#Lore24 The Fey #Creature24 Brownies and Boggarts

Sure their nice to have around as long as you respect them and treat them well, but I'm tell you as sure as a firebat glows in the dark, if you mistreat them you will regret it for the rest of your days

-- Maridith Millbottom, Proprietor The Saddle Keep Inn

Brownies are small house dwelling Fey creatures that use the homes of others to hide from larger predatory species.  In older days, according to Brownie lore, they lived in the wild and were often made a meal of by wolves, Hags, Lyndworms, and Banddersnatch.  Over time Brownies learned that larger less predatory humanoids could be easily manipulated into serving as bodyguards and shields for almost nothing.  Brownies are naturally extremely fastidious creatures and tend to clean as a reflex with little hesitation.  So long as their bodyguards are respectful Brownies have almost no need to discipline them.  However, when those who live under the Brownies guidance fail in their obligations it triggers a deep psychological trigger within the Fey creature transforming it into a Boggart.  A vicious and vindictive hidden identity creature that left unsatisfied can drive men to madness or death.

Armor Brownie 5(14), Boggart 3(16)

HD 2d8-4d8

Int 15

Move 12(30)

ToHit 18(+2)/16(+4)

Atx 2x d4/d4+2 improvised weapons

Abilities for Brownie:

1. Stealth: Brownies are adept at remaining unseen and unheard, allowing them to move about homes without being noticed.
2. Cleaning prowess: They possess an innate ability to clean and tidy up spaces with remarkable speed and efficiency.
3. Manipulation: Brownies have a knack for manipulating larger humanoids into serving as protectors and caretakers, often without the humans realizing they are being influenced.
4. Reflexive cleaning: Cleaning comes as second nature to Brownies, and they often engage in tidying up without conscious thought.
5. Housebound expertise: They excel at utilizing the resources and hiding spots within human dwellings, maximizing their ability to remain hidden and protected.
6. Charisma: Brownies are charming creatures, capable of endearing themselves to those around them, making it easier to manipulate and influence others.
7. Protective instincts: Though small, Brownies are fiercely protective of the homes they inhabit, utilizing their wit and resourcefulness to keep danger at bay.

Abilities for Boggart:

1. Shape-shifting: Boggarts can transform into various frightening forms, tapping into the fears and vulnerabilities of their targets.
2. Stealth and deception: Like their Brownie counterparts, Boggarts are skilled at remaining hidden and unseen until they choose to reveal themselves.
3. Psychological manipulation: Boggarts excel at manipulating the minds of those they encounter, exploiting fears and insecurities to sow discord and chaos.
4. Vindictiveness: Boggarts harbor deep resentment towards those who fail to fulfill their obligations to the Brownie, and they unleash this resentment through acts of revenge and malice.
5. Madness induction: In extreme cases, Boggarts can drive their victims to madness or even death through relentless psychological torment.
6. Illusions: They have the ability to create convincing illusions, further adding to the psychological distress of their victims.
7. Adaptability: Boggarts can adapt to various environments and situations, making them particularly dangerous adversaries.

#Lore24 Demon and Devil-Kin #Creature24 The Oni

 Messing around with shapeshifters is always dangerous, but when it comes to shapeshifting demons I draw the line.  I say just stay out of the way of them Oni, their deals will always leave you on the loosing side.

--Fynn McCalyster, Guild Master, Rastopol

 Oni are a primordial species of demon-kin that feast on the flesh and suffering of other creatures.  They are masters of elemental powers and illusions able to transform themselves into dire animals and humanoid beings in order to infiltrate societies and create chaos and despair.  Oni have up swept horns on their heads and both protruding canine teeth and lower tusks.  Oni skin is typically either red or blue, though pale and sickly green is also possible.  

Oni are strong and vicious combatants generally using exotic weaponry with razor sharp edges.  Oni have been known to use telekinesis and fire manipulation as offensive attacks as well as there ability to control air, water and earth.

Armor 0(19) magic weapons required to hit.

HD 10d10

Int 17

Move 15(45)

ToHit 10(+10)

Atx 3x weapon 2d6 or magic

Random Weapons and Tactics 

    Weapons

1. Oni Tetsubo: A massive, spiked club made of reinforced steel or hardened bone, capable of inflicting devastating blunt force trauma and causing bone-crushing injuries upon impact.

