Blog Archive

Thursday 28 May 2015

Skin Devils - Ability Score Thieves

Humanoids with light grey skin, large-sized hands, feet and ears - they can usually pass for human in the distance, bad weather or when wearing a cowl. Stronger than average in strength and speed, they don't look particularly threatening. Their palms have small sticky bulbs that instantly attach to any other living flesh in comes in contact with, While this appendage immediately releases, but when it does, they tear away some of their victim's abilities. This body theft is their primary skill focus; they seem to master physical attacks and strategies in order to better steal abilities from their victims.

Because of their reputation as body thiefs, Gleshialis or Skin Devils as they are usually called, spend their lives as highway brigands trying to stay ahead of lawful forces that hunt them down, They often lurk outside dungeons in small groups, scouting for potential victims who are about to go inside or leave- but they rarely go inside dungeons themselves. Most are evil and greedy but not particularly bloodthirsty despite their reputations. They will sometimes use the threat of permanently stealing a creature's abilities in order to extract information. They are notorious drunks, few of them are able to handle strong alcohol, and get addicted quickly to almost any foreign substance which is one of many reasons why their leaders avoid cities if they can make their profits in raiding or on the road.

Skin Devils
CR 2
NE         Humanoid
Init +0; Perception +5

DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+4 Armor, +1 natural)
hp 15 (2d10+4)
Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +1

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Long sword +3 (1d8+3)
Special Absorb Touch +14 vs CMD

TACTICS
Skin devils are masters of melee combat, and quickly attempt to tear down their foes. Usually found in small groups, they disdain range combat with intelligent creatures, as they need to be able to touch an opponent in order to temporarily absorb a feature or ability the creature has.

Morale 15 (As the default save, if they are inflicted in the middle of a group.)

STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 9, Cha 8
Base Atk +2; CMB 13 CMD 21
Feats Weapon Focus (Long sword), Combat Expertise
Skills Perception +5, Craft (Armor or Weapons) +5, Acrobatics +5, Survival +5
Languages Common, Dwarven or Minotaur
SQ Absorb 1 Feature

Absorb: Skin Devils have the unique ability to absorb other creature's abilities, ability scores, specific skills, class features or even spells. In order to do this they must touch the creature they wish to absorb the feature. While some believe that this absorption steals the feature, this is not true, it enables the skin devil to borrow it temporarily. They are able to steal from any physical ability score (strength, constitution, dexterity or charisma), Their victim must make a fortitude save to suffer half the absorption, their ability score loss returns in 24 hours. Once a victim has an ability score stolen from them, they are immune to other thefts of the same ability score for the next twelve hours.

Absorb:  Gain 1d6 at 2 HD, lasts one hour
               Gain 1d8 at 5 HD or 1 Spell Level (2/day), lasts six hours
               Gain 1d6 X 2 at 8HD or 2 Spell Levels or 1 Class Feature (3/day), lasts 12 hours
               Gain 1d6 X 3 at 12HD or 4 Spell Levels or 1 Class Feature or 1 Racial Feature (5/day) lasts                                 24 hours

By Racial Levels
2 HD  Absorb 1 feature, +2 Str, +2 Con, + 2 Dex; +1 AC
3 HD SR 5, Immune to Poison, Resist 5 cold, acid & Electricity
4 HD +2 str, + 2 Con, + 2 Dex; Gain 1 Feat; +1 AC
5 HD Absorb 2 feature, Immune to Polymorph, Resist 5 cold, acid & Electricity
6 HD SR 10, Uncanny defence; +1 AC
7 HD +2 str, + 2 Con, + 2 Dex; Gain 1 Feat
8 HD Absorb 3 features,  ; +1 AC
9 HD SR 15, Immune to Petrification, Resist 10 cold, acid & Electricity
10 HD +2 str, + 2 Con, + 2 Dex; Gain 1 Feat; +1 AC
11 HD Gain 1 Feat; +1 AC
12 HD Absorb 4 features, SR 20; +1 AC
+1 HD or Level: Gain +1 on SR by HD or level   

Skin Devils can veer away from these racial levels by taking a standard class, but if they do they cannot increase in their natural humanoid racial levels.

Side Note: Unlike a lot of other humanoids I post, I wouldn't really want this as something available for players. It makes a great threat, but nothing that works as a player character, at least a regular character but possible for a short term game sessions.


Thursday 14 May 2015

Cenobite

A horror monster from the 80's, which I have used as a creepy-crawler many times in my games. Often seen as genie-like beings, tempting players with favours and rewards until they risk calling them too many times or are seen as vulnerable, then these figures will turn the table and try to capture one of the party members inside the box.

One idea, if some of your gaming party is away, instead of cancelling a game, players may find themselves inside the Cenob Box, to do missions of rescuing or finding treasures.

Cenobite

Lawful Evil     Medium Outsider
Init +6 Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +12

 DEFENSE
AC 19 touch 12, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dex, +7 natural)
hp 110hp (13d10+39 con)
Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +6

Defensive Abilities  
DR  10/+1  Immune: Fear, Pain, Blindness, Paralyzation, Petrification  
Resistance: All Elemental 20  

OFFENSE
Speed Fly 50 ft.
Melee Scythe or Whip +16/+11 (1d10+3)
Special Attacks: Hooks of Pain

Spell Like Abilities: Cast as 13th level Necromancer. They are able to use each of their spell-effects once a day. Every time one of their Hooks of Pain contacts, they are able to recast any one of their spells again.

 STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 9
Base Atk +13 CMB +16 CMD 28
Feats Cleave, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack
Skill: +9 Bluff , +12 Craft (Armor and Chains) , +15 Knowledge (arcana, planes, religion) , +12 Perception , +10 Sense Motive , +12 Stealth
Languages Dwarf, Minotaur, Kyton, Elf, Common

 ECOLOGY
Environment                             Any Mortal Plane (Always found near a Cenob Box)
Organization                              Small Units (1-3)
Treasure Value                          Half Normal  (Small bits of treasure and magic that can be worn)

 SPECIAL ABILITIES
Spell Like Abilities: Cast as 13th level Priest; Saving Throw (DC 13 + spell level)

Detect: Magic, Invisibility, Illusion (Constant)
Rays of: enfeeblement, paralyze, rusting & fear (all usable 1 / day)
Touches of: Silence, Confusion, Blindness, Polymorph, Electricity (11-20) (all usable 1 / day)

Field of Mercy: Cenobites radiate a 25 foot radius of empathy towards outer-planar beings. Any non-natives that approach a Cenobite on a mortal plane must beat a Will DC 24 to break the field and act normally. However, they are unable to take physical actions or cast spells against a Cenobite until the second round. This effect likewise prevents a Cenobite to take any counter action on planars until the third round. Meaning, on the second round they are totally defenseless against a creature in their field who has made their saving throw. This is a constant effect that they cannot evade. This effects only the Cenobites, not the Cenob Box or their mortal servant.


The Cenobites are outer-planar beings that seek to cause suffering to mortals.  Most were former mortals themselves who manipulated an arcane device called the Cenob Box, which is often used to give physical pleasures, but its main purpose can be used to summon these horrific beings that brings mortals to their world. Most forced into the device, endlessly suffer, but a few are transformed into beings who serve the device, these are the Cenobites. They appear as pale skin humanoids often with visual signs of torture on their bodies, wearing deep-black leather armor. They seem to lack emotion, except for when their sadistic side comes out when interrogating or attacking mortals. Most use scythes or whips, but a small number use other types of weapons.

The Cenob Box is actually a portal to the Demi-Plane of Pain. Cenobites can only come to mortal worlds when summoned through this device. Most who use the devise seek physical pleasure until that sensation is lost - and they are driven to seek the suffering of others. Eventually those who uses the device, can summon the Cenobites, once every 24 hours. While they come to serve the wielder, they always require a "pound of flesh" before they return to the Box. Wielders instinctively know the Cennobites obey the holder of the Cenob Box by attacking, capturing or otherwise destroying an
enemy. When they are able to incapacitate a victim, they drag them into the Cenob Portal and in return the wielder is given a permanent boon 1-3 hp. What few wielders realize is that if they are unsuccessful at finding a victim at least once every ten days, the Cenobites may punish the wielder by permanently draining the wielder 2-5 hp.

While outer-planar, Cenobites prefer the company of mortal beings. They are sometimes seen in medical houses or places or torture, just to hear the screams of victims. They have a deep fear of other Outer planar beings, even those they should have some connection to. They emanate a Field of Mercy which enables them to re-enter the Cenob Box to avoid confrontation. They understand though, if the current mortal wielder is unable to escape, the Cenob box might be found by those they are unable to manipulate.

Hooks of Pain (Su) Cenobites can summon chained hooks to attack a singular victim at +13 to touch attack, inflicting a cumulative 1d6 dmg and a -2 on all rolls (second hook inflicts 2d6 dmg and -4 to rolls, etc.) Each time a chain attaches to a victim, it connects to the nearest hard surface; if the hook does not hit a victim, it disintegrates the next round. When at least three chained hooks are on a victim, the Cenobites can call the victim into the Cenob Box, or whenever they leave. Each of the first three hooks add 20% chance, additional hooks adds +5%. If the victim fails this roll, they are sucked into the Cenob Box. The only way to free the victim is to defeat the Cenobite or destroy the chains holding the victim (AC 30, Requires a +3 weapon, 50 hp).  What many don't realize is that a Cenobite may summon the Hooks even without a Cenob Box, but then it is done merely to inflict suffering.

Cenob Box: A small, intricately carved wooden, bone or metal box with small sliding pieces that when re-positioned change the carvings on the device.  While believed to be a singular artifact, they are in fact several versions in any given mortal plane. These boxes are portals to the Demi-Plane of Pain. By manipulating the pictures, wielders receive happy sensations. The first few times, it is always positive (24 hour +4 bonus to their preferred ability score, rush of happy memories or feelings, etc) but by the fourth time, these leave the wielder wanting something else - usually to inflict pain on others.

Box wielders must then call out the Cenobites at least once every ten days, these beings appear for their sacrifice, and if no one else is there, the Cenobites take their sacrifice from the wielder.  If a wielder is able to go more than 99 days without providing a sacrifice, the Cenobites will either teleport the Box away or begin to tempt another would-be wielder to take it from the current wielder. Once the Cenob Box summons the Cenobite back, it cannot be used again for 24 hours, if they were not successful in having a sacrifice, they must wait 48 hours.

Tuesday 5 May 2015

Abandoned (Lost Dabus)

I  love the planescape rules, the ideas of being able to travel and adventure in other worlds and face demons or angels. Here is something I borrowed and used a few times, a lost figure that could represent a pathway for some of your players.

Abandoned  (Lost Dabus)

Size/Type:                 Medium Outsider (Extraplanar)
Hit Dice:                   3d8-3 (14 hp)
Initiative:                  +1
Speed:                       30ft.
Armor Class:              13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+1 Dex, +2 natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+4
Attack:                      Masterwok Tool +3 (1d6)
Special Qualities: Hover
Saves:                        Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +4
Abilities:                   Str 11, Dex 13, Con 8, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 9
Skills:         Craft +13, Disable Device +10, Perception +12, Knowledge (The Planes) +8, Climb +10
Feats:                        Skill Focus (Craft), Endurance
Environment:             Any isolated location
Organization:             Solitary
Challenge Rating:       3
Treasure:                   Masterwork Tools
Alignment:                 Chaotic Neutral (30%), Lawful Neutral (50%)
Advancement:            By HD, those higher than 10 have class levels

Tall, slender humanoids, usually dark grey or light yellow in skin colour, with short horns at their side. Many wear faded work uniforms from their previous existence, along with tools or other personal artefacts. Dabus are best known as workers who maintain the Great Portal city, these outcasts are individuals, usually called Abandoned who were banished from their homes, and in their absence are becoming something else entirely. Reknown for the riddle picture flow or rebus that floats above their heads as this is how they communicate with other creatures. When asked about how they came to be Abandoned, they usually show a picture of a circular tube tearing apart.

