Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Quoth the Raven

Written about Freaks, for Freaks, by Freaks

1 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Expect the Unexpected!

Be Prepared

Welcome to the eighth instalment in the hideous abomination known as Quoth the Raven. Like all good things, an issue of Quoth the Raven takes time to make. Unfortunately for our readers and our contributors, that amount of time can vary without warning. We like to pride ourselves on our quality product, though as some of our more professional readers have pointed out in the past, our editing work often leaves much to be desired. I’d like to take a moment to tell our readers that in the last few months there have been a lot of changes. Many of the members of the Fraternity have experienced difficulties in our jobs, our career pursuits and some of us have had complications with our health. We have tried to devote our free time to working on the netzine, though in all the hustle and bustle of daily life, the netbook was often forgotten. In my own case, I have spent the last few months in a particularly difficult period of Teachers College. Naturally, this netzine was a secondary priority, and I focused my efforts upon teaching. Unfortunately, having failed my last evaluations. I have little show for my work except a big student debt and a shaken confidence. Funny how sometimes you forget the things that make you happy, just when you need them the most. Life is like that, though. Its full of twists and turns and the funny reversals you never expected. Of course, if you’re in Ravenloft, you probably won’t be laughing. When a player character enters the mists, he readies himself for the terrors that await. Silver swords are buckled beside vials of holy water, while a wooden stake is held in white clenched knuckles. Everyone expects the classic monsters; the lycanthropes, the golems, the vampires; but no one is quite ready for the unnameable things, the creatures that can’t be studied and written up in a Van Richten’s Guide. There are many things in the land of mists that could be called monsters, from undying corpses to shape changing cannibals. These fiends are deadly predators, to be feared and avoided by all. Yet as frightening as these beings may be, they are far more bizarre monsters lurking in the dark corners of the demiplane of dread. In the shadows they slither, hidden from prying eyes. Formless, mindless; they are freaks amongst monsters, insanity made flesh. Cruel waste products of science, horrible flukes of magic or even the tragic mistakes of nature; they are the anathema of all life. Few dare seek the truth behind these things, for to gaze upon these mutations is to peer into the mouth of madness. All the worse is the fate of the ignorant, torn asunder by gnashing teeth, flayed alive by whipping tendrils or simply dissolved in protoplasmic jelly. Read now of aberrations and learn to expect the unexpected.

ScS.

2 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Table of Contents

Features Misted Mounts 61. Paladins’ Steeds in the Dread Skin 4. Realms An Original Short Story By David "The Jester" Gibson By Joseph “Bela” Zettelmaier

Brutes and Banshees 67. Things that Should Not Be 17. A Guide to the Caliban Race Aberrations in Your Campaign By Uri “Shadowking” Barak By Stephen “ScS” Sutton

In Shadow 93. Malwid’s Guide to all things Oddities From the Churning Aberrant 23. Void An Encyclopaedia of the By Eddy Brennan aka Wiccy Aberrant of the Fraternity By Coan “Coan” J. Harvey

More Black Arts 101. Perilous Pursuits 38. A Closer Look at the Other Shay-Lot Cultist Witches of Ravenloft By Joseph “Bela” Zettelmaier By Eddy Brennan (Wiccy of

the Fraternity) The Human Ooze 43.

Puddle or Predator? Tayce Bloodyblades 115. By Tadelin Darkblade A Legend Come to Life

By Anson “the Stray” The Hunted 46. Brehmer Original Fan Fiction

David "The Jester" Gibson Xavier D’Arcey 123.

Soul of a Poet, Skin of a Beast Dread Devourers 52. By Joseph “Bela” Zettelmaier Intellect Devourers in the

Land of Mists Diminutive Aberrations 129. David "The Jester" Gibson Little Horrors

By Eddy Brennan Growls in the Night 58.

Alhoons By Andrew “alhoon” Pavlides Credits Contributors 149.

Editors 149.

3 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Skin An Original Story By Joseph “Bela” Zettelmaier [email protected]

“Can you feel that?” Laurie Weathermay-Foxgrove rubbed her eyes. Ever since she’d set foot in Horace Lyncroft’s country estate, she’d felt a strange buzzing in her head. It was not debilitating, or particularly uncomfortable, but the strong-willed woman couldn’t seem to ignore it. Neither could her sister. “Like a humming in your head?” replied Gennifer. Laurie nodded. “I thought I was just getting a headache.” The two had been in the waiting room for only a few minutes, yet they felt uneasy. Lyncroft was a writer of moderate fame, specializing in tales of horror and madness. His books were filled with ancient monsters from before time as well as the poor souls who encountered them and invariably lost their minds. Laurie never developed a taste for his macabre style, but Gennifer was quite fond of his stories. Indeed, a copy of Lyncroft’s The Thing from Beyond was buried in her traveling pack. Clearly, the author had done well for himself. His estate was nestled in the woodlands outside of Maykle. While not grandiose, the manor had nobility to it. Large wrought-iron gates surrounded the small manor house and gargoyles adorned the rooftops. Clearly, Lyncroft appreciated his solitude. Still, when they’d asked his odd servant if they could speak to him, the man did not turn them away. And so they waited in this well-furnished room until he summoned them.

Laurie stared at one of the portraits in the room. It was of a married couple, wearing clothing from a few decades past. But the woman seemed slightly unusual. She was tall and strong, her jet black hair long and wild, quite unlike the traditional Darkonian norm. “Who is she, do you think?” inquired Laurie. The studious Gennifer studied the picture. He looked at the woman with scrutiny, before speaking her mind. “She looks Barovian. Odd, considering the typical Darkonian reaction to them.” “Horace’s mother, maybe?” “Indeed.” came a deep voice. The twin doors opened to reveal a scarecrow thin man in a stylish brown suit. Though well dressed, he appeared sickly; his hair was wild and unkempt, hanging in dark clumps around his head, partially obscuring his baggy bloodshot eyes. “My mother was Mirsada Petrov, a minor noble from Immol. She met my father when he was traveling abroad. His mercantile endeavors are the reason I live as comfortably as I do.” The speaker offered his hand to Gennifer. “Horace Lyncroft, at your service. You must be Gennifer, yes?” The young woman nodded, shaking his hand. “I recently came into possession of your Arsenal. Quite an interesting read, I must say.” Gennifer bowed in appreciation. “Thank you. From accomplished writer such as yourself….”

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Horace shook the compliment away. “I write only the horrors of my own imagination. It is the two of you who do truly inspiring work, helping those who would do battle against real monsters.” Laurie, never one for compliments, finally spoke up. “Well, that’s actually why we’re here, Mr. Lyncroft.” “Horace. Please.” “All right then, Horace. As you already know, we are acquaintances with Toret Johann Severin. As are you.” Horace nodded. “Indeed. After reading your Arsenal, I’m beginning to wonder if there is anyone he doesn’t know.” Laurie paced as she spoke. “Simply put, we need a man of your experience.” Horace sat himself in a plush chair and rang a little bell. “You’ve come a long way from Mordentshire to find me.” Gennifer continued for Laurie. “The truth is, we’ve been in Darkon for the past few weeks, investigating a series of unusual disappearances. We are convinced that the creature responsible for these disappearances is not human at all.” Though an inexperienced eye would have missed it, Laurie noticed Horace’s skin begin to pale. His mouth hung agape for a moment, but before he could reply, the double-doors opened again. Into the room strode a short man carrying a tray of drinks. He was dressed in a simple cotton shirt and trousers, though he carried himself proudly. Still, it was his face that truly caught the eye. His head was large and round, and the well-traveled twins realized quickly that he was not a short man at all, but rather, a tall dwarf. Like most dwarves he possessed a beard, if only a trim steel-grey lock, barely hanging below his chin. Yet unlike any other dwarf the twins has seen before, his head was completely shaved save a long topknot. Horace spoke up. “Ladies, allow me to introduce Kurnyn Lorestone, an old friend of mine. “ Laurie nodded. “Yes, he showed us in.” Gennifer waved away Laurie’s curtness. “It’s a pleasure, Mr. Lorestone.” The dwarf nodded, and then sat down himself. “Manners ‘n muscle, eh?” Gennifer shot him a curious look, and he continued. “You’re the polite one, and your sis there is the strong arm, yeah? You’re books and she’s brawn.” Gennifer smiled. “I suppose that’s one way to look at it.” “Gennifer here is a student of the mystic arts.” interrupted Horace. “Like I said,” grunted the dwarf. Laurie sighed loudly. “Pleasantries aside, we have a matter of some importance to discuss.” Horace chimed in. “Well, I’m afraid you may have made the journey for nothing. I’m not exactly versed in monster-hunting. All my beasts come from a pen and a twisted imagination borne of sleepless nights. But I do wish you luck in your hunt.” Laurie didn’t even let him finish. “The thing we are hunting is an Illithid.” Kurnyn shot a glance over to Lyncroft. The Darkonian writer stammered for a moment. “How… how can you be sure?” “Then it’s true.” said Gennifer, “You’ve been there. Bluetspur.”

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Lyncroft’s eyes grew glassy. “Yes… yes, it’s true. Gods, I’d do anything to wipe my time there from my memory. It was nine years ago and in truth, it haunts me still.” “How did you escape? What did you find there?” Gennifer stopped herself. “I’m sorry.” She apologized, “It’s just that we know so little about it. Mostly just rumors. But to meet someone who actually went there….” “It was no mere visit… no pleasant vacation. It was the worst time of my life. I was a prisoner of the foul things that lurk in Mount Makab for weeks, weeks that felt like an eternity. To this day, I do not know how I arrived there. The night before, I was overwhelmed with hideous nightmares that shook me to my very soul. When I awoke, I was on a blasted wasteland of red rock, with a lightening-filled sky. These... these things slithered out of the crags. Like a squid, but like a man as well. Hideous and alien and utterly, utterly devoid of conscience; they flooded my mind with images that you cannot imagine, not to say what they did with my body….” “Horace…” whispered Kurnyn. “No, Kurnyn. “ Horace waved his friend’s concern away. “If this truly is a beast of Bluetspur, and they mean to hunt it, they have to understand.” He turned to the twins, “The illithid are beyond your abilities to fight. They have vast mental powers and can shrug off most magic. The tentacles surrounding its mouth are designed to bore into a man’s head and rip out the brain. You don’t stand a chance against them.” Laurie huffed at the suggestion. “You survived.” Horace fixed his dark eyes on Laurie’s. “I survived because of Kurnyn, here. He is an outlander. He spent his life perfecting the art of hunting mind flayers, part of a cadre of warriors called….” “Caradhakers.” Grunted the dwarf, “They didn’t come here to hear my life story.” Horace nodded. “The point is, he was a prisoner in Bluetspur as well. And when he escaped, he took me with him.” “Wouldn’t do no good to get off the island, and have no idea where I was or how to get by. Needed a local.” added Kurnyn. “We staggered into a fogbank… I know trusting the mists is dangerous, but anywhere would have been an improvement. Bluetspur is a land even the damned will not tread. And if one of its spawn has come to this place, it cannot bode well. It could be an outcast, or part of a greater force. Perhaps it’s a scout, the forerunner of an invasion….” “That is what we need to discover.” interrupted Gennifer. “Clearly, we’ve come to the right man.” At that point, Horace rose. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken. You want someone who has never faced these… horrors. Someone who doesn’t understand how much is at stake if you cross them.” “They need our help, Horace.” The dwarf clenched his fist, ready for action. “Gods, does nothing in you cry out for vengeance?” Horace spun to face his friend. “Vengeance would serve only to finish what the mind flayers started. My sole concern now is survival.” With a sudden move, Laurie pulled a book out of Gennifer’s pack and thrust it at Horace. The lurid cover of The Thing from Beyond stared into his face. “Then why write these? Why fill the hearts and minds of readers with the same nightmares you’ve been having for years? If you’re so damnably concerned with self-preservation, you should’ve

6 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 sealed yourself up in this dank place and hidden from the world. Instead, you put your name on works that scream out what you know. These are not merely fictions, these are warnings. You have pointed us in the right direction, Mr. Lyncroft. Now, I beg you. Tell us how to destroy this thing.” A pained silence fell across the room. Horace stood frozen in thought, rubbing his temples. He looked at the Weathermay sisters with a mixture of respect, compassion and fear. He seemed unable to speak. Finally, after a stillness that threatened to swallow them all, he nodded. Kurnyn rose, cracking his knuckles. “How’s about we show ya how to destroy this thing instead?"

The strange group stood in the woods near Maykle. Laurie kept her eyes on the shadows, her right hand on her sword, her left on a pistol. Gennifer adjusted her spectacles, fingering through pages of her spell book and notes. Horace leaned on his stout rosewood cane, wiping the sweat from his brow. Kurnyn filled out the group, hefting a powerful, and archaic, axe. He gently stroked his topknot and a near-feral gleam shimmered in his eyes. “So ya say ya saw the thing?” Gennifer nodded. “We’ve been tracking it for a few days. We found a body in a Maykle drainpipe. The head had been pulled apart. We went into the drains proper, and caught sight of something briefly.” Horace glanced this way and that. “Describe what you saw.” “It was hidden in shadow, mostly.” continued Laurie. “Writhing tentacles where the mouth should be, as you said. But it was shaggy. Hairy.” “Doesn’t sound like an illithid. They’re smooth and wet, usually dressed in strange robes.” said Horace. “This thing had hair all over its arms and shoulders, but its torso was smooth… purplish. I know we’re hardly experts on these creatures, but I’ve never heard of anything else having face-tentacles like that. Uncle Rudolph didn’t know much about these Mind Flayers, but he knew that much.” retorted Laurie. Horace stared out into the lonely woods, saying nothing. Gennifer continues the story. “The thing slithered out of the pipes, and when last we saw it, it was fleeing into this section of the woods.” Kurnyn turned to his friend, trying to gauge his thoughts. Horace furrowed his brow, looking like an old, stooped willow tree. “An illithid… but with fur over part of its body. It could’ve been wearing some sort of pelt, thought I’ve never seen one wear anything so primitive.” “Nor I, and I’ve seen all kinds a’ these things.” snorted Kurnyn. “And it fled into the woods. That opens two questions; first, and most important… why is it here? These beasts are only at home in their warm, underground cities. While Darkon has its share of subterranean dwellings, it is colder than what a typical illithid would enjoy. However, I doubt that would stop them if the mission were important enough. The second question is, what is it exactly? Despite their flair for ornate clothing, mind flayers are fairly uniform in appearance. Large soulless eyes, three fingered hands, purple-hued slimy skin, tall and thin. While I have no answer for the first

7 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 question yet, I have a theory as to the second. Very few people know the nature in which illithids reproduce. You see, they...." Before Horace could finish the sentence, lantern-light bathed the quartet. Though still dusk, it was dark enough that all turned to see who was casting this light. Laurie drew her pistol and Kurnyn readied his axe to throw. Gennifer began silently preparing an incantation and Horace withdrew behind Laurie. A hardy figure closed in, holding a lantern high. "Hold where you stand!" called the voice. Horace peered up behind the more combative Weathermay sister. "Varian?" The figure lowered the lantern, and his face became clear. He was a young, handsome man dressed in the uniform of the local gendarmes. He had a long brown moustache that hung to his chin, and held a drawn short sword at his side. "Mr. Lyncroft?” he said, “What on earth are you doing out here?" Horace breathed a sigh of relief. "Gods, man. You scared me half to death. Ladies, let me introduce you to Varian Draycourt, a constable of our good town.” Laurie kept her pistol trained on the man. “You two know each other?” Horace chuckled, and Kurnyn rubbed his eyes. “Varian was kind enough to bring my friend Kurnyn home after a rather unfortunate round of drinking and bar-fighting. Due to his good nature, Kurnyn awoke in his own room instead of in a cell.” “Only because the fellow Kurnyn pounded had it coming and because he didn’t try to take a swing at me.” Varian nodded to the dwarf. “Still in the fighting mood, eh? I’ve said it before, and I said it again. You should consider joining the constables.” “Mebbe when I’m ready to retire.” chuckled the dwarf. “What in the Nine Hells brings you this far outta town?” Varian cast a wary eye to the twins, though he clearly couldn't help but admire their beauty. "City business, I'm afraid." Horace shuffled forward, shaking his hands. "Varian, these are Weathermay twins." The guardsman tugged on his moustache. Clearly, the name meant nothing to him. "They are the protégés of Rudolph Van Richten.” Varian raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Truly? Monster-hunters, then?” Gennifer blushed slightly at Varian’s approving gaze, Laurie rolled her eyes. “We’re not delicate flowers, I’ll say that much.” “Well, if you’ve come here, that leads me to assume that the murders are... well, beyond the conventional.” said Varian. The Weathermay’s instantly came to attention. “How many have been killed and in what state were the bodies found?” The guardsman once again looked to Horace for approval, and the author nodded. "Three that we know of," continued Varian "Brains pulled right out their skulls and large pieces of skin missing from the bodies as well." Gennifer began scribbling down notes as Laurie continued. "Yes. The body we found was the same way. We weren't sure if the skinning was a natural part of the feeding process." Kurnyn shook his head. "It isn't. No need for it; they feed only on the brain itself. I've never seen them skin their victims, except one time in an 'artistic spectacle.' My men and I were sneaking through the vents of a city named Muthalimhar. We were trying to

8 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 instigate a slave result, and our contact was in the center of the city. By the time we got to him..." Varian finally spoke up again. "Um... excuse me...." Kurnyn paid him no mind. "They were doing exhibition... one of the beasts was slowly pulling off the man's skin as a crowd watched. They seemed to be sharing the experience with the torturer. Then the feeding began... the damned thing linked with the others mentally, while they …." "What in sweet Ezra's name are you talking about?" shouted Varian. "Feedings? Slave revolts? What is this thing we're hunting?" "The greatest evil of them all." muttered Horace. "My point is, there's no reason why the flayer is pulling off skin." Kurnyn gave a loud snort, indicating he was finished. "Perhaps we're wrong. Perhaps it isn't an Illithid" suggested Gennifer. "It might just be." countered Kurnyn. "And if it is, y'betcha I'll track it down." Laurie chuckled to herself. She didn't have much experience with dwarves, but this one had a style to him. He was clearly a seasoned warrior, but he had some humor to him. She'd always pictured dwarves as dour miners that reeked of mold and dirt. This one was clean, well-kept and even jovial at times. If it were not for his odd hairstyle, he might even pass as short human man, though she doubted he'd want to. "Well," she said. "We should hunt while we still have the last remnants of sunlight."

Hours later, the quintet sat by a small fire. "This is a lot of forest to explore." said Horace, his eyes lost in the fire. After a moment, he got up and walked away. "And we've got nothing to show for it." huffed Laurie. She was beginning to feel useless and bothered, and that always set her off. Normally, she'd retire to a small room she'd set up for practice, and train her sword arm. Out here, she could do little but grow more frustrated. She skulked over to Kurnyn, who sat sharpening his axe. "Tell me about them." she said as she sat next to him. "Why?" he said, not looking at her but sharing a hint of s mile. "I hunt monsters. It's what I do. Vampires, I know. Werebeasts, I know. Gods, I've even studied demons. But I know next to nothing about these Illithids and I am little use hunting something I know nothing about." "You say you hunt monsters. Why?" inquired the dwarf. "I want to carry on my Uncle's legacy. And dear Rudolph's." she answered. "George Weathermay, yes? I've heard of him. He's racked up quite a kill list, if even half the stories are true. Still, your Uncle is not dead. I'm less inclined to believe you're trying to bring honor to an honorable family like yours. So tell me truly, why you seek out the most dangerous things in this world, and risk your life fighting them." The old dwarf looked at her now, his huge brown eyes looking at her with wisdom borne of experience. Laurie took his whetstone and began sharpening one of her daggers. "Perhaps you don't know me so well, my good dwarf."

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Kurnyn let out a loud snort of laughter. Laurie couldn't help but giggle as well. "Been a while since anyone's called me 'good,' girlie." Kurnyn leaned back, cracking his knuckles. "Ya wouldn't knows it to look at me, being so handsome as I am, but I'm closing in on my 200th year. I've been around a long time, and I've seen a lot of things. When I was a lad, I saw my family enslaved by Illithids. The damned things swept into my village like a pestilence, with their thralls. That's what you call those what've been placed into their psychic slavery, with no real minds a' their own. That's what my kin became... what I would a' become if a group of Elistraen Drow hadn't set some of us free. Now, I hunt the beasts and free those I can. That's why I do what I do. So why do you? I look at your sister there…." He pointed to Gennifer, who was blushing slightly at Varian's stories and attention. "I see her scars. I see she been a victim of monsters afore. So where are your scars?" Laurie sighed. "I don't hunt out of personal pan. I admit that. My sister... she was attacked by a werewolf when she was very young. My uncle felt responsible, and it drove him from our family. She fights because she knows in her heart it is the right thing to do." Laurie sighed. "I also know it's what must be done. There is so much evil in the world that threatens to over run the innocent. But it isn't the only reason. In truth, I love the thrill of the hunt. I love the planning, I love the research, and gods, but I love sticking my blade between some monster's ribs. Gen is a sweet lass, loves her books and spells and lore. I'm no fool, but I don't have the same head for it that she does. I love getting my hands dirty." Kurnyn nodded. "I thought as much. You were so impatient back at the manor house. All you wanted to do was start hunting. I was like that once. But I haven't had cause to hunt a mind flayer in a long time. And I reserve my hatred for them, and them alone."

"...and so it turned out the vampire was just some attention-starved noble-boy?" laughed Varian loudly. Gennifer giggled. "It's true. He was one of those sad types that thinks the undead are sad and beautiful and proud You have no idea how many idiots like that I've seen. " "I take it that vampires aren't exactly the way they're presented in those lurid trash novels?" asked Varian. "Not that I've seen." she replied, then quickly added "Not that I've read those novels." Suddenly, the snapping of twigs cut all conversations short. All jumped to attention, readying their weapons for whatever was approaching their fire. Out of the shadows, a tall, grim-looking man stepped forward. "I've found something," whispered Horace Lyncroft.

Shortly, the group found themselves outside a small cave, easily overlooked by most passer-bys. A large amount of hanging ivy hid the entrance, but Horace pointed out some boot-prints leading into the mouth. "Do illithids wear boots?" asked Gennifer? "Usually. A barefoot print would be human-shaped, but with two toes. " answered Kurnyn.

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"Well, what makes you sure this is something we need to concern ourselves with?" asked Laurie. Horace said nothing, but moved away the ivy with his cane. The stink of rotting corpses wafted out of the entrance and gagged the onlookers. Gennifer immediately covered her mouth and Varian's eyes went wide. "We're going in." Varian declared. "Just a moment...." Horace tried to calm the young constable. "We have to see what's in there. " Varian began to peer in. "I agree. But we shouldn't go rushing in like a group of beer-sotted fools. " Horace looked this way and that. "There could be a trap. If it is the illithid's work, it wouldn't surprise me." "Agreed." Kurnyn stepped forward. "I'll take point. Not only am I the only one here who can see in the dark, but I know my way with both mind flayers and traps. Lemme scout ahead for a bit, and I'll send for ya once all's clear." "No," Varian shook his head. "We should all go in together." Laurie was about to agree, but Kurnyn would hear none of it. "Look. I'm hands- down the most experienced one here. I've been hunting these things longer'n any of you've been alive. We're just wasting time here, and if the thing really is in there, we're givin' it time to ready itself. Now keep your yaps shut and don't come in 'til I tell ya!" And without waiting for any words of protest, the stalwart dwarf crept into the cave. The four humans waited outside for what seemed like an eternity. They heeded Kurnyn's words and said not a word. Varian seemed about ready to jump out of his own skin, clearly not one to stand idly by while others were at risk. After fifteen minutes of pained silence, the young Darkonian finally spoke up. "That's it. I'm going in." The others moved to stop Varian, but as he swept the ivy away, he found a gray- bearded dwarf staring back at him. "Impatience will get you killed one day, boy. Watch yourself. " Kurnyn stalked out of the cave mouth. "It's safe, but steel yourselves. It ain't pretty in there, no sir." The group pushed their way past the hanging foliage and stumbled into a dark cavern. "Is it alright if I bring a little light to the situation?" Gennifer whispered into Kurnyn's ear. The dwarf nodded. "I didn't find no one in here. At least it'll keep ya from falling on yer pretty face." With a few arcane words, Gennifer conjured up a glowing light, focused on the end of a branch. It didn't burn, or produce smoke, but illuminated the area enough that the group could see better. But with what Kurnyn led them to, it was a mixed blessing. Gennifer turned pale and began to sway. Even Laurie couldn't stifle a shocked gasp. Horace's eyes simply went wide, filling with thoughts he dared not share. Lying on the ground in front of them were three bodies, human or humanoid. It was difficult to be certain, as all of them were completely bereft of skin. It was as if some demented and masterful surgeon had delicately stripped every piece of flesh, leaving a perfectly-intact, gore-ridden corpse in his wake. Blood pooled all across the floor, and the stink could have gagged the most hardened soldier. Gennifer instinctively splashed Holy Water on the bodies. The bodies did not respond, and she let out a relieved sigh. “This doesn’t seem like the work of a mind flayer.” said Laurie.

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Slowly, deliberately, Kurnyn lifted the head of the nearest body with the flat of his axe blade. He rolled it so the crown was facing his colleagues. The top of the head was ripped apart, and the brain was gone. The dwarf’s face was grim. “Make no mistake. An illithid did this.” Horace took a step back. “I think we’re all in danger.” Laurie leveled her blade, spinning to see if anything was approaching from behind. This was wrong. All wrong. They’d been led into a small cavern with almost no light and no room to launch arrows or aim properly. Not even room enough to get a good sword swing without risking the others. It was a trap. Every instinct told her that. And they’d been led blindly into it by.... “There’s something over here.” Kurnyn whispered. He began to move stealthily into the nearby shadows. Again, Laurie’s intuition sent out a silent alarm. Something was very, very wrong here. She slowly raised her pistol, pointing it into the darkness. Gennifer clearly felt the same apprehension. She raised her light-stick aloft, casting its radiance to where Kurnyn could be found. The dwarf had found a length of wire a little past the corpses. His nimble fingers raced along its length, leading to the cave wall. From there, it led up the wall and into the darkness. Kurnyn began to rise. As he was about to speak, he lost his footing on the blood pool. In a flash, he fell to the earth landing squarely on the trip-wire. It happened so fast that none of them had a chance to respond, none except Varian. The young constable began moving even before Kurnyn hit the ground. He made a short sprint straight back, looking directly above the heads of the party. He covered his face, clearly expecting something.... Something that never happened. Kurnyn rose, covered in the blood of the innocents. With one hand, he reached over and fingered a section of trip-wire. The section had been cut and tied-off, so as to keep the trapline taught. The dwarf smiled cleverly. “So it was you. I’d had it pegged as one o’ the twins.” Varian stammered. “What...I don’t know what you...” Kurnyn pointed to above the party. The trip-wire led to a small ledge, where several boulders had been strung up. If he hadn’t disarmed the trap, the group would’ve been crushed beneath the rockslide. “You’re good, whatever you are. I was convinced you were really Varian. Ya look like him, sound like him, move like him. But you ain’t him.” Horace crossed his arms, showing off a silver ring on his finger. Kurnyn did the same thing. “See these? They kept you out of our minds. Otherwise, you'd have known Kurnyn and I were expecting an ambush." Varian simply stared at them, though his expression was not the look of bewilderment shared by the Weathermay twins. His eyes narrowed, though his mouth remained motionless. "I have no idea what you're talking about." "Enough of these games." snarled Kurnyn. "What in the Nine Hells are you?" With that, he hurled a boot-dagger at Varian's throat. If the twins had any doubts as to the humanity of the Darkonian, they were dismissed when they witnessed his superhuman speed. With supernatural accuracy, Varian batted away the blade. There was a strange sound, like paper ripping, and Varian spoke. "Well...it seems the charade is over." Varian Draycourt held his hand up, exposing a large gash leading from his palm to his forearm. Yet no blood poured from this wound. Rather, it seemed more like clothing that had torn, and the skin beneath it was purple and slimy. With almost dramatic

12 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 deliberateness, he grabbed one bit of slashed skin and began to pull. Faces went from confusion to revulsion as the skin peeled away like a rotten fruit rind. It fell to the floor in large pieces, and the thing beneath it was revealed in all its hideousness. The beast was as the Weathermay’s had described, but mere words were insufficient to capture its grotesqueness. It stood perhaps six feet tall, with dark mauve skin. The head was undeniably that of an illithid, with the tell-tale tentacles and scheming eyes. Laurie could almost swear she could see its brain pulsating beneath its skull... if it even had a skull. But its form fell short of what one would typically expect of a mind flayer. It had shaggy arms and shoulders, though the brown fur was also covered in mucus. The hair crept around its neck and ran down its back, though its chest and legs were smooth and glistening. The beast was broad and muscular, even hunched over. Especially strange were its hands, which sported eight taloned fingers on each hand. They were long and thin, and clearly capable of shredding flesh with a single swipe. “Sweet Ezra.” muttered Gennifer. “It’s a Skin Thief.” “Much more,” gurgled the beast. “Much more.” Then the world lurched as waves of mental energy poured forth from the Illithid- thing. The twins clutched their heads as they were pummeled with psychic force. Horace also staggered, but did not fall. Kurnyn, however, kept his footing and seemed unaffected. He charged forward, bringing down his axe towards the beast’s head. It dodged deftly, though the blade still bit into its shoulder. Greenish blood splattered on the wall, and the two opponents turned to face each other. “Get behind the thing,” Laurie and Gennifer heard the voice of Horace in their heads. “It is less likely to focus its mind blast on you if you are behind it.” The twins did as instructed, surprised by Horace’s telepathic abilities. Gennifer let fly a stream of magic missiles into the thing’s back, but they had no affect whatsoever. Laurie raised her pistol, clearly intending to scatter its head all across the cave walls. Horace’s cane came down hard on her hand, and the shot went unfired. She immediately realized her mistake. In these enclosed caverns, the boom of the gunshot would be deafening, causing more harm than good. The sisters were brave, clearly ready to do battle. However, Horace placed himself in front of them. “Wait. Let Kurnyn handle this.” “Not in this lifetime!” spat Laurie. Horace would not budge. “This is a fight he needs to fight. Of all of us, he is the only one truly capable of defeating it. Watch, and learn, and pray you never have to face one of these ever again.” Laurie and Gennifer watched as the dwarf and the mind flayer did battle. They had maneuvered into the area where the dead bodies lay. Kurnyn was drenched in sweat, and Laurie could not help but wonder if the old dwarf was up to the challenge. She was unable to tell if the thing was unleashing its psionic powers against him, but if it was, they had no effect. Still, Kurnyn was tiring, and each swing was coming slower and slower. Meanwhile, the thing managed to get several nasty gashes in on his chest and arms. Finally, the beast grew weary of the fight. With blinding speed, it seized Kurnyn by the throat and lifted him into the air. Kurnyn did not struggle. Instead, he chuckled wickedly as the creature’s hand began to burn. “Hurts, yeah? This stuff on m’body...it ain’t sweat. A little trick I learned, training with the disciples of Kairoth of Tu’narath.” His voice was choked but confident. “It’s a

13 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 chemical I can exude from my skin, has a nasty reaction with that stinking slime on your body." The beast dropped him, and he landed steadily. The thing spat out a string of words that neither of the twins understood, but Kurnyn's eyes grew wide. "You will never lay a hand on these girls!" roared Kurnyn. Horace paled, and he instantly understood what his old friend was about to do. He was about to cry out in protest, but it was too late. Hands locked around his axe handle, Kurnyn called out a prayer to his ancestors, and swung the blade hard. The blade flew into the ceiling, clipping the wire holding up the boulders. The wire snapped, and the earth rumbled. Laurie pushed past a shocked Horace as Kurnyn turned to face his friends. A look of peace on his face, the noble dwarf was buried under a deluge of stone. Gennifer grabbed her sister and pulled her back, as a eight-fingered hand reached out for her. It too was soon crushed beneath the rock, and all the three humans could do was watch as both ally and enemy were entombed.

"It doesn't make sense." Laurie paced at the stables of the Lyncroft estate. "He could have defeated that thing, whatever it was." "It was like a Skin Thief." interrupted Gennifer, already in her saddle. She turned to Horace. "They're a race of shape-changers that skin their victims then wear their flesh like a costume, taking on their form." "My point is, Gennifer, " blustered Laurie. " that Kurnyn could've defeated the thing without killing himself. I was just so damn…." "Please." Horace Lyncroft seemed more somber than before, if possible. "It's pointless. We'll never know why Kurnyn did what he did. We must simply be grateful he did it. Who can say how many more would have fallen to that creature?" Gennifer nodded. "I'm sorry for your loss, Horace." "Thank you." Horace opened the stable doors, allowing the morning sun in. "If you ever have need of me again, please do not hesitate." And with that, Horace Lyncroft bid farewell to the Weathermay sisters.

Later that afternoon, Horace moved silently through his manor. His cane rapped as he walked, crossing from plush carpet to hard-wood floors. He moved with familiarity into the wine cellar, stopping to admire a particularly fine bottle of Tuika. Then he stared at a small alcove, almost unnoticeable in the musty, cobwebbed cellar. He placed his hand on it and lowered his head for a moment. To a casual observer, it would have appeared as though he was lost in thought. After a few moments like this, the wall slid open, a gust of deep-earth air gushing forward. "Are they gone?" a voice in the darkness asked. Horace nodded. "Do they suspect?" the voice inquired. Horace shook his head. The voice in the darkness chuckled. "We missed our calling, old friend. We could've been great actors." "The option is still there for you. You've still got many years ahead." smiled Horace, gripping the hand of Kurnyn Lorestone. The two friends began a long walk down a secret hallway, filled with strange runes.

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"Wish we didn't have to hoodwink them girls." Kurnyn said as he walked. "It was essential. We wouldn't want to risk their involvement with us. They might have killed the specimen, which would've been disastrous. No, it was for the best. The work they do is as important as ours, and may even lead us in similar paths, but secrecy must be maintained... especially when the enemy can read minds. The fewer that know the truth, the better for everyone involved.” “I know the company line, Horace.” snorted the dwarf. “ It still sticks in my craw.” The two friends found themselves facing a large oak door, with two locks. The both fished out keys, and turned them simultaneously. The door opened, and in they went.

The room was lit by candle a glowing globe on the ceiling. The walls were covered with a series of bizarre symbols and etchings, and even the most learned of scholars would have had a difficult time guessing their origins. A small stove was nestled in a corner, and a writing desk in another. Lined along the back wall were a series of torture implements, including thumbscrews, razor-sharp wire and even a rack. The true centerpiece of the room was a large table, and strapped onto that table with numerous clamps and bindings was the Illithid-thing. Its wounds had been dressed, and its eyes darted across the room, showing a wicked lucidity. Horace walked over the thing. “Trying to read my mind, aren’t you?” he whispered to it. “Trying to use those fearsome powers of yours, eh? Turn my brain into putty, or burn my skin with whitefire? It won’t work. This chamber... I call it a psychic dead zone. It was designed with the help of a fellow called the Thinker, the most powerful psion I’ve ever met. Needless to say, we were very thorough. Your powers are nullified here, as are my own. Now, I’m not nearly as powerful as you... just a few telepathic tricks I’ve picked up. But it means I can’t get my answers out of you mentally.” With that, he turned to Kurnyn, who was approaching with a hot poker. “So, I’ll have to rely on good, old-fashioned torture.” Kurnyn brought the poker in very close to the thing’s face, its moist skin trying to recoil. “What are you exactly?” Horace demaned. The beast said nothing. “We know you can speak. I’ll ask one more time. What are you?” Again, the beast said nothing. With that, Kurnyn took the poker to one of the bound mouth-tentacles and began burning off its tip. The thing screamed in a low, watery gurgle. “I am a Thozar’Ak! Half-Illithid, and...” “Half skin thief.” Horace interrupted, “I deduced as much. My people are familiar with the process of ceremophosis. So your host parent was a skin thief? You were born with its shape-changing abilities? Combine that with the ability to psychically discern a victim’s entire personality, and you have a perfect spy. Which leads me to my next question: What is your mission?” “To feast on the brains of human cattle, for my own pleasure” the Thozar’Ak snarled. With that, Horace nodded to Kurnyn. The dwarf smiled with genuine pleasure, and proceeded to burn off the midsection of a mouth-tentacle, leaving a smoking stump on the thing’s face. “Don’t make him ask again.” Sneered the dwarf. “I am hunting the Ildi’Thaan!" it screamed. The phrase lingered in the room like a ghost, and both Kurnyn and Horace were disturbingly still. Horace leaned in close to the illithid.

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"What do you know of the Ildi'Thaan?" He whispered. "The great one... the Over-Mind... it knows. It knows that the slaves of times past escaped and that their descendants live on, marked with strange abilities. We know that they have banded together... that they seek their own lost, ancient texts... to find the power to defeat their former masters. We know their numbers are few... we seek the texts ourselves... we wish to reclaim that which is ours..." With that, Horace struck the thing with his cane, and it trembled in pain. "We're going to have a long time to get to know each other, Thozar'Ak. Perhaps years. You'll tell us all your secrets, and when I finally decide to kill you, your body will answer many questions. Yes indeed. You are quite a find. Our first half-breed." The thing's eyes went wide. "More will come. Some are already here. They will find me." Horace went to his desk, sat down, and dipped his quill in ink. "They didn't find the others." he said with a hint of a smile. Horace pulled out some papers. "Kurnyn, my friend. Please find some interesting ways to make him scream." The dwarf nodded. "Any more questions?" "Not just yet." Horace replied. "I just find the screaming... inspirational." And beneath the earth of his ancestral home, Horace Lyncroft - author, son of Mirsada Petrov, and proud member of the Ildi'Thaan - put pen to paper. As always, he'd keep his findings hidden in a code only his brethren would be able to decipher, but the warnings would still be there, even to the casual reader. There were dark, evil things in this world, older than time itself. Horace paused as the thing let loose an agonizing cry. But they could still be defeated. He looked to his copy of Van Richten’s Arsenal at his side. Something within the book seemed to flicker in his memory, the words not fully formed. He decided to leaf through its pages to find the source of the nagging. He found the page, and his fingers took him to the phrase that struck dangerously close. One must commit fully to the battle against the legions of the night, or not at all. Disturb evil’s lair, and it may follow you home.

16 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Things that Should Not Be Aberrations in Your Campaign By Stephen “ScS” Sutton [email protected]

There are several different roles Aberrations in Your that an aberration can play in a Campaign campaign: Amidst the crumbling medieval castles of Ravenloft, there seems to be Bug Hunt: The most obvious role for no place for the aberration. Malformed an abomination is as a rampaging mutants and gibbering invertebrates are monster. Many aberrations have little more the style of Lovecraft or purpose other than to devour hapless Spelljammers than the Demiplane of humans, so they fit this role easily. The Dread. Indeed, aberrations such as players will have to pit their strength and beholders, mind flayers and gibbering steel against the mutant’s might and mothers lack the human qualities that hopefully destroy the offending monster. make true gothic villains. Yet In these adventures, the focus is on the aberrations can become useful hunt. DMs are encouraged to drag the components in a Ravenloft campaign, chase out, hopefully luring the players ranging the whole gamut of random into a terrifying reversal where the monsters, the chief encounter of an hunters become the hunted. adventure or even the focus of a For example, the players might be campaign. contracted by a city to destroy a monster Still, the question before the that has been preying on the dungeon master is “why?” Why should constabulary’s night watch. The players a dungeon master risk the decidedly engage the creature only for it to flee gothic theme of his campaign with the into the sewers. The players follow into inclusion of an aberration? The answer a dark labyrinth of tunnels and discover, is the old doppelganger idiom, “Because to their horror, that it is not one creature I felt like a change”. The inclusion of that confronts them, but a whole swarm. aberrations is an excellent way to change the pace of a campaign. Aberrations are The Bluff: Nothing can irk a dungeon so bizarre, so alien, that the typical party master more than out of character would never expect one to leap from the knowledge, though there’s very little to shadows. Rather than bore the gaming be done to counteract it. How can a group with another army of shambling good DM forbid a character from zombies, the DM unleashes a mountain investing in silver bullets or holy water, of writhing tendrils. Naturally, this even when it is clear that the character approach must be used sparingly to should have no knowledge of maintain the effect. Even still, nothing werewolves and vampires? Nonetheless, breaks the humdrum like a carnivorous a little knowledge can be a dangerous amoeba with an attitude. thing. A clever dungeon master can turn

17 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 the knowledge of his players against her campaign. Aberrations, like all good them and return balance to the game. monsters, must be carefully tailored to Aberrations are unusual creatures, even the unique setting of an adventure or as monsters go, thus they are never campaign. A beast-man from Markovia expected. A dungeon master could should not be the same as a wizard create situations that point to a who’s mutated himself in a magical particularly well known monster as a experiment; though they both may be bluff, only to unleash an aberration. broken ones, the DM designs them Imagine the chaos and calamity when differently. the PCs close in on what they believe is the lair of a savage vampire, only to be To be a star, be bizarre: The old pop set upon by a ghastly gibbering mouther, star adage works equally well for immune to all of their preparations. aberrations. Even if using a creature straight out of the monster manual, the The Cure: Not all abominations are dungeon master needs to develop the mindless monsters, some were once monster’s appearance. More so than human. One possible adventure would most creatures, an aberration is special be the quest to cure an abomination of its because it is so very alien, thus the affliction. The players might begin the description of the monster will be the adventure expecting a simple bug hunt, factor that sells it to the players. Indeed, only to make contact with a sympathetic the Dungeon Master should consider monster. Afterwards, they will have to mixing and matching the appearance somehow contain their deformed friend traits of familiar aberrations, to keep his and begin the search for a potential cure. players guessing. The players might have to confront the Aberrations allow a dungeon creature’s creator, or they might have to master the opportunity to be creative. seek out some exotic means of Designers of these deformed demons transmuting the creature back to its will have no shortage of sources for original form. inspiration. Beyond the volumes and There are a variety of possible volumes of science fiction available, story lines; the players might have to dungeon masters are encouraged to look seek out a wizard, alchemist, or a to books on biology and zoology for Darklord such as Mordenheim or ideas. Amongst some of the more Markov. The players might have to colourful creatures are jellyfish, perform some vile services to get the lampreys and the plethora of mollusc cure they seek. Another possibility is species. Micro-organisms are a rather that there is no cure, or it may be that the underused source of inspiration, despite aberration was never human at all. Such their fierce appearance. a revelation may prove to be too much for the pitiful mutant, causing it to go Freakish but Familiar: Though an mad. aberration is an alien creature, the best of such creatures are the ones who possess a familiar trait. Gibbering mouthers, for Architect of the Abominable example, possess human-like eyes and There are many concerns that the mouths. Beholders, for all their dungeon master must face when hideousness, resemble nothing so incorporating an aberration into his or

18 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 strongly as a gigantic head. The contrast the world. Perhaps they are few in between alien features and mundane number and can scarcely reproduce, or it traits are what separate aberrations from may be that they are a subterranean race, animals and magical beasts. brought to surface by a recently dug The most frightening aberrations mine shaft. incorporate elements of humanity, Other aberrations could be the horribly distorted and warped. Indeed, result of a magical disaster. In the wake aberrations are so abominable because of the Requiem, Darkon was bathed in their very existence mocks the human the essences of positive energy, causing form. Adding a human feature to an the essences of different life forms to aberration goes a long way towards filter down into local plant life. Surely making it memorable. An aberration this would be a good origin for a plant that looks like a giant angler fish is only like monster. Other aberrations could be so frightening. It is far more disturbing spawned from explosions of chaotic if the lure of that angler fish looks just magical energy, a clone spell that like a little child, capable of moving and spontaneously mutated, a teleport spell speaking. Even should your party gone horribly awry, or any other arcane survive the encounter unscathed, you can accidents. bet that they will never look at another Finally, mankind might play a NPC without first checking if they are direct role in the unholy birth of an attached by a tendril to some gaping abomination. Scientists and alchemists maw. forever tinker with the laws of nature, and from time to time their meddling can Origins: More so than their have terrible consequences. A mad counterparts from other settings, doctor could potentially graft human aberrations need origins. Ravenloft is parts onto animals, creating a broken not quite as rife with freakish mutants as one, or an alchemist might birth a other settings; ankegs and aboleths don’t gibbering mouther with a failed essence just sprout from the earth. If an coagulant. These manmade monsters aberration is to be included into a make excellent random encounters, Ravenloft campaign, it will need a story, especially when they are close to the even if the players never have the time to laboratories of their mad creators. get to the bottom of it. There are many possible origins for an aberration, though the details of the origin should fit the The Making of a Monster design of the creature. Not all mutants are created equal; a Many aberrations could be semi- good DM will customize the aberrations natural creatures. Deep spawn, for to compliment the story. Even an example, are more like bizarre animals aberration that serves only as a minor than anything else. These aberrations encounter could be made memorable are the tragic mistakes of evolution with a special adjustment made to the lingering on and on in a world for which standard aberration statistics. they were not meant. These creatures do not require much in the way of a back Powers: A frightening appearance is an story, though there should be a reason excellent start, but as soon as your why their kind is not more common in players are done screaming your aberration is going to have to fight.