2. Shinobi Kusarigama: A combination of a sickle attached to a long chain with a weighted end, paired with a concealed blade within the handle. This versatile weapon allows for swift strikes, grappling, and entangling opponents from a distance.

3. Raijin no Ken: A curved, lightning-infused blade that crackles with electrical energy upon contact, delivering shocking wounds to its victims and potentially paralyzing or incapacitating them with its electrical discharge.

4. Yokai Yari: A demonic spear forged from enchanted metals and adorned with sinister runes, capable of extending and retracting its blade at will. It grants the wielder unparalleled reach and piercing power, ideal for skewering foes from a distance.

5. Jigoku no Ono: A double-bladed axe imbued with infernal flames, capable of cleaving through armor and flesh with ease. The flames not only add to its destructive power but also serve to intimidate and terrify opponents.

6. Mugen no Kyōki: A pair of enchanted gauntlets embedded with razor-sharp claws or spikes, granting the wearer enhanced strength and dexterity in close combat. These claws can rend through flesh and armor alike, leaving grievous wounds in their wake.

7. Kaminari no Kama: A pair of electrified sickles with serrated edges, crackling with lightning energy. These weapons allow for swift and agile strikes, delivering both slashing and electrical damage to opponents, while also providing the wielder with additional maneuverability.

8. Tengoku no Yumi: A celestial bow crafted from rare materials and infused with divine power, capable of launching arrows imbued with magical effects or elemental energy. These arrows can seek out and strike multiple targets with unerring accuracy, making them deadly at both short and long ranges.

9. Karyū no Ken: A longsword forged from dragonbone and imbued with the fiery essence of a dragon's breath. This weapon glows with an intense heat, allowing it to slice through even the toughest of armor and cauterize wounds upon impact, leaving opponents vulnerable to subsequent attacks.

10. Sekai no Kanabo: A mystical mace engraved with ancient sigils and empowered by the spirits of the underworld. It delivers bone-crushing blows that not only cause physical damage but also disrupt the very essence of its targets, rendering them weakened and vulnerable to further assaults.

     Tactics

    1. Illusory Distraction: The Oni creates illusions to disorient and confuse opponents, making it difficult for them to discern its true location or the direction of its attacks.

    2. Elemental Assault: Utilizing its mastery over elemental powers, the Oni launches devastating assaults of fire, air, water, or earth at its adversaries, exploiting their weaknesses and causing widespread destruction.

    3. Shape-shifting Ambush: The Oni transforms into a seemingly harmless or inconspicuous form, such as a human or animal, to infiltrate enemy territory or launch surprise attacks on unsuspecting foes.

    4. Telekinetic Barrage: Employing its telekinetic abilities, the Oni hurls objects or debris at high velocity towards its opponents, using them as projectiles to cause blunt force trauma or to create barriers for defense.

    5. Razor-edged Weaponry: Armed with exotic weapons boasting razor-sharp edges, the Oni engages in close combat with swift and precise strikes, aiming to inflict deep lacerations and fatal wounds upon its adversaries.

    6. Spectral Intimidation: Conjuring spectral apparitions or phantasms, the Oni instills fear and psychological terror in its opponents, weakening their resolve and making them more susceptible to its attacks.

    7. Elemental Manipulation: The Oni manipulates the environment by controlling elemental forces to its advantage, such as creating walls of fire or summoning gusts of wind to hinder enemy movement or redirect attacks.

    8. Tactical Retreat: When faced with overwhelming odds or strategic disadvantage, the Oni utilizes its speed and agility to swiftly retreat from the battlefield, regrouping and planning its next assault from a position of advantage.

    9. Psychic Domination: Through its formidable intellect and psychic prowess, the Oni attempts to dominate the minds of its opponents, bending their wills to its command or inducing mental anguish and despair.

    10. Exploiting Weaknesses: The Oni keenly observes its opponents, identifying their vulnerabilities and exploiting them with precision strikes or targeted attacks, aiming to incapacitate or eliminate them swiftly and efficiently.

