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Thread: Chiroptis.
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09-30-2003, 08:00 PM #1
OK, gents, here`s the first draft of a write up for a new awnsheghlien I`m
planning on posting to the BR list. I`m sending it along to you guys first
because
1. I`d like your opinions.
2. If you notice any spelling errors or grammatical mistakes I always
appreciate a little editing.
3. When talking about these things the other day Edgar mentioned
assisting me come up with stats for these character descriptions, and I
haven`t written any up for this beastie yet. Since that`s actually my
least favorite part of these character descriptions (and you guys seem to
enjoy it more than I) any effort in that area would not only be
appreciated, but play to our respective strengths and interests in
gaming--and isn`t that kind of thing always nice?
A few notes in regards to #3:
A. I try for CR 8-12 when writing these things up. Occasionally the CR
can go as high as 16 or 18, but 8-12 seems to be a nice "average" and I
want them to be as useful as possible to as many people as possible when
posting to the BR community. CR as presented in the DMG is, of course, a
rather blunt tool, and I prefer a system of rating characters that employs
decimal places and variable ratings for actual character features rather
than the "best guess" method of 3e, but for the purpose of disseminating
this kind of thing to the BR community, I put them into the format most
readily used by most people. Such an "average" set of stats can be more
easily tweaked post hoc.
B. I usually give these creatures levels in the Awn-/Ersheghlien
character class as written up in the BP document. That class is similar
enough to an "monster" class per the MM`s descriptive text that it works as
a general method of portraying awn-/ersheghlien, and in a unique monster
description the exact method of character generation is pretty near
invisible, so it doesn`t particularly matter how those stats are generated
for most people`s purposes. Levels in other character classes are fine
where appropriate, but in this case he`s pretty much a monster, so he
needn`t have any other class levels unless there`s something in particular
you think he should have--like Evasion or Rage--that come more specifically
from certain character classes.
C. Though I don`t much care for the 3e/3.5 skill system I do put them
into that format for the benefit of the BR community for the same reasons
that I use the standard CR stuff.
D. I do, however, include bloodline and blood abilities in both the
"standard" BR format and bloodlines in BP format. BP are just so much more
useful (and it requires only another line) that I think it makes sense to
include that method. Besides, I have to write it up for my own use
anyway... might as well include it. Including skills in these descriptions
per the Master Skill System would just confuse people since nobody`s seen
that stuff but you guys, but the BP stuff is at least available to the BR
community should they want a look at it.
E. When it comes to transformations and disadvantages I spend BP to turn
humans into their awn-/ersheghlien form using the same information on
"Totems and Transformation" that I wrote up a while back. That is, this
awnsheghlien`s transformations would turn him into a character with the
chiroptera totem animal from that document. If you need a copy of either
the totem animal document or the BP style stuff let me know and I`ll send
it along.
Thanks in advance for your opinions and assistance on this. Of course, any
efforts on your part are at your convenience. I try to get two or three of
things like this a month posted to the list, but there`s no rush since
there`s no deadline.
BTW, I again have a job to do on Sunday 10/5 (actually, it`s the same guy
who rescheduled last week`s appointment... annoying, huh?) so can we meet
on Saturday 10/4 instead? My place?
Laters,
G
---ooOoo--- ---ooOoo--- ---ooOoo---
My Lord, I have again found a survivor of the attacks by the beast that has
been preying upon the hunters and traders of our land. What follows is his
statement made before me. I believe this account to be the most complete
and accurate so far. Jan Malbraucht is a forester, `tis true, but he is an
intelligent and articulate member of that breed of hardy folk. Further, he
holds the rank of Sergeant of the Berkannen, and is known as a man of
bravery and honor amongst our civilian soldiers.
Unfortunately, it appears this incident has seriously unsettled him. This
change was noticed immediately upon his return from his yearly efforts at
gathering furs for trade in our fair capital. The man who came out of the
mountains appears to have been severely shaken by his experiences, and when
his superior, a Captain Teiss, attempted to get the man to tell him what it
was that had so disturbed him he appears to have asked for me, knowing that
I was looking into this matter for your lordship, and refused to speak in
the presence of anyone else. Here are his words, my lord. Pay heed, for I
believe his testimony is of great import.
"We were bringing furs down from the mountains of Tiess after a season
spent hunting and trapping. There were nearly a score of us, hardened men
of the mountains all. Though fierce and independent men by nature when the
season is done we travel together into the city to trade our goods. It
gives us a chance for fellowship and mutual protection as we take our goods
to the city from bandits. All of us looked forward to the comforts of
Holstadt after many nights with only cold stone for our beds. A warm fire,
warm mead, warm companionship.... It had been many months since any of us
had known these things, and we were cheered by the prospect of finding them
soon with the profits of our labors in our pockets and the hardships of the
mountains but a memory. None of us were to know such relief, I fear, and I
have known nothing but torment since that first night we began our journey
out of the mountains."
