Aeons & Augauries

Ain't that the truth?

2012-01-29T08:38:00.001-05:00

"Car Wars: Lifting a rock would entail getting out of your car. Don't do that."

more rock lifting witticisms here: http://www.tenkarstavern.com/2012/01/coolness-found-on-google-characters.html

My Wife's Box

2012-01-26T11:42:00.006-05:00

During the move I rediscovered the box of D&D stuff my wife brought with her when we first moved in together.

The whitebox D&D set is a little beat up on the outside but the rulebooks inside are in great shape along with Greyhawk, Blackmoor and Eldritch Wizardry supplements. As I recall the OD&D set came along in a box of game stuff a female professor's mother gave her in college (which had some dice and grenadier miniatures also). I jokingly call the whole box her dowry.

A number of books also came from a random guy who dropped off a box of D&D stuff when he saw her playing in a coffee shop.

She's got another box of White Wolf Games products but I can forgive her for that ;-)

That's the pepper!

2012-01-25T12:04:00.004-05:00

In last nights game (the first in a couple weeks due to moving) the party of five bold adventurers found themselves hunting down "The Red Hairy Death" and they found it.

After climbing down several shafts the party found themselves on a ledge over a water of unknown depth a couple hundred feet underground in a large cavern and The Red Hairy Death found them.

It was massive and exploded out of a hole in the wall opposite their position and raced at them along the rough cavern walls. It was a great hairy spider, it body as large as a rhino and it's legs reaching far. It attacked them spraying strands of acidic webbing. It drew near but still out of touch of man-sized weapons when it lurched forward and snatched Thorgrim the dwarf from the ledge.

Out of range of an easy melee strike Dan Black lept off the ledge and at the gargantuan arachnid striking it once with his two handed sword before falling into the water beneath. This was all the chance Tasmetus needed to dispatch The Red Hairy Death with his magics and they day was won (following a bit of swimming).

---------------

I love that stuff when I'm DMing. Actual heroic action, seemingly ridiculous odds and a desperate gambit and it worked. Best of all Dan Black is played by my teen son so I was thrilled to see him having his character act in a daring and heroic manner. There was only a 50/50 chance of leaping far enough but the risk was taken (without the player knowing the odds) and it worked and luckily so did the weapon blow.

Leaping into the air to strike a gargantuan spider that has your dwarf companion in it's maw over a black body of water deep underground... that's the pepper indeed.

Still Alive

2012-01-20T08:58:00.002-05:00

The move is sucking up a lot of my time but I'm still alive.

I didi manage to find the time to post this from Zak.

1. If you had to pick a single invention in a game you were most proud of what would it be?

Leper zombies.

2. When was the last time you GMed?

Two weeks ago.

3. When was the last time you played?

I always feel like I'm playing when I'm GMing.

4. Give us a one-sentence pitch for an adventure you haven't run but would like to.

Can your band of heroes survive and find their fortunes in the Tomb of the Bull King?

5. What do you do while you wait for players to do things?

Pressure them to make a decision and twiddle with my notes.

6. What, if anything, do you eat while you play?

Dinner, Baked Goods and the occasional chip.

7. Do you find GMing physically exhausting?

I find it exciting, I often end up staying up a couple hours later than normal following a game.

8. What was the last interesting (to you, anyway) thing you remember a PC you were running doing?

Escaping from a tower.

9. Do your players take your serious setting and make it unserious? Vice versa? Neither?

Yup.

10. What do you do with goblins?

I enjoy goblins they are typically fodder but the occasional goblin is a notch above the rest. They are all evil baddies that are working against faeries.

11. What was the last non-RPG thing you saw that you converted into game material (background, setting, trap, etc.)?

I used an old horror comic monster.

12. What's the funniest table moment you can remember right now?

When one player warned the other of the jallopoinous cube

13. What was the last game book you looked at--aside from things you referenced in a game--why were you looking at it?

RuneQuest second edition rulebook.

14. Who's your idea of the perfect RPG illustrator?

I don't really have one, I like a wide range of styles and artists.

15. Does your game ever make your players genuinely afraid?

I put the scare in a kid once so badly he had trouble sleeping for days and now year later i still hear folks talking about it.

16. What was the best time you ever had running an adventure you didn't write? (If ever)

I really enjoyed death frost doom . A limited cast of NPCs that do any talking, weirdness and a
whole lot of running away.

17. What would be the ideal physical set up to run a game in?
A big table with a side table for me.

18. If you had to think of the two most disparate games or game products that you like what would they be?

The Dallas RPG and Twilight 2000.

19. If you had to think of the most disparate influences overall on your game, what would they be?

15th-17th century history and Conan.

20. As a GM, what kind of player do you want at your table?

One who can stay involved, share table time with others, and has fun.

21. What's a real life experience you've translated into game terms?

Camping. REal life wilderness travel sucks and most ages really gloss over it.

22. Is there an RPG product that you wish existed but doesn't?

realtime 3D virtual reality projector.

23. Is there anyone you know who you talk about RPGs with who doesn't play? How do those conversations go?

no.

Mapping- New England Rockwall trick

2012-01-06T12:28:00.003-05:00

for mappers out there here's a simple trick I learned as a surveyor's assistant over 25 years ago. This method allows one to quickly draw (and or ink) rock walls.

One draws a bumpy or wavy line along the run of a wall and then repeats an alternating bump along the same run to produce an illustration of a rock wall that doesn't require one to draw a bunch of little ellipses.

Here's an example:

Draw the first line

Draw the second line

All done, you've got a rock wall.

One can easily create packed rubble walls with more jagged lines and blocks/bricks of masonry with squared off lines. Some of my walls in my last post were done with such a method.

I mostly use it to pretty up maps I have to look at frequently but different patterns can be used to convey meaningful information.

Megadungeon Mapping

2011-12-29T13:05:00.006-05:00

Do we need to limit ourselves to a large map?

I know it's a strange question in regard to megadungeon design but, do we really need a big map for each level of a megadungeon or would it perhaps be easier to map a wider variety of connections and arrangements by having a bunch of smaller maps focusing on small sections of the megadungeon instead of one overall map?

Here are six map sections illustrating the princiople:

The arrangement of these maps isn't set yet which shows an advantage of this method of design. A suite of rooms can be moved to where it's more useful after it's designed. The section can be relocated as the dungeon is being designed and could also be moved to another section of the dungeon for reuse geomorph style or the map and all details can be moved to where the players exploring the dungeon will find it.

The connections and distance between these sub-maps is all up to the DM of course. Even if section 1 and 2 connect off the north corridor for me and you there could be another DM that while they like section 2 would rather not have it sitting connected to section 1. A small changes in notes and it's moved, no(or little) redrawing required. Less material can be used to cover more area.

Another advantage to this scheme is in stocking and re-stocking. The small sections can be worked up in digestible bites. A half dozen or so rooms can be written up and tied to each other without the stress and intimidation of trying to connect the other 100 or more attached areas on the same level.

This design also makes adding to the megadungeon easier on the DM just add a new section where you wish without having to re edit maps. Section 1 and 2 can still connect to each other but if you've had a great idea that would work out dropped between sections 1 and 2 you can add it without screwing up your overall map. This seems to be a great way to have the ever growing and expanding megadungeon without having to re-dawmaps over and over again.

Lastly this method totally defeats the "let's search the whole sheet of paper" style of dungeon exploration.

What do you gentle readers think?

Exploring Ruins

2011-12-24T07:48:00.004-05:00

This here blog has been a bit quiet of late as I've been off packing, restoring, and exploring ruins. yup...exploring ruins. The new place had a saw mill on the premises for decades before it burnt down. What remains today are a number of foundation walls accessible down an earthen ramp and a few bits of obscure ancient bits of iron including a wide iron chute that penetrates the foundation descending from somewhere above.

How a campaign came to a screeching halt.

2011-12-16T11:11:00.004-05:00

This post on "level playing fields" and DMs staying ahead of players by changing the rules got me thinking about a GURPS-Fantasy campaign I played in several years back and how it ended.

The playing group had been playing 3rd edition D&D for a while and we were all pros at it by that point. We were a well drilled team of dungeon pillagers who had fallen into a successful pattern of behavior that was turning every fight into the same boring fight. Thinking it was his lack of experience with 3e-D&D and some limitations in that version of D&D the DM suggested we try something new: GURPS-Fantasy. We all agreed a change of pace looked like a fun idea.

The GM/DM had the most expereince in GURPS with one player have a fair bit of experience (but never GM'd the game), another with a little exposure , I hadn't played it in over a decade (but had played when it was man-to-man and TFT before that) and another player with no experience at all. We had 125 point characters, I lost my first character because of his bellicose ways and I hadn't grokked the GM's style of play within the campaign yet and the total newb got her first character killed as well . We both learned from our mistakes and the other two PCs kept on advancing as well.

We started to defeat NPC left and right and the DM suggested we incorporate the advanced combat rules since we were pushing the envelope of what the basic rules did well. We all agreed... the GM should have noticed our glee. In the weeks that followed we chewed through the NPCs with ever more wild and telling maneuvers and we knew what the numbers on our sheets could mean in play. The end wasn't long to come.

The PCs were on a ocean voyage from one city to another, the captain of the ship was a bit of a jerk and there was a mutinee on the ship. The GM was clearly tryign to railroad us and hadn't expected us to back the captain and chew through 30 or 40 opponents in 30 seconds of game time. The ship understaffed after the failed mutiny ran aground on a mysterious island (which by some odd chance the GM had mapped out and well-detailed). Our brave band of PCs were exploring the island while the captain and remaining crew were trying to build a camp and repair the ship. w/e came across soem ruins and a cave... and out came a Giant!

Now Giants in GURPS unless total dweebs are a horrible opponent for a small band of GURPS characters and things looked grim for our band of 150-180 pt characters. The GM clearly expected a fighting retreat. We instead rushed the giant who took a dagger in his eye, a crossbow bolt to the neck, an axe blow to the knee which sent it crashing to the ground which was immediately followed by my swordsman making a ridiculous leap and stabbing the giant through his other eye and into his brain killing it. The fight was over and the DM/GM threw his hands up in the air and declared "that's it I cant challenge you guys anymore"...that was the end of the campaign.

The GM had made some mistakes, he wasn't as good at math as we were and he wasn't four other people with several years of game experience between us who all started reading GURPS as soon as we agreed to start playing the campaign. Trying to beat us or keep us in check by changing the playing field from 3e-D&D to GURPS and then employing the advanced combat rules in GURPS just didn't work out for the GM. We all moved onto something new after that and the DM/GM didn't get to keep running a campaign.

Carousing and such

2011-12-14T09:09:00.003-05:00

I've been using a few carousing rules in my campaign to encourage the chance of something "interesting" happening when the PCs are out and about on the town.

Drinking.
Every character gets to imbibe a round of drink with no harm. Dwarves and other noted for high tolerance get 4 round of drink with no harm. Each round after the safe ones require a saving throw to avoid intoxication. Each failed roll moves one along the track of drunkenness from sober to Tipsy to Drunk to Roaring Drunk to Unconscious.

Intoxication Track
.......................Tipsy..... Drunk..... Roaring..... Unconscious
Hit Roll..........0............ -1 ........... +1............... no chance
Morale...........+1........... +2.......... 0................. zzzzzz
Endurance.....+1.......... +2........... -2............... -4
Initiative........-1........... -2............ -3............... none
Will Power.... -1........... -3............ -5............... uneffected
Fall-Down...... 10%...... 20%........ 33%........... down already

Hit Roll- this modifier is applied to the chance to hit in melee combat
Morale- temporary improvement to henchman and hireling morale scores
Endurance-this modifier applies to save vs physical hardship
Initiative- this is a negative modifier applied to those engaging in combat when drunk. (I use high roll is better initiative)
Will Power- applies to save vs attempts at control by others and to saves to resist temptation.
Fall-Down- any time the intoxicated character is struck in a fight, fails a physical activity or scores a critical success they must check vs falling down.

Each round of drinks take 20-40 minutes depending on the culture and situation on hand.

Rewards:
--------------
Each round of drinks after the first earns 2 experience points. Only roguish types can gain a level by drinking. Thieves and Bards in my games. Everyone else just can't gain points past 1 shy of that required to gain a level.

Those with a personal goal that supports carousing also earn 1 exp per 2 g.p. spent on drinking, smoking and other such activities.

The Risks:
---------------
As people drink they get clumsy and their will power weakens making them easier marks for thieves and kid-nappers.

If the more than one character is roaring drunk the chance of a random encounters is doubled.
If the entire party is roaring drunk the chance of random encounters is tripled.

Every three drinking rounds everyone roaring drunk must make a save or wander off. A sober companion can keep two roaring drunk companions from wandering off. A tipsy character can keep one roaring drunk character from wandering off unless there are 2 or more other drunk companions in a group. a charcetr that wanders off must roll 1d8 on the Wandering Off Table.

If a lone character (away from companions) or an entire party is rendered unconscious in a place they can't trust roll 1d6+2 on the Wandering Off Table.

Wandering Off Table
-------------------------
1. Sober up 2d6 turns away from drinking spot.
2. Wander away, roll up a wandering encounter which the drunken character must face alone
3. Wake up next morning sleeping aside a stranger of the opposite sex.
4. Wander off in straight line for 2d12 turns. Fall victim to any physical obstacles.
5. Mean case of the munchies, wander away from drinking buddies to nearest source of food.
6. Wake up in own bed chamber/bedroll... all is good.
7. Wake up in the gutter/alley minus coin purse.
8. Wake up kidnapped, chained to an oar in a galley, in a cage or other such situation.

DMing Large groups

2011-12-09T09:41:00.003-05:00

Many a DM is put off by large groups of players. Sure it seems like a daunting task keeping track of the actions and comments of a dozen or more people but it need not be seen as an overwhelming task. For me large groups of players are when it's time to shine.

A place to play:
To me the greatest obstacle of all with large groups is a place to play. With a large group the only thing I've ever seen work is a regularly scheduled place the DM has easy access to.

The physical reality of fitting a bunch of players together can be difficult. There are two sensible ways to deal with this, a large table and seating in the round.
Not everyone has enough space for a large table or space to keep one indecently. A couple portable tables solves the big enough table question. I've got 2 camp tables to create table space when needed, there still has to be enough room so this isn't a solution for everyone.
Seating in the round puts players all over the room with the DM to one side. All players should have a clear view to the DM and should have some playing surface nearby. A folding table, a coffee table and such. For more theatrical DMs this also give them room to put on a show.

Chit-chat and breaks:
Chit-chat between many players can be deafening as can players leaving the play area at random intervals.

All the players have to be a little considerate of others and be sure to leave the DM with speaking time. A DM shouldn't be a tyrant in regards to chatting but should discourage it. One method I use is :when players distracted and chatting so are their characters. A little room has to be given to allow players to discuss tactics and shout advice but not too much. Use of digital devices should be curtailed as well, no frequent texting, web-surfing or talking on a phone in the play area is polite and avoids disrupting the game.

Timed Breaks are a great way to reduce chit-chat and people getting up from the table. Every hour-two hours have a break planned at a minute per player. This gives times for refilling snacks, bathroom runs and cigarette breaks. If that seem too frequent plan a larger break in the middle of the play session.For a time when we were younger and played an every other week sunday game we would break in the middle of the game for half an hour to an hour to play frisbee or football or bet each other with buffer weapons. Such breaks let people deal with necessities and gives the DM time slots to adjust notes.

Another tactic that works great to reduce chit chat is the pre-game gathering. Plan to have a meal or some other activity before the game-play starts. For years on my sunday games it was Robin Hood Brunch where we'd get together have a shared brunch while we watched Robin of Sherwood, it was a great mood setter and gave time for a lot of chit-chat to be completed and everyone ate before the game.

Pacing and Style:
The DM needs to make sure the play style used assists in the play of the game and doesn't get in the way.

Keep the players reacting to the DM not the DM reacting to the players. With a large group there's going to be a lot of players pulling the game in at least as many directions. The DM need not railroad but with a lot of players it's helpful to wave a red flag in front of them now and again and focus the players actions.

Let the party split up. This seems contradictory to reducing chaos but it's not. Allowing players to split up while acknowledging only so much time will be spent in a segment of play with split off groups will keep some players from stealing the limelight and keep the action going. It gives players time to neaten up notes and take unplanned breaks while other players are involved in activities they aren't. Be mellow on dealing with players knowing things the PCs wouldn't. In my own games I've used surprise engagement rules where groups of PCs have engaged each other briefly when bumping into each other in the same dungeon.

Use cliff-hangers. Don't' always stop the action at a point of resolution. Let moments of great anticipation be when you shift between groups of separated characters or call a break a couple minutes early. "Oh no the floor upend under Pherd…" is much more dramatic and keeps players attention longer then "Oh no the floor opens under Pherd, he falls 20 feet for 6 points of damage".

Have uninvolved players hoping the DM. Want the players to have a tough fight with a group of monsters? Imagine the carnage with guilt free attacks from another player. I'll have players take the roll of faceless-goons or wild beasts now and gain (if they wish) to keep them busy at the table. It's a fun change of pace for the players and deflects the everyone vs the DM dynamic.

Let the players decide what the they do. While I recommend keeping the players in a position they react to the DM it's essential that in large groups the players feel they are in control because each will be having less table-time. The DM should wave the red flags but shouldn't nudge players decisions otherwise, let them sink or swim by their own decisions not ones you make for them.

The DM must keep notes on player statistics, locations and time events occur. It's always the rule it's even more important with many players wandering about. All you need is a notebook or pile of notecards, along with the discipline to record notes and the problem is solved.

More then one character:
This seems totally insane when dealing with 12 or more players why would any DM want to deal with more characters? For one thing it keeps players involved and remember we are allowing the layers to split up, a player will end up with characters spread around not all marching together. It also keeps players from being drama-queens when a character is slain,losing one of 2 or 3 characters doesn't disrupt the game. I know form experience a player will either foster a number of fun characters or end up focusing on one central character and keep a few active pawns running about in the background to pick up the slack or have something to do when their main character is involved off-stage.

Information:
Keep the players informed. My old character sheets had play notes/aids on them they weren't just for keeping stats. Make a few posters with notes on them for players to reference in play, these need not be fancy, all yuo need is some notes written large enough to read.

Make a newsletter. a small newsletter is a great way to keep players informed without taking up table time. This can be done with a blog but folks have to remember to check a blog, shove a piece of paper in their hand and they are more likely to read it. I did mine as a 1 or 2 sheet faux-newspaper for a while and it was a little silly it was fun and a great way to communicate trivia about the campaign without cramming it into play at the table. A good way to make sure peopel read the newsletter is to distribute one or two less then the number of players at the table this keeps people interested in the newsletter and those that don't read them much may take a tiny bit more time reading it before they pass it on to another player.

Debriefing:
Make sure the end of each session is a planned debriefing period. Players and DM update each other on their notes and the DM issues any EXP earned. End of game time shouldn't be when everyone runs for the door. It also gives the DM and host time to deal with slow to leave players. Some players should stay to help the host clean to ensure good will and make sure the place is accessible in the future.

Lest readers think I'm talking from outside my experience let me assure you i ran a 7-8 year long campaign that followed these loose guidelines. We had about a dozen regular players, many had 2 or 3 characters. At one point in the campaign the PCs were scattered all over the place in three time zones, a couple planes and a few locations in the main campaign area and it worked well. When one player couldn't make it the game didn't collapse because Rothgar the Red wasn't there with the campaign advancing MacGuffin.

Keep the players busy, don't let there be time to be bored, keep them reacting, and keep them in the game.

Hmmmm....what next?

2011-12-07T15:23:00.004-05:00

I have a new smartphone that came with a new service (our old service didn't' work at the new house). This smartphone has over 23,000 time more RAM then my first computer which I got for Christmas about 27 years ago. The clock speed on the CPU is a deceptively but 333 times faster. The smartphone has over 25,000 times as much built in storage capacity. My personal computer kicks the smartphone's ass. What the heck will my personal computer look like 27 years from now?

2 petahertz processor? 2 exabytes of RAM and a couple dozen zetabytes of Storage? Will it even be visible?

It's an amazing time we live in, I can imagine tools of incredible power and my predictions are in all likelihood very conservative. I don't suspect any of my Bronze Age ancestors sat around the fire imagining a spear 20,000 times more powerful or a clay tablet able to record a billion times more information.

As our tools change, we change. I heard the shooting started in the first gulf war from a friend online in Sweden I was playing chess with; it was the stuff of science fiction just years earlier now so common it's become a normal part of life.

Twenty years from now people will still be playing chess. Will they be playing D&D?

Four Bizzarre Radiations

2011-12-07T10:11:00.002-05:00

A few more strange radiations to be found on alien landscapes, distant planes or in proximity to reality-warping scientific disasters.

Psychogenic Radiation: This radiation functions as standard radiation but when a being with mental powers fails a save vs this radiation their mental powers become unstable hour an house after a failed save. During this hour any condition of excitement has a 1 in 6 chance of activating a random mental mutation (posed by the victim) to be projected towards the nearest other sentient being. Mental mutations with use limits will function even id the daily use has been expended.

Discomputational Radiation: This radiation has only minimal effect on organic life which react as if it is 4 intensity levels lower and save at +4 vs it. Complex electronics, robots and androids that fail a save vs this radiation have a % chance equal to damage suffered to shut-down for 2-7 hours. If this radiation would kill such a robotic device it shuts- down for 2-12 days and reactivates as an NPC.

Electrostatic Radiation: This radiation is visible and looks like lighting/electricity dancing on the surface of irradiated surfaces and beings. If anyone fails a save vs Electrostatic Radiation they will hurl 1 bolt each turn (at diminishing intensity) in a random direction which may strike another begin or device up to 60' away.
Any android or robot that suffers 1/2 or more it's hp in damage from this radiation will be immobilized until all the Electrostatic Radiation discharges.

Dread Glow: this radiation causes beings it is exposed to to glow vividly. A failed save causes the victim to glow for as many turns as the intensity level of initial exposure. It will be impossible to surprise sighted creatures and the glow is severe enough to cause the victim to have trouble seeing (-2 to all action needing sight)

Parrying Variant

2011-12-03T21:37:00.001-05:00

Parrying and the Shield

For those of us that were introduced to D&D and RPGs in general with the original D&D basic set we had a game option that allowed for a little variety in fights and more importantly the chance to decrease the chance of getting your character hurt in a fight: The parry rule.

In review the parry rule in the original D&D basic rules allowed one to decrease a foes chance of striking them by 2 points by surrendering the chance to attack. In addition if the hit roll was exactly the now modified chance to hit the defenders weapon was broken instead of harming the defender.

Now let me remind my gentle readers that that volume of the rules didn't have a dexterity modifier to armor class.

I've always been a little annoyed by the always on AC bonus provided by Dexterity. It's boring, you get the bonus from the initial ability score generation and that's it.
Wouldn't it be nice if modifiers reflected good dice scores and player choice?
How about if it reflected character experience as well?

The method fort this variant is to add Strength and Dexterity (factoring in ability scores), Fighting prowess (as reflected by class and level) and a little boost if using a shield (I had to slip them in).

