[PnP] "Abnaric" Redux - A 2nd Attempt

[Phineas Cromwell]

The Creations Of Abnaric Elgar
as reported by Drachir Redins, Scholar

The career of the mage Abnaric Elgar is a thing of legend in Gom. Many
revile his name for the great evils that he sponsored in his youth. Others
hold his name in reverence and fear because of the sheer magnitude of his
power. Before discussing his major creations, some background history would
be of value.

Some years back I met Thabolan Elgar in Roghara. This son of Abnaric told me
much about his father. Abnaric Elgar began his life in magic at the age of
ten, when his father gave him to a Chaos Wizard in exchange for relief from
a curse. Little is known about his apprenticeship. He rarely spoke of it and
never with other than extreme coldness. It is likely that the years he spent
with his master were not pleasant ones. It is known that Abnaric Elgar's
appearance in Gom coincided with the disappearance of his master from the
environs of Araou. That wizard was never seen again.

Abnaric's early career was unremarkable. The turning point in his life was
his eviction from Gom by the wizard Esharal, a law wizard of some power. In
his journey to Araou, Abnaric ran afoul of the forces of Kototh. By the
greatest of luck, and because of his natural talent, he made a deal with
these creatures. In performing their will, and seeking his own advantage
thereafter, he gained a position as Master of the Kotothi in the Southern
Continent and, according to his son, defacto ruler of Gom, Port Doman,
Shurikal and the Rogizini Empire. While I consider this claim to be
exaggerated, I do believe that it is likely that he held considerable power
in these areas.

What made this mage so formidable was his natural gift for magic of all
kinds. According to legend, he learned and mastered every form of magic
known to man, from Shamanism to the hidden rites of the Sidh. It is obvious
from what is known of his career that he was a natural magician of great
learning.

What is germane for the purpose of this article is his study, mastery and
use of the powers of Creation. He is responsible for creating new races,
some of which are growing with significant speed. The grimoire below lists
five of these beasts, their synthesis and facts about them that travellers
need to know if they wander south.


THE ELEFAN ALIGNMENT - None
HPV 30 OCV 12 DCV 5 NWI - 3
S 40( + 2) St 35( + 2) D 8 A 25( + 1)
MR 11 NAV 2 MDV 10 EnL 30
DTV -3 HC 38% CDF 3
CL NA INT 9

APPEARANCE
Only females of this species have ever been encountered. These creatures are
seven to seven and a half feet tall and weigh two hundred to three hundred
pounds. They have the bodies of women, a grayish cast to their skin and the
heads of elephants. Their trunks are short and useless as a manipulative
organ. Their tusks are sharp, efficient weapons.

NOTE - The Elefan have a home range centered around an island in the river
that flows down to Port Doman. Males of the race are only encountered on or
near this island. They have twice the Strength and Stamina of females, half
the Dexterity and Agility and an Intellect rating of eight instead of nine.

SPECIAL
The Elefan are an immense physical force. Females range wide, seeking
knowledge and serving various forces as mercenaries. When encountered the
Elefan warriors will be wearing Chainmail or Plate Mail. They are armed with
Spears (if wearing Chainmail) or Halberds (with Plate Mail).

Elefan are intelligent and loyal. If serving someone, they obey to the
letter. Otherwise, they are peaceful creatures who fight only when they
must. According to rumors, they have a written language and a strong culture
in their homeland. One informant went so far as to say that they are
strongly versed in Philosophy and take great enjoyment in scholarly work.
Given this, it is quite likely that they would rather read and debate than
fight, when they have an honorable choice.

SYNTHESIS
>From all accounts, the Elefan were Abnaric Elgar's first creation. They were
created during his campaign leading a major native rebellion against the
Fomorians in Port Doman. From their inception and control, they served as
his personal guards in the jungle and, to a limited extent, as shock troops
in battle.

It is extremely likely that the synthesis of these creatures was entirely in
the imagination of the mage. There are large creatures in the foothills of
the Ny'lasa Mountains that certainly gave him the idea for the size and
features. Putting this together with his preference for female associates,
and the fact that females are dominant with this creature, you have the
Elefan.


