Penanggalan Vampire, Fiend Folio, Dungeons and Dragons Monster

[@chaossin7425]

In some versions of the myths of these type of creatures, you can reposition the body while the head is away, like turning it around, and she'll reattach her head backwards. Kek.

[@Wastelandman7000]

Well, I can only say one thing about this monster. It has guts. ...I'll show myself out.

[@AJPickett]

Careful, that may not be a door.

[@kaimamoonfury1335]

I miss my old friend folio, oof. Thanks as always my dood.

[@TheHornedKing]

"Deeply nerdy and deeply disturbing". You have my attention. I actually first read about these in a book of vampire lore I got for christmas one year. The Vampire Book by Sally Regan. And I first learned these were in DnD when I looked up the Mere of Dead Men, after MrRhexx's video about 2 black dragons who live there. There is this sorceress there named Adele Astrolara, who runs some stargazer academy, and is a penanggalan.

[@AJPickett]

Ah yes, from Dragon Magazine Wyrms of the North and Ebon Death lore, I read that article when researching this video! MrRhexx is a scholar and a gentleman I greatly respect.

[@tatsusama3192]

There's a Japanese yokai that is basically identical to this. The other one I know of is from the Philippines called an Aswang (sp). An Aswang is slightly different, in that it feeds on the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, only killing the infant as a result. They only feed at night, and can climb on walls and ceilings. Usually positioning themselves above the sleeping woman, and using a tongue, twice their body length, and tipped with a tooth, they pierce the woman's belly bottom and drink the amniotic fluid over the course of a few days to make it seem like it was a natural loss in pregnancy

[@AJPickett]

Yep, asian cultures are RICH pickings for really nasty monsters.

[@sirguy6678]

Excellent video!

[@Skullofdarkness1]

With the 2024 rules introducing bastions and hirelings for said bastions, as well as reintroducing alignment, this should fit back in nicely.

[@ObsidianAmeth]

Fun fact this monster is also added as one of the scps. So if dms want this crossover, this book could help.

[@brotherhoodz97]

Ah yes, there she is. you've captured her two timing ways perfectly. Much appreciated! :)

[@AJPickett]

I am glad you approve, sorry I didn't get the art in the video, but I will seek a more suitable subject... some sort of demon I think.

[@brotherhoodz97]

@@AJPickett think nothing of it, your chosen art was infinitely better. Your content as always is the main present, delivered from on high.

[@jeffmodlinski6835]

I have enjoyed this creature for years, glad you made a video as it brought up so things I didn't already know.

[@AJPickett]

Glad to hear it!

[@joedominguez8064]

There are plenty of horrors in DnD estold school but these things always got me worst 😖 Its head canon in my campaign (get it ? 🤣) that the males they drain become Vargouille, another monster that freaks me the hell out

[@AJPickett]

Oooooo, I love that idea!

[@TheMightyBattleSquid]

I was struggling to come up with something to pair this up with until this comment and now I'm totally on board. 😂

[@Jimmy-p9n]

Another fiend. Very fitting for Halloween October

[@JonnySaysHi413]

Hell. Yeah. Right in time for my yearly Ravenloft one-shot, thank you!

[@pencilshavings8518]

Great work as always mighty!

[@skeletonfish110]

As a kid with a fresh FF in hand, this was the most nightmare inducing creature ever.

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

This original folio run through is probably one of your best ideas on this channel. Outstanding. This really speaks to old-school players.

[@snappa_tv]

An absolutely vile and wicked creature. I love this. I want more irredeemable creatures like this in dnd. The monsters that are truly evil are some of my favorite to watch my players scream in terror and delight and then cut down and destroy. More creatures like this please.

[@AdeptusForge]

I know I asked for this a while back, but I really have to commend you. Every single video since I brought up improving your sound quality has been more or less immaculate sound-wise. I don't know how much work it took to get there, but I hope you know that it is very appreciated.

[@AJPickett]

Thank you! Yeah, of all the technical sides of KZbin, sound has been the most difficult and the most important aspect.

[@JoseMolina-ij3xx]

Although, there is a mention of turning these creatures, there is strangely absent a way of killing these demons. From what I remember, keeping the head and body from rejoining for a certain period will destroy both halves. Then there is the mention of inserting broken glass in the body portion. Penanggalans also seem to shun certain plants, particuarly thorny ones.