Abandoned are solitary beings found in virtually any remote place, usually mortal worlds, rarely found with others of their kind. Many collect debris they find, and construct odd physical replicas of places they once knew well. Their absence from their home both makes them sad but it also inspires them to learn to be more than they ever were. The first thing most Abandoned learn is to use their rebus to imitate a physical mouth and imitate the most common language they hear.  They are often seen as local experts, and help to trade or make connections with beings who would otherwise not get along or trade, acting as a middle-man to distinct parties. They seem to have goals that are little understood, collecting items of indecipherable purpose that will help in tasks later on in their or their allies lived.

The Abandoned are not combative creatures but they find and fit into the roles they have found outside their worker existence. They go on adventures both to build up alliances and to find the unseemingly odd objects that they are bound to collect. They fight with weapons they summon, being fully proficient even if they have never touched the weapon before.

4 HD Speak Other, Gain +2 on Ability Scores
5 HD Summon Dagger
6 HD Magic Circle 10 ft, Gain +2 on Ability Scores
7 HD Summon Whip
8 HD Object Reading, Summon Small Objects, Gain +2 on Ability Scores
9 HD Summon Cage
10 HD Summon Sword, Gain +2 on Ability Scores
11 HD Open Travel Portal (30% chance)

Hover (Ex): A dabus floats off the ground, in a manner similar to flight, save that it cannot hover higher than it's natural reach. They are unimpeded by terrain of any type but they are not considered as flying for effects that interact with that (like wind effects).

Speak Other: Can communicate with any one creature using that creature's native language via a small mouth they project. Their rebus copies the speech words, so everyone can understand what is being said.

Summon Weapon (Dagger, Whip or Sword): Weapons are summoned within two feet of the Abandoned. They attack as if proficient with these summoned weapons. If they lose the weapon (such as being disarmed) they are able to revisualize the weapon automatically the next round.

Magic Circle 10 ft: They can project a ten foot circle, gaining a +2 to attacks versus one specific type of creature. It is a ten minute ritual to change the creature their magic circle affects.

Summon Small Objects: They can visualize any item that is worth less than 100 GP and weighs less than 50 pounds, they can then materialize the item out of their picture flow to use the same as their weapons.

Summon Cage: Can summon a 20 X 10 ft cage within fifty feet of themselves. The cage has standard dimensions and weight, and lasts for ten minutes per HD of the summoner. They can summon it once a day.  Once active, anyone inside the cage cannot summon other items or beings. An abandoned can enter the cage, but if they do, they cannot leave unless they end the spell effect.

Open Travel Portal: The Abandoned can automatically open any portal that they are within fifty feet and direct to any known location. They do not need portal keys, they can open them at will.

Tuesday 28 April 2015

Giff - Heavy Hippopotamus Humanoid

Spell-Jammer is a great setting and I miss the zaniness. I love the idea of crazy stuff flying to differing worlds and battling things and getting space-pirate treasure. But some of it, well, some of it isn't just goofy fun but when I looked at it, it just kind of fits my game world. The Giff, magicless but brutally strong enforcers is a nice idea. Sort of updated, so I can use them at higher levels. They tend to congregate in cities where there are teleport gates. There's a reason why they are there, but they generally don't know the full story.

Nyssian Giff

Medium Sized Humanoid
Hit Dice: 2d10 + 2 (14 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 25 ft
AC: 16 (+2 natural, -1 dexterity, +5 chain mail)
Attacks: +5 (melee)
Damage: By weapon (Mace, Halberd, Long Sword)
Special Attacks: Headbutt (1d6+3)
Special Qualities: SR 13, Darkvision 60ft, +5 on saves to avoid being stunned
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +0
Abilities: Str 17, Dex 8, Con 13, Int 8, Wis 9, Cha 8
Skills: Knowledge (History) +4, Craft (Armor or Weapons) +4, Perception +4
Feats: Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Any 1: Mace, Halberd, Long Sword)
Climate/Terrain: Any Land
Organization: Unit (2-8) or Platoon (21-40)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually Lawful Neutral

The Giff are a race of well-muscled, six-foot tall hippopotamus-like humanoids that naturally disdain magic. Their legs and arms are short and stocky. Their chest is broad, and it's head flat - very good for smashing into things and people. They range in skin colour from pale, gray, light green or gold.

Their strength has always pushed them to a life of military activity working as a team rather than the spoils of exploration or magic. They understood rules and order and follow them to the letter.  Often found in large cities, where they hire themselves to forces of order. Because they do not utilize magic are often used by temples as guards, or raiding mercenaries or enforcers to caravans.

Giff mate for life and usually give birth to small liters every 4 or 5 years. Non-Giff rarely can tell male from females apart, but to Giff, almost everything from voice, dress, attitude and the way they carry their weapons is distinct. They can live up to 150 years, but are fully mature at ten years of age. When two Giff first meet each other will boast of its military achievements then will want to go share a pint. Giff never attack their own kind unless it is personal.

Giffs pride themselves both with their weapon skils and their knowledge of military history. Many wear tattoos to display their personal history of combat, to lament comrades lost in combat as well as their rank or insignia.

