TERATOLOGY

, , & shanna germaiN

MONTE COOk bruce R. cordell

Alejandro Schmidt (Order #18586321)

 Teratology

TERATOLOGY

A Catalog of the Uncategorizable ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 4

Entities of the Actuality ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 8
The Silver Sun ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 20
The Green Sun ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 36
The Blue Sun ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 48
The Indigo Sun ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 60
The Grey Sun ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 98
The Pale Sun ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 104
The Red Sun ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 114
The Gold Sun ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 132
The Invisible Sun ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 150
The Dark ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 166
Entity Index ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ 182

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 Entities of the Actuality

Alejandro Schmidt (Order #18586321)

 Teratology
ENTITIES OF
THE ACTUALITY
There are as many different beings in the Actuality
as there are ideas. In fact, many ideas are intelligent
beings in the Actuality. Humans, elderbrin, angels,
demons, ghosts, animals, conceptual spirits . . . the
list goes on and on.
Teratology is a collection of inhabitants of the
Actuality, in all their myriad forms—although some
don’t actually have forms. It is not comprehensive
(the entities of the Actuality might indeed be
infinite), but it provides a wide sampling from every
realm of every sun, and even the darkness beyond
the suns’ light.
BEINGS, CREATURES,
AND PEOPLE
In the descriptions of various effects, you’ll find
references to beings, creatures, and people.
Any sentient entity, whether ghost, human,
demon, animal, or anything else, is a “being.”
“Creatures,” on the other hand, is a term used
to describe only living, physical beings with an
easily relatable existence—they eat, they sleep, and
they procreate. “People” is an even more narrow
subcategory of creatures. People are humans and
things enough like humans (elderbrin, lacuna, and
so on) that it’s useful to lump them together. People
live in cities. People wear clothing and use tools.
11 12 1 sustain only 1 or 2 Injuries before having a Wound,
10 2 and those of level 6 and above typically suffer 4 to 6
9 3
8 4
7 6 5
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SPIRITS AND
THE PATH MATERIAL BEINGS
Elderbrin, page 30 As another way to categorize entities, one can think
only in terms of corporeality. There are entities with
physical bodies and entities without. The latter are
Angels, page 28
classified as spirits or spiritual beings and include
conceptual spirits, ghosts, and so on.
Demons, page 25 Some beings, probably most notably demons but
also angels, possess the ability to take either form.
Some ghosts and other spirits can manifest, but this
Ghosts, page 17
is a transitory state, like a vislae who casts a spell
Lacuna, page 30 allowing them to walk through walls. In contrast,
a demon can take material or spiritual form and
remain in that form until they intentionally change
it again—neither is the being’s “natural” state.
NPC STATS
Most of the time, an NPC is just a single number:
their level. Level tells you everything you need to
know about the NPC. It represents the challenge of
persuading them, fooling them, attacking them, or
affecting them with a spell. It’s also the challenge of
avoiding their attacks, whether physical or magical.
It’s even how much damage their attack inflicts.
Generally speaking, all NPCs have health similar
to a PC. If they suffer 3 Injuries, they have a
Wound, and with 3 Wounds they’re dead. Level
can suggest a modification to the hardiness of an
NPC, however. Level 1 and 2 NPCs generally can
Injuries per Wound.

