Balefrogs

Inspired by a somewhat recent conversation on the GLOG server.

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Demon-worshiping is a pastime not limited only to those who stand on two legs. It is not unknown to find such practice among wolf packs, and sometimes, a wolf will willingly invite a demon into its body to become a worg, a creature much stronger, smarter, and much, much more wicked.

It is less known that toads have a similar tradition.

Toads are much simpler creatures than wolves, and rarely a toad would on its own think of cavorting with demons. Usually, this knowledge is passed between generations, all starting from a single witch's familiar that was parted from its mistress, using whatever scraps of knowledge remained in its head to regain the beautiful and horrible power it once had. While the exact details of the ritual may vary, in the best case scenario the foolish toad grabs the attention of some minor gluttonous demon, and the unholy spirit enters the warty flesh, transforming it into a balefrog*.

* the name was given to them by humans, which they personally despise, as they are toads and not frogs.

Nils Hamm

 

Like worgs, balefrogs can grow to monstrous proportions, the simple act of possession engorging the amphibian body to the size of a bear. Soon after, the hungers follow.

Each balefrog is plagued by two hungers: the hunger of body and the hunger of soul. The first one is purely mundane in nature, as the suddenly larger body requires more nutrients to function. Overcome by it, a newly-formed balefrog would usually start consuming its fellow toads, before moving onto larger prey, and, eventually, man-eating.

The hunger of soul is different. To sate the demon residing inside, the balefrog must consume knowledge. Unlike worgs, which learn everything their prey knows, balefrogs lack such sophisticated methods of extracting knowledge, and must, quite literally, eat written word instead: letters, journals, books, scrolls, anything that has writing on it. Naturally, the balefrog instantly learns everything that it consumes.

In this regard, balefrogs tend to form tastes, preferring personal secrets written in hopes that no-one will read them (the more scandalous the better), but also magical formulae, making spellbooks a special delicacy. For each consumed spellbook, a balefrog gains +1 HD, while also learning every single spell contained within. Unfortunately for everyone, the demonic nature of the balefrog also grants it the ability to cast these spells.

In most cases, balefrogs manifest far away from civilization, in deep forests and swamps, where literacy is rare even in settlements. A lucky balefrog might catch and eat a traveling postman, or stumble into a ruined chapel where it might find some discarded prayer books (although consecrated ground repels it like the unholy creature it is). However, if a balefrog happens upon a library or a wizard's tower, it might become a much more significant presence in the region.

Once enough knowledge is accumulated within a balefrog, it becomes smart enough to seek food through alternative ways. Using speech (like worgs, all balefrogs know how to speak, but prefer not to unless they find it necessary), they will start asking for favors from those who pass by, promising riches (a lie), power (usually a lie), and knowledge (the one thing they can always provide). With time, whole cults tend to form around a single balefrog, as it continues to teach those willing to satisfy its appetites.

What balefrogs don't want anyone to know is that knowledge changes them. A balefrog that feeds on romance novels and correspondence between lovers becomes a bit of a romantic in its own twisted way, its plans suddenly involving playing matchmaker between usually unwilling parties, while one that consumes religious texts might gain a habit of making long sermon-like speeches and musing on its own unholy nature.

Marek Madej

BALEFROG
HD 4 AC leather (immune to non-magical damage) Move normal, leap normal, swim 2x normal
Attacks 1d8/1d8 claws, 1d10 tongue (20 feet) + devour (see below) Morale 9
Intelligence alternates between dim and genius Disposition Jabba the Hutt

• Unholy - As creatures possessed by demons, balefrogs share their immunities (mundane weapons etc.) and weaknesses (consecrated ground, holy water etc.).
• Spellcaster - A balefrog has 2 MD to cast spells with, but does not innately know any spells until it consumes a spellbook or spell scroll.
• Devour - The balefrog can shoot its tongue at a single target within 20 feet. On a hit, the target must save or be swallowed, taking 1d4 acid damage per round. The balefrog must take 6+ damage in a single instance to be forced to spit out what it swallowed.
• Logophage - Balefrogs can instantly absorb information by consuming it in written form. A balefrog has expert-level knowledge in 1d4 topics, plus 2 per every HD it has above 4.

1d6 Balefrog Markings:
1. Horn-like protrusions all over the body
2. Eyes glowing with sickly pale light like lanterns
3. Smoking demonic glyphs and runes on warty skin 
4. Devoured corpses partially fused into its belly
5. Acid green vapor pouring out of its orifices
6. Useless unevenly placed extra limbs