we aint goin out like that

for Fantasy Role Playing Campaigns played with Pencil, Paper, and Your Imagination
Issue #2 Summer 2008
 dedicated to Dave Arneson,
the first Master of Dungeons,
and creator of the First Fantasy Campaign

Role-playing is a lot like playing make-believe while we were growing upI think it's this
child-like ability to pretend that makes a good role-playerRole-playing is, above all, unique.
There are no other games that combine the disciplines and arts that role-playing does. No
other hobby provides as many creative outlets. You are a performer, designer, illustrator, tac-
tician, and philosopher, while socializing with friends. Role-playing is storytelling, theater,
and strategy gaming. All of these can be found in no other art formA group of friends sit
around someone's living room, and, by merely speaking to one another, constructs a fantasy
which they all share -- playing it in their heads like a film. What computer game can compete
with that?
- What is a Role-Playing Game, Anyway?
at blackmoorcastle.com

1
From a dusty barricade they watched the riders approach, Table of Contents:
reptilian claws pounding salt wind from the desert. The Dedication to Dave Arneson.1
one-eyed elf ceased her squint. No scavengers, these, nor The Tower of Birds (Gabor Lux)..3
zombies either. Their shields bear silver device, a twenty- The Devils in the Details (Kesher)....6
petaled rose. The Penguin as Player Character (Patrick Farley)...8
The Dragon-Blooded (Calithena).12
Hrunax the Wolf lifted his massive bone bow for a shot, Knights & Knaves (Karen Collins)...13
but a craggy ancient hand fell gently on his shoulder. The Monster Machine (Vincent Baker)14
Aethras brow rose: the old mage had slipped from his The Darkness Beneath (Hackman)...19
reverie and stood, tears rolling down his cheeks. She had Tables for Fables (Age of Fable)..26
known the wizard a century and never seen him cry. The Seven Swords (Jacob Badelaire Boucher)...27
Shields Shall Be Splintered (J. Brian Murphy)...28
The emblem - the sign of the old kingdom. Our wait here Panicked Mounts and Falls (Geoffrey O. Dale)30
has not been in vain! The mage held his staff aloft and called The Entourage Approach (David Bowman).31
out in the high voice, the Tongue of the Making, and stars Ye Olde Magic Shoppe (Jeff Rients)32
seemed to glimmer through noonday sky. Clarion came the Unusual & Magical Spirits (Max Davenport)35
responding horn, and the knights rode towards them, to Random Inn Generator (James Edward Raggi IV)...36
rejoin the broken enclaves of the past Adventure Flowchart (Dan Eldredge)..44
Education of a Magic User (Douglas Cox)...45
The Outdoor Map (James Maliszewski)...46
Welcome back, valiant readers! The response to Fight On! The Wilderness Architect (Victor Raymond)...52
#1 has been overwhelming, as the size of #2 surely Barbarian Magic Items (Baz Blatt)...58
indicates. Thank you! We hope you enjoy this second issue Handgonnes & Cannons (L. William Schneider)..59
as much or more than the first. We have assembled a The First Dungeon Adventure (Greg Svenson)...60
wonderful list of contributors, including award-winning Dave Arneson, Blackmoor, & Me! (Robert Lionheart)62
game designers (Dave Arneson and Vincent Baker), a Interview with Dave Arneson..63
famous webcomic (Pat Farley), and at least two folks (Steve The Red Gem of High Cartography (Edsan)...64
Marsh and Geoffrey O. Dale) who were writing for TSR, The Magic of Mistworld (Steve Marsh)82
Chaosium, and the Judges Guild back when the hobby was Oceanian Legends (Del L. Beaudry).84
young. Many of the heroes of #1 have returned as well, Finish the City! (Andrew Reyes)...86
and there are many new contributors well worth reading. Creepies & Crawlies (Jeff Rients).87
Let us know them by their works! Artifacts, Adjuncts, and Oddments (Gabor Lux)..88

Fight On! is a journal of shared fantasy. We who read and Index of Illustrations & Cartography: Front Cover by
write for this magazine are a community of role-playing Kevin Mayle (http://kevinmayle.netaidz.com/main.php);
enthusiasts unified by our love of the games and do-it- Fight On! logo by Jeff Rients. Back cover by Del L. Beau-
yourself approach that birthed this hobby back in the dry. Dave Arneson photo by Madeline Ferwerda. Interior
1970s. We can be contacted with submissions, special art by Gabor Lux (3, 4, 5); Kesher (4, 7, 25, 71); Andrew
requests, or anything else at iggyumlaut@gmail.com, or Reyes (6, 27, 31, 36, 45, 86); Justine Shaw (www.nowhere-
send them the old fashioned way to 1122 Pearl Street, girl.com, 8, 10, 11); Otherworld Miniatures (9); Peter
Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Unless otherwise noted in the article, Seckler (12, 14); Adele Lorienne (www.meadowhaven.net,
our authors and artists own all their own work. Fight On! 13); Vincent Baker (16, 18, 22); Robert S. Conley (20, 48);
only asks for the right to print your work in the issue its David Bowman (23); Age of Fable (26); Lee Barber (29,
originally published in, in that form, in perpetuity. Authors 34, 83); Anthony Stiller (33, 59); Santiago L. Zulgyan
and artists own all other rights and may re-use and re-sell Ora (43); Dan Eldredge (44); Douglas Cox (45); Kevin
their work to others as they see fit. If you dont know how Mayle (61); Murdock (63); Seskimo (65, 69, 72, 80); and
to reach a contributor about his or her project, contact me Edsan (74, 77, 81). We also used public domain clipart
and Ill put you in touch. from www.karenswhimsy.com (30, 39, 40, 46, 49, 50, 54,
55, 57, 88) and wpcclipart.com (52).
Any trademarks or copyrights referenced in these pages are
purely the properties of their owners; Fight On! is not
involved with nor makes any representations on behalf of Fight On! is a quarterly publication. It is currently available
other individuals or companies. Non-canonical content for through www.lulu.com, though we are looking into other
Empire of the Petal Throne presented in this issue is used with ways to distribute the magazine as well. If you would like to
the blessing of Professor M.A.R. Barker, the games owner purchase an issue of Fight On! but do not wish to use lulu,
and designer. Thanks, and enjoy issue 2 of Fight On! please contact Ignatius at the addresses on the left: hell try
to find a way to hook you up.
- Ignatius mlaut, Publisher and Editor
2
The Tower of Birds
an adventure by Gabor Lux
playtested by Akos Barta (Zorlan, Son of Odbuj), Laszlo
Simonits (Tio Blackbird), Gyorgy Gergovatz (Hagdor
Ordur), Marcell Pap (Habbar al Hadr) [1]; Kalman Farago
(Harmonos, Follower of Karttekeza), Gabor Izapy (Beristo
Akelis), Tamas Szabo (Khertar) [2]

Introduction: Deep in the Desert of Regulator and half a

days march from the ancient road of great stone blocks
that crosses it, stands the Tower of Birds, a bare stone
finger overlooking broken lands. Whether it is a structure
manmade or natural, the degraded surfaces do not tell:
intermingled with rough cliffsides are polished walls and
buttresses, peering windows and a great cleft that cuts
through the crown, high above the wide base. The Tower
of Birds is not sought by most travellers. Only those who
are maddened by thirst will leave the regular road and,
choosing a lesser path of jumbled and half-buried con-
crete, strike for the lifeless hills to follow the circling birds
that ever fly in one direction. Theirs is often an unpleasant
fate, because while there is water here, it is not easily given.

Near the immense tower (which itself stands on a low

ridge), a small, narrowly twisting valley conceals wetlands
alive with all kinds of birds. The birds do not fear stran-
gers, contentedly swimming in the small pools, hunting things which might have been statues, but are so worn that
fish in the reedy shallows, or sitting on large nests. The it is impossible to determine what they depicted. A short
reason for this peacefulness becomes evident at nightfall passage leads to a hexagonal, arched chamber with a
when denizens of the tower, atavistic and misshapen bird- rubble-strewn floor. A rambling circular stairway leads
men, come out to slay those who disturb their lands. Do upwards in a clockwise direction. It is wide enough for
not subtract them from those encountered later. If, how- three men and not particularly steep. Occasional niches in
ever, the characters use magical flight to enter the tower the wall contain old clay lamps, dusty and useless.
from above, they will be noticed and attacked by all inside.
Bird-monsters (6): Level 2+2, DC 7, attack with 2 claws
NOTE: this and subsequent entries are designated with
(1d6) plus beak (1d4), speed 9/18.
compass directions (positions relative to the towers Z-
axis), whether the room opens outwards or inwards, and
1. About 1/3 up the tower, there is a triangular outcrop-
the degree of rotation up and down until the next location.
ping to the southwest, and behind an artificial balustrade,
For example, room 2 is on the northeast slice of the tower,
an arched dark doorway is visible. There is no access to
and to reach room 3, the stairs make a 7/8 revolution.
this place from inside, so the only way in is to climb the
rocks. The doorway leads to a dark chamber, where a
stone throne looks towards the sunlight, flanked by 3. [N outwards, +3/8, -7/8] A small empty room. The
ancient, corroded iron braziers. To the right, in a wall floors are dusty and worn; little windows peer outside.
niche, there is a painted wooden chest reinforced with iron
bands. The chest is locked, but so fragile it can be easily 4. [SE outwards, +7/8, -3/8] Identical to 3, but an
shattered. It contains four leather scrolls bound with red archway leads to the east into an inner room, where old
string so fragile they disintegrate on touch. There is, clay pots are piled. The contents of the pots are an old,
however, a bundle of five slender ivory sticks carved with dried out tarry mass that crumbles on touch. Tiny bones
runes in one of the scrolls. The runes, if deciphered, unveil may be found inside if thoroughly examined.
instructions for an alchemical salt mixture which generates
strong heat when touched to wet copper or brass usable, 5. [E inwards, +5/8, -7/8] Polished stone blocks
for example, for writing on metal. This recipe may be forming a low, narrow arched passage lead into an octag-
worth as much as 500 gold pieces if sold. onal chamber 15 across. The chambers walls and floor are
tiled with black and yellow ceramics; the high ceiling is
2. [NE, +7/8] The entrance to the tower is to the cross-vaulted. In each corner, a beautifully carved black
northeast, half buried in rubble and dust. It is flanked by 2 stone statue of a falcon stands on a low pedestal. In the

3
middle, the octagonal rim of a deep well opens a cold is visible; on the floor, a round stone plug is secured with
wet smell seeps through the iron grille. two crossing iron bands bearing locks. Pulling on the
heavy (fake) chest activates a trap operated by hidden
6. [NW outwards, +5/8 to 10 or -1/2 to 7, -5/8] A short counterweights. Iron skewers from the walls; 1d4+2 per
passage which leads to another staircase winding down in a character, 1d8+1 damage each (save vs. wand to avoid
counter-clockwise direction. This second staircase is closer of them, -2 to save for every extra character in room). The
to the outer walls, so it takes longer to make a full turn. stone plug, in fact the top of a stone column, is another
Instead of wall niches, there are occasional windows trap: if the locks are opened and the iron bands removed,
peering outside. All of these are very small and impossible massive counterweights propel the column upwards and
to fit through for even the smallest ordinary characters. smash it against the ceiling: 6d8, save vs. stoning to avoid
(penalties as above). A hollow niche within the column
7. [NE, +1/2, -3/8] A brief rest in the stairways descent; reveals the real treasure: a gold and silver box (440 gp)
three tall niches face inward with human-sized black with a red velvet bundle. The bundle holds 5 platinum
statues of sitting falcons. The workmanship is impeccable disks worth 200 gp each, a curved dagger +1 (red leather
(imagine a replica of the Maltese Falcon). grip, sun symbol on pommel), a protective ring +1 (blue
metal ring with wavy red script) and bracers of defense class 5.
Symbols engraved on the inside of the steel bracers spell
out the gaseous body spell, which may be used as a spellbook.

9. [S inwards, +1] The stairway ends in a black hall:

smoothly polished rocks rise in delicate arches, yellow and
black tiles, smell of cold water. Beyond the hall, there is a

8. [S inwards, -1, +3/8] Room complex.

a) Three arched entrances. Intricate brass portcullises half-
way down all stuck and impossible to move without a
check to lift gates.
b) Mosaics in the floor and on the walls. Dry rectangular
basin with blue and yellow tiles and bird motifs.
c) Empty rooms. The one to the east has deep, regular
horizontal and vertical grooves in the walls wide enough
for a thin blade.
d) Fallen human body crumpled in the corner; dry flesh on
protruding bones. Tattered green cloak riddled with holes
and tears, round metal helmet, curved blade, shortbow and
three daggers. Two unstoppered and empty metal flasks
lying by the corpse. Pouch w/34 gold coins.
e) Half-buried room; the northern and western wall has
collapsed. In the southeast corner, a crawlway opens
behind a secret door (one of the stone blocks pivots
outwards). In the crawlway, a bundle of oilskin holds a
crowbar, hammer and chisel.
f) Minuscule (7x7) room. Roughly fitting stones with
wide gaps in between, some narrower, others wider. Two
apparent features: a block from the north wall has been
removed and the handle-ring of a snugly fitting brass chest

4
short (30), very steep stairway up to an altar holding a
heavy gold decanter. The stairway is flanked by 4-4 niches
on each side, and in each niche, there is a large idol of a
black bird with red gemstone eyes (worth 20 gold coins
each, 16 gems total). The decanter is worth 800 gold, and
holds cold clear water. If it is removed from the altar, a
trap activates. The black idols shoot red beams from their
eyes when someone walks between, inflicting 2d8 points
each. A save vs. wands may be attempted against each
beam, or some item may be used to protect characters
from them (however, even thick wooden items will be
destroyed on the first hit, and metal is subject to enormous
heat, doing 2d4 damage the first round and 1d4 for each
subsequent round until it cools, and requiring a check to
avoid dropping if applicable). Destroying an idol also
deactivates the associated beam.

10. [S outwards, +5/8, -5/8] An intricate brass portcullis

bars the entrance to a three-room complex. It lifts easily.
Small windows outside. In the innermost room, there are
torn remains of silk cushions and two long wooden crates.
One is empty, the other has a scimitar with a pommel
forming a moustached head (usable and worth 35 gold).

11. [NE outwards, +5/8, -5/8] This room is a long

gallery in one side of the deep cleft that cuts through the
top of the tower. At the end, a smashed statue of an ibis
stands in a small alcove. Through the large windows, two
black openings on the other side of the cleft are visible,
somewhat above the present level (12). The climb is brooding over a black altar where a great ruby casts red
treacherous, and a character who doesnt secure his way light a light which provides no illumination.
with ropes and spikes may fall into his doom.
The guardians of the tower are here, waiting to fall
12. This place is only accessible from 11. A dark gallery through the crack and slay the intruders: accursed bird-
with no other exits except the two windows is a nest of monsters, leathery and debased, with a malignant hatred
several different birds; guano, nesting material and eggs burning in their eyes. They are humanoid, but stooped;
obscure an old skeleton. It still wears a beautiful helmet they walk with a swift shambling motion, and attack until
with a golden pegasus device (worth 130 gold) and a sword they or their opponents are slain. If the characters retreat,
of such fine workmanship that it has a nonmagical +1 the monsters try to catch them from both sides some
damage bonus (worth 340 gold). take wing to enter the tower through the gallery at 11 and
assault PCs from below. Bird-monsters (13): Level 2+2,
13. [W, +3/8, -5/8] Further progress is barred by a brass DC 7, attack with 2 claws 1d6 plus beak 1d4, speed 9/18.
portcullis. It is stuck, but can be lifted with some work and
afterwards closed by pulling hard (open doors check for The only treasure in the dome is the gemstone. It is very
each). Immediately after the portcullis, a large recess in the valuable worth at least 2400 gold coins and magical, as
wall is visible outwards. A skeleton crouches inside. The the reddish-black radiance makes apparent. A Vulture-
recess is closed by thick brass bars set into the rock and Demon is imprisoned within the ruby, and it may be called
impossible to remove. to serve the bearer of the stone if the proper command
word is known (this should be the subject of another
14. [CENTRE, -3/8] The stairs emerge into a vast adventure). However, unless the ruby is securely stored
broken dome (~35 high). Natural light peers inside from (e.g. in a lead box), the demon also tries to master the
the north-eastern crack, where the ceiling has collapsed character. When near civilisation, it compels him to
and revealed the sky. In the walls, there are rows of arched commit murder and evil deeds while asleep. The character
niches, some with stones and debris, some with enormous is unaware of these activities (except tiredness), but others
nests. In the middle stand protruding stone blocks of var- may not be probably leading to a curious murder mystery
iable height also holding birds nests. To the north, there where, piecing together the clues, the investigator discov-
is an odd, enormous idol: a black bird, polished smooth, ers that the culprit is himself.

5
The Devils in the Details MANY ELVES (Roll 1d20 three times, or just pick three
second in a series by Kesher details from this table):
1. Live alone in hidden forest retreats.
Welcome to the second installment of a series designed to 2. Can hold their breath underwater for an hour.
help you add just a touch of individuality to campaign 3. Can coax plants to life in the most barren of ground.
characters. This issues column focuses on elves, specific- 4. Eat meat when Chaotic, are vegetarian when Lawful.
ally the elves of Otherness, which differ a bit from some 5. Have eyes that shift colors with the light and seasons.
of their multiversal cousins. If any results seem too strange 6. Reject all musical instruments, claiming that the voice
or dont fit the flavor of your campaign, simply re-roll or alone is enough.
make up something more fitting. These tables will help 7. Are supple and strong, taller than dwarves and shorter
determine five traits for an elvish character. than humans, and without physical defect.
8. Find books and writing to be delightful curiosities.
In Otherness an elf advances both as Warrior and Mage, 9. Are unaffected by all but the most extreme changes in
but must choose which role to play at the start of each new temperature and weather.
adventure. Further, one role is permanently Lawful, while 10. Have hair the color of trees, or troubled clouds.
the other is Chaotic. This shift, while understandably 11. Cannot conceal their emotions.
stressful for non-elvish companions, seems normal to the 12. Are immune to natural poisons or disease.
elf. The tables below reflect this special nature. 13 Can keep a secret when Lawful, but must expose it
when Chaotic.
Their hair is thick with stars and their eyes shine with dew. Strange 14. Will swiftly die if imprisoned.
desires shape their tumbling years, swift sunlight flickering through 15. Understand the fractured speech of birds.
whispering trees.

