Ki-lin: Difference between revisions
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They were given the Rolemaster description of Ki-rin, benevolent aerial creatures, who resided high in the air and rarely came down to earth. This may have also been intentional, being even more impossible. Ki-lin proper resembled greyhounds with a stag's head, and were creatures of absolute freedom. It is not clear that either of them would have originally been considered extra-planar beings, unless the ki-lin teleportation powers were planar like some of [[Uthex Kathiasas|Uthex's]] minions. Interestingly, [[Sheruvian harbinger|harbingers]] were supposed to ride black unicorns, but those of [[Sheru]] used [[nightmare steed]]s. |
They were given the Rolemaster description of Ki-rin, benevolent aerial creatures, who resided high in the air and rarely came down to earth. This may have also been intentional, being even more impossible. Ki-lin proper resembled greyhounds with a stag's head, and were creatures of absolute freedom. It is not clear that either of them would have originally been considered extra-planar beings, unless the ki-lin teleportation powers were planar like some of [[Uthex Kathiasas|Uthex's]] minions. Interestingly, [[Sheruvian harbinger|harbingers]] were supposed to ride black unicorns, but those of [[Sheru]] used [[nightmare steed]]s. |
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One possible motivation for the ki-lin could have been the dread and forbidden city Yian-Ho on the [[Uthex Kathiasas#(C) Coexistences|Plateau of Leng]], mentioned in the [[Uthex Kathiasas#Behind the Scenes|Yog-Sothoth]] based [http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/tgsk.aspx "Through the Gates of the Silver Key"], which is based on the city of Yian from [http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks06/0605441h.html#ch01 "The Maker of Moons"]. The maker of moons is a Chinese themed sorcerer in what is probably an unknown dimension who has warped the bodies of a lake dwelling race which control [[Muylari#Behind the Scenes|dragon-like]] reptiles as appendages. This may be another possible motive behind the myklian, which were seemingly not based on a Rolemaster extra-planar entity. It will also provide an explanation for all of the lizards in the huge cavern, which seem to be the only small fauna that still survive in The Broken Lands. |
One possible motivation for the ki-lin could have been the dread and forbidden city Yian-Ho on the [[Uthex Kathiasas#(C) Coexistences|Plateau of Leng]], mentioned in the [[Uthex Kathiasas#Behind the Scenes|Yog-Sothoth]] based [http://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/tgsk.aspx "Through the Gates of the Silver Key"], which is based on the city of Yian from [http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks06/0605441h.html#ch01 "The Maker of Moons"]. The maker of moons is a Chinese themed sorcerer in what is probably an unknown dimension who has warped the bodies of a lake dwelling race which control [[Muylari#Behind the Scenes|dragon-like]] reptiles as appendages. This may be another possible motive behind the myklian, which were seemingly not based on a Rolemaster extra-planar entity. It will also provide an explanation for all of the lizards in the huge cavern, which seem to be the only small fauna that still survive in The Broken Lands. Robert Chambers was also the author who invented the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King_in_Yellow King in Yellow], suspected of being the [[hooded figure]] in the Nameless Monastery of Lovecraft's Dreamlands, and whose [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Sign Yellow Sign] is [[The Broken Lands and ki-lin: Part 4 (log)|thematically]] consistent. Qi-lin of mythology are also associated with the Yellow Emperor of China. |
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== Resources == |
== Resources == |
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Revision as of 18:08, 13 September 2018
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Imagine a creature with the head of a dragon, the mane of a lion, the body of a stag and the tail of an ox. Add a solitary horn upon its forehead and the form of the ki-lin is complete. Sightings of this magical and dangerous beast are very rare and thus trophy hunters are said to pay a high price for the horn of the legendary beast.
Hunting strategies
Ki-lin can have their horns glow red, which casts Earthen Fury (917). You might want to resist the temptation of playing with one for too long.
Other information
Ki-lin are rare and can only be summoned under certain conditions. One known condition is monastic liches summoning them "under duress." They can also be summoned by Sheruvian monks. Although the horns are not exceptionally valuable at furriers, they are highly sought after by players. Ki-lin are considered extraplanar beings.
A Sheruvian monk gestures arcanely. Suddenly, a rift appears in the air in front of you! Snorting and stamping, a ki-lin thunders through the rift into the room! A ki-lin directs its pent-up magical energies at [name]! CS: +84 - TD: +99 + CvA: +12 + d100: +97 - -5 == +99 Warded off! The ki-lin looks a little dubious about its situation. The ki-lin gallops down. A ki-lin gallops in. A ki-lin tries to bite [name]! AS: +205 vs DS: +313 with AvD: +34 + d100 roll: +51 = -23 A clean miss. A ki-lin snorts and paws the ground impatiently. (Note: Numbers may not be current, old log from GemStone III era.)
Behind the Scenes
Ki-lin were malevolent creatures of sea and ice in Rolemaster, who would pretend to be unicorns to defile virgins. They supposedly had the power to teleport themselves, and were symbolically important because they were creatures of darkness who would never "ally with Demons or evil lords." In principle, it would have been "impossible" to summon them for aid in this way, which was apparently intentional. Our ki-lin seems to have more to do with the root Qi-lin concept itself, originating in Chinese folklore, which would appear with birth and death of immortal sages and rulers.
They were given the Rolemaster description of Ki-rin, benevolent aerial creatures, who resided high in the air and rarely came down to earth. This may have also been intentional, being even more impossible. Ki-lin proper resembled greyhounds with a stag's head, and were creatures of absolute freedom. It is not clear that either of them would have originally been considered extra-planar beings, unless the ki-lin teleportation powers were planar like some of Uthex's minions. Interestingly, harbingers were supposed to ride black unicorns, but those of Sheru used nightmare steeds.
One possible motivation for the ki-lin could have been the dread and forbidden city Yian-Ho on the Plateau of Leng, mentioned in the Yog-Sothoth based "Through the Gates of the Silver Key", which is based on the city of Yian from "The Maker of Moons". The maker of moons is a Chinese themed sorcerer in what is probably an unknown dimension who has warped the bodies of a lake dwelling race which control dragon-like reptiles as appendages. This may be another possible motive behind the myklian, which were seemingly not based on a Rolemaster extra-planar entity. It will also provide an explanation for all of the lizards in the huge cavern, which seem to be the only small fauna that still survive in The Broken Lands. Robert Chambers was also the author who invented the King in Yellow, suspected of being the hooded figure in the Nameless Monastery of Lovecraft's Dreamlands, and whose Yellow Sign is thematically consistent. Qi-lin of mythology are also associated with the Yellow Emperor of China.