Obelisk Domain Spells

Obelisks are fairly huge deals in my world, as they are the epicentre of religions in my world especially in and around communities. This is some of the most common spells from casters who are dedicated to protecting locations.

Obelisk Domain

1st  -  Obelisk Vigilance

2nd  - Obelisk Speak

3rd - Obelisk Window

4th - Obelisk Jump

5th - Obelisk Oath

6th - Obelisk Protection

7th - Obelisk Guardian

8th - Create Obelisk

9th - Obelisk Wrath

Obelisk Vigilance: When at an obelisk, the cleric gains +2 to all of their attacks and damage rolls or they may gain a +2 to all of their saving throws.

Obelisk Speak: All creatures within 200 ft radius of an obelisk understand each other in their native language

Obelisk Window: Cleric can create a scrying window, acts as the 5^th level Scrying spell with the obelisk acting as the material focus. It is active for one minute per caster level.

Oath Jump: All obelisks are connected via the magical frequency that binds them, with this spell a cleric can travel from any one obelisk to another. Just like the teleport circle, the obelisk that is traveled to must be either “open” or another cleric must also cast obelisk jump on the one the cleric will travel to. Once opened, the obelisk remains in this state for ten rounds. One creature can travel through per round.

Obelisk Oath: This spell will bind any one subject to the cleric’s specific request. The target does not get a saving throw. The request must be a reasonable one that does not violate the subject’s alignment or beliefs however it does not have to be one that the target likes or wants to obey. In return, the cleric and all of their comrades a well as any members of the same faith are honor-bound to not harm, hinder or in any way violate the target of the oath in any way.

Obelisk Protection: The cleric gains 15/good damage reduction, as well as a +6 divine bonus to their AC when defending either a holy place, person or cause related to their cleric’s faith. This spell will last one hour per level.

Obelisk Guardian: Summons the guardian of the obelisk to serve a task. The guardian cannot move than 200 feet away from the obelisk while performing the task. This spell is usually done in the defense of the obelisk to either destroy attackers or to take creatures directly to the god’s planar home.

Create Obelisk: Creates a new obelisk to function as a divine energy source. This spell takes one complete day to cast, and the priest can cast this spell no more than once a month. After casting this spell, the priest is completely drained of all their spells for one day per their casting level. This is a powerful spell that few priests ever cast more than once or twice in their lifetime.

Obelisk Wrath: The spellcaster can call down 200 d6 worth of divine power within five miles of the obelisk. This spell permanently drains one level from the priest,. It is also uncontrollable; as all life in the radius takes the damage. The epicentre takes the full damage, each ¼ mile away takes 50d6 less damage. Only creatures within 300 meters of the obelisk itself (and any other obelisk) avoid damage. 

Holy Vows - Player Choices

Holy Vow

This is my way of giving the players options as to what their character stands for. Most are options that their characters should want to pick, others its an option for them.

There are standard operating items for members of particular races or faiths pick, but individuals always get the chance to choose.

Paladins must choose 3 holy vows, they gain another every 4 levels.
Cleric: 3 vows, if they gain more than 8 levels may have to choose more
Druids & monks 2 vows , they gain another every 5 levels
Some prestige class also must take some of these.

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Bravery: Never show fear. Last to retreat but they cannot use this while defending others.

Celibacy: Remain chaste. While sex is never directly role-played in my games, there are times it is implied. So if tempted even by magic or trickery, a paladin would face sanction. Female knights must take this vow, since they would need to give up their adventuring career if they ever got pregnant.

Challenge: You are open to a challenge in any form, at any time. Few times this is lethal or combat, but you must be ready to prove your self worthy without accepting magical or other aids. Duels are common in many places in my world, as most humans and elves use rapier as their exclusive dueling weapon. Most times combat is fought until someone is disarmed or drawing first blood.  All challenges are completed on the spot without any additional magic being employed; but if the person being already has magic weapons or spells, they do not have to be dropped.

Courtesy: Show respect to those of higher level & station. a non-combat one that has probably caused more trouble than anything else. If nobles or spell-casters are spouting off, the character must bite their tongue and remain civil. Doesn't matter what is being said, civility must always be adhered to.

Freedom: Allow no intelligent being to remain in slavery. (Counts as 3) Slavery is an ongoing theme in my world, as certain creatures such as Halflings are often found enslaved. This can be a huge game-breaker, but if played with finesse can add a lot to the game itself. A lot a druids in my world take this and they make sure animals are treated well. 

Humility: Remain humble in spirit, rejecting adulation and reward. Again, like courtesy, players have to watch what they say. The rewards thing is tricky, as they can accept payment, just not the medals or over-payment. If offered reasonable monetary reward for a service, this is fine.

Loyalty: renounce all ties to family, guild, tower & government; live for their order. One that has been taken many times in the past, players just need to make sure they don't associate with other groups. Their dedication to the order is often a background thing, as players are assumed to spend a certain number of days not in the middle of their team missions, and this is what they associate with. Its also a great source of contacts, rumours and information. 

Neutrality: apolitical. This is one of my favorites. They avoid politics or making any kind of comment on the government or monarchy. They have to be careful not to help either side who is involved. Solomo wizards must take this vow.

Minor Faith: Accept no aid from non-allied churches. So they can either go with alignment or ethos, so if LG chaotic is out. They do not have to disrespect, just will not directly or knowingly work with a cleric or that church or group.

Major Faith: Accept no aid from another’s alignment. (Counts as 2) Much more difficult, but have seen it done effectively.

Minor Poverty: surrender 25% of all wealth attained. Probably the easiest to do; make sure you give your spoils away,

Major Poverty: surrender 75% of all wealth attained. (Counts as 2) Easy to adjudicate, hard for the player.

Obedience: obey all leaders & those of higher status in their specific command; one of the most rarely taken as it can be tricky.

Truth: do not lie or misrepresent the truth. This is actually incredibly difficult at times and I've seen it both abused and used as a straight-jacket. It doesn't mean they can't trick or beguile others, they just cannot deliberately lie or tell falsehoods when speaking to someone or something outside of combat. During combat they won't be discussing matters of issue, so it doesn't really come up. Their silence is not an answer, so even if confronted, if they are ever in doubt, its their own faithful option/

A two for 1 special; spawning creatures and their never lonely mistresses

A two for 1 special; spawns and the spawning maiden mistresses!

Again what I looked for and not finding what I wanted in any d20 type material. Spawned creatures, that are fairly common in video games, yet, nothing really usable in the core material. The threat of these creatures should be enough to put the fear into your players, or make them never want to leave the dungeon until they max out!.

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Template: Spawn

Spawn are a horrid abomination that arise due to magical plants which mutates other creatures into lesser versions of the original. The spawning maiden or one of its spawn slaves usually takes a wounded creature and takes it back to Maiden`s lair and is then buried in the soil around the spawn-maiden.  After twenty hours, the Spawning Mother can release a monstrous replications of the specimen host. They can copy the beast again by taking two hours for every base HD of the copied beast.  All spawn-children are telepathically controlled.

The original creature is unharmed in the process and must be alive at the end of the twenty hour process. Once the first copy is made, the original host may be killed, released or just ignored by the spawn's monstrous replications depending upon the need of the spawn clan.  While these replications are much weaker than the original host, the spawning rift is able to replicate at an incredibly fast rate.  A specimen host can provide spawn no more than once per point of constitution, so the spawning rift must always be careful in its tactics. It can use its own created spawn as a new specimen host, but all of the penalties are increased and they do not gain the benefit of a higher constitution.

Spawn are mind weakened creatures that exist to serve the spawning maiden that created it. They know nothing more than battle or any other task as they are commanded. These abominations are unable to reproduce and have no emotions or memories of their own.

CREATING A Spawn
“Spawn” is an acquired template that can be added to any corporeal creature (other than an undead or other aberrations).

Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to aberration. It uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here. They appear the same as the base creature, except their colouring and odor seems off in some small ways; survival DC 11+HD to notice something wrong.

Hit Dice: Spawn lower than 3 HD, lose 1 HD, but never have less than 1 HD. Spawn lose 2 HD if greater than 4 HD, they lose 3 HD if lower than 9 HD, and 4 HD if their base is higher than 10 HD. It is extremely rare for spawn to gain levels or grow in size or HD, but if they do, they advance as a fighter regardless of what their base creature’s advancement rules.

Speed: Remains unchanged.

Armor Class: Natural armor bonus is unchanged.

Attacks: A spawn retains all the natural weapons, manufactured weapon attacks, and weapon proficiencies of the base creature, adjusted for their lower strength.  However, often these spawn do not have access to equipment – so they are forced to use slam attacks.

