Creature of Darkness Sneak Peek #1: Anansi (Cypher Edition)
- Adam Donovan
- Sep 24, 2018
- 5 min read
This one is for the Cypher System players out there!
There are many strange beings that walk the night in Moralinth, from the petty to the terrifying, they all go under the moniker of a Creature of Darkness.
Here for your viewing pleasure is one of the more dangerous a player might meet on the street of any enclave: the insidious and cunning shape-shifter known as the Anansi:
ANANSI 6 (18)
A powerful and patient shape-shifter, the Anansi are cunning predators that hide easily among mortals whom they see as interesting play-things. Consisting of three forms and able to shift between them at will, Anansi can take the form of a pale raven-haired human woman, a swarm of tiny black spiders and their natural form: that of a giant spider. Sharing some traits with a werewolf, the Anansi is not a lycanthrope but rather an altogether different creature. Where the werewolf is fury, the Anansi is cunning, a dangerous monster not only because of its supernatural nature, but also because of its calculating intelligence.
An Anansi will frequently converse, spend time with and manipulate humans, in some cases genuinely enjoying their company for a time. At the basest level however, all Anansi see humans as food. NOTE: An Anansi is capable of becoming Dark Blighted.
Motive: To gain power and influence, as well as feed on their favourite delicacies – mortals.
Environment: Any urban environment, especially Enclaves. Usually alone.
Health: 22 (35 in giant spider form)
Damage Inflicted: 7 Points (hand-to-hand in human form), 5 points (spider swarm, see below), 10 points (giant spider bite, see below)
Armour: 1 (spider swarm), 2 (human form), 4 (giant spider form)
Movement: short (spider swarm or human form), long (giant spider form).
Modifications: Attacks as level 7 when in human form, level 6 in spider swarm form and level 8 in giant spider form. Perception and Stealth at level 8 in all forms. Increased (+13) health in giant spider form. Speed Defense as level 7, Intellect Defense as level 8.
Combat: Anansi are actually quite social creatures and prefer to avoid violence unless they are feeding or defending themselves. Dangerous in any of their forms but especially deadly in their natural giant-spider form (which appears as a demonic-looking 20ft long black-widow spider), the Anansi rarely reveals its true nature unless ready to strike or retreating. In their human guise they appear as attractive pale-skinned, dark-haired women with an unearthly grace and, if provoked, incredible strength. With a wide array of abilities to defend themselves and immobilise or harm their prey, Anansi can be especially unpredictable to fight.
Paralysis Attack: In all forms the Anansi can attempt to immobilise a foe to either remove them from a fight or save them as a snack. Attacking as their form dictates (level 6, 7 or 8), they either swarm and bite (swarm form), kiss their opponent (human form) or pierce with a sharp mandible (giant spider form), with their paralysis lasting 1d6 turns. A paralysed opponent can attempt to shake off the effects each turn with a Speed Defense check.
Dark Vision: In all forms the Anansi can see in the dark as well as in light.
Egotistical: Anansi think very highly of themselves, are highly prideful and susceptible to flattery, despite being masters of seduction themselves. Any attempt to gain influence or favour with them via the use of flattery or seduction have their difficulty reduced by 1 step.
Weakness to Fire: The healing factor, powerful armour and supernatural fortitude of the Anansi is hampered by fire. See specific forms for details.
Corrupting: any Corruption gained from interacting with the Anansi gives an additional +1 Corruption point. Spider Swarm Form: At will, the Anansi can collapse into swarm of tiny spiders that scurry in all directions. While in this form the swarm takes half damage from all effects that hit a single target unless fire-based. If even a single spider survives, the Anansi will slowly regenerate. While in this form the spider swarm is at level 9 for stealth but only while retreating. Once per turn the swarm can attempt a special over-whelm attack, sending all spiders bar one (that hides) to swarm over a target, pinning them to the ground and covering them in bites (either normal or paralytic). In either case, the damage increases to 6 Points. During this attack, the swarm loses its 1 Armour. Human Form: In human form, the Anansi gives off a pheromone that makes her more appealing, increasing all intelligence-checks against her (including discerning her motives, but excluding attempts to flatter, see “Egotistical”, above) by 1 level. Also, in this form the Anansi can mesmerise another, as per the vampire ability (CSR p323). Though they rarely like to employ it as it gives away their nature, in human form the Anansi can also cling to any surface (including ceilings) and can leap long distances both vertically and horizontally. While in this form the Anansi takes half damage from any mundane source such as blades or bullets, but this does not extent to fire, which does full damage. Giant Spider Form: In its natural form the Anansi causes Fear as if those viewing it as if they had Phobia: Arachnophobia (sadly if the person affected actually has that phobia, the effects stack). They leap / climb long distances in this form, and regenerate any physical, non-fire-based damage at a rate of 5 health per turn. They can fire an acidic, sticky web from their abdomen that has short range and causes 5 Might Damage as well as an additional 2 Speed Damage per turn for 3 turns due to burning acid. Lastly, in this form the Anansi can sense vibrations in the air and can fight even if blinded.
Interaction: The woman seems incredibly confident and relaxed in her abode: a calming yet dark place filled with a bitter-sweet aroma. Surrounded by finery and with a promise of knowledge or pleasure, this raven-haired beauty bids you welcome to her…home.
Use: While Anansi are undeniably dangerous, their long and secret lives also make them an excellent source of information on anything related to The Dark. Anansi are social creatures – especially if recently fed – but it is wise to never forget you are dealing with an apex predator.
Loot: Virtually anything that takes their interest. Likely at least three or four cyphers. Anansi like to collect information (especially on their rivals) but also enjoy the bartering of information for something new. Canny players can find out valuable information from the Anansi so long as they have something valuable enough to trade and have a contingency plan should the negotiations turn against them.
Intrusion: The Anansi senses deception in your parlay and immediately attacks the nearest person via a paralysis attack. Enraged, she will fight to kill.
Hopefully you enjoyed this little sneak behind the curtain! much more is coming, including a look at Moralinth-specific rules and lore, non-player characters and equipment!
Happy Gaming,
- Adam
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