Chapter 11: Antagonist
This chapter presents a collection of creatures, from mundane
animals to otherworldly demons. They can appear in your chronicle
as enemies or allies, hampering or helping your personal and
fellowship goals. Antagonists are usually separated in three
categories: Adversaries, Rivals and Nemeses.
ADVERSARIES
They are the majority of NPC antagonists. They range from the street
thug or city watch to the bandit-gang boss or army captain. They can
also be simple, non-combatants, like the local peasants, artisans,
merchants, nobles, and sages. The majority of all Adversaries have
no special action (see below) and follow the regular rules of conflict
described in chapter 8. However, some may have one or two
Reactive Actions at their disposal to surprise the player characters.
RIVALS
They are the crime syndicate bosses, the merchant guildmaster, the
royalty members of the court, the Church Bishops, the Order
Magisters, the barbarian tribes war chiefs and their senior witches. A
combat scene against a Rival should not take less than 10 combat
rounds, with player character expending more than half their
resources even with previous preparation. The Rival should always
have Adversary minions to protect him or her, maybe allowing its
escape to fight another day. Rivals have special Reactive Actions
and, if encountered inside their Lairs (or base of operations) it can
also have one Lair Action.
NEMESES
They are the huge monstrosities from Davokar, the mighty dragons,
the corruptive abominations, the powerful Order Archwizards, the
fanatical Church Archbishops, the influential Queen of Korinthia, or
the mysterious winter elves of Symbaroum ruins. Nemeses should be
confronted by player character only at the end of a chronicle, in the
climax of the story. A combat scene with a Nemeses should not take
less than 15 rounds, with one or more player character disabled or
dead. Additional enemies or allies should enter the scene and one or
more secrets revealed that turn the tide of the combat. Humanoid
Nemeses can have several Adversaries and at least one Rival to
protect it; while monstrous Nemesis are usually strong and powerful
enough to protect themselves alone. Nemeses have more than one
Reactive Actions. If encountered inside their Lairs they will have
Lair Actions as well. Finally, Nemeses have access to Legendary
Actions (see below).
ANTAGONIST ATTITUDES
When a character encounter an NPC, its attitude is defined by the
GM according to the scene and story. Below are the roughly
categories of NPC Attitudes that may help to define and standardize
the attitudes of NPCs when players want to affect them with abilities
of spells.
HOSTILE: A hostile (or enemy) creature wants you dead of
suffering. It will attack to kill, incapacitate or to imprison your
character to torture it or eat it latter.
UNFRIENDLY: An unfriendly creature wants you ill, broken,
unsuccessful, disgraced, shamed, dishonored, condemned, etc.
INDIFERENT: An indifferent creature doesn’t desire anything good
or bad to your character. They have other priorities. The majority of
NPCs fall in this category when first encountered.
FRIENDLY: A friendly creature wants your wellbeing, friendship
and happiness. Although a friendly creature will not harm itself or
confront a mortal danger, it can help you in safe and indirect ways.
HELPFUL: A helpful creature will fight for your life, defend you
against even mortal dangers, like a parent defending its children. This
attitude is very rare.
CREATURE TYPES
All creatures descripted here are separated in categories that are used
by several magical and talent rules. For example, you cannot charm a
demon, because a demon isn’t a humanoid (although it has two legs,
two arms, a trunk and a head – usually).
Some creature types have subtypes, or variations of the same
category – like humanoids (ogres) and humanoids (dwarves).
Sometimes, an item, talent or spell may affect only a creature subtype
specified in its description. For example, a sword enchanted to kill
demons will not deliver its magic against a faerie or undead, even all
three creatures been classified as Outsiders.
ABOMINATIONS: The Abomination category covers all the
thoroughly corrupted blight beasts, demons, and creatures terrorizing
the Davokar region. Particularly sensitive creatures – such as children
and animals – react with instinctive dislike towards abominations,
even if they appear mundane. Others can make a Hard Insight
Check to notice the reaction of said children or animals. Also, note
that blighted and stigmata creatures recognize each other’s darkness
and will normally not attack one another. A blighted (or more
corrupted) creature can make a Hard Persuasion (Intimidation)
Check to affect an abomination’s behavior, for instance making it
leave the individual and their fellow travelers alone.
ANIMALS: The Animals category covers all mundane animals,
wild, tame or domestic. The category covers both predators and
herbivores from simple birds, rats and dogs to wolves, bears and
mountain tigers.
BEASTS: Beasts are non-humanoid creatures that are a natural part
of a fantasy ecology. Some have magical powers; most are
unintelligent and lack any cultural society or language. Most are the
crossbreed of mundane animals with magical creatures from The
Faerie Realm. They are closely connected to the wild and untamed
nature, be it in the form of the forest of Davokar, the valleys of the
Ravens, or the courses of the rivers. Cunning creatures like the spider
monsters are also included in the Beast category – while they have an
intellect close to that of cultural beings, they are still fundamentally
driven by instinct.
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CONSTRUCTS: Constructs are made, not born. Some are
programmed by their creators to follow a simple set of instructions,
while others are imbued with sentience and capable of independent
thought. Dwarves, although made and not born, have free will and an
artificially, magically brewed soul, thus being considered humanoids.
DRAGONS: Dragons are large intelligent and magical reptilian
creatures of ancient origin and tremendous power. Fortunately, the
are rare.
HUMANOIDS: This category includes the world’s more or less
intelligent, community-building, cultural creatures – such as humans,
elves, changelings, ogres, goblins, and so on. They have few features
in common, other than that they organize themselves socially and
develop different cultures depending on where they are located.
Humanoids can have monstrous features, but if so they are linked to
their origin rather than the category.
OUTSIDERS: There are more creatures living in other realms than
in the Mundane Realm. The most common outsider found in mortal
lands are natural from the Shadow Realm (like spirits), Faerie Realm
(like sentient plants and the fey), from The Elemental Chaos (like
Elementals), and from Infernum (like demons).
 Demons: Also called Daemons, these dark, sinister, hateful and
diabolical creatures come from the ravaged realm of fire and
shadows called Infernum (or Yonderworld). They are magically
powerful and hungry for humanoid souls.
 Elementals: Some creatures of this type are little more than
animate masses of their respective elements, including the
creatures simply called elementals. Others have biological forms
infused with elemental energy.
