Gremlins

 

   I had a random bout of inspiration, so here is a post about how gremlins work in my setting. I think it would be interesting to run a game centered around the overall concept, but for now I think they are just an interesting complication to throw at the party. Don't mind the formatting, I couldn't find a better way to include the images.

    Gremlins are magical creatures formed from negative emotions directed at lifeless objects. That is to say, when an inanimate thing attracts enough anger, annoyance, and spite from living things, a creature appears. These creatures, gremlins, have the singular goal of making their object the recipient of even more negative feelings, on which they feed. They are small, have the ability to become invisible, and they have a deep understanding of their object and how to make it as annoying as they can. Not all negative feelings directed at inanimate things produce a gremlin. Smaller objects are more likely to produce a gremlin because they cannot absorb as much negative energy before it overflows, while more complicated objects are more likely to form a gremlin for reasons that are as yet unknown. Small, complicated objects with many moving parts are highly prone to forming gremlins. The main result of these trends is that complex machinery that breaks down a lot is often infested with gremlins making all of the existing issues much worse.

    Gremlins, as magical creatures, can have almost any appearance imaginable. There are, however, a few constants. Gremlins are never larger than their associated object, but they are usually much smaller. They are usually quite small so they can have maximal access to their object, especially if it is a complex object with many nooks and crannies. As far as body plan goes, all gremlins have two arms and two legs like a human, but that is often where the similarities end. Gremlins can be furry, scaly, slimy, or just about any texture, and they can be just about any color. Their heads and bodies are often adorned with spines, horns, and antlers. Some people believe that gremlins take on different appearances based on the items they are bound to, but there is little evidence to suggest this is consistent. After their initial formation, gremlins do not grow or change unless they fail to attract enough negative energy. If this happens, the gremlin in question will become skinnier and skinnier until they cease to be.

    In the pursuit of attracting negative emotions, gremlins are quite gifted. Although they lack the ability to speak or perform any significant feats of cognition, gremlins have a perfect understanding of how their object works and the best ways to bother living things with it. In the case of simpler objects, the gremlin may move it to make people trip, or it may hide the object from its rightful owner. For a machine, the gremlin has many more options. It may clog up pipes, break gears, or disconnect cables. For particularly large, complicated machines, an initial gremlin may form for the entire machine and then focus on specific parts or areas in an attempt to have smaller gremlins form tied to those parts in particular. If this gets bad enough, it is possible for the main gremlin to start organizing teams of smaller gremlins to work together and make the machine unusable. 

    Finding and removing gremlins can be an arduous process. All gremlins have the ability to become invisible and maintain complete silence indefinitely. They are still physical beings, however, so they can be detected by other means. There are also a number of spells and magical abilities that can reveal gremlins for easier capture. The only way to actually get rid of gremlins, however, is to counteract the negative energy that created them with positive energy. Positive energy, proportional to the amount of negative energy that the object has received during its existence, must be directed at the object. For most people this means a relatively long process of being extra nice to an inanimate object, but those who follow religions that value kindness, patience, and positivity often have prayers and rituals that can speed the process up. It is also possible to use magic to direct positive energy at the object in question. Regardless of method, once sufficient positive energy has been directed at the object, the gremlin will fade away until the object collects enough negativity to reform the gremlin. Because of this, some cultures and businesses perform regular rituals to prevent gremlin formation in their communities, although some work better than others. What gremlins do form will do everything in their power to try to sabotage these rituals, however, so it really is a constant battle.

The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: The Dread Manatee

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    The Dread Manatee is, if the people of Goldspire Island are to be believed, a common hallucination of those who go on expeditions around the island without bringing enough food and water. What they describe is a massive manatee the size of a killer whale that is somehow able to float through the air, ambushing prey from high altitude. Such a beast actually does exist, and it roams the coasts of the island. It has a habit of attacking caravans, but it does not always catch everyone in the caravan, leaving the few survivors to find their own way back to food, water, and shelter. When it is not hunting, the beast rests in the upper atmosphere, making observation difficult.

    The incredible feat of flying, as far as I can tell, is the result of some kind of gas within the Dread Manatee that allows it to fly through the air as if it was water. It is unclear if this flying ability is the result of magic or a natural development, but what is magical for sure is the creature's fireproof skin. Fire cannot harm the Dread Manatee's hide, leaving no marks behind. That being said, I have reason to believe that fire is also the key to warding off this beast. Although its skin is impervious to flames, the Dread Manatee will always turn its face away from even a tiny spark. Perhaps the inside of the Dread Manatee is not quite as fireproof as the outside? Either way, I doubt the creature's reaction to inhaling flames would be more than floating away, even if rumor has it that the creature would explode.

