Monsters of the 13th Age: Mannusiha

by Ryven Cedrylle

“The mannusiha is a creature unknown to the world prior to the time of the current Priestess. Four ascetics serving different gods were independently give the same vision – ‘go to the village called Sittwe; when you arrive a woman will give birth. That daughter is the next Priestess.’ The ascetics travelled and as they arrived, a daughter was indeed born. The village was at the time plagued by ogres, who would steal infants as a delicacy. The ascetics hid the infant until they could finish creating the first mannusiha, which drove the ogres from the town forever. Since then, the Priestess has kept mannusiha as her trusted companions and protectors. ”

– Codex Yyangoni, Book XIII

 

Mannusiha – Level 7 Large Wrecker

Initiative +9                                                           Fear aura: 36 HP or less (dazed, no escalation die)

AC: 24                                                                   PD:  19                                                   MD: 21
HP: 216

M: Swipe – +12 vs AC  18 damage.  This attack can be made once as a quick action or  twice in a single standard action, targeting one creature twice or two creatures each once.http://site.pelgranepress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=9848&action=edit

M: Tail Whip – +11 vs AC No damage, but the target is hampered and stuck (save ends)

Hit (even): Bite +10 vs. PD, 70 damage

C: Roar – +10 vs MD, targets all nearby enemies, 10 damage and the target chooses to either forfeit its move action or be subject to the mannusiha’s Fear aura on its next turn. Roll a d6 at the start of the mannusiha’s turn; this attack only occurs when the d6 roll is greater than the escalation die and does not require an action.

Four Faces of Truth: The mannusiha does not make saving throws. Instead, at the beginning of each turn, regardless of other condition, the mannusiha may change its visage. Each visage is immune to (and thus ends) different conditions, but also has a vulnerability:

Humanesque Male – immune to all but weakened, vulnerable cold

Humanesque Female – immune to all but dazed, vulnerable fire

Ram – immune to all but hampered, vulnerable lightning

Hawk – immune to all but stunned, vulnerable poison

False Duality:  The mannusiha’s Swipe and Bite attacks deal damage of the type to which it is vulnerable. Attacks of the ‘opposite’ element do no additional damage.

Two Torsos (optional upgrade);  The mannusiha possesses two bodies controlled by a single head. Each can make a separate Tail Whip attack in the same action, but only one Bite total.

The Mannusiha is a large leonine creature with a mutable head and wings. Each head speaks with a different voice and may be called upon under specific circumstances, but the creature is of a single cogent mind. Some mannusiha may also have two bodies joined at the head. Mannusiha are all magically created and fully living. They can fly but require substantial take-off and landing area; they fly only when traveling long distances. Mannusiha serve the Priestess unswervingly.

Mannusiha are often found in the Cathedral, ensuring pilgrims find their way through the ever-changing passages. They seem to have a knack for overhearing disputes between different sects and ensuring the disputes remain civil. Violent acts (harm that requires intentional healing) are an absolute last resort. Actions up to and including physically dragging an offender out of the Cathedral are not considered violent. Other mannusiha are sent out to protect travels the Priestess deems important. The arrival of mannusiha in a village or town is greeted with joy by the inhabitants, for it means the Priestess is soon to arrive herself.

Young mannusiha speak clearly and directly, while the older ones seem to favor metaphors and riddles. Confronting an older mannusiha with a clever paradox (“How is it that a god may die?”) is an excellent way to gain favor or trust. Doing so with a younger will likely result in a sour look and snorting.