[@downtostandup]

Pineapple leaves.

[@chuckkershaw7492]

Love this monster! So freaky. Making a Halloween special quest for the campaign currently DMing. They think they'll be getting a nice side quest. Oh boy are they in for a surprise

[@HowtoRPG]

Thanks AJ.

[@DEMONOFLOVEANDDEATH]

Bless the Mighty GlueStick

[@NanoMayTry]

Like when Stan Lee told an artist, "You can take charge of any comic, but you only get to pick one..." I remember the variant folklore of instead of a head, it's the upper half that flies off and away...

[@AJPickett]

Manananggal, from the Philippines; that is able to separate its upper torso from the lower part of its body. Their fangs and wings give them a vampire-like appearance so, you could say they are 'cousins'.

[@MrRedFoxorMrelzorrorojo]

Ahhh yes, the Filipino Vampire. This thing is eeeeeeeeevil!

[@drewforchic9083]

Oh, I just ran of these a few months ago, having converted and rewritten the adventure from Dungeon Magazine 71, set in the Forgotten Realms’ Mere of Dead Men. I changed it so that the penanggalan was the secret puppet master of the situation rather than just one of the monsters, pulling the strings of the other villains and the players as well, since she was hidden as one of the hostages they were trying to save. It was an all-female party, so I had her trying to turn/charm them by night and pit them against each other or lead them astray as a belligerent damsel in distress during the day. The players gradually figured out there was a vampire around, which actually really excited them, until they got a good look what exactly what type of vampire it was.

[@AJPickett]

Yeah but, its described as a Penanggalan of Large Size, what the? So its a Giantess? So many questions about the article...

[@drewforchic9083]

@@AJPickett Not sure where you're getting that... reading Bathshaera's stat block on PG 57, it says SZ M, and it elsewhere specifies that she was human. So if you're seeing "large" somewhere else, I presume that's just a typo...

[@AJPickett]

@@drewforchic9083 Dragon Magazine Wyrms of th North, covering Ebon Death and the Mere of Dead Men, I guess it was a bit of sensationalism.

[@drewforchic9083]

@@AJPickett Oh that one. Ok, I remember now. There are some rare variants of Penanggalans that can grow their heads/organ tails upon separating, as if from an Enlarge spell. So they're still human sized during the day, but when their head detaches, it enlarges to twice its size and the organ tail can grow up to 12 feet long, giving it reach/large size. Not all of them do that. Bathsheara from the adventure in Dungeon Magazine 71 does not, but there is a more powerful Penanggalan named Adele (the one who turned her) who lives deeper in the swamp, and who does enlarge upon transforming. You meet her in the follow up adventure as the eponymous "Mistress of the Mere." (See Dungeon Magazine 72, pg 66)

[@muddlewait8844]

Woo hoo! My wish is granted! Thank you!

[@AJPickett]

Thank you for asking!

[@anathema1828]

Certainly running these as the reveal of the evil fey arc of our campaign!

[@KingaKucyk]

Finally ❤ Thank You ❤

[@windalfalatar333]

This was a classic, A.J.!! Extremely lovely!! NPC (non-politically correct) stuff, which is always the best. I love these descriptions which are lore rich.

[@Deefry]

I loved reading Boyd's Dungeon Magazine adventure featuring this monster at Castle Naerytar. If I ever run Hoard of the Dragon Queen I wouldn't be able to help myself adding bits about the Stargazers in.

[@RonaldLivingston-n2d]

Wow wicked monster 😈

[@Pyrrhus1ofepirus]

i've noticed these guys started appearing more and more in D&D in the last few years. There are a great many minis for this creature dating back to pathfinder. A great monster hunt for western players thinking they got a standard western run of the mill vampire with a shocking twist.

[@therealGibralter]

I forgot about those damn things. That could make for a great bait and switch monster using modern uses.

[@matthewfritz4629]

Very awesome and very creepy AJ, you should write a D&D novel.

[@AJPickett]

I really should.

[@matthewbennett1972]

I’ve been waiting for this. Why this never made it to Ravenloft i don’t know

[@chriscalvin5083]

good video AJ

[@AJPickett]

Thanks Chris.

[@theforkedman3030]

My group is a bit lighter in our Pathfinder games but if I used this I'd make it an ancient tradition that this things head would be kept in a glass box that's been reinforced and they carry the head in sunlight at all times running around the world. I'd probably make it more of a boss fight though.

