Sunday, August 31, 2014

Succubus Sunday - 5th Edition

I've been waiting a bit to do this one. The pictures for this Succubus Sunday are by Conceptopolis. These are the succubus and incubus pics for the 5th Edition Monster Manual.


 

#RPGaDay 31

Day 31 - Favourite RPG of All Time

It's D&D. It always was D&D. It always will be D&D.

You can call the game what you want, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons,  Pathfinder, Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition, etc.

It's all D&D to me.

And I love it...

Krel's Dwarfbusters

Dwarfbuster Coat of Arms
(Designed by my amazing friend
David Coppoletti)
Inspired by tales of the Gutbuster Brigade of Mithral Hall, the hobgoblin soldier Krel One-Eye formed Krel's Dwarfbusters in DR 1480.  The mercenary company is primarily composed of highly trained hobgoblin soldiers and spiked armour-covered goblin berserkers. Despite the chaotic nature of the goblin dwarfbusters, Krel's men are totally loyal to him and follow his orders to the letter. Their unique swarm tactics are extremely devastating in close quarters and more than one dwarven hall has fallen to the goblin forces.






Krel One-Eye
Medium Humanoid (Goblin), Lawful Evil
_________________________
Armor Class 19 (dexterity, half-plate, shield)
Hit Points 59(9d8+24)
Speed 30
________________________________
  STR     DEX     CON     INT        WIS     CHA
16 (+3)  14 (+2)  14 (+2)  13 (+1)  13 (+1)   14 (+2) 
__________________________________
Saving Throws + 6 Str, + 5 Con
Skills  athletics +6, history +3,  Intimidation +6, perception +4 
Senses  darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Goblin, Dwarven
Challenge 5 (1,800)

Martial Advantage. Once per turn, Krel can deal an extra 7 (2d6) damage to a creature he hits with a weapon attack if that creature is within 5 feet of an ally of Krel that isn't incapacitated.


Actions___________________________

Multiattack. Krel makes two melee attacks.


Longsword +1Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.  Hit: 9 (1d8++5) slashing damage. 


Leadership (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). For 1 minute, Krel can utter a special command or warning whenever a non hostile creature that it can see within 40 feet of him makes an attack roll or a saving throw. The creature can add a d4 to its roll provided it can hear and understand Krel. A creature can benefit from only one Leadership die at a time. This effect ends if Krel is incapacitated.

Dwarfbuster
Medium Humanoid (Goblin), Chaotic Evil
_______________________________________
Armor Class 16 (scale, dexterity)
Hit Points 39 (6d6+18)
Speed 30
_______________________________________
  STR     DEX       CON     INT    WIS     CHA
13 (+1)  14 (+2)  16 (+3)  9 (-1)    9 (-1)    9 (-1) 
_______________________________________
Saving Throws + 4 Str, + 6 Con
Skills athletics +4, intimidation +2
Senses  darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages Goblin, Dwarf
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Reckless.  At the start of its turn, the dwarfbuster can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls during that turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn.


Actions_______________________________________


Gutpunch. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.  Hit:  (1d4+7) piercing damage and the target is grappled (escape DC 15). 


Reactions_______________________________________

Gutbuster Armor. When a creature hits a dwarfbuster with a non-reach melee weapon or natural weapon attack, they take 5 points of piercing damage. Creatures grappled with a dwarfbuster also take 5 points of piercing damage at the beginning of their turns.




Saturday, August 30, 2014

Kickstarter - Secret Machines of the Star Spawn

+Mark Taormino has a new kickstarter that looks badass: Maximum Mayhem Dungeon #2: Secret Machines of the Star Spawn.

If the adventure is anything like Mark's previous adventure  The Hanging Coffins of the Vampire Queen (which I will post about later), then it's well worth the price of admission. The adventure is Expedition to the Barrier Peaks-like with it's mix of sci-fi tech and swords and sorcery, with a healthy dose of camp, exploitation, and humor. Sounds like an great time to me!

The project is funded. The new goal is to get more backers to make this project even more awesome.