 Faeries: Magical creatures from the Realm of Faeries. They are
diverse as the dreams and legends told by common folk to scare
children. From the tiny and agile sprites to the prankster fauns,
enthralling nymphs, wise treants, mischievous giant spiders, and
mysterious fey people – elves and changelings. Magical plants
that are not only sentient but also have some degree of
intelligence and free will are also considered Faeries. Most of
them are ambulatory, and some are carnivorous. Deadly flora are
natural from the Faerie Realm and are frequently mentioned in
many expedition chronicles. Barbarians and witches are well
aware of the threats which grow and blossom, and as more and
more treasure hunters venture deeper into Davokar, these horrors
are becoming increasingly evident to Ambrians as well.
 Undeads: The once-living creatures brought to a horrifying state
of undeath through the practice of necromantic magic or some
unholy curse. The Undead sub-category covers both spirits and
walking corpses. Spirits are creatures without physical bodies,
while walking corpses are spiritually empty dead bodies
animated by dark magic or possessed by incorporeal entities
from the Shadow Realm.
PHENOMENA: The term Phenomena is used to describe a large
number of beings which scholars find hard to classify in any other
category. In many cases it can actually be difficult to determine
whether they are beings at all, and not a hateful place or a climate
condition; indeed, the strangest of these occurrences are best
described as poisonous and contagious states of mind, rather than
physical manifestation.
ANTAGONISTS SPECIAL ACTIONS
Antagonists have special actions that can be performed, at GM
discretion, to rise the tension of a combat scene.
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REACTIVE ACTIONS
Rivals and Nemeses have a special selection of Reactive Actions
beyond the usual Reactive Actions available to any character from
Chapter 8. They can be activated when some specific trigger occurs
and usually spend a Support or Free Action to perform. Those
triggers are described in each Reactive Action description below.
A NEW MIRROR: When one of its mirrored images is destroyed,
the creature can restore it in the next round.
ACROBATIC FIGHTER: When attacked by a melee or ranged
weapon, this creature can make a Hard Agility Check and add its
number of successes to the successes of its Defense Check against
the attack.
BATTLE WIND: When an attack hits this creature, it receives 1D4
Potence points before it takes damage. These points can surpass the
maximum Potence Score of the creature for 1 minute.
BLEAK SCREAM: When this creature takes damage, it lets loose a
scream that darkens every other creature’s heart. Each other creature
within medium-range from the creature that is not deafened must
pass on a Hard Discipline Check or take 1D3 Intellect Damage
(Confusion).
BLOOD DRINK: If this creature has a victim grappled, it inflicts 1
piercing damage to the victim; plus 1 Fatigue Damage and 1
Corruptive Damage per round.
BID TO ACTION: When an enemy turn ends, this creature can call
out a command, allowing an allied creature that can see and hear the
command to take the turn next, rather its own on initiative order.
They cannot have already acted this round and this effect ends when
their turn ends.
BLIGHTED HORNS: When an enemy comes into reach, this
creature can rake it with its slime-covered horns. The other creature
must pass on a Challenging Defense Check or gain 1D3 Physical
Damage (Piercing) plus 1D4 Corruptive Damage.
BODY SLAM: When an enemy comes within reach, this creature
can slam into the other creature with its body. The target must pass
on an Opposed Athletics Check or take 1D3 Physical Damage
(Bludgeoning) and be shoved, becoming prone.
BROAD ANTLERS: The wild tangle of the creature’s antlers
provides natural cover against ranged weapons. When attacked, it
twists unnaturally, placing the thorny antlers in the path of the
missile. Apply a -1D6 penalty on attacker Ranged Combat Skill
Check.
CRUSHING EMBRACE: When a grappled creature attempts to
escape and fails, this creature can squeeze it to do 1D3 Physical
Damage (Force).
DEATH BLOW: When this creature is reduced to 0 hit points it
splays out its claws in a death seizure. If the attacker is still Engaged,
make a melee attack roll against the attacker with -2D6 penalty.
DISAPPEAR: When an enemy makes an attack against this creature
it can briefly disappear from sight, providing -2D6 penalty on the
enemy’s attack roll if the creature uses sight to target its attacks.
DODGER: When attacked by melee or ranged weapons, this
creature adds +2D6 on its Defense Skill Checks.
FADE: When attacked, the creature shifts itself towards the Shadow
Realm, taking only half damage from the attack.
 Forbidden Lands of Symbaroum
FLARE: When another creature makes an attack against this creature
it can briefly become much brighter, providing -2D6 penalty on the
attack roll if the other creature uses sight to target its attacks.
FLOWING BODY: When attacked, the damage is reduced by half,
rounding down, minimum 1.
HARDEN BODY: Immediately after an attack, this creature
develops Damage Resistance 2 against the same damage type.
INSTINCTUAL SHOT: If an enemy at medium-range uses its
movement, this creature may make a ranged weapon attack at that
creature.
INTIMIDATE: When it detects the presence of another creature,
this creature can stand on its hind legs and attempt to intimidate any
creatures that can see and hear it. Such creatures must on a
Challenging Discipline Check or take 1D3 Morale Damage (Fear).
On a success, the target is immune to the effect for 24 hours once it is
successful.
ISSUE COMMAND: This creature can direct an allied creature that
it can see within medium range to focus its efforts on a single target,
adding +1D6 on attack rolls against the chosen target.
NIBBLE ARM LOCKS: If this creature has a victim grappled, it
can make a unarmed attack against that target.
PARRY: The creature adds half its Melee Combat Skill Ranks
(rounding down) as bonus dice to its Defense Check. To do so, the
creature must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.
POLEARM MASTER: This creature can make an attack against an
enemy that enters its reach.
POUNCE: When an enemy comes within Short Range from this
creature, it can leap forward at the enemy creature and make a single
melee attack.
PREEMPTIVE ATTACK: When a creature comes within weapon
reach, this creature can make a melee attack.
RETALIATE: When an enemy within its reach does damage to the
creature, it can make a single melee attack in response.
RETALIATORY CHARGE: When an enemy comes within reach,
this creature can crush the enemy between its body and the ground.
The other creature takes 12 Physical Damage (Force) and is prone.
ROLL OVER: When an enemy comes within reach, this creature
can crush the enemy between its body and the ground. The creature
takes 8 Physical Damage (Force) and is prone.
