Spes Magna Games

First, a big “Thank you!” to everyone who made the Spes Magna Games 25th Wedding Anniversary a big success. May was my best month for sales so far this year by almost two to one. Huzzah.

And now, once again, I pillage the AD&D Deities & Demigods for things to convert to D&D 5E. This time, I travel back to ancient Mesopotamia to visit Dahak, the three-headed dragon spirit of death, and Gilgamesh.

The result is two rather beefy stat blocks, so rather than squeeze all of that beefiness into a blogpost, I’ve formatted it into a PDF that you can download by clicking here.

Tags: 5E D&D, Deities & Demigods, monsters

A few days ago, I posted D&D 5E stats for the sacred bundle and the thunder bird from the AD&D Deities & Demigods. Today, I return that tome and venture into the Arthurian Mythos for inspiration.

Also, to digress just briefly, it’s the last days of the Spes Magna Games 25th Wedding Anniversary Sale. Huzzah!

Carnwennan
Weapon (dagger), legendary (requires attunement)

White leather wraps this finely wrought dagger’s hilt. You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. Against evil creatures that cast spells, Carnwennan deals an extra 2d6 slashing damage. When this dagger is held, it shrouds you in shifting shadows. Attackers have disadvantage on attack rolls against you, although attackers who do not rely on sight are immune to this effect.

Excalibur
Weapon (longsword), artifact (requires attunement by a good fighter, paladin, or ranger)

This remarkable blade belongs to the Lady of the Lake, an extremely powerful seelie queen. Its most famous wielder was King Arthur.

Excalibur is a magic, sentient longsword that grants a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with it. It has all the powers of a sword of sharpness (DMG, p. 206).

Random Properties. Excalibur has the following random properties.

* 1 minor beneficial property
* 1 minor detrimental property

Leadership. While Excalibur is on your person, you have advantage on Charisma checks and saving throws.

Sentience. Excalibur is a lawful good weapon with an Intelligence of 12, a Wisdom of 16, and a Charisma of 15. It has hearing and normal vision out to a range of 60 feet. The speaks, reads, and understands Common and Sylvan. Excalibur has the Destiny Seeker special purpose. It is convinced that it and its wielder are destined to rule justly and wisely.

Destroying Excalibur. It does not seem that Excalibur can be destroyed, but it can be removed from the Material Plane by slaying its wielder and tossing it into a lake within a pristine, sylvan setting. The Lady of the Lake then takes the sword back to her realm.

Excalibur’s Scabbard
Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement by a good fighter, paladin, or ranger)

Decorated with jewels and skillful embroidery, Excalibur’s Scabbard also belongs to the Lady of the Lake.

The scabbard will hold only Excalibur. No other blade can be sheathed in it. Anyone who attempts to sheath a weapon other than Excalibur in the scabbard must make a DC 15 Charisma saving throw. On a successful save, the wielder takes 3d6 radiant damage, and the offending weapon is thrown 1d6x10 feet in a random direction. On a failed save, the wielder takes the same damage, and the offending weapon vanishes into the realm of the Lady of the Lake.

While carried, the scabbard protects its owner, who gains resistance to piercing and slashing attacks and to necrotic damage. The owner also gains advantage on saving throws against effects that cause necrotic damage.

Random Properties. Excalibur’s Scabbard has the following random properties.

* 1 minor beneficial property

Destroying the Scabbard. It does not seem that the scabbard can be destroyed, but it can be removed from the Material Plane by slaying its owner and tossing it into a lake within a pristine, sylvan setting. The Lady of the Lake then takes the scabbard back to her realm. If Excalibur is not with the scabbard when this occurs, then Excalibur vanishes from its location and returns to the Lady.

Merlin’s Staff
Staff, artifact (requires attunement by a druid or wizard)

Merlin’s Staff appears to be nothing more than a snarled length of wood, crudely sanded and devoid of decoration or lacquer. It was wielded by Merlin, perhaps the most powerful spellcaster who ever lived. Stories vary on its origin. Some say Merlin made it himself, while others claim the staff was a gift to Merlin from his infernal father.

Regardless, this artifact acts as a staff of striking (DMG, p. 203) that functions up to three times per long rest as if the wielder had expended 3 charges. (Merlin’s Staff itself has no charges.)

Random Properties. Merlin’s Staff has the following random properties.

* 2 minor beneficial properties
* 1 major beneficial property
* 1 major detrimental property

Spell Absorption. When holding the staff, you have advantage on saving throws against spells. You can use your reaction when another creature casts a spell that targets only you. If you do, Merlin’s Staff absorbs the magic of the spell, canceling its effect and gaining a number of points equal to the absorbed spell’s level. You can use a bonus action when you cast a spell to expend a number of points equal to the level of the spell you’re casting. If you do so, you do not expend that spell slot. Merlin’s Staff can never have more than 18 points stored at any given time. If absorbing a spell would cause Merlin’s Staff to exceed this limit, the spell is not absorbed and takes effect normally.

