Dream Plane
The Dream Plane is the space between the planes, the plane on which dreams take place, or, more precisely, the plane to which all dreamers are whisked upon sleep.
There are no native creatures on the Dream Plane, however, everyone spends time there at regular intervals. In a way, this is a way for beings to learn more about their true selves, allowing them to inhabit the projected form of another being for some time.
Everyone has another form on the Dream Plane. These tend to be projections that mirror the state of the being, either long-term or in the short term. For instance, paladins might be represented long-term as pegasi, but in the short term, as they are chased by a marauding horde of goblins and forced to flee, they may have a dream plane representation as a gazelle while pursued. The goblins might be represented as wolves or some other beast. If these beings were somehow transported to the dream plane, they would take on the characteristics of these forms. As a gazelle, the paladin would be able to run fast and leap over obstacles, the goblins as wolves would take on the hunting skills and trip attacks of wolves. If the paladin were to enter the dream plane as a pegasus, she would be able to fly, and so on.
Much like the Prime Material Plane, the Dream Plane is a battleground for the forces of good and evil. It is largely neutral, however certain areas tend toward good or evil.
The Dream Plane has the following traits.
* Subjective directional gravity.
* Subjective temporality. Age, hunger, thirst, poison, and natural healing function differently in the Dream Plane; certain dreams may play upon these human needs and have unexpected consequences.
* Strongly neutral-aligned, with pockets of mild good and evil where these forces have gained footholds.
Key Regions
Dreams – the core of the plane. This is where most visitors to the Dream Plane (and they are all visitors) spend their time.
Visions – where the future plays out in dream forms. Here characters may encounter future selves in altered forms or gain knowledge of upcoming events. The many islands of visions are set adrift upon the Seer Sea.
Memories – where the past plays out in dream forms. In this area, characters may relive certain events in their lives in altered forms. The fragmented islands of memories float upon the Forgotten Sea.
Deja Vu – A region where beings encounter events they feel have happened before.
Vuja De – A region where beings encounter events they know can never happen.
Everything else in the Dream Plane falls into the Region In-between, a void of an abyss of uncertainty. As the Dream Plane is a plane between the planes, there is not much to speak of in the Region In-between. Let all adventurers be warned – do not go there. This is the place of nightmares.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged dream, Location, plane by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.
Helm of Disguise
The Helm of Disguise – Level 8
This fabled device, crafted by a greedy dwarven king, is a fine coif of silver chain with a shining silver mask that covers the upper face. With it one can take on the shape of any creature of about the wearer’s size.
Item Slot: Head 3.400 gold
Power (Daily; Minor): The wearer can Change Shape (see monster manual p280) to alter its physical form to take on the appearance of another creaure of its size or one size category larger or smaller, including a unique individual (giving a +20 bonus on its Bluff check to impersonate that individual). The new shape lasts until the creature is reduced to 0 hit points or choses to change back. Changing shape in this way does not grant any special powers or abilities.
Posted in 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons, Magic Item and tagged helm by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Stream Spirit
Yet another creature making its debut in Anointing the Seer, these water elementals present a worthy foe to lower-level characters, and can be summoned by those who have the Summon Elemental power.
These water spirits flow into the mortal world from the elemental chaos. They resemble animate waves about the size of a man, with eyes and mouth visible in their foaming features. Found in streams and rivers, they can calmly babble tunes to the weary or cruelly drown the unwary. They are powerful combatants and can knock their foes down and hold them under.
Stream Spirit: Level 7 Brute
medium elemental magical beast (water) – XP 300
Initiative +15 Senses Perception +2
HP 94; Bloodied 47
AC 19, Fortitude 19, Reflex 19, Will 19
Immunity disease, poison; Resist 5 cold
Speed 5
Powers
Wave Slap – (standard melee; at will)
+10 vs. AC; 2d6 + 5 damage, and push 2.
Drowning Tide – (standard; encounter, close blast 2; recharge 5-6)
+8 vs. Reflex, 3d10 + 5 damage, slide 1, knocked prone, and one target is grabbed.
Water Affinity
As long as the Stream Spirit is within 1 square of water it receives a +1 power bonus to attack rolls and damage.