Sometimes, however, a bit more information is
desirable. To make an NPC really interesting—
and, perhaps just as important, to reflect their
nature in their stats—a few modifications of these
generalities are in order. This is true of all the
creatures, beings, and people in this book. They’re
all more than just a level.
When you look at each entity’s stats, keep the
following in mind:
Level: A representation of the overall strength of
the NPC. Generally speaking, mortal creatures are
levels 1 to 10, although extraordinary examples go
up to level 13. Immortals can go as high as 17.
Unless stated otherwise, use an NPC’s level for
the following:
✦✦ Challenge of interacting with them
✦✦ Challenge of sneaking by them, tricking them,
outrunning them, and so on
✦✦ Challenge of striking them with an attack
✦✦ Challenge of affecting them with magic
✦✦ Challenge of dodging their physical attacks
✦✦ Challenge of resisting or withstanding their
magical attacks or effects
✦✦ Amount of damage their attacks (of any kind)
inflict
Injuries, Wounds, and Anguish: Just like with a
PC, boxes represent damage sustained as Injuries,
and when Injuries are all checked, they become a
Wound or Anguish, as appropriate (and then reset).
Defenses: Most of the time, these are
modifications to the general categories of
Withstand, Dodge, and Resist defenses. Add these
to the level to determine the NPC’s level for that
specific kind of defense. Thus, for a level 5 creature
with +1 Withstand, they are treated as level 5 when
affected by a physical attack or spell, but treated
as level 6 when affected by disease or poison (for
instance).
This entry also indicates if the NPC has magic
defenses (thus requiring two or more successes on
any attack) or special immunities.
Armor: Some NPCs have Armor that reduces the
damage sustained by any attack (physical, unless
Alejandro Schmidt (Order #18586321)
Entities of the Actuality
otherwise mentioned). Damage not reduced by
Armor becomes an Injury.
Modifications: These are modifications to actions
the NPC might take. Add them to the level to
determine the NPC’s level for that specific action.
Thus, a level 4 creature that has +2 climbing is level
4 for everything except climbing actions, for which
they are level 6.
Special Abilities: Unless otherwise described,
each separate entry (attacks, special abilities,
and so on) is a distinct action the NPC can take.
Each is unique and provides the details needed.
If it includes something that gives an unwanted
condition (such as poison) that does not end unless
The Story of Nine Parts is the character uses a rest action, the entry notes how
a different tale depending many rest actions are needed.
upon which sun you’re If damage for an attack is given and there is a
under when you hear it.
special effect (such as poison), the second effect
allows for a second defense roll. So a creature with
a poisoned bite requires a PC to make a Dodge
defense roll to avoid the attack, and if they do,
nothing more is required. If the Dodge defense
fails, the PC suffers the damage indicated and then
makes a Withstand defense roll to cope with the
poison. The kind of defense rolls required to avoid
the various attacks are not spelled out, but logic
dictates: Dodge is for avoiding physical attacks;
Withstand is for coping with disease, poison, or
THE KEY similar effects; and Resist is for mental and magical
Wounds, page 23 attacks.
Traits: A few suggestions for roleplaying the NPC.
Anguish, page 23 GM Shift: For the longer-form entries, a GM shift
idea is included to show how one might be used to
benefit the NPC. Unless the NPC is an ally, these
will result in Despair for a PC.
PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL
STAT DIFFERENCES
Creatures that can take either physical or spiritual
form have two different defense lines in their game
stats. However, unless noted otherwise, spiritual
creatures cannot affect physical matter or make
physical attacks. Such things are only for material
creatures.
 Teratology
THE GREEN SUN
Second among the suns, the Green Sun signifies
life. Health. Growth. Even success. Those who are
floundering in their life sometimes think of the
Green Sun as the ultimate healer and life-giver, but
that is too simplistic—and likely too optimistic—an
outlook.
Green is everywhere you look, in the form of
fields and forests, wildlife and wilderness. It erupts
with a force typically reserved for fiercer things.
Instant green spaces—teeming with animals,
plants, and other beings—appear before the eyes,
crowding out everything that came before.
It’s easy to imagine the Green as simply a jungle,
verdant and bursting with life, but that is only part
of its whole. It, perhaps more than any other sun,
encapsulates the circle that is life. Birth, growth,
Cherulis, page 41
decay, and death is the song of the Green, sung in
round after round, never-ending.
Cherulis, that androgynous multitude of
wandering beauty, sometimes blesses the unions
and fusions they encounter upon their travels,
whispering, “Beloved are the burgeoning, the
bearing, the beginning. Sweet sanctity upon you.”
+2 botany and woodcutting
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LOCATIONS ILLUMINATED BY
THE PATH THE LIGHT OF A GREEN SUN
Green Sun, page 41 In addition to locations detailed in The Path, the
following places can be found and explored. Some
of the inhabitants described in this chapter have
special connections to these locations.
CHARRINGREST
One of the few unchanging elements of the Green,
Charringrest is a massive tree that rises impossibly
tall into the sky and is big enough around to
comfortably house the entire Fearce family inside it.
The Fearce family is a group of some three dozen
vislae who call Charringrest home. It’s rumored
that the majority of the family members spend their
THE PATH days using magic to keep the tree from changing
in the Green’s ever-present pull toward decay. The
family is always seeking new members, but only
Dowager Pankaj Fearce: those who pass muster with Dowager Pankaj Fearce
level 9; +4 defenses; are allowed to join.
+3 social interactions and Lignicides dream of taking down a prize like
intimidation; +2 Armor
Charringrest, and many attempts have been made
on the tree’s life and limb. To this day, they have all
Lignicides: level 5; been thwarted by the Dowager’s keen eyes and the
tree’s magical protections.
FOELLI’S QUAGMIRES
Here it is the sky, not the land, that sinks and folds.
The green earth is firm to the touch, but the white
and blue of the sky above give way, causing beings
to sink upward, face first. Many smother in the
press of clouds before they are able to break free
and swim back to earth. Foelli’s quagmires can
appear at any time, in any landscape, capturing
any number of victims before they move on to
 The Green Sun

