Ki-lin: Difference between revisions

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{{Creature start2 <!-- See Help:Creatures for full instructions on editing creature pages and copy/paste code. Copy/pasting code from an existing creature page may result in missing fields -->
{{Creature start
| level = 28
| picture = ki-lin.jpg
| level = 28<!-- This will also be used at the end of the page in the Near level creature template -->
| type = Quadruped
| family = ki-lin<!-- Add creature to family page list, which will be linked on preview/save -->
| family = ki-lin
| type = Quadruped<!-- Creature body type -->
| attacks = Bites, Claws, Magic and Stomps.
| otherclass = Living <!-- Other classification limited to corporeal undead, non-corporeal undead, elemental, extra planar, magical; insert otherclass2= for 2nd classification (up to 3) -->
| area = [[The Monastery]]<br>
| otherclass2 = Extraplanar
| undead = No
| area = The Monastery<!-- For multiple areas, add area2, area3, area4 (through 8) fields if needed -->
| bcs = <Not Known>
| area2 =
| area3 =
| area4 =
| area5 =
| area6 =
| area7 =
| bcs = Yes <!-- All new creatures are BCS -->
| hitpoints = 400
| roundtime = <!-- Creature speed -->
}}
}}
{{Creature attack attributes2 <!-- ALL WEAPONS, SPELLS AND COMBAT MANEUVERS WILL LINK AUTOMATICALLY. -->
{{Creature attack attributes
| PA1 = <!-- Physical attacks insert up to PA10 and corresponding value/range up to PAJ -->

| PAA =
| PA2 =
| PAB =
| PA3 =
| PAC =
| BT1 = <!-- Bolt spells insert up to BT10 and corresponding value/range up to BTJ -->
| BTA =
| WD1 = <!-- Warding spells insert up to WD10 and corresponding value/range up to WDJ -->
| WDA =
| WD2 =
| WDB =
| WD3 =
| WDC =
| OS1 = <!-- Miscellaneous offensive spells (non-bolt and non-warding) insert up to OS10 -->
| MN1 = <!-- Combat Maneuvers insert up to MN10 -->
| MN2 =
| AB1 = <!-- Special abilities insert up to AB10, include creature maneuvers here, manually link if appropriate -->
| ABA = <!-- Special abilities right column, use respective corresponding right column as needed for misc info -->
}}
}}
{{Creature defense attributes2 <!-- Replace ? with value or range, but do not include when the creature is under the effects of disabling statuses (stun/knockdown/interference/curse/etc.) -->
{{Creature defense attributes
| asg = <!-- Insert asg # and template will automatically convert to include type of armor -->
| defense =
| IMM1 = <!-- add IMM2 (up to 15) for additional immunities -->
{{creature ability|[[Melee]] |<N/A> [[Defensive strength|DS]]}}
| Melee =
{{creature ability|[[Ranged]] |<N/A> [[Defensive strength|DS]]}}
| Ranged =
{{creature ability|[[Bolt]] |<N/A> [[Defensive strength|DS]]}}
| Bolt =
{{creature ability|[[Bard Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| UDF =
{{creature ability|[[Ranger Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| BarTD =
{{creature ability|[[Sorcerer Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| CleTD =
{{creature ability|[[Wizard Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| EmpTD =
{{creature ability|[[Cleric Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| PalTD =
{{creature ability|[[Empath Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| RanTD =
{{creature ability|[[Paladin Base]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| SorTD = 117
{{creature ability|[[Major Elemental]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| WizTD =
{{creature ability|[[Minor Elemental]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| MjETD =
{{creature ability|[[Major Spiritual]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
| MnETD =
{{creature ability|[[Minor Spiritual]] |<N/A> [[Target defense|TD]]}}
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| noability =
| MnSTD =
| MnMTD =
| DSP1 = <!-- Defensive spells insert up to DSP15, they will automatically link -->
| DSP2 =
| DSP3 =
| DSP4 =
| DSP5 =
| SDA1 = <!-- Special defensive abilities list insert up to SDA10, these will not link automatically -->
}}
}}
{{Creature treasure
{{Creature treasure
| type = <Not Known>
| coins =
| skin = <Not Known>
| magic items =
| nobox =
| gems =
| noskinvalue =
| boxes =
| other =
| skin = a ki-lin horn
}}
}}
{{Creature end}}
{{Creature end}}
__NOTOC__

