Spes Magna Games

This past Saturday, the link to the work-in-progress The Kids’ Game campaign using Savage Worlds Deluxe Explorer’s Edition began. Four players created four 13- to 14-year-old characters: John, the rich kid; Bin, the bookworm; Ganke, the honor student; and Mario, the troubled teen. All four kids reside in a Miami suburb in the 1980s. They’re not necessarily friends, but they still managed to get into trouble together after loose talk moved into dares about breaking into Old Man Sutherland’s house at the end of a street in a well-heeled neighborhood. The kids were caught, and Mario’s police officer dad organized the punishment: clean Sutherland’s vast attic over the course of a Saturday afternoon.

Sutherland, wheelchair-bound and aged, lives alone, but every room of his spacious home is wired for intercom. Hidden cameras monitor the interior and exterior. Kids being kids, half the group went to work while the other half didn’t. Mario moved an over-stuffed box. The bottom fell out, dumping its contents, which included a handsome, leather-bound manuscript.

Within the covers? A handwritten description of something called a “role-playing game” titled “Savage Worlds”. A true oddity, for in the kids’ world, no such thing as a role-playing game exists. There is no TSR or Mayfair Games. Gary Gygax publishes mediocre fantasy fiction, not culture-changing games. During lunch, Old Man Sutherland explained the game, and offered to show the kids how to play.

“Better than attic cleaning,” he said.

And so the kids made up fantasy characters, guardians in a magical world called Aysle. John made up Dark Halo, magical bounty hunter. Bin created Books, a golem. (“Android!” Bin insists.) Ganke’s character is Lander Foxglove, cat-man warrior, and Mario made up Haldir, elven archer. Sutherland explained that their characters were on the road through the woods, returning to a keep in a frontier region.

With a pop!, the lights in Sutherland’s house went out. Floodlights glared through the front windows, and a voice boomed, “Come out slowly! Bring the Book and the Dice!”

Old Man Sutherland thrust the book into Mario’s hands and the dice into John’s grip. “Run!” he said. “Protect the Book and the Dice!”

And so the kids ran out the back door and across the lawn, pursued by men in bulletproof vests and ski masks. Men armed with firearms they proved willing to use, but — thank goodness! — the weapon aimed at Mario jammed when the trigger was pulled. The kids scattered and hid.

And then all the lights went vanished. The buildings vanished. Miami disappeared. One second, it was there. The next: nothing but forest and hills. John, Bin, Ganke, and Mario were changed. They’d become their characters in a frontier region of Aysle….

The World Rules

The magical realm of Aysle is borrowed from Torg by West End Games. Aysle differs greatly from Miami in the 1980s. Specifically, there are four immutable Laws that govern life in Aysle.

The Law of Observation

What can be observed through the senses is real. Every real thing is the result of a previous observation. That which cannot be sensed is not real. This does not, however, mean that every individual creature lives its own reality. Solipsism is not possible in Aysle. That castle is real because it has been observed. Maybe not by you, but by others. In Aysle, observation creates theories, rather than the other way around, where theories require testing by observation. What is or has been observed is true.

The Law of Magic

Magic has been observed; therefore, magic is real. Every sentient being in Aysle has at least the potential to use magic. Most beings do not invest the time and effort into honing their preternatural senses. Nevertheless, magic is common in Asyle. One might meet a humble farmer whose soothing words repel vermin from his fields. The interaction between the Law of Observation and the Law of Magic has consequences for illusions. An illusion, once perceived, might become real, at least for a time. An illusion that becomes real might behave as appropriate for whatever it is. Illusionists take note: That image of a chimera might scare off those guards, but it might also become a chimera, at which time it’s no longer under your control.

The Laws of Honor and Corruption

The Law of Honor declares that good deeds cannot be hidden. The honorable creature embodies honor, which is reflected outwardly in appearance and bearing. Likewise, the Law of Corruption declares that evil deeds cannot be hidden, but is reflected outwardly as well. Most denizens of Aysle do not exhibit exceptional honor or corruption. They seldom perform heroic deeds. They seldom perform evil deeds. Their lives includes many minor decisions for good or against good, and the net effect is negligible. Some creatures, however, dedicate their lives to honor or corruption.

For the heroes in Aysle, this means that their actions will see an accumulation of Honor Points and Corruption Points based on the actions the hero performs during the course of an adventure. Think of Honor Points as positive numbers and Corruption Points as negative numbers. At the end of an adventure, if the total is positive, the hero gains Honor. If the total is negative, the hero gains Corruption. These points are tracked like XP. For every 5 Honor Points, the hero gains a step up on his Honor skill (starting with 1d4, then 1d6, et cetera). For every 5 Corruption Points, the hero gains a step up on his Corruption skill. Unlike other skills, Honor and Corruption do not increase based on XP, but only due to Honor Points and Corruption Points. Honor and Corruption skills can also decrease or even be lost (no die assigned). Honor and Corruption cannot be used unskilled.

