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Open Gaming Content Notice: All
descriptive text and rules based
Imbulu
text below are designated Open
Honoring the
Gaming Content by the author
Animal Orisha except for the Product Identity
listed below. The terms Kuba-
Written by Jim Alcala Salés
Taaba, Nyambe, Nyambe-Tanda,
Edited by Brian Gute
and are Product Identity (used
with permission) from Nyambe,
Many African legends speak of
published by Atlas Games and are
humans that can take the shape
not Open Gaming Content.
of animals, or animals that can
take the shape of humans. Some
 The monkey does not leap for
legends speak of beast men;
the branch he cannot reach.
creatures with the heads of
Long forgotten, hidden away in
animals but the bodies of men.
the many secret valleys of the
Kuba-Taaba Mountains live a
The lands of Nyambe-Tanda have
people unlike any other in
shapechangers, werecreatures and
Nyambe. Shunned and
even the mchawi can reincarnate
misunderstood for what they are,
into animal form. Noticeably
the Imbulu have seldom been
absent is the mythology of beast
found outside their small, hidden
men.
villages. Their isolation has not
helped to shed the mystery of
Below is a new player character
these strange looking, yet very
race called the Imbulu (im-BOO-
normal people.
lu) that you can add to your
African adventures game with
Most Imbulu have little use for
little disruption to your campaign.
the outside world. Long ago they
were the hope of the well
The name Imbulu refers to a
intentioned wakyambi bangu
lizard headed human of South
(druids). Infusing tembu humans
African legend, but is used here
with the spirits of animals, and
to describe a beast-human of any
supplicating the animal orisha,
animal type.
they hoped to create a weapon
to fight the kosans. And while
Compatibility Notice: Nyambe:
the Imbulu did indeed exhibit
African Adventures was originally
some of the qualities of animals,
published under D20 v3.0 rules.
they were no match for kosan
This document was created to
magic and were hunted nearly to
accommodate players of both D20
extinction. Mistaken for shape-
v3.0 and D20 v3.5. Where
changers, Imbulu found little
differences occur between
refuge in human communities so
versions, rules will be marked as
they fled to hidden places where
(3.0) and (3.5).
they have survived to this day.
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their human bodies. There is no
Some say that certain Tembu rhyme or reason as to what
families still contain that special animal head an Imbulu child will
quality, the possibility that one of have, other than that they will
their children will be infused with never have an animal head like
an animal spirit while in the either of their parents. Imbulu
womb. Such children are often live 150 200 years and are
left out in the wilds to die. Most considered adults by the age of
are never seen again as Imbulu 25.
dembe stay on the lookout for
such outcasts and bring them to Relations: Imbulu are ancient
their village to be raised and enemies of the kosan s and their
cared for as one of their own. progeny (getiet and ingogo). They
understand the plight of ngoloko
Imbulu make extensive use of and go out of their way to make
bows, the Nyamban scimitar, the them feel welcome. They distrust
throwing spear and the versatile most humans due to past
knobkerrie. Imbulu use shields of persecutions. They have good
all types when not using two- relations with wakyambi, without
handed weapons. whom they never would have
come to be.
Personality: Imbulu are cautious Alignment: Most Imbulu are good,
but they can have any alignment.
around strangers, expecting to be
mistaken for werecreatures or
Imbulu Lands: Imbulu live is small
animal orisha. When calm they
valleys hidden in the Kuba-Taaba
tend toward contemplation before
action. When aroused they turn mountains. Their villages are often
connected by small foot trails and
loose their animal spirits and are
their dembe keep their lands safe
frightening to behold. They are a
from predators.
quietly passionate people.
Imbulu understand prejudice all to Religion: Animal Orisha. With few
exceptions, Imbulu honor animal
well and are very accepting of
orisha exclusively. Imbulu n anga
the differences of others.
clerics are the only n anga clerics
in Nyambe-Tanda able to use the
Imbulu avoid killing other Imbulu
if at all possible, and practice summon nature s ally spells. They
may not however take the
ritualistic combat in their inter-
summon dragon or summon
village disputes.
elemental spells, even if they use
Physical Description: Imbulu the bangu spell lists.
resemble Tembu humans. What
Arts: Imbulu are noted for their
sets them apart, however, is their
beautiful kente cloth clothes. The
animal-like head sized to match
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spiritual images on such clothing Imbulu s past and include images
honor animal orisha. Imbulu are honoring his animal orisha.
also known for their descriptive
prose in story telling and poetry. Imbulu Names: Oryx Smiles at
Danger, Slyly Looks Behind Lion,
Food: Imbulu food consists of Placid River Holawaka, Elephant
stewed fruits and vegetables with Stands Ever Ready.
fried meats in spicy sauces. The
food is served in bowls with sides Adventurers: Imbulu adventurers
of nuts and injira. tend to be cautious, yet curious
explorers. They see the world as
Language: Kordo. Imbulu have one full of the animal orisha and
had little outside contact, so do their place is to honor them.
not share words with Daka-Kara
as other Tembu peoples do. Appropriate Classes: N anga or
Imbulu suffer no speech bangu of the animal orisha,
impediments because of their dembe rangers.
animal mouth.
