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I'm working on a group of creatures called perdu that are made of lost objects, but I have a hard time figuring out what constitutes these creatures. This is what I have so far:
It feels unfocused, which is usually a sign of a weak concept. I originally wanted to create a series of monsters, each associated with a different type of object, an individual personality, and a unique set of abilities. I probably need to be more specific.
Do you have any suggestions? In a fantasy world, which mundane items would hold great importance to their owners? And which concepts do you associate with these objects?
Also, do you know of any mythological creatures that are somehow related to lost possessions?
If you look in...I think it was 3.5's most steer manual 2 there was a monster like that I think...or maybe it was fiend folio
Do you mean the Feyr/Fihyr?
Maybe that sounds familiar, sorry that I couldn't help
Honestly, I really do like the concept of monster based on collection of lost objects. I can see the idea of them being unfocused, but I'm also wondering if having more than one would actually strengthen things. Right now, the Unbuckle ability seems like it belongs to just the "key" perdu, but psychic storm and melancholy seem like they could be a constant across the board.
Maybe a perdu subtype? Perdu have the psychic storm ability and melancholy. Each purdu has the individual concept that gives it a few SLAs and a unique ability. I feel like that would make each individual purdu feel stronger if they follow a theme. I also have the vibe that perdu should be lower level threats. Lost items don't feel like a huge threat.
As for lost stuff to build on, I do like keys. The other ones that jump to mind would be money or coins. Another option that might be fun is lost ideas ("Oh wait, I had a thought about that, its on the top of my tongue and I can't remember").
Making them fey is perfect. It gives them an otherworldly feel. I love the key Perdu.
Jeffro is right that coins and rings are great objects for other types.
Another object that seems to get lost a lot is a cork/stopper/cap to a bottle or jug.
And socks always seem to get lost, but a collection of those might yield a small or medium sized (very soft and flammable) creature.
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Thank you both, that is reassuring. What you describe is exactly what I had in mind. Maybe some perdus aren't as benevolent as others? And they could have different personalities. A key might be curious and into riddles, a locket could be romantic, a pocket watch would be a creature of habit, etc.
I realize that keys were maybe not the best example to begin with. In modern times, the loss of a key can be annoying, frustrating, embarrassing, but keys normally don't have sentimental value for us. In premodern times, that would likely have been different (according to folklore, keys were even supposed to have healing powers, and those who were passed on over generations were especially powerful).
The coin is an interesting suggestion. A normal coin may not have sentimental value, but a special lucky coin would work, as would a coin that represents the first wage that a person earned in their life. That being said, items can also have a situational emotional value for a person. For a child, the loss of a penny that it was given to buy sweets may feel devastating.
I like the idea of lost thoughts, though they would have to be manifest in material form to work with this creature. Maybe little notes, scribbles, letters?
Things that are incomplete without a counterpart are a good suggestion as well.
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Good to have some free Perdu stuff out there. ;)
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Have you looked up information on the Tsukumogami from Bestiary 5? They have a similar flavor to what you are talking about and some of them are abandoned or lost items that tend to lean towards turning into Oni as they grow more unloved. In this case they are objects that gain some degree of life when a Kami binds to them after they turn 100 years old.
As for objects of a mundane nature that would be valuable to a person, family heirlooms like jewelry, a first pet's collar, love letters, pieces to a game from childhood, something a beloved dead relative owned and left in their will, stuff like that.
My final comments will concern what I have seen about the Perdu that you linked. The Key Perdu has some very fitting abilities. I would maybe give it claws as a natural weapon since keys can be used like claws in a pinch. Other than that I think it looks good. In this case chaotic or unfocused might be good since that is what a fey is.
As for other options for Perdu, how about that Silkling you have that follows it? Arrogance and vanity are an aspect of some of the more maligned fey. The Silkling could be the prized robes of a courtesan or courtier that has lost them or had them stolen by a competitor and that would explain the evil nature that comes with it.
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I knew of the Tsukumogami and like them a lot (though I would have preferred if they had individual abilities based on the type of object that serves as a base creature). I didn't think of them in this context, though. There are certainly conceptual similarities. According to the original myth of the tsukumogami, they are objects who turn into vengeful spirits after they have been abandoned by their masters despite years of loyal service. Whereas the perdu are treasured objects that still have great value to their owners.