ROOT TRAP: If a target comes within Engaged Range from this
creature, it can grapple the target if the victim fail on a Hard Agility
Check.
SIDESTEP: This creature can immediately Retreat when an enemy
comes from Short to Engaged Range without provoking a Free
Attack.
STRETCHING WHIP: If an enemy enters this creature’s reach
with its whip, it can make a single attack with the whip against that
enemy.
STOMP: If this creature passes through an Engaged Range zone
from another creature, it can make a melee attack against that
creature.
SUBDUE: If this creature successfully hits a Medium or smaller
creature with its weapon, it can Shove that creature making it become
prone.
SUDDEN LUNGE: If an enemy misses its melee attack, this
creature can lean into the target and make a melee attack.
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SUDDEN STRIKE: When an enemy comes within reach of the
creature, it can make a melee attack as long as it is not grappling
another victim with that attack method.
SUDDEN TOUCH: If another creature moves within reach, this
creature makes a melee attack.
TAIL-ATTACK: When another creature comes within reach of this
creature, it can swipe its tail at that creature. That creature must pass
on a Hard Agility Check or be knocked prone.
TWO-HANDED FORCE: If this creature misses an attack, it can
use its reaction to reroll the attack.
UNCANNY DODGE: When another creature damages it, this
creature can choose to reduce the damage by half.
WILD SWING: If another creature comes into this creature’s reach
it can make an unarmed attack with -2D6 penalty on the dice roll.
LAIR ACTIONS
Rivals and Nemeses encountered inside their Lairs (like its
homebase, castle, base of criminal operations, dungeon complex,
nest, laboratory, church, etc.) have access to Lair Actions; special
effects or events triggered in combat scenes to protect its master from
invaders.
COLD AIR: If this creature is within its territory, it can, on initiative
count 20 (losing all ties) cause the air to become deadly chill. Other
creatures in the area must pass on a Challenging Athletics Check to
avoid the Freezing Condition. The creature can spend a Support
Action each round to reinforce the cold, demanding a new Athletics
Check from all creatures again. This creature cannot use this lair
action if it is incapacitated or otherwise can’t take actions. If
surprised, it can’t use it until after its first turn in the combat.
COLLAPSE: If this creature is within its territory, it can, on
initiative count 20 (losing all ties) cause an area of tunnel or ground
to collapse. The area is short-range zone up to medium-range
distance from the Nemeses. Targets in the area must pass on a Hard
Agility Check to avoid falling into the hole and take 4 Physical
Damage (Force) damage points. If inside a tunnel, each other
creature within a short-range zone, and up to medium range distance
from the Nemeses, takes 8 Physical Damage (Force); becoming
Restrained. This creature cannot use this lair action if it is
incapacitated or otherwise can’t take actions. If surprised, it can’t use
it until after its first turn in the combat.
IRRITATION: If this creature is within its territory, it can, on
initiative count 20 (losing all ties) release an irritant gas into the air.
Certain creatures may be immune to the irritant (GM’s discretion).
Other creatures must pass on a Challenging Athletics Check at the
start of each turn. On a failure, the character becomes Poisoned (as
the Condition) until the beginning of its next turn. This creature
cannot use this lair action if it is incapacitated or otherwise can’t take
actions. If surprised, it can’t use it until after its first turn in the
combat.
STRANGE VAPORS: The area where this creature lairs is
surrounded by thick, hallucinating fog and strange echoes. On
initiative count 20 (losing all ties) each target within medium-range
from this creature must pass on a Challenging Discipline Check each
round or receive a -2D6 penalty on attack rolls and skill checks. This
creature cannot use this lair action if it is incapacitated or otherwise
can’t take actions. If surprised, it can’t use it until after its first turn in
the combat.
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UNSTABLE GROUND: If this creature is in its lair, it can, on
initiative count 20 (losing all ties) cause the ground to become
unstable, and the area within medium range from this creature
becomes a difficult terrain, increasing all movement in one additional
Support Action. This creature cannot use this lair action if it is
incapacitated or otherwise can’t take actions. If surprised, it can’t use
it until after its first turn in the combat.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
Nemeses have a special selection of abilities called Legendary
Actions that allow incredible combat maneuvers, powerful magical
effects and deadly attacks. Nemeses can activate these legendary
actions inside or outside their Lairs.
ADDITIONAL MAIN ACTION: The creature can perform an
additional Main Action in the same round but on a different (5 points
higher or lower) initiative number.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT ACTIONS: The creature can perform
two additional Support Actions in the same round but on a different
(5 points higher or lower) initiative number.
CLUSTER: The swarm surrounds the head of a creature, causing
that creature to be blinded until the swarm moves away or is
destroyed.
COMMAND: This creature can select another allied creature which
takes its turn next, instead of at its normal initiative count. This
creature receives +2D6 on attack and defense rolls until the
beginning of the commander creature next turn.
DEFEND: Attacks against this creature have -2D6 penalty until the
beginning of the creature’s next turn.
EARTHQUAKE: This creature shivers its body, sending waves
through the earth. Each creature must pass on a Hard Agility Check
or take 4 Physical Damage (Force) and become prone. On a success,
the creature takes half damage. Each structure in the area takes
double damage automatically.
RECHARGE: This creature automatically recharges another feature
that have a limited number of charges or uses per day.
FEATURES & TRAITS
The following provides a list of several antagonist features and
monster traits, special attacks, reactions and racial features. You can
use this list to help customize a creature, create a new one, or modify
an existing threat to make a new challenge for your players.
ANTAGONIST FEATURES
ALCHEMIST: This creature is trained in the use and manufacture
of alchemical products.
ARCHERY STYLE: This creature has a +2D6 to attack rolls with
ranged weapons.
ARCHIVIST: The creature has +2D6 on Awareness Skill Checks
while researching in archives and libraries.
BACKSTAB: The creature deals an extra 1D4 Physical Damage
when it hits a target during a Surprise attacks. The target must be at
short or closer range, distracted, surprised, immobilized or
unconscious.
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CHARGE: If the creature spend at least one Support Action moving
toward a target and then hits it with a melee attack on the same turn,
the target takes an extra 1 point of Physical Damage. If the attack
fails, the target gets a Free Attack against the charger.