6
16. Can idly carve wood into objects of heartbreaking 11. Have hair the color of sunlight, or autumn leaves.
beauty. 12. View the other races as aberrations and work secretly
17. Swear allegiance only to The Burning Year. for their destruction.
18. Find dwarves amusing, and like to tease them. 13. Are haunted by murders of crows.
19. Are fascinated by humans, but rarely trust them. 14. Choose Law or Chaos alone, and follow its tenets
20. View halflings as mischievous children, or perhaps zealously.
simple-minded cousins. 15. Burn their dwellings and ceaselessly wander.
16. Understand the slow, bending language of the sky.

YOUR ELF: Choose, roll, or create one additional desired

trait, subject to GM approval.

Equipment is another good way to personalize characters.

In Otherness, players of new elvish characters roll on the
following table 1d3 times before buying equipment with
starting gold, thus ensuring their gear has the right texture:

SOME COMMON TRAVELING GEAR (d16):

1. A suit of bark armor, fantastically carved, tough as
chainmail.
2. A delicate blade used mainly for woodcarving.
3. A flask of herbs mixed with clear water, restoring vigor,
provoking laughter.
4. A tangled ball of restless vines.
5. A sword or spear of living thornwood.
6. A small animal familiar, such as a sparrow, bat or
dragonfly.
7. A box of wasps.
8. A sling bag woven of tough, flexible grass.
9. A protected pouch full of useful seeds.
10. A longsword in a hardwood sheath.
11. A hooded cloak and boots woven from spider silk.
12. A wildflower robe.
13. A bow of yew or ash, double-curved.
14. An oakheart helmet, carved to resemble some beast of
the forest.
15. A long, thin flute.
16. A coil of soft wood which springs erect when en-
couraged.
SOME ELVES (Roll d16 (1d8 and a high/low die) to
Any vagaries, ambiguities or lacunae observed in the tables
determine one detail from this table):
above are mere cognitive illusions; they simply await expli-
1. Abjure all created goods, clothe themselves with vines,
cation by a creative player or GM. Enjoy!
and wield weapons of living thornwood.
2. Both fear and desire to know the deep places below the
earth. Q: What happens to those elvish children born from
3. Live high on mountaintops, and thus have long white unions with troll or human?
hair and snow-pale skin.
4. Are subject to fey lusts: if female, have mated with a A: By their very nature, elves can be only one thing at a
troll; if male, have implacably pursued a human woman time. While they will inevitably begin life as an elf, at some
who did not want him. point they will become the other until their death.
5. Are the get of a human woman forced by a he-elf.
6. Breed new animals in pursuit of a singular vision. Q: What is The Burning Year?
7. Become strange and silent.
8. Can craft weapons as well as any dwarf. A: Perhaps a group of ancient elves, perhaps an elvish
9. Study only war or magic, surpassing their fellows, yet be- aspect of the millionGOD. Only elves know for sure, and
coming unstable. when asked they simply laugh or fall into joyful reverie.
10. Are the offspring of troll and she-elf.

7
The Penguin as Player Character should have allowed the Cthulhu mythos into my
campaign. We live and we learn.)
a new race by Patrick Farley

Preface: Runequest had its Ducks. As has been pointed out

in numerous online forums (perhaps most prominently by Britt
Tetsujin28 Daniel, who we wish was still alive to see Fight On! -
Ignatius), a lot of things in Runequest only make sense if you
were a stoner in California in the seventies. Even so, to us
Second Gen roleplayers of the 1980s, the "anthropo-
morphic waterfowl as player character" gag had its obvious
roots in Howard the Duck, that Marvel cult comic so
beloved of the aforementioned California Stoner demo-
graphic. Just as Howard was meant to strike a "funny"
counterpoint to the self-serious Marvel superhero uni-
verse, so the insertion of wisecracking Ducks into an epic
fantasy campaign brought a limn of fun to what might
otherwise bog down into a glowering Moorcockian, Spinal
Tap, black-leather, "I FEED ON POWER!" dorkfest.

And oh, how Id suffered through such tedious campaigns.

You know the DM type of which I speak: the perpetually
scowling Frazetta barbarian apparently owning no other
shirt besides his Iron Maiden black concert-T, the teenage
Nietzsche who filled his dungeons with literal lakes of
human blood and who rewarded his players travails by PENGUIN
having them arrive at the Temple of Evil just in time to NUMBER: 1-100
witness the princess getting knifed on the sacrificial altar, OCCURENCE: Rare
her blood splashing onto the GLOWING BLACK portal DEFENSE CLASS: 8
to release the Demon Hordes which immediately surged SPEED: 7 (Swim 12-24, and see below)
forth and overwhelmed the Land in NEVERENDING WOUND DICE: 1
DARKNESS at which point the GM would drolly % AT HOME: 30%
inform the players, Youre all dead now. Hur hur hur! TREASURE: 4-24 silver coins per penguin; if at home,
30% chance each for 1-4000 silver, electrum, and gold in
So it happened that in 1982, when the time came for me to lair, plus 30% chance for 1-8 gems, 20% chance for 1-4
launch my own campaign world for the first time, that I jewelry, and 10% chance for a magic item.
felt the need to include a race which was neither fierce nor ATTACKS: 1
subterranean, definitely not warlike, and only nominally DAMAGE: 1-3 or by weapon type
humanoid. Something less Dokken and more Douglas SPECIAL: Ballistic attack, +3 with sling, see below
Adams. I briefly considered including Runequests Ducks, INTELLIGENCE: Average
but Id been born too late to have any special attachment ORIENTATION: Chaotic
to the by-then-ancient Howard. These were the Eighties, SIZE: Small (3+ ' tall)
baby, and if the Eighties had one overriding cultural im-
perative, it was to pretend that the Seventies had never Ages past, when the penguinfolk were but new to the face
happened. There was only one smart-ass cartoon water- of the earth, their number was torn by discord, and those
fowl on center stage in those days, and that of course was of better disposition drove from them those of the birds
Opus the Penguin from Berke Breatheds Bloom County. who were boorish and crass. However, constant warfare
between the two divisions of penguinkind continued, with
And lo, the Gods of Copyright Infringement did smile the sensible ones ever victorious, until those of a glutton-
upon me ous and hedonistic nature were forced to withdraw from
the lands of ice and snow and seek safety in the warmer
Props must be given to the first playtester of a Penguin climes of the Human world. Here, in well-lit towns and
character, my friend Jeff Wilcox, whose character Opi endless alleyways of twisting taverns and whorehouses and
went on to kick some serious ass in Elderaan between the sea shanties hung with unguarded fish, the Sentient Pen-
years 1983-1985. Regrettably, Opis adventuring career was guinfolk, the Penguins, found refuge, comfort, and easy
cut short around level 5 when he made unwise use of a filchings. Over the centuries they grew impudent once
Name That Must Not Be Spoken. (In retrospect, I never again and schooled themselves in thievery and the ill-
usionary arts. And if they were strong enough to face and
8
defeat their former brethren in battle, the Penguins no fingers and an opposable thumb. These Penguin hands
longer desired to waddle under punishing snowstorms are highly dexterous and make Penguins naturally talented
across barren wastelands slick with ice. They no longer at lock-picking and other thiefly abilities.
desired to plunge into freezing water to hunt for their
meager supper of raw fish, having come to their senses Racial Abilities:
and far preferring the balmy weather, hot meals and warm Defense Bonus: A Penguins blubber gives it DC 8.
baths of the Human world. Yet they neither forgive nor Breath Holding: Penguins can hold their breath up to 20
forget, and above all else they enjoy getting drunk and minutes.
ridiculing their distant kin those wild penguins - who Feign Death: All Penguins play dead extremely well.
drove them out and are now freezing their sorry asses off
Salt Water Potability: Penguins are able to drink salt water
in the arctic wastelands. Suckers!
without ill effect.
Physiology: Penguins are an intelligent mutant offshoot Cold Resistance: Penguins receive a +3 on saves against
of the emperor penguin species; squat, stout, with dis- cold, and subtract 3 points from each die of damage they
tinctive black and white coloration, touched with a sheen receive from a cold-based attack. (For example, a
of gold feathers around the throat. Your average Penguin Penguin blasted by a 6d6 ice cone would subtract 18
stands 3' to 4' tall and can weigh up to 80 pounds. Pen- points from the overall attack.)
guins can often share clothing with Halflings arms and Surprise Bonus in Water: Having spent their lives as a
armor fitted for halflings will usually (90%) fit a Penguin, favored meal of many undersea predators, Penguins
although such items as helmets and gloves will need to be have developed a keen awareness of their surroundings
custom-made. The most distinct difference between a while in water. A penguin swimming on the surface of
Penguin and its wild cousins are its hands. At first glance the water has only a 1 in 12 chance of being surprised by
the wings of the Penguin resemble ordinary flippers, but any creature approaching from the water. Underwater,
on closer examination they are seen to end in three black this chance decreases to 1 in 20. Needless to say, a Pen-

9
 Special: In addition to attacking with handheld weaponry,
the Penguin has the following innate attack routines:

Beak Attack: An unarmed Penguin can attack with his or

her beak, pecking for 1d3 points of damage against man-
sized or smaller opponents, 1 point against larger foes. The
beak glaive is a special Penguin weapon, an actual metal
blade fitted onto the Penguins beak that ups the pecking
damage to 1d6/1d4. (For all other combat purposes, treat
the beak glaive as a Dagger.)

Ballistic Attack: An underwater-swimming Penguin has the

ability to explode out of the water with terrific force,
flying up to 10 high in the air and landing on his or her
opponent. This not only helps the Penguin escape aquatic
danger, but also gives the Penguin a highly effective
surprise attack on enemies standing near the waters edge.
A ballistic Penguin launching from the water gets a sur-
prise bonus of +3 on its land-borne opponents. The force
of this Penguin rocket will depend on how much speed the
Penguin is able to gather while swimming, which will vary
according to circumstances. As a general rule, every
segment (10 seconds) in which the Penguin can swim
unimpeded gives him or her 3 feet of ballistic range, up to
a maximum of 10 feet. Note that the Penguin need not
swim in a straight line; a Penguin in a 10 diameter well, for
example, could swim in tight circles and still build the
speed necessary to launch itself out of the water.

(Surprise in water, contd) -guin is an invaluable asset to any

party embarking on an underwater adventure.
Fishing: Penguins are master fish catchers, and can, in a
pinch, feed themselves and other party members if a
plentiful source of fish is nearby.

Movement: Your typical Penguin waddles along at a base

7 speed, about the same speed as a human in full platemail,
and only slightly faster than a gelatinous cube. However,
Penguins can move quickly across ice or other slippery
surfaces using a toboggan routine which involves lying flat
on their bellies and pushing along with feet and flippers. A
Penguin moving in this manner can travel at speed 18,
although to do so the Penguin must remove all armor. Oil
of Slipperiness is a highly prized commodity among Pen-
guins, allowing them to toboggan across what might
otherwise be impossibly rough surfaces (e.g. stone floors).
Whatever the Penguins limitations on land, the Penguin is
a speed demon in water, with speed 12 when paddling on
the surface, and shooting up to speed 24 when completely
underwater. (See Ballistic Attack below).

Languages: Penguins speak their own tongue and com-

mon, as well as the Oceanic Common Tongue. They can
learn only 2 more languages regardless of intelligence.

10
Race Relations: Penguins are not especially well-liked. All Penguins have Constitution and Dexterity of at least
With a reputation among common folk for picking pock- 10. Penguin characters have a maximum Strength of 14, a
ets, defecating in wells, and biting small children, Pen- maximum Wisdom of 17, and a maximum Charisma of 12.
guins are usually not welcome in human and demi-human Because of the races reputation for double-dealing, the
communities. NPC Penguins will usually be found in larger hirelings of Penguin PCs have an additional penalty (1 or
seaside towns, skulking around the wharfs where their 10%) to morale.
aquatic skills are most likely to land them employment.
Aquatic elves are the one race on good terms with Why Play a Penguin? Berke Breathed often remarked
Penguins, and to whom Penguins are favorably disposed. that Opus the Penguin was just as big of an asshole as the
Sahagin are the Penguins bitter enemies, and a Penguin human character Steve Dallas; Opus simply got away with it
will always attack a Sahagin on sight, no matter how because he was cuter. Likewise, a player will discover that a
hopeless the odds of surviving such an attack may be. seemingly inoffensive, ridiculous looking bird can get away
with the kind of big talk that might get another character
Player Characters: Penguin characters may advance as garroted. A half-orc pickpocket who is discovered stealing
warriors (same limit as Halflings), thieves (no limit), or ma- from his own party will probably be executed before the
ges (illusionists up to 7th level). They may advance in two end of the adventure, while a Penguin exhibiting the same
of these classes at once (paying experience for both, as behavior will most likely be turned upside down, shaken of
usual) if you permit multi-classing in your game. Penguins his stolen loot, and given a stern finger-wagging, followed
are chaotic and good by nature, but persecution and ridi- by a hearty Scooby Doo-ending laugh.
cule from other races has driven most Penguins to an
extreme of bitterness which makes true goodness virtually In subsequent decades of Dungeon Mastering, I have
impossible. Hence, most Penguins encountered will simply come to rely on the Penguin as a crucial element of every
be chaotic. However, outright evil Penguins are rare. Pen- game. The Penguin NPC makes for excellent comic-relief
guins, like Halflings, simply dont have it in them to go and a duplicitous trickster figure for the DM who likes to
around oppressing others; they would much rather spend keep her players on their toes. If no players wish to be a
their time eating, drinking, and making merry than stomp- Penguin, I always make sure a Penguin NPC joins the
ing their flippers into the faces of their enemies. party invited or not!

11
The Dragon-Blooded Strength, Intelligence, and Charisma, either at generation
or over time as the character comes more and more to
a new racial modifier by Calithena resemble its final draconic form. At GM option you may
wish to add 2 to each of these attribute scores, or require
In many games people like to play characters descended minimums of 13 in each to qualify for dragon-blooded
from dragons. I allow this on occasion, but at a cost: even- status, etc. Some GMs may wish to levy up to a 20%
tually such characters will become dragons themselves, experience penalty against such characters as well.
overcome as they grow in power by the blood of their
serpentine ancestor. Furthermore, as the signs of draconic Once a characters draconic blood is awakened roll 1d6 on
blood become more apparent, social stigma will attach to the following table. The character gains the first of two
such characters; and in the Kingdom of Ilthar, where many powers associated with the number rolled:
of my games have been run in recent years, there are whole
orders of witch hunters dedicated to purging dragon- 1. Dragons Gaze 4. Dragons Claws
bloods from the human population. Still, the challenge of a 2. Dragons Tongue 5. Dragons Wings
doomed character to do great things before being 3. Dragons Breath 6. Dragons Scale
overwhelmed by ones fate is enjoyable for many, and of
course many players enjoy the additional powers as well. Subsequently, each time the character gains a level, her
player rolls on this table again. If a previously unrolled
Any character may be dragon-blooded in addition to their number is rolled, the character gains the first power
base race, and they gain the advantages and disadvantages associated with it. If a number is rolled for which the
of both. Characters who have already gained a few levels character already has the first power, said character gains
can sometimes have latent dragon blood awakened, in the second. But if a number is rolled for which the
which case you may use these rules as normal but start character already has both powers, a second roll on 1d12
applying them at the characters current level instead of 1. must be made. Add to this roll the total number of dragon
The dragon-blooded may be of any character class or powers (up to a maximum of 12) that the character already
philosophical outlook. Such characters tend towards high has. If this total is 18 or greater, the character becomes a
dragon and is removed from play, except perhaps for
occasional cameo or NPC appearances. If it is 17 or less,
the player may choose any power not taken so far for his
character (or no power at all) and advance a level as
normal. The powers of the dragon-blooded are as follows:

Dragons Gaze - (1) Infravision, plus the dragonblood

can hypnotize other characters by locking eyes with
them (save negates). The dragon-blood can move slowly
while keeping gazes locked and keeps initiative over the
hypnotized foe in the event the gaze is broken. The
hypnotized person cant move and cannot lie in response
to any question the dragon asks, though he or she can
refuse to answer. (2) Character can see invisible
characters and objects they look at. Characters who
know the dragon is looking for them may save vs. being
turned to stone to avoid actually being seen.

Dragons Tongue (1) Any time the dragonblood tries

to persuade someone else to give in to greed, pride, lust,
envy, sloth, wrath, or pride, they must save vs. magic to
avoid doing just that. The GM may allow PCs to resist
without a save, but should strongly encourage them to
go along before letting them off the hook. (2) This
character can speak the ancient tongue of dra-gons, and
can use any dragon magic (unavailable to normal human
and elvish mages) he or she finds.

Dragons Breath (1) The dragonblood can breathe a

line of fire, acid, or some other element, doing 1d8
damage per level to a single target (save for half). The
12
dragonblood must wait 1d3 rounds afterwards before
breathing again with either breath weapon. (2) The
dragonblood can breathe a cone or cloud of the same
element over a large group, doing 1d6 damage per level
to each target in that area (save for half). The dragon-
blood must wait 1d6-1 rounds before breathing again
with either breath weapon.

Dragons Claws (1) The dragonblood gains perman-

ent, visible claws, which can be used as weapons in
either or both hands and do damage as short swords. (2)
The claws become magically sharp, and can damage any
foe normally, regardless of enchantments or magical
limitations on what can attack them.

Dragons Wings (1) The dragonblood can glide at

double foot speed and can fly with effort at ordinary
foot speed. The flying is clumsy and the dragon cannot
do other things while propelling itself through the air.
(2) The dragonblood can glide at triple foot speed and
fly at double foot speed, and is coordinated and able to
function normally in either condition. When charging
into combat airborne the dragonblood may make an
extra wing buffet attack as well.