Damage: Natural and manufactured weapons deal damage normally.

Special Attacks: A spawn retains all of the base creature’s special attacks.

Special Qualities: Spawn creatures retain any extraordinary special qualities and gain the following special qualities.

Hive Mind: All spawn are under telepathic domination from its Spawning Maiden when within 5 km of its creator and follow orders explicitly. If farther away from the rift, will follow its last orders, if the orders no longer make sense, they return to their lair to receive new orders. If the Spawning Maiden is killed, the spawn become free but will always act as one group, attempting to establish a territory of its own and continue to take prisoners.

Corporeal Instability: Spawn are made with instable material, once they are brought down to fewer than zero hit points they immediately lose form, collapsing into a puddle of icky, sticky, messy ooze.

Improved Formation fighting (Ex): Spawn can act as apart of a unit it fighting with their Spawning Maiden.  When fighting with their Spawning Maiden they gain +1 for every ally attacking the same foe.

Saves: Recalculate based on new ability scores and HD.

Abilities: A spawn’s strength and dexterity, decreases by -2, it’s intelligence and charisma drops by -4 (never lower than 3) and it’s constitution increases by +4.

Skills: Spawn keep all skill points from its base creature, even if they should normally lose them from the drop in HD or ability points.

Feats: A spawn keeps any feats it has from its base nature (even if they should lose based on decreased HD.) and gains Improved Formation fighting.

Environment: Any, usually same as base creature.
Organization: Colony.
Treasure: None.
Alignment: Always neutral evil.
Advancement: As fighter.

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Spawning Maiden  CR 10

NE Large Plant
Init +4;low-light vision,scent; Perception +17

DEFENSE
AC 17  touch 7, flat-footed 17 (-1 Size, -2 Dex, +10 natural)
HP 102 (12d8+48 con)
Fort +8, Ref +2, Will +8

OFFENSE
Speed 10 ft.
Melee 2 tentacles +13 (2d6+6)
SA Natural Camoflage, Poison, Improved Formation fighting, Blindsight, Plant Qualities

STATISTICS
Str 18, Dex 7, Con 19, Int 13, Wis 13, Cha 10
Base Atk +9 CMB +13 CMD 21
Feats: Intimidating Prowess, Iron Will, Improved Initiative, Imp Trip, Imp Sunder, Weapon Focus (tentacle)
Skills  Intimidate+8,  Knowledge ((Plant, Local, Dungeon)+12), Perception +17

Environment: Any Underground
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: Double

Alignment: Always neutral evil.
Advancement: 13 - 18 HD (Large), 19 - 32 HD (Huge)

A mottled tan coloured mushroom 6 ft tall, with splotches of brown and yellow spots cover the exterior, while odd looking it does not seem to be dangerous. It's tentacles look like regular roots except when in use strangling opponents.

Spawning Maidens on first glance tall mushrooms found in isolated locales surrounded by small mushrooms growing on the ground and possibly cave walls around it. But those who represent a threat will immediately see a hundred “eyes” appear where its eyes were as it co-ordinates the attacks of various spawn creatures that are all around it. These smaller mushrooms are the replicated which burst open once the spawned creatures are mature.

Long before ever directly facing a spawning shroom, the party will likely face encounters will be with dozens or hundreds of spawned beasties. While incredibly prolific in spawning, these Spawning Maidens carefully watch production, as they may not need nourishment, the replicated beasts do. Spawning Maidens may send their “children” to battle but will not willingly create creatures just to see them starve. They can only copy or spawn creatures that are smaller then they are. They are more likely to spawn lesser HD creatures (gnolls, goblins, etc) that they can order to come into the underground depths.

Combat
Spawning Maiden do not negotiate or even converse with other creatures, whenever a non-spawn is in it’s lair it will usually command it’s spawned offspring to attack. The only exception are those who may not recognize the Maiden for what it is and could potentially pass-by without causing difficulty.

Natural Camoflage: Unless an opponent recognizes the Maiden, (knowledge nature DC 22), it will appear to be a tall but innocuous plant.

Tentacles: It has 10 feet reach, and will use trip and sunder attacks to weaken enemies as appropriate.

Poison: Once per five rounds, Spawning Maidens can release poisonous spores which affects all non-spawned creatures in a 60 feet radius. (Fort DC 17, slow / 1d6 str)

Control Spawn: Spawning Maidens telepathically control all spawn within a five mile radius; this is a free action.  It cannot be stopped or usurped in any known way.

Improved Formation fighting (Ex): Spawning Maidens act as apart of the formation, so they gain +1 for every spawned ally attacking the same foe as them.

Medusa Elder

One of the buffed Master creatures that I have created to use to surprise players so they don't get complacent. These Medusa are not evil, they do not seek to cause suffering unless you enter into their courts uninvited, try and steal from them or you fail to entertain them. They have no desire to harm song-boys or artists or those obviously weaker under their care. They can be bargained with, and keep true to their word, if you can get them to make an agreement.

Medusa Elder

CR10 LN Medium monstrous humanoid
Init+6; Senses all-around vision,darkvision 60 ft.; Perception+17

DEFENSE

AC 18,touch15, flat-footed 13 ( +5 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 105 (10d10+50)
For +8 Ref +12, Will+9

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger+13/+8 (1d4/19–20), (four) snake bite +13 (1d4 plus poison)
Range: mwk longbow +14/+9 (1d8/×3)
Special Attacks gaze attacks

STATISTICS

Str 13, Dex 21, Con 20, Int 14, Wis13, Cha 17
Base Atk +15; CMB+11;CMD 26
Feats Improved Initiative Point-Blank Shot Precise Shot, Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +12, Disguise +12, Intimidate +15, Perception +17, Stealth +16;

Racial Modifier +4 Perception
Languages Common

Medusa Tyrants or Elder Medusa appear the same as mythlogical Medusa, except they have magical snakes in their hair, far greater then the legendary ability to turn creatures to stone. Some scholars believe they are either an advanced form or are descendants of the primal Medusa creature.

They enjoy music and stories and grand displays of arrogance, they always seem to be lonesome figures and always want to be entertained over acquiring more wealth. If pleased, they reward their jesters lavish though non-magical gifts. Their favorite pets are bards, who are well treated, often staying with their patron for days until getting close enough to realize what their mistresses are.

Prefer not to raid or attack other humanoid lairs. Will lure their guests first to a dungeon complex, and then eventually to a mini-palace, where the Medusa is holding court, to a mix of lower level good, neutral and chaotic creatures. These Ladies rule the court, but few realize just who or what she is as she always keeps her snake-hair well hidden. She will often challenge adventurers to a Gaunlet or Challenge, and in the middle of the challenge this is when the Medusa and her retinue will attack. Most often, the adventurers will perish without ever knowing their Lady is also the mysterious Medusa that attacked them suddenly.

Their inner lair is completely light-less cave, that has only one secret entrance. Few creatures that are ever invited, return. 

Most Medusa have three gaze attacks, roll below to determine type. Once a creature saves agaisnt that gaze, they are immune to it for the next week.  Thirty foot Gaze Attacks: As a 12^th level spellcaster, DC 18; 

Roll 2d6 to determine gaze type

2. ESP

3. Hold Person

4. Charm Person

5-8 Petrifying Gaze

9. Freezing Gaze (as stone, except it lasts for 1d12 hours)

10. Paralyzation Gaze  (as stone, except it lasts for 10d12 minutes) 

11. Polymorph Gaze (rat or rodent)

12. Feeblemind Gaze

The gaming word I hate to use... (weird rant warning)

I guess in every hobby or even or in organization there are key or tag words  that are synonymous with the people involved.  For me the gaming word I despise is campaign.

What is a campaign?

How do you set-up a campaign?

I cringe when I hear (or read on a blog) oh, I am setting up a campaign for next week, you want to join us for the night?

Arrrghhh!!!!! NO! NO! NO! Come here, I have a log I want to beat you with, and it was never involved in any campaign, I just killed pretend things with it.

You set-up a game world.
You devise missions or quests or adventures.
You run sessions, game sessions.

None of those things are a campaign. A campaign is Hannibal crossing the Alps to get to Rome. The efforts of eliminating TB. Defeating the Nazi's in World War 2. LoTR wasn't even a campaign, epic yes, but they were all over the place, it was a quest at the start, then a mission, then a battle.  A campaign in gaming terms, would be to look back over a (minimum of a) year of missions, all related to a particular task and see the steps to complete. It is and grand and majestic and glorious and memorable.