CHEAP SHOTS: This creature is well versed in back-alley fighting.
Its unarmed strikes do +1 bludgeoning damage.
COMBAT MAGIC EXPERT: This creature generate spells with +1
damage. Alternatively, skill checks to resist its spells increase in one
difficulty category.
CRUSHING HAMMER: On a successful attack, this creature can
choose to cause 10 points of Sundering Damage on the target’s shield
(if it has one).
CUMBERSOME. This armor is unwieldy, and the creature has -2D6
on all physical action checks while wearing it.
CUNNING ACTION. On each of its turns, the creature can use a
Free Action to take the Positioning or Run/Walk action. It also can
perform a Retreat as a Support Action.
DISTRACT: The creature receives +2D6 to perform the Assist,
Disarm and Feint Actions.
DUELING STYLE: This creature adds +1 to its damage with a
melee weapon.
EVASION: If this creature is subjected to an effect that allows it to
make a skill check to take only half damage, it instead takes no
damage if it succeeds on the skill check, and only half damage if it
fails.
EXPERTISE [Skill]: This creature has +2D6 on one or more
specified skills.
HUNTER’S INSTINCT: This creature can use its Free Action to
mark one creature as its chosen target. The first time it does damage
to the target, it does +1 bonus damage. It can use its Reaction when
the target moves to make a ranged weapon attack.
INSPIRE. The creature chooses one allied creature that shares a
language with it and can hear the creature. The creature speaks
encouraging words to it, giving it +1D6 on Skill Checks until the end
of the target’s next turn.
LOREKEEPER: The creature can make a knowledge skill check
(like nature, religion, politics or mysticism) to gain clues about some
ancient secret or hidden knowledge.
MAN-AT-ARMS: This creature armor has its armor dice improved
in +1. It can don or doff armor in half the regular required time.
MAUL: If this creature has a Engaged target grappled, immobilized,
restrained, distracted or unconscious at the beginning of its turn, it
receives +2 physical damage bonus on a successful attack.
MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE: The creature has +2D6 on Medicine
Checks.
MEDICUS: If the creature binds a creature’s wounds, that creature
gains +2D6 on its next Death/Madness Roll.
NIMBLE ESCAPE: The creature can take the Retreat or Brake
Free actions as a Support Actions.
NOISY: While wearing its armor the creature has -2D6 on Stealth
Checks.
OFF-HAND ATTACK: This creature can use Free Action to make
a second attack at the same round, using a light or throwing melee
weapon held in its off hand.
 Forbidden Lands of Symbaroum
ORDERLY WITHDRAWAL: This creature can perform a Retreat
Action, moving away from an Engaged enemy without provoking a
Free Attack from it.
RETREATING. If this creature starts its turn with half its maximum
Potence Score or fewer, it must pass on a Challenging Discipline
Check or spend its turn retreating from the combat.
SHIELD FIGHTER: If this creature makes a successful attack roll,
it can spend a Support Action to slam the target with its shield (if
any). If the target is a Medium sized creature or smaller, it must pass
on a Challenging Athletics Check. On a failure, this creature is
shoved or become prone (GM decides).
SIEGE EXPERT. The creature is trained in siege equipment and its
attacks do double damage against objects and structures.
SNEAK ATTACK. This creature deals an extra 3 points of Physical
Damage when it hits a distracted, surprised, immobilized, or
unconscious target. It also applies to targets Engaged in melee
combat with an ally of this creature that isn’t incapacitated.
SPELLCASTING. This creature is trained in one type of
spellcasting (enchantment, sorcery, theurgy, witchcraft or wizardry).
Choose spells from the appropriate list.
STRETCHING WHIP. If a victim enters the creature’s whip reach,
it can make a single attack with the whip.
TALISMANS: The artifact crafter currently has a specified number
of chosen spells stored in the talisman and the user can release them
using command words through a Support Action (but only one per
round).
WHIP FIGHTER. If the creature successfully strikes with its whip,
it can use a Support Action to make a second attack with its other
melee weapon if the target is in reach.
WILDERNESS EXPLORER. With a successful Challenging
Survival Check this creature can keep its party supplied in the
wilderness.
MONSTER TRAITS
ACIDIC BLOOD: Another creature that attacks this creature with a
melee weapon takes 1d3 Elemental Acid Damage and 1 Corruptive
Damage from its blood spattering onto their body.
ACROBATIC DODGE: The creature can make an additional
Defense Skill Check against the attack roll to take half damage from
a successful attack.
ACTION SURGE (X/DAY): The creature can take extra actions per
day indicated in its description.
AGGRESSIVE: As a Free Action, the creature can move up the
equivalent of one Support Action toward a hostile creature that it can
see.
AIR FORM: This creature can enter a hostile creature's space and
stop there. It can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide
without squeezing.
AMBUSHER: This creature has +2D6 on attack rolls against any
creature it has surprised.
AMPHIBIAN: The creature can breathe below and above water
without penalty.
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ANCIENT MAGIC: This creature can cast 1st Circle Spells without
gaining Corruptive Damage.
AQUATIC: The creature breathes only below water. Once outside
its environment, it starts to Suffocate.
ARMORED CARAPACE: Most of this creature’s body is protected
by a carapace made of minerals extracted from the rock. Another
creature can aim for a patch of exposed
flesh by taking -2D6 on the attack roll.
ARTIFACT SENSE: This creature can sense the presence of
magical objects, up to 1 kilometer away.
BESTIAL: This creature has -2D6 on any skill check related to
social interactions. However, it has +2D6 on Persuasion checks used
to intimidate other creatures.
BLINDSIGHT: The creature can see in total darkness and through
smoke or gas that blocks natural and Darkvision.
BLOOD DRAIN: If this creature is successful with its bite attack, it
can immediately use a Free Action to do 1D3 Necrotic Damage to
the creature.
BLOOD FRENZY: The creature has +2D6 on melee attack rolls
against any other creature that currently has less than its maximum
Potence Score.
CAPTIVATE: The creature uses a Support Action to stares at a
single creature up to Short Range. The creature must pass on a
Challenging Discipline Check or acquire the Stunned Condition for
1D8+2 rounds. The creature can repeat the check at the end of all its
turns, ending the effect on a success.