Spell Storing. Merlin’s Staff can store up to 5 levels worth of spells at a time. Any creature can cast a spell of 1st through 5th level into the staff by touching the staff as the spell is cast. The spell has no effect, other than to be stored in the staff. If the staff can’t hold the spell, the spell is expend without effect. The level of the spell determines how much space it uses. While holding Merlin’s Staff, you can cast any spell stored in it. The spell uses the slot level, spell DC, spell attack bonus, and spellcasting ability of the original caster, but is other treated as if you cast the spell. The spell cast from the staff is no longer stored in it, thus freeing up space.

Destroying the Staff. Merlin’s Staff can be destroyed by taking it to the Shining Forest on Olympus. There the staff must be planted and watered with seven gallons of holy water from each the Sacred Springs found on the Seven Heavens, the Twin Paradises, Elysium, and the Happy Hunting Grounds. This opens a portal to the infernal realm ruled by Merlin’s father, after which the staff must be ground to sawdust beneath the eighty-one wheels of the Hellgrinder.

Tags: 5E D&D, Deities & Demigods, magic items

All Spes Magna Games products are still on-sale this month for at least 25% off their regular prices so that I can help you help me celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary. Huzzah!

But I digress.

Earlier this week, I pulled my AD&D Deities & Demigods off the shelf. What a great book, but also a strange book. Much ink, virtual and real, has been spilled over the idea of giving gods and goddesses stat blocks, as if they were a new category of monster to be defeated by adventurers. While I agree that the idea of any group of adventurers facing down the likes of Odin or Ares in combat is absurd, I also cannot ignore the examples in myth of mortals facing down deities and living to tell the tale. Diomedes, for examples, injures Ares in battle, stabbing the god of war in the belly with a spear. (Yes, yes, I know that Diomedes had divine assistance in this task.)

Deities & Demigods also includes several magic items, some on the level of artifacts and relics, as well as more traditional monsters that could serve as foes or allies for adventurers. I remember our characters fighting minions of Set during part of (I3) Pharaoh (one of the best AD&D modules ever published).

Flipping through the pages of Deities & Demigods inspired me to write what follows. Enjoy!

Sacred Bundle
Wondrous item, legendary (requires attunement by a barbarian, fighter, paladin, or ranger)

Only a tribal priest aided by a summoned spirit can create a sacred bundle, and each sacred bundle is created for a specific warrior. The sacred bundle appears to be a satchel made of animal hide, decorated with beads and embroidery. It contains 1d6+4 items, all but one chosen by the summoned spirit. The tribal priest creating the sacred bundle chooses the final item in the satchel. The warrior for whom the sacred bundle is made must collect the items, and they’re all dangerous or difficult to acquire. For example, the warrior may have to collect “a rattle from a cave of giant snakes, a feather from a high nesting giant eagle, or the hair of 13 enemies killed in battle”. When all necessary items are collected, the tribal priest places them in the satchel and sews it shut.

As long as the warrior carries the sacred bundle, he makes all saving throws and Wisdom (Perception) checks with advantage. All melee and ranged weapon attacks against the warrior are made with disadvantage. Furthermore, the warrior has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.

And, now, a new legendary monster: the Thunder Bird!

Immortal. The thunder bird cannot be killed. Even if slain, it appears again, ready to fight evil anew.

Omen. The thunder bird’s appearance warns of great evil, and the thunder bird itself often takes part in the battle against this evil.

Servant of None. The thunder bird cannot be summoned or compelled to act. It is its own creature.

Thunder Bird
Large celestial, chaotic good

Armor Class 22 (natural armor)
Hit Points 202 (27d10+54)
Speed 45 ft., fly 90 ft.
Ability Scores STR 22 (+6), DEX 23 (+6), CON 15 (+2), INT 18 (+4), WIS 16 (+3), CHA 17 (+3)

Saving Throws STR +11, CON +7, WIS +8
Skills Perception +8
Damage Immunities lightning, thunder
Senses passive Perception 18
Languages Auran, Celestial, Common
Challenge 16 (15,000 XP)

Independent. The thunder bird is immune to any magical effect that would influence its emotions, thoughts, or will. Charisma checks made to influence the thunder bird are made with disadvantage.

Keen Sight. The thunder bird has advantage of Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the thunder bird fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Rejuvenation. If it dies, the thunder bird returns to life in 1d6 years and regains all of its hit points. Not even a wish can prevent this trait from functioning.

Actions

Multiattack. The thunder bird makes two attacks: once with its beak and once with its wings.

Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10+6) slashing damage plus 5 (1d10) lightning damage.

Wings. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 28 (4d10+6) bludgeoning damage plus 11 (2d10) lightning damage.

Lightning Breath (Recharge 5-6). The thunder bird exhales lightning in a 120-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 36 (8d8) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Legendary Actions

The thunder bird can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The thunder bird regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Detect. The thunder bird makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.