I swear to you, it means something for me, so when you cavalierly use it, it feels like arrows have pierced into my flesh. I think about the so called games that didn't happen again because of real life priorities, or people moved away, for all the out-of-game fights during sessions because of rules arguments, NEVER even say the word alignment, for all the promises of sessions that fell apart and there was so much disappointment of wanting to capture a style or feeling of a game ambiance or lack of a rulebook or supplement. These things have hurt me, too much, too many times.

Don't say that word, it breaks my heart, as games always fall short one more time of everything that I thought it could be.

I play pretend games, individual sessions that sometimes come together like a string of pearls, covered in sea-swine, fake blood, and man-tears but with moments of fun-awesomeness.  I've promised myself, one last time...its just a game, don't let it bother me ever again. enjoy the moment, enjoy the friends, enjoy the minis and the strategy. But when I hear that word...grrr..

Quick Simple House Rules

Quick Simple House Rules / Adjustments

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

Roll vs Role Playing: Yes we use the dice to determine success, but how they do is more important then what they do. 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 works in 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.

Low Magic; My world is a low magic item world, every dweomered item essentially decays over weeks or months or years, so going into a dungeon or long-lost Tower, 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.

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

All players are proficient with a rapier. Lots of duels happen; this is the weapon of choice for Aristocrats or city folk. You can carry this weapon anywhere as most cities do not restrict these unlike most other weapons.

Firearms (non-advanced ones) are in theory available. They cannot be enchanted; ammunition can be, but is very rare for this to happen.

Spells or spell-like affects are not affected by critical or fumble rolls.

Sorcerers can switch spells freely; they do this between sessions by concentrating or studying, going on a retreat, or however we want to frame the game events for one week per spell level.

Clerics except for a few specific spells only need their holy symbol as the divine focus for their spells. All cleric spells need V, S & M regardless of what is stated in the rulebooks.

Teleport Spell (5th level) can only be done 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 pad which can be done on any substantial substance. 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
A hoard of silver (especially coins) acts as an enhancer to many spell & spell effects.


Possible Change

I'm also considering ditching the formal cleric class and allowing sorcerers to use either the wizard or cleric spell list. All the other cleric functions can be feats that they can choose.

Backward Engineering OSR to Pathfinder

I need to thank and curse Rafael Chandler, as I need to figure out a way to backward engineer a lot of his terrific monsters from the Teratic Tome from OSR to fit my Pathfinder game. Not so worried about the feats, but I'm thinking about the best way to auto add such skills as perception & stealth. At first thought, I'm thinking about double their HD for a number of skills equal to their HD. So, a 3+3 HD would get +6 to three skills; simple and easy to remember.

Why do I have to do so much effort? Oh right, awesome monsters with so many twisted ideas ready for me to sic on my players.

Don't want to spoil the surprises with an actual review, but it's a great book at a great price. And it just shows how much, regardless of edition, a good book with good ideas and sticky usable features can be used to inspire your game!    

Phaetox - Player Character Race

Many times in my game, I use creatures that are not really appropriate in other worlds. This is one of those, it probably wouldn't be a big deal in most other worlds, but fill a unique niche in my setting. As its the only thing in my world that has any use of magical fire. 

These were based on the Dragonlance setting creatures of nearly same name, and am pretty sure they were lawful beings that could fly and couldn't or didn't tell any lies. Been so long that I forget...since this was loosely based on the Phaeton myth from Greek, wanted to add some religious flavour, I certainly think their devotion to the phoenix as a patron fits for them.

Phaetox - Player Character Race

These pale humanoids appear the same as a human, except on concentration they can sprout blue flame wings as part of their devotion to their heavenly patron – the phoenix. 

Personality: They are great believers in law, order and discipline but others describe them as sour and serious. Most are peaceful, spending most of their lives in simple work and simple pleasures. They are wonderful artists who perpetually practice their craft.

Physical Description: Phaetox appear as pale humans with white, blond or red hair; though they can grow it long, few do. Most wear simple tunics; if armed they use a dagger or staff.

Relations: Phaetox view elves, jahlen, and halflings with suspicion, as these races often bring disruption to Phaetox society. They see the dwarves as a potential ally but rarely have formalized relations. They have no pre-set opinion on humans. 

Alignment: They tend towards both law and neutrality. These peaceful people are highly organized and have followed ceremonial laws for millenia.

Lands: Their territory are mountain regions, spires and the cloud isles; preferring cities to rural areas.

Religion: Their devotion is unique to the Phoenix but clerics are unknown, monks reside as a center of the faith. Though rare, Paladins do exist, but always dual classed, as they start off as another class and find a way to transition into the holy warrior archetype.

Language: Phaetox, Avian & the common tongue.

Adventurers: Most Phaetox that adventure, do so to learn more about the world around the spirelands. The most common reason is for those who fail the ritual of ascension, which normally binds a Phaetox to a lesser phoenix and grants them use of their flame wings. They depart to learn of their true purpose. Thankfully, well over half of those who depart return, and do so with their faith reinvigorated and ready to ascend into unity with the phoenix.

Phaetox Racial Traits

Flame Wings for 1 minutes per point of constitution (18 con = 18 minutes)

+2 wisdom, -2 strength

+2 diplomacy, +2 knowledge (religion), Fly +2 (every racial HD)

Speed: Fly 30 (Clumsy)

Racial Hit Dice: 2d6 

Attack and saving throws as Cleric; + 4 skill points per racial HD

Natural Attack: Flame Wings as a touch attack (1d4 dmg), does not gain bonuses for high strength. If creatures are immune to flame, take only one point of spiritual damage.  

Disadvantage: Unable to lie or tell any falsehoods; can not take ranks in disguise or bluff

Optional Racial HD levels

2 HD Radiate Law, x +2 reaction bonus from lawful creatures; -4 from chaotic creatures

3 HD Resolve, Law Domain (1st)

4 HD Lawful strike (Aligned attack), Law Domain (2nd), + 2 wis & Con

5 HD Flame Wings, +2 to attacks, 1d6 Damage; Increase Duration (5 min / Con)

6 HD Protection from Chaos (Constant)

7 HD Greater Resolve;  + 2 wis & Con; Order's Wrath (4th level domain)

8 HD Flame Wings, 1d8 damage / wing; Max Duration (10 min / Con)

9 HD Protection from Chaos 30 ft Radius; dispel chaos (5th level domain) 

10 HD Absolute Resolve;  hold monster; + 2 wis & Con; Flame Wings, 1d10 damage

Resolve: Gain Wis or Cha bonus on saves vs illusions or falsehoods

Greater Resolve; Gain HD + Class Level + Wis & Cha bonus on saves vs illusions or falsehoods

Absolute Resolve: Immune to falsehoods  Illusions  

Core Racial Skills: Craft (any), Diplomacy, Heal, Knowledge (local, geography, history, religion), Perception, Perform, Sense Motive, Stealth, Survival (all class skills)

Level Adjustment: +1 CR

Preferred Classes: Fighter, Monk, Ranger, Sorcerer, 

Restricted Classes: Barbarian or Cleric

Shal - Enhanced Lizard-Woman

This is one of the many creatures I created using inspiration sources that I forget. Most likely spell-jammer, but it's been so long that it blurs. This is a female kick-ass creature but has a sensitive side. I always though how interesting to see a reptilian mother on one hand, hand-nursing a human child yet able to pick up a weapon and destroy those who would threaten it. A slave to serve, but not a blind one.

Lizardith or Lizard Men are one of the most powerful species in my world, that runs the gamut of being both brutal and sophisticated, next only to humans for their noted variances. Doposylla is a reptilian creature that was inspired by Dr Who, silurrians if I recall correctly. Anyway, for your gaming enjoyment...


Shal CR 4
XP 1,200
LN Medium monstrous humanoid water)
Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +3

DEFENSE

AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+4 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 25 (5d10+15)
Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +3

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft.
Melee +6 to hit, damage by weapon +4 (melee)

STATISTICS

Str 14, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 9, Wis 10, Cha 12
Base Atk +2; CMB +4; CMD 18
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Finese
Skills Acrobatic: +7, Perception +3, Swim +8, Sense Motive +5, Stealth +8 (+10 in jungle areas);
Racial Modifiers +2 Stealth, +4 swim

Languages Common, Lizardith, Dwarven
SQ Breathe Underwater

Enhanced lizardith, adapted to appear the same as a sleek, muscular human body, except for their leathery green skin. They have no tail, but they have a long forked tongue.  Created by the Doposylla to act as agents between the Quisith (Lizardith) and regular warm bodies humanoid society. They are most often created as a request and will serve the Master that paid for them to be created. Shal most often serve as either personal body-guards or as leaders of small contingents of elite soldiers.

