Rpgreview 13

RPG REVIEW
Issue #13 & #14, December 2011
Planescape and D20 Double Issue A Crafty Interview Pathfinder Planescape ... Assassins Fantasy Craft ... Cthulhu Existentialism Movie and PC Games Reviews Industry News and more!
1RPGREVIEWISSUETHIRTEEN&FOURTEENDecember2011
TableofContents
Administrivia,Editorial ACraftyInterview HotGossip:IndustryNews D20HistoryandProductReview NatashaKeshell:AnAD&DCharacter EffectiveCombatTacticsforAssassins StopTheMadness! AYearWithFantasyCraft TheShiftedSoul:PathfinderPlanescape PlanescapeSpellCompendium PlanescapeCharms NoExit:AnExistentialistD&DScenario TheIllogicsofD&D D20OrientExpressandNyarlathotep RecalculatingHitPointsD&D4e PGGameReview:VirtualVillagers MovieReview:DeathlyHallows MovieReview:Contagion NextIssue byRPGReview withPatrickKaperaandAlexFlagg byWuMingshi byLevLafayette byStewWilson byJohnnFour byPoisonShadow byKarlDavidBrown byFelixAplin byFelixAplin byFelixAplin byLevLafayette bymanypeople byLevLafayette byMattStevens byMattLindus byAndrewMoshos byAndrewMoshos bymanypeople p23 p47 p8 p918 p1928 p2426 p2731 p3244 p4557 p5872 p7385 p8693 p9498 p99117 p118 p119 p120124 p124127 p128
ADMINISTRIVIA
RPGReviewisaquarterlyonlinemagazinewhichisavailableinprintversionRealSoonNow.Allmaterialremainscopyrighttotheauthorsexcept forthereprintingasnotedinthefirstsentence.Varioustrademarksandimageshavebeenusedinthismagazineofreviewandcriticism.This includesthePathfinderRoleplayingGamebyPaizoPublishing,PlanescapebyWizardsoftheCoast,Dungeons&DragonsbyWizardsoftheCoast, D20byWizardsoftheCoast,CallofCthulhubyChaosium,DeathlyHallowsdistributedbyWarnerBrothers,ContagiondistributedbyWarner Brothers.Anyuseofimages,materialetc,isnottobeconstruedasachallengetoanyintellectualpropertyandisunder"fairuse".TextisinNimbus Roman,headingsinNimbusSans,frontpageinUtopia.Anyerrorsoromissionsareunintentional.ThefrontcoverimageisfromaChristies catalogue(lotitem4205385)foraRomanglassdiefromthesecondcenturyCE.Withanestimatedvalueof$4000to$6000itsoldfor$17,925. There'ssomeseriouslywealthygamersoutthere.Anygeneroussoulwanttofinanceafanzine?
EDITORIAL
Ain'titdeadyet?Apparentlynot.WhilstnominallymarkedasadoubleissueforDecember2011,wehaveembarked intothenewyearsoauldlangsyneandallthat(no,notforgotten).Butifthetimeisjustalittleoutofline,thecontent certainlyisn't.Thisisindeed,averysubstantialD20andPlanescapedoubleissueofRPGReview;perhapsthemost significantgamesystem(insales,popularityandinfluence)whichI'veattemptedtocombineinonearticlealongthe manyandvariedpermutations,combinedwithaveritablemountainofmaterialforPlanescapewrittenbynewcomerto ourfold,FelixAplin.BothareaptlyhelpedwithaninterviewwiththetwomainmindsfromCraftyGames,responsible forSpycraftandFantasyCraft,PatrickKaperaandAlexFlagg. PrecursorsandtangentsfromD20arealsoincluded;generatorofmanycharacters,StewWilson,hasprovidedan AD&D1esamplecharacterthusprovidingbothretrospectivecontentaswellasourregularsampleNPC.Regular contributorKarlBrownprovideshisexperiencewithaD20likefantasysystemwithFantasyCraft,whereasJohnn Fourprovidesaselectionoftacticsonassassinsfromhislatestpublication.ForthemostrecentincarnationofD&D, MattStevensembarksonavaluableattempttospeedupcombatbyrecalculatinghitpoints.Becausewebelievein balance,alonglostclassicarticlebyananonymous7thSeafanwhowasnottheleastpleasedwiththeD20steamroller. Formyownscenariocontribution,lightupaGauloise,forthereisanofferingofanExistentialistD&Ddungeon, guaranteedtodrivethecharactersmad,plusconversionrulesfortwoofthemostpopularCthulhucampaigns. NewcomerMattLindusprovidesthreeshortreviewsofPCgamesandhopefullywe'llseemoreofhisexcellent materialinfutureissues.LongtermheroAndrewMoshosgivesusthesword(orlaser)ofHollywoodwithreviewsof tworecentandverypopularfilms,andlastbutnotleast,ourdearestMinghsitellsallthenewsshe'sreceivedthrough herbanyanvines.. Sowhathavewelearnedfromthed20experience?Well,actuallythelessonisolderthanthat.Thelessondatesbackto thegenericnatureofTheChaosiumsystem,somewhatlesssowiththeRolemaster/Spacemastersystem,andcertainly withGURPS.Ageneralrulethatcanbeappliedisthatawell designedgamesystemthatsatisfiesasomelevelofrealism andprovidesdetailedflexibilitycanbecomeapowerfulforce inthehobby.Thishascertainlybeenachievedwithgames thathavehadasimulationistorgamistcreativeagenda, butlesssowiththenewer,narrativistsystemswhich, stronglyassociatedwithindependentpublications,arealittle likethepunkrockfanzinesoftheRPGworld.Mostofthem aresimplydesignedforarelativelyshort(severalsession) storywithsimple,ifclever,rulesareareremarkablylacking indetail.Evengameswhichareexplicitlyorientatednow towardsbeinggeneric(e.g.,thelatesteditionofHeroQuest) aresomewhatlackinginthisregard.Soperhapssurprisingly, thelessonlearnedfromD20gamesisalessonfornarrativist games.Makeonethatisgeneric,flexibleanddetailedand perhapswe'llseeanotherD20sizedseismicshiftinthe hobby. Anywayenjoytheissue...andpleaseconsiderwriting,eitheranarticleoraletterforthenext.Itkeepseditorsenthused. LevLafayette(lev@rpgreview.net)
ACRAFTYINTERVIEW
withPatrickKaperaandAlexFlagg PatrickKaperaandAlexFlaggdevelopedSpycraft,thepopulard20andOGLmodernactionandespionageRPGfirst introducedin2002byAlderacEntertainmentGroup.TheylaterfoundedCraftyGames(www.craftygames.com)to takeoverwhereAEGleftoff,andcreatedFantasyCraft,amodularfantasytoolkitRPGusingthesamerules. Theyre currentlyworkingSpycraftThirdEdition,alongwithacompanionmodernstreet crimegamecalledTen ThousandBullets,buttheirlatestreleaseistheMistbornAdventureGame,basedonthebestsellingnovelsbyBrandon Sanderson(www.brandonsanderson.com). RPGREVIEW:HelloPatandAlexandwelcometoRPGReview.Letmebeginwhichisatypicalfirstquestionfor peopleweinterviewhere.Howdidyoufirstgetinvolvedinroleplayinggames? ALEX: Formypart,Igotinvolvedwithcreatingroleplayinggamesincollege,whereImetWillHindmarch(line developerforVampire,andmostrecentlydeveloperforGreenRoninsDragonAgeRPG).Hewasfiringupasmall companyandwebanteredarounddifferentideas.Iendedupleavingschoolnottoolongafter,butthebugwasstarted. Afterafewyearsworkingonvideogameprojects,IfoundmyselfyearningforsomethingdifferentsoIturnedback tomyfirstloveofRPGs. D20wasinfullswingatthetime,soItriedmyhandatcreatingad20crimegamecalledTenThousandBullets.Iwas makinggoodprogressonwhatIexpectedtobeafreereleaseontheinternetwhenIranacrossagamecalledSpycraft. Ithadabout80%ofwhatIwasdoinginmyowngame,soIwroteupAEG(inreality,Pat)andofferedtomake10kBa Spycraftsupplementinstead.Hewasintrigued,andIbroughtan80pagedesigndocumenttoshowhimatGenCon 2002.Iwashiredonthespot. PAT:OhtheworkIsaddledAlexwithinthoseearlydays...Goodtimes.Mystartintheindustrywasverymuchan accident.IwasattendingalocalshowinSouthernCaliforniaandspottedanoldfriendbehindatableattheAEGbooth. It turned out hed been hired as the editor for Shadis Magazine and when I asked whether they were hiring he introducedmetoMaureenYates,AEGsbusinessmanageratthetime.Shebroughtmeonasaneditorialinternunder D.J.TrindleandIspentafewmonthstinkeringwithexistingmanuscripts.Bytheendofthattime,however,Id managedtowritefortwobooksandinonecaseproducedenoughmaterialtogetmynameonthecover.AtthatpointI thinktheyfeltobligedtohireme. RPGREVIEW: YoubothhavealonglistofcreditsassociatedwithAEG.Wouldyoucaretorevealalittleabout workingintheindustryandwithAEGinparticular? ALEX:AtAEGIwasamechanicsfreelancer,focusingontheSpycraftlineanditssubsidiaries,includingStargate: SG1.Comparedtothelifeofacompanyowner,itwasprettyeasyhavesomemeetings,grindoutsomecopy,make someedits,collectapaycheck.Asaguywhowrotewebandprintcopyatthetime,itwasjustlikemydayjob,only withmoremathandabitmorecreativelicense.
PAT:MyfirstfewyearsatAEGremainthemostfulfillingIveeverhad.ItwasntjustthefactthatAEGwasatthe epicenterofamajorrevolutioninthegamingindustry,orthefactthatIdluckedintoadreamgigattheheadofone awesomeproductlineafteranother...Itwasthepeople.Inthoseearlydaystheofficewasapowerhouseofcollective talent,andImadefriendsIlltaketomygrave.Itsalsowonderfultoseeallthosefriendlyfacesnowsmilingback fromsomanyhighprofileprojectsontheshelvestoday...GuildWars2,ArkhamHorror,Descent,Monsterpocalypse, UFS,EdgeofMidnight,Firefall...AlltouchedbyformerAEGstaffers.Sotorevealabitabouttheindustrynotjust thehobbygamingindustrybutthebroadergamingindustryitssmallerthanyoumightthink. RPGREVIEW:Butofcourse,yourenowkeyfiguresinCraftyGames,supportingtheSpycraftandFantasyCraft lines.Couldyoutellusmoreaboutthattransition,andhowCraftyGamesfares.Isitreallypossibletomakealivingin theRPGindustry? ALEX: Ithinkyouneedtodefinewhatyoumeanbyliving.CanyoueatandaffordyourownplaceonanRPG developerssalary?Probably,ifyouareprolificenoughasafreelanceroronstaffatareputablepublisher.Couldyou bethesolebreadwinnerinafamilyoffour,holdingdownamortgageandcarpayments?Doubtfulbutthen,how manyjobscanyouactuallydothatwithnowadays? PatsourfulltimeCraftyemployeeandIworktwojobswebcontentmanagerbydayandcompanyownerbynight whileIputmywifethroughschool.Itswhatyouvegottodo.IverecentlystartedtransitioningtomoreofaCrafty focusasmywifeisneargraduationwithherpharmacydegree,whichisnice.Thesugarmamaplanshouldletmego fulltimein2012,andIcouldntbemoreexcited. Being successful in todays industry is all about knowing the market and being nimble. Video games and other interactiveentertainmenthasobviouslyhadasignificanteffectonthemarketsincethehalcyondaysofthelate90s, butthereareplentyofothervenueswhichprovideacompanywithgreatopportunitiestobesuccessful.Crafty,for example,wasabiginvestorinPDFanddigitaldistributionfromthegetgo,andwebuiltthecompanyfromthatbase into a print operation. Building good, mutuallybeneficial partnerships, establishing a strong reputation for both consistencyandquality,keepingyoureartothegroundforthenextthing,andstayingflexibleinyourapproachto businesscanbenefitanyoneintheRPGindustry,nomattertheirsize. PAT:AlexcoveredmostofitbutIcanattestthatitisindeedpossibletomakeapermanentlivinginthehobbygames industry.ImlivingproofIvebeendoingitfor14yearsandcounting.Granted,eightofthosewerewithoneofthe biggestandmostinfluentialcompaniesoutthere(AEG),andIvehadmyfairshareofluckybreaks,butIvealso pouredalotofblood,sweat,andtearsintoit,andIveneverforgottenthepeoplewhogotmehere.Aswithanyjobthis isaboutwhoyouknowand,evenmoreimportantly,howyoutreat them.Iveworkedveryhardtoforgelasting friendshipsnotjustrelationshipsbutgenuinefriendshipswitheveryoneIcan,andthatspaidoffnotjustonthe businessfrontbutalsodramaticallyimprovedmyqualityoflifeacrosstheboard.Mylifecouldntbemoredifferent sinceIvejoinedthiscrazyprofession,andImthankfuleverydaythatIgettobepartofit. Now,youaskedaboutthetransitionfromAEGtoCrafty.Imnotgonnalie...itwasnttrivial.Goingfromastaff positionwithpaidholidaysandhealthinsurancetopayingforliterallyeverythingyourselfisjustthetipoftheiceberg. Thelogisticsofrunningacompanyaloneareenoughtoscareoffmostsanepeople,anditsreallyjustunbridled tenacityanddeep,abidingloveforwhatwedothatsgottenusthisfar.Therearenewandcomplexchallengesallthe
time,fromhowtoprioritizeyourtimetohowtosellyourproductsandbeyond,butontheupsidelifeisneverboring. Yourethecaptainofyourowndestiny,andthatsprettysweet,especiallywhenyourefortunateenoughtoscorethe kindsofprojectsandattractthekindoftalentwehave.Craftysfutureislookingbrightereveryday,andforthatwere eternallygrateful. RPGREVIEW:SpycraftandFantasyCraftared20derivedgames.Lookingback,wasthedecisiontomakead20 derivedespionagegameonewhichwascarriedoutwithsomemarketresearchorwasitgutinstinctthattherewasa niche? PAT: AlittlefromcolumnA...Iknewtherewasanicheforespionage,whichwaswhatgottheoriginalSpycraft projectgoing.Idbeenkeepingmyeartothegroundandknewtherewasamassiveswellofspyrelatedmovies,TV shows,andbookscoming,andImanagedtoconvincethePowersthatBetoletmetakeaswingatthegenre.Originally SpycraftwassupposedtobeaRollandKeepgame(thatsthesystemusedintheawardwinningLegendoftheFive RingsRPG),andsomewhereIhaveaprettywelldevelopeddraftofthatstoredforposterity.Aroundthesametime,of course,WizardswasworkingonD&DsThirdEdition,andtheyweregraciousenoughtoshowAEGsomeoftheir workaheadofrelease.Thatwasreallyallittookforustojumponthatbandwagon,asitwasprettyclearfromthe outsettheywereontosomethingspecial.Therest,astheysay,ishistory. RPGREVIEW:OK,sowhatdoyouseeasthemainadvantagesofSpycraftandFantasyCraft?Whywouldntone simplyplayd20ModernwithanespionagestoryorD&D3.x? ALEX: IthinkRPGsareliketoolboxeswhileyoucanalwaysuseafewbasictoolstocreatealmostanything, havingjusttherighttoolsforthejobathandmakesitsomucheasier.Sure,youcanbuildamansionwithahacksaw andmallet,butwouldntyouratherdoitwithabackhoe,powerdrill,scaffolding,andnailgun? Spycraftisagamebuiltforaspecificpurposeitsjob,firstandforemost,istohelpyoutellspystories,andit providesthetoolsyouneedtodosorightinthebox.Keypiecesforthegenre,likerulesforchases,seductions, exposure,agencies,coveridentities,investigation,andsoonareallprovidedtohelpyoumakeyourperfectspygame. ThatinmyopinionisthebiggestvalueSpycraftbringstothetableforthegamer:lesstimeprepping,moretime playing. FantasyCraft,thoughithasasimilarname,takesadifferentstance.Whatwewantedwiththatgamewastoprovide playerswithatoolkittohelpthembuildtheirownperfectfantasyworld.Fantasyroleplayingisalreadychockfullof reallycompelling,fun,coolsettings,sowewantedtogivefolksthetoolsandrulestheyneededtobringthoseworldsto lifeattheirtable,notjustaspresentedbutexactlyasdesired.Tothisend,FantasyCraftisthemostmodularofallour gamesthingslikecampaignqualities,Alignments,technologicalEras,monsters,andevenanumberofclassescan beturnedon,off,orchangedwiththeflipofaproverbialswitch.Wefeelthismodularapproachreallyempowersboth GMsandplayerstosupporttheworldstheycreatewithsolidrulesthatenable,ratherthanrestrict,howtheirsettings andstorieswork. RPGREVIEW:WhatsCraftyGamesplanninginthenearfutureandwheredoyouseethehobbygoing?
ALEX:ThebiggestnewsfromusisthatwevejustreleasedtheMistbornAdventureGame,basedonthenovelseries byNewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorBrandonSanderson.Itsaruleslight,darkepicfantasygamewithareally uniqueflavorandanawesomemagicsystem,wheretheplayersbecomeoutlawheroesfightingagainsttheoppressive FinalEmpire.Wevegotbigplansinthecomingmonthsandyearsforthisline,includingasupplementbasedonthe brandnewnovelintheseries,AlloyofLaw. Beyondthat,wereplanningabigreturnfortheworldsgreatestespionageRPGinSpycraftThirdEdition,andwellbe couplingthatwithTenThousandBullets(or10kB),thegameImentionedatthebeginningoftheinterview. AsforwhereIseethehobbygoinginthenextfewyears,Ithinkweregoingtoseeacontinuingtrendtowards simplicity.OnepositiveeffectofvideogamesontabletopRPGsinmyopinionistheexpectationno,the demand formoreintuitiveandrewardingplay.Gamesthatfindawaytosuccessfullybalancethistrendtowardssimplicity withoutmakingthegameshalloworboardgamelikewill,Ithink,reapgreatrewardsinthefuture. PAT: Ofcoursewerealreadyseeing thisinD&DNext,whichIpersonally findreallyexciting.Ilovemanygames including Pathfinder, and I think its hightimewegotbacktolovingD&D as well. What were seeing out of Wizardsdesigndepartmentisalready illustratingalotofwhatIthinkwell seeinthefuture:innovationmarriedto integration, braving new futures withoutforgettingthepast...Itswhat were after with Spycraft Third Edition,andIexpect youllseemore and more of it from all corners. No ones interested in abandoning what worksforthem,buttheresapioneer spiritinalotofcornersrightnow,and Ithinkdesignersthatcapitalizeonthat willreallyshineinyearstocome. RPGREVIEW:ThanksforjoiningusatRPGReview! ALEX&PAT:Thanksforhavingus!
INDUSTRYNEWS
byWuMingshi HoseiboMr.Lev,Happydragonstoyou,longlongtimenosee, Soyoucomeback,la?YouthinkMingshidon'tmind,disappearforeightmonthslikepregnantgirlfriend,andno problemwhenyoureturn?Verycham.Don'tactcutebuaywithme,youbeenseesomeotherfanzine,la?Mingshi stronggirlwith+2SwordofSharpnesstodoBobbitonyouifIeyeballyoufindkway.Soyouwantnews?Well Mingshihadnewsbutyougoalldoubleonherandhernewsstaleandsala.Sonownewnewnewsneed. FirstnewsMinghiprovideonironplate.InitsannualaddressICEsayitletdownfansinpastduetobusinessfailures andthatfuture"behindthescenes"fixeswillmakefanshappyagain.Neverseeitbefore,isit?Maybenogopokkai thistime?SecondnewsisAdamantEntertainmentmakesbigpromisewithmultimediasplash.Bignewwebsite,new roleplayinggame,newcomicsandallforwhat?AWuxiaWesternmashup,withname"TalesoftheFarWest".Ahh, verygarangthisone,lah?MyfirstcharacternameAnnSergioLeeone.Also,agoodhowlfromWhiteWolf,they bringlotsofoldclassicsbackwith"NowInPrint"series.Hunter,Vampire,Exalted,andmanyothers.Thisgivechance toMingshiandmanyorangtogotgoodoldbooksfromGothicPunk(TM)days.Thattotalworth.Inmyislandhome GothicPunk(TM)notsogood,toosteamy,makeuprunalldownface. Pathfinderhavenewscenarios,make Mingshithinkthatthisisthenewyou knowwhat.PostmortemStudiossell Thulu:SixPackAdventuresandOpen DesignhaveZobeckGazeteer.Not outdoneGoodmanGameshave DungeonCrawl#66:TheVampire's VengenceforD&Dfourthedition. FromIndyScenespecialsciencefiction gameHELLAShavemajorsupplement, WineDarkVoidwithnewships, construction,slipspace(likeMingshiata newnightclub,lah?),andthegoddess Aionisia. Mingshithroughgreateyepoweralso heartalkingcockaboutcoastalwizards alreadybeginningworkonD&D5th edition.Sosoon?! OK,thatallfrommethisquartering! Mingshi!xxxooo
D20HISTORYANDREVIEW
byLevLafayette
AD20andOGLPrimer WiththereleaseofDungeons&Dragons,3rdedition,the"d20System"wasalsointroduced.Thiswouldbecomethe dominantroleplayingsystemofthedecade,andcertainlyhighlyinfluentialinthisseconddecadeofitsexistence. LargelyreleasedasaSystemReferenceDocument(SRD)itwasalsopartofanewbusinessmodelapproachwhich shiftedawayfromonerouslicensesinfavourofoftheOpenGameLicense(OGL),althoughitmustbepointedoutthat theD20trademarkwasquiteseparatefromtheOGL,whichhadsignificantrepercussions. IntermsofmechanicalapproachcomparisonsareinvariablymadewithSteveJacksons'GURPSorChaosium's implementationsoffromtheBasicRoleplayingSystem.Certainlyofthetwothelatterhasagreaterdegreeofaccuracy, asd20neversoughttobecomeafullygenericsystem.ThecomparisonwithGURPSisusuallymadeonaccountofthe rangeofmaterialthatisavailable.Asanadditionalelaborationhoweveritmustbestatedthatsomesubsequent developmentsfromtheD20/OGLlineareorientatedasagenericsystem(suchasTrue20)andwiththeadditionof varioussupplementsitdidbecomeauniversalsysteminitsownright. AnothercommonmisconceptionisthattheOpenGamingLicenseissomesortofgamingequivalentoftheGNU GeneralPublicLicense.Thedifferencesareactuallyquitestrong.WhereasaGPLproductrequiresthatderivedworks canonlybedistributedunderthesamelicensetermsandthataggregateproducts,(e.g.,attachedtothesamesoftware executable),mustcomeunderthesamelicense.IncontrasttheOGLdefinedtwotypesofcontentinitslicense;that whichwasopengamecontent(OGC),whichcouldbeused, modifiedanddistributed(withcredit),andproductidentity(PI) whichcouldnot.Inadditiontherewasthed20SystemTrademark License,whichrequiredpublisherstoexcludecertainrulesand adheretoanacceptablecontentpolicytobeabletousethed20 logo.Somegames(suchasMongoose'sOGL)chosetousethe OGLandnotD20.TheD20systemcomeswithaSystem ReferenceDocument(SRD),whichincludesthesetofthecore mechanicsreleasedundertheOGL,designedtolackelaborations, andspecificproductreferences(e.g.,WorldofGreyhawk) ThehistoryofthelicenseSRD/d20/OGLhasbeenmessy,tosay theleast.Partoftheproblemwascomesfromtheattempttocouple "free"and"nonfree"licensesinthesameproduct;itwassupposed tobeameansbywhichonecouldexpandthemarket(viathe "free"part)whilststillprotectingexclusiveprofits(the"nonfree" part).Whenonepublisher,TheValarProject,attemptedtoproduce thed20BookofEroticFantasy,whichinvolvedvariouscharacter basedsexualissues,thed20licensewasalteredtocomplywith "communitystandardsofdeceny",preventingpublicationofthe book(itwassubsequentlypublishedundertheOGL).Fromother publishersitbepopulartomaximisetheamountofcontentlisted
Notuptocommunitystandardsofdecency.
under"productidentity",whichcertainlyrenderedthespiritoftheOGLquiteimpotent.FinallyastheD20trademark licensewasrevokable,therewasquiteashocktothegamingcommunitywhen,in2009,thatlicensewasrevoked leavinganumberofsmallpublishersconfused,tosaytheleast. Howeverthisarticleisn'tprimarilyaboutthelicensingissues,assignificantastheymaybe.Itisaboutthegames themselves,theirevolutionanddevelopment.Asanoverviewonecanrefertothetwomaind20products,thatis Dungeons&Dragonsthirdedition(v3.0)andDungeons&Dragonsthirdedition,revised(v3.5).Asdirectelaborations totheline,therewasalsoreasonablypopulargamesthatwerealsopublishedbyWizardsoftheCoast,suchasd20 Modern(andthesupplementsd20Past,d20Future,d20Apocalypse,d20Cyberscape),d20CallofCthulhu,Oriental Adventures(ad20versionofLegendoftheFiveRings),andtheStarWarsRoleplayingGame.Otherpublishers includedAlderacEntertainment'sSwashbucklingAdventures(ad20versionof7thSea),SpycraftandFantasyCraft, AmarilloDesignBureau'sPrimeDirectived20,QLI/RPGRealm'sTraveller20,andMongoose'sOGLAncients,OGL CyberNet,OGLHorror,OGLManga,OGLSteampunk,andOGLWildWest,GreenRonin'sBlueRose,Mutants& MastermindsandTrue20AdventureRoleplayingGameandfinallyPaizo'sPathfinderRoleplayingGame.Thisisbyno meansanexhaustivelistandcertainlydoesn'tgointotheextremenumberofd20systemsupplementsthatbecame available,butitdoesprovidefortheopportunityforanworkingoverview. Dungeons&Dragonsv3.0andv3.5 ThemostimportantthingtorealiseabouttheD20versionofD&Dgamesystemisthat,fundamentally,itwasvery muchsostillD&D.Thechangesweresignificantofcourse,certainlyfarmoresignificantthanthosefromAD&Dfirst editiontoAD&Dsecondeditionwhicharguablywereinsignificantgiventhetwelveyearsthathadpassed.Ratherlike MSDOSandMSNT,thegamealsomergedtwostreamstogetherandalsoliketheoperatingsystemitusedthename ofthesystemwhichhadtheleastinfluenceinthenewproduct.Itwasn'tpromotedatAdvancedDungeons&Dragons thirdedition,orDungeons&Dragonssixthversion. Referencesemanticsaside,therewasanewproductanditwasD&Dintermsofallitsmajordistinguishingfeatures. ThecoreabilityscoreswerestillStrength,Constitution,Dexterity,Intelligence,Wisdom,andCharisma,withan averagevalueof1011.Aftersaidchoicecamethevariousfantasyraceswiththeirspecialbenefits,thechoiceof characterclasswiththeirbenefitsacquiredbylevelandexperiencepoints,andtheabstractalignmentsystemformoral andlegalisticoutlooks.Itevencameasathreebooksetentitled"PlayersHandbook","DungeonMastersGuide"and "MonsterManual". Therewerehoweversomenotablechanges,mostofwhichweresignificantimprovements.ThecombinationofMonte Cook(Rolemaster),JonathanTweet(ArsMagica,OverTheEdge),andSkipWilliams(AD&D2e)workedwellto ensurebothimaginativesolutionstooldproblemsandthattherewasasenseofcontinuity.Therewasalsoasenseof makingthegamemoreenjoyable;annoyingfeaturessuchasclass,levelandracecombinationsweredropped(for example),butgamebalancewaslargelykeptbygivinghumanssomeextrabenefits. Abilityscoreswerenolongercappedat25andtheyhadauniversallylinearrateofmodifications.Spellabilitieswere extendedtoincludetheCharismaforsorcerersandbards(althoughoddly,notfor0levelspells).Multiclassingwas madetobesomewhatsimplerandmoreadaptable;mostnotablythedistinctionbetweenmulticlassinganddualclassed characterswasremoved.Mostnotably,nearlyall(excludingsomeprestigeclasses)classeswereavailabletoallraces. Characterscouldgainalevelofanycharacterclassoftheirchoosing,ratherthansplittingexperiencepointsoronly gaininglevelsinthesecondclass.Apenaltysystemwasintroducedforhavingmultipleclasseswithdivergentlevels.
Leveladvancementwasalsonotablyfaster,arateofroughlyonelevelpergamesessionfromexperience.Classgroups (fighters,clerics,rogues,wizards)wereremoved.Specialistwizardandmythospriestswereremoved,although similaritycouldbeachievedbyspellchoices,featsandprestigeclassesetc.Theintroductionofthesorcerer,aspell casterwithnaturalratherthanlearnedabilities,addedtotherange.Finally,prestigeclasses,highlevelclasseswith prerequisites,werealsointroduced,althougharguablyaprestigeimprovementexistedasthenamelevelinprevious editionsofD&DandAD&D.Levelsprovided,automaticallyandwithspecificvaluesvariesbyclass,increasestothe baseattackbonus,bonusestosavingthrowsbutrandomincreasesinhitpoints. Abiggerchange,andperhapsmorecontroversial,wastheskillandfeatsystem.AD&Dhadaskillsysteminprior editions,ofsorts,butinD&D3eitbecamefarmoreextensivewithadditionalcomplexitywithclassskillsandcross classskillsdefineddowntohalfranklevels.Particularadvantages,oftenallocatedtoclassdescriptions,becamebinary 'feats',asortofcatchallcategoryforspecialabilities.Extensiveanddetailed,theskillandfeatsystembecamebotha sourceofpopularityandofcriticismforprovidingsignificantdetail,butalsoforsometimeconsumingminutiae. Themostsignificantchangeofallhoweverwastheintroductionofauniversalcoursemechanic,thed20system. Whereaspreviouseditionsofthegamealmosthadaspecialresolutionmethodforeverygroupofactions(sometimes
rollhigh,sometimesrolllow,sometimesd20,sometimespercentile,sometimesd6etc),D&D3eintroducedamethod ofD20,plusbonuses,beatadifficultytargetnumber.Thesetargetnumberswereconsistentandscalablewithalarge numberofexamplesthatseemedwelltested.Savingthrowswereintegratedintothed20mechanic,reducedfromfive, onformsofattack,tothreedefensivemechanisms;fortitude(Con),reflex(Dex),andwill(Wis). Theinitiativesystemwasalsochangedtoad20system,specificallyactionsinorderofd20+Dexbonus.Thecombat roundwaschangedfrom1minuteinAD&D1stand2ndeditiontosixseconds(D&Dusedtensecondrounds). Followingfrompreviouseditions,thed20systemwasimplementedinattackrollsasd20+bonusesversesatarget numberof10+armourclass,ratherthantheTHACOsystem. InJuly2003arevisededitonwasreleasedasDungeons&Dragonsv3.5.Thisapproachofrevisionhadbeenused beforeinsecondeditionAD&D,toindicateahighlysimilarbutnotidenticalsetofcorerules.Thechangeswere relativelymodest;aslightimprovementforbarbarians,bardsanddruids,sometweakstomonks,paladinsandrangers. Anumberofspellswerechanged,withsomenotablechangestoclericspells.Butoverall,itwasstilld20Dungeons& Dragons.Whetherornot4theditionDungeons&Dragonsisalsoad20systemisamatterofsomedebate.Wizardsof theCoastcertainlythinkso,marketingD&D4theditioninthed20systemhomeoftheirwebsitetheissuewillbe exploredlatterinthearticle. D20Modern,D20Cthulhuet.al. FollowingthesuccessofDungeons&Dragons3e,itbecameclearthatthecoresystemwashighlyadaptableandcould betransposedtodifferentgenres.EvenfromtheearlydaysofTSRthispotentialhadbeenrecognised,albeitwithouta greatdegreesofsuccess.D20wasdifferent;theintroductionofD20modernprovedextremelypopular,andwas quicklyexpandedtoincludeextrarelevantsupplements,suchasD20PastandD20Future. UnlikeD&D,D20modernusedmoregenericclasses.Insteadoffighters,clerics,druids,wizards,etc.itbasedabroad characterclassoneachofthecoreabilityscores.ThusaStrongHerowasrelatedtostrength,aFastHerotodexterity,a SmartHerotointelligence,aDedicatedHerotowisdom,andaCharismaticherotocharisma.Thisisnottosuggestthat thegamelackedclassspecialisation,howeverthisdidnotoccuruntillaterlevelsasadvancedclasses,whichvaried betweenthesensible(e.g.Negotiator,Engineer,Explorer)andthespeculativeforspecialeffects(e.g.,BattleMind, ShadowSlayeretc).Inadditionallcharactersatfirstlevelchooseanoccupationwhichprovidesaselectionofskills andamodifiertowealth. AsperthestandardD20system,eachcharacterclassreceivesavariednumberofskillpointsperlevel,whichcanbe distributedasranksinparticularskills,withdistinctionbetweenclassandcrossclassskills.Theresolutionmethodis skillranks+ability+d20versusatargetnumber.Theselectiondealslargelywiththeprosaic,althoughthespecialist skillKnowledge(ArcaneLore)maygiveabitofahintthatallisnotwhatitseems.AnicetouchismakingWealtha skill,representingoftotalpurchasingpower,albeitstrangelyfromasomewhatrandombase. Thiscombinationofthemundaneandthespeculativeisconsistentthroughoutthegame,whichistobeexpected consideringitisanattempttoreachgenericappeal.Ofcourse,itispossibletoplaythegamewithoutanenhanced reality,butunlessthere'saparticularfondnessforpaperandpaychecks,therewillusuallybeatleastamodicumofthe speculativeandthisiscertainlythecasehere.Feats,forexample,includethegenericsort(Acrobatic,Endurance, ImprovedInitiative),thetechnologicallyadvanced(LaserWeaponProficiency)andthemagical(AdvancedSecretsof
Glamour).Asortofspecialistfeatpathexistsin eachclassintheformofTalents;forexamplea charismaticherocanmakeadvancesinFast TalkorLeadership. Sometimesthecombinationresultsinunusual breachesofexpectations.D20Modern explicitlydescribesitselfasacinematicgame, whichisfineinitself.Thisisundoubtedlypart ofthethinkingbehindfollowingthehitpoints increaseperleveldesignforexample.However modernfirearmsareanythingbutcinematic.As adesignresult,D20Modernhassomeofthe mostimplausibleburstandautofirerules imaginableforanymoderndaygamesystem. Thesheerincredulityofdesigningasystem wherethechanceofanormalpersonhittinga target3metresawaywitha10roundautofire fromanassaultrifleisamere10%andwith onlya50%chanceofincapacitatinga1stlevel character(anda1in8chanceofdoingthe sametoaplayercharacter).Thisisinaddition tostaferuleswhichdifferfromautofireby affectinga20by5ftarearatherthana10by 10. Itmustbementionedhowever,thatthisisan unusualerrorofverisimilitudeforwhatisa cinematicgamewhichskirtsontheedgeof plausibility.Thecharactersarelargerthanlife, thesituationsarejustsupernaturalenoughand soforth,Thefeelingisclosertosay,theXfiles,ratherthanShadowrun,althoughyoudofindastheillustrations suggestbugbearpoliceofficers,ithilidpreachersandmedusaofficeworkers.They'rejustnotyourstandardfare, althoughthereisadedicatedchaptertothedefaultworld'ssettingandstylealongwithachapteronspecialeffects(i.e., magicusingcharactersandthelike). Inasimilarmanner,D20Pastexplicitlyarguesagainsthistoricalroleplayingasunsatisfying.ThePCsarereducedto eitherbitpiecesinthebroadsweepofhistoryortheyareplayingtofulfilapredeterminedresult.Thesupplementdoes allowthepossibilityofplayingwithouttheinclusionofthesupernaturalorspeculative,butthecontentcertainlydoesn't encourageit."TheAgeofAdventure"isafantasticintepretationofswashbucklingprivateersandmusketeerswith zombies,ghoulsandseadrakes,theVictorianera"Shadowstalkers"hasmummies,baskervillehoundsandworking spiritualists,and"PulpHeroes"comeswithcyberneticNazisandinvisiblestalkers. ForanotherangleconsiderD20Futureandsomeassociatedproducts(D20CyberscapeandD20Apocalypse).Thereis notmuchofthesupernaturalinthissetting,butplentyonspeculation.EvenforD20Apocalypse,supernaturalevents makeuponlytwooftheseveralpossibilities,andthesumtotaldedicatedtothesubjectismereparagraphs.Instead D20FutureweseetheintroductionofProgressLevels,fromPL)(StoneAge)toPL9(practicalcontrolofmatteratthe
subatomiclevel,timetraveletc);thedistinctionbetweentechnicalandsocialprogressisbarelyaconcernandthereis littleexplorationofthelatter. Whilstthereistheexpectedelaborationsonclasses,feats,skillsandequipment,thereisatfirstblushsurprisinglylittle onthes.f.environments.Whatdoesexistispresentedsolelyintermsofcharacterconsequences;thereisnothingto stopaGM,forexample,creatingasmallplanetwithminimalheavymetalswithaahighairpressureandgravity,even ifsuchaplanetisfairlyimpossible.Instead,whatisexplainedistheeffectsofheavyatmosphereandhighgravity.This isrepeatedinD20Cyberscape,wheretheVRenvironmentmakesnoseriousexplanatoryattempt,butconcentrates insteadalmostentirelyontheenvironmentfromacharacterperspective. Greatstaplesofthegenreareincludedwiththisperspective;starshipsaredescribedintermsofcombatcapacityand condition,thethoroughlyunrealisticmechareceiveachapter(powerarmourreallydoeshaveaminimalfunctional range),roboticandandroids,cybernetics(whichgetsgreatelaborationinCyberscape),andfinallymutations.Notably forthelastchapterthemutationsinquestionarefairlymodestwithagoodmixofminorpowersanddrawbacks;thisis notGammaWorld,whereonerandomlyendsupwithamutantflyingcactuswithtelepathy.Themostextremecreature ofthisilkmaketheirappearanceinD20Apocalypsewithcannibalisticzombies(ofcourse)andgiant(3ft)cockroaches. Finally,D20CallofCthulhuisconsideredinthisblock.Onewouldexpect,aspartofalongheldgenreconvention (andthecoauthorshipbyJohnTynes)thatthissupplementwoulddispensewiththemorecinematicelementsofD20in favourofagrittyworldofhorror.Toanextentthisisretained;hitpointsonlygoupby1d6perlevel,mostofthe cinematicfeatsareremovedandencounterswitheldritchhorrorsandspellcastingwillstillearnyouatriptothe santorium.Ontheotherhandtheautofirerulesforgunsstillmanagetodisappoint;althougheachbulletisrolledfor andthelimitisthreeperround,withacombinedmodifierof10(nonproficiency4plusautofire6)JoePublicwillbe DeepOnefoodinnotime.Thisaside,D20CallofCthulhudoeslargelyifnotaswellaswellastheoriginalcapture thegenrethemesandconventions. OGL,True20.C&Cetc. Strictlyspeakingduetolicenserestrictionsandmechanicaldifferences,OGLgames(Mongoose,AEG),True20or Mutants&Masterminds(GreenRonin),orevenPathfinder(Piazo)andCastles&Crusades(TrollLord)arenotD20 games.Thatsentenceshouldbesufficientlycleartoanyreasonablepersonorevenalawyer.FromtheOGLlicensetwo fairlydiversegamesareexaminedhere,specificallyOGLAncientswhichcoverstheGreekandEgyptianancient world,OGLCybernet,cyberpunkroleplaying,bothfromMongooseandSpycraftfromAEG.Fromthelattergroupthe twotitleswillserve,andofcoursePathfinderandCastles&Crusades. ItisunsurprisingtodiscoverthatOGLAncientsincludessettingspecificinformationwithinaD20stylegame.There arethewellknownabilityscores,thereareclasses,thereareskills,featsandsoforth.Whatisinterestingisthe inclusionsystemmodificationsforsocialclassbackgrounds(e.g.,hardyslavesrecieve+2Con),regionalbackgrounds (wilyCretansreceive+2toBluffandSenseMotive),andpotentialdivinepatronage.Furthercharacterclassesare likewiseorientatedtowardstherealistic;aristocrats,artificers,bards(musicians),courtesansetc.arestaple.Thereligion andmagicsystemislikewisehighlyorientatedtowardsthesettingandusesentirelydifferentmechanics(skillbased, sustainedbyhitpoints)totheD20line. Inaddition,anotablechangefromtheD20lineistheinclusionofanactivedefense(e.g.,shieldblocks)asincombatas
acontestedrollastherule.Ifahitisscoredacoveragecheckismade,thendamageisapplied,withareduction(like BRPbasedgames)indamagebasedonthetypeofattack.Greviouswounds(greaterthantheaverageofStr+Con)do temporaryStrengthdamage.Equipmentispurchasedinthecoinoftherealm,ratherthanthegeneric,andisspecifiedto regionandculturewitharathergoodreferencetoherbs.Artificierswillbedelightedtodiscoverethereisanentire chapterdedicatedtotheconstructionoftechnologicalmarvels. LikewiseOGLCybernetalsousessomesettingspecificrulesvariations.Forexample,inanodtothegenre, cyberneticseatawaythecharacter'scharismaderivedSelfscore.Preadventuringoccupationsprovideminorbenefits beforethecharactermovesontotheirclasseswiththeirspecificfeaturesandtalenttrees.Again,it'safairlynormal coursehere;familiarabilities,hitdice,skillsandfeats.Thereissettingbasedequipmentsuchasdrugsandpoisonswith someappropriateaddictionandoverdosingrulesfortheformer. Theequipmentlistgivesarangeofappropriategoodsfortheworld;guns,armourandvehiclesarethenorm,butwitha handycollectionofgadgets.CombatfollowstheD20Modernnorm,anditwasunsurprising,yetdisappointing,tosee thebrokenburstandautofirerulestransposedthoughtlessly.Thereisacyberneticschapterwithvariouslimbic,sensory andmentalenhancers.Finally,thereisawebdesignedaspermanyothergamesasagiantcinematicvirtualreality. Spycraft,AEG'sventureintotheOGLworld,isagameofmodernagentswithacinematicbent."Departments"fulfill thesamegamebenefitsas"race"inD&D,withclassesappropriatetothegenre.Interestinginnovationstothestandard benefitsincludeBudgetPoints,asortofwealthlevelandGadgetPoints,doledoutbytheAgencyforthesecret missions.Inaddition,levelsincreaseDefenseandInitiativebonus;armoraddsdamageresistanceratherthanaddto defense.Therearealso"backgrounds"forthecharacter whichnormallyprovideanegativetothecharacter(a nemesis,adebtetc),butliterallybuildcharacterby providingabonustoexperience.Levelincreasesalsogive "ActionDice"foreachplaysessionthataddtodierolls. Withgenrespecificskills,featsandgear(quitean extraordinaryarray),thecombatsystemalsocontainsa fewdivergentideas.Whilstlargelythesameasd20 games,itisnotablethattheautofireandburstrules actuallywork.Furtherthereisanexcellentdistinction betweenwoundpoints(basedontheconstitutionability) andvitalitypointswhichdeveloplikehitpoints.Thefirst representhowmuchdamageacharactercantake,the secondhowlongtheycanstayinacombatsituation beforebeingwounded.Appropriatelyforthegenrean entirechapterisdedicatedtovehiclechases. OriginatingfromBlueRose,aromanticfantasygame, True20containsanumberofmechanicalinnovations whilststillbeinganobviousdescendentoftheD20 species.Itusesthestandardabilities,butratherthan havingascoreitonlycaresaboutthemodifier.Insteadof arangeofclasses,itusesonlythreeroles(Adept,Expert, Warrior)withacoreability.Heroesalsogainbenefitsof
aconvictionamodestfatepointandReputation.Savingthrowsbonusescanvaryaccordingtorole.Thereareskillsand featswhichoperateasexpected,withasmallselectionwhicharespecifictoeachrole.Powers(spellsetc)aretreated likeaskilltestwithafatiguecheckfollowinginsomecases;somecanbemaintainedwithaconcentrationtest. InTrue20,everythingisresolvedwiththed20evenhitpoints.AttackrollsaremadeagainstDefensethatdoesnot includearmour.Armouraddstothecharacter'stoughnesssavingthrowtoavoiddamage,whichhasatargetnumber increasingtothedamage.Foreveryfivepointsthatthethrowissavedby,thecharacterlosesalevelofcondition. Thankfully,theautofirerulesinT20arenotbrokeneitheranattackisresolvednormallywithadditionaldamage causedbythedegreeofsuccess.Oneoverlyheroicoddityisthatnomatterhowhardthesavingthrowis,anatural20 alwaysavoidsdamage.Itstretchestheimaginationtothinkofthisinsomecases. Mutants&Mastermindsexplicitlystatesitselfasad20basedsuperherogameusingtheOGL.Thedefault"power level",asuperheroequivalenttocharacterlevel,is10.Powerleveldeterminespowerpointswhichinturnisusedto purchase(liketheHerosystemofold),abilities,combatandsavingthrowbonuses,skills,featsandpowers.The maximumranksintheaforementionedarelimitedbypowerlevel.Drawbacksaddtothereserveofpowerpoints.The systemis,effectively,classlessalthoughnotquitelevelless.Characterimprovementsareachievedthrough"Award Points",analogoustoexperiencepointsandgameplaymodificationsareachievedthrough"HeroPoints",givenwhen thecharactersuffersasetback. AlsotakingaleafoutoftheHeroSystem'sbook,M&M'spowerstructurefollowsthesamegeneralprinciplesofhaving acostingsystemderivedbasepowerplusextrasminusflawsbutinthiscaseitusesadditionandsubtractionrather thanthesomewhatmorecomplexmultiplicationanddivisionsystem.Thedamagesystemissimilartothatusedin True20therearenohitpointsassuch,butrathersavingthrowsagainstdamagewithstatusconditions. ReturningtofantasyvariantsofD20,Castles&Crusades(TrollLordGames),usingtheOGLlicense,isaparticularly radicalvariant.Whilstroughlybasedonthed20mechanics(itsownsystemiscalledtheSIEGEEngine),itremoves mostoftheskillsandfeatsfoundinD20infavourofextraclasses.Deliberatelyaimedforquickresolutionratherthan detailedrules,C&Cusesasimplifiedmechanicwheresomeofacharacter'sattributesareallocatedasPrimes.Primes haveabasetargetnumberof12,whereasothernonPrimeattributeshaveabaseof18hencetheyareeasierto succeedat.ManyoftheclassabilitiesharkenbacktoearlyeditionsofDungeons&Dragons,forexample,therangeof abilitiesgiventoRogues,ortheextraattacksforFighters.WhereasD20movedmanyclassabilitiestoFeats,largely availabletoallandthematterofselection,C&Chasputthembackintoclassesandmadetheiracquisitionautomatic. This"oldschool"approachhoweverincludessomeofthelessenjoyableaspectsofearlyeditionD&D;suchasvariable experiencepointsperclassandextremelylowhitpointsatfirstlevel. PathfinderandD&D4thEdition OntheotherendofthescaleisPathfinder(Piazo),certainlythemostwellknownandmostexplicitderivationof Dungeons&Dragons3.5,eventotheextentthatitisreferredtobymanyfansasD&D3.75,althoughforobvious reasonsthepublisherswouldofficiallyobjecttosuchadesignation.InPathfindertheD20SystemReferenceDocument hasbeenthoroughlyreviewedwithnumerousminormodifications,thetotalofwhichdoesindeedmakeathorough revision,andnotanewgameassuch.Somuchissimilartobeexpected;abilities,races,classes,skills,featsandthe basicresolution.
Butthechangesarenotableandhavelargely metwithapproval.Theskillsystemis streamlinedwithastandard+3bonustoclass skills,abonusisgiventopreferredclass, there'sWizardspecialisationsandSorcerer bloodlines,changestoBarbarianrage, Clericalabilitiestoturnundeadhasbeen expanded,Druidic'wildshape'nowequates withotherpolymorphspells,Monkshavea kipool,magicitemcreationnolongercosts XP,level0spellsareunlimited,there'smany morefeats,andthemuchplaguedgrappling ruleshavebeensimplifiedaspartof"combat maneuvers".ThereareoptionalXPchartsfor slow,mediumorfastprogression,animal companionsandfamiliarsweregiven equivalentrules, Aquestioncanberaisedonwhether Dungeons&Dragons,4thedition,isreallya D20game.Certainlythecoremechanicis identical;rolld20,addmodifers,beattarget number("DifficultyClass").Thegame explicitlystatesthatitisbasedaroundsimple ruleswithmanyexceptions,andthespecificruletrumpsthegeneralrule.Abilities,classes,levels,andracesare virtuallyidentical,althoughthereissomeadditionsinthelatterwiththeDragonborn,ElderanandTieflings. Alignmentshavebeencutdownfromthelawchaos/goodevilcomplextojustfive. MuchofD&D4eisaboutpowers;definedas"atwill","perencounter"or"daily".Thisincludesspellsfromprevious editionsandvariouscombatmaneuvers.Thenumberofskillshasbeenpareddowntoamere17withthefinegrained 5%distinctionremovedfor"trained"and"untrained"categories.Incontrasttherearesome150featswithsome90% beingorientatedtocombat;likewisewiththewidequantityofpowersnearlyallareorientatedtowardscombat situationswithonlyahandfulservingdifferentpurposes. WhatisinterestingaboutthesetwolinesishowdeeplytheyhavedividedtheD20andD&Dplayingcommunityfrom significantdifferencesindesign.WhilstD&DandD20weresynomousforthebetterpartofadecadethedifferences betweenD20andD&D4earesufficientlygreatthatperhapsoverhalfthe3.xD&Dcommunityhavemovedto Pathfinder,whereasothershavemadethetransitiontoD&D4e.Obviouslythereissomecrossoverbetweenthetwo,but itmustbestatedfromaconsideredopinionthatitisPathfinderthatmoreaccuratelyrepresentstheD20lineagethan D&D4e. Supplements:BestandWorst ThereisaveritablemountainofD20supplementsandasaresultoftheOGLthereisalsoanenormousvarietyof quality.Onepurposeofreviewsistoensurethattheconsumerscometopurchaseaproductwithsomeknowledge,least theengageintheheinouscrimeofsharingdocumentswhetherinpersonorbyadigitalmedia.Thisdoesnotpretendto
beacomprehensivejustificationonwhysomesupplementscomeintothe"best"categoryandwhilstothersfallintothe "worst",althoughatleastsomeminimalexplanationisgiven. Inthebestcategory,GreenRonin's"Testament"mustsurelyreceivemention,thefirstthoroughundertakingofthe Biblicalperiodwithgreatattentiontostylisticissues.Malhavoc's"Hyperconscious",anexpansionforpsionics consistentlyreceivesgoodreviewsforanareathathasalwaysbeensomewhatdifficultinD&D.Alsofromthesame company,MonteCook's"Ptolus"receivesrecognitionandoneofthemostdetailedsettingseverproduced,althoughfor pureinspiration"Nyambe",basedinsubSaharanAfrica,receivesrecognitionasaqualityproduct. TheD20versionof"OrientalAdventures",makingampleuseofthesettingofLegendoftheFiveRings,justifiably receivedthe2002EnnieAward.Foracompletelyindependentgamesystemwhichhasnotbeenreviewedabove (insufficientlyfamiliarwithit),"StarWarsd20"consistentlyreceivesgoodreviewsandkeepinginmindthiswas duringthereleasesofthedreadfulpreTrilogyfilms.Finally,"BookoftheRighteous"isconsistentlyrecognisedas beingaverywellexecutedsupplement. Pickingtheworstisoftenmorefun,becauseofthesheerincredulityofsomeofthedesigndecisions."TheBookof VileDarkness"isuniversallymockedfortryingtodescribe'evil'intermsthatismerelyslightlykinky."DragonLords ofMelnibone",fromChaosiumofallpeople,isoftencitedasapoorexampleofcutandpaste,andsearchandreplace fromStormbringerandElric.Thefirstd20supersgame,"TheFoundation"receivesnoteforpoorproductionqualities andnumeroustextualerrors,witharathersparseattentiontoactualrules. "GaryGygax'sWorldBuilder"(TrollLord)isoftencriticisedforbeingessentiallyabookoflistswithanAD&D1efeel andwithaboutasmuchattentiontofacts.Contrarytothetitleitdoesn'treallyhelpbuildworlds.Itreceivessomefame forhavingaverbosedescriptionofabrick.Certainlyhoweverforatediousbookoflists,theappropriatelysubtitled "Nuisances:RandomPilesofCrapforFantasyRoleplayingGames"(SkirmisherPublishing)iscertainlymost deservinginthe"worst"category,includingsuchclassyitemsasatableforRandomMonsterPornography.
'Ablockofclayhardenedbydryinginthesunorburninginakiln.Brickscomeinnumerousshapesandsizes.Bricks comeinnumerousdensitiesandhardnessdependingonthebakingprocess,parentmaterialandthematerialmixed withitforhardening(pebbles,hay,grass,twigsect[sic]).'
TheFutureAfterD20andOGL Withtheoldd20/D&Dcommunityirrevocablysplitintotwostronglycompetinggamelinesandvariousspinoff gamescertainlylackingthecombinedmarketpushtoevenreviveanequivalentflurryofactivityitwouldseemthat whilsttheD20linewillcontinuetobeplayedandthesupplementsused,thesheervolumeofproductionoflineitemsis inastateoftorporwhich,giventhequalityofmuchofthematerialisprettymuchquiteagoodthing. BythesametokenmanyofthedesignconsiderationsofD20haveledtoageneralimprovementinRPGdesignasa whole.Thepopularisationofconsistentmechanicswithatleastadegreeofrealismhasmeantthattheenormous quantityoffantasyheartbreakersofthe1980sand1990sishopefullyata(near)end.Futuredevelopmentswillbuildon thesuccessesofD20designandhopefullysowilllicensing.Nexttime,perhapsevenagenuinefreelicensewillbe considered.
NATASCHA TASHKESHELL:ANAD&DCHARACTER
byStewDangerWilson