Also, if you've not picked up the aforementioned vampire queen adventure, then you can add a copy of it onto your Star Spawn pledge.

#RPGaDay 30

Day 30 - Rarest RPG Owned

I honestly don't know what the rarest RPG I own is. Typically if I do find something hard to come by, I sell it for a bit of profit.

For this reason I'm going to say that the rarest rpg I own is my 5E PHB signed by Tribe One and Mikal kHill. Why is it the rarest? Do you know anyone else that has a 5E PHB autographed by indie hip hop nerds?

NOPE!


Friday, August 29, 2014

Friday In Freeport - Release the Kraken!

Kraken mini made by my friend Stew

5E Sellswords of Punjar - Area 2-7

Area 2-7 Loathsome Shrine of Nimaruth

Nimurath's Curse
Those touching the coins risk being cursed by Nimaruth. They must make a wisdom saving throw (DC 15) or be overtaken with an overwhelming fear of rats, mice, and other furry vermin. Cursed individuals have the Frightened condition while in the presence of rodents. This curse lasts until a Remove Curse spell is cast on the victim.

Scion of Nimaruth
Large Beast, Neutral Evil
_________________________
Armor Class 17 (natural AC, dexterity)

Hit Points 69 (6d10+36)
Speed 30, Climb 15
________________________________
  STR     DEX       CON      INT        WIS     CHA
20 (+6)  19 (+5) 20 (+6) 8 (-1)  14 (+2)  12 (+1) 
_____________________________________
Saving Throws + 9 Str, + 9 Con
Skills athletics +9     
Senses  darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Abyssal, Infernal
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Cull the Weak. When the Scion of Nimurath hits a creature with a weapon attack, the creature takes an additional 1d6 damage if it's below it's hit point maximum.


Actions___________________________

BiteMelee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.  Hit: 13 (2d6+6) piercing damage. If the target is a creature it must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw against disease or because poisoned until the disease is cured. Every 24 hours that elapse, the target must repeat the saving throw, reducing his hit point maximum by 5 (1d10) on a failure. The disease is cured on a success. The target dies if the disease reduces his hit point maximum to 0. This reduction to the target's hit point maximum lasts until the disease is cured.

Rat Swarms (2)
Use Swarm of Rats stats from Dungeon Master's D&D Basic. Within sight of the Scion of Niramuth the rat swarms also gain Condition Immunity: Charmed, Frightened.

#RPGaDay 29

Day 29 - Most Memorable Encounter

In my 20+ years of gaming I've had some memorable encounters, but this is one of my favorites (that I don't really talk about).

Gren Tealeaf-Tosskettle was a halfling rogue/fighter/whisperknife. He traveled with his companions among the Ruins of the Dragonlord. While he never finished that quest, he did have a few memorable encounters. My favorite involved a minotaur. The party came up on him in a dungeon. He was a warrior slave to their enemy. First having sympathy on the beast man, the party freed him from his shackles. Soon, they realized that the though he didn't deserve slavery, the creature was a killer.

Gren used his fast-talking skills to keep the minotaur busy while the party quietly prepped for confrontation. He then let loose with his lucky dagger (the weapon of his whisperknife grandfather) and delivered a deadly sneak attack to the brute. The party fought the beast for a bit, until it made a break for it. Most of the party was cool with letting it go, but Gren didn't want to beast to come back for revenge or worse unleash its fury on innocents. He chased the brute down and with skill, luck, and the blessings of Yondalla finished him off in a one of one fight.

Yeah the party softened him up, but Gren was the one that stopped the brute. It was hard to believe that my halfling rogue 3/fighter 1 took down a minotaur, but he did.




Thursday, August 28, 2014

#RPGaDay 28

Day 28 - Scariest Game You've Ever Played

I've played some nail-biting D&D games and tension filled cinematic unisystem, but the only game I've truly had fear playing was Call of Cthulhu.

