Friday 27 November 2015

The Quantum Burst Cortex is Melting! A Random Technobbable Table


Oh technobabble, how we love thee. Have you ever found yourself playing some White Star and realising that you're going to have to pull some random sci-fi jargon out of your arse? Well, this table should help. Just roll 1d6 three times to build your technobabble phrase.


1d6
First Word
Second Word
Third Word
1
Positron
Burst
Capacitor
2
Auxiliary
Radiation
Controller
3
Particle
Tunnel
Co-ordinator
4
Wave
Relay
Engine
5
Quantum
Field
Cortex
6
Polarization
Flux
Pattern

Resurrection Complication Tables


Last night in my regular Pathfinder game we were  discussing repercussions to resurrections and what they should be. We were pretty much unanimous in our dislike for the raise dead rules had the PC gain 2 negative levels and also had the chance of losing a spell. However, we did think that there should be a negative side to coming back from the dead, either with a raise dead or a resurrection spell.

So, I've put together three tables. There are more mapped out for Pathfinder or D&D, but most effects with specific rules can be tweaked to whatever system you like.

The idea is that a recently resurrected PC will have a nasty disadvantage, a supernatural advantage (being sort of undead and all), as well as a way to cure both. Roll 1d6 on each table:

Disadvantages

1. A demonic spirit has latched onto your soul. You must slake your bloodthirst on human flesh every 1d4 days.
2. You have recurring nightmares of the afterlife. Whenever you attempt to sleep, you have a 20% chance of staying awake the entire night.
3. Your body runs with black veins. You are vulnerable to necrotic damage
4. You have memory loss and are unable to use one random skill.
5. You have flashbacks at random points during combat. You have a 10% chance of missing an attack.
6. Your body is rotting. In 3d6 weeks it will have fully rotted away, leaving you dead.

Advantages

1. You gain the ability to see perfectly in the dark
2. You gain +2 to perception when listening
3. You have an aura that does 1d4 necrotic damage to anyone within 5ft.
4. You are able to snuff out light within 40ft
5. You can scale a wall like a spider
6. The undead will only attack you if you provoke them

Cures

1. Killing a Lich while reciting a specified prayer
2. Eating the heart of an angel
3. Finding your soul fragment in the nether-realm
4. Making a potion from the eyes of a black dragon
5. Covering yourself in fresh royal blood
6. Ending the life of a loved one


If you want to be a little more hardcore, roll twice on disadvantages and once on advantages. Happy rezzing!

Sunday 15 November 2015

Gloomdark Scepter - d6 Random Effects


Are you tired of your boring old scepter? Do you long for something that will make your enemies wet their pants? You want dark, eldritch effects for a low, low price? Well look no further than the Gloomdark Scepter.

Crafted from the most disturbing umberwood from the Catorsis hell dimension, this top-of-the-range tool of evil is your best defense against goodness and light. Are you often set upon by scores of dumb paladins looking to take you down in the name of justice? The Gloomdark Scepter is just the thing to keep those god-loving dorks at bay.

Don't take my word for it - read some of our amazing customer reviews!

"I've been dealing with do-gooders my whole life and most of my intricately-designed death dungeons have been all but sacked. But now I have the Gloomdark Scepter, anyone who gets up in my business faces the terrible wrath of the unknown, blasphemous gods!" - Vendris Deathrattle, Lich of the Somberwoods. 

"I can't recommend the Gloomdark Scepter enough! I had a big problem with a local celebrity cleric up until recently, but she's now a thing of the past. Think you can desecrate my temple to the Lord of Pain, Anabelle? Not anymore. Now she's serving her time in an infinite hellcage in the center of a black star." Jelle Doomfucker, Dutchess of Carnage.

"I can't imagine life without my Gloomdark. When I'm not using it to turn my opponents into gibbering wrecks, I use it as a walking stick for my rambling." Xeeth the Vile, Chairperson of the Rambler's Association.

So what can the Gloomdark Scepter do for you? 1d6 random effects, that's what!

1. Target becomes enveloped in black tentacles, preventing the target from attacking or moving for 1d6 minutes.
2. Target is transported to the centre of a black star, caged for 10,000 years (time goes 1000 years to 1 real-world second). Target returns after 10 seconds, broken, silent and dead inside.
3. The target becomes an eldritch abomination who sprouts blackened wings and flies away to the moons of Svess.
4. The target is overcome with despair and cannot act for 1d6 days.
5. The target becomes the thing it fears the most.
6. The target's loved ones are immediately eradicated from existence.

Buy the Gloomdark Scepter now and we'll throw in a free dimensional pouch - for unlimited cash storage!




Wednesday 11 November 2015

The Mountain Metropolis of Nerintir


Hewn into the very rock of the Shimmerstorm Mountains is a city unlike any other - Nerintir. The blue ice and ivory snow covers the stone buildings, giving the architecture a magical sheen that twinkles in the moonlight and blazes during the daytime.

Nerintir is the bastion of the northern world and home to the Princess Azraela, a beautiful and wicked woman with a reputation for murder and trickery. Not that anyone in the city would dare admit this out loud - if you were to ask about Azraela in the streets and taverns of Nerintir the citizens would only gush about her beauty through strained breath.

