Sun Keld Rules v.3 : Bestiary

Alleorn

level5

	At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick	Lvl
Tree	0	0	0	3	0	12	10	30	3	4	6	0	0	0	58	2
Thorns : A10 damD6 Sting. Phys vs. 13 or D10 Lethal
Ants	16	17	12	2	10	10	8	12	0	0	1	0	3	4	84	5
Bite : A16 D15 Init15 damD4+2 Sting. Phys vs. 13 or D6 Lethal.

Alleorn trees are a unique danger of the Twilight Jungles. Tall, thick trunked, and dark leaved, Alleorns are covered in foot-long thorns that exude a deadly venom. Though sharp, these thorns are mostly only dangerous to anyone coming very close to the tree (or attacking it), the real danger comes from the nest of symbiotic ants that invariably guards each tree. Growing to enormous size (nearly a Legat in length) these ants ingest the Alleorn poison, and can inject into anything they bite.

When the tree is threatened, warrior ants boil out of holes in the trunk and roots, biting attackers and then latching onto them. Each ant that latches on gives -2A/-2D. When enough ants have bitten one target (when Attack falls to zero) they will drag them back to their nest, letting their decomposing remains feed the tree. At other times, ant foragers will range out into the surrounding jungle, cutting down rival plants and killing small animals for food. As an Alleorn grows, the area infested with ants may expand to as much as a Kleg in diameter.

Alleorn poison can be extracted from the tree (but not the ants) and distilled (Poisons Difficulty 20) into a potent blade venom.

Anzud

keywordsDrylands, Twilight, Icelands, Very Rare

level6

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
17	15	10	12	25	15	12	45	8	8	8	6	1	3	156
Maul : A23 D15 Init6 damD10+9 Unbalanced. Long. Sacred. Mighty 3.

Anzud are enigmatic giant smiths that can be found, rarely, almost anywhere on Sun Keld. An Anzud stands twice as tall as a Keldian, and is heavily muscled and enormously built. Their flesh is rock hard and varies in colour from ochre to grey-black. All Anzud have huge shaggy manes of hair which spread across their shoulders and upper chests. Most also have beards, which they wear stiffly braided so that they jut out beneath their faces. It is not clear if there are male and female Anzud, or if all of the creatures are the same. Anzud children are equally unknown.

Anzud are legendary smiths, with a supernatural skill with metal and stoneworking. All Anzud have Mining 5, with 3 in each skill, as well as Warfare / Armoury 6. They are believed to guard and mine their own sources of metal, though active mines have never been found, and will sometimes come to Keldian mine workings in search of ore. They will occasionally trade for metal or stone, but are as likely to use their great strength and weapons to take what they wish instead. Most Anzud carry giant sized Mauls or Axes, as well as wearing metal armour (un-armoured they have Armour 4).

In tales told by Sages, Anzud usually only appear when some hero must seek one out to have a great weapon forged or repaired, or where some rare gem or cache of star iron is guarded by an Anzud smith. A few tales tell of Anzud who have sought out great smiths, usually to teach them their secret skills. Generally the smith in the tale must first impress the Anzud with some great deed of craftmanship, or a test of their stonecunning.

Magical constructs of great complexity such as the Copper Hunter are sometimes said to be the work of the Anzud.

Ashwight

keywordsSpirit, Rare

level4

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
17	24	15	15	0	14	11	18	0	0	0	6	0	4	106
Touch : A17 D24 damD10+5 Fatigue Ignores Armour

Ashwights are spirits drawn to places where people have died by fire. The Ashwight resembles a formless cloud of black smoke, which can wrap around a victim and drain their warmth and life force away. They are hard to damage, having MD6 and immunity to non-sacred weapons. Sufficiently dispersing the smoke (with wind for example) will drive them off.

Aughan

keywordsDeadlands, Drylands, Insect, Rare

level2

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
10	14	10	9	13	13	13	22	0	0	2	0	2	1	73
Buffet : A12 D14 Init21 damD4 Stun Range 7. Area 4. Tendrils : A16 D16 Init15 damD4 Poison. Phys vs. 14 or Paralysed.