I used to game with a group that played periodic CoC. We would do one shots using the same characters (if they survived). One of the things that made these games scary was the atmosphere involved. We always played at night and typically played by candle and oil lamplight. Sometimes creepy music or sound effects were involved. The atmosphere and mood is what made the games so scary.


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

5E Sellswords of Punjar - Areas 2-5 and 2-6

Area 2-4 Slaver Greathall


Orliss the Goat
Medium Humanoid, Neutral Evil
Armor Class 16 (Chainmail) 
Hit Points  45 (6d10+12)

Speed
 30
_____________________________________
  STR     DEX    CON      INT      WIS    CHA
18(+4)  10(+0)  14 (+2)   11(+0)  12(+1)  15 (+2) 
_____________________________________
Saving Throws: Strength +7, Constitution +5
Skills Athletics +7, Intimidation +5
Damage Resistance fire
Senses  passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Draconic 
Challenge 3 (700 XP)


Combat Leader: Orliss the Goat and his allies have advantage on initiative rolls.


Great Weapon Fighting. When Orliss the Goat rolls a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack he makes witha  two handed melee weapon, he cana reroll the die and must use the new roll, even if the new roll is a 1 or 2. 


Improved Critical. Orliss the Goat's weapon attacks score a critical hit on a 19 or 20.


Actions_______________________________________
Greatsword +1. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.  Hit: 14 (2D6+6) slashing damage.

Burning Breath Weapon. All creature within 15 foot cone must make a Dex. save (DC 13). A creature takes 3d6 fire damage on a failed save, and half that much on a successful one. He cannot use this ability again until he takes a short or long rest.


Hobgoblin Slavers (4)

Use hobgoblin stats from Dungeon Master's Basic D&D

Goblin Archers (6)
Use goblin stats from Dungeon Master's Basic D&D

Area 2-5B
Caustic Spear Trap

With a  Perception DC 20 notices the disguised holes in the ceiling. A Perception DC 25 notices the acid burn marks in the area targeted by the trap. A Dexterity check DC 20 will disable the trap. If the trap is triggered it makes the following attack.


Twin Spear. Melee Weapon Attack. +5 to hit., reach 5 ft. Hit: 8 (2d8+3) piercing damage plus 5 acid damage. In addition the target is restrained for 1d4 rounds.

Award 200 XP if the trap is disabled.

Area 2-6 Flight of the Slavers

Raiko and Wrix, Gnoll Overseers
Use gnoll stats from Dungeon Master's Basic D&D

Virmoth, Elven Mage
Medium Humanoid, Lawful Evil
Armor Class 12 
Hit Points  28 (4d8+8)

Speed
 30
_____________________________________
  STR     DEX    CON      INT      WIS    CHA
13(+1)  14(+2)  14 (+2)   19 (+5)  16 (+2)  13 (+1) 
_____________________________________
Saving Throws: Int +6, Wis +5
Skills Arcana +6, History +6

Senses dark vision 60 ft.,  passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Draconic, Elven 
Challenge 1 (200 XP)


Fey Ancestry: Virmoth has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put him to sleep.


Spellcasting. Virmoth is a 4th level spellcaster that uses Intelligence as his spellcasting ability (spell save DC 15; +7 to hit with spell attacks). Virmoth knows the following spells from the wizard spell list:



  • Cantrips (at will): light, mage hand, shocking grasp
  • 1st  Level (4 slots): charm person, thunderwave
  • 2nd Level (3 slots): blur, hold person


Actions_______________________________________
Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +1 to hit, reach 5 ft. one target.  Hit: 14 (1d6+1) bludgeoning damage.



Drazen, Drow Thief
Use spy stats from the Hoard of the Dragon Queen supplement, add the following trait:

Fey Ancestry: Drazen has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put him to sleep.

Innate Casting: Drazen can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:
  • At Will: dancing lights
  • 1/day each: faerie fire (save DC 12)
Arrow Trap

With a Perception DC 25, the character notices the small hole on the chest through which the arrow is fired. A Dexterity check DC 20 will disable the trap. If the trap is triggered it makes the following attack.