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Aberrations can possess nearly any an aberration can work against it; eye power imaginable, but it is critical that stalks, tentacles and other sensitive areas the powers of an aberration make sense, are convenient targets for called shots. if only by some twisted logic. A Weaknesses need not necessarily beholder, for example, is special because apply to combat; they might be directed it is adorned with many bulging eyes. towards the behaviour of the creature. These eyes, therefore, have to be the Just like a golem, an aberration might source of its powers. have its own unique zeitberger. Whatever powers an aberration Abominations that were once normal possesses should be reflected in its creatures could be distracted stunned or physical appearance. A creature that can enraged by images from their former cast charm as a spell like ability should life. For example, broken one who was have some means of appearing friendly once a wizard might become enraged and harmless (that angler fish from the whenever he witnesses an arcane spell above example, perhaps?), where as a being cast. creature capable of casting web should have some resemblance to a spider. The best rule of thumb for A Human Touch designing powers is to keep it simple. If Though definitely disturbing, a creature doesn’t appear to need a aberrations lack the human traits that are power, then it’s probably best to leave it so critical to a gothic adventure. While out. If a power does not compliment the typical Ravenloft villains are corrupt creature, then the creature should not beings, damned by their own depravity, possess it. For example, a burrowing aberrations are merely mindless subterranean jellyfish should not be mutations, evil by circumstance alone. given the ability to fire disintegrate rays. To make aberrations fit within the gothic A better power would be acid secretions style they must become a reflection of or the ability to pass through dirt, evil within men. This is most easily achieved in cases where the monster is Weaknesses: Just as a vampire should merely a pawn of a greater evil. A be confronted in the day, so too must the hideous mutant created by a foul wizard aberration be slain with cunning, rather becomes the inner reflection of its than brute force or lucky critical hits. master. The hideous appearance of the Aberrations offer players a unique freak is the expression of the corrupted challenge; for though they appear to be soul of its vile creator. invincible titans of corrupted flesh, they The dungeon master should possess a hidden flaw. When designing consider making this connection more an aberration, the Dungeon Master than just metaphorical, if only to add should consider creating a special some flair to the adventure. The weakness to compensate for the lack of physical appearance of the aberration reliable information regarding the might be twisted to resemble that of its abomination. Possible weaknesses progenitor. It is entirely possible that include a susceptibility to certain exceptionally vain madmen might try to materials, a vulnerability to chemicals immortalize themselves by remaking life such as water, or certain forms of energy in their own image. Imagine your attacks. Sometimes the bizarre nature of players delving into the cistern beneath the lair of a mad alchemist, only to be

20 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 confronted by an army of half-finished including methods of stalking prey or clones of the villain they seek. mean of attracting victims. Aberrations Another manner in which an that need sleep or are vulnerable to the aberration can be incorporated into the elements will require lairs, so the DM gothic atmosphere is to give it human will have to determine what kind of lair mental traits. Though a hideous the creature prefers. As well, the abomination, an aberration may feel dungeon master should determine if the motivations similar to those of a human. creature has any particular personality Perhaps the creature was once human, quirks. and now seeks to reclaim its lost life, perhaps the mutant absorbed the Role-playing: Intelligent abominations memories of one of its victims, or will have the added quality of alternately it might have developed a personality. For aberrations that are able psychic bond with its creator. These to interact with player characters the human thoughts might cause it to haunt Dungeon Master should prepare some certain locations, to stalk certain ideas for the personality of the individuals, or to perform certain aberration. Some aberrations will be routines. In this way, an aberration arrogant and domineering, especially resembles a dread golem. creatures like illithids and beholders. Others will be completely predatory, such as sea spawn masters. Aberrations To be a Monster that were once human may still retain Aberrations, like most nonhumans, some vestiges of their personality. represent a challenge for a dungeon These mutated remains of humanity may master. While humanoid creatures can very well have been driven to madness be expected to behave in a manner by the transformation, though some similar to humans, aberrations are wild resilient minds may survive, in a fashion. cards. How does one role-play a shape Such creatures will most likely be shifting alien? What are the long term obsessed with curing their deformities or goals of an amoeba? When preparing to ending their suffering. The player introduce an aberration, a dungeon characters might be put in the unusually master must prepare answers to many of situation of trying to keep an these questions. abomination from killing itself, or trying to convince an enraged mutant that there Behaviour: Before introducing an is no cure for their affliction. aberration, the dungeon master should have a basic frame from the behaviour of Dungeon Master Tricks: When the aberration. The dungeon master running an aberration, the dungeon determine the basic behaviour of the master is given a unique series of aberration, including how it feeds, how it options. Aberrations are free from the stalks its prey or defends itself and what physiological boundaries that can make it does when it is alone. life difficult for your player characters. The behaviour of the aberration The dungeon master should prepare to will depend upon its intelligence, its make use out of these abilities, if only as physical abilities and its needs. an emergency plan to counteract an Creatures that need to feed will need to unforeseen combat encounter. For have a strategy for devouring prey,

21 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 example, many are unaware that illithids levitation. Since they have little need for are amphibious. Should the players floors the lair of a beholder could be a corner a mind flayer villain, the creature cavernous hollow, created by their could seek refuge in a nearby body of disintegrate ray, with a few ledges cut water, such as a river, well or a sewer. into the rock far above the reach of While its pursuers are busy tearing off human interlopers. Whenever an armour or searing for a boat the mind aberration will play an extensive role in flayer makes his getaway, or better yet, an adventure, the dungeon master should lies in wait. make use of the freakish strengths of the Every species of aberration has its aberration to better challenge the own strengths. For example, beholders players. are aerial creatures, moving by

22 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Malwid’s Guide to all things Aberrant An Encyclopaedia of the Aberrant By Coan “Coan” J. Harvey [email protected]

Dear Reader, the subject at hand and pray that my next pay cheque will arrive soon, for What you are about to read is a publishers are a beast more cruel than collective work of myself and the Science some of those listed below… Departments of the Core’s most deserving of Universities, concerning the categorisation and information of some Aboleth of the more well known fauna we classify Aboleths are most commonly as ‘aberration’. found in the isles of The Nocturnal Sea and occasionally in The Sea of Sorrows. I was first enlisted to begin my For some reason they avoid the sea work when my original text ‘Botany –the borders of Dementlieu with only one new science of our past’ was noticed by recorded instance many years ago, from the most generous of benefactors, Lady what I could gather it found its Eleni of Toyalis. Contacting me through domination and manipulation skills the post I was surprised she found my lacking when thrust upon the work so intriguing (when my fellow Dementlieuese, though I could not guess colleagues were so quick to point out its why. uselessness and notoriety among the They are almost entirely unheard fraternities as a sleep inducing read). of in the central core. Though recently a Regardless it is her patronage that series of underground caverns in Hazlan brings my pen to paper and the cause of and Barovia (no doubt remnants of when what I hope to be a useful text among Bluetspur was a domain border) have those magically inclined. yielded a series of underground lakes which are being treated suspiciously Listed alphabetically is a varying after several miners and workers report of the most unusual of unusual. I attempted a rebellion to enslave their say varying due to monetary limits fellow comrades and draw them further placed upon my research and the down into the murky depths. As such differing success I had in locating a aboleth activity may be more far creature to examine (sometimes having reaching then one suspects with rumours to make do with simple text and others of a realm far off in the East where a folk lore). I also list usual habitats and fishing village is told to worship a ‘god how one will mostly encounter the of the sea’ for good harvests and visitors creature. Hence I shall now proceed to mysteriously go missing, possibly sacrificed to appease this ‘god’.

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What sets the Aboleth apart is its Nova Vaasa and Dementlieu while other habitat of underground lakes and the gossip puts these creatures as inherited knowledge that it absorbs from bodyguards for Darkonian wizards. The its parents and anything so consumed Hazlani though have rejected this later in life. This gives the creature a practice, seeing the creatures as unique advantage in acquiring secrets of ‘barbaric’ and not suitable for public the world and on its enemies. It can also display. This has not, however, ceased enslave others through its ‘dominator their use as helpful garbage disposal alpha gland’, which emits an aura akin to units, often stationed beneath Mulan bat calls that interferes with a brain’s houses to receive thieves and servants subconscious and disrupts the targets who have ceased being useful. distinction between the egos and id. In Once bands of athach roamed free essence the ego and superego and in small family groups in the blasted ‘nullified’ and the id comes under the landscape of Keening and the forests of control of the aboleth to be manipulated, Tepest, but hunters have begun to take as it likes. Hence any order given to the their toll on the creatures and they are subject by its master becomes top now on the verge of extinction. The priority and it will do whatever it takes strongest of their kind are locked in to satisfy this desire. Most often this is dungeons as guards or used as gladiators used to have the aboleth’s puppets lure in Hazlani arenas while the smartest are prey to its home. taught to be bodyguards or labourers. As of the date of this publication, there are estimated to only be just over 100 of DMs Notes these beasts in their natural habitat. The aboleth is a perfect example of

Lovecraft’s unknown horrors from the dark world of underneath. The aboleth Beholder presents a variety of options in studying Perhaps one of the most debated its genesis. It could be a prehistoric monsters, in terms of its existence in the creature that time forgot, a visitor from Dread Lands, outsiders from other another world or simply some freak of realms have insisted these creatures nature that has developed an awareness exist. Indeed the beholder’s fantastic of itself and those around it. nature. I fear that an unfamiliar Obvious uses of an aboleth and populace may mislabel the creature and where it is most commonly found deflate true sightings, causing villages flaunting its skills are as an unseen and cities to be caught unprepared for schemer or horror from beyond. This the schemes for which these creatures could include the aboleth being revered are infamous. Something of benefit, as a god-like creation and worshipped by though, is the knowledge that Beholder a cult of ‘enlightened’ overseers. society in the Dread Realms is every changing. These aberrations seem incapable of staying in one place for Athach very long for fear of drawing the This author has heard of several attention of that kingdom’s ruler. references to creatures matching the athach’s description serving as minions DMs Notes and chained horrors for crime lords in

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crawler apparently favours climbing on The beholder’s fantastical make it the ceiling above a party were only the far too scarce for a random encounter. keenest ears can detect the slight However in one’s own view its rarity skittering sound. When the creature is and natural assets would make it all the satisfied its presence is unknown it will more deadly if found. To reflect its attempt to pick off the rear adventurers almost completely unknown presence in with its paralysing touch. Their presence Ravenloft any Knowledge (aberration) can also be foreshadowed by the clicking skill check to recall information about a of their teeth and mandibles which has beholder has a DC increase of +5 to been known to echo in the passages of reflect the difficulty in finding any underground complexes making their written documentation on its nature. eventual coming all the more foreboding and harder to anticipate in direction. Carrion Crawler In my many travels I have run into DMs Notes the ‘ficulency dearthing pelvious’ The unintelligent yet cunning (Carrion Crawler) species on more animal-like mind of the carrion crawler occasions than almost any other is perfect for a random encounter, the aberration. This bug like creature is role of a chained horror or even a less commonly confused with its insect look powerful monster summoned by alike ‘maximus centripediat’ or large forgotten rituals. The variety of places centipede. Though once in battle this this creature finds itself in makes the mistake is soon rectified, sometimes carrion crawler one of the most versatile with disastrous consequences. In regards of aberrations. to the monster’s origins there are some who believe it to be the result of genetic experimentation, the mistakes of the Choker wizard or perhaps worse… the desired The realms of grey sometimes alter end product. the nature of an animal’s purpose and Perhaps it is its need for rotting the Choker an example of one whom has flesh or the natural evil that permeates found a comfortable home here. Often it the underground caverns they live in, but inhabits abandoned ruins near villages the crawler is far more common than were it can lure small human children, most others believe. Indeed recent who play nearby, into its chambers. reports from the largest cities of Nova Richemulot and Mordent both offer Vaasa mention common discrepancies excellent abodes in this case and that could be signs of infestation, no Chokers are not uncommon to these doubt brought about by the plague and domains where the conditions are right. poor sanitary conditions in such Another favourable tactic of the Choker metropolises. They have also been found is to use a village’s rooftops as a private in the high magically infested Darkon road to windows, were it can then and wherever dungeons are frequent. employ its incredibly long limbs to So well developed is their stealth entertain a child, drawing it closer to when hunting that I have decided to them before inevitably snatching them include my observations on typical out of the house and leaping from roof to attacks as recounted by survivors. The roof before reaching safety.

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Some of the more intellectually spell components. It would take a clever cunning Chokers pose as halflings in the hero to pull apart such a coven of thugs night causing blame to fall on the and murderers and challenge the leader. halfling population while the Choker robs the town and causes chaos. This charade has caused more than one Chuul unfortunate lynching and murder of Found almost exclusively on the panicked halflings. isle of Bluetspur the Chuul serve as No one really knows why Chokers bodyguards and soldiers for the Illithid snatch children from their cradles and population who inhabit the blasted playgrounds and very few corpses are world. What is not widely known ever found. Some theorise Chokers are however is that the Chuul are the result the children, transformed by some of Illithid experimentation, a work in diabolical secret known only to those progress to perfect biological warfare on who capture them, if someone were to a grandeur scale. The exact nature of ever lift a child up and turn to see their their creation is steeped in rumour; a few face only to behold an unholy half theories stick out as more probable. human half Choker their mind could Some believe that the Chuul are former very well panic from recognizing the humans, mutated by their evil masters. normal and beyond together. Others Others believe that such beasts are believe the Chokers are only following grown in mass produced vats and kept in the orders of some master unknown, row upon row of such chambers ready to who desires the children for its own awaken for an invasion or defence. purposes, while even darker thoughts Perhaps the most horrifying of all, best left undescribed have been proposed captives and slaves are impregnated or as reason. used as stock to breed Chuul before the new monster ‘hatches’ from its mother. DMs Notes Finally as a note, differing races used in Chokers by themselves are little their forced spawning could account for more than random encounter material. the fact that the Chuul have been known However by basing a choker at the heart to have different abilities from one of a string of mysterious child another. disappearances its existence can cause Though I have never encountered a an interesting investigation. Especially Chuul, I have been privy to texts lent to when one begins to think of what the me by the State library and friends in children are being used for. Another plot Darkon. These books mention the involving the malicious Chokers is of a adaptability of the Chuul as a species. As band of mysterious halflings who come such I have jotted down a few of the to town wrapped in desert garb or thick more important adaptations that Illithid coats. They begin to set up their own minds have no doubt cooked up for a thieves guild using their natural skills to more diverse army: make them a terror on the streets, all the while controlled by someone, perhaps a DMs Notes gifted Choker with the capacity for Chuul mutation, as a result of thought, or a Wizard needing particular Illithid interference or perhaps of other unseen masters, the Chuul have become

26 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 more adaptive in the Dread Realms. shift back again as a move- Below is a list of additional abilities that equivalent action (or during a can be added to a Chuul and the relative move-equivalent action). This CR change. When describing the Chuul ability is otherwise identical with one should be sure to include the subtle ethereal jaunt cast by a 15th level or not so subtle differences that sorcerer. +2 CR accompany the change.

Chuul Mutations Delver Acid Spit: The chuul gains a ranged The Delver is one of the stranger attack (range incr. 15ft) with an creatures one can encounter and unlike attack bonus +8, 1d6+3 acid most aberrations is not inherently evil. damage. +1/2 CR Often it is neutral in matters with Poison Claws: The chuuls claws excrete tendencies towards lawfulness. a deadly poison. DC 14 Primary Regardless, however, the Delver is a damage 1d3 Con, Secondary 1d3 remarkably rare creature due to a lack of Con. +1/2 CR caverns large enough to support its Greater Resilience: The chuul gains lifestyle in the Core. Though one or two +10 hit points. +1/2 CR have been linked to travelling within the Biological Bomb: The Chuul may self vast mountains of the Southern Baloks destruct, killing itself as free action and the hot lands of the Amber Wastes to deal 5d6 acid damage in 10 foot were gold and other precious metals lie radius. Victims may make a reflex undiscovered in the North-Western save for half damage. +1 CR mountain ranges. Chameleon Carapace: The chuul gains a +10 bonus to Hide checks and a DMs Notes +5 bonus to move silently checks. When encountered this creature +1 CR can serve as a source of information to Wings: The chuul possesses insectoid the PCs or on a more controversial note, wing, granting it flight, 30ft poor become a captured creature for an evil manoeuvrability. +1 CR wizard’s or nobleman’s experiments, Hardened Carapace: The chuul’s who sees it as a weapon or a tool for the natural armour bonus increases by creation of underground complexes. +1. +1/2 CR Upon encountering a Delver it is best not Spider Gland: The chuul gains the to show any kind of metal or gem that ability to climb walls at a speed of could entice the creature into 15ft, and may cast Web 3times th considering attacking for what it sees as each day as cast by a 9 level food. sorcerer as a supernatural ability. +1 CR Chemically Enhanced Strength: The chuuls attacks gain a +2 bonus to Destrachan A rather interesting monster that damage. +1/2 CR has come under the label ‘aberration’ Phasing Membrane: The chuul can this unusual dungeon-dweller is of above shift from Near Ethereal to average intelligence and evil to its core. Material plane as a free action, and As such most hero’s encounter it at

27 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 random while looting some vast crypt or exceedingly rare. In truth, however, find it acting as a minion or pet for some recent experiments on the isle of greater power. Such enslavement of this Markovia and in Hazlan have bred its beast is perfect for the protection of own driders. The high magical nature of castles and dungeons where it can Darkon has mutated some of its own and employ its sonic abilities to bore through while I am loath to admit it there are walls and make shortcuts with some reports that driders are emerging remarkable speed. Luckily the from the sewers of Paridon with some destrachan is a rare creature while the unknown entity urging them on. few that do exist have usually been When in battle the Drider often summoned by conjurers long since dead. plays on the dears of the party, using Recent news puts small packs in the traps and pits to separate the group and Richemulot sewers and even so far as pick them off one by one. They are the upper tunnels of distant Paridon –no cunning, intelligent and very capable – doubt finding their gifts a superb nothing should be put past them. advantage in the dark miles of tunnels under the cities. DMs Notes Due to its natural intelligence the Obviously the drider’s fearsome beast is more than likely to use its sonic appearance and ability to climb walls gifts in the most effective and while surrounding an area in web (which unpredictable manner. It will try to has on occasion confused heroes into the throw its target off balance and win by assumption of an infestation of spiders whatever means possible. One example or one simple giant spider’s presence) of this is how an attack in complete lends itself to random encounters in darkness lacks any effect upon the deserted caverns or dungeons long since creatures and thus it has been known to abandoned. However it does have the wait several hours until the advantage of intellect, wisdom and pride to scheme surprise and night is with it. The and create a web of lies with the goal of destrachan also possess the remarkable which being to ensnare potential prey ability to blast through walls using its and further their influence, thus they can sonic call, allowing it to seemingly be ‘unseen masters’ in campaigns. attack from anywhere then retreat, only to attack from another direction. I have also read about assassins and bounty hunters training such creatures as Ethereal Filcher ‘tracker dogs’ with the use of their Due to the strong binds of the natural track advantage and the lack of Dread Realms that prevent ethereal any hindrance a building might have travel into other planes, Ethereal Filchers imposed only to disrupt the targets are not native to these lands and any that nerves and knock them out for a live find themselves trapped here must adapt capture. or die. The creature is found almost exclusively in Darkon where it can find the magic it needs to survive. Drider Created in other realms by DMs Notes someone only referenced to as ‘Lolth’ the drider would be expected to be

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anti-magic field. The abilities and Due to its very nature of appearing enchantments fully return when the and disappearing, the filcher is at best a filcher is killed or out of the 25 ft range. random encounter for heroes, being to In some rare cases the filcher’s aura is so unpredictable to cage and not cunning twisted that any spell cast within 15 ft of enough to plan grand plots. it (where its aura is strongest) has a 40% Unconventional usage of the creature is chance of altering into a completely also a must thanks to the more gothic different spell of equal or lesser level and less ‘magical fantasy’ flavour of with the target (if applicable) being Ravenloft. Examples of what filchers chosen by the filcher. mostly do in these lands include kidnappings and working with thieves guilds where they are rewarded by their keepers and friends with small trinkets. Ettercap In some cases others have captured Found in warm forests and tropical filchers or hired them to act as ‘strange jungles the ettercap inhabits the lands presents’ or assassins with their target Falkovnia, Sithicus, the wilds of Verbrek being a certain wizard whom has curried and the equator bound Verdurous Lands. their disfavour. Though most forests can hold their own Filchers that have survived become troupes of them. They mostly rely on more accustomed to the realm of their natural skills, which resemble that shadows and grown stronger and more of spiders and thus use their webs and evil due to the taint their constant travel poison bites to good effect before thrusts onto them. As such the filcher swarming their prey with allies including can now cast Blur and Darkness as a 5th brethren and the spider companions that level sorcerer 3/day. The filcher also has often follow them. Ettercaps are the ability to see through its own territorial creatures and their hunting darkness without aid. grounds are often laden with a fair share of traps. Irregularity aura: Due to its constant nature of moving in and out of DM’s Notes reality and its desire for magic, some Random encounters are common higher power seems to have warped the concerning ettercaps, with parties of filcher’s effect on magic when near the adventurers accidentally entering their area. Perhaps because of its need to feed territory and soon having to defend on magic to survive or some cruel joke themselves. They have a fearsome or maybe even the next stage of its appearance and fast reflexes which evolution the ethereal filcher when makes them a prized weapon in within 25 ft of any spell cast causes a dungeons, torture chambers and arenas. 25% chance that the spell will miscast and be absorbed by the filcher, actually healing the aberration by 1d2 hp for each Gibbering Mouther level of the spell. Any magical weapon One of the more fearsome or item within the filcher’s ‘irregularity creatures in existence, not due to its area’ of 25 ft has a 50% to loose all power to slay but from its mere mind- magical abilities as if affected by an boggling appearance; the mouther is the stuff of nightmares. Perhaps formed by

29 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 wizards in the past, the result of a powerful blows it is not incredibly terrible plague or virus or maybe some strong. creature given substance from the Underground parties sometimes fevered nightmares and dream world of come across them by accident and make the mad. the mistake of attacking immediately. Mouthers may appear anywhere What has recently come to light is that if except areas of extreme cold, where for a Grick is left alone and no sudden some reason they fears to go. There have movements are made to aggravate it, the been disturbing stories from several monster will not attack and is content to kingdoms of twisted scientists perfecting leave well enough alone. Some people torture methods in which a victim is have even been known to train Gricks as slowly becomes a mouther, the trigger pets and guards. Though an expensive for this is apparently some sort of virus procedure, gricks obey their trainers though the means of distribution would much like a faithful dog. obviously be well guarded. One shudders to think of what would happen if one of these diseases got loose; with Assassin grick the large crowds in some cities an The second most common form of epidemic could almost be impossible to grick is what some have labelled as the stop. ‘assassin grick’. Smaller than the typical Grick, the assassin is one and a half feet in length and very slim in width. Its DMs Notes tentacles are only half a foot in length. This aberration’s monstrous Perhaps the strangest of all differences is appearance and technique for feeding the creature’s skin, which changes make it worthy of a story telling device colour to reflect its surroundings. and central cause for monster hunts which could very well lead into the hunt for who or what released it. Assassin grick Small-Size Aberration Hit Dice: 2d8 + 2 (9hp) Grick Initiative: +7 (+3 Dex +4 The Grick, by all outsider reports, Improved Initiative) is found in other lands as an unthinking Speed: 40 ft. climb 30 ft animal-like creature. It resembles a Armour 17 giant worm with a beaked mouth and Class: four tentacles that are attached to the Base Attack: +3/-5 ‘face’. What is not known to these Attack: Poison bite +0 melee, travellers is that the typical Grick is but 4 tentacle rakes +2 one of three forms of the creature. melee The most common grick earns the Full Attack: Poison bite +1 melee, name ‘Grick’ and is found mainly in 4 tentacle rakes +2 Darkon, Nova Vaasa and the Western melee Core, places where tunnels, dungeons Damage: Tentacle rake 1d4, bite and large caves all abound. It is an 1d3+1+poison unintelligent creature and though Space/Reach: 5ft by 5ft resilient in absorbing all but the most Special Chameleon, Damage

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Qualities: Reduction 15/+1, a more primal form of the ‘Mind Flayer’ Poison that evolved at a tangent to its ‘cousin’. Saves: Fort +1, Ref +3, Will Or maybe it is a creature from another +4 dimension yet to be discovered. If one is Abilities: Str 12, Dex 16, Con 12, to blunt this grick is best described as a Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 5 domineering symbiot. It resembles that Skills: Climb +12, Hide +10, of a miniaturized version of the Listen +6, Move traditional Grick save that of its overall Silently +7, Spot +3 colour, being an ash and grey black, and Feats: Weapon focus (bite) an enlarged brain, which sickly pulsates Environment: Any and protrudes from the frontal skull like Organization: Solitary or pair a bulbous tumour. Challenge 3 Rating: Treasure: None Brain Grick Alignment: Usually neutral evil Small-Size Aberration Combat: Hit Dice: 5d8 - 15 (6hp) Assassin gricks are usually Initiative: +0 purchased and employed by assassins to Speed: 5 ft. eliminate specific individuals by Armour 20 (+8 size, +2 natural) releasing the creature into the targets Class: bedchambers while they sleep. However Base Attack: +3/-5 they have been known to breed outside Attack: Leech (see below) +4, captivity, favouring underground bite +0 caverns and dungeons. They are fiercely Damage: bite 1 loyal to their masters having the loyalty Space/Reach: 1ft by 1ft to never turn on them once their Special Leech, Granted host affection has been won. Qualities: abilities, skills and Chameleon: The scales of a grick qualities, Telepathy change colour to match their with host, Ancestral surrounding. Assassin gricks gain a +10 memories, Spell-like bonus to hide checks and may use this abilities ability to hide in plain sight. Saves: Fort +0, Ref +2, Will Poison bite: Fort save (DC 14) +10 initial damage 1d4 Con, secondary Abilities: Str 2, Dex 10, Con 5, damage none. If the save is failed the Int 19 Wis 17 Cha 18 target is subject to having their throat Skills: Bluff +14, Diplomacy muscles relaxing as the poison seeps into +9, Sense Motive +15, their system. This eliminates any use of Knowledge (any three) their voice for 1 hour and stops all spells +9 the individual could cast that involve a Feats: Skill focus (buff), verbal component. toughness Environment: Any Organization: Solitary Brain grick Challenge 5 or host’s +2 The rarest grick is perhaps the Rating: most disturbing. The Brain grick may be Treasure: None

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Alignment: Usually neutral evil mind affecting spells targeting the base creature instead are automatically Combat: directed to the grick (the caster does not The Brain Grick focuses its efforts even have to be aware of the grick for on attaching itself to a victim. Once this to occur) the host also gains the attached, the parasite uses that host as a following adjustments: pawn in its schemes. Str +2, Dex +4, Con + 2 Leech: The Brain grick is a Int, Wis and Cha are replaced with symbiot and thus survives by attaching the grick’s own itself to a Small to Large creature. It AC +2 (natural) usually does this at night while its target Immunity to natural diseases host is asleep, performing a full round Damage Reduction 10/+1 attack to receive an automatic hit and The grick may use its spell like attachment. In combat it can use its abilities while inside the host Leech attack ability to attach itself to the CR +2 base creature with a successful touch The grick retains all memories of attack. the base creature and can use all spells; Once attached the brain grick abilities etc that host could before being cannot be removed save by a Strength controlled. check (DC 25) or cutting it loose Ancestral Memories: When the (dealing 2d8 damage to the base grick leaves, the host retains no creature). Leeching however is an knowledge of the grick’s presence as if almost completely painless procedure its memory had been wiped. The time due to the grick’s ability to secrete a spent with the grick is replaced by false fluid that dulls the attachment area. The memories of the gricks desire. After base creature must make a successful leaving, the grick retains all of the Spot check (DC 18) to notice the knowledge of its previous hosts. attached grick. Within 2d4 +1 rounds the Spell-like abilities: Wall of Force grick will enter the target through any 1/week, Dominate person 1/day, nearby orifice and begin the process of Suggestion 2/day, Charm person or taking control of the target over several animal 3/day. All are cast as if by an 11th days. level sorcerer and have a DC of 17 Each day the Brain grick is inside DM’s Notes the base creature’s body, the victim must A Brain grick is of course an make a will save to avoid the grick excellent candidate for an ‘unseen taking control (DC 15 + 1 for each day master’ type scenario as it changes from the grick has been inside the creature). host to host for various reasons always Removal of the grick once inside require gaining more and more knowledge. surgery and the grick will most likely What it could do with this knowledge is use its spell-like powers (below) to unknown, but no doubt unhealthy for the ensure the target does not reveal its populous that call these lands home. existence. After control is established the grick will try to act as much like the base creature to avoid suspicion. The base Mimic creature now looses all free will and any A mimic is an odd creature, especially in these realms. Often taking

32 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 the guise of common furniture, it takes mimic. Mistakes could have disastrous use of suppositious minds to further its consequences with a battle at best eating desires. More than one party of up time and at worst eating up the hero. adventurers have journeyed into a so- called ‘haunted house’ to find one, or indeed, a family of mimics inhabiting Mind Flayers the rooms and themselves on the main Almost exclusively found on their course of a meal. isle empire of Bluetspur, the Illithids are Because of their close goals of a fearsome opponent in any scenario. causing fear and luring victims to This is not only due to their natural themselves, mimics and animators often resilience to magic and inherent abilities form rather prickly alliances. In such of the mind but also attributed to their cases they travel together from village to capacity for intelligent thought that can village, feeding on fear and people. easily rival that of any human. In the Sometimes they settle down in large world of conspiracy and deception the manors though often the alliance falls mindflayers rule almost unopposed. apart after several months due to the The lifecycle of a typical mimic eating the animator’s source of mindflayer begins in the brain pool as a food. In very rare cases an animator tadpole. They spend many years in this chooses its ward as a mimic, developing state and many do not survive. Later in feelings or respect and comradeship with life their adult masters will provide a the aberration. It is when these close human slave and ‘implant’ the illithid relationships are formed that a hero must tadpole into that human’s ear. The baby be doubly careful. illithid will devour all brain matter in its Mordent and Richemulot have by host’s head and through a process known far the most mimics on record with vast as ‘ceremorphosis’, which transforms numbers of empty houses waiting for a the human into a mindflayer. Only mimic to make its home. They are rare humans are chosen to be transformed in the Southern Core due to a lack of like this as any other creature creates a large furniture owned by the masses and lesser being, an abomination in the eyes hence are more common in the Western of all mindflayers. reaches. Though they are of course well Illithids live for about 125 years known to mimic that of large chests in and breed only twice in their life. Being any variety of dungeons, where they hermaphroditic they have no arguments wait for foolish heroes to walk right into or disputes as to what gender is better, their trap. one is either superior (illithid) or inferior DM’s Notes (not an illithid). Anything lesser is Interesting uses of Mimics involve worthy to have its brain siphoned out false haunted houses, random encounters and devoured for food, as these beings or shell games when trapped in a are famous for. wizard’s or nobleman’s room. This In battle mindflayers use their ‘game’ would no doubt be a trap with a natural talents to the maximum set time limit involving finding the key advantage, not the least of which is their to escape. This key however resides powerful ‘mind blast’ a psionic weapon somewhere in the room with a hidden that incapacitates foes through disrupting their nervous system and making them

33 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 easy prey. An illithid can also spend remark that the description of ‘God time tearing a party apart through brain’ may be less than adequate to dominating certain members or their detail what this monster is capable of. allies and taking great delight in making DM’s Notes their world fall apart. In their plans In the larger scheme of things which can span decades and usually Mindflayers make for excellent unseen always involve the expansion of illithid masters and puppeteers, controlling might, mindflayers rarely make mistakes things from afar while constructing vast due to their ability to play out different plans to conquer the core and reclaim a reactions in their minds based on lost empire that fell to slave rebellion a mathematical probability. If they have a millennia ago. They also have an endless weakness it is their ego. More than one supply of bodyguards to carry out more inquisition or cult of mindflayers have blunt and brutal missions thanks to has their plots foiled by underestimating advanced illithid breeding programs for a group of interfering adventurers. the ‘ultimate soldier’. Thanks to years of One wonders though, why have the toiling away under the blasted landscape mindflayer population simply of Bluetspur, in their laboratories transported themselves to other lands mindflayers are among the most when met with endless failures in their scientifically advanced cultures in these most bold and grandiose schemes. realms and have developed biological Simply start a fresh somewhere new. research centuries ahead of their time. The answer must be theorised that they are incapable. This is the first difference I, humble researcher and student of the occult, have noticed. Something keeps Naga them here and I believe I now know The body and cunning of a snake what. and the intellect of a human, the naga in Even deeper than the usual illithid all its forms is something any hero faces tunnels resides a being referred to simply without the inner fear that they will not as ‘The God Brain’. This conglomerate survive to see the next day. Typically a of brains lies so deep into the earth’s naga lives for 35 years and breeds once crust many mindflayers are unaware of somewhere between the ages of 20 and its existence unless ‘it’ wants them to 25. know -thus the puppeteers have strings In battle a naga may be a of their own it seems. Reaching out with dangerous predator but it is in the safety its psychic tendrils, this being has power of its lair that would-be adventurers to reach others far from its location. I should be most fearful. Full of minions, myself have linked this creature’s traps and armed with a smattering of influence to seemingly random events magical items accumulated over its around the core as if it manipulates lifetime, most groups perish well before occurrences simply to observe the even encountering the lair’s true owner. participants reactions. Whatever goal it DM’s Notes works towards is something I am curious In terms of intellect a naga is hard to uncover but the unfortunate brevity of to beat which attributes to their usual this report prevents me from doing so. In calling as ‘unseen masters’ though any case dear reader let me simply through the multiple species that exist

34 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 some have been known to be captured emerging from the Shadow Rift or the and chained for servitude to corrupt evolved form of some creature trapped guild masters and warlords etc. On the underground when a land conjunction other hand some nagas simply find an occurred only to emerge many years abandoned dungeon near an inhabited later. area and set up a base of operations With such a low capacity for intent on ruling a village or city, creating thought and its beast like nature, one a simple yet dangerous monster hunt wonders what use the otyugh provides to through trap filled dungeons and the world. The answer is a simple one, it monster filled tunnels. doesn’t. Some have occasionally been Dark Nagas in particular have captured as monsters to be chained to a altered somewhat due to their ties to room with garbage so to hide and kill darkness and evil ways. Hence they have anyone that would walk by but most gained certain powers other heroes may often they just inhabit a dungeon or not yet be aware of: The Dark Naga can sewer, feeding, mating and dying now Shadow Jump, thereby having the undisturbed. ability to travel between shadows as if by means of a dimension door spell. The transport must begin and end in an area Rust Monster with some shadow for a total distance of Usually a rare sight in other realms 80 ft. The naga may use this ability this creature resembles something akin 3/day. to a large cockroach and is unfortunately They also have the ability to more common than most realize. It manipulate shadows with the following seems to thrive in the entropy and decay consequences: 3/day they can cast of these realms. One predicts with the darkness or mirror image as a free action growth of using steel and iron for as a 7th level sorcerer. construction in the Western Core, rust Any creature slain by a Dark Naga monster infestation is only decades rises 1d4 rounds later as a ‘shadow’ away. under the Naga’s control. Hence Dark Due to their one and only true need Nagas often have several shadow being a supply of ore and the occasional servants hiding in the darkness waiting piece of purified metal, one can find a for the order to attack. rust monster in most of the largest metropolises of humanity. There they usually live in the sewers or nearby Otyugh underground ruins. When a rust monster is encountered it is usually alone or with A disgusting and grotesque beast its mate (who they keep for life). They that frequents the carrion left over from have also been known to be on the leash battles and living not to far from the of another being and taught how to track surface of the land. Otyughs have also and serve as mounts for goblin leaders. It been sighted in Falkovnia and Nova has often been noted that no mater how Vaasa, where mass graves, pollution and powerful the adventurer a few rust large refuse piles are frequent. monsters will bring them down to size. The origins of otyughs are, like There have also been unconfirmed most aberrations, unknown. Though it reports of scientists employed by the has been theorised they are twisted being Four Towers Alliance creating unnatural

35 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 crossbreeds of rust monsters and humans creature can never truly be tamed, for its so to combat the Falkovnian threat. very mind is chaotic and untrustworthy. Indeed a battalion of soldiers with a rust The secret of their creation has been lost invoking skin would bolster the Four’s to the ages and now they are capable of offensive and defensive power, self-procreation. In terms of location dependent on how they were used. and habitat the umber hulk is found mostly in areas such as caves, deserts and jungle lands, though hardly ever in Skum an areas such as plains, or forests. Used as bodyguards by Aboleths, Disgusting by appearance and skum seek to corrupt isolated villages nature, the umber hulk has been a into the unknown’s dark embrace. Not constant thorn in humanity’s side only do skum need these people for throughout recorded history, turning up working on whatever structure or in unexpected areas of woods and caves. scheme their master demands, but both When one dissects this creature it is human men and women are enslaved for blatantly obvious that their muscles are breeding for the goal of perpetuating the over-developed and that they possess a skum race. mismatch of differing animal parts. They possess the brain of a gorilla, the sensory Skum have become more organs of an insect and the anatomy of organised and intelligent through their some cross between the two. time in servitude. Some have even escaped when their masters have been defeated by groups of heroes. Often they Will-o’-Wisp retreat into obscurity only to late create Common in Mordent, the Shadow cults and pagan worship to answer the Rift and various swamplands, the will- question within them ‘Why do they still o’-wisp are creatures from legends. exist without their god father?’ Skum They seem to delight in luring victims cults have been linked to cities and into the bog and a watery death with villages in Darkon, Dementlieu, Nova calls and the illusion of being a lantern Vaasa and many an isle in the dread seas in the distance. It has been rumoured in – no real coincidence that all these lands some of the more logical-minded lands are linked to the ocean. As such, skum that scientists are hunting the wisps and have learned the ways of both arcane storing them for electrical energy. and divine magic, their power granted by Strange and fantastical falsities, though whatever Dark God they pray to or they do cause some thought. perhaps something even beyond their No one is quite sure what creates a fevered imaginations. wisp, though some theories include that they are the twisted souls of those lost in the mists, or that shadow fey who Umber Hulk capture prisoners torture them only to Often the monstrous servants of release them as will-o’-wisps. A Vistani others, the umber hulk was originally the curse has also been blamed, making creation of Mind flayers wishing to those so blamed forced to observe the make a better servant and miner. They world but never truly be part of it. are also enslaved by those wishing to When roaming the swamps random have a trained monster, though the meetings with these fey are uncommon

36 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 but by no means rare. Mordentish presses. However I urge you not to place travellers swear that turning one’s coat so much stock in the world of inside out when seeing a light in the aberrations being categorised distance wards off the wisps. Some texts completely here. They are the unusual written by suppositious authors promote monsters and beasts that are classified walking in a circle backwards three ‘aberration’ simply because they defy times before beginning a journey is a more conventional identification. They remedy to prevent disastrous encounters. are the miscellaneous category of this In this writers humble opinion such land’s fauna and hence I would not be suggestions are as silly as they are surprised to encounter a completely new varied, though I have seen far too many and chance creature on my next travel. strange things in my travels to dismiss them out of hand right away. Where ever you go may your luck be true and your legs swift, And so dear reader my work has Malwid C. Hardy been finished. My guide to the strangest Amateur Botanist and Zoologist of the world’s creatures is sent to the

37 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Perilous Pursuits Shay-Lot Cultist By Joseph “Bela” Zettelmaier [email protected]

The sea storm raged on the cliff- robe to keep himself steady. Finally, the side town of Polton. Windows were cloaked man spoke, his voice clear locked down, animals were penned in despite the downpour. the barns and every living soul was “Look.” He said, and waved his safely huddled indoors... all but one. A hands towards the sea below. Off in the single cloaked individual stood at the distance, another massive thunderbolt sea cliffs, strangely still despite the struck the waters. His eyes grew wide at roaring winds blowing off the Sea of what the lightening revealed. Deep Sorrows. below the sea’s surface, Siward’s sharp Siward had lived in Polton all his eyes saw something that chilled him to long life; he’d seen many odd things in the bone. It looked like a massive spire, his fifty-six years. Yet something about jutting up from the very blackest of the stranger on the cliffs troubled him. depths. But it was no tower built by He was about to blow out his lantern man. It was spiraled and twisted, made and go to bed when the gnawing guilt set of some substance unlike stone or wood. in. Like many in the Martira Bay area, The light shimmered on its surface, like Siward was a devout believer in the sunlight on a fish’s scales. Overseer. Leaving some poor soul to die Something about the structure on the reefs below seemed decidedly seemed to be pulling at his mind, as if he unseemly. Throwing on his thick cloak, was being watched... judged by Siward trudged out of his cabin and something that found him wanting. towards the cliff. Siward felt as if he were on the edge of “Hey! Hey! Come away from madness, and what he saw next nearly there!” he called to the shrouded man, pushed him over. A massive, awful who seemed not to hear. That was tentacle slithered across the surface of unsurprising, considering the howl of the the spire. Even over the storm, the wind and the crash of the waves. Wiping people of Polton could hear his scream. the downpour from his face, he called “Do you see it?” called the again. Still, there was no response. cloaked man. Siward didn’t respond, Finally, Siward made it to the man, still in a state of near-insanity. The though he nearly fell in the ever- stranger grabbed Siward’s head and increasing mud. He grabbed the man by finally the old Darkonian could see the the shoulders, but even still he did not man’s face. His skin was wet and slimy respond. Suddenly, the stranger threw with a greenish sheen, his mouth his arms up to the heavens, a gesture impossibly wide and filled with small accentuated by a blaze of thunder. fangs. No hair showed on his face, not Siward was knocked to his knees by the even eyebrows or eyelashes. But most deafening roar. He held the stranger’s disturbing were his eyes, huge and pale