"It was a dark shape that swooped down upon us in the night. It`s body was
no bigger than a man, but it had great black wings... they spread out to a
width greater than one of our caravan`s wagons. Yet they were nearly
silent in their flapping. There was just the soft sound of their
beating. Their beating was not like that of a bird, though... it was a
fleshy, unwholesome sound. It was like the rustling of the wind on damp
cloth, or the flapping of a ship`s sail in a storm."
"When it was upon us it let loose a piercing shriek that froze the blood in
my veins. The whites of my companions` eyes told me that the cry had the
same effect on them. I drew my blade but a mighty buffet if air from those
wings sent it flying, and I lost it in the darkness. I am not a coward,
but I knew I stood no chance against it unarmed, so I dove into the
brush. Behind me I heard the challenge of one of the men, Brenlo Irgsen I
believe, as he charged the creature. His cry was cut abruptly silent. I
hazarded a look and saw it lapping up the guard`s blood from a great wound
in his neck."
"From my hiding place I saw it kill all those who tried to fight
it. Others tried to flee, but it hunted them down. At least, I saw it
kill those who ran, and in the morning when I crept from my refuge I found
the bodies of several that it had brought down in the night as they tried
to escape. Many had been killed by blows from those giant black
wings. Others had been torn by the thing`s talons. All of them had their
throats torn out, so the beast could feast upon their blood."
"I am ashamed to say that I did not take time to bury the dead, though some
of them were people that I considered friends. I left that place as
quickly as I could, and I have not spoken of it until this day."
With that he fell silent, and I did not press him further for it was clear
the man was at the end of his tether.
Based upon this and the few other eyewitness accounts, I have dubbed this
beast Chiroptis, for it is clear that it has a bat-like appearance and
demeanor. I can confirm that it is not related to the awnsheghlien that
troubles our fellow Brechts, the Vampire, for that foul thing has not left
the borders of his land in many months. Reports of the Vampire`s
activities confirm that he has been in his own demesne at the same time
this new creature has preyed upon our people. I have not yet ruled out
that Chiroptis may be some descendant or ally of the Vampire, but since
this new threat appears to have first appeared in our northeastern border
and is moving across our land I infer at least that this threat did not
originate in the lands ruled by the beast that was once Britter
Kalt. Recent tales of a vampiric beast from Vosgaard cast some doubt upon
the assumption that Chiroptis originated in or near our land. My suspicion
is that this beast is of Vos descent.
Whatever the origins of this new threat might be, Chiroptis appears to be
slowly working his way south and west, preying on travellers or small,
isolated communities as he goes. In recent weeks, however, he has grown
bolder, attacking larger groups and even on one occasion entering the
hunting lodge of your vassal, Ritter Alec Lanheim, killing all
present. Fortunately, neither the Ritter nor his family was in residence
at the time, but the caretaker and huntsmen that live upon those grounds
were all slain. All the bodies were mutilated in the fashion with which we
have become all too familiar.
Chiroptis would appear to be motivated only by a thirst for human
blood. After an attack upon a caravan several weeks ago the only survivors
were the pack mules of the traders, and he left several dogs that were
tethered to wagons unharmed. Furthermore, the goods and valuables of his
victims have remained untouched. He seems satisfied by taking their lives
and drinking their blood.
The beast has only been sighted at night, and if his transformation is in
keeping with his bat-like appearance it is possible that his vision has
grown used to dim light.
---ooOoo--- ---ooOoo--- ---ooOoo---
The motivation of Chiroptis beyond a thirst for blood is unknown. (But we
might expect a "Secret Background of Chiroptis" in an upcoming post....)
An appearance by Chiroptis can be used as a Monsters or Brigandage random
event. By playing it as a single encounter adventure his appearance could
also be used as an Assassination or Blood Challenge random event.
Chiroptis
Medium-Size Awnsheghlien
Hit Dice:
Initiative:
Speed: 30 ft.
AC:
Attacks:
Damage:
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks:
Special Qualities:
Saves:
Abilities:
Skills:
Feats:
Climate/Terrain:
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating:
Treasure:
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Advancement: By character class
Bloodline:
Bloodline in BP Style:
Chiroptis prefers to attack with surprise, diving down on creatures in the
night and rending them with his claws and fangs.
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