Pech
| Pech | |
|---|---|
 A pech, illustrated in the Monstrous Manual (1993). Art by Tony DiTerlizzi. | |
| General information | |
| Size: | small |
| Type: | Elemental |
| Subtype: | Humanoid |
| First appearance: | Monster Manual (1983) |
Pech are elemental creatures from the Elemental Plane of Earth
Description
[edit | edit source]Pech (pronounced /petch/)[1] are creatures of elemental earth.[2]
Pech are humanoid earth elementals who are related to gnomes. They sometimes leave their plane to mine in the deepest parts of the Prime Material Plane. Pech prefer enclosed dark spaces to open spaces, are generally peaceful, and many travel to the Prime Material Plane to escape the hostile Elemental Plane of Earth. Pech can communicate with stone.
They bear a resemblance to gnomes, but have a skin tone that ranges from dark brown and dull grey,[2] to pale yellow. Their skin also had a toughness comparable to that of granite. Their eyes are large, lacked pupils,[3] and reflected light like an owl or cat.[2] Their arms and legs are thin and gangly, ending in abnormally large and powerful hands. Their hair tends to grow either wiry or as thick manes the color of wet clay.[2][3]
Personality
[edit | edit source]Pech are typically stoic and reserved.[4]
Ecology
[edit | edit source]The large, pupil-less eyes of pech are sensitive to sunlight[3][5]. Some have darkvision and can sense motion through vibration.[5] while others can see in both the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums.[3]
Abilities
[edit | edit source]
When pechs gathered together, they can mould stone as if it are clay with stone shape, conjure walls of stone out of thin air, as well as petrify and un-petrify living creatures with stone to flesh,[2][3] although they are immune to petrification themselves.[3] Additionally, some pechs are powerful enough to use stone tell.[3]
Combat
[edit | edit source]Pechs generally wield pickaxes and peat hammers in combat. Their expertise in mining make them capable combatants against any stone creature, such as stone golems.[2][3]
Society
[edit | edit source]Pech spend much of their lives mining, filling their homes with a variety of gems. They also form dishes and various ornamental goods out of stone or raw metal.[3]
Outside of mining, they are renown hunters of cockatrices, being immune to their petrifying gaze.[6] They also hunt khargra.[7]
Homelands
[edit | edit source]Their affinity with stone and natural aversion to sunlight make subterranean habitats ideal for them.[2]
Beyond the Elemental Plane of Earth, pech can be found inhabiting the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Minerals.[8][9]
Relationships
[edit | edit source]Pech often compete for raw materials in their underground habitats with dao, tomb tappers, and various dwarven species.[10] They trade what they mine with other creatures in return for food or services.[2] They are also known to trade any cockatrices they catch with svirfneblin.[6]
When not in conflict or trade with another creature, pech generally keep to themselves.[3] Those who live in the Elemental Plane of Earth sometimes engage in inter-tribal warfare with the aid of sandmen and earth weirds.[11][12]
History
[edit | edit source]Pech are naturally affiliated with the earth, so much so they are believed to be natives of the Elemental Plane of Earth.[13]
Creative origins
[edit | edit source]Pech are based on the pech of Scottish mythology, which are also gnome-like, but also very strong. They were believed to be the builders of ancient megaliths.[14]
Publication history
[edit | edit source]The pech first appeared in first edition in the adventure The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth (1982),[15] and reprinted in the original Monster Manual II (1983).[16]
The pech appears in second edition in the Monstrous Manual (1993) under the "elemental, earth kin" entry.[17]
The pech appears in third edition in Dungeon #151 (October 2007).[18]
Other publishers
[edit | edit source]The pech appear in Paizo Publishing's book Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 2 (2010), on page 206.[19]
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd". Dragon #93 (Jan 1985), p.28.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Monstrous Manual (1993), p.102.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Monster Manual II (1983), p.99.
- ↑ Player's Option: Heroes of the Elemental Chaos (2012), p.150.
- ↑ a b Quests from the Infinite Staircase (2024), p.213.
- ↑ a b "Ecology of the Cockatrice". Dragon #95 (Mar 1985), p.24.
- ↑ Monstrous Compendium Planescape Appendix III (1998), p.8.
- ↑ Planscape campaign setting (1994), p.36, A DM's Guide to the Planes.
- ↑ The Planewalker's Handbook, p.29.
- ↑ Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark (1999), p.31.
- ↑ Monstrous Compendium Planescape Appendix III (1998), p.9.
- ↑ The Inner Planes, p.35.
- ↑ Dungeoneer's Survival Guide, p.69.
- ↑ Pech (mythology). wikipedia.com. Retrieved on 27 December 2025.
- ↑ The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth.
- ↑ Monster Manual II (1983).
- ↑ Monstrous Manual (1993).
- ↑ Dungeon #151 (Oct 2007)
- ↑ Baur, Wolfgang, Jason Bulmahn, et al. Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 2 (Paizo Publishing, 2010)
Bibliography
[edit | edit source]- Gygax, Gary. S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982. Item code TSR9061. ISBN 0-935696-72-5
- Beach, Tim. Doug Stewart, ed. Monstrous Manual. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993. Item code TSR2140. ISBN 1-56076-619-0
- Grubb, Jeff. Manual of the Planes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1987. Item code TSR2022.
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Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pech (Elemental, Earth Kin) | Monster | Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e | 102 | |
| Pech (Elemental, Earth Kin) | Monster | Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e (Premium Edition) | 102 | |
| Pech (Elemental, Earth Kin) | Monster | Manual of the Planes, AD&D 1e | 26, 44 | |
| Pech (Elemental, Earth Kin) | Monster | S1-4 Realms of Horror, Adventure Booklet | 70, 71 | |
| Pech (Elemental, Earth Kin) | Monster | S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, Book One | 15 | |
| Pech (Elemental, Earth Kin) | Monster | S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, Book Two | 15, 30 |