    There is much money to be made for those who are willing to brave an encounter with the Dread Manatee. Not having much use for the goods in the caravans it attacks, the beast's hunting grounds are littered with abandoned wagons. This caravan graveyard, while directly in the sight of the creature, is filled to the brim with trade goods, and maybe even some food and water that hasn't gone bad yet. All one has to do to ensure their safety is maintain a constant shield of fire.

The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: The Dracomole

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    Rarely seen above ground is the Dracomole, the fifty-foot long mole with the scales and claws of a dragon. Although fearsome, the beast spends almost all of its time below the soil of the plains it calls home. Under the soil, the Dracomole spends its days hunting giant muck worms, using its massive claws to dig through the dirt. Not having much need for its eyes, the Dracomole has sensitive feelers around its nose that help it find things in the dark. The only times it seems to come above the ground is when it detects gold, which it covets. Anyone traversing the Damp Plains with large amounts of gold has always been said to be doomed, and while this is mostly superstition, I believe that it started out as a serious warning in the parts the Dracomole is known to inhabit. 

    Somehow, the beast is able to smell gold, and any amount larger than a pound is bound to draw the Dracomole's attention if it is nearby. This of course made observing the creature fairly easy, although expensive. This compulsion to collect gold seems difficult to ignore, but avoiding this creature is as easy as not carrying large amounts of gold. The Dracomole does not seem to use much discretion when it collects gold, leading to many other things getting dragged along after the beast attacks. 

    Where the Dracomole takes its gold is unknown. My best guess is that somewhere beneath the surface of the Damp Plains is a large, wet cavern filled with gold and whatever other trinkets the Dracomole took along with its treasure. If someone were to be brave enough to bait the beast and then follow it when it went below ground, I think they would be taken on the express route to this hoard. That said, given the Dracomole's lust for gold, taking its treasure away would probably mean a fight. For the record, this fight would probably have to happen below ground, in a damp tunnel, covered in mud, and this beast is massive.

The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: The Dire Salamander

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    One of the most mysterious creatures of the bog land of Squee is the Dire Salamander, a salamander roughly the size of an alligator. This creature spends most of its time digging in the mud of the bogs and swamps of Squee for snails and crawfish, almost never being seen by the people of the bogs. Although it may not have much interest in hunting larger prey, the Dire Salamander is well-equipped to defend itself. The spines on its back and sides are razor sharp, and it is able to whip its bladed tail around faster than the eye can follow. A few bog people and swamp merchants actually claim to have seen the Dire Salamander, and I was able to track it down based on their reports of where they saw it. The beast does little to hide its presence, so it was mostly a matter of watching the edges of the water.

    After several weeks of observation, I witnessed several creatures try to pick a fight with the Dire Salamander. Inevitably, these foolish animals were torn to shreds, but they would usually get a few good hits in before their passing. Incredibly, the Dire Salamander seems to be able to heal most wounds in moments, as even the deepest slashes would seal up before blood could spill. It seems like this ability is a response to the razor sharp spines, but it is hard to say. Regardless of its origin, this magical ability makes the Dire Salamander a dangerous opponent. Should one ever be on its bad side, they will need some way to avoid being slashed to pieces, after which it becomes a battle of endurance. I assume that since it is not violent by nature, the Dire Salamander will attempt to flee when it sees its blades are ineffectual.

    While I do not believe it would do so willingly, the healing abilities of the Dire Salamander lead me to believe that one could harvest its spines without doing any long-term damage. Such sharp blades would be useful to most people, and with a near-unlimited supply, many people could have one. I also have reason to believe that the blood of the Dire Salamander can be used to reproduce its healing effect in others, but I was unable to restrain the creature for sample collection. Thinking back on it, restraining such a beast to harvest its spines and blood sounds like a fool's errand, and I would caution anyone foolish enough to try against it.

The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: Crocodillox the Great

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    Although a creature resembling a bipedal crocodile may not seem like the most bizarre thing in the world, Crocodillox the Great has been a fixture of bog person folklore for generations. The bog people speak of a twenty foot tall beast who is able to swim through mud and dirt as easily as through water, jumping up out of the soil to ambush unwary travelers. Given its ability to swim through dirt, finding Crocodillox took many years of searching the bog lands of Squee. Eventually, I discovered its nest, a massive pile of rotting leave, damp grass, and discarded bits of its last meal. Crocodillox is an obligate carnivore, preferring to hunt the largest prey it can handle to have something to feed on for several days before it must hunt again. Crocodillox, despite its size, will very rarely stand and fight, preferring to dive into the ground and wait for the perfect moment to attack. 