There are some stories that speak of Giff sailing in ships that sail through the Aether - Giff just laugh at these jubetales and leave the bards alone to tell their stories.

They gain the skills, HP, feats and saves of a fighter as they increase in HD.

3 HD +1 to Strength, +1 on AC
4 HD +1 to Strength, +2 to any Other Ability Score
5 HD SR Add +5, Running Headbutt (1d8+ / X3)
6 HD +1 to Strength, +1 on AC
7 HD +1 to Strength, +2 to any Other Ability Score
8 HD Grow to Large Size, Gain +1 to Strength, +1 on AC
9 HD SR Add +5, Running Headbutt (1d10 + double strength / X4)
10 HD  +3 to Strength, +4 to any Other Two Ability Scores, +3 on AC

Running Headbutt: They need at least ten feet of running space, but otherwise treated like a charge

Friday 17 April 2015

Charity and Hopes

One of my oldest original creatures, that I have used in my games for a long time. Unlike many others, their appearance of a happy woman never really grabbed attention, she was just there usually in towns acting as a conduit, often leading players to another quest or to shield them from the evil-doers in town. I often use them as a source of connectionss...they are the ones indirectly who help good-aligned adventurers find employment or a contact.

Charity                                                                               CR 10
An overweight lady whose exuberance hides her determination and magical prowess is somehow continually surrounded by colourful butterflies 

Charity                                                                                             
N Medium Outsider (Good)
Init +13 Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +12

 DEFENSE
AC 24 touch 19, flat-footed 15 (+9 Dex, +5 natural)
hp 90hp (12d10 + 24 con)
Fort +12, Ref +17, Will +9
Defensive Abilities    DR 5/evil
Immune  Persuasion, Charm Spells and Effects, electricity, petrification; SR 20

 OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Light Mace or Dagger +12 (1d6)
Ranged One-Handed Crossbow +21 (1d6)
Special Attacks Aura, Charismatic Boon, Spells, Turn Undead (as 20th level)
Spell Like Abilities (CL 10th)
At will—aid, continual Light, detect evil
Spells Prepared (CL Cleric 10th)
        4th—dismissal (DC 19), Holy Smite, neutralize poison (DC 19), spell immunity
        3rd—cure serious wounds, daylight, invisibility purge, protection from energy, Remove Curse
        2nd—consecrate, cure moderate wounds (2), Delay Poison, Enthrall
        1st—cure light wounds, divine favor, Obscuring mist, sanctuary (DC 16), shield of faith

 STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 28, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 16, Cha 21
Base Atk +12 CMB +12 CMD 31
Feats Combat Reflexes, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will,  Persuasive
Skills Bluff +12, Craft (Alcohol) +10, Perform (Any 4 Instruments) +12,  Knowledge (Nature) +12, Knowledge (Geography) +10, Knowledge (Planes) +10 Perception , +12 Sense Motive , +18
Languages Celestial, Common, Elf, Faerie, Dwarf

 ECOLOGY
Environment          Any (Tends towards Urban Landscapes)
Organization          Solitary, Duet or Trio
Treasure Value      Quarter of Standard Wealth

 SPECIAL ABILITIES
Divine Music: Can turn undead as twice their effective level when playing an instrument
Aura of Bliss:All creatures within 100 ft must save vs Will DC 21 of fall into a bliss like state 
Charismatic Boon; Kiss bestows 1d3 Charisma Bonus 
Ever-Full Goblet: Limitless alcohol or eight vials of any type of magical potion every day
Summon Hope: Summon 2-8 spirits of protection 1/day

Charities appear as cheerful, rotund human females who regardless of season, are surrounded by 3-18 brilliantly colored butterflies. They are comic figures, famous for their boisterous laugh, playful demeanor, clumsiness and unending generosity. They are often accompanied by a coterie of followers, good aligned creatures and sycophants seemingly there to enjoy the Charities gifts and hospitality. Their giddiness is only one side to these figures, as they are also incredibly dedicated to the causes of good, justice and kindness. They spend their lives travelling, making contacts and giving favours to weaker or trying to convince others to do the same. Children and animals flock to Charities instinctively sensing their goodness.

Few realize a Charities size is not an indication of personal indulgence rather of their generosity, as they share their gifts they increase in size. The reverse is true, as they see greed and selfishness, their gloom drains them, both spiritually and physically. Charities are among the most graceful and dexterous beings in existence; few can tell by their playful and seemingly clumsy demeanor outside of combat.

A Charities aura of calm puts everyone around them in a joyous mood, few creatures could contemplate attacking these charismatic celestials (or anyone else) when near a Charity. They often travel with a contingent of followers so few foes can get close enough to them to have a real chance of hurting them. If they were ever pressed, charities could call upon their spells and spirits of protection (see below) until the tide was turned.

Aura of Bliss: All creatures with a 100 ft radius of a charity must make a will check DC 24 or fall into a state of joy, losing all violent tendencies. This does not make them laughing idiots, as they are still able to think and react normally even able to defend themselves; however, they are unable to make the first aggressive move. Barbarians can not rage in this radius, and all creatures receive a +8 bonus to mind or emotion affecting spells while in the aura. The aura is a continuous effect, beings within the radius must make a saving throw every round to avoid the bliss.

Charismatic Boon: their kiss bestows a temporary bonus to charisma (1d3) for the next 24 hours. Once a month, charities may bestow this blessing for a one week period. They usually only do this for eye-pleasing male paladins who they see doing an act of kindness. They can do this once a day.

Everfull Goblet: With her magical goblet, a charity can summon a limitless supply of food or drink. She shares this with anyone in the aura of bliss not causing disruptions. The goblet will run dry for anyone who tries to drink to excess. It can summon 8 draughts of any type of potion once a day.

