tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28349578860693276432024-03-13T03:03:37.849-07:00Going Dungeon CrawlingA new-school gamer exploring the world of old-school games.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-34300863689944692592015-02-22T09:56:00.001-08:002015-02-22T09:56:51.641-08:00Supporting Cast - Dr. Victor Von Sturm<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a long hiatus,
this is the first post in (hopefully) a new regular series: Supporting Cast. In Supporting Cast, I'll stat up some NPCs for
use in various game systems and settings. Most will probably be some
kind of antagonist, but I'll include a few helpful NPCs in there,
too. I'll include motivations, a bit of history, a physical
description, and relevant game stats. There'll also be a variety of
genre – I've got NPC plans for FFG Star Wars, Fate Core/FAE, Savage
Worlds, FFG Warhammer 40K, Swords & Wizardry (or other OSR
games), D&D 4E, and almost certainly D&D 5E.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, let's get
started. Today's Supporting Cast is Doctor Victor Von Sturm.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItkXz7iA5EnilouBk8zKHAe5_L2RQUsej91Cj6MDH5JlKf72LqtygvhA9KPi9OtDVD-VHzADuyvmWKQDSBN3vuop4Rkg2S-u_EbL_YDOmiEhkrGQQhQxSX4X2XHbP2wdBDlxXqTom3cU/s1600/ramsay1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItkXz7iA5EnilouBk8zKHAe5_L2RQUsej91Cj6MDH5JlKf72LqtygvhA9KPi9OtDVD-VHzADuyvmWKQDSBN3vuop4Rkg2S-u_EbL_YDOmiEhkrGQQhQxSX4X2XHbP2wdBDlxXqTom3cU/s1600/ramsay1.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://www.victorianweb.org/science/ramsay.html" target="_blank">Victorian Web</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Name:</b> Doctor Victor
Von Sturm</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Game System:</b> Savage
Worlds</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Genre/Setting:</b>
Steampunk Pulp</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>History:</b> Doctor Von
Sturm is a biologist with a university in London. He spent his early
twenties traveling the world in search of new species, hoping to make
his name in the scientific world. During one of these expeditions, he lost his arm when the boiler on the airship he was a passenger on detonated, throwing shrapnel everywhere. He designed and built a new arm for himself, using his knowledge of biology and engineering together to perfect the design.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> At the age of thirty, he settled
down in London and promptly began making rivals in the university. He
then spent years and thousands of pounds in research funding trying
to outdo one in particular (left to the GM), and when that failed, to
discredit them. Now in his forties, Doctor Von Sturm is regarded as a
brilliant scientist, but a rather loathsome person.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Motivations:</b> Von
Sturm's primary goal is to outdo his rival. He wants nothing more
than to see himself publically regarded as the better scientist. He
pursues this goal with fervor, often passing off teaching duties to
one of his assistants to better further his schemes. He also intends
to discredit his rival, wanting to see them not merely outdone, but
pushed to the lowest ranks of academia.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Personality Traits:</b>
Von Sturm is vindictive, easily angered, and impulsive. He takes
plenty of risks in his wild, often dangerous schemes, but he always
takes time to give a smug, gloating speech when he feels he's won. He
is intelligent and feels he should always let others around him know
just how smart he thinks he is. He throws himself into every project wholeheartedly, whether that project is designing some new gadget, studying a previously-undiscovered species, or ruining an academic colleague's career.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Physical
Description:</b> Doctor Von Sturm is a tall, thin man. He views sports
and general athleticism as something for lesser men, leaving him in
rather poor shape, physically. He has a trimmed beard, often waxed
into a point, that is going gray. His hair is respectably short and
still dark. Von Sturm tends to wear nice suits, though the quality
has gone down lately along with his reputation in academics. He often
wears glasses, though he prefers to only wear them when he's going to
give a (in his mind) wise, learned speech. His left arm is a clockwork construction, made of brass and dark cherry wood and powered by a small Aether engine he keeps on his belt.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Roleplaying
Suggestions:</b> I would suggest that Von Sturm speak very precisely,
with almost no slang. He is educated, intelligent, and likes to show
off. He probably wouldn't use contractions all that often – Do not
instead of don't, will not instead of won't, etc.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Suggested Use:</b> Von Sturm is a perfect antagonist in a steampunk game. He has all the makings of a big bad; he is educated, intelligent, vindictive, and completely ruthless. I would suggest him as a rival of the PCs or someone the PCs are close to. After having one of his plans spoiled by the meddling PCs, that should be plenty to bring them to his attention, if they weren't already. He's not above sabotage, hiring mercenaries to rough up the PCs, or ruining their reputations. He isn't quite a murderer and he shies away from personal involvement in violence, but he won't hesitate to torment and humiliate the PCs if given the chance.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Stat Block</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;"><b>Attributes:</b> Agility
d4, Smarts d10, Spirit d6, Strength d4, Vigor d6</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Skills:</b>
Investigation d6, Knowledge (Biology) d10, Knowledge (Engineering)
d10, Notice d8, Repair d6</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Charisma:</b> -</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Pace:</b> 6</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Parry:</b> 2</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Toughness:</b> 5</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hindrances:</b>
Arrogant, Anemic, Greedy</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Edges:</b> Jack of All
Trades, McGyver, Scholar</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-2952579575123865562014-08-07T17:12:00.001-07:002014-08-07T17:25:52.232-07:00Crap Adventurers Might Find in a Dungeon<span style="font-family: inherit;">I figured I'd share this table I wrote up of miscellaneous dungeon crap. Anytime the adventurers stumble across some loot or something, throw down d% a time or two and see what comes up. Most of it's useful, or interesting. Some of it's junk. All of it could conceivably be found in a goblin lair or an orc stronghold.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Loincloth made of
spotted fur</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Crudely-drawn
pornography</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Rotting animal hide</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Dice made of bone,
wood, stone, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Quill and ink set
with wooden box (10 gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Sack of toasted nuts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Crude stone knife
(equivalent to dagger, breaks on a natural 1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Polished bone
cutlery set (fork, spoon, knife)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Leather necklace
with stone arrowhead</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Iron belt buckle
carved into a dwarf's face</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Charcoal sticks in a
leather case and a sheaf of parchment</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Playing cards made
of cut and preserved leaves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Rusty set of
oversized keys</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Small gem carved
into the shape of a skull (25 gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Raw steak wrapped in
leaves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Salted pork wrapped
in paper and tied up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Notebook with
charcoal drawings of dragons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Six-inch steel rod
with a small gem on one end (used up wand, 25 gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Crude fishing rod
and hook</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Set of fishing lures
and hooks in a wooden box (5 gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Leather pack with
1d8 spices (5 gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Blank spellbook
bound with thin steel cover and 100 pages (25 gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Magnifying glass (30
gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Gold signet ring
with animal head design (roll on Jewelry table for value)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Animal teeth
(crocodile, lion, bear, etc.) on a leather netcklace</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Reptile skin boots
and gloves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Blood-stained pants
and tunic</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Cat skull carved
with strange runes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Bag of sugar cane</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Sack of hard candies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Green, chunky fluid
in glass bottle (spoiled potion, save vs. poison or spend 2d10
minutes retching)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Dagger hilt with
broken blade</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">2d12 arrows in
quiver</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Tapestry showing
some sort of battle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A bolt of silk (5d10
gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Salted fish wrapped
in paper</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A cook book with
recipes calling for exotic ingredients (giant spider legs, roc
breast, etc.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A glass eye</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A bag full of cheap
glass orbs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A leather sack full
of volcanic rock</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Obsidian dagger (as
dagger, breaks on natural 1)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Knotted leather cord
2d12 inches long</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Deer or elk pelt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Crushed iron helmet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Sack of small,
ceramic animals</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Driftwood carved
with prophecies of dark tidings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A single bone die
carved with twenty sides</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A bear carved out of
dark wood</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A miniature replica
of a trident</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A wooden knife with
a man's name scratched into the blade (as dagger, breaks on natural 1
or 2)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A love letter
addressed to “Calothrax”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A nutcracker made of
cloudy red crystal (10 gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A wood plaque with a
lightning bolt carved into it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Twelve colored wax
crayons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Black leather jacket
with steel buttons (1d10 gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">1d10 vials of
colored dyes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Bottle of goblin
liquor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Thread and sewing
needle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Miscellaneous
leather patches and strips</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Empty leather sack</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Sack full of chicken
bones</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A preserved cat
skeleton</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Owlbear claws (1d10)
carved with inspirational sayings</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A young owlbear
skull</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A stuffed parrot on
a perch with the name Lorran on the perch base</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Jar of preserved
animal eyes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A leather book full
of nonfunctional “spells” that are actually gibberish</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Paintings with words
like “Iron Maiden” and “Megadeth” on them (like heavy metal
album covers)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A scroll of “Jim's
Magic Missile” which is just the normal Magic Missile spell</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Soldiers carved out
of wood and painted green</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Box of broken
ceramic pots</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A birdhouse painted
white with a red roof</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A wood clock with
bent hands</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Bottled fizzy liquid
labeled “cola”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">1d12 pots of paint
and brushes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">25 foot steel chain
(60 gp)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Waterskin full of
goat or pig blood</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Inflated goat
stomach used as a ball</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Wood stick, wooden
ball covered in stitched leather, and a thick leather mitt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A stuffed dog
complete with a studded leather collar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A wooden crown with
“King” carved into the front</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">An obsidian orb
that's heavier than it should be</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A jar of
oddly-colored clay</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">1d4 small statues of
dragons</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A single owlbear
feather or dragon scale</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A mace so rusty, it
falls apart when moved</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A sheet of canvas
with “Run away!” scrawled on it in blood</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Leather sack full of
marbles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Sack full of bent
bottle caps</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Green leather
backpack full of dried out leaves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A book bound in
leaves with no title or contents</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A headband with
curved panes of tinted glass or crystal that go across the wearer's
eyes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A potted plant with
the name “Myrtle” scrawled on the pot</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A smooth walking
stick</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">An empty crate with
bloodstains on the inside</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A live turkey</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">1d8 ceramic coins
with an unknown face stamped on them</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A cache of hops,
barley, and a pouch that says “yeast” on it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">A garishly-painted
statue of a dwarf chugging a mug of ale</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">Roll again or choose one</span></li>
</ol>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-67465327302165622842014-07-29T13:40:00.002-07:002014-07-29T13:40:57.259-07:00Star Wars - Edge of the Empire Beginner Game: Review/Session Recap<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 100%;">So I picked up Star
Wars – Edge of the Empire Beginner Game this week. It's been out for a while (over a year), but this is the first Star Wars gaming I've done in a long time. I figured it was time to try it out. I went for the
Beginner Game over the core rules for several reasons: A) I could get
playing within minutes, B) the buddy I was gaming with was completely
new to roleplaying, C) it came with dice, and D) it was cheaper than
the core rules.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrdKN84cW58j-uuQsCcreGmKsg0LOVTk974H47ndrVV4j2SaCVJDuqe54nxelyz0m38t8QuRFxjUocjPjQjTDtsPgbVmUkWYUnTGdkRDe8Hm4OUqycmcsaWXGKcGwxuNAnX_57Ouq3Mk/s1600/20140728_135333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrdKN84cW58j-uuQsCcreGmKsg0LOVTk974H47ndrVV4j2SaCVJDuqe54nxelyz0m38t8QuRFxjUocjPjQjTDtsPgbVmUkWYUnTGdkRDe8Hm4OUqycmcsaWXGKcGwxuNAnX_57Ouq3Mk/s1600/20140728_135333.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything except the map. Click for bigger version.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Box Contents</span></h4>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“What Is a
Roleplaying Game?” sheet</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sheet advertising
the core rules and a free adventure called The Long Arm of the Hutt</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Four character
folios</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Adventure book</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rule book</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two-sided fold-up
map</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One page of
punch-out tokens</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fourteen narrative
dice</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before I get into
the session recap, I've got some initial pros and cons.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pros</span></h4>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. The dice. I love
the dice. They took some getting used to, but I really like that the
rolls almost always come out as “you succeed/fail, AND/BUT...”
instead of just the binary success/fail that a lot of other games
have. That, and they're just good looking dice. Normally I don't like
color coded dice, but it really helps with this system.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZDF4tOxV8xX4C_VPqG3CUEoRqdFRGA8QvMoOwSzG3DE6X8JQIorEaSgqV1KrFp7QnEaBMMa3-iskfUDQf1O9yROq21_WpObdBePMnmr4oFaLV-ZRMVIzyeSeDXuOvrADBaER-PHkw1w/s1600/20140728_135949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZDF4tOxV8xX4C_VPqG3CUEoRqdFRGA8QvMoOwSzG3DE6X8JQIorEaSgqV1KrFp7QnEaBMMa3-iskfUDQf1O9yROq21_WpObdBePMnmr4oFaLV-ZRMVIzyeSeDXuOvrADBaER-PHkw1w/s1600/20140728_135949.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cantina, Spaceport, and Mos Shuuta.<br />Click for bigger version.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. The map. It comes
with a gorgeous two-sided map showing the city of Mos Shuuta, the
cantina, spaceport control building, and on the flip side, the
YT-1300 <i>Krayt Fang </i>sitting in a spaceport docking bay.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Overall quality.
Aside from the box itself, everything in the box feels very high
quality. The books are sturdy, the rule book probably more so than
the adventure book. The dice are good, the tokens are solid, and even
the character folios are easy to write/erase on.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. The adventure.
Escape from Mos Shuuta is definitely railroaded at first, and the
adventure acknowledges that fact at one point. That said, it's a
solid opening scenario for a Star Wars game – you've crossed a Hutt
and it's time to grab a ship and get out of town.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cons</span></h4>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. The box. I was
really hoping the box was a standard board game-style “lift off the
lid, set it aside” type box, and I was really disappointed to see
that it's all one piece with an opening flap. It's also very thin and
flimsy. I don't see this box really lasting too long, and I'll have
to find something else to hold my Edge of the Empire stuff,
especially if I get more. There's plenty of room in the box for extra
stuff, but itjust doesn't feel like it'll hold up with a notebook, DM
screen, extra dice, etc.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw_5rhJBVMFhm-ELO4mTl7WJwmeukvIQ4MXIhSm2-ML1mq29afCYDN7eHltmcBMRrrmk73cyCjEKsRCAbg86DuBJSRmJpTw8G5G8OqatRYcjbEoXr-21CIoq54BytZ737T8ljvp4lOuE/s1600/20140728_135917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijw_5rhJBVMFhm-ELO4mTl7WJwmeukvIQ4MXIhSm2-ML1mq29afCYDN7eHltmcBMRrrmk73cyCjEKsRCAbg86DuBJSRmJpTw8G5G8OqatRYcjbEoXr-21CIoq54BytZ737T8ljvp4lOuE/s1600/20140728_135917.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So flimsy, closing it has been damaging the flap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. The tokens. Now,
the tokens are made very nicely, they're textured, and they look like
they'll hold up to quite a bit of play. The only problems are that A)
they have no real use since the combat system is not miniatures or
grid-based, and B) even if it was, they're way too large to use on
any of the maps aside from maybe the Krayt Fang map.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Session Recap</span></h4>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Initially I'd
planned to play with at least two players, but for various reasons,
ended up with only one interested player. We had the game, we both
really wanted to play, so we gave it a shot. I ran the included
adventure, which did a fairly good job teaching the rules in stages.
I also gave my player the option to play two characters, and he chose
Lowhhrick the Wookiee hired gun and Pash the human smuggler. He was
channeling Han and Chewie, I guess.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The game started in
the middle of the action, in a chase from Teemo the Hutt's Gamorrean
enforcer dudes. The PCs started by hiding in the local cantina. Pash
leapt over the bar, ducked down, and spit out some story about
hooking up with a local's daughter and the local sending Gamorreans
after him and his Wookiee partner. Amazingly, in one of a string of
incredible rolls, he succeeded and the bartender let him huddle down
out of sight.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile, the
Wookiee (because I can't spell that damned name) dove into a booth
and laid down on the bench seat. “He's brown, and the chairs are
brown, so maybe it'll work!” Spoiler: it didn't work.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, two Gamorreans
came in, spotted the Wookiee, and pulled their clubs. The Wookiee
flipped a table, took cover behind it, and pulled a vibroaxe.
Meanwhile, Pash calmly stood up, blasted one in the back, and took
him out. The Gamorrean and Wookiee went hand to hand, but vibroaxe
beats club in Star Wars rock/paper/scissors, so the second Gamorrean
dropped.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqanfv1mgMCP4tlvfmX6lU23vBPRUaUQeS7ANi11K54EZMB9CbjbtWRIgVC1160F_vxfmH7khHMnHfKCZHcRpgOBrpi1VF5lsw6irL_GnkcbZGYyEbhO1vtnKwB5SdeVfYDyp6e3zzbb0/s1600/20140728_140001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqanfv1mgMCP4tlvfmX6lU23vBPRUaUQeS7ANi11K54EZMB9CbjbtWRIgVC1160F_vxfmH7khHMnHfKCZHcRpgOBrpi1VF5lsw6irL_GnkcbZGYyEbhO1vtnKwB5SdeVfYDyp6e3zzbb0/s1600/20140728_140001.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cantina map, with the Pash token. See the size difference?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The bartender gave
the dynamic duo a helpful tip about the <i>Krayt Fang</i>, a ship stuck in
the spaceport due to some mechanical problems, and added that the
junkyard down the street has just the part they'd need to steal the
ship. Then he told them to get the hell out of his cantina.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">They booked it out
of there, stop by the junkyard, and ended up paying 500 credits for
this hyperdrive part they need. It took a Deceit roll, as they spun a
cover story that they were there to pick up the part for Trex, the
Trandoshan owner of the <i>Krayt Fang</i>, but it worked.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From there, it's on
to the spaceport control center to get the ship clearance to leave.