     

#Lore24 The Core Plateau #Creature24 Pirates of the Obsidian Sands

 Great windships made of ironwood steel and brass race across the Obsidian sands.  No formal military would dare sacrifice so many a man or ship to the smelting heat from UslaCairnes Core Plateau.  The blasting winds create tornadoes of flame and sand destroying most vessels.  Only the most foolhardy or desperate turn to a life on the sands as a pirate of the winds.

Pirate is more a profession than a species, however the Pirates of the Obsidian Sands do share a set of common characteristics:  Long cloaks or coats made from the hide of sand lizards to create protection from the heat, Visors and helms that protect sailors faces from the flames and burning light of the Core, and a pension for swift and vicious combat tactics that focus on obtaining as much saleable material as possible. (That includes living beings.)

Armor 5(14)

HD 3-8d8

Int 14

Move 12(30)

ToHit 17-12(+3-+8

Atx 1-2x d6

Random tactics

1. Sandstorm Ambush: Pirates use the cover of a raging sandstorm to conceal their approach. They coordinate their windships to encircle unsuspecting prey, then launch a surprise attack from multiple directions, catching their victims off guard.

2. Brass Cannon Barrage: Utilizing the powerful cannons mounted on their windships, the pirates bombard enemy vessels with a relentless barrage of ironwood and steel cannonballs. This tactic aims to cripple the enemy's defenses and create chaos onboard, making it easier for the pirates to board and plunder.

3. Flame Veil Maneuver: When engaged in combat, pirates deploy specialized sails coated in a heat-resistant material. These sails are then set ablaze, creating a wall of fire around the pirate vessels. This not only provides temporary cover but also inflicts damage on any nearby enemies, forcing them to retreat or risk being consumed by the flames.

4. Lizardhide Skirmishers: Pirates release specially trained sand lizards onto enemy ships during boarding actions. These agile creatures, clad in their own protective hides, wreak havoc among the enemy crew, distracting them and creating openings for the pirates to exploit.

5. Core Plateau Feint: Knowing the dangers of the Core Plateau, pirates lure unsuspecting prey into the region under the guise of a retreat. Once the enemy is within range, the pirates reverse course, leading their pursuers directly into the path of a devastating sandstorm or volcanic eruption, leaving them vulnerable to attack.

6. Lightning Strike Boarding: Using grappling hooks and ropes, pirates launch lightning-fast boarding actions against enemy vessels. They descend upon their targets with ferocious speed, overwhelming the defenders with a combination of melee combat and ranged attacks, aiming to seize control of the ship and its valuable cargo swiftly.

7. Salvage and Retreat: Recognizing when the odds are against them, pirates prioritize salvaging valuable materials from their targets before making a strategic retreat. They focus on securing precious metals, technology, and captives, ensuring that even if they cannot claim victory, they still profit from their encounter on the Obsidian Sands.

8. Sandstorm Evasion: When pursued by larger or more powerful adversaries, pirates utilize their intimate knowledge of the shifting sands to navigate treacherous terrain with ease. They lead their pursuers into narrow canyons or areas of dense fog, where larger ships are at a disadvantage, allowing the pirates to outmaneuver and escape their would-be captors.

#Lore24 from Beyond #Creature24 The Scytryx

 Scytryx ain't no lizardmen.  Liizardfolk are simple tribal beings that live life conected to nature.  Some are bad or good most just want to be left alone.  Scytryx are from somewhere else.  They twist nature up to meet their own needs.  And, they can reads peoples minds.

   --Brinkman Cobble, whereabouts unknown

The Strange  and alien species known as the Scytryx are a large six limbed bipedal race, standing six to seven and a half feet in height.  They have reptilian scaled skin, with a lizard like head and predatory eyes. They originated from a distant realm, traveling through dimensions in a craft that crashed when it entered UslaCairne stranding the Scyrtyx passengers and crew.  As a species they are extremely intelligent, though individuals may very.  The Scytryx wield powerful psychic abilities, specializing in bio-organic armor, weaponry and other items.   Their thought patterns can be honed into psychic weapons and shields, Accomplished specialists can create Illusions, transform their bodies, or move objects through telekinesis.

Armor 4(15)

HD 2-12d8

Int 14-20

Move 12(30)

ToHit 18-6 (+2-+12

Atx 3x by weapon, or 1x 2d6 psychic blast.

