Shibaten (Apath)
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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 motley 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: Shibaten are not well regarded by most other races, but neither are they seen as a serious threat. While neighbors find them noisy, they are tolerated as a humorous element, and their work in water-craft rarely causes serious competition. Shibaten get along decently with humans and well with tengu and half-orcs. Elves, half-elves, gnomes, and halflings tend to shy away from their boisterousness, but once they get to know them and realize they are not truly dangerous accept them, if preferably at arm's length.
Alignment and Religion: Duck-folk are self-centered and boisterous and tend towards chaotic alignments in their personal habits. But they are rarely anarchists - they like a stable society to fall back on. They are drawn to boisterous, brave-faced gods much like themselves, patrons that see the value of a quick wit and a good laugh - tough they rarely pay more than lip service to religion.
Adventurers: More aggressive shibaten adventure to express their exuberance, while others are forced into a life of adventure because they have been kicked out of their homes by stronger creatures. They make surprisingly good warriors despite their small size, and many are fine archers and hunters, but a good number of them display magical powers, as sorcerers or bards. Despite their size, they are too impatient and noisy to make truly good sneak rogues, but can do well as con-men.
Male Names: Akio, Arata, Atsushi, Haruo, Hiro, Hiroki, Isamu, Katsu, Ken, Kichirou, Masa, Orochi, Ryuu, Sadao, Sho, Takayuki, Takeo, Takeshi, Tatsuya, Tsuyoshi, Yasuo.
Female Names: Akane, Asami, Aya, Ayano, Chiharu, Etsuko, Hitomi, Kameyo, Kasumi, Kei, Kohaku, Mari, Mayumi, Nana, Natsuko, Ren, Sango, Takara, Toshiko, Yoshie.
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
Offense Racial Traits
Senses Racial Traits
- Low-light Vision: Duck-folk can see twice as far as a race with normal vision in conditions of dim light.