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| Image copyright Games Workshop, in case their lawyers track this blog down through reverse image search and threaten to have me kneecaped. |
In stolen moments (between work, childcare and attempts at eradicating my lockdown pounds) I've been diligently chipping away at the coalface of the PARIAH bestiary. It's still very much a w-i-p, but there's a link to the free PDF at the end. Expect updates each week for the next month or so. Don't expect Fire on the Velvet Horizon, or the excellent monster-manualling of D4 Caltrops or Coins & Scrolls; do expect , however, sufficient tools to populate a proto-neolithic psychedelic animist sandbox.
Anyway, I digress: the purpose of this preamble is to set the scene. Like probably everyone before me I soon found that writing stat locks gets old very quickly (even if you're just ripping off the Rules Cyclopedia...), and that in some instances I was skipping the block entirely or throwing in placeholders. After all, how does one stat a goddess?
I Punch Cthulhu on the Nose
Providing a stat block suggests that at the very least the creature can be harmed, if not outright destroyed. Some of the figures I was describing weren't just overviews, they were forces of nature: life and death itself. If met on their own terms, on their own turf, I didn't want PCs to rule initiative and declare actions.
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| Samurai Jack in action... a good chance to bring up Primal... it's pretty good... |
This is not to say that one can never punch Cthulhu on the nose, or decapitate death... just that when that moment comes, will a stat block really be that useful?
Aziza in her Own Domain
Aziza is Queen of Dawn, the realm of nature's wyrd and fecund side where there is no death... just endless florescence and reformation, something like the feywilde meeting the novel Annihilation. Indeed, the shimmer from the movie adaptation of that novel is part of the recipe that makes up Azia, who otherwise is equal parts Titania, Slaanesh, Queen Mab and Aaliyah as Queen of the Damned.
What the elders can tell you:
- She is a giant eel/peacock/mushroom/flower (partially true)
- Aziza can bring back the dead (partially true)
- Only those deemed worthy my gaze upon her (false)
- Music is her weakness: bring her a truly beautiful song and she will grant your heart's desire (partially true)
- Answer her questions truthfully or she will twist reality to contradict your lies (partially true)
- The Others are her children, born from her union with the Beyond (unknown).
- It is said the only way to contact her is combine the rituals of the shaman shroom with that of the cactus flower (false: this is the gateway to the Beyond Realm of the plague swarm).
- Aziza is in love with the Moon, and a token from the silver lake will win her favour (true).
- Those who have lost their true name can retrieve it from Aziza (true).
- Aziza is the mother of the Sun (unknown)
- She can grant your wildest wish, but you might never be given the chance to say what the wish is (true, sort of)
- She despises Death, and carries a spear that can slay Him (true)
How Aziza Manifests
Roll the shaman’s entheogen skill dies (1d6 if unskilled): this is how she manifests...
1: Eel-in-the-cave-of-bile
The ground rises up around the pariah(s) and forms a rocky chamber about them. A pool of black bile forms at their feet. The pariah collapses to the ground, swallowing some of the acrid liquid (randomly select if more than one pariah is present). The individual begins to convulse and wretch, before finally vomiting forth a slimy black eel with a vaguely human face. It is a painful labour that seems to last several minutes, inflicting 1d4 perm con or wis damage.
Aziza as the eel-in-the-cave of bile entwines the pariahs and begins to question them. All present are nauseated. This angers Aziza. -2 to all subsequent rolls.
2: Resonance
The environment about the pariahs begins to melt into viscous strings of colour; even sapient creatures with whom they may have been conversing are absorbed into this new landscape. The pariahs feel themselves stretching: limbs elongating, entwining around their bodies. Efforts to speak or cry out instead manifest as bodies vibrating, music issuing forth from within. This is visible: appearing as colourful waves rippling through the fabric of a new reality, causing other strings to vibrate as it makes contact with them.
Aziza is the music that slowly comes to dominate this strange world of iridescent strings, communicating through a harmonious resonance the pariahs feel deep within their very souls.