[@derskalde4973]

7:18 min So, I have two questions: 1. If one is discovered and hanged, how do they pass on their curse to another female? Do they have to fulfill certain characteristics, or is it just a "the first woman nearby" kinda deal? 2. If one is discovered and hanged, and they pass their curse on to another female, are they aware of this curse? Or is it like it can be with werewolves, that they are unaware of their transformation and what they are doing at night?

[@AJPickett]

Hanging doesn't destroy them, it was just what ended the mortal life of the first one (so the lore goes), females drained to death by the Penanggalan become one and yes, they are aware it is happening when the process becomes inevitable.

[@derskalde4973]

@@AJPickett Oh, so I misunderstood that. Thanks for clearing things up.

[@joshuazane3210]

As someone who's been watching your videos for years, I can't help but notice that you've gotten much better at pronouncing foreign/made-up words, or at least you've gotten much more confident. (Reading this back, it sounds a bit like a backhanded compliment, but it was intended to be nice 😄)

[@AJPickett]

I try :)

[@Dx-Dm]

In Las Vegas, this vampire is referred to as Penandteller.

[@AJPickett]

LOL

[@duyas1628]

Mystics in Bali the adventure path.

[@Adam_First]

Great video

[@D--FENS]

I miss this darker material.

[@anathema1828]

What a monster!

[@warsmith01]

Modern D&D is soft. Handheld walks through dungeons, soft rules on death. It's weak. There's no threat. If i evolved and adapted my characters through each edition they would take over. That said... Great choice! I can't wait to see what you choose next. ❤️

[@NalutM]

It's vile in dnd sure, they needed a monster to fight. But they are not necessarily creatures of pure evil in all folklore stories. Also dnd mechanics should have count for them having penalties flying near trees because their organ could entangle them to the trees and i don't recall that in the books (which by the by is lore appropriate)

[@AJPickett]

I'm still not inviting one over for dinner.

[@The_RealWilliam]

I had only saw the picture of the creature in the FF and it stuck in my mind to this day, just didn't remember the name. As grotesque as she is, the FF never mentions menstruation blood/ after birth as a diet, only young children and pregnant females. All of it's victims are preferably human and female. She will literally ignore any near-human as dinner (Elves, Half elves, Half Orcs, Haflings etc.).

[@AJPickett]

As always, I include lore from all editions of the game :)

[@tentaclestv2476]

Imagine the 5e version of this… 😅

[@TheBFN]

😈🔱👿.. It makes a PECK...wtf is a a peck 😂... Ooo you mean a pact ...

[@MrJudeWanamaker]

As a bard, i resent any mention of minstrel blood

[@AJPickett]

mmm... Minstrel brains.

[@vinx.909]

a monster that Definitely shows it's age

[@Kholan95]

Has AJ considered covering VtM stuff?

[@AJPickett]

Not really, I have so much more D&D stuff to cover and it really does pay the bills (otherwise I would make way more vids on Palladium books games)

[@zacharyweaver276]

8:05 oh god they're Karens

[@Wastelandman7000]

Worse, they are the Karen final form.

[@cadenceclearwater4340]

Wicked 😎

[@trajanfidelis]

Jeez these things are awful. Thanks for the video!

[@MrJudeWanamaker]

As a Minstrel, i'm a red wing enthusiast

[@BonesinMeat]

Ok when I said spine.. this is what I'm talking about

[@victorvaldez8869]

Remember they are FAR more fearsome than what Text To Speech might deliver, the Pangolin (the seemingly scaled mammal that have been known as scaled anteaters.) If there's a diabolical wizard who contacts Kobal the demon of hysteria, depending on the definition of hysterical he might find sending one of them instead to be a laugh riot. I have appeased the algorithm via interaction. Penanggalan's aren't the only things with voracious appetites.

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

Hey AJ, I just have a quick question for you man. This is unrelated, but I could’ve sworn that I saw somewhere in Dungeons & Dragons fourth edition a stat block for Lucifer MorningStar. But I can’t seem to find it again. Was I dreaming?

[@AJPickett]

I think you were, but I have not read EVERY third party monster book in existence (yet)

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

@@AJPickett i’ll see what I can dig up. FYI, in third edition there was a system called D 20 that published two very interesting books called the book of fiends in two parts. Anyway, they had some really interesting demon, princes, and arch devils in there. However, under that system, the ruler of the fifth plane of hell was Leviathan. I understand D 20 was discontinued. But have you ever seen a stat block for leviathan under that system? So tantalizing. Some of the creations in those two books were fantastic.