Random Scytryx Technology

1. Psyblade: A sleek, curved blade infused with psychic energy, capable of slicing through almost any material with ease. It can be wielded by a Scytryx warrior to enhance their combat prowess.

2. Mindstaff: A staff made from a rare crystal found only in the Scytryx's homeland. It amplifies psychic abilities, allowing the wielder to project powerful mental attacks or create intricate illusions.

3. Bio-Organic Armor: A suit of armor crafted from living organisms, genetically modified and bonded to the wearer's body. It provides exceptional protection against physical and psychic attacks while also regenerating damage over time.

4. Thoughtweaver Gauntlets: Gauntlets that harness the wearer's psychic energy to manipulate the environment around them. They can create barriers, manipulate objects from a distance, or even channel energy into devastating attacks.

5. Telekinetic Grenades: Spheres filled with concentrated psychic energy that, upon impact, unleash a powerful telekinetic blast capable of knocking back foes or disorienting them.

6. Illusionary Cloak: A cloak woven from ethereal fibers that can bend light and create illusions, allowing the wearer to camouflage themselves or create distractions on the battlefield.

7. Psionic Amplifier: A device worn on the head that enhances the user's psychic abilities, boosting their telepathic communication range, and amplifying the strength of their attacks.

8. Chameleon Carapace: A specialized armor plating that changes color and texture to match the surroundings, providing unparalleled camouflage in both urban and natural environments.

9. Neural Disruptor Rifle: A ranged weapon that fires concentrated bursts of psychic energy, disrupting the neural pathways of its targets and causing temporary paralysis or confusion.

10. Voidstone Shard: A small crystal infused with extradimensional energy, capable of opening temporary portals or disrupting magical and technological constructs. It can be used as a focus for powerful rituals or as a component in crafting advanced psychic devices.

#lore24 Singular Creatures #Creature24 Marlok The Faceless

"We will purge this darkness."

--Marlok The Faceless

 

Diana Franco 

 

A  powerful shade, Marlok was once a powers celestial being that was attacked during a long forgotten battle and thrown through the planes eventually crashing into the firmament of UslaCairne.  Marlok railed against his imprisonment and the Deep that surounds the Realm, cut off from the light of the celestial host,  loss and rage proved to much.  Weakened by the corruption of the deep Marlok found himself in the sights of Sultharn of Malebolge.  Sultharn made Marlok an offer that would benefit them both.  He would lend Marlok Night's Bane, a powerful weapon imbued with celestial power that was capable of banishing the darkness.  But when Marlok failed to strike down the deep within a year and a day Night's Bane took Marlok's celestial soul, leaving only the faceless shell of his former glory.  His torn and raged wings reveal his lineage.

Armor -2(21)

HD 13d10

Int 18

Move 16(35) Fly 25(120)

ToHit 6(+14)

Atx 4x Reaver Longsword +5 "Night's Bane"  Shines with a bright light fed by the wielder's soul.

Random Powers and Tactics

1. Shade Form: Marlok can assume a shadowy form, allowing him to move through obstacles and remain unseen by most creatures.
2. Celestial Resistance: Despite his fall from grace, Marlok retains some resistance to celestial attacks and effects.
3. Darkness Manipulation: Marlok can manipulate darkness to his advantage, creating areas of shadow to conceal himself or to ensnare his enemies.
4. Flight: With his torn and ragged wings, Marlok can still fly at remarkable speeds, allowing him to traverse the skies with ease.
5. Night's Bane Empowerment: When wielding Night's Bane, Marlok gains enhanced strength, speed, and endurance, fueled by the celestial power imbued within the weapon.
6. Banishing Light: Through Night's Bane, Marlok can unleash bursts of radiant energy that banish darkness and weaken creatures of the deep.
7. Soul Draining: Marlok has the ability to drain the souls of his enemies, replenishing his own strength and vitality in the process.
8. Corruption Infusion: Marlok's attacks are infused with the corruption of the deep, causing wounds to fester and weaken his foes over time.
9. Dimensional Travel: Having been thrown through the planes, Marlok retains the ability to traverse different dimensions, granting him unexpected mobility and the element of surprise.
10. Aura of Despair: Marlok exudes an aura of despair that saps the morale and willpower of those around him, making it difficult for them to resist his influence or fight effectively.
11. Regeneration: Marlok possesses a limited ability to regenerate wounds, though it is slower than it once was due to his corrupted state.
12. Divine Sense: Despite his fall, Marlok retains a sense of the divine, allowing him to detect celestial beings and artifacts, as well as sense disruptions in the fabric of reality caused by the deep.