StewWilsonrunsa'blogprimarilydedicatedtogeneratingcharactersindifferentgamesystems.Inthisinstance,he trieshishandatAD&Dfirstedition,agamewhichhewasquiteunfamiliarwith.Theprocessbothillustratessomeof thegnomicreasoningusedinsaidgameastheprecursorofthed20systemaswellasprovidingausefuland interestingcharacterattheendofit. TheGame: AdvancedDungeonsandDragons1e ThePublisher: TSRGames Degree ofFamiliarity: Nonewhatsoever Books Required: AsisarunningthemewithD&D,boththePlayer'sHandbookandDungeonMaster'sGuide Somethingquitestrangehappenedonthewaytothecircus.BywhichImeanthepub.Itwasacoupleofweeksago,on ourwayhomefromawanderuptoHomebasetogetsomepictureframes.AsstereotypicalaSundayafternoonasone couldwant:IhadjustfinishedapintofHurricaneJack,wewerewaitingonastackofonionringsorsomethingsimilar thatweintendedtorebrandasLunch,andIgottheUrgetocheckoutthelocalcharityshop. Itsagoodcharityshop.Ivefoundallmannerofgamingbooksinthere:ArsMagica4thedition(whichIhad,sold, hadagain,soldagain,gotinPDF,thenforgotaboutforroughlytenyears),theHeavyGearcorebookhell,Ihaveto remindmyselfthatIdontlikehighcrunchfantasyheartbreakersorIdbedownanotherfiver.Butthistime,Ifound somethingIknewIhadtopickup.Withacopyrightdateof1978,noless.ThefirsteditionAdvancedDungeonsand DragonsPlayersHandbookandDungeonMastersGuide,alongwiththefirstFiendFolio. IhavenoparticularloveforD&D.Idnotplayedanyeditionbefore3.0,andthatwasfarbetteratbeingtheenginefor avideogamethanitwasasthebasisofaroleplayinggame.Worse,itspawnedtheD20system,ahorriblemessthat fewpublishersbotheredtoproperlydivestofboardgametrappingsandeventhenitwasntgoodunlessitwasso strippeddownastobeunrecognisable:True20andvariousMicrolitegamesalmostgetthere.Butthisisthefirstedition ofAD&D.Itsapieceofgamingarchaeology,andonthatnotealoneIhadtopickitup,ifonlytoseehowfarweve come. Forthosekeepingscore?Wevecomealongway,baby. CreatingthePlayerCharacter Afterthepreface,thePHBmovesstraightintothesectiononCharacterAbilities:Strength,Intelligence,Wisdom, Dexterity,Constitution,andCharisma.OnlythendoIrealisethat4eisthefirstgamethatincludesthemeansof generatingAbilitiesinthePHB.Here,ImtoldthattheDMwillletmeknowwhatmethodwereusing. SinceImmyownDM,IopentheDMG.Wow.TosaythatthisbookisdisorganisedislikesayingthatthePopehas
beenknowntodefecateincopses(tometamixaphor).Thecontentspagebreakseverythingdownwithheadingsand subheadings,butinthebookitselfthetextisallsansserif,withalmostnodifferencebetweenanylevelofheading. Keywordsdontjumpoutatyou,theyreobfuscated.Fornothingelse,itmakesmelongforthehighcrunchweirdness ofAlphaOmega,becausethoseguysknowdesignlikenothingelse. Flippingthroughthepages,Inotethatyes,thereisadiscussionondiceprobabilitiesonthefirstpage,including demonstrationoflinear/bellcurves(withhandygraphs).Pleasenotethatwevenotgottothemechanicsyet. CharacterAbilities Right.Fivemethodsfordeterminingabilityscores.4d6droplowest,3d6twelvetimeschoosethehighestsix,rollsix setsinorderandpickthehighestofeach,androllup12setsof6andpickthehighest.Ichooseoption2:generate12 scores,pickthe6highest,andassignthemasIwill. Normally,Idturntorandom.orgtogeneratemyscores,butasthesebookspredatetheweb,Imusinggoodold fashionedsixsiders.Withaflickofthewrist, Ivegot14,9,13,10,8,9,11,15,12,11,11, 15.Puttingtheminorderanddroppingthe lowestsix,thats15,15,14,13,12,11.Right, backtothebook.Oh,bugger See,bothracesandclasseshavelimitationson stats.Whiletheracialprerequisitesgetstated explicitlyinatable,classrestrictionsarenot. And,ohfuck,thisincludesdifferentstrength maximaformaleandfemalecharacters. Definitelyaproductofitstime.Paying attentiontothewordinginthebookmeansI canwhipupatableofrequisites,soIcan workoutwhatclassesIcangofor.Nowonder AD&Dcharactercreationhasareputationfor takingfuckingages.Morefun:whatsthe minimumDexforaRanger?Normally,when notstated,itsa6,but6isonlylistedasthe minimumforMagicUsers;otherclassesdont getalookin.Thoughthatstheonlytable wherethisisthecaseitshardwork,andI needtocheckmynumberstwice.Whythehell couldntclassesgetthesamesummaryas races? EDIT:Okay,nowImreadingtheclass descriptions,thestatsarespelledout.Butits stillnottabulatedanywhere.Backtotheplot. Whattherewasofit. RaceandClass
Ranger?Of course.Whatflavour,sir?
Forreference,thefourcoreclassesareCleric,Fighter,MagicUser,andThief.Theyhaveapatternofneedingone9 (Wis,Str,Int,Dexinorder),one3(Dex,Int,Str,Wisinorder),and6selsewhere.Oddly,thebookstatesthatcharacters withoutacoupleof15+statsarelikelyhosedImparaphrasing,duetoGygaxiandescription.Eachclassalsohassub classes:Druid,Paladin,Ranger,Illusionist,andAssassin.TheMonkisalsoavailable,andtheBardskickingaroundin anappendix.Subclassesdontgetthebenefitofhavingonestatat3,andoftenrequiremultiplehighstats. Anyway.Withthatstatspread,Icangetanyofthefourcoreclasses.Paladinisout(asIdonthavea17),asis Illusionist(no16),andMonk(only215s).IcanscrapemywayintoRanger,Assassin,orDruid.Assassinsarelevel cappedforeveryonebuthumansandhalforcs,Druidslikewiseforhalfelfandhalforc,andRangersarelevelcapped halfelfandhumanonly.Alsonotablethatonlydwarf,elf,halforc,andhalflinggiveracialtraitmodifications. Inordertoexplorewheresomeofmycommonchoicescomefrom,ImgoingtomakeahumanRanger,whointhis editionisabitmorelikeacommando.Iassignscoresasfollows:STR15INT13WIS14DEX11CON15CHA12. Thisgivesmederivedfeatures;Inoteonlythosethatareaboveorbelownormal. ClassFeatures Ontoclassfeatures.ARangerstartswith2d8hitpoints,butgetsanextrad8everylevel.ThisisincontrasttoFighters andPaladins,whohave1d10eachlevel.Iroll7,5,andadd1toeachforConstitution(startingwithtwohitdiceisone ofthemajoradvantagesofchoosingaRanger).14hitpointsisntbadatall.Thecharacteraddsherleveltodamage rollsagainstgiantclassenemies,surprisesona13,sufferssurpriseona1,andcantrackovergroundwith90% chancetofollow,withmodifiers(andfurtherrulesforundergroundtracking).Thereslotsofotherbonusesathigher levels:at8thlevelyougetDruidspells;9thbringsMagicUserspells;10thallowsmagicitemspertainingto clairaudiance,clairvoyance,ESP,ortelepathyandattracts224followers. Asforrestrictions,AlignmentneedstobeGood,andwecanthireanyoneuntil8thlevel.Also,nogroupcanhave morethanthreeRangers,andeachRangercanonlyownwhathecancarryorfixtohermountatleastuntil10th level,whenshecanbuildastronghold. Interestingly,allFighterclassescanattackmultipletimesperrounddependingonlevel:forRangers,thats1/roundat 18,3/2roundsat814,and2/round15+.Thatsnottheinterestingpart:againstanythingwithlessthanoned8hitdie, allfighterscanattackonceperlevelperround.Ithinkthisisthegenesisofminions,whichothergamescall"extras"or "mooks".Anotherideathat'salotolderthanIfirstthought. Alignment IknowIneedtomakethischaracterGood.Forachange,IgowithLawfulGood:IthinktheyvebecomeaRangerin ordertobringthelawsofcivilisationtothewildlandswheremonstersstillroam. CharacterHitPoints Now,wehaveadiscussionofHitPoints.WhichisgoodbecauseitpointsoutthatHitPointsarenothingmorethan luck,combatskill,andmagicalordivineprotection.ItalsomentionsthattheDMmaywanttotrackHP,tellingthe charactersonlyhowtheyfeel.Whichiscool. EstablishingtheCharacter
Forsomereason,Imseeingthischaracterasfemale.NatashaTashKeshell.Yes,herfathersLordKeshell.Yes,the onewiththethingforspikes.HermothersmuggledheroutofArnheimwhenshewassixyearsold.Allsheremembers ofherlifebeforethenishighstonewalls,spikes,andblood.Somuchblood.Shegrewuptheapprenticetoa stonemasoninBlackheath,andactedashisproxytothedwarveswhoownedthenearbymines.Shegrewupstrongand smart,andwasallsettoinheritthestonemasonsbusiness.Onenight,thewarninghorndidntblowtowarnthetown ofaraidingpartyofmonsters.Tashonlyjustescapedwithherlife.Themonsterstookoverboththetownandthe nearbydwarvenmine.Shefledintothenight,dedicatingherlifetokillingthemonsterswhotookawayheradopted home.ShescometoNetherwelltorestandrecover. CharacterLanguages IhavethreebonuslanguagesfromIntelligence.IpickupDwarvish(fromherbackstory),Orcish,andKobold(from trackingherfoes).TashcanalsospeakLawfulGood.AlignmentLanguageisastupidconcept,butitsafeaturethatis thereandcancomeinhandywheninteractingwithNPCsofsimilaralignment. Money Westartwith5d4x10gp:130gpAsuitofscalemailandasmallshielddoesforprotectionandcosts55gp.Atthis point,IshouldprobablychooseWeaponProficienciestheyrenotpickedwhenchoosingaclassoranythinglikethat. Rangersget3.Iquicklygetlostinthetremendousamountofnamesforpolearms.HowamIsupposedtoknowwhata LucerneHammeroraSpetumlooklike,anyway?Anyway.Shortbow,handaxe,andlongsword.Done.Purchasing oneofeachcosts31gp.Twodozenarrowsisanother2gp.Aridinghorseis25gp.Saddleandsaddlebagsare14.Im assumingthebit,bridle,harness,andsaddleblanketareallin.With3gpleft,Igoforaweekofrations. Fromhere,thebookswiftlyturnsintoamassivelistofspells.SincewerenotcreatingahighlevelRanger,wedont needtocare.Alloftheseruleshavebeeninthefirst40pages.Spellstakeupthenextsixty.Thattakeseffort,man. Miscellanea ThoughIvemadeacharacter,Istillthinksomethingismissing.PlayingoldD&Dbasedgamesintroducedmetothe bizarreideaofTHAC0,andIwonderifitsinthisedition.IflickthroughtheDMG,andcomeacrosstheattack matrices.ThesearewhatwouldeventuallybecomeTHAC0,whichwouldthenbediscardedinfavourofrollinghigh vs.AC.Fortunately,theFighter/Paladin/Rangertableseasytocookdown:d20vs(20AC),with+2tothedieonevery oddnumberedlevel,or+1perleveliftheDMsfeelinggracious.SinceImabitofagit,Imnotfeelinggraciousat all.AndIwaslenientwithpricesfortackforthehorse.Ivegotmyeyeonme. Also,saves.Thesearebyclassandlevel,soInotethestartingonesnow.Alloftheseared20rollover.Ithinkthats everything.
TashKeshell,Level1HumanRanger STR15INT13WIS14DEX11CON15CHA12 HP14 ArmorClass5 ToHit1d20vs(20defendersAC),+2/oddnumberedlevel SavesParalyse,poison,deathmagic14;petrification,polymorph15;rod,staff,wand16;breath weapon17;spell17 WeightAllowanceNormal400gp;Heavy700gp;V.heavy1150gp OpenDoorson12 BendBars/LiftGates4% LanguagesCommon,Orcish,Kobold,Dwarvish SystemShock/Resurrection91%/94% Max.Henchmen5(0beforeLevel8) Surprise3in6/1in6 DamageBonus:Addleveltodamagerollvs.giantclasscreatures Tracking:Overground90%+2perextracreature,10perdaysincecreaturescame,25perhour ofrain.Underground(onlyifobservedlessthan30minsago),65%10usingadoororstairs,20 usingtrapdoor,30useschimneyorconcealeddoor,40throughsecretdoor. Equipment:Scalemail,Smallshield,Shortbow(2,16),Longsword(18/112)andscabbard, Handaxe(16/14),24arrows.Lighthorsewithlargesaddlebags.1weeksrations.(623gpweight allcarried)
EFFECTIVECOMBATTACTICSFORASSASSINS
ByJohnnFour
To give you a taste of Assassin's Amulet, here is a very brief excerpt from the GM Advice chapter. Many GMs struggle with running killer NPCs. One big goal of the book is to arm you with enough actionable advice that you'll scare the crap out of your players if they ever catch wind of an NPC assassin ever again. Part of this GM training involves learning some general principles of engagement when running assassins. I hope you find this advice useful. *** Chief caveat for assassins in combat situations: avoid combat if possible. The most favorable combat situations involve fighting with allies. However, assassins tend to work alone, which causes tactical problems. In all the tactics below, hit-and-run is the only reliable method to combine with any combat tactic. Using an assassin's amulet in combination as a means of escape makes this even more reliable. 1.Maximize Sneak Attack Opportunities Sneak attack is the best option for assassins in combat. Do anything you can to give NPC assassins this opportunity so they can cause damage while trying to get away. It is difficult, though not impossible, to flank an opponent without an ally - anything that removes an opponent's Dexterity bonus or causes him to become flat-footed will grant such an opportunity. Feint/Improved Feint: using the feint option of the Bluff skill, the assassin spends his first round trying to cause the opponent to be off-balance or otherwise unready. This denies the opponent his Dexterity bonus to his Armor Class on the assassin's next attack, giving the killer a sneak attack. This tactic provokes an attack of opportunity, so use it carefully. Give the assassin the Improved Feint feat when it becomes available. Foes defeat this tactic using Sense Motive, if they have that skill, or a raw check aided by their Wisdom modifier. Therefore, an assassin should scout out foes to determine their ability to sense others' motives or see through such tricks as feinting. The killer must know in advance if a foe can defeat feint. This saves the assassin a full round of futility plus exposure to a potential attack of opportunity. Invisibility: except for class dipping with caster levels, which is not recommended, becoming invisible means using a magic item and the Use Magic Device skill. An invisible assassin initiating combat denies their opponent a Dexterity bonus to that attack, and so the foe must suffer
a sneak attack. Blindness: like invisibility, if the opponent is blind, the assassin is effectively invisible (see above). Possessing the feat chain Critical Focus and Blinding Critical is helpful, though unreliable, as the NPC must engage in at least one round of combat with no advantages, and he must succeed on a critical hit, which can never be counted on. Eggshell grenades-pepper (from Oriental Adventures) are a mundane device that require use as a thrown weapon. With a successful hit affecting a five-foot area, the opponent is blind, though he gets a save to avoid the circumstance. Any magic item that causes blindness will also do this. 2. Single Striking A one-shot kill relies on high Strength combined with Power Attack and using a two-handed weapon, granting halfagain Strength bonus on attacks. Unfortunately, Strength is generally a tertiary stat for assassins, following Dexterity and Intelligence. Focus on causing as much damage as possible with a single attack using magic, magic items and equipment to eke out all the extra damage you can. Enhance this tactic with Dodge, Mobility and Spring Attack, as well as the vital strike feat chain. While this is feat intensive and takes away valuable feat slots to make an effective assassin combatant, the three feats mentioned allow him to strike without attacks of opportunity, so offer better survivability. Having the Quick Draw feat also gets the weapon in hand quickly. Combine this with sneak attack and this could be a one-shot kill. 3. Two Weapon Fighting Using two weapons in combat means more opportunities for sneak attack. The assassin should possess the Weapon Finesse feat to rely on the character's Dexterity instead of Strength. While effective, this combat tactic does not cause as much damage as the single strike tactic, though it uses far fewer feat slots for combat. 4. Sniping Using Ranged Weapons If the assassin can prepare to choose a hidden spot to attack from this can be an effective combat tactic. However, it requires time unseen to prepare such an opportunity. The assassin must hide, shoot at their target, and then move to another location to repeat the process. The assassin must be skilled with ranged weapons and will spend his combat feat slots doing so. This tactic does not accommodate being caught unawares and forced into melee, so the two previous combat tactics are more reliable. Take the Arcane Trickster prestige class instead of Assassin so ranged sneak attack is possible to make this a more
viable combat tactic. 5. Using Traps Indirect combat offers a usable strategy, but also requires some time in preparation prior to engaging in combat. Simple is sometimes most effective. For example, tossing caltrops in areas of expected movement for oncoming combatants or use of tanglefoot bags. Consider allowing assassins to use portable traps either mundane or arcane, where the assassin can arm, disarm, move and rearm such a device in a move-and-wait or move-and-run-away tactic. Always consider poisoning any blade, ranged weapon or traps to improve damage and escape chances, as well. *** If you liked these tips, you should check out two more previews of Assassin's Amulet: 50 Assassin Hooks Assassins make awesome NPCs. Thing is, they often have paper-thin character development. Well, you can fix this right now. Start by giving your next assassin one of these tasty hooks. http://www.campaignmastery.com/blog/50-assassin-hooks/ How to Roleplay Assassins Assassins should be compelling in every encounter in which they appear. This excerpt describes how to run assassins as compelling characters to roleplay and deadly adversaries to fight. http://www.campaignmastery.com/blog/roleplaying-assassins/ See also: http://LegaciesCampaignSetting.com
I'vegainedafewlevelssince1978!
STOPTHEMADNESS!
ByPoisonShadow
Thefollowing"antid20"rantwasoriginallypublishedin2007atthePoisonShadowwebsite,dedicatedtothe7thSea RPGandtherollandkeepsystem,buthasbeenunavailableforsometime.Attemptstocontactthewebmastersto confirmrepublicationwerenotsuccessful.Thesite,fromwhatcanbeascertainedhasnotbeenupdatedinanyway since2009andintheinterestinkeepinganontopicmightyfinerantincirculation(noendorsementonewayor anothersuggested)the"StopTheMadness!"rantisreprintedhere... AssomeonewiserthanIoncesaid,"Idontwanttogetoffonarant,here" Oh,wait.Yes,Ido. Youmayhavegottentheimpressionthatthecreator(s)ofthiswebsitedonot particularlycareforthed20system.Thatsnotexactlytrue. Thecreator(s)ofthiswebsitedespisethed20system.Wedontdislikeit,we dontthinkitsoverpowered.Wehateit.Itmakesuswanttostopplaying RPGs.Wehateitthatmuch. Dontgetuswrong.Thesystemisgoodforwhatitsintendedtobeusedfor.Granted,wehaveyettofigureoutwhat thatuseis,beyondsatisfyingsomepuerileneedtocompensateforgenitalshortcomingsbyplayingsomeoverpowered, indestructibletankofacharacterwithepiclevelsandmorehitpointsthatasmallarmyinmostothersystems. Whatarethestrengthsofd20supposedtobe?Theysayitssimpletolearn.Right.Sure,acoupleofthingsare simpler.Threesavingthrowsaresimplerthanfivesavingthrowsbecause3<5.Butthenhowdoyoufigureoutwhat yourolled?Igota7.ButIhavea+2LuckBonusfrommyclassabilityanda+1SkillbonusformyWisdomanda +3enchantmentbonusfrommycloakanda+1VilebonusfromthatfeatItook,sodidImakeit? Well,let'ssee.TheDCis10,+4forthe4thlevelcaster,+2forthespellfocusfeat,+2forthespecialty,but3for thewait,didIrollforhisarmorspellfailure? Whatever. Whatsanotherstrength?Oh,Iknowitsmodular!Oh,thankGod!Everythingcanplugintoeverythingelse,and youhaveunlimitedoptionsforyourcharacter.Hey,guesswhat:Idontneedunlimitedoptionsformycharacter.Did IthinkitsuckedthatElvescouldntbePaladins?No,Ididnt,becausetheycouldbefighter/clerics,andthatwasgood enough.BeingabletoplayanElvenPaladin(oranElvenFighter/ClericorjustaClericwithfeatsspenttoenable longsworduseorwhatever)isnotworththetrainwreckthatthegamesbecome.
Well,thinkaboutit.Underwhatotherrulesetcanyouruntoyournearestgamingstore,dropacouplehundreddollars onrulebooksforSwashbucklingAdventures,StargateSG1,UnholyAvatars,andLiberMortisand,thatverysame day,exploretheTempleofElementalEvilortheDeathStarwithyourmixedpartyoffiendishfatewitches,celestial Jaffa,andundeadhalfdragonartificerswithcelestialdirebadgerfamiliars?Andthen,whenthedayisdone,thebattle won,youcankickbackwithyournewlyfound+4keenghosttouchbastardswordofwounding,banevs.orcs(of dancing)well,assumingyouhaveaproficiencyfeattospareandplanyournextmission:anassaultonMount Olympuswhere,thankstothed20system,thegodsareconvenientlystattedforyourbutcheringconvenience. Ofcourse,youneeda+4keenlawfulboogersmasherwhateverbecauseyouaregoingupagainstfiendishdire crocodilehalfdragonmonstrositieswithcharacterlevelsintherogueclass.Yes,thatsright.Somewhere,therewasa demonsittingaroundtheabyss,bored,andhesaid,Yanno,IthinkIwanttogopossessmeacrocodile.Notjustany crocodile,though.Iwanttopossessaprehistoriccrocodile,andluckily,thereseemstobeonebobbingaroundin yonderswamp.Andhedid.Andtwocavesdown,therewassomedragon,whosawthisflamespewingcrocodileand said,Mmm,Igottagetmesomeofthat!Andthen,theirtwentyfootlongoffspringthathissandsmelllikesulfur somehowlearnedhowtosneakaroundwithoutbeingseen,andthenbackstabyouforextradamage. Theydonthavehands! Dontevengetmestartedonthephasespiderswithlevelsinthebarbarianclass,orumberhulksumberhulksfor Godssakewithlevelsasamonk!Noonelikedmonksintheoriginalgamebecausetheywerentappropriatetothe setting.Nowtheyreback,andtraininggiantbeetlemeninunarmedcombat? Howcansomethingbebothcelestialanddire,anyway?Andwhenexactlydiddragonsbecomethemacdaddiesofthe game?Hollaholla,playa.IgotmeacavefullofgoldandIjustknockedupagiantspider.Word. Itsnotuncommonforthingstohave400hitpoints.Notgods.Notgreatwyrmdragons.Justverylargedisplacer beasts.Umm.Yeah. Now,feats?Anabsoluteabortion.Theyallowyoutospecializeyourcharacter.Likehell.Youcanpickliketwoof them.Iwanttoplayanelvenknightwhoistrainedinthekatanaandanexpertattrickshotswiththebow.Oh,sorry! Thoseeachrequireafeat,andyouonlygetone.Maybeat3rdlevel.Ofcourse,thenyoucantgetextrahitpoints.Or bettersavingthrows.Ormoreattacks.Or Whatever!Wecouldimproveoursavingthrowsin2ndedition,too.ItwascalledaRingofProtection.Putiton,get thebonus.Theend.Now,RingsofProtectiondontevengiveyouabonustoyoursavingthrows.OnlytoyourAC. Orwasthattoyournaturalarmor?No,thoseareamulets.Oh,thankGodd20issomuchsimpler,right? DoweneedPlug&PlayinourRolePlayingGames?Withd20rules,youcantakeaFateWitchfromThahanddrop herrightintoyourFarscapegame.Guesswhat.IdontwantFateWitchesinmyFarscapegame!Therearentany FateWitchesinFarscape!FarscapedoesntneedFateWitches.IfImaplayerandIwanttoplayaFateWitchin Farscape,shouldtheGMsay,Oh,well,becauseit'sd20,Icandothat,noproblem?No!IfImthatplayer.,Ishould
beshotandkilled!Youknowwhy?BecauseImtoostupidtolive! Thisisntmeantsolelyasacritiqueofthed20system,thoughIcouldgoonatlengthaboutitsshortcomingsand,more importantly,itsbasehypocrisies.Idothinkitsworthnotingthatthed20systemandtheOGLarepraisedbysome (mostlythosewhocameupwiththeidea)assavingtheroleplayinggameindustry.HowmagnanimousofWizards oftheCoasttooffertoletotherpublishersusetheirmechanicssolongastheydonttrytogettoocreativeandso longastheypimpthePlayersHandbookinaprominentplaceonthecover. AndthentherestheunmitigatedjoythatisSwashbucklingAdventures. Hell,AEGthemselvessaythatitsallmessedup.LookintheKnights&Musketeersbook(whichisuttercrap,thank you,butthatsanotherrantentirely)itsaysrightintherethat1stlevelcharactersdonthavetheabilitiesthata starting7thSeacharacterdoes,soyouhavetoadvancethemto3rdor5thlevelandlowertherequirementsforPrestige ClassSwordsmanSchools(and,whatamistakethosewere)tokeepup.d20spreaditspoisoninto7thSea,andwhat wastheresult?AEGkeptputtingoutmorecrapbooksintheSwashbucklingAdventuresline,andbecauseitwas modular,thoseinchargegottheterrificideathattheycouldfarmprojectsouttoelevendifferentpeopleandgetone goodproduct.Well,Knights&Musketeersshowedusthat wasamyth,didntit? This,however,wasonlyoneamonganumberofactions rangingfrompoorbusinessdecisionstogross mismanagement(dependingonwhoyoubelieve).AEG scrappedthefamiliar7thSeaname(whichhadbeen embracedbytheirpreviouslyloyalfans).Theylost(or surrendered)theirfamiliarwww.7thsea.com(goaheadand clickonitifyouwant;theresnothingthere)webaddressfor theunintuitivewww.swashbucklingadv.com.Theyputnew productsonthebackburnertocrankoutaseriesofthree d20onlysupplementswhichwereofabsolutelynouseto establishedfansofthegame(and,accordingtomanypeople, oflittleusetonewd20players,either).Allofthiswassuch agoodideathatthecompanynolongerpublishesproducts undereithername,andthelineiscontinuedonlythroughthe volunteerworkofahandfuloffreelancewritersanda websitethatisupdatedwithafrequencythatrivalsthe appearanceofHailey'sComet. Icertainlyunderstandtheappealofattractingnewplayers, andofexpandingonesmarket.ButAEGalreadyhada rabidpoolofsupportersoftheRollandKeepsystemplaying Wheredidmygamego? theLegendoftheFiveRingsgame.Weretalkingabouta groupofpeoplewhowerealreadycommittedtoAEG, playinginasettingthathadadefinite,butcompletely undetailed,swashbucklingeraregionoftheworldalreadyinplace.Theintelligentdecisionwouldhavebeentoputout onebook,notthree,detailingconversionrulesfrom7thSeatoL5R,andviceversa.Justlikethat,L5Rplayershave newoptionsforgaijincharacters,7thSeaplayershavenewlandstoexplorewiththeircharacters,andsalesofbooks
forbothlinesincreaseaseveryonecatchesupwithwhattheymissedintheothergameworld.Instead,asweknow,the braintrustatAEGsetuparealfirewallbetweenThahandRokugan,allowingfornoofficialcrossoversbetween systems.Seeabove,inre:poordecisionsandgrossmismanagement.ThankGodoneofthemostprevalentvoicesof thatlittlenightmareappearstohavebeenletgo,editorialfiatsandall.(Becausetheworldisuniformlyunjust,he willprobablyimmediatelybehiredbySword&SorceryorGreenRoninorChessexorsomeothercompanyIactually respect,butthatsneitherherenorthere.) Bethatasitmay,whatsdoneisdone(andotherphrases,aswell).Now,welooktothefuture,suchasitis,andany reasonableapproachtothefuturedemandsthatthelineabandond20inallfuturepublications(suchastheyare). Don'tagreewithme?Considerthefacts. Thed20marketisbottomingout.Likethejunkbondindustry,alargenumberofpeoplewithverylittleabilityjumped aboardthebandwagonandgluttedthemarketwithinferiorproductsinsuchvolumethatitfinallycracked.Whilethis gavealotofuntalentedwriterstheopportunitytomakeameagerliving(forawhile)andpadtheirrsums,itdidvery littleforthegamingcommunityasawhole.Manyofthesmalld20publishersthatpoppedupintheafterglowofthe OGLhavewitheredanddied,andevenestablishedcompaniesareputtingoutfewerandfewerproducts,relyingon bargainbasementpdfsalestostayafloat. (ThankGodforthesavinggracesofd20anditssinglehandedrevivificationofthemarket,huh?) Thed20booksforthelinearesavaged,evenbyfansofthesystem,forbeingpoorlywritten,grosslyunbalanced,and completelyoutoftouchwiththeoriginalgame.Themostactiveproponentsofthed20linehavebutcheredtherules, replacingthecumbersomeclasssystemwithd20Modern,andsupplementingthespottycoverageoftheworld(since oldersourcebookswerenotreprintedintheirentiretyford20only,thankGod)bytackingonRavenloftorotherhigh fantasy,nonThancontent.Sinced20fansarerewritingtherulesanyway,letthemdoitontheirown,withoutgiving themnewrulestorewriteinfutureproducts. Ittakesresourcestoputoutgamingmaterials,andAEGisnotpayinganyoneanythingtokeeptheworldafloat. Droppingd20fromfutureproductswouldreducebyhalfthetimeandenergyneededtodevelopgamestatistics,and allowfreelancewriterstospendtheirtimefinetuningthetraditionalRollandKeepelements. AEGisgrosslyscalingbackond20products,anyway.TheneweditionofL5Rhasabandoneditsflirtationwithd20 Rokuganentirely.ProductlineslikeFarscapeandStargateSG1arelapsingleftandright.Nosinglewordd20 bookshavebeenputoutinages,andthehundreddollarWorldsLargestDungeonisaonetrickpony(thoughone canthelpnoticingthatbreakingthethreedigitbarrierforcosthasemboldenedgamemanufacturerseverywhereto increasetheirpriceswelldone,AEG).LastIheard,plansforthefollowupWorldsLargestCityhavebeentabled,if notscrappedoutright. Onlineparticipationinpopulargamededicatedforums(e.g.,Revenantsmessageboard,orJackHardings compendium)suggestthatRollandKeepplayersgrosslyoutnumberd20players.Whilethisis,admittedly,aself selectedandunscientificsample,itstronglysuggeststhatthemostavidfansofthegamearealsotheleastinterestedin seeingd20supportcontinue.
Willthisbeapopularstance?Maybe,maybenot.Thebeautyis,Igenuinelydontcare.Iamnotanemployeeof AEGorWizardsoftheCoast.Iamnotaprofessionalintheroleplayinggameindustry.Iamafan,nothingmore, thoughIdaresayImareasonablyintelligentone.Ihavenothingbutloveforthe7thSeagame,andIwanttoseeitsail onwithasmuchgloryasitscircumstancesallow. Itstimetocuttheropestyingthelinetothed20system,beforeitdragsthegameundercompletely. Oh,andonemorething. Someofyoumayfindtheideaspresentedatthiswebsiteobjectionable.Youmaychoosetoopposethemsolongas youhavebreathinyourbody.Why,youmayevenfeelthattheyaretheworstideaintheentirehistoryofbadideas. Youallofyoucanfeelfreetofuckoffanddie.Nooneherewillmissyou,andifyoulookaround,Isuspect youllfindthatnottoomanypeoplewillmissyouanywhereelse,either. Meanwhile,Illjuststayhereandfixallofyourmistakes.Dontworry.Itllkeepmeplentybusy.
Lookslikeanidealplacefor...landadventures
AYEARWITHFANTASYCRAFT
Karl David Brown When D&D 3.5 was scrapped for 4th edition, a number of companies scrambled to provide a game for those who preferred 3.5. While it looks like Pathfinder (aka 3.75) has seized the initiative, the latecomer, Fantasy Craft, deserves a very close look. There are many reviews of this game online and most are glowing, however, those who had only read through the book or had run a single play-test game wrote these reviews when the game was new. Here I provide an in-depth look at Fantasy Craft drawing on a year playing the game. While my review is positive, there is not one game for everyone. This review recounts my experiences with Fantasy Craft and why it suits my needs. If you are wondering, Is Fantasy Craft the game for me? then this review will help. Ill take time to point out some of the game's FEATURES. If you do decide to play Fantasy Craft, then to help you get started and get the most out of this game I offer TIPS for understanding the rules and TRICKS for extending what you can do with them. Apersonalhistoricalcontext In the early 80s I discovered roleplaying games and soon after AD&D. As teenagers we had many good weekends exploring dungeons and creating our own fantasy worlds. Over the two decades that followed we came to understand the deep structure of the rules and created new races and classes, including dragons and giants well before the official versions. Second edition AD&D cleaned-up the layout, improved the clarity, and tweaked the rules just a little. We ate it up. You could use your old 1st edition stuff with the new edition but that was what was expected from a new edition in those days. The 3rd edition of D&D felt like a betrayal. The ethos was lost, no longer was the game presented as a toolkit to build your own worlds; the gods of Greyhawk were in the core book as defaults! It seemed much of the poetry was lost and replaced by mechanics and a battlemat. You couldnt use your 1st and 2nd edition stuff with the new game because it was a totally new game. This was not a new edition, it was called D&D but that was about the only similarity. In time I played a few sessions of 3rd edition and had to admit it wasnt a bad game; however, it just wouldnt do what I wanted. The production quality of the new volumes fell. They were riddled with typos, poor writing, and clunky rules. As the years went by numbers of AD&D players diminished. I wanted to find a game that captured the spirit of those first twenty years and encouraged creativity but used a modern set of rules. My criteria were: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Mechanics that would allow for representatives of the iconic species of western mythology and fantasy literature Wasn't tightly linked to a specific world and ideally would not be presented with a setting. Provides a toolkit for creating your own settings and encourages you to do so. Rules detailed enough to delineate what is possible in unfamiliar settings. Rules deep enough for the experienced gamer but not so complex that play slows to a crawl.
Your criteria might be different. Please note that I wasnt looking for something that would perfectly recreate AD&D. YourDungeon,YourDragon,Yourway Over the years I looked at numerous fantasy games trying to find a game that would replace 2nd edition AD&D by meeting my criteria. GURPS, Tunnels and Trolls 5.5, FATE 2e, and Legends of Anglere all deserve honourable mentions. Increasingly new games came tailored for their own highly specific worlds and my hope of finding a good fantasy toolkit faded. Then I encountered the Fantasy Craft tag line Your Dungeon, Your Dragon, Your way. This seemed to indicate that here was a game that put creative freedom back in my hands (criteria 2 & 3). I got my hands on the free preview. Fantasy Craft was a d20 game and therefore easier to find players for. The classes and species (races) allowed for all the classic fantasy genre archetypes even giants and dragons! (criterion 1). The game was well received by reviewers, so I took the plunge. TRICK: Drakes are a PC species that looks like a classic dragon. They are probably only not called dragons so dragons can be D&D style monsters festooned with all manner of non-traditional magic. Call drakes dragons; make your players happy. FEATURE: In Fantasy Craft what most fantasy games call races and sub-races are called species and sub-species; this is not just sensitive, it is also accurate. Oddly, the authors still use male pronouns throughout. Whatyougetforyourmoney The cover of this big heavy tome is colour; the interior is black and white. Interior illustrations are good quality and frequent enough; moreover, they never feel like padding. Fantasy Craft is a stitch hardcover with pages of good quality paper able to withstand years of gaming table abuse. When asked on the forum the Crafty guys confirmed that this was a deliberate choice. As a pdf image resolution is good, the document is searchable, and there are three layers of bookmarks. On the first page is a place to click to hide the page frames to save ink if you print pages. At 52.1MB its on the big side but not overly so. There is a lot of font 9 writing; reading cover to cover there are almost no typos and the writing is concise. There is very minimal fluff, a deliberate choice to keep the game a generic toolkit and deliver value. Other larger companies would have taken these rules padded them with fluff and spread them over four books. This single volume is very good value. Interestingly, Fantasy Craft's development process predated both 4th ed D&D and Pathfinder. Fantasy Craft would have been released at the same time as these other games except Crafty felt compelled to delay release while they revised the rules top to bottom. When this occurs there was grumbling but the result is a faster, more elegant game than their SpyCraft system.
TIP: Character sheets are available as pdfs free from the Crafty or Fantasy Craft Database sites. A form fill-able pdf version enables you to store your character on your computer and email a copy to your referee. TRICK: You can copy and paste text from the pdf into a word processor. This enables inexperienced players to make cheat sheets with their characters class abilities, spells etc. Generalcommentsontherules The core of Fantasy Craft is a simple mechanic familiar to most gamers: d20+modifiers, try to roll high. Many of the other rules are altered and simplified versions of the D20 or D&D rules. For example, combat in Fantasy Craft is very streamlined compared to 3.5 but also includes good game rules for actions like taunt and anticipate that ensure everyone, not just combat wombats, can contribute effectively. As you work with the rules you can feel the parts fitting together and you know the rules have been carefully thought through and tested. The core book is a thick imposing tome but the bulk of the core book is actually made up of systems and examples of the output of the systems. The thing with systems is you dont need to learn the all the options, only have an understanding of the steps involved. There is a system for creating PCs, a system for NPCs, a system for inventing modified equipment, a system for magic items, even a system for building worlds. With this book you could create enough new characters, monsters, inventions, magic items, and worlds to fill a lifetime of gaming and never buy another damn book if you wanted to. Fantasy Craft is designed to be somewhat modular. For example, you dont have to use all the classes; you can build a world without spell-casters and your player character parties will still be functional in the game without having to carefully adjust all your encounters and adventures. Similarly, you can have a world without any magic items. You can build a world without any magic at all. Narrative systems like FATE are also very flexible, narrative systems require everyone at the table to have a really good idea of what is possible in the setting. This is fine if you are playing Middle Earth, EarthSea, Narnia, or some other well-known setting but for original settings of your own devising you need some way of delineating what is possible. What can magic do? Can a dragon fly off with a knight? Can a giant outrun a horse? A good flexible but sufficiently detailed set of rules acts as an in game laws of physics and thus set out what is possible within the game world. Fantasy Craft has sufficient detail for this function. Fantasy Craft does have a system that puts some narrative control in the hands of players, action dice. Basically, these are like fate points used in some other games except they are a pool of dice rather than a pool of points. Players can spend and roll dice to confirm critical hits, improve skill rolls and with an optional rule introduce small narrative details. TIP: Whether designing a PC, a monster or a world the first step described in Fantasy Craft is always to create a concept. This is important because without a previously thought out concept to guide your choices you could be overwhelmed by options. TIP: Fantasy Craft is a D20 game with changes. Do not assume rules from other D20 games apply. The following differ from the D20 standard: lifestyle, reputation, size and strength, scaled weapons, non-magical healing, gear bonuses, class abilities and roles, magic, narrative control, and combat. These changes streamline play and increase flexibility. Changes to combat are discussed on page 203 of the book.
AnalternativetoDungeonandDragons? When learning a game I use an active read through approach; I read the book cover to cover building a character, a world, and an adventure as I go. Since I was looking for an update for AD&D I decided to rebuild a diverse old home brew world built with AD&D. As far as being able to represent my vision including the diversity of that world, its cultures, species and people Fantasy Craft actually did a better job than AD&D. It was pretty easy to find equivalents to most of the races and sub-races of AD&D, probably because the designers had built the game as a possible alternative for D&D3.5. I was also able to generate PCs that were look alikes for many iconic AD&D/D&D races including many that required optional or house rules in AD&D. In D&D 3.5 characters such as giants and golems required level adjustment and/or levels in a race-class. In D&D 3.5 you could begin as a small juvenile dragon or giant; however, these are often not the concepts most players actually want to play. They want to play adults. To my way of thinking, the D&D methods of dealing with large or odd species are unsatisfying and clunky. In Fantasy Craft these characters are balanced at first level as full grown, though inexperienced, adults. This is because the Crafty guys shed a lot of D&D baggage and reworked the rules to provide a game environment where odd species are balanced (criterion 1). Examples of these changes include: the Construct type does not get a big bonus to hit points, dragons (drakes in Fantasy Craft) are not festooned with spells, strength is assumed to be proportional to size (e.g. an average giant has 10 strength), and giant weapons are balanced against human ones. My first character for Fantasy Craft was a storm giant, my second was a dragon; both were first level characters and both were used in play and seemed completely balanced against elf and dwarf companions. With D&D 3.5 being dropped for the utterly different 4th edition, some readers will have substantial D&D 3.5 or d20 collections and may be wondering if they can just use their old books 'plug and play' without doing conversions. If youre a 3.5 veteran you are not going to be able to use your old 3.5 materials out of the box. This is because Fantasy Craft has overhauled d20 completely so there are substantial changes away from d20 D&D. Fantasy craft does have a Monster Converter for 3.5 and many D&D mainstays are found in the Fantasy Craft book, forum or database. Overall, D&D 3.5 and d20 material is not going to be of any more use than material for other fantasy games. You can use the fluff and descriptions but the rules in the books have to be pretty much tossed out wholesale. Having lived through the change AD&D to the incompatible 3rd edition D&D I can sympathise if this is enough to discourage some from switching to Fantasy Craft. FEATURE: Fantasy Craft includes many monsters and PC species familiar to players of D&D. FEATURE: Species that are optional and poorly represented in D&D by optional rules are balanced core species and sub-species in Fantasy craft. FEATURE: Fantasy Craft does not provide you with a campaign setting but the core book alone gives you the tools to recreate most published or homemade fantasy settings. TIP: The Adventure Companion supplement has a big list of what species and feats emulate which classic races drawn from numerous sources including D&D, Tolkiens novels, and World of Warcraft. TRICK: If you want a play in a popular published setting its worth checking the Licence to Improvise section of the Crafty Games Forum and the Fantasy Craft Database. At these locations youll find other fans have probably done a lot of the work for you. TRICK: Fans of Planescape should check out the Planescraft playtest edition online. Also read the discussion on the
forum; the Planescraft team have yet to update their work based on the forums feedback. TRICK: For fans of any AD&D setting Planescraft contains a guide to converting AD&D monsters to Fantasy Craft and Fantasy Craft statistics for many AD&D monsters. Characters Fantasy Craft characters are competent and every character can bring something to every situation. Your soldier can blanche a king with a glare and has the resolve to weather a political storm. Your Courtier can snatch victory in battle by inspiring teammates or knifing enemies. You get the idea. The other upshot of this is - unlike AD&D and 3.5 - you dont have to fill specific party roles or risk weakening the entire party. In AD&D you need a warrior, a rogue, a wizard and a priest; if your party is missing one of these types adventures become very challenging or have to be carefully designed for your weakened party. The advantage of the D&D approach is that it encourages teamwork. Slowly, I realised that Fantasy Craft encourages teamwork through a more subtle method: most Fantasy Craft characters have abilities that give other PCs a boost. Characters are built around a core of three choices: Species, Speciality, and Class. Species and Class should be recognised by most gamers. Specialities remind me of 2nd edition AD&D kits. They are parcels of minor abilities that represent your profession or background. As with AD&D, a massive number of combinations of species, class, and speciality are possible. The core rulebook alone can support thousands of character concepts. In Fantasy Craft your Speciality is what you do for a living, while your class represents the abilities you use to do that work. It is quite possible to think outside the box and, for example, create Mage Gladiators because unlike the kits of old, Specialities are not linked to class. Some Specialities are based on D&D classes. e.g. Bard, Sorcerer, Fighter, Cleric, and Thief are all Specialities in Fantasy Craft. The core Fantasy Craft book has the following species: drake, dwarf, elf, giant, goblin, human, ogre, orc, pech (gnomes and halflings), rootwalker (ent/treant), saurian, and unborn (golem). In addition humans select one of 25 talents like educated or ruthless. The following classes are offered: assassin, burglar, captain, courtier, explorer, keeper, lancer, mage, priest, sage, scout, and soldier. Starting at 5th level you can take an expert class such as: alchemist, beastmaster, edgemaster, paladin, rune knight, and swashbuckler. Specialities included: acrobat, adept, adventurer, archer, aristocrat, artisan, barbarian, bard, cavalier, cleric, corsair, criminal, dragoon, druid, fencer, fighter, fist, gladiator, guardian, lord, merchant, miner, musketeer, mystic, nomad, physician, ranger, rogue, shaman, shield bearer, sorcerer, swindler, tribesman, vanguard, warden, and wizard. TRICK: To create characters that have greater social standing, fame, or homes rather than starting at a higher level consider a +90 bonus to Reputation at first level. Do not allow this Reputation to be spent on magic items. TRICK: Fantasy Craft provides very little fluff allowing players to describe sub-species, classes, etc to suit their concept. Alternative explanations for the same game rules are often called skins. For example a Mage could be a studious wizard, someone harnessing natures fury, or a demi-god growing in power etc.
TIP: Though Fantasy Craft has a lot of species and classes in one book it neglects to warn players that not all of these might be available in your referees world. The chapter on Worlds discusses at length how, as a referee, you probably wont want to use all the species and classes. TIP: When creating a character dont forget you have two free choice Origin Skills. Use these to pick two skills you want but are not on your class skills list. TIP: For a Jack-of-a-trades (master of none) with many different skills you need to Well Rounded feat. You cannot take cross-class skills unless your GM turns on the Versatile Heroes campaign quality. TIP: The Forge chapter lists an enormous variety of equipment however your referee may have chosen an Era that limits your choices. Your referee can alter the equipment available in other ways too always check for setting limitations on equipment. TIP: The Fantasy Craft Assassin is geared more towards the James Bond or Lady Borgia approach than a 1st edition AD&D or Assassins Creed one. You could build a sneak and stab assassin with this class using careful feat, attribute, and proficiency choices. Alternatively, use the Burglar class to be very sneaky and then use other options to make her deadly. FEATURE: the wide selection of Talents for humans makes Fantasy Craft an excellent game for human only fantasy settings, such as the Hyborian Age or Pirates of the Caribbean.
Buildingaworld
