HeroQuest
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Wild PredatorsVuskarasas (Elura, Fox-woman, Raccoon Dog)Nyctereutes eluraeAges: Storm, Darkness, Historical (rare). Distribution: Dragon Pass, Kralorela. Habitat: Forest. Vuskarasa are magical shape-changers native to Kralorela. A small group lives in Dragon Pass (where they are known as elurae), and are associated with the beast-men of Beast Valley. They spend most of their time in their animal form, which resembles a fluffy, raccoon-like canine often mistaken for a fox. They are omnivorous, and mainly eat fruit and insects. In addition to their growling speech, vuskarasa communicate by leaving scent marks in favored locations. These marks are sophisticated; they can express a form of poetry, which all vuskarasas take pride in their ability to compose. Occasionally, a vuskarasas changes into her human form, which has exotic (vulpine) features. In this form, she hunts larger prey and interacts with nymphs, 'beast-men,' and, when necessary, humans. Vuskarasa are legendary for their beauty and lust, and often seduce lone human males, although children never result from such matings. Most vuskarasa can assume intermediate forms, and some are very whimsical about their shape, often appearing as a human with an animal head, an animal with a human head, or a form that combines features of both animal and human. Some have been known to transform into their vixen form during sex with human males, as a cruel joke. No matter how they transform, however, they always retain their tail, and so are easily discovered by one who suspects them. All vuskarasa are female; they reproduce by mating with satyrs, beast-men, or similar entities. They live in communal dens, which are too small for them to enter except in animal form. The toughest among them is the leader, and bullies the others into submission, until one becomes strong enough to challenge her for the position. Unlike foxes, vuskarasas hibernate through Dark Season, and place powerful wards on their dens to wake them if danger threatens. Vuskarasa was a daimon who desired to marry a master of draconic lore. She used many tricks and wiles, and mated with many men, but in the end was only a creature scurrying through garbage and eating rats. Although the humans of Dragon Pass dismiss them as just another form of beast-man, in truth the vuskarasas have little to do with the other inhabitants of Beast Valley except during their mating season. They are theists, not animists, and are not members of the Beast Valley Tradition.
Vuskarasas - Animal Form 
Weapons and Armor: Bow +3, Claws +0, Knife +1. Significant Abilities: Acute Sense of Smell 13, Archery 18, Beautiful 2W, Cautious 15, Climb Tree 17, Knife Fighting 13, Initiate of Vuskarasa 17, Elurae Customs 16, Hide in Cover 2W, Know Local Area 18, Night Vision 18, Read Scent Marks 18, Run Fast 15, Seduce Male 17, Sneak 18. Tactics: The natural instinct of a vuskarasas is to flee and hide. If necessary, she will try to distract pursuers using her magic. If cornered, she lashes out with a hunting knife or her clawed hands, and flees as soon as possible. If she meets a lone human male that she finds attractive, she may attempt to seduce him, or at least distract him with her flirting until she can take animal shape and flee.
VuskarasaThere is a fan-contributed Vuskarasa magic keyword available.
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