Lars
As the dust from the swordfight clears, there is one man standing. In profile, he is tall and slender, and when the light of the re-lit lanterns fills the room, his bruises become apparent. He holds one hand over his eyes squinting in the brightness of the light, a stoic expression over the rest of his face.
Lars and his traveling companion Faris hail from the eastern edge of Besht, where they live in an intentional community of woodsy folk. His skills in leatherwork give him a keen eye for craftsmanship, and his long hours of toil have tightened his muscles.
Mild-mannered and soft spoken, he is not quick to respond to stimuli, unless he feels immediately threatened, but when he does speak, his words ring with the wisdom of one who has lived on his own for much of his life.
Lars
Male Human; Medium Humanoid ( Human )
Fighter2 Expert1
Hit Dice: (2d10)+(1d6)+3
Hit Points: 29
Initiative: +6
Speed: Walk 30 ft.
AC: 16 (flatfooted 14, touch 12)
Attacks: Dagger +4; Dagger (Thrown) +4; Shortbow +5; *Sword, Short +4;
Damage: Dagger 1d4+2; Dagger (Thrown) 1d4; Shortbow 1d6; *Sword, Short 1d6+2;
Vision:
Face / Reach: 5 ft. / 5 ft.
Special Qualities:
Saves: Fortitude: +4, Reflex: +2, Will: +4
Abilities: STR 15 (+2), DEX 14 (+2), CON 12 (+1), INT 12 (+1), WIS 14 (+2), CHA 8 (-1)
Skills: Appraise: 1; Balance: 0; Bluff: -1; Climb: 3; Concentration: 2; Craft (Leatherworking): 2; Craft (Untrained): 1; Diplomacy: -1; Disable Device: 3; Disguise: -1; Escape Artist: 0; Forgery: 1; Gather Information: -1; Handle Animal: 3; Heal: 2; Hide: 0; Intimidate: 3; Jump: 1; Knowledge (Geography): 2; Knowledge (History): 2; Listen: 4; Move Silently: 0; Ride: 6; Search: 1; Sense Motive: 3; Spot: 2; Survival: 2; Swim: 1;
Feats: Armor Proficiency (Heavy), Armor Proficiency (Light), Armor Proficiency (Medium), Improved Initiative, Martial Weapon Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, Power Attack, Precise Shot, Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Tower Shield Proficiency, Weapon Focus (Shortbow)
Challenge Rating: 2
Alignment: Neutral Good
Possessions: Arrows (50); Backpack; Bedroll; Buckler; Caltrops; Dagger; Flint and Steel; Outfit (Explorer’s); Rope (Silk/50 Ft.); Sack; Shortbow; Studded Leather; Sword, Short; Torch;
Posted in Character and tagged expert, fighter, proppian by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.
Faris
There is a quick double thwap sound, and the boar falls to the mud before you, its snout landing on your chest. Rolling out from under the beast, a young man giggles as he approaches. “You’re not bored, are you?” he quips. As he retrieves his spent arrows from the deceased beast, you note his well-kempt features and the standard of a far-off land tattooed on the insides of his wrists.
Faris
Medium-size Male Human
Ranger3
Hit Dice: (3d8)+3
Hit Points: 27
Initiative: +3
Speed: Walk 30 ft.
AC: 15 (flatfooted 12, touch 13)
Attacks: Dagger +5;Dagger (Thrown) +6;*Shortbow +6; ;
Damage: Dagger 1d4+2;Dagger (Thrown) 1d4;*Shortbow 1d6; ;
Vision:
Face / Reach: 5 ft. / 5 ft.
Special Qualities: Archery Combat Style, Favored Enemy (Giant) +2, Wild Empathy (Ex) +4
Saves: Fortitude: +4, Reflex: +6, Will: +2
Abilities: STR 14 (+2), DEX 16 (+3), CON 12 (+1), INT 11 (+0), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 13 (+1)
Skills: Appraise 0; Balance 3; Bluff 1; Climb 5; Concentration 3; Craft (Untrained) 0; Diplomacy 1; Disguise 1; Escape Artist 3; Forgery 0; Gather Information 1; Handle Animal 2; Heal 4; Hide 4; Intimidate 1; Jump 4; Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1; Knowledge (Geography) 4; Knowledge (Nature) 4; Listen 4; Move Silently 6; Ride 3; Search 3; Sense Motive 1; Spot 5; Survival 5; Swim 4;
Feats: Armor Proficiency (Light), Endurance, Martial Weapon Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, Quick Draw, Rapid Shot, Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Track
Challenge Rating: 3
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Possessions: Arrows (20); Leather; Dagger; Outfit (Explorer’s); Shortbow;
Spells:
Spells per Day: (0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/ DC:11+spell level)
Ranger – Known: None, as in Proppia, all magic is learned in-game.