Blocked by security droids, they hotwired a side entrance and got in
that way. Seeing the control officer, an attractive, mid-30s human
woman, Pash immediately whipped out his Charm skill. In another
surprisingly good roll, his spiel of needing to get the ship cleared
for his boss and a promise to “have a drink next time I'm in the
system...”, they miraculously succeeded. To my player's credit, it
was a very "daring smuggler" thing to do.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After there, they
went on a stroll through town, interrupted by two groups of
Stormtroopers (who, unbeknownst to them, were working for Teemo).
Seeing that they were right near the water tower (this is where the
map came in handy), Pash decided to take a shot at it in the hopes of
distracting the Stormtroopers. With another overwhelmingly successful
roll, he punctured the water tower, causing it to catastrophically
fail and take out one group of Stormtroopers entirely. The duo
managed to take out the other group, with vibroaxe and blaster
pistol, then stole their blaster rifles and ran for the docking bay.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A quick bluff by the
security droids there got them into the hangar and into the ship,
where they were confronted by Trex. Not quite believing their story
of “look, we got this part for you after that guy upped the price,
so we just want a ride”, Trex went to pull his blaster. Plenty of
Advantage on that roll meant that the PCs had the chance to win
Initiative and take him out first. They took out Trex in a couple
rounds, managed to get the landing ramp sealed before security droids
could show up, and blasted out of there.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Too bad for them
that TIE fighters were waiting for them. A few rounds of evasive
maneuvers, some shaky Mechanics rolls to install the hyperdrive part,
and a couple rounds of trading shots (and nearly getting the <i>Krayt
Fang</i> shot out of the sky) led to them going to hyperspeed and
escaping. That's where we ended the session.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QPBtwprpuUlpeM6EU5vI9TBTI7W3EgJv201Jy5UC2-EsK6Vyc-U0egtNzGdPKQlAviosu7Vm2kC7crW6ivrRjHWOUsAwuB7BKtrFSDA2acxVIxST8Fcr5CuHFVWmJXvVRSE_jKb213o/s1600/20140728_140217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QPBtwprpuUlpeM6EU5vI9TBTI7W3EgJv201Jy5UC2-EsK6Vyc-U0egtNzGdPKQlAviosu7Vm2kC7crW6ivrRjHWOUsAwuB7BKtrFSDA2acxVIxST8Fcr5CuHFVWmJXvVRSE_jKb213o/s1600/20140728_140217.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll leave you with some dice. Game on!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">First Impressions</span></h4>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, I really
like this game. The dice work well, the symbols are easy enough to
get used to, and I can't think of any rules stuff that really grated
on me. It seemed pretty easy for my player to pick up, though he's
new at this kind of gaming, and we didn't have any problems during
the session. Every Star Wars fan should own either this, the core
rules, or both.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-71833369432587268152014-07-22T16:26:00.001-07:002014-07-22T16:26:11.754-07:00Setting Write-Up: Dragon Overview and Volcanic DragonThis is a new series (hopefully a long-running series) where I'll be writing up stuff for my as-yet unnamed and unwritten campaign setting. I'll pick a game element I like and start writing stuff about it. Once I get it to a stage I like, I'll post it here. This time, and for the next few posts, it'll be all about the various dragons I like in my games.<br />
<br />
So, here's the deal about dragons: they're awesome. They're powerful, live practically forever, and they're perfect treasure hoarders. Everything about them says "great risk, but great reward." They're in the name of the game (well, the original game at least), and every D&D player has at least one dragon story.<br />
<br />
But, the standard metallic/chromatic split has been done dozens of times. It's traditional, fairly interesting, and a D&D staple. And I'm getting rid of it. Well, some of it.<br />
<br />
I'm keeping three types of dragon - chromatic, metallic, and catastrophic. Since I don't use alignment, generally, the whole "chromatic are evil, metallics are good" split is going away. A noble, kind red dragon is just as likely as a princess-gnawing red. But, I'm keeping a lot of the "reds breath fire, blacks spit acid, etc." stuff, because I really like it.<br />
<br />
I'm also adding in catastrophic dragons to throw a wrench in the works. Catastrophic dragons, instead of being created by a dragon god to serve that dragon god's purpose, were created by a vengeful nature god to keep those uppity mortals from getting the idea that they can "defeat" nature. Catastrophic dragons are a reminder to mortals that nature will always win, no matter what. Stone castles, underground fortresses, island paradises - none of these are safe havens from the elements. They're not evil, they're not good, they just live to destroy. A volcanic dragon blasts things with fire and magma because that's what it was made to do, just like a blizzard dragon freezes and shatters things as the god commands.<br />
<br />
One thing you might note from the sample volcanic dragon I've written up here: there's no spellcasting. See, I don't care for spellcasting dragons. I like arcane, interesting dragons, but turning every single dragon into a mage just bugs me, always has. Some might have some spell-like effects, but I really like how 4E gave dragons unique abilities instead of just "okay, so this dragon casts spells just like a 12th level sorcerer" like 3E and some other editions/games do it.<br />
<br />
NOTE: This series is going to be using ACKS stats, mostly because I really like how dragons are handled in that system. One day, I'll convert all this stuff to Swords & Wizardry White Box, once I get an actual campaign running.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2rR-UISNR2FLSooauNM6DY4LWL72b4tVW3ZLEcIzDBiWG6F5sbKU5Zoq3skQO78aEmzP8oZ_6nPhqnIMqLZ0Oag_eEH2PzBd6pHkXIbxkmAa5BTHNm8D7rTxwuyLf6gAu9xdH3OaJfg/s1600/ancientvolcanicdragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2rR-UISNR2FLSooauNM6DY4LWL72b4tVW3ZLEcIzDBiWG6F5sbKU5Zoq3skQO78aEmzP8oZ_6nPhqnIMqLZ0Oag_eEH2PzBd6pHkXIbxkmAa5BTHNm8D7rTxwuyLf6gAu9xdH3OaJfg/s1600/ancientvolcanicdragon.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not 100% how I see volcanic dragons, but close. <a href="http://tabletitans.com/bestiary/post/ancient-volcanic-dragon" target="_blank">Source</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Volcanic Dragon</h3>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Origins</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When the world was
still being forged by the gods, Arathon, god of nature, took it upon
himself to alter the still-young races of dragons. He feared that his
pristine wilderness would be tamed and battered into submission by
the mortal races. So he took dragons of wild nature and temperament
and molded them into personifications of the forces of nature: the
first catastrophic dragons.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The first of these
were the volcanic dragons, former red and gold dragons warped to suit
Arathon's needs. He gave them fiery natures and granted them the
power to shape their territories to fit their needs. Some of those
first volcanic dragons are said to slumber beneath the world's
volcanoes, belching and spewing magma across the land when their
sleep is disturbed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Appearance</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Volcanic dragons are
powerfully muscled and heavy dragons. Their scales resemble obsidian
and orange light shines through cracks between the scales. Their eyes
shine a malevolent yellow-orange; their wings are patterned to
resemble dark rocks floating in pools of lava. Their claws and teeth
resemble black, jagged stone.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Breath Weapon</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Volcanic dragons
breath superheated ash and molten rock, resembling nothing more than
a volcano spewing magma sideways. Where a red dragon's breath is mere
flame, volcanic dragons breath the very essence of the world's heat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
An aura of immense
heat surrounds volcanic dragons. Any foes within this aura are
seared, the air stolen from their lungs and set ablaze. Metals melt,
flammable items catch fire, and flesh is charred.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Common Personality
Traits</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rage, violence,
malevolence – these are all terms that fit the volcanic dragons'
temperament. Volcanic dragons rarely deign to speak to mortals,
preferring to watch and destroy them at the first sign that the
mortals are gaining dominance over the dragons' harsh territories.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Preferred
Territories</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like all
catastrophic dragons, volcanic dragons alter their territories to
suit their needs. However, volcanic dragons prefer to lair in
existing volcanoes, causing eruptions to blanket their lands in ash
and molten rock. Fields of flowing black rock, persistent ash clouds,
and a complete lack of vegetation are all signs of a volcanic
dragon's presence.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Favored Treasure</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Catastrophic
dragons, like all dragons, are covetous and protective of their
treasures. Volcanic dragons prefer gems, usually black or red, and
set them into the walls of their lairs where the light from the
ever-present magma can shine on them. Volcanic dragons have no use
for gold or other metals, as they would rapidly melt in the dragon's
heat.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Sample Dragon and
Lair</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Davarax, Volcanic
Dragon</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Age Category: Old
(175 years old)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
% In Lair: 40</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dungeon Enc: 1</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Wilderness Enc: 1</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Movement: 90' (30')</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A Fly: 240' (80')</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Armor Class: 9</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hit Dice: 14***</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Attacks: 3 or breath
weapon (90' long, 30' wide cone)</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Damage: 2d4/2d4/3d10</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Special Abilities:
Volcanic aura (1d4 damage to creatures within 20'), breath weapon,
clutching claws</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Save: F14</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Morale: +1</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Treasure Type: R</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
XP: 4,900</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Davarax the
Pyroclastic, though still relatively young for his race, has claimed
a formerly-dormant volcano for his lair. This volcano, Flamestrike
Peak, was surrounded by snow and ice before Davarax formed his lair.
Davarax chose the icy peak for his lair for the sheer joy of
perverting such a cold area into a fiery hellscape. Causing
Flamestrike Peak to erupt, blowing the top of the mountain off,
Davarax has altered the landscape. Hot ash rains from the sky, molten
rivers of rock flow and harden, coating the land in a hard crust of
obsidian. A clan of kobolds manages to eke out a living in the
furthest reaches from the mountain, as far as they can get without
being in the tundra. Davarax allows them to live, as they barely
survive and haven't managed to tame the blasted wasteland.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkF1Lf6apiOyuBXfBLwq279AB10lbIKjKnHRb7gOy8AxX98Advpa3mqYGScsWJ_etHh0Wmox6OQqaPE6HpdLN2xg37vu6tUQppPHMkr8vsxsmmX92bRHc4la8yzKYsGeMJt7UvjRwgLOY/s1600/Davarax's+Lair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkF1Lf6apiOyuBXfBLwq279AB10lbIKjKnHRb7gOy8AxX98Advpa3mqYGScsWJ_etHh0Wmox6OQqaPE6HpdLN2xg37vu6tUQppPHMkr8vsxsmmX92bRHc4la8yzKYsGeMJt7UvjRwgLOY/s1600/Davarax's+Lair.jpg" height="400" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click for full-size.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Lair</b></h4>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Davarax's lair is in
the top magma chamber of Flamestrike Peak. It is open to the sky
above the magma pool, and a river of lava flows out and splits into
two before streaming down the mountainside.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1. The Tunnel</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A sharply-sloped
tunnel leads from the lower mountain caverns to Davarax's chamber.
The dragon knows about the tunnel, but hasn't bothered to seal it up.
He knows that, in theory, someone could use the tunnel to enter the
lair, but in his arrogance, he believes that no mortal would ever
dare to confront him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2. The Ledge</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The path opens onto
a small ledge overlooking the magma pool. Once a pile of rock, the
intense heat from one of the mountain's eruptions smoothed the rock
and formed a series of ledges that function as crude steps to the
main floor.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
3. Magma Pool</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The chamber's
defining feature, the magma pool lays open to the sky. The air above
it shimmers with heat, meaning that anyone entering the chamber may
not be easily seen from the Throne on the other side (1-in-6 chance
of being seen).</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
4. Davarax's Throne</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If Davarax is in his
lair, this is where he prefers to be. A tall ledge set into an
alcove, nearly thirty feet above the rest of the chamber, Davarax's
Throne has carved steps leading to it, made of smooth, melted rock.
Davarax's hoard is here – hundreds of gems arranged on the alcove
walls that reflect the light of the magma pool and brighten the
Throne area (roll on the treasure tables for exact value).
Occasionally, Davarax also has magical items here, from any recent
travelers or adventurers in his domain that he has slain.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
5. Magma Rivers</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The magma from the
center pool flows out through this hole in the chamber's southern
wall. A massive obsidian chunk splits the river into two to stream
down the mountain.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-66667928223382166462014-07-19T21:12:00.002-07:002014-07-19T21:12:41.939-07:00Dragon Artifacts – Using Dragons as Literal Piles of Loot<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In just about every
D&D game, at some point there's going to be a dead dragon.