#Lore24 The Core of the Realm #Creature24 The Ash

 The Ash is everywhere across the realm tiny particles in the air, in the dust of an old bookshelf.  It comes from the volcanoes at the core of the realm.  One or more of them are always belching out clouds of it.  Some of my coleagues believe that the ash drifts in cycles based on the the attentions of the Cleansing Flame.  I can't attest to that, because where the ash is thickest it sometimes moves about on its own.

-- Thedronus Von Buern, Alienist

The Ash is a powerful medium and conduit for magic, often and easily corrupted by the ark practitioners, Demons and the Deep Dark.  The ash can be formed and manipulated in to golem, or as a medium for powerful Demons or other entities to effect the realm without fully entering it.  The ash can serve as quicksand like pools into pocket dimensions within the realm and purified ash is used in the construction of containers and fabric used to create small portable pocket dimensions as well.  Additionally the ash builds up thick enough to form its own malevolent consciousness moving around in a dark pantomime of the life forms and beings around it.  The Ash in this form is predatory and hungry  engulfing living matter and burning it to an ashen statue that crumbles at a touch.

Armor 3(16)

HD 5d8

Int 6

Move 12(30)

ToHit 15(+5)

Atx 1x strike 2d6 or engulf 5d6 per round Dex save for half.

* as Golem replace Atx with the Ash Atx or Demon avatar -1HD from Demons stat block and add Ash Atx

Random Ash forms and abilities

11. Ash Storm: The Ash can unleash a swirling storm of ash and debris, obscuring vision and causing damage to those caught within it. This storm can be used both defensively to provide cover and offensively to inflict harm upon adversaries.

12. Ashen Regeneration: The Ash creature possesses a unique ability to regenerate its form by drawing upon nearby sources of ash. It can rapidly heal wounds and replenish lost mass, making it difficult to defeat through attrition alone.

13. Soul Absorption: When the Ash engulfs living beings, it can absorb their life force, empowering itself and gaining additional strength or abilities based on the consumed souls. This ability not only enhances its combat prowess but also fuels its dark nature.

14. Dimensional Rifts: The Ash can tear open temporary dimensional rifts, allowing it to teleport short distances or summon reinforcements from other planes of existence. These rifts are unstable and can collapse at any moment, making them unpredictable but potentially devastating.

15. Corruptive Aura: The Ash emits a corruptive aura that saps the strength and vitality of nearby living creatures. Prolonged exposure to this aura can weaken opponents and make them more susceptible to the Ash's attacks and influence.

16. Ethereal Form: The Ash can temporarily transform into an ethereal state, allowing it to pass through solid objects and evade physical attacks. While in this form, it becomes immune to conventional damage but vulnerable to magical or ethereal attacks.

17. Ashen Projection: The Ash can project its consciousness into nearby objects or creatures, manipulating them to serve its will. This projection allows it to control and coordinate its minions or sabotage its enemies from within.

18. Ashen Consumption: The Ash can consume magical artifacts or sources of arcane energy, absorbing their power and incorporating it into its being. This ability grants it increased magical resistance and the ability to wield potent spells or abilities.

19. Ashen Assimilation: By merging with other sources of ash or similar entities, the Ash can assimilate their traits and abilities, evolving into new forms or gaining additional powers. This process allows it to adapt to different environments and challenges.

20. Avatar of Destruction: In its ultimate form, the Ash can transform into a towering avatar of destruction, wreathed in flames and darkness. This avatar possesses unparalleled strength and destructive potential, capable of laying waste to entire cities or armies with ease.

#Lore24 The Drowning Deep #Creature24 Lorelei

 You watch your self near the river bends and near outcropping or strange rocks o'er the waters.   There's all manner of things livin', shallow and deep, that'll pull you under and feast on you flesh and soul.  The number of women that fling themselves to their deaths, or get drowned by some or other person round here is just plain crazy.  The last thing you want to do is get caught up in the crazy.