Unlike lizardith, they are instilled with a strong sense of loyalty and duty. This need to serve a master is not simply a psychological one but a physiological, will get physically ill if forced to disobey an order. yet, they are competent and free-willed, as they can choose to leave if mistreated.  Most shal serve until their Master's death, then they are free and never again seek to directly serve another.

Only female shal have ever been seen outside a Lizardith community, although the Doposylla do claim the male Shalak were bred, but despite their lower strength and constitution, the females were far superior in combat and are the only ones still being utilized. Shal mate with either a warm-blooded humanoid or a lixardith; 80% of the time the offspring will be a shal, the rest of the time it matches the nature of the father. They always give birth to eggs, even if the child matches their father's heritage. As reptilian, they do not have mammary glands, thus they cannot nurse, but they are still excellent mothers, including to non-hatch-brood siblings (non-children.) Their martial instincts seem to lay dormant until ready to pick up their weapon once again. Shal never choose their Master as mate, and if they are forced to mate never conceive another shal.

Shal have no society of their own, they tend to blend as best they can in to either lizardith or whoever their current Master or mate is.

Preferred weapon: spear, harpoon, scimitar, trident or net
Preferred Class: Fighter, Ranger, Rogue or Monk

Nyssian Imp (Long-Tailed Imp)

When stating out a creature, I will often begin by writing it up as a class. The other fun thing is I can pick how powerful a version of the creature depending upon the situation or need. These things are not intended as a PC or even NPC class, but as a variable power beast.

This is one of evolved or adjusted creatures I use instead of what`s in the books. It is a combination of the Imp and Mephit in terms of abilities but the background makes it a whole lot more interesting I think. Instead of a pesk to kill, or a evil sidekick , these creatures have the potential to be a troublesome but useful pain in the butt. Everything else not mentioned below, I don`t really worry about. They might have treasure or work in pairs, but mostly they are a curious dungeon dweller who may be an uneasy partner with your PCs.

Nyssian Imp (Long-Tailed Imp)

There are many gray-beards who will tell you what something is without ever having to step outside their Tower. Imps are beings from other worlds and they are vile, disgusting things without honour or virtue yet many adventurers speak of these things with grudging respect having been places where the only thing to give aid is the lowly important. They despise beauty or the fey, yet they will often lend a hand for the right price or favour.

Description: As younglings, they start at 3 foot tall, gray or blackened skin, small wings, long tail, sharpened claws. They grow into gargoyle-like beings, the easiest way to discern the difference between is a longer prehensile tail ending with a stinger. Imps often wear robes or cloaks to hide their appearance. While they prefer dungeons they do sometimes interact with city-folk especially when hired as guides.

While they were descendant from outer world version, these Imps are more mischievous trouble-makers than malevolent purveyors of evil. Their aim seems to be to get what they want with as little effort as needed and to mock those who do harm to creatures smaller then themselves or anyone who would treat ugly creatures badly. They are often mistaken for evil by other creatures. Larger, much more powerful evil creatures seem to assume a Nyssian Imp will obey their orders, and indeed they often will until its no longer convenient for a long-tailed imp to do so.

2 HD: Invisibility 5 rounds, Poison Tail Dmg d3, DC 13 (Paralysis d3 rounds), Ignore Magical Wards or protections. Two claw attacks every round doing1d4 damage. Add skill points every level as a ranger.

Typical Ability Scores: Str 8, Dex 17, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 13

Skill Bonus: +8 to fly rolls, +4 to stealth

Racial Skills: Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Dex), Escape Artist (Dex), Fly (Dex), Knowledge (dungeoneering) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Planes), Perception (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Stealth (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Use Magic Device (Cha).

3HD Sneak Attack +d6, Shape Change (1 creature)

4HD +1 to natural AC, Radiate Non-Detection

5HD Poison DC +2; Breath Weapon 2d8 (acid, cold or dust) DC 13 for half dmg 3 / day

6HD +1 to natural AC, long-Tail, Improved Claws, Medium Size

7HD Improved Shape Change (Up to four distinct animals), Improved Invisibility (5 rounds)

8HD +1 to natural AC; Sneak Attack +2d6

9HD Longer-Tail, Enhanced Claws

10HD +1 to natural AC; Breath Weapon 4d8 (acid, cold or dust) 3 / day, DC 16 for half dmg

11HD Poison DC +4

12HD +1 to natural AC; Sneak Attack +4d6

13HD Greater Invisibility (10 rounds, 3 / day)

Invisibility: A Nyssian Imp can stay invisible for short non-consecutive up to a certain number of rounds.

Ignore Magical Wards: Imps can ignore magical protections without setting them off. They either bypass fully or they do not go through, no middle ground and do not try or test as they seem to have an instinct that they do not test. The avoidance property is only for themselves, they cannot retrieve items from behind a barrier or ward. Their ability is only for magical wards, they must still find a way to get around standard locks and barriers.

Radiate Non-Detection: Eventually Nyssian Imps cannot be detected by spells or spell-like abilities until they reveal themselves. Once they attack or otherwise make contact, then spells for creatures in the immediate vicinity have the capacity to discern their location.

Improved Claws: Improves to 1d6 damage

Enhanced Claws: Improves to 1d8 damage

Longer-Tail: They gain an effective 10 ft reach with their long tail.

Breath Weapon: They can blast off a breath weapon of a particular type, once this is chosen, does not change. It does damage in a ten foot wide range out to forty feet away. They cannot add breath weapon damage to their backstab rolls.

Chaonaos - Orb of Magical Chaos

I normally use a lot of lawful archetype creatures:  well organized, low-level, working together under a specified leader, and usually willing to work with the PCs towards a mutually shared goal. When I do chaos, its crazy and destructive, so players cannot plan. They might kill you, talk to you, transform you, let you go, make you do a dance or lead you to places that will warp your fragile little mind!

Here is a version of the Chaos Orb from Necromancer's Game's Tome of Horror books, that I loved the second I saw it. Perfectly fit what I thought a typical chaos acting creature should be. Hope you drive your players a little further towards madness.

Chaonaos (Chaos Drift or Chaos Orb)

NE Large Sized Aberration
Init variable; Senses darkvision 60 ft.,low-light vision, Perception +15

DEFENSE

AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+7 Natural, +3 Dexterity)
hp 45 (10d8);
Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +7
Morale 19 (Fearless)

OFFENSE

Speed 5 ft., Fly 40 ft
Melee +10 Bite (1d8+4), Pseudopod +13 (Varies)
SA Chaos strike

STATISTICS

Str 18, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 15, Wis 10, Cha 13
Base Atk +8; CMB +12; CMD 25
Feats: Attack Focus (Pseudo-Pod), Skill Focus (Perception), Great Fortitude, Fly-By Attack, Spell Focus (Chaos Strike),
Skills Perception +15, Knowledge (Arcane) +15, Knowledge (Chaos) +15,Knowledge (Religion)+15, Fly +24
SQ  Spell Engine, Immune to mind spells, Resist 20 (all) elemental types, Damage Reduction 15/law

ECOLOGY

Environment mountains & underground
Organization solitary
Treasure Double standard
Advancement: Huge (11-18 HD)

At first glance, this creature appears as a ten foot large radius dull-gray skinned orb, without any visible organs of any kind. Its skin is constantly shifting, and flashes of colour and energy likewise skirt across its surface, at random intervals small obtrusions appear (pseudo-pods, eyes, tails, etc).  They have a capacity for capturing and throwing magical energy back at their opponents, using a chaos strike ability, but since they do not like to work with others or follow orders, little is known about their powers.

Little is known about the origins of a chaos drift but it is believed to originate on the outer planes, most likely in a chaotic domain. These beings usually end up on prime worlds either by being summoned or slipping through open portals. Their superb battlefield calculations indicate sentience but what if any goals it has on the prime worlds is little understood. Unlike lawful creatures, they do not serve Masters except when initially summoned, and never serve other agents of chaos.

They usually reside in remote locations, living solitary lives dedicated to a pursuits, usually one of an artistic or knowledge. They survive by using their pseudo-pods to kill small animals. Most care little about interaction with other creatures, especially other chaotic beings. When creatures invade "their space", they do their best to destroy them. They reproduce by splitting into four smaller versions of themselves when expiring naturally, these lessers act as a family uint for approximately three years until fully grown and separate from each other.

Combat

Every round is slightly different for a chaos drift, as it has differing possibilities that emerge, increasing its physical pseudopod attachs and increasing their chaos strike possibilities. It only needs to roll initiative every six rounds, on the first round it acts incredibly quick and then slows down.

It physically attacks via a pseudo-pod that emerges from its body – each round it inflicts different amount of damage. In addition, every round a spell is cast, a chaos strike is created, rolling on the table below for the effect. It can attack one creature in any cardinal direction (North, South, East, West, Above or Below).