Alignment Unaligned Languages Primordial
Str 16 (+6) Dex 16 (+7) Wis 9 (+2)
Con 14 (+5) Int 7 (+1) Cha 16 (+6)
Tactics: Stream Spirits tend to lurk in bodies of water where they are impossible to distinguish from the water – it is a DC 25 Perception check to detect them before they raise up out of the water to attack. When they do attack they try to push opponents into the water and drown them by grabbing them and holding them under, or simply bludgeoning them to death.
Stream Spirit Lore
A character knows the following with a successful Arcana check:
DC 15: These elemental spirits are unpredictable and can be very dangerous.
Posted in 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons, Creature and tagged creature origin: elemental, creature: heroic brute by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Sword of Damocles
Known for its troubling effects on men throughout spoken history, the sword of Damocles has left an indelible mark on the stories that frighten children. The sword itself is a cursed long sword of leadership -2 (attack, damage, and leadership rolls).
It is said that this weapon finds a way to lead the wielder into peril, and causes those led by the wielder to behave less faithfully. This sword is also deceptive; the wielder believes she is receiving bonuses rather than the hindrances.
Craft Wondrous Item; CL 11; Curse; Price: 15,000.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged artifact, cursed, weapon by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.
Piranha Swarm
Piranha need no introduction, but their fiendish brethren do. Found in some tributaries of the Styx, these hellish fish will strip suffering souls to the bone in seconds.
Piranha Swarm – CR 5
neutral Diminutive Animal (swarm, aquatic)
Init +8
Senses: Spot +15
AC: 19 (+4 size, +4 dex, +1 natural)
HP: 44 (HD: 10d8)
Fort: +6 Reflex: +10 Will: +4
Speed: 30 feet
Attack: swarm (4d6)
Special Attacks: Distraction
Space / Reach: 10 ft. / 0 ft.
Special Abilities: immune to weapon damage, swarm traits
Feats: Improved Initiative, Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Lightning Reflexes
Abilities: Str 1 Dex 19 Con 10 Int 1 Wis 10 Cha 4
Distraction (Ex): Any living creature that begins its turn with a piranha swarm in its space must succeed on a DC 14 Fortitude save or be panicked for 1 round. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Stygian Piranha Swarm – CR 10
neutral Diminutive Animal (swarm, aquatic)
Init +8
Senses: Spot +23
AC: 24 (+4 size, +4 dex, +6 natural)
HP: 133 (HD: 20d8 + 40)
Fort: +14 Reflex: +19 Will: +8
Speed: 30 feet
Attack: swarm (8d8)
Special Attacks: Distraction
Space / Reach: 10 ft. / 0 ft.
Special Abilities: immune to weapon damage, swarm traits
Feats: Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack, Iron Will, Alertness, Combat Reflexes, Lightning Reflexes, Great Fortitude, Run
Abilities: Str 1 Dex 21 Con 14 Int 1 Wis 10 Cha 4
Distraction (Ex): Any living creature that begins its turn with a piranha swarm in its space must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude save or be panicked for 1 round. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Posted in Creature and tagged aquatic subtype, swarm subtype by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Fiendish Orcish Berzerker Horde
First I wanted to get a ballpark of how tough of a creature you get form SM 1-9. A little surveying and I came up with this chart. It’s just an average of some monsters you get for each level of the spell.
SM level HD CR
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 4 3
4 6 4
5 8 5
6 10 5-7
7 12 6-9
8 15 8-10
9 18 11-12
Orcish Berzerkers in your game: Feel free to borrow these bruisers for your game. If your players ever end up in archeron, or if they’re facing any type of orcish warlord these guys make a great army, or even just a crack squad or extra-bloodthirsty orcs in a group of normal orcs.
For your players, they could just as easily be re-cast as berzerkers from valhalla or another heavenly realm, summoned by a good cleric to help in their battles.
