The subject of this moon’s installment of my series is the minions of Tshurkurka. While this guide will not tell you everything you need to know about Tshurkurka, it will prepare you with a basic understanding and equip you with the Knowledge necessary to combat his servitors.
Tshurkurka was a Tzigane of the Remeika family who found an ancient tome from which he learned much of blood magic and necromancy. He plundered the graves of his family ancestors for power, and eventually sought out the grave of the Tzigane necromancer Gallus.
Gallus had been exiled by the Tzigane is his time and been banished from the from the physical realm. In his attempt to absorb Gallus’ power, Tshurkurka somehow absorbed Gallus’ banishment.
Most of Tshurkurka’s servants are outcast Tzigane. When a Tzigane is cast out, he or she is cursed with a teardrop tattoo under the eye as an outward symbol and a reminder to everyone that that person has betrayed their family. Those who serve Tshurkurka each bear a red teardrop and additionally have a silver crescent moon around each eye. These servitors are called Noshi.
There are three types of Noshi. The weakest are still living but have the ability to reflect and turns spells back upon the caster, suggesting a lunar connection. The second type of Noshi are undead Noshi. These creatures have typical undead traits: immunity to most spirit and psychic effects, vulnerability to cure spells, etc.
The most dangerous type of Noshi are undead that have been made into constructs. In addition to the immunities common to undead, they are capable of absorbing an opponent’s entire life force, sometimes even in response to being struck with a weapon! Be prepared to dodge or deflect such attacks, and keep in mind that it is often difficult to distinguish these foes from other less powerful Noshi.
Currently Tshurkurka is using these Noshi to gather spiritual energy, and has an arrangement worked out with the Gatekeeper whereby the Gatekeeper gains the best “bits” and Tshurkura keeps the rest. It is unclear what the Tshurkurka gains in exchange.
Another threat created by Tshurkurka are the so-called “Grave Elementals” — essentially an animated grave site, earth and all. They are highly destructive and difficult to take down but are not invulnerable. As creatures of elemental earth they are vulnerable to lightning, and and they are also vulnerable to spirit energy.
Grave Elementals are capable of causing minor earthquakes, knocking over people in a large area, and pummeling single foes. Keep in mind that while Grave Elementals hit like a ton of rocks, they are also dumb as rocks and slow as molasses. They will tend to pursue one foe until another strikes it harder. Even if you cannot deal damage of a type to which it is vulnerable, in many cases you can simply strike from behind once or twice and walk away (running is rarely necessary). This is especially effective as a way to gain a Grave Elemental’s attention and keep it from striking a foe that has been knocked off of it’s feet.
In fact, standing behind a Grave Elemental is often an effective way to stay out of the shockwave and avoid being knocked down. You can then attack it from behind, causing it to turn and focus on you and allowing your allies to regain their footing.
For further information on Tshurkurka, contact Majento or myself.
Yours in Knowledge,
Rybin vanHolt
Historian and Scholar