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Showing posts with label D&D. Show all posts
Showing posts with label D&D. Show all posts

Monday 25 March 2019

Korleth - Underground ice predator

Korleth

N(E) Medium Aberration
Init +0 Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +8,
 DEFENSE
AC 23 touch 10, flat-footed 23 (+13 natural)
hp 45hp (7d8+14 con)
Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +4
Immune Cold; DR 10 / missile
 OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., Swim 40 ft.
Melee Claw +12 (1d8+7) or 2 claws +9 (1d6+5)
Ranged Club +5 (1d8+7 )
Special Attacks Surprise, Rend
 STATISTICS
Str 24, Dex 10, Con 15, Int4 , Wis 8, Cha 8
Base Atk +5 CMB +12 CMD 22
Feats Power Attack, Imp Bull Rush,
Skills +7 Perception, +10 Climb, +20 Swim, +15 Stealth, +4 Survival

Languages  Korleth 
Environment Icy Terrain
Organization  Gang (2-8), Tribe 21-40
Advancement 8-12 HD (Large Size); 12-17 HD (Large Size)
Treasure Value  None
 SPECIAL ABILITIES

Surprise: Korleth gain a +10 hide bonus when hiding in icy terrain. Korleth are considered scentless, so creatures cannot track them using their scent.

Rend: If a Korleth hits on both attacks on the same target, they inflict an additional 2d8 damage.

Fearsome icy predator. Nine foot tall, four feet wide humanoid turtle shape, short fat legs, with a incredibly tough white chitinous shell. They have huge sharp claws which they use to rip apart other creatures in combat. Have a five foot or longer tail.

They will usually wait just below the surface of the snow, then reach out to grab victims and pummel them, or will jump out to overwhelm their foes with their brute strength.

When they are well fed, they can be docile and playful. Liking to lie on their backs watch the moons and sing long melodious, sweetly voices songs. Due to their hunger, few creatures ever get a chance to see this side of the Korleth.

Combat: Korleth attack creatures weaker themselves whenever they outnumber their opponents or see weakness in other creatures. Their primary attack is using surprise tactics, often bull rushing opponents into icy waters.

Psionic Ferret (Sniffers)

These small sized mammals are the preferred way for many non-psionics groups to hunt for Thellans or psionic using humans. Technically they are Arrantics, or non-super intelligent animals gifted with psionic abilities. An important aspect is that they do not train to utilize psionics, but learn them as natural skills.

Psionic Ferret       (Sniffers)
Tiny Size Magical Beast
Hit Dice:                                  3d8 (13 hp)
Initiative:                                +3 (dexterity)
Speed:                                      30 ft
AC:                                           18 (+2 size, +3 Natural, +3 Dexterity)

Base Attack / Grapple:         +3 / +7
Attacks:                                   +4 Bite (1d3+1)
Full Attack:                             +4 Bite (1d3+1)
Special Attacks:                      Attach
Special Qualities:                   Immune to spell detection, Scent

Saves:                                       Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +3
Abilities:                                  Str 4, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 14
Skills:                                       Acrobatics +10, Hide +13, Move Silently +9, Perception +9, Empathy +4

Feats:                                      Mental Leap (40 ft), Track Psionic, (Free) Prionic Charge
Climate/Terrain:                  Any wilderness or Urban
Organization:                        Solitary or Pod (3-6)

Challenge Rating:                 1
Treasure:                                None
Alignment:                             Usually Neutral 
Advancement Range:           4-8 HD (Small)

A grey skinned weasel on a leash smelling the pub’s patrons, looking for something

Appear the same as a normal ferret except for its purple eyes and a look of intelligence.  Few still live wild as they have long been captured and trained for their unique ability to detect psionics by their smell.  It was the Elves who first noticed their unique sensory abilities but it was the dwarves who breed and domesticated the ferrets. It is unknown if the ferrets were always heralded for their ability to detect psionics or simply their observation powers in general.  Sniffers are easy to both breed and train but their playfulness lead them to become favorite pets of dwarven nobility. While often used by those who hate or fear psionics, the animals don't have this trait - psionicists often keep them as pets, the same as others.

Combat: In the wild, psionic ferrets survive mostly by hunting small rodents, insects and shrubbery.  They do this in small packs, while carefully observing the creatures around them for subtle signs of danger.  Whenever a threat appears they hide, and do their best to simply avoid any trouble and when they cannot hide, they flee by any means possible. As pets, they survive by pleasing their masters in the duties they perform. For those who fear psionics they couldn't do better by having one of these beasts near them. Once trained (DC 20), they can detect psionics and inform their trainer by a prearranged sign. Most sniffers can learn up to 6 tricks, but some leaarn many more.

Psionics:  PSP Points: 25; Manifest as 3rd level; Power DC 12+(Charge) 1d4 

Powers Known: Detect Psionics (No PSP cost, Always active), heighten senses, body equilibrium, wall walker, touch sight. 

Detect Psionics: Has a 250 foot range as a psionic power. Their natural smelling capacity has a 100 foot range, so even if a creature can hide their psionic powers using psionics or magic, the ferret can still smell it naturally, just in a slightly lessened range


Tigore or Psionic Tiger

My default rule in games is anything that has "magical" powers but are either not attached to a divine power or "smart" enough for sorcerer powers are psions. The rules I use are close enough in flavour to 3rd edition psionics.

Most creatures manifest agaisnt their opponents, who must roll their DC. In this case, DC 13 is their base.

Tigore

N Large Size Magical Creature (Psionic)
Init +3 Senses Low light vision, Scent, Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +5

 DEFENSE

AC 18 touch 12, flat-footed 15 (+3 Dex, +6 natural, -1 size)
hp 51hp (6d10+18 con)
Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +2

 OFFENSE
Speed 50 ft.
Melee Bite +10 (1d6+5); 2 claws +7 (1d8+6)
Special Attacks Imp Grab, Pounce, Rake, Psionics

 STATISTICS
Str 21, Dex 17, Con 17, Int 5, Wis 10, Cha 13
Base Atk +6 CMB +12 CMD 25
Feats Imp Natural Attack, Psionic Grapple, Multiattack
Skills +8 Acrobatics, +8 Climb, +13 Stealth, +8 Swim, Bonus Stealth + 12
Languages None

 ECOLOGY
Environment  Any Non-Urban
Organization   Hunting Pack (2-6)
Treasure Value  None

Psionic tigers or Tigores appear the same as a standard tigers except their skin is green with black stripes, which helps them hide in the forest domain. They have the ability to quite literally change their stripes to camouflage themselves. These large aggressive creatures while not motivated by malice are quick and deadly hunters. They stalk weaker creatures in the forest, using their natural and psionic strengths to take down their foes.

Due to their beautiful thick fur coats, these creature’s hides are desired status symbols by many nobles, and some are willing to pay up to 2,000 crowns (gold pieces) for an unspoiled coat. Large females are often hunted down in hopes of capturing baby cubs - only those raised from birth by a trainer can potentially be loyal to the trainer.

Combat: Tigores attack using stealth, speed and power. They have all of the standard abilities of a tiger along with some lethal psionic abilities. They have incredible patience, willing to wait dozens of hours for the perfect pounce.

Rake: If both front claws hit on a jump attack, they get an additional rake attack

Rake Attack: +6, Damage:1d6+6

Psionics: Manifester Level=6th, PSP 35, DC 13+

Powers: Energy Adaption, Body Equilibrium, Chameleon, Create Sound, Jump (+50 ft)

Sunday 24 March 2019

Centourax - twenty-foot long centipede

Cities are by far the safest place in my world, thousands of people come together in areas protected from the cold, undead and other threats. One of the side benefits is that there are lots of places where beasts can thrive - underneath the city is a very common one, and that's where the Centipede Maurax, or Centourax reside.

These are very long centipedes, (though classified as medium sized creatures) they usually find a place with water and start building tunnel complexes. If they grow large enough, the tunnels can be large enough for small, medium or sometimes even large creatures to walk thru them.

Centourax
Medium Abberation
AC 15 .(+5 natural)
Hit Points 2 HD (7 hp)
INIT -1
SPEED 30 ft, Run 50 ft, Tunnel 5 ft
Attack tentacle  +4 1d6 dmg
Fort +4 / Reflex +0 / Will +1
Dmg Reduction 1/2*
Skills: Perception +5, Stealth +8, Climb +16, Craft +2
Feat: Co-Ordinate, Fast Retreat
CMB +7, CMD +16 (fast centipede, foot long)
Environment: Underground
Alignment: - Neutral
Advancement HD 3-8 (Medium); 9-16 HD (Large)
Increase HD Dmg for every Advancement (1d8 @ 3-8; 1d10 @ 9-16)

Special Defenses: Centipede Maurax can be affected by mental, mind or control matter but the effect lasts no more than one minute.

