Naar Kolfa

Howler

·

July 9, 2024

Our Ysdelfer Lodge is growing ever more. The Crew meets Naar the Rinnel Exile.

Read full story

As I continue to refine my substack I want to offer you Brave souls that have gathered here in support more than simply stories to enjoy but actual playable content as well, something to add to not just your Solo Games but any table you so choose and To that end I’ve decided that The Bone Brew will be a live and continuoully growing World Compendium!

One where you can find NPCs, Items, Artifacts, Beasties, locations and more to add to your table. The lore of which will be pulled directly from our Actual Play sessions! I hope you are excited as I am for today's first entry into The Roiling Sands Beastiary! Let's dive in!

Rat Hyena

The Rat Hyena is a formidable creature resembling a cross between a possum and a hyena. Roughly the size of a medium dog, its coarse, rough fur is interspersed with hard, bony plates providing natural armor. Its front claws are longer, adapted for digging and grabbing, reminiscent of a raccoon's dexterity.

Habitat:

These creatures inhabit the harsh deserts of Aamsk, primarily around the outskirts of Baask and along the shore of the Glas River, a unique river of crystal and molten glass. The desert environment is characterized by extreme temperatures, sparse vegetation, and rugged terrain. The Rat Hyena utilizes burrows and crevices in rocky areas for shelter, similar to how real-world possums and hyenas use natural shelters to protect themselves from predators and harsh weather.

The Glas River, with its crystalline and molten glass features, provides a unique ecological niche. The banks of the river are dotted with strange crystalline formations, offering both a hunting grounds and source of water, in the crags, crevices and cracks of the river a variant form of Glas crystal known as Dew Glass resides. The river's environment is perilous, with the molten glass posing a danger to unwary creatures, yet it also provides a rich hunting ground for those able to navigate its treacherous terrain.

Behavior:

Rat Hyenas are known as vicious scavengers, especially dangerous when in small groups. Their behavior is a blend of the opportunistic feeding habits of possums and the pack dynamics of hyenas. They are primarily nocturnal, emerging at dusk to hunt and scavenge. Their diet includes carrion, small animals, insects and the occasional larger prey taken down by a coordinated pack attack. They have a keen sense of smell, allowing them to locate food over long distances.

As ambush hunters, Rat Hyenas rely on their camouflage and stealth to surprise their prey. They dig shallow pits or hide in natural depressions, using their long claws to swiftly dig and grasp. When a target comes near, the pack springs into action, overwhelming the prey with a sudden, coordinated assault. This pack mentality makes them formidable opponents, as they can bring down creatures much larger than themselves through sheer numbers and strategy.

Despite their aggressive nature, the Rat Hyenas exhibit a complex social structure within their packs. They communicate through a series of vocalizations, including cackles, growls, and whines, similar to real hyenas. These sounds help coordinate their hunting efforts and maintain pack cohesion.

Lore

The Harka tribe believes that the Rat Hyena embodies the spirit of the underdog, trusting in its bold nature. Legends say that the tones produced by the Glas River crystals have a calming effect on these beasts. Harnessing these sounds is believed to tame the Rat Hyena, a skill revered by the Harka.

According to tribal lore, the Rat Hyena is seen as a guide and protector in times of hardship. The Harka tell stories of how the Rat Hyena led their ancestors to safety during a great sandstorm, using their keen senses and resilience to navigate the perilous desert. This reverence has led to rituals involving the Glas River crystals, where the Harka attempt to communicate with the Rat Hyenas, seeking their guidance and protection.

In contrast, other tribes and settlers view the Rat Hyena as a nuisance and a danger. Tales of Rat Hyena packs attacking livestock and scavenging through settlements are common, leading to efforts to drive them away or eradicate them. However, the Harka's belief in the creature's sacred nature often leads to conflicts over how to deal with the Rat Hyenas, highlighting the complex relationship between humanity and these creatures.

Variants:

Sand Reaver

A much larger and rarer variant of the Rat Hyena, known for its extreme aggression and size. Sand Reavers are solitary hunters, unlike their smaller cousins, and are feared by all who encounter them. They are often found deeper in the desert, where they reign as apex predators.

If you are enjoying reading this, feel free to click the ❤️ button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack 🙏 Thank you.

These creatures are a true product of the dice and a bit of inspiration. I personally think they could make for some rather interesting mounts or possibly an animal companion. But I have stat-ed them out to act more as a nuisance than anything else. So you could think of them as cannon Fodder for your table or if your Players venture too close to the Glas River… Let's say they could be far more than a problem.

Statblock

Toughness: Strength+Constitution

-Rank: Above Avg

Acuity: Dexterity+Wisdom

-Rank: Below Avg

Wits: Intellect+Charisma

-Rank: Low

Gost: Magic+Weird

-Rank: Weak

Attacks:

Ferocious Bite:

Rank: Above Avg

-Effect: On a Successful Attack , the Rat Hyena’s bite may knock the target Prone, requiring a contested roll against the Rat Hyena’s Above Average Toughness.

Tail Whip:

Rank: Below Avg

-Effect: On a Successful Attack,the Rat Hyena’s tail whip deals Below Average damage but has a chance to disorient the target. The target must make a contested roll against the Rat Hyena's Acuity. On a failure, the target is Disoriented.

Abilities:

Pack Coordination:

- Effect: When Near another Rat Hyena, All Rat Hyenas in the Pack receive a Boost to their attack. Their Attacks are treated as High.

Sandshroud Ambush:

- Effect: When in Desert Terrain, the Rat Hyena gains an Exceptional advantage to Hide from both predators and prey. When Attacking from a Hidden position, its Attacks are treated as Exceptional.

Scavenger's Resilience:

- Effect: When Critically injured, the Rat Hyena has a chance to survive with Low Toughness, reflecting its tenacious nature.

Glas Sensitivity:

- Effect: When Close to the sound of a Glas River crystal, Rat Hyenas must make a contested roll using their Low Wits to avoid becoming Calm and Non-Aggressive for a while.

Leave a comment

Thank you again for taking the time out to Brave the Sands of Aamsk with me. I do hope you find a place for The Rat Hyena in your own games and and campaigns. Let me know how they wreak havoc or cause terror on you and your Players.

If you liked reading this, feel free to click the ❤️ button on this post so more people can discover it on Substack 🙏 Thank you.

Next week

Things are getting changed around on this end as you may have noticed, with new sections, layout, and updates to titles and a few other things. I have wide varying interest and want my newsletter to reflect that so expect to see some new things over the next coming weeks. Also hope you have enjoyed this Entry of the Roiling Sands Beastiary.

Fellowship

If you enjoy this format of game I highly recommend checking out the amazing The Peoplz & Dragons YT.

Don't forget to check out my fellow compatriots on the Stack!

I have stumbled across another fantastic Actual Play Stack in Odinson Games! Only a few chapters so far but we'll worth the read.