Looking over my converted world I saw I had tapped only a fraction of the games capability. I went back to the drawing board and built a world to take advantage of the games features. There was a project I had wanted to do for a long while and Fantasy Craft provided the tools. My setting is the epic First Age, a scant few generations from Creation. Elder species dominate the world, gods meddle in mortal affairs, and legends are being forged with bronze and oratory. How well did Fantasy Craft handle this? Following the instructions in the World chapter you begin by sketching out a concept for your new setting. What is your worlds feel and genre? What are your inspirations? After that the book guides you through a series of choices. For the most part this is a version of the kind of world building advice rpg veterans have seen numerous times. Fantasy Craft then takes things a step further and lets you alter the game rules to support your vision. You can choose Campaign Qualities to tweak the game rules. Essentially these are official house rules. Using these you can make combat more or less deadly, have characters advance faster, reduce or increase the availability of magic items and more. Some of these are cross-referenced throughout the book as prerequisites for equipment, character options etc. This is a really handy way for a referee to communicate her vision to the players and flag what options are available in her world. This is where the modular nature of the rules really shines. For example if you dont have Miracles or Sorcery this neatly removes all the magic from your world and communicates to players that options that have Sorcery or Miracles listed as a requirement are out of bounds. For my world I chose: Miracles, Rare Magic items, Sorcery, Difficult Magic, Non-scaling NPCs, and Dominant Heroes. You also choose an Era describing technological and social development. Every item of equipment and some character options have an Era requirement. This is something like a GURPS technology level. Fantasy Craft supports four Eras: Primitive, Ancient, Feudal and Reason. An Industrial Era (Victorian) is discussed but not supported elsewhere in the core book. I wanted to create a world something like the ancient past of a typical D&D world so I chose Ancient Era to represent a time of heroes, spears, gods and legions. Fantasy Craft does not use the axiomic alignments familiar to D&D players. Instead alignments are whatever the referee decides is important to the people of her world; these could be philosophies, religions, star signs, patriotic nations or whatever else is important. Fantasy Craft enabled me to outline the competing beliefs so important to my world and back them with game mechanics using the Miracles campaign quality. Overall Fantasy Craft did a good job of supporting my particular vision. The choices available can describe a great variety of worlds. The rules can be tweaked to support a variety of fantasy genres, though remaining somewhat cinematic. I have seen settings as diverse and Conan and Planescape represented well by these rules. TRICK: The Eras are very coarse grained. Primitive covers everything from Chimpanzee tools to the Neolithic. Ancient includes both Troy and Rome. Every item also has a complexity, by adding a limit to complexity you can add a finer grain to Era. For example the Bronze Age is Ancient Complexity 10. Players can add upgrades like Crude Materials to reduce the complexity of items to represent emerging or imperfect technologies. TRICK: For a campaign where ideology is important insist every PC takes an alignment but be sure to include no
faith as an option. You can list other alignments as opposed to the faithless representing the wrath of the gods (Clash of the Titans) or lack or respect (Planescapes Clueless). FEATURE: At its core Fantasy Craft is what many would call a cinematic rules set. While cinematic brings to mind Hollywood films I found this approach a good match for the hyperbole of European legends, folklore, and old epics like Beowulf. However if you want a realistic game even after applying campaign qualities you might be better off with something like GURPS. 1stand2ndprintings.AlasTrulyMassive Soon after I got my first pdf, Crafty produced the Second Printing of the game. At a glance the two versions are hard to tell apart; however, scattered throughout the second printing are dozens of small corrections and alterations incorporating both errata and player feedback. Rules that had not sat well with fans including banned actions and the drawbacks associated with iconic classes and specialities were cut. Also, some balance issues were addressed. The bottom line? Hidden away in the second printing are numerous changes that make a good game better. Alas for missing things The Truly Massive feat was one of my favourite features of the game. It enabled players to take on the role of Huge giants, dragons, and rootwalkers (in d20 games Huge is a size category covering creatures up to about 30 tall). Without Truly Massive a giant is limited to about 15 tall. Truly Massive was a great fit for my world: mythic PCs for a mythic setting. More generally Truly Massive enabled Fantasy Craft to recreate old AD&D favourites like Bronze Dragons or Cloud Giants in a satisfying manner. Beyond D&D, many fantasy settings in literature, film, and myth feature Huge characters. Unfortunately, this feat was cut from the Second Printing. Without Truly Massive a portion of the games ability to realise fantasy archetypes as PCs was lost. Speculation on the Crafty forum regarding the cut suggested a number of reasons including: a) that if the game is to play smoothly out of the box then giving players the option to play characters that arent going to fit in those common dungeon adventures isnt a good idea; b) that trying to cater for several species with one feat produced a generic bland result; and c) that the feat was mechanically unbalanced. The authors of fantasy Craft are to be congratulated for changes to rules such as strength/size, types, weapon scaling, etc. that have broadened PC horizons beyond what d20 could traditionally handle well. With Huge characters, maybe we have found something the system cannot do, given that most other games also cannot handle Huge PCs this not much of a criticism. TIP: The paper second and first printing look almost identical. To quickly check: the first printing has a small coat of arms for Mongoose Games on the back cover. TIP: If you do get a first printing copy of the rules there is a 41 page booklet free on the Crafty site to get you up-todate at http://www.crafty-games.com/downloads. TIP: Even if you do have the second printing the above documents introduction explains the approach taken by the design team and how they imagine you might best use their toolbox game.
TIP: If your local store has copies of the first printing get the manager to contact Crafty, in the past they have done a replacement deal. TIP: If you are going to run lots of dungeon adventures consider cutting Ogre, Giant, Drake, and Rootwalker from the available PC species in your world. Onlinesupport I had a great new game, but my group was deep into two long campaigns and I was working too many hours to take on a weekday afternoon campaign. Furthermore, its hard to talk about a game much less your ideas for that game with people who have never played it. I needed an outlet. So, I checked out the company forums. This was a new experience for me; I had never seen a forum before. No, really. I found the community was large, welcoming and well behaved (I have since discovered this is far from the norm). I was able to get thoughtful criticism for my ideas and help developing new PC species and the like. The forums have Q&A threads for the companys games and if other forum members cant answer your question then the game designers will. As well as the forum, the Crafty site hosts a regularly updated news feed that keeps customers notified of the latest releases and what conventions the Crafty designers will be attending. There are occasional links to video of town hall meetings where gamers ask the companys two designers questions and get direct answers. These can be illuminating but for specific questions the Q&A threads on the Forums are a better choice. The company website also features a largely neglected wiki. The Crafty Wiki contains an unofficial guide to creating species and specialities. That they allow this kind of fan reverse engineering on the official site speaks volumes about the culture of this little company. I personally would have liked an official version of the Origin design rules in the book. For a toolbox game designed to create almost any fantasy setting this is an obvious set of tools to toss in. That said the Origin design rules are not fail-safe and including them could have reduced the perceived quality of a watertight set of rules. If you do want to post material for Fantasy Craft, the best place is not the company site. A more recent addition to the Fantasy Craft online community is the Fantasy Craft Database (FCDB). The moderator of this site - Veector - is to be commended for how quickly he checks material and posts it to the site. The moderator does not act as editor: any and all Fantasy Craft material seems to be accepted. The site does have a voting system to help users distinguish good material from poor; however, either too few people are using the site or too few of them are voting. Most items have few votes and even the top rated items generally have less than ten votes. With so few votes cast, they are a poor guide to item quality. Unfortunately, there is no space for users to comment on the work of others. Overall, online support for the game is good. Both the company site and the FCDB are regularly updated and the online community surrounding these sites is large, welcoming, and active. TIP: Before posting to the FCDB put your creation on the forums for critique. The input of other gamers always refines and improves an idea. TRICK: Many fan-rules never make it past the forum. If you cant find something in the database, try using the search
function in the forum before doing the hard work of creating the thing yourself. TRICK: The Crafty Wiki contains an unofficial guide to creating species and specialities. It does not guarantee balance but it will get you close enough to start play-testing your idea. Onlineplay Another facet of the forum community is a very active play-by-post section. Play-by-post (pbp) takes some getting used to but is worth it as you have the world in your neighbourhood. There are ALWAYS people ready to play. This alone is a good reason to recommend Fantasy Craft to those who cant find a regular gaming group or are too busy to join one. Generally, a new game opens every month or so; however, about a third of these never get very far. Games always have a limited number of places and you might not be selected; therefore, a little patience is required. A typical game requires one or two in-character posts per week. Compared to a table top game the pbp pace is very slow and takes some getting used to. While many consider pbp the poor cousin of table-top gaming the media does have its own advantages. Play-by-post gives you the time to look up the rules and consider your options before describing your action. For this reason pbp is a great way for those new to the game to learn the rules. Another advantage of pbp is that you can play characters with odd mannerisms or motivations. For example one of my characters had an unusual code of behaviour and always spoke in a formal archaic manner, this would be very difficult to keep up around the table. TIP: Most pbp games only accept a small number of players and increasingly they are not first come first serve. When you have spare time pre-write a few character concepts ready; then when a game is advertised you can respond quickly picking a concept from your stable that might appeal to the referee. TIP: Only about one in three pbp games gets very far. Dont be too disappointed if a game dies, just sign up for another. TIP: For online games in text environments dont arrange your character as on the character sheets, instead keep all the class abilities together, all the feats together, etc. This allows harried pbp gamers to check each others working. Your GM may have a favoured format for this. Check with her. TRICK: I found keeping PCs for pbp games on the wiki made a lot of sense. Oneofftabletest(workedexamples) A referees business trip left a hole in my groups gaming calendar and I was ready with a one-off adventure and pregenerated characters. This gave me an opportunity to push the system more than I could as a player in a pbp game. Also, in pbp you cannot judge how smoothly a game will play at the table. Some games look great on paper but stall and stutter the flow of the story in play. I wanted to know: Did fantasy craft have poetry?
I designed an outdoor adventure to fill a single session. Fantasy Craft uses a mix of tactical time periods (rounds, months, days, etc.) and narrative ones (scenes, adventures etc.). The frequency with which characters can use their abilities is linked to the narrative time periods. For me this was a big adjustment in my thinking. During the planning stage it took a couple of revisions to figure out where the scene changes were. Nevertheless, I was able to run a tactical style adventure within these constraints. Here was my set up: the PCs had to catch an ogre who had a head start before he reached the river ford marking a local border. I used the travel rules to track everyones progress and decided to make scene changes occur whenever characters caught up with foes. That way I could run a highly tactical adventure of the kind I favoured in AD&D as a series of scenes. Another kind of game familiar to AD&D veterans is the adventure of attrition. In this kind of adventure the PCs face a series of challenges and the players must be careful to only use their spells, ammunition and other consumables when really necessary or have insufficient resources come the adventures end. Fantasy Craft does not seem to be well suited to this kind of adventure. A referee could decide a whole dungeon is one scene to create this kind of situation. What about characters? I wanted to showcase my world and the diversity of character concepts Fantasy Craft was capable of, therefore the PC party was pretty wild. It does not have to be this way; you can easily run an all human world if you want it to. The PCs were a Drake Warden Captain, Dwarf Shield-Bearer Soldier, Elf Ranger Mage, and an Unborn (golem) Mystic Explorer. It is worth discussing each. I wanted to see if there were any imbalance issues for larger characters. I used Truly Massive unaltered for the drake character and observed no mechanical advantage problems, within that single adventure. Players seemed to be pleasantly surprised when they realised the 44 long dragon among them was an inexperienced first level adult. The dragon had an NPC minion, a dwarf agent. When designing the dwarf I tried to create a character as focused/specialised as an AD&D or D&D character. To create a fighter who was really good at combat and nothing else was very difficult. As already noted Fantasy Craft characters usually have broad competence and it is difficult to avoid this even if you are deliberately doing it. Fantasy Craft, unlike D&D, does not foster teamwork by specialised/complementary roles. Instead most characters have abilities that can boost other members of the team. For example our dwarf could raise the defence of allies adjacent to him. The elf was an example of how to alter common concepts with Fantasy Craft. She had abilities well suited to the traditional wilderness role of the Ranger but her class abilities and skill selection leaned toward magic and social manipulation rather than the more traditional sword and bow woodland warrior ranger. Although her class was Mage this characters selection of spells included minor healing and protection more like a D&D cleric. Note that in Fantasy Craft healing magic is not restricted to priests. The unborn was chosen to demonstrate the range of characters the game can handle. The bronze idol was the party skill monkey but was not a sneaky rogue. He was a passable warrior and his skills and gear made him descent healer too. The main source of healing is often skills and mundane supplies like bandages, not spells or magic items. A party without healing magic is not at a fatal disadvantage. This is one of the changes from the D&D 3.5 SRD that enables fantasy craft to handle parties of any mix of classes and worlds without healing magic.
As experienced gamers my players soon figured out that the only way to succeed was to cooperate. For example the only way to get the two dwarves to the ford ahead of the ogre was for the dragon to carry them. In combat the combination of the PC dwarfs defence sharing kept the idol out of harms way while it hacked away at the ogre. In the end the fight was a smidge too easy. The ogre managed to really hurt the poor NPC dwarf minion but the players cut down my villain a couple of rounds after closing to melee range. We did not use a grid for combat, just a rough mud map on a whiteboard and narrative description. Though they made little use of action die one player especially like the idea of a bonus players can use for what they perceive as important rolls or for limited narrative control and that this bonus was an explosive die. The players enjoyed the adventure and were open to playing Fantasy Craft again some time. On the forums others have described other one-off games. Experienced gamers seemed to like the way Crafty had retooled the skill and feat systems. In at least one game players made greater use of the narrative control rules and the referee felt it added to the game. Other referees have also experienced the feeling that the PCs tore through their chief villains too readily. I think that devising effective NPC tactics and design of challenging major NPCs are skills that require a little learning time. Though, I suppose, my taste runs towards more deadly opponents compared to the tastes of those the designers table. Overall, we found the system was not intrusive on the action and story being portrayed. The speed of play was to my personal taste. At a live table Fantasy Craft had the poetry of a fast running AD&D session with experienced players even though my group had never seen Fantasy Craft before. FEATURE: Combat in Fantasy Craft can be run with or without a grid. TIP: If you start with first level characters you are going to need a lot of d4, prepare yourself for a strange look at your local game store. TIP: While learning the art of good villain design and tactics I might use menace level IV adventures to get the amount of PC maiming Im happy with. I caution though that this is a matter of taste. TIP: Alternatively, use campaign qualities to make your NPCs more of a threat. TIP: If you do decide to run a dungeon as one scene to create a challenge of attrition you had better warn your players first. Summary:IsFantasyCraftforyou? Fantasy Craft met all five of my criteria. Your criteria will be different. I found that: 1. Fantasy Craft could handle a greater variety of PC types than most games on the market. Dragons, giants, devil tainted bloodlines, gladiators, wizards, phalanx soldiers, nobles and more are all in the core book. For gamers that do not want a diverse high fantasy world Fantasy Craft can be used with humans alone and the huge number of Talents available to humans should keep human only worlds interesting for players. The game is not linked to a specific world and is not presented with a setting. I know other gamers want
2.
setting material; if so, you might take a look at the Adventure Companion supplement for three very well thought out settings in short form. Alternatively, you could pick just about any fantasy setting and use Fantasy Crafts wide selection of options and toolkits to make conversions. 3. Fantasy Craft provides a toolkit for creating your own settings and encourages you to do so. I found it easy to create the worlds I wanted with the core book alone. Almost all the tools you could want are here including NPC design, gear customisation, combinatorial character generation, and low fluff skinnable character abilities. The rules are detailed enough to delineate what is possible in unfamiliar settings. Better yet, campaign qualities allow you to quickly communicate alterations to the rules that bring them in line with your vision. While able to deal with a good variety of sub-genres and styles of play the Fantasy Craft physics is, at its core, cinematic/mythic. Those seeking a closer match to real-world physics, perhaps for a non-magical or historical setting, will find Fantasy Craft unsuitable. The rules are deep enough for experienced gamers but not so complex that play slows to a crawl. Fantasy Craft is made up of systems. The various systems of the game are consistent; a general rule applies in all specific cases making the game easy to learn. The systems are also massively combinatorial, you will never exhaust the combinations the systems can create. In play the game flows nicely not impeding the narrative the group is creating. It has poetry.
4.
5.
After a long wait I could finally retire my AD&D collection and enjoy the advantages of a flexible, easy to teach, modern rpg for my fantasy adventures. Beyond my personal criteria there are other considerations that may be important to the reader. If you have a favourite setting in another game system, including D&D 3.5, the toolbox of options and design systems in Fantasy Craft makes conversions easy. Many popular settings have already been converted to Fantasy Craft by fans. You cannot plug and play rules from other D20 games with Fantasy Craft. If you are too busy to have a regular session but are itching to get some gaming done then Fantasy Craft might be for you. With an active and welcoming online community the play-by-post sub-forum on the Crafty web site is a great way for busy people to play. In conclusion I strongly recommend Fantasy Craft for any fantasy or historical setting from Stone Age to Renaissance provided a cinematic or mythic style of play is desired. Acknowledgments: Proof reading of the first draft by Michael James with input from the Crafty Forum community. Any errors remaining are my own. Thanks also to referees and players of the various pbp games and COG Melbourne; our Fantasy Craft adventures together provided the basis for this review. Planescraft is a free version of planescape setting for the Fantasy Craft game. As we went to press an updated version of this pdf went onto the net. The Address for the new release is: http://www.planescraft.com/web/news.php?n=6&Second+playtest+of+Planescraft+core+rulebook+released!+
TheShiftedSoul:APathfinderPlanescapeCampaign
FelixAplin
TheShiftedSoulCampaignNotes
Backgroundsummary: TheplayersarepartofasocietyknownastheTainted:mortalswhohaveinheritedastrangecurse(andboon)knownas theShiftedSoul.Whilstnormallythesoulisareflectionofthebodyandmind,fortheTainteditisthephysicalwhich isless'real'.TaintedliterallycarrytheirsoulswiththemthroughlifeintheformofcrystalfragmentscalledHeartgems. Aslongasthesoulremainsintact,thebodyismerelyaprojectionthatmaybeharmedorevendestroyedwithout permanentconsequence.However,thephysicaldestructionofthissoulbringsanimmediateandfinalendin annihilation. Yourcharactersareoutcasts,membersofTaintedsocietywhohavegrownupandlivedtheirownlivesfreelyonthe planes.Asthecampaignbegins,theyarestrangersdrawntogetherbyanoddphenomenon:theirHeartgemshavebegun toglow,pulsatingwithadimbluelightthatgrowsstrongerastheirgemsarebroughtclosertogether.Fromthisstart theyarefreetoexplorethereasonsbehindthisstrangeoccurrence,orsimplyseizetheopportunitytobandtogetherand seekfortuneonthePlanes. IplantomakethegameatraditionalPlanescapemixof grittyandoutlandishwithadashoffateandmortality, butwecangetasseriousandphilosophicalor lightheartedandgameyaswewish. RulesOutline: IhaveattachedafirstdraftoftheShiftedSoulrulesto thisemail.Thissectionisespeciallyopentoyour feedbackasitchangesthefeelofthegamesignificantly. Mechanically,theplayers(andanyotherTaintedthey encounter)haveakindofquasiimmortality.Theycan bekilledtimeandtimeagainonlytoreformattheir Heartgem,butifthegem(theirtruebody)isdestroyed thecharacterispermanentlylost.TraditionallyinDnD, deathissomethingtofearrightupuntilyougotraise dead,atwhichpointitbecameamereannoyance.Fora Tainted,ordinarydeathisalmosttrivialised,butwith thisbooncomesthepossibilityofirrevocablecharacter loss.Inawaytheyhavebecomebothstrongerandmore
fragilethanatypicalDnDcharacter. Asitstandstherulesallowfortheplayerstousedeathcreativelyasanotherproblemsolvingtool,almostina planescapetormentesquefashion.Youmightwanttoconsiderwhetherreincarnationshouldhavesomekindofcost, suchasanXPreduction.Thiswillstopanypotentialforsystemabuse,butmakesyourcharactersweakerthannormal DnDcharacters,whocanberaisedatnopermanentcostinPathfinder. CurrentlytherulesallowplayersandvillainstoleavetheirHeartgemssafeintheirlairsiftheyknowtheywillface danger,whichmakescombatlesslethalandencouragesdivination/stealth/deceptionasameansofdefeatinganenemy. AnalternativeisthatHeartgemsmustbekeptwithinacertainradiusofthebody,whichwillmakecombatmuchmore threateningtoplayersbutweakentheutilityofthecurse/Heartgem. CharacterCreation: Ihavetriedtodesignthebackgroundtobeasopenendedaspossibleintermsofcharactercreation.Thecursecanbe passedontoanyintelligentmortalrace,soyouhavenorestrictions.ImmortalracessuchasDemons,Modronsetcarea bithardertojustifybutarestillfeasible.Ifyouhaveareallywackyidea(youwanttoplayanintelligentspellor something)wecandefinitelydiscusshowtomakeitworkingame.Iencouragehumanoidsjustsowedontruninto toomanybalanceheadaches.TheonlychoicesIdontencouragearestandardracesotherthanhumans,suchas halflings,elvesetc.Savethatfortraditionalfantasy! Asyourcharacterisbornanoutsideryouarefreetocomeupwithyourownelaboratebackstory.Ifyouareunfamiliar withthesetting,Isuggestplayingaprime(acharacterwhohasgrownuponatraditionalfantasyworldorDnD setting)asitgivesyouanexcellentexcusetoaskmanyquestionsandgenerallyactlikeatourist.Thinknotonlyabout who/whatyourcharacteris,butalsowhatkindoflifephilosophiesyourcharactermayhave.Thiswillbecomemore importantduringthegameitself.IthinktheonlyplayerswehavewhodontknowthesettingareLizandJanet,so Carl/Myselfcanhelpourrespectivehalvescomeupwithacharacterideasonooneisleftfeelinglost. IfyouarealreadyfamiliarwithPathfinder,feelfreetostartcreatingacharacterusingtheonlineSRD.Ifyouhave played3.5,takecarenottoassumeclasses/racesworkthesameasbefore:somehavechangedconsiderably.Ihavea hardcopycorerulebookandadvancedplayersguide.IfyouwanttouseanyPathfindercontentnotfromthesebooks, orany3.5content,pleaserunitpastmefirst.Wearestartingatlevel1with1000goldtopurchaseinitialequipment.If youwanttoplayamonsterracewithaleveladjustment,letmeknowandIwillconvertitintoastandardpathfinder (+0LA)raceforyouIhaveattachedsomeexamplesinthisemail.Myonlyrestrictionisthatifyouwishtoplaya divineclasssuchasacleric,pleasepickanidealratherthanagodtodrawyourpowerfrom.Thisispurelyafluff consideration.
Pathfinderconvertedraces:
Pureborn:
+2Constitution,+2Charisma,2Dexterity:PurebornTaintedaretoughandhavestrongpersonalities,buttheirthick scalesmakethemlessnimblethanotherraces.
Medium:PurebornareMediumcreaturesandhavenobonusesorpenaltiesduetosize. NormalSpeed:Purebornhaveabasespeedof30feet. LowLightVision:Pureborncanseetwiceasfarashumansinconditionsofdimlight. ScalyHide:Purebornhaveathick,scalyhidewhichgivesthema+1naturalarmourbonus. Arcanelearning:Purebornhaveaninnateunderstandingofthearcane.Theyreceivea+2racialbonustoKnowledge (arcane)skillchecks. DragonBlood:Purebornarehumanoidswiththedragonbloodandreptiliansubtypes.Foralleffectsrelatedtorace,a Purebornisconsideredadragon. Languages:Purebornbeginplayspeakingplanarcommonanddraconic.Purebornwithhighintelligencescorescan choosebonuslanguagesfromanynonsecretlanguage.
Feytouched: +2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution, +2 Charisma: Feytouched are quick and charismatic, but as fragile as porcelain. Medium: Feytouched are Medium size. Normal Speed: Feytouched base land speed is 30 feet. Fey Blood: Feytouched are humanoids with the Fey subtype. Foralleffectsrelatedtorace,aPurebornisconsidereda Fey. Low-Light Vision (Ex): A feytouched can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. Light foot: Feytouched have a +2 racial bonus to stealth checks. Wild Mind: A feytouched has a +4 racial bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects. Languages: Common, Sylvan. Bonus Languages: Elven, Gnome, Halfling.
Khaasta: +2Strength,+2Constitution,2Charisma:Khaastaarestrongandtough,butnotoriousfortheirdifficultdisposition. Medium:KhaastaareMediumcreaturesandhavenobonusesorpenaltiesduetotheirsize. NormalSpeed:Khaastahaveabasespeedof30feet. Darkvision:Khaastacanseeinthedarkupto60ft. Humanoid(extraplanar,reptilian):Khaastaarehumanoidswiththereptilianandextraplanarsubtypes. ScalyHide:Koboldshaveathick,scalyhidewhichgivesthema+1naturalarmourbonus. NaturalAttack(Bite):Khaastahaveviciouslyhugejawsandcanbiteasaprimarynaturalattack(1d6damage). Languages:KhaastabeginplayspeakingplanarcommonandKhaasta.Khaastawithhighintelligencescorescan choosebonuslanguagesfromanynonsecretlanguage
Bariaur: +2Strength,+2Wisdom,2Dexterity:BariaurareStrongandWise,buttheirlargerbodiesmakesthemlessdextrous thantwoleggedcreatures. Medium:BariaurareMediumcreaturesandhavenobonusesorpenaltiesduetotheirsize. FastSpeed:Bariaurhaveabasespeedof40feet. LowLightVision:Bariaurcanseetwiceasfarashumansinconditionsofdimlight. Outsider(extraplanar):BariaurareOutsiderswiththeextraplanarsubtype. Quadruped:Asquadrupeds,Bariaursgaina+4bonusoncheckstoresistbullrushandtripattacks.Theyhavea carryingcapacity1timesgreaterthannormalfortheirStrength.Theymustwearbardinginsteadofnormalarmor andcannot wear boots designed for humanoids. Powerful Charge: A Bariaur often begins a battle by charging at an opponent, lowering its head to smash its rams horns against a foe. In addition to the normal benefits and hazards of a charge, this allows the Bariaur to make a single bludgeoning attack that deals 2d6+1timesthebariaursStrengthmodifier. SureFooted:Asahalfgoat,Bariaurcanfindsurefootholdswheretwoleggedcreaturesstruggletofindeven handholds.Bariaurgaina+2racialbonustoclimbchecks. Languages:BariaurbeginplayspeakingplanarcommonandBariaur.Bariaurwithhighintelligencescorescanchoose bonuslanguagesfromanynonsecretlanguage HowKnowledgeskillsapplytoplanarcharacters
Knowledge(Arcana):Aspernormal.AnexampleofaplanarspecificArcanacheckwouldbetorecallanyspecific magicalinhibitionsonaparticularplane. Knowledge(Dungeoneering):Aspernormal.'Dungeon'inthisinstanceistakentomeananyartificiallycontructed featurelikelytoincludehostileenvirons,suchasacastle,maze,pocketdimensionorabyssallair. Knowledge(Engineering):'Engineering'inthiscasereferstospecificknowledgeofplanarphysics,inrelationtothe construction(ordestruction)ofbuildingsandmechanicalitemsintheplanes.Aknowledge(engineering)checkwould needtobepassedinordertocreatea(semi)permanentstructureinpandemonium,identifyanautomatonorrepairthe hullofasubmarineintheplaneofwater. Knowledge(Geography):'Geography'inthiscasereferstothespecificlayoutofplanesandtheirlayers.Anexample ofaknowledge(geography)checkwouldbepointpointingthelocationofTiamat'slaironthefirstlayerofBaator,or knowingwhatthe284thlayeroftheabyssiscalled. Knowledge(History):Aspernormal,where'history'referstothehistoryoftheplanesthemselves.Aknowledge (history)checkwouldberequiredinordertorecallthehistoryofthepactprimaeval,ortheoriginsofthefiends. Knowledge(Local):Localinthiscasemeansasingleplanarlocation,chosenwhentheskillisfirsttaken.Thiswould typicallybeaplanarmetropolis(suchasSigil)butcouldalsobegeneralisedouttoaplanarlayerorprime.Knowing thebestplacetoacquirealich'sskullinSigilwouldbeaKnowledge(Local)Sigilcheck. Knowledge(Nature):'Nature'inthiscasereferstoanynativenoncivilisedcreatures/plants/livingthingsonthe planes,aswellasageneralunderstandingofplanarclimate.Forexample,inMechanus'nature'wouldcoverthe clockworkanimalsorflocksofmathematicalproofswhichnaturallyinhabittheplane,butnotthespecificsofModron society. Knowledge(Nobility):Nobilitychecksapplytoanysituationwhereknowledgeofspecificsocialetiquetteisrequired. Aknowledge(nobility)checkwouldbeneededtogainaudiencewithahighrankingefreet,butwouldalsobe necessarytonavigatealmosteveryaspectoflifeinMountCelestia. Knowledge(Planes):Specificallyreferstothegeneralstructureandworkingsoftheplanesandbeliefasawhole.This skillgivesnospecificinformationonplanarlocations,butaknowledge(planes)checkwouldbenecessarytodescribe themigrationofsoulsontheplanes,ortheprocessbywhichnewplanesareformed.
Knowledge (Religion): As per normal, except this extends to all powers, including powerful outsiders such as demon princes. The planar location of specific powers is more commonly known on the planes (a lower DC than would normally be required). Knowledge (Religion) also covers knowledge of Proxies, the layout of a deity's realm and the nature of godhood itself.
TheCityofOmelas Population:~200,000.70%Tainted,(30%human/planetouched,30%Pureborn,10%Duergar,10%Rhoode,10% Kobold,10%other),5%Khaasta,34%Rilmani,~20%other.~200dragonsyoungadultorabove;65%Red,25% planar,10%other. PrimaryLanguages:PlanarCommon,Draconic. Location:TheConcordantDomainoftheOutlands
Overview:
OmelasisthehomeoftheTainted,anancientcitybyprimestandardsbutyoungfromaplanarperspective.Itlies inastateofcrumblingmagnificence,grandioseandcontentinitsownstagnation.
LocatedintheOutlands,theplaneofneutralityandbalance,thecityisringedbymountainsandcloakedinan endlessfogthroughwhichdistantbuildingsareonlybarelyvisible.Throughunknownmeansthisfoghidesthecity fromthosewhowoulddoitharm.
ThecityspopulationiscomprisedmainlyofTainted,humanoidorotherwise,wholivegenerallystablelives pursingtheirowngoalsandinterests.AsmallerbutnotinsignificantsubsetofthepopulationarenonTainted,who dotheirbesttosurviveinacitythattreatsthemassecondclasscitizens.
OmelasactsasaregionaltradehubandgatewayforseveralimportantOutlandscivilisations,aswellasadiscreet locationforillegaloperations.Morewidelythecityisconsideredofonlyminorplanarsignificanceduetothe insularnatureofitsinhabitantsandremotelocation.
ThemainexportofOmelascomesfromuniqueventuresknownasgatediving.Thesebusinessesrevolvearound thecreationofunstableplanarriftswhichconnecttorandomlocationsontheplanes.Becauseoftheirunique quasiimmortality,Taintedcandivethroughtheseportalswithlittletonoriskofpermanentinjuryordeath.Most gatedivingbusinessesaresimplyaglorifiedmethodoflooting,butsomegatesinsteadgeneraterevenuethrough morepure(orsinister)methods.
AraceofdraconichumanoidscalledPureborntraditionallyholdsthepositionsofpowerinOmelasgovernment, whichisamixbetweendemocraticrepresentationandoligarchy.Lawinthecityrevolvesaroundcontrolling wealthandenforcingtradeagreements,ignoringallbutthemostextremecrimes.
ThemostpowerfulorganisationinOmelasistheSepathos(soulguardians).Thisextremelysecretiveenclaveof PurebornsorcerersandseersguardthesecrettothecreationofHeartgems,whichallTaintedrequire.Many TaintedresenttheSepathos,butfewchallengethemopenly.
Geography:
OmelasislocateddeepinagreatchainofmountainscalledTheBarrier,whichrunmostoftheirlengthbetween the7thand8thringschaoswardfromtheSpireintheOutlands.
Thecityrestsuponasmallplateaubarelylargeenoughtocontainthecity.Nighimpassablepeakssurroundthe plateautothesouth,eastandwest.Tothenorthliesasharpcliff,whichplummetsthroughdensefogtounknown depths.Crumblingpiecesoflandknownasearthburgsfloatoutoverthisdroptoformthenorthernmostedgeof Omelasitself.Thosewholeavethecitythiswayfindthemselvesemergingfromthefogsituatedhighabovethe mountainchain,withthecitynowhereinsight.
AfastmountainriverpoursfromcracksintherockstothesouthofOmelas,flowingthroughthecitybefore splittingintomanysmallcanals,riversandtwistingsewers.Theriversultimatefateistoplungefromthenorthern cliffatahundredseparatespots,cascadingoverlowfloatingearthburgs.Bythispointthewaterhasbecome polluted,dirty,andlacedwithalchemicalingredientsfromfailedexperiments.
Tothesouthandwestofthecityliesarelativelysmallareaoffarmland,wherethecitysfoodisgrown.Furtherto
thesouth,asmallgapinthejaggedpeaksmarksthePathofShades:theonlywayinandoutofOmelasbyfoot. Thiswindy,mistyandtreacherouspathleadsfromthesoutherngateofthecityoutontotrailsintheBarrier Mountains.Partsofthetrailcutthroughtherockandhaveopeningswhichleaddowntoanetworkofcavernsdeep beneaththesurfaceknownastheUnderlands.
ThefogwhichpermanentlyengulfsOmelasisdampandcold,whichonlyworsenstheslowdeterioration omnipresentwithinthecity.Eventhethick,drivingrainthatoccasionallywashesthestreetsdoesnotbanishthe fog.Whilethereisacycleofdayandnight,thecityisdevoidofseasonsandweatherremainsreliably(if unpleasantly)constant.
People:
ThemajorityofresidentswithinOmelasbelongtotheTainted,butoftenthatiswheresimilaritiesbetween individualsend.Therearemultipleracialandculturaldivideswithinthecity,andeachgroupstrivestokeepits identitydistinct.ThemostprominentTaintedcommunitieswithinthecityare:ThePureborn,Humans,Grey Dwarves,KoboldsandRhoode.
DuetothetimerestraintsassociatedwiththeconstructionofnewHeartgems,populationgrowthwithinOmelasis extremelyslow.Taintedchildrenarevanishinglyrareandzealouslyprotected.
PurebornrepresentthemajorityofTainted,althoughonlybyaslightmargin.Thesedraconichumanoidsfillmany ofthepositionsofpowerwithinthecityandarethemostcommonarcanemagicusers.Purebornareinfamously arrogant:evenwhileutterlydestitute,aPureborncanactinsufferablysuperior.
HumansrepresentthesecondlargestracialgroupinOmelas,butarealsothemostculturallydiverse,oftenforming theirowndistinctcliques.Easilyinfluencedbyplanarblood,mosthumanswithinthecityhavesomelevelof heritagestemmingfromtheouterorelementalplanes.TieflingsandElementalGenasiareespeciallycommon sights,outnumberingordinaryhumansbyafairmargin.Humansformthebackboneofcraftandtradeinthecity, andarethemostgregariousTainted.
GreyDwarves,alsoknownasDuergar,arethemostinsularandconservativeofallTaintedcommunities.They preferthecompanyoftheirownkindandresidealmostentirelywithintheirowndistrict,Eastgate.TheDuergar stillveneratetheirancestorspiritsandlegends,andweretheoriginalTaintedracetorediscoverthemeanstotap divineenergywithoutanAstralconnection.ManyGreyDwarvesbecomeblacksmiths,stonemasonsandclerics.
OmelasKoboldsareeverythingthattheGreyDwarvesarenot:creative,wildandliberal.Nolongershackledby violent,shortlives,TaintedKoboldshavechangedsubstantiallyfromtheircravenbrethren.Revellingindanger andingenuity,OmelasKoboldsarefamousfortheirmechanicalaptitude,shortattentionspansanddisregardfor physicalsafety.ManyKoboldMachinistsandAlchemistsresideintheHighSlums,wheretheypollutethe waterwaysandsewersofOmelaswithoilandresiduefromfailedexperiments.
Finally,theRhoodearearaceofaquaticamphibiansfoundnormallyintheElementalPlaneofWater.Rhoode haveamentalitymanyfindalien:theyarenaturallysubservient,andareoftencontenttoactascommonlabourers andservantsfortheotherTaintedcommunities.Ofcourse,theRhoodedonotseethisasservitude;rather,they believetruepowerliesinthehandsofthosewhoinfluenceeventswithsubtlety.Itistruethatmanyimportant OmelasofficialscouldnotfunctionwithouttheirRhoodeassistants.
Asubstantialminorityofthepopulationarenontaintedhumanoids,mostofwhichliveinslumsoutsideofthecity proper.Nontaintedhumanoidsfallintoseveraldistinctgroups:relativesofTaintedwhohaveremainedinthecity; thedestituteanddesperate;andcommunitiesoftradingpartnerssuchasRilmani,Khaasta,DroworHobgoblins whohavesettledinthecityovertheyears.
Generally,nonTaintedaretreatedassecondclasscitizensandhavefewerrights.ManyTaintedfearthat,ifgiven theopportunity,theirnormalcounterpartswouldrapidlygrowtooutnumbertheTaintedinOmelas,upsettingthe currentbalanceofpower.
Acommunityofdragonslivesinearthburgsoutpastthenortherncliff.Thesearemostlyreddragons,drawnby prospectofarcanepowerandthegenerallyfriendlyreceptiontheyreceiveinthecity.Thecommunitykeepsto itselfanddoesnotattempttointerferewiththedaytodayworkingsofthecity.
PoliticsandLaw:
Omelasisruled(innameatleast)byagoverningcouncilconsistingof9members,whositweeklytodecideupon policyviamajorityvote.Thecouncilnominatesitsownhead,knownastheHighProctor.TheHighProctorloses hisrighttoproposeorvoteonpolicymattersexceptasatiebreaker,butgainsameasureofpowerovereveryday administrationofthecity.
5councilmemberseachrepresentoneofthefollowingpowerfulfactionswithinOmelas:TheSepathos;The DiversGuild;TheArcaneUniversity;TheCityWatchandTheCraftsmansGuild.Theremaining4membersare selectedbypopularvoteevery20years,andarealmostalwaysmembersofOmelasnobility.OnlyTaintedare eligibletovoteintheseelections,andtheprocessisfarfromtransparent.
Asizeableproportionofwealthandpowerwithinthecityisheldbyasmallnumberofselfstylednobility: mostlyancientPurebornmanycenturiesoldwithmultipledescendants.Membersofthenobilitybreathepoliticsas easilyasairandplaygamesofmadnessandintriguespreadoverathousandyears.
ThegreatfactionsoftheplanesholdsomeswayoverOmelasresidents,buthavenoofficialjuristictionwithinthe city.ThethreemostpowerfulfactionsinthecityaretheAthar,theSignofOneandtheDoomguard.The DoomguardhavealliedthemselveswiththeFatedinOmelastocreateasinglefrontknownastheOrderofFlame. TheonlyfactionswithnorepresentationinthecityaretheHarmonium,GuvnersandMercykillers,whohave unanimouslydeclaredtheTaintedanabominationandcorruptionofnaturallaw.
CrimeisasignificantproblemwithinOmelas,astheZaunSepareducesthedangerinherentinmanycrimes, encouragingwouldbethievestotakegreaterrisks.Heartgemthievesespeciallyareamajorissue,anddrawthe primaryattentionoflawenforcement.Violenceismoreacceptablewithinthecity,withdeathorinjurymeaning littletoaTainted:barsandthecity'snightlifecanbeconsiderablymoredangeroustoordinarytravellers.
Mostlawswithinthecityfocusaroundregulationoffairtradeandgatediving.Thegravestpunishment(forgem theftorthemurderofaTainted)iseternalsolitaryconfinementwithinonesHeartgemifaTainted,orexecutionif not.TheCityWatchissmall,butwelltrainedandarmed.Theyhavesoforescapedtherampantcorruptionfound insomeotherareasofsociety,mainlyduetotheinspiringinfluenceoftheircurrentWatchCaptain,Haraam Lasnan.WhileunfittodealwiththevolumeofpettycrimepresentonOmelasstreets,theWatchstilltakesitsjob veryseriouslyandwillcometotheaidofcitizensifnotified.
Omelasmaintainscautiouspoliticaltiestoseveralkeyplanartradinghubs.Thecityhasanunreliableportaltothe LowerWardinSigil,whichseessometradeandtraffic.However,Omelasisjusttoosmallandinsulartoregister inSigilianpolitics.TheCityofBrassmaintainscautioustiestotheTainted,whoareallowedtowalkfreelywithin thecity'sforeignquarterusingtheirHeartgemasidentification.TheEfreetiareinterestedinOmelastrade,butso farhaveexpressednodesiretoconsideranypermanentagreementoralliance.Theonlycivilisationthatholdsa formalalliancewithOmelasisthenearbyRilmaniProtectorate,andRilmanitradersarequiteacommonsighton itsstreets.
OtherimportanttradingpartnersforthecityincludetheeverpresentKhaastacaravans,whobringgoodstotrade fromallgatetownsandmajorcivilisationsintheOutlands,andtradersfromthemanyUnderlandscivilisations mostcommonlyDrow,DeepGnomeorHobgoblin,butalsoIllithid,BeholderandevenUndeadmerchants. OccasionallyLizardmenfromSemuanyasBogcomeforweaponryandothermetalgoods,althoughKhaasta banditslimitthenumberoftraderswillingtomakethetrek.SuprisinglyfewMerkantscanbefoundplyingtheir tradeinOmelas:forsomereason,thosewhododealwiththecitytypicallybaseanynegotiationswithinSigil,and onlyenterOmelasifabsolutelynecessary.
TheShiftedSoul: History: Araceboundnotbyform,thoughtorbelief,butratherbyacurse:ZaunSepa,theshiftedsoul. Eonsago,thegreatredwyrmArzosahwasdrivenintomadnesswhenherlove,ahumanpriestnamedJedian,diedof oldageafterrefusingheroffertoprolonghislifevianecromancy.Consumedbygriefanddesperatetoreclaimtheonly thingshehelddear,Arzosahtravelledtotheouterplanesandpetitionedthepowersoftheupperplanestoreturn Jedian'ssoultoher.Theyrefusedherrequest,justastheyrefuseallrequeststoreturnmortalsoulsthathavepassedin peace;Jedian'ssoulhadalreadybeenabsorbedintotheplanesthemselves,andwasforeverlost. Arzosah,furiousanddesperatetothepointofinsanity,accusedtheplanarpowersofdeliberatelyshorteningmortal livestoallowforasteadystreamofsoulstoempowertheirownrealmsandforces.Determinedtobreaktheplanarhold
onthesoulbutmindfulofJedian'srequestthatnonecromancybeused,thegreatwyrmsetaboutpermanently separatingthesoulfromboththebodyandastralplane.HermillennialongeffortsledtothecreationofZaunSepa (literally'shiftedsoul'),abloodcursethatseparatesthesoulfromthebodyatbirth.However,theprocesswasnot perfect:unlessthesoulwasquicklyboundintoanothervessel,itwoulddriftbackintotheAstralandbetornapart.The onlyavailablematerialstrongenoughtocontainasoulinitsAstrallyseveredentiretywasacrystallisedpieceofthe greatheartofArzosahherself.Thus,Arzosahsacrificedherselfinordertobringaboutherownvisionoffreedomfor themortalraces. TheCursedSoul: OriginallycreatedbytheArzosahasameansofdenyinggodsthesoulsofmortals,ZaunSepaisaninherited('blood') cursethatcannotbegivenbyanyothermeans:theonlybeingwhoknewthesecretofitscreationwasmadArzosah herself,whoisnowlongdead.Thecurseforcesthesouloutoftheastralatbirthandintothephysicalrealm,whereitis literallybornalongsidethebody.However,withoutsomemethodofcontainmentthesoulisquicklytornapartandlost forever.Inorderpreventthis,thesoulisimmediatelyforcedintoareceptacleknownasa'Heartgem'originally crystallisedpiecesofArzosah'sgiganticheartwhichiscapableofcontainingtheimmenseenergiesnecessarytobind asoul.ThosewhohaveundergonethisprocessareknownastheTainted,andtheyhavebeenpermanentlyand irrevocablyremovedfromthenaturalcycleoflife. WhilenormallytheSoulisareflectionofthebodyandmind,forbearersofZaunSepaitisthephysicalwhichisless 'real'.Similartoalich'sphylactery,theHeartgemiscapableofrecreatingthebodyofaTainted,eveniftheoriginal bodyhasbeenutterlydestroyed.TheonlywaytopermanentlydestroyabearerofZaunSepaistodestroytheHeartgem itself.Taintedcanexpectonlyannihilationfromthisact:noforceontheplanescanreturnhimorhertolife. Thankfully,whatevermaterialthegemsarecreatedfromisincrediblystrong,andgreatforcemustbeappliedtoeven somuchaschipone.BarringthedestructionoftheHeartgem,aTaintedcanexpecttoliveindefinitely,althoughsucha lifespancreatesitsownsetofissuesfor(once)mortalminds.
