New 5e Monster - Meet the Bucka-Boo (Patreon)

Every fishing village, coastal town, and port

city has some dark tale of the creatures of the

sea. Monsters that will tempt and torture

anyone brave enough to set sail or foolish

enough to approach its furious waves. In

Orch’est, they have the Bucka-Boo.

When it was agreed that Fantastical Geographic was off to the coastal city of Orch'est, I KNEW I had to write a creepy ghost story. You see, I went to university in Cornwall, living off the coasts that had generated so many Gothic horror stories. I was mentored by amazing Cornish artists as a director, who taught me all about the darker side of the idyllic coastal settings, and some of my closest friends are literary experts in Gothic horror. How could I refuse?!

So I contacted my friends, got them to recommend some reading, and dived right in. I quite quickly got obsessed with the stories of the Cornish sea devil, the Bucca. A creature that was known as having both an evil version, the Bucca-Boo, and a good version, the Bucca-Gwidden. From there, I thought about what story could explain the existence of such polar-opposite creatures, both from the same origin. Throw in the traditions of tragedy of the genre, and it took no time at all to write my creation.

The Bucka-Boo drew inspiration from the amazing backdrop I had absorbed over the years, creating something I am incredibly proud of. Then the cherry on top was getting to work with the amazing Ashleydoesart on creating the artwork for our good Bucka-Boo Jane. This was truly one of my favorite stories to write, and an instantly special creature to stat for you all! Enjoy the powerful beast the next time your players head out to sea!Love Mat