Blog Archive

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Smurfling - Small Sized, Blue Coloured Fey

I wanted to create something like these for my fae themed game a while ago, but didn't come up with a good way to run them. Inspired by the tv cartoon that I used to watch in my youth.

Smurfling
Tiny Sized Fey                                   CR 1

AC 16 (+2 Dex, +2 Natural, Size +6), Touch 13, Flat 13
HD 1D6+1 (4 hp)
Saves Fort +1 Ref +4 Will +2
Init +2
Speed 10

Str 5 Con 12 Dex 15. Int 10. Wis 11. Cha 13
Base Atk +3      CMB -4      CMD 8
Melee +3 weapon (Hammer or Slingshot 1d3)
Special Attacks Joined Attack
Special Defenses. Reduce Injury 3 / -, Playful Demeanor
Skills Craft (Any One)+ 3, Climb or Swim +4, Perception +3; Perform (Dance) +10*, Stealth +6
Feats Weapon Finesse or Skill Focus (Any Craft)

Environment Garden or Candyland
Organization Gathering (50-400)
Treasure Half (gems, coins or potions)
Alignment  Any Good ("Bad" Smurflings are Neutral aligned)
Advancement By class (Expert, Rogue, Druid or Ranger most common)

For every additional HD achieved: +2 in Reduce Injury and +1/+1 in ability score adjustments. They also increase +1 in natural AC for every 2 HD gained.

Reduce Injury: Similar to Damage Reduction except it minimizes only after basic injury is inflicted, reducing damage on a one-to-one basis until its limit. For example a 1 HD Smurf would be affected: 
One damage Inflicted = One HP Dmg Taken
Two damage Inflicted = One HP Dmg Taken
Three damage Inflicted = Two HP Dmg Taken

Joined Attack: The few times Smurflings cannot use their charm or escape an encounter through wit, they are able to attack en masse. For every four that attack the same foe, increase both the base calculation and damage dice. (1d3 -- 1d4 -- 1d6 -- 1d8 - 1d10). 

Playful Demeanour Smurflings gain +8 on social skills due to their playfulness. Fey and good aligned outsiders would never consider hurting a Smurfling.

Smurflings are one and a half foot tall fey that have blue skin. They reside in mushroom homes within their forest villages, living in balance with the environment around them. Friendly and helpful, they are keen on making new allies but prefer to avoid strangers as they have been hurt in the past. 

These magical creatures are at one with the animals, plants and fey beings around them. Most of their allies believe they arise spontaneously during blue moon months, a new Smurfling is born inside a blossoming flower. Smurflings are a male species, while there are crazy rumours of females being hatched, this has never been proven. 

Most of their kind focuses on one type of craft to specialize in, not for profit but for the benefits it brings to their village. Smurflings sometimes gain Rogue or Ranger classes to defend their kin and friends from the dangers of the forest. Druid is the most common spell-caster, though Bards just as respected. 

As a magically enriched fey race, Smurflings are living spell components, they do not need components for spells of less than 5th level. In addition, they can create spells that typically fit into another casters area of specialty, but the Smurfling casters can still cast. If working in conjunction with others, they can enhance spells or reduce saving throws beyond comprehension by dance or musical accompaniment. For this reason many evil spell casters seek them out, waiting to use them to buff their castings. While their allies are always concerned, these fey always finds a way to overcome threats.

*    *    *   *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *  

I am leaning towards using  Reduce Injury to replace simple Damage reduction.

Monday, 9 May 2016

Table Rules

My House Rules - These are the assumed rules I use for running all games. Even when I run other system stories and I am gm, this is what I think should be the default. Again, most times unless it is appropriate, I just use these rules unless there`s apart of the story/game that dictates otherwise.


Clerics, except for raise dead spells, require only one spell component - their holy symbol, this is the rule for all spells regardless of the description in the PHB or other sources. Clerics are utterly tied to their holy symbol, which is why most will have more than one in their possession.  If they lose access to their holy symbol, they cannot cast any spells. One free feat clerics receive at first level is Create Holy Symbol. This requires 1 hour of prayer at an obelisk or holy site, (or six hours otherwise) and they must verbally say the required prayers. If they are unable to complete the verbal and somatic components, they cannot complete this ritual.

Wizards do not require spell components for spells less than 3rd level while in cities, as there is plenty of magical energies as a result of the obelisks or temples nearby. This is not assumed to be the case in remote areas. The dedication of the obelisk is unimportant, if it acts as a connection to the heavenly or demonic forces, it will still charge all spell casters as noted above.

