Happy New Year's!

It took me over three years to get to my 200th post. That post was made a little over a month ago. As this post goes live I am 240 something. I will admit that my 30 Day D&D Challenge is a big part of this. Still I finally find myself driven to post regularly and by the gods it feels great. Some of you have been following me since the early days, some of you are new, but all of you are awesome. 

Happy New Year folks!

(Also, you only have a few hours left to enter my holiday contest.) 

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Twenty-Eight: A Character You Will Never Play Ever Again

Day 28 - A Character I Will Never Play Ever Again

I'm not sure if this is refering to a specific type of character or a specfic character. Let's be honest, there are a lot of characters I will never play ever again because they died and I chose not have them brought back.

I highly doubt that I ever play another truly villainous evil character again. I'm fine playing evil every once in a while, but I can't handle playing evil most of the time. The last time I played evil I had fun (because of the group), but it left a bad taste in my mouth. The sad thing is I can't even remember the character's name, despite playing him for six months. I remember things about him though. He was a male drow cleric of Lolth and became a drow judicator after going through ritual scarring that was administered with a dagger carved from one of his ribs.

If you like playing evil characters that slaughter innocents, that's cool, but I just don't really get my kicks from it and I doubt I ever do it again.

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Twenty-Seven: A Character You Want To Play in the Future

Day 27 - A Character I Want To Play in the Future


During 3rd editions hey day every company had a class book. Most were so-so, but some were cool. My favorite third party books were Fantasy Flights "Path of" books. These books introduced the idea of the legendary class. These classes were a lot like prestige classes but more legendary, hence the name.You had to declare you were taking one a level before you did. You then had to complete a list of legendary tasks, in addition to having the standard prestige class requirements. The classes themselves were more free form as well, you chose when to take the class abilities and at what power you wanted them.

My favorite of these classes was the jack-of-knives.  It was a brutal back-alley fighter/rogue class. They lived and died by their daggers and knives. They weren't glamorous rogues, but they got the job done. I don't remember all of their legendary tasks but I remember one involved clearing out a dangerous dungeon using only non-magical daggers and entering a city and throwing down a knife fight challenge (and defeating) the first ten guild rogues that accepted.

I always wanted to play a street rogue that rose to roguish "royalty" and became the jack-of-knives (because to me it seems like a singular title). Even if the class itself doesn't exist in the edition I'm playing, I still want to make this character a reality. Perhaps my first 5th edition character can be my jack-of-knives.

Succubus Sunday - Diablo Edition

For today's Succubus Sunday I give you two succubi from the Diablo computer game series.

Lillith, Queen of the Succubi

Andariel, Maiden of Anguish

 

 

 

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Twenty-Six: Favorite Nonmagic Item

Day 26 - Favorite Nonmagic Item

In my 20+ years of gaming I've played quite a few rogue and rogue-like characters. I always have a set a thieves tools. You never know when they are going to come in handy. Who doesn't want to be a part of a cool heist? Hell, even my non-rogues tend to have a set of thieves tools.... just in case.

 

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Twenty-Five: Favorite Magic Item

Day 25 - Favorite Magic Item

Immovable rods are underrated in my book. In the grand scheme of things, they're relatively cheap (costing only 5000 GP in Pathfinder).  To be used effectively you only need a few. Most people think of the obvious use, making a ladder. However my favorite use for them is is as barricades. All you have to do is place against the door and push a button. It then takes 8000 pounds of force or a DC 30 Strength check to budge it. I have fond memories of watching my friend Wirty's rogues do some great tricks with immovable rods.

The Mask of Satan

I spent Christmas drinking and watching horror flicks on Amazon Prime Instant Video. It sounds like a happy holiday right? One of the films I watched was the 1960 Italian film  Black Sunday, also known as The Mask of Satan. I first heard about the movie here. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. The movie deals with a witch's curse and vampires. If you haven't watched it, I recommend it.

I think there are some great ideas for Ravenloft or Lamentations of the Flame Princess that can be taken from the movie. At the beginning of the film the film's antagonist is forced to wear the mask of Satan. I'm taking some liberties of course but below are the "stats" for one of these masks. Also, in a none Earth based game, just replace Satan with  the Adversary or the name of the demon prince of your choosing.