TheShiftedSouldefinestheTaintedasasociety.Itopensthemuptoopportunitiesbeyondordinarymortalexperience, butatthesametimebrandsthemasoutcastsandabominations,permanentlydissociatedfromthemachinationsof planarpowersbothgoodandill.Forthemostpart,ZaunSepaisconsideredagiftbytheTainted,whouseittogreat advantage.
PhysicalDescription: TheoriginalrecipientsofZaunSepawerethehalfdragonchildrenofArzosahandJedian,andsincethattimemany otherraceshaveinheritedthecurse.SomeofArzosah'schildrensoughttokeeptheirlinepureinordertocreateastable racewhocouldbetrustedwiththearcanesecretsofthecurse.ThisleadtothecreationofthePureborn;araceof humanoidswhostillresembletheirdraconicancestors.Purebornretainthedraconicabilitytointerbreedwithnearly anyintelligentrace,althoughthechildalmostentirelyresemblesthenonPurebornparent.TaintedspreadZaunsepato newracesinthisway. OtherthanPureborn,themostcommonraceswithintheTaintedarePlanetouchedHumans,Kobolds,Duergarandthe amphibiousRhoode.Othermortalracesarereasonablycommonplace(suchasDroworGith),butveryrarearethe immortalracesoftheplanes.
Society: ThemajorityofTaintedliveinaplanarcitywithintheOutlandsknownasOmelas.Thisisbecausethesecretof creatingnewHeartgemsisknownonlybyanorderofhighrankingPurebornknownastheSepathos(Soul Guardians).TaintedmusteitherliveinthecityortraveltoitinordertoacquireaHeartgemfortheirnewborn:agift thatmanyhopefulparentswaitdecadestoreceive.Furthermore,Omelasholdsaspecialpower,thesourceunknown, thathidesitfromthevisionofthegodsandplanarpowers:anysuchpowerseekingtodoharmfindsthecity impossibletolocate.AssuchOmelasisahotbedfordissentersanddeserterswhoarehidingfromonepoweror another.SmallcommunitiesofTaintedliveinseveralotherplanarmetropolisesincludingSigilandtheCityofBrass. SmallgroupsofTaintedalsoexistscatteredthroughoutthemultiverseandontheprimes. Religion: TheZaunSepaisadirectattackagainstthetraditionalflowofsoulsintheouterplanes,andisanaffronttovirtuallyall godsandouterplanarpowers.BecauseaTainted'ssouldoesnottouchtheastral,thereisnowayfortheenergiesofa deitytodirectlyempowerthem.Thisactsasbothahindranceandaboon:deitiescannotdirectlytrackoreffectthe Taintedastheyleavenomarkupontheastral,butthisalsomeanstheTaintedmayneverreceiveorusedivinepower. Taintedclericscannevergaintheirpowersfromagod:ifaTaintedwishestobecomeacleric,theymustfocus inwardlyonthestrengthoftheirownbeliefs.SomeTaintedevengoontobecomeAtharorUrPriests,directlyacting againstthegods,althoughmostaresimplyapathetic. Adventurers: Taintedmakeexcellentanddaringadventurersduetothequasiimmortalitytheircurseprovides.ManyTaintedbegin theirlivesasadventurersbyworkingasgatediverswithinOmelas:thebriefvisitstootherplanespiketheircuriosity, causingthemtoseeklivesoutsideofthecity.Taintedwilloftenhidetheirtrueidentityoutofnecessitywhen adventuringoutsideofOmelas,astheirraceisnotgenerallywellreceivedontheplanes. Names: NonPurebornTaintedtakenamesaccordingtotheirownracialtraditions.PurebornTaintedhavedraconicnames. TheShiftedSoulRules: ZaunSepaisauniquecursethatcanbeinheritedbyanyliving,sentientorganismcapableofreproduction,andis automaticallypassedontothechildaslongasatleastoneparenthasthecurse.Itcannotberemovedinanyway currentlyknown:oncethesoulhasbeenpulledfromtheAstralitcannotbereturned,andanyattempttoliftthecurse leadsonlytothedeathoftheTainted. Taintedhaveadrasticallyreducedrateofaging:noTaintedhaseverdiedofoldage,andsomearenearlyonethousand yearsold. WhenaTaintedis'killed'viahitpointdamageoranyothereffect,itsbodydisintegratesandisinstantaneously transportedtoitsHeartgem.Anyitemswornareleftbehind.WhileinsidetheHeartgem,TaintedregeneratelostHPata rateof1hp/minute,abilitydamageatarateof1/hourandabilitydrain/negativelevelsatarateof1/day.Thisallows
themtorecuperatefromanywound,representingthetimenecessarytorecoverfromthetraumaofdeathorinjuryand reestablishtheirphysicalidentity. Alternatively,theTaintedcandecidetoenterhisorherHeartgematwillwithoutfirst'dying'.Inordertoaccomplish this,theTaintedmustbephysicallytouchingtheHeartgem.Thisactiontakes1fullroundtocomplete.Acharacteris immunetodeathwhileinsidethisSanctuary:anyeffectthatwouldkillhiminsteadreduceshishitpointsto0.Returning abodytothephysicalworldfromaHeartgemtakesasingleroundandprovokesanattackofopportunity. AnyeffectthatwouldpreventaLichfromreformingatitsphylacterywillalsopreventaTaintedfromreformingathis orherHeartgem.Examplesofthisincludeantimagicfields,oradimensionalanchorspellwhenthebodyisona differentplanetotheHeartgem. Heartgemscanbeenchantedandeffectedbyspellsbothaslivingentitiesandasitems.Ifdamaged,theGemslowly healsatarateof1HPper24hours:itcannotbehealedbyanyothermeans.IfaHeartgemisreducedto0HP,itis destroyedandforeverlost,alongwithanypersonsinsideit.Whatremainsoftheownerssoulistornapartandthe individualceasestoexist.NotevenawishspellordivineinterventioncanreturnaTaintedtolife. BecauseTaintedbodieslackanastralconnection,anyspellorabilitythatexplicitlyeffectsthesoulorspiritofa Taintedautomaticallyfails(suchasthecreatespawnabilityofawraith,orthespellssoulbindandastralprojection).
Spellsthatdetectlivingentities(suchasdetectliving,deathwatchandscry)failtodetectaTainted:however,they willworknormallyontheTainted'sheartgem.Forexample,asuccessfulscryspellwouldlocateaTainted's heartgeminsteadofhisbody.
Heartgemshavethefollowingstatistics: AC:10 HP:(10+theHDoftheowner)x2. Hardiness,SpellresistanceandResistancetoCold,Fire,ElectricityandAcid:10+theHDoftheowner. Theowner'ssaves.
PLANESCAPESPELLCOMPENDIUM
SpellsoftheFirstCircle AvoidPlanarEffects)Abjuration)Level:Sor/Wiz1,Cleric1 Components:V Castingtime:1immediateaction Target:OnecreatureRange:Close(25ft+5ft/level) Duration:1round/levelSave:Fortnegates(Harmless) SpellResistance:Yes Thisspellgrantsaverybriefrespitefromthehorribleeffectsthataplanecanwreakuponanindividual.Forthe duration,asinglesubjectisrenderedimmunetoallofaplane'snaturalharmfulordisruptiveeffects.Itprovidesno protectionfromcreaturesontheplane,nativeorotherwise.Likewise,intentionallycreatedtraps,magicalspells,or spellalterationduetoplanarlocationareunaffectedbythisspell.Whilethisspellisactive,thesubjectcreaturedoesn't needtoworryaboutalackofair,nonmagicaltemperatureextremes,nonmagicalpoisonousfumes,oranyotherharmful planarconditions.Itisgenerallyusedtoallowacharactertimetocastlongerlastingprotectivespells. MinorEmbalming(Necromancy)Level:Sor/Wiz1,Cleric1 Components:V,S Time:1standardaction Target:Oneundeadcreaturetouched Range:Touch Duration:5minutes/level Save:Fortitudenegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes Embalmingpreservesthefleshofthedead,andthisspellactstopreservetheformofanyundeadcreatureitiscaston. Tearsaremended,decayishaltedandbonesaremademoreresilienttodamage.Thetargetgains1temporaryhitpoint perlevel,uptoamaximumof+10atlevel10,anda+1deflectionbonustoACforthedurationofthespell. SpellsoftheSecondCircle BlackBarbedCurseConjuration(Summoning)[Evil]Level:Druid2 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction
Target:1creature Range:Close(25feet+5feet/2levels) Duration:Instantaneous Save:None SpellResistance:No ThosewhohavewalkedthetwistedpathsofaNighthagcansummonforthblackbarbsfromthedepthsoftheirown soulstoassaultatargetsflesh.Whencast,thespellsummonsaswirlingmassofblackbarbsthatgrowandburrowinto thetargetfor4d4hitpointsofpiercingdamage,withnosaveallowed.Thisdamagecountsasbothmagicalandevilfor thepurposesofbypassingdamagereduction. BloodBridgeNecromancyLevel:Sor/Wiz2 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Target:Livingcreaturetouched Range:Touch Duration:Instantaneous Save:Willnegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes Thisnecromanticspellallowsthecastertogivesomeofherownlifeessencetoanother...atacosttoherself.Whenthe targetistouched,bloodflowsoutofthemagesbody,spirallingthroughtheairtoflowintotherecipient,whereitseals woundsandhaltsbleeding.Thetargetishealedfor2hitpoints+upto2hitpointsperlevelofthecaster(shemay choosetobestowlessifshewishes).However,atthesametimethecasterlosesanequalamountofhitpointstothose shetransfers.
GreaterEmbalmingNecromancyLevel:Sor/Wiz2,Cleric2 Components:V,S Time:1standardaction Target:Undeadcreaturetouched Range:Touch Duration:10minutes/level Save:Fortnegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes
ThisspellisamorepotentversionofMinorEmbalming,andthemendinganddamageresistanceitbestowslasts longer.Thetargetgains2temporaryhitpointsperlevelofthecaster,uptoatotalof+20atlevel10,anda+2 deflectionbonustoAC. InfernalOrbEvocation[Fire]Level:Sor/Wiz2 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Target:1creature Range:Close(25feet+5feet/2levels) Duration:Instantaneous Save:None SpellResistance:Yes Thecastersummonsalarge,magicalOrbof Fire,whichweakensandslowstheenemy. Thecastermustmakearangetouchattack, andifshehitstheorbdoes2d6pointsoffire damage.Ifthisattacksuccessfullycauses damage,italsoinflictsa2penaltytothe enemy'sStrengthandDexterityfor2rounds. SpellsoftheThirdCircle BlackBarbedShieldAbjuration[Evil]Level: Druid3 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Target:Self Range:Personal Duration:1round/level Save:Fortitudenegates(harmless) SpellResistance:No ThosewhohavewalkedthetwistedpathsofaNighthagcansummonforthbarbedbranchesfromtheirownsoulsto helpshieldthemfromdamage.Thisspellcallsforthaseriesofblackbarbsthatprotectandshieldthecasterfromharm. Thecastergainsa+2naturalarmourbonustoACforthedurationofthespell,andanycreaturethatsuccessfullyhits theplayerwithameleeattacksuffers1d6hitpointsofpiercingdamage+1pertwolevelsofthecaster,toamaxof+5 atlevel10.
AxeofTormentConjuration(Summoning)Level:Sor/Wiz3 Components:V,S CastingTime:1standardaction Target:Onelivingcreature Range:Close(25feet+5feet/2levels) Duration:Instantaneous Save:Willnegates(seetext) SpellResistance:Yes Thisspellsummonsalargeglowingbattleaxe,imbuedwithenergy,pain,andtorment.Theaxeinflicts1d8pointsof Forcedamage.Inaddition,ifthetargetfailstheirsave,rolla1d4andconsultthetablebelow,applyingtheresulttothe target.Ifthemageisoflevel9orover,rolla1d8instead.1:Sufferanadditional1d8pointsofForcedamage.2:Suffer anadditional2d8pointsofForcedamage.3:Stunnedfor1round4:Sufferanadditional5d8pointsoffiredamage.5: Sufferanadditional6d8pointsofcolddamage.6:Teleportedinarandomdirection1d10x5feet7:Paralysedfor1d4 rounds8:Sufferanadditional8d8pointsofForcedamage. ArmourofAcheronAbjuration,,[Law]Level:Clr3 Components:V,S,M(pieceofscrapmetal) Castingtime:1standardaction Target:Self Range:Personal Duration:1minute/level Save:Fortitudenegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes Thisspellcreatesasuitofmagicalarmourtoencasethecaster,protectinghimfromharm.Thearmourappearsas bulky,spikyblackandredmetalarmour,butdoesnotinterferewithanyarmourthecasteriswearingalready.Thishas twoeffects:Thecastergainsanarmourbonusof+9(thesameasfullplate).Thisbonusdoesnotstackwithanyarmour thewearerisalreadyusing.Secondly,thearmourprovidesdamageresistance5/magic;after5points/levelofdamage havebeenabsorbedthearmourisdestroyedanddissipates.Notethatthespelldoesnotconferanyotherpropertiesof fullplatetothecaster,suchasanarmourcheckpenaltyorslowerspeed.ThisspelldrawsupontheplaneofAcheronto powerit,creatingthearmourfromascrapofThuldanin;forthisreasonnotwosuitslookexactlythesame,andare oftenslightlyrustedandpitted. BaatorianBarbBlastTransmutation[Evil,Lawful] Level:Sor/Wiz3,Clr4 Components:V,S
Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Personal Area:Cone(25ft+5ft/2levels) Duration:Instantaneous Save:Reflex;SeeText SpellResistance:Yes Thisspellwascreatedbythefiendishinhabitantsof Baator,andreflectstheirevilandtorturousways.Thespell causesthecastershandstosuddensproutvicious,barbedspikes,whicharethenlaunchedoutinaconeofbarbsthat causegreatpaintoanyonehitandstickintothefleshtofurtheragoniseandtorture.Anyonecaughtintheblastofbarbs takesd6damageforevery2levelsofthecaster,toamaximumof8d6.Further,theysufferd6temporaryDexterity damagefromthebarbslodgingintheirfleshandimpedingtheirmovements.AsuccessfulReflexsaveresultsinonly halfdamageandnoDexteritydamage. ElysiumsTearsEvocation[Good]Level:Sor/Wiz3,Cleric4 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Target:1creature Range:Medium(100feet+10feet/level) Area:Seetext; Duration:Instantaneous Save:Reflex SpellResistance:Yes TheskiesoftheUpperPlanesshedtearswhenevilisdone,andthesetearscanburneventhemostarmouredoffoes. Thecasterchoosesasingletargetwithinrange.Thenastreamofsmallmeteorsofglowingwhiteenergyraindownand strikethetarget,onemeteorpercasterleveluptoamaximumoften.Eachmeteordealsd8holydamagetothetarget, and1damagetoanyonewithin5feetofthetarget.AsuccessfulReflexsavereducesthedamagebyhalf.Good creaturesareunaffectedbythisspellandsuffernodamagefromitseffects. IceArmourAbjuration[Cold] Level:Sor/Wiz3,Druid4,Cleric3 Components:V,S CastingTime:1standardaction Target:Self Range:Personal
Duration:1minute/level Save:Fortitudenegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes Thisspellcreatesarmourmadeofsparkling,translucenticearoundthewearer,thatcanabsorbdamageandfendoff fire.TheIceArmourweighsnothing,anddoesnotencumberorrestrictthewearerinanyway.Itprovidesdamage resistance5/magicandabsorbsthefirst5pointsoffiredamageeachround.Afterthearmourhasabsorbedacombined totalof25damagefromthesesources,theicearmourshattersandmeltsaway. InfernalShieldAbjuration[Fire]Level: Sor/Wiz3,Cleric3 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Self Duration:1minute/level Save:Fortitudenegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes Thismysticalbarrierconvertsflamefrom adestructiveenergytoaregenerative force.Whencast,allfiredamageis absorbedandalteredintohealing energies.TheInfernalShieldbestowsfire resistance30.Inaddition,every5points offiredamageabsorbedhealsthecaster forasinglepointofHP. MinorEmbalming,MassNecromancy Level:Sor/Wiz3,Cleric3 Components:V,S Time:1standardaction Target:Oneundeadcreature/level Range:Close(25ft+5ft/level) Duration:5minutes/level Save:Fortitudenegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes ThisspellisidenticaltoMinorEmbalming,exceptitaffectsmultiplecreatures.Thetargetsgain1temporaryhit
point/leveluptoamaximumof+10anda+1deflectionbonustoACforthedurationofthespell. OcanthanShardstormConjuration(summoning)Level:Sor/Wiz3 Components:V,S,M(ashardofmetalfromOcanthus) CastingTime:1standardaction Target:Anynumberofcreatures,notwofurtherthan30feetapart Range:Medium(100ft+10ft/level) Duration:Instantaneous Save:None SpellResistance:No Uponcastingthisspell,thecastersummonsjaggedshardsofmetalfromOcanthus,thethirdlayerofAcheron,tofly forthinasprayofdeadlyblades.Thecasterconjuresoneshardforeachcasterlevel,toamaximumof10shards.The castermaysplittheshardsbetweenanynumberoftargetswith30feet,butmustmakeseparaterangedtouchattacksfor everycreaturesodesignated.Onasuccessfulhit,eachsharddeals1d4slashingdamagetothetarget. SpellsoftheFourthCircle BlacksphereEvocation,[Force]Level: Sor/Wiz4 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Close(25feet+5feet/2 levels) Area:25feetradius Duration:Instantaneous/1round Save:Reflexnegates SpellResistance:Yes Awaveofconcussiveforceexplodes outfromthetargetpoint.Anycreature withintheareamustthenmakea Reflexsaveorsuffer1d4pointsof Forcedamage+1pointpercasterlevel andbeimprisonedwithinasphereof impenetrableforceuntilthestartofthe castersnextround,asiftrappedina windowlessforcecage.Unlike ordinaryforceeffects,spheresofforce
createdwiththisspellarecompletelyopaque. ChaosBlastEvocation[Force,Chaotic]Level:Sor/Wiz4,Cleric5 Components:V,S,M(fleshfromalawfulcreature) Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Personal Area:30ftradius Duration:Instantaneous Save:Reflexhalf SpellResistance:Yes ThechaosblastspellwasdevelopedbyamarilithnamedTheirasatanar'rinotknownforhersubtlety.Whencast, chaosblastprojectswavesofconcussiveforce30ftinalldirectionsfromthecaster.Thewavesharmanycreatureinthe areaofeffectwithalawfulorneutralalignment.Victimssuffer5d8pointsofdamageandareknockedprone.A successfulreflexsavehalvesthedamageandnegatestheknockdowneffect. DissolveTransmutationLevel:Sor/Wiz4 Components:V,S,M Castingtime:1standardaction Target:1creatureorobjecttouched Range:Touch Duration:Instantaneous Save:Fortpartial(seetext) SpellResistance:Yes Theweakerversionofdisintegrate,thisspellisknownbymostDoomguardwizardsthatregularlyperusethelibraries ofthefourfactioncitadels.Asdisintegrate,exceptasfollows:damagedealtbydissolveis1d8percasterlevel (maximum10d8).AtargetthatmakesasuccessfulFortitudesaveispartiallyaffected,takingonly3d8pointsof damage.Ifthisdamagereducesthecreatureorobjectto0orfewerhitpoints,itisentirelydisintegrated. PrismaticLanceEvocationLevel:Sor/Wiz4 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Target:1creature Range:Medium(100ft+10ft/level) Effect:Ray
Duration:Instantaneous Save:None SpellResistance:Yes Thisspellcreatesalanceofshimmeringprismaticenergythatfliesfromthetipofthecastersfinger.Thecastermust makearangedtouchattackagainstthetarget,andifshehitsthenittakes1d6damageperlevel(maximum10d6),ofan energytypechosenfrom:Fire,Cold,Acid,ElectricityorSonic.Whenthisspelldealsdamageofanenergytype,itis alsoaspellofthattype. GreaterEmbalming,MassNecromancyLevel:Sor/Wiz4,Cleric4 Components:V,S Time:1standardaction Target:oneundeadcreature/level Range:Close(25ft+5ft/level) Duration:10minutes/level Save:Fortnegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes ThisspellisidenticaltothespellGreaterEmbalming,exceptiteffectsmultiplecreatures.Thetargetsgain2temporary hitpointsperlevelofthecaster,uptoatotalof+20atlevel10,anda+2deflectionbonustoAC. SpellsoftheFifthCircle AshBlastEvocation[Cold]Level:Sor/Wiz5 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Close(25ft+5ft/2levels) Area:Cone Duration:Instantaneous Save:Reflex;seetext SpellResistance:Yes TheAshBlastspellallowsthecastertoblastforthaconeofchillingashfromherfingertips,chokingthoseeffected. Theconeofashoriginatesatthecasterandextendsoutwards.Thoseintheareaofeffectsuffer1d10pointsofcold damageper2casterlevels(maximum10d10)andarenauseatedforoneround.AsuccessfulReflexsavehalvesthe damagetakenandnegatesthenauseatingeffect.Creaturesfromtheplaneofashorwhodonotneedtobreatheare unaffectedbythenauseatingcomponentofthisspell.
FireandIceEvocation[Fire,Cold]Level:Sor/Wiz5 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Medium(100feet+10feet/level) Area:30footradiusburst Duration:Instantaneous Save:Reflex SpellResistance:Yes ThisspellcreatesaredsphereofFireandabluesphereofIcethatstreakouttoexplodeatthetargetpoint,incinerating andthenfreezingthesurroundingarea.Theredspheredeals1d6firedamageforeverytwolevelsofthecaster,while thebluespheredeals1d6colddamageforeverytwolevelsofthecaster,uptoamaximumof7d6fireand7d6cold.A successfulReflexsavehalvesthetotaldamage. VolcanicRainEvocation[Fire,Evil] Level:Sor/Wiz5 Components:V,S,M(Avialofoil) Castingtime:1standardaction Target:1creature Range:Medium(100feet+10feet/ level) Area:Seetext; Duration:Instantaneous Save:Reflex SpellResistance:Yes Streamsoffieryrainfromtheheart ofvolcanicGehennastreakdown uponthetarget,burningand crushingitintosubmission.The casterchoosesanysingletarget withinrange.Astreamoffiery meteorsraindownandstrikethetargetandsurroundingareaone'meteor'foreverysecondcasterleveluptoa maximumof10.Eachmissileinflicts1d6fireand1d6bludgeoningdamagetothetarget,aswellasd6firedamageto anyonewithin5feet.ThedamageishalvedonasuccessfulReflexsave.TheBludgeoningdamagecountsasevilfor thepurposesofbypassingdamagereduction. SpellsoftheSixthCircle
AqueousAirTransmutation[Air,Water]Level:Sor/Wiz6,Cleric6 Components:V,S CastingTime:1minute Range:Medium(100ft.+10ft/level) Area:25cubicfeet/level Duration:2hours/level Save:None(harmless) SpellResistance:No Thisspelltransformsanareaofnormalairintoasupernaturalelementwithqualitiesofbothairandwater.Creatures whocannormallyonlybreathewaterbreathenormallywhilstintheareaofthisspell.Creaturescanswimthrough affectedairasifitwerewater,orwalk/flynormally.LargeareasofAqueousAirhavebeenknowntooccurnaturally, onoccasion,andproduceratherinterestinghybridecosystemsofaquaticandlandbasedlife.Thisspellcanbemade permanentwiththepermanencyspell. BlackBarbedTransformationTransmutation[Evil] Level:Druid5 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Target:1creaturetouched Range:Touch Duration:2rounds/level Save:Willnegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes ThosewhohavewalkedthetwistedpathsofaNighthagcansummonforthblackrootsfromthedepthsoftheirown soulstotwistthefleshofthewillingintothatofablackbarbedhorror.ThisfunctionsasPolymorph,excepttheform takenisalwaysalargeplantasperplantshapeIIandthecreaturegainsfireandcoldresistance20,2slamattacksand DR10/coldironandmagic. DesertHellEvocation[Fire]Level:Sor/Wiz6 Components:V,S,M(Apinchofdesertsand.) Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Close(25feet+5feet/2levels) Area:50ftby50ftsquare
Duration:Instantaneous Save:Fortitude SpellResistance:Yes Thespellsummonsscorchingheatofthedesertplanestoburnallenemiesinthearea.Theysuffer8d10pointsoffire damage;thosewhomakeasuccessfulFortitudesavesufferonlyhalfdamage. HowlofPandemoniumConjuration,summoning[Sonic,Mindaffecting,Chaotic]Level:Wiz/Sor6,Cleric6,Bard6 Components:V Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Personal Area:30ft.radiuscircle Duration:Concentration(upto1rounda level);SeeText; Save:None,orWillnegates;SeeText; SpellResistance:Yes ThehowlofPandemoniumspellderives powerfromthetwistedPlaneof Pandemonium,channellingthescreaming windsoftheplaneintoanumbingwail thatincapacitatesallnearby.Thehowl onlybeginstoeffectcreaturesatthe beginningofhisnextturn,butitlastsas longasthecasterconcentrates,toa maximumofoneroundpercasterlevel. Theeffectslingerevenafterthespellends, lastingaslongasthespellwasmaintained. Allcreaturesintheareaofeffectother thanthecasterareeffected;communication ofanykindisimpossible,includingthe castingofspellswithverbalcomponents,andeachcreaturesuffersa2penaltytoattackrollsandsavingthrows.Non magicalmissilesaredeflectedbytheforceofthewind,andallsonicbasedeffectsarenegated,drownedoutbythe howl.Inadditiontotheaboveeffects,creatureswithtotalHDequaltoorlowerthanthecastermustsuccessfullymake aWillsaveorbecomeconfusedforthedurationofthespell. SpellsoftheSeventhCircle StygianIceStormConjuration(Summoning),[Evil]Level:Sor/Wiz7,Cleric8
Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Close(25feet+5feet/2levels) Area:25footradiusburst Duration:Instantaneous Save:Seetext SpellResistance:Yes ThisdevastatingspellsummonstheharshestcoldandbittericeoftheFifthLayerofBaator,Stygia,tosmitethose caughtinthestorm.AstheRiverStyxflowsthroughtheStygianIce,soitdoesinthisspellaswell.IcefromStygiais summonedtocrushallcreatureswithintheareaofeffectfor8d8pointsofcolddamage,withnosavingthrow.In addition,allcreaturesintheareaofeffectmustmakeaWillsaveorsufferconfusionasthespellfor1d6roundsdueto theimmediatecontactwiththefrozen,forgetfulwatersoftheRiverStyx EnollEvasDuplicationDivination[Law]Level:Sor/Wiz7,Cleric7 Components:V,S,M(Asheetofcomplexequations) Castingtime:1fullroundaction Target:1creaturetouched Range:Touch Duration:1/roundoruntildischarged;seetext; Save:Willnegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes This'spell'isactuallyacomplexmathematicalequationaccidentallydiscoveredbytheGuvnerEnollEvawhile calculatingthemultiplicationfactoronvariouslinearalgebraicformulas.Theresultsaredevastating:Thisequation allowsasubsequentactiontobedoubledorduplicated.Thisspellaffectsasingletarget.Whencast,therecipientsnext attackactionorspellwillbeduplicatedonce:Forexample,aftermakingafullattackwithaweapon,thefullattackwill beimmediatelyduplicatedsameforspells(castaMagicMissile,andimmediatelyafterwards,anotherMagicMissile spellwilllaunch).Thesecondactionmusthavethesametargetastheoriginalaction;ifthisisnotpossible(becausethe targethasbeenkilled,forexample)thespellfails.Thiseffectlastsuntilthefirstsuchactionisundertakenbythe recipient,orthespelldurationends.Alldierollsinvolvedintheattackarerolledagainintheduplication:assuch,itis possibleforthefirstattacktomissorfailtopenetratespellresistance,whilsttheduplicatedversionmanagesto succeed.
SpellsoftheEighthCircle MechanusCannonTransmutation[Teleportation,Law]
Level:Sor/Wiz8,Cleric9 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Target:1creature Range:Close(25feet+5feet/2levels) Effect: Duration:Instantaneous Save:None SpellResistance:No Thetrue,logicaljusticeofPrimusshallbedelivereduntotheillogical,intheformofpureenergydescendingfrom Mechanus.ThisspelldoesnotactuallycreatetheblastofForcewhichsmitesthetarget,butratheractsasatargeting spellforagroupofModrons.Whenthisspelliscast,itsendsamessagetotheMechanusCannoncrewintheheartof Mechanus,andtheyusethecoordinatesthusdeliveredtofirethecannonthroughaportaltotherequestedtarget. LogicalJusticeisdeliveredinthefromof15d6pointsofForcedamagewithnosavingthrowallowed. IgnussFuryEvocation[Fire]Level:Sor/Wiz8 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Medium(100feet+10feet/level) Area:One10footsquare/level Duration:Instantaneous Save:Reflex SpellResistance:Yes Namedafteraninsanefiremagebentonplanar destruction,thisspelldrawsflamesfromtheElemental PlaneofFiretoerupt,scorchandburn.Thistakes formasahorrificstormoffirethatinflicts12d10 pointsoffiredamage+1pointpercasterleveloffire damageonallcreatureswithintheareaofeffect.A successfulReflexsavehalvesthedamagetaken. SpellsoftheNinthCircleAbyssalFuryConjuration(summoning)[Evil,Chaotic] Level:Sor/Wiz9,Cleric9 Components:V,S,M;MaterialComponent:Ademonsfingerbone Castingtime:1standardaction
Target:1creature Range:Close(25feet+5feet/2levels) Duration:Instantaneous Save:ReflexNegates,thenfortitudenegates;seetext; SpellResistance:No WhencomparedwiththeTanarri,atleasttheBaatezuaremorecivilised.Thereis,perhaps,nothingmorehorrificthan theunboundedfuryoftheAbyss,Byuseofthisspell,thegroundsplitsopenandthevictimisdraggedintothe Tanarricmadness. ThespellopensaplanarportalbeneaththetargetanddragsthemdownintotheAbyssunlesstheymakeaReflexsave. Theportalremainsopenevenoncethevictimisswallowedin.Theonlysoundbystandershearistheincessant screamingofthevictimastheyaretornapartbytheruthlessTanarri. Afterwhatseemslikeonlyafewseconds(whichismorethananeternityforthevictimintheAbyss)thevictim(or whatsleftofhim)getsspatbackoutoftheportal.OnafailedFortitudesave,thetargetsimplydiesfromthe horrendousmaulinghehasreceived;ifhesucceeds,thenheinsteadsuffers10d10damage. ElysiumsFiresEvocation[Good]Level:Sor/Wiz9,Cleric9 Components:V,S Castingtime:1standardaction Range:Medium(100feet+10feet/level) Area:50footradiusspread Duration:Instantaneous Save:Reflex SpellResistance:Yes Elysium'sFiressplitthesky,rainingstreamsofbrightwhitefiredownupontheearth.Eachblastexplodeswhenit strikestheground,causingatremendousflashandsendingwavesofholyfireripplingoutfromthepointofimpact. Thisrainofblazingmeteorsdeals20d8Holydamagetoallcreatureswithinthearea,withaReflexsaveforhalf damage.Goodcreaturesareunaffectedbythisspellandsuffernodamagefromitseffects.
PLANESCAPECHARMS
byFelixAplin
Charmrules: Charmsaresingleusewondrousitemsuniquetothe Planescapesetting.Likeapotion,usingacharmtakesa standardaction,butthisactiondoesnotprovokean attackofopportunity.Unlessotherwisenoted,anyclass andracemayuseacharmandbenefitfromitseffects. Aswondrousitems,charmsmaybecreatedby characterswiththecraftwondrousitemfeat.Charms arecategorisedaccordingtotheireffectivespelllevelin asimilarwaytopotions,excepttheirspelllevelcan rangefrom0to5.
OrisonlevelCharms LesserEyeCharm Thisappearstobeasmallopaquecrystal,aboutthesizeandshapeofahumaneyeexcepttingedwithblue.Ithasa smoothsurface,andisinfacthollowwhenthecharmiscrushedinthepalmofthehand,aspellisreleasedand invokedontheuser,allowinghimtoseeasifhehadcastDetectMagicuponhimself.Thiseffectlastsfor1minute beforedissipating.Usingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:30goldpieces CraftLevel:1st CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;DetectMagic;15gp Weight:Negligible FirstLevelCharms
FeatherCharm Thisisarathertattylookingfeather,theendofwhichhasbeensharpenedandstuckthroughasmallclusterofbrightly colouredbeads.Thefeatheristhatofavrockwhenthefeatherissnappedontwo,thecharmreleasestheevilenergy heldwithin,whichrepulsesgoodlycreatures.Suchcharmsareregularlyusedbylowerplanarinhabitantstoprotect themselvesfromgoodalignedwarparties,aswellasbeingcommonlyusedbyanyonehavingdealingswithupper planarbeingsasasafeguard.Makinguseofoneofthesedoesnotnecessarilymeanthattheuserhimselfisevil.When used,itinvokesaProtectionfromGoodspellontheuser,whichlastsfor1minute.Likemostcharms,usingthisitemis astandardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:150goldpieces CraftLevel:1st CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;ProtectionfromGood; 75gp Weight:Negligible
RuneofLesserWarding Thissmallemblem,usuallywornaroundtheneckonastringorchainasifanecklace,isactivatedwhenitsruneis fingeredandtracedoverbythewearer.ItgrantstheeffectsofaMageArmourspellonthewearerfor1hour.Oncethe runehasbeenactivated,itbecomesdullandinactive,andismerelyshapedscrapmetal.Usingthecharmisastandard actionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:150goldpieces CraftLevel:1st CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;MageArmour;75gp Weight:Negligible
RuneofGreaterWarding Thisitemcomprisesarunecarvedontoapieceofmetal,usuallywornaroundtheneckonastringorchain.Activating therunerequiresittobetracedwithafinger,whilstthewearerconcentratesupontheshapeoftherune.Onceactivated,
thewearerisprotectedbytheeffectsofaShieldspellfor1minute.Oncetherunehasbeenactivated,itbecomesdull andinactive,andismerelyshapedscrapmetal.Usingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackof opportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:150goldpieces CraftLevel:1st CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Shield;75gp Weight:Negligible TarCharm Thisappearstobeaglisteningdropofpitchblacktar,solidifiedintoahard,smoothform.Whenplacedonthetongue, itdissolvesandsuffusesintotheskin,givingtheusera+5circumstancebonustoStealthchecks.Theeffectlastsfor10 minutes,afterwhichitwearsoff.Usingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:150goldpieces CraftLevel:1st CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Disguiseself;175gp Weight:Negligible SecondLevelCharms Adder'sTear Thischarmismadeofagreen,tearshapedsubstance.Itisharduntilplacedintothemouth,whereitdissolvesquite naturally,givingaslightlyacidictaste.ItgrantstheabilitytospitanAcidArrowatonetarget,asifcastbya3rdlevel caster.Consumingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;AcidArrow;175gp Weight:Negligible
BlackBarbedCharm ThisisastringofblackbarbedseedslinkedtogetherbyoneofthehairsofaNightHag.Whenthestringofseedsis slicedintherightspot,thenecklaceunravelsaroundthewearer,invokingtheBlackBarbedShieldspellasifcastbya 3rdlevelcaster,thatwillhelpprotectthemfromattacks.Usingthisitemisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokean attackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;BlackBarbedShield;175gp Weight:Negligible BlackBarbedSeed ThesemalevolentseedscontainaportionofaNightHagwithinthemselves.Theirpowerisactivatedwhentheseedis hurledupto30feetatthegroundinfrontofanopponentwhentheseedstrikestheground,itsproutsintoblack barbedblackbranchesthattearhungrilyintothevictim'sbody,invokingthespellBlackBarbedCurseasifcastbya 3rdlevelcaster.Eachseedcontainsonlyonesuchcurse.Usingtheseseedsrequiresarangedtouchattack,andisa standardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;BlackBarbedCurse; 175gp Weight:Negligible BoneCharm Thisoldfingerbonecharmhasbeenhollowedoutandtiny symbolshavebeenscratchedonitssurface.Ausermustsnapit intwotoactivateit.Whensnapped,thebonecharmtemporarilystrengthenstheuser'sskeletonandactsasaward againstbreaksandfractures.Thecharmgivestheusera+2enhancementtonaturalarmour,plusanadditional+2 naturalACagainstbludgeoningweapons,for10minutes.Usingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokean attackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical
MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Barkskin;175gp Weight:Negligible ClotCharm Thisglisteningblooddropisashardandsmoothasapearl.Whenplacedonthetongue,itdissolvesinstantlyand spreadsthroughthecharacter'sbloodstream.Thecharmstimulatestheuser'sbloodintoclottingandscabbingover existingwounds,healinganyminordamagetheusermayhavesufferedbeforeconsumingthecharm.Furthermore,as longasthecharmisineffect,thecharacter'sbloodbecomesmore"aware"ofnewwoundsthatoccur,especiallyany attacksthatdrawblood.Thecharmedindividualbecomesmoreresistanttoattacks,astheirbloodclotsandscabsover thewoundassoonasthefleshistorn.Inthisway,aclotcharmheals9hitpoints,andalsogivesa+1naturalarmour bonusforthenexttenrounds.Usingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;CureModerateWounds;175gp Weight:Negligible CraniumRatCharm Thischarmconsistsofthespeciallypreparedbodyofacraniumrat,hollowedoutandstuffedwithherbsand parchmentswithmysticruneson.Thecharmhastobeconsumedtoactivateit(atleastpartially,anyway),andcauses therecipienttogaina+5competencebonustoperceptionchecks,anda+2enhancementbonustoIntelligence.The recipientwillalsofeelasiftheyareseeingthroughseveraldifferentpairsofeyessimultaneously,butthiseffect, thoughdizzying,causesnoadverseeffects.Consumingthecharmisastandardaction,butdoesnotcauseanattackof opportunity.Theeffectslastfor10minutes. TypeWondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Foxs Cunning;175gp Weight:Negligible FiendsEyeCharm
LiketheLesserEyeCharm,thisappearstobeasmallcrystalaboutthesizeofahumaneye.GreaterEyeCharmsare heavilytingedwithredandobviouslyinhuman,slittedpupils.Whencrushedinthepalmofthehand,itinvokesaSee Invisibilityspellontheuserforaperiodof10minutes.Usingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokean attackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Seeinvisibility;175gp Weight:Negligible IgnanDust Thismetallicdustismadefromtheremnantsofpowderedfiremephitsspeciallycreatedforthepurpose.Usuallyheld inasmallpouchornonmetalblowpipe,whenitcomesintocontactwithmetalsitstartstogenerateconsiderableheat. Thedustmaybethrownontoanobjectorcreatureasarangedtouchattack.Ifhit,theobjectorcreatureisaffectedasif byaHeatMetalspell,butwithnosaveallowed.Thedustmaybethrownwitharangeincrementof5feet.Throwing thedustisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpiecesperuse CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Heatmetal;175 gp Weight:Negligible KnotCharm Thischarmlookslikeasmallpieceofhemp,withtheendsknottedtogetherintoaloop.Nomatterhowcloselytheitem isstudied,theknotwilldefyexplanation;itappearstopassover,underandeventhroughitselfinsomanywaysthatit isimpossibletoseehowitwastied.Ironically,whenthetwoendsarepulledaparttheknotcomesundonewithease, givingthepersondismantlingthecharmasuddenrushofstrength.ThisinvokesaBull'sStrengthspellontherecipient for1minute.Usingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackoropportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd
CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;BullsStrength;175gp Weight:Negligible RatTailCharm Thischarmisparticularlyfilthyandsmellsfaintlyofvomit.Thetailisstiff,likeawire,anditcanbebentintodifferent shapesitwouldalmostmakeagreatlockpick,exceptitistoothick.Whenthischarmisconsumed,theusergains+5 competencebonusestosleightofhandandstealthchecks,butsuffersapenaltyof2tocharisma.Thecharmlastsfor 10minutes.Consumingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;AlterSelf;175gp Weight:Negligible ThriceBlindCharm Thischarmismadefromthetailsofthreecraniumrats,woventogether.Theeffectsofthecharmaretriggeredwhen thetailsareuntied,andallowedtofallapart.Whenthisoccurs,thecasterselectsatargetwithintheirlineofsight,toa maximumrangeof100ft.ThecharmsubjectsthetargettoaBlindnessspell(FortDC12negates).Usingthecharmisa standardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;BlindnessDeafness;175gp Weight:Negligible TongueCharm Thischarmisasmall,shrivelledtongue,obviouslyobtainedfromsomehumanoidcreature.Acrossthedriedsurfaceof thetongue,barelyvisiblerunescanbedistinguished,havingbeeneitherpaintedorstitchedintothecharm.When consumed,thecharmfunctionsasasilencespellcentredontheuser,eradicatingallsoundwithina20footradiusfor1 minute.Themainexceptionisthattheuserofthecharmisunaffectedandmaystillspeak,castspellswithverbal componentsandperformanyothervocallyorientatedfunction.CreaturesmayattemptaDC12willsavewhentheyare firstexposedtothesilencedarea:ifsuccessful,theyareunaffectedbythespellforitsentireduration.Usingthecharm isastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity.
Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:350goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Silence;175gp Weight:Negligible WhisperingFlask Thiscontainerholdsapeculiarsubstancecalled"WhisperingMotes,aformofhealingpowdercommonlyusedbythe githzeraionthePlaneofLimbo.Whenthestopperispulledandthespicetouchedontheskinofawoundedperson,the spicetravelsthroughtheinjuredperson'sbody,generatingrawmattertofillupthe"holes"inhisphysicalandspiritual form.Whenusedinthisway,themotesactsasanAidspellasifcastbya3rdlevelcaster.Inaddition,themotesgrant a+2enhancementbonustoconstitutionforthedurationoftheAidspell.Usingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoes notprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:800goldpieces CraftLevel:3rd CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Aid;BearsEndurance;400gp Weight:Negligible ThirdLevelCharms BloodCharm Thisglisteningdropofbloodisashardandsmoothasapearl.Whenplacedonthetongue,itdissolvesinstantlyand spreadsthroughthecharacter'sveinsandheart.Likeitsyoungercousin,theclotcharm,thebloodcharmstimulatesthe user'sbloodintoclottingandscabbingoverexistingwounds,healingdamagetheusermayhavesufferedbefore consumingthecharm.However,whilethebloodcharm'sinitialhealingeffectismorepowerfulthantheclotcharm,it hasnootherlastingeffects.Whenused,itheals18pointsofdamage.Usingacharmisastandardactionwhichdoesnot provokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:800goldpieces CraftLevel:5th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;CureSeriousWounds;400gp
Weight:Negligible BloodFlyCharm Despitetheirviciousappetiteandtemperament,bloodfliesareusedbyhealerstodrawforthdiseasedbloodfroman individualorevendrainbloodfromadeadbody.Onoccasion,bloodfliesareusedtosiphonoffraretypesofbloodand arethenparalysedwithpowdersorspellsandkeptinstorageforfutureuse.Whenthisparalysedflyisconsumed,the userhealsasmallamountofdamageimmediatelyandalsogainstheabilitytorecoverfromwoundsforacertainperiod oftime.Thecharmheals3hitpoints,andgivestheuserfasthealing1foranadditional10rounds.Usingthecharmisa standardactionwhichdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:800goldpieces CraftLevel:5th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;VampiricTouch;400gp Weight:Negligible BottledShadow Thischarmappearsasabottleofblackinkwithablackstopper.Whenthestopperisremoved,ashadowsubstance poursfromthebottletofillanareawithdeepdarkness.ThehastheeffectofcastingaBlacklightspellcentredonthe user,whichfillsanareaof20radiusandlastsfor5roundsbeforedissipating.Thedarknessisimpenetrableevento darkvision,butthecharmsusercanseenormallywithinit.Creaturesoutsidethespellsarea,includingthecharms user,cannotseethroughit.Usingacharmisastandardactionwhichdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:800goldpieces CraftLevel:5th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Blacklight;400gp Weight:Negligible CharcoalCharm Thispieceofcharcoalisacharredbonefragmentofsomecreature,perhapsafingerboneoratalon.Varioussymbols havebeenscratchedontoitssurface...thescratchingsaresofaintthattheyareeasytomiss.Thischarcoalcharm temporarilyprotectstheuseragainstflamesandextremeheat.Tousethecharm,thecharredboneissnappedandthe brokenendsrubbedovertheheartoftheuser.Thisactsasaprotectionfromenergy(fire)spellcastontheuser,lasting for50minutesoruntilithasabsorbed60pointsoffiredamage.Charmsrequireastandardactiontoactivateanddo notprovokeattacksofopportunity.
Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:800goldpieces CraftLevel:5th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;ProtectionfromEnergy;400gp Weight:Negligible CockroachCharm CockroachesareascommononthePlanesasotherscavengers.Theshellofthisparticulardeadcockroachhasbeen dottedwithpaintsandfaintarcanesymbols.Themagiccontainedwithinthecharmisactivatedwhentheroachis consumed.Whenswallowed,therecipienttemporarilygainstheprotectionofthecockroach.Theirskinhardens,taking onthestrengthofasuitofchainmailarmour,andthecharmedindividualbecomesdifficulttosquash,givingthem addedprotectionvs.crushingattacks.Thishastheeffectofgivingthema+4naturalarmourbonus,whichisincreased to+6againstbludgeoningattacks,for10minutes.Asacharm,itdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunitywhenused. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:800goldpieces CraftLevel:5th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;VerminShapeI;400gp Weight:Negligible TearsofSorrow ContainedinthisbottlearethetearsofsorrowthatareshedbyElysiumitselfwhenaholyheroperishesbeforehis time.Alltherageandanguishataperson'ssenselessdeathiscontainedinthistinybottle.Bythrowingthisbottleatan enemy(arangedtouchattackwitharangeincrementof10ft),theirwrathcanbeunleashed,intheformofthespell ElysiumsTears,asifcastbya5thlevelcaster.Ifstruck,thetargetcannotattemptareflexsavetohalvetheeffectsof thisspell.Usingacharmisastandardactionwhichdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:800goldpieces CraftLevel:5th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;ElysiumsTears;400gp Weight:Negligible Fourthlevelcharms
AbyssalPipe Thisasmallpipewoodenpipe,carvedtoresembletheheadofademon.Whenused,itbillowsforthgreatgoutsof deadlyfumesfromtheplanesoftheAbyss,creatingtheeffectofaCloudkillspellcentredonthecaster.Thefoglasts for10minutesbeforedissipating.Usingacharmisastandardactionwhichdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:1,200goldpieces CraftLevel:7th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Cloudkill;600gp Weight:Negligible CorpseFlyCharm Thischarmisacorpsefly,acommoninsectaroundmuchoftheGreatRing,especiallyonthelowerside.Thefly appearstobedeadorfrozen;certainlyitisextremelystiffandrigid.Thecharmisactivatedbyplacingtheflyintothe mouth.Thepersonwhodoessowillbecomesuddenlynauseous,andafterafewsecondswillbeabletoexpelfrom theirnoseandmouthastreamofinsectswhichcountasawaspswarmasperthespellInsectPlague,butwithouta poisonousspecialattack.Theinsectswarmcanbeplacedinanysquareadjacenttotheinvoker.Theinsectslastforone minutebeforedissipating.Usingthecharmisastandardactionwhichdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:1,200goldpieces CraftLevel:7th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;InsectPlague;600gp Weight:Negligible HeartCharm Thisglisteningdropofbloodisashardandsmoothasapearl.Whenplacedonthetongue,itdissolvesinstantlyand spreadsthroughthecharacter'sveinsandheart.Theheartcharmismorepowerfulthanthebloodandclotcharms,and ithealsanumberofwoundsinstantly,evenseriousorcriticalinjuries,preventingtheuserfrombeinginjured. Furthermore,theuserwillalsogainarushofenergy,removinganyfatiguetheymaybeotherwisefeeling.Thecharm cures27pointsofdamage,andgivesa+2naturalarmourbonustoACforthenext10rounds.Usingthecharmisa standardactionthatdoesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical
MarketValue:1,200goldpieces CraftLevel:7th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;CureCriticalWounds;600gp. Weigh:Negligible ScentofIlsensine Thisappearstobeaperfumebottle,filledwithsomewateryliquid.Asmallatomiserisattachedtothebottlethat producesafinemistwhenused.Afaintlybrinysmellcanbesmeltemanatingfromit;Infact,theliquidinsideisbrine takenfromthepoolofanillithid(TM)ElderBrain.SprayingtheliquidintotheairinvokesaMindFogspellcentredon theuser,afterwhichitisusedup.Thefoglasts30minutesbeforedissipating.Usingthecharmisastandardactionthat doesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:1,200goldpieces CraftLevel:7th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;Mindfog;600gp Weight:Negligible SphereMurk Thisisasmallsphericalbottlecontainsan unidentifiabledarkliquid.Ifbrokenopen,it invokesablackspherespellasifcastbya7th levelcaster.Thebottlecanbethrownasa rangedtouchattack,witharangeincrementof 10ft.Onceused,theliquiddissipatesandmay notbeusedagain.Usingacharmisastandard actionwhichdoesnotprovokeanattackof opportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:1,200goldpieces CraftLevel:7th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousitem; Blacksphere;600gp Weight:Negligible
SpiderCharm Thisappearstobeatiny,solidifieddropofamber,highlypolishedandperfectlysmooth.Uponcloserinspection,the formofasmallspider,caughtintheamberandentombed,canbemadeoutinside.Thecharmhasbeenboundwith powerfulmagicssothatifconsumed,itbestowsupontheusersomeofthequalitiesofaspider,allowingthemtomove unimpededamongstwebsandotherobstacleswithouttrouble.ThishastheeffectsofaFreedomofMovementspell, castontheconsumerasifbya7thlevelcaster.Consumingthecharmisastandardactionthatdoesnotprovokean attackofopportunity. TypeWondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:1,200goldpieces CraftLevel:7th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousitem;freedomofmovement;600gp Weight:Negligible
FifthLevelcharms ScentoftheStorm Thisisaperfumebottle.Asmallatomiserisattachedtothebottlethatproducesafinemistwhenused.Thereseemsto beasmallamountofliquidleftinthebottle.SprayingthisintotheairwillcallinvokeanAcidFogspellcentredonthe user,afterwhichitisusedup.Thefoglasts10roundsbeforedissipating.Usingthecharmisastandardactionthat doesnotprovokeanattackofopportunity. Type:WondrousItem,Magical MarketValue:1,800goldpieces CraftLevel:9th CraftPrerequisites:CraftWondrousItem;acidfog;900gp Weight:Negligible
NO EXIT: AN EXISTENTIALIST-PLANESCAPE ADVENTURE FOR D&D