Whether that dragon has slain dozens of PCs in a particularly-lethal
old-school game or barely got to start its villainous monologue
before being unceremoniously slaughtered, it's going to happen.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Usually, the
aftermath is pretty simple for the PCs. They write down the vast
amount of XP they've gotten for slaying the dragon, and then spend
the next half-hour or so divvying up the loot from the dragon's
hoard/bed. But sometimes that's not quite enough. A lot of dragon
slayers want to make it very clear that they've been out slaying
dragons. What better way to show off your dragon slaying skills than
by using the dead beast's own body as your armor, weapons, and magic
items? After all, gold can come from anywhere, but dragonscale plate
armor can only come from a dead dragon.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2f27wVYutlTiOZCv1dxOzCQ7AE6xSimop3qKxdHUFRd16TxsMhFP77-nrq2iX9EMnE0KpJwbeElSVQSK_uwNgTRosIGpNm1OfVheylDPygPpRUIZpJaTFg94hVPsPy6maRw9QLjnOy2k/s1600/MM35_PG71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2f27wVYutlTiOZCv1dxOzCQ7AE6xSimop3qKxdHUFRd16TxsMhFP77-nrq2iX9EMnE0KpJwbeElSVQSK_uwNgTRosIGpNm1OfVheylDPygPpRUIZpJaTFg94hVPsPy6maRw9QLjnOy2k/s1600/MM35_PG71.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That guy can get a lot of loot out of the dragon. <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG71.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Naturally, only
particularly skilled craftsmen can make these artifacts. Sometimes, a
mage is also needed to add the necessary enchantments. Using a
dragon's scales, bones, or blood might be a quest in and of itself;
PCs are rarely fortunate enough to find someone of the necessary
skills in their hometown or near their stronghold, after all.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dragon slayers
taking advantage of artifacts made of a dragon's flesh or bones must
be wary, however. Other dragons may take offense to one of their kin
being made into armor or weapons and retaliate against the PCs.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>NOTE:</b> I'm using the
dragons from ACKS for this, which I'm adapting over to Swords &
Wizardry White Box. The exact nature of dragons in my games will be
another blog post. These items can be used in pretty much any
retroclone or old-school D&D game with a bit of tweaking. Also, a
lot of this is intended to inspire GMs, which is why most of the
stats are vague.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Dragonbone Armor</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Heavy armor, such as
plate, can be crafted of a dragon's bones rather than steel. Such
armor grants protection from the dragon's breath weapon or similar
effects. Dragonbone armor reduces damage from the dragon's associated
breath weapon type by half. For example, dragonbone armor made from
the bones of a red dragon cuts fire damage in half, while armor made
from a green dragon protects against damage from poison.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Plate armor and
shields are the most common types of armor to be crafted of
dragonbone. Dragonbone armor is not inherently magical, though it may
be enchanted.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Dragonscale Armor</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lighter armors, like
leather or hide, may be made of dragonscale leather, much like how
plate may be made of dragonbone. Similarly, dragonscale has the same
effect as dragonbone, granting the wearer resistance against effects
like the particular dragon's breath weapon.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like dragonbone
armor, dragonscale armor is not necessarily magical, but may be
enchanted.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Dragonbone Weapon</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Depending on the
size of the slain dragon, its bones may be utilized to create
weapons. A shoulder blade can easily be carved to be an axe blade,
while the strong leg bones are commonly used for staves or maces.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dragonbone weapons
always deal +1 damage over an equivalent weapon made of normal
materials. They are not inherently magical, but they are frequently
enchanted.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Dragonfang Dagger</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dragonfang daggers
are, naturally enough, carved from the teeth of dragons. These
daggers act as +1 daggers and, in addition, deal double damage to
dragons and draconic creatures. These daggers are frequently
enchanted to deal extra damage of the dragon's breath weapon type.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Dragon Blood</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Though typically
used in potions, dragon blood has a more dangerous use known only to
the most dedicated of scholars and those most dedicated to power. A
series of infusions of dragon blood, taken over a period of several
weeks, can bestow great draconic power. The infused begins to take on
certain draconic qualities – wings, a breath weapon, and scales
among them.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWBflb3Yva6QOk4aIG1u3ozJA505mN-uNNX0MiZBfg-1hEWc74VLF55-Pz845FX0W58fiV6QaQTDHVaTTOz3yDMC8wx9Sc1bbuI_Q5Vp-iluIncbRd0gDp5mvVZUEqLWvAaabA-rIQYg/s1600/PZO1001-RedDragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWBflb3Yva6QOk4aIG1u3ozJA505mN-uNNX0MiZBfg-1hEWc74VLF55-Pz845FX0W58fiV6QaQTDHVaTTOz3yDMC8wx9Sc1bbuI_Q5Vp-iluIncbRd0gDp5mvVZUEqLWvAaabA-rIQYg/s1600/PZO1001-RedDragon.jpg" height="400" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most people would be afraid of this. Adventurers see only loot.<br /><a href="http://paizo.com/image/content/PathfinderPawns/PZO1001-RedDragon.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A person infused
with the blood begins to grow scales. By the end of the first week,
the scales are hard and bulky enough to provide -2 [+2] AC. A week
after that, the scales provide -4 [+4] AC and are bulky enough to
prevent the wearing of armor.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The second infusion
grants the use of a breath weapon matching the type of the dragon
whose blood is being used. The breath weapon deals 1d6 damage per Hit
Die of the newly-draconic creature and half-damage on a successful
saving throw.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The third and final
infusion causes wings to sprout from the person's back, further
impeding the use of armor or similar coverings. The person can use
those wings to fly at their normal movement rate. If the person falls
unconscious while in flight, the wings automatically stiffen and turn
to induce a circular glide down to the ground – safer than falling,
but still uncontrolled.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />The blood must
come from a single dragon – dead or alive – and the creature must
make a successful saving throw vs. death for each infusion. The
infusions should be given two weeks apart – any faster and death
will shortly follow, as the recipient's body breaks down under the
strain of transformation. A creature infused with dragon blood cannot
be infused with the blood of another type of dragon; mixing the blood
causes horrific transformations and, in most cases, death.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Dragon Breath Wand</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A dragon breath wand
is crafted of dragonbone and adorned with gems. The length of a
human's forearm, a dragon breath wand is thick, almost more akin to a
mace's haft than a wizard's wand. These wands give a mage the power
to cast a spell that acts as the breath of a dragon.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Each dragon breath
wand is crafted with fifty charges. Once the last charge is used, the
wand loses its enchantment and may not be enchanted again. The wand
may not expend more than three charges per day. Each charge grants
the user one use of the breath weapon of the dragon the wand was
crafted from. The older the dragon, the more powerful the breath. The
breath of a hatchling, for example, is far less dangerous – and far
less valuable – than that of a thousand year old great wyrm.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Dragonwing Cape</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Though the most
famous dragons are ancient and massive, even dragons are not truly
eternal. Their young hatch from eggs and, depending on the variety of
dragon, are between the size of humans and halflings at hatching. If
such a young dragon is slain, their wings may be crafted into a cape
of sorts and enchanted. Such capes, when the command word is spoken,
can return to a semblance of life, bonding to the wearer and
bestowing the gift of flight.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For up to ten
minutes per day, the wearer of a dragonwing cape can fly at up to
double their normal movement rate. However, heavily-encumbered
wearers may not be able to fly. If the time runs out while the wearer
is flying, the wearer's player should consult the relevant rules on
fall damage.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Dragon Steel</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As a dragon ages,
its scales become more lustrous and deeply colored. The oldest
dragons appear to be scaled entirely in colored gemstones, due to
their scales' great age. These scales, harvested upon a dragon's
death, can be melted down and mixed with steel, alongside their more
mundane use as armor or jewelry.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This dragon steel
becomes tinted with the color of the scales and takes on arcane
properties. Though named dragon steel, the metal is as soft as gold
and is unsuitable for use in armor or weapons. Dragon steel is thus
highly sought after by mages of all kinds. Rings, wands, arcane rods,
even necklaces – these can all be made of dragon steel.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Spells cast through
rods or wands that deal the same type of damage as the original
dragon's breath weapon do 50% more damage. Necklaces or rings of
resistance that resist the dragon's breath weapon type cause the
caster to take half-damage from attacks of that type.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBu0Pr-e-CspQjhc1LvQKBKPOC_V9e0ie5oKtOyEJq5n8mwNU6zgwPRQevQa4_pKzbZj93UPmTUC8Ppq1Onf9ZqBlOjV4J_dkqgaXLPn0DjOx8KCQZmL0RRYRWgzpLbVGC8sfcmtyVUs/s1600/PZO1001-BlueDragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBu0Pr-e-CspQjhc1LvQKBKPOC_V9e0ie5oKtOyEJq5n8mwNU6zgwPRQevQa4_pKzbZj93UPmTUC8Ppq1Onf9ZqBlOjV4J_dkqgaXLPn0DjOx8KCQZmL0RRYRWgzpLbVGC8sfcmtyVUs/s1600/PZO1001-BlueDragon.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://paizo.com/image/content/PathfinderPawns/PZO1001-BlueDragon.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specific Items</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Onyxfang</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This vicious dagger
was crafted by an ancient order of mages after they came together to
slay Onyx, a great black wyrm. The mages, dark and devious, crafted
four of these blades. Three were lost to history and are thought to
be lost, while the fourth has passed from owner to owner over the
ages. A favored weapon of assassins and dark paladins, Onyxfang must
be carried in a special black scabbard due to its acidic nature.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Crafted from a
massive dragon tooth, Onyxfang is a curved short sword. The tooth
blade is stained greenish-black and the hilt is inset with a black
gem on both sides. On a successful hit, Onyxfang releases acid into
the victim, doing an extra 2d6 damage. Onyxfang is a +2 short sword.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>The Sapphire Shield</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Sapphire Shield
was once wielded by an elven warrior named Illithia, who defeated the
blue dragon Delastrix and crafted this shield from the dragon's bone
and scale. Though Illithia fell in battle several years after, the
shield was passed on through her knightly order. Over a hundred years
ago, the Sapphire Shield was lost in battle after its wielder was
captured and later killed by ogres.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Sapphire Shield
is made of dragonbone and wrapped in shiny, sapphire-like scales,
hence its name. The shield grants its user immunity to lightning and
the ability to reflect lightning-based attacks at others (standard
ranged attack roll, damage equal to original attack or spell).</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Winter's Bane</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A two-handed
battleaxe with a single blade, Winter's Bane has a blade carved from
the shoulder blade of an unknown red dragon. The blade is the color
of ivory and the haft is steel carved in the shape of vertebra. The
head of a dragon is carved into the top of the axe, with the blade
extending from beneath the head. The phrase “Flame conquers all”
is inscribed in the Draconic tongue on the blade.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Winter's Bane was
originally crafted by a group of lizardfolk enslaved by a relatively
young red dragon. Stealing into his lair while he slept after
devouring a party of adventurers, the lizardfolk slew him while he
was still weak from the battle. After, they crafted Winter's Bane,
giving it to their greatest champions to free those clans of
lizardfolk still in thrall to other dragons. They found that the
axe's flames worked best against the white dragons in the southern
ice plains and gave it the name Winter's Bane.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Winter's Bane is a
+3 battleaxe. At the wielder's command, Winter's Bane bursts into
flames. These flames do not harm the axe or the wielder, but deal an
extra 2d6 damage to whatever the axe strikes. In addition, Winter's
Bane deals double damage (both fire damage and regular damage) to
white dragons and their kin.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-91374908000327242312014-06-24T16:20:00.000-07:002014-06-24T16:20:10.465-07:00D&D 5E, the Nentir Vale, and Other Assorted D&D StuffAfter more than two years of waiting, D&D 5E is finally about to be published. The Starter Set is coming out soon, and after that comes the Player's Handbook and the free Basic D&D PDF. Everything I've just said sounds absolutely awesome as far as I'm concerned. I love D&D 4E, but I'm currently having fun with the 5E playtest rules and I can't wait to see the full rules.<div>
<br /><div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl_SoK8pTdZeeAU-d1lOCASdCLC-27La9yIJQfkexC4l-MJF8Q8YeS5dJqNqaKf8N7j6l9YpotjH0c_bAGkcbE9-IxtY5O6CDjixe0iOWOk8-9kpAqDGz-5GYuYCoT2ARCf3frs7XQS8/s1600/51Ykm93n8ML.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVl_SoK8pTdZeeAU-d1lOCASdCLC-27La9yIJQfkexC4l-MJF8Q8YeS5dJqNqaKf8N7j6l9YpotjH0c_bAGkcbE9-IxtY5O6CDjixe0iOWOk8-9kpAqDGz-5GYuYCoT2ARCf3frs7XQS8/s1600/51Ykm93n8ML.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Picture from <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=61707&d=1400539195" target="_blank">ENWorld</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
I'm considering buying the Starter Set. Normally, I wouldn't, since I've been playing the playtest and I've been playing D&D for well over a decade now, but I'm trying to get an offline gaming group together, and at least one of them is a complete newbie to tabletop RPGs. The Starter Set, with its pregenerated characters and short rulebook, is going to be way less intimidating than Basic D&D or a full Player's Handbook would be. On the other hand, I may just stick with 4E Essentials and make my own pregenerated characters for the group. I'm not quite sure yet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Whatever the case, I'll certainly be downloading Basic D&D. It's free, it's got everything necessary to play to level 20, and it should be just about perfect for anyone who doesn't want to buy the game yet, but still wants to play. I'm really curious to see what they do with it as far as aesthetics go - if it'll be bare bones with no art or anything like the playtest packets, or if it'll have a few pieces of art and the same kind of aesthetics the Starter Set previews are showing. I'm hoping it's the latter, of course.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In any case, 5E is still heavily on my mind as I'm running a Play-by-Post game using the 5E playtest rules from October of last year. It took a while, but I finally got a game together to try out 5E, which brings me to my next point: I'm not using the Forgotten Realms as the setting. I'm not a huge fan of the Realms, so I stuck with the Nentir Vale, which is easily my second favorite setting after Eberron. And my group went nuts with it. I've got a Paladin of Sehanine, two devotees of the Raven Queen (one Fighter, one Rogue), a Cleric of Zehir, and possibly a religiously-undecided Mage. The party's a curious mix of alignments ranging from Neutral Good to Neutral Evil. So far, I'm digging it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But back to the Nentir Vale. I'm considering going through all my 4E books and putting together as much information as I can on the Vale. I'm aware of this <a href="http://nentirvale.wikidot.com/setting" target="_blank">Wikidot site</a> that does pretty much the same thing, but that group's taken a bit of a different look at the setting than I plan to, particularly with their assertions about the deities. Obviously, this is a big undertaking and will probably take a fairly long time, but if I do it, I'll be able to use it as a player handout and a DM aid in any future games I run in the Vale. Plus, I'll be able to keep two copies - one for players and one for all my secret DM notes. I'll almost certainly post the full thing here, of course.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Last, I'd like to address that it's been a while since I posted here. I've been working on offline stuff, hanging out with friends and doing quite a bit completely unrelated to tabletop gaming. I didn't have as much time to devote to gaming, so I ended up dropping from all PbP games for a while. I'm back now, though, and I plan on adding quite a bit to the blog - some header images or something at the very least. Thanks for sticking around, and if you're new, take a look at what I've got. Might be something that catches your eye.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-77534755333655574592014-02-13T11:55:00.001-08:002014-02-13T11:55:33.970-08:00Musing on a 40K Game I'd Like to RunBetween rereading some of the Horus Heresy novels and running a game of Deathwatch, I've been pondering another 40K game. Now, I wouldn't run it anytime soon, as I've already got enough on my GM plate as it is, but it's something I'd really like to run in the future.<br />
<br />
Put simply, it's a Horus Heresy game focusing on loyal Space Marines from the Traitor Legions. Having either escaped the Istvaan system or being embedded with another Legion or something, the PCs have rejoined with the Imperium and left their original Legions. Put together as a specialist team by one of the primarchs (I'm currently thinking either Dorn or Guilliman), the team would have to face both xenos and the servants of the Traitor Legions, undertaking special missions given directly from the surviving primarchs and Malcador the Sigilite.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6VupzoG3jk5o_W-3xXYJ4mGBfHxVdJwPQqQKW5-WUrVuMmN4tNQcWV8GXQZPl3w9D6EyPH5a6OhIL3ZtgwYB0k5PdgG8ikxRbDSvRkw32yhmrD0JVOvINNjpZnNDesfqJYkG6g7918E/s1600/Pre-Heresy+World+Eater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6VupzoG3jk5o_W-3xXYJ4mGBfHxVdJwPQqQKW5-WUrVuMmN4tNQcWV8GXQZPl3w9D6EyPH5a6OhIL3ZtgwYB0k5PdgG8ikxRbDSvRkw32yhmrD0JVOvINNjpZnNDesfqJYkG6g7918E/s1600/Pre-Heresy+World+Eater.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really just want to see or play a loyal World Eater.<br />Picture from <a href="http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m2003331a_Blog271011_10_XL.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Unfortunately, this would be a really tough game to get started. I'd have to either extensively houserule in "Chapter" rules for the Traitor Legions, or I'd have to play a different system entirely. Savage Worlds might be doable, but it would also have to be extensively houseruled. Fate Core would work, but I've never run Fate and haven't even played it very much.<br />
<br />
Ideally, I'd want to use the Deathwatch system, mostly because it's a fairly familiar system for 40K players and it already has most of the rules I'd need. Some of the Legions would be more difficult to create than others (particularly the Thousand Sons), but the Chapter creation rules would probably suffice for most of them. I'd have to create all new Primarch's Curses for most of them, though.<br />
<br />
On the upside, once I do all that work to create the Legions (if I do it), I'll be able to use the rules for another game I've been pondering: an alt-history <a href="http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/forum/181-the-dornian-heresy/" target="_blank">Dornian Heresy</a> game where the opposite primarchs rebelled, led by the Arch-Heretic Rogal Dorn.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-40708411548231910682014-01-25T22:10:00.000-08:002014-01-25T22:10:07.239-08:00Warhammer 40k - Creating a Space Marine Chapter in Deathwatch<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So I've been getting back into
Warhammer 40k quite a bit over the last couple weeks. I'm playing in
games of Rogue Trader and Dark Heresy (both of which started quite
recently) and I'm gearing up to GM a game of Deathwatch. This,
combined with a distinct lack of excitement when it comes to gaming,
is why I haven't had anything to blog about over the last three weeks
or so. Hopefully, with a bunch of 40k gaming starting up for me, I'll
have more to talk about in the near future.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now, for Deathwatch, I won't be
creating my own character, but I do intend for my Kill-Team to have
some</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjOKLbvzTOOt1-85OngGTW5Ozo4AR3kZKxOga-cDubpDEUbyd-4gRU1vZaW-z3KaC734es0RZgkjK2gMOrph8ozuSuYm_06vw4030OuleuE3aFy3ndCrKIUiP-OiQdijYla1IrnQBZlw/s1600/829_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjOKLbvzTOOt1-85OngGTW5Ozo4AR3kZKxOga-cDubpDEUbyd-4gRU1vZaW-z3KaC734es0RZgkjK2gMOrph8ozuSuYm_06vw4030OuleuE3aFy3ndCrKIUiP-OiQdijYla1IrnQBZlw/s1600/829_large.jpg" height="400" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this game.<br />Image from <a href="http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Deathwatch" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
interaction with some Space Marines from a new Chapter, so I
figured I'd go through and create this Chapter using the rules from
<i>Rites of Battle</i>. I'll be using a combination of die rolls and just
choosing options that I think would work well.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
First up, when and why was the Chapter
founded? A couple of die rolls say Crusade and in the 41<sup>st</sup>
millennium. So, the as-yet unnamed Chapter was created specifically
to go on grand crusades around the galaxy, crushing the foes of the
Imperium, and it was created within the last thousand years. I'm
actually going to ignore the book and say that it was closer to the
beginning of the 41<sup>st</sup> millennium, as the game takes place
sometime around the year 830.M41. Having the Chapter be founded in
738 wouldn't leave much time for the Chapter to really establish
itself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For the Chapter's gene-seed, I'm going
to pick Raven Guard. I really like the Raven Guard, so that's what
I'm going to go with. For gene-stock purity, I rolled A New
Generation, so when I choose a Demeanor for the Chapter, I'll be
picking or rolling something new, rather than going with the standard
Raven Guard Demeanor.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Speaking of Demeanor, I'm going to pick
Scions of Mars for the Chapter. I've always liked Techmarines, and
the idea of a traditionally-stealthy Raven Guard successor mixed with
the big, heavily-armored Techmarines is pretty interesting to me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Next up, Chapter characteristic
bonuses. My roll of 32 gives +5 Perception and +5 Strength, so the
Marines of this Chapter are both strong and alert.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For the Chapter's heroes, my first
rolls indicated that a Chapter Master was assassinated by agents of
the Imperium itself. The write-up in the chart suggests the Officio
Assassinorum, and that there isn't an apparent reason why he was
assassinated. I'll put some thought into this. A secondary hero is
the Master of Sanctity (a Chaplain, probably), who led forces against
an Eldar craftworld.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For a home world, I'm just going to
pick fleet-based. Since it's a crusading Chapter, like the Black
Templars, I think this makes sense. For recruiting worlds, maybe
that's why a ship of the Chapter is in the Jericho Reach for this
campaign: they're searching for a suitable world to recruit new
initiates to replenish their strength. A couple random rolls indicate
that the Chapter has five major vessels, and that the fleet is
currently damaged or otherwise suffering some kind of complication.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfDXyUil2ZJmPKulR_9dAilMCDlXCCKbqPWHENrhrz_jfcY2Vhv2x03VoJV7nE26_AaDly0VOliihR-ts-LkLg6cWCGAvvIhloXZmHDF6qqY9nkenpJcTcgDIdKnpT0ZY8gL-QVtMh5M/s1600/DeathwatchBadge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfDXyUil2ZJmPKulR_9dAilMCDlXCCKbqPWHENrhrz_jfcY2Vhv2x03VoJV7nE26_AaDly0VOliihR-ts-LkLg6cWCGAvvIhloXZmHDF6qqY9nkenpJcTcgDIdKnpT0ZY8gL-QVtMh5M/s1600/DeathwatchBadge.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Space Marines <i>and</i> Inquisition.<br />Awesome.<br />Image from <a href="http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Deathwatch" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Another die roll indicates that they're
a divergent Chapter, so they don't follow the Codex Astartes to the
letter. So how about a Chapter that focuses on Lightning Strikes?