Defense Score= DEX+STR+Fighting Prowess+Shield Bonus

Fighting Prowess:
0-level…………….......0
Fighter Level 1-2….+1
Fighter level 3-5….+2
Fighter leve 6-8…..+3
Fighter level 9-11….+4
Fighter level 12-14…+5
Fighter level 15+…….+6

(Clerics and Assassins are considered 2 levels lower, Thieves 4 levels lower, Monks 2 levels higher, others receive no adjustments for level)

Shields:
Buckler…………..+1
Small Shield……..+2
Large Shield……+3
Great Shield……..+4

Defense Score….Parry Bonus
8 or less.............. 0
9-13.................... +1
14-27.................. +2
28-36................. +3
37-41 ................. +4
42 or more......... +5

The Parry Bonus to AC is only applied when the player decides to have their character Parry. They sacrifice their attacks for a round to get the parry bonus to their AC.

Now what happens when the exact score to hit is rolled… The defender must make a save for their weapon or it's broken (the auto-break is just not enough drama for this otherwise random situation).
If one has a shield the defender can check to see if the shield it ruined instead of the weapon.

The typical DEX bonus to AC is dropped with this variant.
Some might want to keep some AC adjustment for DEX I recommend the range for these modifiers be shifted to more extreme scores or only provide half their usual adjustment.

Extra Variant: whenever an attacker misses with a score equal to or less then a fighters level when a fighter is parrying, that fighter may make a counter attack against that foe.

Oops it's not gold...

2011-11-29T22:44:00.003-05:00

After a few months of game play my players have finally realized their PCs have been chasing a rumor they heard in a tavern months ago that one of them (now dead) bought for a drink.

The City of Gold isn't made of gold, as they were told on first sighting it "A large pueblo cliff-side city spotted glowing in morning sun as if made of gold."

the natives turned back their initial foray, thwarted a scouting mission, summoned a demon to attack the party in camp, the party reequipped for another raid, had a couple PCs scout the area (who encountered a demon and destroyed said demon, a high priest and his acolytes and burnt down the temple) and they realized the city of gold might not actually be a city of gold...

10,000,000 Gold Pieces

2011-11-29T16:14:00.002-05:00

Doing some campaign design and tinkering and for some odd reason I decided I'd set a limit on how many characters there are of each level. I came up with:

1- 18th level
2- 17th level
3- 16th level
4- 15th level
5- 14th level
6-13th level
8- 12th level
10- 11th level
12- 10 th level
24- 9th level
48- 8 th level
96- 7th level
200- 6th level
400- 5th level
800- 4th level
1600- 3rd level
3200- 2nd level
6400- 1st level
64000- men@arms rank and specialists
1,280,000- commoners (that aren't specialists or m@arms)

If all those NPCs gained about 90% if their exp from loot about 85,000,000 gp had to be won by the exploits if they are considered to have been bound by the same rules of advancement as PCs.

All that money will not still be sitting in their coffers. I myself make PCs spend the money to get the exp so NPCs will have done the same.

Taxation,rents, duties and such keep 1,920,000 g.p. in circulation. Calcualted at 1 g.p. per commoner and 10gp a year for/from specialists.

For a totally arbitrary reason I decided that's about 20% of all easily transported, easy to spend wealth. So in the whole campaign there would be 10,000,000 g.p. (in total easy wealth) in the coffers of men and those that do business with men.

I'm breaking it down to :
1,000,000 g.p. in gems and jewelry
2,000,000 g.p.
20,000,000 s.p.
500,000,000 c.p.

That's a lot of money: 10,440,000 lbs of coin at 50 coins to the pound; 5,220 tons. At least it sounds like it.

Hmmm... will this experiment work out?

I hook his leg...

2011-11-29T09:38:00.006-05:00

A combat maneuver I seldom see anyone attempt to catch a foe or their shield to knock them off stance. Here's one way to do it.

Hook Attack
Make a standard attack roll and apply adjustments as below.

-4 if trying to hook an opponent from the front
-2 if trying to hook an opponent from a flank
-2 if using a weapon not specially designed for hooking a foe.
-2 if not using a long weapon.
-1 per leg if foe has more 3 or more legs.

Well made armor still allows AC or armor to be applied. Makeshift shields and shoddy or ill-fitting armor aren't included in a targets AC.

If a hook attack is successful: make a damage roll and compare on chart below.

If a hook attack is made against a foe equipped with a shield they may choose to drop the shield instead of suffering a roll on the following table.

Hook Attack Results
1-3 Foe shaken, they are -1 to any actions they take for remainder of round. no other damage.
4-6 Break Guard, all other attacks agaisnt foe are made at +2 for remainder of round. 1 hp damage is inflicted unless using special capturing weapon.
7-9 Pinned, foe is trapped until pin is broken. They lose DEX bonus to AC . Any bonuses from a defense maneuver are lost. 2 points of damage inflicted unless using special capturing weapon.
10+ Tripped and knocked down, foe falls to ground knocked prone, all penalties as for 7-9 are applied as well. 3 points of damage inflicted unless using special capturing weapon.

If the attack roll was a critical hit an immediate follow-up attack is allowed to the successful attacker along with any damage allowed as per your campaign critical hit rules.

If a hook attack misses: make a save to keep your weapon in hand. I recommend a DEX check with a bonus applied for fighting ability.
If save fails weapon the attacker used is dropped.
If this save is botched (miss by more then 5) : the attacker is off guard, any foes may attack at +2 for remainder of round.
If the save is fumbled (a 1, or a 2 if miss is more then 5): attacker is sent sprawling, they drop weapon and are knocked prone.

Two weapons designed for this maneuver

Crook: A pole designed to catch and hold troublesome animals, it also works well on people.
Damage: 1d4 lethal (or 1d10 when hooking a foe). The weapon is long and requires two hands to use in combat. Cost: 8 s.p.

Spiked Catch-pole: an elaborate polearm with a pseudo-mandible designed to catch troublesome folk.
Damage: 1d4+1 lethal (or 1d12 when hooking a foe). The weapon is long and requires two hands to use in combat. If a foe is pinned or knocked prone the attacker may automatically hit the foe each round for lethal or nonlethal damage. Cost: 30 g.p.

Note on polearms: many but not all polearms are equipped with spikes and hooks that may assist this manuever. If a DM wants to be a stinker or no one is sure if a polearm has an appropriate extension for this maneuver one may be so equipped at a 20% increase to the normal cost of a weapon.

Mechanical Exercise?

2011-11-28T10:29:00.005-05:00

"Coping with a horde of orcs or other stock monsters is mainly a mechanical exercise. World of Warcraft or other computer-based games portray that far better than some guy at the head of a table with some funny looking dice." - semiprometheus on a blog comment here: http://lotfp.blogspot.com/2011/11/isle-of-unknown-what-is-it.html

Wow, I couldn't agree less. Really how is it simply a mechanical exercise? That's only possible if we reduce the orc to a very limited set of options and behaviors. I'm big a fan of random tables as assistance and idea generators but I don't consider their use to be mechanical and divorced from creativity. Why have a "stock monster" that is differentiated from other monsters at all if it isn't something beyond mechanical? If you can't make a horde of orcs interesting and notable part of play, give up DMing.

A horde of orcs isn't a crowd of clones all acting in concert with a little fuzzy math thrown in to generate a few fringe exceptions. A random encounter with 50 orcs has lots of room for creativity and non-mechanical roleplaying opportunity. Who are their leaders? What are their motives? Where is their base? Do they have any prisoners? How much treasure do they have? How will taking that treasure lead to further adventures? Is this horde of orcs known for accepting hero combat? Are these orcs frightened of magic more than normal? Are these really gross orcs or faceless mooks of the dark lord? Do some stop to collect loot and flee before a fight is over? What tactics are they attempting? Do the orcs really give a darn that they've just encountered the PCs?

If the orc reactions time and again are .."ooghh, soft hoomans , dorfs and alfs....lets git-em boyz...charge !!!!", someone is in a rut and has forgotten they are playing a fantasy game.

Players treating orcs the same, time and time again and getting away with it? Well this is another example of the DM dropping the ball. Intelligent foes should react to threats and every orc is eventually going to hear about the orc-killing party and either plot their ruin or avoid them at all costs. The players like oil-bombign raids, the orcs might think turn about is fair play. A pesky wizard putting mobs of orcs to sleep? Fill the wizard with arrows before a fight starts. Pepper the woods/hills/dungeon around their lair with small annoying traps and points of ambush that wear on the nerves of the PCs and NPCs along for the pillage but don't have a large combat until the orcs have a clear advantage. Have the orcs atempt to bribe the PCs..."well sure, here take this 100 gp and by the way I know the back way into Lord Darks Tower of Terrible Peril" (hmmm...could this be an ambush, not if the DM is clever). Don't let the layers get away with the same unthinking tactics time and time again and avoid this by actign like the monsters don't simply want to win but want to survive.

A train of orcs shouldn't all march into a choke point and allow themselves to be riddled with arrows and magic until they are decimated. The mob shouldn't slowly advance until reinforcements stumble onto an exposed flank. Even nasty disgusting son's of evil aren't always looking for a fight.

A horde of 50 intelligent creatures is a horde with 50 different priorities and should be gamed as such.

Gamehalla Rising

2011-11-27T08:50:00.004-05:00

We've recently purchased a new home (last week really). Well, not so new at all really the home was built in the 1880's; It's got some renovations to do before we move in (one contractor already did some work on Thanksgiving morning). It's on a large hilltop plot bordering the headwaters of a small river. We've got ruins on the property as the builder of the property (an inventor with several patents) ran a mill for a number of years. The house itself has undergone updating over the years and my wife is simply in love the luxurious details, tin walls and tin ceilings. It's a grand old place (not huge really but more then 4 times the size of our current tiny home).
Of greatest interest to readers of this blog is this home shall be the future site of Gamehalla (my game room), when we can finish insulating and prettying up the attached barn. /there shall be a large game table, shelves, storage cabinets, work bench(es) and desk area for a generation of gaming. Many adventurers will enter, their deeds shall be recorded and few will leave.

I spent a large chunk of yesterday with my brother-in-law and father ripping up the rotten flooring and decrepit floor joists in the cottage/shed (not in picture). The floor need "a little work" and as said work began the true extent of the required work revealed itself under three or four era's of floor repair; the joys of home ownership.

Floating Round-Robin Initiative

2011-11-25T10:28:00.003-05:00

This is my favorite old-school initiative system that can be applied to virtually any set of D&D-like RPG combat systems.

Each side rolls a die, the highest side goes first.

What makes this different from simple group initiative is who gets to roll each round.

A player is selected to roll for each round. Any modifiers for the system used are applied to the roll. This player goes first this round each player to the left on the winning side acts as they will.
Sure this creates some odd effects now and again but it's no burden.

Next round the player sitting to the left of that player rolls unless the character is completely uninvolved in the fight.

Typically the first player to roll in each combat is the point man or player at the fore-front of the marching order or the players can choose to keep trading rolls unless the DM upsets the order for some reason.

The DM is free to choose who rolls first among the players in unusual situations.

The DM may roll once for all foes or break foes into a couple squads based on position,leadership, and mobility. Thus it's possible for some monsters to attack the PCs before and after they all take their turn in a given round.

Fighting goes quickly, everyone get to roll eventually and there is a little room for planning and forethought (placing quick agile fighters in front).

What Is Swords and Sorcery ?

2011-11-18T10:36:00.005-05:00

"What it is quite simply, is the modern reincarnation of the oldest narrative known to world literature: the heroic fantasy. The adventure story of the indomitable warrior-hero battling supernatural evil, personified as monster or magician, god or ghost or goblin, dragon or demon. The sort of thing the Greek myths and Norse legends are all about, and Beowulf and the Shah Namah and the Mabinogoin. The kind of yarn they wrote about in the Middle Ages, in sagas and epics about Roland and oliver, or hero tales and legends about St. George and the Dragon ...", Lin Carter , Flashing Swords! #4 published in 1977 by Dell Publishing Co., Inc

I just pulled this book off of my shelves and started rereading it again and had to share some of the introduction .

The book itself is an excellent primer of swords and sorcery as it was in the 70's with The Bagful of Dreams by Jack Vance, The Tupliak by Poul Anderson, Storm in a Bottle by John Jakes, Swords Against the Marluk by Katherine Kurtz and The Lands Beyond The World by Michael Moorcock.

Dungeon Stocking Table

2011-11-15T15:00:00.003-05:00

To go along with recent posts here's a Dungeon Stocking Table that incorporates the features from said recent posts.

This table is designed for a fantasy dungeon of no defined original purpose where 25% of rooms could be empty. The dungeon features from earlier posts have a 25% chance of being present in a room, chamber or run of corridor, this could create a dangerous and difficult to navigate dungeon but even in a dungeon level with 100 rooms there is a lot of room for variety.

Dungeon Stocking Table (roll 1d1000)
1-250 Empty
251-255 Dungeoneer Cache
256-300 Unguarded Treasure
301-450 Monster
451-550 Monster and Treasure
551-580 Monster and Trap
581-600 Monster, Treasure and Trap
601-700 Trap
701-750 Trap and Treasure
751-790 Mural
791-820 Statue
821-822 Throne
823 Throne and Monster
824-835 Altar
836-845 Altar and Monster
846-850 Altar and Treasure
851-854 Doorways
855-900 Roots
901-925 Trapdoor
926-932 Fireplace
933-936 Fireplace and Monster
937-972 Fungus
973-976 Fountain
977-980 Fountain and Monster
981-985 Cauldron
986 Cauldron and Monster
987-991 Mirror
992-994 Stair
995 Stair and Monster
996-998 Pool
999-1000 Mist

Stairs

2011-11-15T13:00:00.002-05:00

Stairs are an ever-present feature of dungeons connecting levels and sub levels. Stairs can also add variety to elevation within a level or even separate sections of a room or tunnel.

Stairs (roll 1d100)
1-15 Stones stairs: a flight of stone stairs not much special there, it's location may provide a little mystery.

16 Endless Stairs: magically trap anyone on endless staircase once they enter. There is typically a pass phrase a user may speak softly to avoid this fate.

17-18 Sliding Stair: stairs are trapped and will send victims plummeting down. 1d6 per 30' for anyone who fails a save.

19-20 Teleporting Stairs: any who travel are teleported elsewhere

21-25 Colossal Stairs: the stairs are far to large for man-sized adventurers to climbs normally.

26-35 Steep stairs: these stairs are dangerous to man-sized or larger climber who may fall if they travel down too fast or are engaged in difficulty (such as combat) on the stairs.

36-45 Uneven Stairs: this stairs on this staircase are uneven and this may send folk for a tumble who are unfamiliar with the stairs and attempt to travel too swiftly.

46-55 Slippery Stairs: these stairs are slippery and anyone traveling up or down has a 1 in 20 chance of stumbling.
56-60 Narrow: this staircase is very narrow, only one man-sized person may pass at a time and any combat on the stairs will be very difficult.

61-70 Wooden Stair: there is an old wooden stair in place that creaks as it is climbed.

71-75 Trapdoor: halfway along the staircase there is a trapdoor built into the stair (or possibly on a landing). Check trapdoor table.

76-80 Rotten Stair: this really old wooden stair creaks and groans indoor weight and some steps bow under pressure, there is a 1 in 6 chance per climber that a stair breaks sending an unable or unawares person for a fall. If weight limit is reached a stair will break on 1-5 in 6. Weight limit 100-600 lbs.

81-82 Handholds: there are hand-holds carved into the wall offerign a clearly defined climb, this is not a true staircase.

83-84 Shelf Fungus Ladder: fungus grows from the wall in an arrangement that allows one to climb the fungus as if a ladder. Too much weight will rip some free and send the hapless climber for a fall. 30-300 lbs suggested weight limit. There is a 10% chance the fungus has special fungus properties as per fungus table.

85 Shelf Fungus Stair: fungus grows from the wall in an arrangement that allows one to climb the fungus as if a staircase. Too much weight will rip some free and send the hapless climber for a fall. 100-600 lbs suggested weight limit per "step". There is a 15% chance the fungus has special fungus properties as per fungus table.

86-90 Intact Ladder: instead of a staircase one finds an intact ladder mounted to allow one to climb.

91-95 Rickety ladder: an old, ill-maintained ladder is mounted to allow a climb. A rung will break 4 in 6 if the weight limit is exceeded. Weight limit 50-300 lbs.

96 Empty Shaft: there may be holes in the wall where a ladder or wooden stair was once mounted into the wall but now there is no easy means to scale the now empty shaft.

97 Well Secured Rope: a rope hangs down a shaft from a well secured mount.

98 Poorly Secured Rope: a poorly secured rope that will slip free on a 1 in 6 per climber making the climb is hanging down a shaft.

99 Tangle of Roots: a shaft filled with roots allows folks to go for a climb. Weight limit 30-600 lbs. There is a 15% chance the roots have a feature as describes in the roots table.

100 Webbing: amazingly strong and durable webbing allows one to make a climb. A save may be required to avoid begin caught in place during the climb.

Doorways

2011-11-15T11:37:00.004-05:00

Ian of Magician's Manse has posted a table with a set of doorways that is compatible in spirit with my recent postings and with a great many OSR campaigns:

Doorways

Fungus

2011-11-15T05:55:00.002-05:00

Dungeon depths are often noted for the presence of a wide variety of fantastic fungus. Here are several interesting or troublesome varieties.

Fungus Form and Coverage
1-5 Mold covering other features/fixtures nearby.

6-8 Mold covering wall, 30-180 feet covered in mold.

9-11 Mold covering floor, 30-300 feet covered in mold. Impossible to tread on without disturbing.

12-13 Mold covering ceiling, 30-300 feet of ceiling covered in mold.

14-18 Jelly Roll in a patch, 5-20 feet across. Samll folk may enter patch without disturbing on 1-4 in 6.

19-20 Slime Mold covering other features/fixtures nearby

21-24 Slime Mold covering wall in a 20-80 foot area

25-26 Slime Mold covering floor in a 20-80 foot area

27 Slime Mold covering ceiling in a 20-50 foot area, anyone passing beneath may have slime drop on them on 1-2 in 6.

28 Slime Mold filling room/tunnel making it impassible.

29-32 Tiny Mushrooms in a patch 5-20 feet across. No more six inches high, it may be possible to step through area slowly at 1/1oth normal speed without disturbing fungus (1-4 in 6).

33-36 Tiny Mushrooms covering floor. 50-300 area covered as above.

37-39 Tiny Mushrooms growing from wall. Usually harmless unless intentionally disturbed. they cover 30-300 feet of contiguous wall.

40-49 Large Mushrooms in a patch, these fungus grow up to 6 feet high and the caps are up to 4' in diameter in an area 5-20 feet across. Small creatures may pass enter a pacth without disturbing them 90% of the time, man-sized folk 1-4 in 6 (if moving 1/2 speed or slower).

50-58 Large Mushrooms covering floor,as above, but 30-300 foot area.

59-65 Large Mushrooms growing from wall, as above but 30-180 foot area.

66-70 Giant Mushroom, one single giant mushroom grows here. It will almost reach the ceiling of it' slocation and the cap will be 5-20 feet in diameter.

71-76 Giant Mushrooms in a patch, 3-18 giant mushrooms each 5-20 in diameter in close proximity to each other. The patch can be safely entered by small folks, medium sized character can do so without disturbing the fungus on 1-4 in 6. Large creatures may do so only 1-2 in 6.

77-79 Giant Mushrooms growing from wall, 30-300 of wall sprout giant fungus. The fungus grow out up 5-30 feet. Small folks may move in this space safely with a chance of 1-5 in 6. Man-sized folk are safe 1-3 in 6, large folk may only do so on 1in 6. Per 30 span.

80-81 Giant Mushrooms filling room/tunnel. Very dense growth of giant fungus, small folk may pass through without disturbing fungus at 1-3 in 6 if moving 1/2 speed or less, man-sized for moving 1/3 speed or slower will not disturb fungus 1-2 in 6 of the time, large creatures may n0t travel through this space at all without disturbing or clearing fungus.

82-84 Cave Coral in a patch 5-20, this crusty fungus is as hard and may sometimes support the weight of a man-sized or large creature (1-4 in d6).

85-86 Cave Coral covering floor, in a patch 50-300 feet across, this crusty fungus is as hard and may sometimes support the weight of a man-sized or large creature (1-4 in d6).

87-88 Cave Coral covering wall for 30-300 contiguous feet.

89 Cave Coral hanging from ceiling, the cave coral hangs down 2-5 feet from ceiling.

90 Cave Coral filling room/passage, area absolutely blocked by coral fungus for 50-300 feet. Cave coral may be as hard as chain-mail and has 20 hp per 10 foot section.

91-94 Riot of Fungus a dizzy assortment of fungus grows in a patch 5-20 feet across. no more than two feet high. This patch of fungus will 1d3 features rolled on the Fungus Properties Table below.

95-96 Riot of Fungus covering floor, as above but covering entire floor in a room or 50-300 feet of corridor, no more than two feet high.

97-98 Riot of Fungus growing from wall, as riot of fungus but covers 30-300 feet of contiguous wall

99 Riot of Fungus hanging from ceiling, hangs 2-5 feet down from ceiling, covering 20-120 feet of area.

100 Riot of Fungus filling room/passage, area completely overgrown with fungus, tiny beings may be able to move through freely all other will find it impossible to move faster than 1/1oth normal speed without disturbing fungus.

Fungus Properties (roll 1d100)
1-5 Shrieking increase chance of wandering encounters when disturbed.

6-10 Babbling: these fungus can be confusing to all nearby as the gibber, murmur and yammer. Those within an active an area babbling fungus must save or be confused.

11-12 Explosive: if disturbed these fungus explode causing 1d6 per 3 dungeon levels for every 30' covered (15 d6 max) to those up to 30' away from fungus.

13-17 Spore Shooting: the spores from this fungus are treated as mist, see mist table.

18-20 Slime Spewing: ejects green mold, grey-ooze, ochre jelly or black pudding when disturbed.

21-25 Mushroom Trap: much like a venus-fly trap . The tiny one are harmless. Large one or 2HD and may reach up to 5feet to bite. Giant ones are 5HD and may reach up to 3/4 their height to bite prey. Large ones may capture small prey, giant ones may capture man-sized prey.

26-30 Groovie Shrooms: if eaten these will cause intoxicating hallucinations for 3-18 turns.

31-33 Wizard's Shrooms: if eaten a by a magic0user they gain an extra casting of the spell detect-magic to use when they wish. If more extra castings are gained then the MU has levels they must save or be driven mad.

34-40 Deathcaps: these mushrooms are lethal poison if consumed. If gathered the poison will be useless in after one hour.

41-55 Chicken Shrooms: these nutritious fungus taste just like chicken.

56-60 Orange Shrooms: metal contacting this fungus rusts away two rounds after exposure.

61-65 Stinging Shrooms: this fungus shoots out spikes attacking as 4HD monster, victim must save or be 1: poisoned to death, 2-3: be confused, 4-5: fall asleep, 6: be consumed by mold as if attacked by green-slime.

66-70 Flash Shrooms:if disturbed they will flash with light bright enough to blind those within 30 feet for 1-6 full turns.

71-75 Black Spores: if disturbed this fungus emits black spores up to 20'. All who contacted the black spores will grow mold and be consumed as if by green slime.