Thunderclap (Costs 2 Actions). The thunder bird strikes its wings together, creating a powerful clap of thunder. Each creature within 250 feet of the thunder bird and able to hear the thunderclap must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 36 (8d8) thunder damage and is knocked prone. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and isn’t knocked prone.

Whirlwind (Costs 2 Actions). The thunder bird surrounds itself with roaring winds. Each creature within 10 feet of the thunder bird must make a DC 16 Strength saving throw. On a failure, the target takes 27 (6d8) bludgeoning damage and is flung 30 feet away from the thunder bird in a random direction and knocked prone. If a thrown target strikes an object, such as a wall or floor, the target takes 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet thrown. If the target is thrown at another creature, that creature must succeed at a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take the same damage and be knocked prone. If the saving throw is successful, the target takes half the bludgeoning damage and isn’t flung away or knocked prone.

Tags: 5E D&D, Deities & Demigods, magic items, monsters

Back in December 2015, I wrote up the poohvian for AD&D. It’s time for an update of Myles Wohl‘s wonderful illustration.

Keepers of Bees. Poohvians are good-natured, short humanoid bears who live in small tribal bands. Pastoral and gentle, poohvians cultivate berries, nuts, and fish in hatcheries, and they always keep honey bees. Poohvians prefer to live in hilly forests, making their homes out of well-constructed burrows or within natural caves.

Rumbly, Tumbly. Poohvians love friendly contests of wrestling during social gatherings, especially after a few mugs of mead and some honeycakes. Almost always, these frequent poohvian celebrations become boisterous, even rowdy, but the grappling matches seldom result in serious injuries or hurt feelings.

Poohvian
Small humanoid (poohvian), neutral good

Armor Class 15 (breastplate, shield)
Hit Points 9 (2d6+2)
Speed 25 ft.
Ability Scores STR 12 (+1), DEX 8 (-1), CON 12 (+1), INT 8 (-1), WIS 10 (+0), CHA 11 (+0)

Skills Perception +2
Senses passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Poohvian
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)

Keen Smell. The poohvian has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Wrestler. Whenever the poohvian makes a Strength (Athletics) check while grappling, the poohvian is considered proficient in the Athletics skill and adds double its proficiency bonus to the check (+4) instead of its normal proficiency bonus (+2).

Actions

Multiattack. The poohvian makes two attacks: once with its claws and once with its bite. Most of the time, however, the poohvian prefers to fight with weapons.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) slashing damage.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d3+1) piercing damage.

Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+1) piercing damage.

Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+1) slashing damage.

Tags: 1E AD&D, 5E D&D, monsters

It’s still May, which means all Spes Magna Games products are on-sale this month for at least 25% off their regular prices. Why? To help you help me celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary!

And now, ripped from the Dark Dimension for your D&D game…

…the Mindless Ones!

Created to Destroy. The Mindless Ones were created by the entity Plokta as unstoppable engines of destruction. Plokta is a disembodied entity who hails from the Dark Domain. He possesses the ability to warp the perceptions of creatures, granting them an illusion of their fondest desires. Such a gift comes with a price however, for each creature that accepts Plokta’s generosity must also forfeit its soul.

Primitive, Savage, Devoid of Love. The Mindless Ones cannot feel love or exhibit even the smallest degree of kindness. They live only to fight and to destroy. A Mindless One’s body is composed of dense physical matter, granting it great strength and durable, stone-like skin. Its single eye projects destructive beams of energy. Possessing no evident state of awareness, a Mindless Ones attacks any creature it sees, including other Mindless Ones. These monsters can only be made to follow commands through the use of magic.

Mindless One
Large construct, unaligned

Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
Hit Points 157 (15d10+75)
Speed 25 ft.
Ability Scores STR 22 (+6), DEX 8 (-1), CON 20 (+5), INT 1 (-5), WIS 10 (+0), CHA 1 (-5)

Damage Resistances cold, fire, force, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from magical weapons
Damage Immunities poison, psychic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Condition Immunities exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 90 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages understands all languages but cannot speak
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)

Immutable Form. The Mindless One is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

Magic Resistance. The Mindless One has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons. The Mindless One’s weapon attacks are magical.

Sunder. The Mindless One can smash through any barrier given sufficient time. It can damage Huge and Gargantuan objects. It ignores the damage threshold of big objects such as castle walls. Even magical barriers, such as a wall of force, can be destroyed by a Mindless One. If the damage inflicted by the Mindless One in a single round exceeds three times the caster level of the magical barrier, the magical barrier fails.

Actions

Multiattack. The Mindless One makes two attacks with its fists.

Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8+6) bludgeoning damage.

Eye Beam (Recharge 5-6). The Mindless One projects a beam of destructive energy from its single eye in a 60-foot line that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that line must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 42 (12d6) force damage on a failed save, or no damage on a successful one.

Tags: 5E D&D, monsters