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.<sup><sup>[http://www.play.net/gs4/info/bestiary/]</sup></sup>
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==
==Hunting strategies==
Ki-lin can have their horns glow deep red, which casts [[917|Earthen Fury (917)]]. You might want to resist the temptation of playing with one for too long. While low leveled creatures, the ki-lin is able to reproduce the casting strength of their target when casting [[Mana Disruption (702)]], making them dangerous even to capped hunters. These spells might be distinguished by whether their horn glows "brightly" or "deep red" in the spell prep.
{{addmetext}}

==Other information==
==Other information==
Ki-lin are rare and can only be summoned under certain conditions. One known condition is [[monastic lich]]es summoning them under duress. Their horns are often listed [[playershops.com]] for a million coins. Ki-lin are extraplanar beings (Wyrom 4/25/2013).
Ki-lin are rare and can only be summoned under certain conditions. One known condition is [[monastic lich]]es summoning them "under duress." They can also be summoned by [[Sheruvian monk]]s using the same methods. They are much more likely to be summoned against a group. Although the horns are not exceptionally valuable at furriers, they are highly sought after by players. Ki-lin are considered [[extraplanar]] beings.


The describe verb does not provide the description above from the website, which probably came from the Rolemaster bestiaries for ki-rin. It only says: "You have never seen anything quite like a ki-lin, so you are not really sure what to make of it or how dangerous it might be."
== References ==
* http://www.play.net/gs4/info/bestiary/
* [[Ki-lin (saved post)]]
* http://www.playershops.com/item_search.pl?item=a+ki-lin+horn
* [[Extraplanar beings (saved post)]]
{{Nearlevel
|levelm2 = 26
|levelm1 = 27
|level = 28
|levelp1 = 29
|levelp2 = 30
}}


;GemStone III Log
[[Category:The Monastery creatures]]
<pre{{log2|margin-right=350px}}>
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.
</pre>

;GemStone IV Log (2019)
<pre{{log2|margin-right=350px}}>
'''Strength Matching'''

[Name] gestures at a Sheruvian monk.
[Name] stares at a Sheruvian monk.
'''CS: +548''' - TD: +164 + CvA: +25 + d100: +13 == +422
Warding failed!
The Sheruvian monk drops its black steel jeddart-axe.
The Sheruvian monk lets out a blood curdling scream!
The Sheruvian monk falls to the ground and lies still.


The ki-lin's horn glows brightly for a moment. '''''(Mana Disrupt)'''''

A ki-lin directs its pent-up magical energies at [Name]!
'''CS: +548''' - TD: +461 + CvA: +4 + d100: +85 - -5 == +181
Warding failed!
Target reels from brutal strike for 55 points of damage!
... 9 points of damage!
Large lesions sprout on [Name]'s shield arm.
He is stunned!


'''General Properties'''

A monastic lich waves a skeletal hand!
A jagged tear in the fabric of reality appears in the air before you! Snorting and stamping, a ki-lin thunders through the rift!
A ki-lin charges at [Name]!
AS: +229 vs DS: +494 with AvD: +26 + d100 roll: +53 = -186
A clean miss.

The ki-lin's horn glows deep red for a moment. '''''(Earthen Fury)'''''

A ki-lin directs its pent-up magical energies at [Name]!
The ground beneath [Name] begins to boil violently!
Fiery debris explodes from the ground beneath [Name]!
[SMR result: 100 (Open d100: 1)]
She dodges out of the way!

A ki-lin stands back up with a snort.

>assess ki-lin
The ki-lin is large in size and about four feet high in its current state.
The ki-lin is too easy for the likes of you!


'''Reanimated'''

''(Note: The ki-lin do not perform ambients when reanimated. They can be healed using a [[hollow soulstone wand]].)''

An animated ki-lin gestures mystically!
Nothing happens.

An animated ki-lin stomps at [Name] with its foot!
AS: +226 vs DS: +530 with AvD: +44 + d100 roll: +50 = -210
A clean miss.

An animated ki-lin tries to bite [Name]!
AS: +222 vs DS: +465 with AvD: +34 + d100 roll: +58 = -151
A clean miss.
</pre>

==Behind the Scenes==
;Historical Context

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 seem to have more to do with the root [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qilin Qi-lin] concept itself, originating in Chinese folklore, which would appear with [[Lesser vruul#Behind the Scenes|birth and death]] of [[Uthex Kathiasas|immortal sages]] and [[Bandur Etrevion|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 Kathiasas|Uthex's]] minions. Interestingly, [[Sheruvian harbinger|harbingers]] were supposed to ride black unicorns, but those of [[Sheru]] used [[nightmare steed]]s.

