Vastonia's Monster Gallery!

CLURANCAN (By WebWarlock)

Appearance: The Clurancan (or Cluricaune) is a cousin of the leprechaun, and is inordinately fond of wine, spirits, beer, and ale. They are solitary creatures, although they tend to happily latch themselves onto unsuspecting folk.

Once attached to a dwelling, they stay in the wine cellar (or equivalent), where they poach the supply. One benefit is that servants and the like who attempt to take a drink without the owner's permission will likely be scared off by the little fellow, but it is doubtful that the cost is worth it. Families have been known to move their entire household in the hopes that the Cluracan plaguing them will not follow, but these mischievous little fellows will often stow away in the packed goods and follow the family.

Combat: Clurancan do not enter into combat. If pressed they can use the following magical abilities once per day at will: Invisibility, Levitation, Shape Change, and Shrink. In addition, Clurancan can consume a large quantity of drink. They seem to enjoy being drunk even though they do not suffer the dilbilitating effects of intoxication.

Like all members of the faerie race, Clurancan can only be struck or harmed by cold forged iron.

Habitat/Society: Clurancan usually get along fine with Leprechauns and Fir Darrigs, their closest relatives. Like them, Clurancan are tricksters and their favorite victims are humans. When not drinking the Clurancan can be found chasing nymphs and other female fairies. So far only males have ever been seen, leading many sages to wonder if the females exist at all of if they are only an offshoot of leprechaun. It is believed that the Clurancan can mate with leprechaun and pixie females. The Cluracan is sometimes addressed as "Naggeneen", a word implying a small quantity of drink. He always appears as an old-looking, diminutive man of no more than three feet in height, well-dressed.

It is said that all Cluracan carry a little leather purse, the Spre'na Skillenagh (or Shilling Fortune), which contains a single coin which, once spent, renews itself. They are said to enjoy fine tobacco as well, and often know the way to hidden treasure. Cluracan are tricky and clever, and they will avoid skirmishes to the best of their (considerable) ability. Even if trapped, they will seek (and usually find) a way out. They are possessed of ordinary strength, although once bound they will alter their appearance and can achieve remarkable feats, including the doubling or tripling of their strength and speed.

Ecology: Usually found in basements or wine cellars, Clurancan are not a burden on local ecology. However they have been known to drink entire stocks of wine. One famous vintner returned from a holiday with his family only to find his priceless collection consumed by a very fat and drunk Clurancan. The offender only smiled, burped and promptly disappeared.

Variants: None