Feat: Co-Ordinate: Gain +1 in craft skills for every 5 workers that work together on the same project.
Feat: Fast Retreat: Once a day a Centourax can do a straight run for three rounds to avoid potential danger

Twenty-foot long centipede, 50 plus small legs, around one foot tall and wide with eight inch maxilla (mouth tentacles), small but very sharp mandibles with black outer shell with yellow squares throughout it's skin.

They work in groups towards a common goal, most times they have no obvious leader just a shared consciousness that co-ordinates activity. They prefer eating meat as it helps them grow, but they can survive on grubs and mushrooms if it's easier to obtain.

Damage Reduction: 1 point,

Thursday 21 March 2019

Psionic Otyugh

A psionic version of the terrible trash monster found in many dungeons. They still hunt the same places but they clean themselves off. Like many of my beasts, it is psionically enhanced.

V'Otyugh

CR 3
N Medium Aberration
Init +0 Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +8

 DEFENSE
AC 17 touch 10, flat-footed 17 (+7 natural)
hp 26 hp (4d8+8 con)
Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +5
Immune disease

 OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft.
Melee 2 Tentacles +4 (1d6+3)
Special Attacks  Psionics, Constrict (1d6+3), Imp Grab
Special Qualities: All Around sight

 STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 7, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +3 CMB +6 CMD 16
Feats Mindlink plus one other
Skills +8 Perception , +3 Survival
Languages Understand basic lizard or common

 ECOLOGY
Environment  City Tunnels, Sewers or Swamps
Organization  Solitary
Treasure Value Half
Advancement By HD 5 - 8 (Medium), 9-12 (Large)
Alignment: Neutral (30% can range from NG to NE)

A descendant of the vile creature found in many cesspools, it somehow became affected by the psionic energies of the Boreth region becoming self-aware and psionicly empowered. It grew in intelligence, enough to realize that the filth that it was living in was bad for it, developing a sense of cleanliness. It appears as a heap of mottled flesh, with multiple tentacles and bulging eyes all around it. While it can only attach with two tentacles at a time, it usually has 5-8 tentacles all around it's body.

It continues to hunt in filthy places, but uses its abilities to care for itself and defeat its foes. It prefers access to fresh sources of water and attacks creatures that invade its area. It will try to grab foes, choking them or drowning them in water, waiting for them to suffocate. Many psionic versions don't hurt perceived allies, such as fey who inhabit a region without inflicting harm. They are notorious for attacking strangers, perceived threats or anything new in the swamp or sewers

They are usually solitary creatures, but they can make allies that reside in the same territory.

Because of their size, they are more easily captured and contained. They are in many dungeons and large cities prefer them to clean their dungeons. They are trained to destroy vermin and act as the primary eye below ground. They are taught to Mind-Link with Sentries at the first signs of trouble.

Psionics: PSP: 15; DC 12+(1d6); Manifests as a 5th level Psionic
Powers: Biocurrent, Create Sound, Hammer, Control Air, Sustenance
Enhanced: Cleanse

Mind-Link is my basic psionic telepathic ability. Any creature with this psionic feat and a current reserve of 1 PSP, can contact an Open Mind, free of PSP costs and send or receive a short message or image within a 100 ft radius.

New Psionic Power

Cleanse
Level: 1
Display: Mental
Manifesting Time: 1 Standard Action
Range: Touch
Target: One Living Creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Nil
Power Resistance: Yes
Base Point Cost: 1

This power purifies an organism of any non-magical toxicants as long as they were introduced into the organism less than twenty-four hours previously.

Enhanced Power: By utilizing an enhanced power, their cleanse can also clear their bodies of stronger level poisons or diseases.Cost +3 PSPs.



Psider - Devious Psionic Spider Carnivores

Always loved using my psionic creatures. The general rule is for creatures that couldn't get into a class, if they have magic type abilities it's better fit them into the psion role as opposed to a cleric or wizard.

Psider

Large Size Beast (Psionic)

Hit Dice: 8d10+24 (60 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft, Climb 30
AC: 18 (+7 natural, -1 size, +2 Dex), 11 touch, 15 flat-footed
BAB ase Attack/Grapple: +8 / +18
Attack: +14 (Bite, 2d8+7)
Full Attack: +14 (Bite, 2d8+7) or 2 legs +10 (Smash 1d8+6)
Reach: 10 ft / 10 ft
Special Attacks: Poison, Webs, Psionics
Special Qualities: Dark Vision, Tremorsense 60 ft, Vermin Traits, PR 21
Saves: Fort: +6, Ref: +8, Wis: +5
Abilities: Str 23, Dex: 14, Con: 16, Int: 15, Wis: 10, Cha: 10
Skills: Craft (Webbing)+8, Climb +16, Stealth +7, Jump +20, Move Silently +7, Perception +11
Feats: Mental Leap (+10), Psionic Bite, Psionic Focus (Auto)
Environment: Caverns, Dungeons, Dark Icky Places
Organization: Solitary, Pair, Bridge
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually Neutral Evil
Advancement: By character class

Psiders are devious psionic carnivores that hunt the lower recesses of many dungeons. They seek prey to devour as well as for psionic enlightenment, seemingly going out of their way to trap psionicists or spellcasters alive in their web prisons. They appear as standard large sized spiders, with light grey, green or purple fur on their backs and lower sides. Many colour their legs red or yellow depending upon their rank within the web. These psionic spiders are intricate planners, carefully planning both their beautiful webs and their deadly tactics to inflict maximum devastation.

Until they activate a psionic power, few can tell the danger they truly face.

Combat
Psiders begin combat by controlling the environment around them, often using control light to minimize their prey’s chance at detecting them. Next they may use their webs to capture foes, or their psionic energy push to inflict as most damage as possible from a distance. When possible they drop from high distances, inflict their poisonous bite then jump away before others can counter-attack. If there is more than one psider, one will always attack first as the others watch their foes, if someone heals the poison damage, they strive to eliminate the healer.

Poison: DC 16, 1d8 Str/1d8 Str

Web: Entangle: DC 16 Escape Check, Strength Check DC 20; HP 16.

Web Coccoon: If they grapple a large or smaller victim for ten consecutive rounds, or if they hold an unconscious person, they can wrap thousands of silky strands around a victim. Those entrapped must make a DC 50 to escape the cocoon via either a strength check or escape artist check. No spells or powers can be used while entombed (no somatic, verbal or material manipulation is possible.)

Psionics: Powers of an 8th level Psion; PSP: 50; DC 10+(1d10)
Detect Psionics, Catfall (100 ft), Grease (Psionic), Wall-walk, Control Light, Charm (Psionic), Brain Lock, Energy Push (2d6), Escape Detection

Skills: Psiders gain a +8 bonus to climb and jump skills. These creatures are fantastic natural jumpers, always able to take ‘10’ on any jump check; assume they roll a 40 on jump checks. (+10 for Mental Leap)

Psionic Bite: Any time a psider is able to gain their focus, they inflict +2d6 additional dmg with their bite.



Dramillios or Dram - the wizard's nation

While not a heavily utilized region in my games, this is a defining part of my game world. It is a central nation of humans where refugees can always be welcomed or tolerated. Magic can be purchased, both clerical and wizard items and spells. When Wizards speak of Towers that teach their followers, this is one of the few places in the mortal realms that follow ancient traditions. Huge churches, with enormous congregations reside, but many of them are pagan, worshiping dual or more gods, many times with competing purposes. Wizards may hold official status, but bards, rogues and the warriors hold much more unofficial wealth and influence. 

Dramillios

Known throughout as the wizardly nation. Spellcasters live here for many reasons, primarily due to the Academies; which openly teach magical skills for anyone with the crown or coin to pay for it. Another is the acceptability of the magical arts. Perhaps most importantly, is that Wizard’s have helped shape this nation and consider it above all others their home.

This was the second oldest lake nation - founded by humans returning home after fleeing to Lyrria for immediate protection from the great freeze. With the knowledge of Sollus and help from the elves in creating a magical barrier to ward off the undead, the Lyrrian humans wanted to rebuild their former nation. To do this they needed help, and they knew they could no longer depend on their Elven allies who faced their own battles to keep the faerie realm free from the ice tyrants. Thus they turned to the outcast wizards, in their own midst to help them. The magical arts have often flourished in human communities, but it was done so in secret, for if it was not an outright crime it was socially unacceptable. Even the ancient Hembrian nation, wizards were a lower class, bound by many constraints over what they could or could not do.