    The source of this magical ability to swim through the ground seems to be Crocodillox' claws, which have a strange sparkle to them. When using its ability, Crocodillox is able to treat dirt, sand, clay, and thick mud as if it was regular water. While the creature is able to hold its breath for long periods of time, it must still come up to breathe from time to time. Crocodillox seems to have no issues returning to the surface and using the soil to walk on again, making it a particularly dangerous foe. The beast is unable to use its abilities on rocks, oddly enough. Although there are very few rocks in Crocodillox' territory to take advantage of this weakness with, it is the only way I am aware of to be truly safe from the creature's ambushes.

    Crocodillox the Great has caused the end of many travelers through the years, including hunters, merchants, and even wealthy folks. All of the inedible parts of the beast's meals can be found inside its nest. Although finding the nest and having time to rummage through it without being attacked by Crocodillox may be difficult, the reward would be great. Crocodillox has been around for a very long time and I assume it has created quite the collection of items. I could see several weapons and pieces of jewelry on observation of the nest from a distance, so it stands to reason that there is quite a bit there. 

The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: Clip-clop the Deathbringer

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    There is a creature that roams the coastal plains of the Planar Peninsula, known for being one of the most deadly creatures alive. Known almost exclusively from the trail of dead grass and animals rather than eyewitness accounts, Clip-clop the Deathbringer truly seems to earn her title. Although no larger than a pony, it seems that everything the beast touches dies within moments. This is apparently no problem for Clip-clop, who will gladly consume anything that was once alive. Whenever confronted by an adversary, she will lower her horns and charge, clearly used to the protection her magical effect provides.

    How Clip-clop gained her deadly powers is unknown, but any physical contact between her and another living thing will cause the other thing to die a few moments later. This effect does not seem to transfer through any kind of barrier, and even clothing is enough to save one's life, however the beast is very aggressive and her horns can easily break most forms of protection. That said, Clip-clop relies heavily on her magic to win in a fight, so anything that can be used to prevent physical contact will help one stay alive long enough to get away.

    After a few days of study, I noticed that the Clip-clop's deadly effect seems to be strongest when one touches her horns. Although the difference is small, organisms that touched one of her six horns died sooner than if they had touched any other part of her body. It is my belief that the creature's deadly power could be nullified if her horns were removed. While doing so would be quite a trick, I believe that the horns would retain some of their magic, making for some of the most deadly weapons in the world.

The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: Bugaboo

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    Despite his great strength, Bugaboo is one of the kindest and most timid creatures I have had the pleasure of meeting. This ten-foot tall creature spends most of his time foraging in the forests of the lower Joinder Valley in my home of the Cephalus Mountains. Bugaboo's fearsome claws and antlers are only ever used for defense, as he is an herbivore and detests violence. Legends of Bugaboo and his hospitality to travelers have long circulated among the kobolds of the Cephalus Mountains, but very few have ever found his lair and had the opportunity to meet Bugaboo in the flesh. When I was able to meet Bugaboo, he invited me into his cave and offered me a cup of tea and some snacks, assuming I was tired and looking for a place to rest up. Taking him up on his offer, he also agreed to tell me a bit about himself. Bugaboo is one of an extremely long-lived species can only ever have one living member at a time. He hatched from an egg that his predecessor laid shortly before his death, emerging from the shell the moment the old one passed. 

    Although he is tough and capable of defending himself, Bugaboo has no magical powers outside of his intelligence and specific knowledge he hatched with. Bugaboo places great value in maintaining a good reputation so that if anyone ever wished him harm, there will be others to help him defend himself. Knowledge of medicine and preservation techniques, as well as how to create and maintain enchanted coolers, has made him useful to many travelers outside of his offers of tea and snacks. Despite all of this, it seems that Bugaboo views himself as quite vulnerable in this world, having anxieties over the chance that someone could hurt him and end the Bugaboo line or harm the seed under his lair.

    Bugaboo and his line are charged with protecting a seed vault older than any known civilization, magically possessing the knowledge of how to maintain what Bugaboo described as the largest collection of seeds on the planet. Bugaboo has no knowledge of who created the seed bank or why, but he knows that much of his collection is made up of plants that are otherwise extinct. Bugaboo believes that his work is important not just because he has a magical imperative to believe so, but because he now recognizes that should some disaster ever befall the world, his job will then become to help distribute the seeds in his vault and help rebuild.

The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: The Bone Dragon

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    Entirely unknown even to the residents of the nearby islands is the Bone Dragon of the Amethyst. This highly secretive creature makes its home in the tangled maze of bleached coral known as the Amethyst, making a meal of anyone unfortunate enough to find their way to the island. Although it appears to be undead, this abnormally large dragon is a living thing that must eat the poor souls it kills to survive. Its appearance, while terrifying, seems to be the result of selective invisibility, not necromancy. Oddly, this dragon lacks the intelligence that most of its kin possess and it is highly aggressive. After just half a day on its island, I had nearly been eaten several times and decided to give up any plans for a longer observation in order to save my own life. I think this makes me the only living witness to the Bone Dragon.