LEON ALIGNMENT – Kotothi/Elder
HPV 40 OCV 17 DCV 10(13) NWI –10
S 80( + 4) St 60( + 3) D 40( + 2) A 55( + 3)
MR 12(28) NAV 4 MDV 20 EnL 100
DTV – 4* HC 70% CDF 8
CL NA INT 10

APPEARANCE
Leons range from six to six and a half feet tall. They weigh 180 to 220
pounds. They have the appearance of a maneless lion walking on its hind
legs. They are lean and wiry with incredible strength. Their eyes glow a
baleful green. Their teeth and claws are composed of magic iron that has a
devastating affect on any Sidh creature they strike.

SPECIAL
The first Leon was created to destroy an Asrai castle populated by Asrai who
had earlier offended Abnaric. They are solely dedicated to the destruction
of the Sidh and are especially potent in the water.

All Leons are totally immune to acid, poison and disease of any kind. They
use Water Powers at MEL8/EL4 and have EL4 immunity to both Storm and Fire
Powers. All can breathe water and air with equal facility. They are designed
to make the water their home and strike from it onto the land beyond.

Leons are potent weapons against the Sidh. They have EL8 Immunity to both
Sidh and Elder Magic. Their claws and teeth allow them to apply DOUBLE their
normal SB against Sidh creatures, i.e. + 8 instead of + 4. When a choice is
available, Leons will attack Sidh creatures before any other target. In
judging this, remember their intellect. They are too smart to ignore targets
on the ground while a Faerry, for example, flits above them trying to be a
distraction.

IMPORTANT – Any person tied in any way to the Sidh is considered to be Sidh
by these creatures. If you have innate power in Sidh Magic, carry an item
enhanced with Sidh Magic, etc, you are Sidh to a Leon.

SYNTHESIS
The Leon was created as a weapon against the Asrai. Early in his career,
Abnaric suffered a slight at their hands and never forgave them. The Leon
was designed to avenge that slight.

Abnaric formed the Leons using an advanced Creation ritual which employed
magical tools and components of various creatures. The items that feature in
the creation of the Leon are magical iron of his creation, the skin of a
Waste Lion, Grundwergen blood and other components to enhance its powers.



THE NAR'MOREL ALIGNMENT - Kotothi/Elder

                             MALE
HPV 36 OCV 13 DCV 8 NWI — 6
S 60( + 3) St 20( + 1) D 30( + 1) A 40( + 2)
MR 20 NAV 2 MDV 7 EnL 21
DTV -4 HC 40% CDF 4
CL NA INT 6


  FEMALE
HPV 20 OCV 6 DCV 13 NWI — 3
S 30( + 1) St 10 D 60( + 3) A 90( + 4)
MR 24  NAV 1 MDV 7 EnL 21
DTV -2  HC  20% CDF 2
CL NA INT 6

APPEARANCE
The Nar'morel are perfectly proportioned, beautiful physical specimens. The
males are heavily muscled, yet lithe. The females are fantastically limber
and beautiful women. The basic appearance of these creatures is human. They
are covered with a light, barely perceptible, fur and have sharp, catlike,
teeth. All also have retractable claws and eyes more kin to the cat than to
man.

SPECIAL
The word Nar'morel is taken from the Kacili name for these creatures. It
means "Death Shadow". The Nar'morel are supernaturally attuned to Desert and
Badlands terrain. They have double the normal chance to ambush when they are
encountered and the chance that a party can ambush them is reduced by 15,
i.e. if a party has a 29% chance of ambush in the desert with their highest
EL the chance is 14% if they encounter the Nar'morel.

The Nar'morel are hunters who live together in communal bands. They enjoy
hunting, killing and combat. They also possess the love of pleasure and
luxury that all cats savor. They act for the good of their own kind whatever
the cost to others. If the pride's needs do not call for a set action, they
can be reasoned with and even enjoyed. If you must die for the good of the
pride, they are implacable.

SYNTHESIS
The purpose for the creation of the Nar'morel was to provide night raiders
for Abnaric's Kacili campaign — his last act before his disappearance. From
the name given them by the Kacili, it can be seen that they were quite
effective at their appointed task.
The Nar'morel were created with a ritual fusion of the Waste Lion with
humanity. The result, as seen above, is a fighting creature of great
potential.


