatures' reaction to pain and injury is not one of screaming. They seem to accept it as an inevitable part of their every day reality – a minor nuisance, and a slight distraction at most.


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
1 BITE: 1-4
2 CLAWED FISTS: 1-5
2 KICKS: 2-6
(If a Long Sword makes a damage of 1-8)

The Holaths primarily make use of sharp and heinous blades forged in the chasms and pits they inhabit, but shy no means of killing.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
UNHOLY WORDS: In combat the Holaths utter unholy phrases and ancient words of power to dismantle the morale of the enemy. These words seem to flow out naturally from their throats in warfare and give power and strength to their attacks. All within the range of hearing suffers a -2 penalty to all rolls unless a mental resilience test is passed. This effect lasts for the remainder of the encounter. The Holaths, and all evil forces aligned to them, gain a +2 benefit on all attacks. Clerics may neutralize these dark chantings with loud prayer and blessings.

ANCIENT LUSTRE: Something in the dark second birth of the Holaths (see description) brought about a mysterious glow and a mesmerizing lustre to their presence. The evil and violent nature of these creatures is uncompromising and direct. Together these attributes convey an otherworldly presence. Like fallen angels, still empowered by the charisma of Heaven, the Holath-Uhr are formidable to all but the strongest of wills. Standing in their way is a testimony to the character and morale of any man or woman.
In the presence of Holaths all beings must make a test of their morale or mental resilience to stay opposed to them. A failure may result in passivity or conflict of mind, while a disastrous roll will make the witness draw back in submission, or even fall face down in worship.

------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
In very old orc records one can find entries about the Holath. They are described in a double-edged manner, portrayed mainly as strong, heroic and idealized as chief among all orcs. On the other hand they are “those without being”, “the passionless ones”, and “the pathless spears”. In one chronicle the following passage takes us to the point: “The Holath had no sense of fear, law, or limit. In winter they pierced far and deep into the realms beneath the mountains. There they blended with the reptiles of myth and joined with them in unlawful and boundless manners. As they returned and faced again the starlit lands, they were strangers to the orcs that beheld them. Winged and furious they would hear no command and hold to no oath. They had become the Uhr, and the orcs abandoned them. We faced their hatred. We conquered them. We cursed them, and bound them to the space-less depths of their unwholesome rebirth.”

Scholars now categorize the Holaths as Demons, and place them with other unearthly life-forms of the Underworld. Their minds have gone beyond logic and they act with the pure malevolence and senseless hunger of the Abyss.

At times desperate orc clans summon them to their service, but the power of the Holath-Uhr is almost impossible to control. A break-through into the material plane of existence, is bound to result in chaos unleashed, and the mountains teeming with the unfettered powers of the deep.

Winged, the Holath can fly, but in a crude and clumsy manner. They cannot stay aloft for more than a minute or two, but long enough to crash down upon their enemies from above. They make no use of clothes, armour or decoration, but may carry items of power in the form of bracelets, girdles, rings etc. They normally wield dark weapons but lacking arms will not stop them from attacking.

In all, they are set on killing, eating, and to further their power, and will use whatever means they can to achieve it. Patience, and negotiations are not included. In the world of the Holath-Uhr, there is no such thing as the long way around. They serve no one, unless physically restrained and forced about. There is no fear, and nothing beneath the moon is holy or forbidden.

The Holath naturally team up and wreak havoc in joined forces. No leader seems to be needed, but a shared interest in destruction, and the dominion of their demonic species, takes them ever onward. Outside of the Abyss, they can live for 100 years.


© Copyright 2010 - Nicholas Cloister

Flesh-eating plants attack cave explorers.

I came to consider the difference between creatures and animals, today. I'm not thinking now about the difference of these words or their meaning, but how I approach these concepts as a designer.

Some creature designers enjoy making otherworldly animals, but what I primarily enjoy is making creatures. What I mean is that imaginary animals strive to play the role of convincing animals, but creatures (in my definition of the word) brings something extraordinary into the story.

Greek mythology and European folklore are full of creatures. The chimera, the Medusa, the unicorn, the harpy, the centaur, the minotoaur - all these have another dimension to them. Apart from looking more or less alien they have attributes that speak to us on a subconscious level. They might be multi-headed monsters, or charming nymphs of the sea, but common to them all is that they rise above the state of the animal into the spiritual, or psychological field.

Mythological creatures and the greatest monsters always speak to us on that deeper level. They have something of us in them, that makes them worthy of our stories. We, the makers of the stories, bring these aspects of our fears, desires, secrets, and faults into the beasts of our making. That is the difference between a new animal concept and a new creature. That is at least my way of looking at it, and that is also my ambition. I aim to create fascinating creatures.



