Shibaten (Apath)

Unofficial rules compendium

Shibaten or shibatengu are diminutive Japanese spirits, at home on lawns and in streams, akin to kappa. As game creatures, they are humanoid ducks, related to duck the same way tengu are related to ravens.

Description

Shibaten or duck-folk are humanoids with the physical characteristics of ducks, much like tengu have the features of ravens. They mostly live sedentary lives, but have a fierce temper and can be very competitive. Their tempers fade as quickly as they fade, however, and rarely get the shibaten into serious trouble.

Physical Description: Duck-folk are small, about 3'10, with duck-like feathered bodies, beaked heads, oversize eyes, and yellow or orange bird legs with finned feet. Their plumage varies wildly in color; white, black, speckled brown, or motley with bright colors like blue, green, red, and orange. Plumage color is inherited, and sometimes related to social class and occupation. For example, black shibaten are considered sly, brown ones shy, and motlely ones vain. Shibaten are surprisingly strong for their size and make excellent wrestlers and fighters despite their small size. Their compact, water-repellent body and finned feet make them excellent swimmers.

Society: Shibaten live in small enclaves, usually close to the dwellings of other folk. Then tend to specialize in water-bound occupations, such as fishermen, ferrymen, and doing laundry. They also farm and forage in marshes and lakes. Their society is loud, intense, and might even seem violent to outsiders.

Relations:

Alignment and Religion:

Adventurers:

Names:

Standard Racial Traits

• Ability Score Racial Traits:
• Size:
• Type:
• Base Speed:
• Languages:
• Random Starting Age: Base age XX years
  Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer +XX
  Bard, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger +XX
  Cleric, Druid, Monk, Wizard +XX.
• Aging Effects: Middle Age XX. Old XX. Venerable XX. Max XX+XdX.
• Height and Weight: Male Height X Weight XModifier XWeight Multiplier xX,
  Female Height X Weight X Modifier X Weight Multiplier xX

Senses Racial Traits

• Low-light Vision: Duck-folk can see twice as far as a race with normal vision in conditions of dim light.

See Also

• Shibaten in Tengu article on Wikipedia.