Using a cryptid like a bunyip in a game presents a weird question for a gamemaster: In a world where two-headed dragon snake-turtles, landsharks, and goblin-faced wolves are a common sight, how do you make a creature weird or obscure enough to stand out? The answers is - honestly, i have no bloody idea. But it's worth pondering.
In post-awakening Australia, bunyips aren't that rare of a sight. Making their lairs in billabongs, while elusive, they are now a staple of the weir flora and fauna ever since what was once supernatural became the norm. The thing is, everyone know the two species that make up a bunyip - it's always a mix of features of the australian fur seal and a bull shark.
When a lad called Connor spots a specimen apparently sporting the features of a great white, mixed with those of an australian sea lion, no-one is inclined to believe him - yet soon enough, fishing boats in the area start disappearing...
The legend of Deepcroak Estate is a well-known tale in the nearby town of Summerstock. Many generations ago, the castle in the middle of the estate, which lies in a marshy area, was home to the Himmel family, who were old aristocracy. Lord Himmel was an avid traveler, and used to bring colourful souvenirs from his travels, some to be hung on the walls or displayed in cases, and yet others as gifts to his lovely wife or little daughter. After one of his wildest journeys, he dragged home a big, covered canister, and told his daughter he brought her a pair of pets who were "as sweet as angels yet as terrifying as devils". When he opened them, though, they appeared to be empty.
Mere months later, the entire family was apparently gone, and the estate appeared to be empty, but the marshlands were now haunted by terrible roars in the night.
A wizard claims to have finally managed to catch a live bunyip - but alas, it escaped into his giant underground complex. As he tells to the group of monster hunters he summoned, the creature appeared entirely nonmagical... except for the fact that it was completely and utterly immune to divination magic, with no easy explanation. It has bestial cunning, but the sight of blood makes it reckless, says the wizard. He has no idea how it escaped the myriad wards he placed around its cage, as they apparently were strong enough to contain djinnis and giants beforehand. It did leave a set of wet tracks, leading deep underground, but the wizard it always walked trackless before - leading him to the conclusion that the beast wants to be hunted for some reason...
In post-awakening Australia, bunyips aren't that rare of a sight. Making their lairs in billabongs, while elusive, they are now a staple of the weir flora and fauna ever since what was once supernatural became the norm. The thing is, everyone know the two species that make up a bunyip - it's always a mix of features of the australian fur seal and a bull shark.
When a lad called Connor spots a specimen apparently sporting the features of a great white, mixed with those of an australian sea lion, no-one is inclined to believe him - yet soon enough, fishing boats in the area start disappearing...
The legend of Deepcroak Estate is a well-known tale in the nearby town of Summerstock. Many generations ago, the castle in the middle of the estate, which lies in a marshy area, was home to the Himmel family, who were old aristocracy. Lord Himmel was an avid traveler, and used to bring colourful souvenirs from his travels, some to be hung on the walls or displayed in cases, and yet others as gifts to his lovely wife or little daughter. After one of his wildest journeys, he dragged home a big, covered canister, and told his daughter he brought her a pair of pets who were "as sweet as angels yet as terrifying as devils". When he opened them, though, they appeared to be empty.
Mere months later, the entire family was apparently gone, and the estate appeared to be empty, but the marshlands were now haunted by terrible roars in the night.
A wizard claims to have finally managed to catch a live bunyip - but alas, it escaped into his giant underground complex. As he tells to the group of monster hunters he summoned, the creature appeared entirely nonmagical... except for the fact that it was completely and utterly immune to divination magic, with no easy explanation. It has bestial cunning, but the sight of blood makes it reckless, says the wizard. He has no idea how it escaped the myriad wards he placed around its cage, as they apparently were strong enough to contain djinnis and giants beforehand. It did leave a set of wet tracks, leading deep underground, but the wizard it always walked trackless before - leading him to the conclusion that the beast wants to be hunted for some reason...
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