    I do not know by what means the Bone Dragon came to be the way it is, but it appears to be able to briefly extend its selective invisibility to complete invisibility. While it cannot do so for long, the labyrinthine nature of its home makes the ability to disappear for even a moment a valuable tool. This dragon does not hoard items of any type, not even the bones of its victims, and its only motive is to eat. I was able to use its lesser intelligence to my advantage and escape, but its sheer brute force made it difficult.

    It is a shame that the creature is unintelligent, for if it were more like its intelligent relatives I would love to trade for some invisible dragon scales. Such a material would be of incredible use, but I can think of no way to get them off of the Bone Dragon without serious risk to myself or others. It is my hope that no one is ever foolish enough to attempt to retrieve scales from this beast, for they are guaranteeing themselves a painful death at the claws of a truly terrifying creature.

The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: The Blue Man

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    There is an island in the Sea of Treasure that is said to be covered in plants that are blue instead of green. Home to many blue animals as well, the strangest inhabitant is a creature that appears to be made of living sapphire, the Blue Man. While it is unclear if he actually requires food to survive, he periodically leaves his giant crystal home with a retinue of crystalline animals to hunt down pretty much anything that moves. His victims are dragged back to his home, after which what the Blue Man does with them is entirely unknown. Standing about ten feet tall, the Blue Man is able to alter his shape to better match his needs, making him a formidable foe to the poor creatures in his path. Despite all this, the Blue Man and his retinue blend in with the foliage very well and frequently surprise their prey. Incidentally, this made finding them for observation nearly impossible. Most visitors to the Sapphire are lucky enough to never even hear of the Blue Man, which is for the best.

    The Blue Man has an obvious magical nature that seems to only be limited by the amount of crystal in his body. While he is able to change his shape, he never creates or destroys crystal. He also appears to be limited to a relatively humanoid form. While I have certainly witnessed him taking extreme liberties with his shape, I have never witnessed him take on a non-humanoid shape. The Blue Man's behavior is often inscrutable, but one consistent thing I noticed was that he goes out of his way to pick up any chunk of himself or his posse of crystal animals that happens to fall off, but he seems unable to reattach these pieces outside of his crystal home.

    Of course, if the larger world was more aware of the Blue Man, he would probably start to see many visitors trying to take parts of him or his home to sell. I believe that in addition to their value as gemstones, these sapphires would have value in amplifying the strength of transmuting magics, or even be able to perform some small feats of transformation with their own magic. The Blue Man is very protective of these fragments that fall off of it, so I have not had much opportunity to test these theories.

 

The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: Blorgon of the Desert

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    It is said that in the very center of the Sea of Dust there is a place so dry that not even the hardiest of plants can grow. Legends say that all who try to cross this stretch are doomed to die for no matter how much water they bring, it will dry up when they are farthest from being able to get more. Birds that attempt to fly over the area fall out of the sky, fully dehydrated. This wasteland is known as Blorgon's Waste, after the supposed cause of the dryness, Blorgon of the Desert, a massive predator the size of a giraffe. While most believe the legends to be nothing more than stories, savvy desert wanderers know that he is far too real. A voracious carnivore, the beast, apparently unbothered by the lack of water, wanders around scavenging the carcasses of whatever poor creatures happened to perish there. The dryness is an effective preservative, so Blorgon is rarely in a rush to get to the next meal. 

    Legends, surviving witnesses, and personal experience all agree that something about Blorgon is the cause for the dryness of his wasteland. When he is nearby, the effect becomes noticeably stronger, making the cause clear. Blorgon is no slouch in a fight, however, as he is able to stand up on his hind legs and swing with his clawed forepaws and his bladed tail. Blorgon does not need to rely on his desiccating aura to catch prey, but it seems to make things much easier. Despite this apparent strength, Blorgon seems to avoid water as much as possible, leading me to believe that his effect is just as much defensive as offensive. I would not dare try to get close enough to test this theory, but I doubt Blorgon can handle water very well.

    In my observations, I noticed that Blorgon seems to regularly shed and regrow his teeth. They seem to retain some of his desiccating magic, and I have started using them to quickly dry out rations for later use. Blorgon does not seem to care about where his teeth are left, but following him long enough to get even one was dangerous. I had to withstand his aura at almost full strength for two days before he shed a tooth and at that point hanging around for more could have been fatal. Although it was worth it, I would not wish that experience upon anyone else.