Brand new from Legendary Games, we bring you an array of awesome Asian monsters for your Pathfinder RPG campaign. Beasts of Legend: Beasts of the East!
This 28-page product is available in print and PDF, with full-page color illustrations and an additional PDF of printable paper minis. As for the creatures within, check out the following introduction to show off the broad range of Asian cultures used as influences for the 8 creatures in this book.
INTRODUCTION
Asian-themed adventures and products in fantasy roleplaying games draw very heavily from the myths and legends of Japan and, to a lesser extent, China. Ninjas and samurai, oni and tengu, ki-rins, kappas, and kami, and even less common creatures are the norm, with a splash of imperial dragons, foo creatures, and terra cotta warriors. The legends and lore of India also appear in RPGs, especially with creatures like nagas and rakshasas, but they are rarely presented as part of the "Asian RPG" oeuvre. While each of those cultures has an abundance of great myths and legends, it also makes Asian-themed fantasy somewhat monotonous and predictable, and it ignores a rich trove of creatures and concepts from the other parts of Asia. The tide may be turning a bit in game design, as a number of creatures from the Philippines have appeared in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary series, like the penanggalan and siyokoy, and Beasts of the East is delighted to continue this trend of spotlighting some overlooked parts of Asian myth and legend. Each creature's statistics, description, and illustrations follow, but we would also like to present a bit on the mythological origins of each creature here.
Flame Naga: The ‘Phaya Naga’ is the source of the idea for the flame naga. They’re mythical serpents whose history is rooted with those dwelling along the Mekong River (particularly in Laos or Thailand). In game, the flame naga fills a lower-level niche in terms of power level, allowing for PCs to encounter a naga during their rise to power. They’re particularly useful in jungle settings adjacent to large empires of naga, or nations where naga/nagaji are a predominant force.
Kami, Neak Ta: These kami find their roots in Cambodian mythology, as spirits who watch over people places and things. Their association with settlements and the protection of people made them a perfect fit for kami. In a campaign, neak ta are excellent allies for PCs who find themselves resting in settlements. Should the PCs (or a particularly powerful ally) own an establishment, a neak ta is the perfect addition, likely improving the morale of those using the building and its services.
Kmoch Pray: Another element of Cambodian mythology, the kmoch pray are spirits of deceased mothers and children. Rather than create another form of undead, the rules in this product detail the spirits possession of flora—particularly trees—as a means of terrorizing communities. These creatures make excellent threats for mid-level groups making their way through spirit-haunted forests.
Kting Voar: These bovines are believed to be a now extinct species from Vietnam. Beyond their unique horns, there’s little to distinguish the kting voar from other cows, and some believe they may be the same species entirely. In this product, the kting voar are presented as a new type of animal. They’re particularly useful if trained as beasts of burden in caravans—their horns and skill at trampling, making them excel in the times such convoys are assaulted.
Oni, Bakeneko: A fringe spirit in Japanese mythology, the bakeneko is often confused with the more common nekomta. The bakeneko thrives on attention, basking under the pets and praises of those who appreciate its charismatic form. As oni, it is possible for find a bakeneko in almost any far-east themed region, though they’re one of the types of oni more likely to travel, as they enjoy the attention of creatures not familiar with their true nature. It’s entirely possible to introduce a bakeneko as a supposed-ally, only to have its true nature revealed when attention is directed away from it.
Oni, Yeren: Asia has just as many tales of ‘wild haired men’ as North America has myths of big foot or sasquatch. The yeren is the title given to the Asian equivalent of this creature, albeit more so out of China and Indonesia. In-game, these brutes are primitive haired ogres that live off the land. PCs exploring deep wilderness or unexplored natural sites, could come across one or more yeren. Their skill at theft—especially if the stolen object is an important campaign artifact—makes them perfect for diversionary side treks, forcing PCs off the main road in search of the thieving yeren.
Quyrua: Based off the nearly extinct Hoan Kiem turtle from Vietnam, the quyrua is a unique magical beast that combines real life legends with a fantasy flavor. In Vietnamese mythology, the turtle of the lake swallowed a sword, but the quyrua subverts that by having the sword visible out its back, giving it an almost Arthurian ‘sword in the stone’ take. These creatures are well-suited to introduce important historic figures into an ongoing campaign, especially when the GM plans to have the weapon wielded by such a hero end up in the hands of a PC.
Srin-Po: From the legends of Tibet, the srin-po are sometimes discussed as being similar to ghouls or vampires in a deific form. Here, the srin-po are a mix of elements, representing a form of undead nobility. Made powerless under the light of the sun, srin-po should be introduced in subterranean environments, or deep within lightless dungeons and fortresses. They’re particularly suited to the basements of castles or the sunless caverns at the northern edges of the world.
