Post by Kenneth New on Dec 28, 2013 20:12:06 GMT -5
This thread will be for discussion of the creatures (intelligent and otherwise) that inhabit the Neimocrands. The OP will be editing to reflect new information, so be sure to check this post whenever the page shows a new post in the thread.
Kobolds
Kobolds are small, bipedal humanoids that more closely resemble miniature dinosaurs than lizards. They have toothy mouths and rough skin. On the head, the feet, the back and the tail, the skin is covered by non-overlapping scutes. Unlike reptiles, Kobolds are warm blooded. They are omnivorous, but prefer meat when they can get it. They are extremely fond of insects (both the giant and common variety).
Kobolds live in the wastelands of the Neimocrands, and in any area where there are caves. They are also fond of forested regions, where they will sometimes built wigwam like structures. They live in small tribal groups, led by clerics, sorcerers or bards. Mage talent is much more common in kobolds than in humans. Many kobolds have elemental bloodlines. Bards are common among kobolds. Because of the generally rancorous relationship between them and other inhabitants of the Neimocrands, most people are unaware of the fact that kobolds are excellent singers, having the ability to throat sing multiple notes at once, much a bird. Kobold singing is not only beautiful, but it carries a lot of information over relatively long distances.
Kobolds can learn to speak human languages (although it sounds like they are trilling the words). Humans can learn to understand Kobold, but they can only speak it in a modified way. It sounds flat and unpleasant to kobold ears.
The Kobolds are believed to have moved to the Neimocrands during the Ophidian Era. Some kobolds still worship Yig, but most honor Typhon, the Worm of Chaos.
Owlbears
Owlbears are a natural part of the ecosystem in the Neimocrands. They're found in both the mountains and the lowlands, but are more common in areas far from population centers. Owlbears in Rhiada are heavily built, feathered omnivores. They have large feathers on the head and shoulders (extending into a massive mane of feathers in some species), and smaller feathers (similar to those of emus) on the body.
Rakhir
The Rakhir (also known as corbies) live throughout the mountain peaks and valleys of the Neimocrands. They are a race of monstrous humanoids covered with black feathers. They have sharp claws and beaks. Less intelligent and much more primitive than the civilized inhabitants of the Neimocrands, they overpopulate their rookeries in the spring and summer and often swarm into the lower elevations to raid for food come late autumn and winter. They have little use for humans, dweir, ilfaren or other races. Although they prefer to steal goats and sheep (which they can carry off), they have been known to butcher cattle (or even people) and carry off the meat to their homes. They're omnivorous and will also raid corn cribs and grain silos.
The Rakhir have no organized religion or magecraft, but there are oracles, shamans and druids amongst them. Most of the Rakhir encountered on raids have no such talents.
The Rakhir are considered a major threat in all the mountain domains of the Neimocrands.
Terror Birds
Terror birds are savage avian hunters found mostly in the mountains and on the Eastern Plateau. The lowland terror bird was once common across the Neimocrands, but has been driven back to the hills and crags over the centuries. They are edible, and many hunters claim that they are worth the effort to track and kill. Terror birds are animals, not intelligent beings.
The Lowland Terror Bird is the smallest species found in the region. Although only medium size, it is more than capable of taking down a human sized creature with its wicked talons. (In Elocia and Aikonia, a related species of small sized terror birds is called the Phaldrix).
The Highland Terror Bird is more dangerous. It's a large size creature with powerful claws and beak. They ravage the mountain valleys looking for horses, cervines and cattle.
In the high peaks lives the most dangerous species of terror bird, known as the Banshee Bird because of its keening cry. Larger and more ferocious than the Highland Terror Bird (although still large size), this creatures is the bane of travels on the peaks. It's shrill cry can be heard for miles, but anyone near it when cries is riven with fear. [All within 120' must make a will save or be shaken for d6 minutes.]
Troglodytes
The caverns that riddle the Neimocrands (both in the mountains and beneath the plateaus) are home to a race of degenerate reptilians called troglodytes. These creatures have a powerful reptilian musk that most people find unbearable. They hate daylight and only come out at night to raid human habitations and farms. Although they seem dim witted by human standards, they are capable of complex thought and behavior. They have little use for other races, other than as food or sacrifices to their dark gods. Some of the deeper caves contain cities carved in a strange alien style, similar to some of the oldest foundations in the Neimocrands. Who originally built these structures carved from the living rock is a mystery, but the Troglodytes seem to hold these builders in almost preternatural awe, coupled with more than a little dread. Scholars who study ancient history refer to whatever civilization built these structures as the Ancient Builders.
Troglodyte communities are typically ruled by powerful clerics or oracles. Those who're taken to their crude altars seldom escape to tell the tale. The troglodytes are fanatically religious, but their crude iconography makes it very difficult to tell whom they worship.
Troglodytes are cold blooded, and those living near the surface have been known to enter a state of hibernation when the weather becomes too cold. Some brave adventurers have entered their warrens at this time to explore. There are often guardians (usually clerics with the Endure Elements spell and other guardians present, so exploration is dangerous even at this time.