76-80 Sickly White Fungus: if disturbed this fungus grows amazingly fast, filling the area and up to 20' away. Those who don't get away are trapped and will suffocate.

81-85 Barrel Fungus: treat the fungus as a fountain generated on the fountain sub-table.

86-92 Gnome Bane: this fungus emits spores that will entice gnomes up to 200' away to seek out the mushroom and eat it for 2-12 turns until their bellies are swollen. The gnomes are then relieved of the compulsion. 2-5 hours later the gnomes bellies will in fact explode killing the gnome while a fresh fungus patch begins to grow where the gnome falls.

93-95 Brain Eating: this fungus has an enzyme-like spore that infests anyone who touched the fungus and fails a save. They will lose 1 point of intelligence a day until cured or death at 0 intelligence. When they die they will sprout fungus.

96-98 Mastermind Mushrooms: these mushrooms will make mental attacks against foes within 20', those that don't save are controlled by the Mastermind Mushrooms as if by a Charm Person spell.

99-100 Infestor: These mushrooms taste just like chicken but if eaten the victim will lose 1d6 points of CHA each day until taken over by the fungus when 0 CHA is reached. The infested victim will act as a normal member of it's type and class but is now a fungus, PCs will be an NPC controlled by referee.

Altar

2011-11-14T15:30:00.001-05:00

Mysterious and altars to petty and lost gods can be found in remote and forgotten places, the spirits involved may still grant boons or banes to those that stand before them.

Altar Functionality
1-30 any supplicant

31-45 any supplicant speaking proper prayers

46-60 any supplicant of specific alignment

61-70 any supplicant of a specific class only (usually but not always cleric)

71-90 any supplicant making an offering of wealth (wealth disappears in 1-6 turns), 100 gp per level is suggested maximum monetary offering.

91-100 To any supplicant making a sacrifice or a living being. Minimum sacrifice of 1 HD of beings per dungeon level recommended.

Duration of ritual (roll 1d100)
Altar power takes effect:
1-15 immediately
16-20 after 1-3 rounds
21-50 after 1-4 turns
51-75 after 2-12 turns
76-90 after 1-4 hours.
91-100 after 3-24 hours.

Altar (roll 1d100)
1-15 Healing: supplicant is healed 1d6 damage per 2 dungeon levels, once a day at most.

16-25 Blessing: supplicant is blessed for 12 turns

26-30 Revealing: will identify a magical item placed at it's base, 20% chance it the magical item vanishes.

31-35 Rebirth: will raise a corpse but might simply animate the corpse as an undead monster. The chance of getting an undead monster is 10% + 10% per raised corpse within the past week.

36-40 Contact Other Plane: allows user to contact other plane as per spell.

41-50 Clairvoyance: supplicant gains clairvoyance as spell up to 600' feet away.

51-55 Bloody Offerings: looks like altar of rebirth but consumes corpse.

56-60 Trapped: the altar is trapped (determine traps as normal for dungeon)

61-65 Miracles: if supplicant is spell-caster will regain a 1st or 2nd level spell up to 3 times over the next day.

66-75 Protective: no evil may approach within 60' of altar or commit violence into this space unless attacked from inside the space protected.

76-80 Conversion: any supplicant will be converted to alignment of the altar. A cleric of same alignment can convert one unwilling convert a week who fails a saving throw.

81-95 False Idol: the altar engravings or statuary act as a statue generated on the statue table.

96-100 Altar of Trials: A supplicant to this altar will be cursed. Once they return with three sacrifices or offerings to this altar the curse is removed and there is a 20% chance a random attribute is permanently raised by one point and the supplicant alignment is changed to that of the altar. Attempting to gain another ability point will be (roll 1d6): 1-2 ignored, 3-4 result in permanent curse and no ability point gains, 5-6 result in permanent curse and ability point gained (if this curse is somehow removed ability point is lost)

Mirror

2011-11-14T11:53:00.000-05:00

Mirror Mirror on the wall, what's this mirror doing down here in the the dungeon?

All mirrors on this table are meant to be large free standing mirror or wall mounted mirrors, reflecting pools may also be used.
Mirrors removed from where they are found only have a 33% chance or retaining their abilities.

Mirror (roll 1d100)
1-10 Extra Room: another room beyond mirror, this room will appear opposite to the one the mirror is within. there could be different occupants and treasure within.

11-20 Mirror-men: mirror will generate simulacra of those who peer into it. On death of such a simulacra all equipment carried will shatter and crumble away to dust. If the simulacra are immediately hostile, mischievous impersonators or willing companions is all up to the ref and possibly a reaction roll.

21-30 Trapping: those looking into mirror will become trapped within on a failled save. Dispel magic or remove curse will might "open" the mirror allowing those inside to escape. Breking the mirror has a 50% chance of freeing prisoners or killign them (and losign their bodies and equipment).

31-45 Peering: functions as crystal ball up to three times a day to anyone who recites the proper command phrase.

46-50 Doppler: an item (living beings aren't items) left in front of the mirror for 1-3 turns will be duplicated and can be pulled from the mirror. Only works 1-3 times a day. Magical items will not be recreated with their magical properties and gems and jewelry have a 50% chance of being valueless glass and shinny pot-metal.

51-55 Thieving: looks like Doppler mirror, items left in front of it will disappear (living beings aren't items).

56-65 Images: The mirror will hold images and acts as per a mural on the mural table.

66-80 Mocking: this mirror will reflect embarassing images of those peering into the mirror. A save is required or the victim suffers a 2 point loss of charisma for a week.

81-95 Ego Mirror: peering into this mirror for 1-6 rounds will cause one's image to be reflected back in a more handsome and complementary manner. No save is allowed and the viewer gains one point of CHA and Loses one poitn of WIS per viewing up to 3 times a week. The effect lasts for a week.

96-100 Medusa Mirror: If one peers into this mirror there is a 33% chance a Medusa face appears in the mirror forcing ceiling the viewer to make a save or me turned to stone.

Roots

2011-11-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

Some roots descend deep into the depths of the earth and can be found intruding on dungeon domains.

Roots may be found (roll 1d100)
1-10 Hanging threshold. The roots form natural curtain, an agile being may avoid. 10-20feet.

11-40 Dangling from ceiling. Short explorers can avoid these roots but taller folk must stoop or crawl to avoid them. 20-50 feet.

41-60Tangled on the floor. The roots slow travel to half normal unless one wishes to risk falling. Save or fall if moving over 1/2 speed. 20-120 feet.

61-80 Running along and through a wall. the roots are easily avoided if one keeps away from populated wall. 30-300 feet.

81-100 Choking a passage or chamber. the passage is virtually full of roots. Tiny folks may be able to move through at 1/3 speed others may squirm through at 1/10th speed or remove the roots. 30 to 180 feet.

Toughness of Roots (roll 1d100)
1-20 Feeble, may be struck as unarmored. Vines will be cut on any strike of 2hp or more.
21-75 Wirey, may be struck as if leather. Vines will be cut on any strike of 3hp or more.
76-90 Strong, may be struck as if chainmail. Vines will be cut on any strike of 4 hp or more.
91-100 Iron, may be struck as if plate armor. Vines will be cut on any strike of 6 hp or more

Roots (roll 1d100)
1-15 Pale Creepers: these pale unexciting roots don't do much at all but explorers will not always know that.

16-20 Blood Saps: these roots will attack at a monster of their dungeon level and will drain 1d6 each round until the victim is drained of all blood.

21-25 Thorny: these roots are covered in thorns, anyone moving quickly through them may be slightly harmed if they are unlucky. Make a 1HD attack for 1-3 damage if feeling cruel.

26-30 Constricting Creepers: these roots will react to contact by animating and attempting to strangle or crush victims. Attack as monster of dungeon level and the round after a successful hit they will inflict 1d6 damage per 3 dungeon levels automatically.

31-35 Thorny Tentacles: These roots will attack intruders and are able to reach up to 10' away. They atatck as monster of their dungeon level inflicting 1d6 damage per 2 dungeon levels.

36-40 Tangle Roots: these roots will animate and grab passers-by but cause no damage. treat as a web spell to escape.

41-43 Dart Roots: these thorny roots can fire 1-4 darts a round (per 10foot section) at passers-by inflicting 1-3 points of damage per hit.

44-45 Deadly Dart Roots: these thorny roots fire 1-3 darts a round (per 10 foot section)

46-55 Tap Roots: these roots are liquid filled and each 10' section can be tapped into to gather a gallon of water if one waits 2 turns. They will run dry for a day afterward.

56-57 Alchemy Roots: these roots are filled with liquid filled and each 10' section can be tapped into to gather a dose of potion if one waits 2 turns. They will be dry for a month afterward.

58-60 Toxic Tap Roots: these roots are filled with liquid that will poison one who sips the liquid from within. If tapped one does of poison can be collected per 10 foot section if one waits 2 turns. They will run dry for a week afterward.

61-63 Dew Roots: these roots will emit a mist if cut. See Mist Table.

64-65 Pump Roots: these roots if cut will start to flood the area they occupy and form a pool in 2d6 rounds. See Pool Table.

66-70 Whisper Roots: If cut these roots allow one to hear what is spoken near other cut sections of whisper roots. The cuts will seal within 3 days.

71-80 Red Roots: these roots are harmless 50% of the time otherwise they will strike for no damage but will rust a random piece of exposed metal equipment.

81-95 Tater Roots: these roots are nourishing a 10' section will provide 1-3 days rations if harvested. It will take a full turn of work to harvest one day of food.

96-100 Black Gusher: if cut this root will spray forth oil that will ignite as a thrown flask of burning oil if there are flames within 10' of the cut. A 10' section can be taped in but 3 rounds to supply a flask of oil and may be tapped again in an hour.

Identifying roots.
Any character can identify roots by interaction and experimentation. Dwarves, Gnomes and Druids mat note the type of root and it's properties by passing within 20'. A cursory inspection takes 2 rounds and one must be within 10'. Taking a cutting takes but 3 rounds a failed roll will result in harm to examiner if possible.
Type...........passing by......cursory inspection.....cutting
Dwarf.........20%................30%............................40%
Gnome.......33%................44%.............................66%
Druid.........15%.................30%............................45%

Other types may be adept at identify roots and nearby goblins, molemen and morlocks may know of the properties of roots near their abodes.

Trapdoor

2011-11-13T23:00:00.002-05:00

The following is a set of features for the more obvious of trapdoors set in ceiling and floors.

Trapdoors are not always easy to open.

Trapdoor Opening Table (roll 1d100)
1-20 Locked: must unlock trapdoor to open.
21-30 Sealed: the trapdoor is sealed shut with spikes and or boards. It will take 2-12 rounds to force open.
31-35 Wizard Locked: the trapdoor is magically sealed.
36-70 Stuck: the trapdoor is stuck and requires effort to open. Use standard rules for opening doors.
71-80 Heavy: the trapdoor is particularly heavy and requires a combined STR of 15+ 3d10 to open.
81-100 Free: the trapdoor will open freely.

Trapdoors will be trapped beyond the features listed here 15% of the time.

Trapdoors (roll 1d100)
1-10 Pitfall: Surprise surprise the Trapdoor is over a pitfall, adventurers tampering with it will fall in on a roll of 1-2 in 6. (re-roll if this trapdoor is in the ceiling)

11-25 Pest Hole: a nest of monsters dwells in a small chamber beyond the trapdoor.

26-60 Threshold: the trapdoor leads to a room/chamber of the same size as the current one (or 30feet by 30 feet if found in a corridor), this room is otherwise as ordinary as other rooms in the dungeon.

61-70 Gateway: This trapdoor connects to another level (or sub level)

71-85 Treasure Cache: a nook beyond the trapdoor contains a treasure. Treasure may be trapped.

86-90 Misty Barrier: opening this trapdoor causes a mist to billow forth. (see Mist table). Examining the trapdoor carefully could reveal a small amount of the mist (1 chance in 6), that will not harm or benefit anyone but serve to forewarn dungeoneers.

91-100 Dungeoneer's Cache: other adventurers have stowed supplies here in the past. See Dungeoneer Cache post.

Statues

2011-11-13T11:18:00.000-05:00

An enduring favorite dungeon feature.

Statue Table (roll 1d100)
1-5 Medusa Victim: 1-6 adventures or humanoids reacting in horror to spotting a Medusa (or similar monster) frozen in place. 10% chance within view of a Medusa Faced statue.

6-7 Medusa Faced: Anyone examining this statue must make a save or be turned to stone.

8-15 Toppling Titan: a large statue that is likely to fall over squashing those that don't get out of the way for 6d6 damage if they decide to tamper with it.

16-20 Spewing Statue: the mouth of the statue emits a Mist (see Mist post)

21-30 Gem Eyes: this very popular statue has gems for eyes (determine value of gems as per campaign). There is a 25% chance the statue has a second characteristic and a 20% chance whoever carries the gems is cursed.

31-35 Medallion: The statue wears a medallion/amulet or other appropriate item around it's neck.
roll 1d6: 1-3 normal treasure, 4 cursed normal treasuer, 5 curse magic treasure, 6 magic treasure. There is a 25% chance the statue has another feature.

36-40 Armed Statue: the statue wields a forged weapon in it's hand. 33% it animates if tampered with. 20% chance it has another feature.

41-48 Animated Statue: as per favorite rules or HD:8 AC:2 Atks:2 Move: 3, check for reaction.

49-50 Granite Oracle: this statue will answer one question a day. 1:lie, 2-:nonsense, 3: riddle, 4-6: truth

51-60 Broken Statue: a defaced victim of turn to stone.

61-62 Frozen Clockwork: a mechanical man desperately in need of oil.

62-65 Furnace Bellied: this brass statue is warm to the touch, tampering with is might cause it to spill forth lava which will burn all within 20' for 3d6 to 8d6 damage.

66-70 Mimic Monument: this statue will randomly look like one of any group of observers, if that observer tampers with statue they must make a save or they will swap their mind with the statue.

71-75 Grabbing Statue: this statue will attempt to grab anyone tamperingd with it an will hold them tight until they die. 33% chance a pile of bones lies at foot of statue.

76-80 Water Bearer: this statue holds a vessel that may be treated as a fountain (see fountain table)

81-85 Trapdoor Topper: the statue stands atop a trapdoor. 33% chance it has another statue feature.

86-89 Whispering Wizard: there is a 33% chance it will teach a Magic-user that visit the statue a randomly determined spell of 1st to 3rd level once a week.

90-92 Lying Wizard: this wizardly statue will curse a Magic-User trying to wrest a spell from it as if it were a whispering wizard.

93- 97 Silent Scribe: any message spoken to this statue will be recorded on a tablet held by the statue. Any previous message will be lost.

98-100 Iron Navigator: this statue will recite a verse that is a spoken treasure map 2-5 rounds after it is approached.

Murals

2011-11-13T06:01:00.003-05:00

A table offering a variety of features for murals, paintings, frescoes,tapestries, and banners.

Murals (roll 1d100)
1-10 Extra Room: the mural is another room that may be entered by climbing into the image.

11-15 Trapping: looks like mural is another room but traps all who enter. At ref's discretion image may be a maze that must be navigated to escape or an entire sub-level of a dungeon.

16-20 Stairs: treat as staircase.

21-30 Statue: treat image as statue

31-40 Monsters: picture generates a monster every 1-3 turns when there are victims within 50 feet

41-50 Creepy: images on mural shifts and squirms, some find it disturbing.

51-55 Grabbing: occupants of mural capture passersby. Treat as web spell for escaping.

56-60 Portal: picture is magical portal leading to elsewhere.

61-70 Treasure Chest: picture is really a magical treasure chest holding 1d3 treasures

71-80 Madness: anyone who pauses to admire or examine picture is driven mad for 2d6 turns.

81-90 Verses: will give a cleric a bonus 1st or 2nd level spell that may be used once.

91-100 Glyphs: will allow a MU to re-memorize a spell they already used today.

Fireplace

2011-11-12T18:38:00.001-05:00

Gather around hearths found in dungeons at your own peril. Santa Claus is not the only think one may find tramping through a fireplace.

Fireplace (roll 1d100)
1-10 Elemental: A fire elemental dwells within the fireplace. Make a reaction check to see how it feels about being disturbed.

11- 25 Ever Lit: The fire in this hearth will never go out.

26- 35 Noisome Flue: A fire lit in this place will produce a mist as per the mists table.

36- 50 Chef's Surprise: a cook pot used in this hearth will act as a cauldron from the cauldron table.

51-60 Closed Flue: a fire lit in this will fill the room with smoke in 1-2 turns.

61-75 False Flames: an illusion of warm flames, will not cook and will allow one to freeze to death if conditions permit.

76-85 Wraith Flames: any who come within 20' when a fire is lit within must save vs death or lose a level in the presence of the clearly ghostly flames.

86- 90 Frost-fire: a fire lit in this fireplace will freeze all solid within 30' of the fireplace for as long as the fire burns should they fail a saving throw.

91-100 Hearth of Mysteries: A fire lit within this place will allow one resting at the hearth to use it as a fireball.

Cauldron

2011-11-12T13:24:00.002-05:00

Massive cauldrons can be found scattered about the dark depths of the world and in a host of mysterious places.

1-15 Empty Cauldron: A normal empty cauldron, nothing special here.

16-20 Porridge Pot: This cauldron will produce 3d6+24 servings of porridge once an hour. Porridge will disappear if carried more than 100feet from cauldron.

21-30 Ever-needed Pot: This cauldron will produce 3d6+24 servings of porridge once an hour. Anyone who eats two or more servings of this porridge must make a saving throw or they will be magically cursed to keep eating from the cauldron. shoudl they attempt to move more then 100' away from the cauldron they will start to waste away suffering 1d3 hp a round.

31-40 Cauldron of Skulls: Remains placed in this cauldron will be reanimated as per animate dead. Up to 12 HD of creatures may be so created in a day. Roll to see what the animated dead do:
1- wander away, 2- attack the chef, 3-6 serve chef until destroyed.

41-50 Black Water: when filled with 10 gallons or more of water this large balck caldron will heat the contents which will 75% act as a fountain generated as per the fountain table.

51-60 Cold Brass Cauldron: if a fire is lit under this cauldron it will emit a mist as per the mist table.

61-70 Pitted Cauldron: within this pitted and rusted cauldron one will find rotten fare and fungus.

71-80 Silver Cauldron: this large silver cauldron will purify foul water and rotten food placed within up to three times a day.

81-100 Cauldron of Boiling and Toil: This cauldron acts as a crystal ball if stirred for 3 or more rounds.

Pool

2011-11-12T06:38:00.000-05:00

The following table can be used with large basins, well crafted pools, baths, puddles and natural pools.

Pools (roll 1d100)
1-15 Shallow Pool: nothing special here the pool is only a foot or so deep.

16-25 Deep Pool: This pool may seem shallow on cursory observation but it is deep enough to drown those unable to swim.

26-30 Quicksand: The pool looks like a shallow pool but the surface beneath the water is quicksand.

31-33 Lava: the pool contains lava instead of water. Don't walk in the lava.

34-35 Kraken Pool: careful observation will reveal a kraken asleep in the bottom of the pool. It may attack if disturbed.

36-40 Money Changer: This pool will convert coins dipped into it's waters into coins of more valuable metal 80% of the time, 20% of the time coins will be turned to lead. Coins will dissolve if dipped in a second time.

41-42 Lady of the Lake: a spirit dwelling within the lake will cast a geas upon anyone disturbing it's waters. Anyone who completes the quest will be richly rewarded.

43-44 Transporter Pool: this seemingly deep pool will send swimmer to another pool somewhere else.

45-47 Treasure Pool: Treasures are visible at the bottom of a deep pool. 75% chance the treasure is real. The treasure is not always immediately visible.

48-50 Treasure Pool with Guardian: Treasures are visible at the bottom of a deep pool. A randomly generated monster of the appropriate level dwells at the bottom of the pool.

51-55 Drowned Statue: A statue lies at the bottom of this pool.

56-60 Murky Pool: The water is dark and clouded, the bottom can't be seen. There is a 75% chance it has another property determined on this table. Anything on the bottom will remain unseen.

61-65 Scummy Pool: A fetid and nasty pool, clearly filthy. There is a 33% chance it has another property determined on this table.

66-70 Slime Pool: This will appear to be a scummy pool as above but beneath the surface there lurks a large green-slime.

71-72 Rusty Pool: anyone entering this pool has all metal equipment rust away in 1-4 rounds.

73-75 Acid Pool: That's not water! Anything dipped or splashed by the water of this pool suffers 1d6 damage for 1-3 rounds, full immersion causes 6d6 a round. No normal container may safely carry the acid from this pool.

76-85 Piranha Pool: this pool is infested with cunningly hidden carnivorous fish (only seen on a 1 in 6). They will attack as a 4HD monster and inflict 1d12 points of damage.

86-90 Freezing Pool: pool magicall freezes in 1d3 rounds trapping all within. There is a 80% chance this pool has another feature as rolled on this table.

91-95 Geyser: disturbing this water activates a steaming geyser that will scald all within 30' who fail a save for 3d6 damage.

96-100 Frozen Pool: the pool is frozen over, the ice may break if one falls on the ice or tries to break it open. There is a 50% chance the pool has another property determined on this table.

Fountain

2011-11-11T23:25:00.002-05:00

Fountains may bubble forth freely or may have run dry until they are set to flow again by curious adventurers.

Fountain Table (roll 1d100)
1-30- Poison: anyone sampling this fountain must save or suffer 6d6 damage from poison. Posion removed from this will lose potency in a minute.

31-45- Grog: this fountain bubbles forth potent alcohol, anyone drinking of it (even but a sip) must save or be rendered drunk and suffer a -2 to hit and save penalty for the next 1d6 hours along with other associated hazards of drunkenness. The grog will typically lose potency if carried more then 50 feet from the fountain.

46-55- Potion: whoever tests the potion will receives the benefits or harm from a randomly determined potion. One more dose may be taken from the potion, attempting to carry away more will cause the fountain to run dry for the next 2-7 days.

56-60- Boiling: The waters of this fountain will suddenly boil is disturbed causing 1d4 dmage to anyone in contact, 6d6if fully immersed. Boiling water removed from the fountain will cool normally.

61-62- Rusty Water: anyone poking at this water must save or all metals carried will magically rust, any metal dropped in fountain waters will rust away in 1d3 rounds. The water has no power if removed from the fountain.

63-64- Mist: if tampered with the fountain will spew a randomly determined mist (see Mist post)

65- Midas Water: the adventurer sampling this water must make a save or they and all their equipment will turn to gold as if turned to stone. The fountain will be potable water for next 2-12 hours. Water removed from this fountain will be harmless an potable.

66-70- Attached Pool: the fountain either has an attached pool or has overflowed onto the floor. (see Pool post: to come)

71-72- Fountain of Weal: the first drink from this fountain will raise an ability by one point for a week. If other drink from the fountain the same ability point will be raised for a day. Multiple drinks will have no effect and water carried away will be but normal water once carried 50 feet away.

73-74- Fountain of Woe: the first drink from this fountain will lower an ability point by one point for a week, successive drinks will lower an additional point and extend the duration for an addtional week. Water carried away will be but normal water once carried 50 feet away.