38 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 like those of a fish. The thing bore the Ancients and their servitors sealed shape of a man, but was clearly a man themselves in the city as it crumbled. no longer. Hoping to live long enough to reclaim “Do you see?!” screamed the their world, the Ancients placed all hideous man-thing. The words assaulted within the city into a magical slumber. Siward’s ears and mind as well. He This hibernation would keep them all tasted blood in his mouth, and suspected alive without food or aging, but they that his eyes were bleeding. would be unable to wake themselves. “I SEE! I SEE!” wept Siward, and They would lie in slumber until some the stranger pulled him to his feet. With outside creatures rediscovered the city. one strong arm he held the old man over These outsiders would reawaken long- the sea. The other hand slid into the forgotten magic, and through archaic folds of his cloak, where he produced a magic and sacrifice, the Lost City of the dagger with a bone blade. In one swift Shay-Lot would rise again. For untold motion, he slit Siward’s throat and let ages the Ancients have slept, though him fall into the ravenous waves. now it seems as though their wait is at its “Then see no more,” whispered end. the cultist, watching the body fall. He A few years ago, a wereray named looked back to the sea once again, Hilde Borganov stumbled upon part of though this time it did not bless him with the lost city while hunting the depths a glimpse of the Lost City of the Shay- near Darkon. She uncovered some of Lot. He’d never been there himself, but the hidden secrets there and was able to when he and his brethren were worthy, decipher some of their runic language. the ancients would summon them. The Later, she found a sealed temple, faithful would shed their human skin and surrounded by statues of hideous, be welcomed by the things that had been primordial sea creatures. Hilde became here far longer than humankind. obsessed with awakening the creatures The cultist spun back to the within, which she believes are the Shay- mainland and disappeared into the Lot themselves. To this end, she darkness. ventured to the Darkonian coastal town of Tidemore and infected nearly half the The Shay-Lot are a race lost in population with lycanthropy. There, she obscurity. The few who are aware of the lured the unsuspecting to the town, to be Shay-Lot say they existed in millennia turned either into followers or sacrifices. past, when the world held no mortals. It Borganov’s plans were destroyed when a was a time when the Ancients ruled this group of wandering adventurers came to land, creatures who were neither gods Tidemore, defeating Hilde and nor demons but quite similar to both. slaughtering her followers. Their kingdom was a massive city that A few members of the Cult of the jutted out of the ocean, as the Ancients Shay-Lot, however, escaped. Though themselves were creatures of the sea. they lacked a leader, they were The Ancients were struck down by possessed with a purpose. They an opposing force, powers of great evil contacted many other sea-dwelling evils, that felt threatened by the Ancient’s learning their ways and slowly collecting power. Great storms swept the realms the lore of the Ancients. In the years and the City sank below the waves. The since, the Cult has rebuilt itself and

39 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 expanded its influence. Now virtually Spells: Able to cast 3rd level every domain touching the sea is home Arcane or Divine spells to a cultist. Under the new leadership of Special: The subject must have the Mordentish wereshark Zebidiah failed a Madness Check at least Cain, the Cult seeks out eldritch secrets. once. No one who is remotely sane They hunt for scholars of the arcane and would undergo this process or give pour over their collections of lore. Still, themselves to the Ancients. the Cult moves slowly and secretly, Most importantly, the supplicant drawing virtually no attention to itself. must have received the Dark The search has been slow but eventful, Calling, a “gift” from the Ancient for the cult has uncovered the rituals that Ones. The character will receive a transform a mortal being into a creature series of nightmares, terrifying of the sea, blessing them with strange visions of the ocean and hideous powers. Cain considers this a blessing, creatures beneath the waves. When and hopes that soon the cult will have they awake, they will feel a pull to enough knowledge to raise the Lost City. a secret enclave in Mordent. Those Should this happen, an evil older than who follow that pull will find time will wash over the Domains of themselves at the Cult’s lair. There, Dread. they are approached by Cain, who will gauge if they have truly been chosen. Those who haven’t, or Shay-Lot Cultist decide to turn their back on the While there are many members Cult don’t live long enough to within the cult who are simply thugs or reveal what they found. madmen, this Prestige Class applies only to those who have been “blessed” by Class Skills: Zebidiah Cain with a bizarre The Shay-Lot Cultist’s class skills metamorphosis. The vast majority of (and Key ability for each skill) are: cultists are fallen priests, though several Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), wizards and sorcerers fill their ranks as Concentration (Con), Decipher Script well. Former priests must abandon their (Int), Disguise (Cha), Gather deities and devote themselves wholly to Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), the worship of the Ancients. Most other Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana) classes either do not qualify, or simply (Int), Knowledge (Religion) (Int), Listen find the cult’s lunatic lifestyle (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Search unappealing. (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft Hit Dice: d8 (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str). Requirements: To become a Shay-Lot Skill Points at each Level: 3 + Int Cultist (SlC), a character must meet the Modifier following requirements: Alignment: Lawful Evil Class Features Base Attack: +2 All of the following are Class Skills: Knowledge (Arcana) 4 Features for the Shay-Lot Cultist ranks, Knowledge (Religion) 4 prestige class. ranks, Spellcraft 5 ranks Weapons & Armor Proficiency: Feats: Endurance, Voice of Wrath Shay-Lot Cultists are proficient with all

40 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 simple weapons and light armor. Cultists prefer to go without armor, as it Third Transformation: At third level, allows them secrecy on land and the Cultist swim speed increases by 10 swiftness in water. feet. Also, the supplicant no longer Spells and Caster Level: All suffers penalties for fighting in water. Shay-Lot Cultists continue gaining The cultist gains the ability to spew forth levels in whatever spellcasting class they a cloud of ink while submerged. This prior to their conversion. However, they cloud functions like the spell Obscuring do so at a slower rate (one class level per Mist except that it only functions every two SiC levels). As such, a underwater. The cultist can produce this clerical Cultist would only gain ink cloud 3 times a day. additional spellcasting abilities at every The physical changes continue; the other level. cultist’s eyes move apart and their skin turns slightly green. As a result, the First Transformation: At first level, the cultist loses one point of charisma and Shay-Lot Cultists undergoes the First their Outcast Rating goes up by 1 point. Transformation. It is a process in which the supplicant’s body is infused with the Fourth Transformation: At fourth otherworldly energies of the Ancients. level, the Cultist has become a truly The change manifests in several ways: strange creature. The cultist’s First, the Cultist grows gills along the Constitution score rises by 2 points side of his neck. These gills are easily permanently. The supplicant can also concealed, but they do allow to Cultist to call forth aquatic creatures to aid them, breathe water as easily as air. The cultist as though they had cast the spell also gains a Swim speed equivalent to Summon Natures Allies III except that it their land speed. Finally, the cultist summons only sea life. The cultist may gains Darkvision 60’. If the Cultist use this ability twice each day. already has Darkvision, it increases to 90 The Cultist’s eyes have moved to feet. the sides of their head and have turned a shade of pale white. Their skin is now Second Transformation: At second scaly and short fins begin to jut from level, the transformations become more their backs. The cultist loses another noticeable. The Cultist’s skin begins to point of Cha and their outcast rating secrete an oily substance. While not rises another point. immediately noticeable, it does give the Cultist the constant scent of the sea and Fifth Transformation: At this point, the allows the Cultists a +4 Profane Bonus Cultist has finished the transformation to Escape Artist checks. and can no longer be called human. The The Cultists also grows small final metamorphosis requires an entire claws on their hands, and fangs. This day in which the Cultist can make no gives them a claw/claw/bite attack of action beyond resting. The cultist’s 1d4/1d4/1d6, with the bite attack as a bones become cartilage, their fingers and secondary weapon at a -5 penalty to hit. toes become webbed, their mouth The transformation is now more evident, extends to both sides of their head, and costing the Cultists 1 point of permanent all of their body hair falls out. The Cha loss. Cultist’s type permanently changes to

41 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8

Aberration and they are no longer ability to channel the mind-warping susceptible to spells specifically reality in which the Shay-Lot exists. As affecting Humanoids. They gain a +3 a standard action, the cultist may make a natural armor bonus to their AC and the gaze attack against any creature within damage from their claws rises to 1D6. visual range. This attack bombards the The cultist can spew their ink cloud four target with psychic images of bizarre, times each day, and use their Summon otherworldly evil, forcing the victim to Nature’s Allies III ability a total of three make a Horror Save. times a day. Finally, the cultist loses 3 more In the fifth transformation the points of Charisma and gains another 2 cultist of Shay Lot gains the supernatural points to their Outcast Rating.

The Shay-Lot Cultist Level Attack Bonus Fort Ref Will Special Ability Spells per Day 1st +1 +2 +1 +0 First Transformation 2nd +2 +2 +2 +0 Second Transformation +1 level of existing class 3rd +3 +3 +2 +1 Third Transformation 4th +4 +3 +3 +2 Fourth Transformation +1 level of existing class 5th +5 +4 +4 +3 Fifth Transformation

42 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 The Human Ooze Puddle or Predator? By Tadelin Darkblade [email protected]

"We chased the suspect into the only for humans, and his mind had lost alley, but he had disappeared. PC almost all of his previous logic. Hamilton moved in first, being as careful After being run off for the last as he could be, but nothing could time, he returned to the nearby village, prepare us for what happen. The and decided that he would eat his fill. puddle... It... It stood up. It stood up and His body had withered away and become attacked him..." frail due to his habits, and he was able to - A first-hand account from a hide easily in the village well. Over the Paridon police constable. course of the next few days, he would climb out of the well at night, and work The origin of the human ooze is his way into a house. The wizard's body widely speculated, and every bard seems had become conditioned to being around to have a different tale. A common oozes, that he was able to move as one. thread found in these tales is that many Flowing through cracks under doors, the years ago an outlander human wizard had moved into house after committed an unspeakable evil, resulting house, devouring the inhabitants while in a horrific transformation. Though they slept. conjecture, this tale is not far from the When the villagers finally realized truth. that they were losing their neighbors, the Centuries ago, a mad human wizard-ooze had already worked through wizard became obsessed with the a third of the population. The villagers creatures commonly called oozes. As he pleaded for help from and group of spent more time around the oozes, he would-be heroes that wandered through. began to believe that he had become one A group of such people eventually of them. The wizard would often wear heeded the cries for help, but the village oozes as if they were clothing, and speak was almost completely lost by then, as to them as if the creatures were capable only a handful of families remained. of understanding him. In one of his After a long skirmish with the wizard, many fits of dementia, the wizard heard the warriors managed to trap the wizard- the oozes telling him that humanity was ooze in the well he had been using for a nothing more than a food source. He hiding place. Using what magic they believed their words, and started to prey could, the party sealed the well, keeping on humans. Eventually he was run out the rapidly degenerating humanoid of every town and village in his land. locked away from the rest of the world, While no one could prove that he was hopefully to wither away to nothingness. responsible for the large number of Time and wars changed the lands around disappearances in the land, he was the well, and few remembered why the shunned. By this time, his hunger was well was sealed.

43 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8

In the year 551 BC, the well was +0 brought into the mists as part of the Abilities: Str 18, Dex 10, Con 21, lands surrounding the city of Paridon. Int 7, Wis 11, Cha 1 With the change in the aura of the land, Skills: Climb +9, Hide +10 the magic sealing the well weakened, Feats: Great Fortitude, and eventually faded away completely. Improved Initiative, When the well was discovered again, Improved Natural what lay within was not the wizard, but Attack (slam) the ooze that he had become. Climbing Environment: Any out of the well, the ooze set about Organization: Solitary dealing with the most primitive of Challenge 8 desires; the need to feed. With a Rating: plethora of places to hide and an ample Treasure: None population to pick from, the ooze had Alignment: Always neutral found a new feeding ground. Advancement: - In recent years it has fled Paridon Outcast - and is rumored to be within the core Rating: itself. Some tales claim that it has the ability to replicate itself, and others tell At first glance, this ooze looks to of it having the ability to split in two. As be little more than a puddle on the such, no one can be certain where the ground. Closer inspection reveals that original ooze is today. there appears to be fluid flowing within the ooze itself, almost like blood flowing through veins. People who have viewed Human Ooze a human ooze long enough swear that Large Ooze they can see the faces of the ooze's Hit Dice: 12d10+60 (102 hp) victims flowing within the fluid. Human Initiative: +4 (Improved oozes appear to understand all of the Initiative) languages they knew in life, though they Speed: 10 ft (30 ft. when are incapable of speaking them. While coalesced) they may not possess the appropriate Armour 9 (-1 size) anatomy for speaking, a human ooze can Class: actually carve words into soft earth or Base Attack / +8/+16 dust to communicate. They have been grapple: known to use this ability to communicate Attack: +11 slam with other sentient creatures for mutual Damage: 2d6+4 slam plus poison gain. In one case, a human ooze Space/Reach: 5 ft by 5 ft convinced a band of kobolds to build a Special Constrict, create snares for it in exchange for the Attacks: spawn, improved grab, possessions of the creatures killed. poison. Special Blind sight 60 ft., Combat: The human ooze has an Qualities: coalesce, fire appetite that knows no bounds, and will immunity, ooze traits, use as many tricks and traps as it can split, vulnerability to muster to slate its hunger for humans. cold. They possess a distinct hatred for spell Saves: Fort +6, Ref +0, Will

44 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 casters, and will target a group’s wizards versus poison due to excessive contact. or sorcerers first. The human ooze is Immunity to Fire (Ex): Human adept at lying in wait for prey but also oozes take no damage from fire and fire- plans ambushes and escape routes. based spells, instead being healed for the Strangely enough, this ooze has damage that would otherwise be caused. been found with oozes of other types, If this healing brings the ooze back to its living in the territory and sharing prey. starting hit points, the extra healing is With the ooze’s ability to immobilize its gained as temporary hit points. victims, a common ploy has been to Improved Grab (Ex): To use this attack and paralyze a group of travelers, ability, the human ooze must hit with its and then let the other oozes in the area slam attack. It can then start a grapple as feast on all but one of the bodies. a free action without provoking an attack When pressed into melee combat, of opportunity. If it wins the grapple the ooze will use the coalesce ability and check, it establishes a hold and can strike at any perceived enemies with its constrict. slam attack. If losing, the ooze can also Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC make use of the higher movement rate to 21. On a failed save, the target will run away. become paralyzed for 2d4 rounds. If the first save is failed, a second save is Coalesce (Ex): A human ooze can required at the end of the initial duration, form itself into a humanoid shape as a failure meaning that the individual full action. It can maintain this form remains paralyzed for one hour. The indefinately, or until struck by a piercing save DC is Constitution based. or slashing weapon. As a free action, it Split (Ex): Slashing and piercing can return to its formless ooze state. weapons deal no damage to a human While in humanoid shape, the ooze can ooze. Instead, the creature splits into two wield any simple weapon, and its identical oozes, each with half the movement rate becomes 30 ft. If forced original's hit points (round down). An to split, it will return to the formless ooze with 10 hit points or less cannot be ooze state. further split and dies if reduced to 0 hit Constrict (Ex): A human ooze points. deals automatic slam damage on a Vulnerability to Cold (Ex): A successful grapple check. Grappled human ooze takes an extra 50% damage opponents take a -4 to the Fortitude save from any cold-based spell or effect.

45 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 The Hunted Original Fan Fiction David "The Jester" Gibson [email protected]

“Same again, sir?” The traveler waved his hand and the bartender poured another serving of the dark brown liquid into the small glass. The Traveler picked up the glass and swirled the dark drink around, staring at the distorted image of the person inside. The glass held a person whose hair was shaggy and in need of a trim and whose face was rough with stubble. His face had collected dust on the bristles giving him a dusky grey appearance. The traveler tipped back the glass and downed the liquid in a single motion. The warmth in his throat and belly filled him removing the chill from his bones, at least for a while. There was a crash from the outside shutters that violently shook as a sudden stronger gale rushed past outside. The Traveler jerked at the sound, his hand flying to his side under his cloak. His face scowled and he slowly turned back around setting down the glass again. He motioned his hand for a refill. The bartender walked back over. There were precious few people in the small tavern that evening. Only the two of them truth be told. The spring storm outside had kept the local regulars at home and outsiders passing through had holed up in the inn down the street for warmth and intoxication. All save the one. “Are you sure you want another?” The bartender asked. “If you need to be hauled back to where yer sleepin’ don’t look it me. Got help?” The Traveler grunted slightly as his glass filled up. “No, I’m alone.” “Alone? No traveling companions?” The bartender asked putting the lid back on the bottle. “Ain’t that a bit dangerous? Walkin’ about by yourself?” “Got no one.” The Traveler mused staring into his drink again. The person inside the glass stared back, his small dark eyes staring back at their twins. Who was this person in his reflection, the Traveler wondered? That dirty and weary looking figure in the worn cloak and shirt that had been repaired one too many times. The stretched and haggard face that look familiar but refused to be placed. “Everyone has someone.” The Bartender said wiping down the bar with a rough rag. “Not me.” The Traveler said tipping his glass and sipping gently at the liquid. “Not anymore.” The Bartender nodded his acknowledgement. He knew how to talk to people, how to read their unspoken words. He’d have him talking soon enough. He turned and picked up another glass for himself and poured himself a round. The Traveler shrugged and continued sipping on his drink slowly letting the tingling liquid lay on his tongue before swallowing. Like heated needles jabbing into in his mouth. “Not anymore.” He repeated the words softly letting them slide off his lips. Tasting the sentence as if to add realism that was lacking.

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The Bartender pointed at the Traveler’s hand. It was a rough callused hand that had seen much work and was wrapped tightly with a thick grey bandage. On one finger was a small ring of coiled silver strands woven together inseparably. The Bartender gestured at it. “Unusual. Ya don’t strike me as a jewelry person.” The Traveler looked down and spun the ring about his finger with his other hand. “It was… I used to be married.” “What happened?” “She died.” There was a tap as the Travel’s glass hit the bar. For a moment it hung in the air, the only sound save for the thick wet slow striking the walls. The Bartender nodded again and refilled their glasses. “This one’s on the house.” “Thanks.” The Traveler said picking up his glass and staring in. “But she’s been dead for years.” “Never gets easier though. Hard ta lose a loved one. Hard ta survive.” The Traveler nodded. “Sounds like experience talking.” “I’ve known loss.” “Strange. She dies and I’m the one who stopped living.” The Bartender nodded and uncorked the bottle pouring himself another round. He set the bottle on the counter and pulled up his stool. “So what happened?” “You’d just think I was crazy.” The Bartender scratched behind his ear for a second and pointed across the room. “This happened about ten years ago. There was a regular of mine, name of Dyson. Always sat over there by the window while he drank his ale. Never talked much he did. Quiet sort. But he came every day and never caused trouble so I let him be. Then one day he stopped comin’. No one knew what happened, we just figured he moved. Nobody ever sat in Dyson’s chair; it was too close to the window. Always complaining about the cold, like it was too drafty. But I never noticed one.” The Traveler nodded. “Don’t see what this has to do with me.” “I’m getting there. Shortly after that I redecorated the place and moved that table away from the window. Closer to the fireplace where there’s less of a draft. The next mornin’ I opened the bar and found the table back where it was. Right up against the window. So I hauled up my sleeves and moved it back to the fire. Next day it were up against the window again. Eventually I gave up haulin’ that lump of lumber across the room and just let it sit. Specially after I realized who was moving it. I don’t care if no one else want’s to sit there. Dyson does and ya respect your regulars.” The Traveler grunted and looked at the empty table by the window. It looked cleaner than other tables, less stained. A fresh unused candle lay in the middle. The window above was white with wet sticky snow. “Still don’t quite get your point.” “My point is everyone has their story. And not everyone will think you insane for yours.” The Traveler allowed himself a half-smile. “But my story is less… quaint than yours. And a lot more dangerous. You see I was a farmer to the north. Simple man in a simple village. Hadn’t set foot out of there in my life. Even married the girl next door.” “Sounds nice.” “It was. And she was so beautiful. Dark brown hair that was almost black and these soft hands. She had the most perfect fingers. I still remember our wedding.” The Traveler

47 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 smiled at the memory. It changed his whole face as the time on the road melted away as if it never existed. He was younger than he looked, and far less severe. “One day she was attacked on her way home from the mill. Nothing serious, she tore her dress and bumped her head pretty bad. They found the guy who did it a little while later. Dead. Looked like he had smashed his head open against some rocks. Not much left.” The Bartender moved closer, the wooden stool squeaking against the floor. “Then what happened?” “Nothing. My wife complained about some headaches for a while but they quickly vanished. She got healthy and her appetite returned. She was eating so much we figured she was with child. We were so happy at the idea of having kids. She wanted to be a mother so badly. Had names picked out and everything. I’m sure she’d been planning that since she was a child herself. But then she started acting strange. Forgetting things, making mistakes. She was an excellent cook and yet she began to regularly burn dinner. And she was so pale and weak all the time. Always complaining about being tired. I thought that was the worst of it, but I was wrong.” The Traveler held up his glass for a refill. The Bartender splashed it full spilling drops on the counter, curious about what the Traveler would say next. “Then the strangeness really began. She got better but began saying strange things. Talking in languages she didn’t know, about places she’d never been. Nothing too obvious, just little slips of the tongue. A reference here or a comment there. It was if she had forgotten who she was and was just pretending.” “So she’d forgotten everything?” “No, it was more than that. She remembered things. She knew who and where she was and knew who I was. But she didn’t act the same. It was the small things. The way she combed her hair or how she walked. She stopped laughing at my jokes. She hardly smiled at all.” “Are you just going to leave me in suspense or ya gonna say what happened to her?” “Didn’t know myself for the longest time.” The Traveler said pulling out a small scroll from a pouch. “I visited doctor after doctor. Traveled for miles in every direction looking for anyone who knew anything. I was gone for a few days and when I returned she was dead.” “How?” The Traveler looked at the stranger’s reflection in his untouched drink and held tight to the small scroll in his other hand. The parchment crackled softly in his hand. “Something burst out from her head. Tore her skull apart like old wood. I came back and found her lying cold and limp on there. It just left her in the middle of the room to rot.” “Something was living in her head?” The Bartender repeated. The Traveler nodded slowly. “Found some paw prints outside the house. Spent most of my time roaming woods hunting deer so I know prints. These were like nothing I’d seen before. Four legs. Small, with three toes with large talons.” The Traveler unrolled the scroll onto the bar. Pictured on it was a hideous creature that defied logic. It was a hideous wrinkly grey mass atop four clawed legs. “It looks like a… a…” The Bartender paused to rethink the description.

48 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8

“I know.” The Traveler forced a reassuring smile. It was an interesting mix of humorous and disturbing. A brain with legs. If you hadn’t seen it, you’d laugh he thought. “Got this a few months after my wife died. I was traveling around looking for anyone who could tell me what had happened. This passing bard gave this to me. Claimed to have won it from a warlock or something. He called it an Intellect Devourer.” “Unbelievable.” “That’s what I thought. Didn’t believe him at first. It was creepy the way he never stopped smiling, like he was laughing at a private joke. Anyway, his information paid off though. I found one that looked just like this. It was unbelievable, I had trouble believing my own eyes.” “What was it like… in the flesh?” “Smaller than it looks on paper. Less than a foot long. But quick, near impossible to hit. Its body is hard, like it has a shell. I hit it with a half dozen arrows and none stuck. Bounced right off. Struck it with a lamp full of burning oil and it never even slowed down.” “Impressive.” The Traveler nodded finishing off his drink. The Bartender poured another, his own remaining untouched in front of him. The Traveler shrugged. “It would have been even more impressive if I’d have killed it. But nothing. Luckily it ran away from the flame or it may have killed me. Found a couple more over the months with similar results. Heck, could have even been the same one, they all look rather alike.” “So what did you do?” “The only thing I could. Find out what it is, how it works. If I know what it wants I know where it will be. Then I can avenge my wife.” “What have you learned?” “Nothing that makes any sense.” The Traveler said resting his head in his hands. A strand of dirty hair fell down in front of his face.“Talked to all manner of people who must be as crazy as I am. They talk of thing that walk like men but have tentacles where their mouths should be. Like they have squids for heads. Apparently these things raise Devourers, treat them like pets. Use them as spies.” “Spies? You’d think you’d notice one of these bugger runnin’ around peeping in windows and the like.” The Traveler shook his head. “No, they have a better way. See, these things attack you, and when you’re stunned they cut you and crawl inside your head. They eat your brain and walk around wearing your body like a suit!” “Like they did with your wife?” “No. No, what they did to her was different. I thought that’s what it did for a while, but… I know different now.” “So what do you know now?” “I’m getting there. See, when they get inside your head they absorb what you know. Digest your memories. But the host bodies don’t last long, maybe a week. That thing was in my wife for a month. That’s what confused me. Went against what all the other evidence pointed to. Because they’re inhuman, so even if they know everything their host knows they’ll still act different. They’re colder and have no real emotions. And they’re not driven by the same urges as we are. The hosts don’t eat much and sleep even less. And they’re stiff and clumsy. Just like my wife was. It made so much sense.”

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“So that’s how you identify one? They’re clumsy?” “Sometimes. They also don’t like light. I noticed that with my wife. The rooms were always dark and the lanterns turned down low. She would jerk abruptly whenever I turned up the flame. Most of the times they just act strange, eerie. Like they’re one second behind the entire world.” “So where do these things come from?” The Bartender asked passing over a small plate of leftovers. The Traveler picked slowly at the small slices of baked potatoes. “South of Barovia. Used to be another land down there before the Great Upheaval. Wasteland of rock and hills called Bluetspur.” “I’ve heard of it. The Thaani came from there. Long ago.” “So did the Devourers, sent out by their masters to see what else was around. Probably left with the Thaani. Went where they went, unseen and unknown. Then the Mists rose up and engulfed Bluetspur. Now I guess they’re on their own doing whatever they please.” The Bartender refilled the Traveler’s glass. “You still haven’t told me what happened to yer wife.” The Traveler sipped on his drink. His hands quivered slightly and the stranger in the glass blurred as the drink waved and shook. “This is mostly my own guess, from bits and pieces I’ve picked up. I haven’t learned anything about their biology, how they breed or what they eat. Nothing. No one knows. I reckon that whatever or however they breed normally, doesn’t work outside of their mountain pits.” “So they’re dying out then, you’re in luck then.” The Traveler shook his head. “I don’t think so. Instead I think they’re using people as hosts, injecting bits of themselves inside people’s brains to grow. Copying themselves whenever they get too old or injured or sick. They just lie dormant inside some innocent victim, like my wife, while their old body goes out of control. It becomes just a mindless rampaging shell.” They stood silent for a moment. Behind them the storm howled fiercer for a second. The outer door shook abruptly for a second. Neither turned. The Bartender looked up and dipped his finger in his untouched drink. Pulling it out he sucked slowly on the tip. “So now you hunt these things. To revenge yourself for your wife.” “I’m closing in every day. See, I think they travel in groups, pods I’ve heard them called. So they leave a lot of distinct bodies around whenever they’re masquerading as people, gathering information or what have you. I’ll catch up one day and avenge her death.” “Well I wish you luck on that.” The Bartender said tapping his glass against the Traveler’s. “I think you’ll need it.” The Traveler nodded and picked up his own glass. “As long as I keep my guard up and am ready for anything.” The Bartender nodded and refilled his guest’s glass. “Not doing a very good job of that. How many of these have you had? Eight? Nine? That can’t be good for your guard.” He looked up and slowly. Their eyes met. The Traveler rose and tried to back up. He stumbled over his chair and collapsed onto the floor. He struggled to rise but the room seemed to spin around him bobbing and weaving. The Bartender rose and climbed slowly over the bar.

50 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8

“How did… what…” the Traveler muttered attempting to free his sword from its scabbard. “I remembered your fondness for warm drink on stormy days, oh ‘husband’. And I was curious about how much you have learned of us.” The ‘Bartender’ hauled the Traveler’s sword from its sheath and swung the blade a few times. “Nice balance. Good craftsmanship. Would not have been much use against me and mine.” The ‘Bartender’ placed a foot firmly on the Traveler’s chest and held the smaller man onto the ground. “Now,” He said calmly as the expression vanishing from his face, save for a cruel grin. “Let us find out what else you know.”

51 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Dread Devourers Intellect Devourers in the Land of Mists David "The Jester" Gibson [email protected]

As it consumes the brain of an Hosts intended receptacle, the Devourer To perform their mission as spies absorbs all of its knowledge and for the illithids, devourers invade the memories. All secrets and thoughts are bodies of humanoid hosts. When a know possessed by the aberration. Devourer takes over a host’s body, it However, despite absorbing the literally crawls inside the skull of the memories of the Host the Devourer has chosen victim eating the brain as it goes. trouble applying this knowledge. The The lower back of the Devourer sends Devourer cannot attempt to use any out thin tendrils that intertwine with the Feats, Skills or Class Abilities the host host creature’s spinal column allowing it knew in life. to animate it. Host bodies fall apart rapidly Devourers have imperfect control suffering a combination of decay and over newly stolen bodies, for they can fatigue. As Devourers do not need to eat only use the body to the limits of its own in the same manner they seldom compromised abilities. As well, the remember to feed their Host’s bodies. A amount of damage the body can take is body will last for 1d4+4 days plus any drastically reduced; the body can only Constitution modifiers the Host may take so much punishment before it is have previously had. unusable and uncontrollable. All Devourers tend to posses the statistics physical statistics are replaced bodies of victims who are still alive or by the Devourer’s or remain unchanged are dying, and only enter the heads of which ever is lower. Mental statistics are the dead as a last option. Corpses that all replaced by the Devourer’s. The have been dead for longer than a week Host has six hitpoints plus one for ever cannot be used as Hosts unless they have character level the host possessed. When been specially preserved. Bodies of the the hitpoints have been expended the dead used as Hosts suffer a –2 penalty to body is not destroyed, it is simply no Dexterity and Initiative and move 10ft longer usable. The amour class of the slower than their base speed. Host is unchanged, but the base attack The bodies of former Hosts can be bonus the devourer uses while using the resurrected if a Regenerate spell is body is a maximum of +4. Devourers quickly cast on the remains within a usually avoid combat when possible minute of the Devourer’s exit, providing given this frailty of their Hosts. The the body was not already dead. However speed of the Host is unchanged, though the former Host is never quite what they the devourer requires time to adapt to the were and permanently loses a point of new surroundings. For the first twelve Intelligence. After such spiritual trauma, hours in a new host the Devourer suffers madness is also often a result. a –2 penalty to initiative.

52 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8

its host’s intelligence. It will continue to gain Intelligence until it reaches its Spawning maximum, although once it has Devourers normally produce uncontested control it is considered offspring, known as ustilagor, as their fully-grown and can leave the body at method of reproduction. However, this is anytime. rarely done in Ravenloft for reasons While it is gestating the Devourer unknown. Instead, some Devourers have is vulnerable to some forms of magic, developed the ability known as such as the Remove Disease spell. After ‘spawning’. It does not replenish their it has completed its slow take-over of the numbers but prevents what few that do brain it is no longer subject to such exist from succumbing to poisons or spells. Instead it must be actually illness. removed, either through surgery or A Host is found, much like when magic. Devourers perform their Body Thief ability, however instead of crawling inside the victim’s skull they implant a Salient Powers small piece of themselves. This ‘seed’ Intellect Devourers have been remains dormant for a period of time and known to exhibit other abilities over nourishes itself by drawing strength time. Scholars are unsure if they are born from the Host. In response the Host’s with the potential for these abilities or appetite increases and then it usually learn them during their life span. It is becomes weak and lethargic. This is the theorized that the roles or tasks they are dormancy period and lasts 1d4+1 weeks. assigned play some part in their Meanwhile the original body of the development of salient powers, as if the Devourer decays rapidly and losses all Devourer’s self-image influences what rational thought as that part of it has they are and can do. been removed. If it is in possession of a Host both quickly become violent Detect Thoughts (Su) irrational beings seeking only the CR Adjustment: +1 destruction of themselves and others. If This ability allows the Devourer to they do not kill themselves within a few sense if intelligent or thinking creatures hours they collapse into a vegetative are close to it. This allows it to state as their brain and former Devourer distinguish animals form higher beings begins to liquefy. as well as prevents it from being The new host of the Devourer’s surprised. The power functions in a consciousness slowly wastes away until sphere all around the Devourer with a the malevolent intelligence hiding inside radius of 40ft. Once a creature is within awakes. It slowly begins to take control range the Devourer is instantly aware of of the Host’s mind, spreading its its presence and location and can act influence slowly outward. The Host accordingly. Thinking creatures who are loses one point of Intelligence every day aware of this ability can attempt to hide while the parasite inside gains one. their thoughts and are allowed a Will After the Devourer larva possesses the Saving Throw (DC 19) to avoid majority of the brain it can effectively detection. control the body. The drain continues until the Devourer has consumed all of Empower Host (Su)

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CR Adjustment: +2 often coat their claws with the substance The Devourer has the ability to to render victims stunned and easier to strengthen its Hosts increasing their use as Hosts. Upon contact with the strength and abilities at the price of the slime the victim must make a Fortitude host’s life span. The Host gains a +4 save at a DC of 17 or be immediately bonus to Strength and Constitution and paralyzed for 2d4+2 rounds. 3d12 extra hitpoints. However the Host body cannot last as long with the extra Spawning (Su) strain on its frame. It only lasts for 1d4 CR Adjustment: +1 days before the body burns itself out. The Devourer gains the ability to The Devourer can also choose to gestate spawn of itself inside the brains dramatically increase the strength of the of sentient creatures. The spawn posses Host for a limited time. This doubled the all memories and abilities of the original bonus, increasing it to +8, but the body but are younger and free of any injury or burns out within minutes, collapsing illness that may have struck the sire. after only 2d4 rounds. This is obviously Injecting the spawn inflicts 1d6 damage a last ditch maneuver. upon the recipient. See above for more details. Longevity (Su) CR Adjustment: +1/2 Thought Tracking (Su) The Host body possessed by the CR Adjustment: +1 Devourer can be maintained for This ability allows Devourers to extended periods of time. With this follow the psychic residue left by an ability the Host body lasts for 2d4+6 individual, a mental spoor that the days before it is no longer usable. creature can sense and home in on. However, the body tends to quickly Tracking using this power is unhindered adopt and unhealthy waxen or jaundice by conditions such as dry or wet ground, appearance, often appearing more and the environment has no bearing on the more cadaver-like as time passes. psychic imprint left behind. This ability acts as the Track feat and also grants a Mimicry (Ex) +6 bonus to the relevant skill. CR Adjustment: +1 The Devourer is far better at impersonation and acting like the Host Pods or other creatures of the Host’s type. The Devourers are sometimes found in Devourer is even adept at feigning groups, known as pods. Pods number as emotions and other responses. It receives many as seven Devourers but most a +8 bonus to all Bluff, Performance, commonly three or four. These pods are and Disguise checks. sometimes the result of Devourers choosing companionship, but more often Paralyzing Slime (Ex) than not they are the formed by the will CR Adjustment: +2 of an Illithid master. Pods are guards of The crusty outer covering of the objects of value and importance to the Devourer is coated with a thick sticky Illithids. Pods are not sent outside the slime that causes paralysis to those who Underdark lightly, for they know too touch it. Devourers with this ability much about Mind Flayer society to be lost.

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All pods have a similar structure; and two into the Mists that formed the the strongest and oldest Devourer is the lower border of Bluetspur. Alpha, the leader of the pod. Its job is to Over the years the pods reported interpret the orders of its Mind Flayer back and more were sent out to explore master and apply them to the situation at the farther reaches of the land. Then hand. Initiative and original thought is came the Grant Conjunction where the not prized among Alphas; it is not their land was rent apart and Bluetspur was place to ask questions. Alphas are wrenched from the Core to become an primarily concerned with the day-to-day Island of Terror. Any pods still outside plans of the pod and its security as well the borders of the land were isolated as being aware of any possible threats. without means to report back or find Pods also often have a Devourer their way home. The Lost Ones is one who has been given a spiritual role; such pod. these aberrations often adopt the title of Their mission was to explore the religious figures they encounter. Their lands to the West of the Core, such as task is to keep the pod focused and Arkandale, Invidia and Verbrek. After unwavering. While an Alpha’s role is to their home vanished they set out to ensure the survival and safety of the pod explore the rest of the Core to see if it during the duration of the mission it is had simply been moved as Valachan the religious Devourer that reminds the had. So far they have had little success pod of their larger role in Illithid society. and have confirmed that their home is This role model reinforces the now isolated in the Mists. They do not established hierarchy and watches out wish to simply step idly into the Misty for dangerous or objectionable activity Border and trust to luck and are seeking such as questioning orders or possible another way to return to their masters betrayal. Missions come and go, but with what they have learned. their position never changes. Other members of the pod have The Alpha - Intellect Devourer: less detailed roles, often given positions CR 10; Medium aberration; HD 8d8+12; such as Tracker, Spy or Hunter. These hp 47; Init +4; Spd 40ft; AC 16 (touch positions are fairly self-explanatory and 14, flat-footed 10); Atk +6 melee (4 are usually assigned to younger or less claws 1d3+2); SA none; SQ Damage experienced Devourers. Reduction 20/magic, electrical resistance 20, fire immunity, psionics, body-thief, protection from evil vulnerability, The Lost Ones: A Sample empower host, spawning; AL LE; SV Pod Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +6; Str 15, Dex 19, After their arrival in Ravenloft the Con 15, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 10. Illithids of Bluetspur sent out several Skills and Feats: Climb +8, small Pods to explore the surrounding Diplomacy +2, Jump +8, Knowledge lands and report back anything they (Planes) +3, Listen +8, Perform (act) +7, discovered. Of interest were the Spot +9; Alertness, Skill Focus inhabitants and potential slaves to be (Perform). found as well as any threats that might Appearance: The Alpha is an older emerge. Pods entered into Kartakass, Devourer that has been involved in Barovia, Hazlan, The Nightmare Lands numerous battles. Several scars decorate

55 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 the hard crust that cover’s its body. One the members of the pod, are particularly long scar, inflicted by a contradictory objectives. large battle-axe, runs along the entire back. A clawed toe on the left forepaw The Scout - Intellect Devourer: was severed in battle and is now a CR 8; Small aberration; HD 6d8+12; hp stump. Despite having two claws 38; Init +4; Spd 40ft; AC 17 (touch 15, remaining the Alpha favor’s its right flat-footed 11); Atk +6 melee (4 claws paw while running. These markings 1d3+1); SA none; SQ Damage persist despite repeated spawnings, they Reduction 20/magic, electrical resistance are simply part of the Alpha. 20, fire immunity, psionics, body-thief, Background: The Alpha was once protection from evil vulnerability, with the original pods that left Bluetspur mimicry, spawning; AL LE; SV Fort +4, to investigate Kartakass to the West. It Ref +6, Will +6; Str 13, Dex 19, Con 15, was given the role of ‘Hunter’ and was Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 12. responsible for killing those dangerous Skills and Feats: Bluff +9, Climb individuals encountered by the pod. +7, Disguise +10, Diplomacy +4, Jump After returning it was given the role as +8, Listen +7, Perform (act) +18, Spot Alpha in the next pod sent West, not as a +9; Alertness, Skill Focus (Perform). promotion or reward but because it was Appearance: The Scout is a young simply the most knowledgeable Devourer and its hard crusty shell is still Devourer that was also expendable. smooth and unblemished to the touch. Soon after the disappearance of Small patches of a curious grey moss Bluetspur two members of the pod, those still cling tenaciously to the underside of given the roles of Guard and Tracker, its frame, residue from its previous state. were slain by a band of adventurers. It is small for a Devourer, even a young Since then the Alpha has been one, noticeably smaller than the Alpha preoccupied with the safety of the and the Deacon. As a result of this the remaining pod. Scout is very sensitive about its size. Personality: The Alpha is Background: The Scout had just determined and relentless in its goal to matured from its larval state when it was return to its masters. However, it is assigned to the pod. Proud of its beginning to suffer doubts of whether or accomplishment it worked hard to not this is possible. It has been eighteen gather information and do recognizance years since the Grand Conjunction and for the pod. However the Scout’s they are still no closer to their goal. This inexperience resulted in its targeting the uncertainty and fear over losing any wrong victim as a host which drew the more members of the pod has left the unwelcome attention of a band of Alpha with waning confidence and adventurers. This confrontation resulted growing paranoia. It knows that directly in the deaths of two of the pod. questioning the last orders of their Personality: Sensitive of its size masters or suggesting their abandonment the Scout has a tendency to pick out will be treason in the mind of the large individuals as hosts, usually above Deacon. Noentheless, the Alpha believes normal height. It would rather have no that the two objectives, to learn what host at all than chose one of small they can and report back and to protect stature, such as a halfling. After the encounter with the adventuring party, the

56 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 scout has become even more selective in assigned to the pod. The Deacon spent its choice of hosts. It has even begun much time investigating the cultures of stalking and shadowing victims for a few the human prey, fascinated by their days before attacking them. This has led religions and holy sects. It spent days to minor complications. comparing the two different spiritualities As the Scout knows so much of and conversing with men of the cloth the habits of its victims absorbing their while in host bodies. memories has begun to affect the Scout. While indulging in its exploration Occasionally, after assuming the body of of the sacred the pod was assaulted by a Host, it has trouble distinguishing adventurers and two of its number between its own memories and that of destroyed. The Deacon blames itself for this host, sometimes even forgetting who being away from ‘its flock’ when this and what it is! This quickly fades after a occurred and suffered a prolonged few hours but the effects seem to be period of guilt for failing to guard its growing more frequent and lasting pod-members. It viewed this as a breech longer. So far the Scout has managed to of Devourer behavior and a large failing keep this from the rest of the pod. on its part. The Deacon is the only one of the pod remaining that cannot The Deacon - Intellect Devourer: produce a Spawn, this is something it is CR 7; Medium aberration; HD 7d8+12; very sensitive about and wishes to hp 41; Init +4; Spd 40ft; AC 15 (touch change. 13, flat-footed 9); Atk +6 melee (4 claws Personality: The Deacon 1d3+2); SA none; SQ Damage recovered from its guilt through Reduction 20/magic, electrical resistance adopting the human ideas of sin and 20, fire immunity, psionics, body-thief, divine punishment. The Deacon has protection from evil vulnerability; AL begun to see the deaths of its LE; SV Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +7; Str 13, companions as a result of their Dex 18, Con 15, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 10. unworthiness and diversion from the Skills and Feats: Climb +10, Jump path of true Devourers. If they had been +9, Listen +8, Perform (act) +8, Spot +9; faithful and devout they would have Alertness, Skill Focus (Perform). been stronger and able to fight of the Appearance: An old Devourer, the heroes. Deacon shell is thin and even brittle in a Since then the Deacon has become few places. The colouration of its body unwavering in its beliefs in duty, has lightened over the years and its responsibility and fulfilling one’s wrinkled body has grown soft and saggy. mission and views any breach of this as The Deacon’s claws have dull just sin in the highest order. The Deacon has slightly and it has been known to be started targeting hosts that it feels are forgetful on occasion. sinful and worthy of death and Background: The oldest of the Pod punishment, those who fail in their duty the Deacon was a personal guard for an or leave tasks incomplete. Illithid for many years before being

57 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Growls in the Night Alhoons By Andrew “alhoon” Pavlides [email protected]

Every community has its black sheep, even the rigid community of Creating an Alhoon Bluetspur. Occasionally, the illithid race Alhoon is a template that can be spawns a mind flayer that seeks what is added only to mind flayers that use forbidden by tradition and custom; arcane magic. To perform the necessary arcane magic. Shunned by their kin they rituals, a mind flayer must have at least 9 are banished from the community, spell casting levels. The creature type of ostracized from the over mind and the illithid change to undead upon forever denied the right to join with the gaining the alhoon template. hive mind in death. Rather than resolve HD: change to d12 themselves to oblivion, these rogue mind AC: An alhoon's natural armor flayer wizards seek to gain immortality improves to +5. through the use of their magic. Those Damage: An alhoon's tentacles who succeed become unholy deal 1d4 + strength modifier physical abominations of the most bizarre variety; damage with each successful strike. The alhoons, undead mind flayers. alhoon no longer possesses the enzyme Alhoons, or illithiliches as they are the living mind flayers have and relies sometimes known, appear much as they on brute force to crack a victim's skull did in life; vile amphibians with qualities open to feast on the victim's brain. of both humanoids and squids. Unlike Special attacks: An alhoon retains their living kin, the skin of an alhoon is all of the special attacks of a living mind dry like parchment. Although alhoons flayer and also gains the following: prefer to use their spells and magic, they Fear Aura (su): Alhoons are are still as powerful in psionics as their cloaked in an aura of fear. Creatures of living kin. This combination of magic less than 5 HD within 60 feet of an and mental might makes them extremely alhoon must succeed at a will save (DC dangerous. Their immunity to psionics, = 10 + 1/2 Alhoon's HD + cha modifier) their forbidden arcane practices and their or be affected as though by a fear spell. undead nature make them feared and Special qualities: An alhoon hated by living illithids. Mind flayers possesses all of the special qualities of a organize hunting parties to destroy an living mind flayer and gains the alhoon as soon as they learn its following: existence, while alhoons gladly accept Turn Resistance (Ex): An alhoon the challenge to destroy as many of its has +4 turn resistance. kin as they can before fleeing to another Damage reduction (Ex): An secret place. alhoon has damage reduction 15/ magic & bludgeoning Immunities (su): Alhoons are immune to cold, electricity, polymorph

