Sun Keld Rules v.3 : Bestiary

Naga King

keywordsDrylands, Twilight, Naga, Very Rare

level9

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naga of Eight Eyes

keywordsDrylands, Twilight, Naga, Guardian, Rare

level7

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

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

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

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

Naga of Misty Winds

keywordsDrylands, Twilight, Naga

level4

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
25	15	15	10	14	12	12	35	0	8	6	0	4	4	127
Strike : A25 D15 Init17 dam3D4 Armour counts half.

Like all Nagas, the Naga of Misty Winds is a long serpentine creature with a horned head and many short legs. The Naga of Misty Winds has a body made from hot damp air, and seldom touches the ground, though they do not appear to be able to fly far from the surface either. It attacks simply by flying at its target and scalding it with its body. A Naga of Misty Winds takes no damage from piercing attacks, and only half from any other weapon or spell. Wind-based attacks do double damage.

Such Nagas are found in all parts of the world, always close to a source of water, usually one far from habitation. The Naga makes this water source their home, and spends most of its time near to it. Many travellers like to repeat tales of having to bargain with a Wind Naga for access to their water.

Most of these tales are probably untrue, keldians encountering a Wind Naga at its pool are usually attacked without warning. At other times the Nage will range as much as half a day's travel from the pool and attack seemingly at random. A wise traveller knows that a sighting of a Wind Naga means that a source of water must be somewhere close by. A very wise one will most likely avoid it.

If seriously wounded or slain, the Naga assumes a crystalline shape, like a small version of itself, at the bottom of its pool. If this is removed from the water then it will become a gem worth Treasure 5, otherwise in three days it becomes the unwounded Naga once again.

Naga of the Air

keywordsDeadlands, Drylands, Flying, Naga

level5

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
25	18	16	14	13	13	13	45	3	8	6	0	4	4	156
Flyby : A25 D22 Init21 damD8+5 Defend with a -1 wait action Fire Bolt : dam2D6+5 Range 12. Does 1 damage to the Naga in stone form Bite : A25 Init16 damD8+5 Ground only

The Naga of the Air is a long serpent like spirit creature that flies through the air with ease. Its long scaly body gleams like red gold and its sleek horn crowned head is graced with huge jaws. Although it has many small legs placed along its body, it seldom lands. The Naga of the Air is partially immaterial and appears to shimmer like a heat haze as it attacks. They delight in swooping suddenly down on unsuspecting travellers and bitting at them before retreating back into the air.

Like all Naga, the Air Nagas lay claim to a certain place, and make it their own, in this case a high point, such as a mountain peak, rocky spire, or Ancient tower. People approaching the Naga's eyrie will be attacked, generally by surprise (Agility / Stealth 20), in a series of quick flybys. To attack the Naga during a flyby, take a Wait Action (at -1) and use the flyby defence of 22. The Naga can also attack from the air by spitting bolts of burning sunfire. If struck by a sacred weapon it has 2 less armour.

If seriously wounded or slain, the Naga's essence retreats at great speed through the air back to its eyrie and assumes a rocky form, regenerating 3 health every hour until whole again. If a Naga can be sought out at this point (perhaps by following the spirit as it retreats) it is vulnerable, and it is possible to prize from its forehead a Treasure 4 gemstone. The Naga cannot use its bite in this form, but can still cast its fire bolt, though in this case it takes 1 damage each time it does so.

The Nagas of the Air occasionally associate with Naga of Misty Winds, for example when a pool lies at the base of a rocky spire, but do not appear to tolerate others of their kind (unless under the control of a Naga King). The sage Nirshur of Ur speculated that the Nagas of Wind and Air were male and female of the same species, but there remains no proof of her theory.

Naga of the Gems

keywordsNaga

level5

At	Def	Ag	Int	Phys	Pre	Spi	H	S	W	Ar	MD	Mv	Fer	Quick
18	17	20	12	14	15	11	50	0	9	5	0	2	4	147
Bite : A18 D17 Init22 dam3D6 Myriad Bolt : A24 Init22 dam1D4 Roll Spirit vs. 16 or half A and D

Like all Naga, the Naga of the Gems has a roughly serpentine shape, with multiple clawed legs, and a hide of glimmering scales which are highly resistant to damage. They are often surrounded by a blinding aura of light which makes them impossible to see clearly. Seen without this, it glimmers gold with emerald highlights, as if cast from metal and gemstones.

Nagas of the Gems collect a hoard of valuable substances, usually gemstones or precious metals, though occasionally one will hoard magic items or art objects instead. The Naga makes a den in a deep cave to hold this treasure hoard, and will fight to the death to protect it. Unlike Naga of Eight Eyes they do not simply wait alongside their hoard, but will range some klegs distant, watching for danger, and setting ambushes for any who appear to have designs on its valuables. Some Gem Naga will even set up false caves, and false (generally worthless) hoards to decieve treasure hunters, while others will construct traps and deadfalls in their real lairs.

A Gem Naga has four eyes made from gems from which it projects a cloak of light. It may either project a shimmering field of heat haze, which gives it Stealth 17, or a field of blinding light, which subtracts 10 from the attack of all nearby (a Dance roll will halve this penalty). It can also focus the light from its eyes to shoot a bolt of coloured light once per round. A target struck by this light must win a contest of Spirit vs. 16 or have their Attack, Defence halved. They can repeat the test at the start of each round, recovering when they succeed.

When the Naga is slain its body turns into a golden haze, except for its eyes, which vanish, only to reappear amongst its hoard. If the eyes are separated from the rest of the treasure (they must be at least a Kleg distant) then they become inert, and are a Treasure 5, otherwise the Naga will reform, unharmed, three days after its death.

The Naga's hoard, not counting the eyes, will usually consist of at 2d4 x Treasure 3. When generating the hoard, you may replace any two Treasure 3s with a Treasure 4.

Spirit Naga

keywordsNaga, Spirit, Rare

level5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bestiary

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