75-77- Slime Spewing: The fountain sprays forth green-slime or other such deadly creature.

78-100- Potable Fountain: the water will be pure and normal regardless of surrounding environment.

Mist

2011-11-11T10:35:00.004-05:00

The following is an array of magical and perplexing mists,fogs,cloud,smoke and vapors with which to dress up your fantasy campaigns.

Mist Traps and Sudden Mists fill a 10'-40' radius typically but slowly rolling mists expanding into an area even if relatively harmless add a degree of drama. Most mists are dense enough to limit vision to 20' or less within their boundaries, missile fire through an area obscured by mist should provide significant penalty to attackers success.

Mists Table (1d100)
1-2- Lycanthrope Fog: swirling foggy mist, heavier near the ground. Occupants that fail a save vs breath weapons will be transformed into lycanthropes (of type determined by ref)for as long as they stay within the mist and 80% of the time for up to 7-12 turns after leaving the mist, 20% of the time victims will instead be infected with normal lycanthropy afterward.

3-5- Healing Mist: Anyone exposed to this mist will recover 2-7 hp of damage of wounded at the time of exposure. This mist will only benefit a being once per day.

6- Midas Mist: anyone in mist must pass a save every 2 rounds or their person and all equipment carried is turned into gold (living beings will be immobile as when turned to stone). Equipment thrown into the mist doesn't turn into gold if it isn't carried by living being.

7-10- Purple Haze: Anyone exposed to this mist that fails a save will hallucinate and on a second failed save they will turn to stone.

11-20- Acid Vapor: The mists is a a cloud of acid...arg!!! The mist will do 1d6 damage per dungeon level, successful save will halve the damage.

21-25- Tear Gas: This mist overcomes victims who will cough and be overcome with tears for 1-4 rounds after exposure.

26-30- Choking Cloud: A failed save overcomes a victim who suffers 1d3 damage a round in the mist. A save is allowed each round. If three saves in a row fail the victim will be overcome and helpless within the mist and will take damage each round with no save.

31-35- Feeble Vapor: this mist will cause the victim to have their strength reduced to 1/2 normal. Monsters without scores will attack at 1/2 HD and inflict 1/2 damage. Those suffering from the feeble vapor will continue to suffer for 7-12 full turns.

36-40- Rusting Fumes: metals will magically rust on second and following rounds of exposure.

41-60- Dense Fog: vision is reduced to but 10' within the mist even to those with special forms of vision.

61-70-Fog Beast: as dense fog above plus a monster will occupy the mist that may not be harmed by attacks launched from outside the fog.

71-75- Soporific Cloud: anyone failing a save in this cloud will fall asleep for 7-12 hours. Normal means will not wake them.

76-80- Luminous Green Mist: anyone passing through the cloud will glow with a green light for 3 full turns afterward.

81-90- Explosive Fumes: This mist will smell slightly of rotten eggs, any open flames will cause the cloud to explode inflicting 2d6 damage of fiery carnage per dungeon level to all within (dissipating the gas for a hour if a constant hazard).

91-95- Spooky Mist: this oddly clinging and swirling mist is harmless but any undead within may not be turned.

96-97- Phantom Fog: this swirling and shifting cloud of fog will sport the occasional fearsome face and spectral form. Those of 3rd level or less must make a morale save to enter or operate effectively inside a mist. Undead within may not be turned.

98- Ghastly Vapors: These vapors appear to be a spooky mist or phantom fog but anyone lingering in this mist for more then a round must save vs death or lose an energy level. Anyone who dies in these vapors will be lost as will all gear they carried.
Undead within may not be turned and will recover 2 hp a round if harmed.

99-100- Fog of War: all within who fail a save will strike violently at anyone within reach. Those leaving the mist will attack the nearest beiung for 1d4 rounds.

A ref is encouraged to come up with a variety of smells and colors to aid and confuse players attempting to identify a mist without entering it.

Great Site and Tools

2011-11-09T15:40:00.004-05:00

There's a set of tools meant for use with pretty much any RPG out there available here:
http://www.djeryv.com/

Some of the tools are customizable and reading the Data File help provides all the instruction folks should need.

There are map generators for a variety of settings, settlement generators for fantasy and post-apocalyptic settings and the very cool Custom Area Randomizer.

What do we want out of our games?

2011-11-09T07:19:00.003-05:00

Okay I have to admit it, I was fibbing last post. The mechanics i listed may in fact work for a very loose abstract representation of every contest in a game universe by making extremely likely events extremely likely and extremely unlikely events extremely unlikely. But do we really want that in RPG land?

What do we want mechanics to solve? Do we really need a mechanic to tell us a 10 tons weight dropped on James Bond's head will kill him? Do we ever need to compare Aunt May and Galactus in a head to head bout? How about an apatosaur stomping on Kongor the Dinosaur hunter?

If we decide for or agaisnt those extreme cases being solved by a game mechanic over GM judgment how much granularity between cases matters? Is it worth having a difference between A Zwiehander and a Dagger? Are butcher knives and stilettos all that different from each other?

What do we want? Plausible mechanics to resolve human scale conflicts? Plausible mouse vs mammoth resolution systems? Do we really need one mechanic to rule them all?

Infinitely Scalable Game Mechanic

2011-11-08T14:04:00.004-05:00

the following is an infinitely scaling game mechanic designed for task resolution in a host of RPG situations.

Compare two values. One is defined as the active value the other is the target value.

If the applied value is equal to the target value roll 12+ on 3d6 to score a success.

if the applied value is less then the target value , but equal to or greater then 1/2 the target value, roll 15+ on 3d6 to score a success.

if the applied value is less then 1/2 the target value roll 17+ on 3d6 to score a success.

if the applied value is greater then the target value a roll of 9+ on 3d6 to score a success.

if the applied value is twice or better then the target value roll 5+ on 3d6 for success

Situational bonuses are applied to the active score not the die roll.

Ex: Falon (attack factor 12) is attacking an Ice Drake (defense factor 27) normally Falon would need to roll 17+ on 3d6 to score a hit on the ice drake, but Falon has snuck up on the dragon gaining a 4 point bonus giving him a score of 16 vs 27 so Falon can strike the dragon on a score of 15+ on 3d6.

So there you go a universal mechanic that never craps out. It's not exciting but one can use it to resolve tasks where scores are 1 vs 1, 10 vs 50 or 3 vs 100,000.

The Big Bang [ART]

2011-11-05T18:21:00.003-04:00

My youngest son just drew this , handed it to my wife saying "This my picture, this The Big Bang".
"What's the picture honey?" asked my wife.
"The Big Bang Mommy" said my son

So there you go, The Big Bang as drawn by my 27 month old son.
The wife and I are both a little surprised.

What did you think "Haunted" meant?

2011-11-02T08:56:00.002-04:00

Recent play at my table.

The party has recently aborted their assault on the city of gold and after a return to the main camp they set off to check out the ruins that have been identified to them as The City of Ghosts or The Haunted Ruins depending on whom they asked.

They journeyed a short distance along the river from the main camp and set inland wisely camping well outside the ruins until the next morning.

The Party entering the Haunted Ruins and searched among the standing walls of many building of unbeknown purpose until they found a hole in a plaza with a rotted old ladder barely still standing in place going into the darkness. The dwarf Thorgrim was lowered into the hole after some light was dropped in an he noted 30 niches in a large circular chamber under the hole (a kiva), within each niche was a bundle of cloth and there was clearly a passage beyond one of the bundles through a niche. The entire party climbed down into the niche as Thorgrom insopected the bundle in the passage.

To Thorgrim discovered the remains to be a inanimate mummy of some sort bundled in a fetal position and when he fussed with it it toppled over spilling forth a host of little yellow scorpions.
Dealing with the scorpions caused some of the party to be surprised by a host of wraiths (30 in all) identified as shadows that did rise from the remains in each niche. Those that weren't surprised fled for the rope dangling down from the surface. The wraiths piled on those they surprised quickly overwhelming the bulk of the parties retainers and a low level mage. Thorgrim was trapped by the wraiths.

Now safely above and witnessing the carnage under him the Warlock Tasmetus fired a fireball into the kiva from his wand and killed a couple of the remaining retainers while Thorgrim endured the blast which had only limited impact on the host of wraiths. Up on the surface the parties rogue noted he could hear wailing and moaning coming from the ruins beyond their current position. With great haste an an insane amount of luck a fresh rope was dropped back into the Kiva and Throgrim escaped alive and with his levels and the party ran from the ruins.

Through all this the players assailed me with "30 ?!!!", I couldn't help but reply with the title of this post.

That ill fated expedition claimed the lives of 3 men at arms, 3 gentleman allies, 1 2nd level magic-user, along with Old Hook-eye, Rabid Dog and Fork Tongue (3 hillman savages that have been with the party for many months). It was a big blow to overall party morale.

The party returned to the main camp and spent a few days resting while they planned their return to the City of Gold and to avoid the haunted ruins. To some it's now a do or die mission as they are in desperate need of a telling victory and financial gain or their reputations will be put in so much jeopardy they may have trouble building future expeditions.

You don't have to outrun the zombies... [SPOILERS]

2011-10-31T08:29:00.004-04:00

I've been enjoying Season 2 of The Walking Dead on AMC.

[SPOILER ALERT]

I must say:

Shane, you don't have to outrun the zombies, you only have to outrun Otis, how hard is that you low down creep?

Now I know some readers of the comic might not have been surprised Shane did something low and all for himself but the shot in the leg caught me off-guard.

If by some odd chance you are reading this blog and have cable television and haven't see the Walking Dead do yourself a favor and do so. Season 1 and current episodes were on demand for those with digital cable and the website is full of goodies and episodes.

There's a goofy but entertaining talk show trailing the episodes on AMC called the Talking Dead, it's superficial and silly but still entertaining, I've been watching it a day or so later so it doesn't break the mood of the episodes for me. The comic creator was on episode 2 and his discussion of the show was enough to soothe a lot of nerd-rage about differences in the comic and the show.

In closing, don't shoot the fat guy in the leg when being chased by a zombie mob, the zombies don't cap each other to get at a snack.

True D&D Session Horror Story.

2011-10-29T11:32:00.005-04:00

Listen now if you dare to a tale of gaming past, that still send shivers down the spines of the players involved.

We were playing AD&D on a fine Sunday afternoon about 20 years ago, the party was a vagabond band of thieves, murderers, burglars, necromancers and heretics. The target was a citadel under command of not too original big bad evil guy that held together a force of mismatched humanoids, bandits and thugs.

In an unusual turn of play and cunning on part of the players they decided against a frontal assault or climbing over the walls under cover of daylight and instead spent their effort seeking a escape tunnel from the fortress. The party was rewarded with their diligence and caution and quickly skulked into the inner sanctum of the villain.

The villain and his bodyguard normally fierce and intimidating foes were caught unaware and quickly dispatched with cunning and lucky dice rolls. With a quick found victory and visions of loot dancing in their heads the party went on to claim the defunct villains treasures for themselves, when to their horrors they noted a clamor.

The noise was that host of minions once held under sway by the villain now set free of his overbearing domination, all fleeing en-mass with everything they could carry. There were goblins with copper, orcs with silver and bandits with gold all scurrying through the halls, fleeing out beyond the gates and off into the distance down the road.

There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth, the players bayed and howled as the treasures they sought were carried off and scattered throughout the countryside. The PCs dashed and raced to keep all the cash they could. They laid about themselves with sword and spell but alas they could not keep all the treasures within the citadel of the villain they had just slain long enough to carry away and fill coffers of their own.

It was a true life D&D session horror story that truly still sends shivers up the spines of those that were there and causes this DM's lips to curl up in a wicked smile.

We're Gonna Loot It.

2011-10-28T15:56:00.004-04:00

and now for a musical interlude: (sung to the tune of the Laverne and Shirley theme)

D four, six, eight, ten and twelve.
Succubus, Beholder, Mind-flayer incorporated.
We're gonna loot it!

Give us any treasure, we'll take it.
Give us any door, well break in.
We're gonna make our dreams come true.
Rolling all the dice.

No random encounters are gonna turn us back now,
Straight ahead and on the left now.
We're gonna make our dreams come true,
Rolling all the dice.

There is nothing we won't slay,
Going to make our saving throws today.
This time there's no stopping us.
We're gonna loot it.

On your mark, get set, and go now,
Got a dream and we just know now,
We're gonna roll a twenty.
And we'll loot it our way, yes our way.
Make all our dreams come true,
And loot it our way, yes our way,
Make all our dreams come true
For me and you.

-------------------

I just had type that after seeing this post: http://jrients.blogspot.com/2011/10/caves-of-myrddin-public-service.html , Feel free to thank Jeff.

An Apocalyptic Zombie Apocalypse

2011-10-27T11:37:00.005-04:00

A comment I made here: http://professorpope.blogspot.com/2011/10/why-zombie-apocalypse.html got me thinking about how to make a zombie apocalypse truly apocalyptic in a D&Desque fantasy setting. I of course had to share these seasonal ideas.

First off what are the zombies? Are they regular D&D zombies…well that's boring. Use the stats for ghouls but replace paralysis with infection and things get nasty. Anyone infected by a plague zombie must save vs death or sicken becoming incapacitated in 2-7 hours and passing away in another 14-24 hours. Anyone slain by a plague zombie will reanimate in 2-5 turns.

Want to step up the apocalyptic factor: Anyone that dies on unconsecrated property will reanimate as a plague zombie in 2-12 hours.

Now we must get to the nature of disease in a D&Desque universe, it isn't always caused by germs it's caused by polluted humors which allow malignant spirits to enter the world, typically disease weakens or kills the victim but the zombie plague allows the evil spirit possession of the remains by animation of the corpse of the victim.

The spiritual component of zombie plague makes it dangerous to spell casters as it is contagious through magical contact. Detection spells may expose the caster to zombie plague if there is a zombie in the area of effect of a detection spell, the caster must save vs death 2-5 rounds after exposure or become infected. Casting healing magics upon the infected is dangerous as any healing spell cast on one who is infected exposes the caster to infection requiring a save to avoid infection.
Cure/remove disease spells also expose the caster to infection.

Turn undead works on plague zombies as per normal undead of the appropriate HD. The infected are not turned and the infection can't be turned away as it hasn't manifested itself enough for this to matter.

Plague zombies will avoid consecrated ground and temples until an infected person enters the grounds of such a place and then they will be as prone to enter such a place as they are any other place (they are drawn to sight of the living,noises, blood, motion and scent of the living).

PCs are likely to blast away at zombies with powerful spells and this on first blush seems safe enough. But any plague zombie destroyed completely by magic has a 10% chance per spell level used to defeat it of bringing a plague wraith into existence. A plague wraith will act as a normal wraith except when an victim is drained or slain they immediately animate as a plague zombie. Plague wraiths can themselves be destroyed by magic as a normal wraith.

There you go a recipe for making a zombie apocalypse a bit more apocalyptic in a D&Desque setting.

The Bad Guys Want to Win

2011-10-27T10:14:00.003-04:00

There are many schools of adventure design in RPGs out there but what intrigues me the most are campaigns where players scale their endeavors to their capabilities. For this to be possible the ref needs to create a campaign where the adventures are buikt in an environment where the bad guys want to win and don't simply exist as exp piles and challenge bumps.

Do you have to tell the players that the Citadel of Lord Black who has ruled Darkoria for 1000 years and is guarded by the undead remains of his 2000 sons might be a tough or overwhelming challenge for a group of 1st level characters? Is a tower with no more then 3 stories and a half dozen horses corralled outside likely to be appropriate challenge?

The players should be able to make the choice. The bad guys should fight back within their capabilities. If the PCs manage a single raid into Lord Black's citadel and come running out with a couple thousand in loot they deserve it but if they return three days later to do the same they should die or maybe Lord Dark just isn't all he is built up to be.

The clever traps and guardians to the treasure vault should be built to be accessed by Lord Black and his trusted minions, not an adventure and loot path for the PCs. If the PCs walk into this vault and discover a charmed green dragon guarding his loot and they weren't' expecting to do so, they should die if they don't run fast enough. Who would you leave guarding your loot, a green dragon, a minotaur or a band of kobolds?

If a player owned a castle and it were under attack would he make sure to have concentric circles of defense where his absolute weakest forces were on the furthest edge and be sure only to commit his stronger forces after all else was lost and would himself avoid the invaders until the last moment, or would he lead a reaction force to smash down the invaders daring to pilfer his hard won loot? The bad guys should react as a player would: with ruthless sociopathic-homocidal overkill and the players should expect that.

The bad guys want to win and a ref should build adventures that keep that in mind. Yes it sets the bar higher for beginning play but that's good. Of course one must be careful in presentation and make it very clear what power levels one is dealing with or beginners will throw themselves against threats they can't possibly overcome and possibly become discouraged. There's always the chance players will become better at the game and be able to beat the bad guys even when the deck is stacked against them by opponents who want to win.

Are the players returning to the same base time after time when raiding the Tunnels of Terror? Have the bad guys ambush them on the route to or from the tunnels, even have the bad guys strike at their base. It can be pretty embarrassing to return to the local Inn to rest and discover it's been burnt to the ground.

Are the players tasked with recovering the 6 segments of the Gilborax? Is the villain tryign to do the same thing? Have the villain use the PCs to make his life easier.

Are the players tryign to stop Lord Black from invading Heartland? Let them try, but he will not delay his plans unless the PCs are a real problem and if the PCs are a real problem their destruction becomes part of the invasion plans.

Just a little friendly advice to my fellow refs/DMs/GMs out there: build adventures with bad guys that want to win.

The Last American

2011-10-25T11:45:00.003-04:00

I just discovered this : The Last American a 19th century book by John Ames Mitchell . The narrator , a Persian explorer, in the year 2951 visits ruined New York and Washington in the book.

From the introduction:

The astounding discoveries of Khan-li of Dimph-yoo-chur have thrown floods of light upon the domestic life of the Mehrikan people. He little realized when he landed upon that sleeping continent what a service he was about to render history, or what enthusiasm his discoveries would arouse among Persian archaeologists.

Every student of antiquity is familiar with these facts.

But for the benefit of those who have yet to acquire a knowledge of this extraordinary people, I advise, first, a visit to the Museum at Teheran in order to excite their interest in the subject, and second, the reading of such books as Nofuhl's "What we Found in the West," and Noz-yt-ahl's "History of the Mehrikans." The last-named is a complete and reliable history of these people from the birth of the Republic under George-wash-yn-tun to the year 1990, when they ceased to exist as a nation. I must say, however, that Noz-yt-ahl leaves the reader much confused concerning the period between the massacre of the Protestants in 1927, and the overflow of the Murfey dynasty in 1940.

Good dolly, how did I miss this book all these years?

There's a number of illustrations in this 78 page book. It's an interesting book worth the brief read for folks into alternative history, science-fiction, post-apocalypse and games involving long journeys and rooting about in ruins.

Devouring Sentinel

2011-10-25T08:17:00.006-04:00

A horrifying monster to challenge your players with from my recent sketch post.

Devouring Sentinel
No. Enc: 1(1-3)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: Telekinetic Flight- 60'(20')
Armor Class: 0 (body), 2(mouth), 3 (pseudopods)
Hit Dice: 9-14
Attacks: 1 bite or pseudopod emissions
Damage: 2d6 or special
Save: as fighter of same level as # of HD.
Morale: 9 (in 12)

These cunning subterranean dwelling creatures resemble 7-10' wide bumpy/crusty levitating bivalves with wicked fangs, a number of peering eyes seemingly placed randomly about their bodies and an assortment of writhing pseudopods extending from their shell. The Devouring Sentinel is an intelligent creature and is sometimes summoned and bound by power spell-casters to guard a treasure or area.

The Devouring Sentinel moves with a permanently active telekinetic flight that is not prone to disruption by effects hostile to magic.

The pseudopods of a Devouring Sentinel can be severed by an edged weapon that does 5 or more hp of damage when specifically targeting an exposed pseudopod. The Devouring Sentinel doesn't lose any hp over the 5 points needed to sever the pseudopod when one is attacked. Losing more then one pseudopod might force a Devouring Sentinel to withdraw. Severed pseudopods will be replaced in 2-12 days.

The mouth of the Devouring Sentinel is vulnerable when the creature is raging or mocking it's prey as well as when it is attempting to snare prey with it's tongue or make a bite attack.

The Devouring Sentinel can attack prey up to 30' away by extending it's tongue in manner similar to that of frogs and snaring man-sized or smaller prey. The victim will be held fast and drawn to the creatures mouth (if a save fails) where they will be automatically hit by the creatures bite attack each round until the victim is devoured. A Devouring Sentinel can attack a small sized foe and swallow them whole in this manner and will be able to consume them with it's mouth clamped shut. Man-sized prey will be able to fight back but smaller foes will be hopelessly trapped. Only one victim will be devoured at a time.
Equipment carried by a Devouring Sentinel will be swallowed into the creatures transit sack an organ not unlike a bag of holding. The loot will be expelled back at the creatures lair. f one can retrieve the sack (only possible when it's empty as death of the sentinel will cause any items in the sack to rip it open) a magic-user in the know may use it to produce a bag of holding.

As horrible as being devoured by the Devouring Sentinel may be the most feared attacks from this creature come from the high pressure sprays emitted by the pseudopods. Each Devouring Sentinel will have half as many pseudopods as it has hit-dice (plus or minus one). Each pseudo pod can be aimed at virtually any target. Each pseudopod spray can be used 3 times a day and may be targeted against a single foe up to 60' away, the victim may avoid or diminish the attack with an appropriate saving throw.

The exact properties of each pseudopod may vary as follows:
d8roll.....Type of Pseudopod
1............. Calcifying Spray: victim is entrapped as if victim of a Flesh to Stone spray.
2..............Soporific Mist: as a sleep spell.
3..............Toxic Goo: victim must save vs poison each round until it is cleaned off or die.
4..............Stupefying Spray: as hold person or hold monster as appropriate
5..............Stun Spray: as power word,stun spell
6..............Madness: as confusion
7..............Slime: victim is sprayed with green slime (as per monster)
8.............Russet Jelly: victim is covered in metal rusting jelly all normal metal items carried will be destroyed in 1-3 rounds unless cleaned off. Magic items have a 20% chance per "plus" of surviving unharmed.

There are rumored to be massive colonies of these creatures deep underground or on other planes. Some Devouring Sentinels may have pseudopods with characteristics that differ from the norm, they are considered mutants and hunted down by their kin.

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Legal Mumbo-jumbo
Devouring Sentinel, Copyright © 2011 James D. Jarvis

License: anyone is free to use the Devouring Sentinel as presented here in their game related postings online, periodicals and published RPG game products (including print and pdf) so long as they acknowledge the copyright to the Devouring Sentinel and provide notification to James D. Jarvis of use ( a comment on this original blog post is fine). The Devouring Sentinel is not in the public domain but may be used as spelled out in the license.

A great Index of OSR Tables

2011-10-24T14:41:00.002-04:00

There's a great index of OSR Tables here: http://hackslashmaster.blogspot.com/2011/03/on-never-being-able-to-find-table-when.html

It covers a lot of territory and some great blog posts are linked there. If you ref at all do yourself a favor, navigate over there and bookmark the page.