Dragons Scales (1) The dragonblood grows scales

which act as chainmail. If the dragonblood is otherwise
armored, he gets a +1 defense bonus to that armor
instead. (2) The scales grow stronger and act as plate
mail. The defense bonus if otherwise armored is +2. her human side favors wisdom, compassion, caring for
others, and trying to do the right thing. She often describes
herself as having dragon blood and a human heart.
Unfortunately, this is often the cause of inner conflict for
Knights & Knaves her, and she is always on the lookout to find a solution
first in a new series by Karen Collins that can please her whole personality at once. If she must
choose, the human side usually wins out, although this may
(We encourage all GMs, players, and amateur storytellers to send leave her feeling frustrated and irritable thereafter.
us their favorite player and non-player characters! Ignatius)
Reyth despises politics, manipulation, cruelty, and cold-
Reyth Ravenswing, Princess of Dragons heartedness, and values integrity, caring, generosity, and
Ill be taken as I am or not at all. anyone willing to accept her as she is. She values nobility
of spirit over nobility in status.
Beautiful but shy, strong of body but gentle of spirit, Reyth
(pronounced Wraith) is the progeny of a long-dead She can often be found in marketplaces, savoring the
human Prince and a seductive, shape-changing amethyst wealth around her with all her senses, or flying in remote
dragon. She hatched from an egg that had lain dormant a areas such as forests or mountains. As an NPC, she would
thousand years and was raised by a wizard. She possesses a be useful if the party needs to find and speak to (and not
magic amulet which lets her take on the shape of a lovely fight) a good- or neutral-aligned dragon; if the plot engages
human girl most of the day, but feels a consuming need to the issue of race relations; and/or if the plot is need of the
take on her natural form in the evenings and, if at all archetype of a melancholy beauty with a powerful secret.
possible, go flying. In spite of her excellent qualities, in
general common people are somewhat afraid of half- Reyth: 7th level Human Dragon-Blooded Warrior, S 17 I
dragons, so Reyth is often withdrawn if not plainly outcast. 13 W 8 C 11 D 14 C 18. Draconic Powers: Dragons Gaze
(1), Dragons Tongue (1,2), Dragons Breath (1,2), Dra-
Reyths personality brings together a unique and interest- gons Wings (1,2). Reyth is usually equipped with a full
ing mix of human and dragon traits. Her dragon side loves hooded cloak, chainmail, a silvered and enchanted bastard
and savors riches and pleasure and all things draconic, but
13
sword +2, a shield, bow and arrows, and a magical amulet In spite of the rough world she lives in, Manx is good at
that lets her take on human form up to three times per heart and has a shameless love of life. Song, drink, good
day, though she always changes back to her dragonblooded food, and laughter are all that she desires. Although serious
form at sundown and sunrise. She has learned two dragon when theres work to be done, and fiercely protective of
magic spells in her travels, detect gold and gems and bladebreak. the young and innocent who cross her path, she has a
(The latter creates a defensive shield lasting the casters hearty and occasionally dark sense of humor. These things
level in minutes; any blade weapons hitting the caster must often lead her into situations she didnt plan on, but her
save vs. stoning or break, though they get a bonus equal to experience has given Manx great confidence in her ability
their plus score, and artifacts are immune. The caster to overcome any obstacle.
takes only 1 HTK from the attack if this save is missed.)
Manx Shearwater can be found on her ship, at the docks,
or in seaside taverns; occasionally she meets with mer-
chants to negotiate for supplies. Just look for the bemused
dark-haired beauty wearing a red sash, her trademark. She
is particularly useful as an NPC when a party needs to
charter a ship in some secrecy or stow away, but theyd
better have a good story to tell once they are found.

Manx: 4th level Human Warrior, S 12 I 14 W 15 C 13 D

15 C 16. Manx typically wields a cutlass or rapier with
main-gauche and goes unarmored or in leathers, though
she has a heavy suit of banded armor in her captains quar-
ters for on-shore adventures. Having ships stores and
crew generally gives her access to whatever basic equip-
ment she needs. In addition, she has a cloak of conceal-
ment (bestowed upon her by a grateful passenger, perhaps
an elven prince), a magic spyglass (excellent normal
function plus can see through walls once/day), and a small
ivory idol of a dove which can take life once per day, either
to point due north or to carry a message to anyone
(specified by name or the closest) within ten miles.

The Monster Machine

Manx Shearwater, Corsair Captain by Vincent Baker
Never tell me the odds.
This is a tool for creating your own unique, thematically-
Born Marie Shearwater, the daughter of a fisherman, Manx linked monsters. It works by unnaturally combining two
joined the pirate world as a young teenager after being natural materials, as an evil enchanter might, using sorcery
shipwrecked in a strange seaside town with no friends or to merge and commingle what nature created apart!
money. Though her first years in the underworld were
rough, Manx is cunning and decisive. Once she found her To use the tables below, first roll or select two natural
footing she became very successful, first as a thief, then as materials. Then, in any order or all together:
a sailor, and finally as the Captain of her own ship. Determine your monster's level, defense class, etc.
Roll or select 3-6 abilities from the lists associated with
Preferring to avoid needless bloodshed, Manx most often your two materials.
opts for the smuggling side of piracy over attacking
Select a weakness associated with one of your mon-
merchant vessels, although she will do that also if neces-
sters two materials.
sary. She runs a small, fast ship, the Lark. The ship
contains many secret compartments in which to hide Write a brief description, detailing any particular per-
goods or people. She keeps her crew minimal to avoid sonality or mechanical quirks, as well as your
chances of betrayal of secrecy, and looks after their health monster's nature, disposition and habits.
and rewards them richly; as a consequence, she has a Finally, if you like, go on to create a thematically linked
reputation for trustworthiness and reliability to her clients. group of monsters to flesh out a unique encounter!
She made it clear early in her career that any person who I call them all "monsters" indiscriminately, but you can
challenges her authority will be unceremoniously thrown create all kinds of threats this way, including traps and
overboard, regardless of the ships location. dangerous locations.
14
Natural Materials: Roll 2d12 to determine the two GLASS ICE
natural materials your monster is made of. If you get 1. Attack (Cut) 1. Armor
doubles, choose a second material to suit, or re-roll: 2. Jagged 2. Attack (Cut)
3. Knock Down 3. Big
1. BONE/HORN/TEETH (LVL 2d4+1, DC 4, Speed 9) 4. Mesmerize 4. Bind
2. FIRE (LVL d12, DC 7, Speed 18) 5. Jagged
3. FLESH (LVL d6, DC d3+6, Speed 12) 6. Knock Down
4. GAS (LVL d4, DC 9, Speed 12 (fly))
5. GLASS (LVL d6, DC 6, Speed 12) METAL SHADOW
6. ICE (LVL d8+3, DC 2, Speed 6) 1. Armor 1. Drain
7. METAL (LVL 2d4+4, DC 0, Speed 6) 2. Attack (Cut) 2. Flurry
8. SHADOW (LVL d8, DC 7, Speed 15) 3. Attack (Impale) 3. Frighten
9. STONE (LVL 2d4+4 DC 1, Speed 6) 4. Big 4. Intangible
10. WATER (LVL d10+1, DC 3, Speed 9/18 (swim)) 5. Bind 5. Mesmerize
11. WIND (LVL d4, DC 8, Speed 24 (fly)) 6. Jagged 6. Stealth
12. WOOD (LVL d8+1, DC 5, Speed 9)
STONE WATER
Each material lists LVL, DC and Speed. You may choose 1. Armor 1. Intangible
the value associated with either material (and may roll 2. Attack (Bludgeon) 2. Knock Down
before choosing) or an intermediate value. A monster rolls 3. Big 3. Mesmerize
a number of dice for HTK equal to its LVL. Unless special 4. Jagged 4. Strangle
abilities determine otherwise, your monster gets one melee
attack per round. The base damage for this attack is 1d4, WIND WOOD
though often this will be improved by special abilities. The 1. Attack (Batter) 1. Armor
way you visualize its appearance may give it additional 2. Flurry 2. Attack (Bludgeon)
attacks (if it has four arms, for instance), or take away its 3. Intangible 3. Big
default attack (if it's intangible, e.g.). If monsters get many 4. Knock down 4. Bind
attacks or potent special abilities you may want to award 5. Flurry
extra Adventure Points for defeating them. 6. Strangle

Abilities: Once you have your monster's two materials, Ability Descriptions:
select its abilities. Roll or choose 3-6 times (d4+2) on the ARMOR: Reduce the monster's DC by 2. If you give it
following tables, or just 4 times if you dont feel like Armor more than once, reduce its DC by 2 per.
rolling. You can draw from both of your materials' lists.
One good way to get started is to roll until you start to ATTACK (BATTER): Swiping at a creature from a
have a clear vision of the monster, then choose the rest. hundred directions at once, batter attacks do only 1d4
Some abilities double up nicely, like Armor, Big, or Mes- damage, but automatically hit (no roll required).
merize. For others, just re-roll or choose a different one.
ATTACK (BLUDGEON): A standard pounding attack,
BONE/HORN/TEETH FIRE doing 1d6 damage.
1. Armor 1. Attack (Burn)
2. Attack (Impale) 2. Flurry ATTACK (BRAWL): Punching, kicking, biting, gouging,
3. Attack (Rend) 3. Frighten goring, pouncing, body-slamming, head-butting for 1d6.
4. Frighten 4. Intangible
5. Jagged 5. Mesmerize ATTACK (BURN): This monster scorches its foes for
6. Knock down 6. Scorching Blast 1d10 damage in melee.

FLESH GAS ATTACK (CUT): A standard slashing blade or talon,

1. Attack (Brawl) 1. Drain doing 1d6 on a hit.
2. Attack (Grapple) 2. Flurry
3. Big 3. Intangible ATTACK (GRAPPLE): Grapple attacks immobilize;
4. Flurry 4. Poison anyone hit by the grapple attack is assumed held firm and
5. Frighten 5. Scorching Blast can only try to break free. Grappled characters take no
6. Mesmerize 6. Strangle damage when originally grappled, but once seized the
7. Poison grappling monster can slowly squeeze the life out of them,
8. Stealth doing 1d6 damage per round with no roll to hit required.

15
ATTACK (IMPALE): Impaling attacks do 1d8, or 2d8 (in KNOCK DOWN: Generally, if this monster hits you, you
addition to any other critical effects) on a natural 20. get knocked over. In some cases, call for a saving throw or
attribute roll to avoid this. If you're creating treacherous
ATTACK (REND): A rend attack requires the monster to terrain as a monster, you can use Knock Down to call for
already have two or more melee attacks, so adjust the an attribute roll to traverse it successfully: a dexterity roll
creature accordingly (selecting and deleting abilities as to walk a slick glass walkway, for instance, or a strength
needed). When a rending monster hits with two or more roll to go hand-over-hand along a dangling rope.
other attacks, it automatically rips its victim for 2d4
additional damage (no additional roll to hit required). MESMERIZE: The monster can hypnotically control
minds; if it uses this on you, save to avoid being charmed.
BIG: As in, really big. This monster adds 3 to LVL and an If you link this to Flurry, the monster can exert this effect
extra damage die for all attacks. If you give it Big more against all who can see it at once.
than once, give it +3 LVL and an extra damage die per.

BIND: This monster has some way to freeze, chain, en-

tangle, paralyze, hold, etc. its foes in place. This can be
physical, magical, or psychological. If it uses this ability on
you, make a save or be immobilized. If you're bound, it's
always impossible for you to move, but with some versions
of Bind you may be able to fight or otherwise act where
you stand, or roll again on subsequent rounds to escape.

DRAIN: If the monster successfully attacks you with a

Drain, it temporarily weakens you, draining 1d6 from one
of your attribute scores. Specify the attribute when you
create the monster. By default, the effect lasts for an hour,
but you can specify a longer or shorter duration. Drains
versus mental or perceptual attributes can represent intoxi-
cation, stupor, or hallucinations.

FLURRY: This special attack can work with attacks or

with other special abilities. In lieu of all other actions, a
POISON: The monster is poisonous, toxic, corrosive or
flurrying monster may make one specified type of attack
venomous. If it hits you with a poisonous attack, save vs.
(or use one specified ability) against each enemy it can
poison. If you link this to Jagged, any close contact is
reach. If you're creating a collective monster a swarm of
enough to require a save, including the damage on a miss.
undead wasps, for in-stance - use Flurry to represent its
many individuals acting in concert.
SCORCHING BLAST: A gout of fire or other harmful
substance, doing half the monster's level (round up) in d6s
FRIGHTEN: Monsters with this ability are scary. If they
of damage. The monster can fire it at any single target
surprise you, or if they decide to skip fighting for a round
within 60' as a missile attack. If you link this to Flurry, the
in order to roar, menace, or intimidate, you must roll a
Scorching Blast is truly enormous, room-filling, affecting
save or else spend 1-3 rounds cowering or fleeing and fight
everyone present.
at -2 thereafter. On a natural 1 you run screaming away for
1-10 minutes and can't fight them again for a day without
STEALTH: This monster gets surprise twice as often as
serious coaching or magical blessing. If you link this to
normal and a bonus to initiative. It also can skulk around
Flurry, the monster can frighten everyone who can see it.
during combat if it gets a chance, getting behind people or
into good positions to fight more effectively. It may also
INTANGIBLE: This Monster is utterly immune to most
be able to make misleading sounds or images, to distract
weapons and all physical attacks. Magic weapons and spells
its victims.
with physical effects hurt it 50% of the time (flip a coin).
More clever tactics may be highly successful, case by case,
STRANGLE: This creature has some way to get into your
according to the GM's call.
lungs (gas, liquid, vines) and interfere with your breathing.
The first round, this has no effect. The second round, you
JAGGED: Monsters with this ability have sharp, spiky
get a -2 on everything you attempt. The third round and
protrusions that can cut those who get too close. If you
subsequently, you get a -4 on everything and must make a
miss your attack roll against such a creature in melee
combat, take 1d6 damage automatically.
16
saving throw or pass out from lack of air. If the creature Description: For most monsters, all you need is a
isn't slain or somehow stopped from doing this within 4d4 sentence or two describing it physically and another
minutes after passing out, you die. sentence or two describing its habits. However, if you're
doing quirky, limited, or unusual things with the monster's
Weaknesses: Give your monster a single weakness. You abilities, be sure to describe them. If you're creating a trap
can choose one from one of the monster's two materials, a as a monster, fully describe how to trigger and disarm it.
related material (you might choose stone's Slow-moving
for a monster of wood, for instance, or wind's Can Be Sample Bestiary
Bottled for a monster of gas), or make one up yourself Howling Ghost
based on your overall impression of the monster. Made of: Shadow, Wind
LVL d4, DC 7, Speed 24
Bone/Horn/Teeth - SEES RED: There is some particular Abilities: Drain Constitution, Drain Wisdom, Knock
easily available thing - a large color swatch, a type of plant, Down (vs Strength), Intangible
a haunch of meat - which distracts this monster and causes A shrieking humanoid darkness with claws and staring
it to direct all its efforts at obtaining it, in lieu of fighting eyes. It knocks you down and tears your flesh and mind.
or other activity. The characters can use this to distract and Weapons won't hurt it but clerics can banish it as undead.
bedevil the monster, potentially even slaying it with ease Weakness: Sunlight
(though as always there may be complications).
Fire - QUENCHABLE: A bucket of water will do this Boiler Golem
monster 1d6 damage; more will quickly kill it. Spells that Made of: Gas, Metal
create water are deadly. LVL 2d4+7, DC -2, Speed 6, extra damage die
Flesh - EMOTIONAL CONNECTION: There is Abilities: Armor, Attack (Bludgeon), Big, Jagged
someone or something that this monster loves, worships, Hulking riveted armor animated by toxic steam. Bludgeons
serves, or depends upon, and threatening or controlling it you to the ground and stomps on you. The jets of gas
exerts substantial influence over the monster as well. escaping its vents and joints are like mace or tear gas -
Gas - FLAMMABLE (takes double damage from fire) or that's why it's Jagged - so keep your distance.
EASILY DISPERSED (like Quenchable for fire, but with Weakness: Slow-moving
wind: strong winds will kill it, moderate ones do 1d6.
Glass - SHATTERS: A natural 20 with any bludgeoning Mirrorvine
attack will destroy this monster. Made of: Glass, Wood
Ice - SALTMELT: A large fistful of salt will do this LVL d8+1, DC 6, Speed N/A
creature 1d6 damage, with much more possible from Abilities: Attack (Cut), Bind, Mesmerize, Flurry
greater amounts. An animate thorn-vine, whose thorns are blades of broken
Metal - BRITTLE (if you subject it to extreme heat one prismatic glass. Draws its victims in with its dazzling
round and extreme cold the next, or vice-versa, any colors, then binds and flays them.
bludgeoning attack that hits on the third round will Weakness: Rooted
automatically destroy it) or INANIMATE (a big contrap-
tion, doesn't move at all, though you may have to move Frost Warrior
through it). Made of: Ice, Metal
Shadow SUNLIGHT (The monster will avoid sunlight at LVL 2d4+4, DC -2, Speed 6
all costs; forced exposure does 1d6 per round, killing such Abilities: Armor, Attack (Cut), Bind (vs Con), Flurry
a monster rapidly) or SUBJECT TO PRIESTS (Such a 8 foot tall, appalling armed & armored frozen warriors
creature can be turned, commanded, etc.) radiating chill. Their Bind and Flurry abilities go together:
Stone - SLOW-MOVING: Slow monsters can only move when they attack, everyone within melee range has to roll
or attack, never both in the same round, even on a charge. to resist the joint-freezing cold about them.
Water - VULNERABLE TO FREEZING (the monster Weakness: Saltmelt
takes double damage from all ice or cold-based attacks) or
VULNERABLE TO DRYING (the monster takes double Swarm of Fire Rats
damage from all fire or heat-based attacks). Made of: Fire, Flesh
Wind - CAN BE BOTTLED: If you can find a way to LVL 1d12+3, DC 9, Speed 12, extra damage die
contain this monster in a bottle, keg, tank, etc., you can Abilities: Attack (Burn), Big, Flurry, Stealth
take it out of action. Apparently normal rats which can, at will, burst into white-
Wood - VERY STUPID (Just about any attempt to trick hot flame. They infiltrate a campsite (for instance) as nor-
or misdirect this creature will succeed) or ROOTED (can't mal rats, then all at once ignite. They aren't individually big
move from its base location). - in fact, each point of damage done to them is the killing
of an individual rat - but they travel in big swarms.
Weakness: Quenchable
17
Creating Thematically Related Monsters: Let's say I'm The Choose-Then-Roll Method: Choose one of the
taken with the boiler golem and I want to build a whole original monster's materials and roll a new second material.
monstrous scene on the same theme. For example, I choose gas and roll water.