Arrow. Ramged Weapon Attack. +4 to hit., range 150 ft./600 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8+1) piercing damage.

Award 100 XP if the trap is disabled.


Hail of Needles Trap

With a Perception DC 20, the character notices the holes in the coffer. A Dexterity check DC 20 will disable the trap. If the trap is triggered it makes the following attack.


Hail of Needles. Ramged Weapon Attack. +4 to hit., range 50 ft./150 ft., 2d4 targest. Hit: 6 (1d4+3) piercing damage.

Award 100 XP if the trap is disabled.


#RPGaDay 27

Day 27 - Game You'd Like To See A New/Improved Edition Of...


I would love to see a new edition of the Buffy/Angel books. It's not going to happen and I've accepted that. All that aside I'd be totally satisfied with a generic cinematic unisystem book... like... umm... Beyond Human.


Tuesday, August 26, 2014

The Geekin' Weekend

I had an extended weekend of awesomeness. I was able to get the Goodman Games 5E adventures for me at Gen Con. I saw a great nerd rap show at my favorite comic shop, Super-Fly Comics & Games. The shop was running a sale so I grabbed my 5E PHB, Hoard of the Dragon Queen, and some minis, including the premium ancient copper dragon.
Planeswalkers: Mikal kHill, Garruk, yours truly, and Tribe One

Orc, pegasus, female rock gnome wizard, mane, kobold and human red wizard minis

Green and Bronze Dragons

An ancient copper dragon mini

Leftover Free RPG Day Swag given to me by the cats at Super-Fly Comics & Games.
Glitterdoom and The Fey Sisters Fate (Goodman Games 5E Adventures)

I finally have them.

I'm having all my nerdy rap friends sign the inside covers of my 5E PHB,
Tribe One and Mikal kHill were the first.

Grabbed a couple of cd's by my dude Tribe One, his new EP and the debut release of his side project
Malibu Shark Attack!.

#RPGaDay 26

Day 26 - Coolest Character Sheets

I think the coolest character sheets I've ever see are the Cryptworld shoe tag character sheets over at The Savage AfterWorld.

Monday, August 25, 2014

#RPGaDay 25

Day 25 - Favourite RPG No One Wants To Play

I love the DCC RPG. I read my books all the time and create new material. None of my regular players want to play it though. I understand why, we don't get to play often, so they want to play something they know they'll enjoy. DCC isn't for everyone. Still, I'd love to get a regular group together.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

#RPGaDay 24

Day 24 - Most Complicated RPG Owned

I'm sure there are those that would argue that the Hero System isn't that complicated of a system. I am not one of those people. I don't know why, but of the games I own, it's the one that I've never actually even considered running. The math seems like more work that I want to do for a game.

The first Hero System book I bought was Lucha Libre Hero. I was lucking enough to get it signed by the authors at Origins.

I love luchadores and have used this for source material (it's well written book), but I've never actually attempted to run it.

Despite the complexity of the system. I still occasionally buy the books. I love the Champions settings, just not the rules.


Succubus Sunday - An Incubus Interlude





Every once in a while I like to post an incubus picture for Succubus Sunday. While he doesn't play an incubus in his new film Horns. I think Daniel Radcliff would make a rather charming one.


Do you agree?

Saturday, August 23, 2014

#RPGaDay 23

Day 23 - Coolest Looking RPG product/book

I know that part of this is because it's shiny and new, but the 5th Edition D&D Player's Handbook has some of the coolest artwork I've seen in a long time.

The reason I decided to go with it though is pictured below. There's something about it.  I never thought a prismatic spray picture would make me stop and say "whoa."


Friday, August 22, 2014

Friday in Freeport - Harbor Bandit

Harbor Bandit by Jesper Ejsing

Ulic Razorwing - 5E Conversion

"I've been away,
Searching for a reason,
Another purpose to find.
I've sailed the seas,
Fought my many demons,
I've looked to gods in the skies.

I've stood in hell,
Where many had to suffer,
I stared the devil in the eyes.
Walked many roads to witness ancient idols,
And found the great gates of fire.