58 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 and mind affecting attacks. very high spell and power resistance and Mnemonic Metabolism (Ex): thus resitant to the attacks fo alhoons. While eating the brain of a living While both sides are vulnerable to creature the alhoon receives glimpses of tentacle attacks, alhoons and mind the victim's memories. It is for this flayers avoid bludgeoning each other reason that alhoons continue to crave the with tentacle rakes. Instead, both sides brains of the living. Through this grisly prefer to use thralls and summoned feeding, the alhoon may receive specific monsters to destroy one another. information the victim knew in life, The alhoon is an extremely information such as the location of a effective opponent against humanoid special place, people the victim knew, or opponents. Its extreme intelligence and even secret knowledge. Upon devouring powerful spells are always used to their a brain, the alhoon must succeed at an fullest advantage. An alhoon's lair is intelligence check of DC 21 to extract always filled with clever traps and information. If the alhoon looks for a hidden places wherefrom the alhoon specific piece of information the DC could strike while hidden. rises to 24. An alhoon wizard could use this ability to learn spells from wizards or even sorcerers, though to use these Alhoon spells the alhoon must copy the spells Medium Undead (9th into its spell book and prepare them as level wizard) usual. Hit Dice: 17d12 (110 hp) Abilities: An alhoon gains a +2 to Initiative: +6 intelligence, wisdom and charisma Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares) scores but as an undead creature, it has Armour 19 (+2 Dex, +5 no constitution score. Class: natural, +3 deflection), Skills: Alhoons have a +8 racial touch 15, flat-footed 15 bonus on Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Base Attack: +11/+11 Search, Sense Motive, and Spot checks. Attack: tentacle +12 melee Organization: Solitary or troupe (1d4+1) (1 alhoon plus 3 - 12 skeletons with Full Attack: 4 tentacles +12 (1d4+1) increased HD). Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Challenge Rating: Same as the Special spells, extract, base creature + 2. Attacks: improved grab, Treasure: Standard coins; double psionics, fear aura goods; double items. Special Undead traits, turn Alignment: Any evil. Qualities: resistance +4, damage Advancement: By character class. reduction 15/magic & Level Adjustment: +6. bludgeoning, immunities, spell Combat resistance 35, The alhoon has extremely high Mnemonic metabolism spell resistance and power resistance. Saves: Fort +8, Ref +10, Will As undead, the alhoon is immune to +21 most of the psionic attacks of is living Abilities: Str 12, Dex 14, Con -, kin. However, mind flayers also have Int 26, Wis 22, Cha 22 Skills: bluff +14,

59 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8

concentration +24, craft (alchemy) +16 diplomacy + 11, hide Equipment: Wand of Evard's +14, intimidation black tentacles (9th lvl caster), cloak +3 +12, listen +18, move saves, necklace of deflection +3, wand silently +14, sense of fireballs (9th lvl caster), Wand of wall motive +18, search of ice (9th lvl caster). +16, speak language Scrolls (9th lvl caster): mage (3 extra languages), armor, summon monster V x2 (mist spot +18, spell craft elemental), dimension door x2, stone +18, Scry + 16, skin, teleport, fog cloud x2, web, see Knowledge (any invisibility x2, Greater invisibility x2, nine) +14 dispel magic x2, lighting bolt, vampiric Feats: Combat Casting, touch, fly, baleful polymorph, cloudkill, weapon finesse, lesser planar binding. improved initiative, Prepared spells: save DC = 18 + scribe scroll, empower spell level. spell, craft wondrous 1st: mage armor, magic missile, item, craft wand, spell unseen servant, identify, ray of penetration enfeeblement, change self Environment: Any, usually 2nd: minor image, web, summon underground swarm, melf's acid arrow, shatter, Organization: Solitary darkness (or daylight if underground) Challenge 16 3rd: dispel magic, major image x2, Rating: fly, haste Treasure: Standard coins; double 4th: confusion, greater invisibility, goods; double items enervation, scrying Alignment: Always lawful evil 5th: cloudkill, summon monster V Advancement: by character class Outcast +6

60 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Misted Mounts Paladins’ Steeds in the Dread Realms David "The Jester" Gibson [email protected]

The cold mists parted revealing faint pounding of its hoofs. I felt as if I thick marshy trees covered in a thick were being stalked or followed by an moss. My home was gone and I was unseen creature, watched at all times by trapped in this strange new place. I invisible eyes. knew not what had brought me here, far I soon realized that Rothwell beyond the great city of wonders that needed not my call to come to my aid. had my home. I suspected evil wizards Without my summons he could not and dark enchantments at first, but these become fully solid, but instead he could proved to be false. become a like a phantom, solid for a few The first sign that I had left my scant moments when he felt it necessary. home was my steed, Rothwell. He was After a bartender threw me out into the the gift of my god, the only companion I night because I had no coins from places ever kept. Whenever I was in a time of he recognized, he was found trampled to need I would call him forth and out he death the next morning. At first I thought would ride from the distance, the little of this, merely a coincidence. Then glowing light of the sun raining down later I saw a pickpocket I had been upon him. When our struggles ceased, chasing, one who had relieved me of a he retired to the blessed realms of my small bauble, abruptly crushed by a Lord, crossing the planar boundaries at speeding beast I instantly recognized. my call. Yet in this land of mists, as with How could so noble and just a beast as many things, this happened differently. Rothwell turn a servant of darkness? I have been told that no mortal -Fragment from the memoirs of magic can pierce the veil that surrounds Dælan, Paladin of Tyr this place. I thought it impossible at first that my god could not bend these rules but grim experience has shown that he is Mounts of the Mist either unwilling or unable to intervene In other lands, when not in use, a within these lands. paladin’s mount returns to the Outer I noticed no difference at first, Planes to heal and rejuvenate. However, Rothwell was the same as always, but in Ravenloft, nothing can leave without with fear I soon realized that he had the permission of the Dark Powers. changed. When he left my side, the Powerful fiends, demons and even horse became insubstantial, dissipating demigods have been bound to the land, into the fog. Even still, he never truly so how could a simple steed escape? A left my side He continued to follow and mount rides away into the fog and watch over me from his ghostly state and dissipates, becoming one with the Mists. on quiet nights it was possible to hear Similarly, mounts called into service my mount neigh or even make out the while in the Dread Realms form from the substance of the Mists. In this

61 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 regard, these mounts are like conjured Things have not yet improved. The creatures. Both newly summoned and streak of bad luck that has followed us outlander mounts take on the Mist since we lost our paladin, Erick, has not descriptor like all summoned creatures. abated. I still remember his body after A newly summoned steed becomes we dug him from the landslide, the a Dread Companion, in the same manner shattered frame crushed beneath the as a familiar. However, unlike familiars, bulk of his steed and the heavy rocks. even mounts brought from outside Shandor thinks this is simply a series of Ravenloft can become Dread coincidences, things have just happened Companions. These creatures spend and are unrelated, but I am not so sure. much of their time in the Mists when not It is almost as if we are cursed. in use and quickly become tied to the First, when we were sneaking up to land. It is possible the Dark Powers dispatch the self-styled Lord Dragoon, strive hardest to tempt paladins or work the table overturned just as we were to isolate them by manipulating their about to strike. I can still feel Dragoon’s mounts. claws rake across my arm; the scars Although they cannot become fully have only just started fading. Then there corporeal without their master’s call, was that botched attempt to infiltrate the dread Companion mounts have the bank’s records vault. I’m still not sure ability to summon themselves. At these how the alarm was tripped. times the steed is often mistaken for a The final incident was the night at ghost or other creature of the night. A the inn. We met with an informant who steed can self-manifest for two minutes promised us information on the Lord for each level of its master, one minute and his secret vulnerably. Despite his for every hour it can be called. This time cocky smirk I suspect our informant was is not taken from the paladin’s daily a little nervous talking with us. Odd, in allotment. Most mounts only stay for as retrospect perhaps he knew something little time as they feel they are needed. about what was plaguing us; perhaps When not in need they observe their that was why he left so abruptly. He master unseen and undetectable as misty escaped before the fire started. The inn- phantoms separated from the world. keeper swore he was always careful with Like all dread companions, the that lantern and had no idea how it mount is protective of its master to a ended up in the stable. My lungs still fault. A steed will often strike out at ache from the smoke. I no longer feel those it views as having harmed, cheated safe; my nights are a mess of tossing and or wronged its master. Unlike other turning. My suggestions to seek out the dread companions, a paladin’s mount is aid of the Vistani go unheeded, at least neither sneaky nor thievish. It is an for now. Once something else of note honorable beast that refuses to strike by happens, the others may quickly change surprise or from the rear. It obeys all their tune. promises its master has made to the Again I hear the sound of hoofs in letter, even long after the master is gone. the distance. It has been a sound I have heard often lately. Could some malevolent rider be shadowing us? I am Life and Deaths unsure if I should mention this to the others; they tire of my theories and are

62 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 busy. With the little information we itself unable to leave the demiplane and received from the bard, they think we find its eternal rest. Its soul, once bound now know Lord’s hidden weakness. Still, to the demiplane, cannot depart. In other my hopes are low. Again I hear hoofs! instances, the mount is simply unwilling But there is no one in sight… to leave its master behind, unprotected. -Passage from the musings of The creature returns as a spectral animal Keryn of Moondale that haunts its master, either blaming her for its death or still attempting to protect A paladin’s mount finds itself her in a twisted fashion. Another gaining several advantages when it common recipient of the dead steed’s becomes a mist-bound Dread wrath is any replacement mount Companion. First, the animal no longer summoned, which the slain animal needs to eat. It can consume food if invariably views with seething jealousy asked but it draws most of its sustenance as a usurper and unworthy replacement. from the mists. Secondly, the mists heal any wounds suffered on the mount. It no longer heals naturally and must rejoin Mounts of Ezra the mists to repair any injuries inflicted. Fear not in the dark places that are There is no set rate of recovery but even home to the Legions of the Night for I the most severe of punishment can be am forever at thy side with my sword healed in a matter of hours. and my shield and my belladonna. However, the union with the Mists Though they are many of number and has a strong disadvantage to the mount; though they are fierce of disposition, the creature is forever bound to the falter not. Thine is the path of Mists. Even should a paladin manage to righteousness my followers and thine is escape Ravenloft, her mount will not be the path of glory. able to follow. Much as a fiend binds Thy need not walk the path alone itself to a land gaining Corruption through the dark places. I aid thee Points, a mount has become inseparably through your invocation of my will and I tied to the Land. Likewise, if a paladin aid you through the renewed strength of dies, as all paladins eventually do, the your arms. My light will guide and animal cannot join its master in the protect. afterlife. The creature is forced to lurk in Divine warriors must never fear to the Mists, forever trapped between walk alone for I bless them with this the worlds. Most mounts cannot survive greatest of gifts, companionship. being trapped alone and eventually fade Stalwart and unwavering, strong and away, while others go insane from the stout; a steed I grant to thee, one beyond loneliness. These maddened creatures the measure of mortal beats of burden. can still manifest themselves and One fit to carry the burden of loyalty. occasionally decide to take vengeance This is my mount I give freely to on those they view as responsible for thee. It will be thine legs when thee can their master’s death. Often the mount no longer walk and thine back when thee targets the companions of the paladin, can no longer carry. This gift I give to those who were unable to save her life. thee. Similarly, a mount slain in the -Excerpt from the Second Book of Land of the Mists occasionally finds Ezra

63 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8

According to legend, Ezra was paladin mount. Likewise if the paladin unwilling to have her holy champions converts faiths, the mount cannot be bound to animals of evil and misguided summoned. Mounts of Ezra are also loyalty. This belief is derived primarily subject to spells such as Dispel Magic among paladins of the Mordentish Sect that disperses the creature until of the faith. Rather than summon summoned again. The mount, while creatures from the mists, these paladins intelligent, is also not a true living instead use a divine version of the creature and lacks any personality or Phantom Steed spell. The animal called individuality. A Mount of Ezra seldom forth is known as the Mount of Ezra. acts on its own initiative typically The mount looks much like the creature waiting until it is asked to do something commonly conjured by the spell, though before acting. it appears much more substantial. The mount of Ezra looks to be a grey-white horse, though the colour of the animal Blessed Steeds of Belenus seems to shift and flow like the mists. I give you greetings my children as The mane and tail of the mount always I come forth to you in the name of our appear to be blowing in some faint wind Lord Belenus, to give praise for this past and the sound of its hooves seems muted week and prayers for the week yet to and hollow. come. To gain the Mount of Ezra, We give thanks today to Belenus paladins must forever surrender the for sending his avenging warrior to ability to summon a mount. The paladin strike down the foul creature that did can instead cast the Phantom Steed spell blight our lands. Yes, we all give thanks as a Sorcerer of the same level. This to Sir Malcolme, our brave soldier of the ability is usable once per day for every sun. The Dougal family gives a special three Paladin levels and is gained at the praise to the brave Malcolme, who did fifth level. rescue their youngest daughter from the Furthermore, by sacrificing one evil that plagued us. opportunity to summon the mount per He is a noble soul, as was day a paladin can permanently bolster immediately apparent as he rode in to her steed with an additional +2 bonus town proudly atop his blessed steed, a Hit Dice and a +4 bonus to AC. This can true champion of our lord, Belenus. The be done multiple times, but the Paladin beast held its head high as it knew the still has to be able to summon the steed righteous purpose it served in the once a day minimum. For example: smiting of the wicked and sinful, but its Meninis has reached ninth level and can head was still lower than that of brave summon her mount three times. She Sir Malcolme. decides to reduce this by one to twice a Thus we learn the price for sin and day giving the animal 2-16 extra the vulnerability of our small village. We hitpoints and an armor bonus of +4. must be stout and unwavering in our There are disadvantages to having devotion so the glory of Belenus will a Mount of Ezra. Should a paladin in the shine on us. Else we too may fall into the service of Ezra manage to leave pit of temptation and risk our immortal Ravenloft, she cannot summon her souls, which will burn in the fires of the mount, nor can she summon a standard damned. Fear for your spirits for they

64 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 will be like ashes in the rivers of fire if sunrise to sunrise. Additionally the ritual you waver from the light of Belenus. consumes holy oils, wafers, incense and Look to the noble beasts, the dog other supplies valued at total of 200 gold that obediently sits at its master’s feet. pieces. The ceremony involves painting So too must we kneel before the glory of the horse with geometric symbols and Belenus. Even the great Sir Malcolme detailed interweaving knots to symbolize humbles himself prostrate before the the connection between animal and greatness out our Lord. Look to him and master. Once painted, the horse is his animal, for like the dog is the horse placed in a circle of kindling which are in loyalty, ever loyal before their set ablaze. If the animal panics or flees, masters, both mortal and divine. it is declared unworthy and another -Transcript of the sermon of Alpin, horse must be found. In this event, the priest of Belenus, October 12, 746 ritual’s materials have already been consumed and must be repurchased. Another variant of the paladin’s Once the ritual is completed, the mount warhorse belongs to the faith of Belenus now has a strong mystical potential that and their anointing of Blessed Steeds. can be activated when the paladin Through a prolonged ritual a beast is wishes. chosen to be the favored mount of the The blessing permanently alters the animal and instrument of Belenus’ will. animal so it is smarter and more durable This rite permanently brands a horse as a than the average horse, granting it an servant of the sun god, granting the intelligence bonus of +3 and an animal special powers as well as additional 2 hit dice. Unlike the standard additional gifts that can be invoked at paladin’s mount, the Blessed Steed is not will. This ability replaces the paladin’s always supernaturally strong, nor does it power to call a mount. gain the same bonus to Armor Class. The paladin must first find a Instead the mount gains other special suitable horse, usually a superior powers that can be unlocked once each member of the species. The animal has day, as a full round action. This grants to be carefully selected and have an blessed creature extra strengths for a appropriate disposition and good health. period of four minutes for each paladin Passion and righteous fury is viewed as level. essential to the protection of the flock, For every additional level of thus horses selected by paladins of paladin the mount gains other special Belenus tend to be brave and fearless powers, these must be invoked to take warhorses, often with fiery dispositions. effect (see above) and are selected from They are beasts of divine anger, with a the list below: tendency for rebellion and rashness *Additional Evocation (Su): The poorly suited to stealth or subterfuge. Paladin can summon the full blessing of They very seldom tolerate being handled Belenus an additional time per day. or ridden individuals other than their *Armoured (Ex): The AC of the master. mount is increased by +1. Having chosen an appropriate *Courage (Ex): The animal gains a animal, the paladin must pray and fulfill +4 bonus to save against Fear checks. the appropriate divine rituals over the This ability can only be chosen once. beast for a full twenty-four hours, from

65 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8

*Evasion (Ex): The creature gains When the animal’s blessing is evoked the feat of the same name. This can only the painted knotwork and symbols be selected once. painted upon it during the blessing ritual *Fortunate (Ex): The mount gains reappear as fading stains on the animal’s a natural +1 bonus to all its saves. hide. *Haste (Ex): The animal’s speed If the Blessed Steed should die she increases by 10 feet. This ability can must then wait a full month before only be selected twice. another animal can be found and *Rage (Ex): The mount gains a +2 blessed. Rather than press lame animals bonus to damage it inflicts. into service, a paladin may remove the *Righteous Fury (Ex): The mount blessing placed upon her mount and seek becomes enraged gaining a +2 to a new companion. The paladin can Strength and Constitution and an remove her blessing of the animal at any additional +6 hitpoints but suffers a –4 time restoring it as a regular horse. penalty to armour class. This can only be Revoking the blessing takes five chosen once. minutes, without interruption, for every *Toughness (Ex): The mount’s Hit month the animal has been blessed. Dice are increased by +1. Once revoked, the horse keeps its Unless otherwise stated, powers improved Intelligence, but is severely can be taken repeatedly. weakened as it loses the bonus Hit Dice. Typically, the powers are invoked After this rite, the steed can never be re- by placing both hands on the head of the blessed. animal and voicing a prayer to Belenus.

66 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8

Brutes and Banshees A Guide to the Caliban Race Uri “Shadowking” Barak

For Mercy has a human heart and the Arcane. The Fraternity’s Pity, a human face: ultimate fate at the wake of the And Love, the human form divine, evidences remains unknown, even And Peace, the human dress. though we do have some suspicions that it is just the tip of a far larger conspiracy. Cruelty has a Human Heart It is a mere strand in a vast web of And Jealousy a Human Face shadows and deceit… Terror, the Human Form Divine And Secrecy, the Human Dress Esteemed Brothers of the

The Human Dress, is forged Iron Shadow The Human Form, a fiery Forge. I have just completed my The Human Face, a Furnace seal'd research concerning the demihuman The Human Heart, its hungry Gorge. creatures known as "calibans." Two excruciating years of hard work have "Songs of Experience", William Blake finally come to fruition, bringing our sacred Fraternity a step closer to our The manuscript of this goal, which you all know well. I have conversation was found by adventurers traveled the length and breadth of the in an abandoned warehouse in the city of Core, consorting with hideous Mayvin, Darkon. There is a high aberrations of nature, putting my life at probability that the place once served the risk at the hands of inbred savages and dread Kargatane as a hideout and base of delving into tomes of the darkest operations, although it was abandoned Arcane. some time ago for unknown reasons. I did all of this in search of The owners were apparently spying on answers to my questions: Who are these an organization called the Fraternity by deformed creatures? What fell energies placing a sleeper agent in its ranks, warped them into their sorry state? I monitoring its activities for an enigmatic wanted a list of the physical, mental, and being called "Rouge," which means spiritual deformities and imperfections "crimson" in High Mordentish. of the human form as examined in This Fraternity was active for a various caliban test subjects. How do time at the local university. Its members they fit in the various nations of the Core were respected teachers and promising and what roles they fill in society? Most students who used less-than-holy means importantly, what greater power and to delve into secrets better left unknown understanding of the Land can be gained for their own selfish goals, viewing from all these? themselves as scholars of both science The bulk of my hard-earned research is presented in this article (but

67 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 not all- even a scholar must have his Most of a caliban’s deformities secrets, as you already know). I hope are merely cosmetic and simply make it you use it well- for knowledge is power. look or sound inhuman (such as a Brute caliban's pock marks and mismatched What are Calibans? eyes), but a few deformities actually give them unique, inhuman powers, Caliban is the common scientific which I'll discuss in the tables presented name for a member of this varied race. below. The sum of all the caliban's Caliban is a bastardized form of the deformities gives the creature its Mordentish word “cannibal,” which fearsome appearance and thus its means “one who devours the flesh of his reputation. All calibans, even the most own kin.” Contrary to the popular belief human-looking ones, have something in some domains, most calibans aren't truly unnatural and unsettling about the vicious, wicked monsters their them. They are all that is ugly about hideous appearance suggests they are. humanity's inner side, brought to the To most of the ignorant painful light of day. population, however, they are simply Calibans tend to age and mature "the hidden," "freaks," "monsters," or at an accelerated rate; one and a half even "demons." Humanity has little times as much as a normal human. It tolerance for those who are different seems as if magic burns them from than the common man, and a caliban is within, and, from my research, I suspect most often either a social outcast to be that is indeed the case. The mutating hidden away or abandoned by shameful energies, which make them what they human parents or is actively persecuted are, also kill them faster. I can only and hunted down like some beast or explain this through magic, since most criminal due to what he is. Most calibans possess a relatively normal commoners don't even recognize anatomy that is similar to that of calibans are a separate race, instead humans. viewing them as horribly deformed The vast majority of calibans humans in the best case and demons in may interbreed both with humans and mortal skin in the worst. amongst themselves, thus showing that Even we, the misunderstood they are a true race unto themselves practitioners of the exalted Art hounded instead of merely being deformed by the ignorant folk, cannot truly humans. Such mating most often results understand the sheer fear and hatred in caliban babes, even if mating between calibans are faced with in most realms. a caliban and a human might sometimes As a result, they learn to rely only on yield a human baby and generations of themselves and often become the very inbreeding between calibans might result monsters they were said to be. Humanity in the birth of a true monster. itself can oftentimes be the worst Whatever they might claim, monster of all. calibans are not men, but something Calibans were once normal different. Despite their monstrous human babies, who were deeply appearance, however, calibans are the deformed in body or mind while still in most directly related to men of the the womb. Several theories for the various demihuman races. Also, men possibly causes for their deformities will should remember that your own brother be discussed in the next chapter.

68 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 might be born a caliban due to bad luck. calibans are wholly different and Nonetheless, I separated myself from unrelated to all of these twisted beings. such petty concepts as family and A caliban doesn't possess the powerful affection in my quest for knowledge. innate magic of a hag (even the powers Much like the stunted halflings, of a Witchspawn caliban are only a pale calibans are an offshoot race of reflection of a true hag's magic) and isn’t humanity. They are a far more recent inherently malicious despite the common offshoot, however, as the race still seems belief of the ignorant and the fanatic. to be evolving towards its final form (by Unlike tieflings, calibans aren't judging from the seemingly limitless descended from fiends or created from variety of mutations and deformities the influence of direct infernal or abyssal exhibited by calibans over the Core and power. Once again, unlike tieflings, the beyond). From my research, I found that will to harm isn't part of their bloodline; the race can generally be divided into most calibans have to endure a certain five major phenotypes, subraces or amount of pain, be mentally broken, and breeds. I refer to the breeds (which will shunned by society before they become be discussed in detail later on) as the monsters they are said to be. The Banshees, Bestial, Brutes, Cannibals, appearance of corrupted ones, former and Witchspawn. The vast majority of humans warped by pure evil, is far more calibans fit into one of these five breeds, monstrous than even that of calibans, even though some calibans are so and they are always both malicious and deformed as to be counted a breed apart. insane. Also, it takes a far larger amount In addition, it is possible that unknown of magical energy to create a corrupted breeds exist in the exotic lands beyond one than a caliban. the Core. A caliban doesn't have the We all know our world is not the horrific, bestial strength of a true beast only one existing in the vast of Creation. man (though calibans of the Bestial and Some people actually claim to come Brute breeds are far stronger than from distant worlds beyond the Mists, ordinary men), and its mind pattern is transported to Ravenloft through various actually human-like instead like that of a means. By interrogating them, I was able beast. Unlike lycanthropes, calibans to learn that while human babies are aren't afflicted and lack the sometimes born deformed in their home- lycanthrope’s supernatural powers. Plus, worlds, it is much rarer and less drastic they only have a single true form like than in Ravenloft. So I can proudly say most mortal beings. Finally, the that calibans, as a species, are truly deformities of broken ones (like those native to our world. I do not know why created by the mad pseudo-scientist this is, but there are several theories in Markov) are far more pronounced and the Origins chapter. drastic than those of calibans. While A caliban is sometimes mistaken calibans were born that way, broken for another creature of the Night; usually ones are created by powerful magic or a hag, a tiefling, a corrupted one, a mad science from unsuspecting animals beast-man (such as a legendary and humanoids. This painful process, minotaur), a lycanthrope, or one of the which inevitably shatters their mind, tormented creatures known as broken turns them either into drooling idiots ones. Despite a similar appearance, prone to random fits of action or into

69 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 homicidal and extremely bitter case. I found out there are several psychopaths filled with the desire to reasons for the birth of calibans, and that inflict pain and kill. Unlike broken ones, different caliban breeds are created from the mind of the vast majority of calibans exposure to different conditions. Here I remains untouched by the magical present several of the known causes of energies which twisted them. Mentally, caliban birth: they are just like the humans they could've been if not for the Dark Powers' ™ Emotional Twisting: Emotions pose cruel hand. Generally, while magic a strong influence for those unable to flows in a Caliban's bloodline, even tame them, like I did in science's powerful magic in some cases, they have name by following the ideal of the no inherent malice about them. Xamuxx. The savage beast, which is the human mind, may attract the Origins attention of mysterious powers which result in caliban births. The From my research and several Dark Powers that rule our world experiments I had to conduct to prove from beyond a Misty curtain are my theories, I found out that there are fascinated with human emotions and various things which may deform a like to manipulate them to their once-normal human baby into a hideous unfathomable whims. I found out caliban. True calibans are created only that powerful emotions of fear and from human and half-Vistani stock. terror felt by the pregnant mother Gnomes, elves and half-elves already during the time of birth resulted in have too much magic flowing in their the birth of Brute calibans, who are blood to be warped by the magical often reminded of the mother's cause effects which create calibans. Halflings, of fear. Mothers who felt a powerful, already an offshoot of humanity, have all-consuming rage while being reached their final stage. The Vistani just pregnant gave birth to Bestial seem mysteriously immune (though they calibans and mothers who felt grief didn't co-operate much anyway, telling over the loss of a loved one gave me I was seeking out things which birth to Banshees. During the Dead shouldn't be known to mankind- bah!). Man's campaign, when countless Dwarves are unaffected due to the husbands lost their lives in the opposite reason from the fey races; an Darkonian front, many women in innate resistance to magic and truly Falkovnia gave birth to Banshees, deformed. Caliban-like babies birthed by though most of these babies were dwarven mothers are always stillborn destroyed by King Drakov's and never alive. superstitious soldiers. A pity, since While ignorant commoners they would've made excellent wrongly believe calibans to be the research subjects. This, alongside results of fell magic and the gods' curse Magical Twisting, is the major cause over mankind's vanity or a divine of caliban births in the Core. punishment for sinful women who ™ Magical Twisting: Direct exposure indulge in debauchery as claimed by the to magical effects by a pregnant fanatics of the Lawgiver in the domains mother most often results in the of Hazlan and Nova Vasaa, this is not twisting of the baby into a caliban. the case. At least this is not always the

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Such effects include the corrupting baby while their cranium was grown aura of a hag, which very often to an unnatural size, so they could causes nearby children to be born fulfill their full mental potential and either dead or as Witchspawn be able to truly master the Calibans. The corrupting aura of mysterious art some know as extraplanar fiends, referred to by “psionics.” There might or might not Rudolph Van Richten as a reality be a grain of truth in these disturbing wrinkle, causes the birth of similar tales. yet different beings. Planetouched ™ Obsession: Obsession, a powerful humans, referred to in texts as emotion and mad desire for a single tieflings, are very rare and are a thing, has brought ruin to countless breed apart from calibans. Exposure men and women. In lands which lie to raw Arcane power, like the next to the Misty Border, it is said influence of a strong magical site or that a barren mother, who wanted a a magical item, also often results in child so badly she would do anything the birth of either Witchspawn or for him, would sometimes get Brutes. Finally, exposure to the impregnated by the Mists particular force known to us scholars themselves, and give birth to a as negative energy, the black essence malformed baby who wields strange of death and entropy, brings about power. the birth of Banshees. This is one of ™ Tainted Flesh: Mothers who used in the major reasons for caliban birth. indulge in cannibalism, the ™ Flesh Sculpting: Dark tomes hint at devouring of the flesh of their own an ancient art called Flesh Sculpting kind; often have their baby deformed which combines magic, alchemy and into a Cannibal caliban. It seems to surgery. This art allows one to shape be either the tainting influence of the mortal flesh, blood, and bone like flesh itself (very unlikely though not clay and to create horrid monsters out of the way), or (as I suspect) the out of normal people and animals. subtle touch of the Powers That Be. I To even learn this vile art, one has to suspect the Cannibal tribes, which sacrifice his very own humanity. The dwell in the Invidian wilderness, ravings of a wandering madman in were created this way as well as Barovia told of fiends with tentacles through inbreeding, as their parents who dwell on the moon and maintain degenerated into cannibalism and massive herds of brain-addled, inter-relationships during the long deformed beings which were once years of the war when their once- humans and are now nothing but great cities were besieged. mindless, boorish slaves. Obviously, ™ Necrophilia and Possession: Acts these poor beings are the horrid of necrophilia, perverted acts of sex results of Flesh Sculpting conducted with the dead and the undead, very on humans while still in the womb. often bring about the birth of Other experiments conducted by Cannibal calibans. Once again, I these fiends brought about the suspect the hand of the Powers That existence of a different breed of Be is in that matter. Also, mothers caliban, whose body degenerated and impregnated by someone possessed appears like that of an atrophied by a Ghost or similar spectral undead

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or possessed during birth give birth ™ Inbreeding: Constant inter-breeding to Banshees. between close family members often ™ Curses: Curses are a powerful force results in the birth of calibans, in our world, similar yet different usually of either the Brute or from magic at the same time. They Cannibal breeds. Commoners believe offer poetic justice or wicked pain this is a divine punishment for for those suffering under their effect. breaking the taboo, though I hardly Some curses are so powerful that believe such ravings. Instead, recent they could twist a newborn human discoveries from Lamordia show the babe into a hideous caliban, existence of "genes," tiny particles sometimes over the course of several which make up a man's body. generations. Having sex on certain Perhaps inbreeding re-arranges these days of the year, which are "genes" in a different sort of way considered to be cursed or unlucky which creates calibans. I'll have to (like the eve of the Requiem), delve further into the matter. sometimes also results in caliban Interbreeding between calibans of all babies. In the specific case of the types also results in the birth of Requiem, Cannibals are usually calibans; marking them as a true race born. In the land of Tepest, the (they are very rarely sterile). curses over the desecration of nature ™ Chemistry and Alchemy: Research bestowed by angry Druids are said to associates from the domain of Nosos create Bestial calibans. Brutes and have sent me reports about an Witchspawn calibans are also often increasing number of deformed created as the result of a curse. children born in the great city and its Sometimes breaking the curse may satellite towns. From my limited "restore" the child into a normal knowledge of mundane science, I human, though my experiments suspect there is something in the showed that calibans aren't water supply, the food, or the air that "diseased." Besides, no amount of somehow corrupts and deforms these magic or surgery can transform a babies. Certain alchemical potions caliban into a human unless the Dark are also said to twist the child into a Powers themselves dabble in the Witchpsawn caliban if ingested by a matter… In this cause of caliban pregnant woman. birth, the mother is oftentimes not to ™ Unknown: Yet, some calibans are blame. For example, a tragic legend born and none of the reasons stated talks of one of the past Kings of above can explain their deformities. Darkon, Seron the Cruel. The King's For all my efforts, I wasn't able to line faltered after a wronged Vistani determine the cause of these births, seer cursed his bloodline for the which spanned calibans of all five murder of her own child. From that breeds. Perhaps these births are day on, any children born to him connected to an upcoming cosmic from his various Queens (who were event, which affects mothers and usually executed after birth, being babies seemingly at random. Or blamed for the result) were hideous, perhaps there is some intelligent horridly deformed calibans who were force at work here, with its own unfit to succeed him. hidden agenda and goal. These

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unknown reasons may fall into the yet to be complete and yet obscured eight categories mentioned above, in shadow despite my best efforts. It but I wasn't able to find the will likely require the combined connection. My research on the efforts of the Brothers for its unknown birth cause of Calibans is successful continuation.

Unknown Chemistry Inbreeding Curses Necrophilia Tainted Obsession Flesh Magical Emotional and and Flesh Sculpting Twisting Twisting Alchemy Possession + + + + Banshee + + + + Bestial + + + + + + + Brute + + + + Cannibal + + + + + + Witch- spawn

Overall, calibans are born and calibans into five "sub-races," created due to the myriad of reasons phenotypes, or breeds as I most detailed above. commonly refer to them. Calibans of the Those supporting the theory of same breed usually share common mystical domains ruled by powerful evil deformities, powers, and general individuals called Darklords (a theory appearance. More so than even humans, I'm quite fond of) claim the deformities no two calibans appear the same. Here of calibans born in a specific domain are small descriptions of the appearance somehow reflect that land's Darklord; and behavior of each of the five breeds being sort of a twisted caricature of his and realms in the Core in which they own inner faults and characteristics. usually are born. By rarity, the caliban In the last few decades, the breeds are arranged this way (from most number of caliban births in the lands of common to rarest): Brute, Cannibal, the Core is steadily rising, especially in Bestial, Banshee, and Witchspawn. places ravaged by magical cataclysms Certain breeds are more common such as the Requiem and the Grand (although calibans are a tiny minority in Conjunction. I suspect the increasing all known realms of Ravenloft) in certain number of caliban births heralds the domains, maybe because of the place's coming of another such event, perhaps particular nature which causes the even the legendary Time of Unparalleled circumstances which create calibans of a Darkness hinted at in Ezrite texts. Watch certain breed. I've added my results on out Brothers, for the time of testing is this in a list later on. near at hand… Banshee (Wailing Women): At first The Five Breeds sight, Banshees are beautiful and alluring creatures, mistaken for comely From careful observation and humans, or even elves in their unearthly, research, I was able to divide the

73 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 delicate and almost-spectral beauty. humans lust after their beauty, they also They are all female for some reason, but hate and fear their association with death I was unable to find out why. They are and the unnatural, for they see the also the second rarest of all caliban inevitability of their own demise in a breeds, after Witchspawn, and for their Banshee's dark eyes and hear the bells of rarity and cold beauty are also called the Reaper in the Banshee's haunting "ice queens." In a closer observation (or voice. Due to the circumstances of their dissection), one sees there is something birth, their deformities and their harsh clearly unnatural about the Banshees. lives, Banshees have a true Their deformities are subtle and not understanding of the nature of grief, blatant like those of calibans of other death and the underworld. This often breeds, and thus are even more causes power-hungry Banshees to pursue disturbing. Their skin is unnaturally pale the dark and dangerous Art of and cold to the touch, like that of a Necromancy, of which they become corpse just before it starts to decay. skilled users. Sometimes, harmless frost will form and dissipate from their skin instead of Bestial (Man-beast): Bestial calibans sweat. Their hair, usually being pitch are usually the most in tune with their black, silver or white, is smooth and inhuman nature, and are the third most grows to great lengths at a relatively common of the five breeds. They are the short amount of time. Their lips are most inhuman appearing calibans, likewise either black or white. Their though they rarely are downright ugly voices are melodic and disturbing at the like Brutes and Cannibals. Combining same time, filled with hidden the features of men and beasts, their melancholia and a longing for that which deformities include coarse hair, scales or was lost. Banshees are beautiful indeed, even carapace, an animal-like head, the but their beauty is macabre and claws and teeth of a predator, or even unnatural. They are often suspected for membranous wings like those of a bat. dealing in the Dark Arts by the ignorant Of particular note is the subtype of masses or for actually being undead such Bestial born in the land of Arak, as vampires or even ghosts. Banshees deformed in the manner of a spider and are unearthly creatures not of this world, dubbed Arachne by myself and "Spider and this aloofness often causes them to Children" by the locals of that desolate be persecuted by humans. They are also land. Occasionally, Bestial will run on weak and frail of body, vulnerable to all four limbs in the manner of a beast. blows, diseases and the chill wind. Their strength is legendary, rivaling that Their great charisma, beauteous of Brute calibans, but the magic which appearance and voice make Banshees warps them into beastlike forms also ideal singers and performers, and they harms their minds, making them usually wander the Core (often as part of somewhat less intelligent and aware of a carnival), specializing in singing themselves than humans. ballads of keening, lament and loss. Despite their unnatural origins, Their performances usually attract lots Bestial calibans have an innate, powerful of listeners, who love and fear the connection to the natural world. They Banshee at the same time. Banshees are are often mistaken for lycanthropes or as lonely as any caliban, for while beast-men, but besides heightened

74 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 instincts and a sense of belonging to deformed and ugly. Common nature which somehow eases their deformities include pock-marks, warts, loneliness they are not innately tiny bone ridges jutting out of the skin, malicious or murderous. However, when or mismatched eyes. The magic that roused, Bestial calibans are driven into distorts their body also affects their an animalistic rage which causes them to minds the most of all other calibans, and tear anything in their path like a frenzied from conversation and careful analysis animal. A few Bestial perform at of a Brute's reactions to various circuses and carnivals under monikers challenges I found out Brutes tend to be such as "the Amazing Wolf-Girl" and mentally limited compared to other "the Foaming Berserk", although of all calibans or ordinary humans. Brutes are calibans they are the least likely to shunned like all other caliban breeds. amuse men with their deformities. Nothing is said to them in their face Bestial calibans rarely live in directly, since humans fear their human society, for their appearance is monstrous strength and stamina. Only the most blatantly inhuman and hard to when they have the advantage of conceal. Eventually, either by being numbers or weaponry, do humans dare driven out or traveling there themselves, say what they truly think. they reach the wild areas of the domains. Brutes lack a society of their There they start a solitary life by own, and unlike other caliban don't even developing a strong bond with the attempt to create it. Instead they live natural world of animals and plants amongst mankind where they are barely around them. They are the most likely of accepted, mainly for their value as a calibans to find rest, for they do have a strong and tireless work force. They are place to belong, though not in the world employed in hard works which require of humans. strength, such as construction and labor at the docks or factories, though they are Brutes (the Accursed): For some always kept in the back by their bosses, reason, probably due to their most away from the prying eyes of society. common cause of birth (fear), Brute Brute workers, unaware of their rights, calibans are the most common and are often worked in conditions of near- widespread of breeds. Brutes are known slavery. In the underworld, they often to exist in all of Ravenloft's domains, work as hired thugs and extorters for though like all calibans, their mere crime bosses. Some Brutes also join existence is usually denied and they are circuses and carnivals as strong men. feared and hated for what they are as a Brutes are often recruited to the blemish on the "perfect" human race. armies of human kingdoms due to their Brutes tower above and are wider than improved physical attributes (both Vlad most men, and usually bulge with Drakov and Malocchio Aderre are muscles. Their ability to endure pain is known to employ entire battalions of the also above and beyond that of ordinary, creatures), though they may never hope unchanged humans. Legends relate them to ascend above the positions of a simple to the lost races of ogres and giants, born grunt because of their superiors' bigotry. of centuries of degeneration and Quite frankly, most Brutes lack the breeding with ordinary human women. brains to become generals. Just as they are strong, Brutes are

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Cannibal (Living Ghoul): Without a uncomfortable appearance). A few might doubt, calibans of this breed are the most join a carnival and wander with it, wretched and misshapen members of the joining the cast of freaks under race, and give it its bad reputation as nicknames such as "the Ravenous foul devourers of the living and the dead. Ghoul." They are also the second most common While the vast majority of breed after Brutes. Together with Brutes Cannibals suppress their cannibalistic and Witchspawn, they are the most tendencies (sating their hunger on physically repulsive of calibans. animal meat), some indulge in their Common deformities include a hunched cannibalism and turn into vile murderers walk in the manner of a rat or a after being shunned from society for slithering snake, hairless rubbery skin, their appearance and suffering the drools, crooked, sharp teeth and a inevitable abuse at the hands of humans. constantly wriggling tongue. They also If these murderers aren't outright killed, tend to smell pretty bad. However, they they usually escape into the wilderness move and react much more quickly than (or the most despicable parts of a city's ordinary humans. Cannibals are often slums) and gather in savage gangs or mistaken for undead ghouls (though rest clans with other escaped Cannibals. assured, countless experiments have These barbaric societies are a twisted shown me they are not undead and are mirror of the human society which drove vulnerable to anything which affects out the Calibans, extravagating all that is other mortal beings), and I have wicked, treacherous and brutal about unconfirmed suspicions some of them humanity. They are what you and I could might have a ghoul or ghast forefather in become, under the right (or wrong) their twisted bloodline (though even I circumstances. shudder at the thought of crossing these The rivalry between Cannibal repulsive decaying undead with and ghoul clans is legendary, especially humans). since Cannibals have a tendency to rise Unlike most calibans, the strange as ghouls upon death. Especially great energies which make them appear and old clans are known to dwell in the inhuman also affect their minds, imbuing Invidian wilderness; the results of the them with an unnatural desire to devour ancient wars which once ravaged the the flesh of other humanoids. In the area and led to cannibalism and interrogations, Cannibals described this inbreeding. Recently, Malocchio the feeling as a numb pain in their head and Dukkar was able to recruit these vicious stomach, urging them to consume their creatures (taught to kill and devour since own kin. Those Cannibals who live in birth) into his army. I prefer not to think human society usually do work that what he had offered them in return for an doesn’t require them to be seen or that alliance. I also classify Horg, the Caliban takes advantage of their natural agility, assistant of Dr. Victor Mordenheim, as a like tending the sewers or sweeping Cannibal, even though his deformities chimneys. Others might find are more common to Brutes. employment in the more shady areas as thieves or assassins (jobs which Witchspawn (Arcane Scion): naturally require them to remain unseen, Witchspawn are the rarest of all caliban thus not disturbing society with their breeds and their connection to magic is

76 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 the strongest. In the land of Tepest, they (being gripped by the same idiotic are believed to be the descendants of the superstitions as the commoners), for they Elf-Knight, a powerful bogeyman who seem to herald the coming of an ill stalks the wood tempting mortal women omen. Thus Witchspawn in search of then leaving them forever yearning for power most often turn to their natural his touch. Such poor women are said to talents as sorcerers, magnified by a live out a sad and lonely life, since no powerful force of personality. mortal man can ever satisfy them, and Witchspawn are the most likely of they sometimes wander off into the calibans to be killed by the ignorant Shadow Rift in search of their darkling mob, and their great intelligence allows lover. While I don't believe this rubbish, them to realize this fact soon enough. I do agree that a Witchspawn's Most Witchspawn abandon the connection to the Arcane is almost as human settlements and forsake the petty strong as that of a true fey. world of humanity behind, heading the call in their blood towards the earning of Personally, I view them as exalted and what truly matters: power. Traveling the blessed creatures, for their body serves wilderness, they often become spell- as a conduit for the chaotic, invisible slingers of terrifying strength. Very forces of the Beyond. They are the one rarely do they follow any other career, caliban breed that both fascinates and for their weak bodies are unfit for most frightens me the most. Physically, menial tasks. Occasionally, they might Witchspawn are some of the most perform at circuses with their magical deformed of caliban breeds. Their bodies talents and horrific appearance. Also, are weak and frail, wasted and warped some disguised Witchspawn offer their by the powerful magic they channel. services to human settlements as wise- Their deformities include the "classic" men and diviners of the future, as their marks of a spellcaster according to magical powers enable them to fulfill a legend and superstition, such as a witch man or woman's desire; for the right nipple, different skin color, and hooves price… like a devil. They are the most I view Witchspawn calibans as stereotypically fiendish in appearance of kindred spirits to the Fraternity, and by all calibans, and this serves to increase offering them acceptance in our the hostility towards them. In addition to organization we can harness their might obvious physical deformities, all to our side. Their power is rising, and Witchspawn are surrounded with a woe to any who stands in their path… pulsing aura of power which causes unease in the hearts of men and beasts. Caliban Psyche, Relations and Witchspawn are possibly the most hated and repulsed of all calibans, for even the Society: Into the Mind of a dumbest peasant recognizes the sheer Monster power that is their heritage. While their From observations, towering intellect and magical affinities interrogations, and experiments enable them to make capable users of conducted by your faithful servant, I Wizardry, most wizard guilds in the found out that the psyche of most Land of the Mists fear Witchspawn and calibans remains untouched by the refuse to share their secrets with them effects which warped their body at the

