I’m a big fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel series, The Legend of Korra. I’m currently watching through ATLA again while stuck at home and I’ve been thinking about giving the series some stat block love, so I looked into what I could snag for Monstrous Physique. It turns out that in addition to being well-written series with lots great characters and amazing action, the shows also feature a lot of interesting creatures. Some of these pull from the mythologies of east Asia, but others are just two different animals mashed together. These include otter penguins and catgators. The most popular of these is a mix of a bison and a manatee. These creatures, known as flying bison, are the inspiration for airbenders in the series. Of course, the most notable of these is Appa, who served as the main hero’s companion in the first series. As I’m a fan of big, fluffy, cute, and butt-kicking creatures, it was only right for Appa to get an entry on this series. Let’s have a look. Yip yip!
Appa Creature 6
N, Huge, Beast
Perception +14
Languages Common
Skills Acrobatics +15, Athletics+18, Survival +13
Str +7, Dex +4, Con +6, Int –3, Wis +0, Cha +2
AC 22; Fort +17, Ref +14, Will +11; +1 status bonus to all saves vs. air effects
HP 120
Master of Air Appa is a sky bison, one of the first air benders. He gains a +1 status bonus to saves against all air effects. In addition, when he succeeds at a saving throw against an air effect, he gets a critical success instead.
Speed 30 feet, fly 60 feet, swim 30 feet
Melee [one-action] jaws +17 (reach 10 feet), Damage 2d8+9 piercing
Melee [one-action] tail+15 (agile, reach 15 feet), Damage 2d6+8 bludgeoning
Bellowing Roar [one-action] (auditory, emotion, fear, mental) Appa lets out a loud roar meant to scare off his enemies. Each creature in an 80-foot emanation must attempt a DC 21 Will save. Regardless of the result, creatures are temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature is frightened 1.
Failure The creature is frightened 2.
Critical Failure The creature is fleeing for 1 round and frightened 3.
Tail Blast [two-actions] (air, evocation) Appa flaps his tail, producing a strong blast of wind with the effects of gust of wind. Creatures in the area must attempt a DC 21 Fortitude save against the effects.
Flying bison are extraordinary creatures capable of manipulating the air around them allowing them to fly. These creatures are rather gentle and typically friendly with humanoids. They become attached to individuals from a young age, particularly aerokineticists as they share the ability to manipulate air. A friendly flying bison is a very powerful ally as it will not only allow itself to be ridden, but will also serve its allies with extreme loyalty. Flying bison tend to form a bond with one particular individual and will go to great lengths to keep that individual safe. An angered flying bison is a force to be reckoned with. Appa is a unique flying bison as he was the partner of Avatar Aang. Appa joined Aang during his journeys to travel the world and master all forms of bending. The sky bison proved to be a loyal ally and invaluable friend during this journey.
That’s it for this week! Please let me if you would like to see more of the Avatar universe’s amalgam creatures. If you end up up introducing flying bison into your game or you have any request for a future Monstrous Physique, please drop me a line at KnowDirection@hotmail.com.