The Aughan is a bizarre beast of the Deadlands. The Aughan spends most of it's time on the ground, where it resembles nothing more than a russet coloured cone, about a pace in diameter at the base, and a little taller than a Keldian. In this form the Aughan extends tendrils into the ground, extracting water and nutrients from the surrounding area rather like a plant. An Aughan is a creature more like an insect, however. When the nutrients run out (or when the Aughan is disturbed) it sprouts many jointed legs around it's base, and unfurls multiple pairs of crystalline wings from the upper part of the cone. Multi-faceted eyes set about a hand's span below the point allow it to see in any direction (Observation 14).

With it's wings and legs revealed the Aughan becomes mobile, and can move with surprising speed (+5 Ag and +5 Mv). If threatened it can direct the wind from it's wings at an area to buffet foes. Alternatively it can unfurl a clump of ribbon-like tendrils. Each of these tendrils is covered in dozens of tiny needle-like spines laden with toxins. Anyone hit by them will suffer a burning poison that may paralyse their muscles for up to 4 hours (Paralysis lasts 15-Phys hours, minimum 10 minutes, maximum 4 hours). Fortunately this toxin is not fatal.

Aughan are Rare even amongst the mineral pools and hot springs of the Dragon Mountains, and are rarely seen elsewhere, but sometimes an Aughan will fly Darkwards into the Deadlands in search of nutrients.

Bog Hound

keywordsTwilight, Aquatic, Spirit, Ur, Rare

level3

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
19	16	12	8	12	12	14	18	0	0	3	0	3	4	90
Bite : A19 D16 Init15 damD8+2 Poison. Phys vs. 16 or D10 Lethal.

The Imiur, or Bog Hound, is a spirit creature formed from animated marsh debris (mud, reeds, weed and the like). The Bog Hound drips water, its breath coming out as steam, its eyes glowing with a greenish glow. The Imiur is at home in both land and water, blending in with a swamp so well (Stealth 18) that it is almost impossible to detect before it attacks. The Bog Hound will generally attack from concealment in this way.

Although the Imiur is a Spirit creature it appears to feed on small animals, fish, insects and the like. Close examination of an Imiur's body shows that fragments of shell, fish bones, dragonfly wings and similar are strewn through the structure of its body. An Imiur's poison bite also seems to come from devouring venomous creatures, and its potency often varies. An Imiur will attack larger prey, including Keldians, but apparently not to eat them.

When an Imiur is destroyed the spirit animating it breaks free, the greenish glow escaping like a gas and vanishing back into the swamp. Doing so causes the Imiur 4 Spirit Damage, and it cannot regenerate Spirit until it forms a new body (thereafter it regenerates 2 Spirit a day). Only if it is destroyed when below 5 Spirit is it apparently killed for good. When this happens the green glow stays in the corpse, hardening into an irregular gemstone that is a Treasure 5. Occasionally Imiur hunt in packs.

Fetchsoul

keywordsTwilight, Spirit, Undead, Very Rare

level11

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
18	30	14	18	8	18	18	50	0	0	5	5	2	3	188
Touch : A20 D30 Init16 damD6 Spirit vs. Spirit or die. Ignores Armour. 1 corruption. Aura : damD4 Area 10. Fear 18. Ignores Armour.

The Fetchsoul is a horrid abomination, but thankfully probably a unique one. Stories claim that the Fetchsoul is the shade of the last King of Nammu, murdered in his mother's womb before he was born. Trapped by the curse of Ur, the spirit grew twisted and vengeful, accumulating strength over the centuries by leaching the life force of others. Some Sages suggest that other murdered souls have also become Fetchsouls at other times.

Those unfortunate enough to have seen the Fetchsoul tell of a spirit creature resembling a shrivelled pup or fetus, its eyes still shut as it blindly gropes for its foes. An aura of corruption surrounds it, capable of un-manning the bravest of warriors. Its paws are twisted into claws with which it grasps at the air, and at the life energy of its foes. As it appears and vanishes from the gloom that always accompanies it, the Fetchsoul whispers constantly of its revenge and pain.

Despite its appearance, the Fetchsoul is capable of moving with some rapidity, moving instantly between any area of shadow or darkness up to 20 legats apart. Bright light is uncomfortable to the creature (-4A/-4D) but not enough to repel it, and the aura that surrounds it will extinguish any normal light source in one round of exposure. Magical light sources are extinguished if a D12 roll is greater than the Rank of the spell that created them (roll each round for any source in range). This aura extends 10 legats from the Fetchsoul, and the creature cannot be seen (or targeted) from outside of it. Any Keldian venturing into this shadow suffers a Fear 18 attack as they begin to hear the terrible whispers of the creature, even if they have encountered and survived the fear before. Rolling a critical on this Fear test makes you immune to the aura of this Fetchsoul. The area inside the aura is almost complete darkness, though the Fetchsoul itself can always be perceived as if alone was illuminated.