Had many storms question my conviction,
Gave armies reason to rise.
The hangman's searching for bones he can borrow,
While I escaped in the night,
Fight or flight."

Avenged Sevenfold - Coming Home

I sat down with the 5E Player's Handbook and Ulic's character sheet and converted him to 5E. Originally a fighter/wizard/bladesinger I turned him to a fighter with the eldritch knight build. Essentially he has the same core abilities. Because of how it appears that magic items work, I toned down his equipment section.

The overall process took less than an hour. Honestly, not counting the fluff part of his character sheet, it probably only took 30 minutes.

Ulic - Character Sheet
Ulic - Character Details
Ulic - Spellcasting Sheet

Don't be surprised to see an npc write-up of Ulic in the future as well.

#RPGaDay 22

Day 22 - Best Secondhand RPG Purchase

My best secondhand purchase (or at least my favorite), was one of my first. It wasn't too long after I started playing D&D. My local game store had used copies of Changeling: The Dreaming, it's Player's Guide, and the sourcebooks for the Immortal Eyes trilogy (for about 40 bucks total). I used my birthday money to get them and I've never regretted the decision.

Changeling: The Dreaming will always be the game I absolutely adore. In many ways it's the most tragic of the old World of Darkness books, but to me it's also the most hopeful.

 I've never played it. I've made characters. I've ran it. I've written fiction about it, but never played.

Maybe one day...



#RPGaDay 21

(Oops, forgot to post this yesterday...)

Day 21 - Favorite Licensed RPG

You probably think I'm going to go with Buffy and that was my initial reaction. However, I'm going to have to go with DC Adventures.

Next to D&D and Cinematic Unisystem, Mutants and Masterminds is my favorite game. DC Adventures uses its system.  DC Adventures is my favorite licensed rpg because it's my dream rpg. You take my favorite supers game and mix it with my favorite comic universe. That's taking a win and covering it in win sauce.

 I also appreciate that DC Adventures was one of the last pre-New 52 mainstream continuity books.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

5E Sellswords of Punjar - Areas 2-1 through 2-5

Area 2-1 - Slave Pens of Punjar

The hobgoblin slavers have disadvantage when attacking characters in pens.

Hobgoblin Slavers
Use hobgoblin stats from Dungeon Master's Basic D&D

Great Desert Ape
Use ape stats from Dungeon Master's Basic D&D

Area 2-3 The Second Seal

When lit, the incense in the censers allow an evil cleric, sorceror, warlock, or wizard to regain a used spell slot.

There are five uses of the incence left.

Area 2-4 Well of Ancients


Shadowstuff Horror
Large Monstrosity, Neutral Evil
__________________________________
Armor Class 18 
Hit Points  57 (6d10+24)
Speed 30
_____________________________________
  STR     DEX       CON      INT      WIS    CHA
17(+4)  16(+3)   17(+4)   13(+1)   15(+2)  12 (+1) 
_____________________________________
Saving Throws: 
Skills Stealth +10
Condition Immunity diseased, poisoned
Damage Immunity poison 
Damage Vulnerability radiant
Damage Resistance cold, necrotic
Senses darkvision 60 ft,  passive Perception 13
Languages Common, 
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Telepathy. The shadowstuff horror can communicate with any intelligent creature withing 50 feet via telepathy.

Actions_______________________________________
Tendril. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 15 ft. one target.  Hit: 11 (1D8+3) necrotic damage.

Flailing Burst. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 15 ft. all enemies.  Hit: 11 (1D8+3) necrotic damage.
Skull 
Shadow Tendril
Unique, Attuned
Once bonded with the character, the wisp of shadowstuff forms a symbiotic relationship. The players maximum hit points are decreased by 5 in full light (direct or indirect sunlight, within 15 feet of torches and lanterns, or within the effects spells that create light (at the DM's discretion)). When in partial shadow (at night, more than 15 feet from a torch or lantern) the characters max hit points are increased by 10. When the character is in total darkness, the shadowstuff tendril has no effect.