Shade Elk
Beast · no Crown (Meridian)
T2d6Minor
Massive seven-foot cervids with antlers of absolute black that project a 20 ft radius of deep shadow, dimming all light-based abilities within.
Tier 2 · Role Minor · Pool Vigor 2 (+2 overflow) · AC 12 · ATK +4 · Save DC 13 · Dmg 2 (flat)
| Stat | Score | Mod | Die |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | 18 | - | - |
| Mind | 8 | - | - |
| Sense | 16 | - | - |
| Heart | 14 | - | - |
| Cunning | 14 | - | - |
| Fate | 16 | - | - |
A Minor has no attribute mechanics: the scores describe the creature, they do not roll.
Passives
Shadow Antlers
Antlers project a 20 ft radius of deep shadow. Within this shadow, all light-based abilities and spells function at half effectiveness. The elk sees perfectly in its own shadow.
Maneuvers
Antler Gore
Standard melee attack.
Shadow Charge
Charges up to 40 ft in a line. The sweeping shadow disorients the target (-2 AC for 1 round), then the elk makes a gore attack against it.
Reactions
Darkness Surge
When hit by a light-based attack, the elk's shadow antlers flare, suppressing all light within 20 ft for 1 round.
Tactics
GM tactics
Shade elk are territorial during rut. They charge aggressively, using Shadow Charge to disorient targets before goring. Their shadow aura weakens light-wielding opponents. They retreat into dense forest if outmatched.
Running it
Rules
- Vigor equal to Tier, with an overflow of the same size behind it: 2, then 2 more. Neither half regenerates.
- A hit deals a flat 2, no roll. A crit (natural 20 only) rolls d6 and never lands below 2.
- Crits on a natural 20 only.
- Minor: no stat modifiers or dice in play; its scores describe the creature, they do not roll.
- At 0 Vigor it breaks and flees, out of the fight but alive; Fanatics fight on into the overflow instead.
- Total damage reaching 4 kills it outright, and a single blow of 4 or more kills it on the spot.
- Vigor damage is simply damage against a Minor: its whole pool is Vigor.
- Group morale: when its group loses half its number, fled or dead, the rest check morale.
- NPCs never take wounds.