Here is the final jogah:
Gan-da-yah
FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-10
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVE: 12”
HIT DICE: 1+1
% IN LAIR: 5%
TREASURE TYPE: R
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon
SPECIAL ATTACKS: +2 with bow
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE; 50%
INTELLIGENCE: Exceptional
ALIGNMENT: Neutral good
SIZE: S (3’ tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
The Gan-da-yah are the most beloved by the Iroquois of all the little people. Their task is to guard and advise the fruits and grains.. They are the “elves of sunshine.” During spring the Gan-da-yah live in dark, sheltered places and talk to the ground so they may hear the complaints of the growing seeds. When summer comes, they roam across the fields, ripening the fruits and tinting the grains, and telling all growing things to seek the sun. Their work begins with the strawberry plant, which is a special gift to men. After the frost has left the ground, the Gan-da-yah loosen the ground around each strawberry root so that the shoots can easily push to the surface. They shape its leaves to the sun, turn the blossoms upward, and lead runners to new growing areas.
An old tale tells of when the fruits were first brought to the earth. An evil spirit captured the strawberry plant and hid it beneath the earth for centuries. It was finally freed by a spy sunbeam who brought it back to the sunny lands where it has thrived ever since. Fearing another assault, the Gan-da-yah continue a special guard over their favorite fruit. When the first fruit comes out on the vine, the Gan-da-yah guard it from the attacks of evil insects and mildew. They always keep watch over the fields while they ripen, and are constantly at war with the blights and diseases that attempt to infest and kill corn and beans.
The Gan-da-yah can take on various forms for safety and guidance, often visiting the longhouses of the Indians in the shape of birds. If a Gan-da-yah appears as a bat, a symbol of the union of light and darkness, it indicates some life-and-death battle close at hand; if one appears as an owl, watchful and wise, the mission is one of warning; if one appears as a robin, it carries good tidings. The most harmless insect or worm may be carrying an important message from the Ganda-yah, for “the trail is broad enough for all.” With the coming of fall and winter, the Gan-da-yah are safe, hiding in the earth until the following spring.
The Gan-da-yah can use any druid spell from the first four levels, and the magic-user spell Polymorph Self, at will, acting in all cases as an 8th-level spellcaster. All Gan-da-yah encountered will carry a dagger, and 60% of all individuals will have either a short bow or a spear as well (50% chance for each). They wear either padded or leather armor. If encountered in a lair, females and young are equal to 100% and 40% of the male population respectively; otherwise, females comprise 20% of a group.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #61 (1982).