Summon Monster 1 orcish berzerker – CR 1
ce medium outsider
Init +0
Senses: darkvision
AC: 13 (studded leather +3)
HP: 9 (HD: 1d8+1)
Fort: +3 Reflex: +0 Will: -1
Resist cold & fire 5
Spell Resistance 6
Speed: 40 feet
Attack: greataxe +5 (1d12 + 4)
Special Abilities: rage (+2 / +3 to attacks, +1 hp, -2 AC)
Feats: Weapon Focus Greataxe
Skills: Climb +5, Jump +5
Abilities: Str 17 Dex 11 Con 12 Int 6 Wis 8 Cha 6
Equipment: Greataxe, Studded Leather Armor
Summon Monster 2 orcish berzerker – CR 2
ce medium outsider
Init +0
Senses: darkvision
AC: 14 (studded leather +3, natural armor +1)
HP: 13 (HD: 2d8+2)
Fort: +4 Reflex: +0 Will: -1
Resist cold & fire 5
Spell Resistance 7
Speed: 40 feet
Attack: greataxe +6 (1d12 + 4)
Special Abilities: rage (+2 / +3 to attacks, +2 hp, -2 AC)
Feats: Weapon Focus Greataxe
Skills: Climb +5, Jump +6
Abilities: Str 17 Dex 11 Con 12 Int 6 Wis 8 Cha 6
Equipment: Greataxe, Studded Leather Armor
Summon Monster 3 orcish berzerker – CR 3
ce medium outsider
Init +0
Senses: darkvision
AC: 15 (studded leather +3, natural armor +2)
HP: 22 (HD: 4d8+4)
Damage Reduction: 5 / magic
Fort: +5 Reflex: +1 Will: +0
Resist cold & fire 5
Spell Resistance 9
Speed: 40 feet
Attack: greataxe +9 (1d12 + 6)
Special Abilities: rage (+2 / +3 to attacks, +4 hp, -2 AC)
Feats: Weapon Focus Greataxe, Cleave
Skills: Climb +7, Jump +8
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 11 Con 12 Int 6 Wis 8 Cha 6
Equipment: Greataxe, Studded Leather Armor
Summon Monster 4 orcish berzerker – CR 4
ce medium outsider
Init +0
Senses: darkvision
AC: 16 (studded leather +3, natural armor +3)
HP: 37 (HD: 6d8+6)
Damage Reduction: 5 / magic
Fort: +6 Reflex: +2 Will: +1
Resist cold & fire 5
Spell Resistance 11
Speed: 40 feet
Attack: greataxe +11 (1d12 + 6)
Special Abilities: rage (+2 / +3 to attacks, +6 hp, -2 AC)
Feats: Weapon Focus Greataxe, Cleave, Power Attack
Skills: Climb +8, Jump +9
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 11 Con 12 Int 6 Wis 8 Cha 6
Equipment: Greataxe, Studded Leather Armor
Summon Monster 5 orcish berzerker – CR 5
ce medium outsider
Init +0
Senses: darkvision
AC: 17 (studded leather +3, natural armor +4)
HP: 44 (HD: 8d8+8)
Damage Reduction: 5 / magic
Fort: +7 Reflex: +2 Will: +1
Resist cold & fire 10
Spell Resistance 13
Speed: 40 feet
Attack: greataxe +13 (1d12 + 6)
Special Abilities: rage (+2 / +3 to attacks, +8 hp, -2 AC)
Feats: Weapon Focus Greataxe, Cleave, Power Attack
Skills: Climb +9, Jump +10
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 11 Con 13 Int 6 Wis 8 Cha 6
Equipment: Greataxe, Studded Leather Armor
Summon Monster 6 orcish berzerker – CR 6
ce medium outsider
Init +0
Senses: darkvision
AC: 18 (studded leather +3, natural armor +5)
HP: 58 (HD: 10d8+10)
Damage Reduction: 5 / magic
Fort: +8 Reflex: +3 Will: +2
Resist cold & fire 10
Spell Resistance 15
Speed: 40 feet
Attack: greataxe +15 (1d12 + 6 / 19-20 x 2)
Special Abilities: rage (+2 / +3 to attacks, +10 hp, -2 AC)
Feats: Weapon Focus Greataxe, Cleave, Power Attack, Improved Critical Greataxe
Skills: Climb +10, Jump +11
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 11 Con 13 Int 6 Wis 8 Cha 6
Equipment: Greataxe, Studded Leather Armor
Summon Monster 7 orcish berzerker – CR 8
ce medium outsider
Init +0
Senses: darkvision
AC: 19 (studded leather +3, natural armor +6)
HP: 81 (HD: 12d8+24)
Damage Reduction: 10 / magic
Fort: +10 Reflex: +4 Will: +3
Resist cold & fire 10
Spell Resistance 17
Speed: 40 feet
Attack: greataxe +17 (1d12 + 6 / 19-20 x 2)
Special Abilities: rage (+2 / +3 to attacks, +24 hp, -2 AC)
Feats: Weapon Focus Greataxe, Cleave, Power Attack, Improved Critical Greataxe
