[Cryptworld] 7 Days of Things, Day 7: Manananggal

A Vampiric Thing from the Philippines for Cryptworld

MANANANGGAL
STR: 6 (90) --- WPR: 5 (75)
DEX: 4 (60) --- PER: 3 (45)
AGL: 7 (105) --- PCN: 6 (90)
STA: 6 (90) --- PWR: NA
ATT: 2/98% --- WND: 16
MV: L 75†  F 75

Experience: 1,500

The Manananggal is a legendary vampire from the Philippines that feeds solely on sleeping, pregnant women. The Manananggal is capable of severing its upper torso from the rest of its body, sprouting wings to fly into the night, trailing its internal organs underneath. In fact, manananggal literally means "one who separates himself" in the Tagalog language.

A manananggal can be either male or female, and appears quite normal during the daylight hours -- perhaps even passing as a respected member of the community. At night, however, the manananggal will return to its lair where it will literally tear the top half of its torso from the rest of its body. While its lower half remains immobile, the upper half will fly into the night, looking for prey. The manananggal will find a sleeping, pregnant woman (usually someone they've encountered during the day) and will feed on both mother and unborn child. The manananggal does not have fangs like a traditional vampire, rather it uses a long, barbed, hollow tongue to pierce the flesh and feed directly from the hearts of first the mother, then the unborn child. After the first successful attack versus a victim, the manananggal will begin to feed, automatically dealing damage as per a heavy wound each consecutive round to the victim. Once sated, the manananggal returns to its lower half and rejoins with it, becoming whole once again.

Although a manananggal doesn't have the traditional powers of a vampire, it does have similar weaknesses. It is repelled by the smell of garlic and cannot cross an unbroken line of salt if it fails a general WPR check. Thorny branches are traditionally draped around windows and doorways as a deterrent, as the manananggal will avoid snagging and tearing its exposed entrails on them. Sprinkling salt, crushed garlic, or ashes on the severed lower half will kill a manananggal as it takes two wound boxes of damage for every 10 minutes it is unable to rejoin once the sun rises. Other symbolic, regional weaknesses the manananggal may have include daggers, vinegar, and certain spices (CM's discretion).

After feeding, the manananggal will usually leave the mother alive, however the child will be "touched" by the manananggal's venom and will become one of the creatures once it reaches adulthood. But convincing the victim that her unborn child will grow up to become a monster and should be destroyed is not often fruitful.