These beings are incredibly rare scattered across a dozen bloodlines originating in the Severn Valley from before the Roman Empire invaded the British Isles. Their considerable powers are passed from mothers to their daughters, although birthing a daughter brings doom to the mother. This limits their number to a single Daughter of Shub-Niggurath per bloodline at a time, unless twin girls are born.
These beings appear to be human, are always female, appearing youthful, beautiful and superbly fit, radiating vitality. Blessed by the Outer Goddess Shub-Niggurath, these individuals were once sacred prophets and priestesses in various cults, such as those of Magna Mater, Demeter, and Aine, across history. The lands upon which they dwell are always fertile and blessed, with healthy and fruitful livestock, favorable weather, and productive fields and orchards. In periods where a plentiful harvest meant the difference between a full belly or starvation through the cold and dark winter months, it is clear why ancient peoples considered Daughters of Shub-Niggurath divine.
Daughters of Shub-Niggurath can effect an area of up to a square mile (or 640 acres). This power doubles with every son they produce. The center of this zone is always a place of worship, a shrine, altar, or temple that each Daughter meticulously tends to, offering daily prayers and sacrifices. These zones are blessed by the Dark Goddess, granted mild weather, increasing the health and fertility of livestock, and the productivity of crops by 50%. This extends to the people living there, granting them a bonus dice to all CON checks with regards to illness and fatigue.
Daughters of Shub-Niggurath and their sacred holding are always protected by one or more Dark Young of Shub-Nigguruath. These creatures, monstrous tree like beings with cloven hooves, slavering maws, and long tentacles resembling huge trees, are completely loyal and obedient to the Daughter of Shub-Niggurath their gifted to. A Daughter of Shub-Niggurath’s first Dark Young manifests on the first new moon following her mother dies. The creature presents her with an enchanted knife and sickle to use for making sacrifices of flesh and grain.
Due to the blood of the Outer Goddess flowing through their veins these beings only know true calm when pregnant or nursing a newborn. Their desire to produce and nurture new life is so strong as to be almost a compulsion. The powers of a Daughter of Sub-Nigguruath begin to manifest at puberty and they are always early bloomers. At this time all daughters of Shub-Niggurath develop Galactorrhea (lactation outside of pregnancy), and one or more additional abnormal physical traits, marking them as “blessed”. These are often Macromastia (abnormally large breasts), Polymastia (additional breasts), Heterochromia (different color eyes), Distichiasis (a second row of eyelashes), Polydactyly (additional fingers or toes), freckles, Albinism, or Vitiligo. They ago gain the ability to heal quite quickly, regenerating 1 HP every six hours, 2 points every three hours if they are at rest, or 3 points every two hours if resting and praying at their shrines. Most daughters try to hide these traits and abilities, for their own protection.
Daughters of Shub-Niggurath have a deep connection to the Outer Goddess. They can feel her presence in nature, and hear her whisperings on the wind. This voice and presence becomes more clear at their shrines and altars, allowing them to commune with the goddess. Through this connection they learn useful magical spells and rituals. Each knows know 1D4 Folk Magic spells, has a 50% chance of being granted another 1D3 spells (of any type) each time they produce a child.
Unfortunately, their powers and abilities did not go unnoticed. Many bloodlines of the Daughters of Shub-Nigguruath were destroyed by inquisitors and witch hunters, who took their “gifts” and physical abnormalities as signs of satanic influence. Many of these accusations are started by jealous and greedy neighbors wanting to do away with the Daughters to claim their bountiful lands for themselves. However, once a Daughter dies or is driven from her lands the blessings not only fail, but reverse. These lands become curses, becoming barren and unproductive, the livestock and people living there become infertile and prone to illness (2 penalty dice on all CON checks). This lasts for a number of years twice that of the time the lands were blessed by the Daughter who dwelt there.
Daughters of Shub-Niggurath produce more male children than female ones, baring a daughter only 20% of the time. Sons of these beings are strong, sturdy, and comely (+10% to STR, CON, SIZ, and APP). For every two sons a Daughter of Shub-Nigguruath produces Shub-Nigguruath rewards grants her an additional Dark Young to defend her holding. Unfortunately, once a Daughter of Shub-Niggurath gives birth to a daughter her powers begin to decline. Her lands grow more and more unproductive, she becomes infertile and her personal health begins to fail. By the time her daughter reaches puberty Daughters of Shub-Niggurath die, often making room for their daughters to take their place.
Once, the husband of a Daughter of Shub-Niggurath sought to break this chain, by drowning his newborn daughter and telling his wife the baby died in childbirth. While he hoped this would save his wife’s life and protect the prosperity of their lands, his actions incurred the wrath of the Outer Goddess. An avatar of Shub-Niggurath manifested and the Daughter’s shrine, summoning a hoard of her Dark Young, and went on a rampage killing every man, woman, child, and beast in a five-mile radius. Nearly a century later the land remains blighted and cursed.
The disposition of these being varies wildly. Some can be benevolent, keeping their gifts well-hidden while their abilities benefit those around them. Others can become vengeful; from the oppression their kind has suffered, offering blood sacrifices to the Black Goat of the Woods, consumed by the Dark Young at their command.
Daughter of Shub-Niggurath, Blessed of the Black Goat
Char. Averages rolls
STR 80 (3D6+6 x 5)
CON 95 (3D6+4 x 5)
SIZ 50 (3D6 x 5)
DEX 65 (2D6 x 5)
INT 50 (3D6 x 5)
POW 110 (2D6+15 x 5)
HP 15
Av. Damage Bonus: +1D4
Average Build: +1
Average Magic Points: 22
Move 9
ATTACKS
Attacks per round: 1
Fighting attacks: Fist, or by weapon.
Fighting: Brawl 45% (22/9), damage 1D3+DB
Enchanted Knife 45% (22/9), damage 1D4+DB
Enchanted Sickle 45% (22/9), damage 1D6+DB
Dodge: 50% (25/10)
Armor: None
Skills: Art / Craft (Agricultural and craft related skills, ex: cooking, farming, cheese making, weaving, leatherworking, bee keeping, candle making, pottery) 65%, Charm 70%, Disguise 50%, First Air 60%, Listen 50%, Medicine 40%, Natural World 80%, Spot Hidden 45%, Track 60%.
Spells: 1D4 Folk Magic Spells, 50% chance for 1D3 additional spells of any type more;
For Keepers, some common spells known by Daughters of Shub-Niggurath are: Bind Animal, Bless, Blight / Bless Crops, Charm Animal, Dowsing, Lame / Heal Animal, Seek the Lost;
Non-Folk spells: Alter Weather, Call Shub-Nigguruath, Summon Dark Young, Deflect Harm, Bind Enemy.
Sanity Loss: 0/1D3 for encounter a Daughter of Shub-Niggurath