When the Fetchsoul touches someone it drains their life-force. This may slay a target outright. If it does not the Fetchsoul still takes a portion of the creature's soul into itself. This empowers the abomination (add damage inflicted to Health), and also creates a link that the creature can exploit. An adult gains 1 corruption, and has -4A/-4Spirit when facing that Fetchsoul (don't apply this to the chance of death). A child, however, comes under the Fetchsoul's control, and the Fetchsoul preys first on innocent children, slipping unseen into their chambers as they sleep. When it touches these children it will sometimes slay them by accident, but if it does not it will turn them against their families, whispering constantly into their dreams. Children so influenced have set fire to their homes, or stabbed their siblings – killing whole families without the Fetchsoul ever being seen.

The Fetchsoul is always faced in areas of darkness and shadow, where its movement abilities mean it can never be pinned or surrounded. It will attack primarily with its aura of fear, and its touch, but can also use the following powers at will, once per round, as if it were a Black Order Mage of the 10th level : Shadowy Wall, Children of Shadow, Crossing the Broder, Shadow Sending, Power of Command, Darkseeing, Icestorm.

Gatherer of 20

keywordsDemon, Flying, Spirit, Very Rare

level7

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
13	17	12	13	10	15	11	40	0	0	4	0	4	1	126
Force Blast : D20 Init16 Cone, 10 legats long, 5 wide. Roll Agility vs. 15 or stunned for 15 - Spirit rounds. Roll Phys vs. 15 or knocked down. Rend : A16 D17 Init15 damD8 Spirit Ignores Armour. Mighty 1

The Gatherer of 20 is a foul and terrifying beast from beyond the world. Some whisper that it comes from the Passing, others that it belongs to the great dark beyond the sun. Physically, the Gatherer (there may only be one) resembles a sort of pale many-segmented crustacean, held aloft by many jointed legs that curl around its body and are constantly in motion. Nine or ten whip-like tentacles surround the Gatherer's mouth, extending as much as two legats in front of it, while smaller cilia form a ring between the tentacles. Above the tentacles are two black oval eyes, while the other end of the Gatherer's body ends with a flaring prawn-like tail. While the Gatherer appears to be larger than a Keldian it can easily change its size to enter small spaces. The sight of the Gatherer is terrifying (Fear 15).

The Gatherer is so known because once it appears somewhere on the world it proceeds to murder and devour twenty Keldians before it vanishes again. The Gatherer appears to derive sustenance from consuming the spirits of living creatures. Its Rend attack does no physical damage, instead reducing Spirit. If a target is reduced to 0 Spirit by this attack then it is devoured by the Gatherer and dies. This heals the Gatherer 10 Health, and allows the creature to steal its victim's body. The Gatherer can curl itself inside the corpse and animate it, using it as a shell to get closer to its next target. While hidden inside a corpse, the Gatherer cannot be damaged until the body is destroyed, at which point it bursts free in one round. A Gatherer controlled body has Health 10.

The Gatherer does not devour any Keldian it comes across, but appears to select targets based on some unknown criteria (which may differ from visit to visit). To get at its chosen target it will use deception while inside a stolen body. If faced with physical threat it can unleash an invisible shock wave of force which can knock down or stun anyone caught in it. It will then make its escape, or swoop down on its chosen target.

Once the Gatherer has devoured its 20th spirit it vanishes.

Ghost

keywordsTwilight, Undead, Spirit, Rare

level5

Sun Keldian Ghosts are rare and tragic things, barely sentient remnants of personality and spirit that cling to the world.

The touch of the sun wipes away creatures of pure spirit. If a Keldian dies in the Deadlands or Drylands, their spirit is usually erased instantly. To survive they must cling to their bones or preserved corpses. Some ghosts animate their own corpses in the form of a Mussagana or Preta; others linger in shadows close to their bones as a Tornrait or Haunt. Some, like the Night Wraith or Remnant use magical vessels as substitutes for bodies.

In the Dark lands, the spirits of the dead are transformed into Ice Wights with no memory of the Keldians they once were.

