HARP Bestiary Preview Excerpt: Demon Whale

Copyright Colin Tucker and ICE © 2018

Edited by Peter Mork for The Guild Companion

"They are carnivorous and will eat any manner of meat but prefer the taste of sentient beings such as humans, elves, dwarves and orcs."

Stats

Attacks

Bite Attack — Gigantic Puncture 105
Butt Attack — Huge Impact 105

Skills

Endurance (25) 96, Frenzy (20) 81, Navigation (10) 51, Perception (25) 79, Resistance - Magic (25) 95, Resistance - Stamina (15) 94, Resistance - Will (20) 98, Stalking & Hiding (10) 31, Swimming (30) 105, Butt Attack — Huge Impact (30) 105, Bite Attack — Gigantic Puncture (30) 105

Talents

Critical Resistance (Major) (Crush), Immunity to Stuns, Lesser Resistance (All), Natural Weapon (Teeth), Tough Hide (Major), Toughness, Cold Resistance (Minor), High Pressure Tolerance (Major), Increased Lung Capacity, Giantism (Greater)

Description

Despite their name, there is no evidence to suggest that demon whales are not native to this world. Their lack of enchantment or magical abilities suggest that they have nothing to do with actual demons.

Demon whales are huge. A fully-grown specimen tends to be between 60 and 70 feet in length. They are white or grey with small black eyes and large mouths filled with razor sharp teeth. These teeth can reach lengths of around five inches and can easily tear through steel.

Lifestyle

Demon whales are solitary beasts and will not permit ships of any kind in their territory. For this reason, very little is known about them. They live in deep water which allows enough room for the creature to attain attack speed before reaching the surface and attacking any incautious seamen who have carelessly stayed into their territory. They are carnivorous and will eat any manner of meat but prefer the taste of sentient beings such as humans, elves, dwarves and orcs.

Abilities and Combat

Demon whales are so rare that is in incredibly uncommon for two individuals to ever come into contact. As such, the only combat a demon whale will ever engage in is against ships and other craft that it finds in its territory. When attacking a demon whale will dive to the depths and then swim straight upwards, gaining speed as it goes. By the time it reaches the surface, it has reached such speeds that it can easily break the hull of even the most sturdy ship as if it were made of wet tissue. One the vessel has been destroyed, the demon whale will set about eating the crew.

Background & Adventure Notes

Many sailors have died trying to catch or kill a demon whale. Despite this, many more will try in the future.

There have been instances of demon whales moving or extending their territories into well used shipping lanes which has caused chaos to merchants and seamen alike.