Unique Stingbat Generator
Jutta, the biologist report on Stingbats
Hey my fellows adventurers! Hope all your rolls have been 20s!
Today in bring to you a new section on my blog, where i mix some new content related to monsters for Shadowdark and some story (reports) and lore made by a NPC i build for a adventure. Jutta is a Dwarf biologist/zoologist/cryptozoologist, who defrauded his family, following his passion to learn more about the fauna of his planet and not following his family lineage of blacksmiths. Jutta writes reports on different species, along with drawings to explain certain characteristics. He is passionate about learning in depth about the biological characteristics of each species, seeing their differences and finding new species.
This time, Jutta delights us with a report on an iconic Shadowdark monster, the Stingbat. I also bring to you a series of tables to generate alterations and unique Stingbats for different situations or adventures, just a little twist on our beloved creature.
Diary Entries
AKT II - CM 47th day:
During my exploration campaign in the forest near the Ostlin village, I was collecting some Purplacy berries, I heard a moaning in a bush. When I approached to look and investigate the noise, it was a Stingbat, but not a normal one, its skin color was somewhat greenish, like moss, its body looked thin and weak. How fascinating what causes not being able to feed, the area was known for only having trees and plants, but not creatures. Probably this Stingbat had not been able to get food for a long time and its body suffered the consequences. It only took one blow to finish it off. Its blood sac was almost dried out. Indeed it had not fed for a long time. Could there be a large population of Stingbats with these characteristics?
AKT II - RM 22th day:
I finally found shelter in a cave in the Baksh-that swamp. The incessant rain and the gale-force wind almost caused me to receive a log on my head. It is not that my hard head and resistant neck would suffered great damage, but it is better to be safe. During the walk, I heard a flock of Stingbats flying through the sky. A flash of lightning illuminated the night and allowed me to see that this entire flock had special characteristics. Larger wings than the common Stingbats, muscular legs and a greenish skin, which reminds me of the Stingbat I managed to inspect near Ostlin. I believe that with this discovery and given that the entire flock had the same characteristics, I can conclude that there are indeed environmental characteristics that make the anatomy of the Stingbats differ. The Baksh-that swamp and surrounding area is known for its extreme wind and incessant rainfall, so it makes sense that this population of Stingbats would have larger wings, sturdier bodies, and skin covered in mold or something. Unfortunately I only got to see them flying for a couple of minutes and from about 5 meters away.
AKT II - SM 3th day:
Venturing into the Cxatacombs of Zyerne, something happened that left me stunned. I had never seen a Stingbat with these characteristics before, is it some kind of mix between a Stingbat and a furry animal? (a bear, a griffon or something like that). How peculiar and I didn't see just 1 specimen with these characteristics, but 3. Roaming around the natural cave part of the catacombs, there were these 3 Stingbats on the ground, feeding on a fallen explorer (RIP), the peculiar thing is that these Stingbats were covered in long fur, I could see their skin, but the amount of hair was considerable. One even had long hair that almost covered its eyes. I didn't want to get close, I'm not a dumb dwarf, I'm knowledgeable, I know that if there is a group of 2 or more Stingbats, the situation says run. But I did stay watching from around 5 meters while they were feeding. Incredible long brown fur covered almost every part of its body. Could it be that the catacomb is very cold and the species has adapted to withstand the cold?
Report
Looking back at my recent discoveries related to the Stingbat species (Culcidae-Chiroptera), we see that within its subspecies we can see characteristics linked to fur (quantity, color and quality), types of wings (large and resistant, small, damaged) and some unique characteristics such as not having a tail, having a weak beak, hardened skin, among others. Indeed, each subspecies, depending on the area where its habitat is found, is incredibly affected by its environment.
Unique Stingbat Generator
D4 Eye color and shape
Red eyes, almost blood-colored. They looked like they are going to explode.
Orange eyes, very similar to the color of his body but somewhat brighter.
Green eyes, it looks like they're covered in moss. If you look closely, you can see that they have a layer of moss on them.
Brown eyes, peculiar square shape.
D6 Body Hair
Body free of hair.
Small patches of hair around its head and tail.
Long hair on his head, covering part of his large eyes.
Its tail is covered in hair, it looks like a pony tail.
Wings covered with hair, which moves when flapping.
Only its beak covered with hair.
D6 Wing type
Just a normal pair of wings.
Big wings, each one twice of the size of his body.
Each of his wings have a lot of holes and scars, signs of battles.
Little wings, looks like he almost cant fly.
Beautiful shaped wings, proportional to his body and with a bright orange color.
Very muscular wings, looks he has been going to the gym.
D12 Unique Feature
You can only use the description or you can add the stat change written on parentheses .
Completely disproportional eyes, big and round (W = +1).
Two beaks, used to drink blood faster (Blood drain DC 11 STR).
Super tiny and slim beak (ATK = 0 beak).
Rusty and hardened skin (AC = 13).
Only one wing (MV = near walk).
Super strong legs (S = +1).
Long tail thats allows more maneuvers (D = +3).
It has no tail, it was cut off (D = +0).
Incredibly bloodthirsty (AL = C).
No beak (can’t use blood drain).
Super slim body, it shows that he has not been fed (HP = 3).
Robust body, bright colors, penetrating gaze (HP = 5).
Hope you can all make some good and unique Stingbats!! See you on the next one!
“This beak is so weak, what a lame Stingbat“ - Jutta, as he takes out the beak from the Stingbat head.