Sacred Animals Settlement

In a settlement with sacred animals, one species is protected by powerful custom, law or taboo. Killing, harming or driving away the protected creature can bring fines, exile, ritual penance or even death, depending on the culture and the offence.

At a Glance

• Protected animals: anything from cats and ravens to monkeys, cattle or horses.
• Everyday effect: the animals may wander streets, markets, courtyards and roads without being driven off.
• Adventure pressure: an outsider can cause a serious incident through ignorance rather than malice.

Legacy Settlement Rules

Under the legacy settlement-quality rules, Sacred Animals increases Lore by 1, decreases Corruption by 1 and decreases Economy by 1.

Using It in Play

The protected species should visibly shape the settlement. Roofs may be built to accommodate nesting birds, market stalls may leave food out for animals, gates may be designed to let them pass and local law may treat accidental harm differently from deliberate cruelty.

Adventures can begin when a sacred animal vanishes, behaves strangely, damages something important or is harmed by someone who does not understand the taboo.

Sources & Licensing

Section 15: Copyright Notice — Cityscapes: New Settlement Options for the Pathfinder RPG. Cityscapes: New Settlement Options for the Pathfinder RPG © 2012, Otherverse Games; Author: Chris A. Field.