The Same-But-Moreso Method: Don't roll or choose new The Distillation Works
materials, just switch up the monster's abilities. Made of: Gas, Water
LVL d10+1, DC 3, Speed 12
Boiler Juggernaut Abilities: Intangible, Knock down (vs. Dexterity), Flurry,
Made of: Gas, Metal Strangle
LVL: 2d4+10, DC -2, Speed 6, +2 damage dice, 5 attacks Not a monster as such, a dangerous room. It looks like
Abilities: Armor, Attack (Bludgeon), Scorching Blast, Big this: very big room, all stone, low ceiling. The floor is
x2, Jagged several feet deep with thick, blobby liquid. Copper pipes
A ten-legged monstrosity like a cast iron tick the size of a laid on the floor carry heat throughout; the heated liquid
house, belching tear-gas steam. It has ten spiky legs and it gives off constant noxious fumes. High on the room's
needs only six of them to stand on, so it can use the other walls are filtered vents, through which the gas escapes to
four for attacks. Plus under its head it has a nozzle and be processed on the other side. There's a narrow walkway
pilot light, so it can ignite and jet out the fluids that just above the level of the liquid, it snakes through the
animate it, for a seventh attack. Furthermore, like the room from entrance to exit and gives access to the pipes'
Boiler Golem, miss a melee attack against it and you fall vents and valves. Obviously you can't kill it with swords.
victim to the toxic fumes it constantly outgasses. There might be a way to destroy it, if there are technos or
Weakness: Very stupid such in your party. It strangles everyone passing through.
Usually passing through takes two rounds, but you can
The Same-But-Less-So is legit too, of course, if you want a make a Dex roll to run through in one. Unfortunately,
smaller version instead. failure means losing your footing on the walkway and
potentially even falling into the liquid, and that's BAD.
Weakness: Inanimate

18
The Roll-Then-Choose Method: Roll the first new mater- according to your usual procedure. Theres also a table for
ial, then choose a second material to go with it. For cavern trappings when you need a little inspiration. Finally,
example, I roll wood and choose wind. there are several spots marked for corpse on the map;
the third table tells you whats on these corpses if players
Bellows Imps search them. These caves, and especially the many cavern
Made of: Wind, Wood shelves indicated on the map, are somewhat slippery and
LVL d8+1, DC 5, Speed 18 treacherous to move through. Most of the areas are too
Abilities: Armor, Attack (Bludgeon), Bind, Knock down large for a torch or lantern to fully illuminate, so the party
(vs Strength) will always feel exposed to the murky depths just beyond
Bellows imps are the laborers who build and maintain their present vision. Id not wander off
these boiler monstrosities for their master. They're
scrawny little stick-and-twig people, but they have Random Encounters (d10)
enormous power in their lungs and long, strong, clinging 1. 2 Crabmen (LVL 2, DC 5, AT 2, SPD 6/12 sideways)
fingers, and they're very resilient to attack. They blow gale- 2. 1d3+1 Troglodytes (LVL 1+1, DC 7, SPD 9)
force winds to knock you down, then hold you down and 3. 1d4+2 Halfling Minions. Scouting carefully and hiding
bludgeon you with their fists. roll to spot, double chances of surprise and they wont
Weakness: Flammable attack an obviously superior force. In general they will lure
parties towards areas 7-8. (LVL 1, DC 6, SPD 12)
The Choose-Both Method: The reason to roll materials is 4. 1d4 boys here on a dare, either false-brash or terrified.
to spark your creativity when you don't have a monster in 5. Wandering Humanoids, roll d6: 1 = Ogre, 2-4 = d6+6
mind already. When you do have a monster in mind Orcs, 5-6 = 2d4 Kobolds. Wary, exploring.
already, no need to roll. You can just choose, of course. 6. Tagon Claymore, Dwarf Warrior, and Valenar, Elf War-
rior-Mage, both neutral LVL 2 exploring the upper caves.
The Boiler Golems Wife 7. Nuisance: Swarm of Bats (noisy, may alert nearby foes)
Made of: Flesh, Metal 8. Nuisance: Pack of Eight Legged Possums (same. These
LVL d4+4, DC -2, Speed 12, 2 attacks per round are a unique marsupial that lives around the dungeon.)
Abilities: Armor, Attack (Cut), Mesmerize, Stealth 9. Creeping Mold (LVL 3, immune to weapons but slain by
A tragic figure! She's beautiful (mesmerizingly so, in fact), fire and damaged by acid, water, etc., 1d10 damage, Spd 6)
she's half flesh and half metal, and she loves the boiler 10. 1d2+1 Ghouls (LVL 2, attack paralyzes, DC6, Speed 9)
golem with all her heart, even though he can't feel anything
for her in return. She can't speak but she can communicate Cave/Passage Trappings (d12)
with her eyes. She moves silently her armored body is 1. Small Pool
perfectly oiled - and she has blades for hands. 2. Dripping Water
Weakness: Emotional Connection - loves the boiler golem. 3. Glowing Blue Lichen
4. Gust of Hot Air
5. Gust of Cold Air
6. Sound of Clanging Metal
The Darkness Beneath 7. Steam/Fog
Level 1: The Upper Caves 8. Momentary Vertigo
by Hackman, with Calithena and David Bowman 9. Edible Non-Glowing Yellow Lichen
10. Mud Slide (roll for direction)
Introduction: The upper caves of this dungeon lie just 11. 1d3 Heads on Stakes (roll d4: 1 Crab-man; 2 Trog-
beneath the surface (low level, etc.). They are intended for lodyte; 3 Human/Caveman; 4 random other)
low-level characters, as low as 1 if you have good players 12. Vein of Glittering Stone: if character studies it, save vs.
or a large party. Though this level was conceived as part of wands to avoid hypnosis.
a megadungeon, we have taken pains to ensure that this
version is playable by itself without the other levels. There Corpses (d8)
are many unique creatures and items herein, but three fac- 1. Naught but moldy rags
tions exert the most influence over the level. Troglodytes 2. Elvish skeleton clutching a ruby (worth 300 gold coins)
and Crabmen battle one another for supremacy, while a 3. Large Pile of Bones: 2 Dwarves, 5 Humans, 1 Halfling
renegade Leprechaun and his ten Halfling minions play 4. Four decomposing Orc corpses, 200 silver & 58 gold.
both sides against the middle. The Leprechaun will want to 5. Tattered cloak and boots (human sized).
trick the party out of its goods (or use them to gain even 6. Broken spear and pole-arm with shredded leather armor.
more), but the Halflings are thoroughly evil and will 7. Two decomposing Human corpses, wearing damaged
probably try to kill the party outright if given the chance. armor (plate and chain respectively).
There is a table for random encounters below; check it 8. Human skeleton with robe and broken staff. An ivory
tube at its waist contains a scroll with 3 spells (random).
19
20
Room Descriptions: 7-8. These two caves serve as the home of the Leprechaun
1. The entrance cave from the surface above. Stalwart, Hamly and his Halfling minions. Both of these caves have
attentive adventurers hear scampering from the Northwest a profusion of stalactites and stalagmites. If the Lepre-
area immediately. Two dozen eight-legged possums are chaun is aware that a group is approaching, he will use his
here eating green lichen. They are harmless but will hiss illusion ability to make the stalactites appear to be large
when initially approached. There is a huge but empty black mushrooms. The Halflings will hide throughout the
burlap giants bag resting against the Southeast wall. cavern and attempt to use their slings as long as possible.
Meanwhile, Hamly will become invisible and transform
2. In the middle of this cave is a small natural fountain of any weapons he sees wielded. Alternatively, Hamly might
black brackish water that quickly drains off into a basin. just use invisibility and ventriloquism to make fun of the
There are several 8-legged possums about, two slurping group while he and/or the silent, sneaky Halflings pick
water from the fountain. Though the water looks, smells, their pockets. Hamly can levitate as well, so he could steal
and tastes nasty, it will quench thirst and will actually cure something and levitate up. If defeated Hamly and the
1d6 points of damage once per day for any imbibing. The others will surrender, offer to scout and find the party
Leprechaun and his Halfling minions are well aware of this gold, and so on, but will betray them at first opportunity.
and might attempt to retreat to this cave if hurt. The northeast corner of 8 contains 10 cots and small
trunks used by the Halflings for storage. Each Halfling
3. An enchanted ball of flame rolls randomly about the trunk contains clothing, foodstuffs, 2d100 silver coins, and
ceiling here, illuminating the chamber. It occasionally emits 1d8 platinum coins; one has a treasure map secreted away
a streak of fire that has a 5% chance of striking anyone on as well. There is a fountain of spring water in the area.
the floor below for 1d10 damage. Player conjectures about There is a fire pit as well and if a group digs under this pit
why it is here might provide seeds for future adventures they will find a large iron trunk a few feet down containing
Hamlys treasure hoard. The trunk is locked and trapped
4. Theres a small lake in this cavern with a waterfall going with a poison needle in the lock (save or die within 1
in reverse! The waterfall creates an anti-gravity effect in the hour). The chest contains 1000 gold coins, 2000 silver
lake which grows stronger the nearer one is to it. Anyone coins, 25 platinum coins, 3 silver armbands worth 75 gold
foolish enough to be sucked up into the waterfall will be each, a potion of Flying, a potion of Heroic Fighting that
transported to another dungeon level, an alien realm of lets any character drinking it fight as three levels higher for
ones own imagining, or perhaps just to a pool on the ten minutes or so (get extra hp, better attacks and saves,
surface half a mile from the dungeon entrance. The shore etc.), and Illuminator, a +1 sword. Illuminator is a lawful
drops off quickly and the lake is about 50 feet deep. A blade with Intelligence and Egotism 8 and communicates
mutated Giant Frog lives here. It has a breath weapon empathically. It can detect evil and gems and any chaotic
emitting paralytic gas in a cloud right in front of it, and foe hit by it must save vs. paralysis. The blades mission is
when it hits foes with a bite it will pull them into its mouth to expose corruption among nobility, and will withhold its
with its tongue unless a save v. breath weapons is made help from players who dont work to do so after a while.
(automatic bite damage each round for characters trapped Halflings: LVL 1, DC 6, slings and swords and leather,
in its mouth, and their fighting options are limited). A excellent stealth/ambush/thievery abilities. Hamly: LVL
gooey, vomit-like resin wells up from pores on the frogs 1, DC 8, HTK 5. Spells cast on Hamly fail 80% of the
back. At the bottom of the lake is a small locked coffer, time. As desired, he can make himself invisible, transform
containing a gold and ruby necklace worth 5,000gp. The any weapon-sized or smaller, non-living, non-magical item
necklace is an heirloom of a powerful lord in the area and into any other, create illusions, or use ventriloquism. He
would draw attention if pawned. It will require some in- also knows magic and can cast spells as a 3rd level Mage:
genuity to dive for the chest without going up the falls. Slumber, Charm, Light, and Levitate. These spells plus See
Giant Mutated Frog: LVL 2+2, HTK 13, DC 6. Invisible are all in his spellbooks, also in the trunk.

5. These two passages are for GMs who wish to connect 9. When approaching this area from either direction,
this dungeon to their own or create additional areas. If this explorers will see crab shells, exoskeletons, claws and even
is not desired, treat them as dead-end passages. If playing some crude spears spread about. A tribe of Troglodytes
with the schematic on pg. 20, they go to the Lower Caves. and a group of Demon Crab-worshipping cavemen fight
occasionally in these passages. When explorers reach the
6. Several passages intersect here. If not already point marked as area 3 on the map they will be attacked by
encountered randomly, a group of 5 Halfling minions of a howling neanderthal and his 2 crabman companions.
the Leprechaun are here. They will attempt to lead the Neanderthal: LVL 2, HTK 11, DC 8, SPD 12. Crabmen:
party to 7 for an ambush by acting like friendly little guys. LVL 2, HTK 8, 6, DC 5, SPD 6/12 sideways. The passage
Halflings: LVL 1, HTK 6, 4, 3, 1, 1, DC 6, armed with heading east from here leads to The Spawning Grounds of the
slings and short swords. They are almost undetectable Crabmen if playing with the whole dungeon schematic,
when hiding in cavern shadows and crevasses. otherwise it can go where you like or dead-end.
21
 double damage). Troglodytes: LVL 1+1, HTK 8, 7, 7, 7,
6, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2, DC 7, SPD 9, Screech, axes. South and east
of this battle is a tunnel sloping downward, which leads to
the Warrens of the Troglodytes in the full dungeon, otherwise
to a dead end or location of your choosing.

12. Gulag the Ogre dwells here: LVL 4+1, HTK 19, DC 5,
SPD 9, +2 damage on all hits. Gulag will not parley unless
faced by more than 8 opponents. If reduced to 50% of
HTK, he will flee to a nook in the south part of the cave
where he keeps his treasure in a series of niches. Gulag will
attempt to fit into this niche to avoid being surrounded,
but he has a 3 in 6 chance of becoming stuck getting in,
leaving his big ass an easy target. His treasure hoard con-
sists of 1,000 gold coins (it could take a bit to collect the
coins since they are spread out in various niches), an artful
bronze neckace worth 30 gold, and a potion of transform.

