(Help needed) Etruscan demon

[olegrand]

Hello everyone

I'm currently working on an adventure (for my Lady Penelope's Odyssey campaign) set around the founding of Rome (you know, Romulus & Remus, etc.). It will play heavily on the (often wild) divergences between myth, known history and (fictional) reality.

The whole thing is really coming OK but I need to include an otherworldly creature who could pass for a classic Etruscan demon, the Tuchulcha.

Of course, physical resemblance would only have to be approximative (think bat-winged humanoid with a monstrous appearance) but the creature would be bound to (or in league with) a human sorcerer possessing eldritch, forbidden lore. Since "demons" in the Whoniverse are always more or less supposed to be 'something else' than their literal mythical versions, I'd like to find a suitable, existing Whoniverse creature to re-purpose for this role (I had first thought about the Krillitanes but I don't think it would work that well).

Does anyone have an idea of what creature I could recycle for this role? Of course, I could always devise it from scratch but my first choice would be to re-use something already established, even with some pretty serious adjustments.

Thanks in advance!

[misterharry]

My immediate thought was a Krillitame, particularly as their appearance changes over time as they absorb the characteristics of other races - so you could mould it into exactly how you want it to look. But then I read the rest of your post.

Are you looking for a creature specifically from the TV series? If you're willing to look further afield, how about the Malevilus from the very first DWM comic strip, Doctor Who and the iron Legion? They're certainly demonic, and there's an existing connection to Rome that you might be able to utilise.

[olegrand]

Oct 31, 2022 7:52:15 GMT misterharry said:

Are you looking for a creature specifically from the TV series? If you're willing to look further afield, how about the Malevilus from the very first DWM comic strip, Doctor Who and the iron Legion? They're certainly demonic, and there's an existing connection to Rome that you might be able to utilise.

Indeed I'm looking for something a bit further afield. Thanks for the Malevilus tip - I'm off to reread the Iron Legion story!

[Catsmate]

The Malevilus would seem a good match, in appearance and thematically given the connections to the alternate Roman Empire.

[grinch]

Oct 31, 2022 10:42:34 GMT Catsmate said:

The Malevilus would seem a good match, in appearance and thematically given the connections to the alternate Roman Empire.

You could always suggest perhaps that should Lady Penelope fail to stop the Tuchulcha, then they'll inevitably create their own version of the Alternate Roman Empire as seen in 'The Iron Legion' in her reality. 

[olegrand]

I've finally decided not to follow the Malevilus angle. My Tuchulcha creature will be something akin to a Byakhee (summoned thanks to the Book of Eibon, which has been around in Lady Penelope's continuity since season 1 or 2... )

Needless to say, this will be an adapted / Whovianized (?) Byakhee, something I already did with the Lloigor and the Hounds of Tindalos.

[Catsmate]

Nov 1, 2022 10:40:26 GMT olegrand said:

I've finally decided not to follow the Malevilus angle. My Tuchulcha creature will be something akin to a Byakhee (summoned thanks to the Book of Eibon, which has been around in Lady Penelope's continuity since season 1 or 2... )

Needless to say, this will be an adapted / Whovianized (?) Byakhee, something I already did with the Lloigor and the Hounds of Tindalos.

Ah yes, the Whispering Guide, and a good choice of book. There was supposed to be a copy in the collection of the Library of St John the Beheaded.