In the Twilight lands a true Ghost can appear, a spirit that can exist even once its physical remains have been long destroyed. These creatures resemble ethereal and luminous versions of the form they bore in life, although it is common for their feet to be missing, their bodies instead trailing away into mist or smoke. Ghosts have no combat statistics, since they are Spirits entirely immune to physical attack. Some Ghosts learn to animate physical matter, becoming a Corpse Ghost.

The sight of a Keldian ghost can inflict Fear 16, and occasionally they are capable of casting about objects, especially ones which had a link to them in life. Ghosts are hard to get rid of, usually their curse must be found out and the wrong that causes them to walk the earth found out and righted. It is more likely, however, that a village threatened by a ghost will flee entirely, since most ghosts are tied to a specific location.

Gissir

keywordsTwilight, Flying, Domestic, Rare

level2

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
14	18	13	4	4	13	10	9	0	2	0	0	4	1	68
Peck : A14 D16 Init15 damD4 Gaze : Init20 Range 30. Roll Spirit vs. 13 or be blinded for 1 + failures rounds.

The Gissir is a large bird with a long beak and brilliant glossy green feathers. The eyes of the Gissir are large, round and yellow, emitting a faint glow at all times. Gissir are capable of extraordinary feats of perception, with an effective Observation of 18. Gissir can see in dark and light with equal facility, perceive invisible or spirit creatures, and penetrate up to 100 legats of Jungle undergrowth with their gaze. If a Gissir makes eye contact with a living creature it can use its gaze attack, after which it will generally fly away to safety. It is possible to avoid a Gissir's gaze by taking -4A/-4D.

Because of these abilities it is almost impossible to surprise a Gissir (they sleep with one eye open) and hunting them is nearly impossible. Nevertheless they are occasionally taken as chicks and trained as guard animals. They will let out a piercing bell-like cry when they detect danger. Gissir feathers are sought after for Pluma working and a dead Gissir is a Treasure 3.

Ice Wight

keywordsIcelands, Undead, Spirit, Rare

level2

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
12	12	12	10	12	12	12	20	0	7	1	2	2	3	73
Fist : A19 D12 Init14 damD6+3 Inflicts 1 Fatigue.

This creature is of uncertain origin, sometimes they simply appear from the icy shadows of the dark lands. The Ice Wight resembles an angular Keldian figure, apparently made from ice and frozen roots, and surrounded by a chill aura which inflicts 1 Fatigue to anything the Wight touches. Although it is a Spirit creature it can be harmed by any weapon made of metal (or obsidian). Ice Wights are capable of complex tactics, implying intelligence, but they do not speak (or indeed make any noise at all other than the creak of roots). It has been suggested that these Ice Wights are the ghosts of the Ancients. When an Ice Wight is slain it's body collapses into loose dirt, in which 1d6-3 magical roots can be found. These frozen roots can be used by a Healer to heal 5 Health each, and the roots from one Wight are a Treasure 3.

Mother of Stars

keywordsTwilight, Aquatic, Very Rare

level9

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
11	27	12	8	40	15	20	110	4	8	7	0	3	2	238
Smash : A28 D12 Init10 damD12+8 Can smash up to 6 targets a round. Sting : Phys vs. 15 or D10 Stun

The Mother of Stars is an almost legendary relation of the Crown of Stars (or perhaps it is simply a Crown of Stars grown to enormous proportions), a vast, many-armed, starfish like creature of the One River. The Mother of Stars is over 30 paces from tip to tip, though it can withdraw its arms to fit into narrow channels. Its rubbery body is violet, blue and grey, translucent at the tips, and slightly luminescent. It is capable of causing the small bumps on its surface to emit hypnotic patterns of light, which lure aquatic creatures close enough to eat. Keldian boats are sometimes drawn to these underwater patterns and similarly destroyed. Mothers have no interest in treasure, but their hides are often studded with weapons and other objects that have been absorbed into their flesh.

In combat the Mother of Stars can strike up to 6 targets a round with some of its many arms (others are always involved in swimming and feeding). These blows cannot be parried or blocked, they are capable of smashing ships into matchwood, but they are slow, and usually easy to see coming. Attacks against the arms (use the Smash stats) do not harm the Mother's body, but each arm can only sustain 15 Damage before being severed or withdrawn.