byLevLafayette
RecentlyZackSabbathwroteanarticlewiththelengthytitlePutOnYourBeret,LightAGauloise,AndHereWe Go... .UsingacomparisonbetweenclassicD&Dandnewgamesitnotedthatonecommonlycitedfeatureisconsidereda problembysomeandanexcellentfeaturebyothers,namely,it'snotfocusedaroundanyonewayofplaying. Acomparisonwasthusmadebetweenexistentialismandpoststructuralism.Theformerarguesaboutderivingmeaning throughactionintheworld;itwasbasicallyaphilosophythatcaughtoninanenvironmentwhereeverybodywas asking: Hey,thereareNazis,whatdowedo? Incomparison,poststructuralismwasaphilosophydevelopedwhilepeoplewereallaskingthequestion: Well,ok,thoseNaziswerebad,right,butcanwebeallsmugandsaywe'renotlikethem?No,theywereproductsof anenvironment.HowdowemaketheenvironmentnotproduceNazis? SoclassicD&Disessentiallyanexistentialistgame,youarewhatyouchoosetodo,youarecondemnedtobefree; whereasnewgames,wherethecharactersareverymuchpartoftheirenvironmentarepoststructuralistgames. (Thisisaverypopversionofthephilosophy;strictlyspeakingtheconflictshouldbebetweenexistentialismand structuralism;poststructuralismwasasynthesisofthephilosophicallibertarianismoftheexistentialistsandthe determinismofthestructuralists)
NowyoucanreadtherestofZack'sessayat:http://dndwithpornstars.blogspot.com/2011/11/putonyourberetlight gauloiseand.html Thepointis,theEternalDungeonisanexistentialistadventureofadifferentnature. TheEternalDungeonisaoneshotD&D3.xadventure.Whilstitcanbeeasilymodifiedtootherd20gamesorsimilar, itworksparticularlywellwithD&Dduetothecommonmotifs,specifically(a)itmustbeinadungeon,(b)itusesthe fourclassicD&Dcharacterclasses(Fighter,Rogue,Wizard,Cleric),(c)itrequiresthateachPCbelongstooneofthe extrememoralandlegalalignments(LawfulGood,LawfulEvil,ChaoticEvil,ChaoticGood).
FurtherthescenarioalsohassomefeatureswhicharestronglycontrarytotheD&Dthemewhichactuallyaddstothe plot,specifically(d)therearenomonstersinthedungeon(well,there'sone),otherwhatthecharacterscreate themselves(e)characterbackgroundandpersonalityismoreimportantthanclassandequipment(f)thethemeof'group loyalty'mustbeconstantlychallengedandevendefeated. Finally,therearethreeveryimportantplotdevelopmentsthatthePCsmusteventuallydiscover;(g)thecharacters cannotactuallydie(h)theyareactuallyalreadydead,trappedintheConcordantDomainoftheOutlands. Samplecharactersareasfollows,mostlytakenfromthesuperbNPCgenerator(http://www.myth weavers.com/generate_npc.php).Lettheplayersdetermineequipment.Notethatthecharacterswillnotstartwith anythingotherthanpersonalequipment,althoughthecharacterswillnotknowthat. Thorhalla,femalehumanRog10:CR10;SizeM(5ft.,10in.tall);HD10d6;hp34;Init+2;Spd30ft.;AC12;Attack +8/+3melee,or+9/+4ranged;SVFort+3,Ref+9,Will+3;ALCE;Str13,Dex15,Con10,Int9,Wis11,Cha6. LanguagesSpoken:Common. Skillsandfeats:Appraise+10,Bluff+7,Craft(Leatherworking)+12,DecipherScript+11,DisableDevice+6, Disguise+11,EscapeArtist+10,Hide+13,Knowledge(Local)+7,Knowledge(ThePlanes)+0,Listen+0,Move Silently+10,Search+11,Spot+0;CombatReflexes,Diligent,Dodge,[Evasion],Negotiator,Stealthy. Possessions:10,000gpingear. Primarymotivation:Thrillseeking.Thecharacterhaspassionforadventuringandrisk. Secondarymotivation:Divine.ThecharacteriscompelledtoactaccordingtotheirFatebasedreligiousbeliefs. RecentPast:Thecharacterhadarecentencounterwithoneormorevampires. SocialClass:Middleclass.Thecharacterdoesn'tcareforsocialclassesandreallydislikesbothstuffyaristocratsand theupwardlyaspirational. Roondar,malegnomeClr10:CR10;SizeS(3ft.,5in.tall);HD10d8+30;hp76;Init+1;Spd20ft.;AC12;Attack +9/+4melee,or+9/+4ranged;SVFort+10,Ref+4,Will+11;ALLG;Str13,Dex12,Con17,Int10,Wis18,Cha16. LanguagesSpoken:Common,Gnome. Skillsandfeats:Craft(Alchemy)+2,Craft(Pottery)+12,Hide+5,Knowledge(Arcana)+4,Knowledge(Architecture andEngineering)+2,Knowledge(Religion)+6,Listen+6,MoveSilently+1,Spot+4;EschewMaterials,Improved Counterspell,Negotiator,SilentSpell. Possessions:10,000gpingear. ClericDomains:Knowledge,Fire. ClericSpellsPerDay:6/5+1/5+1/4+1/4+1/2+1. Primarymotivation:Adesireformoney/treasure. Secondarymotivation:Adesireforpowerand/orimmortality. RecentPast:Thecharacterhadarecentencounterwithoneormoreogres. SocialClass:Lowerclassbutwithverystrongdesirestobettertheirstationinfullaccordancetolawandorder.
Joey,malehalflingWiz10:CR10;SizeS(3ft.,1in.tall);HD10d4;hp32;Init+5;Spd20ft.;AC16;Attack+4 melee,or+11ranged;SVFort+4,Ref+9,Will+6;ALLE;Str7,Dex20,Con10,Int15,Wis6,Cha12. LanguagesSpoken:Common,Elven,Gnome,Halfling. Skillsandfeats:Climb+0,Concentration+13,Craft(Bowmaking)+9,Craft(Weaponsmithing)+6,Hide+9,Jump+0, Knowledge(Local)+10,Knowledge(Religion)+11,Listen+0,MoveSilently+7,Spellcraft+13,Spot2;Combat Reflexes, CraftRod,ExtendSpell,HeightenSpell,ImprovedCounterspell,MaximizeSpell,[ScribeScroll]. Possessions:10,000gpingear. WizardSpellsKnown(4/5/5/3/3/2):0thAcidSplash,ArcaneMark,DancingLights,Daze,DetectMagic,Detect Poison,DisruptUndead,Flare,GhostSound,Light,MageHand,Mending,Message,Open/Close,Prestidigitation,Ray ofFrost,ReadMagic,Resistance,TouchofFatigue.1stCharmPerson,ColorSpray,DisguiseSelf,EnlargePerson, ExpeditiousRetreat,HoldPortal,MagicAura,MagicMissile,RayofEnfeeblement,ReducePerson,Sleep,True Strike.2ndAcidArrow,Blur,Darkvision,Fox'sCunning,ObscureObject,ResistEnergy,Web.3rdBlink,Dispel Magic,GentleRepose,HoldPerson,MagicCircleagainstLaw,SleetStorm,StinkingCloud,VampiricTouch.4th AnimateDead,BlackTentacles,IceStorm,SummonMonsterIV.5thBalefulPolymorph,HoldMonster, Permanency,TransmuteRocktoMud. Primarymotivation:Astrongsenseofloyaltytothestrong.Thecharacterfeelsthattheyowethemmuch,andwillact tohelpthem. Secondarymotivation:Aneedforknowledgeaboutdrow.Thecharacterfeelsthananunderstandingwillsolvetheir problems. RecentPast:Thecharacterhadarecentruninwithghosts. Socialclass:Upperclasswithaverystrongsensethateveryoneshouldknowtheirplaceorbeputinit. Halfdan,malehumanFtr10:CR10;SizeM(5ft.,5in.tall);HD10d10+30;hp96;Init+1;Spd30ft.;AC11;Attack +13/+8melee,or+11/+6ranged;SVFort+10,Ref+4,Will+3;ALCG;Str17,Dex12,Con16,Int12,Wis11,Cha 11. LanguagesSpoken:Celestial,Common. Skillsandfeats:Climb+9,Hide+1,Intimidate+5,Jump+15,Knowledge(Geography)+3.5,Knowledge(Local)+2, Listen+2,MoveSilently+1,Perform(KeyboardInstruments)+3,SenseMotive+2,Spot+2,Swim+16;Alertness, CombatReflexes,Endurance,ExoticWeaponProficiency(urgosh,dwarven),ImprovedCritical(crossbow,light), PointBlankShot,PowerAttack,PreciseShot,WeaponFocus(crossbow,light). Possessions:10,000gpingear. Primarymotivation:LoveformembersofTheKnightsoftheWatch.Thecharacterputstheobjectoftheirlove's welfarebeforetheirown. Secondarymotivation:Adeepfearofthereligiousandpious.Thecharacteristerrified,andwillactoutoffear. RecentPast:ThecharacterhasbeenvistingafriendinWelkwood. Socialclass:Slave.Thecharacter'slifestartedintheabsolutebottomofsocietyandhasdedicatedtheirlifetothegreat idealsofgoodnessandfreedomeversince.
TheDungeonCrawl
Theactualdungeonitselfwillvaryeverytimeallcharactersfindthemselvesbackontheslabsforwhateverreason ("death",sleepetc).Usearandomdungeongenerator(e.g.,http://donjon.bin.sh/d20/dungeon/)tocreatethenewlayout whennecessary. EachdoorisaLockedStrongWoodenDoor(OpenLockDC20,breakDC25;hard5,20hp),eachsecretdooris Secret(SearchDC30)UnlockedStrongWoodenDoor(hard5,20hp). Eachdeadendhasengravedinthestone,inglowinggoldforCelestialandglowingredforInfernal(orAbyssalifyou usethatdistinction)thewords"NoExit".Touchinganyoneofthesewallsimmediatelyteleportsthecharactertoa randomdeadendinthedungeon(a"JumpCut"). Thereisnoescapefromthisdungeon;wishesetc,notwithstanding.ContactOtherPlaneetcwillgiveinsightfulbut gnomicanswersthatstronglyhintatthesituation,withoutgivingitaway. ContinuethedungeonuntilthePCsresignthemselvesthattheyhavetolivewitheachotherinthis"hell",ortheytake the"leapoffaith"(Room2). Room1:Beingintheworld Thehumanbeingisnotthelordofbeings,buttheshepherdofBeing.MartinHeidegger,LetteronHumanism(1947) Thecharactersstartinastoneslabinasparseroom.Theycharactersawaken,withtheirpersonalequipment, simultaneously.Althoughitispossiblethattheywillnotrealiseittheyareactuallylaidoutaccordingtotheir alignments,withtheirheadspointingtowardstheappropriatealignments;topleftfortheSevenMountingHeavensof Celestia(LawfulGood,Roondar),bottomleftfortheNineHellsofBaator(LawfulEvil,Joey),toprightforOlympian GladesofArborea(ChaoticGood,Halfdan)andbottomrightfortheInfiniteLayersoftheAbyss(ChaoticEvil, Thorhalla). Thesparsenessandindeedincredibledullnessoftheroomisworthyofemphasising.Thetemperatureiscool,butnot cold.Theairisslightlystuffy,butnotoverwhelminglyslow.Theambientlightisdim,fromanunknownand unknowablesource.Thestonewallsoftheroomarearoughbluestone. Room2:ALeapofFaith "Butthisactoflettinggoissurelyalsosomething;itisindeedacontributionofmine.Mustnotthisalsobetakeninto account,thislittlemoment,briefasitmaybe,itneednotbelong,foritisaleap."SrenKierkegaard,"Philosophical Fragments"(1844)
Thisisessentiallyaroomoftraps.Thesecretdooritselfisseveralmechanicaltraps(DC30tofind,DC25todisable) whichreleases(inorderofbeingopened).AlltrapsareCR10. a)aheavyguillotinethathitsthefirstcharacter,ReflexSaveDC20toavoid,8d8damage. b)apoisongasthatseepsthroughtheframeaffectingallthevicinity,FortitutdeSaveDC25forhalfdamage,8d8 damage. c)anexplosionofYellowMold;Allwithin10feetofthemoldmustmakeaDC20Fortitudesaveortake2d6pointsof Constitutiondamage.AnotherDC25Fortitudesaveisrequired1minutelaterevenbythosewhosucceededonthe firstsavetoavoidtaking4d6pointsofConstitutiondamage. Themiddlesectionofthisroomsome30ftby30ftcontainstheonlywayout,inamannerofspeaking.Itissimply abottomlesspit,avoid.Acharacterwhojumpsinherewillremainfallingfortherestofeternity.Aspertradition,the punishmentforsuicideiseternityinlimbo. Tomakemattersworse,thedoorontheothersidealsohasanenergydraintrap: CR10;magicdevice;visualtrigger(trueseeing); automaticreset;Atk+8rangedtouch;spelleffect (energydrain,17thlevelwizard,2d4negativelevels for24hours,DC23Fortitudesavenegates);SearchDC 34;DisableDeviceDC34.Cost:124,000gp,7,920XP. Room3:ThirtyPlusYearsofStupidMonsters "JusttheplaceforaSnark!Ihavesaidittwice: Thataloneshouldencouragethecrew. JusttheplaceforaSnark!Ihavesaiditthrice: WhatItellyouthreetimesistrue." LewisCarroll,inTheHuntingoftheSnark(1874) Thisroomhasacollectionofthestuffedbodiesofthe mostridiculousmonsterstogracethepagesofD&D manuals.Expertlystuffedandmounted,someofthe creaturesthatcanbefoundhereinclude: Abeholder,agasspore(stilloperational),severalflumphs,anowlbear,asealion,awolfspider,aduckbunny,a squark,anarmadilliphant,anowlephant,agiantbeaver,amimic.Plustherearecontainerswithvariousoozes,slimes etc.Nailedtotheceilingisagelatinouscube. Yougettheidea. There'sevenaflumph.
Room4:FoundObjects "Beautifulasthechanceencounterofasewingmachineandanumbrellaonadissectingtable."Comtede Lautramont,LesChantsdeMaldoror,1874 Thisroomisclutteredwitharangeofmundanegoodsarranged"artistically".Kitchenimplementshavebeenturned intometallicbirds,alineofmopsandbroomshavebeenarrangedtolooklikesoldiersstandingtoattention,abundleof swordshavebeenbeatenintoaploughshare. Asearchoftheroomwilldiscoverasignificantnumberofmagicobjects,althoughthesewillbeinvariablydifficultto obtain.They'llbeinlockedboxes,hiddenamongtheartworksetc.Furthermorethechoiceofmagicitemswillbethe annoyingandinane,includingthefollowing: Tenfootpole+1.,aRingofClumsiness.,AmuletofthePlanes.Itdoesn'tactuallyworkhere;theswirlsappear,plusan tentalisingvision,butwithouttheplaneshift.ABagofTricks.AGlaiveGuisarme+3.BootsofDancing.AFolding Boat.ARingofContrariness.AnElixerofLove.AGirdleofMasculinity/Femininity.AHelmofOppositeAlignment AFigurinesofWondrousPower:EbonyFly.APlateArmourofRage.AHelmofUnderwaterAction.AVacuous Grimoire.HorseshoesofaZephyr.ARodofWonder.ABagofDevouring.Iounstones.Andfinally...aDeckOf ManyThings. Room5:AMonsteroftheAbyss "Hewhofightswithmonstersshouldlooktoitthathehimselfdoesnotbecomeamonster.Andwhenyougazelong intoanabysstheabyssalsogazesintoyou."FriedrichNietzsche,BeyondGoodandEvil",Aphorism146(1886) Inthisroomthereisatrappeddemonoftheabyss,Sek,whocomesfromtheEgyptianpantheon.Sekisabout9feettall andmeasuresabout20feetfromheadtotipoftail,weighingabout4,000pounds.NotthatthisMarilithisnotevil,but rather"neutralbalanced".Theyunderstandthattheirpurposeinlifeistoslay"monsterkillers"whocomeintotheir domainsotheycanfacethemselves. Sek,AMarilith Size/Type: HitDice: Initiative: ArmorClass: LargeOutsider(Chaotic,Extraplanar,Evil) 16d8+144(216hp) +4 29(1size,+4Dex,+16natural),touch13,flatfooted25 +16/+29
Speed: 40ft.(8squares) BaseAttack/Grapple:
Attack: Longsword+25melee(2d6+9/1920)orslam+24melee(1d8+9)ortailslap+24melee(4d6+9)
FullAttack: Primarylongsword+25/+20/+15/+10melee(2d6+9/1920)and5longswords+25melee(2d6+4/19 20)andtailslap+22melee(4d6+4);or6slams+24melee(1d8+9)andtailslap+22melee(4d6+4) Space/Reach: 10ft./10ft. SpecialAttacks: Constrict4d6+13,improvedgrab,spelllikeabilities,summondemon SpecialQualities:Damagereduction10/goodandcoldiron,darkvision60ft.,immunitytoelectricityandpoison, resistancetoacid10,cold10,andfire10,spellresistance25,telepathy100ft. Saves: Fort+19,Ref+14,Will+14 Abilities: Str29,Dex19,Con29,Int18,Wis18,Cha24 Skills: Bluff+26,Concentration+28,Diplomacy+30,Disguise+7(+9acting),Hide+19,Intimidate+28,Listen+31, MoveSilently+23,Search+23,SenseMotive+23,Spellcraft+23(+25scrolls),Spot+31,Survival+4(+6following tracks),UseMagicDevice+26(+28scrolls) Feats: CombatExpertise,CombatReflexes,Multiattack,MultiweaponFighting,PowerAttack,WeaponFocus (longsword) ChallengeRating: Alignment: 17 Neutral(!)
EachofaSek'ssixarmswieldsaweapon,andthecreaturegetsanadditionalthreeweaponattackswithitsprimary arm.Sek'snaturalweapons,aswellasanyweaponsitwields,aretreatedaschaoticalignedandevilalignedforthe purposeofovercomingdamagereduction. Constrict(Ex)Amarilithdeals4d6+13pointsofdamagewithasuccessfulgrapplecheck.Theconstrictedcreature mustsucceedonaDC27Fortitudesaveorloseconsciousnessforaslongasitremainsinthecoilsandfor2d4rounds thereafter.ThesaveDCisStrengthbased. ImprovedGrab(Ex)Tousethisability,amarilithmusthitwithitstailslapattack.Itcanthenattempttostarta grappleasafreeactionwithoutprovokinganattackofopportunity.Ifitsucceedsonthegrapplecheck,itcanconstrict. SpellLikeAbilitiesAtwillalignweapon,bladebarrier(DC23),magicweapon,projectimage(DC23),see invisibility,telekinesis(DC22),greaterteleport(selfplus50poundsofobjectsonly),unholyaura(DC25).Caster level16th.ThesaveDCsareCharismabased. SummonDemon(Sp)Onceper"life"aSekcanattempttosummon4d10dretches,1d4hezrou,oronenalfeshneewith a50%chanceofsuccess,oroneglabrezuoranothermarilithwitha20%chanceofsuccess.Thisabilityisthe equivalentofa5thlevelspell. TrueSeeing(Su)Marilithscontinuouslyusethisability,asthespell(casterlevel16th). Skills.Marilithshavea+8racialbonusonListenandSpotchecks. Feats.Incombinationwithitsnaturalabilities,amarilithsMultiweaponFightingfeatallowsittoattackwithallits armsatnopenalty. Sekisdefeated,thecharacterlandingthe"killingblow"(spelletc)willfindthemselvestransportedtoapocket dimensionwheretheyhavetocombatacarboncopyofthemselves.Sekwillreformanhourafterbeingkilled,and awaitthenextpersonwhoseeksto"fightmonsters".
EventuallythePCswillquestionSek,whowillexplainthatiftheyfightamonsteroftheabyss,theywillfight themselves,suchisthecursethathasbeenbestoweduponthisimmortalbeing. TheEternalDungeonisconceptuallybasedonJeanPaulSartre'sacclaimedplay"NoExit" (http://vtheatre.net/script/doc/sartre.html),l'enfer,c'estlesautres.
THE ILLOGICS OF D&D