The original Dramillian counsel knew that to survive they must overcome the oldest of superstitions; they must not only tolerate the wizard’s presence but also help them prosper. They asked Barath, the most infamous wizard of his day for assistance in defending their lands. Barath, an elderly mage even at this point, took a long time before answering their request. His request of the counsel was not funding or even power, but for autonomy. Wizards would be left alone in their magical study in return ALL WIZARDS stayed out of internal affairs. This open acceptance would later be codified as the Wizard's Oath and this more than anything else has intertwined wizards with the fate of Dram.

Yet this oath has not always been kept. On at least three occasions wizards have led coups to depose or control the Grand Counsel. Each time the traitors have been defeated by their own kind: wizards who hold onto the creed of the oath as their strongest belief. Most wizards deeply admire the nation and its principals and ensure the Grand Counsel is free from all subversion. To ensure the adherence to the Wizard's Oath, since the death of Barath, wizards have elected a Solomo or judge among their own. They have the power to bind or exile any wizard who breaks the oath if not the spirit of the oath. Also, since the Wizard's have no political power it is also the Solomo's duty to either sit in or choose a wizard to act as advisor to the Grand Counsel. It is important for the Solomo not to show favoritism or get involved with political affairs, as they are bound to the counsel itself. Solomo's who interfere with the counsel are asked to leave counsel chambers leaving wizards without a voice or ear to the workings of the counsel. With all of this said, Wizards still comprise less than 2% of the adventurer population. They are heard and seen and involved in all aspects, but many more facets must be understood to comprehend Dram.

Jammer crews often say, "no need to visit all the spires - just go to Dram." As the central nation, this has always been a home to any refugee that needs one. It is seen as the safest haven from the cold and the tyrants - and as such everything can be found within these metropolises

One might think that due to the influx of so many beings conflicts between these peoples might be rampant, it isn't due to the GENTLEMAN'S CODE. At its heart it states that all beings are equal under the law. Prejudice isn't outlawed; merely racial conflicts are confined to non-violent means. Those who break this edict face exile, not just from the city but the confines of the sollus. But even more than this, the code is virtue and etiquette, those who are so close-minded can be shunned, risk losing business or jobs or even friends.

Competition is core to the Dram mind-set. Whether it be in the arts, business or the military arts - one must be better than your neighbors. Those who are rich flaunt "it"; those who are not so rich try even harder to flaunt "it" just to show that they have "it". Image is everything, and the nobles and businessmen pay a small fortune to wear what is fashionable or hot. Minx collared furs, high black riding boots, Anthril Lances, Verchine earrings, or a purple feathered flying griffon...if the IN CROWD has it, and then anyone who is anyone must acquire it.

Gambling is a beloved Drammish pastime; rolling bones, cards, knives, especially on the sports competitions that are held once a Ten-Day. These warriors’ competitions were once important military spectacles to keep the public in military form, now they are a time for circumstance, pomp, politicking and favoritism. Thousands crowd inside arena to bet on their favored wrestling and dueling gladiators or the sports: mace throwing, running, jumping, riding, and spear throwing.

Faith, like race, is both open and tolerated. Open because people can choose any deity, even those who are shunned elsewhere for dark, vile or even evil practices. What you believe means less than what laws you choose to break. Shion, the god of thieves has temples in Dram, where hooded followers sneak in to make their sacrificies and learn their lessons, yet thievery is still illegal, and punishments are harsh. Soo too with every other chaotic or evil gods are tolerated, the lessons are tolerated, but action to break the laws will mean getting punished. Lawful and bulging obelisks exist beside empty chaotic ones.

For those from the outside, this luxurious life is quite different to the bleak isolated living of the spires or the burden of constantly finding sollus to keep the cold away. They have accomplished their wondrous society by the Great Sollus Towers, three gigantic towers that soar more than a mile high each, and have a hundred pound of sollus in each. They provide the warmth for the entire region; enough so that there is no need for the Green Towers, shul and shum can be grown from the earth. One might wonder if the nation has such a supply that they need to worry about having such a huge supply needlessly to warm hundreds of miles unnecessarily; of course for the common person they let the Grand Counsel worry about such trivial matters.

Laws
Taxes: Paid once a ten-day, reasonable rates; though most pay with service not coin (5%, 10%, 20%)
Towers: Prevalent in nearly every faction of society, hold great influence and wealth
Prostitution: Officially sanctioned; more expensive, but extremely discrete
Weapons: Soldiers, knights & Sell-swords but only in cities with a bond.
Jube: officially banned, but tolerated in seedy areas for consumption, the law still convicts for trafficking
Magic Items: Open, as long as it doesn't do mind control, summoning outer planar or undead
Necromancy: banned, ruthlessly enforced by Jackalla who also hunt undead
Slavery: Technically banned, cannot purchase, but owners still have limited rights
Thievery: Imprisonment or loss of rights.
Psionics: Banned but ignored under similar magical tolerance
Wizard Spells: Rigidly controlled but most are open. Nobles are given more freedom.
Clerical Spells: Taxed 50% at any obelisk or 75% at Temples
Sorcerer Spells: Treated the same as clerical spells
Gambling: Open; with many competiing guilds
Duels: Any free-man (or woman) can duel on Sword Day, otherwise soldiers, knights, men of standing and nobles. Note it is illegal for a non-noble to duel a noble unless it is sanctioned during Sword Day. This is the only way to legally kill a noble.

Thursday 14 March 2019

The Beast without Beauty


Have been doing fey write-ups for a while. This isn't one I've used, but will slip into one of my games as a cursed Lord. In my game world, he has met a "Beauty" many times, but one hasn't fallen for him yet, so he is cursed to continue doing his duty - protecting the nearby villages.


The Beast CR 10
XP 9,600
LE (LG) Medium outsider (native, shapechanger)
Init +9; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +14

DEFENSE
AC 25, touch 16, flat-footed 19 (+5 Dex, +1 dodge, +9 natural)
hp 115 (10d10+60)
Fort +9, Ref +12, Will +8
DR 10/Blessed Silver; SR 25

OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., Running on all fours - 50 ft
Melee Two Claws +16/+11 (1d10+4/ X3, 15–20)
Special Attacks Detect thoughts, Cursed Charm

Spells Known (CL 7th, Sorcerer)
3rd (5/day)—lightning bolt (DC 16), suggestion (DC 16)
2nd (7/day)—web, invisibility, minor image
1st (7/day)—charm person (DC 14), mage armor, magic missile, shield, silent image
0—dancing lights, detect magic, ghost sound (DC 13), mage hand, mending, message, prestidigitation

STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 20, Con 22, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 17  /  5 (see below)
Base Atk +10; CMB +13; CMD 29
Feats Combat Expertise, Dodge, Improved Critical (Claws), Improved Initiative, Power Attack

Skills Bluff +20, Diplomacy +16, Knowledge (Local) +24, Perception +14, Perform +16, Sense Motive +14, Stealth +18;  Racial Modifiers +4 Bluff, +8 Knowledge
Languages Common, Infernal, Undercommon, Angelus
SQ change shape (true self, animal form)

ECOLOGY

Environment Property
Organization solitary
Treasure Triple (art, gems, other treasure)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Detect Thoughts (Su) The Beast can detect thoughts as per the spell of the same name (CL 18th). He can suppress or resume this ability as a free action. When he uses this ability, on his property, it always functions as if it had spent three rounds concentrating and thus gains the maximum amount of information possible. A creature can resist this effect with a DC 18 Will save. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Cursed Charm (Su) When near either females or anyone he has an attraction towards, the beast loses all charm and civility, as he can do little but roar out words and commands. If forced into a conversation treat the Beast as having a 5 in charisma. Attraction is used not just sexually, but those he either wants something from or is obligated to.

Change shape: The Beast has three forms, human, as a humanoid beast similar to a werewolf and a wolfhound. He has no control of what he changes into. Normally he will patrol as a wolf for speed, but if he needs to confront foes, he will change to the werewolf form. Only alone, does he change back into human.

*    *    *    *    *    *     
The Beast is a cursed liege who is doomed to protect his crumbling castle and lands from invaders. Once thought that the kiss of a beautiful woman could cure the curse, but this has failed many times. He has lived at least three lifetimes, and none remember his true name, most just call him The Beast or Lord. He appears as a hairy beastly monstrosity, with horns, long ears, sharpened claws and fur.

He still feels the call of his homeland, and every night he patrols the small villages around his keep. Outsiders he believes is a threat he will tear apart. In these nights, away from his keep he radiates a Lawful Evil alignment. Yet, when inside his keep and is peaceful, he has a good alignment. Those who know his tale believe this was his original alignment, as he doesn't hurt anyone unless they try to steal or hurt those under his protection.