a new locale. Some say Foelli is a being of the the perimeter against thieves and trespassers
Blue, trapped here against their will, taking their to fermenting the green wines to delivering the
vengeance out on unsuspecting travelers. Lyco sphylumi, page 42 raw colors to . . . wherever the colors of green go.
Various nature spirits work throughout the estate,
MORAL QUANDARY but it’s unclear whether they are there willingly or
This enormous, ever-changing maze of sentient THE PATH not.
The following natives of
bracken, vines, and large purple fungi is reputed to the Green Sun can be
hold secrets at every turn, and something ever more found in The Path:
glorious in its center. It is also filled with beings of
all walks, each with their own agenda. Some call the Durrantix,
maze home and will defend it with their life. Others page 128
seek the center and what is held there. Still others
Hand of the Green,
ache merely to solve the puzzle for its own sake. page 129
Multiple colonies of lyco sphylumi have made
their home inside the quandary. Pithican, page 131

VIRIDESCENT VINEYARD Skerrick, page 133

Far more than just a vineyard, this is an enormous
domain where all the colors of green are grown, Cenexica: level 5;
harvested, and processed. Beings known as cenexica +3 growing, nurturing,
run every element of the estate, from guarding and tending plant life

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 Teratology
EPHEMEROMORPH
Jumble of fused ephemera objects, in overall form
something like a seagull mated with a lobster. Flits,
clambers, slides, or trundles along on limbs made
of disparate but still magical things. Fuses loose
(and stolen) ephemera objects to itself.
Level: 4
Injuries:
Wounds:
Anguish:
Defenses: +2 to all
Armor: +1
Modifications: +2 stealth, +4 pickpocket
Ephemera Effect: Random ephemera object effect
(draw from the Ephemera Object deck) affects
nearby target in the way that would be most
injurious, or affects the ephemeromorph in the
way that would be most beneficial. If neither of
these are possible, the object instead drops away
and could later be claimed by anyone.
Nip: 2 points of damage
Traits: Cunning. Careful. Lost.
EXSE
Tall and thin and sepia-toned. Blends into the
woodwork. Looks part human, part tree, part too-big
suit. Head has no eyes, nose, or mouth. Doesn’t like When a faded memory can
to be looked at, noticed, or seen. be remembered, it’s usually
Level: 4
whose limbs and torso are
Injuries:
Wounds:
Anguish:
Defenses: Magic (two successes); +1 to all defenses
Modifications: +4 stealth
Oversight: Nearby creatures cannot visually perceive
the exse (1 rest).
Eagsyne: 2 points of damage and causes one of a
foe’s eyes to sew itself closed (1 rest).
Traits: Scoptophobic. Inconspicuous.
Uncomfortable.
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Alejandro Schmidt (Order #18586321)
EYRI
Takes many forms, most often that of a large owl
or other bird of prey. Has a cavity inside its chest
surrounded by rows and rows of razored claws and
filled with living prey. Feeds on the fear of those it
holds captive.
Level: 4
Injuries:
Wounds:
Anguish:
Defenses: +3 Dodge
Modifications: +1 searching
Screech: Deafens up to three nearby targets.
Scamper: Releases its captive prey. Feeds on the fear
of those in the area to heal 1 Wound.
Claw: 3 points of damage
Traits: Hungry. Predatory.
FADED MEMORY
“Who was that you were talking to?”
“What? I wasn’t talking to anyone.”
“I just saw you. You gave them something.”
“What did you see?”
“Well, they were . . . wait. I don’t remember . . .”
Level: 5
Injuries:
Wounds:
as a translucent human Anguish:
askew, with an elongated,
Defenses: Magic (two successes); +2 Resist
almost prehensile neck. Modifications: +5 stealth, +5 deception
Unremembered: Unless a creature interacting
with the faded memory spends part of their
next action describing the previous round, the
specifics of that previous round fade as if a
dream.
Swipe: 5 points of damage or the foe loses a piece
of jewelry, clothing, kindled item, or ephemera
object that the faded memory wants.
Traits: Thieving. Dishonest. Tricky.
 The Indigo Sun

FARCEUR GOD OF TINY TEMPLES

A 9-foot (3 m) tall creature similar to a praying I’m the god of tiny temples
mantis that jumps between the decaying islets of THE PATH I’m the god of planets fine
the Abstraction looking for prey. Eats anything. The Abstraction, page 48 I’m the god of tiny little lives
Distracts prey with bad jokes and puns before And no one knows they’re mine.
striking, though may forgo a meal if offered a pun
or joke that impresses it. Being with tiny temples swirling around it. Sings
Level: 5 constantly. Sees in at least five dimensions. Loves to
Injuries: make bets and play tricks.
Wounds: Level: 7
Anguish: Injuries:
Defenses: +3 Withstand, +1 Resist Wounds:
Armor: +3 Anguish:
Modifications: +10 jumping Defenses: Magic (two successes); +2 Resist
Spiked Forelegs: 5 points of damage and the foe is Modifications: +2 interactions
seized and cannot move unless they break the Play God: Creates a new tiny temple that joins the
grip using a Physicality action. others.
Bite: Automatically inflicts 6 points of damage each Temple Waste: When a magical effect would affect
round on prey caught in spiked forelegs. the god, one of its temples explodes, negating
Traits: Aggressive. Fearless. Punster. the magic and inflicting 1 point of damage on
the magic wielder.
GLASS GRACE Traits: Mad. Mischievous. Gambler.
Antelope-like creature made of glass shards. Moves
in small herds that operate well as a unit.
Level: 3
Injuries:
Wounds:
Anguish:
Defenses: +3 Dodge
Modifications: +3 agility-related actions,
+2 perception
Swipe: Inflicts 3 points of damage by simply
rubbing up against a foe.
Regeneration: 1 Injury is restored each round as the
glass shards rearrange themselves.
Traits: Fearful. Alert. Thoughtful.