77 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 womb and their thought patterns are as children and youths, since the other almost identical to those of ordinary children possess the advantage of humans. Like the majority of humans, numbers over their own physical calibans are social creatures who seek to strength. When puberty comes it is the belong to a society that accepts them for worst, as the caliban can only watch in who they are in addition to finding envy and frustration on the other happy wealth, love and happiness. The things boys and girls discovering the joys of which break a human mind are also just love while he is constantly rejected and as likely to break a Caliban's psyche. feared by members of the other sex. However, due to their monstrous, As adults, calibans continue to inhuman appearance, calibans almost face persecution where they show their never get to fulfill these simple human face. Adults tend to less direct and desires. Instead, they are shunned, feared blatant than children, hiding their hate and hated for the deformities which and fear beyond a mask of sweet-talking. forever set them apart from humans. Calibans have to live in hiding from the This is the tragedy and irony of the prying eyes of society and the finger caliban race. Upon birth, if they and constantly pointed at them. They their mothers aren't killed outright constantly move from place to place (which is most often the case in barbaric when their nature is revealed and the places such as Tepest and Falkovnia), disguise lifted, for a caliban is never either out of sheer hatred or even mercy accepted for who is. Even in societies (as most calibans find only misery in which perceive themselves as advanced life) they usually are hidden away by and enlightened (like the nations of the their shameful parents, kept in damp League of Four), calibans face hate, fear basements like a dark secret, abandoned and prejudice. They are viewed more as in the wilderness to fend for themselves freaks of nature rather than demon- (which most often causes their death) or spawn like in the primitive domains, are given away to orphanages or even though. Most calibans are driven out or the Vistani, who sometimes view the escape from the human settlements, but potential in a caliban baby and in places such as Darkon or Nova Vaasa, understand their condition as outcasts. where their worth as workers is As a caliban grows up, all he finds in recognized, they are allowed to live the society is pity (in the best case) or fear cities, in a walled, separate section of the and hatred (in the worst). The caliban's slums called a "ghetto", often together very own family is fearful and ashamed with other demihumans and social of him instead of giving him the love he outcasts, under the excuse of "offering deserves as their child. He usually has no protection" (while actually keeping the friends as children tend to be very cruel calibans off the normal population who and judging towards those different than dislikes, fears and hates them). Ghettos themselves- when they don't run away in are amongst the worst places in the fear upon sight of the caliban, bringing domains, rampant with crime, disease the adults to violently drive him away. and sometimes even famine. In the They also mature much faster than ghetto, many calibans become the human children, further alienating them monsters they were said to be, altered by from society. Even the physically the harsh conditions of life and just powerful Bestial and Brutes are bullied trying to survive. Criminals, psychopaths

78 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 and supernatural predators (such as red also shun most religions, which view widows, vampires and vampires) pose a them as abominations. The Church of serious threat in the ghetto, for rarely do the Lawgiver sees them as corruptions of the guards or police force venture inside. humanity which must be destroyed, the Even in capitalist domains such as Church of Belenus sees them as the Richemulot where social advancement wretched spawn of fey or fiends can be earned through money, power (depending on the individual priest and knowledge, calibans cannot advance asked), the Darkonian sect of Ezra seeks since they are viewed as sub-human to "cure" calibans though their monsters. experiments haven't proven effective Rarely do calibans die a natural until now, the Mordentish sect argues death. Most often, they die at the hands within itself about whether to recognize of a lynch mob or at the command a self- calibans as cursed humans (Children of righteous judge or priest for some the Goddess) or monsters (Children of invented wrong. Other times, they the Night) while the Dementlieu sect and commit suicide or degenerate to the use Home Faith take no official stance, but of drugs or alcohol to ease their generally view calibans with hostility. suffering. A caliban is actually better The teachings of Hala speak to living on the street or in the wilderness them, and an increasingly large amount than amongst ordinary civilization. of calibans are said to be amongst the Among criminals only strength and Weaver's flock. I've personally met a cunning matter and the beasts in the wild fledgling caliban priest in the order. The judge no one by his appearance and offer concept of racial pride appeals to some unconditional love and friendship to the calibans, mainly because so many of shunned caliban. Calibans are also them were degraded during their lives. highly respected as "marked" and Others live in self-loathing and denial of "exalted" by the members of various who they are, but most calibans walk a mystery cults dedicated to careless use narrow path between these two of the Arcane, chaos, change and fiend- extremes. worship, though this is usually not the Some calibans, unsurprisingly, kind of attention one wants to receive. grow malicious and hateful from their Individual calibans react constant years of abuse at society's hand, differently to their inevitably harsh lives. seeking to gain revenge on the society All calibans become jaded to common, which denied them. Others become petty insults and threats, having faced traitors to their own kind, being cruel to persecution so many times in their lives. other outcasts to gain status in the eyes They all learn to become extremely self- of the humans, who only mock them for reliant and tough, knowing that they live this. The monstrous deeds of these in a society which fears and hates them creatures blemish the reputation of the for what they are. They come to learn entire race and reinforce the caliban the value of hard work, as this is almost stereotype. Other, much rarer calibans, always the only way they can be realize the wrongs of human society and somehow accepted by society. seek to correct them, by dedicating They also often detest the laws of themselves to the betterment and service the state and society much as society of the society which denied them, detests the calibans themselves. Calibans seeking to repay abuse with love and

79 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 kindness. Personally, I cannot and merciful as he is said to be. Judging understand them, but a few calibans do from experience in the realm of the pursue this path, which they call "the Mists, he might actually be the wicked, path of good." Fools, they know not that dread lord of this fabled realm. Many morality is the eye of the beholder! calibans have spent their lives in a quest Indeed, how many of their own brethren to find this Haven, but no caliban has have died in the name of "good" and been able to find it yet. The legends say "just" gods and ideals? only one who is "purged" (of what?) will Most calibans walk a path in be able to find the exact road leading to between those opposite philosophies, this Haven. Others say Haven is actually simply seeking to be accepted and not a bastardized word for "Heaven", where isolated outcasts. Children born to calibans go after death as a reward for caliban parents (who are almost always their suffering in life for nothing. Thus, calibans) are educated according to their Haven doesn't exist in the mortal realm. parents' view of life, and they are far less The rare few calibans who were able to lonely and sad than calibans born to find rest in life and a place they feel human parents, already aware of the comfortable and part of actually say dangers of the human world if they Haven is no actual place in the mortal or choose to attempt to live amongst immortal realms but a state of mind and mankind. being. From their years of suffering, The calibans' own lack of calibans come to value the simple joys realization they are a breed apart humans of life, like the unconditional love of a (as they constantly seek to belong in the pet, the beauty of the waves crashing on human society which rejects them) shore, or the petals of a flower, slowly prevents them from forming societies of dropping to the ground. Calibans also their own, as are their relatively small tend to be very loyal friends, as they numbers compared to the human know what it is like to be truly alone. population of the domains (less than 1% They are much more in touch with in most domains, though higher in places nature than humans despite their where the Arcane flourishes like Darkon unnatural origins, and many barbarians, and Hazlan) and the oppression they rangers and druids come from the race, face. Most calibans think they are especially (and naturally) from Bestial unique, the only freaks in the world. stock. Years on the road have created the Indeed, the only known caliban society start of unique caliban folklore, such as in the Core are the wretched Cannibal the legend of the Haven (a marvelous clans of Invidia, devolved creatures city at the edge of the world where two prone to their most basic needs; barbaric seas meet, ruled by a powerful sorcerer butchers who do as they please as long whose soul is as beautiful as his face is as they may force their debased needs on hideous, who offers a sanctuary for all others. By forsaking their humanity outcasts in his magnificent city). I know beyond and becoming like savage, not if such a place truly exists, though I hateful beasts, Cannibals who join one suspect the legend was simply born of of these clans finds a sort of solace in the calibans' desire to find a place where causing pain and destruction to others they can truly belong. If such a place and consuming their flesh. does exist, I doubt this sorcerer is as just Calibans have a mixed

80 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 relationship with the various demihuman forging himself a vast army made of the races which inhabit Ravenloft. Both "tamed" cannibal clans of the wastes. halflings and half-elves, who are part of Experienced in combat and jaded to the human culture, shun calibans. Dwarves terrors of the world, these murderers respect calibans for their toughness, but make truly efficient warriors, especially are terrified of their magical nature at the with their unquenched lust for mortal same time. While full-blooded Elves flesh. Once our Fraternity decides to find calibans fascinating due to their take action towards our goal (which you connection to the Arcane, similar to the already know well), caliban soldiers, Elves' own Arcane nature, they also tend with their hatred for men magnified to look down on their unaesthetic through the new technique called "brain- appearance and their relation to the washing", will be the key to victory. hated, upstart race of humans who Brothers, when dealing with pollute the world and disturb the balance calibans, remember that despite what between civilization and nature, magic you think they are all individuals. Their and technology. However, some desires and motives are like those of Witchspawn and especially Banshees mankind, from which they were have found solace in the elven society of mutated. However, a caliban's Sithicus. Gnomes also find calibans personality is often shaped by his or her curious, but fear them the same time. deformities and the inevitable hardships However, Gnomish society is more open he is forced to endure through life. to calibans than the human one. Of all caliban breeds, I am most Due to their nature as mutants fascinated by the Witchspawn. Arcane born of humanity, calibans lack a might flows in their blood, and they are language of their own. They most often born closer to ultimate power than any speak the language of the domain they human. The existence of a possible were born in, though some calibans learn psionic variant, which I dub the Patternia, the Vistani language picked Carnium, is also interesting. Of all from parts of other languages, as this calibans, they are also the most far- mixed tongue mirrors their nature as removed of the petty human concepts of wanderers and outcasts well. friendship and love, which they'll never gain anyway, and instead free Ending Words: the Future of themselves to pursue true knowledge and power. They will make perfect allies Calibans for our Fraternity, and we should seek The amount of calibans in the them out across the land. I think that by Land of the Mists is ever-rising, and researching and focusing the Arcane from my interrogations of a particular energies which create Witchspawn, we Witchpsawn who was able to sense the might be able to perfect the process and very winds of magic, I suspect they will create a master race of Arcane dabblers play a large role in the events which will who will be able to gain true shake up the Demiplane in the future. understanding of the true power over this The scattered calibans have the potential world and beyond. We should inform to be more (and less) than men. They our suppliers to bring some new just need the right leader and the right "subjects" for research. However, we cause. The Dukkar Malocchio of Invidia must keep a vigil eye over our new knows this fact well, and he is already

81 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 creations, for with great power comes instead merely of a Ravenloftian half- great ambition, as we know all too well. orc, although both Bestial and Brutes fill Alternately, we could try to eliminate this niche quite well. A DM may create these rivals before they discover their his own types of calibans by using the full powers and unite under a powerful existing breeds as guidelines for balance leader and cause, because the challenge issues and maintaining the flavor of the might be too great then. race (optional choices for new breeds could be the Arachne of Arak and To Drink is to Know Carnium of Bluetspur). Also, take notice that some deformities may be more Finally, in the appendix, I've powerful than others. To offset this, added extra info on the five breeds and DMs should play the caliban's Outcast an extensive list with details on all the Rating to its fullest. The caliban might deformities that I recorded during my be slightly more powerful than a human travels. You will also find the profiles of of the same level due to his deformities, five calibans from all the breeds to show but what use is this power when he is you that these inhuman beings are constantly hounded and his mere persons too. presence causes unease? In the case of

calibans, role-playing disadvantages Caliban Feats: should negate their slight power Extra Deformities [Caliban] advantage instead of an ECL. The caliban embraces his monstrous Another way to minimize the heritage and actually grows more power of deformities is by forcing the deformed. PC to roll them randomly. In the worst Prerequisites: Con 13+ case, a DM should just scrap the Benefits: The caliban gains a number of deformities altogether and use the breeds extra deformities equal to his Con as they are, for the deformities are modfier, which are picked from the mainly for flavor and the breed system deformity list available to each subrace. already archives powering-up and Special: The caliban gains an additional making calibans more unique. A DM +2 Outcast Rating, as he is even more should feel free to adjust or invent his physically twisted than usual members own deformities, using the ones of his race. presented here as guidelines. Generally, a deformity shouldn't offer as powerful Betrayal of the Flesh: Creating a of an advantage as a feat or a monster special ability or quality. It shouldn't be Caliban too drastic (like making the caliban All calibans share the racial traits huge) but still be pretty freaky and detailed below, which are altered should almost always offer some sort of according to the caliban's specific breed; disadvantage in return for the benefit Banshee, Bestial, Brute, Cannibal or offered by it. Witchspawn. The various breeds and deformities allow a PC or a DM to create a truly customized caliban character Caliban Traits (Generic) ability scores ™ Medium-size. ™ +2 to 1-3 ability scores, -2 to 1-3 ™ Unnatural Blood: Calibans gain

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Use Magic Device as a class skill, deformities. due to the fact magic literally flows ™ Deformities: Witch Fingers, Gaunt, in their bloodline. Material Vulnerability, Pale, Twisted ™ The Hidden: Calibans gain Disguise Organs, Witch Nipple, Backwards as a class skill, as they skulk through Eye, Double Irises, Eyes of society attempting to hide their Darkness, Swirling Eyes, Angelic deformities. Visage, Large Ears, Backwards Feet, ™ Deformities: A Caliban picks 1D4 Deranged, Magical Affinity (Any +1 deformities from the list below Bard or Necromancy), Eerie upon its creation. Certain types favor Whisper, Forked Tongue, Voice of certain deformities. A Caliban will Many often possess additional deformities ™ Automatic Languages: As which won't affect his game statistics Ravenloft campaign setting like those described below. ™ Favored Class: Wizard Generally a deformity cannot be (Necromancer) or Bard cured by anything short of a Limited ™ Outcast Rating: +5- Calibans are Wish, though some may be removed always twisted and distorted in some by careful surgery (Heal or which clearly marks them as Profession- Surgeon checks with an inhuman. especially high DC). However, a Caliban automatically qualifies for Caliban Traits (Bestial) the Willing Deformity Vile Feat ™ +2 Str, -2 Int, -2 Cha: Bestial chain if he is evil, and needn't take Calibans are powerful, but lack the Willing Deformity feat. intellect or social finesse. ™ Automatic Languages: As ™ Medium-size. Ravenloft campaign setting. ™ Unnatural Blood: Calibans gain ™ Favored Class: Varies. Use Magic Device as a class skill, ™ Outcast Rating: +5- Calibans are due to the fact magic literally flows always twisted and distorted in some in their bloodline. which clearly marks them as ™ The Hidden: Calibans gain Disguise inhuman. as a class skill, as they skulk through

society attempting to hide their Caliban Traits (Banshee) deformities. ™ +2 Cha, -2 Con: Banshee Calibans ™ Deformities: Claws, Extra Arms, are hauntingly beautiful and Multi-Segmented Limbs, Suckers, charismatic, but frail of body and Bones of Steel, Fur, Giant, Gills, often succumb to illness or the Increased Metabolism, Membrane sword. Wings, Rough Skin, Shedding, ™ Medium-size. Spinnerets, Tail, Bulbous Eyes, ™ Unnatural Blood: Calibans gain Bloodshot Eyes, Horns, Great Nose, Use Magic Device as a class skill, Large Ears, Frogs Legs, Gorilla Feet, due to the fact magic literally flows Hooves, Quadrepad, Webbed Limbs, in their bloodline. Magical Affinity (Any Druid), ™ The Hidden: Calibans gain Disguise Forked Tongue, Frog Tongue, as a class skill, as they skulk through Projectile Vomit, Sharp Teeth, society attempting to hide their Unusual Appetite.

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™ Automatic Languages: As Caliban Traits (Cannibal) Ravenloft campaign setting. ™ +2 Dex, -2 Cha: Cannibals are ™ Favored Class: Barbarian or Druid. misshapen and constantly consumed ™ Outcast Rating: +5- Calibans are with vile thoughts of lust and always twisted and distorted in some gluttony, but move with the grace of which clearly marks them as an assassin. inhuman. ™ Medium-size.

™ Unnatural Blood: Calibans gain Caliban Traits (Brute) Use Magic Device as a class skill, ™ +2 Str, +2 Con, -2 Int, -2 Wis, -2 due to the fact magic literally flows Cha: Brute Calibans are strong and in their bloodline. very tough, but mentally they are ™ The Hidden: Calibans gain Disguise lacking. as a class skill, as they skulk through ™ Medium-size. society attempting to hide their ™ Unnatural Blood: Calibans gain deformities. Use Magic Device as a class skill, ™ Deformities: Claws, Extra Arms, due to the fact magic literally flows Multi-Segmented Limbs, Suckers, in their bloodline. Aberrant, Dwarfism, Gaunt, ™ The Hidden: Calibans gain Disguise Hunchback, Increased Metabolism, as a class skill, as they skulk through Material Vulnerability, Membrane society attempting to hide their Wings, Obesity, Pale, Rough Skin, deformities. Rubbery, Skulk, Slimy, Spinnerets, ™ Deformities: Extra Arms, Multi- Toxic Blood, Twisted Organs, Segmented Limbs, Witch Fingers, Bulbous Eyes, Bloodshot Eyes, Eyes Aberrant, Bones of Steel, Giant, of Darkness, Face of Nightmare, Hunchback, Increased Metabolism, Great Nose, Frogs Legs, Gorilla Material Vulnerability, Obesity, Feet, Quadruped, Webbed Limbs, Rough Skin, Rubbery, Short Neck, Deranged, Malformed Twin, Eerie Skulk, Slimy, Toxic Blood, Twisted Whisper, Forked Tongue, Frog Organs, Witch Nipple, Backwards Tongue, Sharp Teeth, Unusual Eye, Bulbous Eyes, Bloodshot Eyes, Appetite. Cyclops, Face of Nightmare, Great ™ Automatic Languages: As Nose, Large Ears, No Nose, Ravenloft campaign setting. Backwards Feet, Gorilla Feet, ™ Favored Class: Rogue. Webbed Limbs, Deranged, Magical ™ Outcast Rating: +5- Calibans are Affinity (Any), Malformed Twin, always twisted and distorted in some Frog Tongue, Projectile Vomit, which clearly marks them as Sharp Teeth, Unusual Appetite. inhuman. ™ Automatic Languages: As Ravenloft campaign setting. Caliban Traits (Witchspawn) ™ Favored Class: Fighter. ™ +2 Int, +2 Cha, -2 Str, -2 Con: ™ Outcast Rating: +5- Calibans are Witchspawn Calibans are always twisted and distorted in some charismatic and intelligent but quite which clearly marks them as frail and weak, as their Arcane inhuman. power seemingly drains their bodies

constantly.

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™ Medium-size Keening- Banshee ™ Unnatural Blood: Calibans gain Lamordia- Bestial, Brute, Cannibal Use Magic Device as a class skill, Markovia- Bestial, Brute, Cannibal due to the fact magic literally flows Mordent- Banshee, Brute, Cannibal in their bloodline. Necropolis- Banshee, Bestial, Brute, ™ The Hidden: Calibans gain Disguise Cannibal, Witchspawn (All Undead) as a class skill, as they skulk through Nocturnal Sea- Banshee, Brute, society attempting to hide their Cannibal, Witchspawn deformities. Nova Vasaa- Brute, Cannibal ™ Deformities: Witch Fingers, Richemulot- Bestial, Brute, Cannibal, Aberrant, Dwarfism, Gaunt, Witchspawn Hunchback, Material Vulnerability, Sea of Sorrows- Bestial, Brute, Membrane Wings, Pale, Tail, Touch Witchspawn of Unease, Twisted Organs, Witch Sithicus- Banshee, Bestial, Witchspawn Nipple, Backwards Eye, Double Tepest- Banshee, Brute, Bestial, Irises, Eyes of Darkness, Swirling Witchspawn Eyes, Angelic Visage, Face of Valachan- Bestial, Brute, Witchspawn Nightmare, Horns, Large Ears, Vechor- Banshee, Bestial, Brute, Backwards Feet, Hooves, Deranged, Cannibal, Witchspawn Magical Affinity (Any), Malformed Verberk- Bestial, Cannibal Twin, Mark of the Warlock, Forked Tongue, Unusual Appetite, Voice of Deformity List by Types (60 Many. ™ Automatic Languages: As Deformities): Ravenloft campaign setting ™ Of the Arms (5): Claws, Extra ™ Favored Class: Sorcerer. Arms, Multi-Segmented Limbs, ™ Outcast Rating: +5- Calibans are Suckers, Witch Fingers. always twisted and distorted in some ™ Of the Body (26): Aberrant, Bones which clearly marks them as of Steel, Dwarfism, Fur, Gaunt, inhuman Giant, Gills, Hunchback, Increased Metabolism, Material Vulnerability, Caliban Breeds in Each Domain Membrane Wings, Obesity, Pale, Rough Skin, Rubbery, Shedding, (Core Only): Short Neck, Skulk, Slimy, Barovia- Brute, Witchspawn Spinnerets, Tail, Touch of Unease, Borca- Banshee, Brute, Cannibal Toxic Blood, Twisted Organs, Witch Darkon- Banshee, Bestial, Brute, Nipple. Cannibal, Witchspawn ™ Of the Eyes (7): Backwards Eye, Dementlieu- Banshee, Witchspawn Bulbous Eyes, Bloodshot Eyes, Falkovnia- Banshee, Brute, Cannibal Cyclops, Double Irises, Eyes of Forlorn- Banshee, Bestial, Brute, Darkness, Swirling Eyes. Witchspawn ™ Of the Face (6): Angelic Visage, Ghastaria- Brute, Cannibal Horns, Face of Nightmare, Great Hazlan- Banshee, Bestial, Brute, Nose, Large Ears, No Nose. Cannibal, Witchspawn ™ Of the Legs (6): Backwards Feet, Invidia- Brute, Cannibal Frogs Legs, Gorilla Feet, Hooves, Kartakass- Banshee, Bestial, Cannibal Quadruped, Webbed Limbs.

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™ Of the Mind (4): Deranged, Magical Bones of Steel: The caliban's bones Affinity, Malformed Twin, Mark of are partially made of metal. He gains the Warlock. +2 Natural Armor class, but suffers a ™ Of the Mouth (7): Eerie Whisper, penalty of -2 to Jump and Tumble Forked Tongue, Frog Tongue, skills due to his relative stiffness as Projectile Vomit, Sharp Teeth, well as extra 5 points of damage Unusual Appetite, Voice of Many. from electrical attacks as he conduits electricity just as easily as an iron Deformities of the Arms bar. Note: this deformity cannot stack with Rubbery. ™ Claws: The caliban has sharp claws ™ Dwarfism: The caliban is instead of normal fingernails and unnaturally small, almost to the point gains 2 claw attacks, each of which of looking like a shrunken version of deals 1d4 points of damage + Str the man he could be. He is Small- modifier. The caliban can use his size instead of Medium. Note: this remaining claw to make an off-hand deformity cannot stack with Giant. attack when using another one- ™ Fur: The caliban is covered in handed weapon in his other claw. shaggy fur, and gains +2 to Animal This is considered a natural weapon Empathy checks due to his bestial ™ Extra Arms: The caliban was born appearance and suffers half damage with an extra weakened functional from environmental (not spell- set of arms. He may use these extra induced) Cold damage. Note: this arms in combat but only uses half his deformity cannot stack with Rough normal Str modifier. In addition all Skin, Rubbery, Shedding or Slimy. armor worn by the Caliban must be ™ Gaunt: The caliban is painfully custom made. gaunt no matter how much he eats, ™ Multi-Segmented Limbs: The limbs gaining DR 3/slashing and piercing of these calibans contain an extra weapons at the cost of -1 Con. Note: joint. The caliban gains +4 to all this deformity cannot stack with Escape Artist checks. Increased Metabolism, Obesity or ™ Suckers: The caliban has octopus- Twisted Organs. like suckers on his hands; giving him ™ Giant: The caliban is Large-sized, +2 to Climb checks and any attempts with all the associated bonuses and to Disarm him are made at a -2 penalties. Note: this deformity penalty. cannot stack with Dwarfism or ™ Witch Fingers: The caliban has a Skulk. sixth finger on each of his hands, ™ Gills: The caliban has gills and can which constantly twitches of its own breathe water but must keep the gills accord. He gains +1 to hit with moist at all times, needing Touch attacks, but -2 to Pick Pocket. approximately two water skins worth

of water a day to do this. Failure to Deformities of the Body keep the gills wet results in a dry ™ Aberrant: The magic that warps the irritating rash that distracts the caliban has wholly distorted his very calibans; putting him at –1 to checks nature, making him an Aberration involving physical activity rather than a Humanoid like other (including combat, Reflex saves and calibans.

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most skill checks). These penalties reduced by 1 and the gliding distance stop once the character has spent two is extended by 5 feet. Any cloth and whole days with his gills adequately armor worn by the caliban must be moistened. custom-made. ™ Hunchback: The caliban has a ™ Obesity: The caliban is unnaturally hunched back, giving him -1 Dex for obese no matter how little he eats, a +4 effective bonus to Charisma for gaining +1 Con at the cost of the purpose of bestowing a curse. reducing land movement speed at - ™ Increased Metabolism: The 10 ft. Note: this deformity cannot caliban's metabolism works at a stack with Gaunt. greatly accelerated rate. His natural ™ Pale: The caliban's skin is healing rate is doubled. However unnaturally pale and he has an when sent below 0 hit points he loses affinity for the dead, granting him +2 2 hit points a round instead of 1. The to either Psychic (good or neutral) or onset time of all poisons and diseases Reign Undead (neutral or evil) skills is halved, and he must eat twice as at the cost of suffering 1 point of much as anyone else. Note: this damage for each hour of direct deformity cannot stack with Gaunt. exposure to the sun. ™ Material Vulnerability: Magic ™ Rough Skin: The caliban has a flows strong in the caliban's blood, rough skin, being either scaly or and he is resistant to physical leather-like, gaining +1 natural damage except from a single armor class. Note: this deformity material, which actually deals him cannot stack with Fur, Rubbery or extra damage. The caliban gains DR Shedding. 3/material (usually iron or silver), ™ Rubbery: The caliban's skin is but actually suffers 3 extra points of rubbery and hairless, and his bones damage when attacked by weapons are also flexible. He gains a +2 made of this material. An injection bonus to escape grapples and may fit of this material in liquid form might through spaces of down to Tiny size even prove fatal to him. by squeezing his body through. ™ Membrane Wings: The caliban has However, he suffers 3 extra points of a thin layer of membrane stretched damage from cold attacks. Note: this between his arms and his body. deformity cannot stack with either When falling from any height, the Bones of Steel, Fur, Rough Skin or caliban can make a Reflex save with Shedding. a DC of 5 + 1 per 10 feet of falling to ™ Shedding: The caliban constantly stabilize himself and allowing him to sheds his skin, much like a snake or glide on the air (though not truly fly), lizard. He constantly leaves patches negating any damage from the fall of skin behind and can be tracked and allowing him to travel easily (+2 to Wilderness Lore checks horizontally up to four times the when attempting to track the caliban vertical distance descended. The down). However, every 10 years of caliban may choose to gain life the caliban completely sheds his momentum before the glide by skin in an extremely painful process running, and for every 10 feet the which takes an entire week, during caliban runs before gliding the DC is which he suffers a -2 penalty to

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attack rolls and skill rolls, -2 natural temporary Constitution damage. AC and is weak and in great pain. Note: this deformity cannot stack For every two sheddings, the caliban with Twisted Organs. gains +1 natural armor class. Note: ™ Tail: The caliban has a malformed this deformity cannot stack with Fur, tail dangling from behind him, Rough Skin or Rubbery. granting him +2 to Balance checks. ™ Short Neck: The caliban has an ™ Touch of Unease: The caliban's skin extremely short, stubby neck which is pulsing with power from beneath, is almost non-existent, granting him which can make lesser men faint. +6 bonus to saves against Vorpal Anyone who touches the caliban's effects or any other attempts made to bare skin with his own bare skin decapitate him. takes 1 point of subdual damage per ™ Skulk: The caliban's body is round of contact, with no save. naturally fitted for hiding and Outsiders and Fey are immune to this sneaking around, gaining +2 to Hide damage, as creatures of magic. Note: and Move Silently checks. He is this deformity cannot stack with often either small for its type or has a Slimy. limited camouflage quality. ™ Toxic Blood: The caliban's very However, the creature has a weak blood is toxic, and often has a weird personality and is often ignored by color or texture (like being black and others, gaining -1 Cha. Note: this oily or being thin and colorless) and deformity cannot stack with Giant or a foul smell. When injected to a Obesity. living body (through a wound caused ™ Slimy: The caliban's skin is coated by the caliban's claws or teeth or by in a thin layer of mucous secreted applying the poison to a piercing or from his pores. He receives a +2 to slashing weapon), the poison forces escape artist checks and a +2 to rolls the target to pass a Fortitude save made to break out of a grapple, but with a DC equal to 5 + Caliban's Con gets a -2 penalty to maintain a modifier or suffer 1d2 points of grapple. Note: this deformity cannot primary ability damage and 1d2 stack with Fur, Touch of Unease, points of secondary ability damage Toxic Blood or Witch Nipple. (which depends on the caliban's ™ Spinnerets: The caliban has the breed- Banshees cause Con damage, ability to create webs. They originate Bestials cause Int damage, Brutes from an opening in a large gland in cause Cha damage, Cannibals cause his gut (the opening is approximately Wis damage and Witchpsawn deal where a belly button would be). The Str damage). The caliban may cause organ converts the caliban's fatty some of his toxic blood to burst tissue/blood/muscle into a thick through his skin in an especially black web-like structure. As a painful process which requires a full- standard action the caliban can create round action, or otherwise cut either a single thick 30’ long “rope” himself for 1 or more points of of web or a large number of finer damage to gain access to his toxic particles (treat as web spell but fills blood and apply it to his claws, teeth only one 5ft square). Either of these or weapons. The poison becomes actions costs the caliban one point of inert after 1d6 rounds of exposure to

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air. A caliban is immune to his own himself) however the third eye toxic blood. This deformity is distorts his depth perception giving especially common in the domains of him a -1 to all ranged attacks while it Nosos and Borca. Note: this is open. Note: this deformity cannot deformity cannot stack with Witch stack with Cyclops. Nipple. ™ Bloodshot Eyes: The caliban's eyes ™ Twisted Organs: The caliban's are constantly red and bloodshot, innards are all twisted around and giving him Lowlight Vision. Note: located in an unusual alignment (his this deformity cannot stack with Eyes heart might be down in his gut while of Darkness. his intestines weave around ™ Bulbous Eyes: The caliban's Eyes throughout his chest wrapping are bulbous and especially large, around the other organs etc.). This giving him Darkvision 60’. Note: makes the Caliban weaker and more this deformity cannot stack with susceptible to poison and disease (-1 Eyes of Darkness. con) but makes his vital organs ™ Cyclops: The caliban has a single harder to find. Any roll to confirm a large eye in the middle of his threat made against the Caliban is at forehead instead of the normal two –2 and anyone attempting to Sneak eyes. He gains -2 to Spot and Search Attack him must make a DC 10 Spot checks, but +4 to saves against gaze check to find his vulnerable spots attacks. Note: this deformity cannot and successfully deliver a Sneak stack with Backwards Eye. Attack (this Spot check is a free ™ Double Irises: The caliban has 2 action). Note: this deformity cannot pupils in his eyes instead of merely stack with Gaunt or Spinnerets. one. He gains +2 to Spot and Search ™ Witch Nipple: The caliban, even if checks but -1 to Wisdom, as he often male, has a third nipple which sees things that shouldn’t be. Note: secrets oily milk. A number of times this deformity cannot stack with per equal to half his Constituion Swirling Eyes. modifier, the caliban can let others ™ Eyes of Darkness: The caliban's suckle from this milk, which takes 2 eyes are two pools of pure darkness. rounds and heals them of 1d6 HP. He actually uses darkness for sight This is extremely painful for the instead of light, and treats dark areas. caliban, and he suffers a -2 penalty to This means he uses normal vision in attack roles and skill checks during dark areas but his sight is penalized while breast-feeding. Note: this in the light much like a normal deformity cannot stack with Touch human's sight in the dark and he is of Unease or Toxic Blood. unable to see anything in areas of pure light (with no shadow of any Deformities of the Eyes kind. Note: this deformity cannot stack with Bloodshot Eyes, Bulbous ™ Backwards Eye: The caliban has a Eyes, Double Irises and Swirling third eye in the back of his head. As Eyes. long as he keeps it clear (no hats, ™ Swirling Eyes: The caliban's eyes scarves, helmets etc) he has 360 constantly swirl in a hypnotic vision and cannot be flanked (except pattern, gaining +2 to Hypnosis by a rogue 2 levels higher than

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checks at the cost of -2 to Spot an extra point of damage from Sonic checks. Note: this deformity cannot attacks. stack with Double Irises. ™ No Nose: The caliban has a flat space in the center of his face where Deformities of the Face a nose should be. He is immune to spells and effects which depend on ™ Angelic Visage: The caliban has an scent (such as Stinking Cloud) but extremely beautiful, ever-youthful gains -2 to Spot checks made using face, like that of an angelic doll. The scent, and a -2 penalty to HP gained caliban has an Outcast Rating of 4 first level as at first breathing proves instead of the usual 5, but suffers -2 difficult for him. Note: this deformity to Intimidate checks as he is never cannot stack with Great Nose. taken seriously. Note: this deformity

cannot stack with Face of Nightmare. Deformities of the Legs ™ Horns: The caliban has a pair of ™ Backwards Feet: The caliban's feet bestial horns jutting from his head, go backwards, and his tracks are like those of a ram, a deer or even a altered proportionally. Those demon. He gains a single gore attack attempting to Track him gain a -4 which deals 1d4 points of damage penalty to Wilderness Lore checks and 2d4 points of damage when unless they are aware of the charging. This is considered a natural deformity. Note: this deformity attack. Any hats or helmets worn by cannot stack with Quadruped. the caliban must be treated ™ Frogs Legs: The caliban has accordingly. misshapen legs like those of a frog. ™ Face of Nightmare: The caliban's He gains a +4 to Jump checks but his face is extremely hideous (either movement is reduced by 10 ft. Note: withered, mismatched or truly this deformity cannot stack with monstrous), gaining +2 to Intimidate Gorilla Feet, Hooves or Quadruped. checks but -2 to Diplomacy checks. ™ Gorilla Feet: The caliban's feet are Note: this deformity cannot stack closer to large bent misshapen hands with Angelic Visage. like those of an ape. His shoes or ™ Great Nose: The caliban has an boots must be specially made to fit extremely and sensitive large nose. him. While not wearing shoes he can He gains the Scent feat for free. pick up things up with his feet and However, he gains -2 to saves perform limited item manipulation against effects and spells which (no weapon use or spellcasting, -4 to depend on scent (such as Stinking all actions made using these hands). Cloud) and whenever telling a lie his Note: this deformity cannot stack nose grows longer by an inch for two with Frogs Legs, Hooves or Webbed full days. The effects of multiple lies Limbs. stack. Note: this deformity cannot ™ Hooves: The caliban's legs are stack with No Nose. hoofed like those of a demon or ™ Large Ears: The caliban has large, satyr, granting him +10 speed on pointed ears and might be mistaken land. The caliban cannot wear boots, for an elf or half-elf. He gains a +2 but instead may make use of magical bonus to Listen checks, but suffers hooves. Note: this deformity cannot

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stack with either Frogs Legs, Gorilla sweats constantly from the hands. Feet or Webbed Limbs. ™ Malformed Twin: During birth, the ™ Quadruped: The caliban is caliban has partially absorbed his accustomed to using all four of his twin into his body. The twisted, half- limbs for walking in the manner of a formed fetus is still attached beast. He gains +20 ft to land speed somewhere to the caliban's body, and when running on all 4 legs but his they are bonded physically and unease when walking on two mentally. The malformed twin still penalizes his land speed by -10 ft. has fragments of his mind and soul Note: this deformity cannot stack in his body, giving the caliban a +2 with Backwards Feet or Frogs Legs. bonus to Will saves against mind- ™ Webbed Limbs: The caliban has effecting spells and a +2 to saves large webs of skin between his against Necromancy spells which fingers and toes, allowing him to target the soul (like Trap the Soul). swim at his base land speed but However, the twin has a dormant ruining his skill for fine sentience within him and longs to manipulation (-2 to Pick Pocket and truly live through its host. It has the Open Locks). Note: this deformity character's mental scores and a cannot stack with either Gorilla Feet randomly determined alignment (roll or Hooves. a 1d3 twice for the twin's moral and ethical alignments), with its own Deformities of the Mind motives and the desire to stay in control. During times of great ™ Deranged: The caliban was born emotional stress (fear, horror or mad. Upon his creation, roll a madness checks or Barbarian rage) Madness check. The resulting the caliban must roll a Will save with madness cannot be cured normally. a DC equal to 10 + twin's Charisma However, the caliban's madness modifier or the twin takes over its gives him a freakish insight into that host's mind for 1d8 hours. After this which is hidden, gaining +2 to period is over, the Caliban makes Knowledge (Ravenloft) and another Will save with a DC of 5 + Knowledge (Arcana) checks. Cha modifier to break free of the ™ Magical Affinity: The caliban picks twin's control. If he fails the save, the either a cantrip or a 1st level control lasts for 1d4 hours after Wizard/Sorcerer or Druid spell and which the twin can no longer can use it thrice per day (if it is a maintain control. After the caliban cantrip) or once per day (if it is a 1st breaks free, he can remember level spell) as a Sorcerer of his HD. nothing of the time when the twin is The caliban's deformity is according in control. to its magical affinity. For example, ™ Mark of the Warlock: The caliban a caliban who can cast Unnerving has a strange birthmark shaped like Gaze has black, pupil less eyes, a an arcane symbol somewhere on his caliban who can cast Alter Self has a body. As long as the sign is visible, face which appears to be made of he gains +1 caster level but -1 to clay, a caliban who can cast Grease saves against spells. has greasy hair and skin, while a

caliban who can cast Burning Hands

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Deformities of the Mouth ft.(a Reflex save halves the damage). Sharp Teeth: The caliban has sharp ™ Eerie Whisper: The caliban can teeth and gains a bite attack which only talk in whispers, gaining a +2 to deals 1d6 points of damage + Innuendo checks. Strength modifier. This is considered ™ Forked Tongue: The caliban has a a natural weapon. forked tongue like that of a snake, ™ Unusual Appetite: The caliban has granting him a +4 bonus to an unusual appetite, and may feast Knowledge (Nature) checks used to on rotting meat, bugs, blood and identify poison through taste and a other disgusting foods without +1 Fortitude save vs. poison. Note: suffering any ill effects, and gains +1 this deformity cannot stack with to Fortitude saves against poison and Frog Tongue. disease. However, the caliban ™ Frog Tongue: The caliban has a 5- constantly reeks of his disgusting foot long tongue like that of a frog. foods and gains a -2 penalty to He gains a single tongue attack, Diplomacy and Bluff checks unless which doesn't deal any damage but the smell is extremely well hidden. can be used freely for Grappling at a ™ Voice of Many: The caliban's voice +2 bonus. Note: this deformity sounds like many voices talking at cannot stack with Forked Tongue. once, giving him +2 to Bluff checks ™ Projectile Vomit: The stomach of at the cost of -2 to Diplomacy this caliban is deformed to the point checks. that it can not eat solid food and

must vomit up a selection of stomach The caliban NPC profiles will be posted acid to pre-dissolve his food. A number of times per day equal to his in Brutes and Banshees II: Spawn of the Con modifier the PC may vomit a Beyond.

globe of acid for 2d6 points of damage at a single enemy within 20

92 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 In Shadow Oddities From the Churning Void By Eddy Brennan aka Wiccy of the Fraternity [email protected]

For over a decade and a half one and east of the road that leads south to dominant feature of the dread realms has the Malachite Palace. This forest is very stood to baffle and defeat the greatest overgrown and impassable in some minds and scholars. This feature is areas, but those with determination can known as the Shadowrift. Home to the make their way through the patch in elusive and mysterious Shadow Fey and time. When cut, the fauna in the forest many other bizarre horrors that stand as makes a shrill screaming sound and a testament to that all of what a person bleeds for some time. The fauna of the could do to prepare for the unusual can Bleeding Forest has developed an never prepare enough for this solemn unusual form of bark that contains place. Arak, the domain that rests at the minute shards of metallic substances. bottom of the rift is one of perpetual These are a defence mechanism against twilight. No sun or moon ever hangs in having them cut down. When cut the the sky, only the daunting deep grey and shrill noise that utters from the plant black mists that hang high above, sounds not dissimilar to that of a child constantly swimming and churning like screaming. The bleeding that issues they were boiling in a pot. This article forth from any cuts in the plants is sap, addresses some unusual aspects to the though through the twisting nature of the domain of Arak and some of its domain, it has turned red and has a inhabitants. While it is not designed as a similar consistency as blood. The gazetteer to the domain, it is designed to situation is quite off putting and can add more depth and unusual nature to easily turn the stomachs of those who the domain. make their way through the Bleeding Encounters within the Shadowrift Forest are as mundane or outlandish as the Dungeon Master wishes them to be. The Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Sunken Barrows accessory The Shadowrift gave several The sunken barrows are a grouping examples of what unusual behaviour of ancient Sith burial chambers that date could be encountered in the domain, back within the Shadowrift some two however all these did was scratch the thousand years or more. The barrows surface of what may be. are located halfway between Anvolee and Esmerth as one crosses the plains and forests between the two towns. The Bleeding Forest While Barrows usually rise up above the This region of the domain lays ground, these sink down into it, creating approximately five miles south of the a nesting of sunken pockets varying North Ford, which rests near the from ten to thirty feet across and from Fracture to the west of the Falling River four to thirteen feet deep. The depth of

93 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 each barrow does no represent the width and Wraiths are the most common forms of them, so some barrows that are only of undead found in the area. seven feet across may have almost sheer Each Sith was buried with his or slopes that plunge over ten feet before her fortune, so each barrow houses a beginning to flatten out. Each barrow is collection of Shadow Fey trinkets, marked at the centre with a stone tablet, coinage and the occasional weapon or upon which is the name and role of the magical items. Warriors tended to be Sith buried below. This writing s in the buried in full armour and weaponry, native Arak tongue and is unreadable to while an Adept would likely to have travellers in the domain, even if they been buried with their favourite creation should find the barrows. or their spell book. Opening a barrow is Found in the centre of forest, the dangerous and will awaken the restless barrows form a clearing some several dead within the barrow and any sounds hundred yards across. The trees nearest of battle may awaken neighbouring the barrows have long since died and undead Sith. locals in the nearby towns and villages do not speak of the place. The ground of the area is blanketed in a pale mist that Powrie Bone Yard rises no more than a foot about the Dating from around the time of the ground, anyone who crouches low Sunken Barrows, this other gravesite is enough to smell this mist will find that it small in comparison and holds very little stinks of heavily rotted meat. On in the way of legend. However, this is occasion the mist changes hue to a lilac, the oldest graveyard still in use within crimson or peach tone, the reasons in the the Shadowrift. The burial area rests in Shadowrift for this are unknown, but the Stowndowns near the Grimfey Flow outside the events coincide with the full as it approaches the Abyss. The and new moons in Tepest and any lunar graveyard is marked by a ring of stunted eclipse in neighbouring domains. ancient trees, from which hang thousands of tiny strands that have the The Barrows count as a Rank 3 bones from small birds and animals tied Sink Hole of Evil from the ill energies to them. and fame of the location. Those that Within this circle is barren ground were buried here were once proud and littered with the bones of dead Powrie. noble figures; in death they were buried However some bodies may be more in a poorly chosen location. Today the recent and still decaying. The area is not restless spirits and corporeal dead that more than a dozen yards across at its were once Shadow Fey haunt the widest point and always has a cold wind barrows. blowing through it. Many who The Sith that haunt the area are encounter this wind swear to have heard those found in Denizens of Dread and the voices of the dead Powrie upon it. may have a couple of levels of Warrior, The Powrie Bone Yard is not Adept or Expert attached to represent haunted or even supernatural by any their previous lives. They should then means, it is simply a place where the have the appropriate undead template Powrie discard of their carcasses. The attached to them. Geists, Ghosts, chill wind that blows through the circle Spectres, Zombies, Skeletons, Wights is a permanent version of Whispering Wind cast on the burial site. Those who

94 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 placed the spell on the area thought it original, shattering it into a thousand fun to place their voices within it, to pieces. In memory of the couple, the make interlopers believe the site was Shee have since recreated the lovers haunted and to chase them off. A small perfectly from granite and have stood group of Powrie guard the location at all them in their original place. Some times and often find it funny to see those pieces of the original couple can still be who have intruded on the area run off in found littering the area of the fork. terror from the dead voices on the wind. The Shee look upon the statue as a The wind itself can inflict a fear check, grim reminder of what might be if they but there is no actual threat here except are not careful in taking mortal the Powrie guards that hide close by. companions and has become a traditional site for them to part ways with their mortal lovers. The statue is The Petrified Couple enchanted so those who are in love and This statue can be found at the fork within fifty feet of the statue are granted in the main road north and west of the the effects of a Protection from Evil South and West Fords. Many legends spell that cannot be dispelled. The and stories are attached to the statues, enchantment is permanent so long as the telling of a Shee woman that took in a person is within fifty feet of the statue. human lover for a century of time in the Shadowrift. Over the century, the Shee fell in love with the man and when their Shadow Pass time was over, she could not bear parting As one may travel the Abyss north with him. She created an elixir and said of the Darkenheights, they may she would walk with him to the fords encounter a small pass that is there they would make their parting overshadowed by rocky outcroppings. official. At the fork, she brought out the This small area is known as Shadow elixir and asked him to drink from it, Pass. The pass goes on for only several that it would wipe his mind of the times hundred yards and in recent times has they had together, he also not being become haunted by the shattered souls of wanting to part with her drank of the the Sith, that died at the Obsidian Gate elixir so that his heart would not be sad when Gwydion attempted to gain his the rest of his days. They marked their freedom and enter the domain. The time with a final moment and a kiss, one stone of the area turned to pure obsidian that would seal the magic of the elixir, during that time and is now avoided by but the Shee lied to the man. Instead of all Arak. wiping their minds, it would turn them The pass winds and twists as it both to stone so that they would spend goes on, one blind turn after another eternity together, locked in the embrace with poor visibility due to the overhangs. of the other in an eternal kiss. They Those who wander the pass do so almost turned to stone instantly and have stood blind due to the darkness that fills it. in the spot they kissed ever since. Light sources are also said to be all but The statue that stands on the site of ineffective within the pass. Stories and the lovers is not the original. The legends of the area vary but all contain earthquakes that rocked the domain hints of the area being haunted by when Gwydion attempted to free himself shadow-like fiends that stalk and prey of the Obsidian Gate destroyed the those who attempt to cross the pass.