Nota Bene: The specific effects of Honor and Corruption are beyond the scope of this post. I’ll be typing them up as part of the The Kids’ Game document or as part of a separate document about Aysle. When it’s ready, I’ll post the link.

Tags: Savage Wednesday, Savage Worlds, The Kids' Game

This week’s Tuesday Terror is brought to us from the mind of the talented Mike Franchina. You check his online portfolio by clicking here. The monster statted below is based on a piece evocatively titled “Monk of the Church of the Metamorphosis” (click here, please).

Portals ought to be opened. Doorways ought to be walked through. Every path leads somewhere, and every destination necessitates innumerable experiences. Each experience changes me, and — oh! — I so long to change. Nothing is now as it was, and I am ever new. This form you see? This form from which you recoil? It serves me now as the means to further transcendence. (Canons of Chaos, Book II, Verses XXX through XXVIII)

Ch’ik’ich’ik’i
Large aberration, chaotic neutral

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 119 (14d10+42)
Speed 25 ft., fly 45 ft.

STR 21 (+5), DEX 14 (+2), CON 17 (+3), INT 12 (+1), WIS 19 (+4), CHA 14 (+2)

Saving Throws CON +6, WIS +7
Skills Perception +7, Persuasion +5, Stealth +5
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages any three languages
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Horrific Appearance. Any humanoid that starts its turn within 30 feet of the ch’ik’ich’ik’i and can see the ch’ik’ich’ik’i’s true form must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, with disadvantage if the ch’ik’ich’ik’i is within line of sight, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the ch’ik’ich’ik’i’s Horrific Appearance for the next 24 hours.

Unless the target is surprised, the target can avert its eyes and avoid making the initial saving throw. Until the start of its next turn, a creature that averts its eyes has disadvantage on attack rolls against the ch’ik’ich’ik’i.

Spellcasting. The ch’ik’ich’ik’i is a 6th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). The ch’ik’ich’ik’i has the following cleric spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): guidance, resistance, sacred flame, thaumaturgy
1st level (4 slots): bane, cure wounds, guiding bolt, shield of faith
2nd level (3 slots): aid, enhance ability, hold person
3rd level (3 slots): dispel magic, protection from energy, spirit guardians

Spider Climb. The ch’ik’ich’ik’i can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Venomous Infusion. As a bonus action, the ch’ik’ich’ik’i can expend a spell slot to cause its melee weapon attacks to magically deal an extra 7 (2d6) poison damage to a target on a hit. This benefit lasts until the end of the turn. If the priest ch’ik’ich’ik’i a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the extra damage increases by 1d6 for each level above 1st.

Actions

Appendages. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8+5) slashing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 15). Until this grapple ends, the ch’ik’ich’ik’i can’t use its appendages against another target.

Digestive Tendrils. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature that is grappled by the ch’ik’ich’ik’i, incapacitated, or restrained. Hit: 12 (2d6+5) piercing damage plus 18 (4d8) acid damage.

Touch of Chaos (3/Day). Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 14 (4d6) necrotic damage, and the target has disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws for 1 minute. At the end of each of its turns, the target can make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw, ending the effect with a successful save.

Tags: 5E D&D, monsters, Tuesday Terror

Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak to them all that I command thee. Be not afraid at their presence: for I will make thee not to fear their countenance. For behold I have made thee this day a fortified city, and a pillar of iron, and a wall of brass, over all the land, to the kings of Juda, to the princes thereof, and to the priests, and to the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee, and shall not prevail: for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee. (Jeremiah 1:17-19)

Pillar of Iron (Abjuration)
Level: Cleric 5
Range: 0
Duration: 1 round/level
Area of Effect: 1″ diameter by 2″ high column
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 8 segments
Saving Throw: Special

Explanation/Description: When the cleric calls upon his or her deity for strength and protection, a burst of radiance radiates from the cleric, forming a column of bright light equal to continual light. Enemies within the spell’s area of effect must make a saving throw. Failure to make the save means the creature is violently thrust 10-30 feet directly away from the cleric. If the creature hits a solid object as a result, it takes 1d6 points of damage per 10 feet of forcible movement. The area of effect is equal to a protection from evil spell. The cleric is immune to fear and magical silence for the spell’s duration. The cleric and those friendly to the cleric who are in the area of effect make “to hit” and damage rolls at +1, while enemies within the area of effect suffer a -1 on “to hit”, damage, and saving throws. The material component is a small iron rod.

Tags: AD&D, Catholic, spells

I am almost done with the first six episodes of Netflix’s Kingdom. This South Korean TV series is great. Set during the Joseon period of Korean history, it tackles common tropes related to political intrigue and official corruption common to many period dramas. To this somewhat standard fare, Kingdom adds a plague of nocturnal zombies, once again showing that Korean film makers know how to do survival horror better than almost everything churned out by Hollywood. (Also see what is probably the best zombie movie in the last several years, Train to Busan.)