CARAPACE: This creature can close itself up in its shell and roll
towards its enemies. When rolled up, enemies have -4D6 on attack
rolls and this creature cannot attack. Rolling itself up or unrolling
requires a Support Action.
CHITIN ARMOR. This creature has a natural armor against
Physical Damage.
CONGEALED BLOOD: The creature is resistant to bludgeoning
damage.
CORRUPTION FILTER: At the beginning of its turn, if this
creature’s Temporary Corruption is below five points, it loses 1
Temporary Corruption Point.
CORRUPTION SENSE: If another creature has one or more points
of Permanent Corruption, this creature receives +2D6 on Awareness
Checks to find or notice it.
CORRUPTION SIPHON: With a successful bite attack, the
creature immediately drains 1D6 Temporary Corruption Points from
another creature. If the victim still has Temporary Corruption
remaining, they are converted into 1 point of Permanent Corruption.
CORRUPTIVE BLOOD: Another creature that attacks this creature
with a melee weapon takes 1D6 Corruptive Damage from its blood
spattering onto their body.
CRUSH: If this creature begins its turn grappling another creature, it
can spend a Free Action to cause 1D3 Physical Damage
(Bludgeoning) to the victim.
DAMAGE TRANSFER: While this creature is grappling a target,
the grappler takes only half the damage dealt to it by the target. The
grappled victim takes the other half.
 Forbidden Lands of Symbaroum
DARK DESTINY: If this creature reaches or exceeds its 10 points
of Temporary Corruption, it acquires 1 Permanent Corruption Point
and, on its next turn, its Temporary Corruption becomes 0.
DARKVISION: The creature can see in total darkness but without
colors, and only up to Medium Range. Smoke and gas can block this
vision.
DEADLY BREATH: This creature can release a lightning attack
against 1D3 targets up to Medium Range. Each target must pass on a
Very Hard Defense Skill Check or take 8 Elemental Damage
(Lightning) on a failure and half that on a success. This trait
recharges if the GM gets 1 on a 1D4.
DEATH CRY: This creature wails a keening cry that transcends the
borders between life and death. Each other creature that hears it must
pass on a Very Hard Discipline Check or take a number of Necrotic
Damage Points equal to their current Temporary Corruption. This
trait recharges if the GM gets 1 on a 1D4.
DRACONIC FEATURE: If this creature takes a short or longer
rest, it can select 1D3 draconic features to gain.
DRAIN LIFE: As a Free Action this creature can drain the life force
from another creature it is Engaged with. The other creature takes
1D3 necrotic damage and 1 temporary corruptive damage.
EARTH GLIDE: This creature can burrow through nonmagical,
unworked earth and stone. While doing so, this creature doesn't
disturb the material it moves through.
EARTHBOUND: Corruptive Damage applied on this creature is
converted into physical damage against Potence Score. Additionally,
they are immune to necromantic spells that affect its own soul/spirit;
have +2D6 on skill checks to resist spell effects, poisons and
illnesses.
ECHOLOCATION: This creature cannot use its Blindsight Trait
while deafened.
ENDURING: The creature has +2D6 on Athletics Checks to
perform long duration exhaustive tasks.
ENLARGED: The creature is increased in size one step, along with
anything it is wearing or carrying. It increases 50% (round up) of its
Potence Score. It does an additional +2 damage on melee attacks
while enlarged.
ENTHRALL: This creature can spend a Support Action trying to
hypnotize a victim up to Short Range. The target must pass on a
Hard Discipline Check. On a failure, the victim acquires the
Charmed Condition for 1D3 minutes. A creature that succeeds at the
saving throw becomes immune to the effect for 24 hours.
ENTICE: A victim that has not already been attacked by this
creature and is within Medium Range, must pass on a Hard
Discipline Check each round or approach closer. A creature that fails
three checks in a row decides to rest of sleep at Engaged Range from
this creature.
[Environment] CAMOUFLAGE: This creature has +2D6 on
Stealth Checks made to hide in its [environment] terrain.
EXTENDABLE EYESTALKS: This creature can extend its
eyestalks above the waterline. While submerged, other creatures have
-2D6 on their Awareness Checks to detect this creature.
FALSE APPEARANCE: While this creature remains motionless, it
is indistinguishable from a normal plant.
FIRE FORM. This creature can move through a space as narrow as
1 inch wide without squeezing. Another creature that touches this
creature or becomes Engaged with it, takes 1D3 Elemental Damage
(Fire) per round.
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FLEET-FOOTED: This creature can use a Free Action to take the
Run/Walk or Positioning Actions.
FLYBY: This creature doesn’t provoke Free Attacks when it flies
out of an enemy’s reach.
GRAVELY COLD: Each other creature that starts its turn within
Short Range of this creature must pass on a Challenging Athletics
Check or acquire the Freezing Condition while under Short Range.
HARD SKIN: This creature has a natural armor of 3 against
Physical Damage.
HARMFUL AURA: If another creature is within Short Range of
this creature, it receives 1 Corruptive Damage per round and must
pass on a Hard Athletics Check or receives 1 Permanent Corruption
Point.
HAUNTING: This creature can spend a Support Action to attempt to
take control of the other Engaged creature. The target must pass on a
Hard Discipline Check or become possessed by the creature. At the
end of its next turns, it can repeat the skill check, ending the effect on
a success. A creature that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to
the haunting feature for 24 hours.
HOLY AURA: The creature can choose to gain corruption points in
exchange to 1D3 points Radiant Damage on its next successful attack
roll. It a number of Corruptive Damage equal to the value of radiant
damage rolled.
ILLUMINATION: This creature sheds bright light in a Short-Range
Zone and dim light (shadows) on Medium Range Zone.
INCORPOREAL MOVEMENT: This creature can move through
other creatures and objects. It takes 1 force damage if it ends its turn
inside an object. If the object is a creature, that creature takes 1D3
Corruptive Damage.
INFECTIOUS: If this creature bites another creature, the victim
must pass on a Challenging Athletics Check. On a failure, the
creature acquires the Sickness Condition.
INNATE SPELLCASTING: The creature can innately cast the
following spells, requiring no ingredients. [pick spells as
appropriate].
INSUBSTANTIAL: This creature can pass through objects and
creatures without issue. It cannot wear or carry anything.
INVISIBILITY: This creature is invisible to normal and Darkvision.