How many exp for Parliament?

2011-10-24T09:49:00.006-04:00

Is everyone's hero soemone else's villain? In a thread here: http://apaladinincitadel.blogspot.com/2011/10/remem-er_4892.html I questioned the curious hero status earned by Guy Fawkes in recent years as an anti-establishment icon and hero of liberty. I'm posting this here so Aaron doesn't feel I'm being an ass who doesn't think his blog is cool.

Guy Fakes is nobodies hero he was an adventurer returned from a long bloody war of the Reformation where he fought on the side of Catholic Spain against protestants in the lowlands. He was a holy warrior representing over 1000 years of the established authority acting against the establishment of a new order, he was not a hero of liberation.

The gunpowder plot was an attempt to murder and than place a hopefully friendly monarch on the throne. To reform the system of authority ever so slightly so that Catholics would no longer be formally prosecuted and be in the position of power. Those in power were able to impose their will and their religion on their fellow man.
Not very many goals of high-minded liberty and freedom there.

The past was an ugly place.

Now in modern times we have Fawkes reborn in spirit thanks to an entertaining comic and film. A villain against the ruling Anglican protestantism and a hero of the established Catholic church which waged war agaisnt those waging spiritual and political revolution has become a symbol of personal liberty against the tyranny of the totalitarian state. Comic books and film always put an interesting spin on reality don't they?

Of course I'm going to wrap this all up into RPG because that's what I do here. Guy Fawkes as hero or villain is a D&D style adventurer who gets himself involved in The End Game. He's was a tall distinct and imposing man,no coward at all, was an turn-coat, military officer and secret agent swept up in events larger then himself. He surely would have earned himself a heap of exp if the plot had succeeded.

His tale is a cautionary one for would-be D&D heroes catching themselves swept up in politics, war and nation-building: Be careful and choose the winning side lest you be burnt in effigy for centuries.

Remember, remember the 5th of November, there's always some jerk willing to get you killed for their cause.

Three Old-School Monster Sketches

2011-10-23T18:53:00.006-04:00

Three old-school inspired monster sketches just begging for statistics.

Months of Adventure

2011-10-23T10:52:00.006-04:00

The following is an outline and map of the exploits of the black-heart treasure seekers that are the PCs in my regular Tuesday night game.

A. June 1st. Party arrives in The New Lands from Aroa as part of The Fifth Fleet, 2 ships were lost. Some rigors were suffered.

B. July 1st-Sept 1st. Party raids into Snake Garter territory to go scalp hunting. They are accompanied by cousins of the Wellaganch and find safe harbor in a village of those people. A hunt in Howlie territory is a success one adolescent Howlie is tracked and slain. Raid on Snake Garters is successful but stirs up hostilities in the region. Party returns to Sophia with several dozen scalps.

C. Party hears rumor about "Cities of Gold" from an explorer and learn they can be found from a place known as The village of the Red Roofs. They book passage on he Shellcrest and stop over in Casa Fino.

D. Sail to River of Red Swords

E. Sept 10-15th travel and most freindly contact with Makar Tribesmen.

F. Sept 16th-Oct 4th. Obelisk and Hill Discovered. Party enters tunnels beneath encounter undead guardians. Devoto and Thorgrim cursed with illness. Party returns to tunnels and battles Pestilence Spirit. Brom and Devoto slain and Thorgrim is cured. Dan Black takes custody of Sword of Pestilence. Details in Night of the Dwights post.

G. OCT 15 Shell crest ruined in storm. Survivors join party on long trek home.

H. Jan 23. Party arrives in Casa Fino. 1 Horse, wardog and retainer slain in travel. Party returns briefly afterward to Sophia.

I. Feb 17. Party Arrives in Puerto Esperanza to hire ship and mercenaries for expedition.
Some comment on that here.

J. March 8th. Party Leaves Puerto Esperanza on The Black Eagle of The Sea. Bad weather slows progress.

K. The Black Eagle sails upriver. Further friendly contact and trade made with the Makar.

L. April 8th .Battle with the Benecapka. 1 man-at-arms and 1 sailor slain.

M. April 16th. Arrive at Village of Balck Roofs. It is in ruins having been raided nby Snake Garters weeks earlier.

N. April 26th successful trade with Skullstirrer a Snake Garter Warchief to purchase slaves from the Village of Red Roofs gives party further clues to location of the nearest city of gold.
>>>OOPS: note N happened just north of M. some gremlin erased it rom the map.

O. April 30th . black Eagle Travels up Shamawa River but can only go so far.Anchor is set, camp is built and boats taken upriver.

P. May 5th. City of Gold spotted in morning sun. A large pueblo cliff-side city spotted glowing in morning sun as if made of gold. Players have scouted "city" and launching a raid.

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In real life the play outlined above was from play this early summer to the past week.

Gnoll Bowers and Slave-Pits

2011-10-21T09:47:00.003-04:00

Gnolls are not noted for a wide range of architecture and this is in part due to their tough constitutions and nomadic lifestyles. Gnolls are prone to reap the profits of slave labor so often times their homes will be a stolen place or slave built, left to their own means there are still some distinct features of gnollish habitation.

Gnoll Bower
The simplest dwelling of Gnollish construction is the bower. To the unwary a bower may appear to be a large pile of brush and tree limbs from a rearward approach, form the front it's nature as a habitat is obvious. A gnoll bower is a large tear drop sapped structure is viewed from overhead; the large front side of a gnoll bower is open and high enough for a gnoll to stand upright with in and often has a small fire-pit set just outside the front of the bower. As one moves into the bower it gets lower and deeper with the furthest back spaces reserved for the the young and a dominant males mates to pile in and sleep. Treasures will be displayed hanging a short distance inside the bower or buried in the mid portion depending on how much treasure the gnolls that sleep within have and how confident they are that their reputation will deter thievery among their brethren.

Slave-Pit
Gnolls deal with slave simply they dig a pit (or truthfully have the slaves dig a pit) and push in slaves to spend the night covered in rags and stinking hides. If a pit remains in place long enough it will eventually be roofed as appropriate for the climate. Gnolls are prone to abuse the slaves within a pit and will push in a wild animal on occasion or refuse to feed any slaves until they fight among themselves until there is a death among the slaves.

Slave pits are used for gladiatorial arenas of sorts as well If two ranking gnoll warriors challenge each-other to a duel and it isn't immediately fought it's not uncommon for the combat to be fought inside an emptied out slave-pit. The fight need not be to the death and the victor is the one who can climb out; Matters of justice are often resolved in the same manner. Once in a rare while a handful of gnolls will leap into a slave pit in a challenge between themselves as to who can retrieve the most hands or heads the quickest.

If gnolls feel they aren't in need of the slaves in a pit and don't have the time to butcher them they will fill the pit in or set it ablaze.

Animal pens are similar to slave pits but are only dug deep enough into the ground as will keep animals from escaping readily.

Skin and Wattle Huts
Gnolls in need of larger dwellings for matters of safety and climate will construct large huts built of a wooden frame and cover it with layers of wattle and skins. sometimes these huts will be dug several feet into the ground so only the roof need be constructed.

Thorn Fence
Gnolls do not tend to raise walls around their camps (unles they set slaves to the task) but make use of a variety of fencing. The simplest form will be piles of thorn bushes or saplings with branches trimmed to points guarding approach to the camp.

Gnoll Larders
A gnollish larder is a large basket set hanging in a tree. This basket is often so large 4 or more slaves will be needed to carry it when the tribe is on the move.

Gnollish Watch-Tower
A gnollish watch-tower is nothing more than a larder basket set securely and close to a tree trunk where a young gnoll warrior will be made to keep watch sitting within the old larder basket.

Kobold Warrens

2011-10-20T09:57:00.000-04:00

Kobolds seldom make use of non-subterranean construction not wishing to expose themselves in such a manner the overwhelming majority of their works are tight fitting and underfoot.

Kobold Gateway
The primary entrances to a kobold warren will often be disguised to appear to be natural caves or constructions of goblin or gnomish origin; it isn't unusual to find the gateways disguised as abandoned mine-works. The gateways will be monitored but aren't typically heavily defended as the kobolds have little desire to lose defenders to an initial assault hoping that their tunnels will discourage a protracted assault.

Kobold Tunnels
A most distinguishing feature of kobold tunnels is their diminutive height and width. Kobold tunnels are seldom wider than is required for a larger adult male kobold bearing a load. Transit tunnels frequently used will have side passage to allow kobolds to wait while others pass, there are quite elaborate rules that establish who is to wait when and where in such chambers failing to surrender progress to a tunnel to another of higher passage-rights is a serious infraction in kobold society.

Most kobold tunnels are dug simply through the natural materials of the region they are built in but some will be reinforced with barrel-like segments the kobolds will crawl through. Large spaces may be bridged by linked barrel segments to conceal the purpose of kobold travelers; such segments also are an ideal passive trap that will drop entire segments into deep natural pits and chasms if too heavy a load is carried through (such as a dwarf in armor).

If a kobold tunnel is tall enough for an adult human to stand freely it's either a relic, adopted natural space or a killing place designed to trap invaders who will either be peppered with missiles from murder holes or simply sealed-in to die of asphyxiation.

Kobold Divepot.
A divepot is a small connecting feature of simple but ingenious purpose. A divepot will appear to be a drainage pit or some other small flooded feature, it is a connecting point however that only offers access to those willing to fully immerse themselves and pass a short distance (entirely submerged) into the adjoining chamber or tunnel.
Divepots serve a dual purpose as a difficult passage and as a barrier to gases, flames and smoke.

Occasionally a dive pot will lead to a deeper flooded passage or chamber, such a feature is a pit for the unwary or a holding pen for small fish or amphibians.

Plug-nook
A small chamber off a tunnel side sealed by a simple plug of earth or stone blocks entrance to a chamber beyond that is often little large than the space required for a handful of sleeping kobolds or a minor store of food supplies. If a plug leads directly to a passage and not a nook the chamber beyond will tend to be larger.

Plugs will not always be in the walls of a tunnel, due to the tight spaces in a typical kobold tunnel they may be found in the ceiling and occasionally a floor (more often to the side in such a case).

Egg chamber
Kobolds reproduce by a curious combination of live-births and eggs. The live-born tend to be very aggressive and usually find themselves nurtured and raised as the kings guards. Not all kobold females are allowed to reproduce and there is competition among kobold females for that privilege (which carries a reduction in labor thanks to the useful hands of offspring). Mothers will oversee nursemaids in the egg chambers which are wide but low chambers kept warm with specially selected refuse.
Not all kobold eggs hatch and such eggs will be pickled and used as an delicacy among the kobold elites. The preparation chambers for these picklings will be found in ante-chambers right off the egg chambers.

Galleys
The galleys of a kobold warren are widened tunnels that serve as kitchen and dinning hall. Travelers will be able to pass through as meals are prepared and diners eat what rations they are allowed.

Lip Den
A chamber open on one side to a tunnel. Lip dens often house kobold bachelors and offer a convenient position for guarded defense of the adjacent tunnel.

Shallow Den
A shallow den is relatively close to the surface and while there may be incidental residents and guards the main purpose is to house supplies. By placing these supplies near the surface kobolds hope the goods within will serve to satiate invaders.

Deep Dens
Far from the entrances to a warren are found the chambers where the chieftains and their guards dwell. Where the young are indoctrinated and worship is offered.
The most valuable treasures will be found in the deep dens proper where they can be watched over and not in the semi-private plug-nooks and antechambers.

Deep Gardens
The largest places one is likely to find in a kobold warren are the subterranean gardens where kobolds nurture a variety of fungi, slimes and other exotic life.
Kobold living spaces are usually not in close proximity to these gardens as they can hold rather fierce residents.
On those rare occasions kobolds take prisoners they may be tethered or caged within a deep garden.

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Kobolds are often attributed as having a vast array of fiendish and clever traps and while they will defend themselves with traps where practical they mostly take advantage of the small size compared to most would-be invaders. It's difficult for a man crawling through a tunnel to avoid a spear striking from a murder hole and kobolds are well aware of that. A kobold warren is a place of habitation and not a fortress despite it's overall purpose of sheltering and defending it's residents.

Hob Hills, Barracks and Bunkers

2011-10-19T15:30:00.001-04:00

When hobgoblins have the time and drive to construct their own domiciles and fortresses they invariably make use of hills both natural and hob built. Trees will be cleared and undergrowth kept low sometimes as far as three bowshots from a hills base. The hills will be hollowed out to house halls and tunnels and surfaces dotted with defensive works.

Hob-Barracks
The basic Hobgoblin edifice is an earth-lodge large enough to support a squad or even and entire cohort of hobgoblin warriors. A freshly built Hob-barracks will be dug into the ground almost an entire story with a sturdy well supported roof.

Hobgoblins will pile their midden upon the roofs of a hob-barracks. There are a number of reasons for this which include discouraging squeamish folk from trying to dig into a hob-barracks. A degree of warmth is added by the decomposition of the midden.They encourage the growth of fungus which hobgoblins gain more greater nutrition from than do men and hob-goblin youth gain vital weapons practice keeping the vermin population in check a-top their barracks-middens.

Overtime a hill will grow atop a barracks and be overgrown with a good an well nourished growth of sod. This growth will diminish the impact of initial fire-based attacks on the Hob-Barracks.

A Barracks will typically have one or two commonly used entrances. These entrances will be guarded by exterior and interior walls to discourage assault and break line-of sight to ward off the impact of hostile magic-users.

There will be many small ports that allow for ventilation and smoke to escape. The channels for these ports zig-zag to break a line of effect.

Inside the Hob-Barracks there is little privacy and areas will be blocked off by all manner of screens. A main hearth will warm the whole structure. Some storage will be dug beneath the barracks floor here and there. Older barracks will have small tunnels and chambers built in the midden hill above that can only ideally be entered from within the barracks.

Hob-bunker
A small structure not unlike the barracks but built to monitor a point of approach. bunkers will have one or more guarded firing/observation points and the means to house a squad of Hobgoblin warriors. It's not uncommon for the bunk-space in a bunker to be completely separate from firing/observation points with perhaps only a communication port between the two chambers. The main entrance to a bunker will be fortified with a heavy door or small gate and an entrance to larger bunker will certainly be defended by murder holes.

Hob-halls
A large subterranean communal hall where the chieftain can oversee and instruct a large number of the tribe at one time. This hall is often built deep into the center of a hill and can only be entered after traveling through a number of subterranean tunnels. These tunnels will be monitored by guard chambers and murder-holes. entry tunnels typically enter into the main-hall from a stair beneath the level of the hall floor, thus providing a last defensive point for hobgoblins above any who would invade the hall.

The hall itself will be simple or complex as the commanding chieftain wishes it to be. There will be a number of ante-chambers and galleries off the main hall that contain living space, storage space and defensive points for a chieftain and his guard. Storage space will typically be in subterranean chambers accessible only by passages leaving the main hall proper.

Hob-Trenches
An hob-hall is often surrounded by a series of trenches which allow a degree of defense to troops but aren't as vulnerable (or expensive) as walls. These trenches will have sleeping space and may-haps bunkers to protect them or a lien of trench.
With the exception of a communication trench here and there a hob-trench seldom runs straight for more then 40'.

Trenches are ideally constructed to allow observation from further up-hill and in threat of fire from those guarding the hill while protecting agaisnt fire from those approaching from outside the hob-hill.

A common defense of hob-trencheds is a number of ankle-biters concealed beneath boards at the bottom of trenches. When hobgoblins are forced to leave the trenches or leaving for a while on expedition they will pull the boards away exposing the ankle-biters.

Hobgoblin engineers are endlessly tinkering with and innovating trench-works so the variety of features can vary greatly from hob-hill to hob-hill.

Ankle-biters
Very shallow trenches or pits, sometimes concealed, with a number of spikes positioned so as to trap and maim the foot and leg of an unwary trespasser who treads upon one.
These are but a common example of the large number of stakes, hedgehogs, dead-falls and related mantraps hobgoblins will encircle themselves with.

Hob-tower
A simple four posted tower with a sheltered observation/firing platform. the most curious feature of a Hob-towers is they will often be built in close proximity to a twin with a narrow bridge between-the two that allows travel without having to climb down. Often only one of the two towers offers comfortable access to the ground and this will be exposed to the twin.

Such towers will only be built atop fairly young hob-hills. As the works become more established the towers will be built further downhill and away from the center so they don't' serve as useful points of capture for an invading force.

These towers are always built of wood so they can be set afire if they prove to aid attackers attempting to overrun the hill.

Moats
It not uncommon for well established Hobhills to be surrounded by moats. Sometimes trenches are flooded and turned into moats (this isn't always the initial intent of the builders).
Hobgoblins will use boats and even have raft-like firing platforms in particularly wide sections. some hob-hills can only be accessed by travel upon the moats (with the exception of few concealed and very deep tunnels).

Moats will have draw-bridges and wobble-walks to aid in defense of the hill. It isn't uncommon for shallow moats to have stakes and ankle-biters in their depths.

Wobble-walks-
A simple layout of easily deconstructed bridgeways that allow precarious and seemingly haphazard travel over moats, trenches and other defenses. They often require one to walk on a single beam and steady themselves with a hand on a second beam or guide rope. Difficult to reach accesses to hob-place may have a dozen or more wobble walks leading to them and away that can be quickly removed in times of danger.

Hob-walls-
A hob-hill will often be protected by a number of walls. These walls are often simple visual screens meant to block rapid assault and missile fire they are not the large and encircling walls of mannish castles. Hob walls may have firing ports but seldom have any form of defenses along their tops. It's not uncommon for the base of a wall to have a hedge-hog of spikes facing the approach.

Some hobgoblins aware of how men build castles will build walls in a manner to channel invading mannish troops into a dead-end killing space.

Hobgoblin Citadels
These are large fortress/towns of Hobgoblins. They will be a number of hill spiraling our from a central commanding hill or rings of hob-built hills surrounding the hill of the warlord in command of the place.

Hobgoblin Citadels are difficult to attack as they don't allow for easy travel of unfamiliar troops, are not friendly to mounts and offer poor targets to siege weapons. Even spell-casters will have difficulty ensuring all but the mightiest magic have effect as hobgoblins are aware of the basic limitations of line-of sight and area of effect inherent in many popular combat spells.

Orcs enjoy taking over established Hobgoblin citadels (when chance allows it) but it is easy to tell orcs have over-run such places as moats will dry-out, trenches will be poorly maintained and sanitation will degrade as hills are opened by pits for orcish industry and towers and walls are toppled and burnt for fuel or rebuilt in orcish patterns. Orcs surprisingly enough turn up their noses at hobgoblin midden practices and it isn't unusual for a hob-barracks to be forgotten and lost under a pile of orcish refuse.

Weather and Me

2011-10-19T13:31:00.002-04:00

Weather is something we all experience and mostly ignore in our RPG campaigns.
I put weather events in my random encounter tables time and again but mostly unless it's really extreme I ignore it in gaming. Which is odd since in real life I pay a lot of attention to it and it impacts me a great deal.

I walk to the park with my youngest son a few times a week. This park is about 2.5 miles away and there are 3 different routes I can take. One is longer and hard with lot's of sun, one is moderate with some sun and the other is a tiny bit longer than the second but with less sun. So depending on the temperature and time of day I take a different route.

If it's over 80 and sunny I end up tired from this walk by the time I get back home. I drink about 1200 ml of water unless it's 90+ in which case I've been known to drink over 2000 ml of water to walk about 5 miles. Lucky for me there is public water access on the route so I get away with using my 800ml water bottle.

If it's cooler I drink about 400ml of water in that 5 mile walk and don't feel tired when I get home. The walk is typically 10 minutes faster each way on the shortest route when it's cooler compared to the same route when it is hot.

So depending on sun, temperature and humidity a walk of about 5 miles takes me 80 to 110 minutes (we do play at park for 1/2 to 1 hour in addition) and I drink 400-2000+ ml of water.

I just have to wonder how much water would be consumed by 5 fighting men in armor and 3 guys without armor trying to carry as much food and gold as they can manage?

On the other end of the extreme I've gone winter camping. We snowshoe only a short distance and camp with shelter as skimpy as a tarp lean-to behind a big rock serving as a wind-break (we big rocks near us so it was a great wind-break).

On one trip it was cold. The snow was 2'-4-' deep and camp was only about an hour from our car up a ridge. The previous week it had been warm so every little bit of wood we could find was was waterlogged and frozen, we made a fire that was grossly inadequate but tolerable for the night. I did mention it was cold right? The temperature with wind chill was under -30F, it was 8F with the water above the fire until we lowered them to where they should have caught fire. When we were cooking dinner the meat was freezing to our knives one guy absent mindedly licked his knife off and it froze to his tongue a little bit. We each brought a big loaf of bread but ignored them during the trip as they were really back-up food, each froze solid. One guy brought a container of orange juice and vodka that froze enough it was just vodka with a hint of orange flavor. It was cold. You could hear the wind coming from miles away and it would go from uncomfortable to painful 4 or 5 times an hour.

Across the valley over the tree line we watched boulders of snow the size of houses crash down the mountain side and break apart filling the area beneath it with a sudden snowfall, that served to explain the occasional flurry we were having on our side.

I woke to a beautiful sound and sharp pain, the moisture in my breath was freezing on the tarp over my head and falling back down onto my face. That morning we heated water for tea and couldn't get it much over 50F and boy oh boy was that nice and war. Everyone but me got a tiny bit of frostbite, I had the worst gear actually so I was extra careful and made a point of eating and drinking a lot and paying lot more attention to how I slept (not to mention my cold-weather strip down and redress habits when winter camping ). It rose to 11F by mid morning and we cut the trip short because the wood was burning poorly (we all smelled like smoked sausage because of the smoke), on that walk out we all opened our clothes down to our bottom layer because it was so warm snow shoeing out after sleeping in a deep-freeze.

Ever since that trip I still notice cold weather but I'm oddly tolerant; this past winter when I was standing in hip-deep snow scraping it off my roof I couldn't help but reflect how pleasant and relatively warm it was.

It would have been physically impossible to wear metal armor on that trip. Without snowshoes there would have been nothing resembling travel and no way in hell we could have traveled near or above the tree-line without getting trapped or killed by falling snow.

Weather matters in real life. How do we get it to matter in our RPG campaigns?

Teenage Mutant Cavemen Mutant Manual

2011-10-19T09:40:00.004-04:00

Descriptions and stats for mutant monsters mentioned on the random encounter tables not covered elsewhere on this blog or in the Mutant Future rulebook to terroize and be hunted by Teenage Mutant Cavemen.

Dactyls- #1d8 AL N, MV 180’ (60’), AC 7, HD 5, #AT 2 (bite/claw), DMG 2d4/1d6, SV L3, ML 8
Giant sabre-toothed albino bats. They prefer to attack at night but if their nests (often in caves) are disturbed they will quickly awaken and be dangerous. A Dactyl can carry-away a woman, child or small man.

Forest Ants- #1d100 AL N, MV 150’ (50’), AC 3, HD 1, #AT 1 (bite), DMG 1+poison, SV L1, ML 7
A species of 2' long giant ant, their bite has a poison which overwhelms the victim with pain causing them to writhe in agony as they are eaten alive (if save fails). Two forest ants can provide a meal, they must be clubbed to death carefully (-2 to attack) so as to not ruin the meal. Forest ants killed by fire will provide a tasty meal as well but 4 or more must be collected.