Divine Music: While playing their musical instrument, Charities can turn undead as a cleric of twice their effective level. They turn as clerics of their HD if unable to use their divine music.

Hopes or Spirits of Protection

Diminutive Size Fey
Hit Dice:                                1/6 HD            (1 hp)
Initiative:                               +6
Speed:                                    30 ft Fly (Great)
AC:                                        30 (+6 dexterity, +4 size, +10 natural)
Attacks:                                 nil 
Damage:                                nil
Special Attacks:                    Aura
Special Qualities:                  As fey, Detect Evil, Improved Evasion
Saves:                                    Fort +0, Ref +16, Will +1
Abilities:                               Str 1, Dex 22, Con 11, Int 3, Wis 10, Cha 16
Alignment:                            Always Neutral Good
CR                                         1/4

Spirits of protection are fey butterflies that seemingly exist only to fly around celestials. Their favorite leads are Charities, delighting in the celestial’s bliss aura.  Children adore these fey insects, and may spend hours chasing them around but never actually catching them.  Charities often give these fickle fey to good aligned adventurers, to give them a brief enhancement to their skills.

They never fight, as they merely flutter around good-aligned adventurers, using their beneficial aura for their protector. These butterflies, constantly whiz in the region of their protector, never more than two feet away and never obstructing their charge’s vision. They may momentarily land on their protector, but it does not in any way hinder their protector. Their innate detect evil ability enables them to shun all forms of evil.

These spirits are rarely seen away from a Charity. Adventurers would like to find and use these creatures, as their powerful protection auras are amazingly useful, and have often been called “living ioun stones” by good aligned adventurers. Since they will not abide the presence of evil, they are called “crunchy snacks” by anyone unable to use their charms. 

Hopes never survive for no more than a day. They die every night, dissipating into faerie dust before hitting the ground. The next morning, Charities seem to have a full assortment of hopes with them once again. Their colour determines their aura's abilities.

Auras
Red:              Adds + 4 to strength
Orange:         Neutralize Poison (Range: touch*, No more than 7 times a day)
Yellow:         Adds +4 to dexterity
Green:           Adds +1 competence bonus to all attacks, saves and checks
Blue:             Improved Alertness (+4 listen and spot; stacks with standard feat)
Purple:           True Sight Spell    
Crystal:          Non-Detection Spell
Pink:              Adds +4 to charisma
Scarlet:          Adds +3 to spellcasting levels for non-evil or non-necromantic spells
White:           Speak with Animal, Plant or Fey (Range: Touch*; 7/day)
Grey:            Adds +7 psionic power points
Black:           Adds +5 to necromantic spell saves (7/day)
Brown:         Absorbs up to one 4th level spell. (Only one spell can be absorbed, targets discretion.  All excess is wasted.)

* Those indicating a touch range, the protector and not the butterfly must touch the intended target.


Monday 6 April 2015

Elemental Options - Pick Your Own: Plug and Play Beasts

Have long liked the idea of heroes facing elemental threats...not just a blob of  the elemental. This enables you to face any variant of elemental, an animal, a four legged beast or even a humanoid
made of the element. This is mix and match, enabling the DM to create on the fly.

Elemental-Base

AC           14 (+1 / 3 additional HD)
Base Int: 6, Con 14, Wis 10, Str 16, Dex 14, Cha 6
Base Attack Bonus: +4
Base Damage: 1d6 / 1d8 / 1d12 / 2d8/ 2d12
Feats Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Flyby Attack, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Mobility
Traits: Darkvision 60 ft., Elemental Traits
Skill Points 16 points at base, 4 points per HD higher than 2nd*
Most common Skills: Acrobatics, Climb, Escape Artist, Fly, Intimidate, Knowledge (arcana, elemental, nature), Perception, Spellcraft, Stealth, Survival
Alignment               Neutral
 
*Gain Knowledge (Own elemental Type) free the same as their HD

TYPE
Aether Gain Non-Detection, Gain Elemental Resistance to any one type for 24 hours
Air Gain Elemental Traits, Whirlwind
Earth Gain Elemental Traits, Forceful Blow
Fire Gain Elemental Traits, Enflame
Water Gain Elemental Traits, Whirlpool,

SIZE:
Small 2 HD +6 Int, +4 Con, +6 Wis, -2 Str, -2 Con, +8 Dex
Medium 6 HD +4 Int, +4 Con, +4 Wis, +2 Str, +2 Con, +6 Dex
Large 10 HD +0 Int, +4 Con, +2 Wis, +4 Str, +4 Con, +2 Dex
Huge 14 HD -2 Int, +4 Con, +0 Wis, +6 Str, +6 Con, +-2 Dex
Gigantic 18 HD -4 Int, +4 Con, +0 Wis, +10 Str, +8 Con, -  4 Dex
Titanic 24 HD -6 Int, +8 Con,  +0 Wis, +16 Str, +10 Con, -6 Dex

ANIMAL FORM
Bestial         +2 Str, +4 Dex, Scent, Light "Fur"
Quadraped         +4 Con, +4 Wis; 4 legs, +20 movement, +2 HD, Heavy Fur
Multiple-Headed +4 Con, +4 Wis, -2 Cha, +1 HD / extra head (Rarely more than ten heads)
Avian         +4 Con,  + 6 Dex for thin body, Fly: Good (Never bigger than large)
Spider         +8 Dex, Climb & Balance+20, Spray Poison (Weakness DC 14 / Dc 16  / DC 20 /                                 DC 22  / DC 30)
Whale        +40 Swim, +8 Con, +4 Str, 10 HD (Min)