;Speculation

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. This would all be assuming the later concept of the Broken Lands, released in 1993 and 1994, was planned when the monastery was released in 1992. This might not be correct.

== Resources ==
* [http://www.play.net/gs4/info/bestiary/creature.asp?creature=1445 Ki-lin on Play.net bestiary]
* [[/saved posts|Saved posts]]
* [[Extraplanar beings (saved post)]]
* [[The Broken Lands and ki-lin]]

Revision as of 21:22, 19 March 2020

Ki-lin
Ki-lin.jpg
Level 28
Family ki-lin family creatures
Body Type Quadruped
Classification(s) Living
Extraplanar
Area(s) Found The Monastery
BCS Yes
HP 400
Speed
Attack Attributes
Defense Attributes
Armor
? ASG
Defensive Strength (DS)
Melee
Ranged
Bolt
Unarmed Defense Factor
UDF
Target Defense (TD)
Bard Base
Cleric Base
Empath Base
Paladin Base
Ranger Base
Sorcerer Base 117
Wizard Base
Minor Elemental
Major Elemental
Minor Spiritual
Major Spiritual
Minor Mental
Treasure Attributes
Coins
Gems
Magic Items
Boxes
Skin a ki-lin horn
Other

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 deep red, which casts Earthen Fury (917). You might want to resist the temptation of playing with one for too long. While low leveled creatures, the ki-lin is able to reproduce the casting strength of their target when casting Mana Disruption (702), making them dangerous even to capped hunters. These spells might be distinguished by whether their horn glows "brightly" or "deep red" in the spell prep.

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 using the same methods. They are much more likely to be summoned against a group. Although the horns are not exceptionally valuable at furriers, they are highly sought after by players. Ki-lin are considered extraplanar beings.

The describe verb does not provide the description above from the website, which probably came from the Rolemaster bestiaries for ki-rin. It only says: "You have never seen anything quite like a ki-lin, so you are not really sure what to make of it or how dangerous it might be."

GemStone III Log
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.
GemStone IV Log (2019)
Strength Matching

[Name] gestures at a Sheruvian monk.
[Name] stares at a Sheruvian monk.
  CS: +548 - TD: +164 + CvA: +25 + d100: +13 == +422
  Warding failed!
The Sheruvian monk drops its black steel jeddart-axe.
The Sheruvian monk lets out a blood curdling scream!
The Sheruvian monk falls to the ground and lies still.


The ki-lin's horn glows brightly for a moment. (Mana Disrupt)

A ki-lin directs its pent-up magical energies at [Name]!
  CS: +548 - TD: +461 + CvA: +4 + d100: +85 - -5 == +181
  Warding failed!
  Target reels from brutal strike for 55 points of damage!
   ... 9 points of damage!
   Large lesions sprout on [Name]'s shield arm.
   He is stunned!


General Properties

A monastic lich waves a skeletal hand!
A jagged tear in the fabric of reality appears in the air before you!  Snorting and stamping, a ki-lin thunders through the rift!
A ki-lin charges at [Name]!
  AS: +229 vs DS: +494 with AvD: +26 + d100 roll: +53 = -186
   A clean miss.

The ki-lin's horn glows deep red for a moment. (Earthen Fury)

A ki-lin directs its pent-up magical energies at [Name]!
The ground beneath [Name] begins to boil violently!
Fiery debris explodes from the ground beneath [Name]!
[SMR result: 100 (Open d100: 1)]
She dodges out of the way!

A ki-lin stands back up with a snort.

>assess ki-lin
The ki-lin is large in size and about four feet high in its current state.
The ki-lin is too easy for the likes of you!


Reanimated

(Note: The ki-lin do not perform ambients when reanimated. They can be healed using a hollow soulstone wand.)

An animated ki-lin gestures mystically!
Nothing happens.

An animated ki-lin stomps at [Name] with its foot!
  AS: +226 vs DS: +530 with AvD: +44 + d100 roll: +50 = -210
   A clean miss.

An animated ki-lin tries to bite [Name]!
  AS: +222 vs DS: +465 with AvD: +34 + d100 roll: +58 = -151
   A clean miss.

Behind the Scenes

Historical Context

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 seem 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.

Speculation

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. This would all be assuming the later concept of the Broken Lands, released in 1993 and 1994, was planned when the monastery was released in 1992. This might not be correct.

Resources