Jackalope 2022: Virboko

Killerklown#1256 requests: "A creature and it's ecology from which a substance for precise oracles can be "harvested" "

A Failed Test

"Does the Moon fit inside the Sun? Or is it the other way around?"

"Does it matter? Are not the skies the domain of the indomitable Virbokos, anyways?"

"Give an answer, practical. Or your tongue will turn to ash and blow in the morning wind across the yellowed plains."

"Not the Silence! I implore! The other way it is then, Master." - sobs and wails and weeps and stomps.

"Bite back your tears, Juvens, for this is known. You are wrong.
People die. And so do books. When great Euk blessed us his words on papyrus, we protected them from fire, floods, worms, and the whims of tyrants. For failing would mean his memory dying a second time.
You will look up and observe the sacred Virbokos for a month. If your progress is as meager as your temper, practical, Silence it will be."

Virboko, the Indomitable and the Librarians of Euk

The Virboko: A flying bull with wings that creates thunder when charging forward to its prey. Catching one is like catching lightning in a bottle. Fool adventurers and mercenaries try their stab at the task, for a hefty bounty provided by the Librarians of Euk (known as the Cult of the Soaring Bull).

The Cult of the Soaring Bull are a collection of monks centered on the study of the words of Euk, a local sage long dead. Sky and firmament also take a center stage in their studies, as does the reverence to the mighty Verboko. Contrary to popular belief, however, the monks are somewhat pacific and discrete.

After years of thorough training and apprenticeship, those monks able to get the corpse of a Virboko (by ANY means possible) get promoted from practicals to the title of Master. At that point, a series of events ensue.

The tip of the bovine horns are filed and sniffed in a ritual at the light of the full Moon. This produces hallucinations, that are portentous and accurate (5:6) but worryingly dangerous when consumed (save vs poison). Upon survival, the Master is allowed to wear the bovine horns as a helmet, and the pelt is treated and tanned for use as a mantle. From that point on, Masters tend to have sporadic violent and vindictive behavior, sometimes forced into their wise teachings.

As celebration, the Virboko's tail is prepared in a stew with carrots onions and potatoes. Wineskins flow as a crimson lubricant, a celebratory feast ensuing for three days and three nights.

But before all of that, we have to understand the indomitable Virboko. Native to the vast and arid golden plains of the Krelp plateau, they roam this relatively flat land as kings and masters of the territory. Their origin lost in time, many claim them a distant cousin to the famed Owl-bears, another failed biological experiment in Wizards' shameful history. Regardless, Virboko can see the color of magic, the sight of which makes them furious and violent, wanting to destroy its source.

Lastly, fear their rampaging stomp! It breaks a trail on the soil if they fly as high as fifty feet high, its sound echoing as an ill omen through the barren Kelp. It could see you squashed like an ant.

Virboko HD: 7 Omen: stomping echoes resonates through the plains; earth starts to shake as with a mild earthquake Appearance: hulking bull with green-dark hide, and ebony wings as a corvid's Number Appearing: d3 Wants: protect its vast territory and offspring at all costs Armour: as Chain (5 [14]) Movement: unencumbered 120' (40') on ground / 240' (90') if flying Morale: 10 (assuming 12 will never give up combat) Saves: as Fighter (D: 8 W: 9 P: 10 B: 10 S: 12) Attacks: 2 x push (1d8), 1 x horns (2d6, 3d6 if it charged) Special:  Magical Attraction: attracted to and infuriated by the color of magic, will charge at the sight of it whenever possible. Rampage Stomp: anyone caught under the trajectory where the Virboko is flying (at 50 feet or less altitude) muss save vs paralysis or suffer d6 damage and fall to the ground.

New Magic Items

Viboko's Horn Essence
One use, has to be sniffed.
Hallucinations cloud the ecstatic mind of the consumer, which are premonitorily accurate (5:6). This produces visions of the future, up to 1 year ahead, filled with symbolism. There is, however, a serious chance of serious consequences when consumed (save vs poison or fail into catatonic fits for 2d6 weeks).

Mantle of the Flying Bull
The wearer's alignment can't be Lawful from whilst wearing the mantle. Once per day they can enter a crazed rage, which increases their HP, saves, and to-hit bonus as if they were 4 Levels higher. If they want to calm themselves down before that, they have a 4:6 chance of failure, to which they would attack allies and anyone or anything within sight.