≡PANPANARIH≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Plant
TERRAIN: Damp places
FOOD: Carnivore
AGGRESSION: -
SIZE: 8 feet tall (240 cm) without limbs
NUMBERS: 1 to 20


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 15-20
AGILITY: 3-8
ENDURANCE: 20-28
INTELLIGENCE: (1)
MENTAL RESILIENCE: -
CHARM: -
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

SPEED: Running x 0,01
(Multiple is times human speed)

MAGIC POWER:0
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 40-55
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 1
FRUIT: 0
TRUNK/BRANCHES: 1
ROOTS: 1
TONGUES: 0
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

Chopping at a PanPanarih is like chopping away at any tree in the forest. It is commonly clad with a layer of moss that gives no or little protection, but since it feels no pain it will move about until it is cut to pieces, or burned down.


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
5-8 POINTY BRANCH STABS: 1-5 (+ burning tongue damage)
(If a Long Sword makes a damage of 1-8)

The PanPanarih thrusts with the spear-like ends of its branches to kill prey. Smaller creatures are then drawn into the core, through the hollow limbs, by the tongue emerging from their centres. Insects and very small creatures are trapped directly by one of the tongues, which are fast and very sticky. Larger life-forms are stabbed repeatedly until they they are still. The PanPanarih continues to attack until the flesh is loose enough for the tongue to tear it off. The burning saliva also helps disintegrating muscles and other tissue. Losing consciousness near a PanPanarih is to be avoided.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
ENCHANTING FRAGRANCE: The PanPanarih is usually without scent, but may release a strong fragrance to attract nearby prey. The scent can only be produced when the plant bears fruit, and that is usually when extra food is needed. The aroma of these plants is like a heavenly perfume and very hard to resist. Unless a saving throw (Mental Resilience) is successful the victim is enchanted and will seek out the source of the scent and hug the PanPanarih to fill his mind with the wonder of its fragrance. At touch the plant will attack. On a windless day the fragrance can spread up to 500 yards (457 meters) from the fruit. If the Game Master desires, the chance of resisting the enchantment can vary with distance.

TELEPATHIC VISION: The seeds of the PanPanarih is a kind of eyes. Around every seed is a mother-of-pearl like lid that can open to reveal the organ of vision. They are fully self-sufficient, like clams, but cannot eat, and live only for six months. Whenever they open they send visual information back to the PanPanarih, which may act upon this knowledge, but the ability is also for finding a good spot to sprout upon. Birds, and other creatures, attracted to the glimmering surface, takes off with the seeds and thereby the plants spread. If dropped nearby water the seed will settle, but otherwise it stays closed most of the time, and awaits better opportunities. A dead seed can still become a new plant, but it loses its ability to see and open.

BURNING SALIVA: The sticky tongues of the PanPanarihs produce a burning saliva that inflicts 1-2 points of injury for 1-4 rounds when it makes contact with naked skin. It is not acidic but consists of a nerve poison that causes pain and cell damage.


------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
The PanPanaris pose as common trees when they don’t engage in hunting or feeding. They stretch their limbs and branches upwards and hide their surveying eyes well. They may live in any place where water is available but prefer a damp climate. Even dungeons will do if a subterranean stream can be reached and an occasional beam of sunlight manages to squeeze in. Their roots grow fast and can stretch out hundreds of yards from the main root, which is always located in, or very close to water. Within this area the PanPanarihs are mobile, and move around slowly, on shorter tentacle roots, to their position of choice.

No brain is to be found in these plants, but the instinctive innate behaviour of the PanPanarihs is creepily complex. For example, they tend to hunt in groups, letting some creatures pass by while posing for harmless, only to block the opening of the cave where the creatures spent the night sleeping. They sometimes let go of some of their seed eyes to monitor a trail nearby, and they let groups of birds hack away at their big red fruits, until enough of them gather to feed all of their hollow limbs at once. Though the PanPanarih transports itself slowly, its upper structure is very flexible and its limbs can flail about at some speed. The tongues are extremely fast, and the plant gets half of its nutrition from the numerous insects landing unknowingly on the fruit, or upon the cluster of small white flowers that blooms in the centre before the fruit appears.

The fruit of the PanPanarih is large and delicious. Once served at many courts as the treat of summer festivals, the plants are now eradicated from populated areas. Attempts have been made to grow them, but they are far from energy efficient, and the danger of managing them discourages most such enterprises. Once a seed has reached water, it takes at least two years for the plant to reach a full-grown state.

The human-like shape of the creature has given rise to many scary stories about the PanPanarih, whose silhouette against a moonlit sky has been used more than once in illustrated myths to symbolize dark times ahead. Folklore claims that when the plant consumes human beings, it absorbs their essence, and slowly begins the transformation into a complete replica of a humanoid.


© Copyright 2010 - Nicholas Cloister

Lucky egg discovered in the highlands

There! I almost got away from the previous subject. A little brighter this time, at least. One of the hardest thing, visually, when creating a new creature concept (at least for me) is the look and the placing of the eye. Very minor eye changes bring about great shifts in mood and can alter the entire narrative (if there is any). This creature had to undergo extensive facial surgery before its maker was pleased with the results. Luckily this is an imagined life form, and surgery therefore less costly. This is the much sought after Nomancuan.