Posted in Character and tagged proppian by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.
Kamgai Parzi
Kamgai was trained in a martial monastery on the border of the Fjordlands, a region inhabited by hordes of orcs that patrol the hills. He received his best training wandering those hills, picking fights and knowing when to flee before orc reinforcements arrived on the scene. His ability to sneak in behind enemy lines has been put to use on multiple occasions by the militias keeping sentry over the border between the Central Valley and Orkrun. This has won him a medallion of honor from the shared governance of Central Valley.
His history picking fights makes him come off as abrasive when he is first met, but over time he warms to groups who show themselves full of valor and thus worthy of his respect. Beating him in a feat of strength, dexterity, or combat will instantly win him over.
Kamgai Parzi
Medium-size Male Human
Monk11
Hit Dice: (11d8)+33
Hit Points: 97
Initiative: +8
Speed: Walk 60 ft.
AC: 25 (flatfooted 21, touch 18)
Attacks: *Flurry of Blows +11/+11/+11/+6; ;
Damage: *Flurry of Blows 2d8+3; ;
Vision: normal
Face / Reach: 5 ft. / 5 ft.
Special Qualities: Diamond Body (Su), Greater Flurry of Blows (Ex), Improved Evasion (Ex), Ki Strike (Magic and Lawful), Purity of Body (Ex), Slow Fall (50), Still Mind (Ex), Stunning Fist attack 12/day (DC 16), Wholeness of Body (Su) 22 hp/day
Saves: Fortitude: +12, Reflex: +13, Will: +10
Abilities: STR 16 (+3), DEX 18 (+4), CON 16 (+3), INT 12 (+1), WIS 12 (+1), CHA 7 (-2)
Skills: Appraise 1; Balance 11; Bluff -2; Climb 5; Concentration 9; Craft (Untrained) 1; Diplomacy 2; Disguise -2; Escape Artist 11; Forgery 1; Gather Information -2; Heal 1; Hide 12; Intimidate -2; Jump 20; Knowledge (Arcana) 4; Knowledge (Religion) 4; Listen 4; Move Silently 14; Perform (Dance) 2; Profession (Soldier) 3; Ride 4; Search 1; Sense Motive 8; Spot 6; Survival 1; Swim 5; Tumble 16;
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Improved Trip, Improved Unarmed Strike, Mobility, Multiattack, Power Attack, Stunning Fist
Challenge Rating: 11
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Possessions: Belt, Monk’s; Ring of Water Walking; Boots of Levitation; Bracers of Armor +5; Cloak of Resistance +2; Flurry of Blows; Outfit (Monk’s); Medallion of Honor from Central Valley (AC +2)
Posted in Character and tagged Central Valley, fjord lands by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.
The Tyrant
When the tyrant arrives upon the scene, he seems a mere boy. Young and as impetuous as the PC’s liege Ludwig, he seems a child among giants next to the players. But even in the first encounters he speaks with eloquence, emotionally manipulating his listeners with skill. After speaking to him, most feel used, that that they have agreed to do something that makes them feel dirty. With his innocent appearance he makes an appeal to his audience’s vanity, be it to their morals or desire for power, offering them a course of action that is presented as furtherance of that goal and plays them like an apprentice’s lute.
When next they meet him, during the war for Aguies County he is with the Count Aguies, and outfitted in the regalia of war. His shield bears a gold guantlet holding 3 swords on a red field, and he wears a holy symbol of Hextor.
Trent ✦ Level 9 Paladin (Soldier)
Medium natural humanoid ✦ XP 400
Initiative +5 Senses Perception +4
HP 83; Bloodied 41; Healing Surge: 20; Healing Surges: 1
AC 28; Fortitude 22, Reflex 23, Will 23
Speed 6 (10 on warhorse)
Powers
triple-headed flail ✦ At-Will, Standard Action, melee weapon, melee basic
Attack: +13 vs. AC
Hit: 1d10 + 6 damage
Enfeebling Strike ✦ At-Will, Standard Action, Melee, melee weapon
Attack: +12 vs. AC
Hit: 1d10 + 8 damage. If marked, the target takes -2 to attack rolls until the end of Trent’s next turn.
Divine Challenge ✦ At-Will, Minor Action, Close burst 5, Divine, Necrotic
Effect: the target is marked, taking a -2 penalty to attacks that do not include Trent as a target, and the first time the target makes such an attack it takes 8 points of necrotic damage.
Lay on Hands ✦ 4 times / Encounter, Minor Action, Melee Touch Divine, healing, Divine Reverence ✦ Encounter, Standard Action, Close burst 1Divine, Necrotic, implement
Attack: +12 vs Will
Hit: 1d8 + 8 necrotic damage, and the target is dazed until the end of your next turn.