Once a target has been knocked into the water it will be stung many times by the fine tendrils that hang under the main body, and then consumed. A stunned target will automatically be eaten in d4 rounds. Should the Mother be seriously harmed it will withdraw its arms and commence to rotate under the water, creating a whirlpool that automatically damages any ship that remains close. Each captain must make a Travel roll to get their ship to safety, resisted by a 16, or sink.

It is not clear how intelligent the Mother is. Sages record legends of how a Mother has blockaded the harbour of a city, or relentlessly attacked a shipping route, for weeks, before vanishing as quickly as they arrived.

Naga King

keywordsDrylands, Twilight, Naga, Very Rare

level9

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
20	23	15	14	22	20	17	75	12	12	6	0	4	3	202
Bite : A24 D22 Init19 damD10+4 Poison. Spi vs. 18 or charmed for 3D4 minutes. Breath Weapon : Init14 damD10 Fatigue Range 8. Ignores Armour. Ag vs. 15 for half.

A Naga King is a huge and impressive example of Naga kind. Its upper body is shaped rather like a terrestrial cobra, complete with flaring hood, while the lower body has the many clawed legs typical of Naga kind. The Naga King's skin is covered with glittering metallic scales, that shimmer red silver and gold in the sunlight. A King is 12-15 paces in length, rearing higher than a standing Keldian. Their heads are crowned with six glassy eyes, with which they can see invisible and spirit creatures (Observation 6), and look in all directions at once. Above this ring of eyes sits a golden crown, though this is not solid, but rather a magical projection of the King's presence. When the King flares its hood it reveals a number of gems set into the scales which glow with their own radiance.

Naga Kings do not like to fight, and prefer to have others do their fighting for them. The bite of a Naga King can control another creature's mind, charming them to follow the King's suggestions. A normal bite in combat charms for 3D4 minutes, but a King may inject more venom into a controlled or unresisting victim that extends this charm to 3D4 days. The King then uses such minions to enact its wishes, or to deal with their own comrades. A charmed Keldian can make a Spirit roll versus the King's Presence to try and break free of the control if forced to do something that harms their friends or companions (add bonuses for close relationships), or violates a closely held belief. If they fail they take the action anyway. The King can only communicate orders in person, giving a charmed subject more room to interpret instructions when away on a mission.

If confronted by a large number of foes the King will spread its hood. The hypnotic glow of the gems set into its flesh force any who see them to make a Spirit roll resisted by the King's Presence. If they fail then they are struck motionless, and will remain in a dreamlike state for 2d4 rounds, unless attacked. The King will generally bite one or more people in this state and have them deal with the rest. It can do this three times a day.

Finally the King can breathe out a cone of flickering multi-coloured light 2 times a day. This cone automatically hits anyone in the area of affect, inflicting fatigue damage (may make an agility roll to halve). Anyone falling unconscious from this attack is, of course, likely to be bitten.

As with all Naga, the Naga King seems to exist somewhere on the edge between Clay and Spirit. If slain, the Naga King can reform itself again in 7 days provided that at least one minion remains under its control. The King takes refuge in the mind of the minion. Normally the minion is unaware of this, but the King can attempt to direct their actions by winning a Presence vs. Spirit contest each time it needs to direct an action. When the minion is possessed in this way those with the ability to see magical things may notice a pale image of the King's crown above the head of the controlled minion.

Other Naga seem to acknowledge the Kings as superior, and will defend them in combat. Kings generally lair somewhere with other Naga close by, such as ancient ruins or treasure hordes (there is surely one in the ruins of Nammu for example), and may take these hoards from Naga of Eight Eyes and claim them for themselves. Naga Kings always wish to increase their hoards, and will use charmed servants and other Naga to do so. A King's lair contains a hoard suitable for its Wealth. In addition the gems set into the Naga's hood are enough for four Treasure 5s, while the metallic hide is a Treasure 7.

Naga of Eight Eyes

keywordsDrylands, Twilight, Naga, Guardian, Rare

level7

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
24	33	15	9	14	16	15	55	5	10	4	0	2	3	180
Bite : A24 D33 Init19 damD8+3 Tail Swipe : A28 Init18 dam2D4 Roll Ag + Movement / Acrobatics or fall over. Black Ray : A25 Init20 damD12+4 Ranged 4.

The Naga of Eight Eyes is a spirit creature found in ancient ruins and places of power. It resembles a large green and copper serpent (it is often mistaken for a verdigris stained statue) crowned with a dragon head. As with other Naga it has many short clawed legs. Atop its head are eight black eyes which allow it to see in every direction and dodge any blow, hence its high defence. Such Nagas commonly protect certain places, for what reason it is not known, and will attack anything that strays into their area.