What few realize is that inside his castle, he transforms back into his human self until he is called back into action. He does not communicate with anyone, and if he is seen or spoken to, he will change back into his Beast form in a mere moment. On occasion he will use his magic to animate dishes or other household items so that he can amuse himself or guests. While he does not engage visitors, he will sometimes allow visitors to stay a night or two in the castle, as long as they don't steal or break the many artefacts inside. If ever asked why he was turned into the Beast, he simply says that he failed, with no further details.

Even if the Beast is killed in battle, he re-appears back at his castle within two weeks. There is something keeping his spirit bound to the land. He is given respect by fey and outsiders that go through his property. He has access to a teleportation circle, magical labs and prison.


Wednesday 13 March 2019

Rokan - evil, bat-winged, serpent spell-caster (Anti-Coatl)

My inspiration for the Rokan is to be an evil Coatl - a direct threat, not one hiding in the corners inspiring or teaching, but one that is very active in completing its goals. This is a winged serpent creature that uses magic in devious ways, but it has two aspects, as they can switch to a larger, spell-less figure in physical combat. They join evil groups to learn forbidden magic and gain access to magical nexus sites but will not hesitate to flee if a battle turns against them or the organization.

Rokan

Small Size Magical Beast
Hit Dice: 82 hp (11d8 + 33 con)
Initiative: +9 (small), +2 (Large)

Speed: (when small) 20 ft, Fly 60 (Good); 40 ft (Cannot fly when large sized)
AC: 24 (+8 natural, +1 size, +5 Dex), touch 17, flat-footed 18
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+10 (Large form only)
Attack: Bite+11 (2d6+5) (Large Size only)
Special Attack: Grapple +15 (3d6) (Large Size only)
2nd Special Attack: Back Slap +10 (2d8+5)
Base Atk +12 CMB +10 CMD 25 (Small)

Special Attacks: Spells as 12th level Sorcerer (Small Size Only), Turn Undead as 8th level evil Cleric
Special Qualities: Change to Large Size; +15 Constrict 2d8 (Grapple)
Saves: Fort +10 Ref +12 (+8 when large) Will +3

Abilities: Str 11, Con 16, Dex 21, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 20 *Switch Str and Dex scores when they change to large size

Skills: Diplomacy, +12, Knowledge (Arcana) +9, Knowledge (Planes) +9, Perception +12, Move Silently +9, Sense Motive +9, Spellcraft +12, (Escape Artist +20 in small size)
Feats: Eschew Spell Component, Hover, Improved Initiative, Imp Evasion

Environment: Magical Nexi or Evil Temples
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 12

Treasure: Double Standard
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Advancement: by character class (always Sorcerer)

Radiate protection from Good 20 ft radius: Good-aligned characters will suffer a –2 to all of their attacks and saving throws when facing a Rokan.

Aura of Fear: Creatures within 20 ft of a Rokan are affected by a powerful fear effect. Those who fail a will saving throw (DC 18) will suffer the effects of a fear spell. Those who save are not affected. Creatures who pass their saving throw are unaffected by the same Rokan's fear effect for 24 hours.

Large Size: AC 21, Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft;

The Rokan is a dual sized creature, it`s primary form is a small bat-winged, serpent with small spike horns that wields spells. It's larger body is between 15 to 20 feet long and three feet wide - it is very good in combat, especially at constricting victims. They have a rough black skin with small barely noticeable yellow triangles. When they expand to their large size, their wings are absorbed into their body and these yellow scales dominate most of its scales. They will not hesitate to take down foes using either strategy.

They often work for evil organizations for high payments, either as a protector or a spell-casting ally. While not cowards, they have a habit of retreating when combat is going against them or their allies. This gives them a horrible reputation. When the going is smooth, there are few mortal spell-casters as beneficial as a Rokan to have on your side.

Combat: Rokan are superb natural sorcerers with a wide variety of spells and other abilities. They have no pre-set plan, as they try to gauge any situation and react quickly to almost any situation. They switch to their large form to inflict heavy damage or to constrict foes. All spells they cast upon themselves in their small form are retained if they switch size. They radiate a protection from good and fear aura within a 20 ft radius in both forms.

They can control undead as an 8th level evil priest in their small size only. Undead still listen to Rokan who have switched size - but they cannot attempt to turn more undead in their large format. One of their primary motivators is magical treasure, so they are always keen not to destroy magical items, especially those they can actually use.

Typical Spells as 12th level Sorcerer; Spells per Day: 6/6/6/6/6/5/3; Spells Known: 9/5/5/4/3/2/1*
1st level: Shield, Obscuring Mist, Ray of Enfeeblement, Colour Spray, Magic Missile
2nd level: Protection from Arrows, Glitterdust, Mirror Image, Blindness, Levitate
3rd level: Dispel Magic, Lightning Bolt, Gaseous Form, Vampiric Touch
4th level: Shout, Bestow Curse, Stoneskin
5th level: Dismissal, Feeblemind
6th level: Disintegrate (item only)

Set Form: Rokan never use magic that manipulates their fform, they take a -8 on skill or spell checks if forced into an alternate form.

Tuesday 12 March 2019

Plague Rats – Prestige class of the city of Shenth

I have wanted to have a prestige class like this one for awhile. It's specifically only for one area of my game world, the city that once contained a plague that can never be fully eradicated. It exists just beneath the surface, with these rats doing what they can to treat the victims and ensure fewer people are infected.

Plague Rats – Prestige class of the city of Shenth. Named for the rats that carry the deadly plague that once nearly destroyed the city, but have been a constant threat for more than three hundred years. More than half of the members are dwarfs, as they were the ones who originally contracted the disease. They are honoured, despised and pitied by the other citizenry at the same time; these exterminators are needed, but due to the ever-present rotting smell emanating from them, they are more like a secret cabal of the near damned, tolerated as long as they are far away.

Unlike other prestige classes there is only way to join this group; contract the disease. Most people who contact this disease never become plague rats, but the plague carriers when they originally contracted the disease do not resist the contagion, thus their bodies adapts to become stronger with the disease than it ever did before. Most carriers never advance in the prestige class, but they can to enable them use the effects of their disease to their advantage.

Appear as a common person of their race, except they have small red boils on their hands that flare up and drip blood when they are scared or sick. When first infected these boils appear through-out their body but then settle down over a few weeks time as their body adjusts.

Hit Dice: D6 (unless their previous class is higher)
Requirements: To qualify to become a plague rat is to either roll a one on a saving throw or to deliberately forego a saving throw
Class Skills: as original class
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: as original class
Saving Throw: Advance as original class
Spells: If they previously had spells, they advance

1st level: Plague Carrier; Detect Disease; +1 charisma to infected
2nd level: Recognize stage of Disease; speak with animals; +1 level in all abilities of original class 3rd  level: Absorb Disease; +3 charisma to infected; +1 level in all abilities of original class 
4th level: Transmit Disease ; +1 level in all abilities of original class   
5th level: Adapt Disease; +5 charisma to infected; +1 level in all abilities of original class 

Plague Carrier: The individual is infected with the Shenth plague, and outside of divine intervention, they will always carry the plague within themselves. A carrier never suffers ill effects from the plague. They are passive carriers, as anytime a previously unexposed humanoid touches the individual; they must make a Fort save vs DC 2 to avoid catching the plague. If they pass this saving throw, they are immune to the disease, if they fail, see the Shenth plague entry.
Those who pass take an immediate -2 on their constitution and charisma for the next six hours. Those who fail their saving throw slowly starts to blossom with the red boils, and must make a DC 16 every day or suffer -1 cumulative charisma and constitution until either reaches 5, then they reverse and slowly increase to its natural point.

Detect Disease: per the spell in the player’s handbook; as an innate spell.

Charisma bonus: The infected will automatically recognize a carrier, and will respond positively to him or her, gaining extra bonuses as they increase in level.

Recognize Disease: Plague rats may make a spot check (DC 12) to determine if someone has been affected by the disease, how long they have had it and at what stage of infection they are in.

Speak with Animal: used primarily to speak with the rats that inhabit the lower levels of the city

Absorb Disease: Upon laying their hands on an individual affected by the plague, they are able to cure the inflicted and remove the plague from anyone except another plague rat. Any charisma loss however is permanent. If someone doesn't want to be cured, they cannot be cured through this method.

Transmit Disease: While plague rats are always passive carriers, at this stage, a plague rat can infect others with the plague with full effects without touching them. Those whom the plague rat wishes to infect can be within forty feet and the plague rat can see them. Upon two rounds of concentration, the victim must make a Fort DC 15 or be affected with the disease.