Goemul
Frequency: Very rare (see below)
No. Appearing: 1-6
Armor Class: 8
Move: 12″
Hit Dice: 1-6 hit points
% in Lair: Nil
Treasure Type: Nil
No. of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: 1-4
Special Attacks: Disease
Special Defenses: See below
Magic Resistance: Standard
Intelligence: Animal
Alignment: Neutral
Size: M
Psionic Ability: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
Level/XP Value: II/36 + 1/hp

Climate/Terrain: Any climate/any land
Organization: Mob
Activity Cycle: Nocturnal
Diet: Carnivore
Morale: Fearless (20)

Goemul appear much like zombies, but they are not undead. Instead, they are the victims of a disease that rapidly causes what appears to be death followed by renewed, violent activity aimed at further spreading the contagion. The disease destroys the victim’s intelligence and personality, turning the victim into a ravenous cannibal.

A goemul does not feel pain or exhaustion. It is immune to effects that inflict pain or cause sleep. Weapons inflict minimum damage on a goemul. Most of its organs are no longer vital. A strike to the head inflicts normal damage. Treat the goemul’s head as a armor class 4 for melee attacks. For ranged attacks against the head, treat short range as medium and medium range as long.

A goemul’s typical attack involves charging its victim in order to overbear. The goemul makes a melee attack as normal. If the victim is wearing leather or padded armor, the goemul gets a +2 “to hit” bonus. Against chain, ring, or scale mail, it gets a +4 “to hit” bonus. Against banded, plate, and splint, the goemul gets a +6 “to hit” bonus. If the overbear attack succeeds, the victim takes 1-4 points of damage, but only 50% of this damage is actual; the balance is restored at the rate of 1 hit point per round. Of course, the victim becomes prone.

The goemul’s most dangerous attack is its bite. The goemul has a +2 bonus “to hit” a prone target with its bite. A target damaged by a goemul’s bite must make a saving throw versus paralyzation, modified by dexterity defensive adjustment and bonuses to armor class due to armor and shield. A failed saving throw results in the target being incapacitated due to intense pain for one melee round. After this time, the victim ceases movement and appears dead for another 1d2 melee rounds. Then, the victim’s transformation into a goemul is complete. A cure disease spell applied before the transformation is complete stops the disease from the transforming the victim into a goemul. The victim remains unconscious with 1 hit point.

Goemul are active only at night. As the sun rises, they quickly find a place to hide and then become dormant. A goemul will not wake up until after the sun sets, remaining unconscious even if moved or attacked.

Goemul are very rarely encountered. A goemul is first formed when a living humanoid consumes the flesh of a chulcheo-goemul’s victim. A chulcheo-goemul results from attempting to treat a terminally ill humanoid with the so-called “resurrection plant”. This rare flower restores the patient to life and health, but transforms the patient into a chulcheo-goemul. A chulcheo-goemul’s victims do not transform into goemul.

Goemul are much feared. Unleashed in a crowded area, such as in a village, a mob of goemul can quickly grow into a horde that may overwhelm the countryside and beyond.

Tags: monsters, ThursdAD&D

As promised last Savage Wednesday, here’s the link to the work-in-progress The Kids’ Game campaign setting for the Savage Worlds Deluxe Explorer’s Edition game that starts this coming Saturday.

Now that you’ve read over the document, you can see the heavy borrowing from Torg by West End Games. I played Torg quite a bit while stationed in Hawaii. I was publised in two of their monster books and even got to rep WEG at a gaming convention in Honolulu. Good times.

Two key concepts from Torg are that there are alternative realities ruled by malevolent powers and that the heroes can bend the rules of reality. I’m keeping both of these concepts for The Kids’ Game, albeit in altered forms.

Speaking of those Torg monster books, they were Creatures of Aysle and Creatures of Orrorsh. One my contributions were the shadow dogs, the idea for which I took from a Grant Morrison Doom Patrol comic book.

A shadow dog is an Aylish creature which resembles a canine to some extent, but is in truth a magical creature gifted with the ability to track virtually anything with uncanny success. The shadow dog’s head is a flat wedge split by a great, drooling mouth filled with long, needle-sharp teeth. It has no eyes or ears, and relies solely on its enhanced sense of smell and its sorcerous talents. The lean, hard flesh of the shadow dog is covered with short, wiry black hairs that serve as olfactory receptors. Its large paws sport thick, curved talons.

Shadow Dog

Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d6, Spirit d4, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Skills: Climbing d6, Fighting d6, Notice d10, Stealth d6, Tracking d10
Pace: 8″
Parry: 5
Toughness: 4
Special Abilities:

Bite: STR + d4.

Detect: The shadow dog detects the “scent” of its quarry’s aura in a 100 yard radius with a Notice or Tracking roll.

Fleet-Footed: Roll a d10 when running instead of a d6.

Senses: A shadow dog is blind and deaf. Its sense of smell is supernatural, removing trait roll penalties for physical action. The shadow dog’s sense of smell functions out to 12″ under normal conditions.

Size -1

Tags: monsters, Savage Wednesday, Savage Worlds, The Kids' Game