Piedmont: Critters

of Wood and
Mountain

By: Jordan S.
A weird Appalachian bestiary for Cairn and other Into the Odd
derived games

Based on Fearsome Critters folklore by William T. Cox and

Henry H. Tryon, the Silver John tales of Manly Wade Wellman,
and the wildlife of the Appalachian Mountains.

Public Domain art including Coert Du Bois and Margaret

Ramsay Tryon
Agropelter

4 HP, 10 STR, 10 DEX, 6 WIL, Large Branch (d8)

-A small wiry creature with the face of an ape that lives in the
tops of tall trees.
-Enjoys dropping large branches on people walking past,
particularly woodcutters.
-Critical Damage if Woodcutter background: The branch also
crushes the soul (1d8 WIL damage)
Eastern Slide-Rock Bolter

8 HP, 2 Armor, 10 STR, 12 DEX, 6 WIL, Swallow (d6, repeat

until escape)

-A fish-like creature that lives at the tops of mountains. Smaller

than its western cousin.
-Slides down mountainsides to swallow prey.
Fortress Beaver

10 HP, 12 STR, 6 DEX, 12 WIL, Tail Slam (d6)

-These large, red-furred beavers are beloved and welcomed by

riverside communities for their docile nature, strong work ethic,
and exceptionally built dams.
-Builds dams that are almost impenetrable and large enough for
humans to reside.
-Communities invite families of these creatures to their
riversides with offerings of water lilies crystallized in honey.
Full-Body Rattler

25 HP, 10 STR, 15 DEX, 10 WIL, Bite (d6)

-A rare rattlesnake that rattles its entire body instead of just its
tail.
-Rattling causes it to tear its way through space/time and appear
in any location known to them.
-Exceptionally powerful Conjurers keep these creatures for their
strange powers.
-Critical Damage: Venom (uncontrollably teleports until the PC
takes an antitoxin)
Hidebehind

12 HP, 12 STR, 16 DEX, 10 WIL, Claws (d6 bypasses HP)

-An incredibly dangerous creature that is always behind its

victims. Some people claim it looks like a large upright
sheepdog, but they are probably lying.
-Feeds primarily on people but has a strong aversion to alcohol.
Hoop Snake

6 HP, 10 STR, 12 DEX, 10 WIL, Bite (d4)

-Appears to be an average snake until it bites its own tails and

starts rolling down the mountainside.
-Can only roll a short distance at a time.
-Critical Damage: Venom (deprived until the PC takes an
antitoxin)
The Not-a-Home

20 HP, 16 STR, 1 DEX, 10 WIL, Bile (d10, repeat until escape)

-A large, immobile, and carnivorous plant that camouflages as a

well kept cottage in the middle of nowhere.
-Lures travelers into itself with the promise of safety.
-Once inside, the Not-a-Home slams its door closed and floods
its victims with bile.
Snipe

2 HP, 2 STR, 18 DEX, 2 WIL, Harmless

-A small flightless bird, seen often by your elder kin but rarely
caught.
-Likes to follow hunting parties to mock inexperienced hunters.
-Feathers are worth their weight in gold.
Soot Wallow

12 HP, 2 Armor, 14 STR, 8 DEX, 10 WIL, Claws (d6)

-When a bear wallows in a coal deposit for long periods it may

form a protective shell of coal over its body.
-Chases miners away from coal mines where they make their
dens.
-If angered they will ignite their coal shell before attacking.
Splinter Cat

2 HP,1 Armor, 6 STR, 8 DEX, 8 WIL, Headbutt (d6)

-While it is the size and appearance of a common housecat, this

creature has a hard stone-like face.
- Launches itself headfirst at trees to splinter them in order to
find food within.
Squonk

6 HP, 8 STR, 6 DEX, 4 WIL, Sorrowful Tears (d4 WIL dmg)

-An unfortunate bipedal creature that constantly weeps, leaving

a wet trail.
-May dissolve itself in its tears if cornered.
-Critical Damage: Forget all known spells.
“That’s a Big Ass Catfish”

15 HP, 16 STR, 14 DEX, 10 WIL, Slam (d10)

-Even in the smallest rivers and lakes there is at least one big ass
catfish. Locals often name them.
-Hates bridges and piers on their territory.
-Some people claim that if you catch one of these catfish, they
will grant you a wish.
Whirling Whimpus

8 HP, 12 STR, 14 DEX, 8 WIL, Claws (d6)

-A large, bloodthirsty creature that appears similar to a gorilla

with tiny legs.
-Can spin so quickly on its hind legs that it will become invisible.