They move in, hit the target fast and hard, and get right back out,
with a focus on quick vehicles like bikes or Rhinos.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For Solo Mode abilities, another random
roll means that they'll be getting one of the Raven Guard's
abilities. Since the Raven Guard currently only have one Solo Mode
ability, Master of the Shadows, that's what this Chapter will get as
well. So far we've got a Chapter that has an affinity with tech,
likes fast vehicles, and does well in the shadows. Interesting stuff.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For Squad Mode abilities, I rolled
Storm of Hell and Swift Advance. Both seem to fit with the Chapter's
fast-attack tactics, so I'll stick with those.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For special equipment, I got 93,
Modified Weaponry. How about, instead of standard power swords, the
Chapter prefers power scythes with blades that kind of resemble a
bird's talons?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For Chapter believes, I rolled The
Emperor Above All, so the Chapter reveres Corvus Corax, but holds the
Emperor even higher and their Chaplains' sermons reflect that. This
should go interestingly with their ties to the Mechanicus (from the
Scions of Mars Demeanor), but I think they'll have the belief that
the Omnissiah is just another aspect of the Emperor.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMujXqLDTG2r9NuvTXTpnJTTmoRTcYzUeZPH7iKuGOMDBu0RS4Y6s5MKgfOnZWEszIgPNe4t-7U04OdtX6b3-T2vvv-gHg465tW5ell1BCCTcrCVZGab0N0Xvsdvy0r81M6KJHyLBkQE/s1600/ravenqueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMujXqLDTG2r9NuvTXTpnJTTmoRTcYzUeZPH7iKuGOMDBu0RS4Y6s5MKgfOnZWEszIgPNe4t-7U04OdtX6b3-T2vvv-gHg465tW5ell1BCCTcrCVZGab0N0Xvsdvy0r81M6KJHyLBkQE/s1600/ravenqueen.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heraldry in keeping with the raven theme, I think.<br />Image from <a href="http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4spot/20090515" target="_blank">WotC</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A roll of 4 means the Chapter is
under-strength. So their fleet is damaged, they're at half-strength
at best, and they're looking for a new world to recruit from. I think
I can come up with an interesting story from that.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A few more die rolls later, and I've
determined that the Chapter has close ties to the Adeptus Sororitas
and maintains a vicious hatred of the tyranids, particularly Hive
Fleet Dagon. Maybe that could be part of the reason why they're
under-strength.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finally, we come to the name, heraldry,
and livery. I'm not going to bother rolling, but after thinking about
it, I'm going to go with Night Falcons. I'm thinking they'd be
armored primarily in black, but with white shoulder pads, helmets,
and backpacks. For heraldry, I'm going to go draw on my love of D&D
4E and snag the insignia of the Raven Queen, because I think it would
look cool on a white shoulder pad, and it kinda fits with their Raven
Guard origin.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For custom Chapter advances, I'm going
with Xenos Bane. Since they're a crusading chapter, and they've been
hit hard by tyranids, I think it fits rather nicely.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, here's the final Chapter write up
for the Night Falcons.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9nzWvTSyd5MV8dq85mSAl6noKJc1DLb5RFoj9Q5cB4SA83sTc1VlR8GCMO82OrbVRCEnZhh1mSmgujB9o8qJgIMJouyD_GwR2sNkFc4lFALww5jhTJmhPENQOrRUda7GCpfdTm0Rb-0/s1600/Night+Falcon+Space+Marine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9nzWvTSyd5MV8dq85mSAl6noKJc1DLb5RFoj9Q5cB4SA83sTc1VlR8GCMO82OrbVRCEnZhh1mSmgujB9o8qJgIMJouyD_GwR2sNkFc4lFALww5jhTJmhPENQOrRUda7GCpfdTm0Rb-0/s1600/Night+Falcon+Space+Marine.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle-Brother with plasma pistol and power fist.<br />Picture from <a href="http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/smpbeta.php" target="_blank">Bolter and Chainsword</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Night Falcons</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Primarch:</b> Corvus Corax</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Founding:</b> 26<sup>th</sup> in M41</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Home World:</b> Fleet-based</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Chapter Demeanor:</b> Scions of Mars</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Solo Mode:</b> Master of Shadows (<i>First
Founding</i>, page 17)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Squad Modes:</b> Storm of Hell and Swift
Advance (<i>Rites of Battle</i>, page 33)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Characteristic Bonuses:</b> +5 Strength, +5
Perception</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Gene-seed Deficiencies:</b> N/A</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Chapter Advances:</b> Xenos Bane (<i>Rites of Battle</i>, page 42)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Favored Tactics:</b> Lightning Strikes with
Rhinos, attack bikes, and similar vehicles</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Heroes</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chapter Master Annus Derax, who was
assassinated by an agent of the Officio Assassinorum soon after
vanquishing a hive tyrant of Hive Fleet Dagon.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
High Chaplain Tyros, who led three
squads of the Third Company on a daring hit-and-run attack on an
eldar craftworld.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Created in the 26<sup>th</sup> founding
in late M41, the Night Falcons are a Raven Guard successor Chapter.
While they revere their Primarch, Corvus Corax, the Chaplains of the
Night Falcons preach honor and reverence of the Emperor above all
else, both as the Master of Mankind and as his other aspect, the
Omnissiah.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Created as a crusading Chapter, the
Night Falcons were given eight mighty vessels and the mandate to
travel among the stars, destroying xenos and heretics wherever they
might be found. After a nasty encounter with Hive Fleet Dagon on a planet known as Coraton IV, the
Night Falcons were left with less than half of the thousand Space
Marines they began with. Their beloved Chapter Master, Annus Derax,
was dead, slain at the hands of an Imperial assassin soon after his
miraculous victory against the Dagon hive tyrant. During this campaign, the Chapter fought alongside an order of the Sisters of Battle, who had an abbey on the planet. With three of their
ships destroyed, the Night Falcons ventured into the Jericho Reach in
search of a new world to begin a cycle of recruitment to replenish
their massive losses.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Night Falcons prefer to make
devastating hit-and-run attacks to strike at their enemies, using
concealment and vicious close-combat tactics to devastate foes. They
have a strong affinity with technology and ties to the Adeptus
Mechanicus. Their Techmarines serve in every role, using their
technological training to supplement their fighting abilities. Rather
than serving separately and being used mainly to maintain and operate
Chapter equipment, Techmarines may also serve as officers or
Chaplains.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In addition to normal power swords, the
Night Falcons prefer the use of power scythes, styling these lethal
weapons as the talons of the birds of prey the Chapter was named for.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0ZthjdoTFG2TfKDRyh7JiKIZK72HNLSSBhEFvBK7rE49oe_C2IrDi-gkEeBHyvg1L85RwQdk-OVNsq9t8KXYKREkgmBAcoQwgW-wxLcSR-BUepQsKxbQtGY7B15-fOrlrHohTABsYAk/s1600/Night+Falcon+Terminator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0ZthjdoTFG2TfKDRyh7JiKIZK72HNLSSBhEFvBK7rE49oe_C2IrDi-gkEeBHyvg1L85RwQdk-OVNsq9t8KXYKREkgmBAcoQwgW-wxLcSR-BUepQsKxbQtGY7B15-fOrlrHohTABsYAk/s1600/Night+Falcon+Terminator.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because who doesn't love Terminator armor?<br />Image from <a href="http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/tsmp.php" target="_blank">Bolter and Chainsword</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-32656558287625965432014-01-01T12:58:00.002-08:002014-01-01T12:58:38.792-08:00Campaign Prep - Rogue TraderAnd the blog is back! I took an unannounced hiatus from the blog for a couple weeks, mostly because there was nothing really going on. I've been reading novels rather than game books, and my PbP games have slowed down a bit with the holidays, so I didn't have a whole lot to say on gaming.<br />
<br />
But now, I'm back to gaming, and first up for this year is Rogue Trader. I love this game. It's complex, super detailed, steeped in Warhammer 40k lore, and fairly difficult to pick up for a newbie to the setting, but despite all its flaws, there's something about it that really sings for me. It's like a cross between Star Trek, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Event Horizon. You don't just have a starship, you have a multi-mile long gothic cathedral capable of flying through hell itself and blasting all life from the surface of a planet. You don't just have a chief engineer, you have an Explorator Tech Priest of the Adeptus Mechanicus who may literally be more machine than man. You don't just carry around a pistol, you carry a miniature plasma reactor that happens to be shaped like a pistol and which fires blasts of pure plasma capable of immolating or melting whatever they hit.<br />
<br />
It's over the top, gloriously violent, and is explicitly about flying around the galaxy and looting whatever the hell you find, all in the name of the God-Emperor and the Imperium of Mankind. And I love it.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRMSNLbnYRiZE-bneylUmjG9jh6uuA6FCyKxYiXbWpHKGYXezV_IrBDjhgdwOtG4WdKdpguxLtBGkEnM3WdtU-MqdiyxYzvJnpdRQh9_5fesFO8Yk3982vcpYuC2aGI07gQeluuZQlQI/s1600/Rogue-Trader3-1600x1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRMSNLbnYRiZE-bneylUmjG9jh6uuA6FCyKxYiXbWpHKGYXezV_IrBDjhgdwOtG4WdKdpguxLtBGkEnM3WdtU-MqdiyxYzvJnpdRQh9_5fesFO8Yk3982vcpYuC2aGI07gQeluuZQlQI/s400/Rogue-Trader3-1600x1200.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How badass is this? Seriously, these are the kind of characters I want to play.<br />Picture from FFG.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So why did I title this post Campaign Prep? Because I'm leaning toward trying to run it via PbP this year. Maybe not this week or even this month, but I haven't been able to play very much of this game and one of my New Year's resolutions is to fix that. Hopefully I'll get in some Dark Heresy or Deathwatch too, but Rogue Trader is the main 40k game I'm looking to run.<br />
<br />
But, in spite of my love of Rogue Trader, I've never GMed it, and I'm honestly not all that experienced with the system, since every group I've been in fell apart for one reason or another. I've played both a Rogue Trader and an Explorator, but both were fairly brief stints, so I'm asking you guys for your Rogue Trader GM tips. Which published adventures are good? Which are bad? Am I better off trying to write something of my own, or even just throwing together a quick sandbox and winging it?<br />
<br />
Above all, what are your thoughts on Rogue Trader? Better/worse than the other 40k RPGs?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-82564827562038362302013-12-17T17:07:00.000-08:002013-12-17T17:07:18.095-08:00For Gold and Glory - Actual Play Report #1<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the first Actual Play report of one of my Play-by-Post games over on the RPG.net forums. For Gold and Glory is a game I'm running using the Dark Dungeons rules and I chose to run an adventure (and maybe some more later) rather than running a sandbox game. I chose to start with my favorite adventure - The Sunless Citadel, originally published for D&D 3.0. I'm basically converting it on the fly, but 95% of the monsters in the adventure are available in the Dark Dungeons book and the traps are pretty much straight out of the adventure. This campaign started back in September and we've got almost 350 posts so far, with no sign of slowing down any time soon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gVC0ZFepiy0mHEyfyxcJS0MF82ITl-KzTPDX7sKCEnkZPSGE4f5xLinV0E3703x-SJkDAqGxYmrKhZO6N7hMLd7Yh2tYIt2c1tZZ94sYLnfCT3hwLX_YHw-SaojmoSSXs1JrDgC5IXE/s1600/D%2526D+The+Sunless+Citadel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gVC0ZFepiy0mHEyfyxcJS0MF82ITl-KzTPDX7sKCEnkZPSGE4f5xLinV0E3703x-SJkDAqGxYmrKhZO6N7hMLd7Yh2tYIt2c1tZZ94sYLnfCT3hwLX_YHw-SaojmoSSXs1JrDgC5IXE/s320/D%2526D+The+Sunless+Citadel.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you missed it, <a href="http://goingdungeoncrawling.blogspot.com/2013/09/d-30-day-challenge-day-eleven-my.html" target="_blank">I fucking love this adventure</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, first up, here's the initial cast of characters:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anich Larinson - 1st-level Fighter, played by Phil6294</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rowan Porter - 1st-level Thief, played by m111</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Quartz Graystrike - 1st-level Dwarf, played by Sabermane</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Penlin the Mighty - 1st-level Magic-User, played by thirdkingdom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Father Suril Troar - 1st-level Cleric, played by CaliberX</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The adventurers, a mix of locals and roaming folk, met up in a tavern (how original, right?) in Oakhurst. While most were responding to a call for adventurers needed to take care of a local goblin tribe, Father Suril was a local priest, determined to go out to the fabled Sunless Citadel in search of his nephew, one of a band of adventurers who had gone missing in the Citadel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A merchant approached the party and revealed the full reasons why Oakhurst put out the call for adventurers - a goblin tribe living in the bowels of the fallen fortress would ransom a single perfect apple once a year. The apple would cure any ailments, though occasionally the goblins would attempt to sell a white, sickly apple instead - where the red apple would bolster whoever ate it, the white apple would steal the life from the poor victim. Another party of adventurers, including the merchant's son and Father Suril's nephew, went into the Citadel over a month prior to the party's arrival and never returned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Long story short, after much promised reward, the party set off for the Citadel the next morning. After a few hours walking out to the ruined Citadel, with no encounters along the way, the party reached a deep ravine surrounded by broken pillars with a rope leading down. After some debate over what to do, Penlin the Mighty grew tired of waiting, cried <span style="background-color: #fafafa;">"Observe my decisive action as I grow bored of standing about!" and swung down on the rope to a ledge down below, only to be promptly attacked by giant rats. The rest of the party quickly followed, with the notable exception of Father Suril (who preferred to use his sling from above), and two rats were slain and the third fled. Fortunately, despite being bitten, Penlin and Quartz managed to avoid contracting a deadly plague from the rats.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fafafa;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After some minor patching up of wounds later, the party continued down a battered set of stairs from the ledge, leading into a ruined courtyard, beyond which laid the Sunless Citadel itself - a blasted keep that had fallen into the ravine centuries before. Deciding to press forward to the entrance, the group nearly had its first death - Rowan tumbled into a pit trap, bashing his head on the ground and dropping to zero hit points. A fortunately-timed critical save vs. death ray later and he was back up to one hit point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After pulling Rowan out of the pit (and grabbing some loot from a goblin corpse found within), the party moved on, entering the Citadel. Their first sight was a group of slaughtered goblins, one of which was pinned to the wall with a spear. Moving on from that room, the party killed another giant rat and chose to ignore for the moment a stone door carved with an elaborate dragon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After that, the group of intrepid adventurers made it to another room with a broken cage, a smoky firepit, and a huddled tiny humanoid covered in rags and weeping - a beleaguered kobold known as Meepo, Keeper of Dragons...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">More to come soon! That covers about 150 posts up to the first week of October. We've got another two months and 200 posts to go, and hopefully I'll get that covered here in the next few days. If you guys found this at least a little interesting, please let me know - if not, I'd love to know that too and I'll go back to my other gaming content. Thanks!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-82961609118276859472013-12-09T20:45:00.001-08:002013-12-09T20:45:27.251-08:00XCOM MusingsI've been playing a ton of XCOM: Enemy Within in the last few weeks, so naturally, I've been pondering an XCOM tabletop game. There are two aspects to XCOM: EW - the tactical squad combat and the strategic global management/tech upgrade aspect.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXBOpV6xBAUsHyq1564FckJ7-81pEWR26xAq5vlt_hqR7FhsOk76_zvt6CEoVryXnNQTXn1QCImoyzaFdpDpzW8Q47cCt0ROYOpG5NPEoQjIDbJtkCD7aItSnenkmnis3XAttO_TRhTU/s1600/xcom_enemy_within-2400x1350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXBOpV6xBAUsHyq1564FckJ7-81pEWR26xAq5vlt_hqR7FhsOk76_zvt6CEoVryXnNQTXn1QCImoyzaFdpDpzW8Q47cCt0ROYOpG5NPEoQjIDbJtkCD7aItSnenkmnis3XAttO_TRhTU/s400/xcom_enemy_within-2400x1350.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admit it, you'd buy a game with this art on the book cover. Pic from <a href="http://www.bhmpics.com/view-xcom_enemy_within-2400x1350.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
For the tactical combat, I don't foresee that being too difficult to port over to a tabletop game. There are plenty of games out there that can handle lethal tactical combat. I'm thinking somewhere along the lines of an extremely simplified D&D 4E - something built off the 13th Age system, maybe. The big key here is that it's got to have a level-up system to replicate XCOM ranks and it's got to be absolutely lethal to simulate how often XCOM soldiers are killed. A plus would be quick character creation, for the same reason.<br />
<br />
The strategic element could be a little more difficult. In the video game, there's only one player to make all those decisions - in a tabletop game, there are generally going to be at least two (three if you count the GM). There are also a lot of aspects to make decisions about: choosing which abduction mission to go on, tech upgrades, research options, items to buy, what countries to send satellites to, etc. Making these decisions as a group has the potential to be divisive unless there's a clear role for each player. So, I'd call one player the Head Scientist, one the Chief Engineer, one the Strategic Lead, and one the Tactical Lead. Each would get a quarter of XCOM's budget to take actions for their section.<br />
<br />
The Head Scientist would make decisions on things like research options, autopsies, and tech upgrades. The Chief Engineer would make decisions on what buildings to add to the base and Foundry upgrades. The Strategic Lead would make decisions regarding satellites and which missions to take on, and the Tactical Lead would make decisions on what equipment to purchase and equip soldiers with, along with choosing which XCOM soldier would be the squad leader on the various missions. This way, every player has a strategic role to play alongside controlling a character during tactical missions.<br />
<br />
Options for the four strategic roles could be something like this:<br />
Head Scientist - purchase scientists to shorten research time, choose research projects, and run autopsies and interrogations.<br />
Chief Engineer - hire engineers to speed up Foundry upgrades and build times, build base facilities.<br />
Strategic Lead - purchase satellites, run intel scans searching for Exalt, sell surplus at the Gray Market, make decisions on what missions to take.<br />
Tactical Lead - hire soldiers, purchase equipment, choose squad leaders, choose Officer Training School options.<br />
<br />
Now, I realize that this limits the game to four players plus a GM, but I don't really see that as a problem. I'm thinking XCOM would be less of a roleplaying game than it would be just a really good boardgame with a tactical combat module bolted on. It would certainly be possible to add a lot of roleplaying elements into it, what with playing the soldiers as well as the XCOM HQ roles.<br />
<br />
I may not make this game, but it's fun to think about. So, what are your thoughts on an XCOM tabletop game? What would you do different?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-6531712499043554942013-12-03T17:33:00.000-08:002013-12-03T17:33:10.383-08:00All Things Arcane - Arcane Grafts<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Grafts are one result of mad wizards
trying to magically cross several animals. Grafting is the act of
adding body parts, either new or replacements, from other creatures.