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Shadow Pass is infested with labyrinth of caves of various sizes, some Shadows (see the Monster Manual for almost vertical and difficult to traverse. details of these creatures) and once Large deposits of amber can be found in anyone attempting to walk through the the walls, floors and ceiling of the caves pass reaches approximately half way, the and some rare stories tell of it being a creatures will attack without mercy. For portal to another world. Some other every person attempting to negotiate the stories of strange rock creatures are also pass, three Shadows will attack. Those abundant in reference to the area. who use light sources (magical or The Amber Caves are not a portal otherwise) in the pass find that they are to another world, but they do hold the only a third as effective as normal, Amber Passage. This Mistway causing vision in the area to be severely (Moderate Reliability, one-way) offers hampered by the shadow energy that passage to domain of I’Cath. Finding permeates the area. the Mistway is all but impossible and no one from living memory in the Shadowrift has yet to stumble upon it. The Amber Caves The tales of the rock creatures are Situated north east of Esmerth, true to an extreme, the caves are home to these caves cut into the plateau the town a rare breed of Erdluitle (see The rests upon. The small entrance can be Shadowrift accessory, pages 99 - 101 for easily overlooked as one travels the more details) that are crafted form the region, but careful investigation and a stone found in the Amber Caves. These sharp eye will reveal a small entrance creatures are riddled with amber and about half the size of a man that passes look very different form their cousins in into the plateau at ground level. Within the Stowndowns. these caves, the natural hollow formations scatter out into a honeycomb

even if left to perform tasks they knew Fey Touched well under normal conditions, they will More commonly known as Elf simulate this task in a haphazard fashion. Shot, a term that originated among the A fey touched tailor could still sew, but Tepestani Inquisition shortly after its her work would be dismal at best and creation. These poor individuals are very ill fitting. those who have encountered Shadow Fey Touched walk about as if in a Fey and suffered a very harmful result trance, from a distance they can appear from it. These people seem to have no to be a form of well preserved zombie or soul, as if it has been ripped from the similar corporeal undead. Close to it is bodies and carried off by whatever easy to tell that these people still breathe means the Shadow Fey have for and are very much alive, they just have performing this act. Physically, so long no true spark of life in their eyes or as they are cared for, those that are Elf minds. The eyes of the Fey Touched are Shot have good chances of living long blank and devoid of all emotion. They lives. They are all but incapable of the will see without seeing as the term goes. simplest of tasks, requiring supervision They will wander about with no intent

96 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 and get themselves into dangerous food, the shadow is severed and the predicaments by accident. During one world turns to darkness for the mortal, instance in Briggdarrow (see The who is now Fey Touched as a result. Shadowrift accessory for details) where Those who are Fey Touched lose the entire village fell foul to Muryan all of their Charisma score until their Arak, more than a dozen individuals shadow is restored. However, their died after the attack from wandering into minds and memories are intact, they just the lake and drowning. This behaviour do not perceive the outside world proves that once Fey Touched those who properly. Those with the ability to do so suffer this fate have little or no instinct can enter the mind of a Fey Touched for self-preservation. Of course, those individual and see their memories and who are Fey Touched have no spark of possibly restore them to a degree. Such life and have no recognition of events attempts are difficult and dangerous and around them, so calling them suicidal have cost the minds of those attempting would be incorrect. to save someone who is Fey Touched. The most distinguishing feature of Contacting the mind of a Fey Touched the Fey Touched is the most startling individual forces a Will save (DC 22) on and often overlooked. Those who have the person attempting the contact, if they become Fey Shot are all missing their fail this save, the mind of the Fey shadows. The shadows of the elf-shot Touched is treated as an Alien Mind have been taken by the Shadow Fey into (like undead, Mind Flayer, etc) and the Shadowrift, for unknown reasons. results in a Madness Check. When a successful attempt to mentally restore a Creating Fey Touched Fey Touched is achieved the person The Shadow Fey watch mortal regains half of their Charisma score. races with interest and sometimes an Only the reattachment of their shadow individual rises up that captures their will restore them the rest of the way and interest. These individuals are always the mental restoration is only a geniuses in their field, be they a temporary solution. The Fey Touched musician, seamstress, baker, author, will lose a point of Charisma a month horseback rider, anything that attracts until it reaches 0, at which point she is the attentions of the Shadow Fey. While truly Fey Touched again. the Inquisition has thought long and hard over how a person’s shadow can be Restoring the Fey Touched stripped from them, the formula is The only true method of restoring simple. The Shadow Fey force their the fey touched is to restore their victims to eat some of their fey food and shadows to them. A simple task but use a sharp implement to sever the difficult to undertake. The shadows shadow once the food has been taken from victims are nearly brought consumed. This fey food takes the form back to the Shadowrift, where they take of a small cake and smells sweetly. on a corporeal humanoid form and When tasted it will be reminiscent of become a master of their craft for something that person enjoyed as a eternity. The Changelings as they are child, a favourite candy, cake, breads known are consumed by their wok and anything that the person enjoyed eating know nothing of interaction with others. in their youth. As they swallow the They may be commanded to build a

97 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 specific item or perform a specific task, 120 ft., luck, steel but they will not reply in a social immunity manner. If these Changelings are Saves: Fort +9 Ref +13 Will attacked, they will not defend +10 themselves unless they have some form Abilities: Str 17, Dex 16, Con 14, of combat expertise. Slaying a Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 16 Changeling will force the shadow back Skills: Bluff +8, Concentration to the Fey Touched victim and restore +7, Diplomacy +13, them fully. Unless they have some form Handle Animal +8, of class that would allow them to fight in Hide +6, Knowledge a skilful manner, Changelings will never (Fey) +6, Knowledge fight back against those who strike at (Shadowrift) +6, Listen them and always counts as flat-footed. +6, Move Silently +8, More information on the Fey Touched Sense Motive +9, Spot and Changelings can be found in The +6, Survival +7 Shadowrift accessory. Feats: Negotiator, Skill Focus (Diplomacy) Environment: Any land (Shadowrift) New Arak Organization: Solitary of herd (5-10) Arak, Lus y Vuignagh Challenge 6 Large Fey Rating: Hit Dice: 8d6+16 (40 hp) Treasure: Standard Initiative: +3 (+3 Dex) Alignment: Usually Neutral Speed: 50 ft. Advancement: By character class Armour 15 (-1 Size, + 3 Dex, Level +3 Class: +3 Natural), Touch 12, Advancement: Flatfooted 12 Base Attack: +4/+11 Lus y Vuignagh is a rare breed of Attack: Longsword +7 melee Arak inhabiting the most isolated parts (2d6+, Crit 19-20 x2); of the Greenlands. They operate freely or Composite Longbow and beyond the governing of the Seelie (+2 Str bonus) +7 and Unseelie Courts and often act as ranged (1d8+2, Crit x3) mediators in the event of heated debate Full Attack: Longsword +7 melee between the opposing sides of the (2d6+3, Crit 19-20 x2) monarchy. They love the wilderness and and 2 hooves +2 melee abhor the more civilised ways other (1d6+2) or Composite breeds of Arak. Lus y Vuignagh also act Longbow (+2 Str as shepherds across the northern lands of bonus) +6 ranged the domain, hunting dangerous creatures (1d8+2, Crit x3) that stumble into the land that may prove Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft. threatening to the life of the Arak Special Marksman, spells people. Most of their actions go Attacks: unrewarded by the rest of their kind, Special Damage reduction several breeds of Arak not truly Qualities: 15/bone, fading, low believing that the Lus y Vuignagh light vision, dark vision crossed into the dread realms with the

98 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 rest of their people and are still slaves to Lus u Vuignagh can speak Sylvan Gwydion’s will in some far off plane of and up to two other domain languages. existence. The voices greatly differ between The Lus y Vuignagh is a centaur genders, females of the breed sporting breed, they sport the torso, and head and sweet melodic voices that sound almost like singing, a male producing arms of a well muscled sith with silken silver hair and deep grey eyes. Their something close to a low rumble. The skin is milky white but may deepen to a two genders do speak different dialects of the same language so a little luminescent grey, the exact shade varying form one member of the breed translation often comes into effect when to another. Their arms are lean, long and they speak to between genders and the other breeds of Arak. move gracefully, but conceal almost superhuman strength. The lower portion Combat of a Lus y Vuignagh is that of a sleek Lus y Vuignagh prefers to fight at white or light grey horse. They have a distance, they are marksmen and proud long slim legs that end in snowy white of their well honed skills in the longbow. cloven hooves. Nearly a quarter of this If drawn into a melee they will draw on breed sport some patterning in the fur on their elegant longswords for protection. their lower regions of their bodies, If possible, Lus y Vuignagh will use striped tails are rare among the breed do whatever limited magic they have to aid appear. From a distance, the Lus y them against offensive individuals they Vuignagh appear as a cross between encounter. unicorns and centaurs and somewhat Marksman: As a full round action, ethereal, almost ghostlike with the way the Lus y Vuignagh may aim and fire they fade out of existence form time to with her composite longbow. With the time as if temporarily leaving the world aiming implemented into this shot, the itself. Some legends of this breed have shot is treated as a ranged touch attack. surfaced outside the Shadowrift of Fading (Su): As a standard action, ghostly centaurs haunting remote forests the Lus y Vuignagh may fade from view and grasslands. A favoured sport among melding with the shadows around them. the Lus y Vuignagh has began hunting They are effectively invisible while they the plains cats of Nova Vaasa, causing are faded and incorporeal, gaining the encounters with this breed of Arak most benefits of both these abilities. Once a commonly in that domain. Lus y Vuignagh moves, she may not Female members of the breed are longer fade. much smaller in stature than their male Luck (Su): Graced by some counterparts and are the only breed to otherworldly power, once each day a wear some forms of clothing, usually a Lus y Vuignagh may re-roll a failed simple toga or vest made form silk to saving throw. cover their torso. All Lus y Vuignagh Spells: A performing Lus y wear a scabbard and sling for their Vuignagh casts spells as a 6th level weapons about their waists and ranger. shoulders. Some that carry more Steel Immunity (Su): Lus y belongings with them are also known to Vuignagh is immune to any damage sport a light form of saddlebag for inflicted by steel weapons and convenience. implements.

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Special Weakness: Exposure to • Dark vision is out to 120 direst sunlight inflicts 1d4 points of feet. damage per round (no saving throw) to • Racial Hit Dice: Lus y Lus y Vuignagh. Bone weapons can Vuignagh begin with 4 bypass a Lus y Vuignagh’s damage levels of Fey, which reduction even of not enchanted. provide 4d6 Hit Dice, a base attack bonus of +2 and base saving throw Lus y Vuignagh Characters bonuses of Fort +1, Ref +4 A Lus y Vuignagh is most and Will +2. often a ranger, though a few druids, • Racial Feats: Lus y sorcerers and bards are found among Vuignagh Fey levels, give them. They are generally illiterate, it 2 feats. relying instead on the word of mouth • +3 Natural armour. for knowledge. They choose • Natural Weapons: Hooves aberrations, constructs and undead as (1d6). their favoured enemy as these • Lus y Vuignagh Traits: creatures are the epitome of Bone weakness, Sunlight disregard for nature and all things the Weakness, Low Light Lus y Vuignagh enjoy in the world. Vision, Dark Vision 120 Lus y Vuignagh characters feet. possess the following racial traits: • Special Attacks: Marksman and spells. • +6 Strength, +5 Dex, +2 • Special Qualities: Damage Constitution, +2 Wisdom. Reduction 15/Bone, • Large size, -1 penalty to Fading, Luck, and Steel Armour Class, -1 penalty Immunity. on attack rolls, -4 penalty • Automatic Languages: on Hide checks, +4 bonus Sylvan and any two- on Grapple checks. Lifting domain languages. and carrying limits are • Favoured Class: Ranger. double those of medium- size characters. • Level Adjustment: +3 • Space/Reach: 10 feet/ 5 • Base Outcast Rating: 6 feet. • A Lus y Vuignagh’s base land speed is 50 feet.

100 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 More Black Arts A Closer Look at the Other Witches of Ravenloft By Eddy Brennan (Wiccy of the Fraternity) [email protected]

In the Undead Sea Scrolls 2003 I material that could further their studies introduced a new Prestige Class and careers. entitled the Black Witch and in that Many Black Witches keep article I discussed the basic journals to note down their findings, motivations and careers of those often writing them in some person individuals willing to risk all in their code they have developed over time. desire for knowledge, no matter how Those who stumble upon these dark or forbidden. This article is journals may find themselves looking designed to follow on and explore at gibberish, perhaps a list of poor these individuals in greater depth, recipes for favourite dishes, perhaps offering revised and expanded the everyday ramblings of a common explanations, new options and person. Yet despite appearances, these additions that may be taken to develop journals are filled with secret meanings and enrich these sinister characters. and pieces of information the Black Witch has encountered over time. The Ecology codes used can be devilishly complex Black Witches (or Warlocks if to decipher or so simple that they are male) live secretive lives, ones of easily overlooked because of their darkness, occult lore and ever present nature. Rarely a Black Witch will danger. Those who follow the careers keep their notes in a straightforward these individuals take on walk format that anyone could spot. Those traitorous paths on a razor’s edge, who keep to this practice have short always in risk of tumbling one way or careers once their journals are found the other. Often they will lose sight of and their true self is uncovered, even if who they are and what they may they study what they do in the name of become, welcoming anything willing what is right. Black Witches will go to expand their horizons in the pursuit through a score of journals in their of greater knowledge and power. careers, they will keep a handful with Black Witches will seek out leads, no them at all times and others will be matter how small or obscure if there is stored safely away from prying eyes. chance of stumbling upon what it is Black Witches are not trusting souls, they are seeking at that time. Those so they will never leave their journals, who are completely enveloped in their even if written in code, in the care of research will sacrifice much to gain another. They will have them stored in little in return, offering up friends and various secret locations, even loved ones readily to obtain even the somewhere as simple as a university smallest, most insignificant morsel of library, secreted beneath a loose panel

101 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 in a bookrack or hidden deep in a room with small shreds of work that means filled with musty reference books that nothing on its own. They shall also are no longer used. Some will even go lead others down false paths, falsify so far as to hide journals under the information and use any underhanded floorboards of rooms they have rented scheme they can think of to get ahead in various taverns and inns they have of their rivals in the race for key pieces used for temporary abodes during their of material that might further their own many travels. career. Black Witches are normally When a Black Witch discovers solitary travellers, though those able to the presence of a rival in the vicinity hide themselves well enough may join they are in they will do anything in with bands of monster hunters, their power to bring that rival to the adventurers, gypsies and other bands attentions of the public and whatever of travellers able to come and go powers govern that area. They will without authority or a second glance. falsify evidence against them, lie and It is a requirement for Black Witches cheat their way into the arms of those that develop a successful career to in power and pass out information to remain on the move since they develop the largest gossips in the area. many enemies and jealous rivals over Anything to bring their rival to the the years of their studies. Often attentions of others and have them several Black Witches will compete for removed in some fashion. A Black the same knowledge, the winner Witch who is the target of this earning that what they seek through propaganda is often sitting on a faster deduction than those about them. powder keg ready to go off without a Those that lose these races are often moment’s notice and are considered left with bitter feelings for she who lucky if they are not lynched and succeeded and the winner developing escape with their lives. Black Witches more rivals and enemies in return for are often hanged, burned or drowned knowledge others will not have gained for being witches or practitioners of access to. Occasionally a group of black magic, being fiends in disguise Black Witches will form a small covey or anything else the persecutor can that will operate in league with one bring up form the depths of her another for a short time as they work imagination. Usually the evidence together in seeking out or deciphering placed against the rival is fabricated, some lost work or tome of forbidden but occasionally actual evidence is lore. However, once the answers have used if it can be proven. False been found these coveys collapse into evidence is easy to produce by the petty squabbles, arguments and even accusing party, often created by the full blown violence and rivalry that accuser, though any piece of genuine will last a life time as they compete evidence that can be proven elsewhere over who should have access to what is like gold to those seeking a way to they have discovered as a group. bring down a rival. Black Witches are greedy in their Corruption follows those who research and give no thought to sharing seek out the most obscure and darkest their findings with others, though they knowledge in the dread realms. It is will quite happily tease their fellows very easy for a Black Witch to stumble

102 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 from their cause and become tainted by players with the consent of the greed and their unquenchable thirst for dungeon master. Great care must be more and more secret lore and taken in watching the player that research. They will begin to seek out controls a Black Witch, so that they do more dangerous sources such as Hags, not overbalance the game and spoil the Liches, those who study into The mystery and fun for others in the Created, research hibernating vampires group. and the Ancient Dead. More than a The Black Witch character is one few of those willing to employ these that will harbour many secrets and it is methods have found their lives come to better to discuss all topics related to the an abrupt end, often in the cooking pot class between the dungeon master and of a Hag, the feast for an awakening the player in secret. It is also possible vampire, dying of horrible diseases for a player to write a false class on his transmitted from the Ancient Dead at a character sheet in case another player single touch. It is easy to understand has a peek. Operating in secret is a that those same creatures they have prerogative of the Black Witch in play, captured and dissected in the name of so it is possible through this example their research have devoured those to continue this mystery into the Black Witches seeking the true cause gaming group even outside the game. of Lycanthropy. A Black Witch never reveals herself to others, even if she believes with all her Black Witches stand to gain a lot in their lives and become the greatest heart that she can trust them. Many lay masters in the field of subjects that claim to being Hallowed Witches or other specialised forms of spell caster describe the world about them. Mysterious phenomena like the raging in order to keep the veil over the truth fires that sometimes surround Hazlan, of their being. the poisonous mists that encompass Black Witches tend to be greedy Barovia, random appearances of the and thirsty for knowledge and/or walking dead on the borders of Darkon power and will continue this pursuit at may well become open to them in all times. They will lie quite freely to time. The price for such knowledge is their allies in order to gain what they very high and few have the strength to seek and preserve the secrets they succeed without losing everything they uncover, though the more moral Black Witches do this out of mutual hold dear. Those who do stand by their motives and remain true to protection for both them selves and themselves stand among the most those they spend their professional time with. It is not uncommon for a powerful men and women among all the dread realms. Even if others do not Black Witch to take the occasional know them, knowing that they are is sabbatical from the group, so a player with one of these characters may have enough for any Black Witch. a spare character for when these events occur. This allows for some riveting Running a Black Witch solo adventures between the dungeon master and the player in question. The Though designed as a non-player player may disappear from the regular character class, the Black Witch may be adopted by characters used by

103 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 group entirely for a time to simulate alignment and personality. If she is her characters absence. private she may pursue a life of politics When taking the class to a or subterfuge, those who are of less character it is best to plan ahead of moral ambitions may go behind the time, thinking up a possible path for backs of even those they love (or love the character to take in her career. them) the most in order to get what What is it she seeks most? What is her they want. Black Witches that seek to true motivation? How will she achieve enslave others will undoubtedly seek her goals? The archetypes that follow out spells and lore that will allow them this section can help expand on several to gain power over others. A political ideas that may come to mind. profession may also suit them unless Firstly you have what the they are a little too brash or impatient. character seeks most. This can be Great studies into arcane lore will aid something as simple as the truth them toward their goals greatly. behind a myth she heard and intrigued Above all, a Black Witch should her or something as mundane as never appear openly in a game and as seeking the method of devising a spell mentioned above, it is possible to hide unique only to her but she requires the class from the other players in the additional knowledge on the subject group even on your character sheet to first. An endless list of possibilities keep things hidden. The Black Witch can come to mind in a short time. It is is not a class that should be used better to make a list and then work without co-operative work and through them, discovering what it planning between the dungeon master better for how you would wish to play and the player and such an alliance can the character. Always allow for greatly enrich the game. Just think of a growth and deviation since the character that the players have grown character may become tainted in time to trust over a long time has suddenly and have her goals change to suit her had a change of heart and has turned new outlook on life. against them since she now sees them What is her motivation? What as a threat to her plans? The players drives her to achieve her goals may be can look back and see the subtle clues the pure lust for power, the noble as they slowly formed and realise they mentality that will be for the good of have been duped for years. Now they others, to remove a hidden scourge face a threat that knows them all to from her home village. All these and well and must face great dilemma in (again) many more are possible with hunting this new enemy. On the other only a little thought. It is very easy to hand, a rival Black Witch may reveal place a Black Witch in the power to the players that their ally is a Black hungry mind set, but this is rather Witch and spread information to them bland and will dull the characters that pervert and distort the secret plans appeal in time. Be unique and think up of their friend, introducing problems a fresh approach. within the party while the other Black How will she achieve her goals? Witch takes advantage of her rivals This is the hardest part in planning plight. How would the other your Black Witch’s future and it characters react to learning that one of depends greatly on your characters their own is a sworn enemy of the

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Church of Hala? This becomes a These Black Witches devote greater dilemma should a follower of much of their time to magical study Hala be present in the group. and the creation of unique magical items. They will also copy items they have recovered just to discover they’re Archetypes working and creation. Few are more While all Black Witches share a skilled in the creation of magical common goal, that of gaining artefacts than those who follow this knowledge and power, each will profession. deviate in their own fashion and follow Though they are greedy, these their own path. While some find Black Witches realise how expensive pleasure in hunting down a musty tome their practices are and will hire of forbidden lore, others prefer to learn themselves out to others in need of the of folklore, monster lore, arcane rituals odd magical trinket, but will never let or, on rare occasion, seek out allies to the full extent of their talents be known forward their careers or perhaps to others. Those who discover the true infiltrate political groups to gain power abilities of an artificer often have short over people. This section discusses futures ahead of them, often coming to several example careers paths a Black an abrupt end at the hands of a magical Witch may follow in their lifetime, as item they have purchased or given by they work towards their ultimate goal the artificer. Artificers also hoard of gaining power. magical texts, books on lore that Several suggestions follow each surround rare and obscure magical career example as to how a Black devices and will set out on long Witch may take their chosen journeys to find another artefact of profession. item that may prove of interest to them. Unlike other Black Witches,

artificers are well aware of their Artificer limitations and readily employ others The artificer is a Black Witch to aid them on their quests for what who specialises in the creation and they seek. They will offer all the study of magical items and artefacts. treasure, riches and renown They will hunt to the ends of the dread encountered on the journey so long as realms in order to find a legendary they receive what they are seeking and device even if it has little power, just to few decline such an offer, even without study it and discover the method of its suspicion of their employer’s motives. workings and creations. Artificers The artificer will often reject lock themselves away for months at a class abilities in favour of the Bonus time while they research a spell that Feat (see later in this article) ability, will empower a single gem with the even to the point of foregoing the ability to grant its wearer protection Black Art, Mislead, Beguile and Hex from something as simple as getting a class abilities to gain greater prowess tan in summer. Perhaps even empower in the creation of magical tools and a dagger with the ability to always trinkets. point north when put down so that the owner would never get lost. Class skills such as Alchemy, Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Decipher

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Script, Gather Information and away in some persons mind holds Knowledge (arcane) are important to more clues to what may the origin of their craft, as are Item Creation feats. the myth or folklore. Artificers never specialise in any Folklorists are most likely to take single school of magic, they dabble in a lot of skill ranks in Knowledge skills, all its arts and will seek out whatever most likely in monster lore, languages, suits them best at that moment in time. local, history, Ravenloft, folklore, geography, nature, religion, nobility Folklorist and such. They also prefer skills along The folklorist is a person who the lines of Bluff, Decipher Script, seeks out local tales, old wives tales Diplomacy, Gather Information, and other stories based on mythology Intimidate, Listen and Spot. and rumour and find the truths among Spells from the school of them. They will spend years finding Enchantment (charm) are very what little truth is contained in stories beneficial to a folklorist as they seek spoken of in taverns and whispered out stories and rumours that feed their rumours of darkness in the local area. imagination and hunger. Many The goal of these studies is to find the folklorists are cunning people with a origin of these tales if it exists at all. A lot of natural charisma to aid their folklorist will travel long and hard, career. hunt down the most obscure clues and hints from the stories they are told or Occultist have read in ancient tomes of lost lore. Occultists prefer to gain magical Above all they are drawn by the single knowledge above all else, they often vision of that no matter how unlikely, dabble in the darker aspects of magic, everything holds some truth and it is seeking out ancient tomes of dangerous this truth that they seek in order to gain rituals and spells that are said to power. Folklorists are not the most contain much power. Occultists also common of Black Witches, while they draw the most enemies and rivals will seek out forbidden lore and about them. Despite this apparent magical prowess like others of their danger, they are the most common of kind. Instead they are often quiet Black Witches found within the dread people who desire only to know that realms. Occultists operate under the they hold such power and may or may single vision that magic is power and not use it to gain hold over others, even with enough power you are their own rivals. unstoppable. Many of these Black Folklorists are curious Witches go on to seek lichdom towards individuals, though shy and prefer to the end of their natural lives so they listen to what others say, even if they may go on with their search for do not join in with the conversation. ultimate power in the field. Some will use magic to pry open the Again these are secretive walls of the minds of those who speak individuals, they rarely seek out the aid of such tales or offer payment or use of others, even if it would benefit them more magic to loosen their tongues. greatly, instead going off alone on They are always willing to take the dangerous missions to find forgotten chance that more information locked lore that may prove dangerous to their

106 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 own mental and physical health. They levels in more martial character classes believe that any cost is worth the to aid them. eventual power they will hold. Politician However, they are not above Those who follow this path are employing a few patsies to take the fall often the most corrupt and dangerous for them or lure rivals off in the wrong of they’re kind. Not only are they direction. greedy like their fellows, they are A few occultists will work for underhanded and treacherous, willing the greater good of others, but they to betray even their closest allies (such will never do so out of the goodness of they have any) without notice for even their hearts. Black Witches on this the smallest step forward. Naturally, path will always stand to make a profit those who seek this path are very good out of any venture they undertake, at the profession and are most likely to whether it is monetary or new rituals or succeed. Politicians prefer to start spells to further their careers. They small, often in the service of another fear other spell casters that are more senior politician that they will milk for powerful than they are and are not all they are worth. Once their master’s above a little theft or assassination to usefulness is over, that senior hamper or remove these possible politician often meets with an accident rivals. of scandal that will end their carer or

possibly their lives in more extreme The occultist often takes an array instances. of skills; most suitable to their careers are Concentration, Decipher Script, In the past many a burgomaster, Knowledge (arcane), Knowledge meistersingers council leader and (folklore), Spellcraft and Wilderness squire have had the positions filled by Lore. It is also common for them to Black Witches who have risen up and take charisma-based skills, though less succeeded their superiors through any important than those that will give means necessary. Over the years it has them greater knowledge in their chosen been suspected that several field. burgomasters of Barovia have been Black Witches, as has several positions Occultists lust after any school of of Dementlieu’s leading council. magic and rarely specialise in just the Despite their ambitions, politicians one. If possible and occultist will take prefer some peace and tranquillity in mastery in several schools, particularly their lives, they tend to be calm, patient those that will hold powerful spells to and slow tempered. They will employ aid their quests and help defeat their others to do their work for them and rivals. Divination, Evocation and reap the rewards in private. For these Necromancy are the most common Black Witches no cost is to great if it choices for an occultist to master in guarantees their climb up the political time, offering powerful magic even ladder. when they are at lower levels. A few politicians have achieved A high Intelligence, Wisdom and their goals in order to improve Charisma is important to an occultist, standards in the lives of others, but though those that traverse paths that these individuals lived short lives, offer physical danger may take a few

107 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 usurped by unsuspected rivals that Unholy Order of the Grave also stood to overthrow them. contains a few undead that were Black Witch professors in life when they Politicians tend to be charismatic served their tenure within the and have a sharp mind. They will University of Il-Aluk prior to the focus on any class skill that will Requiem. improve their political endeavours, so Professors are a walking store of those with Charisma are immediate knowledge known only them selves choices for them. Several Intelligence but some may be known by scant few and Wisdom-based skills also benefit around the world. They are not greedy these Black Witches. of the knowledge they hold and do not Black Witches who follow this truly care who else might know it, they path do not pay much attention to only care that they do know it. They magic, but are most often adept in the study endlessly to learn more about use of charm and other enchantment various subjects and the truths of the spells. Divination also aids them to a world around them. Never ending in degree, as will spells such as illusions their search even when it is possible that will help them draw attention that they know everything they could away from themselves when needed. ever learn in one aspect of a single Politicians are devious and sly and subject. their skills in magic reflect this. Professors will share their The Mislead and Beguile class accumulated knowledge from time to abilities are important for politicians, time, often for a price they deem fair as is the Hex ability to curse rivals and for such a privilege. Rival professors superiors. The alternative class are also relatively civil to one another abilities of Malicious Hex, Minor Hex often competing in battles of one- and Seduction (described later in this upmanship when they meet in person. article) are also of use. Some Black Witches that take this profession often attend the same places Professor of higher learning or live in the same Those Black Witches that go on area and meet often, or even work to study as professors are among those together on occasion out of mutual individuals that know the mot about benefit. However, both will secretly the world about them. They often have attempt to rob the other of key facts some insight into the Mists and are important to the whole subject at hand. aware of the presence of the Dark Lords if they do not know the actual identity of at least several of them. Professors are most likely to take Some professors have insight into the a vast array of Knowledge skills, Dark Powers themselves if they are learning as much as they can in a wide stalwart enough to persist in such range of subjects from something as obscure and difficult studies. Many simple as local agriculture to the very professors spawned from Black make up of the world about them Witches are found within the ranks of (Ravenloft) or even Dark Lords of the the Fraternity of Shadows, the Kargat Dark Powers. They also nearly always and other evil secret societies. The

108 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 have some training in the Profession characters may take the feats with the (professor) skill to further their careers. same permission.

Further Development Feats As the Prestige Class stands, it is clear that the Black Witch is one These feats are designed for designed to use a vast network of lies Black Witches to take unto themselves and deceit to reach the pinnacle of their to forward their study and careers. careers and research. However, though However, some are suitable for other they may be powerful through the use characters to take, if they don’t mind of the class itself, this does not truly the costs attached. represent that which a Black Witch may learn during their lives. Each Analysis Black Witch will encounter knowledge The Black Witch is dedicated to not known to more than a handful of a single form of study or specific individuals throughout the world. subject matter in her quests for Some may discover the truth about forbidden lore. She is utterly devoted Dark Lords while another may to this one subject above all others. discover the true essence of the world Prerequisites: Wis 16, level 1 itself in some aspect, uncovering the spell caster. ways that the world is a twisted parody unto itself. One may find a way to Benefits: The character gains a craft a magical item that would allow +2 bonus to her Decipher Script, her to copy the memories and Gather Information and Profession knowledge of others into her own skill checks. mind. Meanwhile another might Special: The character may no uncover a ritual that would summon longer apply skill ranks to 1 the dead by having access to a personal Knowledge skill she is trained in, as effect of that person and have power she turns her attention to another field over that spirit so that they may absorb of study. all they need to know from the spirit they torment. Blackest Art A Black Witch with this ability These examples show the has managed to uncover lore that diversity of the practices used by the increases her practice in the Black Arts Black Witches, which are scattered to unheard of levels in power. across the many domains of the Ravenloft Campaign Setting. This Prerequisite: Black Witch level section offers up new feasts and 8 abilities that may be given to Black Benefits: The Black Witch’s Witches to diversify each from all the search for power has uncovered an others. However, many have a cost ancient method that would increase to that must be paid. The Dungeon powers in the Black Arts to legendary Master must grant permission before a status. From this point on she may player can adopt these skills and class cast all her spells chosen as Black Arts abilities to a Black Witch. Other

109 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 as if she were a spell caster 4 levels retains the use skill ranks and feats she higher. gained while using the class. These remain as a nagging reminder of her Special: The Black Witch must make an immediate Powers check on almost complete fall into darkness and taking this feat the chance of failing is losing herself forever. If she has had her alignment altered since taking on equal to the Black Witch level. the Black Witch class, the alignment she had when adopting the class is Deceiver restored. The Black Witch has become so Special: The former Black used to lying and deceiving others that Witch is reminded of what she has she has woven her ways of deception learned and is more aware of the into a fine art. horrors about her than others are. Any Prerequisite: Must have access supernatural influence that inflicts to the Mislead class ability. Fear, Horror or Madness checks have the DC’s increased by 2 for her. Benefit: The Black Witch gains However, her mind is stronger against a further +2 bonus to her Bluff, mental effects, granting her a +4 Will Innuendo and Intimidate class skills. save bonus. The same circumstances that affect the bonuses granted by the class ability Font of Lore also affect these. From her many studies into the Special: The Black Witch is so occult, the Black Witch has access to used to lying that she has difficulty an almost unlimited supply of telling the truth even when she wishes knowledge on a vast array of subjects. to. In order for her to tell the truth she Prerequisite: 10 ranks in at must make a Bluff check (DC 25) to least 3 Knowledge skills. avoid telling another lie. Benefits: The Black Witch can always take 10 or take 20 on any Knowledge skill check, even if Epiphany circumstances do not normally allow Through some revelation the her to do so. Black Witch discovers the true terrors Special: Her reputation has of the path she is following and has an increased and her supply of knowledge epiphany. She abandons her research has drawn many rivals against her. into forbidden lore and redeems her The chance of her being discovered in true character. a settlement is doubled. Also, she may Prerequisite: Must not have only remain in a settlement for 3 days failed a Powers check, Black Witch before the Dungeon Master begins to level 5. make checks for her discovery. Benefit: The Black Witch abandons the Black Witch prestige Inside Information class and loses all the class abilities Through careful and meticulous and penalties for taking the class study the Black Witch has stumbled on except spell casting. She opens a new very rare knowledge on the very chapter in her life. The character

110 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 foundations of the dread realms genius in her respected fields of study themselves. and leaves nothing to chance. Prerequisites: Int 15, Wis 15, Prerequisite: Black Witch level 7, Knowledge (Ravenloft) 8 ranks. 10 ranks in any Knowledge skill. Benefit: When making any Benefits: The Black Witch with knowledge skill check the Black Witch this feat may re-roll any failed Will may add her Mislead modifier to her save or Skill check, once per day. She skill check. also has a chance of spotting any rival Special: The Black Witch must in the same vicinity of her before she is make an immediate Powers check on spotted herself so she is never subject taking this feat the chance of failing is to being detected by her rivals and equal to the Black Witch level. She enemies. also loses a skill rank in any 2 Special: If the character creates Knowledge skills she is trained in to a magical item, she gains the bonus of represent the effect this new, found having to pay 25% less in gold for the lore has on her mental state. materials required in creating the item, as she wastes less resources. However, due to her expensive research into Macabre every project she undertakes, she must Through her careers, the Black Witch has lost sight of what she once pay twice the regular XP cost. was and has been effected by that lore she has studied, twisting her somewhat Outside Influence in ways she does not notice. Through correspondence, secret Prerequisite: 5th level spell meetings or some other form of contact caster. the Black Witch has access to more forbidden lore and rituals that will Benefit: The Black Witch has darkened in time, her mind and forward her career. thoughts have become slightly Prerequisites: Strong Mind, perverted and she sees things in a very failed at least 1 Powers check through different way to how she once the Black Witch PrC. perceived the world about her. She Benefits: Every month the gains a +2 bonus to all Fear, Horror Black Witch may add a new spell to and Madness saves. her repertoire by substituting it for a Special: The Black Witch spell she already has access to. Once a suffers a permanent loss of 1 to her year she may substitute one of her base Will save bonus, as her mind has Black Arts for another spell. twisted, her macabre outlook on life Special: Each time the Black also increases her Outcast Rating by 1. Witch substitutes a spell or Black Art she must perform a ritual that costs her Mastermind 100xp multiplied the spell level of the The Black Witch is meticulous in spell being substituted. her research and planning, she is a perfectionist in all she does and this gives her an edge over her competitors. Essentially she borders on being a true

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Studious gaining that level in the Black Witch When working on a project the class. However, she does gain her character devotes all her time and BAB and saving throw modifiers, feat energy to it, almost becoming fanatical (if applicable, but not a bonus feat to its eventual outcome and successes form the class), skill ranks and spell it might bring. casting level as usual. Prerequisites: Any Item A Thousand Faces Creation feat, able to cast 2nd level On attaining 7th level in the spells. Black Witch class, the character may Benefits: The character may cut take this class ability instead of the any period of time required to create a Beguile ability. magic item in half, rounding down. The Black Witch through trial and error and having encountered Alternate Class Abilities much trouble in the past from rivals Listed here is a set of new has developed skills, both mundane abilities that may be taken by Black and supernatural in order to protect her Witches instead of those listed in the self. Though the technique is used to Prestige Class. Unlike other class avoid discovery in towns and around abilities, some have prerequisites known rivals, the Black Witch may use attached that must be filled for the this to fool and deceive anyone she character to be able to adopt these meets. optional class abilities. As a full round action, the Black Acquisition Witch is able to alter her physical appearance, speech patterns and all The Black Witch may take any other tell tale signs of her true self. The class ability from any core character disguise whether mundane of magical class (i.e. – those in the Players is perfect in every way and cannot be Handbook) that belongs to a character disbelieved through any other means of a character level equal to or less other than true seeing. Even then the than her Black Witch level. She may Black Witch is allowed an opposed not use this ability to gain an extra feat Will save (DC 10 + half hit dice + Cha or any ability from the Barbarian, modifier of the character attempting Monk or Paladin classes or the Druid the true seeing) to avoid discovery. Wild Shape ability. Prerequisite: Must have been Prerequisites: The Black Witch discovered by a rival and run out of must study into arcane rituals or town in the past. forbidden lore that is linked to her field of study for the desired class ability. Bonus Feat This requires a study of at least 20 On obtaining any level in the hours a week for 3 months. Each week Black Witch class, the character may the Black Witch must take a Decipher decide to take a Metamagic or Item Script check (DC 20) while the study creation feat instead of taking the continues. If any of the checks are ability that she would normally take on failed, she may not take that ability and attaining that level. she may not take any other ability for

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If the Black Witch would dangerous strength in addition to those normally gain a bonus Metamagic feat the Hex ability grants. that level, she may instead choose to Prerequisites: The Black Witch take an Item Creation feat or class must have an evil alignment and have ability she has previously rejected in failed at least 1 Powers check related favour of a bonus feat. to the Black Witch prestige class.