Attack Mods: will not effect chaos strikes created by other spell casters (Roll)
1st round: +12 initiative, Slam 1d8, 100% chaos strike (roll d4 on chaos strike subtable)
2nd round: +8 initiative to original roll, Slam 1d12, 50% chaos strike (roll d6 on subtable)
3rd round: +4 initiative to original roll, Slam 2d10, 20% chaos strike (roll d8 on subtable)
4th round: +0 initiative to original roll, Slam 2d8, 100% chaos strike, 50% 2nd chaos strike (roll d10 on subtable)
5th round: -4 initiative to original roll, Slam 2d4, 100% chaos strike, 50% 2nd chaos strike, 50% 3rd chaos strike (roll d12 on subtable)
6th round: -8 initiative to original roll, Slam 5d10, 0% chaos strike (roll d12 on subtable)

Chaos Strike: Any round that a spell is cast within 100 ft of a Chaonaos (even if not directed towards the Orb) will have a 50% chance of generating a chaos strike.   This chaos strike appears as a sudden whirlwind of multi-colours, adjacent to the chaonaos, and will release the magical energy either towards the source generating the strike or as directed by the chaos drift. The other spell-caster must make a concentration check vs DC 19 to lose the spell if cast directly at the Orb. If the spell is not cast at or towards the Chaos Orb,the concentration check is only DC 12. This does not adjust the creature’s own chance for a chaos strike. Spell effects from magical items does not create a chaos strike.

Roll for each strike each time directed towards either the offending spellcaster or the largest deemed threat if generated by the orb itself. All spells are cast as a 12th level

1   Energy Rebound: spell energy returned to spell-caster, does not lose memorized spell; if fail concentration check cannot cast the spell anyway
2   Confusion (DC 16),  lasts 1d10 hours
3   3d10 blast as fireball, any elemental damage, (DC 16 to avoid)
4   Paralyzed (DC 16),  lasts 1d8 minutes
5   1d6 attribute drain (roll 1d6 to determine) DC 15 to avoid, lasts 1d10 hours
6   Lesser Confusion (DC 14),  lasts 1d12 minutes 
7   1d4 negative levels (DC 16) lasts 1d12 hours
8.  Blind (DC 14)  lasts 1d4 minutes
9.  3d10 sonic (include worn items)
10  5d10, any damage, DC 18
11  Petrifaction (DC 13) Permanent
12  Feeblemind (DC 18) lasts 1d12 hours


Note: This is a version of Chaos Orb which comes from one of the Necromancer Games Tome of Horror books, no copyright infringement intended, it's just a really cool idea for a creature that I love using in my dungeon games.

Nyssian Troll

Though not as strong as the standard trolls, these creatures represent a well-known threat to small villages and caravans of all size. Trolls are famous for two things in my game world, their capacity to regenerate and their horrible smell which never seems to get off an adventurers clothes. While this has been my default troll in my games for a long while, I am still not totally happy with it, I should find better feats or skills to suit it to my version of this beastie.

Nyssian Troll

A hunched humanoid covered in black-grayish scales, with small patches of green hair poking outside. It's over-sized yellow eyes glare at you as the creature drools an never-ending hunger. Even before you see it, the horrendous smell gives the creature away.

Nyssian Troll CR 5
N Medium Humanoid
Init -1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.,low-light vision,scent; Perception +11

DEFENSE

AC 16, touch 9, flat-footed 16 (+4 Natural, -1 Dexterity)
hp 58 (4d8 + 40); regeneration 5 (acid or fire)
Fort +14, Ref +0, Will +3
Morale 19 (Fearless)

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +7 (d8+4), Bite +3 (d4+3)
SA Locked Jaw (acts as an improved grapple on a critical hit)

STATISTICS

Str 19, Dex 8, Con 30, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +7; CMD 16
Feats: Intimidating Prowess, Iron Will, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Stealth +13, Perception +11
SQ  Horrific Odor

ECOLOGY

Environment cold mountains, underground or isolated forests
Organization solitary, pair or gang (3–6)
Treasure ¼ standard
Advancement: Large (5-10 HD), Huge (11-18 HD)

This creature is a hideous monstrous biped with a revolting smell and a legendary appetite. These repugnant beings have small tufts of brown fur growing up through their green scales, small sharp claws, and horrible mouth of misshapen fangs. Their large yellow eyes shine in darkness. If standing erect, they would be close to seven tall, but they are usually crouched over, hiding or waiting to attack their next victim.

These creatures have little society, gathering in groups merely to increase the effectiveness of combat. Their vile and unending appetites make it difficult for a troll to look upon anything else as something more than a potential meal. They are sexless beings, reproducing by budding on an infrequent and unknown time schedule. Though hideous and a never-ending source of combat, nyssian trolls are not actually evil, but their insidious hunger means that they attack most creatures they encounter. Due to their renown constitution many wizards seek out a trolls black congealed blood for use in their magical spells or items of regeneration.

Combat

Trolls throw themselves into combat without hesitation, trying to incapacitate foes and drag them off to devour. These trolls attack anything they believe they can kill and eat. Trolls always use their full attacks on the same creature, even if their first attack brings an opponent down, they are just not smart enough to realize it right away.

Regeneration: Trolls regenerate 5 hp per round except damage by fire and acid damage. They regenerate severed limbs in 1d2 minutes, or they may instantly reattach the appendage by holding the stump close to its body.

Locked Jaw: When they achieve a critical success with their bite, they lock their jaws onto their victim, grappling their opponent, automatically inflicting bite damage each round. In order to escape, an opponent must make a successful CMD check or a successful escape artist check. Trolls gain a +20 CMB on their grapple checks once they have locked their jaw.

Horrific Odor: A loathsome odor emanates from nyssian trolls that gives these creature a -3 charisma penalty to all of their charisma based skill checks. Even worse, it makes them incredibly easy to notice, as creatures within 150 feet can make a perception roll vs DC 12, to notice the horrific smell.

Pantheon of the Gods

Tsarin Pantheon of the Gods

Humans are perhaps the most interesting group on Nyssa as it relates to the gods in comparison to others as have found hundreds
entities worth of adulation, and these forces change by location and over time. While there are a few ideals, for most people, because they are pagan, they continually change who or what they worship. If a given aspect is needed (young maiden looking for love, a city facing starvation) petitioners will call out to the god that is controls that portfolio. It is considered unlucky not to provide a minimum offering to the god whose portfolio is involved. Lyrian grey-beards think humans are simply obsessed with superstitious rites, and the gods provide the best outlet for favour.

Alone among the races, humans worship many variations of each god, each group can take one aspect and more closely follow that idea over the others. So while the accepted view of a given Dwarven deity is the same from the various clans or towns, there is signficiant variations among the orthodoxies of each human sect.  

Virtually all civilized gods are hands-off with their followers, giving few if any mandatory requirements. Except for paladins, few followers are directly commanded by their god to take specific acts. All gods have a Divine Code, that is the ideal they must follow. However every deity has a differing code and interpretation is always left to the individual.  Most gods or at least the local churches do not accept direct tithing. Most churches prefer service by the faithful, prayers, patrol, helping to erect a building, serving in a soup kitchen, etc. Offerings are certainly accepted, but most faithful have anything to give anyway. Most of the the direct funding Obelisks receive come from services they offer (both magical and non-magical.) Lawful faiths usually have strong connections to the Nobility or Monarchies, and are funded by directly.

Clerics, while given more power directly to manipulate the magical frequency are given few direct directions or quests directly by the Divine. However, the local church organization have more considerable sway among the brethren so while the god does not elicit orders, churches with strong hierarchies (lawful) have assigned mandates and duties to obey. This is one reason why character power class level rarely matches the hierarchy structure. While a cleric or paladin may disobey the local church, all they must do is follow the Divine Code (as interpreted by themselves) to remain in favour with their patron or god.

There are gods who are so powerful and connected to specific roles, they are deemed to be the patron or originator of an ideal or class. Those who are that class are not obliged to follow, but many use the teachings as a way to learn about their destiny and possibility. so while not every Rogue or Finder need to pay tribute to Shion, they know there are lessons to be learned from the perfect example.

Elves, in their native state, do not follow gods; their spirit reincarnation gives them a unique view on life & death. They have no specific disrespect towards the heavenly beings, they just do not have the need to follow someone who does not walk or live with them. while some elves will argue the folly of belief, most let others do as they will without the need to incite anger. Nyssian Elves have many of the same stories about Elven heroes and their battles and conquests but simply believe they are tales, to tell their younglings about important ideas. Elves who live in human or mixed community settlements, often stray from the reincarnation cycle, and begin to follow an individual human version of a god as their ideal or patron.