bymanypeople!
Aclassicpostfromovertenyearsago;wasoriginallyputtogetherbynumerouspostersataWoTCforum,nolong sincegone. "Thisalwaysworksinthemovies" TheMMsaysthatstakingavampirekillsthem,buttherearenocalledshotrulesandundeadaren'tsubjecttocoupde grace.Soyoucan'tactuallystakethem. "Wedon'tneedthumbshereintheAbyss" BytheMMerrata,alloutsiderswithanIntof6orhigherareproficientwithallmartialweapons.Thisincludes Hellhounds,Howlers,andNightmares,amongotherquadrapeds. "YoubackwoodsDwarvesstilldig,whateverfor?" WallofIronproducesrealironasaninstantspell(soitcan'tbedispelledandisnonmagical)andbytheprice guidelinesonPHB96&114andtheAvaibilityguidelinesonDMG137,youcanhireawizardtocastaspellthat producesroughly1800gpworthofironforonly500gpinanysmalltownorlargersettlement.Andyetironmining supposedlyexistsinthegameworld. "Like,youknow,likethat..anstuff...anat,right?" Simulacrumproducesacreaturethathasamongothertraits5160%ofthe"speech"oftheoriginal.Doesthatmeanthat itleavesrandomwordsoutof...ordoitjustusesmallwordswhentalk? "Allthecommonersroundherealwaysdieoffatthesametimeeveryyear" Theextremeheat/extremecoldrulesrendermuchoftherealworlduninhabitableaseveryoneinFairbanksinwinteror Phoenixinsummertakesenoughsubdualdamagetorenderthemunconsciousinjustafewhours. "ButI'masstrongasHeracles,mademysave,andwascarryingaSpadeofDigging.." Regardlessofsize,strength,toolsonhandorreflexsaveresult,anyonecaughtintheburyzoneofanavalancheis pinnedandmustwaittoberescuedratherthanbeingabletodigthereownwayout. "Sothat'swhatthosepointybitsdo..." The20thlevelExpertTrapmakerwithSearch,Profession:Trapmaker,Craft:Trapmaking,Knowledge:FamousTraps andKnowledge:MagicalTrapsallat23,cannotattempttofindatrapiftheSearchDCisover20,butthe1stlevel roguewithnoneofthoseskillscan.
"Iknowhefledintothewoods,butfirst,we'llcheckattheinn" ASuccessfulWildernessloreroletoTrackletsyoutracksomebodyforupto1mileindoors,andinfactyougetto retrymorefrequentlyindoorsthanoutdoors. "................................ouch." SinceaccordingtoPHB121,freeactionscanonlybeperformedwhiletakinganotheraction,andsinceyoucanonly takeanactiononyourinitiative,andsincebyTable84onPHB128,"Speak"isafreeaction:Byastrictreadingofthe rules,youmustwaituntilyournextactiontocryoutinpainafterbeinghitincombat. "WallofOrca" Runningawayfromsomeone?Needtoblockapassage?Well,havewegotasolutionforyou!SummonmonsterV allowsyoutosummonacelestialorca.Thecritterhas(onaverage)85hitpointsanditcanthrasharoundandattack anyonetryingtogetthrough.Muchbetterthanawallofstone.And,sinceitjustgoesbacktoitshomeplanewhenit "dies,"youdon'treallyhavetofeelallthatbad. "I'mnotexactlyfeelingmyselftoday,andneitheramI" AsmallspellcasterwithatinyfamiliarcanusePolymorphSelftoturnbackintohimself.AndhecanuseShareSpells tohavehisfamiliaralsoturnbackinto"himself"atthesametime.Therearen'tmanyspellsthatspecificallyallowyou tobreakthenormalconstraintsEnglishgrammarhasonreflexivepronouns. "Wow,Ididn'trealizedragonsbeergoggledthatheavily" Thevarious"half"templatescanbeappliedtoanycorporealcreature(Alignmentpermitting).Thisincludesoozes, plantsandevenconstructs. "IneverMetamagicIdidn'tlike." SilentPowerWord,Kill.StillBurningHands.How? "TransmuteRocktoStone" Typeelementalprovidesimmunityonlytopoisons,sleep,paralysis,stunningandcriticalhits.Soitisstillpossiblefora Gorgon,Medusa,CockatriceorBasilisktopetrifyanEarthElemental. "Trees;youcanchop'emdown,butyoucan'tchange'emwithmagic" AsperMM6,plantsareimmunetopolymorphing.PresumablythisincludesPolymorphanyObject,eventhoughthe spelldescriptionuses"vegetable"asaclassifier. "SomuchdroppingaGPofftheEmpireStatebuilding" AnarrowfiredfromaboworflungviaTelekinesisdeals1d6ormoredamage,yetthesamearrowdroppedfroma greatheightcanneverdealanydamage,sinceitweighslessthanonepound(DMG89,column2)
"Azathoth'sGibberingExplained??" DeitiesarecapableofcastingContactOtherPlanetoconversewiththemselvesbutthey"resentsuchintrusion"and evenhaveaflatpercentagechanceoflyingtothemselves. "Allthingsarenotequal..." 50ftofchain=10lbs.50ftofhemprope=10lbs. "Madcat!" Ahousecat,accordingtotheMM,candeal3damagewithtwoclawsandabite.(Minimumdamageis1HPforan attack.)Andapeasanthas1d4HP.Sodon'ttickoffkitty! "It'sBig,It'sHeavy,It'sWood!" Sinceaclubcosts0gp,aLimitedWishspellcancreateaninfinitenumberofclubs,causingtheplanetocollapseintoa blackhole. "Whyyes,Ididbringweaponsfortheentirearmy" Sincetheslinghasbothcost0andweight0,andyoucangenerallyfindordinarystonesforfree,thereisnomechanical reasonnottocarryafewmillionaroundincaseyouneedtoarmapeasantuprising. "Dagger,Greatclubit'saboutthesame" TheMMerratafailedtoamendtheTarrasque'sSwallowWholeabilitytomentiontheusualstipulationthatyoucan onlycutyourwayoutwitha"lightslashingorpiercingweapon" "Ifthehorsesevercatchon,we'reintrouble" Awhipcannotevendealsubdualdamagetoanycreaturewitha+3orbetternaturalarmorbonus.Thisincludesall horses,whichmakesyouwonderaboutcoachmenandtheuseofridingcrops. "It'sallinthetrunk" DireElephants,asdescribedinMotW,havea+23skillbonustoClimb,andarelistedashavingspeed40ft.,Climb10. "It'sNotSoGoodUpCloseWhenThey'reStandingStill" Althoughitignoresarmor(asitnormallyrequiresonlyarangedtouchattacktohit),andisspecificallynotedas creatinga"magicalarrow",Melf'sAcidArrowcannotbeusedtoperformaCoupdeGraceagainstanadjacentfoein themanneranormalbowcan(PHB133).Forthatmatter,neithercanasling,althoughahandcrossbowworksjust fine.
"Nevertrustausedweaponsalesman" Despitethereallycoolpartabouttheabilitynotallowingasavingthrow,that'sjustcleveradvertisingintendedto distractyoufromthefactthatthecompletedestructioneffectofaMaceofSmitingonlyfunctionswhenyoudeala criticalhittoaconstructwhicharenotsubjecttotheeffectsofcriticalhits.Andwatchoutforthosevorpalweapons too,theyhavetobefabricatedusingaspellthatdoesn'texistin3rdedition. "ButterfingeredBalors" Balor'svorpalswordisonlya+1weapon...Thismeansthatit'salmostentirelyuselessvsmostotherdemonsand devils.Whydon'ttheysimplygeta+5keenordefendingweapon?Isthatsothattheydon'taccidentlycutthemselves?
"He'sjustfakingit..." Despitebeingblind,GrimlockshaveaSpotcheckof+3. "ClassicalBlunders" Apprenticelevelpaladinshavelayonhandsasaclassability,buthaveaneffectivelevelof0. Wizards,druids,andmonksdonothaveUnarmedStrikeasaweaponproficiencyandthedruidlosesallabilitiesfor24 hoursifshetriestopunchsomeone,orifsheWildShapesintoananimalandbitesthem. AClericwiththeWaterDomaincanturnFireCreatureslikeanormalclericturnsUndead.SoClericswiththeWater DomaincanturnRedDragons.Infact,theonlydragonsthatcannotbeturnedarewhite,theweakestofallcolors.
"Intheeyeofthebeholder" HillGiantsaredescribedas"oddlysimian",who"seldomwash"andcarry"filthy,andstinky"possesions.CloudGiants are"handsome"and"welldefined"whowear"thefinestclothingavailable."HillGiantshaveacharismaof17;Cloud Giantshavea13. "Forgetstone,buildmycastleoutofdwarves!" Thedisintegratespellcastonanobjectwilldestroy10cubicfeetofmatter,nosavingthrowallowed.Thesamespell willonlyaffectonedwarf,whothecastermusthitfirstwithatouchattackroll,andstillgetsasavingthrow. OneWayFire "Thespell"FlameShield"createsafirearoundyouthatburnsanyonethatattacksyou,eveniftheyareusingaweapon (althoughnotiftheyareusingareachweapon)...however,youcantouchthemwithoutdamaging,evengrapplethem. However,they'dtakedamageiftheytriedtograppleback" SicHim,Rex! Apparentlytheaveragedogisasstrongasabugbear. IBleed...Slower. Adyingcharactercandelayhisowndeathinordertobehealed.Acharactertakesbleedingdamageattheendofa round(iejustbeforehisinitiative).Adyingcharactermaytakenoactions.Delayingyourgoinaturn(upto(10+dex bonus)isnotanaction. LevelDown! Standardgnomes,elves,dwarvesandhalflingspresentedintheMMcanuseanymartialweapon,andhavead8for hitpoints.Iftheychoosetoworkhardandfarmtheland(gainingalevelincommoner)theywilllosehalftheir hitpoints,forgethowtohackatpeoplewithaxes,andlosemanyoftheirskillsastheysuddenlybecomecrossclass. ArcheryContests Aninanimate,untargetedarroworspearlaunchingdevice(trapsfromtheDMG+10tohitand+12tohitwithin200ft respectively)hasavastlygreaterchanceofhittingsomeone,andatafargreaterrangethantheaveragemanaiminga crossbowatthem(+0tohitupto80ft). ThePeasantsAre... Sinceaclubcosts0gp,aLimitedWishspellcancreateaninfinitenumberofclubs,causingtheplanetocollapseintoa blackhole. Sincetheslinghasbothcost0andweight0,andyoucangenerallyfindordinarystonesforfree,thereisnomechanical reasonnottocarryafewmillionaroundincaseyouneedtoarmapeasantuprising."(orjustaLimitedWishinstead,I suppose).
HORROR ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS AND MASKS OF NYARLATHOTEP CONVERSIONS FOR D20 CALL OF CTHULHU
byLevLafayette
ConvertingfromCallofCthulhutoD20CallofCthulhushouldnotbeanoneroustask.AstheguideintheD20book suggests(p314)thereisadirectcorrelationbetweenanumberofstatisticsandskillsandratingssimplyhaveto changedfromaD100toaD20.Someminortweakshoweverarerecommended.Firstly,D20INTisexpressedhereas theaverageofCoCINT,withmodificationsforextremeEDU,ratherthandroppingEDU.Secondly,D20STRis expressedhereastheaverageofCoCSIZandSTR,ratherthandroppingSIZandjustusingSTR.Theconversionof CoCPOWtoD20CoCWIScausedsomeconcern,asthelatterhasfargreaterscopeandvariationthantheformer. Theattackmethodfordeterminingcharacterlevelisusedforcombatorientatedcharacters,ratherthanthemore calculativeintensiveskillmethodwhichisreservedforthemoreprofessorialtypes.Whereitwasobviousthata charactercamefromamoreacademicbackgroundtheBABconversionwasmadeasifadefensiveoptionwastaken.In somecaseshoweverthisdidnotworkasacharacterinCoCisquitecapableofhavinganenormousquantityofskills, butnocombatability.Thisis,ofcourse,notpossibleinD20CallofCthulhu.Thetranslationofskillsalsorequired somelicense;manyskillswerecombined,forexampleCoCDebateandOratoryhavebeenmergedintoDiplomacy, withhalfthesmallerbonusaddingtothefirst,Therehasbeenastrongtendencytoroundupinskillratings. Whilstitisalmostcertainthatanyattempttoreverseengineerthevalueswillresultindivergence,foractualplaythisis sufficient.It'sadirtyhackanditmustbeacknowledgedthatthetwogamesystemsdonotmergeaseasilyasthe authorsofD20CallofCthulhuwouldliketoclaim. Asfortheactualadventurepacks,HorrorontheOrientExpressandMasksofNyarlathoteparerecognisedastwoof themostextraordinarycampaignseverproducedforCallofCthulhu,oreveninthehistoryofroleplayingaswhole. Althoughbotharequiterare,thereisnoattemptheretorecreatethestoriesintotalandthisarticleassumesthatonehas bothadventures.Someattempthasbeenmadetoavoidspoilers,asmuchasonecanwhilstgivingKeeper'saquickand orderedreferenceguide. TheonlycharacteristicsusedherearethosethatthePCsarelikelytocomeintoconflictwith.Indeed,insomecases extranumbershavebeencombined;Ididnotseethepointofreplicatinggangsofcultistsonminorstatisticalvariation alone.Forotherssimplypicktheappropriateskillpercentageanddivideby10forconversiontoD20bonusifthe situationrequires.Likewisenotthatskillsandsavingthrowslistedbelowdonotincludeattributebonuses;howeverhit pointsdo. HorrorontheOrientExpressBookII(London,Paris,Lausanne,Milano) MehmetMakyratSTR16,CON16,INT17,WIS18,DEX14,CHA14(2),Sanity0
Skills:Bluff+5,Climb+5,Craft(Flaying)+9,CthulhuMythos+3,Disguise+4,Drive+4.Hide+8,History+3,Move Silently+8,OtherLanguage:English+6,French+5,Research+4,SenseMotive+5,Sleight+3,Spot+9,Search+9, Tumble+6,WildernessLore+4, Level10,OffensiveOption.+8/+3,+7Fort,+3Will.+3Ref,60hp Weapons:Knife1D4,Handgun1d10,Quiot1d8 SpecialPassengers STR12,CON12,INT0,WIS1,DEX9,CHA0,BAB+1,Grapple,DoomKiss,Level1Offensive4hp STR13,CON16,INT0,WIS1,DEX9,CHA0,BAB+1,Grapple,DoomKiss,Level1Offensive6hp STR13,CON18,INT0,WIS1,DEX9,CHA0,BAB+1,Grapple,DoomKiss,Level1Offensive7hp STR14,CON15,INT0,WIS1,DEX9,CHA0,BAB+1,Grapple,DoomKiss,Level1Offensive5hp STR12,CON14,INT0,WIS1,DEX9,CHA0,BAB+1.Grapple,DoomKiss,Level1Offensive5hp STR12,CON15,INT0,WIS1,DEX9,CHA0,BAB+1,Grapple,DoomKiss,Level1Offensive5hp STR13,CON13,INT0,WIS1,DEX9,CHA0,BAB+1,Grapple,DoomKiss,Level1Offensive4hp STR13,CON13,INT0,WIS1,DEX9,CHA0,BAB+1,Grapple,DoomKiss,Level1Offensive4hp STR13,CON13,INT0,WIS1,DEX9,CHA0,BAB+1,Grapple,DoomKiss,Level1Offensive4hp STR15,CON12,INT0,WIS1,DEX9,CHA0,BAB+1,Grapple,DoomKiss,Level1Offensive4hp
DucJeanFloressasdesEsseintes,STR13,CON14,INT19,WIS19,DEX13,CHA15(2),Sanity0 Skills:Bluff+8,CthulhuMythos+3,Diplomacy+6,Hide+5,Occult+7,Tumble+4,OtherLanguage:English+7, German+7,Stealth+5 Level5,OffensiveOption,+5BAB,+5Fort,+2Ref,+2Will,25hp Weapons:Knife1D4,Swordcane1d6 MobMembers STR14,CON12,INT13,WIS11,DEX15,CHA10,BAB+3,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level3Offensive,12hp STR12,CON12,INT11,WIS11,DEX14,CHA10,BAB+3,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level3Offensive,12hp STR13,CON13,INT10,WIS12,DEX13,CHA10,BAB+3,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level3Offensive,12hp STR13,CON11,INT10,WIS11,DEX12,CHA10,BAB+3,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level3Offensive,9hp STR13,CON13,INT9,WIS12,DEX10,CHA10,BAB+3.Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level3Offensive,12hp STR13,CON10,INT10,WIS11,DEX9,CHA10,BAB+3,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level3Offensive,9hp
ArturoFaccia,STR12,CON9,INT14,WIS14,DEX11,CHA9,Sanity0 Skills:Accounting+9,Diplomacy+5,Law+2,OtherLanguage:English+2,Turkish+5,Research+2,Stealth+3, Search+7,SenseMotive+7,Spot+7
Level3,OffensiveOption,+3BAB,+4Fort,+1Ref,+1Will,Weapons:Knife1D4,Swordcane1d6,6hp BulkyBrothers STR14,CON15,INT11,WIS11,DEX13,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level2Offensive,10hp STR14,CON13,INT12,WIS10,DEX12,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level2Offensive,8hp STR14,CON14,INT11,WIS11,DEX12,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level2Offensive,10hp STR12,CON13,INT13,WIS13,DEX12,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level2Offensive,8hp STR13,CON12,INT14,WIS14,DEX11,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level2Offensive,8hp STR13,CON13,INT12,WIS11,DEX11,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4,Club1d4,Level2Offensive,8hp
CaterinaCavollaro STR12,CON14,INT13,WIS12,DEX8,CHA11,BAB+1,Grapple,Level2Defensive,8hp HorrorontheOrientExpressBookIII(Venezia,Triest,Zagreb,Beograd) BlackshirtElite STR12,CON12,INT11,WIS16,DEX12,CHA11,BAB+3,naturalweapons,Level3Offensive,12hp STR9,CON10,INT11,WIS13,DEX15,CHA11,BAB+3,naturalweapons,Level3Offensive,9hp
BlackshirtThugs,forViennaandTrieste(alsousedforSebastiano'sfriends) STR13,CON15,INT11,WIS8,DEX10,CHA11,BAB+2,naturalweapons,(knife1d4),Level2Offensive,10hp STR14,CON13,INT11,WIS6,DEX15,CHA11,BAB+2,naturalweapons,(knife1d4),Level2Offensive,8hp STR14,CON9,INT11,WIS9,DEX8,CHA11,BAB+2,naturalweapons,(knife1d4),Level2Offensive,4hp STR13,CON11,INT11,WIS10,DEX11,CHA11,BAB+2,naturalweapons,(knife1d4),Level2Offensive,6hp STR13,CON11,INT11,WIS7,DEX17,CHA11,BAB+2,naturalweapons,(knife1d4),Level2Offensive,6hp STR13,CON8,INT11,WIS9,DEX9,CHA11,BAB+2,naturalweapons,(knife1d4),Level2Offensive,4hp Vigilli STR14,CON9,INT11,WIS14,DEX13,CHA11,BAB+2,club1d4,Level2Offensive,4hp STR13,CON13,INT11,WIS11,DEX11,CHA11,BAB+2,club1d4,Level2Offensive,8hp STR13,CON14,INT11,WIS11,DEX11,CHA11,BAB+2,club1d4,Level2Offensive,10hp STR14,CON12,INT11,WIS11,DEX10,CHA11,BAB+2,club1d4,Level2Offensive,8hp STR14,CON14,INT11,WIS11,DEX10,CHA11,BAB+2,club1d4,Level2Offensive,10hp STR13,CON17,INT11,WIS10,DEX8,CHA11,BAB+2,club1d4,Level2Offensive,12hp
CarloCasciano,MobRingleader STR13,CON13,INT10,WIS12,DEX11,CHA14,BAB+2,club1d4,Level2Offensive,8hp
MobMembers STR12,CON11,INT10,WIS12,DEX11,CHA11,BAB +1,club1d4,Level1Offensive,3hp AntoniTermona STR11,CON14,INT11,WIS14,DEX8,CHA13,BAB +1,handgun1d10,tentacle1d4,Level1Offensive,5hp Bluff+6,OtherLanguage:English+6,Latin+3,Search+4, Spot+4
MarcoMontanella STR9,CON12,INT17,WIS16,DEX8,CHA11,Sanity0 Archeology+3,Diplomacy+7,OtherLanguage:Classical Greek+7,English+6,German+5,Latin+7 BAB+1,handgun1d10,Tentacle1d4,Level1Offensive,4 hp
JohnWincklemanINT14,WIS29 SkinBrothers STR14,CON12,INT11,WIS9,DEX16,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,8hp STR16,CON13,INT11,WIS14,DEX15,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,8hp STR14,CON14,INT11,WIS10,DEX11,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,10hp STR14,CON13,INT11,WIS11,DEX13,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,8hp STR15,CON15,INT11,WIS10,DEX13,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,10hp STR13,CON13,INT11,WIS16,DEX13,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,8hp Level2Offensive LloigorCultists STR14,CON16,INT11,WIS11,DEX14,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,12hp STR14,CON17,INT11,WIS11,DEX13,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,12hp
STR15,CON14,INT11,WIS10,DEX13,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,10hp STR16,CON16,INT11,WIS12,DEX12,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,12hp STR15,CON16,INT11,WIS10,DEX12,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,12hp STR15,CON13,INT11,WIS9,DEX12,CHA11,BAB+2,knife1d4,Stealth+3,Hide+3,8hp Level2Offensive Lliogor(seeD20CallofCthulhu,p175) STR24,CON21,INT17,WIS16,DEX13,CHA16,BAB+11,+7Fort,+7Ref,+5Will,AC+8,76hp StatueThieves STR16,CON16,INT11,WIS13,DEX11,CHA11,BAB+4,club1d4,Level5Defensive,30hp STR15,CON17,INT11,WIS12,DEX10,CHA11,BAB+4,club1d4,Level5Defensive,30hp
SerbianandTurkishBrawlers STR12,CON14,INT10,WIS10,DEX14,CHA10,BAB+1,Knife1d4,Rock1d4,Level1Offensive,5hp STR12,CON12,INT10,WIS15,DEX11,CHA10,BAB+1,Knife1d4,Rock1d4,Level1Offensive,4hp STR13,CON13,INT10,WIS11,DEX11,CHA10,BAB+1,Knife1d4,Rock1d4,Level1Offensive,4hp STR10,CON9,INT10,WIS12,DEX17,CHA10,BAB+1,Knife1d4,Rock1d4,Level1Offensive,2hp STR11,CON11,INT10,WIS11,DEX14,CHA10,BAB+1.Knife1d4,Rock1d4,Level1Offensive,3hp STR13,CON10,INT10,WIS12,DEX9,CHA10,BAB+1,Knife1d4,Rock1d4,Level1Offensive,3hp MarjaNedic STR11,CON12,INT12,WIS16,DEX10,CHA15, Skills:Botany+9,Heal+8,(Folk)History+10,Listen+9,Spot+10,Search+10 OffensiveLevel10BAB+9/+4,knife1d4,+7Will,+3Ref,+3Fort,40hp BabaYaga(Maiden,Mother,Crone) STR30,CON100,INT16,WIS17/25/35,DEX17,CHA19/12/7, Skills:MoveSilently+18,Craft(Mortar)+30,Craft(Tapestry)+30 OffensiveLevel9,+7/+2BAB,Knife1d4,Shovel,Pestle1D6,+6Will,+3Ref,+3Fort,405hp DarkYoung(seep162D20CallofCthulhu) Baba'sFlock(usestatsforaratp201201D20CallofCthulgu)
HorrorontheOrientExpressBookIV(Sophia,Contantinopleandreturn)
Nikolai STR16,CON16,INT12,WIS11,DEX14,CHA10 Skills:Climb+5,Jump+5,Listen+5,Sneak+4,Spot+5,Search+5 OffensiveLevel12BAB+9/+4,+8Ref,+4Will,+4Fort,Hookeddagger1d4+1,MachinePistol1d10,burst,72hp
Fenalik STR21,CON14,INT17,WIS14,DEX16,CHA3,Sanity0 Skills:Bluff+10,Climb+10,Diplomacy+8,History+4,Jump+7,Listen+9,Occult+4,OtherLanguage:English+8, Italian+6,Russian+7,Turkish+8,SenseMotive+9,Spot+8,Search(bysmell)+9,Tumble+7,WildernessLore+6 OffensiveLevel15BAB+12/+7/+2,+10Will,+5Ref,+5Fort,Bite1d4,Claw1d4.Seep157,HorrorontheOrient Express.,75hp
TheBeylabThing,TheStrangerThing,Seep167169HotOE. STR18,CON40,INT5,WIS1,DEX8.Touch+7/+2(1d4).Armour:7pt,162hp
Feyar STR12,CON14,INT18,WIS15,DEX15,CHA13,Sanity0 Skills:Bluff+7,Craft(Cartography)+3,CthulhuMythos+1,Diplomacy+4,OtherLanguage:Arabic+4,Bulgarian +4,English+5,Greek+7,Russian+3,Turkish+8,Occult+2,Research+6,Spot+6,Search+6,Stealth+5,Tumble +6,Hide+6, OffensiveLevel5BAB+4,+4Will,+1Ref,+1Fort,Knife1d4,25hp
BrothersoftheSkin,SeeHotOEforp176177 STR18,CON15,INT10,WIS8,DEX16,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4.Deadarm,10hp STR14,CON8,INT10,WIS16,DEX14,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4.Deadears.Listen+5,4hp STR14,CON13,INT10,WIS16,DEX15,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4,Deadeyes.Spot,Search+5,8hp STR13,CON13,INT10,WIS11,DEX15,CHA3,BAB+2,Knife1d4.Deadface,8hp STR14,CON9,INT10,WIS9,DEX16,CHA10,BAB+2.Knife1d4.Deadfingers,4hp STR18,CON14,INT10,WIS11,DEX14,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4.Deadlegs(STRbonus),10hp STR13,CON11,INT10,WIS10,DEX13,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4.Deadarm,6hp STR14,CON8,INT10,WIS16,DEX14,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4.Deadears.Listen+5,4hp STR14,CON12,INT10,WIS11,DEX13,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4,Deadeyes.Spot,Search+5,8hp STR13,CON13,INT10,WIS11,DEX15,CHA18,BAB+2,Knife1d4.Deadface,8hp
STR14,CON14,INT10,WIS9,DEX12,CHA11,BAB+2.Knife1d4.Deadfingers,10hp STR17,CON17,INT10,WIS11,DEX11,CHA10,BAB+2,Knife1d4.Deadlegs(STRbonus),12hp Level2Offensive HakimandCrew STR14,CON14,INT9,WIS9,DEX13,CHA8.BAB+3(knife1d4),Level3Offensive,15hp Appraise+8.Pilot+4,SenseMotive+4, STR10,CON15,INT10,WIS14,DEX13,CHA10.BAB+2(knife1d4),Level2Offensive10hp STR12,CON12,INT10,WIS11,DEX13,CHA10.BAB+2(knife1d4),Level2Offensive,8hp STR12,CON14,INT10,WIS9,DEX13,CHA10.BAB+2(knife1d4).,Level2Offensive10hp
TheSkinBeast.Seep177HotOE STR40,CON100,INT10,WIS12,DEX10.Armour5pts,Search(smell)+9,BAB+5(tongue1d2),240hp
SelimMakryat,Seep177HotOEforspells. STR9,CON8,INT14,WIS21,DEX8,CHA10,Sanity0 Skills:Diplomacy+7,Craft(Flaying)+9,CthulhuMythos+2,OtherLanguage:English+3,Spot+9,Search+9 OffensiveLevel15BAB+12/+7/+2,+9Will,+5Ref,+5Fort,Knife1d4,30hp
FleshCreeper STR2,CON3,INT5,WIS1,DEX15,BAB+5,Causesdrowning,6hp
MehmetMakyratReincarnated.SeeHotOEforspecialpowers,p208 STR16,CON16,INT17,WIS23,DEX14,CHA0,Sanity0 Skills:Bluff+5,Climb+5,Craft(Flaying)+9,CthulhuMythos+3,Disguise+4,Drive+4.Hide+8,History+3,Move Silently+8,OtherLanguage:English+6,French+5,Research+4,SenseMotive+5,Sleight+3,Spot+9,Search+9, Tumble+6,WildernessLore+4, Level10,OffensiveOption.+8/+3,claw1D4,+7Fort,+3Will.+3Ref,60hp
TheSkinlessOne.SeeHotOEforspecialpowers,p208 STR20,CON20,INT86,WIS100,DEX20,CHA0,Sanity0 SkinningGaze(cannotmiss),4d6,120hp MasksOfNyarlathotepChapterOne(NewYork)
StandardCultMember(alsouseinsteadofstatsonCh1p15) STR12,CON15,INT4,WIS10,DEX13,CHA4. Skills:Climb+6,CthulhuMythos+2,OtherLanguage:English+4,Swahili+6,Jump+6,Listen+5,Occult+1,Stealth +6,Spot+4,Search+4,WildernessLore+5 Level3Offensive,BAB+3(pranga1d6,razor1d4),15hp EliteCultists STR15,CON15,INT5,WIS10,DEX10,CHA6,30hp STR12,CON12,INT10,WIS8,DEX13,CHA7,24hp STR13,CON13,INT4,WIS8,DEX16,CHA4,24hp Skills:Disguise+6,CthulhuMythos+1,OtherLanguage:English+1/+6/+1,Hide+8/+6/+8,Jump+9/+6/+6,Listen +7/+8/+6,Swim+6/+3/+3,WildernessLore+1/+2/+9 Level6Offensive,BAB+5(pranga1d6,razor1d4),+5Ref,+2Will,+2Fort
Mukunga STR16,CON20,INT8,WIS36,DEX13,CHA17.SeeCh1,p15forspells. Skills:Disguise+6,Climb+7,CthulhuMythos+7,Heal+8.Hide+7,Jump+8,OtherLanguage:English+4,Swahili +7,Listen+7,Perform(Sing)+6,Stealth+8,Spot+6,Search+6,Tumbling+9 Level7Defensive,BAB+3(pranga1d6,razor1d4),+5Fort,+5Will,+2Ref,48hp Zombies STR15,CON19,WIS1,DEX12,BAB+6,(pranga1d6),Level6Offensive,42hp STR16,CON7,WIS1,DEX11,BAB+6,(pranga1d6).Level6Offensive,6hp STR15,CON15,WIS1,DEX10,BAB+5,(pranga1d6),Level6Offensive,30hp STR11,CON15,WIS1,DEX8,BAB+4,(pranga1d6),Level6Offensive,30hp. STR9,CON15,WIS1,DEX6,BAB+3,(pranga1d6),Level6Offensive,30hp STR16,CON15,WIS1,DEX4,BAB+2,(pranga1d6),Level6Offensive,30hp MasksOfNyarlathotepChapterTwo(London)
StandardCultMember STR9,CON12,INT4,WIS7,DEX9,CHA5. Skills:Climb+5,CthulhuMythos+3,Drive+4,Hide+7,OtherLanguage:Arabic+6,English+2,MoveSilently+4, SenseMotive+2,Sleight+2,Spot+5,Search+5,WildernessLore+3
Level3Offensive,BAB+3(cultclub1d6,knife1d4),+3Ref,+1Fort,+1Will,12hp Ssathasaa STR10(4),CON11(8),INT25(8),WIS35(9),DEX17(5),CHA(9). Skills:Disguise+5,CthulhuMythos+8,Hide+8,Jump+7,Occult+10,OtherLanguage:Arabic+5,English+10, Stealth+9,Swim+7.WildernessLore+6 Level11OffensiveBAB+9/+4(knittingneedle1d4,bite1d8,poison),1ptarmour(scales),33(22)hp
MilesShipley STR13,CON14,INT25(8),WIS35(9),DEX15,CHA6. Skills:Disguise+5,CthulhuMythos+8,Hide+8,Jump+7,Occult+10,OtherLanguage:Arabic+5,English+10, Stealth+9,Swim+7.WildernessLore+6 Level11OffensiveBAB+9/+4(knittingneedle1d4,bite1d8,poison),1ptarmour(scales),44hp LawrenceVane STR12,CON16,INT16,WIS10,DEX15,CHA10.Sanity55 Skills:Accounting+5,Archeology+3,Bluff+2,Diplomacy+7,Drive+7,History+4,Law+5,Listen+6,Other Language:French+8,Greek+4,Psychology+2,Ride+6,Research+4,SenseMotive+2,Search+4,Spot+4, WildernessLore+3 Level7OffensiveBAB+6/+1(shotgun3d6,fencingfoil1d6),42hp EloiseVane STR6,CON6,INT12,WIS10,DEX9,CHA13.Skills:Botany+4,OtherLanguagesFrench+5,Research+4 Werewolf STR18,CON14,INT5,WIS12,DEX16,CHA1.Level4Offensive,BAB+3(bite1d8),armour1point,20hp Bouncers STR14,CON15,INT10,WIS15,DEX13,CHA6.BAB+5(club1d4,knife1d4).Level6Offensive,30hp STR15,CON14,INT10,WIS5,DEX12,CHA3.BAB+5(club1d4,knife1d4).Level6Offensive,30hp STR14,CON10,INT10,WIS10,DEX14,CHA7.BAB+5(club1d4,knife1d4).Level6Offensive,18hp STR13,CON12,INT10,WIS9,DEX13,CHA9.BAB+5(club1d4,knife1d4).Level6Offensive,24hp STR13,CON11,INT10,WIS9,DEX12,CHA9.BAB+5(club1d4,knife1d4).Level6Offensive,18hp STR13,CON15,INT10,WIS7,DEX11,CHA7.BAB+5(club1d4,knife1d4).Level6Offensive,30hp
TheThingintheFog STR30,CON30,INT1,WIS25,DEX18,BAB+5(choke),65hp
PunjiChabout STR9,CON16,INT14,WIS8,DEX13,CHA12. Skills:Accounting+8,CthulhuMythos+1,Diplomacy+4,Hide+7,Law+4,Listen+7,SenseMotive+8,Sleight+5, Stealth+5,Search+5,Spot+5 Level10OffensiveOption,BAB+8/+3(garrote,knife1d4),+7Will,+4Fort,+4Ref,60hp Lacasars STR9,CON12,INT10,WIS12,DEX16,CHA6.BAB+5(knife1d4),Level6Offensive,24hp STR11,CON13,INT10,WIS10,DEX14,CHA4.BAB+5(knife1d4),Level6Offensive,24hp STR10,CON11,INT10,WIS8,DEX13,CHA3.BAB+5(knife1d4),Level6Offensive,18hp STR11,CON12,INT10,WIS10,DEX13,CHA7.BAB+5(knife1d4),Level6Offensive,24hp STR11,CON11,INT10,WIS6,DEX11,CHA8.BAB+5(knife1d4),Level6Offensive,18hp STR11,CON16,INT10,WIS13,DEX11,CHA3.BAB+5(knife1d4),Level6Offensive,36hp STR11,CON10,INT10,WIS7.DEX10,CHA6.BAB+5(knife1d4),Level6Offensive,18hp STR9,CON15,INT10,WIS8,DEX9,CHA5.BAB+5(knife1d4),Level6Offensive,30hp EdwardGavigan.Seep27Ch2Masksforspellsetc. STR13,CON17,INT18,WIS45,DEX16,CHA14.Sanity0. Skills:Accounting+3,Archeology+6,Anthropology+6,Astronomy+5,Climb+6,CthulhuMythos+9,Diplomacy +8,Drive+5,Hide+2,Jump+5,OtherLanguage:Arabic+10,AncientEgyptian+10,Greek+7,French+9,Latin+8, Swahili+3,Law+5,Listen+6,Occult+8,Psychology+5,Ride+5,Stealth+3,Search+4,Spot+4,SenseMotive+7, Swim+5 Level6OffensiveOption,BAB+5(shotgun),+5Will,+2Fort,+2Ref,36hp BetterCultists STR14,CON12,INT17,WIS8,DEX13,CHA6,BAB+4(club1d4),Level5Offensive,20hp STR13,CON12,INT14,WIS9,DEX13,CHA7,BAB+4(club1d4),Level5Offensive,20hp STR13,CON11,INT14,WIS10,DEX13,CHA4,BAB+4(club1d4),Level5Offensive,15hp STR11,CON13,INT11,WIS10,DEX14,CHA5,BAB+4(club1d4),Level5Offensive,20hp STR13,CON9,INT10,WIS9,DEX12,CHA9,BAB+4(club1d4),Level5Offensive,10hp STR13,CON8,INT11,WIS6,DEX12,CHA10,BAB+4(club1d4),Level5Offensive,10hp STR13,CON9,INT9,WIS7,DEX12,CHA3.BAB+4(club1d4),Level5Offensive,10hp
STR13,CON10,INT12,WIS3,DEX11,CHA4.BAB+4(club1d4),Level5Offensive,15hp Shantaks STR40,CON16,INT6,WIS8,DEX12,BAB+7/+2(bite1d6),9ptarmour,45hp STR41,CON10,INT6,WIS9,DEX11,BAB+4(bite1d6),9ptarmour,15hp STR44,CON14,INT3,WIS10,DEX7,BAB+4(bite1d6),9ptarmour,30hp STR43,CON17,INT4,WIS10,DEX7,BAB+4(bite1d6),9ptarmour,35hp STR35,CON15,INT4,WIS9,DEX7,BAB+4(bite1d6),9ptarmour,30hp STR41,CON12,INT2,WIS6,DEX7,BAB+4(bite1d6),9ptarmour,25hp
LesserGodsSeeCh2Masks,p28forspecialabilities STR59,CON21,INT0,WIS96,DEX15,Damage6d6,BAB+12/+7/+2.144hp STR55,CON88,INT0,WIS100,DEX14,Damage6d6,BAB+12/+7/+2.672hp STR58,CON47,INT0,WIS70,DEX12,Damage2d6,BAB+12/+7/+2.352hp STR88,CON45,INT0,WIS36,DEX11,Damage10d6,BAB+12/+7/+2.336hp STR51,CON71,INT0,WIS58,DEX10,Damage5d6,BAB+12/+7/+2.544hp STR57,CON88,INT0,WIS80,DEX10,Damage6d6,BAB+12/+7/+2.672hp STR60,CON52,INT0,WIS62,DEX9,Damage5d6(3attacks),BAB+12/+7/+2.392hp STR76,CON64,INT0,WIS28,DEX8,Damage8d6,BAB +12/+7/+2.488hp STR41,CON87,INT0,WIS43,DEX7,Damage7d6,BAB +12/+7/+2.656p MasksOfNyarlathotepChapterThree(Cairo)
BrotherhoodMembers STR12,CON14,INT11,WIS10,DEX10,CHA10 Skills:Archeology+1,Astronomy+1,Disguise+2,Cthulhu Mythos+4,Hide+8,OtherLanguage:English+2,Law+2, Listen+6,Occult+2,Sleight+5,Stealth+6,Search+5,Spot+5 Level7Offensive,BAB+6/+1,(cultclub1d6,dagger1d4, garrote),+5Ref,+2Will,+2Fort,35hp HakkimandHisBrothers STR13,CON10,INT8,WIS9,DEX11,CHA14,15hp Cairo,1922
STR12,CON11,INT7,WIS8,DEX11,CHA8,15hp STR11,CON9,INT6,WIS11,DEX10,CHA9,10hp STR12,CON7,INT7,WIS10,DEX10,CHA11,5hp Skills:Bluff+4,Climb+5,Hide+4,Jump+4,SenseMotive+5,Sleight+4,Stealth+4,Spot+4,Search+4 BAB+4,(Knife1d4,garrote). OmarShakti STR12,CON25,INT18,WIS50,DEX17,CHA16,Sanity0 Skills:Accounting+7,Archeology+8,Craft(Cartography)+8,CthulhuMythos+10,Diplomacy+15,Hide+4, History+9,OtherLanguage:Arabic+10,Chinese(Mandarin)+10,DemoticEgyptian+8,English+9,French+10, ClassicGreek+10,Hebrew+10,Hieroglyphs+10,Latin+10,Swahili+10,Law+7,Listen+7,Occult+10,Pharmacy +10,Psychology+6,Stealth+10,Search+9,Spot+9,SenseMotive+10 Level18Defensive,BAB+9/+4,(cultclub1d6,dagger1d4,garrote),+11Will,+11Fort,+5Ref,180hp Hetep STR2/16,CON4/20,INT15,WIS25,DEX16/18,CHA13/0 Skills:Climb+9/+3,Hide+10/+8,Jump+10/+8,OtherLanguage:Arabic+3,English+3DemoticEgyptian+3(all understandingonly).Stealth+10/+8,WildernessLore+8/+8 Level9Offensive,BAB+7/+2,(tongue,claws2d6,bite2d6),+6Ref,+3Fort,+3Will,9hp/72hp MoreDespicableCultists(p9),CultistGuards(p11)andRandomCultists(p23) STR11,CON9,INT8,WIS10,DEX12,CHA7,12hp STR13,CON7,INT10,WIS10,DEX10,CHA8,6hp STR11,CON9,INT8,WIS10,DEX10,CHA9,12hp STR13,CON10,INT8,WIS10,DEX13,CHA8,18hp STR11,CON11,INT9,WIS10,DEX13,CHA6,18hp STR11,CON10,INT8,WIS10,DEX12,CHA9,18hp STR18,CON18,INT8,WIS10,DEX11,CHA6,42hp STR8,CON7,INT8,WIS10,DEX16,CHA15,6hp Skills:CthulhuMythos+3,Hide+4,Listen+5,Sleight+2,Stealth+4,Search+5,Spot+5 Level6Offensive,BAB+5,(cultclub1d6),+5Ref,+2Will,+2Fort
Dr.HenryClive STR10,CON15,INT17,WIS30,DEX12,CHA13,Sanity0 Skills:Anthropology+7,Archeology+11,Astronomy+6,Bluff+3,CthulhuMythos+5,Oratory+7,Heal+7,History +4,OtherLanguage:Arabic+10,French+5,Hieroglyphs+9,Law+5,Oratory+4,Psychology+2,Research+7,Sense
Motive+4,Search+8,Spot+8Zoology+2 Level7Defensive,BAB+3,(cultclub1d6),+5Will,+5Fort,+2Ref,42hp MartinWinfield STR13,CON12,INT16,WIS12,DEX15,CHA14,Sanity0 Skills:Archeology+8,Bluff+7,CthulhuMythos+4,Diplomacy+8,Drive+8,Occult+1,OtherLanguage:Arabic+7, French+7,Hieroglyphs+3,SenseMotive+3,Ride+5 Level9Offensive,BAB+7/+2,(ridingcrop1d2,handgun1d10),+6Fort,+3Will,+3Ref,36hp AgathaBroadmoor STR6,CON8,INT13,WIS16,DEX9,CHA9,Sanity35 Skills:Archeology+5,Astronomy+4,Occult+11,OtherLanguage:Arabic+3,French+2,Hieroglyphs+1, Level3Defensive,BAB+1,+3Will,+3Fort,+1Ref,6hp JamesGardner STR12,CON12,INT16,WIS7,DEX10,CHA11,Sanity40 Skills:Anthropology+7,Archeology+6,CthulhuMythos+1,Diplomacy+7,History+4,Occult+1,OtherLanguage: Arabic+5,Aramaic+5,Assyrian+5,Hieroglyphs+2,Psychology+2,Research+6,SenseMotive+3 Level5Defensive,BAB+2,(handgun1d10),+4Fort,+4Will,+1Ref,20hp JohannesSprech STR13,CON16,INT15,WIS17,DEX16,CHA10,Sanity50 Skills:Archeology+6,Astronomy+2,Cryptography+5,CthulhuMythos+1,Diplomacy+8,Drive+4,Hide+6, History+2,Jump+4,Listen+3,Occult+7,OtherLanguage:Arabic+7,English+6,French+4,SenseMotive+3, Sleight+2,Stealth+5,Search+5,Spot+5,Swim+5,WildernessLore+1 Level7Offensive,BAB+6/+1(handgun1d10,knife1d4,club1d4),+5Ref,+2Will,+2Fort,42hp TheBlackSphinx(additionalpowersp23) STR135,CON100,INT26,WIS50,DEX10,BAB+9/+4Forepaw8D6,+9Fort,+3Ref,+3Will,480hp ChildrenoftheSphinx BullSTR13,CON15,INT1,WIS11,DEX8,BAB+4Horns1D8,5leveloffensive+4Fort,+1Ref,+1Will,25hp IbisSTR11,CON12,INT6,WIS11,DEX5,BAB+2Beak1D3,5leveldefensive,,+4Will,+4Ref,+1Fort,25hp HippSTR15,CON15,INT1,WIS12,DEX6,BAB+4Bite2D6,5leveloffensive,+4Fort,+1Ref,+1Will,25hp CheeSTR11,CON15,INT6,WIS11,DEX10,BAB+4Bite1D6,5leveloffensive,+4Fort,+1Ref,+1Will,25hp
HippSTR13,CON12,INT3,WIS13,DEX10,BAB+4Bite2D6,5leveloffensive,+4Fort,+1Ref,+1Will,25hp FalcSTR14,CON18,INT4,WIS11,DEX10,BAB+4Beak1D4,5leveloffensive,+4Fort,+1Ref,+1Will,25hp BullSTR13,CON15,INT3,WIS11,DEX12,BAB+4Horns1D6,5leveloffensive,+4Fort,+1Ref,+1Will,25hp CheeSTR13,CON17,INT3,WIS8,DEX3,BAB+4Bite1D6,5leveloffensive,+4Fort,+1Ref,+1Will,25hp IbisSTR12,CON11,INT3,WIS9,DEX9,BAB+2Beak1D3,5leveldefensive,+4Will,+4Ref,+1Fort,25hp HippSTR22,CON16,INT3,WIS3,DEX2,BAB+4Bite2D6,5leveloffensive,+4Fort,+1Ref,+1Will,25hp
ShefireRoash STR12,CON15,INT16,WIS16,DEX13,CHA18,Sanity0 Skills:Archeology+8,CthulhuMythos+10,Diplomacy+19,Hide+5,History+3,Occult+6,OtherLanguage:Arabic +6,English+3,French+1,6thDynastyEgyptian+10,Pharmacy+10,Psychology+5,SenseMotive+5,Stealth+8 Level11Defensive,BAB+5(touch1,dagger1d4),+7Ref,+7Will,+3Fort,55hp MasksOfNyarlathotepChapterFour(Kenya) CultoftheBloodyTongue,averagemember STR14,CON16,INT6,WIS12,DEX16,CHA2,Sanity0, Skills:CthulhuMythos+4,Hide+8,Jump+7,Listen+6,Perform(Sing)+3,Perform(Dance)+6,Search+6,Stealth +5,Spot+6,WildernessLore+9 Level3Offensive,BAB+3(pranga1d6,spear1d6,warclub1d8),+3Ref,+1Fort,+1Will,18hp
FourThugs STR14,CON13,INT8,WIS12,DEX14,CHA9BAB+5(blackjack1d4, knife1d4),hp24 STR11,CON12,INT9,WIS11,DEX13,CHA12BAB+5(blackjack1d4, knife1d4),hp24 STR15,CON14,INT9,WIS11,DEX12,CHA10BAB+5(blackjack1d4, knife1d4),hp30 STR11,CON18,INT12,WIS10,DEX11,CHA13BAB+5(blackjack 1d4,knife1d4),hp42 Skills:Listen+5,Search+6,SenseMotive+3,Sleight+4,Stealth+5,Spot+6 Level6Offensive,+5Fort,+2Will,+2Ref FireVampires(seealsoD20CallofCthulhu,p166)
RedSTR1,CON6,INT12,WIS15,DEX12,CHA17,BAB+0(fire1d6+1d4CON),9hp BlueSTR1,CON8,INT15,WIS10,DEX16,CHA17,BAB+0(fire1d6+1d4CON),9hp NailsNelson STR15,CON13,INT11,WIS6,DEX13,CHA7,Sanity30 Skills:Climb+6,Demolitions+3,DisableDevice+5,Disguise+4,Hide+8,Jump+4,Listen+3,OtherLanguage: Swahili+1,SenseMotive+2,Swim+4,Tumble+7 Level7OffensiveBAB+6/+1(shotgun3d6,knife1d4),+5Ref,+2Will,+2Fort Who STR67,CON85,INT3,WIS14,DEX12,Spot+8,BAB+7(tongue1d6,grapple),104hp,+12Fort,+7Ref,+4Will, 104hp TandorSingh STR9,CON10,INT14,WIS21,DEX15,CHA12,Sanity0 Skills:Accounting+4,Bluff+4,CthulhuMythos+6,Diplomacy+3,Hide+7,OtherLanguage:English+6,Swahili +4,Pharmacy+4,Psychology+2,Search+4,SenseMotive+8,Stealth+4,Spot+4 Level7Defensive,BAB+3(meatcleaver1d6,dagger1d4),+5Fort,+5Ref,+2Will,24hp M'weru STR10,CON20,INT17,WIS35,DEX16,CHA18,Sanity0 Skills:CthulhuMythos+9,Diplomacy+9,Occult+5,OtherLanguage:Bantu+8,English+6,Search+5,Spot+5, Stealth+10 Level9Defensive,BAB+4(dagger1d4,pranga1d6),74hp M'weru'sBodyguards(10,identical) STR17,CON18,INT6,WIS13,DEX17,CHA10,Sanity0 Skills:Climb+9,Hide+7,Jump+6,Listen+5,Stealth+6,Search+6,Spot+6,Swim+5,WildernessLore+8 Level10OffensiveBAB+8/+3(pranga1d6,warclub1d8,thrownspear1d8),+7Fort,+3Will,+3Ref,77hp SpawnofNyarlathotep,Monstrous(seep20formultipleattacks,etc) STR42,CON25,INT43,WIS50,DEX10, Level9OffensiveBAB+7/+2(tentacle1d10,grapple,claws2d6each,bite2d8,eyeray1d0),90hp SpawnofNyarlathotep,Hypatia
STR10,CON19,INT43,WIS50,DEX15,CHA20 Skills:Diplomacy+4,Drive+7,History+3,Law+4,OtherLanguage:French+6,Swahili+3,SenseMotive+4, Research+5,Ride+6,Swim+7 Level9DefensiveBAB+5(foil1d6),+7Ref,+7Will,+3Fort,66hp MasksOfNyarlathotepChapterFive(Shanghai) OrderoftheBloatedWoman,Sample STR10,CON9,INT8,WIS13,DEX13,CHA4,Sanity0 Skills:CthulhuMythos+3,Occult+3,OtherLanguage:English+2,Performance(Sing)+3,SenseMotive+2, Shiphandling+3,Sleight+2,Stealth+4,Swim+7 Level6Offensive,BAB+5,(sickle1d6,knife1d4),+5Ref,+2Will,+2Fort HoFong(seep11forspellsetc) STR9,CON13,INT16,WIS35,DEX12,CHA14,Sanity0 Skills:Accounting+8,Archeology+3,Botany+9,CthulhuMythos+10,Diplomacy+4,Listen+7,OtherLanguage: ClassicalChinese+8,Dutch+3,English+6,French+3,Japanese+5,Pharmacy+9,Psychology+5,Search+7,Spot +7,SenseMotive+8,Swim+4 Level14Defensive,BAB+7/+2,(sickle1d6,knife1d4),+9Will,+9Fort,+4Ref,66hp HoTzuHsi STR5,CON7,INT9,WIS4,DEX10,CHA11,Sanity0,hitpoints1 CarlStanford(seep12forspellsandfurtherabilities) STR13,CON16,INT22,WIS40,DEX12,CHA18,Sanity0 Skills:Archeology+8,Astronomy+5,Bluff+9,CthulhuMythos+10,Diplomacy+9,History+6,OtherLanguage: Arabic+8,Chinese(Mandarin)+8,ClassicGreek+10,Research+10,Stealth+8,Zoology+10 Level16Defensive,BAB+8/+3,(swordcane1d6),+10Will,+10Ref,+5Fort,110hp OrderoftheBloatedWomanAssortedCultists STR14,CON13,INT10,WIS9,DEX17,CHA3,Level7Offensive,BAB+6/+1(jostick1d4,sickle1d6),32hp STR16,CON10,INT9,WIS6,DEX16,CHA3,Level7Offensive,BAB+6/+1(jostick1d4,sickle1d6),25hp STR11,CON12,INT8,WIS13,DEX15,CHA4,Level7Offensive,BAB+6/+1(jostick1d4,sickle1d6),32hp STR13,CON14,INT10,WIS4,DEX13,CHA6,Level7Offensive,BAB+6/+1(jostick1d4,sickle1d6),39hp STR11,CON16,INT8,WIS15,DEX13,CHA5,Level7Offensive,BAB+6/+1(jostick1d4,sickle1d6),46hp STR8,CON9,INT13,WIS9,DEX13,CHA7,Level7Offensive,BAB+6/+1(jostick1d4,sickle1d6),18hp
STR10,CON10,INT12,WIS10,DEX11,CHA4,Level7Offensive,BAB+6/+1(jostick1d4,sickle1d6),25hp STR8,CON8,INT14,WIS14,DEX10,CHA7,Level7Offensive,BAB+6/+1(jostick1d4,sickle1d6),18hp
IsogeTaro STR13,CON16,INT17,WIS12,DEX18,CHA15,Sanity60 Skills:Bluff+3,Climb+6,Craft(Cartographer)+4,Diplomacy+9,Demolitions+5,DisableDevice+7,Hide+5, History+3,OtherLanguage:Chinese(Mandarin)+6,English+5,Korean+2,Tagalog+2.Psychology+5,Sense Motive+3,Stealth+6,Swim+4 Level9Offensive,BAB+7/+2,(handgun1d10),+6Will,+3Ref,+3Fort,60hp LinTangYu STR9,CON15,INT17,WIS12,DEX9,CHA8,Sanity0 Skills:Anthropology+5,Archeology+6,Botany+6,CthulhuMythos+3,Diplomacy+9,Heal+5,History+4,Occult +6,OtherLanguage:Arabic+4,Chinese(Cantonse)+9,Chinese(Hakka)+4,ClassicGreek+3,English+5,Japanese +5,Russian+2,Sanskrit+4,Tibetan+4,Psychology+5,Research+4,Search+6,SenseMotive+8,Spot+6,Stealth+6 Level10Defensive,+5BAB,Will+7,Fort+7,Ref+3,66hp TunTunandPing,WhiteGuardianGorillas STR25,CON15,INT7,WIS8,DEX18,BAB+6/+1(Bite1d6,Punch1d4),+6Fort,+6Ref,+2Will,34hp STR22,CON17,INT3,WIS5,DEX16,BAB+6/+1(Bite1d6,Punch1d4),+6Fort,+6Ref,+2Will,34hp NefariousHenchmen(seepage15forotherabilities) STR13,CON14,INT6,WIS10,DEX15,CHA6,Level9OffensiveBAB+7/+2(hatchet1d4,club1d4),44hp STR12,CON15,INT3,WIS11,DEX14,CHA3,Level9OffensiveBAB+7/+2(hatchet1d4,club1d4),44hp STR12,CON12,INT10,WIS12,DEX12,CHA10,Level9OffensiveBAB+7/+2(hatchet1d4,club1d4),40hp STR12,CON10,INT9,WIS9,DEX13,CHA9,Level9OffensiveBAB+7/+2(hatchet1d4,club1d4),34hp STR16,CON16,INT3,WIS8,DEX16,CHA3,Level9OffensiveBAB+7/+2(hatchet1d4,club1d4),49hp STR12,CON14,INT7,WIS9,DEX10,CHA7,Level9OffensiveBAB+7/+2(hatchet1d4,club1d4),44hp STR14,CON12,INT8,WIS3,DEX9,CHA8,Level9OffensiveBAB+7/+2(hatchet1d4,club1d4),40hp STR12,CON10,INT5,WIS7,DEX12,CHA5,Level9OffensiveBAB+7/+2(hatchet1d4,club1d4),34hp Skills:Bluff+5,Disguise+8,Hide+8,Jump+7,Listen+7,OtherLanguage:Chinese(differentdialects)+5,English +2,Sleight+5,Search+7,Spot+7,Stealth+8,WildernessLore+5 Shoggoth(seep181D20CallofCthulhu) STR45,CON30,INT7,WIS8,DEX3,BAB+35(slam),Fort+25,Ref+6,Will+9,465hp
DeepOnes(seep163D20CallofCthulhu.AlsousetheseforOminiousDeepOnes) STR18,CON8,INT12,WIS8,DEX15,BAB+5(claws1d4,trident1d6),Fort+2,Ref+2,Will+3,11hp STR18,CON14,INT15,WIS8,DEX14,BAB+5(claws1d4,trident1d6),Fort+2,Ref+2,Will+3,15hp STR18,CON9,INT15,WIS13,DEX13,BAB+5(claws1d4,trident1d6),Fort+2,Ref+2,Will+3,11hp STR18,CON11,INT13,WIS8,DEX10,BAB+5(claws1d4,trident1d6),Fort+2,Ref+2,Will+3,13hp STR20,CON11,INT13,WIS8,DEX10,BAB+5(claws1d4,trident1d6),Fort+2,Ref+2,Will+3,13hp STR18,CON8,INT12,WIS8,DEX15,BAB+5(claws1d4,trident1d6),Fort+2,Ref+2,Will+3,11hp STR18,CON14,INT15,WIS8,DEX14,BAB+5(claws1d4,trident1d6),Fort+2,Ref+2,Will+3,15hp STR18,CON9,INT15,WIS13,DEX13,BAB+5(claws1d4,trident1d6),Fort+2,Ref+2,Will+3,11hp STR18,CON11,INT13,WIS8,DEX10,BAB+5(claws1d4,trident1d6),Fort+2,Ref+2,Will+3,11hp STR20,CON11,INT13,WIS8,DEX10,BAB+5(claws1d4,trident1d6),Fort+2,Ref+2,Will+3,11hp SirAubreyPenhew(seepage29forspellsandotherabilities) STR14,CON18,INT18,WIS45,DEX16,CHA18,Sanity0 Skills:Anthropology+6,Archeology+8,Astronomy+3,CthulhuMythos+9,Diplomacy+10,DisableDevice+6, History+6,Occult+5,OtherLanguages:Arabic+4,Chinese(Mandarin)+5,DeepOne+4,GreatOnes+2, Hieroglyphs+9,Physics+2,Psychology+5,Tumble+4,Stealth+4 Level11Defensive,BAB+5,(handgun1d10),+7Will,+7Ref,+3Fort,110hp JulesSavoyard STR11,CON10,INT10,WIS36,DEX9,CHA3,Sanity0 Skills:CthulhuMythos+7,Law+5,Navigation+5,OtherLanguage:Chinese(Mandarin)+4,English+3,French+8, Shiphandling+6,Stealth+4,Search+5,Spot+5 Level6Offensive,BAB+5,(handgun1d10),+5Fort,+2Will,+2Ref,41hp HalfBreedCrewmembers STR11,CON9,INT9,WIS5,DEX13,CHA4,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,8hp STR12,CON8,INT9,WIS4,DEX12,CHA4,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,8hp STR10,CON10,INT9,WIS13,DEX12,CHA5,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,9hp STR8,CON7,INT8,WIS8,DEX10,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,7hp STR12,CON15,INT8,WIS7,DEX9,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,11hp STR11,CON12,INT8,WIS10,DEX9,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,10hp VillagerHalfBreeds
STR11,CON10,INT10,WIS36,DEX9,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,9hp STR11,CON10,INT10,WIS36,DEX9,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,9hp STR11,CON10,INT10,WIS36,DEX9,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,9hp STR11,CON10,INT10,WIS36,DEX9,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,9hp STR11,CON10,INT10,WIS36,DEX9,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,9hp STR11,CON10,INT10,WIS36,DEX9,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,9hp STR11,CON10,INT10,WIS36,DEX9,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,9hp STR11,CON10,INT10,WIS36,DEX9,CHA3,BAB+2(sickle1d6,club1d4),+3Ref,+0Fort,+0Will,9hp TheBloatedWoman(seep295,D20CallofCthulhuandp31) STR31,CON44,INT86,WIS100,DEX19, BAB+42,(tentacle3d3),+39Fort,+60Will,+32Ref,HitPoints650
RECALCULATING HIT POINTS FOR D&D 4E