Adapt Disease: Perhaps the most insidious of all their powers, at this stage, the plague rat can adapt the disease so that it will affect one type of creature. So, they can change the plague to effect elves or giants only. It takes ten minutes of uninterrupted activity to adjust their body chemistry. They use this so they can more easily blend in.



Monday 11 March 2019

Shenth - Free City in the Sea of Stones

One of the first cities I tried to create. It's an area that I have used in stories, but never long, as a starting point, a place to hire a ship or get their mission. Shenth has a long stories history but its also in the centre of trade, pirating and war in the Sea of Stones, in the between two major nations. 

Shenth - Free City in the Sea of Stones

Population: 300,000 (275,000 on the cliff-side) Distribution: Human 70%, Dwarf: 20%, Minotaur 4%, Various remainder

Official Rule: Towerocracy, Influenced by the High Nobility

Unofficial Rule: the Ring: a group of wealthy Tharon merchants who attempt to keep the city goods flowing freely to ports outside of Tharon control.

Current Mayor: Lord Alexander Valdreth (Human Noble, Known patronage to the Ring & church of Keran)

Well Known City Features: Barracks, Noble Estates, Bridge Arena, Docks, Lifts, Sanctuary of the Pains, Open Market, Old Districts, Silent Graveyard, Dwarven Baths, The Solomo Library, Unicorn’s Garden

Towers: Sorrow, Song-House, Stars, Seed, Law, Wyvern, Guild, Bell, Pleasure, Clock

Obelisks: Keran, Japeth, Quanna, Casna, Orelleo, Holon, Horned One, the Pains, Shi-Lo

Temples: Rosetti & Keran

Unofficial and Unsanctioned History

Rule: The six high noble families maintain control of much of the cities wealth and military. However, more than seventy years ago, in 956 AT, during an attack with the Tor’ecke charr tribe, the nobles once again faced with rebellion due to taxation. To stop civil war they gave each of the guilds (or towers) a seat at the counsel table. In return for their loyalty and fees, each of the major towers have a vote on city issues. The mayor is determined by the noble families, and it is he that determines his deputies as well as having veto power (anything less than 80% can be vetoed by the mayor.) While a tower-master may be voted as mayor, it is extremely unlikely. The current mayor is Alexander di Valdreth.

History: It is best known for a Plague spread by the water rats infecting all areas of the city. A small group of its citizens regularly patrol and kill the many rats or other small animals. It is also the primary reason why the city knights are permitted to deal with the Lower Citizens with brute force, for suspicion of carrying the Plague.

City Features

Noble Estates: lands to the west of the city, on a out crop that holds each of the high nobles estates. Each is a sprawling mansion with other buildings that are rigidly patrolled by the individual nobles private armies.  Only individuals with connections to the nobles are allowed entry, upon pain of arrest during the day. Those found wandering at night are killed or captured on sight. Each of these estates function as a small town, having almost all of the necessary requirements for daily life, except of course for certain luxuries and services. Five of the six noble families have their estates here, as well as four other recognized lesser nobles but still wealthy families.

Bridge Arena: In the shadows of the largest lifts, this arena was created during the epidemic as a way of proving their worth and health before enter Cliffside. Now it is used by gladiators to prove their prowess in battle. Each week on Sword Day (every 9th day in the 10th day week) , fantastic non-lethal battles occur to determine favour of the nobles, as well as to allow the common citizenry to gamble. The current champion is: Vuneros (Minotaur, 16th level fighter,) who has won more than twenty battles for House Xannos. Any kind of battle is allowed, including magical duels, but these are especially rare. Entry fee is 1sp.

Dockside: The lower area of the city. Twelve large wharves converge, allowing up to two hundred ships to dock at one time. Mostly dwarves, minotaurs and humans are in this section of town, but criminals and other unmentionables also inhabit this terrible place. There are few patrols that occur in this section of the city, as guardsmen are often ambushed. Most merchants have their own private mercenaries to ensure safe passage of goods. Anything illegal can be found here, if you know where to look. Only the bravest, most foolish or the most poor would dare stay at one of the lousy inns in this section of the city at night, knowing they could be stolen away or used in dark, esoteric rituals/

Lifts: cranes that lift merchandise and people the two thousand feet from the docks into the Cliffside. Minotaurs and ogres are the most common wheelmen, who physically turn the gigantic elevator cranks; however, there are also three magical lifts. The standard lift cost is 1sp per pound for merchandise or 3gp (flat) for living creatures. This is the most common form of taxation in the city. Nobles do not have to pay for their merchandise, as all own their personal or family lifts, also, many towers control their own lifts, so their members do not have to pay. There is usually a one to three hour wait for a lift. The crane guild runs 13 out of 16 lifts, but they do not own them.

Sanctuary of the Pains: While many other areas of the Sea of Stones have suffered from the De'Sh Plague, no other location has had to deal with the disease like this city. It has found peace, and this is
a monument and hospice to the sacrifices and torments of the plague victims. Up to 100 infected can wait here until their symptoms are cured; this usually takes anywhere from 1-3 months. The cost is free, but it is also mandatory on order of the city counsel. There is always between 10-20 plague carriers here, waiting to help the infected, share their knowledge as well as destroy any rats or any other animal carrier.  Sorkasin (Male Dwarf  Monk / Rogue) is the current leader of this group. He also acts as the unofficial speaker of the dockside to the counsel.

Open Market: An area outside of the gates on the Cliffside, where trade is brisk and rumored as brutal. Officially since the market is outside the city, it is also outside of the city control. Anything goes here, at least in theory, and the City Knights continuously warn those who do use the market of buyer beware. Unofficially, the trade is cheaper, of a higher quality, and safer than anything found inside the gates. The merchants want to build the trade, and go out of their way to ensure quality and repeat business. While they should be left alone by the City Knights, they are harassed continuously. The city resents this growing form of trade done outside of their hands.

Tower of Sorrow: There is no graveyard in the city rather one enormous mortuary called the Sorrow Tower serves the purpose. It is just inside the western gate, very near the noble estates. It is run by the Sorrow Guild, who are professional morticians, mourners & undead slayers. Typical burial costs 1sp, but the services range up to 500 gp, depending upon the status of the individuals involved. Most of the guild are 3rd to 5th level experts (morticians) but up to 10% of the guild are adventuring classes, who actively hunt undead. It is the only known Sorrow Guild that do not have Jackalla serving there, visitors from away find it highly suspicious, but they suffer from the vile plague in the city.
  The current speaker of this guild is Morven Kul-lutho (Human Male, 11th level Rogue, CE) a quiet, insensitive, bald man who was once a famous slayer. He demands absolute loyalty from the undead slayers in his command, and he meets his followers in absolute darkness to hear their reports and speaks only when he has to.
  His current lover, Rebbinna de Fluer (Female Half-Elf, 7th level Bard, NG) is known to many of the noble classes as a dirge singer and her services are well sought out by mourning familes. She is respected by the city guards, nobility and undead slayers alike. Some believed she must be charmed to willingly stay with this unkind, unsophisticated bastard.

City Tower: Beside the obelisk of Japeth, this is the building that holds a majority of both the knights and weaponry. While not over-imposing, what few citizens realize is that the majority is underground, in caverns that were once home to lizardith lands. Patrols are organized on the sea, in the sky, on land and below it. Specialists serve five days a month, in order to avoid paying taxes. Bureaucrats also work here, but jammed into rooms and many are forced to change on a monthly basis - records are never a priority.

Solomo Library: This is an arcane library, one of the oldest in the Sea of Stones. This guild has unsurpassed danger and certainly not a safe place for beginning students. While there are many rumours of what goes on here, there is one thing that is understood by the wizards, the city nobles are to remain unharmed. What research or trade happens here is unimportant to the nobles, as long as they remain in the seat of power. Wizard wraiths apparently watch all activities and do not hesitate to kill those who break this one law. Spell-casters of all manner come here, if they can either gain the attention of another wizard of their exploits, or simply find one to bribe. There are known celestials and demonic figures who inhabit the tower, neither able to exit by any typically known means. All outsiders who find their way here are controlled via a powerful geas to serve as teachers and guides for a quota of their time. Another item of great mystery is how the wizards choose a speaker to represent their interests, some say it is done by intrigue and murder, while others say it is done by chance. Either way, their speakers rarely hold their job for more than three years before they are replaced by another. The current speaker, or Solomo as they call themselves, is Vule-Anne (Female Elf) who is remarkable for her beauty as well as a pink pseudodragon familiar who travels with her and seems to know dirty limericks that amuses everyone who hears it. The library itself does not sell magical items, however, individuals may sometimes accept commissions to create scrolls or potions.