Appropriate Feats: Chosen Animal,
Names: Imbulu names consist of Expert Tracker, Orc-Slayer, Poetic
the name of an animal (not Speech, Ritualistic Combat, Scent.
necessarily matching the animal
head of the Imbulu) with a
descriptive prose phrase that tries
Imbulu Racial Traits
to capture the personality or
inner essence of the Imbulu. The
name of the animal can be at the
"  2 Charisma, +2 Wisdom:
beginning or end of a name and
Imbulu are hardy and tough,
is not changed. Imbulu start with
but are often socially reserved.
just the name of an animal until
" +2 racial bonus on Spot and
they come of age (age 25) at
Hide checks, +4 racial bonus
which time they add their
on Wilderness Lore (3.0) or
descriptive name. This coming of
Survival checks (3.5): Imbulu
age ceremony involves a day of
live in the deepest wilderness
fasting, a long solo walk and
and learn to know it well by
meditation, followed by an oral
the time they reach adulthood.
recitation of the Imbulu's deeds in
" +2 bonus to Diplomacy checks
front of the village elders and the
with wakyambi.
rest of the village. After this
" Bestial Toughness: Imbulu are
recitation, the now adult Imbulu
built tougher than men and a
announces his new name and is
touch of their animal heritage
given a gift of kente cloth
shines through. They receive a
clothes. The clothes are
+2 toughness bonus to their
symbolized with images from the
Armor Class.
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heightened. He receives a
" Automatic Languages: Kordo
+2 racial bonus on Spot or
and Sylvan. Bonus languages:
Listen checks when using
Elven, Celestial, Gnome, Gnoll,
that sense (hawk, cat, rat,
Orc.
jackal).
" Skill Proficiency: Wilderness
o Waterborn: The Imbulu's
Lore and Knowledge (nature)
aspect is a creature adapted
are always class skills for
to water, and he receives a
Imbulu.
+2 racial bonus on Swim
" Bestial Heritage: An Imbulu
checks (water buffalo,
may choose one of the
hippopotamus).
following abilities to reflect his
o Bounder: The Imbulu's
animal nature. The ability
aspect is a creature
chosen should fit with the
renowned for leaping, and
Imbulu's animal heritage. All of
he gains a +2 racial bonus
these are extraordinary
on Jump checks.
abilities.
o Fleet: The Imbulu has some
o Bite: The Imbulu has
of the swiftness of his
learned to use his jaws as a
aspect and increases his
weapon and can do 1d3
base movement by 10 feet
points of normal (not
(gazelle, impala).
subdual) damage with a
" Favored Class: Ranger (dembe)
bite (lion, hyena, leopard).
" Level Equivalent: Class levels
o Inhuman Grace: The Imbulu
+1.
has some of the speed of
his aspect and receives a
THIS LICENSE IS APPROVED FOR GENERAL USE.
+2 racial bonus to Reflex
PERMISSION TO DISTRIBUTE THIS LICENSE IS
saves (gazelle, impala, oryx,
MADE BY WIZARDS OF THE COAST!
merekat).
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
o Steadfastness: Something of
the fundamental strength
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast,
and resolve of the Imbulu's
Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc
aspect remains, and he ("Wizards"). All Rights Reserved.
receives a +2 racial bonus
1. Definitions: (a)"Contributors" means the copyright and/or
on Fortitude saves (lion,
trademark owners who have contributed Open Game
elephant).
Content; (b)"Derivative Material" means copyrighted
material including derivative works and translations
o Orneriness: The Imbulu is
(including into other computer languages), potation,
stubborn and determined,
modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade,
improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in
receiving a +2 racial bonus
which an existing work may be recast, transformed or
on Will saves (water
adapted; (c) "Distribute" means to reproduce, license, rent,
buffalo, cat). lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise
distribute; (d)"Open Game Content" means the game
o Blood of the Hunter: The
mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes
Imbulu gains the Track feat
and routines to the extent such content does not embody the
Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and
(leopard, lion).
any additional content clearly identified as Open Game
o Animal Acuity: One of the
Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by
this License, including translations and derivative works
Imbulu's senses is
under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product
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Identity. (e) "Product Identity" means product and product of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any
line names, logos and identifying marks including trade Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a
dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The
thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content
symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product
concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other visual Identity.
or audio representations; names and descriptions of
characters, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams,
8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You
personas, likenesses and special abilities; places, locations,
must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are
environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural
distributing are Open Game Content.
abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and
any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identified
as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and 9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents
which specifically excludes the Open Game Content; (f) may publish updated versions of this License. You may use
"Trademark" means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and
designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself or its distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed
products or the associated products contributed to the Open under any version of this License.
Game License by the Contributor (g) "Use", "Used" or
"Using" means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify,
10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this
translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open
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Game Content. (h) "You" or "Your" means the licensee in
Distribute.
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11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or
2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game
advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any
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Content may only be Used under and in terms of this
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License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to
with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or
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all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order,
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Game Material so affected.
3. Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content
You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.
13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if
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use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual,
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14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be
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extent necessary to make it enforceable.
contributing original material as Open Game Content, You
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15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
by this License.
Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright
6. Notice of License Copyright: You must update the 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the
exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game
D20 System Rules & Content Copyright 2000 Wizards of the
Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You
Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip
must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright
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Gary Gygax.
Open Game Content you Distribute.
Occult Lore Copyright 2002, Trident Inc. d/b/a Atlas Games.
7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product
Identity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except
as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement
Nyambe: African Adventures Copyright 2002, Trident Inc.
with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You
d/b/a Atlas Games; author Christopher W. Dolunt
agree not to indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with
any Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with
Ancestral Vault copyright 2003, Trident, Inc. d/b/a Atlas
a work containing Open Game Content except as expressly
Games; authors Christopher W. Dolunt and Chris Jones.
licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner
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d20 System Reference Document Copyright 2000, Wizards
of the Coast, Inc.
Mythic Races Copyright 2001, Fantasy Flight, Inc.
Imbulu: Honoring the Animal Orisha, Copyright 2004, Jim
Alcala Salés
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