Lifeforms · Constructed · Any
The Stayers - a type of Gargoyle
There are seven or so types of lifeforms considered Gargoyles by the less informed. This is one. Stayers are classic stone gargoyles, big gothic, bat wings, claws, fang, and so on. They are quite variable in their appearance, but they tend to keep this in common. They are also the defenders of Wizardry - Great Magics.
Full Description
Stayers are the defenders of Wizardry - Great Magics.
The Stayers are the first of what some scholars call Magichena, magically animated things that are 'alive'. Unlike many things, they know their history. The Stayers started existance as Guardian Statues, protecting the home of The Last Archwizard. They are of the classic Gargoyle mold, winged deformed humanoids. In an attempt to improve upon the basic guardian statue, the Archwizard gave them the ability to actually cast spells, so they could fly and project magic missiles. The first saw him create the second, those two saw him create the third, until all five original Stayers had been made.
The Stayers were somewhat intelligent and helpful. In addition to being powerful guardian statues, they became assistants... first of the tote and carry kind, but eventually doing a number of mundane and wizardly things for the ArchWizard.
They protected the ArchWizard and his library for nearly two centuries, until his death. The Stayers realized they would continue to protect the ArchWizard and the powerful magics his library contained. It was more than it was just what they were created for, it was their duty. The world could not safely utilize the ArchWizards magics until a new Archwizard was born.
(Just to make sure, they called back the spirit of the ArchWizard just to confer with him. They await his next incarnation when he will retake the ArchWizard mantle.)
So they Stayers found the old notes and made more of themselves. The hardest part of the process was carving new models. Many stayed to protect the Great Library. A few started to make a new archive, as the library was not very defensible. Others went out into the world, searching for dangerous Wizardry to neutralize (or contain until the coming of the next ArchWizard) , wizardly tomes to keep from people who might misuse them, and other odds and ends.
A number of Stayers search for new wizards, to train them in the basics, just in case they might be the next ArchWizard. After a few centuries of this, a few have started a school for wizardry. They even teach a few common mages as well, as even they need a good education.
Stayers are classic stone gargoyles, big gothic, bat wings, claws, fang, and so on. They are quite variable in their appearance, but they tend to keep this in common. They have good speed and the strength of stone. With their magic, they can fly, repair themselves, and cast other spells. They have mage sight, so they can see in low light by seeing the spirits of things.
Additional Information
Go-ers, those that left. They are not Gargoyles per sey, but they have come to be known by the name Midarans.
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Also in
Codex hubs that gather this piece with similar work.
- Bizzare Life-Forms Challenge manfred
Retellings
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Curated bonds across the Citadel — sign in to bind a bond. Kindred Favors are another thread in the same weave.
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- Midarans MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
Links to this article 3
- Bizzare Life-Forms Challenge manfred linked by MoonHunter
- Gargoyles!!! MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
- Midarans MoonHunter linked by MoonHunter
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This is a lot better than the Midarans. Better in the aspect that it is much more detailed. I like it. Sentient guardians are wonderful. The fact they have evolved from a number of different aspects and are now as versitile as they are. Wonderful.
I like how they 'evolve' despite being stone, and how they 'reproduce'. It's an interesting line between living and not, life-forms or constructs. They seem to have a fair bit of intelligence, and be creating their own society, but it's interesting that they still exist to serve the next archwizard. This shows they have a very rigid or honor-bound nature. Without any sign of a master, with their own increasing abilities, etc. I could easily imagine them deciding to go it on their own. Their loyalty is nice.
Everyone needs a purpose. Unlike People, who just sort of randomly come into existance, and may or may not have a purpose, they know they were created for a specific purpose. Now, if they were forced or compelled to do it, they might still serve him, but not do it so well. They have free choice (Check the Midarans), so the Stayers chose to embrace what is good and honorable (in their mind).
Unlike many, they have seen first hand what rampant magic can do. They have protected the Archmage from all sorts of wyld magic, evil summonings, and so on, and seen him put down uncontrolled gates, close rift, quelch elements fury, and so on. The Archmage's stash of magic has some of the most powerful things of this age and the previous one. The last thing any responsible being would do is want these "toy" loose upon the world.
Remember they don't age. They only die when they break or decide to die. So there are a bunch of these creatures that remember the Archmage from two centuries ago like it was yesterday.
The Archmage did make them quite responsible. Not only is it in their make up, but those who were more responsible, found themselves in positions to make decisions for their "species". And thus, the more responsible were able to breed (make spell copies of themselves w/o all their experience), thus more responsibility and honor was a selected for trait.
Updated: updating some links
I like them, scholarly and intelligent gargoyles instead of the typical gross face smash, or Disney's Gargoyles
These are neat creatures with a lot of potential uses,both for and against the players. A good idea!