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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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PFS StandardTengu

Crow-like humanoids, tengus are a canny and clever people who can be found across all of Golarion. Tengus are used to being minorities and facing suspicion wherever they travel, so by necessity many possess a knack for languages as well as for blades. They live on the fringes of society and tend to flock toward less-than-legal occupations, earning them their reputation for being streetwise and unscrupulous—a label that, in turn, perpetuates the tengus’ oppressive cycle of discrimination and illegitimate work.

Although humanoid, tengus have very distinct, birdlike features, and many would say that they resemble crows more than they do humans. They have strong, thick beaks, as well as sharp talons at the ends of their arms and legs. Most of a tengu’s body is covered in small feathers that range in color from dark brown and midnight blue to glossy black, with lighter colors being rare but not unheard of. Like many avian creatures, tengus have hollow bones, making them much lighter than other humanoids of their size, although few tengus possess the wings necessary to fly naturally. A tengu’s speech might be punctuated by quick clucks or throaty cawing, and many tengus practice conversation diligently to rid themselves of these involuntary ticks. Ruf ing of the feathers and compulsive, jerky movements of the neck are other trademark habits. Tengus reproduce by laying eggs: the average tengu egg is about 11 inches in diameter and 16 inches tall and takes 4 months to hatch.

Tengus are a people in diaspora and are almost always found within larger kingdoms and communities of other races. Perhaps because they are more visually distinctive than most other humanoid races, tengus tend to be distrusted and persecuted more often than, for example, elves or dwarves. As a result, tengus tend to gather in close-knit social groups composed of other outcasts and people of uncommon ancestry. Few true tengu communities exist, and those that do are often exiled to ghettos and other forgotten city quarters. From an early age, tengus learn that the world is not a friendly place and that they must look out for themselves.

Recall Knowledge - Humanoid (Society): DC 16
Unspecific Lore: DC 14
Specific Lore: DC 11

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Proficiency without Level

Tengu SneakCreature 2

Legacy Content

CN Medium Humanoid Tengu 
Source Bestiary pg. 310
Perception +6; low-light vision
Languages Common, Tengu; plus two others
Skills Acrobatics +8, Athletics +6, Deception +7, Diplomacy +5, Society +5, Stealth +8, Thievery +8
Str +2, Dex +4, Con +1, Int +1, Wis +0, Cha +1
Items rapier, shortbow, studded leather armor
AC 19; Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +4
HP 27
Speed 25 feet
Melee [one-action] rapier +10 [+5/+0] (deadly 1d8, disarm, finesse), Damage 1d6+2 piercingMelee [one-action] beak +10 [+5/+0] (finesse), Damage 1d4+2 piercingRanged [one-action] shortbow +10 [+5/+0] (deadly 1d10, range increment 60 feet, reload 0), Damage 1d6 piercingGo for the Eyes [reaction] (incapacitation) Trigger The tengu critically hits with a beak Strike. Effect The tengu attempts to peck out its victim’s eyes. The target must attempt a DC 17 Fortitude save.
Success Unaffected.
Failure Blinded for 1 round.
Critical Failure Blinded until healed to maximum HP.Sneak Attack The tengu deals 1d6 extra precision damage to flat-footed creatures.Surprise Attacker On the first round of combat, creatures that haven’t acted yet are flat-footed to the tengu.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Jinx Eaters

In the pirate-controlled archipelago of the Shackles, tengus occupy a unique social niche, since many pirates believe that a tengu’s presence on board a ship wards off bad luck. Known as “jinx eaters,” these tengu are treated as mascots by their pirate crews. Jinx eaters don’t mind this treatment, however, since it allows them to escape much of the drudgery associated with working on a ship. When a tengu is sailing with pirates afraid of ill fortune, the claim that “hunger leads to bad luck” secures comfort and respect for the jinx eater more effectively than any bribe.