Mask of Satan
25sp*
Description: This grotesque looking mask is used as a punishment for witches and others that would consort with Satan. The metal mask has spikes on the inside. As the mask is hammered onto the to damned one's face, the spikes penetrate the flesh. This process causes 1d4+2 damage per round of hammering. Once the mask is "donned" the bearer is marked as a servant of Satan.

*if using a system other than LotFP, the price becomes 25 gp

I have a few magical variations of the mask that are my own devising.

Blessed Mask
This variation of the mask is created from cold iron taken from church bells and blessed in holy water by a priest. Any spawn of Satan wearing this mask is rendered vulnerable to mundane weapons. In addition if they are buried within site of a cross they can not return to life. The tricky part is getting the Hellspawn to wear it.

Innocent Blood
In the past this particular mask was hammered on to a falsely accused witch. This accursed action imbued the mask with sentient malevolence. The inquisitor/witch finder that owns this mask will act as though they've been affected by a Suggestion spell. They will begin to believe that there is a grand witch conspiracy and they will be distrustful of those around them (even close allies). The evil essence that inhabits the mask will seek to subtly influence the owner into believing that an innocent is actually a witch. The mask continues to influence the owner until either the owner relinquishes possession of the mask (unlikely) or the owner uses the mask (at which point the masks reveals the error of their deeds to the horror of the witch finder).

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Twenty-Four: Favorite Energy Type

Day 24 - Favorite Energy Type

Despite the fact that I play good characters 95% of the time, I love necromancers and the undead. I think they're great villains. It probably doesn't come as much of a surprise then to learn that my favorite energy type is negative. Actually I prefer the 4th edition name for it, necrotic. It just sounds cooler and even if you don't know want negative energy is, you can take a good guess as to what necrotic is.

It's fun to describe getting hit with necrotic energy to players. Nothing like informing the player that he feels his soul numbing as he looses hit points.

What other type of energy can snuff out the life of your opponents and then reanimate them as loyal minions?

Lamentations of the Flame Princess - My Take

This was my first introduction to Lamentations of the Flame Princess. Some of the artwork really bothered me. Some of the artwork still bothers me. In particular the picture of the chain mail bikini lady being ripped apart by ghouls (especially consider that one of the hands is insider her and where it entered...). I also don't agree with all of the design philosophies presented by Mr. Raggi. They make sense, I just don't share his outlook.

Still despite any reservations I've had, I've recently recently found myself coming back to the game. I read fan material and reviews on a few of the blogs I subscribe to all the time.Dreams in the Lich House's Gothic Greyhawk stuff is quite interesting.  In addition I love reading Zak's stuff over at Playing D&D With Porn Stars. I'm going to be honest, it's really sold the system to me. In particular Zak's stuff really got me thinking about the system. I love Vornheim and I can't wait to see his Wonderland book.

Personally these are the things I like about the game:

• Fighters really stand out, because they're the only folks that improve in their fighting abilities. 
• Thieves become specialists and their percentile skills become d6 skills, this is simple and I like the customization
• Any body can attempt to use any weapon type, so you can have gun wielding magic users.
• Related to that I love the implied early modern weird Earth setting
• Because Turn Undead becomes a spell and magic in general is less flashy, this makes me think that LotFP would be a great system to run Ravenloft with, perhaps even better than 1st or 2E. 
• For all the strange pieces, there is some fantastic artwork. Much of it centers around the same (all female party) of the red haired fighter, blonde cleric(?), brunette magic user. 

Graphic nature of the content aside, some people have issues with the game based on the idea "why do we need another version of basic?" I get that and if you have a version you like better, that's cool play that one. However I think there are some interesting adventures from LofFP and they can easily be converted.

There are many retro-clones and it would be easy to dismiss Lamentations of the Flame Princess as just a shock version of Basic. Still I think the material has some merit and is worth checking out. The basic rules and spells book can be picked up for free (if you don't want any art). I've picked up several pdfs during their current sale.

Addendum: I just remember how I described my take on a LotFP campaign to a friend.

Imagine mixing Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow with Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna's Lovecraftian flicks and adding a little Guillermo del Toro in for spice. 

