Spes Magna Games

The hodag is a creature of folklore and the subject of a famous hoax perpetrated by Wisconsinite Eugene Shepard in 1893. Here’s the hodag for Shadowdark. Enjoy!

Hodag

More than 10 feet long and at least four feet high at the shoulder. A visage that combines the features of a grinning man and a horned beast. Bony spikes down its spine. A hairless, rat-like tail. Sparse, brown hair covering its body. Powerful legs ending with clawed paws.

AC 14, HP 31, ATK 2 claws +3 (1d6) or gore +3 (1d8), MV double near, S +4, D +0, C +4, I -2, W +2, Ch -2, AL N, LV 6

Poor Climber. The hodag has disadvantage on climbing checks.

Charge. In place of attacks, move up to double near in a straight line and made one horn attack that inflicts 2d8 damage on up to two adjacent targets.

Tough Hide. Damage against a hodag from nonmagical slashing or piercing attacks is rolled with disadvantage.

Nota Bene: The first hodags — one male, the other female– were woodland carnivores incarnated from the pain and terror of abused animals. Their offspring, hatched from eggs, stalk forests to this day. It is wise to know that hodags are poor climbers.

Tags: folklore, monsters, Shadowdark

How about two magic items for Shadowdark inspired by St. Patrick, Catholic bishop and missionary?

Bodhrán of St. Patrick

An aged goatskin stretched tight across a circular wooden frame about 15 inches in diameter and about 4 inches deep. The player beats the drum its wooden cipín, one end of which doubles as a hex key to tighten or loosen the skin.

Benefit. When played while casting turn undead, the bodhrán changes the target of the spell from undead creatures to reptilian creatures.

Curse. Only a Lawful priest may safely use the Bodhrán of St. Patrick. Others who attempt to use this relic suffer disadvantage on WIS checks for 24 hours.

Iron Bell of St. Patrick

A simple handbell about 8 inches high made of iron and bronze, carried within a decorative shrine composed of bronze, silver, gold, glass, and rock crystal.

Benefit. When rang while casting turn undead, the bell changes the target of the spell from undead creatures to infernal creatures.

Curse. Only a Lawful priest may safely use the Iron Bell of St. Patrick. Others who attempt to use this relic are struck deaf for 24 hours.

Tags: Catholic, magic items, Shadowdark

Another old monster made a new monster for Shadowdark. The art below is copyright 2015 by Dean Spencer and is used with permission (all rights reserved).

Mephit, Ice

A mephit, a wicked creature from some strange borderland between planes elemental and infernal, loves to torment the weak.

AC 14, HP 14, ATK 2 claws +2 (1d3 plus 1 point of cold damage) or spew ice +2 (see below), MV double near (fly), S +0, D +1, C +1, I +0, W +1, Ch -1, AL C, LV 3

Extremely Cold. Touching with bare skin causes 1 point of cold damage.

Gate Other Mephits. Once per day, 1-in-4 chance to summon another ice mephit. A summoned ice mephit cannot use this ability for a day.

Spew Ice. Single target within double near. Inflicts 1d8+1 points of cold damage, or 50% chance of extinguishing a torch or 25% chance of extinguishing a lantern if carried by the target.

Tags: monsters, Shadowdark

I’ve a couple new offerings for Shadowdark today.

First, at this link right here, you can download a new class: the Paddingtonian! With his Hard Stare and Jars of Marmalade, the Paddingtonian is an asset to any group of crawlers.

Second, a new monster, which is really an old monster updated for Shadowdark.

Golem, Bronze

A tall, broad statue cast in bronze that moves to block your path.

AC 16, HP 45, ATK 2 slam +7 (2d6), MV near, S +4, D -1, C +4, I -3, W +1, Ch -3, AL N, LV 9

Golem. Immune to damage from cold or nonmagical sources. Healed by fire.

Crush. Deals an extra die of damage if it hits the same target with both slams.

Slowed by Lightning. Immune to lightning damage, but speed is halved for 1d4 rounds.

Tags: Character Classes, monsters, Shadowdark

The Borderlands

My The Borderlands campaign continues, as does the growth of the campaign’s Scabard site.

Middangeard

I’ve made more progress on my homage to D&D of the late 1970s to early 1980s. The player’s guide to Middangeard now sits at almost 5,000 words. I estimate that puts it about 20-25% complete, at least in rough draft form.

Also!

A new monster!

Bear, Gelatinous

A mighty, translucent bear-shaped slime that thrives in arctic environments.

AC 12, HP 29, ATK 2 slams +5 (1d10 + toxic), MV near (climb), S +4, D +1, C +3, I -3, W +1, Ch -3, AL N, LV 6

Arctic-Born. Cold immune.

Crush. Deals an extra die of damage if it hits the same target with both slams.

Engulf. If crush hits, DC 12 STR or trapped inside cube. Engulfed targets automatically take 1d8 damage each round. DC 12 STR on turn to escape. Fail checks if paralyzed.

Rubbery. Half damage from stabbing weapons.

Toxin. DC 15 CON or paralyzed 1d4 rounds.

Tags: Middangeard, monsters, Shadowdark, The Borderlands