byMattStevens
Fightstaketoolongin4theditionD&D,andwhileanumberoffixeshavebeensuggestedovertheyears,Ithinkthe bestwouldbetoreducethenumberofhitpointseveryonehas,especiallyifitwouldmakeHPcalculationssimpler. Basedonmycalculations,thefollowingformulaswouldreduceHP,forallclasses,byapproximately25%: ClassHitPoints Wizards,Invokers,Psions*Con+[levelx3] Clerics,Rangers,Rogues,Warlocks,Warlords,Bards,Druids,Shamans,Sorcerers,Ardents,Monks,Runepriests, SeekersCon+[levelx4] Fighters,Paladins,Avengers**,Barbarians,BattlemindsCon+[levelx5] *YoucangivePsions2additionalHPat1stlevel,ifyoulike,tobecompatiblewithcurrentrules **YoucangiveAvengers1lessHPat1stlevel,ifyoulike,tobecompatiblewithcurrentrules
ForNPCs,giveoneadditionalHPperlevel. Formonsters,usethefollowingtable:
Role Artillery,Lurker Controller,Skirmisher,Soldier,Solos Brutes
HitPoints Con+[levelx5] Con+[levelx6] Con+[levelx8]
AwizardwithaConof10willhave20HPatfirstleveland60HPat11thlevel.Underthissystemtheywouldhave 13at1stleveland43at11thlevel.Proportionatelythey'reaboutthesame.
PCGAMESREVIEW:VIRTUALVILLAGERS
by Matt Linus
The first game in the series from Independent studio "Last day of work" That revolves around a tribe of people that have been abandoned on an island. Your job as a player is to influence the tribe members to solve problems and enhance their ability to survive and be self suficient. The game starts our slowly, and continues at a rather sedate pace, but it does involve an interesting idea, where the game is always running, even when you close it. As a result of this, they feel a bit more like real people than some that you can just save a position and return to that later. They will continue to do whatever they are inclined to do until you return to influence them again. The game is designed with a younger audience in mind, though many of the challenges that the tribe face require a decent amount of problem solving ability. Graphically it isn't very advanced, but it is clear and consistent in it's design, which is often more important than just being very pretty. As a result it will run on low end machines. I quite enjoyed this game, for the month or so that I played it. Virtual Villagers 2: The Lost Children The follow up game starts off with a very young group of 'children', some under working age, and some old enough to work. They have been separated from the rest of the tribe and need to solve a new range of puzzles and collect objects in a new environment. The game is still slow moving, which is part of the style, and has continued in the graphical style of the first game. It is still quite a good game, but really doesn't add much to the first game asides from just a new scenario. This was not as enjoyable as the first game, but I still pushed through to finish the storyline. Virtual Villagers 3: The Secret City The third (and final?) game in the Virtual Villagers series is another game that doesn't add much to an already working structure. There is more puzzles to solve, more skills to research, more objects to collect. It is nicer than the second game though, and I enjoyed it enough that I found myself playing it longer than either of the first 2 games. I recommend the series to young gamers, probably 6-12 yo specifically, but can be fun for older gamers that understand the puzzle solving more. If you are only getting one of them, then get the third one. It's the best constructed game of the series and has the best range of problems to solve and the most things to do.
MOVIEREVIEW:HARRYPOTTERANDTHE DEATHLYHALLOWS
by Andrew Moshos Im going to review both of them together. I dont think it really matters either way. They dont work separately, and together theyre just a big old mess of convenient moments, slavish fan service and muggle muddling. Thiswillnotbeagoodreview.Thiswillprovidenoneofthe fulfillmentthatyou'relookingfor.Theonlythingworsethan readingthisreviewwouldbesittingdownandwatchingboth filmsbacktoback. Buttheyare,intheirvariouspartsandpieces,theculmination ofabunchofbooks and the filmstheyweretranslated into, and an endpoint in a longrunning series, and, at least the second part, is the third highest grossing film of all time, at leastforanotherweekorso. And thus it deserves our special attention. Its impossible to discussanythingthathappensinthesefilmswithoutspoiling theeventsofthepreviousonesaswell,sotheresvirtuallyno point in issuing a spoiler warning. How else could you talk abouttheseventh(andeighth)instalmentsinaseries? There are a bunch of admissions I feel compelled to make beforelaunchingintoallofthisthatwouldinformareaderastowhereImcomingfrom.Iveneverreadthebooks, though I look forward to doing so when my daughters old enough, and we can do so together. I have no snobbish oppositiontowardsthebooks,theirfans,ortheirpopularity.Idontthinktheiradaptationintofilmformhasresultedin particularlygreatfilms(exceptforOrderofthePhoenix),but,havingseenallofthemnow,Ivecometorespectthe universeJ.K.Rowlingcreatedandthatsomanyadore. That being said, my biggest problem with all of the flicks has always been the terribly haphazard plotting, the incredibleoveruseofmultipledeusexmachinas,andtheexpositiondumpingthatneverfeltorganicoranythingless thanstrained.InmostcasesIthinkthedirectorsdidtheirbest(exceptwiththefirsttwo,sinceChrisColumbusisa terriblymediocredirector)adaptingsourcematerialtoocopiousinquantityandbroadinscopetodojusticeinthetime allotted.Theydidtheirbest.AndYatesprobablydidhisbesthere,thoughthereareafewmomentsthatcouldhave beenstronger. DeathlyHallowsprobablyneededtobetwofilms,becauseIthinkiftheydcutanymoreoutofthestory,thenitdbe
evenmoreincomprehensiblethanitalreadyis.Asitstands,anyonewhohasntseentheotherfilmsorreadthebooks couldntpossiblyhavetheslightestfuckingclueastowhatsgoingon,orwhytheyshouldcare. The first part opens with the kids, Our Heroes, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ginger (Rupert Grint), sorry, Ron, receiving a visit from some Ministry type, bequeathing each of them something from Dumbledore.Specifically,thisisallduetoDumbledoresdemise.Yes,thesaintlyoldqueenmethisendatthehands, or,specifically,wandofSeverusSnape(AlanRickman),whichconstitutedtheonlyinterestingthingthathappenedin thelastfilm,beingTheHalfBloodPrince. With the evil NoNose Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) gunning for Harry, all sorts of black wearing creeps with the unpleasant name of Death Eaters are after him. And theyre not just trying to give him a wedgie, or take his lunch money. Theyre out to kill him! So all the good guys who like Harry do their best to protect him from all these nefariousnogoodnicks,asHarryhimselfstruggleswithdecidingonwhattodowithhislife,whetherhisglasseslooka bitdatedandwhatsneakersheshouldwearthenexttimehegoesrioting. Nah,nothingsoprosaic.Twoquestsstartup,or,atleastonequestcontinues,andanotherflareshoweverbrieflyinto existence:DefeatingNoNosemeansHarryandhiscohortshavetofigureoutwheretheseitemscalledhorcruxesare located,anddestroythem.EachofthemcontainsaportionofNoNosessoul,andwhilsttheyexist,heisinvulnerable. Asallthisgoeson,thebelovedHogwartsSchoolthatourmaincharactersaresofondofdespitethesheerquantityof timesthatsomeonehastriedtokillthemwithinitsconfines,isanogozone,patrolledbycreaturescalledDementors thatstealpeoplesChristmasesorsomething. Beyondthat,theDeathEaters,andthosewhomightnothavedeclaredinfavourofNoNose,butwhofearandarent goingtoopposehim,havelinkedinanunholy,totalitarianalliance.AsfarasIcouldtell,whetheritsobvioustothe regular humans or not, the baddies pretty much control everything now. Its a darkly 1984style totalitarian regime, withtheaddedhorrorofvirtualgenocidalpersecutionagainsttheJewsofthisworld,whoarederogatorilyknownas mudbloods. Purity, long the mainstay of supremacists and fuckheads throughout history, has become the priority, whichissickeningwhentherearefarworsepeopleworthyofpersecutionoutthere. Forwhatseemslikethemajorityoftheflick(thoughitclearlyisnt),afterthetriumvirateofteenneatnessstealtheir wayintotheMinistryofMagicinordertogetahorcruxsecretedthere,inwhatisaprettythrillingsequence,thekids gocamping. Itseemslikeastrangetimetogoonholiday,butwhoamItoarguewiththeirneedsforrestandrecreation?Theyreso putupon,thesepoorkids.Theweightoftheworld,theirhormones,andtheOneRingtheycarryissuchaburdenfor theiryouthful,slendershoulders. BecausetheOneRing,,sorry,thenecklacehorcruxissoevil,itstartsdoingtheheadsinofthekidsastheyswanabout inlandscapesthatwouldnthavebeenoutofplaceinsomeotherflickwheretheywentonandonaboutsomegoddamn ring.RonespeciallystartsthinkingthatHarryandHermionearesecretlygettingitonbehindhisback,sohelurchesoff inaveryunattractivesnit. This leads to possibly my absolute favourite moment of Part 1. The kids have a radio with them, and Harry and
HermionelooksadlyateachotherasNickCavesOChildrenplaysoutovertheairwaves.HarryandHermioneslow dancetothesong,whichisasweetmoment.IrememberthinkingItssweet,becausetheyrejusttwofriendswhove beenthroughhell,slowdancingwitheachother.Anditsnicethattheresnosexualorromanticundercurrent. Ofcourse,thescene(Idontcarehowitplaysoutinthebook,ifatall),totallyonlymakessensebecauseofthesexual undercurrent.Harryendsuplookinglikehesbeentotallycockblockedorblueballedatthemournfulendofthatdance asthesongends,andHermionenaturallystartsthinkingofRonagain. Itsenoughtomakeyousigh.Orcackle. That reminds me: one of the only virtues beyond the telling of the story this sequence of very profitable films has deliveredisthat,ifyoulikethecharactersandtheactorsbehindtheroles,itsbeenanhonourandaprivilegetowatch thesekidsgrowup.Imnotpretendingitsbeenlikehavingawindowintothesepeoplessouls,butinanoddway, theseflickshavealmostbeenlikethefantasyworldequivalentofthe7UpdocumentariesthatMichaelAptedstarted backinthe1960s,whichrevisitedagroupofpeopleatspecificintervalstoseewheretheywerewiththepassageof time. Ofcourse,themaindifferencehereisthatwevebeenwatchingthemincloseincrements,withacoupleofgaps,of everyyearorso.Soweveliterallywatchedthemgrowupinpublic.Luckyus. Itsimpossibletonothavedevelopedsomefeelingforthesecrazykidsovertheyears.WhateverproblemsImighthave had with them, with their actions, acting, dialogue or whatever, you come to depend on them. The vast number of supportcrew(actingwise,nottheplethoraofpeoplebehindthescenes)aroundthem,bothheroicandvillainous,also havematured,eveniftheircharactershavent,whichImalsogratefultohavewatched. Our kids search aimlessly for a sword that will appear when its ready and not a moment before, and will then get diverted by some strange search for info on Dumbledore and his biographer. All the while, we see scenes, through Harryseyes,ofNoNosesearchingforaparticularwandwithwhichhecankillHarry,because,apparently,theother onesjustwontdo. TheresareturnofsortstoGodricsHollow,thesceneoftheoriginalcrime,sotospeak,atChristmastime,whichisa niceenoughscene,butIcouldnt,forthelifeofme,figureoutwhatthefuckhappened.Theresasnakepretendingto beaperson,anditjustmadenogoddamnsenseatall. If the search for horcruxes, or magical maguffins as I like to call them, wasnt obscure and pointless enough, they eventually explain what the Deathly Hallows of the title are: more magical objects upon which everything hinges. Because someone kindly stopped for Death, Death gave some three idiots three magical things: the Elder Wand, an InvisibilityCloakandaResurrectionStone.Canyouguessifatleasttwoofthesewillpopupintherestofthestory,at themostunbelievablyconvenienttime? Moreinconsequentialpeopledie,abunchmorestuffhappens,someoneliterallyappearsoutofnowheretosaveour heroes, and then the first part ends with NoNose defiling the corpse of Dumbledore, stealing away the wand held
betweenhishands. Istherenothingthisevilfuckerwontdo?Justtomakesure,part1makesnosenseanddeliverspracticallynothing worthwhileonitsownasastandalonefilm.But,honestly,nooneexpectedotherwise. The second flick has lots and lots of actiony sequences, the biggest of which involves breaking in to the bank vault populated by ugly little gnomes. I cant help feeling this is an antiSemitic or antiSwiss dig on someones part. Its a greatsequence,whichinvolvesadragon, andabitofincoherentaction,butwhich has the spectacular image of a Gemini Curse in action, which causes thousands of cups to duplicate themselves, threatening to drown Our Heroes in metal. Ireallylikedthatscene.Forsomereason. There are still more goddamn horcruxes. Itneverends,doesit?Ourheroeshaveto track down and destroy the last of them, whichtheyvebeendoingforalongtime now.Eventhen,Harrydiscovers,through playingsomeonestearslikeaDVD,that theresevenanextrahorcruxontopofalltheotheronesheshadtogetridof. Thankthegodstheresalsoatremendouslywizardywargoingonatthesametime,becauseotherwisethetediumcould be fatal. The forces of NoNose converge upon Hogwarts, and theyre determined to kill virtually everyone in their pursuitofHarry.Soalotofgoodpeoplediealongtheway.Alotofgood,decentpeoplewhoarediscardedlikethe cigarettebuttsthat they trulyare. Itdidntbug me thatmuch,though I couldnthelpbut think thatthefaithfulfans mighthavefeltsomewhatharddoneby. Harryisshownwhathastohappen,andafterabriefconversationwithsomebeloveddeadpeople,hedoeshalfofwhat needstobedone(orithappenstohim,whatever),withafewmorethingsthathavetohappen,beforetheflickcancall itquits. Bigmistakes,allbigmistakesalongtheway.Idontneedtogointoit,buttherearescenesherewhichjustlookedand felt,whatsthewordIlikeusingatthesetimes?Oh,yes,retarded.TheresascenewhereHarryandNoNoseareflying throughtheairaboveHogwarts,whichlookedterribleandmadenosense.And,incaseIdidntmakemycasestrongly enough,lookedterrible.
AndtheclimacticbattlebetweenBellatrixLEstrangeandtheWeasleymothercouldnthavebeenhandledworse.It amountedtolookinglikealazytennismatchbetweenparaplegicsthatwasoverintenseconds.Thrillingstuff. Yes,Iwassatisfiedwiththeclimaxtosomeextent,becauseitultimatelycouldnthavegoneanyotherway,butthe codareallydidnthittherightnotesforme.Weresubjectedtoafinalsceneset19yearsafterthebattleatHogwarts, whereweresupposedtobegratifiedbythesightofOurHeroessendingtheirkidsoffonthe9thand3/4platformof thestation,astheygotoHogwartsfortheirfirstdayofschool. ThatsnotwhatIwantedtoknowabouttheirlives.Icouldcarelessiftheyweresendingtheirkidsbacktotheplace thatgavethemtheworstexperiencesoftheirlives,althoughitdoesstrikemeasdeeplyunhealthy.Iwantedtoknowif Harry,wholookssomewhatsadduringthisscene,washappywithhislife.Itsonethingtosavetheworld,butwashe abletofindmeaninginhislifebeyondthat? Ah,itsallquibbles.ThefrustrationsIface,theproblemsIvehadwiththewaystuffhappensinthesebooks/flickshas not faded with this last instalment. If anything, I find it even more frustrating that so, so much happens and is then explained away and justified almost like technicalities as explanations for why things happen the way they do. No betterexampleofthiscouldbethantheabsolutelyshameful/shamelessbullshittodowiththeElderWandanditstrue ownerthatdatesbacktotheendingofHalfBloodPrince.Themoreconvolutedandlessconvincingitis,thelessI care. Itssomewhatinsulting,but,hell,itdoesntmatteranymore.Itsdone.Itsallover.RowlingsasrichastheQueenand doesntneedtowriteanymore.Please,gods,dontletherwriteanymoreofthese.Ihavehadmomentsofenjoyment spreadovertheeightfilms,somemorethanothers,somesignificantlyless.OrderofthePhoenixisstillthepeakfor me,forawholehostofreasons,butthatdoesntmeantherearentalotofgreatmomentsspreadoutoverthe20orso hoursofmoviemagic.Overall,likethisflick,itsanetpositivetohumanitythatthesebooksandflicksexist. Iguess7timesitshardnottofeelabitsadthatmanyoftheseactorswillnevergetpaidthiswellaslongastheylive outof10 Donotpitythedead,Harry.Pitythelivingandaboveall,thosewholivewithoutlove.pitythelivinginstead,for theyhavetowriteandreadreviewslikethisHarryPotterandtheDeathlyHallows. Originally posted at: http://moviereviews.com.au/content/harrypotteranddeathlyhallows
MOVIEREVIEW:CONTAGION
by Andrew Moshos dir:StevenSoderbergh Asifgermophobesandcompulsiveobsessivesdidnthaveithard enoughalready.
Speakingassomeonewhohaslongbeenpathologicallyafraidofgerms and contamination (the psych term used to be mysophobia, or, having toomuchtimeononesfilthy,filthyhands),Idontneedflickslikethis. ImalreadyfreakedoutenoughbytheprospectofinfectionthatIamthe personthescientistslamentcreatingsuperbugsbyusinghandsanitiser andgivingotherneuroticsabadname.
Imnotatthemaskortinfoilhatstagejustyet,but,youknow,itsonly amatteroftime.
Contagion does me no favours, does me no help. Its almost as if its aimedspecificallyatpeoplelikemeforwhomthehorrifyingprospectofanepidemiclikethis,ofevilgermsfinishing offmany,manypeople,isalmosttooclosetohometoappreciate.Itseasyenoughtohandlezombieflicks,wherethe virusistransferredthroughbiting.Handwashingandethanolcantdoanythingaboutthat.Butabunkermentalityand obsessivehygienecould,actuallyCOULDhelpifthisscenariocametopass.Andthatswhyithitsclosertohome.Its practicallygoadinguswiththepropensitiesintoindulgingthemfurtherandfallingevenfurtherdowntherabbithole.
Conversely,orperversely,actualepidemicsthatthemediaandWorldHealthOrganisationbeatupdontaffectmeat all.Imnomoreafraidofthespectreofbird,swineormonkeyfluesthanIamofmeteoritesorwerewolves.Butwhen theyexplicitlyspelloutintheflick(KateWinsletscharacterdoesso)thevectorsofinfection,andhowbasictheyare, myskincrawled,andmystomachlurchedmultipletimes. Soderberghdoesatremendousjobgroundingthisflickinreality.Itsawhatif,butplayedoutasawhatifinthereal world, rather than requiring scifi or genre horror concepts beyond the grim reality of what would happen if a percentage,evenasmallpercentage,oftheworldspopulationcontractedsuchavirus.
The people that try to deal with this outbreak are the characters that are depicted here, albeit by very recognisable actors. Its the heads of the Centre for Disease Control, the World Health Organisations epidemiologists, and the microbiologistswhoseexpertisewould,wehope,beourspeciessavinggrace.
ExploitingthesituationareshitheadslikeanAustralianblogger(JudeLaw),andalotoftheAmericanpopulation,who seemtogobatshitcrazyliketheyvewatchedtoomanypostapocalypticflicks.Aflicklikethis,likelotsofAmerican flicks,contendsthatthegeneralpopulation,thegreatunwashedandnicelywashed,arealwaysabeesdickawayfrom turningoneachother.AllitneedsisafluoutbreakorahurricanecalledKatrina,andthegeneralAmericanpopulation thatdoesnthaveapanicroomoranunderground,fullystockedbunkerisimmediatelygoingtostartbashinginthe skullofthepersonnexttotheminordertofeastonthescoopedoutgoo.
Therearealotofcharactersinthisflick,andbecausetheflick,likethecontagion,ismovingveryquickly,itdoesnt matter.Theresenoughtimeoreffortexpendedtorecognisewhosspeaking,butthereisnttheluxurytospendquality time in their presence. Except for Matt Damons character, and the daughter hes trying to protect, everyone else is solelywhattheydo.Andthatsallrightforthisflick.
Itsallitneedstobe.Likeanygoodmovie,theblameforeverythinghappeningrestswithGwynethPaltrow.Inlifeas wellascinema,alltheevilandcorruptiontheworldhaseverseenbeginsandendswithThePaltrow.WhetheritsGlee oroddlynamedchildren,sheistherootoffarmoreevilthanmoney,ifyoucanbelieveit.
Notonlydoeshercharacterunleashthisplagueupontheworld,but,beingaslutastheflicksetsheruptobe,itsher immoralitythatreallyistheclincher,evenmoresothanthevirusshehostsforlongenoughtogiveittoeveryoneelse. SheismarriedtoMattDamonscharacter,andbringsthatshithomewithher,infectingoneofherchildrenaswell.
Istherenoendtoherevil?
Evendeadshestillhauntsthehusband,andhauntstherestofthedrama,asanepidemiologist(MarionCotillard)tries totrackthepaththediseasetook,andhowPaltrowgaveittoawholestackofpeopleataMacaucasino,andthencethe world.
Meanwhile,wholesectionsoftheStates(andtheworld)areinfected,withpeopledroppinglikediseaseriddenflies. Thepacewithwhichthisisallhappeningisbreathtaking,andhorrifying.Theeditingandthesoundtrackcombineto makethisalmostentirelyactionfreeflickoddlypropulsive,andharrowingallthewhile.
ImnotsureIcanexplainit,butthiswaslikeawhiteknucklerideforme,farmoresothanalotofactionflicks.Icant evenreallytellyouwhy.Soderberghhasntbeenmakingflickslikethisallhiscareer,buthesneverreallyhadatype offlickthathespecialisedineither.Hesnotboundbyanygenre,andnothinghedoesreallylookslikeorplaysout
like his previous flicks. Yes, I am deliberately excluding theOceans 11through13flicks. Gods help us if he ever makesanotherone.
Butthis?Thisislikenootherflick.TheclosestantecedentthatpeoplecanquoteissomethinglikeOutbreak,which had Dustin Hoffman and a monkey saving the world from an evil Morgan Freeman, but this is nothing like that.Contagionisfarlessabouttheheroicpursuitofthecure,andmoreabouthowpeoplewouldact,howpeoplewill act,whenthehammercomesdown.Itbecomes,logistically,likethepursuitoftheholygrailofthecuredoesnteven matter,becausehowdoyouproduceanddistributeacuretomillionsofpeoplelocatedaroundtheworld?Itsapiece of piss to do inStar Trek, because all you need to do is maguffinsomethingintheisometric dilithium nanotechnologyPicardsshinyheadandshootitintotheatmosphereorwhatever,justinthenickoftime.Buthere?In therealworld?Whatdowedo,children,whatdowedo?
JudeLawscharacterasaJulianAssangetypewhoclaimstobespeakingtruthtopoweronline,butisreallyjustbeing anannoyingshit,crossessomanyethicalandcriminallinesthathecanthelpbutbefascinatingtome.Thewaythe torturedlogichecontortsplaysout,totheextentwherehespotentiallyrightaboutsomestuffevenwhenweknowhow wrongheis,abouthowthecompaniesandthetransnationalhealthorganisationscolludefortheirownendsisspoton. What he does with this knowledge is just pure evil, and the impact it has on an already frazzled population is staggering.
Andwhatdoesheholdupashismajorjustification?Thenumberofhitsthathisblogisgetting.Fuckingunbelievable, bywhichImean,alltoobelievable.
Ithoughtthisflickwaspowerfullystrong.Probablyoneofthesanestandmostmaturetreatmentsofthiskindofsubject matter that were ever likely to see. Theres nothing shrill or pedantic about how it plays out. It just posits a brutal setup,andcarriesthroughonit(mostly,thoughitseemsthatthesolutionwasprobablytooquicklydiscovered,allthe same,consideringtheresourcesatplay).
Justdontwatchitwhenyourefeelingparticularlysquirrelly,orareabouttotakepublictransport,becauseyoullend upbathinginthatsanitiserstuff,andthatsnotgoodforanyone
8timesIhadtostopmyselffromrunningtothebathroomandgarglingwithAjaxoutof10 Bloggingisnotwriting.It'sjustgraffitiwithpunctuationElliotGouldContagion Originallypostedathttp://moviereviews.com.au/content/contagion
INTHENEXTISSUEOF RPGREVIEW
Independent Games and Systems
Interview with Liz Danforth ... Diaspora ... Agon ... Dogs in the Vineyard Polaris Best Friends Active Exploits In A Wicked Age Indie Game Business Models Core Mechanics Review