While she has a vile reputation, men and women from far and wide come to seek her hand in marriage. If one wanders into the royal gardens they would see skeletons hanging from the trees - the bodies of each of her suitors that were unable to answer the princess' riddle - one that if solved would cement the relationship.

Deep within the Shimmerstorm Mountains lives a great ogre called Grunthern, a mighty creature who dwells in a hall coated in gemstones, strange mushrooms and glow-worms that illuminate his abode. Unbeknownst to the people of Nerintir, Grunthern has enchanted Azraela with a charm that makes her love him unconditionally. Most nights the princess slips out of her chambers, mounts her cold drake and flies high into the mountains to the great door leading to the halls of Grunthern. There, Grunthern advises the princess of her next riddle and in return receives the eyes of her victims which he relishes in a soup.

Outside the city walls lurk all manner of creatures, from ice skinks and cold drakes to bray wolves and the fearsome blue goblins. There might even be a goddess prowling the wintery slopes of Shimmerstorm....

The Blue Goblins

A tribe of blue goblins make their home close to Nerintir, waylaying travellers by assaulting them on the backs of small drakes. They are able to bury themselves in snow for a prolonged period of time only to jump up and catch people unawares with spears in hand.

Body: Average
Mind: Average
Disposition: Abysmal 
Spirit: Fair

Attacks: Spear (Average)
Skills: Stealth (Average)


The blue goblin leader is Glippa Goot, a fiery lady with a eye for trinkets. She became the leader after removing the heart of the previous leader - as is the tradition in blue goblin tribes. Glippa and her tribe are mortal enemies of Grunthern, who sends out his wolf minions to fetch him one of his favourite foods - goblins!

The Frost Elf

There are rumours of a legendary elf woman who stalks the mountainside with a bow and arrow, hunting bears, wolves and even goblins. She is said to have raven black hair with a blue streak. Some travellers say they have seen her in the mountain mist, but as quick as she appeared she had gone. Some people say that she is the embodiment of the mountain, while others say that she is the goddess of the hunt,

Body: Excellent
Mind: Good
Disposition: Good
Spirit: Fair

Attacks: Shortbow (Excellent)
Skills: Read Magic (Good), Set Traps (Good), Illusion (Fair)

Grunthern

A vile beast with a mighty beard who stands 8 feet tall. He has large black eyes and a huge nose with two cavernous nostrils. Grunthern has a foul temper, but can easily charm people with his magic.

Body: Good
Mind: Good
Disposition: Abysmal
Spirit: Excellent

Attacks: Club (Good)
Skills: Enchant (Excellent)

Princess Azraela

Body: Fair
Mind: Excellent
Disposition: Abysmal (enchanted), Excellent (non-enchanted)
Spirit: Poor

Attacks: Dagger (Fair)
Skills: City knowledge (Excellent), Bluff (Excellent)








Saturday 7 November 2015

Cover Reveal: The Kremmsellion



For the past couple of weeks I've been working on my first GM adventure for Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls called The Kremmsellion and I'm excited to present the cover.

I wanted to really delve deep into the history of magic in Trollworld and the formation of the Wizard's Guild. We know from the new rulebook that the elves were the first to use magic, so I wanted to really explore this first step into what would have been a complete revolution in the world.

Through the adventure, the players will come up against a sworn enemy of the Wizard's Guild, Vastervale Demetus, who plans to find the Kremmsellion - the first enchanted item - to bring the world to its knees.

Look out for this new adventure in the coming months.


Thursday 5 November 2015

These D&D Rulebook Doodles are Incredible


+Dyson Logos is currently running a series on his blog where he 'illuminates' D&D books. He's currently, in his own words, defacing the Monster Manual. However, he's not quite ruining the books.

I love everything Dyson does. He can do no wrong!

Wednesday 4 November 2015

Cover Reveal: Apocalypse in your Hometown


Well this is a nice surprise to come home to. +Jerry Teleha of Darkshade Publishing has just released a sneak preview of Apocalypse in your Hometown, with an amazing cover by Bill Bricker.

AIYH is a collection of adventures for Tunnels & Trolls: Stay Alive!, a modification by Mr Teleha himself. The idea of the scenarios is that each is set in the writer's own hometown - with one by myself set in Leeds, UK (it's a witch-pocalypse).

Expect to see this out sometime in the next few months.




Tuesday 3 November 2015

Enchanted Item: The Tinderbox


This is a systemless inspiration post. To find out more about my, erm, systemless system have a gander at this.

The Tinderbox is a notable enchanted item found within the underground chambers beneath a large hollow oak tree. Within the chambers there are coins of copper, silver and gold guarded by three wolves, each of different sizes.

When the PCs meet the wolves, they have two options: subdue them nonviolently or attack them. If they were to subdue or bargain with them, they will gladly offer up the Tinderbox (the wolves are able to talk and are relatively intelligent). However, if they attack and the wolves are killed, the Tinderbox loses its enchantment (but can be used as a regular boring old Tinderbox).

Wolf #1
Body: Fair
Mind: Fair
Disposition: Average
Spirit: Fair

Attacks: Bite (Fair)
Skills: Fearsome (Average)

Wolf #2
Body: Average
Mind: Fair
Disposition: Average
Spirit: Fair

Attacks: Bite (Average)
Skills: Fearsome (Average)

Wolf #3
Body: Good
Mind: Fair
Disposition: Average
Spirit: Fair

Attacks: Savage Bite (Good)
Skills: Fearsome (Average)

The Tinderbox (Good)
Price: Expensive
Effect: When the Tinderbox is struck once, Wolf #1 is instantly summoned. If it is struck twice in quick succession Wolf #2 appears. If struck three times in quick succession Wolf #3 appears. Each wolf stays around until unsummoned by striking the number of times needed to summon the wolf. The wolves obey the user's command, even if it puts them in harm's way. They live to serve the master of the Tinderbox.


Monday 2 November 2015

Machinations of the Dragon Wizard

By Benjamin Baugh - used with permission
So +Benjamin Baugh essentially won Halloween with his home-made Dragon Wizard costume. I'd been following Ben's making-of posts leading up to the big day and I think it turned out amazingly. So much so that it's given me some systemless gaming inspiration.

B'augh N'jamin, Dragon Wizard of the Iron Castle

Beyond the Frostward Forest stands the mighty Iron Castle where, alone, the Dragon Wizard B'augh N'jamin lives. He was not always a dragon - he was once a handsome prince from the Saranen Kingdom who was well known for his wealth and spending habits. However, he was also uncharitable and cared not for the poor and destitute.

One day he was approached by haggard old woman with one eye, who held out her hand and requested a single silver coin. B'augh refused the crone and told her to leave at once before going on with his day of spending.

The next day he was approached by the same woman who pleaded with him for a single silver coin. Again, the greedy prince denied her the money and went on spending.

On the third day the woman stopped the prince and asked once again for a silver piece. This time, when the prince denied her the money she uttered a curse on him that he would become the creature that he feared most. The prince laughed this off and went on his way.

The next morning, the prince woke up with a start. He noticed that his skin had become scaly, his nose had turned into a snout and smoke poured from his nostrils. He cried out, for he had become the thing he feared the most - a dragon.

Upon finding the transformed prince in his quarters, the queen commended her guards to drive him away. He fled the palace into the countryside with no hope of returning.

As he journeyed across the land, he came across a wise man with a long red beard and a pointed hat. The man did not fear the dragon prince and asked him to stay with him in his tree house. The strange man was a wizard, and over the years he taught the prince the ways of magic. Being an inherently magical creature, the dragon prince was easily able to become adept with magic.

However, the prince was still greedy with a black heart and wanted to be the most powerful wizard in the land. While the wizard slept, the prince devoured him with his large jaws and long sharp teeth.

The prince, now with the power of magic, created an Iron Castle in the countryside and resides in it to this day. He cast illusion spells all through the halls that confuse intruders by conjuring illusory versions of their loved ones. There are all sorts of tricks and traps in the Iron Castle, and nobody has been able to get to the prince to end his reign of terror on the land.

Attributes

Body: Average
Mind: Excellent
Disposition: Poor
Spirit: Excellent

Skills: Illusory Magic (Excellent), Fire Breathing (Good), Trap Setting (Good)

Equipment: Gold Staff, 4000 gold coins, various potions, a talking snake.


Sunday 1 November 2015

Systemless posts on Trollish Delver



I'm currently dabbling in some systemless writing at the moment, which has already started to leak over to the blog during Fear Week, and expect more of that from now on. I want to present game material that you can plug into whatever you're playing, covering fantasy, sci-fi, modern, horror, supers and so on.

Granted, most of the posts will rely on description, being systemless and all that, but in order to make it easier to adapt the material to your game I'll be using the following attributes and descriptors for characters/NPCs:

Body (covers athletic prowess, toughness, strength and essentially how well a character fights)
Mind (how intelligence and wise the character is, in either an academic or a 'streetwise' sense)
Disposition (how much willpower someone has, how charismatic they are and how well they do diplomacy)
Spirit (this is where magic/hyper abilities come into it. Spirit is also used for any kind of healing or empath abilities).

They will also come with a selection of broad skills, such as: Geography, Swords, Magic, Mechanics, Forging etc.

Each will be rated on the following descriptive scale:

Abysmal
Poor
Fair
Average
Good
Excellent
Incredible

For example, I could have a rogue magic-user that looks like the following:

Brianna Fleetfoot
Flame Rogue

Body: Good
Mind: Excellent
Disposition: Poor
Spirit: Good

Skills: Sneaking (Excellent), Knives (Good), Fire Magic (Average)

Equipment: Dagger, spellbook, rope, lockpicks, torch, leather armour.


Magic or special items will also be rated on the descriptive scale as well as a price rage: cheap, affordable, expensive, priceless. For example:

Neutrino-pulse Beacon (Average)
Price: Expensive
Effect: Creates an energy beacon that stretches above the planet's atmosphere, allowing orbiting ships to detect it. 

I'm hoping that these posts, along with published material, will help anyone playing their favourite games find further inspiration.