Golem limbs, giant scorpion tails, chameleon skin, ghoul claws –
all are available through grafting.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
However, there are downsides to grafts,
mainly the chance of not surviving the process. Characters who
undergo grafting must succeed on a saving throw vs. death to survive
the experience. Characters take a -1 penalty to this saving throw for
each graft they already have. In addition, the character takes 2d6
points of damage due to incisions and the arcane solutions needed to
graft the new parts. Afterward, healing damage takes place normally, but the
character will need to take at least a week of rest for the graft to
heal and become fully functional.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhC3rKg9-Qg2s6mTeLw4eUII51J1iJdWomVzwXi80cLYRjdGKfC0PwW6jpyx0PQ3DxN5TvtXKeE38vWASZk2tXddg3U1yI_D-1QJe9Y8Sy2yTaAq4hUz4V0hpOAMbLFvRTtGOHye2cjaY/s1600/49120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhC3rKg9-Qg2s6mTeLw4eUII51J1iJdWomVzwXi80cLYRjdGKfC0PwW6jpyx0PQ3DxN5TvtXKeE38vWASZk2tXddg3U1yI_D-1QJe9Y8Sy2yTaAq4hUz4V0hpOAMbLFvRTtGOHye2cjaY/s400/49120.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get a few grafts and before you know it, your<br />character looks like <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/ss_gallery/49120.jpg" target="_blank">this</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
To create a graft, characters need
things: an arcane surgeon to perform the graft, someone to be
grafted, an acceptable body part to graft, and costly ritual
components. The arcane surgeon must be of 7<sup>th</sup> level or
higher and be a Magic-User, Warlock, or Artificer. To obtain body
parts suitable for grafting, the arcane surgeon must have access to a
specimen of the appropriate type. If the specimen is dead, there is a
1-in-6 chance that the body part is too damaged to use. However, if
the specimen is alive, the body part is always useable, though the
arcane surgeon will have to remove it, which generally either kills
or cripples the specimen. Suitable magic (a hold monster or similar
spell) may assist in removing the body part intact. Certain specimens
may hold multiple grafts of the same kind – for example, a massive
dragon may be able to provide two or three sets of scales for the
Dragon Scales graft.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Each graft has an associated cost to
perform the ritual. The character or arcane surgeon spends this cost
on ritual components – healing solutions, numbing balms, cleaning
agents, spell components, etc.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<h3>
Grafts</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Demon Claw</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: Any demon</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 5,000gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: A demon claw replaces the
character's hand. The character can use the hand as a melee weapon
dealing 1d6. On a strike with the claw, the victim takes another 1d6
damage unless they pass a saving throw.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Demon Heart</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: Any demon</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 10,000gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: A demon heart gives replaces
the character's actual heart (requiring a saving throw to avoid death
during grafting). It gives the character +2 hit points per HD, a +2
on saving throws vs. magic effects, a reddish cast to their skin, and
the character takes half damage from fire. In addition, the character
gains an affinity for blood and violence and gains a more volatile
temper due to the fiendish influence of the heart.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Dragon Breath Gland</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: Any dragon</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 10,000gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: A dragon's breath gland gives
the character a breath weapon. The shape and type of the breath match
that of the dragon specimen. Range is reduced to twenty feet in its
largest dimension. The breath weapon can be used three times per day
and deals 1d6 damage per HD of the character.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Dragon Scales</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: Any dragon</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 7,500gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: Dragon scales bond to the
character's skin over most of the body. They give the character a
-1[+1] bonus to AC and the character takes only half damage of the
damage type dealt by the dragon specimen's breath weapon.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Ghoul Claws</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: A ghoul</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 7,500gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: Ghoul claws replace the
character's hand. They allow a character to make a 1d6-damage melee
attack, and if the attack's target fails a saving throw, they are
paralyzed for 1d6 rounds.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Giant Scorpion Tail</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: A giant scorpion</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 5,000gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: The scorpion tail is grafted to
the end of the character's spine. It allows the character to make a
tail attack that deals 1d6 damage and forces a saving throw. A failed
saving throw means the target takes half the damage (rounded down,
never less than 1) again due to the powerful scorpion venom.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKZ4LrzZ8JaNNKiqI01zztu8r48OUOYlMe1oxOhi3LnHD1sSPG6U9QBrmFpjoLcFgDRrn8_HBc8RqdKEJg6wLB-STAGPtEomDyRrsVQ1zVK-HXQIfAdrFrfGLwdELa_Vty8nbHckiD0U/s1600/49126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKZ4LrzZ8JaNNKiqI01zztu8r48OUOYlMe1oxOhi3LnHD1sSPG6U9QBrmFpjoLcFgDRrn8_HBc8RqdKEJg6wLB-STAGPtEomDyRrsVQ1zVK-HXQIfAdrFrfGLwdELa_Vty8nbHckiD0U/s400/49126.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or maybe even like <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/ss_gallery/49126.jpg" target="_blank">this</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Giant Squid Tentacle</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: A giant squid</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 5,000gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: The squid tentacle attaches to
the character's shoulder or hip. The tentacle gives the character a
tentacle attack that allows the character to grapple an enemy for one
round, giving it a -2 penalty to all actions and AC on a successful
attack roll.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Golem Arm</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: An iron golem</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 7,500gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: A golem arm replaces the
character's original arm. The arm may be used as a shield and allows
the character to make a melee attack equivalent to an attack with a
mace. The arm cannot be used both as a weapon and a shield in the
same round.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Griffon Wings</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: A griffon</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 10,000gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: Griffon wings are grafted to
the character's back and shoulders. The character may fly at normal
speed for a number of minutes per day equal to the character's
Constitution score. A heavily-encumbered character cannot fly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Lizardman Tail</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: A lizardman</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 5,000gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: The tail is grafted to the
character's spine. It gives a character the ability to swim at double
their normal speed and a +2 to any saving throws related to balance.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Minotaur Horns</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: A minotaur</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 5,000gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: The horns are grafted affixed
to the character's skull, giving them a gore attack that deals 1d6+1
damage. A successful attack also knocks an opponent off their feet,
if they are the same size or smaller than the character.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Ogre Arm</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: An ogre</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 5,000gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: The ogre's arm replaces that of
the character. The character gains +1 to Strength and adds +1 to
damage from melee attacks made with weapons wielded with that arm.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Shark Gills</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: A shark</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 3,000gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: The shark's gills are implanted
into the character's neck. The character can breathe underwater
indefinitely. However, the character needs to keep the gills moist –
a wet rag wrapped around the neck would work. Dried gills cause
intense pain to the character, preventing them from concentrating on
difficult tasks such as spellcasting or picking locks.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Shark Teeth</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: A shark</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 2,500gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: The shark teeth replace the
character's original teeth. The character gains a bite attack that
deals 1d6 damage to a target. The target must succeed on a saving
throw or take half that damage again the next round, due to teeth
breaking off in the wound. The character constantly sheds and regrows
teeth every few days, and cannot speak clearly enough to cast spells.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Spider Silk Gland</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cost: 3,500gp</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Specimen: A giant spider</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Effect: The spider's silk glands are
implanted into the character's wrists, allowing the character to spin
a web (similar to the Web spell) or create thirty feet of silken rope
once per day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>GM NOTES:</b> This material hasn't been playtested yet. I was playing XCOM and figured it would be really interesting to modify D&D characters the way XCOM soldiers can get genetic modifications using alien technology. I know that there were graft rules buried somewhere in D&D 3.5, but I wanted something I could use for the old-school games I'm running now. I wrote this up with Swords & Wizardry in mind, but it should work just fine for most, if not all, old-school games. For cost, I just had to wing it - I couldn't find anything about magic item costs in S&W, and I was thinking these are kind of like permanent magic items. So as with anything OSR-related, use at your own risk and feel free to tweak, add new grafts, and please, if you use them at your table, let me know how it went and how the rules worked for you!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-2100201888833839972013-12-01T01:05:00.001-08:002013-12-01T01:05:08.421-08:00Online Gaming - Play-by-Post EditionI do a lot of gaming via forum posts. Right now, I'm playing in a 13th Age game, a Pathfinder game, and a Dark Dungeons game. I'm also running a Dark Dungeons game and an ACKS game. Over the past few years, I've had a tough time getting offline gaming groups together due to moving around, not knowing many gamers in some of the areas I've lived, and scheduling, so most of my gaming has been done online. I've played probably a dozen games over the past three years and run maybe half a dozen (including the ones I'm running now).<br />
<br />
I know there are a lot of gamers who play online, using forums, Google+ hangouts, Roll20, or IRC/other text chat, so I figured I'd write up a few thoughts on the pros and cons of Play-by-Post (PbP) gaming. I'll also post some advice I have for playing PbP games.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Pros</h4>
1. Preparing for a PbP game isn't as intensive on the GM. You may not have less stuff to do as a PbP GM, but due to the pace of most games, you've got more time to do it. Things take more time in PbP, especially when you may only get one post a day from each player, which gives the GM more time to prepare.<br />
2. It's much, much easier to improvise. Because of the time factor, if the PCs do something unexpected, it's usually totally fine for the GM to sleep on it rather than make an immediate decision. This generally leads to decisions and rulings that are more thought out.<br />
3. No more worries about stopping play to look up a rule. The GM (and generally, all the players) have plenty of time between posts to look up a rule or create a suitable house-rule, in contrast to a face-to-face or real-time online game where you'd have to interrupt play to search through books and PDFs.<br />
4. It's much less time-intensive. As a GM, the longest I've ever spent on a post was thirty minutes for a game-opening post, which I consider to be prep rather than active play. The longest I've spent on an active play post (combat, roleplaying, etc.) was about fifteen minutes where I was responding to multiple players at the same time. As a player, even with combat actions, I haven't spend more than five minutes or so on a post.<br />
5. Scheduling isn't a problem. If all the players and GM have time for one post per day, there's almost no time taken out of everyone's daily schedule. It's much easier than setting aside three or four hours every week for five or six people to get together and play.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Cons</h4>
1. PbP is slow. Really slow. Like, one combat in Dark Dungeons can take four days to play out. That kind of slow. In a 4E game, one combat can take upwards of a week or so.<br />
2. Player/GM interest can wane rapidly. Between the slow pace and waiting on everyone else to post, it can be really easy for a player or GM to just lose interest in a game. I always take an extra two or so players when I do my game recruiting to combat player drop-out.<br />
3. Games die very easily. Sometimes it's a GM losing interest, sometimes it's multiple players, and sometimes it's something as simple as the GM or a couple players taking a break for a couple days (holidays, vacation, whatever reason) for a game to go on hiatus and just never come back.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Advice</h4>
Most of my advice for PbP gaming is similar to what I'd give for a regular game, with a couple PbP-specific additions. Remember, this is what works for me and is mostly focused on OSR games. Take it with a grain of salt, your mileage may vary, etc.<br />
<br />
1. As a player, get involved. Offer to help keep the game wiki updated, offer to help map dungeons, whatever you need to do to keep interested. The more you invest in a game, the more you'll want to keep playing.<br />
2. Let the GM make all dice rolls. It speeds the game way up and simplifies things, especially for combat. A three- or four-post back and forth discussion between the GM and a player on what dice need rolled, especially for situations where success or failure will lead to another roll, is much more time-consuming than a player including a request for a die roll in their post and the GM making that roll and any related rolls and including the results of the roll(s) in their next post.<br />
3. Give out XP boosts. For OSR games, give out a lot of XP. Advancement in certain games takes a really long time, and in PbP, that time is even longer. To mitigate that, give out extra XP, either through story awards (The party helped the kobolds achieve a common goal instead of murdering them? Here's some extra XP!) or reaching certain goals (The group survived the dragon attack with no deaths? Everyone gets a 10% bonus on XP for that encounter.).<br />
4. For GMs, either keep your posts short or format details using a list. People generally aren't going to want to read big blocks of text to try to find what's fluff and what's actually relevant detail. Instead of working details into a paragraph, put them in a list to make them immediately stand out and so the players know it's relevant information.<br />
5. Have separate In-Character and Out-of-Character threads. IC threads are used for in-game roleplaying and relevant rolls. Out-of-Character threads are for anything else - metagame discussions, character build advice (if your game has character builds), brainstorming, etc.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-13144714729669960992013-11-28T17:37:00.001-08:002013-11-28T17:37:45.993-08:00Campaign Prep - Creating a Starting Town Using ACKS<b>NOTE: If you're currently playing in my Adventures in the Nentir Vale campaign on RPG.net, please don't read any further.</b><br />
<br />
I got my ACKS game going this week, so I figured I'd write up a blog post about creating the starting town, Nenlast. I've set the game in the Nentir Vale, the implied setting of D&D 4E, but I've changed Nenlast quite a bit from the way it was described in the <i>Abyssal Plague</i> novels.<br />
<br />
So first up, I knew that Nenlast is described in the 4E DMG as a small fishing village, so I decided to run with that. It's small, so for population I decided on roughly 200 people. Large enough to warrant a wall and a militia, but small enough to keep fairly simple in terms of organizations and locations within the town. According to the ACKS rules, 200 people would make Nenlast a market class VI town and include a pretty small number of leveled NPCs.<br />
<br />
After setting the population, I made some decisions on locations I wanted to have available: an inn, a disreputable tavern, some sort of church, a graveyard/cemetery, a place of governance, a couple of shops, and the docks. I wrote out some descriptions of these locations along with NPCs that might be found there, then moved on to the next step in the ACKS rules: criminal organizations.<br />
<br />
Such a small town, in the ACKS rules, will have a correspondingly small criminal faction. In this case, I decided to have the town's known criminals consolidated into a gang known as the Crimson Hands. I incorporated The Drunken Boar, the disreputable tavern I'd created, and made it the gang's hangout. The tavern's owner, Belloc, became the gang's leader and that was that. Total gang membership is only 16 (8x 0<sup>th</sup>
level ruffians, 5x 1<sup>st</sup> level, 2x 2<sup>nd</sup> level, 1x
3<sup>rd</sup> level boss).<br />
<br />
I figure the Crimson Hands are small fish who think they're a lot scarier than they really are. The gang leader and a couple of his lieutenants might be a threat to some adventurers, but for the most part, the gang consists of level-0 normal people that probably won't want to get in a lethal fight with armed and armored adventurers.<br />
<br />
Once I finished up the basics on the Crimson Hands, I wrote up a few tavern rumors for the PCs can follow up on. It's a hexcrawl/dungeon crawl game, so I won't be using many, if any, published adventures. I figured these rumors were pretty decent stuff for a low level party to be interested in taking a look at.<br />
<br />
I'm working on a map of the town, so hopefully that'll be finished up and posted later this week.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Locations in Nenlast</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Black Trout Inn</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Famed around the Nentir Vale for its
beer-battered trout, the Black Trout Inn is owned and run by Red
Toran. Small compared to inns in larger towns such as Fallcrest, the
Black Trout Inn has a core group of regular customers who like to sit
and chat about the day's events during most evenings.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Chapel</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rather than having multiple churches
dedicated to individual deities, Nenlast has only a small chapel with
individual altars or statues for most of the pantheon: Erathis,
Pelor, Avandra, Bahamut, Melora, Ioun, and Kord. The chapel is
overseen by Korlas, a priest dedicated to Erathis, though there are a
number of other priests of various deities. The Raven Queen is not
represented at the chapel, but there is a small shrine to her at the
entrance to the graveyard.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Docks</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Easily the most bustling area of
Nenlast on most days, the docks are where the village's small fleet
of fishing boats and rafts are moored. Near the docks is a beach
where the ice-fishing shacks are kept during the summer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Erkar's General Store</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Most popular for its wide selection of
bait and tackle, Erkar's General Store sells just about any necessity
for life on the shores of Lake Nen, including archery gear and
leather products. Erkar carries some of the most basic spell
components, but it's a small selection that he doesn't really cater
to, as most mages prefer to buy from the Sapphire Tower</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ironheart Smithy</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Ironheart Smithy is run by the
Ironhearts, a family of dwarves living in the only completely-stone
building in Nenlast. The Ironhearts are known for their no-frills,
high-quality craftsmanship and blades that are very durable and
solid. Most iron and steel products can be bought at the Ironheart
Smithy, including swords, axes, and armor. The smithy is run by Kora
Ironheart, who boasts that she is the best smith in all of the Nentir
Vale.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Drunken Boar</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The only competitor of the Black Trout
Inn, The Drunken Boar is a tavern in a rather run-down state. Run as
a front for the local thieves' guild, the Crimson Hands, The Drunken
Boar is a home for the town drunks, ruffians, and other disreputable
folk.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Moon Tower</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Named for the silver crescent moon
painted on the door, Moon Tower is where Nenlast's few mages
congregate. Owned by a doddering, half-senile old mage by the name of
Cromlen, Moon Tower is a combination magic shop and residence. While
Cromlen's powers have waned in the last decade or so, rumors abound
of arcane secrets and trinkets held within the tower.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4>
Important NPCs</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lord Mayor Thure Karn</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Red Toran, proprietor of the Black
Trout Inn</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Korlas, priest of Erathis<br />Erkar,
proprietor of Erkar's General Store</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kora Ironheart, master smith at the
Ironheart Smithy</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Belloc, chief of the Crimson Hands and
owner of The Drunken Boar</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h4>
Tavern Rumors</h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1. Goblins have been plaguing the Old
Hill Road, besieging trade caravans. The Lord Governor of Nenlast has
set a bounty of five silver pieces for goblin ears, and an extra
bounty of 100 gold if presented with proof that the goblins are no
longer a threat.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2. Rumor has it that there's a nest of
owlbears in a cave just inside Winterbole Forest, five miles out of
town. Everyone knows owlbear eggs are a delicacy, and their pelts
make for the best leather in the Vale.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
3. An old wizard's tower has fallen
into ruin outside town. It's rumored to be haunted and the wizard's
treasures are said to still lay within. The tower is perpetually
shrouded in mist, and none have been brave enough to enter in years.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
4. Legend has it, an island known as
