Nature spirits are the outward manifestations of the powers of various plants and inanimate objects found in nature.
Lesser nature spirits are those of trees, flowers, rocks, and bamboo groves.
Greater nature spirits include those of mountains, boulders, plains, extremely ancient trees, and small islands.
All are associated with a particular object
or place from which they derive their life force.
Damage done to this thing or place affects
the spirit accordingly.
Thus, cutting down the tree which is the
lifeforce of a lesser nature spirit would cause the death of that spirit.
An earthquake which strikes the mountain
of a greater nature spirit may anger or injure it, depending on the amount
of havoc wreaked by the earthquake. Furthermore, they are all possessed
of two aspects-a good and an evil aspect.
The good aspect leads the nature spirit
to be gentle, helpful, and kind.
The evil aspect causes the spirit to be
malicious, savage, and cruel.
When encountered, there is a 75% chance
that the good aspect is dominant.
Normally, the nature spirit shuns contact
with the mortal world, preferring to peacefully reside within (and throughout)
the thing or place that forms its lifeforce. However, in times of danger,
the nature spirit manifests itself.
Likewise, they often appear to meet or
test people of renown and fame.
All nature spirits have the following abilities
in common:
become invisible,
polymorph self, detect evil (and good), detect magic, and detect harmony.
These powers are usable once per round
at will.
see Kami
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FREQUENCY: Common
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVE: 12"
HIT DICE: 2 to 7
% IN LAIR: 80%
TREASURE TYPE: I
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-8
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 20%
INTELLIGENCE: Very to genius
ALIGNMENT: Variable
SIZE: Variable
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE:
2 HD: III | 118 + 2
3 HD: IV | 160 + 3
4 HD: IV | 215 + 4
5 HD: V | 280 + 5
6 HD: V | 475 + 6
7 HD: VI | 700 + 8
Lesser Nature Spirits: These spirits
are most often encountered in the vicinity of their lifeforce.
When encountered, they are usually polymorphed
into the form of a handsome man or beautiful maiden (Charisma 19, Comeliness
21).
They have complete knowledge of the AREA
around their lifeforce and are thus able to find hidden treasures and lost
items in that area without difficulty.
They possess no special abilities beyond
those already listed.
It is not uncommon for a lesser nature
spirit to become attracted to and marry a mortal, such romances forming
the basis for many tales and legends.
FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 2
MOVE: 12"
HIT DICE: 8 to 15
% IN LAIR: 100%
TREASURE TYPE: H
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-10/1-10
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 70%
INTELLIGENCE: Genius
ALIGNMENT: Variable
SIZE: Variable
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE:
8 HD: VII | 1,275 +
10
9 HD: VII | 2,000 +
12
10 HD: VII | 3,000
+ 14
11 & 12 HD: VIII
| 4,400 + 16
13 & 14 HD: IX
| 6,100 + 18
15 HD: 8,100 + 20
Greater Nature Spirits: These beings
are considerably more powerful than those of the lesser kind.
In addition to the powers listed above,
they are able to shapechange
five times per day, know history and aura at will, reward once per week,
and ancient curse once per week.
In addition, they are able to cast all
wu jen spells of the element of their lifeforce (except conjure elemental)
once per day.
Thus, a greater mountain spirit can cast
all earth-related spells,
while a greater island spirit could cast
all water-related spells (the water is more dominant than the land in this
case).
They can only be struck by + 4 weapons
or better and are immune to magical attacks made using their element.
Like the lesser nature spirits, they have
complete knowledge of all events and happenings within the area of their
lifeforce.
However, unlike the lesser nature spirits,
the greater nature spirits tend to tie more aloof, haughty, and irritable.
Should a village be built on a prominent
mountain slope of a greater mountain spirit, he may think ill of it and
attempt to drive the settlers off.
Mortals often go to great pains to avoid
upsetting the greater nature spirits,
presenting them with offerings and consulting
shukenja before undertaking any enterprise which might upset the being.
The greater nature spirits seldom intermarry
with humans.