Spes Magna Games

Virmon’s Simple Repulsion
Spell Level: Magic-User, 2nd Level
Range: 20-ft. radius around the caster
Duration: Instantaneous

This spell creates powerful waves of force that blast outward from the caster in a 20-foot radius. All creatures except the caster within the blast are hurled 2d4 times 5 feet away from the caster. Those that strike a solid object (such as a wall or a tree) suffer damage equal to 1d6 points per 10 feet hurled, plus the caster’s level. Those that simply hit the ground after being hurled take half as much damage. Especially large or powerful creatures may be hurled shorter distances or not at all, at the Referee’s discretion.

Tags: spells, Swords & Wizardry, Vancian magic

Tariits are an avian species native to Lygia, a world of vast plains, impenetrable jungles, and volcanic ridges. They appear to be small birds with three agile clawed digits growing from each wing. Their plumage tends toward shades of blue, yellow, or white, with females having feathers of duller shades. A full-grown adult taritt stands about three feet high with a wingspan about twice that.

To the casual off-worlder, a Tariit can easily be mistaken for a mere animal. These creatures are, however, intelligent beings who live in chaotic tribal communities. Tariits weave well-camoflauged dwellings out of grasses and leaves in the treetops of Lygian jungles. They make use of simple tools made of wood, bone, and stone. They subsist on insects, small reptiles, fruits, and nuts.

Life within a Tariit tribe is far from harmonious. Relations within a tribe are fractious as Tariits jockey for leadership over various aspects of daily life. Allegiances shift with confusing rapidity, and, what with the constant squabbling, it’s a wonder that Tariits manage their day-to-day affairs. Despite the constant power struggles and ever-changing factions, violence between Tariits of the tribe remains rare.

Psychology: Lygia is terrifying to Tariits, who are far from being the alpha predator of their environs. Tariit society based around hiding or protecting themselves from these many natural hazards of their world. The most revered Tariits are those who are best hidden or best protected, and who can give protection and concealment to their fellows. Most Tariits are quite cowardly by human measure, but occasionally they can be driven into a frenzy of terror in which they fight with the courage of the doomed.

Tariit as Player Characters: No Tariits have ventured off-world from Lygia. The very idea of taking to the heavens with the aliens who’ve set up a research outpost on Lygia is too terrifying to consider. Given their low tech level and cowardly disposition, Tariits would make poor player characters. Of course, an exceptional Tariit or two could defy their nature enough to become adventurers of sorts. If this is the case, Tariits should have a Strength score no higher than 10, a Constitution score no higher than 12, and a Dexterity score no lower than 13.

Stars Without Number Data

Tariit
Armor Class: 8
Hit Dice: 1
Attack Bonus: +1
Damage: 1d4 various primitive weapons
No. Appearing: 7-20
Saving Throw: 15+
Movement: 20 ft., 30 ft. flying
Skill Bonus: +1
Morale: 6

Lygia at a Glance
Population: Outpost
Atmosphere: Breathable Mix
Climate: Warm
Biosphere: Human Miscible
Government: Corporatist
Tech Level: 4 (0 among natives)
Tags: Friendly Foe, Primitive Aliens

Tags: monsters, Stars Without Number, Swords & Wizardry

The Nowhere Stairs sit alone on a cracked and crumbling foundation on Mpira Utapotea, the southernmost island in the rugged Kupotea Archipelago. The Mpotevus, the people native to the archipelago, believe Mpira Utapotea to be hallowed ground sacred to the Bahari, their pantheon of mercurial sea deities. When conquerors from the Pơtao Imperium invaded Kupotea in search of gold and silver, the Mpotevus were quickly subjugated due to the Imperium’s technological superiority and the destructive magic of the Gămƀhet, the Mages of the Seven Fires.

Imperial Administrator Gai Gat was installed to oversee the subjugated Mpotevus. He defied the ancient taboos about building on Mpira Utapotea. He forced Mpotevu slaves to build a formidable fort overlooking the sea. From the beginning, the construction was fraught with difficulties. The Mpotevus sabotaged the work when they could. Strange accidents claimed many lives. Ships bearing construction materials were lost at sea. Gai Gat ignored these omens, and, in the eleventh year of his reign, his fort was nearly completed. Gai Gat and his family, along with a garrison of Imperium marines, moved to the fort in a show of force calculated to impress upon the locals how total was Pơtao mastery over the region.

In the dead of night, a fearsome storm rose from the sea and swept over Mpira Utapotea. Hours later, when the roiling clouds cleared and calm returned to the sea, nothing remained of Gai Gat’s fort except for its foundation and a set of seven stone steps leading up to nowhere. No sign of Gai Gat, his family, or the garrison was ever found.

Word of the storm and the fort’s destruction swept through the Kupotea Archipelago. Emboldened, the Mpotevus rebelled. Pwezas, great tentacled beasts, surged from the depths to aid the Mpotevus, and not even the Gămƀhet could burn away these monsters faster than the monsters tore apart the Imperium’s port towns.

Today, the Kupotea Archipelago remains free of Pơtao control. The natives remain hostile toward outsiders, and monstrous pwezas still lurk in the deep coastal waters. Adventurers sometimes brave the dangers of the archipelago in hopes finding lost Pơtao riches in the ruined port towns. Rumor also has it that, when the stars align properly, the Nowhere Stairs on Mpira Utapotea lead to and from the domain of the Bahari. This vast, watery realm reportedly contains enormous riches, for the Bahari consider all ships lost at sea to be sacrifices to their glory.

Tags: place of power