Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Faolyn" data-source="post: 8787698" data-attributes="member: 6915329">Horsies! This next Dragon’s Bestiary is all weird and magical equines. They’re all illustrated by Jannell Jaquays as well. I never realized until recently how much art she had done in Dragon mag, and how much of it was art I liked, and still like. The first horse—although the art made me think llama more than horse—is called the kiita, a sorta psionic critter which dislikes arcane magic and has a strange fascination for monks, rangers, and clerics. I think that this may have been the first time I saw a creature with any particular preference for monks.The kiita can read thoughts (“much like a doppelganger does”), but the power is useless against “mindless foes (e.g., “slimes, skeletons, dinosaurs)” Oh, how science has moved on since then!Despite what the art shows, the kiita’s description makes it sound like it has an almost humanoid face, like a horse-y/llama-y yeth hound. I happen to like that sort of weirdness.[ATTACH=full]262949[/ATTACH]Art by Jennell JaquaysKiitaThe Dragon’s Bestiary, Dragon Magazine #149Created by Kurt MartinKiita resemble a cross between a llama and a horse, with flat, expressive faces, small eyes, and broad mouths. Their fur is thick, shaggy, and blue, and they have small, delicate hooves—good for climbing, but they need frequent shoeing if used as a mount. They are omnivorous but subsist primarily on grasses and other vegetation. They don’t neigh, but instead make clicking noise or a thin wail as a warning. Kiita are native to cool mountains and hills and dislike heat.Psychically Aware. Kiita have the natural psionic ability of mind-reading, which they use whenever they see someone, to determine that person’s intents. While they can’t dig through a person’s mind, the glimpses they get are enough to give them forewarning, allowing them to be able to easily avoid many attacks.Magic Wary. Kiita are fascinated by humanoids, but also wary of them. They dislike and distrust magic, especially flashy magic. They are somewhat more comfortable with simple, beneficial spells such as healing magic, but other types of magic, even benign ones such as illusions used for entertainment, make them somewhat skittish.Marital-Minded. Perhaps because of their fear of magic, they gravitate towards non-spellcasters, particularly warriors. Kiita tend to have a romantic “knight in shining armor” view towards these people—although they don’t limit their fascination to literal knights. Rough-and-tumble brawlers, battled-hardened soldiers, leather-and fur-clad wilderness warriors, and even weaponless martial artists all pique their interest, and for whatever reason, kiita like to imagine themselves as the noble companion to such a combatant. When a kiita finds such a person, they study them for a while to determine if they are suitable for the kiita’s attentions. If so, they may choose to bond with that creature, and the kiita’s innate psionic abilities cause that person to become more effective warriors, as well as allowing them to communicate telepathically.Despite being willing to bond with warriors, kiita refuse to wear bridles or saddles, and barely tolerate a blanket—and many of their potential bondmates refuse to ride bareback on a shaggy blue llama-horse. It’s often difficult for a kiita to find their true shining knight.Legends and LoreWith a Nature check, the characters can learn the following:DC 10. Kiita are distantly related to horses and are prized as mounts.DC 15. Despite looking and acting like animals, kiita are intelligent creatures who are choosy about who they allow to ride them—and they don’t tolerate bridles or saddles.DC 20. Kiita are wary of magic, especially arcane magic. They have a fondness for warriors, however, and a kiita who bonds with such a creature psychically lends that person a bit of power that enhances their martial prowess.Kiita EncountersTerrain: hills, mountainsCR 0-1 1d4 kiitaSigns1. With a DC 10 Perception check, a tuft of blue wool caught in a bramble.2. Clicking and snapping sounds.3. Small single-toed hoofprints of the wrong shape and size to be either horse or pony.4. With a DC 13 Intelligence check, a sensitive target realizes their mind is being read.Behavior1-2. Grazing peacefully.3. Watching the characters intently, deciding if it likes one of them.4. Fleeing from a hunter who is after its hide.KiitaLarge monstrosityChallenge 1/2 (100 XP)AC 11HP 22 (3d10+6; bloodied 11)Speed 60 ft., climb 30 ft.STR 16 (+3) DEX 12 (+1) CON 14 (+2)INT 10 (+0) WIS 13 (+1) CHA 13 (+1)Proficiency +2Maneuver DC 13Skills Insight +3, Perception +3Damage Resistances coldSenses passive Perception 13Languages understands Common but can’t speak itBonding. If the kiita spends at least 1 hour observing a creature while within 60 feet of it, it may magically bond with that creature. The bond lasts until the kiita chooses to end it or the bonded creature dies. While bonded, the kiita can communicate telepathically with the bonded creature to a distance of 120 feet, and the bonded creature’s Maneuver Save DC increases by 1.Keen Hearing and Smell. The kiita has advantage on Perception checks that rely on hearing and smell.Sure-Footed. The kiita has advantage on Strength and Dexterity saving throws made against effects that would knock it prone.ActionsBite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) piercing damage.Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+1) bludgeoning damage, and the target must make a DC13 Strength saving throw or fall prone.Bonus ActionsRead Thoughts. The kiita magically reads the surface thoughts of one creature it can see within 60 feet. Until the end of its turn it has advantage on attack rolls made against that creature and it gains a d4 expertise die to its AC against attacks made by that creature. It can’t use this ability against constructs or undead.CombatKiita prefer to flee rather than fight.</blockquote>

Verification