Dwarves, Ogres, Lizard-men, Halflings, Horn-Kin all have a standard pantheon of gods which matches the overall human listing, but they claim it as their own, and have differing names for each of the same entities. The core stories told about each of the entities that inhabit the portfolio of bravery in combat, matches in almost every detail what humans tell about Japeth. The only unique Racial entity is the their Patron. Just as other patrons, the individuals even if they do not deliberately worship or follow him, have a connection anyway. All of these races have clerics in their communities. While there is very interaction between the races for those sharing a particular idea or viewpoint, but there is no animosity or violence either; each views their own view as the correct (or most correct) version of the truth.

The flame winged Phaetox are the most different out of the major civilized races, as they only follow their patron. But for them it is not a otherworldly being, it is the Great Mother Phoenix, a being from this world that is waiting rebirth. They do not have clerics among their kind. Each individual carries a spark of the divine, thus do not need a conduit.

Almost every other race tend to have their own individual pantheon of patrons, smaller and less powerful. Certainly evil races (ogres, gnolls, gargoryles) are obliged to greater servitude, faced with exacting requirements by their patron, either amount of kills, of coins, or number of raids in a given period of  time. But while their requirements are much more stringent, their rewards for completing these evil acts are also far greater that those of good forces.

Greater gods inhabit the Far Planes, and are unable to take a direct physical presence on a mortal plane, they have three ways of making their presence known: avatars, heralds and their faithful followers. They can directly communicate with their followers who are at an Obelisk dedicated to them or to anyone holding a holy symbol dedicated to them.

Demi-Powers inhabit either the Nether-Plane or a Side-Plane. Unlike the Greater Gods, they are able to have a physical presence on the mortal planes, but they do not have avatars or heralds, thus if they appear on a mortal plane, there are consequences. They are unable to directly contact their followers from their heavenly realm, they must always send a messenger if personal communication is needed.

Greater Gods
Quanna: Goddess of the Light, Mistress of Flight, LG, Weekly, (Often called the Lady)
Mathai: God of the Hunt, CG, Monthly, Green, Patron of Rangers
Darras: God of the Poor, NG, Weekly, Brown, Patron of Landless Knights & the Poor
Japeth: God of Courage, LG, Monthly, Orange, Patron of Paladins
Keran: God of the Night, Master of Fright; LE, Any, Monthly, Black.
Cush: God of Bloodshed & Murder, CE, Before Battle, Red, Assasins
Shion: (Shine) God of Greed, NE, Any, 3 coins arranged in a triangle, Patron of Finders (Thieves).
Faval: Lord of Destruction & Rebirth, CN, Non-Lawful, Flame / Teardrop
Casna: God of Justice, LN, Weekly, Purple, Patron of Monks
Holon: Earth Mother, Mistress of Druids, Neutral, Any, Seasonal


Demi-Powers
Rowena: Lady of the Cold, NE, White, Patron of Undead
Anubis: Defender of the Dead, LN, Patron of Jackalla
Crayos: Keeper of Secrets, N, Patron of Seers
Jubal: Lord of Shadows, CN, Patron of Spice (Drugs)
Fatanus: Lady Luck, CN, Gaming Wheel / Dice
Orelleo: Lord of Traveling, NG, Any, Patron of the Gypsies
Rosetti: Mistress of Beauty, Lady Love, CG, Patron of Sorcerers
Jamile: Lady of Suffering, CE, Any time when sick.
Jamine: Lady of the Plague, CE, Any time sick
Stradamia: Mistress of music, Patron of Bards, N
Shellonna: Lady of the Oceans, Patron of Sailors
Shi-Lo: Lord of Combat, N, Patron of Monks

Great Horned One: Patron of the Minotaur-kin
Father Stone/ Mother of the Mountains: Patron of the Dwarves
Tree Lord / Spirit Mother : Patron of the Fey
Phoenix: Lord of Flames, Patron of the Phaetox
Fenris: Beast Lord, NE, Any, Grey, Master of Lycanthropes,

Saving the Best for Last: Alternative Saving Throw Mechanism

Saving the Best for Last: Alternative Saving Throw Mechanism

Alternate saving throws are used throughout one game or one scenarios and represent the entire number of possible saves to be made through the game by an individual character. Unlike regular saves the individual chooses which one they use regardless of the effect. Most of these are their base or primary save plus an ability score modifier. They can only be used once per saving throw or game cycle.

Regular saves for example call for a distinct type of save for a given effect. But using these alternative saves the character can decide which to use and when. The benefit is that they can better manage the disadvantage is not knowing when to use their best saving throw.

Every class, except for the Monk, have a preferred Top or Primary Save and a secondary save. Always use the Top save as the base save and add the modifier as noted in the name of the saving throw.

There are two major differences between regular saves and alternative saves, the first is that like luck, it can run out. Once a preferred saves is used up, they have fewer options until only their Doom Save remains. Because of their limited nature, Alt Saves are much more shared among the whole group, and they can function in exactly the same way. When an individual is required to make a save, they can use another player's specific save. For example a Rogue with a high dexterity can use another players Save of Speed, but if the other player offers or agrees, then it is gone. This is only an option if a single character needs to make a save, players cannot cherry pick their best save every time a saving throw is required for the whole group.

Names of New Saving Throw

Save of the Insightful Mind: Primary Save plus Intelligence Modifier

Save of Bravery: Primary Save plus Strength Modifier

Save of Esoteric Knowledge: Use Primary Save plus Wisdom Modifier

Save of the Inner Self: Use Primary Save plus Charisma Modifier

Save of Speed: Use Primary Save plus Dexterity Modifier

Save of Pure Power: Use Primary Save plus Constitution Modifier

Save of the Wild: Use d6+d20 but do not add the base saving throw

Best Save: Use Primary Save + any Ability Score Modifier

Save vs Doom: Use Primary Save but no other adjustment or ability modifier

Refresh

One of the challenges of using Alt Saves is knowing what is the best refresh point, this depends upon the style of game you run. If you go through 3 to 5 combats a typical game session, then refresh every session. For more dangerous gaming, refresh by dungeon regardless of how many saves the characters need to make or how many games.

Adjustment

If your class, race or feat selection gives a bonus to a save, gain the adjustment to one saving throw once a save cycle, i.e. until the saving throw refresh.

Tsarin Fests & Holidays

Festivals and Holidays

Tsarins have some of the best growing soil in the domain, and keep a heavy trade with the Lyrrians, some Spirelanders and even people from the Old South. Their ways are heavily linked with the growing seasons and spirits of the land.

Guarded by Lord Sarinth, Tyrant of the Valley, these people have more luxury then most others in the land. They do their best to celebrate days and events that they hold dear to them. Any day marked as a Fest or Festival will experience heavy drinking and public intoxication as an accepted part of the celebrations. Merchants are always open, guilds and towers usually do not perform official duties. Many faithful also keep days of their own, but these can be celebrated at different days at various obelisks. Guards still keep watch, but are much more loose in strict interpretation of the rules (Except during Open Eye, when everything is followed exactly.)

There are at least seventeen days dedicated to drinking through-out the year. Many of these are local or have differing names, which are not listed below.

Day of Ash: New Years Day Fest, chimneys are cleaned out and children play with dirty faces, contracts are signed or renewed.

Chancing or Day of Chancing: Games; Festival of the Fey, used to gamble, drink and have fun as they beseech the fey to appear
Druids Day: Fest Day to celebrate the old faith and of farming; lots of nudity, children dress as animals
Festival of the Flask: Fest to celebrate drinking & fertility (of cork, of the Barrel, of drunkenness, of Bacchus) *
Harmony: Fest day of Songs, Stories and Bardic rituals, one of the few days magic is cast openly

Day of Devotion: Monogamy is not widely practised, so this is day to celebrate faithfulness.
Day of Trysts: Day after devotion, when unmarried people look for "love", fake marriages and bitter jokes for unwed maids
Truce or Day of Peace: Tsarin celebrate the truce with Sarinth, High Tyrant, ruler & protector of the valley
Open Eye: Day to keep the Defense of your city active; mock battles happen, and the king is “slain”
Day of the True (Born): Day of noble rites, family obligations, namings & proclamations. Mockings are held in the evening by many non-nobles.

Festival of the Mug: celebrates drinking & fertility (of Wine, The Overflowing Cup, Laughter, Joy) *
Fools Day: Tax Day, lesser debts are called to be paid by merchants, noblemen must pay their taxes, religious their tithes; in the evening one of the best celebrations happen for those with coin in their purse
Day of Dust: Day for the true dead; visit mortuaries or leave flowers, the dead are sometimes seen but never heard
Day of Veils: Day to respect for the aged and the wise; magic is believed to be more powerful this day
Day of Masks: Fest. Mix of Halloween wearing masks with ritual orgies

Day of Burning Hope: Sometimes called Yulen Fest, a log is burnt as well as small offerings to keep the cold away; visitors are always welcomed

Bounty: Day to honour mothers and Birthdays; held once a month; as all births in the month celebrated that day.