Rpgreview 13

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RPG REVIEW

Issue #13 & #14, December 2011

'Ablockofclayhardenedbydryinginthesunorburninginakiln.Brickscomeinnumerousshapesandsizes.Bricks comeinnumerousdensitiesandhardnessdependingonthebakingprocess,parentmaterialandthematerialmixed withitforhardening(pebbles,hay,grass,twigsect[sic]).'

TheCityofOmelas Population:~200,000.70%Tainted,(30%human/planetouched,30%Pureborn,10%Duergar,10%Rhoode,10% Kobold,10%other),5%Khaasta,34%Rilmani,~20%other.~200dragonsyoungadultorabove;65%Red,25% planar,10%other. PrimaryLanguages:PlanarCommon,Draconic. Location:TheConcordantDomainoftheOutlands

LocatedintheOutlands,theplaneofneutralityandbalance,thecityisringedbymountainsandcloakedinan endlessfogthroughwhichdistantbuildingsareonlybarelyvisible.Throughunknownmeansthisfoghidesthecity fromthosewhowoulddoitharm.

ThecityspopulationiscomprisedmainlyofTainted,humanoidorotherwise,wholivegenerallystablelives pursingtheirowngoalsandinterests.AsmallerbutnotinsignificantsubsetofthepopulationarenonTainted,who dotheirbesttosurviveinacitythattreatsthemassecondclasscitizens.

OmelasactsasaregionaltradehubandgatewayforseveralimportantOutlandscivilisations,aswellasadiscreet locationforillegaloperations.Morewidelythecityisconsideredofonlyminorplanarsignificanceduetothe insularnatureofitsinhabitantsandremotelocation.

AraceofdraconichumanoidscalledPureborntraditionallyholdsthepositionsofpowerinOmelasgovernment, whichisamixbetweendemocraticrepresentationandoligarchy.Lawinthecityrevolvesaroundcontrolling wealthandenforcingtradeagreements,ignoringallbutthemostextremecrimes.

ThemostpowerfulorganisationinOmelasistheSepathos(soulguardians).Thisextremelysecretiveenclaveof PurebornsorcerersandseersguardthesecrettothecreationofHeartgems,whichallTaintedrequire.Many TaintedresenttheSepathos,butfewchallengethemopenly.

ThefogwhichpermanentlyengulfsOmelasisdampandcold,whichonlyworsenstheslowdeterioration omnipresentwithinthecity.Eventhethick,drivingrainthatoccasionallywashesthestreetsdoesnotbanishthe fog.Whilethereisacycleofdayandnight,thecityisdevoidofseasonsandweatherremainsreliably(if unpleasantly)constant.

PurebornrepresentthemajorityofTainted,althoughonlybyaslightmargin.Thesedraconichumanoidsfillmany ofthepositionsofpowerwithinthecityandarethemostcommonarcanemagicusers.Purebornareinfamously arrogant:evenwhileutterlydestitute,aPureborncanactinsufferablysuperior.

Generally,nonTaintedaretreatedassecondclasscitizensandhavefewerrights.ManyTaintedfearthat,ifgiven theopportunity,theirnormalcounterpartswouldrapidlygrowtooutnumbertheTaintedinOmelas,upsettingthe currentbalanceofpower.

Acommunityofdragonslivesinearthburgsoutpastthenortherncliff.Thesearemostlyreddragons,drawnby prospectofarcanepowerandthegenerallyfriendlyreceptiontheyreceiveinthecity.Thecommunitykeepsto itselfanddoesnotattempttointerferewiththedaytodayworkingsofthecity.

Asizeableproportionofwealthandpowerwithinthecityisheldbyasmallnumberofselfstylednobility: mostlyancientPurebornmanycenturiesoldwithmultipledescendants.Membersofthenobilitybreathepoliticsas easilyasairandplaygamesofmadnessandintriguespreadoverathousandyears.

Spellsthatdetectlivingentities(suchasdetectliving,deathwatchandscry)failtodetectaTainted:however,they willworknormallyontheTainted'sheartgem.Forexample,asuccessfulscryspellwouldlocateaTainted's heartgeminsteadofhisbody.

Heartgemshavethefollowingstatistics: AC:10 HP:(10+theHDoftheowner)x2. Hardiness,SpellresistanceandResistancetoCold,Fire,ElectricityandAcid:10+theHDoftheowner. Theowner'ssaves.

GreaterEmbalmingNecromancyLevel:Sor/Wiz2,Cleric2 Components:V,S Time:1standardaction Target:Undeadcreaturetouched Range:Touch Duration:10minutes/level Save:Fortnegates(harmless) SpellResistance:Yes

RuneofGreaterWarding Thisitemcomprisesarunecarvedontoapieceofmetal,usuallywornaroundtheneckonastringorchain.Activating therunerequiresittobetracedwithafinger,whilstthewearerconcentratesupontheshapeoftherune.Onceactivated,

NO EXIT: AN EXISTENTIALIST-PLANESCAPE ADVENTURE FOR D&D

Speed: 40ft.(8squares) BaseAttack/Grapple:

THE ILLOGICS OF D&D

ArturoFaccia,STR12,CON9,INT14,WIS14,DEX11,CHA9,Sanity0 Skills:Accounting+9,Diplomacy+5,Law+2,OtherLanguage:English+2,Turkish+5,Research+2,Stealth+3, Search+7,SenseMotive+7,Spot+7

MobMembers STR12,CON11,INT10,WIS12,DEX11,CHA11,BAB +1,club1d4,Level1Offensive,3hp AntoniTermona STR11,CON14,INT11,WIS14,DEX8,CHA13,BAB +1,handgun1d10,tentacle1d4,Level1Offensive,5hp Bluff+6,OtherLanguage:English+6,Latin+3,Search+4, Spot+4

MarcoMontanella STR9,CON12,INT17,WIS16,DEX8,CHA11,Sanity0 Archeology+3,Diplomacy+7,OtherLanguage:Classical Greek+7,English+6,German+5,Latin+7 BAB+1,handgun1d10,Tentacle1d4,Level1Offensive,4 hp

Nikolai STR16,CON16,INT12,WIS11,DEX14,CHA10 Skills:Climb+5,Jump+5,Listen+5,Sneak+4,Spot+5,Search+5 OffensiveLevel12BAB+9/+4,+8Ref,+4Will,+4Fort,Hookeddagger1d4+1,MachinePistol1d10,burst,72hp

SelimMakryat,Seep177HotOEforspells. STR9,CON8,INT14,WIS21,DEX8,CHA10,Sanity0 Skills:Diplomacy+7,Craft(Flaying)+9,CthulhuMythos+2,OtherLanguage:English+3,Spot+9,Search+9 OffensiveLevel15BAB+12/+7/+2,+9Will,+5Ref,+5Fort,Knife1d4,30hp

TheSkinlessOne.SeeHotOEforspecialpowers,p208 STR20,CON20,INT86,WIS100,DEX20,CHA0,Sanity0 SkinningGaze(cannotmiss),4d6,120hp MasksOfNyarlathotepChapterOne(NewYork)

StandardCultMember STR9,CON12,INT4,WIS7,DEX9,CHA5. Skills:Climb+5,CthulhuMythos+3,Drive+4,Hide+7,OtherLanguage:Arabic+6,English+2,MoveSilently+4, SenseMotive+2,Sleight+2,Spot+5,Search+5,WildernessLore+3

Dr.HenryClive STR10,CON15,INT17,WIS30,DEX12,CHA13,Sanity0 Skills:Anthropology+7,Archeology+11,Astronomy+6,Bluff+3,CthulhuMythos+5,Oratory+7,Heal+7,History +4,OtherLanguage:Arabic+10,French+5,Hieroglyphs+9,Law+5,Oratory+4,Psychology+2,Research+7,Sense

RECALCULATING HIT POINTS FOR D&D 4E

Role Artillery,Lurker Controller,Skirmisher,Soldier,Solos Brutes

HitPoints Con+[levelx5] Con+[levelx6] Con+[levelx8]

Itsallitneedstobe.Likeanygoodmovie,theblameforeverythinghappeningrestswithGwynethPaltrow.Inlifeas wellascinema,alltheevilandcorruptiontheworldhaseverseenbeginsandendswithThePaltrow.WhetheritsGlee oroddlynamedchildren,sheistherootoffarmoreevilthanmoney,ifyoucanbelieveit.

Notonlydoeshercharacterunleashthisplagueupontheworld,but,beingaslutastheflicksetsheruptobe,itsher immoralitythatreallyistheclincher,evenmoresothanthevirusshehostsforlongenoughtogiveittoeveryoneelse. SheismarriedtoMattDamonscharacter,andbringsthatshithomewithher,infectingoneofherchildrenaswell.

Evendeadshestillhauntsthehusband,andhauntstherestofthedrama,asanepidemiologist(MarionCotillard)tries totrackthepaththediseasetook,andhowPaltrowgaveittoawholestackofpeopleataMacaucasino,andthencethe world.

Meanwhile,wholesectionsoftheStates(andtheworld)areinfected,withpeopledroppinglikediseaseriddenflies. Thepacewithwhichthisisallhappeningisbreathtaking,andhorrifying.Theeditingandthesoundtrackcombineto makethisalmostentirelyactionfreeflickoddlypropulsive,andharrowingallthewhile.

ImnotsureIcanexplainit,butthiswaslikeawhiteknucklerideforme,farmoresothanalotofactionflicks.Icant evenreallytellyouwhy.Soderberghhasntbeenmakingflickslikethisallhiscareer,buthesneverreallyhadatype offlickthathespecialisedineither.Hesnotboundbyanygenre,andnothinghedoesreallylookslikeorplaysout

8timesIhadtostopmyselffromrunningtothebathroomandgarglingwithAjaxoutof10 Bloggingisnotwriting.It'sjustgraffitiwithpunctuationElliotGouldContagion Originallypostedathttp://moviereviews.com.au/content/contagion

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