Necrotic Pulse ✦ Daily, Standard Action, Ranged 10
Divine, Necrotic
Attack: +12 vs Fortitude
Hit: 1d10 + 8 necrotic damage, and make a secondary attack
Secondary Attack: +12 vs Fortitude on each enemy adjacent to the primary target.
Hit: 1d10 + 8 necrotic damage and the target is pushed 3 squares.
Sustain Minor: repeat the secondary attack.
Wrath of the Gods ✦ Daily, Minor Action, Close burst 1, Divine
Trent and each ally in burst gain +5 to damage rolls until the end of the encounter.
Alignment neutral Languages Common
Skills religion +9, bluff +13
Str 16 (+7) Dex 12 (+5) Wis 10 (+4)
Con 11 (+4) Int 14 (+6) Cha 21 (+9)
Equipment: layered plate mail (A.V.), heavy shield, cape of the mountebank +1, triple-headed flail, holy symbol of hextor, heavy warhorse
Posted in 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons, Character, Creature and tagged Campaign: Heir of Soguer, subplot:The Tyrant by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Medallion of Honor
As a means of introducing campaign flavor, we recommend using Medallions of Honor. these medallions exist in many forms, and are awarded by communities and organizations to those who perform honorable deeds, for instance a party which saves a village from a marauding goblin army or saves a favored daughter of the hamlet.
Most common Medallions of Honor grant a +1 AC bonus (Sacred) to the wearer. However, they range through +5 bonuses, and can also bestow a number of other powers to the wearer. For instance, Medallions of Honor in aquatic communities often grant waterbreathing.
Prices range based on ability as dictated by the DMG, with additional cost bonuses for the stones which adorn them, be they turquoise, copper, or diamond.
Posted in Magic Item and tagged accessory, campaign flavor, medallion, necklace, sacred by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.
Gloves of Choking
This normal-looking pair of leather gloves is laced with a set of extra-long laces. Once worn, the long laces wrap around the wrists and arms of the wearer, binding the gloves to the wearer. Once this happens, the wearer must make a DC 20 Will check or be forced to choke the nearest creature as if under the affect of a charm person spell. If the wearer successfully chokes his neighbor, he will move on to his next-nearest neighbor until the enchantment is broken.
This is particularly deadly when characters try on the gloves while their companions sleep.
Moderate transmutation, CL 7th, Craft Wondrous Item, charm person, Price: 2,000gp.
Posted in Magic Item and tagged cursed, gloves by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.
A Gnomish barbarian
Male Gnome Barbarian 1(favored class)
Chaotic Neutral Small Humanoid
Init: +1 Senses: Perception +4 Low-light Vision
Languages: Common, Gnome, Sylvan defenses
AC: 17 (+5 scale +1 size +1 dex bonus, ) touch 12, flatfooted 16
HP: 18 (HD 1d12+2 con+3 toughness+1 favored class)
Fort: +4 Ref: +1 Will: +0
Speed: 30 ft.
Attack: +1 (+2 to damage 1-handed)
Full Attack: Great Club +3 (1d8+3 / x2)
Attack Options:
Space / Reach: 5 ft. / 5 ft.
Base Attack: +1 Grapple: +2 (Pathfinder: CMB: +2, CMD: 13)
SQ: Illusion resistance, Keen Senses, Obsessive, Weapon Familiarity: Gnome
SA: Rage 6 rounds/day, Fast Movement
Feats: Toughness
Skills: Intimidate +4, Knowledge (nature) +3, Perception +6
Abilities Str 15 Dex 12 Con 15 Int 8 Wis 11 Cha 11
Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day-
dancing lights, ghost sound, prestidigitation, and speak with animalsPossessions: Scale Mail(note, in Pathfinder, barbarians are allowed the use of medium armor), Great Club, Battle Axe, Spiked Gauntlet, Backpack, Belt Pouch, Weapon Harness, Waterskin, 10 days rations, torch x3, 50 foot hempen rope. Total weight: 35 lbs.–light load (note: in Pathfinder, a small creature’s weight allowance is 3/4 that of a medium creature)
Posted in 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons / d20 fantasy / Pathfinder, Character and tagged GenCon 2009, gnome by Adam A. Thompson with 2 comments.
A Gnomish barbarian
Hello, again. Just got back from GenCon on Sunday, and I must say I had a blast. Anyway, I thought I’d take a shot at doing an unusual character that avoids the typical Min/Maxing I constantly see in D20/4th ed DnD. If you roll over to Claw/Claw/Bite, our D20 system blog, you can see this guy’s stats as I did them for Pathfinder, which is now officially out.