KEEN HEARING: This creature has +2D6 on Awareness Checks
that rely on hearing.
KEEN SMELL: This creature has +2D6 on Awareness Checks that
rely on smell.
LAY ON HANDS: This creature can touch a creature and restore 1
attribute point as a Main Action.
LEATHERY SKIN: This creature has a natural armor against
Physical Damage.
LEGENDARY RESISTANCE: If the creature fails a skill check to
resist a spell effect, it can choose to succeed instead.
LIFE SENSE: This creature has +2D6 on Awareness Checks to
detect living creatures.
MAGIC RESISTANCE: The creature has +2D6 bonus on skill
checks to resist spell and magical effects.
METAMORPHOSIS: This creature can use a Support Action to
change its body shape, size or changing its features according to the
options available for that creature.
 Forbidden Lands of Symbaroum
MIMICRY: This creature can use a Support Action to imitate the
sound of a trapped animal or hurt child by making an Opposed
Persuasion (Deception) Check.
MIRAGE: This creature can produce an illusion to attract prey. A
victim can detect the illusion by making a Hard Insight Check.
MIRRORS: This creature can use its Support Action to create up to
three duplicates of itself. When attacked, the GM rolls 1d12. Only on
a 10–12 does the attack hit the actual glimmer. If the attack hits a
duplicate, it is destroyed. When only two duplicates remain, an attack
is successful on a 9–12. When only one duplicate remains, an attack
is successful on a 7–12. This feature is only available for thoroughly
corrupt creatures.
MULTIATTACK. This creature can make more than one attack
when it takes a Main Action, choosing between attack features it
already has. It can also repeat the same attack feature more than once.
NATURAL WEAPON. The creature has an inherent melee weapon,
like a claw, beak, talon or other dangerous appendage. The creature is
proficient with the weapon, using either Potence or Competence –
whichever is higher. The weapon does damage according to the
creature’s size (1 for Small or Medium, 2 for Large, 3 for Huge and 4
or more for Gargantuan). The damage type must be appropriate to the
creature’s appendage (e.g., piercing for a beak, slashing for a claw,
bludgeoning for a slam attack, etc.).
NATURE’S LULLABY: The creature can use this feature to bypass
an abominations and monsters unnoticed.
NIMBLE: The creature’s Defense Skill has a +2D6 bonus.
PACK TACTICS: This creature has +2D6 on an attack roll against
a victim if at least one of the attacker allies is Engaged with the target
creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
POISONOUS: If this creature is held with bare hands, it causes 1
poison damage to the holder or grappler per round. If it bites a
victim, it can make the victim to take an additional 1D3 Poison
Damage.
POSSESSION: One engaged humanoid that this creature can see
must succeed on a Hard Discipline Check or be possessed. The
creature can now take control of the body – when the creature is in
control, the victim retains no memories of its actions or events during
that time. The creature retains its Intelligence and Presence Scores. It
otherwise uses the possessed target's physical statistics, but doesn't
gain access to the target's knowledge, talents or proficiencies. To
represent that, all physical skills should be rolled with a -2D6
penalty. The possession lasts until the humanoid host is slain, the
spirit is magically forced to leave its host or if the creature
voluntarily ends it as a Free Action. When the possession ends, the
creature reappears at Engaged range of the unconscious body. The
target is immune to this creature’s Possession for 24 hours after
succeeding on the saving throw or after the possession ends.
POUNCE: After a successful attack, the creature may use it’s a Free
Action to leap onto the victim. If the target has the same size or
smaller, it must pass on a Hard Athletics Check or become prone and
grappled. A grappled target gets 1 Physical Damage (Slashing) per
round.
RAGE: As a Support Action, the creature can enter a rage that lasts
for 1 minute. While in the rage, the creature has +2D6 on Potence
based skill checks and +1 in melee damage. The creature has 1 point
of Damage Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage
while in the rage. The creature can use a Free Action to voluntarily
end the rage if no threat remains nearby.
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RAISE ALARM: This creature can spend a Free Action to make a
loud noise, summoning allied creatures within 1d4 + 1 rounds. The
creature summoned depends on the situation.
REDUCED: The creature is reduced in size by one step, along with
anything it is wearing or carrying. Its Potence Score is reduced in
half (round down). Its melee attack does the minimum possible
damage (as if the creature rolled a 1 on all damage dice).
RECKLESS INTENSITY: When a combat scene begins, the
creature must succeed at a Challenging Discipline Check or become
reckless – receiving +2D6 on attack rolls against enemies, and
enemies receiving +2D6 on attack rolls against the reckless creature.
REGENERATION: The creature recovers 1 attribute point at the
start of its turn unless it has taken at least one point of a specific
damage type (like fire or acid) since its last turn.
RELENTLESS: If the creature takes damage that would reduce it to
0 Potence Score, it is reduced to 1 Potence Score instead. This
monster trait can only be used once per day.
RETRACT TONGUE: If this creature starts its turn with a Large or
smaller creature grappled by its tongue, it can use its Support Action
to retract its tongue and bring the grappled creature to Engaged
Range.
REVENANT STRIKE: A creature that dies because of damage
from this creature’s melee weapon returns as a Dragoul under its
control at the start of its next turn. This feature is only available to
thoroughly corrupt creatures.
RITUALIST: The creature can cast the specified spells as rituals and
gains only half Corruptive Damage for casting.
ROBUST: This creature has a +2 to its Potence Score, Natural
Armor 1, +2D6 on Athletic Skill Checks and has -4 on Critical Injury
Rolls (1D20-4).
ROOT WALLS: This creature can use a Reaction to erect a root
wall. Each root wall is 3 meters high, 3 meters thick and consists of 1
to 4 wide sections. It has 2D4 points of Armor against Physical
Attacks and 40 points of Wholeness. It has immunity against piercing
attacks, takes half damage from bludgeoning attacks and has
vulnerability against fire damage (taking double the normal damage).
No root wall section can be further than 60 feet from the main body
of the original creature.
SHAPESHIFTER: This creature can transform itself into a
mundane animal of the same size or lower for 1 hour.
SIEGE MONSTER: The creature deals double damage against
objects and structures.