[@AJPickett]

@@AnonymousAlcoholic772 Hmmm, I shall find those books and add them to my vast archive, thank you.

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

@@AJPickettwere talking grab some popcorn, and sit back and just enjoy a reading experience.

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

@@AJPickett found it. Lucifer. Tome of Horrors complete. Necromancer Games. Copyright 2011. Not dnd cannon of course but more like bizarro dnd. Again awesome alternate timeline. Dont forget the popcorn.

[@ruhalajn]

vodka..no OJ...no straw When you give it to me, give it to me raw Sorry. Your warning made me remember the words of another scholar.

[@dylancarey1382]

can they not re-enter their bodies without the barrel of vinegar? this seems logistically problematic

[@AJPickett]

Its implied they can't in early lore sources, but, as always, its up to the DM.

[@TheMightyBattleSquid]

It's part of the myth iirc so it was just included as part of the dnd version's lore.

[@HenriFaust]

Who says they can't use other weak acids, like soda water? If they're literally being pickled, so they could also use brine or sugar. Maybe they can even use alum.

[@aaronwilliams007]

What is the approximate CR for 5e? Thanks for this. This is definitely a horror mystery style creature to inspire it’s own side quests. Yay

[@AJPickett]

This might annoy you a little, but whatever level your player characters are at is about two or three points lower than the CR should be for this kind of threat, and you should get used to adapting any monster you feel is a good fit for the vibe you want in your game, to the current level of the player characters, so, if your group really likes the vibe of playing 5-6th level characters, you can freeze them there and just modify any monster they have a chance to beat, to fit with their abilities. Because you are the Master of the Dungeon and the mechanics bend to your will, and no other.

[@aaronwilliams007]

Thanks, Ser Loremaster for your good works. 🙏🤟🤘

[@LaneLibra]

Greeeeeasy

[@archmage_of_the_aether]

Slllllllllick

[@glorbojibbins2485]

*MOIPS*

[@asteriskme]

This is also a Ravenloft monster. It's more difficult to destroy, also with the added touch of a "Horror Roll" being required of the PCs. That's for real Ravenloft, of course, not the wimpy 3E-5E garbage that is not-Ravenloft.

[@KimKimeraKimes]

Nicely disturbing!

[@trejrco]

How appropriate, 666 likes 👹

[@krispalermo8133]

Whitewolf/World of Darkness(WoD): Kindred of the East. Spin off from Vampire the Masquerade setting series. Kindred of the East, or east Asian vampires are more like dammed souls crawling back into their corpus and practice Yang/Yin magic flavor by Asian folk lore. As with WoD setting skills & powers got with 5 dot ranking on the strength of a given ability. As a magic discipline path an eastern undead can separate their heads and crawl around on the floor with a low result spellcraft check or fly around in the air with higher dice pool result checks. So you have .. one .. undead with slow developing powers being mistaken for multiple monsters over the centuries. 1d10 results with number of succusses rolled. 1.) Real embarrassment, you look and move like one of those cheap B rated horror movies from the 1950'&60's .. in .. TechNo Color. When TechNo Color became common place cheap. 2.) Small children can outrun you. 3.) Junior high school children can outrun you, even the unathletic ones. 4.) Old or disable people is the only type of prey you can chase down, while crawling. 5.) 1980's slasher horror monster, sorry only one out of the playing group is going to live to the end of the story. Oh, that is 1d10 for appearance, another 1d10 in Moving speed with one roll for crawling another roll for flying. You attack roll is your dexterity dice pool + your athletic dice pool/boxing, brawl, rapier, staff. Gut grapple and Bite. Yeah, on a bad roll your PC can be fly beat their head/face down a hallway on a failed fly by grab/bite and over run in the wall. Now as for the humor of every person in the playing group is .. undead, or some other supernature creature. You never know who/what will show up for the dinner party. For the setting lore, schools of Penanggalan meet up and have acting contests of who can portray dying from poison foaming at the mouth or heart attack that their neck is burning and can't understand why the pain is there. Follow with .. play/act .. dead .., head come off and closing one liner to F-ck with someone. -- " So, how much are you going to pay me for this jump scare haunting ?"