Furry Crocigator-#1d8 AL N, MV 90’ (30’), AC 5, HD 6, #AT 1 (bite), DMG 3d6, SV L3, ML 8
Aggressive furred amphibious reptilians. Considered edible but not very tasty, not really worth the risk outside of their water resistant hides ( a large one would clothe 2 people)

Marsh Cat- #1d4 AL N, MV 150’ (50’), AC 6, HD 6, #AT 1 3 (2claws/bite)), DMG 1d6/1d6/2d8, SV L3, ML 9
A large sabre-toothed cat. a much feared predator that also wanders into lowland forests.

Mt. Cat- #1d4 AL N, MV 180’ (60’), AC 6, HD 4, #AT 3 (2claws/bite), DMG 1d6/1d6/1d10, SV L2, ML 8
A light brown pather. They are hunted to remove danger and for pelts but aren't' considered good eating.

Pigasaurus- #1d4, AL C, MV 150’ (50’), AC 4, HD 14, #AT 1 (bite), DMG 2d8, SV L7, ML 9
Immense stripped mutant pigs 30-40' long. They have immense mouthes that allow them to swallow anything horsesized or smaller whole on an attack rtoll of 19-20. A swallowed vicitm suffers 1d6 acid damage per round until they or the pigasaurus dies. The most frightening aspect of these beasts is their cunning man-like intelligence which makes them incredibly dangerous when coupled with their malignant nature.

Purpa- #1d6, AL N, MV 150’ (50’), AC 6, HD 1, #AT 1 (bite), DMG 1d3, SV L1, ML 5
Large purple squirrels no real threat to Teenage Mutant cavemen, good-eating.

Red bucks, Three-horns, No-horns, Bigtails- Herd animals as per rule-book.

Sham- #1d20, AL N, MV 60’ (20’), AC 2, HD 2, #AT 0 , DMG 0, SV L1, ML 7
Wild sheep with a crusty coral-like shell instead of wool.

Slug-horns- Xeno-cattle as per rulebook.

Snail, spiked- #1d4, AL N, MV 60’ (20’), AC 2, HD 8, #AT 1(shell slam) , DMG 2d6, SV L4, ML 9
Large spike-shelled snails. Stone weapons striking these beasts have a 33% chance of shattering on a successful hit. Avoided by the people except when desperate.

Snake, Furred Choker, - #1d3, AL N, MV 90’ (30’), AC 6, HD 8, #AT 2(bite/constrict) , DMG 1d4/2d6, SV L4, ML 10
A a large furred snake that even hunts in winter. It feeds by crushing prey to death to soften them before swallowing. Constriction is automatic on rounds following first successful constriction attack.

Snake,Death Dart- #1d3, AL N, MV 120’ (50’), AC 7, HD 1, #AT 1(bite) , DMG 1pt+ poison, SV L1, ML 7
The death dart is a small 2' long poisonous snake. It's bite carries intensity 12 poison.

Spiderys - #2d6, AL C, MV 180’ (60’), AC 8, HD 4, #AT 1 (bite), DMG 1d4+ paralysis, SV L2, ML 7
Spidery are a freakishly devolved species of mutant humans that run on all fours atop their freakishly long fingers and toes. The bite of a spidery is full of toxins which will paralyze a human or mutant human (no other types) if a save at +2 is failed. They are not tool users and have lost the power of speech. These are an undomesticated variety of spidery from a past Mutant Future Steeds post.

Stone Bear- #1d2,AL N, MV 120’ (40’), AC 5, HD 10, #AT 2(2claws, bite) , DMG 1d8/1d8/1d10, SV L5, ML 9
Immense grey grey coated bears up to 15' tall. Not hunted on purpose except for the end of winter and very early spring.

Worm-men- #1d20,AL C, MV 120’ (40’), AC 8, HD 5, #AT 1(weapon) , DMG as weapon, SV L5, ML8
A degenerate skinny subspecies of Morlocks with only rudimentary weapons. They are cowardly but will ambush and feed on people they outnumber. They have little practical technological knowledge compared to Morlocks found in the wider world. They will make use of tamed beasts on occasion. These are the boogie-men of The People: "Eat da roots en grubs or da Worm-men will get ya".

Yellow Spider- #1d3,AL N, MV 60’ (20’), AC 5, HD 1, #AT 1(bite) , DMG 1pt+ poison, SV L2, ML 8
A large yellow spider but 1' across. It's bite is horribly dangerous exposing a victim to intensity 19 poison.

Orc Pits, Towers and Chimneys

2011-10-18T22:13:00.005-04:00

A few notes on orcish architecture to set them apart from men, dwarves and elves in a typical fantasy campaign.

Orc Den:
The most common orcish structure is a a den. A den is a hole in the ground dug from the surface. They will typically be a tight crawlspace descending no more then 10 or 20' with a 5-20' diameter space almost high enough for orcs to stand upright within. A den may have a less obvious exit-way if it is old enough to warrant the work. An Orc Den built near a tower will often have it's primary entrance facing the tower.

Orc-run:
an orc run would appear to be the entrance to an orc den but it is wider and higher allowing orcs to enter quickly and find their way to a broad tunnel leading perhaps as few as two dozen yards to as many as 200 yards away. Orc-runs are used to facilitate escape and ambush. Some orc-runs lead to tunnels that will lead to multiple orc-runs and exits.
Only poorly supervised orc tribes will allow orc-dens to connect directly to an Orc-run.

Orc-Hole:
This is a shallowly constructed orc-den with a means to view the surface, meant as defensive works and not for continuous habitation. Sometimes an orc-hole is clearly raised above the nearby ground but may also be incorporated into a hillside to appear natural and may look like a pile of stones to the unwary. Orc-holes are usually found only near established orc-holds. Orc-holes will not connect to an orc-run but a number of them may exit closely to one.

Orc-Tower:
An orc tower is a look-out tower built by orcs. It will appear ungainly and insecure by human standards but orcs have little trouble ascending to the peak where as many as three or four can sit sheltered from the sun in a nest-like bole or even in a small replica of a mannish tower-turret. Orc-towers are built mostly of wood but wil on occasion have a base story of piled stone. On rare occasion an orc-towers is built alongside a dead (or dying tree) to serve as added support and camouflage and may be very tall.

Orc-pit:
A orc pit is in wide hole in the ground. It may have started out as a den and been enlarged to the point the roof was collapsed intentionally to provide more space from immediately prying eyes. Orc pits will serve to hold prisoners, work-beasts, and non critical workspaces such as kitchens and abattoirs.
As a pit is used more and more side spaces will be dug into the pit sides. As the side spaces become more populous or more frequently used the pit itself may be semi-abandoned and even covered over to trap the unwary who will find themselves falling into he midst of a number orc-places.

Pit of Woe-
A pit of woe is a deep difficult to scale pit where victims and wounded orcs are tossed to amuse orcs during times of plenty. The upper edges of a pit of woe have a variety of spikes and stakes to discourage anyone attempting to climb out (along with the occasional predatory beast that finds it's way into the pit). Being thrown in a pit of woe is a disgraceful death for an orc and great comedy for it's brethren who delight in the cries of anguish and hopeless battle from the depths of the pit.

Bone Pit-
This is where the remains of orcs are thrown during times of plenty or when the bones have been picked clean by their fellows. The upper edges of the pit are much like a pit of woe but also discourage entrance of wandering undead.

Toothed-Pit-
shallow pits built near an orc-hold meant to be defensive works. These its will have many sharp rocks and spiked sides and are likely to collapse in on nay trying to scale out once accidentally falling in.

Orc-Chimney:
While orcish engineering is seemingly crude to men it is not foolish and reckless to orcs and an established orc-hold will begin to sprout chimneys of earth and stone to lift away smoke and enhance ventilation of the space below. Those familiar with termite mounds have noted similarities with Orc-Chimneys as older chimneys will have multiple passage for smoke and air to pass through and even side chambers and tunnels if large enough to aid in defense of the Orc-hold.

Some Orc-Chimneys are often raised directly above pits as a cap but this is not a firm rule.

A ring of Orc-chimneys may surround a hollow that conceals a very large orc-hold. With age the space between the chimneys of such a rung are often filled in with a host of materials and debris which serve raise a hill and conceal the presence of the orc-hold.

Orc-Hold:
A collections of orc-pits, den's, towers and chimneys that serve as a combination orc settlement and fortress.

Weekend Gaming

2011-10-17T10:10:00.006-04:00

We threw a party for my oldest son this weekend. A number of the guests were members of the school D&D club so I whipped up a quick dungeon-crawl and a mess of PCs for the kids to choose from. Here are the sheets of 5 of them (minus the character art borrowed from the internet).

As you can tell from the sheets I went with a D20-like set of stats for the game deciding not to go old-school. I did this for 2 reasons: keep the players in a comfort zone and create something new. While it was D20-ish I dropped a log of baggage simply with the reduced and altered stats. I used a spell/special ability mechanic that cut down on the need for bookkeeping and add a little uncertainty to things.

The 5 characters above were among the 15 I whipped up, one of them was certainly the worst character in the set but still saw play. Can you guess who that was?

The adventure was a simple but fun dungeon-crawl with copious wandering monsters, messes of skeletons, giant bats, goblins,hobgoblins, a pair of wraiths and a dragon (the players never met the dragon). The player of Flitter managed to botch the roll and lose that character's best special ability in the first encounter. A plain old pit trap got (but didn't slay) 2 PCs. One of Lunk's special abilities proved useful agaisnt a number of goblins until they party found their way deep into the goblin lair and had a long and protracted fight against them that kept Padre Hector busy bandaging Lunk and Jaque both of whom would have surely perished without his aid.

It was a fun romp from 10PM-1 something AM.

Oh No, Bobots!

2011-10-14T08:20:00.003-04:00

After the surprising and tough election season I found myself with another contract getting in the way of posting. Real life has been throwing in a few other posting blocks as well, including my oldest having his 16th birthday party this coming weekend.

To those that liked them: Don't worry More Teenage Mutant Cavemen to come...really, really.

Oh yeah "bobots" they are a pair of Robot Mecha toys my oldest son is letting the youngest play with and the little guy is in love with them.

Feltothraxis Wins

2011-10-08T10:05:00.007-04:00

Polls have closed showing a clear victory for Feltothraxis. Despite early election reports to the contrary Feltothraxis has pulled ahead winning the Name the Nameless Dragon Poll .
Latest Updates Here.

Cast your vote for Feltothraxis

2011-10-07T12:09:00.002-04:00

The polls will close soon: Cast your vote for Feltothraxis.

With all due consideration and thanks to scottsz ...

Cast your vote for Feltothraxis
Who's breathing fire on all new taxes!

Fair and Just and reaching higher;
Protects our lives with breath of fire.
Cares not for passing guilt or blame,
Incorruptible by games.

Don't listen to Sully's braggart claims!
While all the others are the same,
This wyrm's platform will proclaim
That deeds - not words - can't be defamed.

So fear not that you will misname
This leader of ancient and untamed.
Call him Harry, George or Dane
And vote for Change's Hopeful flame...

For Feltothraxis is his name!

Sully Scandal

2011-10-05T11:07:00.003-04:00

Well it seems Sully is ahead in the polls over Feltothraxis. This injustice can't be allowed to continue.

I hate to fling mud here but ...It's come to my attention that some Sully proponents have been know to consort with Gelatinous Cubes and Rust Monsters. What ill fate will that portend for the nameless dragon?

If you haven't voted for Feltothraxis yet please do so, only by your participation can our fragile democracy be saved.

The dragon needs a name.

Vote Feltothraxis

2011-10-04T10:30:00.001-04:00

For very biased reasons I must promote voting to name The Nameless Dragon on Tenkar's Tavern "Feltothraxis" http://www.tenkarstavern.com/2011/10/power-of-democracy-in-naming-dragon.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FCOwX+%28Tenkar%27s+Tavern%29

Feltothraxis in 2011

Teenage Mutant Caveman Random Encounter Tables

2011-10-03T11:28:00.004-04:00

Here are suggested encounter tables to go with a Teenage Mutant Caveman and the sample map.

Chance of Encounter When Traveling is indicated on each terrain, roll% dice.
When hunting consult hunting rules for chances.
Roll 1d8 when traveling/exploring for encounter, 1d12 when hunting.

Forested Hills (20%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Gamma Sloth
4 Boar
5 Chicken Wolf
6 Hemofowl
7 Mountain cat
8 Spidergoat
9 No-Horns
10 Red Bucks
11 Purpa
12 Small Game

Lush Hills(25%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Stone Bear
4 Slunk
5 Wolf, Dire
6 Mountain cat
7 Sham
8 Spidergoat
9 Bigtails
10 No-Horns
11 Red Bucks
12 Small Game

Scrub Hills(15%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Dactyl
4 Lizard, Gaint Gecko
5 Stone Bear
6 Snake, Furred Choker
7 Bigtails
8 Mountain cat
9 Sham
10 Slughorn
11 No-Horns
12 Small Game

Barren Hills(15%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Dactyl
4 No Horn
5 Eye, Insectoid
6 Flame, Plant
7 Lizard, Gaint Gecko
8 Lizard, Tuatara
9 Brain Plant
10 Slughorn
11 No-Horns
12 Small Game

Mountains(10%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Eyedog
4 Stone Bear
5 Dactyl
6 Snake, Furred Choker
7 Mountain cat
8 Spider Goat
9 Sham
10 Vile, Slasher
11 Wolf, Dire
12 Small Game

Upland Forest(20%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Gamma Sloth
4 Dire Wolf
5 Hemofowl
6 Purpa
7 Mountain Cat
8 Spidergoat
9 No-Horns
10 Red Bucks
11 Boar
12 Small Game

Lowland Forest(25%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Gammasaur
4 Yellow Spider
5 Marsh Cat
6 Forest Ants
7 Snail, spiked
8 Spidergoat
9 Purpa
10 No-Horns
11 Zunicorn
12 Small Game

Forested Swamp (30%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Gammasaur
4 Gammasaur
5 Furred Crocigator
6 Forest Ants
7 Snail, spiked
8 Spidergoat
9 Purpa
10 No-Horns
11 Boar
12 Small Game

Marsh(25%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Gammasaur
4 Furred Crocigator
5 Snake, Furred Choker
6 Marsh Cat
7 Snail, spiked
8 Pigasaurus
9 Screech Bush
10 Slughorn
11 Fish, Gaint
12 Small Game

Rad Swamp(30%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Gammasaur
4 Gammasaur
5 Furred Crocigator
6 Marsh Cat
7 Snail, spiked
8 Slughorn
9 Pigasaurus
10 Screech Bush
11 Fungal Grove
12 Small Game

Rad Wastes(15%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Ant Horror
4 Ant Horror
5 Flame Plant
6 Brain Plant
7 Minor Enforcement Bot
8 The Irradiated
9 Slughorn
10 Worm Men
11 Rat, Giant
12 Small Game

Rad Tumbles(20%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Android, clone Neutralizer
4 Assault Bot
5 Flame Plant
6 Gamma Sloth
7 Minor Enforcement Bot
8 Worm Men
9 Hazard
10 Skin Stealer
11 Gamma Sloth
12 Small Game

Rad Shells(25%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Android, Clone Neutralizer
4 Centipede, Giant
5 Cyborg, Commando
6 Kamata
7 Vomit Fly
8 Worm Men
9 Rat, Giant
10 Feeder
11 Worm Men
12 Small Game

Forest Shells (40%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Bee, Giant Killer
4 Minoer Enforcement Bot
5 Snake, Furred Choker
6 Spidery
7 Screech Bush
8 Spidergoat
9 Boar
10 Rat, giant
11 Walking Dead
12 Small Game

Wasteland Shells (35%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Kamata
4 Centipede, Giant
5 Assault Bot
6 Spider Goat
7 Worm Men
8 Worm Men
9 Spidery
10 Vomit Fly
11 Rat, Gaint
12 Small Game

Tox Marsh (50%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Gammasaur
4 Insect Swarm
5 Snake, Death Dart
6 Furred Crocigator
7 Snail, spiked
8 Pigasaurus
9 Hazard
10 Yellow Spider
11 Toad, Gaint
12 Small Game

Tox Tumbles (60%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Gammasaur
4 Snake, Furred Choker
5 Snake, Death Dart
6 Boar, Hideous
7 Snail, spiked
8 Pigasaurus
9 Hazard
10 Hazard
11 Toad, Giant
12 Small Game

Upland Pasture(30%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 No-Horns
4 Leech Rabbit
5 Dactyl
6 Bigtail
7 Sham
8 Snake, Death Dart
9 Red Buck
10 No-Horns
11 Small Game
12 Small Game

Lowland Pasture(35%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Gammasaur
4 Chickenwolf
5 Boars
6 Bigtails
7 Pigasaurus
8 Slughorn
9 Slughorn
10 No-Horns
11 Sham
12 Small Game

Wasteland(20%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Snake, Death Dart
4 Camel
5 Death Bird
6 Lizard, Giant Gecko
7 Magma Palnt
8 Worm Men
9 Scorpion, Giant
10 Insect Swarm
11 No-Horns
12 Small Game

Waterside(30%)
1 Hazard
2 Gammasaur
3 Gammasaur
4 Fish, Giant
5 Quill Cat
6 Furred Crocigator
7 Snail, spiked
8 Marsh Cat
9 Fish, Giant
10 Weasel, Giant
11 Boar
12 Small Game

Post Apocalypse Map Symbols 4

2011-10-02T13:00:00.000-04:00

16 map symbols/icons for post apocalyptic hex maps .

Legal Mumbo-jumbo:
These map symbols are copyright 2011 by James D. Jarvis, anyone is free to use them for private, shared or commercial projects all I ask is to be notified about the project (a comment here would work fine) and to be credited for my contribution to your project (a link to this post would be cool). An exact copy of the specific image above isn't authorized for redistribution.

Post-Apocalypse Map Symbols 3

2011-10-02T00:26:00.001-04:00

20 map symbols/icons for post apocalyptic hex maps .

Legal Mumbo-jumbo:
These map symbols are copyright 2011 by James D. Jarvis, anyone is free to use them for private, shared or commercial projects all I ask is to be notified about the project (a comment here would work fine) and to be credited for my contribution to your project (a link to this post would be cool). An exact copy of the specific image above isn't authorized for redistribution.

Teenage Mutant Caveman Stomping Grounds

2011-10-01T11:28:00.003-04:00

An unkeyed map of the stomping grounds for the Teenage Mutant Cavemen campaign outline for a different Mutant Future campaign.

(click for larger image)

I left this map un-keyed to develop in future posts. On the map there are 4 large areas of ruins, radioactive wastelands, toxic swamps, low-land thorn forests, upland forests, forested swamps, marshlands, barren hills, scrub covered hills, lush hills, scrub land, upland pastures, lowland pastures and the caves of The People.

Encounter tables, adventure notes, encounter/adventure sites to come in future posts.

Fighter Level Titles

2011-09-29T12:39:00.003-04:00

There's an excellent post here : http://bloodofprokopius.blogspot.com/2011/09/holmes-cook-level-titles.html that discusses the nature of level titles and how they could be much more significant to a campaign if they actually described something about the capabilities of the classes in question. There's an excellent christian-like hiearchy given as an example.

Here now is a set of level titles I worked up for Fighters some time ago but just fleshed out to describe each level.

1. Armsman- one who bears arms. Armsmen have the right to bear arms of war and make use of this right.

2.Warrior- one who is a capable and practiced at the art of war . A warrior may freely travel with their arms and may bear a personal badge along with the coat-of-arms of their lord.

3.Gallant/Ravager- A worthy fighter of some renown charged with delivering messages and assisting commanders. They may serve as sargeants on the field of battle. Gallants have the right to bear a modified coat of arms.

4.Champion- one who has proven themselves to be above most other men in force of arms and able to serve as a judicial champion. A champion may stand in another's place in matters decided by trial of combat. Champions have the right to carry a unique coat of arms.

5. WeaponMaster- a man who has mastered arms. A pinnacle in the use of one arm or a lesser master of several. A weapon-master may attract students and gain rejests from lord's to train his heirs and men-at-arms.

6. Slayer- a fighter who's name is as death to enemies. Slayers have the right to serve as judges and executioners in the name of their lord. Some slayers may be employed as bounty-hunters.

7. Guardian/Destroyer- Fighters charged and capable of defending territories or destroying territories of foes. Guardians have the right to charge tolls to assist their task. Many a guardian serves as a Seneschal for a higher ranking lord.

8. Battlemaster- A master of the battle either a commander of renown or one able to strike as a cohort alone. A Battlemaster is capable of leading an entre army in a lord's name.

9. Warlord- one capable of building and securing realms through force of arms. A Warlord will attract other Fighters to his banner as he builds his realm and legend.

Gammasaurs vs Teenage Mutant Cavemen

2011-09-29T10:24:00.005-04:00

A common menace for Teenage Mutant Cavemen are Gammasaurs. These fearsome reptiles are a hazard as they terrorize, stomp and feed on Teenage Mutant Cavemen and any of The People they come across. Some are edible so desperate hunting parties may consider attacking a seemingly docile herbivore or a lazy lizard basking in the sun. Nests full of eggs are a considered a dangerous but nourishing treat that provides brave nest raiders with 1d4 meals per gammasaurus egg.

Most of The People will conduct a fighting retreat when a Gammasaur surprises them and leave anyone wounded or carried away to their fate.

Gammasaurs
No. Enc: 1d4 (15% of encounters are with a nest, 2-12 eggs)
Alignment: Neutral
Movement: 90'(30')
Armor Class: 4 or better *
Hit Dice: 7/10/14*
Attacks: bite for 2d6 or as below
Damage: see below
Save: 4/5/7*
Morale: as below
Hoard Class: none
* Gammasaurs vary greatly and represent a number of different subspecies so their characteristics may vary as outlined following.