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 Teratology
THE RED SUN
The Red Sun is neither inherently evil nor
inherently good. It is, instead, the very essence of
destruction, annihilation, and change. Permanence
is an aberration to the Red. Thus, your moralistic
point of view of the Red likely changes depending
on what it is destroying at any given moment. Not
that the Red Sun cares about your moralistic point
of view. Or anyone else’s.
Neither does Daumi, the Red Sun’s warden.
All she cares for is destruction. Yours. Theirs.
Everyone’s. And her warriors carry out her every
wish, wreaking havoc and creating change wherever
possible.
While the Red’s main inhabitants are demons—
spiritless, but not mindless beings—there are some
mortals who choose to live beneath the Red Sun
as well. They must be ever-vigilant and constantly
prepared for the mutability of the sun under which
they live. When the very landscape threatens
to buckle or even disappear beneath their feet,
nowhere is safe for long.
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LOCATIONS BENEATH
THE PATH THE RED SUN
Red Sun, page 56 In addition to locations detailed in The Path, the
following places can be found and explored. Some
Daumi, page 56 of the inhabitants described in this chapter have
special connections to these locations.
DROUCOTE’S EYE
The rumor is that this large, round, green hill—
which looks very much like a giant hazel eyeball
Droucote: level 12; sunk into the soil—is protected by Droucote itself,
+4 Withstand, +4 Resist; and thus resists the constant destructive nature of
+2 attacks; +4 Armor the Red. Atop the hill, mortals can find a pleasant
place for a respite, with the smell of flowers in the
air and a breeze so soft it is barely perceived by the
skin. Here, everything seems still. And quiet. And
altogether not as if it’s part of the Red at all.
In fact, it isn’t. It’s merely a doorway. Or perhaps,
more accurately, a trap. An elaborate ruse that
draws mortals in and transports them elsewhere.
To a place far, far worse than the Red, a dungeon
dripping with slime and rot, gleimous walls barring
every exit, the sounds of torture and horror coming
from every discernible direction. This is Droucote’s
Bowels, and leaving is not an option.
THE PLACE WHERE RED REVELS
Most mistake the Red as “Hell” from some Shadow
religion, and while there are similarities, the
Place Where Red Revels certainly showcases the
differences. These regular celebrations are held to
celebrate aspects of Red: disintegration, destruction,
and decay. These are not somber affairs, but
instead joyous parties of true passion and sincere
happiness. Not every resident of the Red comes to

one of the revels, but those who do usually keep
coming back, for they are wondrous.
The demons and other beings of the Red here
dance and sing with the pure abandon of true
joy. They sing songs about decay, destruction,
and corrosion while others beat driving thunder
on massive drums. Red lights flash and shine
randomly as the dancers fling their arms high,
kick their feet to the sky, and grasp each other in
unbridled passion. “You don’t know joy until you’ve
seen the Red Revels,” people say. “They roister and
rave in the name of disintegration and a crumbling
end to all things in a way that those who delight in
care and creation will never truly understand.”
The Place Where Red Revels is a circular pit 20
feet (6 m) deep and 500 feet (150 m) across, enough
for hundreds of revelers to dance and cavort at
once. The edges of the pit are for musicians and
spectators.
Alejandro Schmidt (Order #18586321)
The Red Sun
STRETCHTHORP LAKE
Stretchthorp Lake is less a lake than a giant pool