the Fang on Lake Nen is home to an old smuggler's den that may still
hold a cache of valuables left there long ago. Most sailors in
Nenlast think the Fang is cursed with bad luck and won't go anywhere
near it, however.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
5. The teens of Nenlast insist that the
local graveyard is haunted. They say that, if you spend the night in
the graveyard during a full moon, a restless spirit will appear. The
identity of the spirit is always changing – some say it's a
half-elven woman, while some insist it's a full-blooded orc warrior
(though why an orc would be buried there is another mystery
altogether).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
6. A local farmer, Old Man Hatchet, is
willing to pay good gold to enterprising folk willing to clear any
unwanted beasts from a cave on his property. Purportedly, the cave
contains some sort of giant rodent or insect – Old Man Hatchet's
sight is failing and his account varies from telling to telling.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-8123701447609833302013-11-21T16:47:00.003-08:002013-11-21T16:47:36.862-08:00Creating a Character - Adventurer, Conqueror, King SystemWith my Swords & Wizardry Eberron game still a ways off, I've decided to run <a href="http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?709196-Recruitment-ACKS-Adventures-in-the-Nentir-Vale-(Hexcrawl-Dungeon-Crawl)" target="_blank">a game of ACKS</a> on the RPG.net forums. I haven't GMed or played ACKS yet, but I figured I'd just jump in the deep end and go for it. From what I've read, it isn't incredibly different than other OSR systems, at least at low levels. I did enact a couple basic house rules that I use for just about any Play-by-Post game I run: the biggest one is that I'll allow 1st level casters to select their first spell rather than selecting it for them as the rules suggest. Anything other than that gets rolled. But enough of that, it's time to get on with character creation.<br />
<br />
Step One: Roll ability scores in order. For PbP I use Invisible Castle, but for this I'll just use my regular dice. I'm also only going to roll one set, as opposed to the five sets I roll and let my players choose from.<br />
<br />
STR 12<br />
INT 16<br />
WIS 12<br />
DEX 13<br />
CON 9<br />
CHA 12<br />
<br />
...Huh. I think these dice might be loaded. Good thing this is just a test character. After a quick glance through the Player's Companion, I'm going to go with Warlock for a class. I like the idea of a caster aligned with hellish powers (of course, I've also been reading Erin M. Evans's Brimstone Angels, so that might be influencing my choice).<br />
<br />
Hit Points: 4<br />
<br />
I'm rolling awesome tonight, apparently. Next up, Proficiencies. All characters start with Adventuring, then they get one General and one Class, and extra General Proficiencies according to INT. This character has a +2 bonus from INT, so that's three General. I'm going to go with Loremastery, Knowledge (Occult), Survival, and Leadership. Loremastery and Knowledge (Occult) to explain the Warlock powers, Survival to make sure he can survive in the wilderness for a while, and Leadership because any decent Warlock is going to need minions to serve him.<br />
<br />
Spells: He can cast one per day, but with his INT score, he can have three in his repertoire. I'm going with Sleep, Spider Climb, and Burning Hands. Sleep is, as with most OSR games, easily one of the most powerful low-level spells, as it apparently allows no save against it. Spider Climb is pretty thematic and creepy, and Burning Hands is both damaging and thematically appropriate.<br />
<br />
It looks like alignment and gear are all that's left to choose, and I'm going to choose the easy way and just snag the gear from the Corrupt Scholar template for the Warlock. Oh, and I need to choose a name: Malevoc Infernis is a good Warlock-y name, I think.<br />
<br />
With no further adieu, here's the final character sheet:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGV9RrP_halTrl_6vvEuqytuHXURY11rYI4CFcgdTxatRm35WydGvXk-Sqon4axuanF2-xAQssW96fw0xZbPLk8R9PWEZZHkJGcqXwJ-hUd-sJVn7tfqXOElz4yuSie9nNSVMQbMN0Hc/s1600/20131121_163335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGV9RrP_halTrl_6vvEuqytuHXURY11rYI4CFcgdTxatRm35WydGvXk-Sqon4axuanF2-xAQssW96fw0xZbPLk8R9PWEZZHkJGcqXwJ-hUd-sJVn7tfqXOElz4yuSie9nNSVMQbMN0Hc/s400/20131121_163335.jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also like that the whole character sheet fits on one piece of<br />notebook paper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Overall, not a bad character, I think. Plus, even with having to look up the rules and flip between the PDFs of ACKS and the Player's Companion, it only took me about half an hour or so to make a character. I'm sure that time could be cut significantly with A) more familiarity with the system, and B) only using a core book rather than both.<br />
<br />
I'll get a more comprehensive review up once I've run the game a bit and given it a more thorough read-through, but for the moment, I think that picking up the ACKS core book and Player's Companion was money well-spent.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-79563700368572068052013-11-15T15:28:00.000-08:002013-11-15T15:28:17.303-08:00Running Eberron Using S&W White BoxI've been pondering running an Eberron game using Swords & Wizardry White Box and I've run into a fairly big snag: racial class restrictions.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96zmq5u5ba6_CFUQ7pwBw4gQtFs_w2cdkWt_eXlfpJgdtM5JHwsl-PO8ek4gNEqDTf4vW5FeLH615deo8OtAaDE_c8ZZ8P66y64oeHPQdV2Jgnv6Ot8c3jjTBjpjph_u708ogtQ7MaKw/s1600/wallpaper_EPG1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96zmq5u5ba6_CFUQ7pwBw4gQtFs_w2cdkWt_eXlfpJgdtM5JHwsl-PO8ek4gNEqDTf4vW5FeLH615deo8OtAaDE_c8ZZ8P66y64oeHPQdV2Jgnv6Ot8c3jjTBjpjph_u708ogtQ7MaKw/s320/wallpaper_EPG1_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No real meaning behind this pic other than that <br />I really, really like this art work. Pic from <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/wallpaper/wallpaper_EPG1_1280.jpg" target="_blank">WotC</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The White Box has rules for the various non-human races about what classes they can take and the levels that can be attained in those classes. The problem is, Eberron was written and published using D&D 3.5, which didn't have rules like that. It's completely normal in Eberron to have things like half-orc druids, dwarven wizards, halfling clerics, and any other odd-ball race/class combination. It's also expected that those kinds of characters should be gaining experience at the same rate as the rest of the party so that the characters can continue adventuring together without there being a big permanent power disparity.<br />
<br />
So for this Eberron game, I'm going to be completely abolishing class and race restrictions. That's easy, but here's the problem: the only real bonus for humans in S&W is an absence of class and race restrictions. Humans can take any class and advance to any level, but that's all they get. So, the problem I'm facing is finding a way to keep humans viable characters. After all, why play a human fighter if you can play a dwarven fighter and get bonus stuff that the human characters don't get?<br />
<br />
At first I thought dragonmarks could be a way to buff humans, but other races also get dragonmarks, albeit with less variety. But, it's a good start. Humans may be slightly more likely to manifest a dragonmark than the other races.<br />
<br />
Here's my solution: humans get 10% bonus experience on top of bonus experience from high ability scores and an additional 10% chance to manifest a dragonmark. The XP bonus will give the humans a bit of a buff, but it won't be nearly as bad as limiting other races (like the halflings' limitation of 4th level as a fighter). It may not be perfect, but hopefully it'll be a reason to interest my players in humans.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-22927766749629887322013-11-07T21:46:00.001-08:002013-11-07T21:46:53.945-08:00Swords & Wizardry White Box - Druid<span style="font-family: inherit;">With my D&D Next Mines of Madness game and my Swords & Wizardry Nentir Vale campaign both dead on arrival (due to stuff coming up for players and scheduling problems), I've decided to go full steam ahead on an Eberron campaign using Swords & Wizardry White Box. The problem is, I need a ton of stuff converted over to White Box to run Eberron, so that's what I've been working on. I'll include a detailed list of stuff I need to convert and how far along I am on those conversions in my next post, but rest assured, it's a fairly long list.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fortunately, I've got the Druid class completely finished as of today. I may be adding in an alternate Wild Shape ability that can replace Wild Empathy, but for the moment, it's ready to playtest. I've included several new spells that seemed to fit fairly well with the Druid's primal nature, most of which I've adapted from S&W SRD spells.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcdyN1Me_AnMpUorqDO53nAkQ-WLobMEwRw55zLhxWJWtT3WQZgFhnEvTeGFLyVFpRrbnApOBd-jFcF6xAkP7lUfOZgdK4I34z0Vv2T3JUTdr52o8Pl4pGLLotgVsxVz7nkdxAF9IMZ4/s1600/PZO9011-Druid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcdyN1Me_AnMpUorqDO53nAkQ-WLobMEwRw55zLhxWJWtT3WQZgFhnEvTeGFLyVFpRrbnApOBd-jFcF6xAkP7lUfOZgdK4I34z0Vv2T3JUTdr52o8Pl4pGLLotgVsxVz7nkdxAF9IMZ4/s320/PZO9011-Druid.jpg" width="269" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Image Source: <a href="http://paizo.com/image/content/CrimsonThrone/PZO9011-Druid.jpg" target="_blank">Paizo</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I looked at the Druid in the <a href="http://www.d20swsrd.com/" target="_blank">S&W SRD</a>, but it was a little too complex for S&W White Box, and I wanted something a bit simpler. This is my first shot at it though, so if I can find a group to playtest it with, I may be changing it in the future. As I said earlier, I'll almost certainly be adding a Wild Shape ability to replace Wild Empathy, but I figured that the ability to command animals was appropriate for the Druid. I may also add an animal companion at some point, as I really like that feature of 3rd Edition Druids.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Druid</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Intimately connected with the natural
world, Druids are primal spellcasters who have taken vows to protect
and defend nature.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 405px;">
<colgroup><col width="42"></col>
<col width="88"></col>
<col width="62"></col>
<col width="41"></col>
<col width="22"></col>
<col width="19"></col>
<col width="19"></col>
<col width="19"></col>
<col width="19"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td rowspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0.04in;" width="42">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Level</span></b></div>
</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0.04in;" width="88">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Exp. Points</span></b></div>
</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0.04in;" width="62">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hit Dice</span></b></div>
</td>
<td rowspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0.04in;" width="41">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Save</span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="5" style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 0.04in;" width="130">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spells</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">5</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="42">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="88">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">0</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="62">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="41">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">15</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="42">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="88">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1,500</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="62">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="41">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">14</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="42">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="88">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3,000</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="62">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="41">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="42">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="88">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6,000</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="62">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3+1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="41">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">12</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="42">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="88">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">12,000</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="62">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="41">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">11</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="42">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="88">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">24,000</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="62">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="41">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="42">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="88">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">48,000</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="62">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="41">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="42">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="88">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">96,000</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="62">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6+1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="41">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="42">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="88">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">192,000</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="62">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="41">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="42">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="88">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">384,000</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="62">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="41">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Druid Abilities</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Spellcasting:</i> Druids cast primal spells
much like clerics do; however, they receive their spells from nature itself rather than a specific deity or deities. Each day, they spend an hour either at dawn or
dusk to prepare their spells. They do not require a spellbook as they
know their spells innately.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Weapon and Armor Restrictions:</i> Druids
may use leather armor and shields. They may use any weapon that is
not primarily composed of metal, with the exception of a sickle
(equivalent of a short sword).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Attacks:</i> Druids use the Cleric attack
chart for their attack rolls.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Animal Empathy:</i> Druids have a natural
affinity for animals, giving them the ability to attempt to influence
an animal's behavior much in the same way that Clerics turn undead.
To attempt to control an animal, roll 3d6 and consult the Animal
Empathy chart. Succeeding on the check (rolling higher than the
number given) results in the animal surrendering to the Druid; it
will not act aggressively toward the party (unless provoked), but it
will not obey commands. A result of – on the chart means that the
Druid cannot attempt Animal Empathy on an animal of that HD at that
level. A result of C on the chart means that the animal will obey
simple commands from the Druid for 10 minutes per level. A Druid may
only command a single animal in this way at any one time.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Druid may communicate with a
controlled animal (but only a controlled animal) as if under the
effects of a Speak with Animals spell.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 348px;">
<colgroup><col width="83"></col>
<col width="17"></col>
<col width="19"></col>
<col width="21"></col>
<col width="21"></col>
<col width="19"></col>
<col width="21"></col>
<col width="21"></col>
<col width="22"></col>
<col width="22"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td rowspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0.04in;" width="83">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Animal HD</span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="9" style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 0.04in;" width="247">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Druid Level</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">5</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">6</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">8</span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<div align="CENTER">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">9+</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="83">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="83">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="83">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">15</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="83">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">17</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">15</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="83">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">17</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">15</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="83">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">17</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">15</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="83">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">17</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">15</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">C</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="83">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">17</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">15</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="83">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">9-11</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">17</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">15</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">10</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="83">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">12-18</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="17">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="19">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="21">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">17</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">15</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="22">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">13</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Druidic Circle:</i> At 9<sup>th</sup>
level, a Druid who chooses establish a sacred grove or other natural
feature (cave, oasis, etc.) attracts loyal followers who swear
druidic oaths to uphold the Circle and the natural order. A typical Druidic Circle also includes some kind of stronghold, keep, or other defensible location.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Druid Spell List</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Spells marked with * are new spells
detailed below)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Level 1</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cure (Cause) Light Wounds</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Detect Chaos (Law)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Detect Magic</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Faerie Fire*</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Protection from Chaos (Law)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Purify (Putrefy) Food and Drink</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Level 2</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bless (Curse)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Find the Path</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hold Person</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Locate Plants*</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Speak with Animals</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Warp Wood*</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Level 3</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cure (Cause) Disease</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Light (Dark), Continual</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Locate Object</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Plant Growth</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Remove Curse</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Level 4</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cure (Cause) Serious Wounds</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Neutralize Poison</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Protection from Chaos (Law), 10' Radius</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Speak with Plants</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sticks to Snakes</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Level 5</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Commune with Nature*</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Control Winds*</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Create Food and Drink</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Insect Plague</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Passplant*</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wall of Fire or Ice</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">New Druid Spells</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Commune with Nature</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spell Level: D5</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Range: Caster</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Duration: Three questions</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Commune with Nature functions as the
Commune spell. However, rather than consulting a higher power, the
Druid communes directly with the spirit of nature. It is inadvisable
for Druids to cast this spell more than once per week. At the
Referee's discretion, a Druid may cast a double-strength version of
this spell allowing for six questions (with a correspondingly longer
duration) once per year. Commune with Nature may only be cast
outdoors.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Control Winds</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spell Level: D5</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Range: Centered on caster</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Duration: 5 minutes + 1 minute per
level</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The caster can control all wind within
a radius of 240 feet. The caster can make the winds tumultuous and
violent like a hurricane, or completely calm and still, or anything
in between. Exceptionally strong winds may require a saving throw to
avoid being knocked prone or blown around.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Faerie Fire</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spell Level: D1</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Range: 60 feet</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Duration: 1 hour</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Faerie Fire causes an object to glow
with an eerie fey light, roughly as bright as a torch. The area
illuminated can be up to 10 square feet plus 2 square feet per level.