SINKHOLE: The creature quickly burrows directly at the feet of
another creature, creating a 3 meters diameter hole. Each creature in
the area must pass on a Hard Agility Check or fall into the hole,
taking 3 Force Damage (Falling) and becoming prone 6 meters
beneath the ground’s surface. Climbing back to surface needs a
Challenging Athletics Check, and Defense Checks to avoid the
creature’s attacks inside its sinkhole has -2D6.
SPIDER CLIMB: This creature can climb difficult surfaces,
including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make a skill
check.
STANDING LEAP: This creature can perform long or high jumps a
regular humanoid can’t. It also can stand from prone using a Free
Action.
STENCH: Any breathing creature that starts its turn Engaged with
this creature must pass on a Hard Athletics Check or be poisoned
 Forbidden Lands of Symbaroum
until the start of its next turn. On a successful check the creature
become immune to this creature’s stench for 24 hours.
STRANGLE: If this creature has a victim grappled, it can use a Free
Action to cause +1D3 fatigue damage to the creature from
suffocation.
SUMMON CHILDREN: This creature can summon its choice of
allies, that arrive at the end of this creature’s next turn.
SURVIVAL INSTINCT: The goblin can take the Brake Free or
Retreat action as a Support Action.
SWALLOW: If the creature begins its turn with a Medium or
smaller creature grappled it can use a Free Action to swallow its
victim. The swallowed target is blinded and restrained; it has total
cover against attacks and other effects outside, and it takes 5 points
of Elemental Damage (Acid) at the start of each turn. The creature
can have only one target swallowed at a time. If the creature dies, a
swallowed creature is no longer restrained but starts to suffocate and
need to use a light slashing melee weapon to open its passage through
the creature guts (dealing at least 10 points of slashing damage).
SWIPE: This creature can strike out with its limbs when an enemy
comes within its reach. The creature must pass on a Hard Defense
Check. On a failure, it takes 5 Physical Damage (bludgeoning) and
becomes prone. On a success, it takes 3 damage and is not shoved.
TERRIFYING: Each enemy that starts its turn within Medium
Range of this creature must pass a Hard Discipline Check or take
1D4+1 points of Morale Damage (Fear). Creatures that succeed are
immune to this effect for 24 hours.
THE BIGGER THEY ARE: This creature has +2D6 on all attacks
against creatures that are Large or bigger.
THIRSTY: If this creature has no Temporary Corruption Points it
has +2D6 on its attack rolls.
TOUGHNESS: The creature has 5 Toughness Points above its
maximum Potence Score. It only loses Potence points from damage
after all Toughness points are depleted.
TRAMPLING CHARGE: If this creature moves toward a same size
or smaller target and then hits it with a hooves attack on the same
turn, that target must succeed on a Hard Athletics Check or be
shoved, becoming prone. If the target is already prone, this creature
can make a melee attack against it as a Support Action.
TRAPPER: This creature can use a Main Action to deploy a
mechanical trap in its current location. Another creature that enters
the Engaged Zone must pass on a Challenging Defense Check or
take 1D4 slashing damage. This creature is never affected by the trap.
TUNNELER: This creature can perform a Retreat Action
(burrowing its way out) without provoking a Free Attack from
Engaged enemies.
WATER FORM: This creature can enter a hostile creature's space
or move through a space as narrow as 1 centimeter wide without
squeezing.
WATER SUSCEPTIBILITY: For every gallon of water splashed
on this creature, it takes 1 point of Elemental Damage (Cold).
WAVE OF CORRUPTION: This creature causes each other
creature within Medium Range of it to gain 1d4 points of Corruptive
Damage. The victims may resist half this damage effect (minimum 1
point) with a successful Hard Athletics Check. This feature can only
be used by thoroughly corrupt creatures.
WEB SENSE: While in contact with a web, this creature knows the
exact location of any other creature in contact with the same web.
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WEB WALKER: This creature ignores movement restrictions
caused by webbing.
WINGS: This creature has wings and can fly with the dexterity and
speed of a falcon.
WITCH BRAID: This creature has Damage Resistance 2 against
necrotic damage.
SWARM TRAITS
BLINDING: This swarm purposefully swarms over a creature’s
head, trying to enter various orifices. A creature sharing a space with
the swarm is blinded.
CRIES OF DOOM: When the swarm does damage to a creature the
other members of the swarm can let out a blood-curdling shriek. The
injured creature must pass on a Hard Discipline Check or take 1D3
Morale Damage (Fear) from the swarm.
EXTRAORDINARY POISON: If an enemy is already poisoned by
this creature and fails a Challenging Athletics Check it becomes
paralyzed instead. A successful check at the end of the victim’s turn
ends the Paralyzed Condition but not the Poisoned Condition.
SCATTER: The swarm may separate after a successful attack to
halve the damage caused to them, as few of the individual creatures
are struck.
SHIFT: If an enemy comes within Engaged Range from the swarm,
they can abandon the current victim and swarm that creature instead.
SWARM: The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice
versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for
a tiny creature.
SWARM GROWTH: If this swarm is within Engaged Range from a
friendly swarm, the two can combine together, adding their stats. If
the two swarms had different initiative counts, the combined swarm
gains the lower initiative count.
SWIFT: The swarm can use a Support Action to disperse and reform
at the beginning of its next turn.
ARACHS, EXALTED
Large Humanoid (Rival)
POTENCE: 9/19
COMPETENCE: 7
INTELLIGENCE: 5
PRESENCE: 5
CORRUPTION: 3
ATTITUDES: Hostile
SENSES: Darkvision, Web Sense
LANGUAGES: Spider Tongue, plus its original pre-transformation
tongue.
SKILLS: Athletics 4, Melee Combat 4, Agility 4, Defense 5, Ranged
Combat 3, Stealth 5, Awareness 5, Nature 2, Survival 3, Discipline 4,
Insight 3.
GEAR: Jewelry worth 250gc.
WEAPONS: Trident.
ARMOR: Natural 4.
FEATURES & TRAITS: Chitin Armor 4, Legendary Resistance
(2x/day), Spider Climb, Toughness x2, Web Attack (3x/day), Web
Walker.
 Forbidden Lands of Symbaroum

TATICS IN COMBAT: Trident or Poisonous Bite attacks; prefers TATICS IN COMBAT: Longspear or Poisonous Bite attacks;
attacks from above if possible, first restraining or immobilizing prefers attacks from above if possible; keep enemy distant using
victims with its Web Attack. Longspear reach quality.