The eyes of the Naga are its main weapon, each capable of projecting a black ray of force at a nearby target. This ray either does damage, or strikes against a spell or magic item carried by the target. A spell struck is dispelled if the ray's damage exceeds twice the Circle + EL of the spell. A magic item is disabled for a number of rounds equal to the damage roll -6 (negative numbers mean no effect). The Naga can instinctively sense active spells and magic items, and choose which to target. Each eye takes eight rounds to recharge before it can fire again, and the Naga can fire as many rays as it wishes each round. It may also strike with its bite, or tail smash, regardless of whether it used any rays. A blow doing at least 5 damage to an eye (Hit Location -10) will disable it.

Should a Naga of Eight Eyes be seriously wounded or slain, it will sink into the earth to recover. It assumes a solid stone form beneath the ground, in an isolated chamber. If this stone form is smashed it will be found to contain 8 Treasure 4 gemstones, otherwise the Naga will reform in 3 days undamaged. Digging a recuperating Naga out of solid stone is an adventure in itself.

Night Wraith

keywordsUndead, Spirit, Very Rare

level7

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
17	15	15	12	14	14	16	50	0	0	4	4	0	4	146
Touch : A17 D15 Init15 damD8 Fatigue Aura : damD6+8 Area 1

A Night Wraith is the soul of a former Mage that was bound into a star Iron weapon which was then destroyed. After years of imprisonment they hate living beings and use their formidable powers, that of a 4th level Mage, to hunt it. A Night Wraith resembles a ragged version of the original Mage, its skin ebony and swirling dimly with uneasy energy. They are insubstantial and move through solid objects at will, and they are always utterly silent and can see in the dark. The sight of one of these creatures inflicts a Fear 18 attack.

Wraiths never carry arms, mere close proximity to one inflicts D6+8 wounds that are resistant to healing, a Stonetalker can restore only his level in Health. In addition actual touch inflicts D8 Fatigue, and the subject must roll Health or be rooted to the spot for 2 rounds. Wraiths often wear spectral amour and may use magic objects, but do not otherwise carry treasure or items, they have no interest in such material wealth any more.

Passing Hound

keywordsTwilight, Drylands, Spirit, Ur, Rare

level3

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
17	17	11	9	10	12	9	18	2	0	2	0	4	2	86
Bite : A20 D15 Init16 damD6+1 Ignores Armour.

Passing Hounds (or Uzur) are spirit creatures that resemble oversized Frians with milky-white fur, glowing eyes, and translucent bodies. Many believe that Passing Hounds are the ghosts of particularly faithful Frian hounds. Passing Hounds are generally friendly towards Keldians, especially those who care for Frians, although they have an intense hatred (Ferocity 6) of anyone who mistreats one. The only creature they hate more are Halfhounds. They appear only rarely, usually to lend aid to a Frian pack in trouble (or perhaps any Keldians with them), and almost never when the Passing is not visible in the sky. Despite being able to attack living beings, a Passing Hound is immaterial, and can pass through solid objects with ease.

Remnant

keywordsUndead, Spirit, Very Rare

level9

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
14	14	14	15	5	15	5	40	8	12	5	8	1	2	151
Touch : A19 D14 Init15 damD4+1 Ignores Armour. Drain 2 points from Phys or Spi. Black Ray : A30 D14 Init15 damD12+1 Ignores Armour. Ranged 3.

As is the way of all creatures of Clay, all Keldians must eventually die. Even the most mighty magics of the Orders cannot prevent this, but there are always those so desperate to live that they will explore any means to do so. For some this means embracing the magic of the White Order, while others quest for the fabled Immortality Stone, or some artefact of the Ancients said to extend life forever. All such attempts fail, indeed many are themselves fatal, but sometimes they involve powers sufficient to rip the spirit from the body. Occasionally some part of the Keldian's spirit remains as a Remnant, a powerful Undead creature still obsessed with the quest for immortality.

Each Remnant has a different appearance, depending on what power or misadventure created them. Many are no more than shadows, inky figures with gaps or white lights for eyes. Others are twisted or animated corpses, or ghosts clad in shreds of their former body and clothing. Regardless of appearance they all have the standard immunities of Spirits.

