Spes Magna Games

In November’s Quid Novi?, I wrote up a micro-adventure featuring a hunting flock of dire corbies. I was inspired by one of Dyson Logos’s many wonderful maps over at A Character For Every Game, specifically his Little Goat Pass map. If you’ve never had the thrill of sliding admiring eyes along the lines and curves of Dyson Logos’s maps, you owe it to yourself to do so now. When you’re done, the rest of this post will still be here.

Little Goat Pass: A Micro-Adventure
Little Goat Pass rises from the main road leading north along the rugged hills up to a high valley once cherished for its lush vegetation and sweet, natural spring. For decades, the goatherds of the lowland communities would head up the pass with their flocks, all but ignoring the ancient fortifications built into the western cliff. In recent weeks, however, access to the high valley via Little Goat Pass has become impossible. A dire corby hunting flock has occupied the ancient fortifications.

The hunting flock is led by Brennus, a dread corby barbarian, and his two dread corby lieutenants. Brennus also commands 10 normal dire corbies, and he has trained a black bear to act as a sentry and hunting animal. Under Brennus’s leadership, the hunting flock has attacked passers-by where the road and trail meet. The monsters then haul their loot back to their lair.

North Group
Heading up the trail to the high valley, travelers pass by this group of chambers carved into the cliff. Brennus has stationed the bulk of his forces here. Four dire corbies stand guard in the entry chamber at all times. They are the arrow slits to check on who’s passing on the trail. 1d3-1 dread corby lieutenants are inspecting the guards at any given time.

The room north of the entry chamber is used by the dire corbies as a barracks. 1d6-1 other dire corbies are off duty in this room at any given time.

Dread corby lieutentants and dire corbies not on duty who are not in this group of chambers are either on the trails (25%), in the west group (50%), or in the south group (25%).

Brennus rewards his followers well. The dire corbies have a goodly amount of treasure: a phial of exotic perfume (525 gp), an outfit of royal clothing (200 gp), a false bottom chest (50 gp) concealing an illustrated book of poetry (40 gp) and a potion of cure light wounds, a masterwork backpack (50 gp), a set of armor spikes (50 gp), an arcane scroll (grease, phantom steed, CL 5th), four skyrocket fireworks (50 gp each), and 780 gp of various coins, gems, and jewelry.

West Group
The entry chamber here is used by the dread corby lieutenants. The westernmost portion of the room holds their nests; the eastern part is used for meals, games, and meetings.

Brennus lairs in the southern chambers. He uses the two smaller rooms for storage and for a crude altar to the various evil powers he worships. At any given time, Brennus is either in these chambers (65%), on the trail (5%), in the north group (10%), in the south group (10%), or visting his bear (10%).

Brennus’s trained black bear is kept in the caves opposite the west group of chambers. It has been taught the following tricks: attack, defend, down, fetch, guard, and track.

Southern Group
The dire corbies don’t have a constant presence in this chambers. They have yet to find the secret door in the cave. Every now and then, some of the dire corbies hang out here. Cracks and loose rock mar the trail in front of the caves. Although the terrain looks dangerous, it’s relatively stable. Count the area as rough terrain.

The secret chamber was once used as a treasure room by the ancient fortifications’ builders. It still holds some of this treasure: an arcane scroll (hold portal, sleet storm, CL 5th), a divine scroll (hide from undead, goodberry, CL 1st), plus 140 gp of various gems and 100 gp of assorted coins.

Brennus
CR 5; XP 1,600
Male dread corby barbarian 3
NE Medium monstrous humanoid
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +8

DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 14, flat-footed 18 (+4 armor, +4 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 61 (2d10+10 plus 3d12+15)
Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +5
Defensive Abilities ferocity, trap sense +1, uncanny dodge; Immune fear

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft. (40 ft. unarmored)
Melee 2 claws +8 (1d4+9) (Power Attack)
Ranged masterwork composite longbow +10 (1d8+6/x3)
Special Attacks intimidating glare, leap, rage (13 rounds/day), rend (2 claws, 1d4+5)

STATISTICS
Str 21, Dex 18, Con 21, Int 11, Wis 12, Cha 16
Base Atk +5; CMB +8; CMD 22
Feats Blind-Fight, Intimidating Prowess, Power Attack
Skills Acrobatics +18, Climb +19, Handle Animal +9, Intimidate +14, Perception +8, Stealth +7; Racial Modifiers +8 Acrobatics, +2 Perception; Armor Check Penalty -2
Languages Aklo
N.B. Melee, CMB, and CMD include -2 attack roll and +4 damage for Power Attack. When raging, add +4 Str, +4 Con, +2 morale bonus to Will saves, +10 hit points, +2 Fortitude saves, +2 attack rolls and damage with melee, and +2 Climb and Intimidate.

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Intimidating Glare: Brennus can make an Intimidate check against one adjacent foe as a move action. If he successfully demoralizes his opponent, the foe is shaken for 1d4 rounds + 1 round for every 5 points by which his check exceeds the DC.

Leap (Ex): A dire corby can perform a special kind of pounce attack by jumping into combat. When a dire corby charges, it can make a DC 20 Acrobatics check to jump into the air and land next to its enemies. If it makes the Acrobatics check, it can make a full attack against foes in reach.

Screech of Doom (Su): Once per day, a dread corby can loose a horrible shriek that terrifies its opponents. The dread corby can target one creature within 30 feet. This target must make a DC 15 Will save or be frozen in fear, cowering for 1d6 rounds. Any other creatures within 100 feet must make a DC 12 Will save or be frightened for 1d4 rounds. Those who make the save are shaken for 1 round. Dire corbies and dread corbies are immune to this effect. This is a sonic mind-affecting fear effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

GEAR
+1 arrows (x15), masterwork composite longbow (Str 21), masterwork hide armor, potion of cure moderate wounds, tanglefoot bags (x2), thunderstones (x2), quiver, 5 normal arrows, plus 185 gp of other stuff

Dread Corby Lieutenants (x3)
CR 2; XP 600
NE Medium monstrous humanoid
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +9

DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 13, flat-footed 17 (+3 armor, +3 Dex, +4 natural)
hp 19 (2d10+8)
Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +5
Defensive Abilities ferocity; Immune fear

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +5 (1d4+3)
Ranged javelin +5 (1d6+3)
Special Attacks leap, rend (2 claws, 1d4+3)

STATISTICS
Str 17, Dex 16, Con 19, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 12
Base Atk +2; CMB +5; CMD 18
Feats Blind-Fight
Skills Acrobatics +16, Climb +16, Perception +9, Stealth +8; Racial Modifiers +8 Acrobatics, +2 Perception
Languages Aklo

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Leap (Ex): A dire corby can perform a special kind of pounce attack by jumping into combat. When a dire corby charges, it can make a DC 20 Acrobatics check to jump into the air and land next to its enemies. If it makes the Acrobatics check, it can make a full attack against foes in reach.

Screech of Doom (Su): Once per day, a dread corby can loose a horrible shriek that terrifies its opponents. The dread corby can target one creature within 30 feet. This target must make a DC 13 Will save or be frozen in fear, cowering for 1d6 rounds. Any other creatures within 100 feet must make a DC 12 Will save or be frightened for 1d4 rounds. Those who make the save are shaken for 1 round. Dire corbies and dread corbies are immune to this effect. This is a sonic mind-affecting fear effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

GEAR
masterwork studded leather, javelins (x2), one of the following potions: potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of cat’s grace, potion of bear’s endurance, plus 75 gp of other stuff

Tags: Dyson Logos, micro-adventure

Many years ago, TSR put out a module in which a powerful curse transforms the PCs into doddering, aged coots. Great fun. The curse of the chibi is a variation on this idea. The undead bane poison is a retooling of some work I did for Fantasy Flight Games’s Traps & Treachery back in 2001. Also, because things aren’t scary enough, let’s add some contagious cancer to the natural world. Inspiration: Contagious cancer: The evolution of a killer by David Quammen.

Curse of the Chibi
Type curse; Save Will DC 17
Effect transform into adolescent

Description This ancient, rare curse transforms the target from an adult into an adolescent of its race. Apply a Size decrease of one category, reduce natural armor by -2 (minimum +0), and reduce both Strength and Constitution by -4. Damage dice are reduced due to the size decrease when applicable as well. The curse is negated by remove curse or break enchantment (DC 17).

Undead Bane
Type poison, injury; Save Will DC 15
Frequency 1/round for 3 rounds
Effect 1d4 Cha damage; Cure 1 save
Cost per Dose 120 gp

Description The undead are immune to poison with the sole known exception of undead bane. This thick liquid is distilled from holy water and the ashes of a saint or good-aligned outsider.

Devil Tumor
Type disease, contact or injury; Save Fortitude DC 15
Onset 1d3 days; Frequency 1/day
Effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1 Con damage plus target is sickened; Cure 2 consecutive saves

Description Devil tumor is a type of contagious cancer. It attacks the skin and superficial muscles, those muscles which occupy the layer closest to the body’s surface. This results in painful lesions, swelling, and secondary infections.

The 2011 One-Page Dungeon Contest is over. My The Lure of the Jade Throne didn’t win, but lots of better submissions did. You can check out the results by clicking this sentence.

With every one my Quid Novi? e-letters, I include some recommended reading from various places on the Interwebz. Here’s a round-up of several of recently recommended reading links.

For Awesome Campaigns Build A Player Campaign Book by Kit Reshawn

Ever noticed how what takes six months of real time to game might cover only a day or two of campaign time? I have, and the gap between real time and campaign time can make remembering important details difficult. Kit Reshawn offers some good advice about how to better organize campaign notes so that important details don’t get lost over real time.

New Stuff from Chaotic Shiny Productions

Need to brainstorm elements for some stage magic? Well, who doesn’t? The link above randomly generates elements for stage magic. For example, “This trick requires four tiny saws, one exotic coin, one large mirror and one small snake. It is often performed at bars.” Chaotic Shiny is also working on a “City Builder Generator Pack”. You can check out a sample of what it can do by clicking on this link.

How To Have An Epic Campaign In Three Acts by Patrick Benson
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Patrick Benson posts parts one and two of three articles that look at epic campaigning. In part one, he discusses defining “epic” for your group and establishing the campaign’s heroes, villains, and threat. Part two goes into more detail about your epic campaign’s set up. Part three of the series looks at how one wraps up your epic campaign with a legendary bang.

A Dyson Mapping 1-2-3 “Tutorial” by Dyson Logos

Old School cartographer offers a step-by-step look at how to create one of his great cross-section dungeon maps.

Weem’s DM Tips for RP Prompting and Immersion

This interesting thread is full of tips ranging from inspiring to silly about how to improve the roleplaying qualities of your game.

A Pathfinder Spell Card Generator! by Jefferson Jay Thacker

Tired of looking through books for spells? Like to have things printed on cards? Well, then check out this site. With a few clicks here and there, you can generate a page of spell cards for your favorite caster. Includes spells from the core rules, APG, and various Player’s Companions, adventure paths, and campaign setting guides. Good stuff!

Growing Up Gamers

This is a family blog, written by members of a gamer family for other gamers. It includes thoughts on gaming, reviews of games, and accounts of gaming with children. Makes me want to play more games with my family.

Driftwood: Hard and Soft Scenes by Walt Ciechanowski

Gnomestewer Walt Ciechanowski talks about the differences between vital (or hard) and nonvital (or soft) scenes in adventure design. He offers some thoughtful advice about how to incorporate both in your game.

Bringing Some Old-School Principles Into Pathfinder by Aplus

I’ve recommended this blog before. This time around the link leads to a post about how to take Pathfinder and use it for an old-school, sandbox campaign. The author makes good use of Pathfinder setting material blended with Old School Revival material for other publishers. Inspiring.

It’s a Kind of Magic by Alzrius

Alzrius talks about the science of magic, and how the way you explain the mechanics of magic can enrich your campaign world. Reminds me of the time I was inspired by Shankara’s Crest Jewel of Discrimination to explain how monster summoning spells worked.

Tags: One-Page Dungeon

Well, another Quid Novi? has been e-mailed to subscribers. Here’s a sample of what you missed if you’ve not signed up for this free, twice-monthly e-letter.

The furniture’s disarray, the broken table, the scattered personal effects, including various knitting needles and mouldering yarn. This sewing room once hosted violent events. Indeed, that dark stain on the rat-chewed rug could be long-dried blood. As you move into the room, you spot a dessicated corpse curled into defensive posture behind a tattered loveseat.

The Unsightly Sewing Room was the site of a horrible murder. The victim’s corpse rots behind the loveseat. This poor soul was killed by knitting needles wielded as improvised weapons. One of the needles is still lodged in the corpse’s left eye socket. The unspeakable violence has combined with the victim’s undying thirst for vengeance to haunt the chamber.

CR 4; XP 1,200
CE haunt (20-foot square sewing room); persistent
Caster Level 4th
Notice Perception DC 12 (faint spectral knitting needles appear in the air)
hp 18; Weakness triggered by touch; Trigger touch; Reset 1 day

Effect The haunt remains inactive so long as the contents of the sewing room remain undisturbed. Should any living creature touch the contents of the sewing room, however, the malevolent spirit manifests itself as a pair of spectral knitting needles that unerringly strike at the eyes of the offending creature. The victim must make two DC 13 Fortitude saves, using the lowest total. Failure means the victim is struck blind as if targeted by blindness/deafness modified by the persistent spell metamagic feat. Since the haunt is persistent, it continues to attack those in the sewing room once per round on its initiative rank until destroyed or it no longer has a target.

Destruction The haunt must be reduced to 0 hit points via positive energy. The sewing room must then be subjected to a consecrate spell, which permanently destroys the haunt.

This haunt doesn’t appear in Quid Novi? alone. It is accompanied by an infernal hound as well as some recommended reading for GMs. Speaking of recommended reading, take a gander at this:

Prep-Lite Wireframe How To by DNAphil

Prep-lite master DNAphil offers his latest installment on how to construct great adventures with minimal prep time. This article looks at prep-lite NPCs. For me, it’s full of win because it embraces one of my GMing rules, namely that the GM doesn’t have to follow the same rules the other players do. As DNAphil explains, “[A]s a GM I do not have to create an NPC with the Character creation rules that the players used.” He then gives examples of how to streamline the NPC creation process by distinguishing between what is important and what isn’t.

Tags: NPCs

For the last Quid Novi? of February, I just had to do another haunt. I’m intrigued by the idea of haunts, a sort of cross between an undead monster and a trap. I’ve taken a few liberties with the haunt rules when creating the Deadly Doll.

The Deadly Doll
NE haunt (effect limited to humanoid creature who touches the doll); persistent
CR 5; XP 1,600
Caster Level 9th
Notice Perception DC 18 (the doll whispers to the holder)
hp 22; Weakness triggered by touch; Trigger touch; Reset 1 day

Effect The haunt is triggered by picking up the doll. The target must succeed a DC 17 Will save or be dominated as per the spell dominate person. The dominated person must use the doll to lure a child and then murder the child.

Destruction The doll must be burned after succeeding with a remove curse against DC 20. Otherwise, the doll will reappear 1d6 miles away from the burn site after 24 hours. Casting break enchantment against DC 20 can free a creature from the dominate person effect.

Background Once upon a dark time, an evil man crafted toys in order to lure children into his deadly clutches. Eventually, the outraged and vengeful community upon which the evil man preyed uncovered his wickedness. He suffered horribly at the mob’s hands before dying. Unfortunately, his death did not end his terror. The evil man’s basest desires survived death, infecting one of his many dolls. The Deadly Doll now serves as a focus for the evil man’s monstrous appetite for murder.

In other news, the new What Is It? contest for homebrew monsters lairs over at this EN World link. Also, voting for What Is It? 2 takes place here. Monsters for What Is It? 1 and voting results are here.