Clockwork - PC Race

Clockwork

Personality: Clockworks are living constructs, created to be warriors. They have little personality except for their unwavering devotion to the military.

Physical Description: They appear as gray-skinned, lithe humans from a distance.  They have dull metal skin, with gears embedded in their metal skin where joints would be for a human. Their unique physiology prevents them from wearing standard armor, as it has to be fitted to their exacting shape. This process costs three times the regular price.

Clockworks need to be wound up periodically to continue functioning. By design, they cannot self wind nor can another construct do this winding. Different models require winding at different rates, the default is a 72 hour time block duration that requires a wind for a ten minutes per HD (4 HD = 40 minutes) . The winding dial is under a plate on their back, that they cannot reach themselves.

Relations: Clockworks are a solitary race originally created for military purposes long ago, while the process is not lost, creation of new units is rare, time consuming and expensive. They do not have specific relations with other creatures or races. Most were once part of military contingents, but the clockwork armies have long since disappeared. New ones are either repaired specimens or the experiment of a cleric or wizard in desire for a companion. They have no interactions as a whole with other races unless they are either commanding the clock-works or an enemy of their commanders.

Alignment: Neutral. Most are uncaring about anything except for following orders.

Lands: None, they are warriors who serve other masters.

Religion: None, clockworks do not worship the gods.

Language: Most will speak common or dwarf; the few who gain a new language will try to learn modron.

Adventurers: Life is battle; battle is life. Warfare is the purpose of their existence, and they live to serve their commanders. The few who get separated due to magic or injury, make due living outside their strict military orders, but they usually end up working as mercenaries and create an ad hoc military structure complete with strict command authority and operating order.

Clockwork Racial Traits
+4 on strength; +2 dexterity
-2 on charisma; -2 wisdom
+3 natural armor; Move 30 ft or 6 squares
Reduced to 1/3 movement in water and for 10 minutes afterwards
Dmg Reduction: 1/-
+5 on craft checks for blacksmithing, +5 Climb; +5 on Acrobatics; -5 on stealth checks

Immune to non-magical fire

Construct traits (Immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, disease, death effects, necromancy spells or any fortitude save unless it affects objects.)

They are immune to emotion based spells (such as fear) but other enchantment charm spells work normally on them.

They are subject to critical hits; their joints are the weaker spots. Called shots on a non-joint body part will not inflict additional effect.

Clockworks gain no constitution bonus; use Charisma for Con based skills if applicable

Healing spells have no affect on them. Potions have no affect on a clockwork.

They do not sleep; they repair themselves at a rate of 1 hp/hour if they take no other action. If they are not wound up, even at full hit points, they cease functioning.

A DC 15 knowledge (engineering) check will repair a clockwork to one hit point or repair the clockworks level in hit points once a day. Once fully active, a clock work can heal itself if given enough time.

Items that fit humanoids (boots, hats, rings, etc) do not work or fit Clockwork.

Clockworks are staggered at below 0 hit points, able to take one action a round (attack & move five foot, or a half standard move action.) They cease operating at -20 hit points, and if not repaired lose 1 hit point every day that they are not repaired. At -50 hit points they are damaged beyond repair and can not be repaired short of a limited wish spell.

Racial Hit Dice: 3d10; Attack and save as fighters. CR +3

Base 6 skill points, more if they have exceptional intelligence, to be used on core skills
Core Skills: Acrobatics, Climb, Craft (Armorsmith, Blacksmith, Weaponsmith), Disable Device, Perception

Preferred & Starting Class: Fighters

Restricted: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, or Wizard

All other non-restricted non-primary magical classes are available after first level.

Sugon - Magical Monument

The inspiration for this is the AD&D Players Handbook, with a group of adventurers attempting to steal a gem from a large statue. Combine this with a statue of the Buddha, seemingly ever present in many people's homes and business, an inspiration and a reminder to people to meditate, pray and keep other principles. The Sugon is a twisted version of this, reminding evil beings to inflict suffering on their enemies.

One of the cool ideas is not to tell the players, depending upon how active they are. A statue that has no meaning to them, yet their eventually find in so many dungeons that they eventually seek out a deeper understanding.

Sugon - Magical Monument

On Nyssa, a Sugon is common slang for a creature or person of immeasurable patience few realize its meaning. Adventurers and evil creatures are more aware of the true meaning of its etymology, they originate from odd statues found in remote dungeon locations through-out the world.

This statue is made of smoothed black or dark Gray stone, most often appears to be plump human (or elf, gargoyle or bugbear) with demonic features, sitting in a lotus position, arms upraised, its face and body covered by a cowled robe. They can be a foot tall, hidden in a cranny, or thirty feet high in the main sacrificial area. Most are medium sized, found in locations where paid or suffering is common. Their face is always looking out, and its back is up against a wall. They are never on a raised dais, always on the ground or floor. Many times small offerings of coins, bones, blood soaked cloth or mirrors are left near the statue.

One of the great mysteries of a Sugon is where they truly come from. Nobody has ever hired someone to carve a statue nor does anyone ever admit to carving one. They seem to appear at night, looking for supplicants to show respect. What is even more odd is that there a many cases where a Sugon Statue will disappear and it cannot be tracked or traced, most times if a statue does vanish, a trail of brutalized bodies will be left.

One rumour, is that the Sugon can inhabit statues of their own form at any time, so best to remain calm around them as those the statue finds offence can find themselves being pummelled to death. Another legend is that anyone that meditates in front of the statue, can gain insight into the Sugon and learn from them. What they learn is different but the more time spend in quiet contemplation in front of the statue can increase the chance. The Sugon does not seem to care who or what meditates to them, just that the statue be left unmolested. Any disrespect shown will be remembered. another story, is that the Sugon is a (demi or lesser) deity of narcissism, and as long as someone meditates and shows reverence toward it, it is placated. It does not matter, who or what is meditating on the statue, as long as someone is doing it.

Anyone with knowledge dungeoneering can gain the following insights:

10: The statue is a Sugon, a non-specific force but ever-present sight in evil dungeons. It gives a bonus to those who reside near it. It does not radiate either magic or evil.

15: The statue helps those who meditate near it, after a month of continual meditation, it grants the observant a +4 bonus to anyone type of saving throw in the statue's presence once a week

20: For the most part, a Sugon is passive, letting evil and paid happen near it without interruption. If it loses supplicants or if someone attempts to harm the statue it has the following reaction (85% leave the next night, 15% come alive and destroy anyone that angers it.)

Low-Level Dungeon Encounter Table

One of my favourite things about combat in table-top role playing games is the random encounters. I always thought it a bit nasty or mean as the DM to deliberately pick creatures that you know have counter abilities to the players, which is one of the reasons I love encounter tables – you let the dice decide. I use a variation of this to throw things into disarray or just stir the imagination pot inside my head.  This can be used for adventurers up to 10th level, but the average level increase should be 5th level.

Low Dungeon

Use this encounter Master Table in a magically active area, less than a mile deep, so true underdark type creatures (Pech, Duergar) should be rare. It should be travelled on a infrequent basis by commoners, though adventurers or patrols are still there to do what must be done.

Encounter determination should be made at pre-set times, such as when a door is opened, a group descends a level, a loud noise is made, or every three hours check for encounters. Normally the base chance is 1 / 20. For every three additional members travelling together, add +3. For loud noises, add +5. All adjustments are cumulative. So a group party with seven people smashing down a door would have 1+3+3+5= 12 / 20 to attract attention. This gives a real incentive for rogue-types to scout ahead, their chance would be 1 / 20. You may increase the base rate (normally 1) as high as 5 then add the miscellaneous adjustments.

Alternate Determination: If the current roll doesn't make sense, such as a building feature due to PCs making noise, reverse the numbers (14 into a 41). If this still doesn't work, odd roll drop down to the previous listing, even roll go to the next highest item listing.

How to use this table: You may use this table during the game for every dungeon encounter check. However, consider pre-rolling a “hot-list” of the eleven (2d6) most likely creatures encountered. This way you can use the Master Table, and the hot list changes per dungeon, without players knowing what a specific dice roll is on the Master Table. I most often use the hot-list for known threats in an area, for example, if enquiring about the dungeon, and the locals say cultists and ogres, these should go on the hot list. Anything from the Master table (actually anything in the monster books or in my head may end up in the adventure) but these are the most

Features: The encounter table has a number of environmental aspects. Just like with a creatures, if something doesn't ”make sense” to you, you don't use it. I recommend you try to incorporate it, even if something is illogical or out of place, describe it that way. If all of the other doors you find are made out of wood for medium sized creatures, suddenly you find a double set of metal doors for small creatures.