The silkling is a different creature (actually one of the very first pathfinder creatures that I ever wrote). I believe my main inspiration was the mimic (ambush predator in disguise).
I think I have enough ideas for additional perdus and I plan to write them down once I'm feeling a bit more inspired (I'm currently working on a few other creatures which I hope to share in the future).
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I figured the myth and the creatures had some differences when it came to Tsukumogami. I just noticed that in Pathfinder some of them are good or at least leaning that way while others are well on their way to evil. I just noticed that they were very similar in that they were worldly objects that were possessed by what are very similar types of spirit creatures.
As for the Silkling I like the way it is as a mimic type creature. It is more fun that way. I thought I had mentioned liking it as a mimic but going back over my post I see that was just my sleep deprived brain or tendency to backtrack and delete forgetting what I left in and took out by the end of the comment. I may even, if you are willing to allow it, include the creature in part of an adventure I am working on.
Thank you for posing your questions by the way because it is helpful in coming up with new stuff to see what other people are doing that is similar or totally in a different ballpark than your own ideas. You have some fun ones.
By all means, please use them for your game however you like! That is why I post them here. Let me know how it went.
I asked one of my players if he was interested in roleplaying a character who became 'infested' by a silkling (the PC in question is the group's paladin and ruler of the kingdom). I told him that I wouldn't take away control over his character and that it was up to him to roleplay the changes in his character's behavior. He seemed interested at first, but I think he got cold feet.
I think it's always worthwile to listen to other peoples' thoughts and ideas.
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I added the perdu subtype and three new kinds of perdu. I also added the construct empathy ability, because I thought it would be cool for them to have animated objects as buddies (and helping them to develop their own personalities).
I'm not happy with the latin names for the individual creatures, but I couldn't think of anything better.
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These seem like pretty neat fantasy creatures, very medieval in theme. I love the auras, too few fey have something fun like that at these levels.
I think some variants for animals might be interesting, one with discarded bones, collars, sticks, or maybe even the remains of missing pets. A little morbid, but if it is a friendly fey that seeks companionship it could be pretty neat, I could even see it as an improved familiar possibly.
This does not address more primitive based cultures as well. A creature made of sharpening stones, digging tools, beads, fishing hooks, and similar lost "primitive" tools for the jungles or islands in the inner sea.
A jewel and coin based one mentioned above also sounds interesting, I could see a party of PC's hunting it down for the obvious value in its component parts (or protecting one from treasure hunters).
A love one could be quite mischievous, made from lost hair locks, lockets, ribbons, favors (perfume scented fabric square), preserved flowers, and wedding rings. A fey that wants EVERYONE in love, casting an aura of unnatural lust, with SLA's of charm person, suggestion, and ventriloquism (flirting).
Also there appears to be a module spell known as Apparent master for constructs, but yours seems less offensive in nature, I Like it a little better for these creatures.
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These seem like pretty neat fantasy creatures, very medieval in theme. I love the auras, too few fey have something fun like that at these levels.
I'm glad you like them! I tried to make the auras not too powerful, but I may have to fiddle around with them.
I think some variants for animals might be interesting, one with discarded bones, collars, sticks, or maybe even the remains of missing pets. A little morbid, but if it is a friendly fey that seeks companionship it could be pretty neat, I could even see it as an improved familiar possibly.
The concept is a bit too specific for its own creature, but I think one could use the toy-related perdu, exchange a few skills and spell-like abilities, and it should fit nicely.
This does not address more primitive based cultures as well. A creature made of sharpening stones, digging tools, beads, fishing hooks, and similar lost "primitive" tools for the jungles or islands in the inner sea.
Really interesting idea. A tool-related perdu is on my list, but I would not have thought of that.
A jewel and coin based one mentioned above also sounds interesting, I could see a party of PCs hunting it down for the obvious value in its component parts (or protecting one from treasure hunters).
I'm still working on these. My inclination is
jewels--lovecoins--pride/greed?
Thank you for your input!