Tiamabubu is a line of plush collectible toys popularized in 225 CR. The series features tiny humanoid dragon creatures in one of five colors - white, blue, green, red, and black - to represent the mythological creature Tiamat. The figures are produced and sold by the Levinkan-based retailer Qop Mart in blind boxes, concealing which toy is inside each box.
History
Shockingly little is known about the artist who designed and developed the Tiamabubus. The distributor Qop Mart only became incorporated in 2020, and it has been fairly difficult to trace their ownership as well. This has led to a variety of conspiracy theories about the true origins and intentions of Qop Mart and the Tiamabubus - everything from a billionaire trying to “assert cultural control” to a new brand of spyware technology to a government power running a global-scale anthropological study.
In Culture
This toy has featured many collaborations with a variety of makeup artists, fashion designers, and even musical artists. Part of their popularity can be attributed to the time spent trending on Qik Qok.
Several religious factions have popped up around these tiny toys, claiming a real descendancy from the dragon Tiamat. These factions try to buy up as many of these toys as possible for their own individual collections, and are often in direct competition with each other.
Tiamafufus
The popularity of this toy has quickly led to an immense number of counterfeit toys on the market, colloquially known as “Tiamafufus.” Some collectors actually prefer these off-brand toys, and are quick to cite their similarities to other mythological creatures (for example: the Mafufu, a mushroom-like creature potentially inspired by the Mother, and the Strahfufu, a vampire-like creature, potentially inspired by the vampire Lord Strahd).
Limited Edition Five-Headed Tiamabubu
Rumours abound that in one box, somewhere in the world, is the only five-headed Tiamabubu, the closest representation of Tiamat. The search for this toy is fierce and has spawned several treasure hunts around the world.
Game Hooks
- New rumors of the Limited Edition Five-Headed Tiamabubu have spread, and your party has been hired to retrieve it. (Treasure hunt or heist style game, eg Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider)
- Don’t feed them after midnight! In one little town in Quelmar, these creatures seem to be coming awake in the middle of the night and wreaking havoc. (Monster of the Week or Kids on Bikes style game, eg Scooby Doo or Gremlins)
- The truth behind Qop Mart - someone has to infiltrate this company and find out what their true goal is. Why not your party? (Deception and corporate espionage style game, eg Severance)