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 11 Con 14 Int 6 Wis 8 Cha 6
Skills: Climb +11, Jump +12
Equipment: Greataxe, Studded Leather Armor
Summon Monster 8 orcish berzerker – CR 10
ce medium outsider
Init +0
Senses: darkvision
AC: 20 (studded leather +3, natural armor +7)
HP: 96 (HD: 15d8+30)
Damage Reduction: 10 / magic
Fort: +11 Reflex: +7 Will: +4
Resist cold & fire 10
Spell Resistance 20
Speed: 40 feet
Attack: greataxe +19 (1d12 + 6 / 19-20 x 2)
Special Abilities: rage (+2 / +3 to attacks, +30 hp, -2 AC)
Feats: Weapon Focus Greataxe, Cleave, Power Attack, Improved Critical Greataxe, Lightning Reflexes
Skills: Climb +13, Jump +13
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 11 Con 14 Int 6 Wis 8 Cha 6
Equipment: Greataxe, Studded Leather Armor
Summon Monster 9 orcish berzerker – CR 12
ce medium outsider
Init +1
Senses: darkvision
AC: 23 (dex +1, studded leather +3, natural armor +9)
HP: 111 (HD: 18d8+36)
Damage Reduction: 10 / magic
Fort: +13 Reflex: +9 Will: +7
Resist cold & fire 10
Spell Resistance 23
Speed: 40 feet
Attack: greataxe +23 (1d12 + 6 / 19-20 x 2)
Special Abilities: rage (+2 / +3 to attacks, +36 hp, -2 AC)
Feats: Weapon Focus Greataxe, Cleave, Power Attack, Improved Critical Greataxe, Lightning Reflexes, Iron Will
Skills: Climb +14, Jump +15
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 12 Con 14 Int 6 Wis 8 Cha 6
Equipment: Greataxe, Studded Leather Armor
Posted in Creature and tagged orc by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
The Scholar’s Lair
Features of the Area:Lighting: Illuminated by wall torches every 20 feet
Walls: Polished Granite
Floor: Brown Polished Flagstone
Room of Testing:
The PC’s enter the first room of the lair from the west by a door disguised as a sarcophagus. Lining the circular room are eight more upright coffins, making nine in the room total. Inscribed in the middle of the room on the floor in common is the following riddle:
One comes in, and the Six take heart.
Fire brings death where the rest stand guard,
In the room of Nine, as time moves backward.
As the map indicates, all but the entrance and exit sarcophogi are trapped (Detect: DC 20 Thievery, Disable: 3 checks DC 25 Thievery). If one of the traps is activated, it unleashes a close blast 3, attacking all within blast at +7 vs. Reflex. On a hit, the explosion deals 3d6 + 4 fire damage, and the target is pushed 2 squares and knocked prone. If the players set off a trap, Jurgen will hear them, but ignore their troubles, preferring to let nature run its course on stupid people.
The Study
As the PC’s enter from the door to the north, they are welcomed in by the glow of a fireplace along the east wall, where a large pot is producing the hearty smell of stew. Flanking the hearth and lining the south and north walls there hang lush tapestries depicting tales of yore. Rows of bookshelves occupy most of the east wall, with topics ranging from the fanciful to the mundane to the outright macabre. And in a large, comfortable chair in the middle of the room sits Jurgen, appearing deep in study of an ancient tome you would imagine he could not lift.
As the door creaks open, he looks up at you with a bemused smile, saying: “Ah, welcome to my humble home, young travellers,” as he folds the enormous book and drops it unceremoniously on the table next to him.
If the PC’s wish to ask him questions, He will hand them a puzzle box, saying: “If you can open this box, I may find you worthy enough to discourse with. Otherwise I may have to show you the exit,” pointing to a large wooden door in the south wall.