of constantly erupting lava and ash. Its extreme
volatility creates a swirling vortex of constant flux,
which enterprising demonic lords have learned
to harvest for their benefit. Many station their
conscripted vassals along the shores, forcing them
to draw the flux into their bodies. Lacking souls, the
vassals cannot use the magic themselves, and thus
they carry it back to their lords without worry of
tampering or use.
The lake’s tumultuous nature spawns beings
Koul, page 123 called koul, equine-like eaters of flesh that rise
from the surface of the lava and gallop across the
landscape on seven legs, opening their mouths
wider and wider to gulp down any living thing in
their path.
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 Teratology
ENEMY OF TRUTH
A human-appearing demon in a finely tailored
suit, professionally cut hair, expensive accessories,
and shoes whose shine is so perfect that they
almost ruin the illusion. Leaves behind a litter of
propaganda proclaiming lies with all the feigned
certitude of priests. Hardens ill-conceived opinions
wherever it goes.
Level: 5
Injuries:
Wounds:
Anguish:
Defenses (Spiritual): Magic (two successes);
immune to physical attacks; +2 Dodge, +2 Resist
Defenses (Physical): Magic (two successes);
immune to poison and disease; +2 Dodge,
+2 Resist
command a target to take
The Enemy of Truth looked down upon the
two vislae prostrate before it.
“We wish to serve you, oh lord,” they said in
unison.
“Do you now? And what do you know of
me?”
One of the vislae spoke. “We know you
are the lord of lies, who can weave a web of
deception over the eyes of all in creation. We
wish that for ourselves and will give you all
that we are to possess it.”
“I will grant you this, then, in exchange for
what you offer.”
“Oh, praise your name, lord! Thank you,”
the first vislae exclaimed.
“You will not regret your decision!” the
other vislae added.
The Enemy of Truth scowled and smote
them both with the power of the Dark. “You
understand nothing, then.”
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Alejandro Schmidt (Order #18586321)
Modifications: +4 deception and disguise
Truth as Falsehood: The target believes that one
somewhat reasonable lie told to them by the
demon is true (cured only by magic).
Concealed Knife: 4 points of damage, plus
1 Wound if the attack was made after the demon
convinced its target that it was an ally.
Traits: Dishonest. Cowardly. Cruel.
FERVENT
Bulging collection of different creatures smeared
into a single twilight-hued silhouette. Speaking in
A fervent usually has many voices (sometimes in unison, other times
two or three abilities sequentially), a fervent is eager to learn the story
from previously eaten of beings it encounters, and then if that story is
victims, such as the
ability to blast an area
intriguing enough, eat them and gain something
with flames, summon of their aspect, appearance, and personality. Always
an angel or demon, or wears one piece of clothing, such as a white top
hat or pair of red gloves, that never changes no
a particular action. matter how much its form changes with continuous
feeding.
Level: 6
Injuries:
Wounds:
Anguish:
Defenses: Magic (two successes); energy (magical
or otherwise) does not harm but instead heals
Injuries; +3 Resist
Bite: 6 points of damage, and absorbs the victim
until they can escape with a Physicality or
Movement action. A victim who doesn’t escape
before the sun next sets is destroyed.
Mimicry: Gains one ability of the victim, the ability
to sound just like the victim, and general
knowledge of the victim’s past, including deep
knowledge of particular emotionally charged
anecdotes.
Traits: Hungry. Curious. Irrational.
 The Dark