HUMANOID FORM
Watcher +4 Int, +4 Cha, Read Surface Thoughts, Distant Viewing, Mind-Link,  Mind-Blast
Basher + 4 Str, +4 Con,  Base Dmg, (+1d8 / +1d10 / +2d8 / +2d12 / +3d10)
Archer +4 Dex, +4 Wis, Gain two Elemental Arrow (Dmg 1d4 / 1d6 / 1d8/ 1d10 / 2d8)
Tripper         +4 Str, +4 Dex, Trip Attack DC (DC 14 / Dc 16  / DC 20 / DC 22  / DC 30)
Breath weapon +4 Cha, +4 Dex, +6 HD, (Dmg: 3d6 / 6d6 / 9d6 / 15d6 / 25d6) (As dragon for ranges)

Elementals are a variety of beings that have communities in pocket universes that border on both the elemental planes and the mortal worlds. Their existence is much the same as humans, creating products for external use, raising mindless livestock and flora as well as raising armies to defend themselves. Unlike other communities, they do not consider only humanoids intelligent - all elementals of a certain awareness are considered citizens. Generally elemental communities are
closed, they contain only creatures of the one shared elemental type. Individuals of other species may be found there if they have become allies with individuals elemental beings, but it is never of a another elemental type.

Water is the most commonly found element on prime worlds, deep in the ocean and little known by outsiders. Aether is the next most common, often found in cities with a native citizenry barely if at all aware of their existence; they often make allies in libraries and temples. Air and Earth elementals are uncommon but always there, there are a few on any given prime world, found by the experts in their fields.  The most rare is the Fire Pocket Universes, they are sometimes portals are created spontaneously during forest fires or other extraordinary events, but closed as soon as the fire closes.

What is the most understood by non-elementals is that elemental beings are not bound by one form. Individuals can switch between animal or humanoid forms when needed. It is not a quick or simple process, they can go to their Essence Temple and undergo a cerement to switch from forms. The only thing that doesn't change is their HD, feats and skills; their personality and memories always remain intact.

Thursday 26 March 2015

Nysarian Military Ranks

These are the military ranks that I use in my game. It's mixed with real world and stuff I picked up from other settings...

Nysarian Military Ranks

1st Rank – non-trained, usually volunteers not-soldiers
2nd Rank – trained, low level soldiers (1st – 2nd level)
3rd Rank – trained, med level soldiers (3rd – 4th level)

Constable – leader of small groups, often highly specialized, usually from 5-50
individuals, rarely work as a full unit; usually 4th-7th level. Often an inherited title.

Riding Knight – Allied but not a part nation’s standard military, under a Commander

Standing Knight – exist outside of nation’s standard military, help with defense

Sash Knight – specialists that are outside of a nation’s military, (e.g. giant slayers)

Left Hand – special agent, independent officers or spies, rarely soldiers

Man of Arms: Lead groups of constables, usually 6-7th level.

Captain of Arms: Leads 2 – 20 groups of Constables, (Also called Right Hands); 8+ level

Mayor or Warden: Leads a specific portfolio in a city, may lead small towns or forts

Commander: NCOs, command unique divisions not part of standing army

Solomo: usually NCOs; a Wizard officer, assume 10+level unless ceremonial

Battle Captain: Leads ten Captain of Arms; Usually 12+ level

Battle General: military leader of an army; Usually 14+ level
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Barbarians: not part of standing armies, they do not accept Rank, even unofficially
Bards – left hands, very rarely are in official military ranks
Clerics: usually constables, mayors or commanders; Never Solomo
Druids: left hands, or as Clerics
Fighter and Paladins: any except for Solomo
Monk: may be left hand, warden or commander
Rangers: not part of standing armies, often act as left hands or Commander
Rogue: may be left hand, warden or commander
Sorcerer: may be left hand, warden or commander; rarely act as a Solomo
Wizard: may be left hand, warden, commander but when Solomo are usually 11+ level.

Friday 20 March 2015

Vottinna - Blue Skinned, Magic-Item Destroying Humanoid Monk

This creature was slowly developed as an antidote for magical trapped areas in my dungeon, essentially if using standard rules, either the traps would be too much why would the areas still be around? This race is a way for lower level adventurers can go through these areas because the Vottinna cleared the magical traps. They are sometimes still in the dungeon but most often as strangers to this world, they reside in monasteries where they may be expected to follow the rules but not to talk a lot, which helps them to avoid giving unpopular information.

Vottinna                                                                                    CR 5
Medium-Size Humanoid LN 
Init +7; Perception + 8

DEFENSE

AC 18 (+3 dexterity, +4 wisdom, +1 Monk AC Bonus), 18 Touch, 18 Flat-foot
hp 32  (5d8+10)
Fort: +6 Ref + 7 Will + 7
Morale 16

OFFENSE

Speed 40 ft.
Attack: +3 Unarmed Strike (1d8)
Full Attack: +2 Unarmed Strike X 2 (1d8)
Special Attacks: Stunning Attack, Ki Strike (Silver, Magic)

STATISTICS

Abilities: Str 10, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis: 18, Cha 12
Base Atk +3; CMB 13 CMD 16
Feats: Blind Fight, Improved Initiative, Dodge
Skills Appraise +5, Diplomacy +10, Perception +8, Disable Device +8, Sense Motive +5, Knowledge (Arcana) + 5
Special Qualities: Nullify Magic, Evasion, Still Mind, Pure Body, Curse Magic and Drain Magic
Languages: Common, Elf

ECOLOGY

Environment: Monastery or Obelisk
Organization: Solitary or Band (2-7)
Treasure: Half Standard

The Vottinna are an elusive and mysterious light blue-furred race with a severe hatred of magical items. Most have long, overflowing bluish-black hair, large ears tipped both on top and below, and small black orbs for eyes. Their long arms end in hands, whose fingers are always curled, they are unable to straighten them. They are able to mate with almost any other humanoid, but their children are never Vottinna half-breeds, only when two Vottinna mate does the blood line run true.