-- Grandmother Gertrude Benthistle, Chief Hedgewizardess of Riverwind Lake District

 

The Lorelei are the spirits of women that died by drowning in the height of madness, usually related to a loved one or some unrequited love.   Lorelei can appear in a number of ways.   They may present themselves as lost maidens generally near a river or a lake, wondering and seemingly helpless.  They may appear in the water again as a young woman that needs to be saved from drowning. In either of these cases the Lorelei uses a siren like words and or song and clever illusions to drive their victims to madness. Additionally, a Lorelei may ambush from below the water dragging their victim quickly and violently to their death.  Lorelei feed on both flesh and mental torment and often play with their victims by drowning them and the reviving them multiple times before they begin to eat their victim flesh.  A Lorelei's lair can be found deep at the bottom of a dark pool of water and will be strewn with corpses and gold and magical treasure.

Armor 4(15) magical weapons to hit

HD 7d8

Int 16

Move 12(30) on land 15(40) in water

ToHit 13(+7)

Atx 3x d6 claw, bite d8 grapple,  or illusion

Random Abilities and Powers

 

1. Illusory Guise: The Lorelei can take on the appearance of a loved one or someone familiar to its victim, adding an extra layer of emotional manipulation to its illusions.

2. Mind Control: The Lorelei possesses the ability to subtly influence the thoughts and emotions of its victims, leading them to willingly approach dangerous situations or succumb to its illusions.

3. Hydrokinesis: The Lorelei has control over water, allowing it to manipulate currents, create whirlpools, or even shape water into solid forms for offensive or defensive purposes.

4. Siren's Call: The Lorelei's voice carries a supernatural allure, enchanting those who hear it and compelling them to follow its commands or approach it willingly, even to their own peril.

5. Emotional Drain: When in close proximity to its victims, the Lorelei can drain their emotions, leaving them in a state of emotional numbness or heightened distress, which it feeds upon.

6. Shadow Manipulation: Able to blend seamlessly with shadows, the Lorelei can move undetected and launch surprise attacks from the darkness, further adding to the sense of fear and helplessness it instills in its victims.

7. Illusory Duplicates: The Lorelei can create illusory duplicates of itself, confusing its victims and making it difficult to discern the real creature from the false images.

8. Memory Manipulation: The Lorelei can alter or erase memories of encounters with it, leaving its victims with fragmented recollections or false impressions of what truly happened, exacerbating their confusion and fear.

9. Corrupting Touch: Upon physical contact, the Lorelei's touch inflicts a curse upon its victims, gradually eroding their sanity and willpower, making them more susceptible to its influence over time.

10. Phantom Servants: The Lorelei can summon ghostly apparitions to aid it in its pursuits, whether to distract, terrify, or attack its victims, further enhancing its ability to sow chaos and despair.

Random Madness caused by Lorelei

1. Obsessive Fixation: The victim becomes fixated on the Lorelei, unable to focus on anything else and constantly seeking out its presence, even at the expense of their own safety.

2. Paranoia: The victim becomes increasingly paranoid, convinced that everyone around them is secretly plotting against them, including friends and loved ones.

3. Hallucinations: The victim experiences vivid and terrifying hallucinations, seeing nightmarish visions of drowning or being pursued by malevolent spirits, making it difficult to distinguish reality from illusion.

4. Depersonalization: The victim feels detached from their own body and emotions, as if they are watching themselves from a distance or inhabiting someone else's skin.

5. Catatonia: The victim becomes completely unresponsive to their surroundings, entering a state of catatonic stupor where they are unable to move or communicate.

6. Self-Harm: The victim develops compulsive tendencies towards self-harm, driven by an overwhelming urge to escape the torment of their own mind or to appease the Lorelei's influence.

7. Delusions of Grandeur: The victim develops grandiose delusions about their own importance or power, believing themselves to be chosen by the Lorelei or destined for greatness.

8. Memory Loss: The victim experiences gaps in their memory, forgetting important events or even entire periods of their life, leaving them feeling disoriented and confused.

9. Emotional Numbness: The victim becomes emotionally numb, unable to feel joy, sadness, or any other emotions, as if their capacity for emotion has been dulled or extinguished.

10. Suicidal Urges: The victim experiences intense urges to end their own life, driven by a pervasive sense of hopelessness and despair instilled by the Lorelei's influence.