HECATOMB Seep Into Shadows: Disappears when in shadow

Imprudent vislae who looked to the Dark to and reappears up to a faraway spot, as long as it
discover secrets of power, now infested with the is also dark there.
essence of lightless nothingness. Corrupted and Traits: Ruthless. Cunning.
empowered, they turned their back on everything
they once knew. Instead, they seek only to increase
their power further at any price.
Level: 6
Injuries:
Wounds:
Anguish:
Defenses: Magic (two successes); energy (magical
or otherwise) does not harm but instead heals
Injuries; +3 to all defenses
Modifications: +3 spellcasting
Spell, Compel: Close target must take stated action
next round.
Spell, Blind: Nearby target suffers 1 Wound as their
eyes implode. Blind until eyes can be somehow
regenerated or replaced.
Spell, Fuse: Target fused, immobile, to nearest
surface (4 rests).
Traits: Crazed. Corrupt. Cruel.

MORI GRA
Tall, angular human with the head of a white rabbit
and eyes of shifting colors. Causes vislae to lose
their magic by transforming them into near-lifeless
and listless versions of themselves. Travels the
Actuality hunting vislae.
Level: 5
Injuries:
Wounds:
Anguish:
Defenses: Magic (two successes); +2 Dodge and
Resist
Modifications: +3 to stealth and perception
Inversion: Creature touched becomes a black and
grey version of itself, unable to use magic of
any kind and suffering a −2 penalty to all other
actions (2 rests).
Darkness: Fills the nearby area with darkness
and shadows, easing hiding and stealth, and
hindering any other action that requires sight.