The spell can be used to determine the size of a partially-hidden
object or to illuminate an enemy. In areas of darkness, illuminating
an enemy may grant a +1 bonus to attacks versus that enemy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Find the Path</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spell Level: D2</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Range: Caster</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Duration: 10 minutes</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Find the Path shows the most direct
route to a specific destination that the caster knows the location
of, or shows a specific direction. For example, a Druid may use Find
the Path to find the most direct route to Frostfang Peak (though that
route may lead through uninhabitable or inhospitable areas). Find the
Path does not necessarily show the best route, only the most direct.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Locate Plants</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spell Level: D2</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Range: 60ft. + 10ft. per level</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Duration: 1 minute per level</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Locate Plants functions as the Locate
Objects spell, but only in relation to a specific type of plant. For
example, the caster may choose to have the spell locate an oak tree.
The caster must have seen a specimen of the plant specified at some
point prior to casting the spell.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Passplant</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spell Level: D5</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Range: Touch (first plant)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Duration: One hour per level or until
exit</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Passplant allows the caster to step
into one tree or similarly-sized plant and exit from another plant of
the same kind. The plant must have a girth equal to or larger than
the caster's own. The caster may stay within the plants, but will be
ejected from whichever plant they happen to be within when the
spell's duration runs out. The type of plant determines both the
maximum distance the caster can travel with a single casting of the
spell, as noted in the table below. The caster may travel between
multiple plants, but can only travel between plants of the same kind
and only up to the maximum distance allowed for that kind of plant.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 300px;">
<colgroup><col width="108"></col>
<col width="174"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0.04in;" width="108">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Type of Plant</span></b><br />
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 0.04in;" width="174">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maximum Distance (feet)</span></b><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="108">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oak, Ash, Yew</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="174">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3,000</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="108">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Elm, Eucalyptus</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="174">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2,000</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="108">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Other deciduous</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="174">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1,500</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="108">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Any coniferous</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="174">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1,000</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="108">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Other plant</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="174">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">750</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Warp Wood</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spell Level: D2</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Range: 60 feet</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Duration: Permanent</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The spell allows the caster to warp,
bend, and twist wood as if it were clay. The spell affects a volume
of 2 inches by 4 inches by 5 feet per two levels – roughly the
volume of a quiver of arrows or a spear. However, it is important to
note that for certain tasks such as springing a leak in a boat or
springing open a wooden door may only require warping of a small
volume of wood.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-11523392942702439172013-11-02T20:12:00.000-07:002013-11-02T20:12:35.549-07:00"Tieflings, Forged, and Dragonfolk, Oh My!"<span style="font-family: inherit;">My Swords & Wizardry: Nentir Vale game fell through, so I put some time into working up preliminary versions of the Tiefling, Forged, and Dragonfolk races for Swords & Wizardry. Hopefully, I'll be running an S&W game either in meatspace or via IRC/Roll20 within the next couple of weeks, and I'm hoping to get the Shifter race, the Artificer, the Warlock, and the Paladin classes finished up before then.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These races are built for the White Box version of Swords & Wizardry, but I've included some racial ability score requirements (which I will also be hacking in for the existing non-human races). They should also work for the Core version of S&W without too much trouble. They're rough, alpha-versions and I haven't had the opportunity to playtest them yet, so I expect I'll be revising them at some point in the future.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Tiefling</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thousands of years ago, a nation of
humans made a pact with a powerful demon lord. Though the terms of
the pact are unknown, the humans were changed, transformed into the
tieflings. Tieflings have distinctly devilish features: reddish skin,
horns of varying shape, and some have a tail or hooves. They have a
natural resistance to flames and an affinity for magic. It is rumored
that the first warlocks were tieflings, in the days of the demon
pact. Charismatic and ambitious, tieflings have a reputation of dark
magic and darker deeds, though not all live up to such tavern rumors.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ability Requirements: Charisma 9+</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Character Advancement: Tieflings may
advance as Fighters, Thieves, or Warlocks.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Flame Resistant: Tieflings take
half-damage from fire.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Infernal Vengeance: Once per day, on
being hit by a melee attack, a tiefling may deal fire damage to the
enemy that hit them immediately after the attack, even if it is not
the tiefling's turn. The damage dealt is 1d6 per two levels; 1d6 at
1<sup>st</sup> level, 2d6 at 3<sup>rd</sup> level, so on and so
forth. At 4<sup>th</sup> level, a tiefling may use this twice a day,
and at 8<sup>th</sup> level they may use it three times per day.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Darkvision: Tieflings can see in the
dark as well as in normal light. However, darkvision does not allow a
tiefling to discern colors in the dark, as darkvision is
black-and-white only.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Weapon and Armor Restrictions:
Tieflings follow the weapon and armor restrictions of their class as
normal.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Forged</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Forged are sentient, magical constructs
created to act as tireless, deadly soldiers. When the wars that the
Forged are created for end, sometimes these creations of steel, wood,
and leather are left without a mission. Those Forged bereft of
conflict sometimes turn to adventuring, either to gain enough gold to
raise an army of their own or simply to stay with their organic
comrades.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ability Requirements: Constitution 9+</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Character Advancement: Forged may
advance as Fighters or Paladins.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tireless: Forged do not require sleep
and are not affected by the Sleep spell. In addition, they are immune
to poison, disease, and fatigue effects.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Living Construct: Forged only receive
half of the hit points granted by standard healing spells. They may
regain hit points from rest or through binding their wounds normally.
At zero hit points, a Forged does not die; instead, they go into a
dormant state that they can be brought out of with sufficient
healing. However, it is important to track Forged hit points below
zero, as the Forged is permanently destroyed when they reach negative
hit points of a value equal to half their normal hit point total.
Forged also do not need to breathe, eat, or drink, though they can
ingest potions normally. As Forged are constructs, they are affected
normally by the Repair/Inflict Damage spells.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Armor Plating: Forged receive -2[+2] to
their Armor Class due to the metal and wood their bodies are built
from.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Weapon and Armor Restrictions: Forged
are built for battle and have no restrictions on the weapons or armor
they can use. However, Forged cannot use regular armor because of
their bulk. Instead, they use plating specifically designed to attach
to the Forged's existing armor plating. This plating is the same cost
and weight as regular armor, but it means that Forged may not be able
to use certain armor they find on adventures.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Dragonfolk</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dragonfolk are humanoids with distinct
draconic features. Their skin is scaled, they have an affinity for
arcane magic, and they possess a powerful breath weapon like their
draconic forebears. According to their own myths, the Dragonfolk are
descendent from true dragons, and as such, many Dragonfolk seek out
true dragons in order to become their servants.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ability Requirements: Strength 9+ or
Intelligence 9+.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Character Advancement: A Dragonfolk may
advance as a Fighter, Magic-User, or Warlock.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Breath Weapon: Dragonfolk, like true
dragons, have a deadly breath weapon that can be fatal to their
enemies. Dragonfolk choose a breath weapon at character creation. The
breath weapon deals 1d6 damage every two levels, to a maximum of 5d6
damage. The Dragonfolk can use this breath weapon once per day at
first level and gains another use each odd-numbered level after to a
maximum of five uses per day at 9<sup>th</sup> level. A successful
Reflex save (Fortitude save for poison breath) halves the damage.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Breath Weapon</b></span></div>
<table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 238px;">
<colgroup><col width="67"></col>
<col width="153"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0.04in;" width="67">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fire</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 0.04in;" width="153">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">40' long, 20' wide cone</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="67">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cold</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="153">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">40' long, 20' wide cone</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="67">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lightning</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="153">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">60' long, 5' wide line</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="67">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Acid</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="153">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">60' long, 5' wide line</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" width="67">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Poison</span><br />
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: none; padding-bottom: 0.04in; padding-left: 0.04in; padding-right: 0.04in; padding-top: 0in;" width="153">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">40' long, 20' wide cone</span><br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Scales: A Dragonfolk's hard scales
provide a -2[+2] to AC.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-41909702009646271152013-10-26T21:12:00.001-07:002013-10-26T21:12:22.631-07:00What I Want Out of D&D Next<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been following the D&D Next
playtest lately, and while I've been prepping for a Play-by-post D&D
Next game, I've been thinking quite a bit on what I want out of D&D
Next.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">First off, I want a boxed set to make
it easy for new players to get started. Whenever I've introduced new
people to the game, I've always had problems explaining that, if they
wanted to be able to run the game like I did, they'd have to drop
nearly a hundred bucks on the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's
Guide, and Monster Manual. A boxed set would fix that nicely.
Essentially, I want a beginner's set that supports play from level
1-5 and includes everything needed to play. Dice, monster/player
tokens, at least one adventure included (though I'd prefer two or
three, to take players up to level 5), and DM/player guides. Ideally,
this boxed set would only cost around $30, to make it cheap enough
for new players to pick it up without worrying too much about cost.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJjOU3YfSwqZ4nnkP9axRMn7d8anh9qE7SWnIOTYy7RF7KM42_aa0ajAY83pzuBkC_YqPqWUOlKFlxmE6TrBs2rJtO8KfxoS1xm23o-JlYHPU6G7B474feoYVu2yLPHeZFxi-0qesQnk/s1600/redbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJjOU3YfSwqZ4nnkP9axRMn7d8anh9qE7SWnIOTYy7RF7KM42_aa0ajAY83pzuBkC_YqPqWUOlKFlxmE6TrBs2rJtO8KfxoS1xm23o-JlYHPU6G7B474feoYVu2yLPHeZFxi-0qesQnk/s320/redbox.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of this...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the boxed set, I also want it to be
completely compatible with the full core game. Players should be able
to build identical characters with the boxed set and full game
(though I would expect the core game to have more options). This was
my big problem with the 4<sup>th</sup> Edition Red Box: if you wanted
to go from the Red Box to full 4E, you had to rebuild the characters
from the ground up. That, to my mind, is a mistake.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the full game, I like the standard
format of the three core books. Ideally, I'd like to see some content
that was either cut from or not included in the playtest packets,
most notably the Warlock and Sorcerer classes. Given D&D Next's
promise of modularity, I'd really like to see some sidebars with
house rules or optional rules included, similar to how the playtest
packet includes point-buy for ability scores as an optional rule.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I really want to see the tier system
from 4E come back. I wouldn't mind having the core books only go to
20<sup>th</sup> level, but I really would like to see an expansion
that takes the game all the way up to 30<sup>th</sup>, with all the
epic-level adventures that 4E had.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Art-wise, I want to see a wide variety.
I love the 3.5 aesthetic, but I also like a lot of the classic art
from previous editions. Honestly, I'd like to see different art
styles for different supplements: more classic, old-school
illustrations for books that support that style of play, and more of
the modern style art from the 3.5/4E aesthetics for books like the
tactical rules expansion. Similarly, I'd like to see unique art
styles for whichever different settings Wizards ends up publishing.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That brings me to my next point. I want
to see more settings. Wizards seems to really be pushing the
Forgotten Realms as the flagship D&D setting. While I
occasionally enjoy a Forgotten Realms novel, it is far from my
favorite setting, and I've honestly never been super interested in
playing a game set there. So for D&D Next, I want official
support for a wide variety of settings: Eberron, Dark Sun, the
Realms, the Nentir Vale/Points of Light setting, Dragonlance, and
possibly a new setting or two.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTw-OHyxSBI3BZJ3VAeGdOS1uNJA0SCWMZvQRoEkqqvEez59f9jekFrRq1JaoZF5TSfY2YKtEe4xqQ9HPEmvGNxtplkYAcN6-vVaTGPwKXHGdbmTt6KpQAX9BdKXappyrlI3k3uwvB4VY/s1600/Forge+of+Fury+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTw-OHyxSBI3BZJ3VAeGdOS1uNJA0SCWMZvQRoEkqqvEez59f9jekFrRq1JaoZF5TSfY2YKtEe4xqQ9HPEmvGNxtplkYAcN6-vVaTGPwKXHGdbmTt6KpQAX9BdKXappyrlI3k3uwvB4VY/s320/Forge+of+Fury+Cover.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and some of this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Along with settings, I want
high-quality adventures for D&D Next. I want adventures that are
like The Sunless Citadel, The Forge of Fury, Keep on the Borderlands, and
The Temple of Elemental Evil. D&D Next has to compete with
Pathfinder's Adventure Paths, and those are, for the most part, very
high quality.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, here's what I want, in list form:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. A boxed set compatible with the full
game.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Core rules that go to at least level
20, with expansions going to 30.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. A lot of setting support.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Good adventures.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't think that's too much to ask,
right?</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-73449039481431540112013-10-24T15:17:00.000-07:002013-10-24T15:17:17.654-07:00All Things Arcane - Making Magic Your OwnD&D's basic descriptions of arcane magic, at least in the later editions, have all been pretty generic. Fireball creates a ball of fire, Magic Missile shoots arcane bolts, Ray of Frost shoots a beam of cold, and so on. Magic-Users all use generic spellbooks, and scrolls or wands are fairly common. So how do you distinguish one Magic-User from another, especially when they have a tendency to die horribly? Easy, you personalize their magic.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPOPT2InW9-hqPFI48GZZtVc2yBUZabQnuerpjdP0p4hy0jUFzWfag6UBRhyphenhyphenUHJ6OFGsWzY4hT4bmVkuHOmGngDmpHDJH6aR-DpFzmCbGiKtyajNfSnh4fHEfuqw6x4Qwwbq5HwzO4kY/s1600/cc_20050629_Warlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPOPT2InW9-hqPFI48GZZtVc2yBUZabQnuerpjdP0p4hy0jUFzWfag6UBRhyphenhyphenUHJ6OFGsWzY4hT4bmVkuHOmGngDmpHDJH6aR-DpFzmCbGiKtyajNfSnh4fHEfuqw6x4Qwwbq5HwzO4kY/s320/cc_20050629_Warlock.jpg" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That guy is actually casting Mage Armor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fireball, for example, doesn't have to be just a big orb of orange flame. Change up the description a bit. Maybe one Magic-User's particular Fireball just superheats the air with no real visible effects, scorching the skin and lungs of those in its area and spontaneously igniting flammable stuff. Or maybe it's a tiny green ball of fire at the center of the area that fires jets of flame unerringly at everyone in the area. If it's a Magic-User with a particular theme, go with it - how about a arachnid-themed wizard whose Fireball is a giant spider shooting flaming webs at anyone caught in the area?<br />
<br />
How about Magic Missile, you ask? Even easier. It's not just a Magic Missile, it's Falor's Magic Missile, and it fires tiny blades to slice the victim. Or it's Allara's Arcane Shot, and it's a miniature dragon that claws at its target? Same spell effect, same mechanics, but a unique look/description. This goes for other spells as well - one Magic-Users's Stoneskin spell might give the mage the appearance of a rhinoceros, while another's might cause actual slabs of stone to grow out of the mage's skin. Again, the spell effects remain the same, but the description is all unique.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdobdmLRDKILfVVwkjq38RLaYNr7xu1uGOFgUHDM47f5IWlnECSmtonFJy7UA100pOF4gllqB5TsVuZAc76_oG5sYlzSr84zpwxMbz4K9qS6h4tZevdDScyDg386jUdzOCXWuaxnmz2_A/s1600/PZO9012-Seltyiel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdobdmLRDKILfVVwkjq38RLaYNr7xu1uGOFgUHDM47f5IWlnECSmtonFJy7UA100pOF4gllqB5TsVuZAc76_oG5sYlzSr84zpwxMbz4K9qS6h4tZevdDScyDg386jUdzOCXWuaxnmz2_A/s320/PZO9012-Seltyiel.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that's a unique Fireball spell.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
