Kuribu

Kuribu

(Creature)

Type

Outsider
(angel, extraplanar, good)

CR

3

Environment

Any (Elysium, Heaven, or Nirvana)

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Source: The Hellfire Compact, pg(s). 82

Kuribus are small child-like angels tasked with guarding sacred places.

Appearance

Kuribus look like halfling-sized, child-like, round-cheeked humanoids, and have flawless marble-like skin that is as tough as stone; as a result, all kuribus can blend in with the architecture of a church. A kuribu has two sets of wings, with the smaller pair at the base of the spine allowing a greater amount of control when flying. It wields a bow and carries a quiver full of arrows on its back. A typical kuribu stands three feet tall and weighs 60 pounds.

Abilities

A kuribu has four true holy countenances, three of which are hidden at any time. Each countenance provides different benefits, and the kuribu can present a different countenance to gain its benefits in exchange of those of the countenance that just got hidden. The majority of kuribus can take on the countenances of eagles, lions and oxen, but a few variant kuribus possessing the aspects of different animals do exist.

Ecology

Kuribus are fashioned from the souls of good mortals who died protecting a place or ideal. In the River of Souls, they undergo several metamorphoses, gaining the qualities that eventually become their blessed aspects.

Kuribus have a remarkable amount of patience, as they may be assigned to watch over particular locations for years. Although mortal generations pass swiftly for kuribus, they are always alert and the slightest act of vandalism might spring them into action. Kuribus are remarkably tolerant towards the small animals that sometimes make homes upon their bodies or shelter beneath their wings, though they will never ignore a crime just for the sake of a pigeon's comfort.

Society

As kuribus protect sacred areas, they are frequently witness to, but rarely interact with, other good outsiders: kuribus see no reason to interrupt them and, in turn, they are more often considered to be decorations than comrades. Kuribus think nothing of this prejudice, as they are confident in the importance of their duties.

Occasionally, an important angel that employs kuribus to safeguard their own sanctum will develop a fondness for them. The employer speaks pleasantly with the kuribus, informing them about important events. In turn, the kuribus grow fiercely loyal and playful towards their employer. When the sanctum needs to be defended, however, this whimsy is immediately dropped.

Kuribus' relationship towards fellow kuribus protecting the same sacred site is wholly professional. A single kuribu with different ideas than the rest of the flight about the best way to defend their charge will quickly fall in line, as kuribus hold their duties above their pride.

When their charges are invaded, kuribus take flight and pepper their foes with arrows. If outmatched or outnumbered, the majority of them sacrifice themselves, while a lone kuribu retreats to fetch reinforcements.

In rare cases, kuribus might find themselves lingering in once-holy areas that have since been abandoned or despoiled, where they often stoically wait for goodly folk to return.