Question: Vetervnuk. I can’t seem to find information on them anywhere. Is there any chance we could learn little bit more about them and perhaps some other Slavic critters.
The Vetervnuk are the winds of the world, Stribog's grandchildren and therefore some of his most potent tools (and quite potent for Scions he lends them out to, as well!). Slavic myth paints them basically as little wind daemons or elementals, nominally sentient but playful and mindless, only controlled by Stribog himself. They're similar to sylphs, air spirits or the Anemoi of Greek mythology - mostly formless because they're just air in the end, but animated by life and thought and obedient to the wind-god's commands.
They're probably not very bright, nor are they very good at things that air can't do - they probably can't lift a lot and aren't great for more than a distraction in combat - but they probably make useful and entertaining helpers, attendants and message-bearers (particularly the last, as I imagine they're quite good with Divine Threnody). They're more of a flavor Follower than one a Scion will probably be finding an absolute need for most of the time, but they're thematic and very, very cool. Having the air move things around for you or whisper in peoples' ears is badass even if it doesn't help you punch the monsters much.
We're always willing to talk about more Slavic creatures! If there are specific ones you're interested in, hit us anytime.
How would you handle the Nightingale Bandit, you think, Anne?
ReplyDeleteI'd set him as a Titanspawn creature, probably Legend 5 or thereabouts, effortlessly destructive and terrible to humans but defeatable by a band of Heroes (or one really cranky Legend 4-5 dude named Ilya). He'd definitely have Animal (Nightingale) powers and is probably rocking a full complement of Rapacity, if his robbing, hoarding and eating are any indication. There's no power in the skillset at the moment to really cover the whistling (unless you use some of the Sound powers I've seen around, I suppose?), but since he's Titanspawn, I'd make that a special power unique to him; probably roll his Charisma + Presence against everyone else's Stamina + Fortitude and deal appropriate lethal damage (objects would be leveled because they don't get to roll, living things might stand a chance if they're lucky).
DeleteHe'd be a good antagonist for the end of a Hero story before the jump to Demigod, I think. Definitely as flavorfully Slavic as you can get.