Nuckelavee

[Shadow]

Doing a little research in mythology I came across the nuckelavee, a horrible water spirit from Scottish mythology. I thought that this abomination would make a perfect encounter for a Ravenloft game. The monster was supposed to be horse shaped with a "rider" growing directly from its back. Also, according to many legends, the beast had no skin, revealing its muscles and black blood. The sight of such a monstrosity would definitely be grounds for a horror check (would DC 15 be appropriate?).

Now I need to get stats for the monster! Necromancer Games' Creature Collection 2 had stats, but the creature presented differed somewhat from the original Scottish myth.

Also, I need to think of a way to incorporate an encounter with the nuckelavee in Ravenloft. Perhaps, it would be best to put it in the domain of Tepest...

Information on the Nuckelavee
http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/nuckle.htm

[Archedius]

yeah that seems like a good fit for Tepest- I'd also use it in Mordent myself. Good find

[NeoTiamat]

Nasty critter from the Orkney Islands (as far north as you go in Scotland).

The one problem I see is how to describe it in such a way as it sounds scary as opposed to ridiculous. A skinless, wide-eared centaur does not sstrike me as a very gothic monster.

[Joël of the FoS]

The one problem I see is how to describe it in such a way as it sounds scary as opposed to ridiculous. A skinless, wide-eared centaur does not sstrike me as a very gothic monster.

He, he, he ...

*evil grin*

[doctor-evil]

The creature had a write up in the Dungeons and Dragons (in the days of D&D and AD&D) Master set I think. It could kill a creature with a glance, and pretty much was a aberrant cenataur-like creature.

For me it screams Forlorn, a lake creature perhaps.

The nuckalavee is probably the result of occassional sightings of hooded seals on Orkney and the north Scottish coast. This beasty rears it's head up and can blow out a blood red nasal sac, which is wobbled as a display. Batterered and stranded animals would likely have cracked and bleeding skin, plus with the flippers and a bloodied "head" lolling around mid body (as the seal rears), this all fits with some of the original descriptions of this creature. It's distribution in coastal salt marshes and beaches, would fit with this too.

[BigBadQDaddy]

Personally (ignoring the Scottish origin) I would be interested in using such a creature in Souragne. Seriously. some sort of zombie horse and rider hybrid that travels via swamp. Kind of like a Headless Horseman exclusive to the domain.
In all honesty a creature like this could be cool anywhere. My only problem with putting the thing in Forlorn would be that no one goes there. No insult intended to anyone who likes Forlorn, I have always considered it the Nebraska of RL. (sigh) and I guess no insult intended for the "Cornhusker" state either.

[Hell_Born]

There's a 3.5 writeup of it in Dragon #343. Basically, it's a Large-sized Monstrous Humanoid with the Aquatic subtype, and is described as a grotesquely mutated amphibious centaur. It can vomit a cone of freezing cold water every 1D4 rounds, cannot enter fresh water unless magically compelled, is treated as being undead by nonintelligent undead, kills all Tiny plants, animals and vermin with 120 feet, has a fearful arau, is immune to poison and has the Fast Healing quality.

[lostboy]

Intrestingly Nuckalavee also appears in Vampire: The Masquerade in OWoD. Whilst here it is an ancient monstorous, cursed vampire thing called a nictuku, it obvisouly comes from the same source as it is known as the skinless one, although in VTM it seems to be associated with aboriginal legends rather than scottish.

There isnt ever a precise description of it, but it is known for having a penchant for eating brains and tends to leave headless corpses littered about.....(which possibly explains why there are no reliable descriptions fo it ).

Not sure quite how that contributes to the thread but hey!

[Rotipher of the FoS]

There's a 3.5 writeup of it in Dragon #343. Basically, it's a Large-sized Monstrous Humanoid with the Aquatic subtype, and is described as a grotesquely mutated amphibious centaur. It can vomit a cone of freezing cold water every 1D4 rounds, cannot enter fresh water unless magically compelled, is treated as being undead by nonintelligent undead, kills all Tiny plants, animals and vermin with 120 feet, has a fearful arau, is immune to poison and has the Fast Healing quality.

Believe it or not, that version from Dragon is toned down from its original OD&D description.

Oh, and as Joel put it:

Heh, heh, heh.

[Johann Foxgrove]

The nuckelavee is a sea monster. It is supposed he can't cross fresh running water, and the legends says that's a nice way to escape from him. Tepest is a good idea. Forlorn too, but it is true nobody goes there. Personally, I'd prefer a sea or sailoring encounter.

There's at least seven descriptions of the monster in different settings and even games, but all of they mismatches a bit from the original.

[Archedius]

you can make anything sound scary- it's all about using the right adjectives in the right tone. I know I can just say this= but go read some H.P. Lovecraft as that man knew how to evoke terror.

