By Squire John Blake
CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Temperate Ewoks are medium sized, bear-like creatures which generally stand about 4' tall and weigh on average of 130 lbs. Their dense fur gives them good protection from the elements. Their color ranges from black to light brown. Ewoks clothing tends to be simple and functional, crafted from animal hides and the like. Although Ewoks are peaceful and somewhat frivolous, when dangers confronts them or their village, they become quite ferocious. They are very skilled with shortbow and missile weapons in general, and prefer to fight from concealment. When equipped for battle Ewoks wear leather, padded, or hide armor with breastplates of bone, wood, and ivory. A force of Ewoks will carry shortswords, hand axes, and 4 out of 10 will have a shortbow. All Ewoks are naturally resistant to poisons and magic, giving them +4 to all saving throws versus these forces. The average Ewok saves as a 3rd-level fighter, and moves silently and hides in shadows as a 10thlevel thief (see average thief abilities on the 2nd-edition DM's screen). When attacking from concealment Ewoks subtract 2 from their initiative and cause opponents to add 2 to their surprise rolls. Ewoks dwell in villages built in the trees and a single village will have from 100 to 300 individuals living in a communal society headed by an elder or council of elders. For every 30 Ewoks there will be two warriors of 2nd-level and one tribal adept (priest) of at least 3rd-level. If more than 90 Ewoks are encountered, there will be an additional clan sub-chief of at least 4th-level, and a tribal priest of at least 5th-level. Ewok priests use major spheres of AL, AN, CH, DI, PL, and WE, and minor spheres of EL, HE, and SU. Ewoks are generally cheerful and outgoing, taking great pleasure in tricks and riddles. They also take great pleasure in simple crafts and nature. Their fingers, though short, are dexterous, allowing them to create intricate devices and artwork. They usually refuse to become involved in other civilizations, not being "worldly" like man and other humanoid cultures, though Ewoks readily communicate with elves and other sylvan creatures. Ewoks hunt occasionally but generally prefer bread, fruit and vegetables. Fowl is the only meat they will commonly eat, catching it with specialty nets or shooting down birds with their bows. Strong, delicious wine is a staple of their celebrations, made from rare berries harvested and pressed by a secret method. They are very wary of strangers but will be usually more inclined to be friendly if intruders offer fine wine (10 gp of more in value per pint) or colorful, unusual gifts. If elves or other goodly sylvan creatures accompany or are present within the party of intruders, the Ewoks will immediately welcome them without an trepidation. Indeed, Ewoks and goodly forest dwelling creatures often perform trade and defense tasks that benefit both peoples. Back to Chainmail Issue #25 Table of Contents Back to Chainmail List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master List of Magazines © Copyright 1992 by Dragonslayers Unlimited This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. |