Undead arise when anything dies and the corpse is not properly interned. Things killed by undead generally take 5-12 days, unless a shorter period is listed in the monsters description. If killed by anything else (including a natural death), it usually takes 21-40 days, and will usually arise as a Carcass (HD 1+.) Anything that dies in a settled area will be buried in either a druid's grove, temple's catacombs or public mausoleum usually called Tower of Sorrow. Searing Towers are an archaic tradition of cremation, especially in Phastia, the Desert Lands. Creating undead is perhaps the most vile and hated action imaginable, no society (evil or chaotic ones) condones it.

Constructs treat their HD number as their intelligence, wisdom and charisma scores until they reach 15 HD. If they have an intelligent score higher than 7, they can speak. Otherwise use as per the construct entry in the MM. Constructs have no soul at creation, though rare, it is possible for them to generate one. Some sentient constructs worship the Holy Cog, and can gain cleric levels in lawful forces.

Cosmology There are no stars in the sky. 4 moons dominate. The seasons, magic cycles, predictions are based on their relative locations. There are actually more than 100 moons all around, very few of them are ever actually visible without a telescope, but they all have meaning and most have specific connections to magic, fate and the gods. Weeks are also usually called the Ten-Day. Years are called Cycles. Months are often called Turns, and are each five weeks long there are 15 to a standard year. Holidays occur outside of the weeks.

Deities The High Gods cannot physically come to Nyssa, only their proxies or servants. Most gods have multiple domains, each will have a different proxy or Avatar. These are utterly and completely loyal. Demi-Gods are able to walk the land, but only in areas of their faithful.

Active vs Passive Skill Checks: If the player asks to do something, that is an active roll, and done as normal. At any time, a DM can roll at a half chance check to determine if they notice or realize something that just jumps into their heads, this is a passive roll.

Roll vs Role Playing: How they do something is equally important as a dice roll. For example with trap finding: If a player tells me what they are going to do or how they are going to check, if it fits the scenario, I give them a bonus to the skill check roll. If a player tells me look for traps, without any detail or description, they just roll the dice. This is how a non-thief can potentially disarm a trap, or convince a stranger to do something, or anything else in game, etc.

Low Magic My world is an assumed low magic item world, every dweomered item essentially decays over months (or years), so going into a dungeon they might find info, scrolls and coins, but all the 'Real Magic' has long since faded back into the Ether. Only items found on an outer-plane or at last partially stuck in the Ether can avoid this, but then once on Nyssa, the decay starts to happen. There are ways to avoid this, but usually only available at higher levels.

Free Character Change No penalty for changing characters: outside of a dungeon.  Go ahead, play what you want. Getting killed imposes a slight drop in level for starting a new character.

Dueling Proficiency: Most characters are proficient with both rapier and dagger, as duels are common and it is the weapon of choice for aristocrats and most soldiers. You can carry these anywhere. Many places allow dueling, as it's assumed that both parties consent. Even in places that do not allow dueling as a daily practice, it happens on Sword Day (last day of the Ten-Day week) as its a traditional fair day when competition happens. Duels, both for training and honor occur regularly. The majority of duels are stopped once three strikes happen or other stated condition.

Firearms are available in some remote locations much more common than urban ones. Though guns cannot be enchanted; ammunition can be. However, it is more common for ammunition to be made out of magical materials (like anthril), but is rare and expensive.

Spells or spell-like affects are not affected by critical or fumble rolls unless there are side rules specifically in the spell description.

Teleport Spell (5th level) can only be cast from one teleport pad to another. You must know the exact location of the second pad. If it is blocked (a simple cloth covering it) you cannot teleport through. It takes one hour to carve a temporary teleport insignia in sand (up to six hours if in stone.) The Greater Teleport (7th level) does not need a teleport pad to begin; but it always needs a teleport pad to go to.


A hoard of gold (especially coins) act as a blocker, which is one reasons why kings and dragons cannot be scryed. Top priority.

A hoard of silver (especially coins) acts as an enhancer to many spell & spell effects involving illusions.  Most Fey collect silver for this reason. Seconded priority.

A hoard of platinum (especially coins) prevents charm spells & effects. Some say this is why it is so rare. No Priority - works when there are more platinum in one central location.

A hoard of electrum (especially coins) prevents deception in spells or spell effects.

A hoard of copper coins prevents strength draining magic or effects. Giants always have tonnes of copper in their lairs.

Thursday, 28 April 2016

Japeth - High Paladin, Lord of Protection, God of Courage


This was the first of the deities codes that I created for one of my games. A long time ago... I had a good player, but he always seemed to stretch what he could when running his paladin which caused many of the other players frustration. I wrote the code, and said that it was up to him to interpret him, but that I expected him to keep it. He did and always did a good job, and stepped up to game it in a good, consistent and fun way. It worked so well, I eventually wrote the codes as brief belief outlines for my other good aligned gods.