Moving on, here's some ideas for alternate spellbooks. A specific sect of mages might inscribe their spells on faceted crystals instead of leather-bound tomes. Diabolic sorcerers may be known to carve their spells into their skin, ensuring that their "books" can't be easily stolen. Similarly, some wizards might use tattoos to record their spells (or even scrolls, if they so choose).<br />
<br />
Similarly, magic items should be unique and interesting. A standard wooden wand is classic, but not particularly interesting. How about a "wand" that is instead a round or faceted gem that glows more brightly the more charges it has? Or a "potion" that's actually a rope infused with magic that needs to be cut rather than drunk to release the spell?<br />
<br />
Not every mage or magic item should be outlandish and strange, however. The classics are classics for a reason, but every now and then it's good to throw in something unique, even if just to remind the players (or the DM for that matter) that magic should be magical. It's arcane, it's otherworldly power, and above all, it should be interesting.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
--<br />
<br />
Images from <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/cc_20050629_Warlock.jpg" target="_blank">Wizards</a> and <a href="http://paizo.com/image/content/CrimsonThrone/PZO9012-Seltyiel.jpg" target="_blank">Paizo</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-23759684920378468442013-10-19T15:57:00.000-07:002013-10-19T16:01:19.620-07:00Fill In This Map!I drew up a map a couple days ago for an adventure I'm working on, but I'd also like to put the blank map out there for anyone to come along and fill in a room. It doesn't have to have any particular level or game, but it should probably fit with the general theme of a low-level dungeon crawl for D&D-style games. If this goes well, I'll definitely be doing this again with caves, castles, or maybe some large hex maps.<br />
<br />
It's a hand-drawn map, but I went into Photoshop to clear it up a bit. It's a dungeon built into a hill (at least in my adventure), but aside from that, I'll leave the contents up to anyone who wants to come along and contribute. There are twenty-eight rooms (plus the outdoor area leading to the dungeon), so plenty of space for area to be filled in.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4k0p-CxOD5Ll3HyzJTh5ht0agV7VFxjm-Uh4kHe-PqLKC0fIncelxAp0pnqOo-GxOxalgfKfbHumhJCse0pO_A5ON_i6WnZQ7XY-n7ZEmx_wobyXLF06vGTWSuvokg7GV0BrtgMBi_U/s1600/Edited+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4k0p-CxOD5Ll3HyzJTh5ht0agV7VFxjm-Uh4kHe-PqLKC0fIncelxAp0pnqOo-GxOxalgfKfbHumhJCse0pO_A5ON_i6WnZQ7XY-n7ZEmx_wobyXLF06vGTWSuvokg7GV0BrtgMBi_U/s640/Edited+Map.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand-drawn on graph paper, just like I made maps back in high school.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once the whole thing (or most of it, at least) is filled in, I'll repost it here with the key and descriptions.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-570705203489270172013-10-17T16:23:00.001-07:002013-10-17T16:27:53.573-07:00D&D Next - Rolling Up a CharacterSo in addition to my Swords & Wizardry game (which, sadly, may not happen because of scheduling conflicts) and my Dark Dungeons play-by-post game, I'm also prepping to run a D&D Next play-by-post game on the <a href="http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?705743-D-amp-D-Next-Mines-of-Madness" target="_blank">RPG.net forums</a>, running the Mines of Madness adventure that's included.<br />
<br />
I'm using the last playtest (October 2013 version) packet, that you can pick up here. I've flipped through most of the files in the playtest, but I'm holding off on a full review until I can get some actual playtime in. However, I created a character so I'd know what my players were getting into and so that I'd have a better idea of what these characters can do.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bkRlv8ZqoYeaGkl48Y1Bdz62ZBJktLDa2HoGaIdEakTLv_olosmt7nog5CZZ7qRox8oQcoOq8JBnqhX5VLMLbYm_5kyLgtI6YhR-oCH8DU3DZFskuniW1MezdQM370tzoN7EFp8VTtA/s1600/podcast_mines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bkRlv8ZqoYeaGkl48Y1Bdz62ZBJktLDa2HoGaIdEakTLv_olosmt7nog5CZZ7qRox8oQcoOq8JBnqhX5VLMLbYm_5kyLgtI6YhR-oCH8DU3DZFskuniW1MezdQM370tzoN7EFp8VTtA/s1600/podcast_mines.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really hope my players end up fighting this dwarf-golem thing.<br />
Picture from the podcast page on Wizards.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
First up, here's some of what I like about character creation:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Feats are optional. I love that there's no massive feat list to comb through at first level and that it's very easy for a DM to just say "nope, no feats in this particular game."</li>
<li>Ability scores can either be rolled, bought with points, or chosen with a standard array. I like 4E's tight balance, but it required a point-buy or standard array for ability scores. The default of rolling for scores makes D&D Next feel a little more old-school (though we'll see if actual play changes that).</li>
<li>It's fast and simple. Even being mostly unfamiliar with D&D Next, I still was able to create a character in about fifteen or twenty minutes.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Now, some stuff that was not quite so good:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The more traditional races (dwarves, elves, and halflings) have more diversity than the "unusual races." Most of the unusual races (drow, half-elves, half-orcs, kender, tieflings, and warforged) don't have any subrace or similar choices. Dragonborn and gnomes have some choices (draconic ancestry and gnomish subraces), but the other races, for whatever reason, do not.</li>
<li>I couldn't find any concrete rules on tool proficiency overlaps. For example, the paladin I created got proficiency in Mounts (Land) from both his background (Soldier) and the paladin class, but I couldn't find any rules on how that would work in-game. I assume it would be similar to skill proficiencies where you can choose an extra tool to have proficiency in, but if the rules are in the playtest packet, I can't find them.</li>
</ul>
<div>
I'll have a more comprehensive post (or more probably, a series of posts) once I the game gets going for a while. It's a play-by-post game, so it won't be a particularly fast game, but once I get through a few encounters, I'll have some more information to post. Setting-wise, I'm going with the Nentir Vale for simplicity's sake (as I've already got that info for the S&W game I'm trying to get rolling), but I'm throwing the party in at the dungeon, rather than have a long, drawn-out "everyone meets up at a tavern" style scene (since that takes a long time in forum games).<br />
<br />
So, how does my experience so far with D&D Next stack up with yours?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-62440973171101300332013-10-15T15:30:00.001-07:002013-10-15T15:30:47.707-07:00S&W Nentir Vale Campaign - More Campaign Prep<span style="font-family: inherit;">In my last post, I talked about a Swords & Wizardry White Box game I've been prepping to run for some players new to D&D (and RPGs in general). Unfortunately, due to some schedule conflicts (mainly mine), I didn't get to start the game this week as I'd planned. On the upside, that gave me a little more time to prepare, which I've spent scouring Dragon articles and the Internet for more info about the Nentir Vale and Nerath as a whole. Fortunately for me, I found an <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/Nerath_Map_HighRes.jpg">awesome map</a> that Wizards of the Coast put in an <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.aspx?x=dnd/4ro3/20110801">article</a> on their website for the Conquest of Nerath boardgame.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjlQNb5g938I74okr7x92W7FX5fRlrCygaRHSsPAM72F2tjlg9D4fX4-9LQh8QKJEppasjA1e-OBgS5FsKlyqFERYCMKCnIq0_7dXmfhzxT0Fzac7TcDTWhdBisJpOBnvvVs1X04jw-Q/s1600/Nerath_Map_HighRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjlQNb5g938I74okr7x92W7FX5fRlrCygaRHSsPAM72F2tjlg9D4fX4-9LQh8QKJEppasjA1e-OBgS5FsKlyqFERYCMKCnIq0_7dXmfhzxT0Fzac7TcDTWhdBisJpOBnvvVs1X04jw-Q/s320/Nerath_Map_HighRes.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Holy shit, right? This map is bitchin'. Click for large version.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've also written up a list of rumors that will lead to some pre-made adventures (both mine and published) that I can run for low-level groups. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rumors</span></b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Townsfolk have been disappearing
from the town of Nenlast, to the northeast past Hammerfast. Gnolls
have been seen roaming in the forest near Nenlast. (Obsidian Hall –
homebrew module)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Several children from Falcon's
Hollow have gone missing. Falcon's Hollow is to the west of
Fallcrest. (Crown of the Kobold King – Pathfinder adventure)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Orcs have been raiding Fallcrest
over the last few weeks. Supposedly, the orcs have been coming from a
cave system nearby known as the Shadow Caves. (Shadow Caves –
homebrew module)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">A scholar named Parl Cranewing is
offering a sizable reward to anyone willing to investigate and map an
old ruined keep near Winterhaven. (Keep on the Shadowfell – 4E
adventure)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kobolds stole a trade cart on the
King's Road on its way to Fallcrest. Teldorthan Goldcap, an armorer
in Fallcrest, is offering a sizable reward for a cured dragon hide
that was in the stolen cart. He intends to create a suit of armor
from the dragon hide. (Kobold Hall – 4E adventure in the DMG)</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Each player is going to get a rumor,
and I'll keep one in reserve in case none of the rumors sound good to
the group. I know that Keep on the Shadowfell has a really bad
reputation; I haven't played it, but I'd really like to try and liven
it up a little. Switching it from 4E to Swords & Wizardry will
hopefully alleviate some of the “combat all the time” nature that
4E can get sometimes. All of these adventures will, of course, be converted over to S&W. I don't expect there'll be a whole lot of issue converting stuff, and if I don't get it all finished before the game, I don't foresee any problems converting on the fly if I absolutely have to.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After every adventure, I'll give the players some new rumors, and they can choose to either follow up on those or one that I've already given them. Some of the rumors won't lead anywhere though; if they don't get there in time, it's going to be assumed that someone else goes and takes care of the problem.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm also working on some pregen characters so that we can get straight to playing. I expect that, as characters die (and I'm sure they will), they'll start to roll up their own, but for the first game, I'd rather get right into gaming. In my experience, sometimes character creation puts off new players, so I rely on pregens a lot when I introduce people to gaming.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-84920136301520498552013-10-10T01:30:00.000-07:002013-10-10T01:30:16.283-07:00Swords & Wizardry With Newbs - Campaign PrepI'm starting up an online game this weekend, probably via Skype or IRC, for one semi-experienced D&D player and three complete D&D newbies. As I've mentioned before, I love introducing new people to D&D. I prefer to do it face-to-face rather than online, but at this point, I'm going with what I've got, and playing online can be a great way to game.<br />
<br />
So, here's some of the game specifics:<br />
<br />
<b>Swords & Wizardry White Box</b> - I'm using S&W White Box because it's fast, simple, and it's fairly straightforward as far as objectives go: get gold to earn XP and level up. There will be some plot stuff and interesting setting info, but above all, this is going to be a dungeon crawling game in true old-school fashion.<br />
<br />
<b>Four players</b> - One player has played D&D before (but only 3.5, I think) and the other three are completely new to the game. That's part of why I chose S&W White Box; it's very simple with plenty of room for me to add new, more complex stuff later as the game goes on and the players become more familiar with the game.<br />
<br />
<b>Setting</b> - I'm going to be using 4E's default setting, the Nentir Vale. I really like the "points of light in the darkness" theme, and the multiple fallen empires (Arkhosia, Bael Turath, and Nerath, at least) provide a ton of adventure fodder and interesting locations to explore. It also means that I can more easily add in dragonborn and tieflings later on, and they've already got a connection to the setting. I'll probably start them off in Fallcrest and eventually move on to either Hammerfast or Winterhaven.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahacDVusVOYR6ooPW1nYqQnhFwNxpvXQ4xCI-WMa1SHPfF5CN1thvMtVBhx8Awb_2T3phvlh4PNmcCSkMMlgBSg2Zev4ZE_7bpNSICLfJE80mYst20m8yOBVV-vxv-ZBbs-izOUC0i_0/s1600/NentirValePlayerMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahacDVusVOYR6ooPW1nYqQnhFwNxpvXQ4xCI-WMa1SHPfF5CN1thvMtVBhx8Awb_2T3phvlh4PNmcCSkMMlgBSg2Zev4ZE_7bpNSICLfJE80mYst20m8yOBVV-vxv-ZBbs-izOUC0i_0/s320/NentirValePlayerMap.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope to make this a proper hexmap to email to my players as they explore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Dungeon Crawls</b> - Much as I like the roleplaying aspect, lately I've just wanted to play dungeon crawls with players/characters motivated by loot. Fortunately, that's perfect for new gamers. I can point out to them that it's a game first and foremost, and ease them into the roleplaying and plot-heavier style that I typically run. To that end, I'm going to be running a lot of simple dungeons (I've got one called Obsidian Hall that I'll post as soon as I can get a decent PDF made up) and probably a few TSR modules like B2: Keep on the Borderlands.<br />
<br />
As soon as the game starts (our first session is on Sunday), I'll get up an actual play report written up. Until then, I'll be working on adapting some of 3.5's and 4E's more interesting (though not necessarily mechanically outstanding) classes to S&W, and I hope to get one of those posted here either Friday or Saturday.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2834957886069327643.post-9948450411726972852013-10-04T20:08:00.000-07:002013-10-04T20:08:04.925-07:00Module Review: The Tomb of Rakoss the Undying<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The first product from Mischief, Inc.,
The Tomb of Rakoss the Undying is an adventure for characters between
4<sup>th</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> level that is written to be
compatible with most old school systems. The text doesn't refer to
any specific system, but it does include monster stats that, while
not exact to any specific system, are written to be reasonably
compatible (though they may require some small tweaks) for most old
school games. It is a location-based, dungeon crawl-style adventure.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl0hV2Nj0-ENcUBK1dFQ6OWKJelUSQoPtajWF4taMXjpAzueWCFG1fNmS3n7ztaF7_X2-mKUoCnlzcsuwt5MikLWwNHOW2sn08VeNQgY6EWBWs9claWb9QTH9Sr6X1Bp3FUAwoT7kWDU/s1600/The+Tomb+of+Rakoss+the+Undying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl0hV2Nj0-ENcUBK1dFQ6OWKJelUSQoPtajWF4taMXjpAzueWCFG1fNmS3n7ztaF7_X2-mKUoCnlzcsuwt5MikLWwNHOW2sn08VeNQgY6EWBWs9claWb9QTH9Sr6X1Bp3FUAwoT7kWDU/s320/The+Tomb+of+Rakoss+the+Undying.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This would fit right into any old-school module collection.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The adventure is sixteen pages
(eighteen if you include the front and back covers). There is a Table
of Contents that, despite being fairly brief, is perfectly adequate.
The Tomb of Rakoss the Undying is, at the time of this writing,
listed as Pay What You Want on DriveThruRPG and RPGNow. The PDF is
bookmarked for all the relevant sections, but it is watermarked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the Table of Contents, the book
has an Introduction that includes an explanation of the monster stat
blocks, then moves into the Adventure Background, Getting the Players
Involved, Default Narrative, and Alternate Plot Hooks. The background
includes setting information, though the very next section, Getting
the Players Involved, has some advice on how to tailor the adventure
to a GM's individual campaign. The Default Narrative section is
basically a plot hook and introduction for the players that the
adventure assumes is used, though the next section, appropriately
named Alternate Plot Hooks, provides some alternate means for the GM
to get the players interested in the adventure.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>SPOILERS</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Getting into the meat of the adventure,
the next section, entitled Getting There, deals with the party moving
on from whichever city or town they start in to the actual adventure
site. There's some basic information on an attack on the party from a
roving band of ogres, but the details of the encounter (aside from
the number of ogres) are left up to the GM. After that follows all
the different rooms and encounters that the party may encounter
within.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Most of the encounters in the adventure
are fairly short, but interesting. The dungeon map is a standard
10-foot grid, and the module also includes a good hex map of the
surrounding area (if the GM chooses to use the default module
setting). The hex map features mostly terrain features, and is large
enough for a GM to add plenty of additional dungeons or other
challenges to the area.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The dungeon features multiple secret
doors, though how difficult these doors are to discover is mentioned
in vague terms like “difficult to discover” rather than explicit
numerical values. This isn't a bad thing – it allows the GM to
adjudicate for a variety of systems with multiple different methods
of finding secret doors.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The necromancer the dungeon is named
for, Rakoss, is not present in the module. Rather, the PCs have the
opportunity to find a phylactery (which may or may not be real,
according to GM preference) that could easily lead to more adventures
related to the ancient necromancer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Overall Impressions</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Looking over the entire adventure, it's
immediately clear that The Tomb of Rakoss the Undying has taken a lot
of inspiration from old TSR modules and other old school adventures.
The art is good; most of it looks like art that might have been in an
AD&D module. Similarly, the boxed text for GMs to read and the
simple page styling hearkens back to the aesthetics of classic
modules like B2: The Keep on the Borderlands.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some of the adventure's features are
left vague or left to the GM. For a module designed to be broadly
compatible with multiple game systems, this is just fine. Specifics
like environmental effects on unprotected adventurers are explicitly
mentioned to be up to the GM; rather than describing specific
effects, this allows GMs to insert weather or exposure rules from
whichever system they choose to run this module.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Overall, I would definitely recommend
this module to any fan of old-school play or dungeon crawls. The
cartography and art is solid, and the writing is clear and concise.
The setting information is basic and provides just enough information
to give context to the dungeon, while still being open enough for a
GM to use the module in just about any fantasy setting. I would give this module a solid 4 out of 5 stars, and I'll be using it in the near future for sure.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12514517000003928150noreply@blogger.com0