1 Collapse, Deadfall
2 Angel, Deva
3 Serpent-Folk 1 - 2
4 Rakshasa, Dandasuka
5 Demon, Babau
7 - 8 Shadow Undead 1d4
9. Bats, Dread 1d8
10 Centipedes, Fast 1d12
11 Kyton 1 or 2
12 - 13 Bugbears (2d6)
14 Feature - Stairs (60% sequestered, 30% down)
15 Grick 1d6
16 Troll 1d4
17 Cave Octopi 1d4
18 Choker 1 or 2
19 - 20 Spiders or Snakes 3 - 6
21 Dark Creeper 3 - 12
22 Rhinto (often called rhino-dog) 3 - 6
23 Feature – Burial Mound
24. Feature – Mysterious sounds (echoes, howls, screams, lull-a-byes) without a source
25 Feature - Metal Grate, Chains, Column
26 Dire Wolf 1 or 2
27 Gelatinous Cube
28 Disenchanter Template (Snake, Bear, Wolf)
29 Rust Monster 1 - 3
30. Medusa
31. Green Slime
32 Troglydyte 5-12
33. Drider 1 - 2
34. Feature - Tapestry or Animal Hides or Straw
35 Feature - Magic Circle (Stones, Mushrooms, Runes) with protection vs alignment
36 Goblins 5 - 8
37 Stirges 5-8
38 - 43 Local Humanoid Sub-Table
44. Wraiths 1-2
45 Gremlin, Jinkin 3-6
46. Piercers 3-6
47 Feature - Shrine, pool or graffiti
48 - 49 Minotaur 1 - 2
50 - Giant Slug
51 Cloaker 1 - 2
52 - 53 Ratmen 4 - 16
54 Golem (Lesser: Clay, Mud, Flesh)
55 Mimic
56 Gray Ooze
57 Faceless Stalker
58 Feature - Door (trap or secret) or Porticulis
59 - 60 Lizardmen 7-12
61 Dire Bear
62 Feature – Machinery or Levers (95% broken, 5% may open secret doorway or other effect)
63 Feature - Pit (Bones, Darkness, Dead, Refuse, Water)
64 Gibbering Mouther
65 Feature - Razor Vine (d6 dmg if touches the vine, double damage if fall on top of it)
66 Terra-Cotta soldier 2 - 5
67 - 68 Ogre 2-5
69 Gibbering Mouther
70 Feature – Magical Fungus *
71 Skeletons 2d6
72 Feature - Crates, barrels, boxes (5 % treasure)
73 - 74 Mephit 1 - 4
75. Ettin
76 Otyugh
77 Belker
78 Intellect Devourer
79 Flumph (min 3rd lev sorcerer)
80 Feature – Large Statue (Person, Deity, Creature)
81 Decampus
82 Cavefisher
83 - 85 Cultist (Roll on humanoid table twice)
86 Feature – Small Statue, Stalactite or Other Rock formation
87 Slithering Tracker
88 Basilisk
89. Vampiric Mist
90 Ghoul 2d7
91 Urdefhan 1 - 3
92 Gargoyle 2d4
93 Feature - Body parts (Bone, Head or appendages)
94. Feature -Ruined weapons or armor
95 Feature -Trap (Magical spell 1st to 3rd level Effect)
96. Lurker Above
97 Feature - Dropped Treasure (d100 coins / 10)
98 Demon, Shadow
99. Daemon, Ceustodaemon
100. Feature - Gate or Portal (must be activated to use)

Local Humanoid Sub-Table:
Race 1-7 Dwarf, 8 – 14 Human, 15 Oread, 16 - 18 Lizard Man, 19 – 20 Company (Mixed Races)
Level: 1-8 2nd level; 9-10 3rd Level, 11 4th level, 12 5th level
Class: 1-3 Cultist, 4 Monk, 5-13 Fighter, 14 - 18 Finder, 19 Sorcerer, 20 Ranger

Quick Examples

Piercer, Nyssian AC 14, 3HD, HP 19, INIT -1, +8 d6+(2d6 surprise), Perception +10, Stealth +11 CMB +7, CMD +16

Centourax (fast centipede) AC 15, Move 40, HP 7, INIT -1, +14 / +0 /+1, tentacle +4 d6, Perception +5, Stealth +8 CMB +7, CMD +16 two foot long centipede,

Rhinto AC 14, HP 2HD, 9 hp, INIT +2,Bite +4 d4+1, (Horn +6, d6 / X3) Perception +4; CMB +7, CMD +16
Medium sized; gaunt doberman pincher with Blackish-Red fur white horn in the middle of its head, fast runner.


Magical Fungus: a mold that appears on almost anything in a dungeon in a two to five foot spread; non-sentient, comes in a multitude of colours. Radiates a magical effect within a ten foot radius. If consumed, Fort Save DC 14 or take d6 temporary constitution damage as a poison. If scrapped off from the substance, the magic fades in d10 rounds. These are just the most common types of fungus, there are others.

Blue Fungus – Calming, +2 on will saves skills or saves involving mental activity or concentration
Red Fungus – Rage inducing, -4 on all will saves or skills involving involving mental activity or concentration
White Fungus - Magic Absorbing, -2 on all magical saving throws; concentration check DC 15 to cast a spell within 60 ft of a white fungus
Silver Fungus – Spells have a 25% chance of rebounding on caster, 50% if cast near someone that made their saving throw

Nyssian Piercer

One of my favourite dungeon creatures in previous editions was the piercer, a perfectly fit creature that existed in caverns. In third edition, it was nixed or morphed into something else depending upon how you view it. I liked the stupid simplicity of the piercer; you knew what it was, where it lived and what it did. 

Early in my dungeon and monster creation days, I scoured almost every book I had at home, looking for inspiration. I noticed a wickedly similar creature in the old Star Wars Marvel comics, except they lived outside, and rather then falling down, they “jumped” up out of the ground. This seemed like a much better version of what the piercer should have been...so here is my melding of old, not-so-old and just a cool idea to use as a living hazard. It's done in Pathfinder but easy enough to convert.

A stalagmite thrusts upwards, tearing your ally apart, all around you dozens of similar stalagmites jump out of the ground, impaling your traveling party.

Nyssian Piercer CR 3

N Medium aberration

Init -2; Senses Tremorsense 60 ft., Perception +13

DEFENSE

AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 17 (+4 Natural Shielding, +3 natural)

hp 19 (3d8+6)

Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +3

OFFENSE

Speed 10 ft.

Melee bite +4 d6 + 2d6 Surprise attack *

STATISTICS

Str 8, Dex 9, Con 14, Int 5, Wis 10, Cha 9

Base Atk +1; CMB +4; CMD 13

Feats Improved Initiative

Skills Stealth +19*, Perception +13

SQ Tremorsense, Damage Reduction (5/-)

The piercer appears as a stone stalagmite, the smallest being around four-feet tall. This is its outer shell. Inside, the piercer appears as a slug-like creature with a long tail. Two tiny eye-stalks protrude from its sides.

COMBAT

The piercer attacks by thrusting upwards on unsuspecting individuals and impaling them with its shell. While one piercer is not too threatening, they usually exist in colonies, anywhere from a dozen to one hundred piercers stretching out covering a range of over a thousand yard radius. Piercers often attack creatures when the meal is in the middle of their colony, presenting a hazard for creatures unable to fly or otherwise escape from the middle of the colony.

They are not too bright, but their tactics are effective when they have surprise. They exist in any environment that they can tunnel into. When their attacks no longer bring sufficient food, they begin their slow journey to richer pastures, they have hearty constitutions so they can survive for months without proper nutrition. Many evil creatures deliberately lure them to act as living hazards to protect locations. If you know where they are, you can can easily avoid them while walking close to their lunging spot. They generally don't care for intruders as long as the colony has enough to eat.

Surprise Attack: If their victims are not aware of the piercers, on the surprise round they inflict damage as a surprise, same as a rogue of their HD. 

Dmg Reduction: When piercers are below ground, they receive a 5/- dmg reduction as they are fully shielded. Out of the ground, they lose this protection.

Tremorsense: Piercers can sense any creature larger than 20 pounds within a 30 ft radius if they are moving while touching the ground.

Skills: The piercer receives a +8 racial bonus to Perception checks. The piercer receives a +15 racial bonus to Stealth checks when below the surface .