 Poisonous Bite: Melee Combat vs Defense; 1 Physical Damage  Poisonous Bite: Melee Combat vs Defense; 1 Physical Damage
(Piercing) plus Strong Paralyzing Poison. (Piercing) plus Strong Paralyzing Poison.
 Trident Attack: Melee/Ranged Combat vs Defense; 3 Physical  Longspear Attack: Melee Combat vs Defense; 2 Physical
Damage (Piercing). Damage (Piercing).
 Web Attack: Ranged Combat vs Defense; Restrained Condition;
Break Free (Extremely Hard Athletics Check or 2D4 rounds
cutting with a blade weapon); Web is flammable like a rope or
clothes.
BESTIAL
Medium Humanoid (Rival)
ARACHS, POISONER POTENCE: 5/15
COMPETENCE: 5
Medium Humanoid (Adversary) INTELLIGENCE: 3
POTENCE: 5/10 PRESENCE: 3
COMPETENCE: 6 CORRUPTION: 3
INTELLIGENCE: 5 ATTITUDES: Hostile
PRESENCE: 2 SENSES: Heightened scent/smell
CORRUPTION: 3 LANGUAGES: Ambrian, Barbarian, Bestial.
ATTITUDES: Hostile SKILLS: Athletics 5, Melee Combat 5, Agility 5, Defense 5, Stealth
SENSES: Darkvision, Web Sense 5, Awareness 5, Nature 1, Survival 3, Discipline 1.
LANGUAGES: Spider Tongue, plus its original pre-transformation GEAR: None.
tongue. WEAPONS: Claws.
SKILLS: Athletics 3, Melee Combat 2, Agility 3, Crafting (Poison) ARMOR: Natural 2.
5, Defense 3, Ranged Combat 3, Stealth 5, Awareness 5, Survival 2, FEATURES & TRAITS: Aggressive, Blood Frenzy, Enlarged,
Discipline 2, Insight 1. Leathery Skin 2, Metamorphosis (turn to a mundane animal for up to
GEAR: Poisoned arrows, 1D4 weak poison flasks. 8 hours), Multiattack (Claws x2), Toughness x2.
WEAPONS: Longspear, shortbow. TATICS IN COMBAT: Activates Enlarge first, following by
ARMOR: Natural 2. Multiattack with claws.
FEATURES & TRAITS: Chitin Armor 2, Pack Tactics, Spider  Bite: Melee Combat vs Defense; 2 Physical Damage (Piercing)
Climb, Toughness x1, Web Walker. plus Bestow Curse Spell (no token).
TATICS IN COMBAT: Spear or Poisonous Bite attacks; Spider  Claws: Melee Combat vs Defense; 2 Physical Damage
Climb to attack from above; prefers ranged poisoned attacks using (Slashing).
shortbow, from above if possible.
 Poisonous Bite: Melee Combat vs Defense; 1 Physical Damage
(Piercing) plus Strong Paralyzing Poison.
 Spear attack: Melee or Ranged Combat vs Defense; 2 Physical
Damage (Piercing) plus Weak Paralyzing Poison.
COLOSSI
 Shortbow attack: Ranged Combat vs Defense; 1 Physical Huge Construct (Nemeses)
Damage (Piercing) plus Weak Paralyzing Poison. POTENCE: 15/35
COMPETENCE: 3
INTELLIGENCE: 1
PRESENCE: 1
ARACHS, SOLDIER CORRUPTION: 3
ATTITUDES: Unfriendly
Medium Humanoid (Adversary) SENSES: Normal.
POTENCE: 6/16 LANGUAGES: None.
COMPETENCE: 6 SKILLS: Athletics 3, Melee Combat 3, Defense 1, Awareness 3.
INTELLIGENCE: 3 GEAR: Master’s carried gear.
PRESENCE: 3 WEAPONS: Hooves.
CORRUPTION: 3 ARMOR: Natural 5.
ATTITUDES: Hostile FEATURES & TRAITS: Wooden Armor 5, Multiattack (Hooves
SENSES: Darkvision, Web Sense x2), Legendary Resistance (2x/day), Legendary Action (2x/day),
LANGUAGES: Spider Tongue, plus its original pre-transformation Toughness x4, Siege Monster.
tongue. TATICS IN COMBAT: Hooves Multiattack.
SKILLS: Athletics 4, Melee Combat 4, Agility 4, Defense 4, Ranged  Hooves: Melee Combat vs Agility; 8 Physical Damage (Force).
Combat 3, Stealth 5, Awareness 5, Survival 2, Discipline 2, Insight 1.  Legendary Action (Earthquake)
GEAR: None.  Legendary Action (Additional Main Action)
WEAPONS: Longspear.
ARMOR: Natural 3.
FEATURES & TRAITS: Chitin Armor 3, Pack Tactics, Spider
Climb, Toughness x2, Web Walker.
DEMON

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 Forbidden Lands of Symbaroum

Large Outsider (Nemeses)

POTENCE: 10/30
COMPETENCE: 6
INTELLIGENCE: 4
PRESENCE: 6
CORRUPTION: 10
ATTITUDES: Hostile
SENSES: Normal.
LANGUAGES: Any.
SKILLS: Athletics 5, Melee Combat 5, Defense 5, Awareness 5,
Insight 5, Persuasion 5.
GEAR: None.
WEAPONS: Flaming Sword, Acid Whip.
ARMOR: Natural 3.
FEATURES & TRAITS: Aggressive, Natural Armor 3, Multiattack
(Sword plus Whip), Legendary Resistance (2x/day), Legendary
Action (2x/day), Preemptive Attack, Toughness x4.
TATICS IN COMBAT: Attack engaged enemies with flaming
sword and short-range enemies with acid whip; use Preemptive attack
if someone tries to approach; if in disadvantage, uses last Legendary
Action to flee.
 Claws: Melee Combat vs Defense; 2 Physical Damage
(slashing).
 Flaming Sword: Melee Combat vs Defense; 3 Physical Damage
(slashing) plus 4 Elemental Damage (Fire)
 Acid Whip: Melee Combat vs Defense; 1 Physical Damage
(slashing) plus 4 Elemental Damage (Acid)
 Legendary Action (Brimstone Cascade Spell)
 Legendary Action (Additional Main Action)

129