The giant mutant reptiles resemble large lizards with extra-pieces bolted on in imitation of ancient dinosaurs. They have grey, green and rust-colored scaly skin with long tails.
For specific capabilities of a Gammasaur roll on the following charts or pick to determine size, special attributes, attitude,edibility and nesting behavior

Size
1.......Man-sized 7HD
2-4...Huge 10 HD, ignore all attacks that inflict 2 or less points of damage
Can trample for 2d6 (stunning 10% of time). grabs man-sized prey on bite attack roll of 20
5-6...Colossal 14 HD, ignore all attacks that inflict 3 or less points of damage
Can trample for 3d6 (stunning 20% of time), grabs man-sized prey on bite attack roll of 19-20

Prey grabbed in the jaws of a Gammasaur will be held firm and automatically hit next round (roll damage) and roll d6: 1-3:swallowed, 4-5:chewed- (held for next round),6: dropped

Attributes (roll 1d6-3, always have at least 1 attribute)
1-10....Fanged- bite attack upgrades to 2d8/3d6/4d6 depending on size
11-20...Clawed- gain 2 claw attacks that do 1d4/1d6/2d4 depending on size
21-25....Club-Tailed- the tail is a massive weapon that does 2d6/2d8/2d10 depending on size
26-28...Screaming- all within 100' must make a save vs Stun or be immobilized by fear for 1 round.
29-30...Chameleon will gain surprise on a roll of 1-4
31-40...Horned, may make a horn attack for 1d10/2d10/3d10 (double on a charge)
41-50...Darting a fast gamamsaur, moves 150'(50'), improve AC 1 step
51-55....Sail-back- a large sail on back deflects primitive missiles 33% of the time.
56-60...Spitting -3 times a day the creature spits a glob os noxious goo at target which blinds it for 2-12 rounds if save vs breath weapon fails.
61-64....Spewing- 3 times a day may spit an acidic breath weapon in a 60' long, 5' wide stream that does 2d6/3d6/4d6 damage, this acid does half damage on second round if initial save failed.
65-66...Spraying- 3 times a day this creature sprays all to it's rear with a nauseating cloud of gas which will incapacitate those that fail to save for 1-4 rounds and double chance of random encounters for 2 days.
67-70...Spiked- body covered with spikes any attacks it makes except for bite get +1d6 damage
71-77....Long Necked- can reach up to 10'/20'/40' away with bite attack
78-80....Poison Bite- bite is poisonous, determine intensity randomly
81-90....Plated- tough carapace improves AC by 2 steps. ignore any attack of 5 or less damage.
91-98.....Physical Mutation- roll up a standard random physical mutation
99-100...Intelligent- uh oh, smart as a man can plan and has 20% chance of a mental mutation.
If an attack is re-rolled increase the lethality a step in size or upgrade the dice.

Diet/Attitude
1-2.....Timid Vegetarian, Morale-7,
3-4.....Cranky Herbivore, will spit out man-sized bite victims, Morale-10
5-6.....Lazy Lizard, ignores man-sized creatures unless they press the matter, Morale-9
7-14...Eating Machine, if it notices something it starts eating, Morale-12
15-20...Carnosaur, It knows Teenage Mutant Cavemen are made of yummy meat, Morale-11

Edibility
1-5...Edible, may be eaten
6-7...Inedible, can't be eaten tastes foul and will not be digested
8-9...Poisonous, flesh exposes those attempting to eat to random intensity level of poison
10....Irradiated, flesh exposes those attempting to eat to random intensity level of radiation

At The Nest
1-2...Cannibalistic eats own young, activity at nest attracts hungry adult 2 in 6
3-10...Lay eggs and abandons nest, activity at nest attracts adult 1 in 6
11-15...Protects nest until young hatch, activity at nest attracts adult 3 in 6
16-19...Raises young until they leave nest, activity at nest attracts adult 4 in 6
20...Raises young until they are 1/2 grown, activity at nest attracts adult 5 in 6

Pipework Geomorphs 1g

2011-09-28T23:30:00.000-04:00

A set of 10 x 10 dungeon/ruin geomorphs intended for post-apocalyptic adventures but designed to be compatible with many readily available geomorph sets. This is the last of series Pipework Geomprhs Series One.

Pipework Series-1g

(click for full-sized version)

other geomorphs available here on this blog and
http://stonewerks.wordpress.com/
http://www.risusmonkey.com/search/label/Geomorphs
http://rpgcharacters.wordpress.com/

Pipework Geomorphs 1f

2011-09-28T22:30:00.000-04:00

A set of 10 x 10 dungeon/ruin geomorphs intended for post-apocalyptic adventures but designed to be compatible with many readily available geomorph sets.

Pipework Series-1f

(click for full-sized version)

other geomorphs available here on this blog and
http://stonewerks.wordpress.com/
http://www.risusmonkey.com/search/label/Geomorphs
http://rpgcharacters.wordpress.com/

Pipework Geomoprh 1e

2011-09-28T21:00:00.000-04:00

A set of 10 x 10 dungeon/ruin geomorphs intended for post-apocalyptic adventures but designed to be compatible with many readily available geomorph sets.

Pipework Series-1e

(click for full-sized version)

other geomorphs available here on this blog and
http://stonewerks.wordpress.com/
http://www.risusmonkey.com/search/label/Geomorphs
http://rpgcharacters.wordpress.com/

Pipework Geomorphs 1d

2011-09-28T19:00:00.000-04:00

A set of 10 x 10 dungeon/ruin geomorphs intended for post-apocalyptic adventures but designed to be compatible with many readily available geomorph sets.

Pipework Series-1d

(click for full-sized version)

other geomorphs available here on this blog and
http://stonewerks.wordpress.com/
http://www.risusmonkey.com/search/label/Geomorphs
http://rpgcharacters.wordpress.com/

Pipework Geomorphs 1c

2011-09-28T15:00:00.000-04:00

A set of 10 x 10 dungeon/ruin geomorphs intended for post-apocalyptic adventures but designed to be compatible with many readily available geomorph sets.

Pipework Series-1c

(click for full-sized version)

other geomorphs available here on this blog and
http://stonewerks.wordpress.com/
http://www.risusmonkey.com/search/label/Geomorphs
http://rpgcharacters.wordpress.com/

Pipework Geomorphs 1b

2011-09-28T13:00:00.000-04:00

A set of 10 x 10 dungeon/ruin geomorphs intended for post-apocalyptic adventures but designed to be compatible with many readily available geomorph sets.

Pipework Series-1b

(click for full-sized version)

other geomorphs available here on this blog and
http://stonewerks.wordpress.com/
http://www.risusmonkey.com/search/label/Geomorphs
http://rpgcharacters.wordpress.com/

Pipework Geomorphs 1a

2011-09-28T10:33:00.004-04:00

A set of 10 x 10 dungeon/ruin geomorphs intended for post-apocalyptic adventures but designed to be compatible with many readily available geomorph sets.

Pipework Series-1a

(click for full-sized version)

other geomorphs available here on this blog and
http://stonewerks.wordpress.com/
http://www.risusmonkey.com/search/label/Geomorphs
http://rpgcharacters.wordpress.com/

922 Platinum Pieces

2011-09-27T15:57:00.003-04:00

"Tasmetus has 922 platinum that can be spent on the expedition, just uh...try to not let everyone else spend it all if you can. Negotiate and bargain as if you were ME okay?" said a regular player who can't make it to the next session as he calls me to notify me and authorize spending his 922 platinum pieces (about 75% of his money according to my accounting) in the upcoming session as the party is hiring a ship, and hirelings to go on a crazy gold-hunting scheme.

So he's authorized me, the one guy at the table who's often comes up with schemes to part the PCs from their money so as to motivate other money seeking adventures on their part, to spend his money. Really?

I could of course just hand the other players the money and encourage them not to spend all of it, I'm sure they'd be fair...

He's forgetting the two highest level characters in the party ( (of which he is one)) are rich, another is well-off and everyone else has what equates to pocket change in paying for a large expedition. I know ultimately I'll be fair but I don't really need to spend a lot of valuable table time arguing with the players over how to spend funds.

So would you trust your DM and fellow players to spend 922 Platinum Pieces (valued at 9220 g.p. in this campaign and most of your fortune) in your absence?

Teenage Mutant Cavemen On The Hunt

2011-09-27T07:30:00.002-04:00

Hunting is a common activity of The People and with limited food stocks Teenage Mutant Cavemen will find themselves hunting frequently. This post covers the subject in a game-mechanical manner that should be modified by circumstance as the ML feels appropriate.

The Hunting Party
The People organize themselves into hunting parties of a 3-24. Each such party will be lead by a leader of the hunt. If PC's go hunting on their own one must be chosen as the leader of the hunt.

Each day of hunting has three Hunt Turns. When actively hunting for prey Teenage Mutant Caveman and other members of The People move 1/6th of daily movement each Hunt Turn.

Finding Prey
The hunting party will travel from the caves and establish a hunting camp and search for prey. Some areas will have ideal and well known prey.

The chance to find prey on each hunting turn is equal to Base Chance of Terrain + Tracking roll modifier of the Leader of the Hunt + 1% per member of the hunt.

Terrain..............Base Hunting Chance
Forested Hills.......10%
Lush Hills........... 20%
Scrub Hills.........15%
Barren Hills.........-5%
Lowland Forest.....15%
Forested Swamp.....10%
Marsh........................7%
Upland Pasture.......10%
Lowland Pasture......15%
Mountains......... -10%
Wasteland......... -20%
Waterside....... +10%

Distance from The Caves of The People
6 miles or less.... -10%
7-12 miles..... 0%
13+ miles..... +5%

Days of Hunt (don't count travel time to hunting ground)
1st Day....... 0%
2nd Day..... +5%
3rd Day......+10%
4th day......+20%
each additional day..... -5% cumulative

Circumstances
Raining................ -10%
Day after rain....... +5%
2 days after rain.....+15%
3+ rounds of combat earlier today....-10%

Note: a standard wandering monster roll is made for each day of hunting in addition to hunting rolls.

Identify the prey:
When one Finds prey the prey can be identified by same roll by The Leader of the Hunt, if he is unsure 2 other members of the hunting party may make a roll to identify the prey.

The leader of the hunt may decide to close in on the prey based on it's type and actual distance from the hunting party.

Time to locate prey:
2-6....Find prey this hunt turn
7-9...Find next hunt turn (no roll allowed to find more prey if track is followed)
10-12...Find tomorrow (no roll allowed to find more prey if track is followed)

Closing in on Prey
When prey is discovered the party must close in on the prey to get within striking distance. Each member of a party rolls % dice equal to the chance of the leader had in finding prey if they are successful they can get within striking distance on the first round. If anyone rolls doubles and fails their roll the game was spooked and will escape with no chance of being brought down.

Anyone who fails this roll will be in position on the 4th round of action (if there is any left)

Everyone who has closed in on prey will start a number of yards away as determined on the chart below:

Distance to Prey
Mountains.......30-180 yards
Hills..........70-120 yards
Forest.....20-120 yards
Swamp.....20-80 yards
Open....140-240 yards

Spring on the Prey
Check for surprise as normal against the prey. Prey will be surprised on a roll of 1-3 by a successful hunting party where all members have closed in. If even one member hasn't closed in the prey is only surprised on a 1-2. The number on the surprise roll is how many rounds of action the hunters will get before the prey reacts meaningfully.

Reaction of Prey (2d6)
2-6...Flee in Same Direction- usually downhill towards open ground
7-8...Scatter- the prey scatter in every direction.
9-12...Fight- the prey fights for 1-3 rounds, roll again afterward.

How many meals?
A beast provides as many meals as 40% of it's mass per 2 lbs in size, if weight of the prey is known.

If weight isn't known base the yield on general size and HD of prey

small.... 1d6 meals per 3 HD
man-sized... 2d6+ 1 meal per HD
large...... 4d6+ 2 meals per HD
huge.... 6d6 + 4 meals per HD

Experience points from hunting.
Hunters earn exp form the action of the hunt and returning meals to The Cave of The People

Action of the hunt: Calculate exp as normal for prey taken down. divide this among all members of the hunting party.

Each Meal Returned to The People:
3 exp per meal for leader of the hunt.
1 exp per meal for other members of the hunt.

Spotting Wandering Monsters
Teenage Mutant Cavemen and other members of the People are good at spotting sign they are in danger, having a 10% + tracking roll modifier of noting the presence of a wandering monster. Such a successful roll will alert the party to the presence of the potential foe and the party can break-off before the wandering monster closes or turn the tables on the wandering monster. If the ML has determined the wandering monster will surprise the party only the 1st roll made by the PC's has any chance of success to avoid surprise.

I Was A Teenage Mutant Caveman

2011-09-26T08:34:00.010-04:00

This post and a couple following outline a Teenage Mutant Caveman setting as a Different Mutant Future Campaign. The end of civilization happened long ago and tiny pockets of devolved humanity struggle as stone-age savages.

Intro
The People have always lived in the valley among the caves. It has always been taboo to travel outside the valley. Those fools that do have wandered back sickened and followed by monsters so all of The People know to stay in the valley. Each generation breeds rebellious youth and as always youth press the limits and some break taboos will the PC's be foolish enough to travel beyond the valley?

Character Creation
PCs in this setting will all begin as Teenage members of The People a primitive Stone-Age tribe of 100-200 or so Mutant Cave-men. Knowledge of the old world is totally absent and long forgotten.
All PC's will start off as Teenage Mutant Caveman (surprise!) 13+1d4 years in age. The People will not accept outsiders, mutant animals or androids at the start of a campaign.

Ability Scores and Modifiers:
+3 to CON (max 18).
If a Teenage Mutant Caveman survives to age 19 they will gain +3 to STR (max 18)
Technology Roll Modifier: -15%, Teenage Mutant Cavemen are not familiar with anything they can't build with sticks, cord and stones.

Tracking Roll Modifier: hunting is a common practice of The People and all PC's will have a Tracking Roll Modifier equal to that listed in the rules for the Technology Roll Modifier based on Intelligence (without the penalty listed above)

Mutations:
Every member of the The People has the same physical Mutation (the ML should choose or roll one for the campaign).
Each member of The People belongs to a family line identified by a common mutation (the ML or Player can roll this 1-20/21-100 mental/physical), all other members of The People that are closely related will have that mutations.
A Teen Age mutant Cave man will have 1 additional Physical Mutations rolled up by the player. A PC will also have 1d4-2 (0-2) mental mutations.

The People are nervous and distrust those with mental mutations families with a mental mutation keep it secret as it is dangerous except for those recognized as a shaman to demonstrate mental mutations as they are considered Bad Magic.

Starting Equipment:
Teenage Mutant Caveman will be allowed one equipment pick per 3 whole points of CHA they have which must be selected from the following list (or one created by the ML).

Teenage Mutant Caveman Equipment
Stone Knife- treat as a dagger in MF rules
Stone Headed Spear- treat as a spear as per MF rules
Spear Thrower- double spear range and provides +2d6 damage bonus to targets within short range.
Throwing Stick- treat as club that can be thrown 10'/20'/30'
Stone Axe- treat as hand-axe, if thrown the blade breaks on a damage roll of 1 or simply falls off on a damage roll of 6 (3 full 10 minute turns to fix).
Sling- a good old fashioned sling, no bullets are manufactured however.
Fur Wrap- Keeps one warm, cavemen without one are naked.
Fur Boots- a good pair of fur boots, without them one moves long distance overland at 1/2 speed
Rain Cape- a smooth and oiled hide used to keep the rain off when caught outside.
Hollow Gourd- a gourd held on a thong serves as the only means to carry water.
A Bag- a bag carried over the shoulder is the peak of storage technology.
Smoked Meat- the pinnacle of stored food. Enough for 1 day.
Sewing Kit- needle and fine cord for fiixing hides.
Fire Kit- a simple means to make fire. Fire making is an important skill among the people.
Fire Carrier- a basket full of shelf fungus, a means to transport coals over a large distance, important for when hunting in remote parts of the valley.
Digger- a digging stick and essential tool for foraging.

Stone Weapon breakage: all stone weapons break on an attack roll of 1 or 20. (20 still harms foe).

As can be seen from the list above the technology of The People is pretty limited. The people have no armor and may react poorly to shields upon discovery.

Technology and Teenage Mutant Cavemen:
Teenage Mutant Caveman and their elders are totally unfamiliar with technology, even metal is alien and wondrous to them. NPCs may flee in terror when confronted with obvious advanced technology. Teenage Caveman in possession of advanced technology may find themselves in great danger and may be driven from the tribe a reaction roll is recommended when they use or display such items near the tribe.

Property Rights
The People are a little iffy on individual property rights. If a character has more possessions then their CHA score/3 a roll must be made at the start of each session begun among The People to see what happens to those extra items.

Property Retention Roll (3d6)
3-4....Tribesman attacks for possession of Item
5...Stolen and hidden by thief.
6...Stolen and displayed by thief.
7...Borrowed without permission.
8...Borrowed and loaner item left in place.
9...Tribesman argues about right to borrow item.
10...Tribesman argues about right to trade for item.
11...Tribesman offers trade calmly.
12-18...Item stays in possession with no incident of note.

If the possessor of an item has CHA 13+ add 1 to the retention roll
If the possessor of an item has high prestige (an elder a leader of recent successful hunts and such) they add 2 to the retention roll.

When an Item is Stolen the tribesman claiming it does not recognize any special right to the character the item was stolen from. Theft is embarrassing but not a punished offense beyond squabbles that may break out between those desiring item. An time that invites frequent incident may be claimed by chief, secured by the shaman, or destroyed. One does not borrow from the chief or shaman without special need.

A Borrowed item will be returned after 2-12 days, 20% chance it is returned damaged (there is no recourse to this socially as broken gear reflects on the quality of the item not the user)

A PC may be able to Borrow one item at the beginning of a session and is unlikely to face repercussion if they return the item borrowed. (use reaction roll if ML wishes)

coming up in future posts: hunting, adventure and a sample setting.

[Real Life] Baby Grace

2011-09-25T11:05:00.005-04:00

My Great-Grandmother Josephine was an Italian garment worker living in NY city, her first child Grace was born in 1910. Baby Grace was a sickly child and passed away before her 1st birthday, my great-grandmother would miss work in her garment factory job to take care of her. One such day my great grand-mother stayed home to take care of baby Grace was March 25, 1911.

That was the day of The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, 146 of my Great-Grandmother's co-workers (mostly young women) died in the flames, from smoke inhalation, or by jumping to their deaths. My great-grand mother (according to family legend) had little doubt she would have died that day had she not stayed home to care for Baby Grace.

Baby Grace died before she was a year old and has come to be regarded as a guardian angel to some of my family. If Grace hadn't been alive that day my great-grand mother would have likely died before she gave birth to Grace's 6 siblings, five of whom went on to have families. There would have been over 120 of my family members who never existed if my Great-Grand Mother Josephine hadn't stayed home to care for Baby Grace.

Abstract Battles I

2011-09-22T08:33:00.012-04:00

Many posts back I presented a method to conduct large battle based on morale called Battles in the heart and mind which explored/placed the role of morale as a major factor in large fights and battles and while it serves well in figuring out how large groups respond to combat it wasn't itself a complete mass combat/battle resolution system and certainly didn't cover what happens to the PC in the ebb and flow of major battles.

The most precise way to figure out what happens in large fights/battles is of course to use the standard combat rules but this can drag on and contribute to boredom and fatigue as many dozen attack and damage rolls are made. The next most likely method is miniatures battles which are a heck of a lot of fun and there are a lot of options out there but it alters the nature of play, requires a fair bit of space, a lot of miniatures and will certainly dominate a play session. Another solution and one I'm addressing here is the Abstract Battle.

Abstract Battle resolution assume a large fight (or actual battle) is a huge sweeping affair and the actions of individuals don't always have immediate or significant impact on the resolution of the battle itself and the important factor is how well the Player Character fairs in the battle. The fate of PCs will depends on fate and may be mitigated by their actions but entire battles will be resolved by comparatively few rolls.

The remainder of this post will provide the following cunningly named abstract battle Resolution method: Abstract Battle Resolution Method I

Abstract Battle Resolution Method I
In this method an entire battle is quickly resolved and the results as they fall upon each PC on the battle field are determined and resolved. PCs' may be captured or vanquished and the opportunity to collect bounty will be provided.
How long each battle takes to conduct in game time will vary with the size of armies and conditions of the battle field a clash of hundreds might only take an hour while a turn could take a day or more for epic armies numbering in the tens of thousands.

Step 1. Determine Outcome of Battle.
Roll 1d6 for each side (apply a bonus for superior size of army, knowledge of tactics, more magic, etc to a max bonus of +3). The winning side will have the higher score.

Overall Battle Resolution
Compares Scores....Results
win by 4 or more.... Amazing Victory. +6 to PC Battle Roll.
win by 2 or 3.......... Well Fought Victory. +3 to PC Battle Roll.
win by 1.................. Pyrrhic Victory. +1 to PC Battle Roll
tie........................... Indecisive. no modifier to PC Battle Roll
lose by 1..................Forced from field of Battle. -1 to PC Battle Roll
lose by 2-3..............Brutal Defeat. -3 to PC Battle Roll
lose by 4 or more...Stunning Defeat, -6 to PC Battle Roll

Each character taking part in the battle must roll to determine their fate in with a Battle Roll on Step 2.

Step 2. Determine Individual Battle Results

Battle Roll (3d6 + modifiers)
0 or less......Separated and attacked by 20HD
1..................Separated and attacked by 10HD
2-3.............Separated and captured by 20HD
4-5.............Separated and captured by 10HD
6-7.............Attacked by 20HD
8-13...........Attacked by 10HD
14-15..........Attacked by 5HD, may Save Captured Ally if Attack is survived
16-17..........Attacked by 1HD, gain Booty Roll if attack is survived
18.............One Booty Roll
19............. Two Booty Rolls or Save a Captured Ally
20 or more.... Three Booty Rolls or Save a Captured or Vanquished Ally

Attacked by #HD. Make one attack roll as if by monster with HD indictaed per hitdie. Suffer 1d6 damage per hit. PC vanquished if damage exceeds HP. If vanquished make a save vs death if this save fails the PC is slain otherwise roll on Unexpected Survival Table.
If attacked and PC isn't separated they may sacrifice troops under their command , such sacrificed troops are automatically hit for 5 points of damage. Up to 1 defender may be sacrificed per point of CHA the character has. Any surviving members of charters unit may have their morale impacted by this tactic.

Captured by #HD. Make one attack roll as as if by monster with HD indictaed per hitdie. Suffer suffer 1d6 temporary damage per hit. Captured if temporary damage exceeds HP, otherwise PC escapes and rolls on the Escape Battle Table. It is also possible to avoid capture by using magic and special abilities (for easy resolution each such tactic reduces number of capturing HD per level of attempt).

Separated and... As either option above but no sacrifice of allies is permitted as character has been separated from them.

Save a Captured Ally: you may attempt to save an ally captured during the battle.An attack agaisnt enemy unit may be used as with PC getting three attack rolls and being able to roll up to twice CHA as HD attacks if commanding troops. If HD of capturing force is overcome the ally is rescued and they will have 1/2 total normal HP. This attempt will not put the rescuing PC at risk of being captured.

Save a Vanquished Ally: as above for capture. If ally is saved their death was greatly exaggerated they will retain 1 hp per level/HD. This attempt will not put the rescuing PC at risk of begin vanquished.

Booty Roll: The PC does well in battle and gains some booty. Roll on Booty Table.

Step 3. Resolution. If battle was victory each PC with CHA 13+ surviving the fight without having to be rescued (or escape capture or unexpectedly survive) get's a Booty Roll.

Determine loses.
Amazing Victory: All captives reclaimed, 3% of troops slain
Well Fought Victory: 60% captives are reclaimed. 10% of troops slain
Pyrrhic Victory: 30% captives are reclaimed, 20-50% of troops slain, 2-20% leave
Indecisive: 10% of troops are slain, 1d4% leave
Forced from field of Battle. 15% of forces slain. Leader escapes with 80% of force. remainder become brigands and roam countryside.
Brutal Defeat: 30% of forces slain, Leader may make save to escape with 5-50% of force.
Stunning Defeat: 40% losing force slain, 40% captured, leader may make save to escape with 1-20% of force. remainder scatter over countryside.

If battle was indecisive repeat Step 1 if neither side withdraws from fight (withdrawal is automatic if either side decides to do so). Each side will have the opportunity to use healing magics before next round of battle.

