Selkie
Climate/Terrain:
| Cold to subarctic waters |
|
Frequency:
| Very rare
|
Organization:
| Solitary or tribal
|
Activity Cycle:
| Any
|
Diet:
| Omnivore
|
Intelligence:
| Average to exceptional (8-16)
|
Treasure:
| A (magic only), R
|
Alignment:
| Neutral (good)
|
No. Appearing:
| 1 or 12-30
|
Armor Class:
| 5 (10 base in human form)
|
Movement:
| 12, Sw 36
|
Hit Dice:
| 3+3
|
THAC0:
| 17
|
No. of Attacks:
| 1
|
Damage/Attack:
| 1-6 or by weapon type
|
Special Attacks:
| Nil
|
Special Defenses:
| Can change into human form
|
Magic Resistance:
| Nil
|
Size:
| M (5'-6' in either form)
|
Morale:
| Steady (11-12)
|
XP Value:
| 175
|
Leader
| 420
|
Selkies are seal-like beings that have the ability to change into human form
for a few days at a time.
When in their true, seal-like forms, they are nearly indistinguishable from
normal seals. Close inspection of their arms, however, will reveal the presence
of slightly webbed hands instead of fore flippers and legs instead of a tapering
body and rear flippers. Once a month, each selkie is able to assume human form
for about a week. Usually selkies prefer to briefly visit the realm of men
(which they call the "overworld") out of curiosity, but sometimes they are ordered
to go forth and purchase desperately needed supplies or information. When in
human form, selkies are very attractive indeed and their fine looks have broken
more than a few overworlders' hearts. Their eyes are particularly noticeable as
they are always either a bright emerald green or startling light blue. Since
the selkie transformation is not a spell or magical effect, only spells like
true seeing will reveal a selkie's true nature, although their peculiar mannerisms and
predilection for seafood also might.
Combat: Since selkies are unable to swim quickly while carrying weapons, 90% of
selkies encountered underwater will be unarmed. They use their sharp teeth whenever
they are cornered but prefer to use their impressive speed underwater to escape
superior odds. If encountered on land, selkies are wise enough to bear human
weapons, most likely swords scavenged from the wrecks of ships (see below).
Habitat/Society: Selkie communities are divided between male and female, with females usually
outnumbering males, as male selkies are the hunter/gatherers throughout the
often dangerous waters nearby. However, both aspects of selkie community
(domestic and provider) are equally respected within the lair, and no sex is accorded
undue privileges.
Selkies inhabit only colder waters and there are both saltwater and freshwater
varieties. Selkies almost always build their lairs in huge, underwater caverns
and grottos containing both air and water-filled regions -- selkie young must
be raised in an air-filled environment for about their first year.
As mentioned earlier, selkies often find and explore wrecks of sunken
treasure. Most selkie communities have hoarded at least some booty (especially pearls),
keeping those otherwise useless trinkets only for purposes of trade with the
overworld. Only selkies who have visited the overworld many times have ever
acquired a taste for ornamenting themselves like overworlders, and can be
distinguished from more traditional selkies immediately. For obvious reasons, these more
experienced selkies are often the best representatives to deal with if one is
an overworlder. Selkies can be hired and have a limited knowledge of
overworlder customs. All magical treasure recovered by selkies is immediately
commandeered for the good of the community and the lair's defense.
Ecology: Selkies are omnivorous, preferring to eat fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and
various forms of seaweed. Those that have visited the surface are often partial
to human fare as well. Selkies are particularly susceptible to fine wine, which
is to be expected since these intoxicants are unknown below the seas.
Selkies are sensitive about their environment and harvest only what they need
to survive. It is worth noting that selkie representatives lobby heavily
whenever local overworlder environmental issues threaten selkie existence. Most
selkie communities have learned the value of dropping a few pearls here and there in
order to get what they want from men.
While selkies in human form are quite beautiful, they are fortunate indeed
that their pelts have little value in overworlder markets. They are, therefore,
without any special enemies besides those common to seals and all ocean dwelling
beings.
Selkie, Leader
Each venerable leader of a selkie community can cast the following spells once
per day, one spell per round:
augury, cure light wounds, and
cure disease. Leaders can also cast
weather summoning and
control weather once per week. Selkies fear the wrath of the sea should they ever use their
powers for ill.
Сайт создан в системе
uCoz