This 28-page product is available in print and PDF, with full-page color illustrations and an additional PDF of printable paper minis. As for the creatures within, check out the following introduction to show off the broad range of Asian cultures used as influences for the 8 creatures in this book.
INTRODUCTION
Asian-themed adventures and products in fantasy roleplaying games draw very heavily from the myths and legends of Japan and, to a lesser extent, China. Ninjas and samurai, oni and tengu, ki-rins, kappas, and kami, and even less common creatures are the norm, with a splash of imperial dragons, foo creatures, and terra cotta warriors. The legends and lore of India also appear in RPGs, especially with creatures like nagas and rakshasas, but they are rarely presented as part of the "Asian RPG" oeuvre. While each of those cultures has an abundance of great myths and legends, it also makes Asian-themed fantasy somewhat monotonous and predictable, and it ignores a rich trove of creatures and concepts from the other parts of Asia. The tide may be turning a bit in game design, as a number of creatures from the Philippines have appeared in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary series, like the penanggalan and siyokoy, and Beasts of the East is delighted to continue this trend of spotlighting some overlooked parts of Asian myth and legend. Each creature's statistics, description, and illustrations follow, but we would also like to present a bit on the mythological origins of each creature here.
Flame Naga: The ‘Phaya Naga’ is the source of the idea for the flame naga. They’re mythical serpents whose history is rooted with those dwelling along the Mekong River (particularly in Laos or Thailand). In game, the flame naga fills a lower-level niche in terms of power level, allowing for PCs to encounter a naga during their rise to power. They’re particularly useful in jungle settings adjacent to large empires of naga, or nations where naga/nagaji are a predominant force.
Kami, Neak Ta: These kami find their roots in Cambodian mythology, as spirits who watch over people places and things. Their association with settlements and the protection of people made them a perfect fit for kami. In a campaign, neak ta are excellent allies for PCs who find themselves resting in settlements. Should the PCs (or a particularly powerful ally) own an establishment, a neak ta is the perfect addition, likely improving the morale of those using the building and its services.
Kmoch Pray: Another element of Cambodian mythology, the kmoch pray are spirits of deceased mothers and children. Rather than create another form of undead, the rules in this product detail the spirits possession of flora—particularly trees—as a means of terrorizing communities. These creatures make excellent threats for mid-level groups making their way through spirit-haunted forests.
Kting Voar: These bovines are believed to be a now extinct species from Vietnam. Beyond their unique horns, there’s little to distinguish the kting voar from other cows, and some believe they may be the same species entirely. In this product, the kting voar are presented as a new type of animal. They’re particularly useful if trained as beasts of burden in caravans—their horns and skill at trampling, making them excel in the times such convoys are assaulted.
Oni, Bakeneko: A fringe spirit in Japanese mythology, the bakeneko is often confused with the more common nekomta. The bakeneko thrives on attention, basking under the pets and praises of those who appreciate its charismatic form. As oni, it is possible for find a bakeneko in almost any far-east themed region, though they’re one of the types of oni more likely to travel, as they enjoy the attention of creatures not familiar with their true nature. It’s entirely possible to introduce a bakeneko as a supposed-ally, only to have its true nature revealed when attention is directed away from it.
Oni, Yeren: Asia has just as many tales of ‘wild haired men’ as North America has myths of big foot or sasquatch. The yeren is the title given to the Asian equivalent of this creature, albeit more so out of China and Indonesia. In-game, these brutes are primitive haired ogres that live off the land. PCs exploring deep wilderness or unexplored natural sites, could come across one or more yeren. Their skill at theft—especially if the stolen object is an important campaign artifact—makes them perfect for diversionary side treks, forcing PCs off the main road in search of the thieving yeren.
Quyrua: Based off the nearly extinct Hoan Kiem turtle from Vietnam, the quyrua is a unique magical beast that combines real life legends with a fantasy flavor. In Vietnamese mythology, the turtle of the lake swallowed a sword, but the quyrua subverts that by having the sword visible out its back, giving it an almost Arthurian ‘sword in the stone’ take. These creatures are well-suited to introduce important historic figures into an ongoing campaign, especially when the GM plans to have the weapon wielded by such a hero end up in the hands of a PC.
Srin-Po: From the legends of Tibet, the srin-po are sometimes discussed as being similar to ghouls or vampires in a deific form. Here, the srin-po are a mix of elements, representing a form of undead nobility. Made powerless under the light of the sun, srin-po should be introduced in subterranean environments, or deep within lightless dungeons and fortresses. They’re particularly suited to the basements of castles or the sunless caverns at the northern edges of the world.