Remnants are driven by the desire to escape their half-life and claim the immortality they feel they deserve. The touch of a Remnant drains the vital energy of living things, inflicting Physical and Spirit damage as well as (or if it wishes, instead of) Health. The Remnant then adds these points to its own Attributes, often growing some sort of body as it does so. Stolen points can be used to increase any Attribute, one for one. Reaching 10 Physical gives the Remnant a solid body which can pass for living if the Remnant's Spirit is also 10 or more. (The lower this Spirit, the more corpse-like the body looks.) If the Remnant currently has a solid body it can (and will) use weapons and armour. If the Remnant currently has a Spirit of 10 or more then it may use Red or Black Order magic as if it was a level 6 Mage (a given Remnant will use one or the other, not both). Stolen attribute points are not permenant. Each day a Remnant will lose 1 point from each attribute until it returns to its normal score.

Anyone who has lost Spirit to a Remnant may fall under its control if they fail a Spirit vs. Presence roll. The Remnant may spend Health or Spirit for 1 for 1 bonuses when making such rolls. Someone so charmed by a Remnant will follow its orders until such time as the drained Spirit heals. The Remnant will usually use this ability to send minions to steal secret knowledge, obtain artefacts, or prevent others from doing so, all to further its continuing quest.

Remnants may also dominate other Undead in the same manner, and are capable of using their touch even on immaterial creatures. When they do so they can redirect the usual urges of these creatures and co-opt them to their own. Remnant lairs are often guarded by other Undead, who may recover Spirit at a slower rate than living creatures. It is rare that a Remnant can drag itself away from its pursuits to fight intruders in person. When it does so it will generally attempt to drain and then dominate targets as quickly as possible. Only when this is not possible will the Remnant use its other combat abilities. Once per round, instead of making a touch, they can release a black ray that deals damage. Alternatively it can spend a round altering its attributes by moving points. Up to 6 points may be moved in one round.

Roaring Bull

keywordsDeadland, Drylands, Spirit, Rare

level4

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
20	15	10	4	25	15	11	50	0	7	4	0	2	4	137
Charge : A22 D13 Init12 damD10+5 Full move. Roar : D15 Init10 damD12+4 Stun Area 8.

Roaring Bulls are evil spirit creatures that sometimes appear on open plains. They are huge, black, and have flaming eyes and mouths, with wide cruel horns. They get their name because they can let out a terrible roar that inflicts D12+4 Stun damage on all creatures nearby (ignoring armour), and causes a Long Term Injury. When slain their bodies vanish away into thin air. Unlike most Spirits they can be injured by any sort of metal weapon.

Spirit Naga

keywordsNaga, Spirit, Rare

level5

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
18	18	16	14	15	19	19	30	9	3	1	0	4	2	111
Whispering Charm : Init20 Presence vs. Spirit to link to a mind. Domination : Init10 Presence vs. Spirit to control a linked mind. Bite : A18 D18 Init20 damD10+5 Spirit World only, ignores armour.

Possibly the strangest of all Naga, the Spirit Naga is a creature trapped in an incorporeal form. This Naga exists almost entirely in the Spirit World, linked to the real world only by a single strand, a Naga statue. Where other Naga covet gems and places, the Spirit Naga gathers followers and worshippers instead.

In the physical world the Spirit Naga exists only as a statue. These statues range widely in size and material, from huge stone idols to small bronze images. Regardless of their exact form such statues are highly resistant to damage, having 10 armour that protects fully against magic as well as physical attacks. Any damage done to the statue that passes this armour is transferred to the Naga, unless it chooses to let the statue break.

The Spirit Naga can act on the real world through its statue. It can speak to anyone who encounters it, either out loud, or in subtle whispers that creep into a person's dreams. In either case, the Naga may attempt to establish a link with a person by beating it in a Presence vs. Spirit roll. If the Naga wins it may spend a point of Spirit to create a magical link with the person. From then on it may speak to them no mater how far they move from the statue. Similarly it can appear to them as an immaterial serpent creature, crowned with nine antlers and swirled about with clouds, which is invisible to those who are not linked to it. Physical combat statistics above apply only if the Naga is fought in the Spirit World.

Once a Naga has established a link it will seek to convert the person into a follower. It does this through persuasion, bribery, and trickery (Subterfuge 3 / Deception 7). The Naga can lend some of its power to a follower, granting them bonuses to Presence, Spirit and Defence by spending Spirit (on a one for one basis). The Naga can also gift its followers with any of the following spell-like abilities, by spending Spirit equal to energy level, as follows :

Each gift bestows one casting of a spell. The Naga may grant more than one spell, or more than one casting, on the same person, but it pays the Spirit cost each time.