They are often trusted members of peaceful monastic or religious orders, but few people suspect their motivation. They usually have complex plans to cause misery to the cause of arcane magic but strangely not to individual casters of magic. Adventures may encounter a Vottinna if they acquire a cursed magic item and need to rid it from their possession.  Many times there is a trade-off, getting paid in a powerful arcane item in payment for retrieving a cursed item.  While they abhor a wizard’s created items, they sometimes use clerical ones in the most dire of circumstances, but they will feel need to purge their bodies of the unholy action.

Generally, they are peaceful and friendly but they never willingly share information or their beliefs. It is strongly assumed they come from another world or dimension, and they gravitate towards monasteries because those places are open to strangers.

Combat
They fight as monks at the same level as their HD. They use their stunning blow as often as possible, and never hesitate to use their unique abilities to counteract magic.

Nullify Magic: Each spell has a maximum potency (DC or effective level), if a Vottinna can overcome this by making a full round attack and treating this as a target AC, they cancel the spell effect out immediately. A 10th level wizard, with a 16 intelligence casting a 2nd level spell will have a normal DC of 15; this would be the target AC the Vottinna would have to beat. Any feats or magical devices which increase the DC, likewise increases the DC the Vottinna needs to beat.

Curse Magic: Any item used on to cast a spell on a Vottinna has a chance to be temporarily cursed to either backfire or simply not work (DM to decide, based what is the worst possible outcome.) The likelihood is a Will DC based on the level of the Vottinna (10+ effective level of the Vottinna.) There is no effect on passive magic items, such as a sword or item of protection.

Drain Magic: Once a day, if a Vottinna can grasp an item for one full minute, they can permanently drain the magic from the item. There is no save if the item has an effective level less then the Vottinna. Otherwise, it is a power check based on the Vottinna’s level.

Monday 16 March 2015

Nyssian Druid

Here is the druid found in my game worlds. I created it awhile ago with the intention of getting rid of
the shape-shifting ability.

Druids regardless of alignment are loosely connected and very rarely attack each other. They are all bound by mission, it`s just the way they take steps to complete their duties will differ. They usually organize themselves in Circles, all are bound to a group, equivalent to a church or Obelisk. Many Circles are specific to a single race, alignment or other feature. Non druids often join a Circle in remote areas, if the Circle Elders are open to this.


Nyssian Druid

Alignment: Any Neutral

Hit Dice: d8
Class Skills: As per Player`s Handbook
Weapon and Armor Options:  As per Player`s Handbook
Spells: Per the druid spell list. They cannot cast spells from the Chaotic, Evil, Good, and Lawful Spells domains

Bonus Languages: A druid’s bonus language options include Sylvan, Faerie, & Druid.

Animal Companion, Nature Sense, Wild Empathy: Per PhB at 1st level

Woodland Stride: Per PhB at 2nd level.

Animals Step (Ex): A druid can make their footprints to match any medium sized animal at will.

Brew Draught (Su): At 6th level a druid can create simple natural potions in ten minutes for any first level spells that they can cast. At 8th, 10th & 12 they learn how to make potions of the next spell level. They can brew only one spell draught every day which can have from one to six sips and last 24 hours.

Adaptation (Su): Can change their body to better handle the dangers around them mimicking an animal’s natural properties (Some examples: Legs to run faster, Gills to Breathe Underwater, Wings for limited flight, etc). Each adaptation is a free action to enact the change.

Speak with Animals (Ex): Can speak with animals as the spell at will if within 10 feet of the animal.

Venom Immunity (Ex): Gains immunity to all natural poisons found in the wild or can be created from natural sources. They gain +6 to all other (non-natural) toxins.

Druid Grove (Su): Magic Circle Campsite affects 50 feet in circular radius with fire in the center, Lasts 12 hours, Natural Healing Rate Doubles, +4 on all re-rolls to avoid negative magic affects, +6 spotting strangers approaching, Natural resources available.

Speak With Plants (Ex): Can speak with plants at will as per spell if within 10 feet of the plant

A Thousand Faces (Su): Can change their appearance at will as if using the alter self spell

Animate Plants (Su): Can animate plants once per day.

Greater Druid Grove (Su): Magic Circle Campsite affects 100 feet circular radius with small fire in the center, Lasts 24 hours, Natural Healing Rate Triples, +10 on all re-rolls to avoid negative magic affects, Automatic spotting strangers approaching, Natural resources available, 50% chance of magical merchant (friendly to the Druid's cause) available

Eyes of the Forest (Su): Can commune with all animals within a region, the spell is similar to commune with the forest except the distance is 20 miles per druid level

LevelBABFortRefWillSpecialZero1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th
1st+0+2+0+2Wild empathy31







2nd+1+3+0+3Woodland Stride42







3rd+2+3+1+3Animal’s Step43







4th+3+4+1+41st Adaptation531






5th+3+4+1+4Speak w/Animals542






6th+4+5+2+5Brew Draught543






7th+5+5+2+52nd Adaptation6531





8th+6+6+2+6Venom immunity6542





9th+6+6+3+6Druidic Grove6643





10th+7+7+3+73rd Adaptation66531




11th+8+7+3+7Speak with Plants66542




12th+9+8+4+8A thousand Faces67543




13th+9+8+4+84th Adaptation676431



14th+10+9+4+9Animate Plants676542



15th+11 / +1+9+5+95th Adaptation6865431


16th+12/+2+10+5+10G Druidic Grove6875432


17th+12/+2+10+5+106th Adaptation68764421

18th+13/+3+11+6+11Eyes of the Forest687654321
19th+14/+4+11+6+117th Adaptation6886553321
20th+15/+5+12+6+12Perfect Self6887554332

Friday 27 February 2015

Lizardith (Lizard Man PC)

One of the racial monsters I have long used is the Lizard Man. Just love these as the alternative main racial class in direct opposition to humans, not as a foe but someone able to compete with them. The way I've always pictured it: Elves are our higher level cousins, Dwarves are the lower level ones, but neither are really at the par as humans and their complexities. The Lizardith are our true competition. Civilization as broad and a culture as varied, they are just a threat on the high and low scale, wielding magic or in waves of numbers. When players see them their adventuring teams in dungeons, they can be a threat or potential ally. (And I have role played a hissing Lizardith scenario trying to communicate with players so many different times.)