Unicorn’s Garden: A glade of tremendous beauty and solace; it is the circling garden surrounding most of the cliff side city.  This is one of the few places of comfort to the citizens, and many peoples come here to find comfort among the chaos. The small forest was once home to a wondrous unicorn druid that helped the citizens during the early Cliffside years. This place is a favorite among the nobles, children and workers alike who come here to cavort. There is believed to be a fey gate located here, although, it’s location seems to change on a weekly basis. A small group of rangers meet here daily to discuss issues of the outside world. Patrols in and around the garden were once common, but they have learned to stay clear of the place since many city knights have become permanently lost if they harass some of the fey or other visitors. Rumors abound of a healing fountain that can heal anything short of a death and this is why the nobles vigorously help to defend it from development. Abby-Gail (Female Charity) is a bard and generous benefactor who spends much of her time among the fey and others here. She is an excellent source of knowledge, and helps good aligned adventurers willing to help the poor in the city.

 Local Terms:

Push-Off: *&$#-off, or jump in a lake would be the equivalent; meaning, leave me alone or I’ll push you off the cliff
 Hares: Widows who reside in the city
The Mazes: somewhere you don’t want to be i.e. the plague mazes at port-side

 Local Organizations
The Ring: a group of Tharon merchants who throw around coin to keep slaves & drugs running into their home bases. They maintain a strong pirate tradition that is officially illegal – unofficially, they control the waters so the Shenth merchants don’t have to.

Merchants of Flesh: Necromantic organization based in the port-side, who create fleshings (lesser golems) to sell to the highest bidders. While not illegal, it is distateful and nobody readily admits to using these beings in their crypts. Yet many nobles and merchants alike use them as they are incredibly loyal and you don't have to feed or pay them.

4th Finger: A strong mercenary group that hires mostly Minotaurs for protection work (some say extortion) to help defend Tharon and other visitors to the city. They are a big hit at the arenas. They are named after a Sea of Stones faerie tale about only needing a giants’ 4th finger to accomplish a task.

The Grey: A wizard organization that helps promote magic outside of Tharon, or, that is what they claim. They have often raised small groups of soldiers to help rescue each other. They have a small tower in the edge-side, where they can look down at two of the magical lifts that they control.

Sons of Honour: Tharon and Lazell men of stature who are pushing for union of the two nations. They are good aligned, and have loose connections with the good aligned churches.

Greater Noble Families
House Xannos: A family of wizards & warlocks, known for their brutal slayings of the father (per Tharon tradition.) Their grey-black cloaked wizards have long been seen cavorting in the darkness of the Solomo Library, and most years they have at least one of their members in the seat of honour there. They have worked with many faiths over the years, but work with Keran only when the money pays well. It is unknown if they have a primary business anymore, as they are fabulously wealthy and do not seem to need to work to maintain their power. The current speaker for this house is Thalos di Xannos, a powerful wizard who specializes in force magics.

House Lothan: There was a time whenever anybody thought of the port-side, they thought of the Lothan. These were the ultimate sailors and traders that took a terrible beating during the last plague. Just as they have always done, they have emerged in a great spectacle, as they sponsored several large expeditions to Zale in Phastia. The current leader is Lemm di Lothan (Human Male, 12th lev Rogue, CE) – a fat, lazy man who seems to have the knack for knowing which boats to sponsor and which ones to turn down. But there might be more to this dullard than appears, as he was mugged more than a year ago and took out four assailants himself, before going back to drinking his shum.

House Vadash: This family has long been the whispered threat that would attempt to take over the city. While the other families have their area of interest, the Vadash has theirs in a little bit of everything. Their soldiers guard four of the major gates, and having 3 of the current four generals of the city, they essentially control the barracks as well. Yet, they also have a string of wizards and priests under the family banner, let alone the monks and thieves. This family openly deals with the Keranic faith and is not afraid to make demands of the church. Evelynn dem Vadash, (Priest of Keran, Female Tiefling) has lead this group within the city for over 100 years, and doesn’t look like she has aged a day. Rumours abound of her fathers heritage, but her mother was the last speaker who groomed Evelynn for her position.

House Honour-Heart: The honours are perhaps the only saving grace this city has had in the eyes of the good aligned. They have remained to the ideals of Quanna, despite living in one of the bleakest places in the Sea of Stones. While others might see their position as hopeless, they have won many battles versus evil and corruption in the city, and just the fact that the city hasn’t become a province of Tharon shows this to be true. Their speakers are chosen for a five year period, and then are elected among their kin – the only family to chose their leader in this way. The current speaker is Corven Honour Heart (Paladin, Knight of the Gold Sash / City Knight, Human Male) who is an elderly devout man who spends as much of his time at the obelisk of Quanna as he can, neglecting family business to be among the faithful. Nobody questions him, as he has earned this in his long quest for both his city, his faith and his family.

De Fluer (Flower): Powerful merchant family based in Shenth. They are nationalists who resent Tharon intrusion, although they stop short of calling for violent action. They are calling for the city to look into making allies with the Chavon elves, others call this too dangerous and a way to aggravate the Tharons. Cuzzel de Fleur has recently come to his post as leader of the clan, as his father was killed in defense of their merchant dealings.

Lesser Nobles  (17 families of wealth or distintion)
Di Fitzens: Notorious land-owners who at one time controlled up to 40% of the property of the city. They have a strong allegiance to the Shion Cult (Thief guild.) The current leader, a notorious pirate in his earlier years is Troi di Fitzens and is known to be ruthless in all his dealings.

Di Corrovel: House of Dwarven merchants, well connected in the Tharon Empire

Di Neicht: Human Tharon exiles, who are openly promoting building the Shenth dominion, unlike most of their kind who believe that Shenth should remain as-is.

De Butelle: Merchants who have connections with several aquatic races. Many of their kind have mated with sea elves. Lasai de Butelle (Sea-kin) is known for her famous songs about the tragedy of war and the harshness of the sea.

 Religious Groups

People all over the realm worship the same deities, some by different names, but the portfolios and basic principles remain the same. The most typical religious structure is an obelisk, which is devoted to a deity or in rare cases an ideal such as freedom or prosperity. Not just symbolic, obelisks are literally the source of all magical energy in the domain - if no obelisks stood no magic energy would be available, for clerics. wizards or any classes.

There is often no official group that holds services at obelisks, rather recognized people of good standing give a sermon or speech every ten-day / week. Followers need to go to an obelisk or give offerings on a specific basis but not necessarily attend service. Most people are pagan, showing respect to a deity if an issue or problem they face falls under their portfolio. Many clerics can worship one or many deities, paladins worship only one and the majority follow Japeth.

Temples are the largest religious structures, and these have followers that serve the deity in set manners and customs. These do have a set organization dedicated to running their daily and weekly activities unlike the obelisks.

This is the only Rosetti temple in the sea of Stones and one of the largest Keranic temples. Those who serve or pay tithing to Keran, do so to alleviate cursing or potential evil prospects. Many widows, prostitutes and unwed mothers offer gifts of service to Lady Love (Rosetti), but always discretely at night. Officially any widows from city sanctioned battles may reside here free of charge if they have children.

Keran, LE God of Night and Fright, Evil - Sacrifice to alleviate fear & Nightmares
Japeth: LG, God of Bravery, Patron of Paladins - To plan strategy and for personal courage
Quanna: LG, Goddess of Light - Followers look to for guidance in fealty and matters of conscious
Casna: LN, Lord of Laws - Enforce rigid laws and organization, or to help change persecution
Orelleo: CN, Lord of Travel and Trade, Patron of Businessmen and Sailors- To plan trips, especially long voyages
Holon: N, Sacred One, Druid Patron  For fertility, sicknesses, grow plants and animal health
Horned One: LE, Minotaur God of Strength, Battle and Fertility - Before Battle, especially duels
The Pains: NE, Goddesses of Suffering, Torture and Sickness - Offer to alleviate symptoms
Shi-Lo: LN, God of Contemplation, Patron of Martial Arts - Monks are his faithful
Rosetti: N, Goddess of Love, Romance and Beauty - personal matters or issues of infidelity




Saturday 9 March 2019

Fesh Swamp Encounters

The Fesh Swamp lands is located in the Northern Veck, an area that once supported multiple large communities of various humanoid populations, half of them trading with each other, the others always looking for ways to gain military advantage. When the Creeping initially happened, few understood what it meant, and didn't put up any resistance because they didn't realize the threat nor did they know what they stood against.