13. This vast hall, which slopes noticeably downward going

West, is called the Troll Highway. Deeper down, an en-
clave of dinosaur-riding Dark Trolls rides to the surface
The Neanderthal Tribe of the Claw worship the Crab along this hall to 1. The giant reptilian tracks are clearly vis-
Demon Garaskis. They wield crabshell-crafted weapons ible in the pounded ancient stones here. The Dark Trolls
(pincer-spears, claw-clubs, etc.) and shell shields. Crabmen will not normally be encountered unless a party waits for
are chosen ones of the tribe who have undergone a ritual them for days; any party of appropriate power for this
transformation as part of a years-long metamorphosis into dungeon will be slaughtered or captured by such foes if
Giant Crabs, essentially part crab, part man, with the they try to engage them. The hall is always misty due to the
earliest 'mutations' being a single giant pincer (ala fiddler bubbling pool at 13B; the Creeping Molds on the random
crabs) and an exoskeleton carapace. They are true encounter chart enter the upper caves through here (and if
abominations of nature and should be described as vile, someone sticks something into or falls into 13B there is a
foul, unholy, half-caveman half-crustacean...things. 50% chance of being attacked by one). 13C marks a
passage in the upper caves which passes over the Troll
Highway the two are not connected in any way. GMs
10. When approaching this area the sound of battle can be
who dont like the Troll idea are free to simply treat this as
heard about 90 feet off. A group of 6 Troglodytes are
a large ancient hall, possibly also eliminating the brass-
finishing off two Lizardmen who swam into this cavern
bound double doors at 13D. Otherwise, these doors
through the pool. Explorers arrive as the last of the
follow the Troll Highway all the way down to the Lower
Lizardmen are being slain. Explorers will have the jump on
and Deep Caves, or to a location of your own choosing.
the Trogs. The Trogs have armor made of a leathery hide
and three have small stone maces that can be thrown as
14. Piles of rags are strewn about this cave. If searched, a
missile weapons. All six have curvy swords made of some
stone tablet will be found with a picture and lettering
type of yellowish bone. Troglodytes: LVL 1+1, DC 7,
inscribed upon it. The picture is one of tentacles stroking a
SPD 9, Screech. At the beginning of each encounter,
humanoid figure. The language requires magic or a sage to
Troglodytes emit an ear piercing screech which is known
read (and a sage will be reluctant, recognizing the script as
to send brave men into panic. No effect on PCs, but all
untrustworthy). The tablet describes a complex ritual to
henchmen are required to make a morale check or flee.
call forth unholy, otherworldly monstrosities. Any charac-
Each Trog is wearing a silver medallion worth 50 gold.
ter with the ability to use magic can conduct such a ritual,
though it will take hours and require some sort of sacrifice.
11. Another batttlezone, this one just having started. 8
Such demons will be powerful, ignore normal pentagrams
screaming cavemen led by a Crab-Priest are doing battle
and protection spells below 4th level, and will immediately
with a group of 10 Troglodytes here. They will keep attack anything nearby (including the summoner, though
fighting each other as well as the PCs if attacked, but a there is some control over where the entity appears). They
wise group will let them finish each other first. Neander- cannot usually be bargained with and those summoning
thals: LVL 2, HTK 13, 11, 8, 7, 6, 6, 4, 3, DC 8, SPD 12. them must save vs. transformation or go insane. This
Crab-Priest: LVL 3, HTK 9, DC 4, SPD 6/12 sideways, tablet came from a much deeper level of the dungeon (The
attacks with pincers, can cast Cloud of Fog or Puncturing Blasphemous Shrine of the Tentacled God, if playing the con-
Strike (successful attacks by those under this blessing do nected levels) and could be sold to unscrupulous demon-
22
23
-ologists, though doing so is an evil act. The floor in the second secret door leading to the hallway, and will ambush
northern part of the cave is very rough and uneven, and a the party from behind as they struggle with the net. Of
determined party with shovels (or a Dwarf and a pick) course cautious delvers might detect the secret doors, the
might tunnel through down to 15 if they thought of it. strings, net etc. Each Bugbear carries 50 silver and 25 gold.
Theyve also split up a cache of ten small gems worth 25
15. The 20 pit in the hall outside this room opens on 3 in gold apiece. One of them also has a metal rod they use to
6. There is a small hole just west of the pit and if any sort disable the pit trap in the hallway leading to 15. Bugbears:
of pole or rod is stuck into it, the pit seals shut for an LVL 3, HTK 16, 14, 9, DC 6, SPD 12, very quiet and
hour. The room itself has a pile of 2 Bugbear and 5 Goblin sneaky, armed with double-bladed axes.
bodies decomposing in the entry passage. They were all
killed attempting to pass by a blade trap protecting a suit 18. The portcullis at the end of the hallway is closed. The
of human sized plate armor and a two-handed sword in lever to open it is inside the room, on the north wall 10
the middle of the room. There are 3 sets of 2 blades that west of the bars. Extreme strength can bend the bars or lift
swing down from the ceiling. The 1st set is where the entry the gates. The room is covered with bas-reliefs of
passage connects with the room, the second and third one frolicking Lizardmen and dinosaurs. Careful inspection of
and two feet from the north wall of the room respectively. the west wall reveals a small handle concealed among the
The blades in each set are millimeters apart and come images. Pulling the handle reveals an ancient stone box,
down together, automatically resetting after their swing. lizard-wrought, containing six emeralds worth 150 gold
They do 4d4 damage to characters struck by them (2d4 if each and a magical +1 dagger that does not glow.
somehow struck by one blade only). The blades are set off
via motion into the alcove. Examining the bodies will give 19. Towards the back of this cave there is a small fresh-
clues as to how they died, possibly indicating the traps to water spring with a cluster of edible mushroom patches. 19
attentive players. The armor and sword are cursed. The is above but does not connect to 20 and 22 below. A soli-
sword is -1 but seems +3; the armor yells Here I am! tary Hobgoblin named Furby has taken shelter here. He
loudly whenever undetected enemies are within sixty feet. escaped from a temple much deeper below where the
dungeon-mistresses enslaved him for their lascivious rites.
16. A group of 20 Goblins dwells in this area. They are Furby has whip-scars and cuts all over his body as well as
allied with the Bugbears in 17, though due to losses bruises in more sensitive areas. Hes haunted and can be
incurred attempting to obtain the armor and sword in killed without effort. However, he has some knowledge of
room 15 they are not so loyal. The room is filthy, and this level as well as of lower levels (particularly the Warrens
stinks as the Goblins use the unfinished room to the east of the Troglodytes, the Lower Caves, and the Fane of Salicia if
as their lavoratory. Sometimes they go on patrol, but much playing with the full dungeon otherwise wherever you
of their day is spent cooking over the fire pit in the middle want to put the priestesses in your world). He is not even
of the room and playing fun cut each other games with all that evil for a Hobgoblin, so could serve as a guide.
one another. There are several bundles of rags in the room
as well as two large tables, 5 barrels of Orcsmead (see Max 20. There is a pit here, 3 in 6 chance of opening. The drop
Davenports article in this issue Ig), and 3 wooden chairs. The is 10 feet, depositing fallers in an east-west hallway. This is
Goblins have a total of 250 silver coins and a healing the only way besides magic and excavation to access 21-24.
potion in the rag piles. Goblins: LVL 1-1, DC 6, SPD 6,
all armed with spears and three have crossbows as well. 21. This room contains four statues. Three are of an un-
known race, reptilian like Lizardmen but strangely resem-
17. 3 Bugbears dwell in this room, allied with the goblins bling elves in other ways. The statue in the middle of the
above. They are here for the treasure in 15, but have yet to room is a slender, yellow-eyed alligator in a basin sur-
get past the blade trap. There is a trip wire in the hallway rounded by rocks. If PCs bring gems into the room, the
leading to this room which alerts them to intruders. When alligators mouth wags up and down, faster when one is
the party approaches the room, the standard doors will be held up to it. A gem placed in its mouth is consumed loud-
open and a small basin fountain on the north wall is visi- ly, and the one placing it is blessed for 1 turn for each 10
ble. The Bugbears have trained two small white rats to dip gold the gem is worth. Forcing anything else into the
into the water and squeak, so the first thing delvers see is mouth will cause that thing to be eaten as well: jewelry has
two rats romping in the fountain. The eastern portion of no effect and anything else curses the giver for an hour.
the room has two sets of large bunk beds, a table with Blesses and curses will normally be of the stock variety
mutton and flagons, and two barrels of Sprucebeard Ale. (+1/-1 to attack rolls and saves) but at GM option
The Bugbears have a net trap above the fountain. One something more impressive might be bestowed for large
Bugbear is in the room hiding and will pull the cord offerings. The secret door behind the statue in the West
causing the net to fall and entrap those in front of the alcove is activated by moving the left arm of the statue to
fountain. The other two Bugbears will have slipped out via an upward position; it will slowly lower back down as the
the secret door on the south wall, passing through the secret door closes with it over 1 minute.
24
22. These three rooms have bas-reliefs similar to those in in the dungeon after taking their choicest items. If a group
18, though the creatures portrayed seem to blend elements makes it into the room, the Boondawoogle will be waiting
of Lizardman and dinosaur more readily and to use magic in the lower area. It likes to use its gaze-charm and speak
in certain of their frolics as well. On the ground in the to the feelings of those it encounters. There is a plain circle
middle of the three rooms is an amber gem; a mage who carved into the floor in the north portion of the room and
figures out how it works (save vs. magic) can use it to fire a circle with strange runes carved into the floor of the
rays of scorching flame (6d6 damage, save for half) at any southern portion. Between the two circles is a pile of
foe within 100 feet. If the mage ever rolls 12 or less total around 20 explorers gear, mostly backpacks, torches, non-
on the six damage dice, it burns out instead, doing the magical weapons etc. Special gear includes 2 silken cloaks
mage the amount of fire damage rolled as it melts in his worth 50 gold each, 100 platinum coins, 1,500 silver, 330
hand (save for half, representing throwing it away in time). gold, a priestly scroll with Dispel Curse and Find Object,
and a Wand of Doors with 28 charges (detailed in Fight On!
23. The hallway behind the secret door from 22 is filled #1, creates a locked (for all save the wandsman) heavy
with a green mist that reduces visibility to 5. If a group door in an open cross-section). When reduced to 0 HTK
travels all 50 feet to the eastern door, they must save vs. the Boondawoogle vanishes and reappears in the plain
magic or fall asleep. A Boondawoogle lives in the room circle with pink light flickering around it. It shoots one last
beyond the regular door. What is a Boondawoogle, you flame attack. Next round it appears in the circle with runes
ask? No one is really sure other than that they are not na- surrounded by green light and disappears. It cannot be
tive to this planet. This particular Boondawoogle is harmed once in the circles. If the Boondawoogle takes a
androgynous and looks like a 6 foot tall humanoid with totally brutal hit it should still get a save vs. death to bring
emerald colored skin. Its eyes are light blue and its head about this effect. Boondawoogle: LVL 4, HTK 18, DC 4,
bald. The Boondawoogle is able to leap 30 feet vertically SPD 15 (jumps 30, charm ability, attacks via flame eyes).
or horizontally. With its eyes it can charm individuals or
shoot flames doing 2d8 and destroying flammable posses- 24. This secret door goes to the Lower Caves (Level 5) in
sions. Boondawoogles can also create a green mist like the the full dungeon, but it might lead to a simple treasure
one in the entry passage, though it takes time. This room or the hidden city of the Reptile-Elves in your world
particular specimen likes leaving parties naked somewhere instead. Happy adventuring!
25
 roll again: 1-2 exercising 3-4 training for combat 5-6
222
sharpening weapons, polishing armour etc.

performing a religious ceremony (roll again: 1 silent

meditation 2 animal sacrifice 3 sacrifice of one of
223 their own species 4 sacrifice of an intelligent
member of another species 5 a solemn ritual 6 a
boisterous and ecstatic ritual).

nothing - strangely, they appear to have simply been

231
waiting for the adventurers to come along.

the monsters are being punished, e.g. peeling

232
potatoes, scrubbing the floor with their bare hands.

233 going to the toilet.

What are the Monsters Doing? (3d3) 311 washing.

Roll Result 312 one monster is telling a story to a group.

111 sleeping. one monster is lecturing a group. The group is (roll

again: 1-2 openly bored and resentful 3-4 silent for
112 having sex. 313 fear of the larger monsters watching them 5
respectfully silent, alert and attentive 6 loudly
arguing (roll again: 1 over their relationship 2 enthusiastic).
113 politics 3 religion 4 money 5 their status in the
group 6 a possession other than money). 321 plotting against their rulers.
121 gambling with dice. 322 playing sport.
gambling on a (roll again: 1-3 race 4-6 fight) torturing (roll again: 1-2 a member of their own
122
between small animals (e.g. snails, rats). species 3-4 an intelligent member of another
323
dungeon species 5 an intelligent member of a non-
re-setting the dungeon: winding up traps that've dungeon species 6 an animal).
123 been sprung, removing adventurers' bodies, putting
in new treasure and so on. they appear to be dead, but spring to life when the
331
adventurers enter the room.
two monsters are fighting (not to the death), a
131 crowd is cheering them on (optionally roll again 1-3 roll again: 1-2 eating 3 eating and getting drunk 4
they're also gambling on the results). 332
getting drunk 5-6 getting drunk and fighting.
two monsters are fighting to the death, a crowd is 333 waiting in ambush for whoever might come along.
132
cheering them on.

two monsters are fighting to the death, a crowd is

133
trying to separate them. Major Dungeon Locations (2d3)
they're meant to be on guard (roll again: 1-3 they're Roll Result
alert and guarding, 4 they're asleep 5-6 they're doing
211
something else: roll again on this table). They may The (roll again: 1-2 throne room 3-4 underground
be guarding a Major Dungeon Location (below). 11 palace 5-6 underground gardens) of (roll again: 1-3 a
human sorcerer 4-6 a powerful monster).
212 trading.
Treasure room (roll again: 1 treasury of an
213 they're lost. 12 underground civilisation 2 storehouse of a band of
robbers 3-4 temple; see below 5-6 tomb).
221 running away from another monster.

26
 A temple where (roll again: 1 a forgotten god still
waits for its worshippers 2-3 an evil cult from the
surface secretly worships 4 an alien has con-vinced
13
the primitive dungeon inhabitants that it is a god 5
an imprisoned lunatic is worshipped as a god 6 a
fierce beast is worshipped as a god).

An underground river, which leads (roll again: 1-2

out of the dungeon, 3 to an underground lake; see
21 below 4 a secret cove; see below 5-6 to another
major location - roll again on this table, ignoring
another result of 'an underground river').

An underground lake, with (roll again: 1 an ancient

and powerful sea beast 2-3 a city of intelligent sea
creatures beneath its surface 4 the ruins of a city
beneath its surface - see 'the ruins of a lost city'
22
below 5-6 an island in the middle, where
adventurers may find...roll again on this table,
ignoring the results of 'an underground lake', 'an
underground river', or 'a secret cove'). The Seven Swords
by Jacob Badelaire Boucher
A (roll again: 1 demon 2 evil god/dess 3 evil
sorcerer 4 as for (3) but the sorcerer is also a former I've always had issues with the idea prevalent in some
ruler 5 fierce ancient beast 6 mechanical creature games that magical items should look just like any other
23 created by a lost civilisation) is (roll again: 1-2 "normal" item. This is, I suppose, to get PCs to waste
trapped in ice 3-4 held alive and captive by magic 5- time, money, and spells on detecting, testing, and identi-
6 sleeping, preserved by their own arts - roll again if fying magic items, instead of just saying "Holy crap, that
the creature is an ancient beast). insanely cool-looking sword has to be magical!" Instead of
the "hiding in plain sight" mentality, I think magical weap-
The ruins of a lost city, whose former inhabitants ons and the like need to be handled in exactly the opposite
(roll again: 1-2 are now angry and vicious spirits 3-4 fashion - they should be stunningly gorgeous examples of
31 are trapped in eternal living death and crave release whatever sort of item they might be, and anyone who even
5-6 are gone, but whose mechanical creations still glances at one will immediately know what a rare and
wait for their return). valuable (and powerful) item it is. On the other hand, such
magical booty should not just be lying around in random
A secret cove, leading to the open sea, where (roll
treasure troves. It should be in the hands of powerful
again: 1-2 pirates have a hidden city 3-4 a cult from
32 NPCs, or guarded by powerful monsters and deadly traps,
the surface comes to worship demons of the sea 5-6
the end result of an extraordinarily perilous quest. I've
refugees have built a place of safety).
never really liked the idea of "run of the mill magic items"
The ruined craft of advanced aliens (roll again: 1 the like the ubiquitous Sword +1, although I understand that a
aliens are alive 2 only one alien is still alive 3 the curve in magical item power can sometimes be really nice.
aliens are dead, but their robots are still operating 4
the aliens are dead, but creatures they were I typically prefer fewer, more powerful items - I like the
transporting are still alive 5-6 the aliens are dead, but idea that instead of there being 100 Sword +1s out there,
the craft itself is alive). Whoever is still alive (roll there are just the Seven Swords of Power, and that's that.
33 Perhaps there are non-magical weapons that are effectively
again: 1-2 is at war with the inhabitants of the
dungeon 3 have/has enslaved many inhabitants of "+1" weapons, but without the ability to hurt certain mag-
the dungeon 4 have/has recruited many inhabitants ical creatures that require enchanted weapons to slay. This
of the dungeon as an army of conquest 5-6 way, players can have "special weapons" without the fan-
have/has convinced some of the inhabitants of the tasy world seemingly possessing a magical sword factory
dungeon to worship them). churning out ensorcelled blades by the dozens.

The Seven Swords of Power

Here's an example. Each of these weapons is a powerful
magic item, but they probably aren't game-breakers, and

27
acquiring just one of these swords would be a quest in Goblin-Bane (blue gem) was created to slay goblins and
itself. Also, if the players are going to get the full effect of orcs. The bearer of this Sword gains 1d4 additional attacks
a given weapon's power, they'll have to be facing the sorts a round when fighting goblins and orcs. In addition, the
of foes the weapon is designed to combat, and while the Sword grants the bearer the ability to cast Confusion and
bearers of the swords have special abilities and protections, Fear each once a day at the bearer's level of experience.
the rest of the party may not be so lucky.
Beast-Bane (orange gem) was created to slay unnatural
The Seven Swords of Power were forged and issued to beasts and monsters (giant or aberrant versions of normal
the Seven Champions, a band of masterful knights who creatures, or pure "monsters" like an Umber Hulk, Purple
wielded them to great effect during the last great war Worm, Hydra GM discretion as to whether a creature
against the Forces of Evil. Six of the Seven Champions belongs to this category). Against such creatures the bearer
were killed during the fighting, and their swords were lost of the Sword gains a +2 bonus to saves and armor class,
by the end of the war. In the six centuries since, the and the Sword always doubles the result of the damage die
Swords have appeared sporadically throughout history, but (before magical bonuses or other modifiers are added in).
they never remain in the public eye for long before disap-
pearing again for a generation or two. Horror-Bane (yellow gem) was created to slay extraplanar
creatures (mostly demons, devils, and elementals GM
Each of the Swords is a silver-hilted longsword with a discretion on what qualifies). The bearer of the Sword has
rune-etched blade and a bejeweled pommel. The seven a +3 save against any special attacks from these creatures
swords look similar to one another, although a keen eye that allow saving throws. In addition, any time the Sword
will discern that the runes vary from blade to blade. Each delivers its maximum damage to the target creature, the
of the Swords has a different gem in the pommel, and each creature must make a save vs. Death Magic or be
has its own distinct type of foe it was forged to combat. immediately banished back to its home plane. This sword
Each of the Seven Swords functions as a Long Sword +2 is the only one that has remained in the hands of a
except against its favored target type, when the enchant- Champion since the end of the war, passed down from
ment increases to +4. The gem of each Sword will emit a generation to generation. It is currently in the possession
pulsating glow when within 100' of a target creature - the of a Paladin of the High God.
glow will pulse faster the closer the target gets, and the
glow will become brighter the more foes there are.

Wizard-Bane (purple gem) was created to slay evil mages Shields Shall Be Splintered
and mage-like monsters (GM discretion as to whether a by J. Brian Murphy
creature falls into this category). The bearer of the Sword
gains a +3 bonus to all saves vs. spells (or spell like effects Pity the poor shield. There's a reason it was a staple of the
if allowed). The Sword can cast Detect Magic and Dispel infantryman's gear from the dawn of history all the way
Magic three times a day at the bearer's level of experience. into the 17th century. Shields work. They stop blows from
sword, spear, and arrow, they can be moved to intercept
Wraith-Bane (white gem) was created to slay undead. The attacks coming from almost any direction, and they can be
bearer of the Sword is immune to all special undead bashed into your foes. If you've ever gotten the chance to
attacks (level drain, aging, paralysis, strength drain, etc.) don armour and swing a rattan "sword" with the Society
but not the basic damage from the attack. The bearer of for Creative Anachronism, or even just played knights in
the Sword can also turn undead like a priest of two the backyard using sticks for swords and trashcan lids for
experience levels lower, or at full level if a paladin. shields, you know the value of a solid, moveable barrier
between you and all that hurty your foe is swinging at you.
Troll-Bane (green gem) was created to slay trolls and
ogres. The bearer of this Sword can cast Charm Monster But in most RPGs, the shield gets little love. In exchange
and Hold Monster each twice per day at the bearer's level for the additional encumbrance and having one hand too
of experience. In addition, the wounds delivered by the full of shield to do anything else, your armour score gets a
Sword cannot be regenerated by trolls of any kind. little nudge, usually a mere point. Worse, you're usually
giving up better options, like the extra damage of a
Dragon-Bane (red gem) was created to slay dragons. The massive two-handed weapon or the extra attack roll from a
bearer of this Sword is immune to the fear effect of dra- weapon in each hand. So what can be done to rehabilitate
gons and gains a +3 bonus to save vs. dragon's breath. In the shield and make it a worthwhile choice mechanically?
addition, if the save fails, the bearer only takes half In my game, I'm allowing the shield to act as ablative
damage, and if the save is made, no damage is suffered. armour. One thing historical shields frequently did was
shatter. A strong blow with an axe or a sword could cleave
a shield, splintering the boards. Viking duels often had a
28
three-shield rule, allowing each combatant to enter the ally dwarven ones, can manufacture a shield from rowan
contest with a shield on his arm and two spares in reserve. wood that retains its magic-resistant properties. Whenever
the bearer of such a shield is the target of magic, or within
With my houserule, you get the usual benefit to your ar- the area of a spell's effect, the shield will vibrate. If the
mour score with a shield. However, any time you take bearer is wearing the shield on the arm or carrying it in
damage, you can opt instead to say your shield bore the hand, this vibration is impossible to miss. If the shield,
brunt of the blow. The shield is shattered and must be however, is buried in a pack or slung over a heavy cloak,
discarded, but you don't take any damage. It's quick, it's it's possible that the shivering will not be noticed. If a per-
easy, and it's valuable. son carrying a rowan shield fails a save against any spell or
magical effect, they can elect to have the shield absorb
What about magic? Should a shield ward you against a wiz- some of the power of the spell. The shield shatters, but
ard's magic flame or bolts of lightning? Why not! Any this counts as an automatically successful save against the
time you fail a save vs. magic, you can say your character spell. Yes, this means that spells that are negated by a
shelters against the power of the spell behind their shield. successful save are negated by the sacrifice of the shield.
Again, the shield is shattered, but the character only takes
half damage, just as if the saving throw had been suc- Rowan shields are commonly painted the same shade of
cessful. (Especially lenient or deadly GMs might allow you crimson as the rowan tree's berries and are fitted with
to use your shield even if you do successfully save, allow- bronze hardware. The cost of a rowan shield is usually
ing you to cut the damage in half a second time.) Note five to ten times the price of a normal shield, depending
that this only works against spells which cause damage on the availability of rowan wood and the frequency of
through a physical attack. Spells which put you to sleep or magic in the area. Shields manufactured by reputable
surround you with a poison gas cannot, obviously, be shieldwrights are always proof against magic, but 10% of
deflected by a mere mundane shield. all rowan shields found on an adventure were not
manufactured properly. While these shields perform
Finally, let's consider magic shields. It seems a bit silly to adequately as a normal shield should, they offer no
allow a mundane weapon to rend a magical shield to a pile warning or special protection against magic.
of splinters. On the other hand, we don't want a warrior
carrying a magical shield to just say the shield absorbs
every hit. As a compromise, every time you use your
enchanted shield to absorb damage, it loses one of its
plusses. Thus, a +2 shield becomes a +1 shield, and a +1
shield would become a +0 shield. After a shield has been
reduced to +0, it shatters the next time it's used to absorb
damage. Whether or not a shield used in this way, but not
yet destroyed, can have its pluses restored is up to your
GM, but it certainly won't be cheap! And if your magic
shield has additional powers, like a glow that blinds or
confuses enemies, you ought to think twice before letting
it be destroyed this way. Here are two magical shields to
add to your campaign that take advantage of this rule:

Shield of Terrifying Countenance: The black iron boss

of this rectangular +2 shield is shaped like a roaring de-
mon. Once per day, the wielder can speak the command
word, causing the boss to scowl as if with life and let out a
terrifying scream. The nearest foe facing the shield is
affected as if by a cause fear spell. However, should this
shield be shattered, the demon trapped within is released.
The GM should roll a d6; on a 1 or 2, the demon attacks
the nearest foe (probably the one who shattered the
shield). On a 3, 4, 5, or 6, the demon attacks the wearer of
the shield! As soon as either the demon or its intended
victim die, the demon and all the shattered bits of the
shield vanish back to the demons home plane.

Rowan Shield: The wood of the rowan tree is especially

proof against enchantments. Certain shieldwrights, especi-
29
Panicked Mounts and Falls
Geoffrey O. Dale

A mount may become panicked following a non-lethal

attack by infantry (e.g. noise, lights, smoke, etc.), as a result
of wounds suffered in combat, as a result of its rider
becoming incapacitated, or just because of the stresses of
combat. A panicked mount remains in that state for 1d4
turns. A rider must exert positive control over a panicked
mount to prevent the mount from immediately retreating
away from combat in the most convenient direction (for
the mount). A rider who does not exert such control, or
who tries to exert control and fails, is immediately carried
off at very fast speed in a randomly determined direction.
The panicked mount continues in this direction for 1d20
+8 rounds before slowing or stopping. A panicked mount
which retreats from the battlefield cannot reenter combat
for 1d12 rounds following the time at which they stop, and damage because of the height of the mount. Fallen riders
only after the rider successfully reasserts positive control may also become stunned (unable to move, focus or act
over the mount. A rider who attempts to exert positive coherently) due to the fall.
control over a mount and fails has a [50-Dexterity]% of
being thrown by the mount before it retreats from the Riders who fall from saddles which are 3 or fewer feet off
battlefield. To control a mount, the rider must roll greater the ground generally do not take damage or become
than or equal to the value shown on the table below. If stunned unless the mount is moving quickly. Riders falling
control is established (takes one round to attempt) then from low mounts at medium or higher speed take 1d4
the rider may continue to fight and the mount will obey damage and are stunned for 1d4 rounds.
new commands to move or attack.
Riders who fall from saddles which are between 3 and 10
Controlling Mounts Table (1d20): feet off the ground:
When stopped or at slow speed take 1d4 damage and
Degree of Panic are stunned for 1d4 rounds;
Character Somewhat Completely When at medium speed take 1d6 damage and are
Level Skittish Panicked Panicked stunned for 1d6 rounds;
Warrior 1-3 When at fast speed take 1d8 damage and are stunned
Priest 1-4 14 16 18 for 1d8+1 rounds;
Mage 1-5 When at very fast speed take 2d6 damage and are
Warrior 4-6 stunned for 1d12+2 rounds.
Priest 5-8 11 13 15
Mage 6-10 Riders who fall from saddles which are more than 10 feet
Warrior 7-9 off the ground:
Priest 9-12 8 10 12 When stopped or at slow speed take 1d6 damage and
Mage 11-15 are stunned for 1d6 rounds;
Warrior 10-12 When at medium speed take 1d8 damage and are
Priest 13-16 6 8 10 stunned for 1d8 rounds;
Mage 16+
When at fast speed takes 1d12 damage and are
Warrior 13-15
stunned for 1d12+1 rounds;
Priest 17+ 4 6 8
Warrior 16+ 2 4 6 When at very fast speed takes 1d20 damage and are
stunned for 4d6 rounds.
Falls from Mounts: A rider who cannot maintain control
over his/her mount or who becomes severely wounded or Riders falling from aerial mounts should be treated as
fatigued may not be able to stay on their mount. A rider above, and in addition take falling damage and other ef-
who is at half or fewer HTK or is severely fatigued has a fects as ordinarily treated in your game. For example, if
10% chance/minute of falling out of the saddle. A rider falls in your game do 1d6 per 10 feet, a warrior falling off a
who is at or fewer HTK or exhausted has a 30% fast-moving wyvern from 50 feet up would take 1d12+5d6
chance/minute of falling. If a rider falls he/she may take damage and be stunned for 1d12+1 rounds.
30
The Entourage Approach Morale is an important game feature when using the
Entourage Approach. When hiring Henchmen, make an
by David Bowman initial offer of gold (normally 100/level, plus a partial share
of treasure - +1 for each additional 100/level offered) and
The Entourage Approach is a set of optional campaign roll 2d6 on the following table:
rules in which each player is charged with developing an
Entourage, or stable of characters. Each Entourage will 2: Will never join that player's Entourage
consist of one Primary Character and one Loyal Follower; 3-5: Refuses to join at this time, maybe next adventure
further members of the Entourage will be standard 6-8: Uncertain, roll again if double (3x, etc.) offer made
Henchmen. The Primary Characters Loyal Follower does 9-11: Accepts offer
not count towards the hireling total permitted by his 12: Enthusiastically accepts, +3 Loyalty
Charisma. Furthermore, the hireling total will rise with
experience for each Primary Character, reflecting his fame This table plus the characters Charisma score and possibly
and influence as he gains notoriety throughout the land. additional gold above the hiring fee will determine each
henchmans Loyalty score, determined by your gamebook
Upon the untimely death of a Primary Character, the Loyal and referee. Loyalty scores modify morale checks. Make
Follower is able to claim all of the slain former leaders morale checks in crisis situations, as determined by the
possessions, and is able to claim, after paying any taxes referee. Morale should also be checked at the conclusion
(10% in Solstice), that deceased individuals estate. He or of each adventure to see if the Henchmen remain in the
she also inherits the Primary Characters former Entour- Entourage. Fair treatment and fair pay will normally mean
age. At this point, short of a potential Raise Dead, the that no final check is required, but Henchmen who have
Loyal Follower becomes the Primary Character, and must witnessed their mates perish or come within a breath of
then choose a new Loyal Follower from his Entourage. their own demise may check even under the best
conditions. Gold and gems can normally help convince
At the beginning of each session, the player and GM even the most reluctant Henchmen, though. To make a
decide who from each Entourage is going on this particu- Morale Check, the referee rolls 2d6, makes the Loyalty
lar adventure. Typically either the Primary Character or the adjustment, and refers to this table:
Loyal Follower will be present, though especially later on
the players might decide to attempt an adventure which is 2: Hostile, will attack or endanger Primary Character.
beneath their Primary Characters or Loyal Followers level 3-5: Deserts immediately, will attack if prevented from
of expertise. In such a case, the player can opt to play an flight.
adventure using Henchmen alone. Experience is affected 6-8: Hesitates; if situation does not improve, roll again at
by the number of characters, so it is not always the best -1 in one turn.
idea to tackle an adventure with three dozen members, but 9-11: No effect. If situation does not improve, roll again
it IS possible. The most senior character on the adventure in one turn.
(Primary Character if present, Loyal Follower if present 12: No effect, no more rolls required for this situation.
and the Primary Character is not, Henchman of highest
level otherwise) receives one full share of experience, while
all others present divide a full share equally amongst
themselves. For example, if a player brings a Loyal Fol-
lower and four Henchmen on a given adventure, the Loyal
Follower would receive full exper-ience and the four
Henchmen would receive share each.

A Primary Character gains an additional Loyal Follower at

4th and 8th level. As with the first Loyal Follower, these
members of the Entourage do not count toward the
Primary Characters maximum allowable number of hire-
lings based on Charisma. The player should designate a
pecking order amongst his Loyal Followers, so inheritance
is clearly defined. The referee might want to add further
rules for the Entourage if a particular Primary Character
builds a stronghold upon reaching an appropriate level.

If a Loyal Follower or any other member of an Entourage

rises to a higher level than the Primary Character, he or she
will leave the Entourage (and possibly establish his own).
31
Players will maintain an index card for each member of How exactly an Entourage cashes in Style Points is up to
their Entourage and the referee will keep track of the the player. If used during character creation, the player will
Henchmans Loyalty base. Loyalty scores for members of be allowed to spend a point and swap the position of two
the Entourage are never seen by the players, but might abilities or add +1 to a single ability. If used when rolling
become evident over the course of the campaign. Under hit points, a player can spend a point and roll over, taking
certain circumstances, a player with available space within the higher result. If used during play, a player can re-roll a
his entourage can actually add intelligent Monsters to his saving throw, or a roll to hit, or pretty much any single die
Entourage on a temporary or even permanent basis, given roll, taking the best result. If at any time an Entourage
that said Monster can be accepted by his Henchmen manages to accumulate 10 Style Points without spending
mates. (Depending upon the type of Monster, such addit- any, it can claim Lordship over the group for one session.
ions to the Entourage might have a negative effect upon What this entails is not entirely defined at this point, but
Morale.) How monsters interact with society in more will probably include such things as deciding what top-
normal situations may also be worth considering here. pings are on the pizza for that evening. Have fun with this
option, as it is meant to encourage role-play and creativity,
The process of actually attracting and maintaining a suc- as well as a certain feeling of accomplishment, even when
cessful Entourage will be a large part of campaign play ones characters might be dropping like flies early on.
when using this approach. This Entourage Approach
should open up game play opportunities for all involved. A Henchmen: I have included some simple rules here for
player with a cohesive Entourage could even elect to play determining basic gear for Henchmen when using the En-
solo, or have successful adventures with only one other tourage Approach. It is left to the referee to fill in the
player, should the need arise. A player is never required to blanks as far as personality, alignment, temperament, and
bring members of his Entourage on adventures, however. flavor details are concerned. Henchmen are typically 1st
Level when hired. The characters may encounter higher
The standard Henchmen Fee is as follows: 100 GP hiring level NPC adventurers during the course of an adventure.
fee per level of Henchmen and share of all gold plun- It is possible to recruit these more experienced NPCs into
dered on adventures. Thus, four members of an Entourage service, provided that the situation is conducive to such an
would be able to claim one full share of the treasure. When offer and such potential Henchmen are satisfied with the
there are more than four members of an Entourage on an terms of service. All 1st Level Henchmen begin with
adventure, they will not receive more than a full share of random weapons and armor, 1d6x10 gold, and an Adven-
the treasure and must divide that full share equally turers Pack. Mages begin without armor, while Priests
amongst themselves, much as experience is divided. Magic and Warriors roll 2d6: 2-10 Leather, 11-12 Chain. For
items are not included in such handshake contracts, weapons, Priests receive a mace, Mages receive dagger and
though. Bonuses to Loyalty base are normally afforded by staff, and Fighters take a dagger as well as rolling 2d6 for
exceeding this standard amount, while penalties are an additional weapon: 2-5 Sword, 6-7 Axe, 8-9 Mace, 10-
incurred when awarding less than this amount. Players may 12 Spear. Elf characters ignore these rolls and start with
choose to name their Entourage (e.g. House Hallowed, sword, bow, and shield. Halflings and Dwarves roll as
Clan of the Claw). Some sort of identity is important, Warriors, but Halflings add a sling while Dwarves add a
because during the course of play, an Entourage will grow hammer. The Adventurers Pack, which can be purchased
in reputation and esteem. for 35 gold and weighs 40, contains 6 torches, a tinderbox,
a knife, a hatchet, 1 week of rations, a full wineskin, 50 of
Optional Entourage Approach Rules: rope a grappling hook, and 12 iron spikes.

Charisma Option: The Primary Characters CHA score can

allow members of his Entourage to gain extra experience
due to his leadership skills. CHA 13 or 14 yields a 10% Ye Olde Magic Shoppe
bonus to earned experience, while a CHA score of 15+ by Jeff Rients
grants a 20% bonus to earned experience for all hirelings.
These bonuses are applied to the smaller divided amounts The Midrealm of Cinder is a land of many magic-users,
of experience as described above. ranging from the humble hedge wizards of the peasant
villages to the court necromancers employed by wicked
Style Point Option: Style Points are awarded by the referee nobles to the academic arcanists of H'kaag, City of Seven
under certain, special circumstances during play. A particu- Sorcerers. Thanks to the invisible hand of that abstract god,
larly heroic act, a fantastic piece of role-playing, a com- Economics, it was inevitable that eventually a business
pletely novel form of death, an act of comedic value that enterprise should develop catering to the needs of these
even makes the Monsters giggle, or having a particularly many wonder-workers. Thus the Magic Shop. Often,
underwhelming Primary Character (Kobolds are an greenhorn adventurers enter the premises of such
example from my own campaign). establishments in hopes of purchasing magic blades or
32
 together: doing so negates the Slumber altogether. Addi-
tionally, after Black Sand has been used, all attempts to
Turn Undead will fail for the remainder of the combat. A
pouch containing 3 handfuls of Black Sand costs 250 gold.

Pipeweed of Judicious Contemplation - Said to be

grown by expert hoblings under directions from a master
alchemist, a Mage who spends 2-7 turns smoking a bowl
of this fine tobacco may replace a memorized but uncast
spell with another of the same level from his or her spell-
book. A magic-user of lesser rank must roll their wisdom
or less on 1d20 to achieve this same effect, with a roll of
'20' indicating that the spell replacement occurs, but the
substitute is randomly generated. The enchantment of this
tobacco is so strong that smoking more than one bowl in
the same day leaves the user feeblminded for 1-6 hours. A
pouch of this stuff, enough for 6 smokes, costs 200 gold.

Warlock's Wand - A small tube of magnetic iron filled

with quicksilver and capped at each end with amber. In
the hands of a fully-trained Warlock this item is a powerful
tool. By use of this wand a Fiery Sphere may be reshaped
into the dimensions of a Jolt of Electricity, while a Jolt of
Electricity may be so focused so as to affect a single target.
The spell so modified may only originate from a scroll or
be cast by the wand-wielder. Spheres and Jolts from other
magical devices can not be altered by use of a Warlock's
armor, or at very least a potion or two. Most such ruffians
Wand. For lesser mages to successfully use a Warlock's
leave empty handed. Only the clever can make effective
Wand their level or less must be rolled on 1d8. Failure
use of most of the wares for sale at the typical Magic Shop.
indicates the spell activates but in its original shape. If the
non-Warlock is using a scroll, 1d12 must be rolled instead
Stogies of Stench Warding - These cigars are grown and
and a roll of '12' indicates the casting is fumbled and the
prepared by certain clans of garden gnomes. When
spell effect centers on the wands user. 275 gold.
smoked the user is immune to the effects of all offensive
odors and all within 20' are +2 to save against such effects.
Third Eye Stone - These round, coin-sized pieces of sky
Unfortunately, the odor tends to attract animals and
blue quartz allow the detection of magic auras on addition-
monsters with sensitive noses. Roll double wandering
al objects each time such a detection is cast. The total
monster checks, but the extra checks only result in
additional items that may be tested for magic equals the
additional encounters if creatures with exceptional
level of the casting mage. After each use there is a flat 1 in
olfactory senses are indicated. Each Stogie lasts 6 turns.
6 chance of the stone cracking, losing all power and value.
Cost is 1 gold piece each or a box of 20 for 12gp.
Some magic-users mount their Third Eye Stones on
leather headbands or in the hatbands of their favorite
Shimmering Sand - Sand gathered from pristine beaches
pointy hat, or occasionally they affix them to the top of
frequented by nixies, sirens, and other aquatic fey. A
their staves. A standard Third Eye Stone costs 75 gp.
pinch thrown in conjunction with a Slumber spell allows
Occasionally finer specimens can be found for sale. These
the casting to affect more targets. When only a single
cost 200gp but have only a 1 in 20 chance of burning out.
victim is normally affected, one or two will fall asleep. In
other cases the die size in generally increased to the next
Flash Powder Pellets - Imported from alchemists living
higher type. For example 2-20 orcs can be affected when
among the lands of the Southern Sultans, these brown clay
Shimmering Sand is used. Aquatic creatures are unaffect-
spheres break when thrown against a solid surface such as
ed. Sold in tiny pouches containing 5 pinches for 25 gold.
a floor or wall. Upon cracking they emit a small thunder-
clap, a brief flash of fire, and a 5' diameter cloud of smoke
Black Sand - According to rumor this magical adjunctive
that lingers for one or two combat rounds. In situations
has somehow been smuggled from an island in the dread
of surprise or evasion any monsters of low or average
realm of the Necromaster of the North! A handful used in
intelligence must make a morale save or hesitate for one
conjunction with a Slumber spell allows undead to be put
combat round. Any strong breeze will disperse the smoke
to sleep. Black Sand and Shimmering Sand cannot be used
and negate the effect. A trio of these devices costs 25 gc.
33
Sorcerer's Staff - An oaken staff with a small hooded Black Lotus - By imbibing a small amount of this deadly
lantern affixed to the top or hanging from the crook. A narcotic a magic-user may extend the ranges and durations
mage ranked Sorcerer or higher may open the hood with a of various sendings such as Self-Projection and the Eye of
simple command word (often "lux!" or "phosphario!") and Arcane Sight. Durations of turns become hours and
it is similarly closed (typically with "nox!" or "tenebrax!"). ranges of tens of feet become miles. But with each usage
Lesser spellcasters may operate the hood mechanism by of Black Lotus the spellcaster must check a cumulative
means of a tiny lever. The lantern has no reservoir for oil, +1% chance of becoming addicted. The luckier Black
as it is designed to be used in conjunction with an Lotus addicts simply wither and die, while the most
Everburning Flame spell. Some owners have gemstones wretched cases are driven to catatonic madness by eldritch
set in the center of the lantern, to add a colored brilliance visions. A single dose of Black Lotus costs 50 gold.
to the light. 25 gold.
Monkey Paw Talisman - The general public is terribly
Fine Glitter - A fistful of this sparkly stuff thrown into misinformed as to the function of these simian relics.
the air aids all sorts of charming, holding, and confusing They act as traps for malevolent wish spells or the
magics, resulting in a -2 to the saving throws allowed by accursed results of a poorly worded wish. A magic-user
such spells. Additionally, clever magic-users might be able wearing a Monkey Paw Talisman is allowed a saving throw
to impress yokels and lackwits with a timely toss of glitter, against any harmful effects of wish type magic. Each
especially in conjunction with a Flash Powder Pellet Monkey Paw will capture a single baleful wish and only
and/or a Sorcerer's Staff. Glitter only works when a light one Talisman may carried at a time. Caveat Emptor, as 1
source is available. Strong or gusty winds will prevent in 20 of these devices are sold with a bad wish already
effective use. A pouch of 6 handfuls of Fine Glitter trapped inside. It is not unknown for the evil magic
generally runs 75 gold coins. captured by a Monkey Paw to escape to wreak havoc. A
Monkey Paw Talisman costs 25 gold.

