Poka-Poka

The Shelter

written by Gabriel Komisar

Poka-Poka is a protective Monster whose shell is a comfortable, two-story cabin propelled by six large chicken legs that fold neatly beneath his foundation. He seeks out those in need of shelter: the needy, the lost, and those in need of rescue. Without guests he is restless and skittish, but with a warm fire, tea steeping, and guests within to enjoy them, the guardian is content.

The Power

Specialists have determined that Poka-Poka can transform his shell into all manner of structures, but as of the last few centuries seems most content as a cottage. This ability to alter his shell may have at first been a form of camouflage against larger predators, but since the guardian encountered humans, he has become permanently fixated on the interests of light, heat, and comfort.

People

Poka-Poka is inextricable with the people of Petris-Mal, so much so that it is unclear whether the first settlements inspired his cottage or vice versa. Either those original travelers arrived unprepared and were rescued by Poka-Poka, only to build cabins inspired by his shell; or Poka-Poka found their cabins, mimicked them, and sought to find other travelers, offering them shelter and ferrying them into the community. Either way, the people rightly revere the Monster as a true protector, especially in the harsh winters of Ald-Amura.

A common festivity after the winter solstice is for the children of Petris-Mal to decorate Poka-Poka in paper lanterns, wreaths of holly, and anything else they can find. Inside they are invited to draw on the malls, tip the furniture, and generally make a mess of things in ways that would not be permissible in their own homes. After they are done, the families, as a sign of gratitude, enter the cabin to clean up the mess.

Notable History

It is said that within Poka-Poka’s walls, the first written document signifying humanity’s commitment to the guardians of Ald Amura was written and signed by the last descendants of the revolutionaries before they permanently dissolved. The ringing of steel still fresh in their ears, they penned The Treatise of the Broken Blade centuries in the past, when Poka-Poka more than likely appeared in an entirely different form, beyond even our canniest historians.

Epic Destiny

Poka-Poka’s most heartfelt desire is to eventually find a permanent place to rest. Unlike so many guardians who take joy in their travels, Poka-Poka has enjoyed being a home to so many for so long, that within the heart of his hearth he quietly hopes the same for himself. He has been seen, gazing longingly through his kitchen window at sunny outcroppings too high for his chicken-legs to reach, with picturesque views perfect for framing the shape of his cabin. But he feels a continued debt to the people of Petris-Mal and continues to patrol in search of the lost, always on the move.

Wounds

1. He stampedes, his legs sprinting out of control, over anything and anyone around.
2. He catches fire and sets the forest alight in his wake!
3. He is blinded with jealousy over other houses and rams them with his full weight.
4. He swallows a guest whole and locks the door behind them.
5. His cabin changes into a gnarled, haunted place, moans echoing from within.
6. He sneezes furniture and pottery uncontrollably at incredibly high speeds.