[Day 08] Kallikan, The Ghosts of the Road

Kallikan, The Ghosts of the Road

These creatures are the ghosts who died between their point of departure and destination.In that liminal space no grave is truly hallowed, and the kallikan can neither rest nor reach the destination they sought in life. They are doomed to trudge the roads until the end of days. It might not be long now.

The look as though they have slept in ditches and travelled through a rainstorm. Their hair is matted, long and wet. They do not blink quite enough. A kallikan’s clothes have transformed into iron. Woven wool becomes chains, fine silk think and rusty sheets. They are always burdened down with heavy sacks.

The kallikan may only rest if they come upon a travelers’ camp and are given leave to join. They will offer up coarse bread and salted meat from their sacks. This food is bland but nourishing. Those who eat of it often (DR12 check against Toughness) feel compelled to join the endless journey within a span of 1-6 days.

If they are refused a seat at a campfire, they will curse the living travelers for their inhospitality. For the next 2-12 days the party will be unable to light any fire, whether it be a bonfire, a hearth, a candle or even a taper to light a pipe. They will be cold and wet, yet there will be no relief.

The kallikan will not give right of way if met on the road. If one tries to communicate with them, they will be less than talkative, but not unfriendly. They will talk of their destination (and it will become clear that that place is a hazy concept to them) and inquire about that of other travelers.

The kallikan only fight if attacked. They may be killed, but as they are already dead they will simply continue their journey at the next sunset.

Hp 6, iron clothes -d4, touch d4+special

Special: Their touch drains Strength, Presence and Agility by 1 for the duration of the fight.