Japeth - God of Courage

Alignment: Lawful Good
Follower's Alignment: Any non-chaotic & non-evil
Associated Colour: Orange
Holy Days: Every Month or once a Tenday
Sacrifice: Tithe (10%) or twenty days of service every year
Patron: Paladin, Lawyers, Scribes, Politicians, Soldiers
Familiar Form: Tiger, Orange Fox
Domains: Good, Law, Protection, War
Prohibited Domains: Chaos, Darkness, Destruction, Evil, Madness, Trickery
Followers Titles: Paladin, Defender, Knight, Orange Sash Knight, General


God of Courage. High Paladin. Lord of the Holy. The sword and the shield. The protector. The ever-vigilant. These are the names for Japeth, the High Lord Paladin, defender of the weak. He is a hero, always willing to sacrifice himself for the greater cause. He is also brother to Cush, the Chaotic Evil Lord of bloodshed and murder, and always they fight in a eternal struggle. Yet, there are stories told of many adventures they undertook together

He is the patron of paladins, and all warriors who risk their lives to protect someone else. He is the celestial general and just as others follow him, so too his followers lead other mortals. Yet, unlike many mortals, Japeth knows he is a leader in wartime, and is a steadfast servant to His queen – Quanna. Studied experts also revere the High Lord, as they know that generals don't just lead because of grace or charm, but work and dedication to a cause.

Orange is the most often worn colour for his faithful, it represents tenacity of purpose. Many times, the devoted wear trim of gold, green, purple or brown to show their unity with other faiths. Perhaps because of the great devotion that mortal paladins show Japeth, he constantly tries to show his own willingness to serve others for he leads by example, an important tenet in the faith.

His familiar form is that of a tiger, large, strong and brave. It appears when invoked, ready to guard an important paladin or cleric. Often, they come not during battle, but in times of supposed safety, to remind the faithful that they must always be ready. These forms can be sent to the faithful, but do not remain under the command of a paladin, always to a cleric, and usually to someone protecting a holy site. An orange-tailed or a fully orange fur-skin animal is a common familiar type, that suddenly appears serving someone of the faith.

His avatar is a paladin, in full plate armor, and a golden vorpal sword; ready to strike down evil. They say few words, but may lead the faithful in a battle song. They stand in front of a leader, and will defend them at any cost. When accompanied by at least a dozen faithful, he can sing a song of sharpness, giving all other warriors within 200 feet of him, remarkable abilities with their own swords. At the battle of Thoresh, he slew avatars to both Keran and Cush; yet he fell from the massive damage inflicted by a greater tyrant.


Japeth’s Code
Remember, lead by example
Show honour to all
Obey the law
Protect the weak, our charge
Enforce the rules
And not your beliefs
Respect the enemy
But never let them see doubt
For we are brave, strong and true
Go in the name of Japeth
He will protect you, Always


Thursday, 21 April 2016

Blue Bees of Boreth

On Nyssa, all healing magics have a blue colour, and some experts believe it was the use of these blue potions from the blue bees that created the first association.

Blue Bees of Boreth
Dimunitive Outsider (Swarm)

Init:                      +6
HD:                     40hp (9d8+0 con) 
Speed:                 Fly 60 (E)
AC                      20 (+2 size, +6 Dex, +2 natural), touch 18, flat-footed 14 
BAB +14           CMB -1      CMD 16
Attack: Swarm (2d6)+
SA:                      Buzzing as Distraction (17)
SQ:                      Immune to Poison, Swarm traits
Saves: F +6, R +11, W +6
Abilities: S 1, D 22, Co 10, In 7, W 12, Ch 10
Skills: Perception +17
Feats: Alertness, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes
Environment: Spirelands (Bor-Vessan Region)
Organization: Rave (5-7 Swarms)
CR: 4
Treasure: None
Alignment: Neutral
Advancement: None

The blue bees are infamous in the Boreth Spireland region for many reasons, primarily because of the blue honey made from there nectar. Unlike other kinds of bees, they do not have a poisonous sting, but they do significant damage because of their numbers. Few other creatures would dare hold these creatures prisoner, their buzzing sound drives men insane.

Bee farmers from the region discovered that the buzzing could be countered by concentration, they train their young men to ignore the damning buzz, and it is these few that harvest the blue nectar. These bottles of blue honey are usually sold for 50 crowns (g.p.) but some of the more elaborate bottles can go for much higher. Druids often use the blue honey for components for many potions and elixirs.

Buzzing: Their constant buzzing is maddening, those who hear it must save vs Will 17 or go into a blind rage, unable to control their action and will do anything to get away from the sound.

Swarm: These bees inflict 2d6 on the first round. For each additional round, their attack inflicts +1d6 additional damage.