Infallible Minor Hex If the Black Witch has the Strong Instead of taking the Mislead Mind class ability, she may, adopt this class ability, the Black Witch may at any time she later gains a new level adopt a more primitive version of the in the Black Witch class instead of the Hex class ability. This ability only ability normally taken at that level. allows Embarrassing strength curses to When she does take this ability her manifest from the use of this power, mind has become so trained and the other than that it works in an identical witch so jaded that her Strong Mind fashion to the standard Hex class bonus is increased to +8. ability the Black Witch would receive th Prerequisite: The taking of this at 10 level. class ability is the result of incredible Reality Wrinkle focus and dedication on the Black Witch’s behalf, and she must have Instead of taking the Hex class spent at least 6 months studying the ability, the Black Witch may adopt this most vile subject matter and heinous one. She has become so infused with texts for a period not less than 6 her rituals and studies that the Black months. It is possible for the Black Witch has become something more Witch to have trained herself through than mortal through some accident or other means, such as practising her arcane miracle of her concoction. She craft with hags, requiring only 3 has a Reality Wrinkle like those months of study. While studying in belonging to Outsiders in dread realms the company of hags, there is a 25% with a radius equal to 10 feet for every chance each month, which they have hit dice the Black Witch has. turned on her and tainted her, causing Within her wrinkle, the Black her alignment to slip 1 step toward Witch has all the benefits and penalties Evil. If she takes this class ability an Outsider would normally have and through regular study and training, she she is also able to perform Power may make a Will save (DC 30) to Rituals likes those a Fiend would use. avoid having her alignment slip a step. Her racial type is changed to Outsider (with alignment based Malicious Hex subtype) and she is now subject to On reaching 10th level in the anything that would effect that racial Black Witch class, the character may type, including weapons designed to take this ability if she fills the slay those creatures and spells that requirements. would effect them. I.e. – should she The Black Witch may use her ever leave the dread realms, she could Hex ability as usual but she may also be called back, she may also be bring about curses that are of summoned via a Gate spell. The Black

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Witch also obtains a phylactery that conventional means, she has practised she must sacrifice 1000xp to create. the art of seduction to a fine art. She also gains Damage Reduction 5 Whenever she attempts to seduce a (with a weakness of the DM’s target, she is counted as having used a discretion). more mundane version of her Beguile Taking this class ability inflicts ability. The target is allowed a Will another Powers check (this is in save (DC 10 + Black Witch level + addition to the one taken for gaining a Cha modifier + Mislead modifier) to new level in the prestige class) with a avoid the seduction. If she chance of failing equal to 15%. If she successfully seduces her target, the does fail, her alignment immediately target will part with any knowledge becomes Chaotic Evil and she becomes she wishes to learn, from lore that will an NPC under the control of the aid a current investigation or project, Dungeon Master. If she passes this fund the creation of a magic item she is Powers check, her alignment remains working on, grant her access to spells the same and she an entity tied to her she may learn and so forth. alignment. From that point on her Using this ability for the alignment may never be altered in the acquisition of information and future. resources that will be used to forward evil means will require a Powers check with a chance of failure equal to the Seduction Black Witch’s class level. The Black Witch may adopt this Prerequisites: Bluff 8 ranks, ability instead of taking a Black Art. Intimidate 8 ranks. Instead of devoting to her search of greater knowledge through

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Tayce Bloodyblades A Legend Come to Life By Anson “the Stray” Brehmer

"Nursery Rhymes are said Tayce!" Verses in my head "Eat your vegetables, or the Into our childhood they're spoon-fed Bloodyblades will know you've been Hidden violence revealed bad. I'll call him, and he'll take you away Darkness that seems real forever." "He comes at night to punish all the look at the pages that cause all this evil..." wicked children, you naughty, naughty child." --KoRn, "Shoots & Ladders" And all the children shudder and pull the covers over their head, and imagine red How quickly people seem to forget eyes in the darkness, or a flash of silver the important things. History becomes hair, or fantasize that a thin, skeletal legend, legend becomes myth, and myth figure is creeping up on them out of the becomes fairy tales, told only to children shadows, his bloody dagger clutched in and believed only by the gullible. So few his bandaged hands, raised and ready to remember the sometimes horrific events strike... that are remembered now only in And they should fear. Because Tayce children's nursery rhymes. exists. And it is far, far easier to call him For instance, a deadly plague, one that up than it should be. wiped out nearly a third of the total population of an entire continent, is now told only through innocent mouths. The History "Ring around the rosies, pockets full of The history of Tayce, the real posies, ashes, ashes, all fall down." Such Tayce, is shrouded in mystery, as all a simple rhyme is all the legacy left after good assassins would want. Some say he the Black Death descended and wiped was orphaned in a war and took to out whole towns and cities. thievery to survive before he found there So too is the legend of The was a profit to be had by the stealthy Bloodyblades ill-remembered. kill. Others say he was one of the first "Tayce, Tayce, Bloodyblades Shadowdancers, who bound himself to Stalks the night on goat-foot legs the night in order to spread terror and All should cry, Beware! Beware! death. A few claim that he was not His blazing eyes and silver hair!" human at all, but a satyr who took glee This rhyme is passed down by mothers in causing torment to travelers and was to scare their children into behaving. cast out of his wood for his crimes. And Tayce, the boogieman. there are other legends, all different, the "Clean your room, or I shall summon only connection being the name and his

115 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 profession, a slayer in the night. request. It changed his structure, turning him into an elemental creature of fear The legends agree, too, that Tayce and shadows. He could not be killed so preyed on children. he enjoyed the purity long as his dagger remained intact, and of their terror, and would stalk them, with his new powers over the shadows, kidnap them, and torture them in as he could not be caught, either. But he many fiendish ways as he could imagine. could not kill freely. The mask had But when the local authorities granted all of his dreams, it is true, but discovered the son of the local lord, nightmares are dreams, too, and Tayce's skinned and dissected on a tavern table, deepest nightmare was that he would be Tayce found himself being the hunted bound to another's service and unable to instead of the hunter. In desperation, he do whatever he willed. The Lord who sought a way to continue playing his had Tayce's dagger discovered a chant games forever, and turned to darker written along its edge which summoned powers. He called up a monster using a the shadowy fiend that Tayce had description and a name that he found in become. No fool, the Lord quickly an old tome one of his victims had realized that having a bound fiend as an owned, a creature he thought was a assassin would make him a powerful demon, and bested it, demanding that it political force, and so he used Tayce as grant him his wish. But the "demon" was his personal servant and hit man. no such thing. It was an Ennui, a nightmare spawn that, while having This state of existence enraged the beast, some power, could not grant what Tayce and because Tayce could not harm the sought. It knew of something that could, Lord directly while he held the dagger, though, and told him to "seek the Mask the Bloodyblades (as he became known) of Dreams Fulfilled." could do nothing about it. Until he realized one day that the dagger could The legendary Mask of Dreams only summon him, not banish him. After Fulfilled was an artifact of tremendous he killed his target, he could do as he potency, a mask that would literally wished until summoned again. And so a make all the wearer's dreams come true. plan formed in Tayce's mind. After searching for years, hounded every step of the way by the Lord's men, Tayce He began to cause dangerous "accidents" found the mask in an old, abandoned around the manor, subtly attacking the shop. "Put me on, and All your dreams Lord's other children. He would insult shall be fulfilled" the Mask told him, the Lord and make veiled threats at whispering the words in his mind. Tayce every opportunity, and slowly the Lord smiled, and just as the Lord's guards began to fear for the safety of his family. burst down the door, he slipped the mask When he was sent off to assassinate far- over his head, and said, "I wish never to away targets, he would leave little clues be caught. I wish never to die." And with and hints as to who had ordered the those words, Tayce melted execution, gradually raising suspicions away...leaving only his magical dagger about the Lord. Even though his curse behind. prevented him from acting during daylight, he still made life miserable The mask had, indeed, granted his around the town, using his shadowy

116 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 powers to sneak into homes and cause but none could manage to call up the terror night after night. And the more fiend. Some believed that this was fear he caused, the more power he because possession of the dagger was gained. necessary for the incantation to work, The peasants, backed by lords who had while others believed that the rhyme been hamstrung by the Lord's pet wasn’t an incantation at all, but a riddle, assassin and would take no more abuse, and whoever solved it would have the revolted. As they stormed his manor, the key to calling him forth. They tried panicked Lord summoned Tayce and many methods, but nothing seemed to begged the fiend to protect him. This work. It seemed Tayce was, indeed, was the moment Tayce had been waiting free. for. He agreed, then turned and slew the Lord's youngest daughter, right in front And so they spread this rhyme to of the Lord's eyes. their children, to warn them that the The Lord was shocked and angered. He monster was still out there. And as the demanded to know why Tayce had slain rhyme spread, it was embellished, and his beloved girl, and the fiend replied added to. Throughout the generations, coldly that he was only bound to protect people forgot the terror that the words the Lord, and no one else. Enraged, the remembered, and he became a myth. A Lord attacked Tayce with his own blade, boogieman, fit only to scare children. A driving it deep into the fiend's heart. minor footnote in history, quickly Tayce only grinned, and stepped back, bushed aside. Except... the dagger still protruding from his chest. Except Tayce was not free. The legend "And now that I have my dagger back," was supposed to end with Tayce's escape he said, "I don't need to protect you, into the night from his murdered Lord's either." castle, but the curse of the Mask of When the villagers broke down the Dreams Fulfilled would not be shaken throne room's doors, they came upon a off so easily. hideous scene. They found the Lord and his daughter slashed apart and placed in In truth, when Tacye executed his each other's embrace, while above them grand betrayal, and brazenly defied his was scrawled a single word in blood on curse, the Mists rose up and snatched the wall. "FREE!" him away to be punished for his arrogance. Perhaps he was locked in a As the story goes, someone remembered glass prison by the Church of Ezra or the the words on Tayce's dagger, the ones Order of Guardians. Perhaps he became that revealed the way to summon him. the pet of some long forgotten Darklord. Perhaps he became a Darklord himself, "Name me twice, call me thrice, absolute ruler of a tiny Island of Terror Name the one who'll go away floating somewhere in the Misty Border. A knock, a knock, a broken glass Perhaps he became trapped in the Mists, and Tayce shall come to play." like a ghost. Only the Dark Powers know for certain. But for three and a A few ambitious nobles tried to half decades, it seemed as if he’d simply work the summoning through the years, ceased to exist.

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been made, legend says Tayce is bound Not long after the Great Upheaval, to answer it. There will be a knock at the a child in a small mining town door of only two raps, then the sound of discovered a rusty, pitted dagger in an something inside the house, usually a empty well he’d jumped in to avoid the glass or mirror if one is available, larger village boys who’d decided he shattering. And by these signs you will needed a good thrashing. He was able to know he's come...and the killing will make out the words inscribed on the start. blade, and, desperate, remembered the tales his mother had frightened him with First Tayce will stalk the named victim when he was younger. Clutching the for a few days, whispering threats and dagger to himself, he began to whisper other, nastier things that only the victim to himself as the sun set and the shadows will be able to hear. Maybe he'll slice the grew longer. person a few times with his dagger, “Tayce, Tayce, Bloodyblades! whose cuts are cursed and do not heal Tayce, Tayce, Bloodyblades! naturally. Then he'll watch, silently, Tayce, Tayce, come and play! always appearing to be right at the Make the bad kids go away!” corner of his victim's sight, ready to The bodies weren’t found until the strike. Only when this treatment has following morning, horribly cut and driven his victim to the brink of insanity mutilated. Someone had carved the will he strike, leaving the body slashed words “I’M BACK!” in the chest of the up in grisly and creative ways, to be largest of the boys. The child who’d found in the place where it will cause the hidden in the well was never seen again, most horror. so his fate is unknown. But the true horror has only just begun. What is known is that stories of He will not just go away after being Tayce appearing in response to being summoned, and he resents being called summoned increased dramatically after up. He will turn on the summoner and that. Occasionally, it would be a parent, start stalking him, but he won't kill the angered at a child one too many times, pool soul. Not yet. First he will find out who, in frustration, made good his threat who associates with the poor fool who to call up the Bloodyblades to take his conjured him up, and slay them, all the naughty child away. Or perhaps a kid, while trying to drive the one who called either because he'd been mercilessly him up mad. And unless he is driven picked on or on a dare, would stumble away, he will, eventually, slay the one on to just the right meaning of "Name who called him from the shadows. me Twice, Call me Thrice." Whatever the reason, The legend was alive again. There are three ways to stop him. First, And like many such urban myths, it he cannot abide the bite of cold steel, the grew upon itself. only metal that can truly wound him. Second, he cannot act in daylight, and powerful magical light hampers many of The Legend his powers, though not all of them. And To hear the legend these days is to hear third, bearing the sliver holy symbol of a what happens after someone has called good deity will protect you from his up the Bloodyblades. Once the call has

118 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 touch, though not his powers, and he all sorts of nasty “accidents” on his will keep trying to trick you into putting manor grounds that threaten his wife and the symbol down or at least covering it children. When the PCs investigate, up. Only these can keep you safe, and if they discover that the person behind all he is unable to harm you, and your will this is none other than Tayce…the noble is strong, he might just give up. If you has his dagger, and has been using the can destroy his body, he will stop creature as a pet assassin to maintain his tormenting you, but it won't kill power base. Now the PCs have an him...not permanently, anyway... interesting choice to make: Stop the Bloodyblades and help the murderous lord, or let poetic justice take its course Adventure Hooks as Tayce prepares to slay the lord for Children play with things that they summoning him up, putting the noble’s don’t always understand. A child that innocent family at risk. the party is friendly with, who’s been abused or picked on by others, has been A bizarre string of murders has the talking lately about a “magic genie” townsfolk on edge. Someone calling that’s become her imaginary friend. himself “Tayce Bloodyblades” has Only, the children who’ve been mean to descended on the hapless village, and the her suddenly begin dying in horrible townsfolk are afraid to fight back string of gruesome murders, and their because of their fear of all his legendary parents ask the PCs to investigate. powers. The PCs must discover if this is, Could it be that the girl’s “magic genie” truly, the work of the Bloodyblades, or is actually the Bloodyblades? And, if so, an imposter who’s using the name to can they stop him before he turns against spread fear and keep himself safe. As an the girl’s family in revenge for being added complication, if it is an imposter, summoned? what happens if the real Tayce discovers The PCs face a great evil (a lich, what’s going on? Will he be enraged, vampire lord, or other singular person and start an even more bloody rampage with great power), one they can’t face to prove who’s really in charge? Or will directly by themselves. Some of the less he be delighted, and help protect the moral among them hear rumors about a deranged maniac who’s using his name dagger that the leader of the Assassin’s and gaining power for him? guild has, one that has the power to call up a monster capable of destroying the evil once and for all. The players TAYCE BLOODYBLADES manage to acquire the dagger (through Medium-sized Fey (Evil) theft, bribery, or performing some sort of service for the guild) and summon Tayce HD: 12d6+36 (90 hp) to fight their battle for them. The battle Imitative: +12 (Dex, Improved goes as planned, but now the fiend has Initiative) marked the party as his next Speed: 40 ft., Climb 40 ft. targets…and he’ll make sure to make AC: 21 (+8 Dex, +3 Natural) Touch 18, them suffer by attacking their associates Flat Footed 21 and relatives first. Base Attack Bonus/Grapple: +6/+8 A powerful noble asks the PCs for Attack: +2 Wounding Dagger +17 help. Something is stalking him, causing Melee (1d4+5 plus 1 point of

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Constitution Damage) fear, and madness. He is, literally, made Full Attack: +2 Wounding Dagger from the fear of the darkness and the +17/+12 Melee (1d4+5 plus 1 point of unknown things that go bump in the Constitution Damage) night. He feeds on this fear, and it Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. sustains him. Though he loathes the fact Special Attacks: Maddening Whispers, that he can be summoned by just about Cursed Wounding, Sneak Attack +4d6, anyone who would care to call him, he Cloud of Night realizes that the horror and mayhem he Special Qualities: DR 10/Cold Iron, SR causes have made him nearly immortal, 21, Regeneration 5, Shadow Blend, so he does little to try and lift his curse. Shadow Walk, Corner of the Eye, Hide in Plain Sight, Improved Uncanny Tayce needs fear to thrive. If he’s Dodge, Darkvision 60', Unnatural Aura, prevented from causing terror and Daylight Powerlessness, Repelled by mayhem, or if people stop believing that Holy Symbols, Phylactery he exists, he starves, and begins to fade Saves: Fort +7, Ref +16, Will +9 in a manner similar to the way a Abilities: Str 16, Dex 26, Con 17, Int 16, Sinkhole of Evil fades if the emotions Wis 12, Cha 16 behind it are not maintained. He suffers Skills: Bluff +18, Climb +21, Escape one negative level each week he remains Artist +27, Hide +27, intimidate +15, in a domain where no one, living or Listen +11, Move Silently +27, Sense undead, believes he exists or remembers Motive +16, Slight of Hand +20, Spot his legend as anything more than grim +11, Tumble +27 fairy tale, to a minimum of one HD. He Feats: Combat Expertise, Improved can restore lost levels at a rate of one per Feint, Improved Initiative, Weapon week through sustained activity and Finesse, Weapon Focus (Dagger). promotion of the terror surrounding his Climate/Terrain: Any rural or urban name. (This can also be Organization: Unique used to scale Tayce for lower-level PCs, Challenge Rating: 15 if the DM desires). Treasure: none Alignment: Chaotic Evil Like a vampire, Tayce sleeps during the Advancement: By Character Class day, but unlike vampires he is not (Favored Class: Rogue) helpless and can be roused normally by Sinister red eyes shine in the sounds, movement, attacks, etc. He darkness, following your movements. normally chooses a secluded, shadowy You occasionally catch flashes of silver area to hide in for the day, preferable hair, and once or twice you catch the somewhere inside his victim’s house suggestion of a gaunt, almost skeletal where he can easily use his Maddening figure clad only in a tattered brown Whispers and Corner of the Eye abilities cloak and tight, leathery skin the color of and can spy on his victim while relying a drowned man's body skittering about on his Hide in Plain Sight ability to on goat-like legs, a bloody dagger remain undetected.. Occasionally, he clutched in its bandaged hands... remains awake to spy more actively on Tayce Bloodyblades may seem like a his victim, but he suffers the usual demon at first glance, but in truth he is a penalties from sleep deprivation (Cannot natural creation, formed of shadows, regain hit points through natural healing,

120 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 cumulative -1 morale penalty on attack damage, which does not heal naturally rolls, saves, skill checks, and ability and can only be healed magically on checks per full day without rest, to a Consecrated or Hallowed ground. The maximum of -4). vile damage is a supernatural ability of Tayce himself, and not a property of his Combat blade. Tayce vastly prefers to stalk his chosen victim for days before striking, using his Sneak Attack (Ex): Tayce can make a Maddening Whispers and an occasional sneak attack like a rogue, dealing an slice from his cursed Wounding Dagger extra 4d6 damage whenever a foe is to inspire the terror that sustains him. denied his or her Dexterity bonus, or His goal is to wring as much horror from whenever Tayce is flanking. the person as he can before finally slaying his victim. When the time for the Cloud of Night (Sp): Tayce can call kill does come, he strikes from upon his dark heritage to create a mass unexpected locations and tries to get in of inky shadows that he can use to hide as many Sneak Attacks as possible, often in. He can use Darkness 3/day at a by either using his Improved Feint caster level of 12. ability to get past his opponent's guard, or else using his Hide in Plain Sight Regeneration 5 (Ex): Only Cold Iron or ability to sneak around his victim. good-aligned weapons deal normal damage to Tayce, thanks to his Maddening Whispers (Su): Tayce may connection to the shadows. Additionally, use this ability on any one target within Tayce cannot use Regeneration in 120 feet once per day. Only the chosen natural daylight or within the radius of victim can hear the insane whispers and an Evocation [Light] spell of 3rd level or dire threats of the Bloodyblades. Treat higher (such as a Daylight spell) this as a Gaslighting attempt (see Madness Saves in the Ravenloft PHB, Shadow Blend (Su): Tayce pg 83.) except that it takes only ten days Bloodyblades has an innate connection instead of thirty, and Tayce doesn't have to the shadows. In any conditions other to send time gaining the trust of his than full daylight Tayce can disappear victim. Typically, Tayce stalks his into the shadows, gaining total victim for several days, wearing away at concealment (50% miss chance). his target's sanity with this ability and an Artificial illumination, even magical occasional cut with his Cursed illumination such as a light or continual Wounding ability until the creature goes flames spell, does not negate this ability. insane and begs for death, or takes its A Daylight spell, however, will. own life, or Tayce bores of the game and decides to finish off the poor soul. Shadow Jump (Su): Tayce has the ability to travel between the shadows as Cursed Wounding (Su): When using if by means of a dimensional door spell, his Wounding Dagger Tayce can leave provided that the transport begins and cuts that are vicious and hard to heal. All ends in an area with at least some the Constitution damage Tayce deals shadows in it. Tayce can use this ability with his Wounding Dagger is vile as a move action at will.

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Tayce is caught in sunlight he cannot Hide in Plain Sight (Su): Tayce can use attack and can only take either a single the Hide skill even while being move action or a single standard action observed. As long as the Bloodyblades is in a round. Furthermore, Tayce takes within 10 feet of some sort of shadow, damage from light-based magic (such as he can hide himself from view in the a Searing Light or Sunbeam spell) as if open without having anything to actually he were an undead vulnerable to light. hide behind. He can't hide in his own shadow, however, nor can he hide while Repelled by Holy Symbols (Ex): Tayce in direct natural sunlight or in the radius cannot touch or make a melee attack of a Daylight spell. against anyone who boldly presents a silver holy symbol, and must remain at Corner of the Eye (Su): As long as least 5 feet from the person as long as Tayce is stalking a victim, he always the symbol is strongly presented. This seems to be lurking just at the corner of doesn't harm tayce, however--it mearly his chosen victim's field of vision, keeps him at bay. regardless of whether he's actually present or not. The victim takes a -2 Phylactery: Tayce cannot be killed penalty on all Wisdom-based skill normally. Even if his body is destroyed, checks as long as the Bloodyblades as long as his phylactery exists he can stalks him. form a new body from the surrounding shadows and other elements within 1d10 Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Tayce days. His phylactery is his favored can react to danger faster than his senses weapon, his +2 Wounding Dagger. would normally allow him to. He retains Tayce keeps his real dagger hidden, his Dexterity bonus to AC in situations using a replica formed from the same where he would noramlly lose it, and he shadowstuff that forms his body in cannot be flanked. combat and for stalking purposes. If the replica is separated from Tayce's body Unnatural Aura (Su): animals, whether form more than 1 minute it dissolves. wild or domesticated, can sense the Anyone who can find the Bloodyblades' unnerving presence of the Bloodyblades real dagger can command him as though at a distance of 30 feet. They do not through a Dominate Monster spell as willingly approach nearer than that and long as he owns it, though Tayce will panic if forced to do so; they remain obsessively try to kill his captor or trick paniced as long as they are within that him into putting down the dagger every range. chance he gets. If the phylactery is destroyed, Tacye dies as well. Tayce's Daylight Powerlessness (Ex): Tayce is dagger is a Tiny object and has 40 hp, a powerless in natural sunlight (not merely hardness of 20, and a break DC of 40. a daylight spell) and will flee from it. If

122 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Xavier D’Arcey Soul of a Poet, Skin of a Beast By Joseph “Bela” Zettelmaier [email protected]

Xavier D’Arcey no bones, and in truth, he has none. His hairless body is supported by internal Male marikith ftr3: CR 5; bladders that give him a humanoid Medium-size aberration (5 ft. 11 in.); shape. The closest things D’Arcey has to HD 3d8+3d10+12; hp 41; Init +8; Speed bones are chitinous fangs and talons, 40 ft., climb 20 ft.; AC 19 (touch 16, clearly meant to rend living flesh. His flat-footed 15); Atk +9 melee (1d4+3, eyes are red, devoid of iris or pupils. claws) and +4 melee (2d4+3, bite); SA They shine in the darkness in which he voice mimicry; SQ compression, usually resides. Few outside of Paridon darkvision 120 ft., immunities; AL NG; have ever seen such a creature, and only SV Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +5; Str 16, Dex * a handful of Paridoners have caught 19, Con 15, Int 15, Wis 14, Cha 5 . glimpse of this beast and survived. Skills and Feats: Diplomacy +4, Xavier D’Arcey is a Marikith Escape Artist +16, Hide +12, Jump +4, hunter...but his heart and mind are still Listen +8, Move Silently +14, those of a mortal man. Profession (Writing) +10, Spot +8; Back

Against the Wall, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Weapon Focus (Bite), Background Weapon Focus (Claws). Xavier D’Arcey was the son of a Languages: Mordentish*, Balok, minor noble family in Richemulot. He Darkonese, Thaani. was a sensitive young child, given to Signature possessions: ring of reading and writing at an early age. protection +2, sword cane (+1 rapier). Though he excelled at fencing and *If dealing with someone who wrestling, his heart belonged to poetry cannot see him, Xavier D’Arcey’s and art. He attended the best schools, Charisma functions as though it were 16. and grew from a curious youth to a handsome young man. Xavier had Despite his cultured voice and everything a man could want; a striking mannered ways, no one would mistake figure, a keen mind, charm, and wealth. Xavier D’Arcey for a gentleman. Indeed, Although not a cruel lad, he did share his he’s not a man at all. He stands just less bed with many women. He broke many than six feet tall, but his body is thin and hearts, but he believed his heart simply wiry. He moves with fluid, eerie grace, held more passion than any one person and his body slight smells of foul oil. could satisfy. Often in the throws of Most that get a good look at him are love, he produced excellent poetry and filled with revulsion. His skin is short stories, filling his words with the midnight black, and shimmers with a beauty he saw all around him. greasy shine. He moves as though he has

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When Xavier was twenty, several blades, the quintet went from the filthy of his friends decided they’d had enough city of Paridon to the utterly deadly of the pampered life. They sought a life tunnels of Timor. Their first few of adventure, and Xavier’s voice joined encounters were mundane enough; giant theirs in a call for excitement. Xavier vermin and the occasional sewer- said good-bye to his family and lady dwelling lunatic. But their trouble truly friends, and joined his four colleagues began when the pipe they were crawling on the open road. Their first year abroad through collapsed from underneath was full of adventure. They escaped the them. The group found themselves clutches of Verbreker werewolves, aided separated; three of them in the upper in putting a Mordentish ghost to rest, tunnels, while Xavier and his friend traveled along the Musrade on a Marc fell to deeper ones. And that was mysterious paddleboat, and studied the where the Marikith hunters found them. strange magic of Hazlan. Xavier’s heart No sooner had the two friends relit swelled with every journey, and he grew their lanterns then they found themselves more skilled as a swordsman. His surrounded by glowing red eyes. They journals swelled with exciting tales, and raised their weapons, and a wave of he began to dream of a life as an hideous monsters descended upon them. author…after he’d seen everything this Marc and Xavier fought hard but were world had to offer. overwhelmingly outnumbered. They fell It was the beginning of the friend’s back with the hunters racing behind second year of travels. Having seen them. With a surge of adrenaline, Xavier much of the core, they decided to spend made a great leap back into an upper some time at sea. They set sail on a tunnel. Marc’s leap wasn’t as merchant vessel, and waited to sea impressive, but he managed to grasp the where the mists would take them. Their lip of the pipe. Marc cried out for Xavier first stop was Paridon. At first, Xavier to help pull him up, but something and his friends felt oddly at home. After sinister stirred within D’Arcey’ soul. He all, Paridon was a highly advanced realized that, if he let Marc fall, then the island, full of the high-quality Marikith hunters would likely focus all entertainment and lodging they were their efforts on him. Xavier would have used to. Still, the five knew well that enough of a respite to escape. And there was most certainly adventure though it pained him greatly, he placed a waiting in the cramped back-alleys and boot heel on Marc’s forehead and seedier parts of town. Unfortunately for pushed him back into the Marikith’s all of them, they were right. murderous fangs. The first few nights in Paridon What many travelers don’t realize were eventful, if not dangerous. The is there is a curse in the pipe ways of group visited the religious headquarters Timor. When one does an evil act in of the Divinity of Mankind, where they these tunnels, the Dark Powers may take learned of Paridon’s greatest threats- hold and twist the sinner. And so was the Doppelgangers and Marikith. The group case with Xavier D’Arcey. After about met, discussed, and finally made their an hour, Xavier’s remaining friends decision. Gathering up their gear, the found him. However, he was no longer group made their way to the sewers. the handsome young noble they knew. Armed with fire, pistols and enchanted Already, his skin was darkening, and his

124 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 bones liquefying in his body. It was his original form, it had restored his mind. screams of agony that drew them to him, They untied Xavier, who staggered to a and they were shocked to see him mirror. The boy screamed with pain as turning into the very monster he was he saw the twisted monster that starred fleeing from...a Marikith Hunter. One back. His friends tried to calm him, to no member of the group, a spellcaster, avail. Xavier fled into the temple, managed to put Xavier into a magical knocking over sconces and torches along slumber, and they hauled him out of the the way. Without intending it, he’d set sewers and into Paridon proper. the church on fire. He staggered onto the The first thing the group did was street, sobbing in despair. When he take Xavier to the temple of the Divinity turned to face the burning building, he of Mankind. There, they were greeted by realized what he’d done. It a matter of an old priest they were acquainted with. moments, the entire temple was ablaze, They hurried the rapidly-transforming and only Gaston was able to escape it Xavier to a private laboratory. It turned alive. out that the old priest was also a skilled Gaston and Xavier ducked into the alchemist, and one of a very specialized shadowy areas of Paridon, and managed group within the church. Years earlier, to secure passage back to the Core. the serial killer named “Bloody Jack” Xavier remained in the bowels of the was revealed to be a doppelganger. A ship, hiding in the darkness he’d begun select few in the church believed that the to grow accustomed to. Gaston spent doppelgangers weren’t monsters, but sad many hours with his friend, keeping him creatures yearning to achieve the from utterly falling into despair. Still, perfection of the human form. The old Xavier was crushed. Everything he had priest was in that camp, and had once was now gone, except for his developed a potion that he hoped would writing. Gaston found every piece of lock such creatures into one form. It was paper he could, and kept Xavier writing. his hope that, by altering the alchemical Indeed, it helped raise the man’s spirit substance slightly, he might be able to slightly, as it reminded him that his mind stop Xavier’s transformation into a and soul were still human. Markith hunter. The two friends made it back to So Xavier’s three remaining allies Richemulot, keeping Xavier hidden from tied him to a table, and the priest forced view under thick cloaks and heavy the chemicals down his throat. The man- clothing. When Xavier returned to his monster writhed and screamed out in home in Pont-a-Museau, he found that agony, then passed out. They all hovered his family had been killed and his lands over the unconscious Xavier, awaiting claimed after a feud with the famous his reversion to human form. Sadly, it Renier family. Only the constant never came. One of the friends, an older friendship of Gaston kept Xavier from fellow named Gaston, raised his sword, descending into madness. The two prepared to put Xavier out of his misery. purchased one of the many abandoned Suddenly, the beast’s red eyes opened estates in the city, and set themselves up wide, but it was Xavier’s voice that with the money they’d gained from came out. The old priest was the first to adventuring. realize what had happened. While the Gaston worked constantly to keep potion hadn’t returned Xavier to his the oft-suicidal Xavier in his right mind.

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One day, Gaston took one of Xavier’s mind returned to him. Creeping back to manuscripts to a publisher. The his manor, he explained what had publisher was enraptured with Xavier’s happened to Gaston. Since then, once a work, and immediately begged Gaston week, the monster in him begins to rise for whatever else he might have. Gaston up again, and only human flesh can explained that he was but a humble return his sanity to him. Xavier has servant for this reclusive author, and sworn to kill only the guilty, feasting on explained the entire situation to Xavier the many criminals that haunt Pont-a- when he returned. To his surprise, Museau. Xavier was thrilled by the news. Recently, Xavier came to the Becoming a published writer made him attention of Jacqueline Renier, feel like a normal man again, in some Richemulot’s Darklord. She is actually way. quite a fan of his work, and decided to Over the past few years, Xavier seek the man out. Gaston was unable to D’Arcey’s works have become rather turn her away, and she barged into well-known. His novels tend to be Xavier’s private chambers. There, a man adventure-romances, and filled with the who looked like a monster met a detail only a well-traveled writer can monster that could transform into a have. The popularity of his latest series, woman. Renier wasn’t put off by his entitled “The Heart’s Blade Series,” as hideous appearance, and was quite drawn many women to seek out the congenial to him. Unable to resist the famous recluse, but they are all turned interest of a lovely woman after so long, away by Gaston. The mystery of Xavier Xavier told his entire story to her. D’Arcey has only made him more Jacqueline considered the loss of some renowned, but only Gaston and one of Richemulot’s filth to be an acceptable other know the real source of his price to keep this literary treasure in her solitude. city. However, she expressly forbade him from killing any wererats, unless Current Sketch she herself gave him permission. That night, an insidious agreement was The strange situation of Xavier forged. From time to time, Renier would D’Arcey has taken a darker turn lately. tell Xavier of a wererat who had become He’s discovered that the old priest’s cure troublesome to her. That night, D’Arcey was not entirely complete. About six would slip into the streets and murder months ago, he found himself feeling the the victims, their blood helping to keep pull to scramble underground and fill his his human mind intact. mouth with human flesh. His reason was Renier has kept her knowledge of vanishing, and some dark instinct was Xavier’s secret to herself, sharing it with taking hold. He crept out of his house no one. She even visits him from time to that night, and stumbled upon a robber time, finding him to be charming and accosting a young couple. With verbose company. Still, Gaston has superhuman speed, Xavier grabbed the begun to become suspicious, fearing that criminal and dragged him into a side Renier’s influence may lead Xavier alley. The night was full of horrible down a path from which there is no screaming as D’Arcey tore the man to turning back. pieces and devoured his flesh. No sooner had he eaten his fill than his rational

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Personality move-equivalent action, and a 3-6 inch diameter gap as a full-round action. Xavier is truly a man torn. He Immunities: Xavier takes only loathes what he has become, and all the half damage from bludgeoning attacks. reflective surfaces in his house are kept He does not, however, share typical covered. His only real outlet is his Marikith immunity to Fear, Horror and writing, which he pursues with a fury. Madness checks. He has somehow Gaston is his only real connection with managed to overcome a Marikith’s the outside world, and he feels great vulnerability to light, though he does remorse for that situation. Gaston will tend to avoid anything stronger than hear none of it, feeling his own guilt for torchlight. not being able to truly cure his only surviving friend. Xavier has become something of a state-sanctioned Dread Possibilities vigilante, and the local guard has labeled ™ A local noblewoman, or perhaps a him “The Render,” based on his method player character, has become smitten of killing. Still, he seems to kill only the with the novels of Xavier D’Arcey. wicked, so the police are not actively The more she hears of his reclusive hunting him. He has begun to enjoy his nature, the more taken with him she occasional bloodlust, as it is the only becomes. Perhaps the two have time he can forget what he did to Marc. begun to share a letter-writing He knows that he brought damnation correspondence, and Xavier has upon himself. The money he’s made begun to return her affections. She writing keeps his house well-furnished, may even sneak into the D’Arcey and he still wears noble finery, in a estate in an attempt to meet the man constant attempt to remind himself what himself. When this person comes he was and still is. He treads a very thin screaming about a monster living in line, and he knows it. Still, he will not his home, the PCs may have to come kill anyone he believes innocent, and is investigate. This scenario is made all desperately trying to cling to whatever the harder by the fact that Xavier remnants of goodness lie within him. desperately seeks companionship again. Combat ™ The PCs may be on the streets of Pont-a-Museau when they hear Xavier D’Arcey holds all the blood-curdling screams nearby. They abilities of a Marikith hunter, combined turn a corner to find an eviscerated with his own skill as a fighter. thug, and a black-skinned monster Voice mimicry (Ex): Xavier can slithering into a drainpipe. They reproduce any voice he’s heard with might be able to magically track him eerie accuracy. To fool a subject, he back to the D’Arcey estate. Their must make an opposed bluff check (+10 investigation takes a turn for the racial bonus) against his opponent’s mysterious when they discover who listen check. lives there, or manage to get the real Compression (Ex): Due to his story from Gaston. Do they stop a boneless nature, Xavier can squeeze criminal-killer who longs to be through any space at least 1 foot in human, or do they allow him to diameter as a free action. He can squeeze murder again? And if they do kill through a 7-11 inch diameter gap as a

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Xavier, they would certainly earn the every few nights, where he drinks a wrath of Jacqueline Renier. strange drought that renders him ™ Gaston is finally beginning to feel unconscious for a few hours. He has the strain of his friend’s situation. He been told that it is part of the healing longs to be free of this life. Still, he process, but the truth is the potion won’t abandon Xavier, who needs not only puts him to sleep but allows him not only to serve as an the alchemist to take control of the intermediary for his writing, but as a tormented man-marikith. During connection to reality. Jacqueline these hypnotic times, the alchemist Renier becomes aware of Gaston’s uses Xavier to steal rare substances turmoil, and decides to turn him into and money and kill any who would a wererat, to force his loyalty. If she stop him. Xavier has no memory of were to do this, however, it would these actions and attributes the rash surely drive a wedge between her of killings to rogue wererats. The and Xavier. D’Arcey may seek the PCs stumble upon one of Xavier’s PCs help in facing the Darklord of mesmerized attacks and track him Richemulot. back to the doctor’s lab. They may ™ Xavier has been meeting with an well discover the truth behind Xavier alchemist, who he believes may have and realize that the real villain is the discovered a cure for his condition. alchemist. He meets at the scientist’s place

128 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 Diminutive Aberrations Little Horrors By Eddy Brennan (Wiccy of the Fraternity) [email protected]

Dearest readers, it has been far borrow a term form Dr. Van Richten, too long since I have last put pen to they are not. Aberrations are the paper and bring another treatise of my creation of men and women who act in travels and findings while searching out direct hatred toward nature and it’s the mysteries of legends among the lands balance in all things. we collectively know as the Dread As usual I will provide several Realms. For more than a year I have examples of the discoveries I have made been unable to write what I would and in my work and difficult studies. Some report on what I have found, but at least of the knowledge I have come upon has I have found time to myself and settle almost shattered my mind on more than down for a short time to bring you this one occasion in the past year, but thanks latest offering. As always, these words to the care of dear friends I have pulled are not for those of a weak disposition. through. I only hope that if you make Though I always attempt to tame my the same discoveries as I you will be as words, so to speak so that what I find fortunate. This treatise also carries a will not appear so heinous or moral warning to those who read it the abominable, this time I strive to continue subject matter is taboo, far beyond that this practice but find it difficult. which I would normally write about. Do Magic is all about us in this world, not attempt to imitate those creatures I in every world in fact. Those of you who have encountered prior to writing these read these works already know that I words and avoid hunting for the tome came from another world, though not so that I spent so long seeking to end different from your own it was another Estabane’s legacy, the tome is (as far as world entirely to itself. Magic existed in I know) beyond all reach and should that world as it does in this, though most remain as such. would not believe it so. Magic exists in nature; man-made artefacts; spells, almost anything could be associated The Leech Lice with having some degree of magic This creature was something that I attached to it. Aberrations are no came upon by complete accident several different, but they are so twisted and years ago while hunting a terrifying abhorrent in the face of nature I shudder creature I have referred to as Beast to my very soul to think that people since its creation (but this is not the would create these things willingly, to place to go into details of this despicable want to bring them into creation. creature), the Leech Lice as I came to Though some may think such things refer to them were small plague carrying among the number of the “Created” to insects found in the small Darkonese village of Rikstell. It is common legend

129 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 within the district that several decades entire time. I woke with a severe rash on back, a renowned sorcerer by the name much of my legs and arms. Upon Estabane Tear retired from the world of enquiry in the morning I found that adventuring and set her roots in the several complaints had been filed about village to live out the rest of her life in the room over the years the current peace. During her retirement she was owner had run the inn, but despite his called back into service on a number of best efforts, including replacing the occasions, but after one such journey entire bed, the lice refused to leave. she returned with a drained look. In her Offering my services so that I may get a possession was a single tome wrapped in sound night’s sleep, I vowed to rid the stained leather. She claimed at the time vermin from the inn. While not one of that she had been battling a sorcerer the more riveting promises made by almost equal to her own ability and it monster hunters, it is one I promised and had taken her some time to win the one I meant to keep. I was given free battle, the prize was the book in her board and another room for my stay in possession. She said little more about case I was successful. the tome in the legend, but after Through careful study of the straw stumbling upon her private journals, I mattress I discovered several of the found that she initially took the book for creatures and managed to trap them, I the secrets it contained, one that no then had some of my more specialised person should ever know, her plan was equipment brought to me by my former to destroy the book to save others from apprentice Hans. It took him over a its influence. Sadly, she also fell to the fortnight to get from Vallaki to where I book’s power and worked with its power was staying, but I was dedicated in holding sway over her judgement. solving this mysterious flea problem. It Estabane conducted many was also during these two weeks that I experiments under the influence of the uncovered a loose panel in the room’s books power (the current whereabouts of floor and stumbled upon Estabane’s last this book is something I would wish to journals. When Hans arrived I was discover so that I may cast it into the quick in setting up the equipment and deepest abyss to avoid Estabane’s took closer looks at the fleas I had downfall be repeated), all were caught. My first impressions were one abhorrent in the eyes of nature and of amazement. Though many would not every one had some diabolical outcome. know it, the common flea is of a dark She destroyed much of what she created brownish red, what I looked at through out of shame, but she always returned to my magnifying scope was a pale green. the book to conduct further atrocities. Referencing to Estabane’s journals I The Leech Lice is one of these discovered that this was her last creation experiments and one of her successes, as using her tome to draw influence. Estabane put it too bluntly. Reading through Estabane’s I was passing through Rikstell journals I found the symptoms of a when I decided to stop for a few days the stinging and itching rash to be the same creature I had been hunting had gone to and the markings to be the same ground once more and the trail very colouration the sorceress described in cold. I booked into the inn and spend a her writing, I then felt a grave coldness restless night in the bed, itching the as I went to read on the side effects of

130 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 successive attacks from the fleas. Over a from my findings and Estabane’s period of weeks, the fleas continue to journal. Pleased in finding the problem, feast on the victim but not in the same I presented the proof to the innkeeper way as their common, natural cousins. shortly before destroying the nest and Instead they feed on muscular tissue and the tiny creatures within it. Those fleas spinal fluid. With Hans’ assistance I that were not in the nest when I found it found a large rash down the centre of my would have died within days, having a back, all this after spending a single surprisingly short lifespan. night sharing a bed with the vermin. While a few weeks stay rent free at Thankfully, not long enough for the true an inn is not among the grandest of side effects of the creatures to take rewards, it was a pleasant change from effect. Over a period of weeks, the my usual jaunts around the country Leech Lice will feed on what they desire seeking out creatures that could tear you form the victim, causing physical apart in second. The event also taught weakness and chronic insomnia to creep me that monster hunters would perform in. The muscle weakness is from their any task to help another person, no feeding, the insomnia from the incessant matter how unrewarding or itching caused by their bites. embarrassing it may seem at first. I knew my foe at last and after making the pledge to the innkeeper I Leech Lice may be destroyed by looked back in retrospect and was glad I snapping the creatures in two at the had given my word to help him. If the neck, this is a full round action. attacks had gone on, the next person to However, this is time consuming when stay in the room may not have been as they are always found in proximity to fortunate as I. the nest. Finding the nest may take I spent several days after this some time, but it tends to be found near discovery investigating a possible effect something wooden and out of the light. for removing the fleas. Since the entire Leech Lice are severely allergic to light bed and mattress had been changed on and will burn up under direct sunlight. several occasions I suspected that the A total of 2 points of fire damage will bed was not their nest. Investigating the destroy an entire nest and all the Leech room again I made the discovery of a Lice within it at that time. Leech Lice small nest beneath another floor board, have a life expectancy of only nine days though easy to look over as the effect they appear to disintegrate after this wood worm have, the small holes in the period only a queen lives for long, board caught my attention and I had a somewhere in the region of a month to look for the sake of curiosity. The nest five weeks. was approximately several inches in Leech Lice attack while their diameter and covered in some sticky victims sleep and attack in they’re fluid that allowed it to stick to the hundreds. While the damage they do is underside of the board. From here the insignificant, they leave small rashes that fleas would go out and forage to food appear inflamed and hundred of tiny based on a hive society. I found a single green and purple bruises that blend queen within the nest as well as male together into something quite repulsive. suitors to her, the rest of the populace On second attack the victim must make a were genderless in what I could gather Fort save (DC 10) or suffer a –1 penalty

131 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 to Str, Dex and Con. This save is taken allies in many battles against various each successive time the victim is attack fiends and monsters. Though they found on successful nights, each time the my interest in unusual insects and their saving throw DC being raised by 1. activity unusual, even for me that did Once an ability score has been reduced abide me and listened to what I had to to half its original score the victim must say. A few of them had heard of also roll a Will save (DC 10 + 1 per Estabane and one had met the woman successive attack) to avoid insomnia. If when she was in the final years of her insomnia does set in, the victim loses a life. None of them knew of her obsession point from Int, Wis and Cha for every 3 with creating somewhat deadly artificial days without a proper sleep from mental life so I did not destroy their vision of exhaustion. Magical sleep will restore her, as most who knew of her would lost ability points from insomnia. If an remember her. ability score is reduced to 0, the victim With the aid of my contacts I did dies. discover one possible source for the Those who die from Leech Lice Plague Grasshopper in Sithicus, so I set attacks cannot be resurrected until a my sights on that land, thinking it is a restoration spell has been cast upon the good a place as any to beginning the corpse. new leg of my investigation. En-route I met up with one of the contacts that had led me in my current direction, a Gwyn Plague Grasshoppers Evanstock. Gwyn was an outlander like Following on from my deduction myself, but had settled in Sithicus shortly of the Leech Lice and the problems they after his arrival, formed a new life for had been causing, I continued to study himself, a family and a livelihood. It into Estabane’s journals and uncovered was to his farm that the trail would take more clues to where the book she us and there I would make the discovery brought back might be. Following the I had been seeking. trail to Falkovnia, a land that I truly Gwyn had several problems with loathe, to one of Estabane’s many homes plague carrying insects on his farm on during her life. It was in this building, several occasions over the few years he though it had been occupied once more, had owned the land and after reading that I found a chest containing several of the letter I sent him in correspondence her old possessions and more of her he had thought the information I was journals. Reading these small books seeking was similar to his hindering with care, due to her tiny handwriting, I insects. The insects carried a plague found that the Leech Lice were not the that effected animal, food produce and last of her creations that she had been human alike, though in different ways. working on another at the time of her Food, if infected with the plague would death. She knew these as “Plague become a carrier for the disease until Grasshoppers”. eaten, where the plague would manifest. Suspecting a similar trend to the Animals would either become carriers or Leech Lice, I investigated the area and sufferers and humans (as well as found no clues as to unusual insect demihumans) would suffer from the activity or any form of unusual insect in plague has victims. Once on his farm I the region. Instead I set my sights had Gwyn take me into the fields so that further afield and called upon some old