SHIROONA ALIGNMENT - Elder
HPV 14 OCV 7 DCV 5 NWI - 4
S 16( + 1) St 40( +2) D 12 A 25( + 1)
MR 16 NAV 0 MDV 15 EnL 75
DTV -2 HC 28% CDF 7
CL NA INT 5

APPEARANCE
Shiroona are russet brown to red hounds with six legs and large, saucer
shaped eyes. Their appearance is extremely fearsome. They have large,
viciously pointed teeth, heavy claws and massive forebodies. Shiroona
average two feet at the shoulder and weigh eighty to one hundred pounds.

SPECIAL
Shiroona were created for use as messengers and guards. They are capable of
MEL10/EL10 Travel Powers. They also have total immunity to iron and EL6
immunity to Elder Magic.


Though the powers of the Shiroona are potent, and their appearance is
fearsome, they are not as dangerous as they could be. Shiroona are garrulous
creatures who are quite friendly and very curious. They are also a bit
cowardly, unless they are encountered in packs. In general, these creatures
only fight when they must, either to protect themselves or someone or
something that they have a great fondness for. In other situations, they
would rather avoid combat. In no way can they be considered to be vicious.
In fact, sometimes the extremes that they go to to avoid a fight can be very
humorous.

SYNTHESIS
The existence of the Shiroona is proof that the Great Mage was a doting
father. He created them, originally, as a long range strike weapon to
terrorize his enemies. When they proved inadequate to this task, because of
the kindness of their natures, he was most upset. Except for the
intervention of one of his daughters he would have destroyed them. Because
this girl asked her father "not to hurt the pretty doggies", Abnaric found a
use for them. As messengers and guards, they served him quite well.

Little is known about the actual creation of these creatures. It is likely
that something of the Cu Sidh went into them but what else is part of their
nature can only be guessed. It could be anything, up to and including hair
from the mane of Odin's steed.



MIDGE ALIGNMENT – Elder/Sidh
HPV 1 OCV 0 DCV 19 NWI + 8
S 1(-1)  St 6  D 120(+5) A 185(+7)
MR 2(32) NAV 0 MDV 14 EnL 40
DTV -1 HC 4% CDF 4
CL NA INT 6

APPEARANCE
Midges were created to spy for Abnaric. In appearance, they are much like
the Faerry. They are exquisitely beautiful creatures with uncommon, and
sometimes troublesome, wit. The average height of a Midge is three inches.
Their weight is usually less than a few ounces.

SPECIAL
It is difficult to detect the presence of a Midge if he or she does not want
to be seen. They have an innate ability, MEL8/EL4, to conceal their presence
when they choose to do so. The MDV of the perceiver does NOT apply against
this role. Persons trying to spot the Midge are allowed to roll their
Empathy divided by FOUR, rounded up, to detect the Midge. With success they
see it, with a partial they feel or sense something in the general vicinity
of the Midge but pick up nothing definite.

Midges are gregarious pranksters with a good sense of humor and a good deal
of kindness and compassion. They have been known to be attracted to a person
or group and stay with them, unknown to anyone, for weeks on end, enjoying
their adventures and playing pranks. Midges have a strong liking for wine
and sweets. They are also curious creatures. There have been instances where
a person being tormented by their whimsy has captured them by using one or
both of these traits against them.

SYNTHESIS
The creation of the Midge race was one of Abnaric's most perverse and vile
actions. Through mystical corruption of  captured Faerry, the first pair of
Midges came into being. The Faerry subjects did not survive this act. Their
descendants have survived quite well.


A FINAL NOTE
While this in no way gives a full listing of Abnaric's creations, it does
give a sample of his best. From all reports, this mage was fascinated with
the act of creation and went to great extremes to perfect the creatures that
his mind gave birth. If certain informants can be believed, he considered
them to be, and often treated them as, his children. Despite the great evils
attributed to this man, he was a creator who cared for his creations and did
not abuse his ability to shape new forms of life. Every creation of his
making was made for a specific purpose, either for his own good or to
enhance the effectiveness of his empire in the southern continent. Other
creations of Abnaric exist. These are the most prolific and notable of his
"children".

THE END
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