≡NOMANCUAN≡




------GENERAL-----------------------------------------
CATEGORY: Unknown
TERRAIN: Mountains and highlands
FOOD: Herbivore
AGGRESSION: Low
SIZE: 5 feet tall (150 cm) without the fungi.
NUMBERS: 1


------CHARACTERISTICS-----------------------------
STRENGTH: 7-13
AGILITY: 3-6
ENDURANCE: 4-8
INTELLIGENCE: 1-3
MENTAL RESILIENCE: 11-13
CHARM: 1-2
(If stats of a human ranges from 3 to 18)

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

MAGIC POWER: 0
(Ranges from 0-100)

HIT POINTS: 6-13
(If a human commoner has about 11 hit points)


------PROTECTION-------------------------------------
AVERAGE: 3
HEAD: 2
BACK: 6
BELLY: 2
LEGS: 3
FUNGI: 0
EGG: 0
(If Full Plate Armour is 10)

The Nomancuans only natural armour is a bony shield covering its back. Physically vulnerable it relies on other means for protection (See 'Powers')


------ATTACKS/DAMAGE---------------------------
1 BITE: 1-2
2 CLAWS: 1-4
(If a Long Sword makes a damage of 1-8)

The Nomancuan is a slow and peaceful creature. Since it usually can't outrun an enemy it will defend itself if attacked. Though equipped with formidable claws the creature is not quick enough to produce any serious damage. Its attacks are rather easily avoided.


------POWERS/EFFECT-------------------------------
SPORE SHOWER: The fungi-like tentacles, normally clasped tight around the great egg, quickly rise up into the air when the creature is threatened. Once positioned they release a shower of almost invisible spores over and around the Nomancuan. This ghastly spray has a vile odour that in itself is enough to scare off most predators. If intent on a close encounter, the curiosity of any breathing beast or being will soon end, as the spores enter their lungs and the blood-system. Here they will immediately take chemical control of the brain and render the victim silent, still, and devoid of will and memory (no saving throw allowed). Holding one's breath will help, but if any naked body part makes contact with the spores, they will enter the blood through the skin. The effect of the Nomancuan spore lasts for fourteen days, and unless a mental resilience saving throw is completed, the victim will a suffer partial, but substantial and permanent loss of memory.


------DESCRIPTION------------------------------------
The life of the Nomancuan can be described simply as; finding grass, grabbing grass (with its dexterous miniature nasal trunks), cutting grass (with its front claw cutters), moving grass to its mouth, chewing grass, and swallowing grass. There is however a wider and more mysterious context to consider. During the 100 year lifespan of the Nomencuan it produces a single, living, magical power in the form of a great egg. This egg does not not reproduce the species but is something in its own right. It detaches from the creature only at the Nomencuan's death. If removed earlier it never matures into power, and disintegrates within a matter of weeks.

To touch the Great Egg of the Nomancuan is a blessing for life. Luck will follow such persons for all their days, and disease will no longer catch hold. The entire area in which such an egg is laid will be fortunate and prosperous for as long as the egg remains. Poor soil will turn green, deserts will flower, and animals will be drawn to such places. One hundred miles (160 kilometres) in all directions will be affected by the positive powers of the egg.

Nomancuans are extremely rare. For as long as the powers of the egg has been known, people have tried to tame it, or to capture it alive. All attempts have failed. The Noamcuan refuses to eat in captivity, and if it encounters a fence it cannot round or cut through, it will stop dead in its tracks and wait until starvation kills it, or the fence is removed. It needs the grass and wind of a variety of areas to keep the egg growing.

Naturally, Nomancuans are often followed and guarded from a distance. Rulers and other powers tend to have a great interest in the destiny of the eggs. Wars have been fought around these creatures, and a lot of blood have been spilled to pay for the luck brought by possessing the laid egg. Such a treasure must be well guarded, and few things are as desirable. An egg will last for 300 years, and the glow of its blessing remains as long as it stays unharmed.

How the Nomancuans reproduce, or come into being, is unknown. Some claim they are gifts from the gods, but this is refuted by the greed and conflicts they tend to bring about. For some reason they seek higher altitudes, to graze at the very edge of the grass line. They move slowly, like sloths, preserving most of their energy for growing the egg. When walking from one range of mountains to another, they keep out of sight to the best of their abilities. Despite their powerful spore protection, some vanish in the mouths of fast and large predators, but most beasts stay well clear of them.

On clear nights, the fungi caps let go of the great egg and exposes it fully to the starlight. Its red glow can then be spotted from afar. Touching the translucent shell of the egg while it still remains with the Nomancuan, has no effect. Surgical removal will kill the creature as well as the egg. Nothing is known about the biology of the egg itself.



© Copyright 2010 - Nicholas Cloister