The Creeping is best described as the destabilization of civilization, when fits of madness and paranoia overwhelmed pockets of civilization until the rungs of civil society were lost. Though not immediately affected, eventually the the swamps grew in size and danger until they took over the land, draining the community of the few remaining magic and other resources. When they fell into such disrepair, the few survivors either had to flee or drowned in the miasma of the environment around them. Most people who know of the Creeping, associate it with the growth of swamps, some experts though know it was the madness that preceded the changes of the land that was the much greater threat.

Many civilized peoples feel this area is lost to anything good or habitable, but this is far from true. Lizardith humanoid lizard-men both savage and civilized, now claim this territory as their own and maintain small to much larger communities in the Fesh. There are certainly dangers still here, but there are also opportunities, and the lizard-men help outsiders with both survival and trade. They do not just "steal" or raid  from the crypts or magical Towers that are littered throughout the Fesh, as they consider many of the artefacts tainted. Some lizardith villages have an opposing view, as they make much of their income by guiding adventurers into these locations. Some items or areas are so vile, the lizardith will warn the would-be adventurers or even seize horrific magic, but this is very rare, at most they warn outsiders and just ignore.

A few of the magical raiders believe there are a great treasure still left behind and make planned excursions into the cities, crypts and temples of the area. A few of these work with the lizardith and druids of the region, but most don't, and are simply out to make any silver that they can.

Fesh Encounters

d%         Result
01  Creeping Doom (DC 12 or 15 or 18+)
02  Vanglore  (Humanoid shapeshifters, #2-8, 3+, LE)
03  Aranea
04  Green Render (as Grey Render with camoflage, )
05  Lizardith, Civilized  #2-9, HD 2 or 3, Align LN (85%)
06  Muter
07  Winged Monkey
08  Basilisk
09  Cultists (Stone, Snake, Tentacle, Web, Vine)  # 2-5, HD 1-3, Human or Lizardith
10  Abandoned Site  (home belonging to a farmer, recluse, witch, seer, artist)
11  Dead (true) hammered to tree or chained down
12  Blue Bees # 9-16, HD 2
13  Oxylla 2d12
14  Green-skinned Swamp Beavers
15  Tenderfoot  #2-9, HD 2 or 3, Align NG (85%), Patrol
16  Trap (Pit, Falling Logs, Falling Net)
17  Tree-Giant (1d3), As cloud Giant
18  Small Stream (Entryway, , Road)
19  Minotaur 2d2
20  Camp Site ( # 5-20, Any Primary)
21  Ogre #2-5, HD 3-5, Align LE (85%)
22  Hydra (4 heads, 50%; 5 heads 25%, 6 heads 20%, 7+ heads 5%)
23  Satyr
24  Jackalla (2d4, Undead Patrol)
25  Otyugh
26  Card Soldiers
27  Goblins
28  Doscilli
29  Vined Soldier
30 Holy Site (80% Obelisk, 20% Church, Any non-evil)
31  Wood Statue (25% Wood Golem)
32  Ood 
33  Pool (10-20 ft radius, 100 ft depth)
34  Giant Snake   ???
35 Clockwork (1d6 Fighter 2-4th level; Align LN)
36  Dianoga
39  Dire crocodile 1d3
40  Merchant Traders ( # 5-20, Any Primary Race, 25% N, LN, NG, LE)
41  Chund
42  Assassin Vine
43  Synast with 2-5 Servants
44  Shambling Mound
45  Green Gargoyle (85% appear as vegetation when not moving & 30 ft away)
46  Razorvine
47 Piercer (10d10), over a 30 - 100 square ft radius
48  Swarm (Bat, Rat, Leech, Stirge)
49  Bugbear
50  Faeire Stone or Flower Circle (Nymph, Pixie,Grig)
51  Skin Devils
52 Troll (2d5)
53  Little Piggies
54  Chuul
55  Lizardith, Savage  #2-9, HD 2 or 3, Align LE (85%)
56 Wrapping Deaths (Psi-Cloakers) 2d5
57  Giff  (2d5, HD 3+, LN)
58  Girallon
59  Boggards 2d6
60  Lepers or Refugee Camp (20-70, HD 1-2, N)
61  Necrites - Undead Humanoids, 2d6, Patrolling, LN, LE, NG) ??? ??
62  Primal
63  Spectator (see below)
64  Jawatha 
67  Large Hanging Web-Coccoon
68  Tame
69  Sinking bog hole  (DC 13)
70  Patrol Camp Site (# 11-30, Level 1-3, Any Race)
71  Tennianos
72  Jungle Elf (2d4 , Level 2-5, NG)
73  Gammorec (2d4 , Level 2-5, NE)
74  Nyssian Imp
75  Shal
76  Owlbear
77  Sharavan
78 Escaped slaves (#2d8, Roll Below, N, )
79  Dire crocodile 1d3
80  Slaver Camp (# 11-30, Level 2-3, Any Race)
81  Ferrasil  (Green Minotaurs, N, #2-8, HD 3+)
82  Psider
83  Vottinna
85  Green slime
86  Green Hag CR 5, NE
87  Lamia
88  Hag
89  Manticore (1d2)
90   Large Bridge
91  Spirit naga
92  Callanna
93  Undead, Carcass #2d6, NE, HD 1-3
94  Black pudding 2d4
95  Lillend
96  Prickett
97  Coatl
98 Sylph or Dryad
99   Ravok
00 Ogre-mage


Typical Slave Races: Goblin, Gnoll, Abeill, Tenderfoot, Ogre, Lizardith,
Typical Owners: Human, Ogre, Elf, Lizardith, Gnoll, Minotaurs, Troll, Gammorec


Roll 1d20 on initial primary race roll. If under 12, roll 1d12. If over, roll 1d10 for next roll. Always roll 1d20 on 3rd roll. Primary Races: Not just hunters or raiders, but come together in small communities.

01 Phaetox - Humanoid with flame wings, Can fly, Cannot lie
02-04 Lizardith, Savage - Spears
05 Ferrasil: Green Minotaurs, very large horns, N, # 2d4
06 Lizardith, Civilized - Coral Armor, Weapons of all kinds
07 Elf, Jungle  Green-Skinned; #2d4, 2d3 HD, NG; Patrol, Treasure Seekers
08  Ogre #1d4, 3+  HD, LE
09 Ghoran - Sentient Plant Humanoid
10 Changeling- Small fey that can use magic
11 Thorne-Kin
12 Minotaur Bull Headed Humanoid, famous for patrols and hunts
13 Leshy Small, plant humanoids, druidic, wonderful planters
14 Clockwork- Sentient, Free-thinking Machines
15 Jackalla-Jackal Headed Humanoids, Undead Hunters
16 Troll
17 Quillian - Quill throwing Porcupine Humanoids
18 Elf, Jungle***
19  Leaf-Kin Sentient plant humanoid
20 Tenderfoot - Halflings

21 Callanna
22  Gammorec
23 Satyr
24 Giant

Friday 1 March 2019

Battle Mage: The Mandorrian War Wizard.

One of my oldest and most used spell-casters. So many times when players, especially new players ask if they can play a wizard, this is often my default. They are a little different as they can wear armor.

Battle Mage: The Mandorrian War Wizard. 

Role: You originate from Mandos, the land of the sword in the heart of the old south. As a spellcaster you are shown little respect, and treated as mere battle fodder. Only after proving yourself for five years in battle are you given full rights. Those who survive this testing as a battle-mage are respected far and wide, but few make it that far. 

Requirements: Mandorrian by birth, Spellcraft +5; Oath of Allegiance to Mandos
              May be either Wizard or Sorcerer

Hindrances:  Cannot gain or replace a familiar if they do not have one
          Can cast spells from no more than four spell schools
          Can know no more than eight spells per level

Benefits: Automatic access to the War Domain; treat as arcane spells
  Use d6 for hp; Gain Saving Throws as spellcaster
          Gain proficiency of all simple Martial Weapons
          Gain Craft (Armorsmithing) and Craft (Weaponsmithing) as class skills
          Gain new Spells and spell level as per their Caster Level

 Abilities by Battle Mage Level

1st Wear padded armor without Arcane Spell Failure                               Gain +1 Level
2nd Wear leather armor without Arcane Spell Failure                               Gain +1 Level
3rd Wear studded leather without Arcane Spell Failure                            Gain +1 Level
4th Gain Endurance and Diehard                                                              Gain +1 Level
5th  Wear chain shirt or hide without Arcane Spell Failure; Gain Free Feat
6th Wear chain mail or breastplate without Arcane Spell Failure              Gain +1 Level
7th  Wear splint mail or banded mail without Arcane Spell Failure           Gain +1 Level
8th Inscribe Spell-Gem                                                                              Gain +1 Level
9th Wear half-plate without Arcane Spell Failure                                      Gain +1 Level
10th Craft Magic Arms and Armor                                                             Gain +1 Level

Endurance & Diehard: Per standard PhB
Inscribe Spell-Gem: Per Nysarian Meta-Feats
Craft Magic Arms and Armor: Able to craft magical arms or armor. They pay the normal exp point cost for their creation as per DMG. Also, they must be able to cast a spell to imbue armor with its property.