[Sorti]

I remember the original oD&D one, it was quite a badass .
My attempt at stating (PEACH and sorry for the spelling mistakes):

Nuckelavee
Large Fey (Aquatic)

Hit Dice: 8d6+48 (76 hp)
Initiative: +2 (+2 Dex)
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares), swim 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 20 (-1 size, +2 Dex, +9 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 18
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+13
Attack: Hoof +8 melee (1d8 +5)
Full Attack: 2 Hooves +8 melee (1d8 +5)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Blightbreath, trample
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 10/magic, saltwater healing 5, darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, spell resistance 18, freshwater aversion, blightful presence, amphibious
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +9
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 14, Con 22, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Skills: Bluff +14, Handle Animal +14, Hide -2, Intimidate +14, Listen +14, Sense Motive +14, Spot +14, Survival +14
Feats: Improved Natural Attack (hoof),Power Attack, Ability Focus (breath weapon)
Environment: Any land,aquatic,marshes
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 9-16 HD (Large); 17-24 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: -

The nuckelavee is the most horrible of all the sea feys. He lives mainly in the sea, but is also held responsible for ruined crops, epidemics, and drought. His breath can wilt the crops and sicken the livestock.
He resembles a centaur whose legs are part fin; he has an enormous gaping mouth, and a single giant eye, which burns with a red flame. The most gruesome detail of his appearance is the fact that he has no skin. Black blood courses through yellow veins and the pale sinews and powerful muscles are visible as a pulsating mass.

Combat
Blightbreath (Su): A nuckelavee can breath a 40-feet long cone of venomous gas every 1d4+1 rounds. Living creatures in the area suffer 8d4 damage from the toxins and force of the breath; a successful DC 20 Reflex save halves the damage, but living creatures who fail the save are automatically affected by a Contagion spell (no save allowed).
All plant life with less than 1 HD in the area is destroyed; plant creatures suffer 8d8 damage (Ref 20 half).
When a nucklavee breaths, all crops and common plants in a 300 ft. radius wither and die within a month, and the land becomes barren and sterile for a full year.
Trample (Ex): 1d8+7 damage, save DC 19; see MM for full description.
Saltwater Healing (Ex): A nuckelavee has fast healing 5 when at least half of its body is immersed in saltwater.
Freshwater aversion (Ex): A nuckelavee cannot cross a stream of fresh water unless magically compelled.
Blightful presence (Su): All common plant life within 10 feet from the nuckelavee wither and dies within a month.
Amphibious (Ex): Nuckelavee can breath air as well as water.

[Aquatic Subtype: These creatures always have swim speeds and thus can move in water without making Swim checks. An aquatic creature can breathe underwater. It cannot also breathe air unless it has the amphibious special quality. ]

[JDCorley]

The nucklavee also appeared in the most recent entry in the Bard's Tale computer RPG, in which you accidentally set it free and it stalks you across the land.

Here is a song sung about it:

"I'll tattle a tale that is terribly true.
Stated out as a rumor, but suddenly grew.
And it deals with a man, and a horse, and a ring.
So settle on in and our song we shall sing.

It happened one day in a ring by a farm
Some that tragically brought us much harm
How could a place abundant with charm
Create such a beast with a spear for an arm.

On death and destruction is what you will get
When he's coming for you and in your kilt you will wet.
And he's big and he's strong and its quite plain to see.
That this is the Tale of the Nukelavee.

Nukelavee! Oh Nukelavee
You're big and evil and heinous
Who could it be who set you free?
He really must be an anus.

Oh Nukelavee it's easy to see
the terror you leave is raining on me.
The village is burned and the taverns are missed
and the beer is all gone and the elders are pissed.

And if they ever should find the fool
We'll hang him upside down by his tool
And spin him around until he gets sick
Ooh! Aah! Oh, that should do the trick.

Nukelavee! Oh Nukelavee
The terror you offer is high class
Who could it be who set you free?
He really must be a dumbass.

Nukelavee! Oh Nukelavee
The horror you furnish is widespread
Who could it be who set you free?
He really must be an ox-head.

Now everyone knows no blood should spill
In the sacred ring by the farm on the hill
And if that ever happen the Death you should fear.
He'll kick in your nuts and he'll serve them with beer.

So one final thought before I depart,
And this my friends comes straight from the heart.
We'd all be fine if not for that bell
And that horse killing wanker that opened up hell.

Nukelavee! Oh Nukelavee
We cannot win we must admit
Who could it be who set you free?
He really must be a dimwit.

Nukelavee! Oh Nukelavee
You're big and evil and heinous
Who could it be who set you free?
He really must be an anus."

[Adam]

Personally (ignoring the Scottish origin) I would be interested in using such a creature in Souragne. Seriously. some sort of zombie horse and rider hybrid that travels via swamp. Kind of like a Headless Horseman exclusive to the domain.
In all honesty a creature like this could be cool anywhere. My only problem with putting the thing in Forlorn would be that no one goes there. No insult intended to anyone who likes Forlorn, I have always considered it the Nebraska of RL. (sigh) and I guess no insult intended for the "Cornhusker" state either.

As a Nebraskan, I resent the implication that my state is filled with pygmies that want to eat the faces of any humans that come to visit.

Now if you had said, say, Wyoming, that might have been another story

[Rotipher of the FoS]

Goblyns aren't pygmies, they're Medium creatures. No doubt they resent the Nebraskan's implication that they're small, just because they happen to share a name with those puny little pipsqueaks up in Tepest....