Each time a person accepts a spell, or stat increase, from the Naga (i.e. each time the Naga spends Spirit) they become more under the Naga's control. Once a person has accepted at least one Gift the Naga may attempt to Dominate them by winning a Presence vs. Spirit contest. The subject has a Spirit penalty equal to the number of Gifts they have accepted. If the Naga wins, the subject must follow their orders for a number of minutes equal to the total Gifts they have taken. In addition the Naga may drain Spirit from them to heal itself. The Naga can only do this if the subject is controlled and has accepted 3 or more gifts, and it can only take up to gifts in Spirit at a time. Once a follower has reached this point the Naga can easily dominate or drain them at will. The number of gifts is reduced by 1 for each additional success scored on a roll to resist a domination.

Slaying a Spirit Naga is extremely hard. If a Naga's statue is destroyed the Naga must find a new one (any existing Naga statue will do) to bind. This process takes a cycle, requires 5 Spirit, and reduces the Naga's Spirit by 1 permanently. If the Naga does not have at least 6 Spirit when its statue is destroyed it cannot get a new one, and is effectively destroyed. It can also be confronted in the Spirit World and combated there, but it cannot be slain so long as the statue endures.

Tornrait

keywordsDrylands, Icelands, Spirit, Undead, Rare

level2

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
1	10	12	4	4	14	10	10	0	0	0	6	1	0	45
Wail : Init13 Area 10. Fear 14. 1 Insanity.

The Tornrait is a sad creature, a Keldian ghost that has clung to the remains of its dead body. Tornrait's stay close to their remains, appearing as tattered figures made of dust sand and shadow, that ripple in the wind. A Tornrait is immaterial, able to interact with the world only through its voice, which inflicts a fear attack to all that hear it. Anyone who fails a fear check when hearing a Tornrait gains 1 Insanity point.

Unlike a Ghost a Tornrait can be harmed by Attack spells, although it has MD6. However like a Ghost it cannot be destroyed by attacks, if reduced to 0 Health it will vanish, but will reform in a day, and return to haunt again. It can only be laid to rest permanently by finding its remains and either destroying them or purifying them. Tornrait do not appear in the Twilight lands, where Ghosts can range freely.

Windhorn

keywordsDrylands, Rare, Hunted

level4

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
14	14	14	6	18	15	12	35	4	0	3	0	7	1	123
Gore : A17 D13 Init21 dam2D6+3 Song : Init15 Spirit vs. 16 or entranced.

The Windhorn is a majestic beast resembling an antelope twice the height of a Keldian. It's coat is brown with sweeping white patches and black markings along the spine, mane and around the eyes. It's head is crowned with two spiralling black horns pierced with holes. These horns give the Windhorn it's name, since wind blowing through the horns plays haunting tunes. The Windhorn can control the sounds produced by their horns, using them to communicate over vast distances with others of their kind. If threatened they can produce an enchanting song instead. All creatures hearing it must make a Spirit roll resisted by a 16 or become entranced. An entranced creature is rooted to the spot, lost in thought, for d4 minutes, long enough for the Windhorn to make it's escape. Only if cornered will they lash out with hooves and horns.

Windhorns are rare. The average Drylander is likely to see no more than one in their lifetime. Despite the difficulty of catching one they are often hunted, since their huge bodies have enough meat to sustain a family for months, and their horns are a Treasure 5. Hunting Difficulty 18.

Windkiller

keywordsDrylands, Spirit, Rare

level5

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
20	25	22	7	12	12	10	25	0	0	0	0	5	4	117
Life Drain : A20 D18 Init27 dam2D6 Ignores Armour.

Windkillers are evil elemental beasts that haunt the wide razor grass plains. They are no more than shifting columns of air with a sort of flickering presence within, and they tear at extraordinary speed across the plains seeking prey. Any target is valid for them, the Windkillers will spin in with a sound like high pitched laughter, passing through their victims and draining their life from them directly. Those that have survived speak of wildly slashing at the air as it shimmered about them. Nevertheless they can be harmed by normal weapons. For some reason White Order Mages (if they exists in your game) are immune to their attacks.

Bestiary

21 entries found.