3: Rising Sun
A brilliant flash of white light temporarily blinds the shaman. Recovering their vision, they find themselves in a freezing cold desert of grey ash bathed in a dim blue glue. Shivering, they are relieved when a brilliant red sun breaks on the horizon, bathing all in not just light but life.This rising sun is the queen of dawn as progenitor of life. She communicates with the pariahs through the plants and animals that spontaneously manifest in this once barren landscape, either directly (talking birds) or indirectly (the course of a new river forming in a lush valley).
4: Pea-hen-cock
The glowing orange orb of the dawn sun rises, slowly taken on its yellow hue, before settling into the form of a great golden eye. The eye is the feather of a great peacock at the centre of a forest glade. It’s slender neck and head shift in colour and shape, appearing at times to resemble an elegant man or woman emerging form the great bird’s torso. Its voice is a piercing screech that somehow communicates complex sentences.
5: Primordial Fungus
In the shade of a great tree grows an enormous, tentacled mushroom. It writhes elegantly, and begins to issue questions in the form of vibrations, spreading up from the ground beneath the pariahs’ feet.Aziza as the primordial fungus is forgiving and kind. Add +1 to all subsequent rolls during this encounter.
6 or more: Queen of Dawn
Aziza, Queen of Dawn, appears as a terrifyingly beautiful man or woman with entirely black eyes and bat, butterfly or bird wings. Endlessly changing, her skin shimmers and bursts, sprouting new limbs and appendages, ultimately subsuming her entire form.Around her the forest is perpetually unfolding and revealing new life, as a beautiful chorus harmonises with each word she utters. The pariahs feel a deep state of content. +2 all subsequent rolls.
Aziza's Curiosity
Upon manifestation the Queen of Dawn asks her supplicants: the nature and number of those questions depends entirely on how well the "shaman" knows their mushrooms: roll the shaman’s entheogen skill die (1d6 if unskilled)and add it to their con (or wis) score (the whole thing, not the modifier). There is a twist to these innocent questions which shall yet be revealed. Questions are shared equally among pariahs:
2-12 1d10 questions about the world in which the pariahs live: "what do you hunt?" "Which is the strongest animal in the grasslands?" "What is the tallest mountain?" "Who is the ruler of the forest?"
13-19 1d8 personal questions, ranging from the obvious to the obscure: "what colour are your eyes?" "Who do you love most?" "Why were you exiled from your tribe?" "What is your greatest talent?"
20-24 1d6 questions about plans and ambitions: "where are you going?" "What do you really want?"
25-27 1d4 questions about personal effects "what weapon do you favour?" "What instrument do you play?" "What is in your pocket?"
28-29 She smiles. No questions.
30 No questions and add 2 to all further rolls in Aziza's presence (accumulates with other modifiers)
The pariahs are compelled to answer truthfully: if they lie or refuse to answer, they suffer 1d6 WIS damage. The question is then asked of the next pariah.
After each question, those interrogated need to make a save vs spells (TN 19) or Aziza contradicts that statement.
Reality alters to fit her version of events; Aziza asks if the pariah accepts this new narrative:
- If they do, reality is forever altered and she moves to the next question.
- If they do NOT accept, she asks if they are willing to change themselves to prevent this new situation...
- If Yes, roll for a mutation. Reality reverts to however it was before Aziza's question.
- If they are unwilling to change, the pariah can take 1d4 wis damage to stop her from altering the truth.
What Aziza Wants
Again, roll the shaman's entheogen skill die (1d6 if unskilled)and add it to their con (or wis) score. Add any bonuses from the previous round if applicable.2-12 Something nearly impossible, the sound of a cat's footstep, the breath of a fish, the soul of death...
13-19 A truly beautiful piece of music, art or crafted item. Alternatively, an incredibly delicious piece of food. This should be of supernatural quality.
20-24 As above but "the best you can provide" I.e. not necessarily of supernatural quality..it's the thought that counts.