Kobolds
Kobolds are small, bipedal humanoids that more closely resemble miniature dinosaurs than lizards. They have toothy mouths and rough skin. On the head, the feet, the back and the tail, the skin is covered by non-overlapping scutes. Unlike reptiles, Kobolds are warm blooded. They are omnivorous, but prefer meat when they can get it. They are extremely fond of insects (both the giant and common variety).
Kobolds live in the wastelands of the Neimocrands, and in any area where there are caves. They are also fond of forested regions, where they will sometimes built wigwam like structures. They live in small tribal groups, led by clerics, sorcerers or bards. Mage talent is much more common in kobolds than in humans. Many kobolds have elemental bloodlines. Bards are common among kobolds. Because of the generally rancorous relationship between them and other inhabitants of the Neimocrands, most people are unaware of the fact that kobolds are excellent singers, having the ability to throat sing multiple notes at once, much a bird. Kobold singing is not only beautiful, but it carries a lot of information over relatively long distances.
Kobolds can learn to speak human languages (although it sounds like they are trilling the words). Humans can learn to understand Kobold, but they can only speak it in a modified way. It sounds flat and unpleasant to kobold ears.
The Kobolds are believed to have moved to the Neimocrands during the Ophidian Era. Some kobolds still worship Yig, but most honor Typhon, the Worm of Chaos.
Owlbears
Owlbears are a natural part of the ecosystem in the Neimocrands. They're found in both the mountains and the lowlands, but are more common in areas far from population centers. Owlbears in Rhiada are heavily built, feathered omnivores. They have large feathers on the head and shoulders (extending into a massive mane of feathers in some species), and smaller feathers (similar to those of emus) on the body.
Rakhir
The Rakhir (also known as corbies) live throughout the mountain peaks and valleys of the Neimocrands. They are a race of monstrous humanoids covered with black feathers. They have sharp claws and beaks. Less intelligent and much more primitive than the civilized inhabitants of the Neimocrands, they overpopulate their rookeries in the spring and summer and often swarm into the lower elevations to raid for food come late autumn and winter. They have little use for humans, dweir, ilfaren or other races. Although they prefer to steal goats and sheep (which they can carry off), they have been known to butcher cattle (or even people) and carry off the meat to their homes. They're omnivorous and will also raid corn cribs and grain silos.
The Rakhir have no organized religion or magecraft, but there are oracles, shamans and druids amongst them. Most of the Rakhir encountered on raids have no such talents.
The Rakhir are considered a major threat in all the mountain domains of the Neimocrands.
Terror Birds
Terror birds are savage avian hunters found mostly in the mountains and on the Eastern Plateau. The lowland terror bird was once common across the Neimocrands, but has been driven back to the hills and crags over the centuries. They are edible, and many hunters claim that they are worth the effort to track and kill. Terror birds are animals, not intelligent beings.
The Lowland Terror Bird is the smallest species found in the region. Although only medium size, it is more than capable of taking down a human sized creature with its wicked talons. (In Elocia and Aikonia, a related species of small sized terror birds is called the Phaldrix).
The Highland Terror Bird is more dangerous. It's a large size creature with powerful claws and beak. They ravage the mountain valleys looking for horses, cervines and cattle.
In the high peaks lives the most dangerous species of terror bird, known as the Banshee Bird because of its keening cry. Larger and more ferocious than the Highland Terror Bird (although still large size), this creatures is the bane of travels on the peaks. It's shrill cry can be heard for miles, but anyone near it when cries is riven with fear. [All within 120' must make a will save or be shaken for d6 minutes.]
Troglodytes
The caverns that riddle the Neimocrands (both in the mountains and beneath the plateaus) are home to a race of degenerate reptilians called troglodytes. These creatures have a powerful reptilian musk that most people find unbearable. They hate daylight and only come out at night to raid human habitations and farms. Although they seem dim witted by human standards, they are capable of complex thought and behavior. They have little use for other races, other than as food or sacrifices to their dark gods. Some of the deeper caves contain cities carved in a strange alien style, similar to some of the oldest foundations in the Neimocrands. Who originally built these structures carved from the living rock is a mystery, but the Troglodytes seem to hold these builders in almost preternatural awe, coupled with more than a little dread. Scholars who study ancient history refer to whatever civilization built these structures as the Ancient Builders.
Troglodyte communities are typically ruled by powerful clerics or oracles. Those who're taken to their crude altars seldom escape to tell the tale. The troglodytes are fanatically religious, but their crude iconography makes it very difficult to tell whom they worship.
Troglodytes are cold blooded, and those living near the surface have been known to enter a state of hibernation when the weather becomes too cold. Some brave adventurers have entered their warrens at this time to explore. There are often guardians (usually clerics with the Endure Elements spell and other guardians present, so exploration is dangerous even at this time.