[One of many familiar-like monsters in Eastern European lore that steal for their masters. My intent with this one was to make an evil equivalent of the pseudodragon from D&D/PFRPG. I don’t remember why I went with this name instead of the more familiar aitvaras.]
Puuk A black-scaled wingless dragon the
size of a cat creeps forth, a coin-purse clasped in its nimble talons.
Malicious
and greedy, the tiny dragons known as puuks seek comfort and riches at any
cost. They are expert shapechangers and use their abilities for both mobility
and self-defense. Native to pine forests, many puuk are content to live in
caves or tree hollows and prey on travelers as bandits do. Wild puuk are
usually solitary, as they are distrustful of others of their own kind.
Other
puuk, however, have learned that riches flow more freely in cities and have
inveigled their way into urban life. An urban puuk offers its services to a
humanoid partner, exchanging wealth stolen from the neighborhood for a warm
hearth and plenty of food. A puuk will often watch over a town for months
disguised in animal form before choosing a partner, gauging what members of a
community are the greediest and most likely to condone their larcenous
activities. Puuk have little loyalty to their humanoid accomplices and will
gladly betray or attack them if their activities fall under suspicion. A
neutral evil spell-caster of at least 5th level with the Improved
Familiar feat can take a puuk as a familiar, in which case the nasty little
dragon remains faithful to its master.
A puuk
grows to about two feet long and weighs 10 pounds in draconic form. When
assuming an animal shape, they prefer the forms of cats, cockerels or snakes. Puuks
prefer to go about their business unnoticed, and will often flee from battle
unless cornered or convinced that they will win. In battle, they generally
assume their ember form, which grants them both a powerful burning touch and
the ability to escape easily should combat turn against them. Puuks are
omnivores and have a special fondness for eggs. Puuks and pseudodragons hate one another, and
will gladly battle each other to the death should their paths cross.
Kaukas Especially
old and cunning puuks, known as kaukas, grow in both physical stature and
magical prowess. Capable of assuming the form of gnomes, goblins and other
small humanoids, kaukas tend towards more ambitious plots than puuks. For
example, a kaukas may be found attached to the household of a nobleman
disguised as a servant, or may take over a tribe of kobolds or goblins and lead
them to pillage and rapine. A kaukas is a puuk with the advanced and giant simple
templates. In addition, it may assume the form of up to a Medium-sized animal
or a Small humanoid when using change shape. A kaukas is CR 3.
Puuks are commonly used as familiars in Senksen, where their skill at thieving and command of flame make them prized by military spellcasters. They are disliked by the xvarts, who slay feral ones as often as possible.
Shores of Swords 