War Domain: May switch a memorized spell with a war domain spell at will

1 Magic Weapon
2 Spiritual Weapon
3 Magic Vestment
4 Divine Power
5 Celestial Strike  (stats as Flame Strike)
6 Blade Barrier
7-9   Player Option for what War Spells to be added

Thursday 28 February 2019

Gravity Domain

Can't really remember if I posted this before. But here we go!


Gravity Domain
Granted Powers: You can increase or decrease an object’s weight by 50%; you can use these abilities a total number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.


0. Minor Gravity Resistance
1. Delay Gravity
2. Increased Gravity
3. Negate Gravity
4. Gravity Arc
5. Null Gravity
6. Centre of Gravity
7. Reverse Gravity
8. Gravity’s Full Weight
9. Gravity Well


Minor Gravity Resistance
Transmutation
Level: Clr 0, Sor/Wiz 0
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 free action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Targets: One Large or smaller freefalling object  
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes
An object no heavier than ten pounds will float in midair. The caster can move the object by grasping it and moving it normally, but when they take their hand off the item, it will stay put. If another creature moves the object, it will move as normal, but, the spell end. Used by some spellcaster while drinking in pubs, or for reading spells from scrolls.


Delay Gravity
Transmutation
Level: Clr 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 swift action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Targets: One Large or smaller creature  
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes
This spell leaves the target hanging in midair, for the subject is temporarily immune to the effects of gravity. Unless they are able to touch an object to direct their movement, or until acted upon by another creature or force (rope, weapon, etc) the subject is unable to move from their suspended position.


Increased Gravity
Transmutation
Level: Clr 2, Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Targets: One Large or smaller freefalling object  
Duration: 1 min/level
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes
This spell increases the effects from gravity, making it difficult to move. Any creature that fails it's saving throw, will have their movement reduced by ten however it can never less than 5 ft per round. It also imposes a -5 skill penalty on all movement or dexterity based skills. All missile attacks will likewise take a -2 penalty during this period. The caster affects an additional person for every three caster levels.


Negate Gravity
Transmutation
Level: Clr 3, Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (20 ft. + 5 ft./level)
Targets: One Large or smaller freefalling object  
Duration: 10 min/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes
This spell negates gravity, or more specifically the effects of weight on any one object or all objects within a 10 feet radius as designated by the caster. The original weight affected can be no more than 100 pounds per caster level. The spells seems to be designed to assist adventurers in the looting of lairs. This spell will not reduce weight for the effects of other spell limits, such as the listed weight for teleportation. Objects affected by this spell also inflict no damage if thrown or if it falls on a creature. The material component for casting this spell is a one pound or heavier paperweight which is destroyed in the casting.


Gravity Arc
Telekinesis
Level: Clr 4, Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 swift action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 1 ft./level)
Targets: One Large or smaller object  
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
This spell enables manipulation of a moving object’s gravity by increasing or decreasing its speed. If an item is sped up, such as an arrow or rock, the damage inflicted is multiplied by 1.5 and any reflex save to avoid is increased in difficulty by +4.  If used to slow an item down, it will either half damage or add +4 to a reflex saving throw as the danger becomes much easier to avoid, whichever the manifester chooses. Only objects, which have no natural means of movement, can be affected by this power, living creatures, undead or constructs are immune to the effect. The caster can affect any one object for the duration of the spell; but if they do so, they are unable to cast another spell that round as it requires all of their focus.


Null Gravity
Transmutation
Level: Clr 5, Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 1 ft./level)
Area: Up to one 10-ft. cube per two levels (S)
Duration: 1 min/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No
This spell creates an area where the effects of gravity are nullified, there is no up or down in this area of weightlessness. Objects less than twenty pounds, not affixed will start to float upwards. Creatures immediately feel lighter in weight, they gain +20 to all movement based skills (jump, climb, balance, etc). Creatures who jump for height reach their maximum height but will then hang in the air. Creatures moving in a downward direction have the effects of a featherfall spell on them. If caught midair, they are affected as if a delay gravity spell has been cast on them.  While useful in an outdoor setting, inside a building or in an underground setting the spell is devastating effect; as characters can jump off the walls or ceiling, using their momentum to inflict greater damage, or to attack and then jump upwards to get away!


Centre of Gravity
Transmutation
Level: Clr 6, Sor/Wiz 6
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (200 ft.+100 ft / 3 levels higher than 12)
Area: Up to one 10-ft. cube per two levels (S)
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: None; see text
Spell Resistance: No
This spell changes the flow of gravity, instead of everything falling down, objects “fall” towards a centered point of gravity as defined by the spellcaster at the rate of 60 feet per round, even if they have to fall upwards to do so. This point must be a stationary point or person within the range of the spell. Objects of less than 20 pounds will automatically move towards the centre of gravity. Provided it has something to hold onto, a creature caught in the area can attempt a reflex save to secure itself when the spell effect happens.
Creatures gain their size adjustment to resist the effect of this spell.
If this spell is centered on a person, the subject gets a will save to avoid the effect. If cast on a creature, the feel no negative effects from gravity, however, they will take 1d10 damage from random debris hitting them. If weapons or animals fly towards them, adjudicate normally.
The spellcaster is immune to the effects of this spell for the first round only, after that point however, they can grab onto an object to prevent themselves from falling. Bracing yourself and not moving will give a +4 to a creature’s reflex saving throw.  Any round, when a creature or object is not fully tethered, they risk making the reflex check to avoid being dragged towards the centre point. Any round a character moves faster than 1/3 their normal base speed they must make an additional reflex check. Creatures who can fly or levitate can keep themselves from falling; but if they move more than 1/3 their normal fly speed, they must make the save.
There is nothing intrinsically dangerous or lethal about this spell, creatures or objects are simply forced to move towards the center of the gravity well; however, a cunning a spellcaster will position the centre of gravity down a pit where spikes, poisonous snakes or much worse awaits.
The material component for casting this spell is a small iron ball which is dropped; when the ball hits the ground the spell is cast. If the ball is caught or is prevented from hitting the ground/floor, the spell is effected negated.


Reverse Gravity: 7th lev Spell (see SRD for more details)


Gravity’s Full Weight
Transmutation
Level: Clr 8, Sor/Wiz 8
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (20 ft. + 5 ft./level)
Targets: One Large or smaller freefalling object  
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: Fort Negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
This spell increases a creature and all the objects they weigh 500%, preventing most creatures from either using weapons or even moving.  This spell is often cast when their target is in water or ice, causing them to crash downwards. The material component for this spell is a bullette scale.


Gravity Well
Transmutation
Level: Clr 9, Sor/Wiz 9
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 300 ft radius
Duration: Three Rounds
Saving Throw: None; see text
Spell Resistance: Yes
This spell changes the flow of gravity, similar to centre gravity, except the new gravity point is within a planar gate, and anything that fails their saving throw gets thrown into a random spot on a new plane as designated by the spellcaster. Objects of less than 20 pounds will automatically move towards the centre of gravity. Provided it has something to hold onto, a creature caught in the area can attempt a reflex save to secure itself when the spell effect happens. Creatures who can fly or levitate can gain no advantage from their flight.  Creatures gain their grapple size adjustment to resist the effect of this spell.
Characters bracing themselves and not moving will give a +4 to a creature’s reflex saving throw.  Any round, when a creature or object is not fully tethered, they risk making the reflex check to avoid being dragged towards the centre point. Any round a character moves faster than 1/3 their normal base speed they must make an additional reflex check to avoid being lost to the force of gravity. The spellcaster and anyone touching the spellcaster for the full three rounds are immune to the effects of this spell; but if the touch ends for a moment, the creature must make a saving throw as normal.
The material component for casting this spell is a small ball comprised of a material from the plane that the spell would send their victims to, otherwise, this spell material works the same as the centre gravity spell.


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On a sidenote, I used swift action and not free action because of a decision my players and I made together. Spells, like featherfall, should be considered swift, because you can cast them when it’s not your turn but this also prevents you from being able to cast more than one spell a round. If the general feeling among the critics on this board is that it should be left as a free action, I will make the change!