Powdered Mummy Foot - Sprinkling a pouch of this

necro-dust upon the remains targeted by reincarnation
magic allows two rolls to determine the new incarnation.
The caster must pick the new form without any
consultation with the target of the spell. This versatile
substance can also be employed while animating skeletons
or zombies, a pouchful insuring that 1-6 of the newly
created undead will possess maximum wound points. One
pouch of Powder Mummy Foot costs 50 gold.

Bottled Phantasm - These small flasks are invariably

constructed of dark brown glass, preventing the contents
from being plainly viewed. A Bottled Phantasm weighs no
more than an empty bottle, but the bottle occasionally
twitches and kicks as if it contains something alive. If the
bottle is opened immediately after the casting of a Forces
of Phantasy spell, the illusion will last 2-7 combat rounds
without further concentration from the mage. Should the
bottle become cracked or opened at any other time, the
phantasm will be lost. A Bottled Phantasm costs 60 gold.

Goblin Candle - Lurid green tapers made from goblin fat.

Pickled Orc Eyeballs - Holding a properly pickled orc They sputter and spark when they burn and also issue a
eye in the right hand increases the duration of Evil foul-smelling smoke that tends to spook horses and upset
Detection spells by 50%. The eye withers to uselessness at mules. Goblin Candles shed but dim, flickering light in a
the end of the spell and only one may be used per casting. 10' radius and only last three turns. While holding a lit
Additionally, Pickled Orc Eyeballs are said to be a Goblin Candle a magic-user is 50% less likely to be
surprisingly tasty snack. Gnolls and trolls consider them a surprised by enchanted creatures. Goblins are not amused
delicacy. A jar containing a dozen eyes costs 35 pieces of by their brethren being rendered down to serve as magical
gold. Individual eyes are only available for purchase at illumination and tend to attack anyone holding a Goblin
certain unsavory taverns, where they are often the object Candle. Twenty Goblin Candles can be purchased for
of dares. only 5 gold coins.

34
GENERAL NOTES But it is for Thuriel's gift as a brewer that he is most
celebrated, especially for the Leaf and Anvil's epony-
Supply and Demand - The prices listed above should mous house blend, a smooth black and tan made with
only be used in cities where magic is legal or at least crisp Redleaf Ale and a dark stout called Loam. In addition
tolerated. Buying these goods on the black market will to being eminently quaffable, this blend has the curious
increase prices by four-fold or more. Towns and villages and apparently non-magical property of improving
with magic shops sell magic shop wares for double the reaction rolls between elves and dwarves by +1 or +10%.
prices listed above. Furthermore, town-based shops have
only a 75% chance of having any particular item in stock, Sprucebeard Ale: Travelers in the Greencloak Mountains
while village magic shops are only 50% likely to have what are sometimes puzzled to encounter mixed groups of
the buyer is looking for. humanoids mostly goblins and orcs with a few kobolds,
humans and gnomes hard at work in the pine forests that
Encumbrance - Some mages try to carry as many blanket the steep slopes. Under the watchful eye of
different magic gimmicks as possible. A belt festooned dwarvish guards, these press gangs gather the fresh pine
with pouches full of wizard's wares is cumbersome and and spruce needles used to brew the dwarves' most prized
under the hazards of dungeon combat finding just the drink, Sprucebeard Ale.
right magical ingredient will be tricky. Even a short fall
might result in cracked jars or spilled powders. It is not Sprucebeard has a slightly astringent but rich wood-and-
recommended that one smoke Pipeweed of Judicious spice flavor. The dwarves drink it after every evening meal,
Contemplation after it has been soaked in orc-eye pickle! not merely as a digestive but as a daily sacrament enhance-
ing their natural hardiness. Blessed in the cask by dwarvish
priests, each tankard confers a non-cumulative +2 to saves
Unusual & Magical Spirits vs. poison. This bonus affects other races as well, but in
non-dwarves Sprucebeard has the side effect of increasing
by Max Davenport
beard growth tenfold! (Whether it causes beard growth in
women as well as in men is a matter of longstanding
Leaf and Anvil Ale: Though the dwarvish love of ale is
debate, best left to the individual referee to decide.
well known, the challenges faced by dwarvish brewers go
unremarked. Barley, wheat and hop vines do not, after all,
grow without sun. Grain and hops are major commodities Though the dwarves do not trade Sprucebeard Ale to
for merchants and traders in dwarvish lands, worth their outsiders it does occasionally make its way down from the
weight in uncut gemstones. mountains. In the the river village of Moggwort at the
foot of the Greencloaks, initiates in the local snake cult
buy Sprucebeard from a gnomish bootlegger. Undoubted-
But trade is not the only method the dwarves have for
ly it helps them survive their snake-handling rituals.
keeping their tankards full. In at least one case they have
However, the men of Moggwort go clean shaven, and the
taken up plowshares. The penurious dwarves of the
cultists' abuse of the ale leaves them in constant need of
Round Rock Hills have begun growing their own grain,
grooming. Seekers after the snake worshippers would be
clear-cutting the trees of the Hills' southern slopes, hewing
wise to heed the rumors connecting the cult to certain
sweeping terraces in the hillsides and building sturdy walls
well-to-do dockside barbers...
with the stone they've moved. Unfortunately good fences
have not made good neighbors of the free-roaming wild
elves who hunt and camp in the Round Rocks. Orcsmead: Adventurers in the upper vaults of the Welkin
Underdeep are advised to carry an extra packet of sugar or
a jar or two of honey, because the orcs there seem to have
There is much ill will, and skirmishes are not uncommon.
a sweet tooth. In fact the tale is told of one hard-pressed
Most observers, however, credit one unusual personage
party of explorer's who bargained for their freedom with a
with keeping a grumbling sort of peace. It's a peace not
bag of dried apples!
forged with diplomacy, but brewed in the great copper vats
of the Leaf and Anvil, Thuriel Nidalfir, proprietor.
Though these resourceful dungeoneers may live to delve
Thuriel, who built his wayhouse and brewery with the
again, they return to a dungeon made more dangerous by
spoils of an adventurer's career, has a more cosmopolitan
their bargaining: The orcs of the Welkin use sugar, honey,
view than most Round Rocks folk. A wild elf with a
dried fruit, and even ripe tomatoes or beets to brew
peculiar fascination for dwarvish culture, who affects a
orcsmead. Mixed with water and moldy bread these
wispy beard, stooped shoulders and a cloth-of-copper kilt,
ingredients are triple-bagged in goat bladders and left to
Thuriel is something of a figure of fun among dwarves
ferment for days, preferably in rooms far away from living
and elves alike. Nonetheless, his easygoing charm, backed
quarters, as the smell is repellent even to orcs.
up by a staff of doughty henchmen, makes the wayhouse a
place where all the people of the Hills can take leisure.
35
The resulting brew is an acrid, throat-burning swill, thinly
Random Inn Generator
flavored and potent, but the orcs don't drink it for sport. By James Edward Raggi IV
Orcsmead is served only to orcish berserkers before going
into battle, decanted into the skulls of fallen foes by the The concept of home base is a common one in classic
tribal shaman. Its effect is fearsome, arousing a grimacing, fantasy role-playing games. All too often, its merely
sweating rage in the drinker, and adding +1 to hit and reduced to a place to heal up and sell off treasure; a mere
damage rolls and +1 to all saving throws. speed bump on the way to going back into the dungeon.
But it doesnt have to be that way. Take the common inn
An orcsmead berserker will typically have between 18-22 out in the middle of nowhere, for starters. It services
HTK and attack at 5th level, with a morale of 11. The people who travel on the edge of civilization (or else it
berserker fights stark naked save for his or her sour wouldnt be the convenient home base for a dungeon
vinegary reek, wielding a two-handed battle axe or sword expedition!). By its very nature it will have a revolving cast
or morning star and shield. He or she will be accompanied of interesting, and perhaps seedy, characters, and some of
into battle by 5-8 elite warriors with 8 HTK and DC 4. those might prove beneficial or troublesome for our
These warriors need not check morale unless the berserker party and the rest will just actively be in the way.
is killed or flees.
This article is designed to help the referee develop just that
Orcsmead is vile to non-orcish palates. Those who imbibe aspect, giving details of an inn, including a day-to-day
must make a saving throw vs. poison; if they fail they are schedule of new arrivals and departures. Because PCs may
nauseated and make initiative and attack rolls at -1 for 1-6 be at the inn for quite some time, perhaps months of game
turns. Note that it is powerfully alcoholic, so drinkers may time, it is recommended that the referee generate visitors
be subject to the effects of intoxication as well. At the ahead of time; perhaps a months worth if the inn is
referee's option it may also cause Chaotic (or CG, CN and home base for an expedition to a dungeon of impressive
CE) characters who drink it to fly into a blind rage the size. Not only will this provide a living environment within
next time they enter combat, attacking friend and foe alike the game without needing to roll dice and check tables
until subdued or slain. with players waiting, but additional plots and adventure
hooks will start screaming out from the page as visitors are

36
filled in. These guest stars will be a perfect overlap to the 47 Seeking Naughty Jelly
existing adventure material, giving PCs additional factors to 48 Shaving Ochre Juggernaut
consider in their plans, and giving players a real sense that 49 Shining Orange Kobold
the world their characters inhabit goes on without them. 50 Shooting Precious Lich
Instances when the inn is overbooked or other resources are 51 Shrinking Purple Madame
52 Shutting Quaint Man
Table: Names for Inns 53 Singing Quiet Manticora
d% Roll Verb Adjective Noun 54 Sleeping Rabid Medusa
1 Arising Amorous Bandit 55 Slinging Random Merman
2 Begging Bawdy Basilisk 56 Smiling Randy Minotaur
3 Betting Beautiful Bear 57 Spinning Red Mold
4 Biting Black Berserker 58 Spitting Ribald Monster
5 Bleeding Blue Boar 59 Splitting Rich Mule
6 Breaking Brazen Brigand 60 Spreading Robust Mummy
7 Breeding Carrion Buccaneer 61 Stabbing Rust Nomad
8 Burning Cheap Bugbear 62 Standing Saucy Ogre
9 Bursting Cloudy Caveman 63 Stealing Sea Ooze
10 Casting Crazy Centaur 64 Stinging Silver Orc
11 Creeping Dirty Chimera 65 Stinking Slovenly Paladin
12 Crying Dizzy Cockatrice 66 Striking Sly Pegasus
13 Cutting Drunken Courtesan 67 Swallowing Small Pirate
14 Digging Easy Crawler 68 Swearing Spotted Pixie
15 Dreaming Fat Cube 69 Sweating Stone Pony
16 Drinking Fierce Cyclops 70 Swimming Storm Priest
17 Dwelling Fiery Dervish 71 Swinging Striped Pudding
18 Dying Fighting Djinn 72 Talking Tricky Roc
19 Eating Final Doppleganger 73 Throwing Ugly Salamander
20 Ending First Doxy 74 Thrusting Vast Skeleton
21 Falling Foul Dragon 75 Waiting Vicious Slime
22 Fighting Frost Druid 76 Waking Wanton Spectre
23 First Furious Dryad 77 Weeping Wayward Stalker
24 Fleeing Gelatinous Dwarf 78 Winding Wealthy Statue
25 Flying Giant Efreet 79 Winning Welcome Stirge
26 Forbidding Golden Elemental 80 (none) Were- Strumpet
27 Freezing Great Elf 81 (none) White Tart
28 Gambling Green Fighter 82 (none) Wicked Thief
29 Grinding Grey Gargoyle 83 (none) Wonderful Tiger
30 Grinning Handsome Ghost 84 (none) Yellow Titan
31 Growing Haughty Ghoul 85 (none) (none) Treant
32 Hanging Heavy Giant 86 (none) (none) Triton
33 Hiding Hellish Gnoll 87 (none) (none) Troll
34 Hitting Hill Gnome 88 (none) (none) Trollop
35 Kissing Horrible Goblin 89 (none) (none) Trull
36 Kneeling Invisible Golem 90 (none) (none) Unicorn
37 Last Jolly Gorgon 91 (none) (none) Vampire
38 Leading Large Griffon 92 (none) (none) Wench
39 Living Lewd Harlot 93 (none) (none) Wight
40 Loving Living Harpy 94 (none) (none) Wizard
41 Melting Lizard Hippogriff 95 (none) (none) Wolf
42 Prancing Lusty Hobgoblin 96 (none) (none) Woman
43 Riding Magnificent Horse 97 (none) (none) Worm
44 Ringing Mighty Hound 98 (none) (none) Wraith
45 Rising Mischievous Hydra 99 (none) (none) Wyvern
46 Running Nasty Insect 100 (none) (none) Zombie