Lizardith (Lizard Men)
Personality: Perhaps next to only humans, Lizardith are the most varied peoples of the domain. It is next to impossible to judge a Lizardith’s motivations before observing one. Every moral habit, weakness or strength is found within these cold-blooded peoples. While they are not xenophobic, they are wary of strangers because of their history.

Physical Description: Semi-aquatic reptilians weighing between 200 – 250 pounds with a 3-4 foot long non-prehensile tail. As they age, many seasoned warriors often sharpen their bodies, so that almost every body part becomes a weapon (claws, teeth & tail.) Most are covered by mottled light green scales, with dark patches of yellow, red or brown depending upon their tribe and homeland.

Relations: Lizardith are reclusive, simply because they have fought for so long and hard, they do not trust anyone fully, even their own people. Instead, a lizardith will judge the individual carefully before making a conclusion, and this is only about the individual, never their race. The individual human, elf or dwarf may earn their living in a lizardith community, just as easily, they may be killed for crimes against the lizardith people.

Alignment: As a race, they generally tend towards neutrality. But individuals may by as holy as saints or as evil as scoundrels.

Lands: Their original swamp cities are in tropical lands far south of the Phastian desert but they have expanded to everywhere including vast territories in the under-earth, caverns beneath the frozen domain.

Religion: While many are strongly druidic there is a small but fervent number of clerics in larger communities gathered around obelisks. Most druids worship Zeyla, the Egg-Mother while clerics worship idealistic gods similar to human faiths.

Language: They speak lizardith which mirrors Dragon linguistically. Individuals often learn dwarf, tenderfoot, callanna, faerie and yuan-ti. Some who travel in the frozen north, may speak a local human tongue but it is a minority.

Adventurers: Many differing lizardith heed the call for adventure. Some seek fame, wealth or power, while others live to serve their deity.

Racial Traits
+2 attack bonus if fighting 50% submerged vs land-based creatures
+3 attack bonus if fighting 100% submerged vs land-based creatures
Hold breath 10 X Constitution
+2 skill bonus to Balance, Perception & Swim

Level Adjustment: +0

Preferred Classes: Any

Lizard Men (Lizardith)
NG humanoid 
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +2

DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 8, flat-footed 13 (+4 armor, –1 Dex, +0 natural
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +0

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft. (Swim 40 ft.)
Melee greatclub +1 (1d8)
Ranged javelin +1 (1d8)

STATISTICS
Str 11, Dex 12, Con 11, Int 9, Wis 9, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 13
Feats: Toughness
Skills Climb +7, Perception +5
Languages Lizardith

Standard Lizardith Tribal Advancement
2 HD +2 to any attribute; +7 in skills; Gain Lesser Feat
3 HD Increased Natural Weapon Damage (1d6 Claws); +1 in Natural AC
4 HD +2 to any attribute; +7 in skills; Gain Lesser Feat
5 HD Increased Natural Weapon Damage (1d8 Claws); +1 in Natural AC
6 HD +2 to any attribute; +7 in skills; Gain Lesser Feat
7 HD +1 in Natural AC; Gain Bite Attack (d4 / 19+)
8 HD +7 in skills; Gain Greater Feat
9 HD +2 to any attribute; +1 in Natural AC
10 HD +7 in skills; Increase Natural weapon Threat Range (17-20), Gain Greater Feat
11 HD Increased Natural Weapon Damage (1d10 Claws / 1d6 Bite); +1 in Natural AC
12 HD +5 to any attribute scores (no more than +2 to any individual) +3 in Natural AC; Gain Greater Feat, +7 in skills

+1 HD Add as per character classes

Lizardith can gain standard class levels at any point but if they do they are then unable to advance in their Racial Lizardith abilities. Many tribes will have individuals of both racial and class levels. This may

Base Skills: Acrobatics, Balance, Climb, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Jump, Knowledge (geography, history, local, tribe), Perception, Stealth, Survival, Swim

Typical Lesser Feats: Power Attack, Multiattack, Natural Armor (+2), Tail Attack, Improved Initiative, Camouflage (+5 hide bonus in one environment), Improved Climb (+6), Increase Swimming Speed

Advanced Feats (Higher than 8 HD) Improved Camouflage (+10 hide bonus in one environment), Imp Natural armor (+4), Increase Claw Critical, Stunning Head-Butt, Breathe Underwater, Swing Tail, Advanced Swimming Speed

Breathe Underwater: A Lizardith grows gills and can breathe underwater

Tail Attack: Gain an attack at the same range as their primary claw attack. Can be used in any round during their primary attack focus if an enemy is immediately behind them. Does the same damage as their bite. They are unable to score critical attacks with a tail attack.

Tail Swing: If they have have Tail Attack, they can choose this as an advance feat. They attack every creature behind them, they cannot omit anyone, if they swing their tail they potentially attack everything. They roll one attack roll at a -2 penalty.

Increase Speed: Add +10 to their swim speed
Advanced Speed: Add another +10 to their swim speed

Camouflage is an auto-defense that happens when a Lizardith is in a natural environment, as their skin blends in if they are moving at less then half their maximum speed.