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Twenty-Three: Least Favorite Monster Overall

Day 23 - Least Favorite Monster Overall

With a passion that burns hotter than the Nine Hells, I hate swarms. They are a cool concept, but Gond dammit they suck to fight. Perhaps other editions handled them better but the way 3rd Era/Pathfinder handles them just makes them a drain on fun. I've never made it through a swarm fight well. They tend to be TPK's or things to retreat from. The problem is they're long and drawn out TPK's. As my friend pointed out, there's nothing more humiliating than dying like an extra in an Indiana Jones movie. Because of my experience fighting these things, I almost never use them.
 

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Twenty-Two: Favorite Monster Overall

Day 22 - Favorite Monster Overall

I've been playing D&D for many years and have fought many I think I'm going to have to give it up to the ghoul. I've already talked about why I love them, so I thought I'd just post some of my favorite ghoul artwork.

Grixis Grimblade by Trevor

artwork by Brom

Sightless Ghoul by velinov

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Twenty-One: Favorite Dragon Color/Type

Day 21 - Favorite Dragon Color/Type

Since the days of 2E my favorite dragon type has the been the Greyhawk/steel dragon. Unlike your typical dragon that has a lair in the wilderness, Greyhawk dragons prefer to live in large cities. Able to shapechange into humanoids, they live among the population. They enjoy art and sometimes will serve as patrons to artists. These dragons tend to be neutral, not really committing to one side in the good/evil spectrum. In 2E they had a more wyvern-esque appearance. In later editions they were made to look more like typical D&D dragons. I personally didn't like this as I preferred their more unique appearence.

I always thought it would be fun to have a thieves guild ran by a Greyhawk dragon.

One of these dragons was mentioned in the Hall of Fame in the 4E Draconomicon: Metallic Dragons. You can read the excerpt here.

Lamentations of the Krampus

I know I've said it before, but I love the Krampus. Most of my ideas came from Spectrum Games Macbre Tales free holiday supplement The Shadow of Krampus. If you want to see another version for similar style games (rules wise at least), check out this post at The Other Side. My version of the Krampus is intended to be used with Lamentations of the Flame Princess. I didn't want to like the game, I'll admit it, but I find myself more and more interested (I'll address that in a future post). Since LotFP uses a dark version of Earth as its primary setting, the Krampus seems like a great fit. A child snatching demon seems the perfect way to celebrate Christmas LotFP style. 

In an interesting twist, you could have the Krampus being the good guy. Perhaps Santa's punishments for those on the naughty list are truly horrific (like a twisted Willy Wonka) and the Krampus punishes children to get them to repent before Saint Nick comes for them. You're players won't expect it.

Krampus
Armor: as leather 
HD 3
HP 15 
Move 120' [walk] 
Attacks: 1d4/1d4 or 1 (2 claws or birch switch)
Special Abilities: Dark Seduction (once a round the Krampus may affect one female present as if he cast a Charm Person spell, the woman may make a saving throw to resist the effect)

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Twenty: Favorite Monster (Humanoid/Natural/Fey)

Day 20 - Favorite Monster (Humanoid/Natural/Fey)

The blue, psionic goblin subrace

My favorite humanoids are the classic fodder of D&D, the goblin. Even when I played Magic: The Gathering, I loved these guys. Goblinoids in general are cool in my book, but the classic goblin (and its psionic offshoot, the blue) are my favorites. I just love them. They're not the nastiest or most intimidating humanoids characters will face, but in my opinion they're some of the most entertaining. They're a simple monster to tweak and can even be fun at higher levels (just watch your players' snickers turn to fear as you send them against a goblin with class levels).

I really appreciate what Pathfinder has done to revitalize goblins and make them cool. They are humorous, but still very creepy. I really just enjoy the eccentricities they've been given. Check out We Be Goblins! and We Be Goblins Too!

What's better than a group of goblins? Goblin pirates!!!

Contest Extended

I'm extending the contest I originally mentioned here. The contest will now extend until the end of the year. To enter just comment on this post or the original post. The winner will be determined randomly on the 31st.

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Nineteen: Favorite Monster (Elemental/Plant)

Day 19 - Favorite Monster (Elemental/Plant)

I've always had a love for myconids. There's just something about these mushroom people that makes me smile. They're bizarre. They're alien. Yet to me they're kind of cute (in that A Nightmare Before Christmas sort of way). They also make me think of the Mario Bros games, so that's cool. I enjoy the fact that they're one of the few intelligent non-evil races in the Underdark.

