#beastlands

Native to the forever-sunlit forests and savannahs of Krigala, the Krigalan Praying Orchid is a fascinating case of animal mimicry in plants. While some flowers are shaped like pollinating insects to draw in unwitting pollinators in turn, the praying orchid is, in fact, a plant exhibiting predator mimicry to dissuade herbivores.

Shaped like a massive praying mantis in a rich emerald or jade hue, with brightly-colored pink and purple mottled flowers kept sheltered safe beneath large leafy "wing cases", the praying orchid's mimicry is impeccable- but one must wonder what it intended to dissuade by appearance, as this plant is also more than capable of defending itself by force. Gifted at harnessing Krigala's eternal sunshine both for mobility and offense, the praying orchid's only predators are the ignorant or the challenge-intent.

Despite resembling a predatory insect, the praying orchid is content to collect its nutrients from sun, water, and soil like most plants. It mostly makes use of its sunlit jaunt ability to teleport to and from areas with better soil nutrition, lighting conditions, or pollinator access.

The being standing before you has perfect dark skin from the shoulders down; it’s clad in loose, colorful robes and bears a trumpet in one hand and a javelin in the other.  It has four feathered wings coming out of its back, but most shocking is its total lack of a head; instead, it has a white flame, which oddly casts no light; surrounding the flame are two wheels covered in eyes, of many different colors and sorts.  Its voice is majestic and smooth.

To provide easy access to any who would want to use the celestials I made for this project.  Please let me know how it goes if you use any of these creatures, I’d love playtest notes.

Celestial Herald; CR 7; a messenger for when Sending won’t do it.  Excels at ranged and skirmish combat with a magical returning javelin.

Apiarian Worker; CR 1; a bee-like celestial with a healing death burst ability.  Skilled at both ranged and melee combat, particularly in groups.

Apiarian Queen; CR 5; a bee-like celestial civic leader.  Ranged combatant, deadliest when her workers are with her to allow the use of her legendary actions.

Prism Heron; CR 2; a bird with a radiant tail, native to the shores of Mt. Celestia.  Skirmish attacker with a blinding tail attack.

Kinderwachter; CR 1; a child’s guardian taking the form of a stuffed animal.  Good at protecting a target, alone would rather flee than fight.

Bariaur and Bariaur Defender; CR 2 and 4; ram-centaur celestial nomads.  Both skilled charge-attackers with ranged options and many attack types.

Celestial Witness; CR 3; spy, observer, and sometime defender for the heavens.  Flying battlefield controller and debuffer.

Guiding Beetle; CR 4; beetle-like travelers who seek and aid the lost.  Slow but equipped with good defenses and many ranged attack and control spells.

Brux Lightstalker; CR 5; forest warden and hunter in the Beastlands.  Ambush and skirmish attacker with a light-blend ability.

Pax Pollinator; CR 4; conflict-averse heavenly field lurker.  Multiple ways to nonlethally discourage or end combat, a radiant pollen attack for when the enemy won’t take the hint.

Mudsinger; CR 6; salamander-like patron of the arts and mountain wanderer.  Likes to either mix it up in melee or stick to long-range combat, depending on how deadly it wants the fight to be.

Celestial Introspector; CR 7; heavenly therapist and advisor on mortal affairs.  Can actually make you fight yourself, has touch attacks that prevent movement.

Belieren Warden; CR 6; steward of the Upper Planes’ prison on Elysium.  Skirmish attackers specializing in isolating single enemies and locking down their foes.

Winterbird; CR 9; icy stormbird that rescues those in frozen reaches.  Skirmisher with a protective aura of heavy obscuring winter weather.

The figure that hunches before you is unmistakably beetle-like, but has a body plan similar to that of a man shouldering a heavy pack.  Burdened by the weight or curvature of a large, iridescent shell, the figure’s face isn’t insect-like in the least, save for two antennae that protrude from its forehead.  It appraises your tattered clothes, your lack of a pack, your bare feet, and holds out a hand to help you up.  “Where are you going?”  It asks.  “Let me help you get there.”

The sunset wavers faintly around a tall, thin form before parting like a curtain to reveal what was previously hidden.  Hovering before you is a tall, slender humanoid form with a faintly insectile look to it.  Cream-colored and fading to a darker sandy tone at the ends of the long limbs and tall antennae, the body pales in comparison to the wings, which are large and splendid like a butterfly’s and are colored like the sunset or sunrise.  Only long, sharp claws at the tips of the arms give you pause.

This celestial resembles nothing more than a small golden flame surrounded by two wheels of eyes.  Apparently supporting it in midair are three pairs of white-feathered wings, flapping in tandem.  The eyes on its rings blink as it observes, but it says nothing, and you get the distinct impression its observation is nonjudgemental- at least for the moment.

This centaur-like creature seems to be part ram rather than horse, with curling horns sprouting from the forehead of a humanoid head and torso; below the waist, where a human would have legs, is the body of a ram with stout, curly white fur.  He looks you over, then sheathes his sword.  “You’re a stout one.  Want to wrestle?”