25-27 To walk as a human in the here and now: she will return with the pariahs for 24 hours.
28-29 Aziza wants nothing but is happy to give to her disciples. Add 1 to any subsequent rolls (bonuses accumulate)
30 As above but she is so impressed by the shaman she whispers her true name. They may utter this once per day to summon her to the Here and Now.
When does She Want it?
Results 2-24 above all entail presenting Aziza with some tribute, or going on a quest on her behalf. Roll the entheogen die and consult below to find out when she wants it.1: within the duration of this trip. It .must be found in the realm of dawn
2-7: before the next rising of the Sun Aziza will come and visit the pariahs for her gift.
8: or more: within one lunar month.
What will happen if she doesn't get it?
Roll 1d6 and check below:- Reabsorption into the dawn. The pariah's spirit is lost forever. It's a reincarnation of sorts…
- Pariahs transform into invisible, non corporeal ghosts doomed to wander the Here and Now for eternity, with no way of interacting with it.
- Nameless: CHA drops to 0, pariahs become Nameless Ones.
- Multiple mutations. Roll 2d4, 4s explode. Each pariah receives this many mutations.
- Shunned by plants and animals, roll reaction rolls at disadvantage.
- Banes: Roll 2d4: each pariah receives this many banes of Dawn (PARIAH VOL I page 47).
What She will Give If She Gets it
2-12 Nothing. However, the pariahs will be well received if they return the following moon (or later).
13-19 Aziza offers those present the chance to improve storytelling, musical instrument, drinking OR craft (by one die) AND become more confident, alluring and assertive (1d4 CHA nonus, maximum 20). If they politely decline she might consider their REAL request.
20-24 As above but her offer also includes one item becoming enchanted, one pariah gaining a spell-spirit, one creature/pet becoming sapient and one pariah gaining a random ritual. Only if all decline (politely) will they be given the chance to explain the purpose of their visit.
25-27 Aziza asks politely why the pariahs came to her in the first place. Without answering the request, she offers all of the above to one pariah, and some other more personal desire. If they refuse she grants the original request, assuming it is within her power.
28-29 The Queen of Dawn ziza offers all of the above alongside their wish, if it is possible. If she is unable to grant the wish she does all in her power to assist them in finding a solution. The pariahs have a goddess as an ally.
30. Their wish, if it is possible. But that’s a side issue. Aziza is so impressed by the shaman
she whispers her true name to them. Tey may
utter this once per day to summon her to the Here and Now
If this has already occurred, the shaman is offered Dawn immortality as bride/groom of Aziza. The details of this are up to the GM and group, but it should involve retiring of that character and something pretty spectacular for the remaining band.
What Wishes are Within Her Power
- Heal injuries, including permanent attribute damage.
- Increase con, str, dex or cha score to 20.
- Restore lost limbs/sight/hearing/the power of speech.
- Remove curses, banes and unwanted mutations.
- Grant mutations and abilities
- Rid malevolent spirits (except those of the Beyond, which she refuses to acknowledge)
- Locate any living person and bring them to the supplicant.
- She cannot force anyone to fall in love with the supplicant: she can compel the chosen individual to believe they are in love, but with several conditions needing to be met to preseve the spell. When it is broken the victim will be aware of the horrendous violation and possibly begin plotting revenge.
- Aziza can restore a person's true name, healing any damage and restoring their character in the process. Note this is unlike the ritual of naming, which effectively creates a new person sharing the originals memories.
- ...she cannot, however, truly restore the dead to life: she can create a simulacrum of flesh and bone, with all their memories, but they will slowly realise they are not who they thought they were and yearn to return to the realm of Dawn.
- Aziza cannot grant wealth as she doesn't understand the concept: land, titles, deeds are meaningless, and gold and other metals are the domain of the spirits of the deep earth and the Beyond.
Conclusion
None of this has been playtested, it is bit a sketchy and (as mentioned) forms one of the (many) entries in the Pariah bestiary. They aren't all like that, there's bears there too...
Have a look: