Spes Magna Games

It’s been more than a month since I wrote anything that converts content from the AD&D Deities & Demigods for use with 5E D&D. (If you missed those other posts, you can check them out here.) Since I left off with the Celtic Mythos, it’s time to move across the Atlantic and into ancient Mexico for a look at the Central American Mythos.

When we start our look, we find eleven deities and two heroes. Six of those deities are evil, which makes sense given the mind-boggling lust for blood that was part of Aztec life. Of the five remaining deities, two of them are good-aligned. Also, there’s a dearth of material for conversion. I’m not converting deities into 5E versions. I am willing to give it a go with the two heroes, the twins Hunapu and Xbalanque, but I’m going to save them for a later post. So, that leaves me for this post with the last paragraph of the introduction to the Central American Mythos, that explains why “[f]irst level clerics must choose a compass direction for their own (east, west, north or south)”.

Facing the Sacred Direction

A 1st-level cleric that serves a deity of the Central American Mythos must choose a compass direction (east, west, north, or south). Once this choice is made, it cannot be changed. The cleric prays and meditates facing his sacred direction. Failure do so means the cleric regains no spells after resting. Each day, when the cleric starts off to adventure, he must travel at least four steps in his sacred direction before moving in any other direction. Failure to abide by this requirement incurs the deity’s displeasure. At some time during the day, the cleric is sure to experience bad luck (roll with disadvantage on any single attack roll, saving throw, skill check, or ability check of the GM’s choosing). Furthermore, the cleric’s sacred direction dictates the color of his vestments: red for east, yellow for south, black for west, and white for north. These vestments must be worn in plain sight, or else the cleric either suffers disadvantage with spell attack rolls or else his target’s gain advantage on their saving throws against the cleric’s spells until a long rest is spent that includes proper supplications and abasements.

In exchange for these restrictions, the cleric enjoys these benefits when casting a spell while facing his sacred direction:

* The cleric makes spell attack rolls with advantage.
* The cleric’s targets make saving throws against the cleric’s spells with disadvantage.

In situations where the cleric’s facing may not be immediately obvious, simply roll 1d4: 1 equals east, 2 equals west, 3 equals north, and 4 equals south.

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In Spes Magna news, I’ve ordered the second proof copy of the print-on-demand version of The Four Color Hack. I should have the book in my hands in about a week. If it looks good, the POD version will go on-sale as quickly as possible.

I’ve also released Map Collection II, which presents thirteen hand-drawn maps, including two decades-old campaign maps, one for a historical-fantasy world and the other for a post-apocalyptic world. There are also eleven other maps, including isometric dungeon maps. Each map’s minimalist style maximizes your ability to customize the dungeons. Print a page, and add your own key and encounters for your favorite game. These maps aren’t fancy, but at a about dime each, they’re a bargain. Also, they’re all released under the terms of the AttributionShareAlike 2.0 Generic license.

Tags: 5E D&D, Deities & Demigods, Spes Magna Products, TFCH

What I hope is the final round of edits to The Four Color Hack are in the hands of the erstwhile young lady who’s helping me with all that techy stuff needed for print-on-demand (POD). I received proof copy last week. Overall, it looks good, but there were some problems that must be addressed. (See the pics to the right for examples; clicking a pic embiggens it.)

This whole POD process has been a wee bit arduous. Of course, if I hadn’t gotten ripped off by The Formatting Service What Shall Not Be Named, I’d not be about a month behind where I thought I’d be, but c’est la vie and caveat emptor. When The Four Color Hack does hit the interwaves for sale as a POD book, it’ll sell for no more than $12 (which includes the PDF as well, of course).

In other exciting news, did you know that the first and only season of Street Hawk is watchable via Amazon Prime? I’ll give you a moment to catch your breath. I loved this show when it was on TV way back in the year I graduated from high school. Rex Smith had great hair, a dazzling smile, and that snotty, faux insouciance that still makes me giggle a little. I remember a handwritten Marvel Super Heroes character sheet based on Street Hawk. Not sure if I ever got to play him or not, but I hope I did.

Therefore, the Road Raptor, a complete superhero for The Four Color Hack!

The Road Raptor

This is Jesus Comacho, an ex-motorcycle cop, injured in the line of duty. Now a police troubleshooter, he’s been recruited for a top secret government mission to ride the Raptor — an all-terrain attack motorcycle designed to fight urban crime, capable of incredible speeds up to three hundred miles an hour, and immense firepower. Only one man, federal agent Titus Normandy, knows Jesus Camacho’s true identity. The man…the machine…the Road Raptor!

STR 13, DEX 14, CON 13, INT 10, WIS 9, CHA 12

Level 1
Hit Points 14
Fortune 10
Base Damage d6
Vigor 2
Idioms Motorcycle Cop, Hot-Headed Daredevil

Crash Suit
* Powers: Advanced Synthon-Weave Suit d6 (4 armor), Helmet Sensor Array d8
* Limitation: The Road Raptor has a bum leg from being injured in the line of duty. This leg still gives him trouble from time to time.

The Raptor
* Powers: All-Terrain Capabilities d6, Hyperefficient Engine d12, Immense Firepower d10
* Limitation: The Raptor is an experimental AT-AM. Its systems are not always stable, and Titus Normandy constantly tinkers with it when it’s not deployed.

Tags: Spes Magna Products, TFCH

July is almost over. My experiment with self-employment since leaving my teaching position at a charter school in April (largely due to health reasons) has been a bit of mixed bag, but overall has been positive. I’m establishing myself as a tutor.

Most of my tutoring is via the Internet with students in China, but I also facilitate a combination writing/story gaming course in the Houston area. So far, I’ve worked with five students via Ludi Fabularum, and it’s been a blast. For years, I’ve facilitated a story game club when I taught in a school, and I’ve long thought combining teaching with gaming was a no-brainer. Of course, I’m not alone with this thought, nor did I think it first. Many talented and wonderful people have been using all sorts of games as teaching tools for centuries.

Speaking of roleplaying and teaching, you must check out the adventures of “Kelema the wolf girl”, the star of a delightful podcast hosted by DM Dad under the title Dungeons & Dragons Kidventures. It’s a lot like listening to an early 20th century radio play. DM Dad and his 4-year-old daughter provide the voices and action, and it’s a hoot. DM Dad’s descriptions are worthy of emulation, and include sound effects, voice acting, and the quick inclusion of details provided his daughter to help her become more a part of the story. Dungeons & Dragons Kidventures is part story time with a child and part roleplaying game session, and it’s got lots of heart and humor.

In other news, it’s Shark Week. To help you celebrate this annual feeding frenzy of science shows, I’ve released three Shallows & Sharks products, each for a different game system and featuring a half dozen shark-themed monsters.

* The 5E D&D Version includes the ixitakoth, a combination of the ixitxachitl and morkoth from the AD&D Monster Manual.

* The Mutant Future Version includes the electrifying shock shark.

* The Sword & Wizardy WhiteBox Version includes both exotic monsters as well as stats for more mundane sharks inspired by the 1981 first printing of the Dungeons & Dragons Expert Rulebook.

Each of the Shallows & Sharks PDFs currently sell for a mere $0.75 over at DriveThruRPG, and, of course, all three versions feature my take on the infamous sharknado.

Tags: 5E D&D, Mutant Future, Spes Magna Products, Swords & Wizardry, WhiteBox Adventures

Giant from the Unknown strives to be a B-movie, but doesn’t quite succeed. Made in 1958, this horror movie stars Ed Kemmer (who?), Sally Fraser (who?), and Buddy Baer (the hulking heavyweight boxer and uncle of Jethro Bodine). The movie’s plot involves archaeology, xenophobia, police incompetence, a cute blond with a pistol who still needs rescuing, and a resurrected conquistador whose hobbies include lumbering, lurking, and killing women. Despite all of this, the movie still manages to be dull and not the least bit scary. After the movie poster, you’ll find stats for the Diablo Giant, the film’s monster, suitable for use with The Cthulhu Hack.

The Diablo Giant
Nearly seven feet tall and weighing more than 300 pounds, clad in a breastplate and helm, armed with a battle axe, still caked with the dirt of the grave, the Diablo Giant’s eyes glow with bloodlust.

Hit Dice: 4 (1d10 damage)
Notes: The Diablo Giant possesses enormous physical power. STR Saves against it are made with Disadvantage. It takes half damage from firearms and electricity.

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In Spes Magna Games news, I’ve just ordered my proof copy of the print-on-demand The Four Color Hack. Going from PDF to POD has been an arduous possess, which has included getting ripped off by one layout person and stressing another layout person probably more than is necessary trying to divine the arcane procedures necessary to upload an acceptable cover. I should have the proof copy some time next week. If all looks good (fingers crossed!), the POD The Four Color Hack should be available for purchase before the end of July.

Huzzah!

Tags: monsters, TFCH, The Cthulhu Hack

Well, I’ve not posted anything in a while. Got to stop doing that, which means posting something. So, here’s a new magic item and, since new magic items ought to be earned, here’s also a villain who uses that new magic item.

The villain’s illustration is by Jeshields, who has some great stock art for sale. Check it out.

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Dúr Feredir makes her living as a mercenary and assassin. She specializes in the longbow, but she is almost as skilled in melee combat. Quick and clever, Dúr poses a serious threat, especially if she gets the drop on her target.

Dúr seldom works alone. She has more than enough experience to know that whatever her strengths, she needs partners or underlings. What’s more, Dúr has not gained that experience without learning important lessons about when and where to pick her battles. She is no crass brawler, but instead considers herself an artist who crafts tapestries of death.

Dúr Feredir
Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil

Armor Class 16 (studded leather)
Hit Points 75 (10d8+30)
Speed 30 ft.
Ability Scores STR 14 (+2), DEX 19 (+4), CON 17 (+3), INT 11 (+0), WIS 14 (+2), CHA 11 (+0)

Saving Throws CON +5, DEX +6, STR +4
Skills Acrobatics +6, Deception +2, Investigation +2, Perception +6, Stealth +8, Survival +4
Senses passive Perception 16
Languages Common, Orc
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

Assassinate. During her first turn, Dúr has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn. Any hit Dúr scores against a surprised creature is a critical hit.

Cunning Action. Dúr’s quick thinking and agility allow her to move and act quickly. She can take a bonus action on each of her turns in combat. This action can be used only to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Skillful. Dúr gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls she makes with ranged weapons. Dur’s proficiency bonus with Perception and Stealth is doubled. These bonuses are included in Dur’s statistics.

Sneak Attack. Once per turn, Dúr deals an extra 10 (3d6) damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of Dúr that isn’t incapacitated and Dúr doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Unseen Reserves (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). Dúr possesses hidden reserves of vitality which have one or two effects. On her turn, Dúr can take one additional action on top of her regular action and a possible bonus action. On the same turn, Dúr can use a bonus action to regain 14 (1d10+10) hit points.

Actions

Multiattack. Dúr either makes two melee weapon attacks or three ranged weapon attacks. She scores a critical hit on a 19 or 20 with any ranged weapon attack.

Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8+4) piercing damage.

Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8+4) piercing damage.

Dúr’s Longbow
Weapon (longbow), very rare (requires attunement)

Any arrow fired from Dúr’s Longbow ignores its target’s damage resistances related to piercing attacks. For example, a nonmagical arrow fired from Dúr’s Longbow does normal piercing damage to a creature whose damage resistance is to nonmagical attacks. If the target has damage immunity to piercing attacks, an arrow fired from Dúr’s Longbow inflict one-half piercing damage (as if the target had resistance). Also, once per day as a bonus action, an arrow fired from Dúr’s Longbow transforms into a lightning bolt that inflicts 4d8 lightning damage on a hit, or half as much damage on a miss, instead of the weapon’s normal damage. Whether the lightning bolt hits or misses, each creature within 10 feet of the target must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. Each of these creatures takes 2d8 lighting damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

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If you’re in the market for new monsters for your 5E D&D game, check out Chance Encounters IV. Help a guardian angel protect its charge. Party with a gang of beastfolk. Survive the psionic radiation of the Calefactive Cavern. Emerge victorious against the onslaught of bull-headed monsters under the command of a minotaur blood prophet. Chance Encounters IV presents thirteen new monsters and a place of power with which GMs can challenge their players.

Tags: 5E D&D, magic items, monsters, NPCs, Spes Magna Products