Jurgen’s Puzzle Box – 125 XP
Skill Challenge:
To open the box, the players must succeed at 4 skill challenges DC 20 using either Arcana, Thievery, or Insight before 3 failures. Each time a player fails a check, the box attacks the player (+7 vs. Will), forcing her to drop the box on a successful attack. The box contains one level 2 to level 4 wondrous item, such as a Belt of Vigor or Everlasting Provisions, which Jurgen will allow the players to keep.
If the players succeed, Jurgen will allow the players to remain and offer them some of his stew while he exchanges questions and answers with them. He will answer one question for each question the players answer for him. Surprisingly, Jurgen knows much about the happenings on the surface, and will always reveal the least amount of information possible.
If the players fail to open the box, Jurgen will exchange 3 questions with them before asking them to leave his den. He will, as they are leaving, invite them to return to try the puzzle box again if they need more information.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged encounter: skill challenge level 2 by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
The Scholar’s Lair
Features of the Area:Lighting: Illuminated by wall torches every 20 feet
Walls: Polished Granite
Floor: Brown Polished Flagstone
Room of Testing:
The PC’s enter the first room of the lair from the west by a door disguised as a sarcophagus. Lining the circular room are eight more upright coffins, making nine in the room total. Inscribed in the middle of the room on the floor in common is the following riddle:
One comes in, and the Six take heart.
Fire brings death where the rest stand guard,
In the room of Nine, as time moves backward.
As the map indicates, all but the entrance and exit sarcophogi are trapped (Detect: DC 20 Thievery, Disable: 3 checks DC 25 Thievery). If one of the traps is activated, it unleashes a close blast 3, attacking all within blast at +7 vs. Reflex. On a hit, the explosion deals 3d6 + 4 fire damage, and the target is pushed 2 squares and knocked prone. If the players set off a trap, Jurgen will hear them, but ignore their troubles, preferring to let nature run its course on stupid people.
The Study
As the PC’s enter from the door to the north, they are welcomed in by the glow of a fireplace along the east wall, where a large pot is producing the hearty smell of stew. Flanking the hearth and lining the south and north walls there hang lush tapestries depicting tales of yore. Rows of bookshelves occupy most of the east wall, with topics ranging from the fanciful to the mundane to the outright macabre. And in a large, comfortable chair in the middle of the room sits Jurgen, appearing deep in study of an ancient tome you would imagine he could not lift.
As the door creaks open, he looks up at you with a bemused smile, saying: “Ah, welcome to my humble home, young travellers,” as he folds the enormous book and drops it unceremoniously on the table next to him.
If the PC’s wish to ask him questions, He will hand them a puzzle box, saying: “If you can open this box, I may find you worthy enough to discourse with. Otherwise I may have to show you the exit,” pointing to a large wooden door in the south wall.
Jurgen’s Puzzle Box – 125 XP
Skill Challenge:
To open the box, the players must succeed at 4 skill challenges DC 20 using either Arcana, Thievery, or Insight before 3 failures. Each time a player fails a check, the box attacks the player (+7 vs. Will), forcing her to drop the box on a successful attack. The box contains one level 2 to level 4 wondrous item, such as a Belt of Vigor or Everlasting Provisions, which Jurgen will allow the players to keep.
If the players succeed, Jurgen will allow the players to remain and offer them some of his stew while he exchanges questions and answers with them. He will answer one question for each question the players answer for him. Surprisingly, Jurgen knows much about the happenings on the surface, and will always reveal the least amount of information possible.
If the players fail to open the box, Jurgen will exchange 3 questions with them before asking them to leave his den. He will, as they are leaving, invite them to return to try the puzzle box again if they need more information.
Posted in 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons and tagged encounter: skill challenge level 2 by Adam A. Thompson with 1 comment.
Dream Song
Dream songs are bard song that affects dreams. When sung as the party rests, this song can transport the party to the Dream Plane as they sleep, providing the bard hits all the right notes (DC 20 Perform check).
Dream Songs can also be used to provide effects for the following day. Each standard bard song can be played as the party rests to put tunes in their heads for the next day, providing morale boosts, the ability to heal quicker, etc. These effects are equivalent to the standard bard abilities.
Bards may only place one song in the heads of their companions, and that song plays over and over until the bard wills it to stop.
Unwilling participants must make a will save (DC 10 + the bard’s level) at any time to overcome the effects.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged ability, dream, song by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.