Free Monster: The Kappa

The following is a new monster from our upcoming Karma Supplement:   

Saikorojutsu! Way of the Dice!

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Kappa
Elemental (Aquatic)
Con 3, Dex 3, End 3, Str 3, Int 1, Will 2, Wis 1, Wits 3, Cha 1, Emp 1, Fai 1, Psy 2
Alertness 4, Athletics 7/7 <Swimming 10>, Diplomacy 4, Healing 6, Magic (Psionic) 7, Mental Health 8, Natural Sciences 5 (Agriculture 9), Reflexes 10, Resilience 67 Weapons Group (Martial Arts) 11 <Kappo 17>
DT 24, Mana 28, and Karma 3
Special Qualities:
Aquatic Qualities
Elemental Qualities
Innate Magic Ability (Control Water): The Kappa can cause the water level in a 40 foot area to raise or lower by one foot. The area of effect is centered on the Kappa, and is an instantaneous effect. Using this ability consumes four mana, however the Kappa can do this even if incapacitated. Each time the Kappa uses this ability, the water raises or lowers by an additional foot.
Magic resistance x2: The Kappa gets a +2 bonus to opposed checks versus magic and magical effects.
Martial Artist Discipline (Kappo): Besides the normal benefits of the Martial Artist Discipline, the Kappa can make a Called Shot at a -8 penalty to a specific bone (such as the forearm or the shin). If the Called Shot is successful, the targeted bone is broken, dealing an additional 2 damage as well as any associated complications. For example, a broken forearm would make it impossible to wield a weapon with that arm. A broken rib could restrict breathing. This tactic does not work on creatures than benefit from massive size (such as an elephant), nor does it work on constructs (even if the construct has "bones" made of metal).
Natural Armor x2: The Kappa's shell grants it protection from physical attacks, reducing damage taken from physical attacks by 2.

Description: The Kappa is a peculiar water elemental that lives in ponds and streams. The kappa is about the size of a child, and has a froglike body with a tortoise shell. The creature has a small indentation on the top of its head that is filled with elemental water. This water provides the Kappa a direct connection to the Elemental Plane of Water, and is the source of the creature's strength. Despite their small size and bizarre appearance, Kappas are deadly opponents and masters of the bone-breaking art of Kappo, which they are credited with creating. The Kappa deals 7 DT with its Koppo Strikes.

Besides their martial prowess, Kappas are also skilled magic users that know how to strategically use their environment to their advantage.

The Kappa is a mischievous creature with a strange sense of humor. Some Kappa are rather innocent, and the worse they do is fart loudly as people pass or attempt to look up ladies' skirts. Others, however, can be quite dangerous, using their ability to control water to destroy crops and flood villages. They also have a taste for small children, and have been known to lure unsuspecting children near the water's edge, and then drag them underwater to drown them.

Though a Kappa can easily defeat most opponents in hand-to-hand combat, the creature has a deep-rooted sense of etiquette. If a potential victim bows to the Kappa, the creature feels obligated to return the gesture. Doing so, however, causes the elemental water to drain from its skull. This severely weakens the creature, reducing all of its Physical attributes to 1. If the creature is actually on land at the time, it becomes completely immobile and simply collapses in exhaustion to the group. It takes one hour for the water to replenish itself.

Even though they are deadly and often troublesome creatures, it is often worthwhile for a village to attempt to befriend a Kappa if it is discovered. Once befriended, Kappas are extremely loyal allies. A common tactic used by villagers is to offer the Kappa cucumbers, which it considers even more of a delicacy than small children. In such cases, the Kappa uses its Control Water ability to benefit the village. Kappas are also believed to be experts at agriculture, and as such farmers can benefit from lessons given by the Kappa.

Suggested Spells: Create Water, Darkness, Dispel Magic, Entangle, Frost Bolt, Healing Touch, Ice Floor, Ice Spear, Ice Storm, Poison, Poison Skin, Purify, Regeneration, Restoration, Transmute Liquid

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Saikorojutsu! Way of the Dice! will be released later this month in both print and PDF format.  This supplement takes the core Karma rules system and puts it into overdrive, allowing players and storytellers to replicate the high-impact, high-action styles of their favorite anime or comics. 

Learn more about the Karma Roleplaying System

karmaroleplaying.gather.com