Blog Archive

Monday 30 November 2015

Ogre (Nyssian Racial HD Advancement)

Ogres are brutes that use their strength and toughness to force their way among allies and enemies alike as they have little else to resolve issues.  Most are evil as their hunger or other appetites lead them to commit vile actions, and once they begin to act they are committed regardless of consequences. Despite their low intelligence and charm, they are often accepted into any army as their brute strength and size offers useful skills. Magic or intimidation are the two ways ogres are usually led - they understand little else.

The very few non-evil ogres are individuals that were somehow separated, whether by choice or accident, and found allies that encouraged a non-violent expression of their hunger and other tendencies. Fey in particular will sometimes capture an ogre and charm it for several weeks trying to show it another way, before releasing it and hoping their efforts have subtlety influenced it to become a willing ally.


Ogre
NE Large humanoid (giant)
Init –1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +5

DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 8, flat-footed 17 (+4 armor, –1 Dex, +5 natural, –1 size)
hp 30 (4d8+12)
Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +3

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft. (40 ft. base)
Melee: Greatclub +7 (2d8+7)
Ranged: Javelin +1 (1d8+5)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

STATISTICS
Str 21, Dex 8, Con 15, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 7
Base Atk +3; CMB +9; CMD 18
Feats Iron Will, Toughness
Skills Climb +7, Perception +5, Knowledge (local)+2 , Profession +2, (Any One); Survival +2
Languages Giant

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate, cold hills or forests
Organization solitary, pair, gang (3–4), or family (5–16)
Treasure standard (hide armor, greatclub, 4 javelins, other treasure)

Advancement
5 HD   +2 Str or Con; +3 in skills; 1 Dmg Reduction, Lesser Feat, Rage
6  HD Increased Natural Weapon Damage (1d8 Claws); +1 in Natural AC, Lesser Feat; +3 in skills
7 HD +2 Str or Con; +3 in skills; 2 Dmg Reduction,  Lesser Feat; +1 in Natural AC
8 HD Increased Natural Weapon Damage  (1d10 Claws / 1d4 Bite); Roar, Lesser Feat, +3 in skills
9 HD +2 Str or Con; +3 in skills;  4 Dmg Reduction, Advanced Feat
10 HD +2 Str or Con; +2 in Natural AC; Leader's Fury, Advanced Feat, +3 in skills
11 HD +3 in skills; Increase Natural weapon Threat Range (18-20), 6 Dmg Reduction, Adv Feat
12 HD +4 Str & Con;Increased Natural Weapon Damage  (2d8 Claws / 1d10 Bite); +7 in skills; +3 in Natural AC, Advanced Feat

Rage - As per Barbarian's Rage ability; (1+ Constitution Bonus / day)
Roar - Instill Rage in other creatures that can hear their screams (2 / day)
Leader's Fury - Lesser allies will be influenced by the ogre's rage by being in his presence and witnessing his fury (2 + Charisma Bonus / day)

Typical Skills: Climb, Perception, Knowledge (Local, Geography, Nature, Tribal), Handle Animal, Profession, Survival

Lesser Feats: Power Attack, Power Swing, Natural Armor (+2), Improved Initiative, Frenzy Rage, Rage

Advanced Feats (Higher than 8 HD) Imp Natural armor (+4), Improve: Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma by +2, Speak other Language (local), Increase Critical, Stunning Head-Butt,

Few Ogres advance in HD or levels above 12 HD.  Those that do typically advance as barbarian or fighter class. Ogres cannot take non-racial levels until they complete the listed HD.

Sunday 1 November 2015

Heeler (Healing Snake)

In my desert locale, there are many more warrior and rogue types in comparison to spell casters due to the many mystical locations that do wonky things with magic. One way to compensate for lack of clerics is through the raising of magical creatures Heelers, that are used as communal healing animals.

Heeler (Healing Snake)

Init +7 Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +7
AC 16 touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 84 hp (8d10+40 con)
Fort +11, Ref +9, Will +5
Special Elemental resistance 10, SR 17, PR 17

Speed 30 ft' Swim 40 ft
Melee Bite +9 (1d4+1)
Special Attacks Poison DC 17, 1d4 dexterity/Paralyze for 1d4 minutes

Str 13, Dex 17, Con 21, Int 6, Wis 17, Cha 13
Base Atk +8 CMB +9 CMD 22
Feats 4 total feats from HD, Improved Initiative
Skills +7 Perception , +7 Stealth , +12 Swim; Bonus of +10 to stealth checks if submerged in five or more feet of water.

Environment: Phastia or Sea of Stones
Organization: Solitary or Mated Pair
Challenge Rating: 6
Treasure: None or Incidental
Alignment: Usually Neutral (tends toward Neutral Good)
Advancement: 7-12 Large

These magical creatures appear to be slender, eight foot long snakes with bright blue scales. Their embrace heals most non-fatal wounds.

A snake native to the Phastian desert, long been used by the Azzana tribes for their healing properties. Bright blue scales outside of the water; they are virtually invisible when in five or more feet of water (+10 to stealth check). Most are kept as pets within Zalian fountains - some are in remote locations others within highly populated cities. Those who require healing drop an appendage into the water, as the snakes gently coil around them. For other tasks, the guardians indicate to the Heeling Snake that something besides a basic heal is required.

Many towns or tribes will charge fees to use the town, usually in the range of 10 to 200 gold pieces per heal. While unusual, sometimes the heeler refuses to heal individuals if they do not trust a person. In rare cases, they may also heal some individuals more than once, sacrificing their abilities for the rest of the day. Those who harm a heeler are marked for a slow and painful death as many communities depend on the snake's healing talents.

A heeler does not have to fight to protect itself. Most are pampered pets, adored for their unique healing talents. They are valued at more than 5,000 gold pieces per adult specimen. There are legends that larger and more powerful heelers exist, some able to raise the dead - the value of a creature would be astronomical. While mated pairs will lay a clutch of eggs twice a year, the offspring are rarely if ever seen - some of their handlers believe the heelers will open a portal or gate to remove their kin when the children are old enough to survive on their own.


Abilities:
2d8 healing if touched; If patient is submerged in water, subject heals 3d8 dmg
Can heal any subject once per day as long as they can be physically touched
+10 on a poison save, if they are not healed damage.
Gives subject water breathing ability for one hour if they are submerged
Restoration (3 ability points or 1 experience level). However, the heeler loses the capacity to heal for the rest of the day.