175

Alejandro Schmidt (Order #18586321)

 Teratology

MELANCHOLIC MERRICK You make it clear to mortals that the best

They go about their short little lives, these mortals, moments of their lives aren’t as good as they
thinking they have some significance. Your role is thought and the worst ones are so much worse than
to teach them the truth: they ever dreamed. Even a dull day can be filled
with anxiety, worry, and dread, thanks to you.
Other depression demons try to tempt their
lts in
. C a ring resu victims to suicide, but where’s the fun in that? You
Tr ying is
fu ti le uly exists Sleep is a welco
fl e e ti n g—if it tr me respite, bu
t it can’t torment the dead. Better to let them wallow in
pain. Joy
is in your eludes you as
tt e r to just hide that awake. Alcoh
you lie there,
w id e their inescapable misery. There are so many dark
at all. B e
in g . D on’t open ol can dull the things you have yet to whisper in their ears when
g noth ins bad but it just mak pain,
bed, doin o b a bly conta ’s es you an alco they’re all alone, staring at a blank wall. You like
letter, as
it p r oor, as it Food can brin holic.
’t a n s w er your d g comfort, but
th en your victims to last a long, long time.
n you’re just a fa
news. Do ector. t pig. Unlovabl Of course, your appearance wouldn’t convince
b ly a bill coll e.
proba anyone to listen to the truths you reveal. You’re a
Noth looming, dark violet thing with a head like a skull
in
loves g you d and a wreath of tendrils that stretch in all directions.
you. o is p
own T le Your best tactic is to take the form of some object in
lives hey’re to asing. N
to ca o o your chosen victim’s home or in their possession.
re ab busy w one
out y ith t You find what they use frequently—a keepsake, a
ours heir
. tool, or just a mirror on the wall—and discard it.
And then you take its form and replace it. They
never know, and soon they’ll be so depressed that
they won’t bother to notice even if you do let slip
your real nature.
Level: 6
Injuries:
Wounds:
Anguish:
Defenses: Magic (two successes); +2 Withstand and
Resist
Modifications: +4 deception, +2 stealth
Shapeshift: Take on the form of any inanimate
object up to the size of a large table.
Depressing Words: A close target can take no
actions (2 rests).
Cloud Perception: A close target suffers a −4 penalty
to perception actions, and a −2 penalty to all
other actions (2 rests).
Traits: Patient. Persuasive. Insidious.
GM Shift: The Depressing Words ability affects a
character until the sun next rises, regardless of
rests.

180

Alejandro Schmidt (Order #18586321)


MERRUSALEM
You usually move among mortals in the form of
a rather innocuous bird, all the better to spy on
everyone and everything. You gather as much
information as you can about as many people as you
can, and then use that information against them in
some way. Oh, the elaborate skeins of plots, plans,
and secrets you maintain.
Alejandro Schmidt (Order #18586321)
The Dark
You’ll whisper in the ear of someone to tell them
that their lover is in the arms of another. Or that
one of their employees is stealing from them. Or
that their neighbor abuses their children.
But you’re not just interested in fomenting
trouble. Oh, no. That’s for lesser devils. You want
more. You’re looking for people who will trade a tiny
bit of their soul, either to learn the secrets you know
or to get revenge against someone who has wronged
them (as you so helpfully revealed). Mortals are so
easy to manipulate when you spring a surprising
secret on them.
Eventually, you’ll gather all the soul bits you’ve
earned, stitch them together, and have a soul of
your own. After a fashion. That’s the plan, anyway.
Sometimes, you just sell the information you
have, and if people are unwilling to sell portions
of their soul, the other currency you trade in is
personal secrets. In other words, if someone needs
to learn something you know, they’ll need to give
you secrets of their own. And if they don’t think
you’ll eventually use those secrets against them,
they’re being quite naive and deserve what they get.
Mortals.
Level: 6
Injuries:
Wounds:
Anguish:
Defenses: Magic (two successes); +2 Dodge and
Resist
Modifications: +3 perception, +2 deception and
stealth
Ill-Conceived Notion: Touched being, upon hearing
bad news, acts on the first unwise and probably
negative impulse—drastic action, violence, and
so on—they have.
Swooping Dive: 5 points of damage
Traits: Devious. Patient. Haughty.
GM Shift: Merrusalem already knows a secret
involving the vislae.
181