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I may hope to find one of the Plague made that fact well known in the journal Grasshoppers I was hoping to find. The and often stated it as follows. journal that Estabane had detailed her “Having never visited the green research on these aberrations contained lands and lush forests of Sithicus where detailed analysis, as well as descriptions it is reported that wild elves dwell, I feel on the pests. a great pity in my heart than as I grow The plague would appear initially older I may never be able to cast my as a boil-like sore on the body of the eyes upon the wondrous sights of that victim before symptoms not unlike bewildering land. My research has influenza would appear. Since influenza dominated my life for far too long and is often deadly, it is difficult to my health has faded as age sunk into my differentiate between the aberration’s bones. Darkon is the last land I shall legacy and the genuine illness. know as home, but perhaps I will learn Approximately a week after infection, the of the land through others before I say victim would begin to vomit blood and my last farewell to this plane of die within days. existence and pass into the next one.” After searching the farm for With my decisions on the Plague several hours, our efforts were rewarded Grasshopper and the validity of Gwyn’s by the capture of three specimens that pests to be that which I was seeking, I set may have proved to be the Plague out into the fields once more to search Grasshopper. Returning to his small near the area we found the specimens I cottage where his family made had studied. Finding more samples of themselves busy with their daily chores, the Plague Grasshopper, I began to I retired to the attic that I had been scour the area more completely, given as some form of guest room and uncovering several nests of the creature began my study on the creatures. For and bringing a swift end to their the next four days I spent much of my incursions. Once I was certain I had time in the attic, leaving only when killed all examples I could find of the nature required me to do so, to eat or creatures, I returned to the cottage for stretch my legs and unwind. Sleep was a much needed rest. I departed Gwyn’s rarity and after those days Gwyn’s wife cottage just over a week later, we parted woke me at my chest I had been using as ways pleasantly and promised that we a desk. Her and I talked over breakfast, would spend time together once more, the rest of the family already hard at his wife (who I have not named since she work about the farm and I discussed my did not permit me to do so) also hoped profession and her, her life about the that I would return, she enjoyed the farm and other things. It was a welcome company of another woman about the break to the past four days, but before place, even one that would lock herself sleep had overtaken me in the middle of in the attic for several days. the night I had decided that the On my journey from Sithicus into specimens I had captured could be none Invidia where I had spent several months other than the Plague Grasshopper. The a few years earlier I opened to a new only conflicting evidence not supporting chapter in Estabane’s life and the my theory was that Estabane never horrific legacy that she left to the world entered Sithicus throughout her life she Plague Grasshopper

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Fine Aberration Plague Grasshoppers are not Hit Dice 1/4d8 (1hp) equipped for fighting, they are the agents Initiative +11 (+7 Dex, +4 of infiltration and disease spreading. If Improved Initiative) they are threatened, their instincts are to Speed Leap 10 ft., fly 20 ft. escape though they may deliver a small (perfect) bite that can sting for several hours. Armour Class 25 (+7 Dex, +8 Disease (Su): Supernatural Size) Disease – bite, Fortitude Save DC 12, Base Attack/Grapple -5/-26 incubation 24 hours, damage none. Attack Bite +3 (1 plus disease) Animals have 50% chance of becoming Space/Reach 1/2 ft./0 ft. carriers. Plants bitten by a Plague Special Attacks Disease Grasshopper is also a carrier. Those Saves Fort +0 Ref +7 Will +0. who carry the disease will inflict the Abilities Str 1, Dex 24, Con 10, disease upon those who eat them/it those Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 12. who eat the carrier must make a Skills Balance +8, Hide +9*, Fortitude Save DC 12. Move Silently +8* 24 hours after infection, a small Feats Alertness, Improved boil appears where the victim was bitten, Initiative they then begin to suffer the effects of a Environment Any temperate influenza-like disease, suffering a loss of land half their physical ability scores Organisation Solitary, Pair, (rounding down), the victim requires full group (4-10), swarm (10-100) bed rest. Nine days after infection, the Challenge Rating 1/3 victim begins to vomit blood and will Treasure None die 1d3 days later. Alignment Usually Neutral Cure is found through the blood of Advancement None the Plague Grasshopper and mixing it Level Adjustment - with aconite and boiling in 1 pint of water. Drinking a mug of this antidote Plague Grasshoppers appear as will allow full recovery form the plague other grasshoppers except their heads are disease in 24 hours and will halt the a dull purple. They tend to have a development of the plague regardless of migratory existence and rarely remain in it’s current stage. the same location for more than a few Skills: A Plague Grasshopper has months. They are artificial creatures and a +8 racial bonus Hide and Move have a long life span of about 5 years Silently check while within their natural and may breed among themselves to habitat. continue the species existence. Plague Grasshoppers are at home within nature where they spread their Scarlet Beetle plague. They are attracted more to small Scouring several chapters of settlements and farms, but forests and Estabane’s journal I became aware of a other isolated places are equally likely to creature that I had encountered several be home to them. years before in Invidia. It was an insect the likes of which I had not cast eyes Combat upon before, a large beetle with a deep crimson shell and a single horn growing

134 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 from the bottom of the mandible. As I way back to a point we had decided to mentioned, they were quite large and regroup if we got separated I found a could grow up to several inches in small cave filled with the beetles, so it length from my past study of them, was for this portion of the caves that I though at the time my study was had set my sghts. somewhat rushed and I may have Exploring the caves again took overlooked their more unusual qualities. some time before I found the small area I What captured my attention more was had been seeking. The cave was how I the fact that the Scarlet Beetle featured remembered it with its low ceiling and several elements that I had not slick walls and floor, treading carefully encountered during my brief encounter to avoid slipping I slowly made my way with the creatures. into the darkness with only a small lamp I travelled to the Hunadora area of to guide my way. It was without the small kingdom being careful the warning that the beetles came upon me entire time I spent travelling in the land and I found myself fighting for my life to avoid unwanted attention. The land is against the horrid things. known for its brigands and harsh The Scarlet Beetle is a carnivore mercenary control and either of these they will eat anything so long as their can be generally bothersome at the very target is at least animate. They appear least. Taking a long route to Hunadora to be able to dine on dead flesh as easily I spent much of my time tracking as living, so while the ghouls were through forestry and away from the main infesting the caves the aberrations had roads, I knew of several largely unused plenty to feed upon. Without this steady roads that passed through the area I was food supply I had suspected that they headed and used those instead. Upon might have starved to death and I would my arrival to where I was headed, find nothing more than the decayed several miles went of Hunadora castle I remains, but this was not so, the beetles entered the network of caves where I were starving, but very much alive and previously ran across these tiny terrors. wanting to feat upon my flesh. With use The caves had been used by a pack of of several spells and tactics I had ghouls that I had sent into the next prepared before coming, I dispatched world, they used the caves as their nest those beetles that attacked me. I seared and had preyed upon local wildlife. It is them with burning oil, froze them with estimated that the undead fiends had ice magic and those that managed to get been active for some time before they close enough I cut with my dagger or wandered out further and attacked a crushed them underfoot. The battle, travelling merchant passing through the though sounding easy, was incredibly region, most likely hoping to avoid the difficult having to be sure that I let none same things I had wanted to. During my of the creatures live. I am not certain exploration of the caves with several how long it took for me to wipe out the allies and swords for hire, we separated group that attacked me but it took some into groups to cover more ground in less time and I did not get away without time and it was during this that I got feeling their mandible bite into my flesh separated from the other members of my more than a few times before they were group during a battle against a ghast all dead. and several of its minions. Working my

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It was after this initial encounter occasion, especially when she gets that on my return to the caves that I began determined mood and attempts to my study of those beetles I had destroyed convert me to her faith. While I have but not damaged beyond inspection. nothing against the Church of Ezra, I Relating to the journal at hand I just wish that Emily would one day made intensive studies of the creatures realise that both of our religions have but found none of the similarities merit in our own eyes. Third and finally between the Scarlet Beetle Estabane there is Carl Borvos or Darkon, a spoke of in her journal and those I had former constable of high rank from just destroyed. My inspection was made Martira Bay, he is also a sorcerer of harder by my own irrational phobia for some consummate skill. beetles. Certain that I had found some When the three arrived I filled offspring from the sorceress’s creation I them in on the past few months and the delved deeper into the caves. I had not investigation I was undergoing, I did not gone far before I found the creature I mention the tome that inspired Estabane, was seeking. knowing Carl he would have shown When I cast eyes on the great interest in acquiring and studying monstrosity my heart almost stopped for its contents than making sure the this was no ordinary insect, the creature knowledge it contained was kept safe was large and bloated, measuring and away from harm. Telling them of several feet in length. Its iron ore the Scarlet Beetle I had encountered coloured exoskeleton crawled with its (Johan was familiar with my tale of smaller relations I had battle only a few encountering the creatures before since scant hours before. Knowing I was not he served with me on scouring the caves prepared to face such a terrible threat, for the ghouls) we drew up a plan to physical or emotional, I stole myself eradicate the monstrous insects. from the caves to a nearby hamlet and We talked long and hard through call in assistance. the night and halfway into the next day I spent more than a month waiting before we were certain we had planned for those I had summoned to arrive and for many eventualities that may rise when they did it was my surprise to see when you hunt your quarry. We were that they had arrived together. Without also certain from my description of the me knowing, they had formed a sort of Scarlet Beetle that it would be all but adventuring party that came together impervious to most forms of standard when they were needed and they were attack, so it should be attacked with finishing off their latest investigation concentrations of magic while those able when they received my letters. Firstly I to fight at close quarters keeps the beast must mention Johan, I have spoken of and it’s smaller offspring at bay. him before in my works, the man was not After resting a day to regain our the same as the last I had seen him, strength from missing sleep, we made during our time apart he had lost his left our way to the caves and entered them. eye in a battle against a bone golem, Johan and myself knew the area well however after the incident he counted enough and I led them to the place I himself lucky to have survived. Secondly spotted the large insect. We entered the there is Emily Strandh, an anchorite of area using as much stealth as we could Ezra who I can hard a hard time with on muster and made our way to key

136 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 positions from which we could launch arrived, an expert on insects that had our assault from several directions at been with Emily when the letter arrived once. When we did attack, we made an and had expressed interest in the matter. almost fatal discovery that was entirely Natasha was a person I did not know, my own fault, in my haste to leave before but someone I felt indebted to after her I had only made note of one giant insect, study was the one that found the anti- in reality there were more than a dozen venom that saved my life. of them and we were almost immediately Though back on my feet I was in caught in a battle for our very survival. no shape to engage in our quest for some We were crawling with the smaller time and the others returned to the beetles while the larger ones used their caves, leaving me in Natasha’s care. It smaller kin to distract us and attack was during this time that I really got to form several sides at once. Some frantic know her. Natasha is a professor at the protection spells helped in keeping them university of Port-a-Lucine, one of the at bay long enough for our spells to fell few women to be among their number. a few of the larger beetles. The last She has interests in many things but has thing I remembered of the battle was spent the last decade or so studying into feeling a stabbing pain in my side as I rare and unusual forms of insect, my cut down one of the creatures with my own findings and stories after picking up flame blade. Estabane’s journals fascinated her. So When I came to I found myself much so in fact that she borrowed one of delusional and incoherent, the world the journals to learn more of the Scarlet about me was distorted and I suffered Beetle during my illness in hopes of from terrible hallucinations for several finding the anti-venom to save me. days, a by-product of the Scarlet Two days after their departure the Beetle’s lower horn. The horn secreted others returned, battle weary and tired, rare venom that afflicted the victim with new scars to add to the old but they were hallucinations and random bouts of pleased to pass the news on that they unconsciousness. It was nearly a full had been successful in eradicating the week before I was on my feet again from beetles. Natasha was disheartened by constant care from Emily and her this news, having hoped to study a live healing skills. During my sickness I also sample, but her disappointment became suffered from long streams of joy and excitement when she was nightmares when I would dream of being presented with several captured devoured by the giant beetles, they were examples of the smaller beetle. Natasha as vivid and real as this paper before was torn between staying with me but me, the terror and pain I felt in those was forced to return to her tenure; nightmares was astonishing. Only later Johan and Emily were also required was I told that I had come close to death elsewhere but Carl opted to stay on as more than one since they pulled me from my bodyguard for a time. A “mutual the cave. Thought my physical wounds benefit” as he called it and would stay were healed through magic, it took on with me for some time while I looked careful work to ensure that the venom into Estabane’s legacy. that had entered my body was dealt with Shortly before I began properly. It was during this time that a transcribing my notes into this treatise I friend of Emily’s, a Natasha Cook had received word from Natasha that the

137 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 venom from the Scarlet Beetle preys on Organisation Solitary, Pair, the nervous system, causing problems in Group (3-12), Hive (1 – 3 plus 50 – 300 the cranial area. These problems lead to kin), Tribe (3 – 12 plus 100 – 500 kin) the nightmares and hallucinations. The Challenge Rating 5 initial attack from the venom also causes Treasure None the victim to lose consciousness. Alignment Usually Neutral Natasha also reported that although the Evil venom had been eradicated from my Advancement Medium (6 – body, not all of the damage it does might 7hd), Large (8 – 10hd) be undone so easily, this has caused me Level Adjustment - to suffer from nightmares about the Scarlet Beetle and other horrors since I The scarlet beetle is a monstrosity was wounded by them. However, Emily to look upon, by all rights and purposes has also been in contact with me since it is a beetle in physique and proportion, learning of Natasha’s finding and has but the experiments that went into its asked after my health and offered me to creation have mutated and marked it visit her in Levkarest in the future when horribly. The insect stands over a foot in she hopes to be about to use some divine height and some three feet in length, magic to restore the damage that has they sport a hard dark crimson carapace. been done. Just below the mandible, the scarlet beetle has a single slim horn growing Scarlet Beetle form the carapace, this excretes a Small Aberration dangerous poison that affects both Hit Dice 5d8 + 15 hp (40hp) physical and mental aspects of those that Initiative +2 (Dex) succumb to it. Scarlet beetles shy away Speed 30 ft. climb 20 ft. from natural light, they have difficulty Armour Class 18 (+2 Dex, +1 seeing from its brightness, artificial light Size, +5 Natural) sources appear to have a similar yet Base Attack/Grapple +4/-3 reduced effect. Attack Bite +6 (1d4+3), Gore +4 Large cave networks close to a (1d4+3 plus poison) food supply is favoured as a lair for Space/Reach 5 ft./5 ft. these abnormal creations, usually Special Attacks Poison forming a hive about them. Special Qualities Dark Occasionally several hives will come Vision 60 ft. together and form a larger tribe, though Weapon immunities. thankfully this is rare and only a few Saves Fort +7 Ref +5 Will +2. scant tribes have been encountered. Abilities Str 16, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 3, Wis 14, Cha 15. Combat Skills Balance +5, Hide +4, Scarlet beetles battle using their Listen +5, Move Silently +6, Spot +4, powerful mandibles as their primary Stealthy weapon weakening their victims. Once Feats Alertness, Multiattack a victim has been weakened sufficiently, Environment Any underground they impale the target on their sharp horn, injecting the unsuspecting target with their potent poison.

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Poison (Ex): The scarlet beetle Base Attack/Grapple -5/-26 delivers a potent poison through its horn; Attack Bite +3 (1) the poison forces Fort saves (DC 15) on Special Qualities Dark the victim. Failure results in vision 60 ft. unconsciousness in 1d6 rounds, which Space/Reach 1/2 ft./0 ft. remains for 1d4+3 hours. The victim Saves Fort +1 Ref +10 Will +0. also suffers a loss of 2d4 points to Abilities Str 1, Dex 22, Con 10, Strength, Dexterity and Constitution, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 13. these lost points return at a rate of 1 Skills Hide +11, point per ability per day of bed rest. A Move Silently +11 side effect of the poison is its effect on Feats Alertness, Lightning the nervous system of the victim, Reflexes inducing hallucinations and nightmares. Environment Any underground Once each day, the victim has a 25% Organisation Solitary, Pair, chance of suffering some nightmarish group (4-10), swarm (10-100) hallucination (that may force a Fear or Challenge Rating 1/10 Horror check depending on its focus) Treasure None and the victim must make a Will save Alignment Neutral Evil (DC 15) each time she sleep to avoid Advancement Fine (1hd), having nightmares. If she has Diminutive (2hd), Tiny (3hd) nightmares, she will have only several Level Adjustment - hours’ sleep before waking up screaming, repeated occurrences of The scarlet beetle kin is a form of nightmares will induce fatigue in the offspring to the scarlet beetle itself, it is victim. An anti-venom can be produced a scaled down imitation of the monstrous from the scarlet beetles venom requiring creature growing to up to five inches in a Alchemy check (DC 20), this anti- length at full maturity. The Kin is an venom removes the poison and restores earlier experiment of Estabane while she lost ability points, but does not restore researched the creation process of the damage to the nervous system, only a scarlet beetle. These earlier experiments Greater Restoration, Miracle, Wish or have appeared to latch onto their larger similar spell may heal this damage. cousins and dwell within the same hives. Weapon Immunities: The scarlet Kin feed on other insects and small beetles hardened carapace renders creatures, the yare also not above slashing and piercing weapons all bun cannibalism during times when food is ineffective against them. These weapons short. They also act as cleaners for their inflict only a quarter normal damage to a larger counterparts, scouring the lairs scarlet beetle. and picking at whatever tiny morsels of food lie about and also climb about on Scarlet Beetle Kin the larger creature to clean its carapace Fine Aberration of unwanted dirt and bits from recent Hit Dice 1/2d8 (2hp) feasts. Initiative +6 (Dex) Speed 10 ft., climb 10 ft. Combat Armour Class 24 (+6 Dex, +8 Though they carry the poison that Size) their counterparts wield, the one

139 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 belonging to a scarlet beetle kin is all but explained to him my latest quarry, a tiny ineffective toward anything but the thing referred to as Estabane as a smallest of creatures. Instead they rely Firefly. I take this passage from on their bite against larger prey. Kin are Estabane’s journals to explain these somewhat cowardly and are scavengers, miniscule terrors. but they can be controlled easily by their “The Firefly is a fly that radiates larger counterparts and forced into an unusual aura of heat about it when it battle. flaps its wings. This aura can reach extreme temperatures when a swarm of Fireflies gather. Through study I have Fireflies discovered a way of distilling various Following up on the success near types of these creatures that induce Hunadora Carl and myself decided to auras of cold, dread, anger, fear, stay on in the area to hunt for signs of melancholy, jealousy and several others. other nests. Over the next few weeks we While distilling a formula for a cold uncovered several more nests and aura is simple enough, the experiments cleaned them out using techniques that for those auras that result in we had prepared before and Carl had psychological effects took long study and improved on during my bedridden conviction to develop. The Firefly absence. Certain we can done all we appears to be a normal fly when it is at could in the area we moved on to the rest, though closer inspection can be next site that drew my attention, my taken to reveal a small ring of red dots former home and now residence of my at the end of its abdomen. A Chill Fly old apprentice Hans, Vallaki. Things sports a ring of grey spots while dread a were not much different in the past few lilac ring and so forth. When they are in years I had spent away from the town, flight or beat their wings, the aura is though people had grown older, as had detectable and the true nature of the myself. We decided that Hans would aberration becomes far more apparent.” prefer to know of my return as soon as Hans listened carefully to my we were back and I found him at my old explanations and I gave him some cottage tending to the herb garden I had limited access to the journals, though I originally cultivated and he now cares trusted him I did not know what effect for with the same conviction I once had. learning of the existence of the tome that As anticipated Hans was overjoyed by inspired Estabane would have on the my visit but misinterpreted Carl’s young man. To me the lure of the book presence and something more than a was become very strong and I had not friend. Thankfully we soon sorted out noticed this within myself until I noticed this small misunderstanding. it upon others, where I would feel a tang Hans was familiar with the subject of jealousy. When I did eventually I was investigating. He had encountered notice this urge within myself I kept a the insects of my current search in his more vigilant look upon my own self as youth when he lived wild in the forests of well as those about me, fighting off west Barovia. I explained the hunts so whatever urge I had to take the book for far and my injuries in Invidia and he my own by reminding myself of the expressed worry and concern that I horrors the book is used to unleash. remembered all to well. Knowing that After his study of the journals, Hans he would want more information I

140 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 remembered the Fireflies well he had mass together and cause terrible fires. I used them in jars to supply a light source suspect more than one forest or home in the forests during his youth. The jars have burst into flames in the summer would also radiate heat that helped keep when a swarm of Fireflies has been him warm on those nights when he could present. With some simple testing it was not manage to create a fire. proved that m plan would succeed. Remembering where I first encountered Fireflies are terribly vulnerable to Hans and him knowing the forests better, effects that are the reverse of their heat the three of us set off into west Barovia aura, making them susceptible to cold in search of the insects. and only a minor spell is required to Barovia, for those who have produce enough cold to destroy several travelled it will know that although it is of the creatures. a small country, travel is slow due to the We worked through the areas mountainous countryside and harsh where Hans once found all of the conditions of the main roads even at the creatures and dispatched those we did height of summer. This slowed our find. It is my own personal opinion that travel a little but we reached the forested these creatures are not born from nature area where I first met Hans on the and are thus an abomination on the second day after leaving Vallaki. Before world, this is my argument in conducting we did depart we visited some old these investigations and destroying the acquaintances of mine that Hans has creatures I found to match the drawn close to and purchased equipment information at my disposal. Some small and materials we may need. groups of Fireflies had gathered in The forest is not a hospitable places and their number was enough for place, it was once roamed by various us to feel their auras almost twenty feet monsters and I believe it still is, the away on one occasion. This repeats my population having been reduced by earlier warning that sufficient numbers myself and several others after many of these aberrations can be a hazard to hunts over a period of years. Even now the safety of many innocents. you hear of the occasional monster being hunted in the region, but these Firefly tales are now quite rare. We worked Fine Aberration through various areas of the forest Hit Dice 1/4d8 (1hp) where Hans remembered finding the Initiative +8 (Dex) flies before and we managed to trap a Speed 5 ft., fly 20 ft. (perfect) few for study. Comparing them to Armour Class 26 (+8 Dex, +8 Estabane’s descriptions they were Size) identical, right down to the exact Base Attack/Grapple None degrees of heat the aura gave dependant Attack None on the number of flies that produced it. Special Qualities Heat aura With this proof we were certain that we Space/Reach 1/2 ft./0 ft. had uncovered the Fireflies, I hatched Saves Fort +0 Ref + Will +0. my plot to destroy them. Though not Abilities Str 1, Dex 27, Con 10, harmful in the numbers they would Int 1, Wis 10, Cha 10. normally gather in, it is easily possible Skills Hide +8, Spot +7 for large swarms of these creatures to

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Feats Alertness, Lightning Heat Aura (Su): The heat aura of Reflexes the Firefly is all but unnoticed when a Environment Any temperate lone sample of the creature is land encountered, but the larger the number Organisation Solitary, Pair, of Fireflies in a group, the larger and group (4-10), swarm (10-300) more potent the aura becomes, each fly Challenge Rating 1/6 lending a cumulative effect to its Treasure None strength. A lone Firefly produces Alignment Neutral enough heat to inflict a single point of Advancement None damage per round to a creature of Fine Level Adjustment - size and the aura reaches out an inch from the fly. The following table shows The Firefly has an almost identical the damage rates of the aura dependant appear to it as a common housefly, but on the number of Fireflies in the group careful viewing of one will uncover a in reflection to the size of a creature that ring of red spots on the end of the may suffer damage from it per round. abdomen. They prefer to live in or around wooded areas and sometimes Damage of Aura they wander into small villages. They Creature Damage per number of are a migratory species and move on Fireflies every few months to another area, but Size 1 5 10 25 they have a limited number of locales 50 100 250 500 they call their home and if they move on Fine 1 3 5 10 form one location they are certain to 25 50 100 200 return within a couple of years. Fireflies Diminutive - 1 3 have a short lifespan of only a couple of 4 10 25 50 100 seasons, so the aberration displays a Tiny - - 1 3 form of genetic memory, the migratory 5 10 25 50 habits of those before it are handed Small - - - 1 down to the later generations through the 3 5 10 25 genetic structure passed on to it. Medium - - - - Fireflies generate a mild aura of heat, 1 3 5 10 while a single example of the creature Large - - - - only produces enough heat so that it may - 1 3 5 be felt by holding the insect in your Huge - - - - cupped hands, a large group or swarm - - 1 3 can produce much larger auras that may prove dangerous. The radius of the aura, like its potency is dependant, on the number Combat of Fireflies that make up the group, The Firefly has no form of attack the following table shows this formula. or defence except for its aura and this is only useful in most situations against Radius of Aura natural predators of flies, such as Number of Aura spiders. Fireflies Radius 1 1”

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5 6” unreliable. She would go weeks or even 10 1ft. months without keeping her journals up 25 2ft. to date, making me believe that her work 50 3ft. become an all consuming obsession and 100 5ft. eventually drove her to forget her 250 10ft. journals, at least up to the point of her 500 20ft. not recording her findings within their pages. It is also possible that I am Note: as mentioned in the flavour missing journals from toward the end of text of the article, other forms of aura are her days, though this creature is possible to create variations on the mentioned several times in the final Firefly. The Chill Fly radiates a Cold chapters she wrote in those I have in my Aura and would produce an aura of possession. similar size and damage to the Firefly. The Temporal Maggot, according However, other variations that may to Estabane’s writing was a mammoth produce more unusual auras such as creature that had the ability to jump dread, fear, anxiety and so forth would through time to a point of its choosing, require a redesign to incorporate saving was sentient and very mush aware of its throws, varied difficulty classes and own existence and the world about it. various modifiers for failing the save as The creature was to measure some a result of the aura in question. twenty feet in length and weigh in excess of several tonnes, have a dull grey hide Further Investigations with porcupine-like spines that it used to After a rest in Vallaki, Carl and push itself along, it was both nocturnal myself departed Hans and other old and subterranean in ecology and was faces to study and investigate further carnivorous, drawing its greatest into Estabane’s journals and the varied nourishment from sentient life. These results of her insane experimentations. details were all I could extract form the We found little to no evidence of the journal it was contained in and as I creations she went on to list and detail in mentioned, we were unable to track her journals, so it is possible they do not down the creature, should it exist. Some exist. Another possibility is that some of tales of a creature similar to it have been these creations eluded our exhaustive encountered in Martira Bay and is said searches or are unique creations, having to dwell in the sewers below the city, but only a single example of their type in our own investigations found no truth in existence. Several of these abominations the stories and we discovered no are mentioned in following. evidence in its passing. However, given that the creature is to be able to jump through time at will, could it be that we Temporal Maggot may just not have been in the right place This creation is known from at the right time to encounter and battle Estabane’s journals to have only a the fiendish monster? single example of it in creation, if she finished her work. It is the last Temporal Maggot aberration she worked on before she Huge Aberration died and toward the end of her days, her Hit Dice 15d8 + 105 hp (170hp) journal entries became scattered and

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Initiative -3 (-3 Dex) mysterious as the creation process of the Speed 20 ft., burrow 20 ft. creature itself. However, it does prefer Armour Class 17 (-3 Dex, -2 to remain below ground at all times. Size, +12 Natural) The area about the maggot seems to Base Attack/Grapple +11/+27 twist and distort time, an effect Attack Bite +11 (2d6) noticeable by those that stray to close to Full Attack Bite +19/+13/+9 it. (2d6) Special Attacks Swallow whole Combat Special Qualities Dark The Temporal Maggot tends to vision 60 ft., fast heal 5, immunities, appear from nowhere, shifting into time time displacement using its astounding and terrifying Space/Reach 15 ft./10 ft. ability to jump from one point in time to Saves Fort +29 Ref +10 Will another. It uses its mouth primarily to +17. feed but can use it to weaken prey or Abilities Str 26, Dex 5, Con 25, fend off adversaries. Int 14, Wis 18, Cha 17. Swallow Whole (Ex): On a Skills Escape Artist +7, Hide successful grapple, the temporal maggot +7, Intimidate +15, Listen +14, Spot may make a second attempt to grab the +14, Survival +14, Swim +18 opponent. If the attempt is successful Feats Diehard, Endurance, the temporal maggot has swallowed its Great Fortitude, Snatch victim whole. The maggot may hold 2 Environment Any underground creatures of large size or 4 medium-size Organisation Unique or 8 small and so forth in its enormous Challenge Rating 16 stomach. Each round, swallowed Treasure None victims suffer 2d6+8 points of crushing Alignment Neutral Evil damage plus 1d8 points of acid damage. Advancement None The victim may cut herself free using Level Adjustment - natural weapons or those of size medium or smaller, dealing half of the maggot’s The Temporal Maggot is a giant total hit points to its stomach (AC 19). maggot of obese proportion. It measures Once the victim exits, other held within nearly 20 feet in length and almost half the stomach may also leave that round, as tall. Its extremely thick hide is a dull but after that, the maggot’s fast healing grey and several inches deep, covered ability will have healed enough damage with bands of long porcupine-like spines to close the hole and prevent others that allow it to move easier. It’s head is leaving. small in proportion to its body but is able Immunities: The temporal to consume vast amounts of food very maggot is immune to all bludgeoning quickly, it’s soft jaw able to dislocate to weapons, it is also unaffected by spells fit creatures over half the maggots own and effects that effect time. It is also size within its mouth and swallow them immune to all abilities, spells and effects whole. The maggot has no natural that would affect it mentally. ground that it calls its home, it drifts Time Displacement (Su): The through time according to its own design area within 10 feet of the temporal and plan, the purpose for which is as maggot is disported by the maggot’s

144 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 presence, within this area. All who are decisive conclusion that the Tarnish within the area (except the maggot) are Spider does not exist, if it ever did at all. affected by the time displacement. Those affected have their initiative Dread Possibility altered by 1d6-1d10, leaving the area The narrator Megan Llewelyn is and then re-entering it will cause a new incorrect with her findings. The Tarnish initiative modifier to come into effect. Spider was created by Estabane Tear and The temporal maggot may also use still exists in the dread realms, however this time displacement to seemingly it has become imprisoned within a teleport up to 100 ft. in any lateral mithril orb of some potent enchantment direction, though it has not teleported after several adventurers were employed but distorted time so that it has appeared to track and trap the creature. The to have, done so. As a full round action, search by these adventurers was kept the maggot may use this ability to shift secret and the person who employed through time, this is normally used to them rewarded them privately. The orb protect itself form those who are measures 6” across and weighs 2lb, it possibly capable of being able to kill it. has a hardness of 20 and 30 hit points. If it shifts through time, the maggot The orb has the property of being able to leaves combat at the end of that round imprison and single creature it comes and is effectively treated as having into contact with, so those who handle it teleported out of the area. must wear gloves to do so safely and avoid being imprisoned them selves. If another living creature is imprisoned Tarnish Spider within the orb, the Tarnish Spider will be According to Estabane’s own set free. words the Tarnish Spider was one that If it does somehow break free, the could enter metal object and cause them Tarnish Spider is treated as a Monstrous to rust from the inside out over a short Spider (small) with the rust ability of a period. She claims to have created a Rust Monster and has a challenge rating magical weapon of some potent power of 1. Unlike a Rust Monster, on a and the spider managed to turn the successful attack, the Tarnish Spider weapon to little more than rust in a few may opt to enter the metal object and scant days. The spider was said to have rust it from within, taking 24 hours (+1 been unleashed in Port-a-Lucine and we day per enchantment on the object), once approached the investigation with a the object is rusted completely, it will pinch of salt. We were both beginning to leave the item and seek out the closest feel that Estabane was now attempting to metal item in proximity to it. It may outlive her true successes through her enter any metal item regardless of its journals and was expecting them to be size. The Tarnish Spider does not have found at some point. We did spend some the poison, web or vermin traits of the time hunting what we thought could have monstrous spider. been the Tarnish Spider but it resulted in an encounter with something we later came to understand to be a Rust Monster Eclipse Moth after some much later correspondence This creature is written to be able with Natasha. Given our own findings, to phase in and out of reality and when Carl, Natasha and myself came to the is nocturnal. When it enters reality it

145 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 will cause lunar eclipses regardless of implant its seed when they fell the lunar cycle. This creature was unconscious from the drug inside their meant to be in Borca, but we found no venom. The aberration would then die trace of it. However we did find a for no apparent reason and later the mundane breed of moth that was host for the seed would also die shortly identical to the moth we were seeking. after the new creature was born from However this moth has no supernatural them. Secondly we found one of her few ability and like other moths was claims at creating something not insect- attracted to our lamps when we based, a form of cat that could walk happened upon it by accident while out through walls and defy gravity, it could seeking the Eclipse Moth. We did spend also bond telepathically with sentient some time studying the moth to make creatures and drive them insane. Both certain (a waste of time some might say of these creatures were unique by but you can never be to cautious when Estabane’s claims and were destroyed. you are investigating something However I fell prey to the cat’s ability supernatural) but it was not the creature for some time when I attempted to pet we were seeking. It was our belief that the thing on our initial encounter with it, Estabane in her greed and determination not realising the creature could mask its to lay claim to falsehood ran across this true appearance and spent close to two moth and used it for an experimentation months under mental care in she never perfected. The tome that Dementlieu. It is a blessing that the Estabane had did contain methods for short contact I had with the creature creating such a creature, but we feel that only led to a temporary lapse of mental it would take many centuries to decipher cognition and I made full recovery. the formulae, Estabane realised this also After nearly a full year of and created this lie within her journals searching into the journals I found in to cover for her failure. Darkon we did eventually find some proper clues to the hiding place of the The Eclipse Moth does not exist tome Estabane had in her possession. Estabane lacked the patience to decipher The place was a maze of traps and other the texts on it and instead worked on a deadly terrors that she had placed there simpler formula to create another to protect the book. It appears she did aberration. retain some of her regular thought since she had the book guarded so well to keep others out, it seems doubtful that she Estabane’s Legacy would have gone so far to keep it for As well as those mentioned above, herself when she knew that her we looked into more than a dozen other remaining time in this world was short. leads from Estabane’s journals and The book was written in a foreign tongue uncovered further journals along the I am not familiar with and the writings way, but we never managed to find were beyond my ability, I was not to conclusive evidence to prove many more research the book though I was to find it of her claims were true. We did and be certain that no one ever fell encounter a couple of her odder under its influence again. The book is creations that I shall not detail to now where I feel it would be safest from greatly, but one was a hybrid of bee and the reach of others and it took great earwig that would sting people and then

146 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 willpower to place the book where I did. suggest and leave the decision to her. When I held it, it was like having a small Megan was successful in her final voice in my head urging me to take the judgement and cast the book into the book and make it my own, to read the Shadowrift. knowledge and expand new horizons. Given its nature, the tome may not All these things I feel were a trick of my have been removed from reality like own curious nature and I do not believe other things are when they enter the the book itself can truly speak, however mists of the Shadowrift, so it is possible such strange things have been said to that it passed through harmlessly and happen before so I can only give my own landed in the domain below, or that it personal thoughts on the matter. appeared elsewhere within the dread realms. The book contains the rituals, Dread Possibility: Estabane’s Legacy spells, formulae and knowledge to create Estabane’s Legacy is a minor almost a hundred different forms of artefact that was held in Castle Avernus aberration and under the influence of the for most of Azalin’s reign over Darkon. book anyone can create these creatures. However in the early 700s it was taken However it does prefer spellcasters for form his library by a transmuter named their gifts in magic, especially sorcerers. Silus Mortison. This transmuter used Anyone who possesses the tome for any the book to create oddities and length of time will begin to feel the monstrous abominations and was books influence on him or her. They are eventually hunted down by his own forced to make a Will save (DC 10 + 1 apprentice Estabane Tear who smite him per day they have the tome), failure in a magical duel and then took the book resulting in the tome taking over their to find a way to destroy it after her own free will and they will begin to research magic failed to damage the book. the creations the book can unleash. During her journey home, the book Those who have suffered from a failed consumed her will and took over her Madness check in the past are immune mortal body. During the last few natural to the books stronger approaches in years of her life, Estabane was used by taking over their psyche and it may only the book to recreate many horrors from suggest things in a subtle way. They the tome while she served its will, only must still make a will save, but the DC later in the final months of her life was remains consistent (DC10) and must she freed by the book as it wanted her to make the save each week they retain the pass it on to another. Estabane finally book in their possession. It takes 1d3+2 within her own senses again designed a months to research an aberration and large trap to keep the book in and hid it then they must make a Decipher Script there. It lay dormant for years before skill check (DC 25), if successful they Megan stumbled on the journals and have managed to decipher and create one managed to track down the tome’s final of the aberrations within the tome (the resting place. The book attempted to exact working of the aberration is left to take Megan’s mind, but her previous the dungeon master). infection of Lycanthropy where her The tome also knows when a mind shattered in two left her immune to person should die of natural causes and all but its most subtle suggestions, it six months prior to this, it will release its could not force itself on her, only hold on them, expecting them to dispose

147 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 of the tome in some careless way for it definite answer but it is what my heart to fall into someone the hands of and personal beliefs have always told another. me. I trust that those of you who read There are no known ways to these words will take my warnings to destroying the book has many rumours heart and do not pursue that which may about it, including that Azalin himself be forbidden lore, for to take one step was to have penned it while in the into its study can cost you more than you service of Strahd von Zarovich, but there could ever imagine. is no proof to confirm or deny this Estabane was unfortunate in her legend. judgement and paid the price with her mind and possibly her soul, only in the final days of her life did she possibly Conclusions redeem herself and many more would Aberrations are a blemish on the not have been so fortunate. They would world and they soil it with their very be lost forever to the temptations of existence. They are unnatural and forbidden lore and the cursed knowledge unclean and deserve to have no right in it brings. I trust, gentle readers, that existing among us no matter they’re when in the future, should you ever worth or form. Magic is something pure encounter some knowledge that should and something to be respected and not not be, that you turn your back on it or mutated or altered to suit the will of an destroy the source of that knowledge, individual. No matter their intent or though for us it is a struggle, we save however gallant they feel their actions countless others with our sacrifices. are in manipulating magic to their own will, it is wrong and magic will also Blessings upon you all rebel if forced to strongly. Perhaps Estabane’s Legacy is a testament to this Megan Llewelyn warning and should be observed very February 10th 758, Mordentshire strongly by all practitioners of the magical arts? I for one, do not have a

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Credits

Red Box and has not looked back since. Contributors Except when he’s balancing his budget Anson “The Stray” Brehmer. Creator as buying almost every Ravenloft of Tayce Bloodyblades. product known to man is not cheap.

Andrew “alhoon” Pavlides Joseph “Bela” Zettelmaier [email protected]. Creator of [email protected]. Author of Skin, Growls in the Night: Alhoons. I'm a 24 creator of Xavier D’Arcey and Perilous years old Greek and I’ve played D&D Pursuits: Shay Lot Cultists. Joseph is, as since I was 9 or 10 years old. My always, excited to be contributing to favourite world is Ravenloft and while I anything Ravenlofty. He is a playwright don't have all the 3E products, I support working in Michigan, and his latest play the line as much as I can. I have played will be produced this upcoming winter. and DMed Ravenloft about 3 - 4 years, He'd like to thank everyone at the since I read "I, Strahd. The War against Fraternity for keeping the hellfire alive. Azalin". Special thanks to Jason and Renee, who've gone from associates to friends. Coan “Coan” J. Harvey [email protected]. Author of Tadelin Darkblade 'Malwid’s a-z guide to all things [email protected]. Creator of Aberration' Coan describes himself as the Human Ooze. Tadelin is a paranoid “so terribly repressed and British, such hack who really thinks the Dark Powers that I could fit neatly into a small shoe are keeping their collective eye on him. box.” He spends his days studying When he's not experimenting with trying Mathematics, Accounting and Finance to turn computers into bizarre things or and his dreams include a woman, money tormenting his players as a DM, Tadelin and oranges (though on Wednesdays this manages to find some spare time to work changes to apples). He is a strange man on seeing if he can beat a casino playing who often refers to himself in the third by the casino's rules. And no, he doesn't person. know that it's not possible legally.

David "The Jester" Gibson [email protected]. Author of Uri “Shadowking” Barak . Author of the Hunted, creator of Dread Devourers Brutes and Banshees. and Misted Mounts. David has also contributed 3.0E stats of Rudolph Van to QtR#2, his take on the Carnival's Editors creeplings appeared in #3, multiple works on the Abber in #6, and the Dion Fernandez Aka Dion of the Shadow Fiend and revamped Gentleman Fraternity. [email protected]. Caller popped up in #7. He has been lost Dion is a 23-year old masterals student in the Mists since he first discovered the living in Baguio City, Philippines. He

149 Quoth the Raven: Issue 8 has been a Ravenloft fan since 1998, has electric shocks and perform other contributed fan-based articles for the services to humanity. Among them are campaign world, including the Worlds of money laundering (I recommend Tide), Ravenloft series of netbooks, and finding life mates for single socks, manages the Midway Haven Alchemical feeding Drusilla, and contributing to and Observatory. Dion is also a local editing the Undead Sea Scrolls. Three folklorist and scholar of urban esoterica, and a half years in the Mists and whatever that means. counting...

Eddy Brennan aka Wiccy of the Joël Paquin aka Joël of the Fraternity, Fraternity or Gotten Grabmal. [email protected]. [email protected] or Author of Dimunitive Abberations, In [email protected]. The Shadow, and More Black Arts. Member 2003 year was full of changes for me. of the Fraternity of Shadows and a Again, I'd like to thank my family and person of many tastes. I have had some friends for support. success in the professional animation, design and illustration fields and since Jason “Javier” True decided to try and write a book of [email protected]. Creator of poetry, I also have plans for a novel in Dread Genais, Heaven Sent, Perilous the future (when he finds a good Pursuits: the Blessed Protectors and co- proofreader). Previous work in the creator of Heinrich’s Curiosities: Online Ravenloft Community may been Fiendish Foul Items. With the possible found in the Kargatane's Book of exception of Planescape, Ravenloft has Sacrifices, Midway Haven's Crisis in been my favourite setting to both play Hunadora (a long narrative compiled by and DM. These particular tastes the kind souls at the Midway Haven probably explain why I have a tendency Alchemical Observatory), The to use various fiends in my Ravenloft Malodorous Goat Netbook as well as campaigns and have a gothic atmosphere previous Undead Sea Scrolls netbooks to many of my Planescape adventures. and the first Quoth the Raven. Other In fact, I would like to give a special than Ravenloft, I have many interests thank you to my angelic wife, Renee, including theology, some parts of who has been both supportive and history, folklore, mythology, reading, the understanding of all of my role-playing occasional video game, art, poetry and interests. writing in general. Stephen “ScS” Sutton [email protected]. Creator Nathan Okerlund aka Nathan of the of Things that Should Not Be. I’d like to Fraternity. thank all of our contributors. We [email protected]. I'm couldn’t have produced this issue a graduate student in San Francisco; I without you guys! teach headless cockroaches to avoid

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