-damp
Luk was not born terribly lucky, despite what his name would tell. His parents were outcast from gnome society while his mother was with him. By the time of his birth, they were destitute, and were forced to abandon him in the heart of the deepest woods. There he was rescued by a pack of wolves, whose alpha female happened to be awakened. Everything was fine, until the month the wolf he called “mother” was killed in the jaws of a hidden trap. He brutally avenged her death by fur collecters, and left the pack to seek his fortune, so that no more of his family would suffer the same fate.
This gnomish warrior could be considered strange even by the standards of his race. Mercrurial and tactless, Luk will pick the absolute worst time to speak the truth with nary a negative intention. But while the insulting replies he receives will roll off his tough hide, the mistreatment of animals–especially wolves and dogs–will immediately send him flying off the handle in a violent rage.
Luk, level 1 Gnome, Barbarian
Feral Might: Thaneborn Triumph
Background: Gnome – Estranged Fey
Initiative +1 Senses Perception +0
AC: 15 Fort: 15 Reflex: 12 Will: 11
HP: 30 Surges: 10 Surge Value: 7
POWERS
Barbarian at-will 1: Howling Strike
Barbarian at-will 1: Devastating Strike
Barbarian encounter 1: Great Cleave
Barbarian daily 1: Swift Panther Rage
Alignment neutral Languages Common, Gnomish, Lupine
FEATS: Fey Trickster
Skills Perception +5, Intimidate +6, Athletics +7, Acrobatics +1, Arcana +2, Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Dungeoneering +0, Endurance +1, Heal +0, History +0, Insight +0, Nature +0, Religion +0, Stealth +2, Streetwise +1, Thievery +1
Str 17, Dex 12, Wis 11
Con 15, Int 10, Cha 12
Equipment: Hide Armor, Battleaxe, Spiked gauntlet, Adventurer’s Kit
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged GenCon 2009 by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
GenCon 2009: Saturday
This day was all about two events — our Arena of Death Battletech game and a late night playing of Tower of Gygax that ran until 7am. I didn’t know I could sit that long! Well, actually, I stood for most of the Battletech game, giddy with excitement and playing, and also at co-running the event.
Odd thing happened most of the way thru the game tho — the fire alarm went off and we all had to vacate the premises. When we returned, we were almost out of time to complete the game. This was too bad; we had a bunch of smaller ‘Mechs taking on two Marauders and I was still sneaking about in my Commando. Oh well, at least everyone ended up okay, save a guy who got a little run over in the excitement. He seemed okay tho; I saw him being carried out on a stretcher as I walked back into the Convention Center.
Tower of Gygax redux… played a Monk this time, and feigned death after getting my ass handed to me by a Minotaur/dragon. While the rest of the party were slaughtered, I snuck back and retrieved the Blueprints of the Tower from the beast’s chest behind his throne. Then, after hiding in the shadow of one of his tapestries, I snuck my way back out after he returned to his throne. Two nights, two powerful artifacts. I was proclaimed the Ultimate Champion of the Tower. Huzzah!
Good times both nights. I would play Tower of Gygax a hundred more times. I even became attached to my characters in this meant-to-go-through-characters-by-the-dozen adventure.
That was all I had time for; by the time I’m getting to sleep in the morning (8:30am), there will only be time to wake and bus to the airport.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged GenCon 2009 by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.
GenCon 2009: Friday
What can I say? Tower of Gygax rocked my world. A return to old school 1st edition D&D, before everything got so complicated. Before the terms taint, bloodied, and grapple entered the scene. Back when you just took 2 actions — move and attack, move and cast, or double move. Back when dungeons consisted of puzzles rather than long battles.
The main premise of Tower of Gygax is that you’ve entered this tower that was built by a wizard, and that constantly shifts and changes. But this Nethack-like dungeon is not dull; the room description s are rich and the puzzles challenging. Some rooms need to be pushed through with combat, but most require the lining up of symbols or the solving of a riddle, or even just the careful use of the elven ability to search for secret doors. Tread softly; there are deathtraps around every corner! So the premise if fairly ridiculous, and you’re expected to die as if you’re in a Paranoia game, but this experience is too fun to pass up. You must try it next time you’re at a con where it’s being offered.
Of course, I started the day playing a nine hour game of Advanced Civ, coming in 3rd out of 7 players. Since I’ve never seen the end of a Civ board game, it was nice to have this run to completion. When it comes to board games, this may be my favorite; it’s definitely in the top five.
A good two games of Pompeii later, I was ready for Tower of Gygax. You know the rest. I emerged from the game at 7am after almost 5 hours of playing and then chumming with the DM afterward. I was the lone survivor and had the Crown of Paradise to show for it, providing command abilities and the ability to open up pocket planes at will. Good times!
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged GenCon 2009 by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.