Oh yeah and releasing spore clouds that make people trip balls, that's a cool defense mechanism too.

I know these guys make an appearance in Fire Mountain Games' Throne of Night adventure path, which added to the already cool things I've read about it makes me want to play.

Succubus Sunday - Morrigan by amymiu

Morrigan is a succubus from Capcom's Darkstalkers games. The following pieces were all created by amymiu.

Morrigan - Succubucks

 

Morrigan - Coffee

 

 

 

Morrigan - Sketch

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Eighteen: Favorite Monster (Immortal/Outsider)

Day 18 - Favorite Monster  (Immortal/Outsider)

Judging by one of my regular "features" this one shouldn't come as a surprise. I love the succubus and incubus. Call me strange but there's something fantastic about a beautiful demon who wants to cause chaos and steal your soul. Reminds me of a few ladies I've dated. Seriously though, they make great masterminds and associates to villains. I don't use succubi (or incubi) as much as I'd like.

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Seventeen: Favorite Monster (Animal/Vermin)

Day 17 - Favorite Monster (Animal/Vermin)

 

My favorite animal/vermin are Golarion's torbles or "ooze bugs." I mentioned that I had a witch I played briefly that had one.

 

In the wild, these vermin are telepathic and can be found in swarms. They can be tamed and turned into familiars. When they do so, they lose their telepathy, but gain intelligence.  Like many oozes they can digest organic matter and pass out any inorganic matter they consume (which is cleaned). They can change colors and are just cool.

 

 

 

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Sixteen: Favorite Monster (Abberation)

Day 15 - Favourite Monster (Abberation)

I love beholders, umber hulks, other cthuloid monsters, but my hands down favorite is the mindflayer. These psychic braineaters are perfect masterminds. I'm a fan of the underdark and when I think of those lightless depths, these bad boys and drow are the first things that come to mind. In addition, Spelljammer was a setting that I always enjoyed and these alien bastards were among the stars too. They are also a good way to introduce psionics into a campaign.

I also love that I've seen similiar looking aliens in other worlds, like Doctor Who's Ood and the Quarren of Star Wars.



Lamentations Sale

I know a few others have posted about this but from now until December 30, there's a really big Lamentations of the Flame Princess pdf sale at RPGNow. Most of the pdfs are only 2.50. I know there's a lot of talk about LotFP on the web. Some people love it, others hate it. To me its something I enjoy reading, but not sure how I feel about playing. Still I've seen some very interesting adventures that I might use one day.

Today I picked up Quelong, Isle of the Unknown, Lamentations of the Gingerbread Princess, The God that Crawls, The Magnificent Joop van Ooms, and (the awesomely bad titled) Fuck For Satan.

I already own Better Than Any Man, Tales of the Scarecrow, Death Frost Doom (and The Tower), Vornheim, Carcosa, and Death Love Doom (I tend to think I'll never run this one, though I find myself reconsidering).

30 Day D&D Challenge, Day Fifteen: Favorite Monster (Undead)

Day 15 - Favorite Monster (Undead)

I'm going to be honest, my gut reaction is vampires. I do love them. However, when I really think about it, ghouls are my favorite undead.

I like ghouls because they're one of the first intelligent undead creatures most players face. I like ghouls because they eat flesh. I like ghouls because in many ways they remind me more of movie zombies than the typical D&D zombie (mainly because of the infectious bite and ghoul fever).

I've always wanted to play a ghoul. I've had this character idea in my head for a long time. A young squire/paladin in training goes out on a mission to hunt some "zombies" with his order. The zombies are actually ghouls and the knights are slaughtered. The squire is infected with ghoul fever but somehow gets away. The disease kills him though and he rises as a ghoul. Still he retains enough of his personality and code that he feels some remorse for what he does and maintains a bit of himself. He assuages his hunger on the flesh of the vile and damned. I realize this is just a take on the "good" vampire, but I think it could be fun and it's a bit more visceral. I actually built this character in 3.5 using Libris Mortis, but never got to play him.

Perhaps he'll appear as an npc in one of my games some day.