Converting monsters from Imagine Magazine
Shade
Monster Junkie
Next!
Tikbalang (Demon)
Freq: Very rare
# App: 1
AC: 1
Move: 12"/18"
HD: 6
% in Lair: 20%
Treasure type: I+R+U
# Att: 3 or 2
Dmg/Att: feet 1-8, claws 1-4, bite 1-8
SA: see below
SD: see below
MR: 10%
Int: very
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Size: M (6-7 ft.)
Psionics: nil
Level/XP Value: VII/1275 + 6/hp
The Tikbalang, Binangunan or Tulung is one of the most feared of Filipino demons. It is humanoid in appearance, tall and gaunt, with a horse's head armed with sharp teeth. Its straight black hair flows down over its shoulders, and its horse-like legs end in strong taloned feet.
It is, however, an adroit shapechanger, and commonly takes the form of an old man. It enjoys misleading travelers into the bamboo thicket where it lairs, usually in a small hut. Depending on its mood, it will then devour its victims ro turn invisible and enjoy the spectacle as they try to find their way out. When a Tikbalang leads a victim into its thicket, it can cast over the victim a glamer similar to that caused by a maze spell - the victim will be trapped for the same length of time, although the effect does not include travel to another plane.
Apart from these abilities, the Tikbalang can fly at will by walking on air, and can cause blindness, disease, and insanity once each per day. It can use a word of recall once per day, vanishing in a cloud of dust and falling stones similar in effect to the hailstone type of ice storm, which causes 1d6 damage to any within 10 ft. of the spot it vacates (saving throw halves damage). In its natural form, it can also roar once per turn, causing fear as the spell unless the appropriate saving throw is made. 5% of Tikbalangs can also immolate in the same way as a Type VI demon, the flames causing 3d6 damage to any within range.
If forced into hand-to-hand combat, the Tikbalang will assume its natural form and can attack either with two claws and a bite or with its two talons.
The Tikbalang may be forced to surrender its charm if it can be ridden like a horse until exhausted. The stone is a rounded pebble which glows like a hot coal, and no Tikbalang stone confers less than 20 strength; some may also confer other of the Tikbalang's abilities. Tikbalangs have immense strength, and if pressed throw rocks as a stone giant or uproot trees to use as weapons.
Tikbalangs sometimes have great wealth, and are particularly enthusiastic collectors of holy symbols and other religious items, sometimes extorting them from villagers along with other valuables on a protection-racket basis.
From Imagine Magazine #25 (1985)
Tikbalang (Demon)
Freq: Very rare
# App: 1
AC: 1
Move: 12"/18"
HD: 6
% in Lair: 20%
Treasure type: I+R+U
# Att: 3 or 2
Dmg/Att: feet 1-8, claws 1-4, bite 1-8
SA: see below
SD: see below
MR: 10%
Int: very
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Size: M (6-7 ft.)
Psionics: nil
Level/XP Value: VII/1275 + 6/hp
The Tikbalang, Binangunan or Tulung is one of the most feared of Filipino demons. It is humanoid in appearance, tall and gaunt, with a horse's head armed with sharp teeth. Its straight black hair flows down over its shoulders, and its horse-like legs end in strong taloned feet.
It is, however, an adroit shapechanger, and commonly takes the form of an old man. It enjoys misleading travelers into the bamboo thicket where it lairs, usually in a small hut. Depending on its mood, it will then devour its victims ro turn invisible and enjoy the spectacle as they try to find their way out. When a Tikbalang leads a victim into its thicket, it can cast over the victim a glamer similar to that caused by a maze spell - the victim will be trapped for the same length of time, although the effect does not include travel to another plane.
Apart from these abilities, the Tikbalang can fly at will by walking on air, and can cause blindness, disease, and insanity once each per day. It can use a word of recall once per day, vanishing in a cloud of dust and falling stones similar in effect to the hailstone type of ice storm, which causes 1d6 damage to any within 10 ft. of the spot it vacates (saving throw halves damage). In its natural form, it can also roar once per turn, causing fear as the spell unless the appropriate saving throw is made. 5% of Tikbalangs can also immolate in the same way as a Type VI demon, the flames causing 3d6 damage to any within range.
If forced into hand-to-hand combat, the Tikbalang will assume its natural form and can attack either with two claws and a bite or with its two talons.
The Tikbalang may be forced to surrender its charm if it can be ridden like a horse until exhausted. The stone is a rounded pebble which glows like a hot coal, and no Tikbalang stone confers less than 20 strength; some may also confer other of the Tikbalang's abilities. Tikbalangs have immense strength, and if pressed throw rocks as a stone giant or uproot trees to use as weapons.
Tikbalangs sometimes have great wealth, and are particularly enthusiastic collectors of holy symbols and other religious items, sometimes extorting them from villagers along with other valuables on a protection-racket basis.
From Imagine Magazine #25 (1985)
RavinRay
Explorer
Here's some local folklore about the tikbalang. The presence of the creature is indicated by an unusual bird call. If the bird call sounds close, the tikbalang is far, and if it sounds distant, the tikbalang is near. People who are unaware of this assume the sound to be that of the tikbalang itself and are lulled into a false sense of security; in fact the bird call sounds near when the tikbalang is far because the bird tries to be as far away from the monster as possible, so when the tikbalang is near you the bird is far away from the tikbalang (and you). Trust me, that gives me the creeps!
Similar Threads