The winner may decide to press victory and assault enemy force before it can escape unless the victory was pyrrhic. If done return to step 1.

If step 1 isn't repeated. THE BATTLE IS OVER.

Unexpected Survival Table (1d12)
1....Wake on field of battle with wounded enemy knight in view (both at 1/2 normal HP)
2.....Wake of field of battle stripped of all items of value (1 hp/level)
3....Wake of field of battle minus weapon and armor (1 hp/level)
4....Wake on back of steed missing weapon (1/2 normal HP)
5.....Wake under a hay pile on a nearby farm (1 hp/level)
6.....Wake in a peasant hovel being attended by peasant (1/2 normal HP)
7-8...Found by losing side and taken hostage (1 hp/level)
9-10..Found by winning side all gear returned (1 hp/level)
11...Reports of Demise greatly Exaggerated. 3/4 full HP and make another roll Individual Battle Results again.
12.....Escape the reaper, Stll have full HP roll on Escape Battle Table.

Escape Battle Table (2d6 roll)
2-4....Hide under a hay pile on a nearby farm.
5-6....Escape with your skin intact, all gear lost
7........Escape if you abandon armor and shield
8-9....You are stripped of all gear but steal an opponents horse and flee, allies left behind
10-11...You steal an opponents horse and flee, allies left behind
12......You escape with up to 1d6 times your CHA worth of captured allies.

Booty Table (1d100)
1-5..........Fine Sword
6..15.......1-12 Captive Camp Followers, no ransom forthcoming
16-25......Suit of Armor
26-27.....Enemy Banner, possible ransom of 1d100 g.p.
28-35.....1-20 Captive Levy, 30% chance of ransom of 1d10 g.p. each
36-39.....A Mule
40.........A Mule with Supplies
41-55....1-10 Captive Men-at-arms, 50% chance of ransom of 2d10 g.p. each
56-65...Captive Knight, 80% chance of 2d4 x 100g.p. ransom
66-67...Captive Lord, 90% chance of 2d6 x 1,000 g.p. ransom
68-75...Riding Horse
76-80...War Horse
81-95....20 g.p.
96-98...A Gold Ring
99-100....A Ruby Ring

The aftermath of a battle and the ability to exchange captive and get ransoms will vry with conditions of the campaign. Generally gentry are kept for ransom and commoners are slain or enslaved but they may be returned in exchange for captured men at arms.
A number of the results of escapes and survival could be played out and certainly lead to future RPG oportunities.

Map Mutants

2011-09-20T10:46:00.004-04:00

The following image is part of a collection of mutant map icons. These and those that will follow in future posts are compatible in size with my earlier posted Map Monsters. These are meant for use with pretty much any post apocalyptic setting with wahoo mutants. I drew on a few sources and a particularly cunning fan of the post-apocalypse genre might be able to identify their inspiration.

Intelligent Mutants are indicated with a vertically pointy hex and unintelligent ones have a flat top. A future post will have weapon icons to indicate tech level and very general armament to place under the icons above.

Legal Mumbo-jumbo:
These map symbols are copyright 2011 by James D. Jarvis, anyone is free to use them for private, shared or commercial projects all I ask is to be notified about the project (a comment here would work fine) and to be credited for my contribution to your project (a link to this post would be cool). An exact copy of the specific image above isn't authorized for redistribution.

Making the other players hate you...

2011-09-19T11:08:00.002-04:00

I mostly DM/GM as I enjoy the creativity it provides (along with the teeny-tiny power trip). When I find myself getting to play a character in someone else's game I find myself pushing the envelope but the envelope which I choose to push isn't always the same one.

In one DM's game using mostly the 2nd edtion AD&D rules I found myself playing a half-elven bard by the annoyingly difficult to pronounce name of Tinmiffalen Addergaspt (it could have been spelled that way even) and made darn sure to correct anyone who got the name wrong. If you are going to peg your charcter to a silly name you might as well stand by it.

Tinmiffalen Addergaspt wasn't much of a traveling minstrel he really was a much more a rogue and used his magics in support of legerdemain . I just didn't' want to mufti-class I suppose.

The name itself put me on the list for PC for other fellow PCs to hate camp. I wouldn't let it stop there however.

Need to look around a corner becasue you suspect a monster lurks around the corner? That's what a hat on a staff is for. Any self-loathing monster worth it's hit dice will at least notice the hat on the staff and make it's presence known...monster detected. Oh sure you've given your presence away but it wasnt' goign to be a secret much longer anyway, was it?

The dreaded dungeon door is easily dealt with by knocking on it and seeing who answers the door. Do all the occupants sneak about all the time and never bother knocking, I think not, surley soemeone is meant to knock to gain the attention of those inside. Very seldom is there much opportunity left to surprise folks on the other side of a door after having an argument on the other side, deciding who will search, giving 5 guys a chance to listen for noises and then having two or more delvers take turns tryign to kick the door open, get in and discover who is inside by knocking.

Need to get inside the evil villains castle? Castles have doors don't they? Go up and knock on the door. Sure you might need a quick story and that's how my bard became a peddler jumped by adventurers that were trailing him even still and hiding just around the corner not too far from the castle. The party got quickly captured, my bard wasn't and the party most certainly gained access entrance to the Castle of the villain. Escape and exploring the castle was just a few cunning steps away when there's a clever bard on your side that isn't in chains in a dank dungeon cell.

Players and their characters don't always have to follow the same formula of behavior and actions. PCs are not all bound to each other at the hip as if parts of a mult-iheaded-multiclass dungeon looting machine. There are many paths to adventure and game table success and soemtimes it requires one to be just a little willing to get the other players a little angry at you and your character.

Mini Dungeon #2

2011-09-18T13:56:00.001-04:00

A graphical system-neutral dungeon. This one is a bit tougher than the last.

In case you missed it you can find mini-dungeon #1 by clicking here.

Beastly Map Monsters

2011-09-18T00:24:00.000-04:00

The following image is part of a collection of monster map icons.

Legal Mumbo-jumbo:
These map symbols are copyright 2011 by James D. Jarvis, anyone is free to use them for private, shared or commercial projects all I ask is to be notified about the project (a comment here would work fine) and to be credited for my contribution to your project (a link to this post would be cool). An exact copy of the specific image above isn't authorized for redistribution.

Humanoid Map Monsters

2011-09-17T00:21:00.000-04:00

Mini Dungeon #1

2011-09-16T11:42:00.004-04:00

An graphical mini-Dungeon for use with any dungeon exploring fantasy RPG.

This map uses images from my OCD Door Chart a selection of monster icon from my Undead Map Monsters and Humanoid Map Monsters sets.

Undead Map Monsters

2011-09-16T00:13:00.006-04:00

The following image is part of a collection of monster map icons. These and those that will follow in future posts are inspired by the old Heroquest game which had an adventure booklet full of one page dungeons where monsters were indicated on the map with graphics. I liked the idea then and I still like the idea.

Legal Mumbo-jumbo:
These map symbols are copyright 2011 by James D. Jarvis, anyone is free to use them for private, shared or commercial projects all I ask is to be notified about the project (a comment here would work fine) and to be credited for my contribution to your project (a link to this post would be cool). An exact copy of the specific image above isn't authorized for redistribution.

Foes Defeateted Recently In Regular Game

2011-09-15T15:55:00.000-04:00

A quick Roster of foes the PC's have defeated in my regular game over the past few months with a few notes, just for the heck of it.

1 Vampire, a vampire thief actually, players never saw that coming took a couple sessions to track down and lay low
4 Young Vampires, three very young as they were hirelings/help of PCs turned by the Vampire above.

1 Young Howlie. a Sasquatch
1 Disease Demon, the New Lands is an odd place diseases are often embodied by demons that latch onto mortals and must be battled on the astral plane to successfully cure disease.
over 54 Hillmen of the Snake Garter Nation.(well not all men about half were women and children)
1 Black Bear, poor thing was in wrong place really
1 Wood Spirit , a Dryad tricked but not slain
6 Dwights, Dwarven Wights
3 Crocigators, large crocodiles
1 Pestilence Spirit, A re-skinned Balrog (it killed 2 PCs)
2 Muck Ogres, re-skinned Hill Giants
2 Chimera, this mated pair left behind a nest of eggs the players never found (the pair killed 1 NPC)
1 Eight Headed Hydra

Healing Potions are Magic

2011-09-15T10:42:00.006-04:00

In my current campaign I put some thought into how the divine related to the physical world, it's politics and how it might impact game play. While magic can be worked for contract and favor it's not simply another more potent product, magic (and in this discussion magical items) isn't a product that always delivers a specific effect to meet the needs of the user. Magic ties the user to the source of the magic and it's effects are impacted by the relationship.

The players in my campaign have been struggling with the game reality that healing potions are magical and that magic is tied to the gods. In the current campaign a healing potion isn't created with all it's potential healing built in and ready to indiscriminately restore hit points, a healing potion embodies a connection between the recipient and the healing force of divine. As such a healing potion may provide no benefit at all to those with no connection to the divine, it can even prove to be a poison to those who have acted against the divine.

Thus my players find themselves in a continuing quandary: They can't find healing potions that work for all of them. Several month back in the campaign all but one PC joined in on a murder plot that killed a number of priests of the Church of The Celestial Orthodoxy and afterward discovered healing potions were as poison to all involved in the murders. No one in the party has played a cleric so healing has been in short supply for some time.

Only two of the conspirators still survive but as they are the two strongest PCs in the party at this date they are severely disadvantaged. There are other faiths out there but they are rare, stigmatized and even persecuted by The Church so getting into contact with other sources of healing has been difficult. I do have bandaging wounds rule that allows one to regain 1d6 hp shortly after being wounded in a fight so I'm not a total hard ass but serious wounds can take a good long time to recover from if magics aren't at hand. Being raised or resurrected is off the table if one acts agaisnt or beyond The Church as the only clerics known to have such capability are high up in the hierarchy.

The Church itself is hard to avoid. It's the ultimate authority and dominates trade in the New Lands so the players find themselves in a difficult position where they must deal with a reality where political, financial and magical power are controlled and flow from the same source.

Those who hold magic, hold the power and magic is not a simple commodity.

What Place for Heroes?

2011-09-08T08:32:00.003-04:00

Last year some young bravoes gathered together a collection of arms and armor before setting off to a forgotten corner of the realm where they did pillage an ancient barrow. The grave-robbers were first caught swilling ale and filling their stomachs with mutton in a village tavern by the local warden and forced his retreat with simple conjurations and their clumsy blades. The fools bought all the horses they could find and camped but a couple miles outside of the village where they were quickly found by the Duke and his trusted retainers, the young villains were quickly brought to justice for their debauched thievery of the remains of a Royal ally as they quickly fell to the Dukes' blades and the spells of his magister. Their remains were burnt and denied burial in the earth and their souls condemned to torment in the pit.

So, just what place is there in the classic D&D campaign for the PC as a would-be hero? What chance do wandering vagabonds of disparate origin and anti-social demeanor have?

The castles are ruled by higher level Fighters, Clerics and Magic-Users. These lords and masters have plans of their own that they dont' wish ruined by some patty up-starts. Those lords that came into power from lowly origins are likewise aware of the future danger young adventurers represent. To the lord of a castle the lowly PC is a threat to be eliminated or a resource to be exploited. Those that can't be coerced by force of law, swayed by a fat coin purse or controlled by magic will be destroyed or driven off.

The best chance for the young would-be-hero is to seek a patron as a shield agaisnt the ambitions of others more powerful then themselves. To become involed in what soem call "the end game" at the beginning. Sure there are peasant heroes that didn't start among the ranks of the nobles and their retainers but they are far less common than those who rose among the ranks of the powerful and their underlings.

But we seldom see this in D&D campaigns. Players want to be in control of their own actions and future (which I agree with) but they and their DM's fail to see the way to gain control is to become part of the controlling structure. The hobbit's were the only main characters in LotR that weren't nobles and tied to Middle earth accept as chosen by fate and their free will, every other character was compelled by association to the power structure to be part of the fellowship and some of the hobbits themselves were quickly swept up into the power structure in reaction to their actions. Sure LoTR could be seen as one colossal Railroad of an adventure as it's a novel and not an RPg campaign but it shows the precedent.

Elric of Melniboné the anti-hero of Michael Moorcocks Young Kingdoms is among the most elite of his world. He doesn't start a 1st level nobody in some remote corner of the realm. He's most certainly in "the end-game". King Arthur and the Knights of The Round Table are most certainly of the power structure. The heroes of the Illiad are bound to the power structure or to the gods themselves. The nameless peasant-turned hero and king is still of course a popular story, but you do notice he becomes the King?

Those who wish to be shortsighted wandering vagabonds should be given that privilege. Those that actually strive for more should also get the opportunity. In the main Heroes are made and usually die before they get to enjoy their status.

So what place is their for the PC? The lowly rascal, the outlaw and the vagabond offer a short but possibly longer lasting life than that of the usual would-be hero. But there is little reward and far less glory. Those that find themselves a place at thetable beside the king get to be celebrated forever.

Busy,busy, busy

2011-09-05T12:09:00.005-04:00

I've haven't been blogging a whole lot lately as I've been busy with a few art contracts, great for me, not so great for the blog, really bad for this guy...

My lovely wife also got me the Tome of Horrors Complete for my birthday, lot's to read in there.

Build a Better Player...

2011-08-30T17:21:00.003-04:00

I've noticed a bunch of posts about building a better DM and improving ones DM skills. I've come to realize something over the years: a good game needs good players.

I'm stuck in a rut because of my regular group of players:

My dad plays a neutralish fighter with a cross of knightly and forester characteristics.

One of my oldest buddies always plays the freakshow supernatural character, usually a spell caster but not always.

Another plays a hulking marauding pillager.

One youngster plays mr unlucky...he'll go through 6 characters in the same time everyone else is on the same character they rolled up. He doesn't mind, he's not really wreckless but he gets his character killed so often he really hasn't gotten his groove.

My son plays a slight oddball marksman youth longing for greater things.

This happens in every campaign we play. For three of them it's pretty much described the past 25+ years of game play. I've seen such trends with other regular groups of players and it leads me to imagine this might be a universal problem. For games to be different players have to be able to play different characters.

Better DMs need better players.

So far so good...

2011-08-27T16:53:00.001-04:00

Just hanging around and enjoying the weather.

Rigors of the Crossing

2011-08-22T23:41:00.004-04:00

My current campaign takes place in The New Lands far from the homelands of the PC's. Anyone traveling to The New Lands faces health threats from enduring the rigors of the crossing.

Rigors of the Crossing:
All occupants of a vessel that make a crossing of the Allatian Sea must make 1d4 saves per crossing or face a malady with each failed save.

Maladies for Men and Related Races
1 -1 STR, Rickets
2 -1 CON, Grippe
3 -1 DEX, The Shakes
4 -1 CHA, Gull-pox
5 -1 INT, Magnus' Palsy
6 -1 WIS, St. Germaine's Malaise
Each month on land without particular treatment allows a save to remove one ailment acquired during the crossing. Bed rest for a month provides a +4 bonus to that save. A months' bed rest is an expensive luxury in remote colonial settlements.

Beasts making the crossing may suffer even more than men do having to make 2-5 saves or suffer as follows on each failed save.

Maladies for Horses and other Beasts
1 lose 1d8 h.p. , Whimpering Whinnies
2 move reduced by 10', Pawrot
3 -2 to saves vs physical elements, Belly Ripples
4 -2 to save vs magic, Druid's Bane
5 -2 to morale, Whitemane
6 -2 to attack rolls, Smokey Eye's

If a beasts malady is not specifically cured within 3 months it is permanent.

------
This chart serves 2 purposes it serves as a gross abstraction for how draining long sea voyages can be and it discourages frequent trips back and forth across the sea from colonies to homeland.

Big Brother is Calling.

2011-08-22T09:03:00.004-04:00

For the past two weeks a couple times a day I get a call from "Big Brother" as identified by my caller I.D., I pick up the phone to answer and no one is there.

I'm lead to believe either...

Big Brother is watching and want's to let me know he's keeping tabs and really has nothing to discuss because I should know what I'm doing

or

The Big Brother association is trying to get donations and their call system sucks

or

I live in a matrix-like universe and someone is tryign to get me to wake up to reality...

Two of those are great hooks for an RPG adventure. Anyone else have ideas for the mysterious "Big Brother" phone calls?

Yeah it's a full time job

2011-08-20T11:12:00.003-04:00

Dming is a job. But it's not really a job if course, it's a hobby that's part of another wider hobby. It can require a heck of a lot more "work" then other players are asked to put into the game of course.

I might be on the extreme edge but I likely spend 28 hours or more a week working on my campaign, reading game rules, reading about other folks games, exploring new tools, fiddling with maps and graphics, and doing research that is really ultimately game oriented. Along with actually DMing a few hours a week.

I haven't worked up all the details and certainly haven't communicated them to my players but there's a lot more then they are aware of or capable to immediately interact with going on at any moment. I've put the work in so I know what I mean when I say "You see a Riperian settler still a little worn by passage and a Frontiersman of mixed-descent in hillman dress, both are lightly armed" and the good game player will learn what that means.

Would I like the time to draw more to illustrate my games? Sure.
Would I like more tools? Sure would.
It'd be great for my job as DM to be easier and for me to quickly present more detailed encounters but that wouldn't keep me from putting in the "work" to build and run a campaign.

Remember to Save Your Files

2011-08-19T07:56:00.004-04:00

Last-night I couldn't sleep for a while so I pulled out the old Outdoor Survival map, fired up Adobe Illustrator and started reproducing a modular variation using those post-apocalyptic hex graphics I posted recently. Pretty awesome idea isn't it ?

The map was looking pretty sweet and I was pulling off a minor variation to allow them to be reassembled as per wilderness geomorphs...when blammo, the application decided my work of 90 minutes or so could go poof as I had forgotten to save my progress to that point.

Arggghhghghhhhh !!!

Equipment and Treasure Cards?

2011-08-18T12:07:00.005-04:00

I've been playing with the notion of equipment and treasure cards for the players for some time now. It seems darned handy for four reasons:

First off the players can have all the information about the item all in one spot and accurately recorded. One can record saves for the item and even things like freshness dates for rations and potions, all the stuff that players would usually never bother keeping track of or simply don't have ready access to in one place.

Secondly it makes encumbrance relatively easy...count the cards or tally the weight on the cards.

Easy book keeping, if you have the card you have the item or the treasure, don't have the card you don't' have it.

Lastly a DM can confirm the item card is actually on hand as it has physical presence, no "magical" appearances on character-sheets and no forgetting one is hauling around a ladder or other large item.

Disadvantages:
Secret and incomplete info has to be kept secret from the player and tracked by the DM, sure this is the normal situation but it does reduce the true utility of keeping cards.

A bunch of cards can be hard to keep track of physically and a person losing their cards in the real world loses them in the game world.
A DM would likely have to invest in some card holders to keep track of all the cards.

Big parties with a number of henchmen,hirelings, and pack animals are going tot need a lot of cards.

This method does introduce an interesting chance to alter play style. Instead of a DM reading a long list of items found after a good haul the DM can simply drop the cards on the tabel and have the players paw through them and discover what the treasure is, player actions will slow down play not a reading by the DM.
It may make sense to contain the contents of a pouch or chest in an envelope.
Maybe wrap the items held and carried by a foe in a rubber-band.

So any good ideas or criticisms against homemade equipment and treasure cards?

Early Critical Hit Systems

2011-08-13T21:09:00.003-04:00

Critical hits and their place in D&D have been a matter of contention and common house-rule and core rules over the editions. Many an old timer rejects critical hits, forgetting they were with the game from the origin.

Does the game really need them, no of course not, if you don't want them don't use them. I'm going to give a brief overview and criticism of early critical hit systems.

House Rules from Unknown Times (that may or may not have gotten into the rulebooks later)

The Ancient Critical Hit on a 20 houserule:
On a to hit die roll of 20 the blow scores double damage.
Players love this rule until the monsters that dish a lot of damage also deal out critical hits. Well okay some players still love getting characters bitten in half. The bummer factor with this commonly applied house rule is when you roll a 1...woo hoo 1x2 is 2 a massive 2 potions of damage, not so exciting or all that critical a wound.

The keep on hitting critical rule:
On a hit roll of 20 you get to make another attack. Apply damage for successful attacks. Kinda cool, you aren't likely to get stuck with a massive critical hit of 2 points of damage but you also might not get any extra damage at all. It also slows down play with more dice rolling but there is the exciting chance of more and more hits and a non-hardass DM might allow the extra attack against another target if the first would likely be finished off by a single blow.

TSR Critical hits
In the olden days the critical hit was included in D&D from the get go and in supplements and in a similar game.

Arial Combat Criticals from Book 3 of the original rules.
The originasl edition of D&D had a subsystem for arial combat in book 3 and hits on flying creatures could score critical hits in arial combat.

Depending on angle of attack one had different odds of striking a flying target in the head, wing, body, tail or rider .
Once the location hit was determined it was then possible to determine if a target was reduced to 1/2 speed, forced to land, forced to withdraw or crashed.

This was clearly some sort of carry-over from WW-I flying games and certainly meant to play out combat between such combatants as roc riders and dragon riders. This method however does have potential to carry over into the rest of the generally abstract nature of the game but it curiously was restricted to flying monsters.

Hit Location and Blackmoor
In the second official D&D supplement a detailed hit location system was presented and while it wasn't explicitly a critical hit system it sure functioned like one by allowing folks to deal and suffer even more random death upon foes.

Combatants could each be struck in different locations and each location had it's own HP score based on type of creature and full HP. Your head had 15% of total hp, the chest 80%, the arms 20% each and so on.

You were killed when total damage suffered to various body parts reached 100% of the normal total or when ones head or chest was destroyed by taking it locations total in damage. Limb damage caused a crippling loss of dexterity.

Now all that was sort of realistic but it was also a bummer as most characters and monsters in D&D lacked HP totals to make it much of a point to calculate the results. Almost all 1st level characters are instantly killed on a head hit (as 15% of 6 is 1). 50% of all head blows would end up killing any foe with less then 30 total HP.
Brutal indeed but D&D characters really don't have enough hp to make it fun paperwork it was really a "bang you are dead" critical hit system.

I did use this system with a GW campaign and it worked great there, but the average character in that game starts with 33 hp.

EPT Double Damage and Instant Death
In the Empire of The Petal Throne game which was described as some in the olden days as being vanilla D&D (vanilla? really more like ginger and rose water if you ask me) was essentially a D&D rules variant published by TSR and one could find a critical hit rule within that may have spawned one of the common house-rules mentioned above.

In EPT any hit roll of 20 does double damage and entitles the attacker to make another roll to try for an instant kill if a second roll comes up 19 or 20.

Pretty fierce and random along with the excitement of 2 pt critical hits. I'm not surprised the instant death variant wasn't a popular variant in many a house-ruled campaign.

So there you go an exploration of early critical hit systems in D&D. Critical hits add excitement and an increased random chance of death of beloved PC's and Mary Sue NPCs with varying degrees of playability and annoyance. I've used all of them in my games but one saw very limited use and I know I'm going to explore that one for future use in my games and in a future post.