37
stretched can cause inconveniences. Adventuring isnt just The Owner: The owner will be a d20 10 level fighter
risking death out in the field, its dealing with the normal (minimum 0). He will be an older fellow, and has a 50%
people just trying to live their lives in the regular world! chance of being married, and 25% chance of being
widowed. If the owner has a negative reaction to the party,
The Inns Name: Roll percentile dice on the table on p. prices at the inn will be increased d10 + 5%. If the owners
37 for each category and put them together to come up wife has a negative reaction to the party, prices will
with the inns name. Assume the name begins with increase d4 + 1%, but if she reacts well to them, there will
The and ends with Inn. Feel free to ignore any be a d10 + 10% discount. Note it is possible to have both
result that seems too cheesy, vulgar, or unwieldy. the owners penalty and the wifes discount together!
(Female owners are also possible; reverse the married and
The Inn: The Inn itself will have a tavern/common room. widowed percentages if such characters are used.) If the
It will also have a common sleeping room with 8d4 beds, owner is married or widowed, he will have d6-1 children,
2d10 single rooms (which may have two beds in them), each age d20 years.
and 1d4 master rooms that can sleep four people
comfortably. There will also be a stable for travelers The Servers/Cleaners: For every ten rooms, there will be
horses, and inns of the larger sizes (and especially inns far one woman (age d20 + 15 years) who serves as a serving
from villages) will have craftsmen (blacksmiths, etc) living girl during busy times in the tavern area and helps clean
there with their own workshops. If the area is dangerous, it the empty rooms and keeps the area tidy.
may well have a wall around all the buildings. There will be
a master bedroom for the owner (and possibly wife), Other Staff: The owners children, if any, can serve in
another bedroom for children, and one more room for other capacities if they are at least 10 years of age,
every 2 staff members. Prices for lodging and food will be otherwise there will need to be a stable boy, perhaps a
at 2d20 + 80% of the campaign norm. regular handyman if there are no other craftsmen about,
and so on. Keep in mind that anyone that lives at the inn
The Inn Staff: The inn will have a number of permanent (and most will room and board will be an important part
staff. When the PCs first come into contact with any of the of the wages, as in a remote location, where else is there to
staff members, be sure to make reaction rolls for each of live, and in the city, housing is expensive!) will need living
the staff members. The point of this entire exercise is to space within the allotted rooms.
increase the amount of role-playing in a campaign, and to
take the focus off of the dungeon or quest and put it on Regular Visitors: There are a certain number of folks that
more mundane matters without losing interesting qualities. reliably visit the inn on a regular, predictable basis. These
are mainly the folk that keep the Inn stocked with standard
In my games of the past, I hit on the serving wench, or supplies as well as some that are involved with the Inns
more explicit versions thereof, have been a common personnel. Farmers will arrive every 2d4 days with new
action. Usually I just hand-wave it, Oh yeah, fine, she foodstuffs, other craftsmen will arrive every 2d10 days to
goes up to your room that night. I mean, who cares, take care of any needs that inn employees can not.
right? But if the home base is going to be used as a role-
playing focus, you might want to treat such interactions Temple Representative: Once a week, temple represent-
more seriously. Every NPC at the inn, including staff and atives come to provide religious services for the employees
visitors, needs wisdom and charisma scores generated. In and guests of the inn. They exchange news and views, and
general, members of the opposite sex that have lower collect that weeks donations for the shrine. There will be
wisdom scores than the charisma of another character will two representatives on horseback, and they will both stay
be very attracted to that character (influenced by reaction in one private room for one night.
rolls of course!), and will react accordingly. Remember, the
PCs are going to be seen as extremely interesting people Random Visitors: To determine each days visitors, make
who live on the edge. People working at an inn, or having a percentile roll on the Random Visitors Table. Keep rol-
other mundane lives, will want to be close to that and ling as long as the dice come up an even number. Your
perhaps will want to run away from their life into a new specific game system should have guidelines or charts for
and exciting one. Creating tension this way (especially determining the alignment and general personalities of
when one NPC takes a liking to a PC, and then starts really NPCs. The game world is filled with all sorts of people,
taking a liking to random visitors to the inn afterwards) and many of them will not see eye to eye with the PCs!
can result in some interesting situations that cause Keep in mind that evil does not mean violent and good
suspenseful play without the threat of bodily harm (unless does not mean they will aid the heroes in matters unim-
someone gets challenged to a duel!), and an anchor to portant to their own lives. Using these rolls to determine
make all these characters seem more real. NPC personality lets the world breathe and lets the players
know that even though the PCs are the center of the game,
the game world does not revolve around them!
38
 Random Visitors Table
Roll Result
01 02 Bandits
03 12 Craftsman
13 22 Duelist
23 Dwarves
24 Elves
25 26 Entertainer
27 Gambler
28 29 Gentleman
30 Gnomes
31 Collaborators
32 Gypsy Train
33 Halflings
34 35 Hearse
36 45 Laborers
46 Magic-User
47 48 Mercenaries
49 58 Merchant Caravan
59 68 Messengers
69 Minstrel Show
70 81 No Visitor Adventuring Party: Your game manuals should have
82 Officials rules for randomly generating adventuring parties. There
83 84 Religious Troupe will be d4+2 adventurers with an average level of 1d4, with
85 90 Random Travelers appropriate henchmen, pack animals, and equipment. The
91 92 Spies of the Nobles inn will treat these folk the same as the PCs (unless the
93 94 Thief PCs have performed some great service, of course), so
95 98 Wedding Party they may end up being competitors for the challenges of
99 100 Roll on Special Visitors Table the area. Depending on the alignment of the parties
involved and appropriate reaction checks, such adventure-
Special Visitors Table ers may become allies or enemies of the PCs. They will
Roll Result want private rooms, perhaps a suite, and will stay as long
1 20 Adventuring Party as there is adventure and possibility of profit to be had.
21 23 Doppelganger
24 40 Knight of Righteousness Bandits: After raiding caravans and farmhouses and poor
41 75 Military Patrol old women, bandits like to blow their money and live it up
76 90 Noble hard. These guys will not cause any real (violent) trouble if
91 99 Vampire their excesses (unsocial and rude as they are) are tolerated.
100 Monster Raid However, with so many different people around and all of
the alcohol flowing, anything may happen. Note that they
In many cases he is used when describing random will be terribly obnoxious towards any females in the place,
travelers. While a referee can give his or her game world but of course the young and pretty ones most of all. For an
any social qualities he likes, these tables assume that the interesting twist (especially if a PC has taken a shine on
game world is not so progressive. Important figures are one of the inns staff), make appropriate reaction rolls for
most likely men, while women are rarely in charge and the women to see if any of them end up in a bandits bed
never walk the wilderness alone. None of this applies to that night. There will be 3d4 bandits plus their leader, they
special visitors such as adventuring parties, elves, magic- will stay in the common room, and they will stay here until
users, etc. Still, these types will still skew predominantly they are all out of money (2d4 days). Certain bandits may
male, with maybe only 1 in 4 or even 1 in 5 being female. be willing to become hirelings or henchmen.

Also, the region is assumed to be fairly homogenous. The Collaborators: The monsters arent threats to road traffic
inn should seem as real and logical as possible as a on their own. While some keep quiet for various reasons,
contrast to the more fantastic elements that the PCs will there are humans who actively aid them in their highway
encounter later. Almost everybody visiting the Inn should robbery. Collaborators spend time in cities finding out
be a normal human, with a non-humans being present in about merchant caravans that are preparing to head out
visiting groups maybe one time in twenty. and inform monsters about them ahead of time. When
they move to inform their masters, their pattern is the
39
same. Go to the inn, stay a night in a suite (or two private way inns sooner or later. The introduction of a doppel-
rooms), ride out the next day, return, stay one more night, ganger to the environment may or may not cause a great
and leave. Only PCs who specifically follow these men, or deal of havoc, depending on who the creature chooses to
who just happen to be along their path to witness their duplicate. The day the doppelganger arrives, every single
traveling to and contacting the monsters, would know person at the Inn has an equal chance to be selected as the
something is up with these men. The most disturbing part first victim. If the victim is just passing through, no one at
is that in order to contact the monsters and prove their the inn need ever know what happened. (Until a body is
peaceful intentions there, they must sacrifice a member discovered, anyway.) A PC chosen as a victim will cause
of their own race at the meeting. So they will have a new immediate conflict, of course, but an inn employee being
member of the gang with them whenever they appear, killed and replaced by a doppelganger gives rise to a much
and he will be killed upon contact with the monsters. more insidious, ongoing threat
There are d4+2 men in this gang and it will always be the
same men that appear when this option comes up at any Duelist: Duelists travel the countryside earning their living
particular inn. If they are dealt with, then any further by provoking fights, or better yet getting paid for just
Collaborators results should be read as no visitor. The threatening to fight. They do this with the aid of an
men will generally never socialize as a group to keep as few accomplice who will arrive at the inn the same day as the
people as possible from noticing that, as a group, they duelist but not appear to be associated with him. In fact,
always show up with a new guy but never leave with him. they will take great pains to act unfamiliar with each other.
Whenever the collaborators show up, then a merchant They will find a mark, usually a non-warrior looking type
caravan of the largest size will automatically be set to arrive (no armor, battle scars, or large muscles) who looks at least
fully laden with goods at the Inn in 1d6+4 days. Whether fairly wealthy, and move in. The duelist will behave as a
the monsters will hit it before it arrives at the Inn or after gentleman, being very proper, as bait for the trap. He will
it departs is for the referee to decide. interact with his mark and then feign offense at some
perceived slight and offer to resolve the matter with a duel
Craftsman: Before one can settle down in ones very own to be scheduled the next day or two. In the meantime, the
workshop, there is a period of wandering to gain experi- accomplice will approach the challenged and offer to
ence in the field working for a variety of employers. A broker a cash deal (where the duelist would be the one to
journeyman in the most literal sense! The referee will have get paid!) to prevent any embarrassment or untoward
to determine exactly what kind of work he does, ideally at violence. Duels will be fought unarmored, with the
random. The craftsman will stay in the common room and weapon choice up to the challenged. Referees should detail
stay 1d4 days, unless he finds work locally, in which case which weapons a duelist is proficient in before executing
hell stay as long as he has work. the challenge to keep things fair. Duels will typically be to
first blood only, although if a real offense causes the duel,
Doppelganger: Creatures that depend on humanity for and the duelist is of a cranky disposition (and someone has
their sustenance will always find their way to out of the made a very bad reaction roll) and evil alignment, it can get
nasty. After winning a duel, a duelist will pilfer a valuable
from the defeated as compensation for his bother. Duelists
will be a 1d6+2 level fighter, stay in a private room (as will
their accomplice), and stay for 1d4 days.

Dwarves: Dour and taciturn is the clich, and boy does

it fit these fellows. Dwarves seldom have reason to wander
in the realms of men, and when they do they just want to
conclude their business and go home. The world of men
has too much sky 3d4 dwarves will stay one night at the
Inn, in a private room if there are just a few of them, and
in the common room if they are many. Each dwarf has a
25% chance to be a classed individual, and they will engage
in heavy drinking at the tavern on the day they are there.

Elves: Literature paints a different picture of elves than

the usual adventuring party. While elves out in the world
of men often seem like fine and normal fellows, most elves
prefer to stay with their own kind and they really do form
an alien society. Occasionally they must leave their
sanctuaries to conduct business in the world of men, and
when they do they leave people perplexed and whispering
40
in their wake. Elven visitors to the Inn will be 2d6 in Gypsy Train: An extended gypsy family traveling through
number, with any specific elf a classed individual 25% of the area is always sure to stop at the Inn. There will be 4d4
the time. There will be roughly equal amounts of male and gypsies, of them women and children, with one
female elves, they will not mingle much with other visitors wagon for every three gypsies. They will typically all be one
of the inn, and they will stay one night in a suite. big extended family. They will camp within a short
distance of the inn and not stay in the rooms, but they will
Entertainer: Bards make their living by playing taverns use all of the facilities available at the inn and generally be
and festivals, so they will be passing through with some very visible. They will provide all sorts of entertainment,
regularity. There will only be one or two of them, and they anything from dancing to juggling to fire-breathing and
will play in the main tavern hoping for tips. They will sleep sword swallowing. Generally they would only bring in
in whatever accommodations they can afford (usually the money on audience donations and will not be seen as a big
stables!). As usual with the wandering lifestyle types, deal by the locals. Depending on how stereotypical (some
they will be very rambunctious when let loose with the would say racist) you want to get with the gypsies, more
alcohol. They will stay at the Inn for 1d10 days. possibilities open up. There could be some sort of theft
subplot happening at the inn complex, or one of the old
Gambler: A professional gamesman travels the taverns of women of the gypsies could be a genuine seer and able to
the realm and makes his living by winning games of tell the PCs future. The gypsies will stay for 1d8 days.
chance. He will set up on a table at the Inn and try to coax
people into playing cards (or dice, or whatever) with him. Halflings: Halflings traveling away from their homelands
The gambler is going to be either very good or very good are rare, but the affable folk are always welcome in
at cheating, and any character that doesnt have gambling civilized lands. Halflings tend to want to keep out of trou-
as a secondary skill should be at a severe disadvantage ble, and while they will be social, they will typically be
when facing this guy. Hell stay as long as he can keep tight-lipped about what exactly their business might be.
making money (although likely it will be simply against They will be 2d4 in number, always wanting private rooms
visitors and not the staff after a couple days), using a (theyll sleep four to a room though) and staying 1d4 days.
private room. If his cheating ways are uncovered, he just There is only a 10% chance that they are classed.
might be run out of the place!
Hearse: People of means usually want to be buried where
Gentleman: Gentlemen are people of decidedly refined their families are, or at least close to where they were born.
tastes, who comport themselves with utmost respectability There is a fair trade in transporting bodies between larger
and expect everyone around them to do the same in the communities. This will usually just be one or two laborers
name of a civilized society. Despite their delusions of with a horse, cart or wagon, and their cargo in a coffin.
being natural men of the world, they are so very unsuited The body will often have a minor amount of jewelry on it
to life around the frontier and so will spend most of their which will make it of interest to petty thieves, but 1% of
time here being quite offended. They regard the barmaids these will have an impressive piece of jewelry worthy of
as tramps associating too much with men, so will not any sick enough to disturb the dead. The laborers will
bother to practice proper etiquette towards them. They prefer to sleep in the common room, and the coffin will
will be absolutely horrified at the prospect of violence stay in the stables (making it quite unpleasant for anyone
(never mind violence against them). For added fun, there that night as the smell of the corpse will not be so
sometimes (25% chance) they will bring their wives along, pleasant!) They will only stay for one night.
who is twice as refined and three times as sensitive. They
might also (25% chance) bring along 1d4 children who will Knight of Righteousness: A Knight (roll 1d6+4 to
then have to be shielded from all sorts of bad influence. A determine level) and his entourage (priest, scribe, and 1d6
gentleman may (25% chance) have a couple of retainers to men-at-arms) arrive at the Inn. The Knight will demand a
do his dirty work. Gentlemen will want a private room if use of a suite for himself, and private rooms for everyone
traveling alone or with wife, or a suite if with more people. in his group. He will demand all of these for free, and he
Theyll plan to stay 2d6 days for exposure to the robust will demand that the rooms all be adjacent and anyone in
country air, but will often leave in a huff after 2d4 days. rooms that he needs be tossed out immediately. The
Knight will demand that no alcohol be served while he is
Gnomes: Gnomes are perhaps the rarest (or least-seen, in the area, that the barmaids cover up any exposed flesh,
anyway) of the demi-human races, and therefore any en- shut down any entertainment, and generally be a complete
counter with them should seem special. They are simple nuisance. He wont even do anything about the dungeon
folk, pragmatic as dwarves yet with a Halflings love of or current adventure plot if informed about them because
leisure. PCs should be surprised by such a demeanor! he is on his way to a much more important quest. The
There is a 10% chance that a gnome is a classed individual. inn staff will suffer the Knights shenanigans because they
There will be 2d4 of them, they will stay in private rooms, dont want the trouble of resisting him, and theyll
and they will stay for 1d4 days. encourage anyone else to keep their mouths shut too. In
41
fact, the only way the Knight will show himself to be They arent the most popular customers the inn has, as
anything other than a completely self-righteous snob is if they tend to be pretty rude, grabby, and they are poor
blatant criminal activity or a monster attack happens while tippers! The exact type of mercenary is subject to referee
he is here. The Knight will stay at the inn for 1d3 days. decision (and some games give options for such expert
hirelings). There will be 3d8 of them, and they will likely as
Laborers: Work is hard to come by for many, and when not decide on making camp nearby. If they do stay at the
freemen can not find gainful employment where they are, inn, they would stay in the common room, with maybe
they will travel looking for work. There will be 2d6 of their commander having a private room. They will stay 1d4
them and they will be staying in the stables. They will stay days. Mercenaries, of course, make wonderful henchmen
1d4 days, generally harassing travelers to hire them for just and general combat support hirelings as long as alignments
about any sort of work. (Including the PCs) and reaction rolls allow.

Merchant Caravan: Business is business, and business

through risky areas offers a high return for the investment.
There is no shortage of people making shrewd (or com-
pletely foolish) decisions to bring caravans out this way. A
typical merchant caravan will consist of a head merchant,
1d4 assistants, 2d4 guards, and 2d6 support laborers.
There will be one wagon for every four individuals.
Sometimes a merchant will have his family with him,
which adds a spouse and d6 1 children. The referee
should determine exactly what goods the merchant deals
in. Any merchant has a flat 20% chance to be interested in
any valuable or odd goods the PCs want to sell, although
the amount the merchant gives them for the goods will
depend on reaction rolls, anywhere from 25% for a hostile
reaction to 75% for an extremely favorable reaction. The
merchant will want a suite for himself and his family, the
common room for his guards and assistants, and the
stables for his laborers. They will just stay one night.

Military Patrol: This is a large group from a neighboring

Mage: Who knows what motivates the men who manipu- area, on patrol along the road. They will not leave the road
late magic? They travel from place to place, sometimes on to engage under any circumstances (their orders are to be
mundane business, and sometimes in search of things far seen, defend anyone traveling on the road, but do not go
more esoteric. Use 1d4+2 to determine what level the out of the way to engage). The Inn is a good stop off for
mage is. He will likely have a familiar, a 0 level companion them, and the soldiers will party hard. There will be 10d4 0
or hireling, and a 5th or 6th level mage might have a 1st level level men-at-arms, and for every ten men there will be a 1st
apprentice. The mage will stay in a private room, although level warrior squad leader, and if there are thirty or more
the others might stay in the common room. They will stay men there will be a 2nd level warrior sergeant. They will
1d4 days. The mage is not very likely to go adventuring make their own camp a short distance away from the inn
with the PCs, but might agree for a suitable portion of so they will take up no rooms, but they will be all over the
treasure if he has an enthusiastically friendly reaction to tavern and many of the other buildings of the inn
them. Note that if he is of a greater level than any of the compound continuously. Theyll pretty much act like the
PCs, a suitable portion might be 50% or more just for bandits when all is said and done. They will only stay one
himself, and he may think of himself as the party leader night unless they arrive for a weekend, in which case they
and the PCs as his mere henchmen! will leave on Monday.

Mercenaries: Standing armies in the middle ages were Minstrel Show: If the inn is remotely located, the owner
uncommon, and it could be assumed that RPG kingdoms knows that the employees often get bored or longing for a
loosely based on that time period might have the same larger community, so he brings in entertainment shows
situation. This results in a professional soldier class that every so often. There will be 3d4 musicians, actors, and
has no loyalty to a specific kingdom which travels the land miscellaneous entertainers (acting as their own crew!) who
searching for nobles in need of warriors. Because their will take over an area close to the inn and set up a
livelihood is based on killing and dying, they take their off- makeshift stage. They generally have a few wagons which
time very seriously and will be the most enthusiastic also serve as their sleeping areas, although they will also
revelers to be found at the tavern when they show up. have a private room in the inn just in case someone needs
42
a bit more privacy. When the minstrel troupe is in the area, Officials: Bureaucrats are a constant menace in any soci-
service tends to suffer as the staff is focused on the ety. They also tend to be very non-threatening, unless they
entertainment. Of course if the minstrels are only see something they dont like, in which case they will do
performing for the employees, they will not stay so long. nothing about it themselves and just report the problem to
Figure about 1d4+1 days average, or as long as they have a the next link in the chain. These officials (government,
paying audience. Lock up the women and children when religious, mercantile) have no actual function that PCs can
these guys are around! Make an extra roll on the Random determine, but they conduct themselves as very important
Visitors table for every day the minstrels are here, as people and demand respect as a matter of course. There
people time their trips to be able to see this sort of thing. will be 2d6 of these leeches traveling, likely by carriage
(you think theyd walk all this way or learn to ride a horse
Monster Raid! This result means there will be a monster themselves), with one assistant for every four of them
raid happening on this day, in addition to whatever else is present. The officials will stay in suites or private rooms,
happening around the Inn. Usually it will be a rather while their assistants get the common room or stable.
unintelligent monster, as most intelligent creatures know to
stay away from the inn and all its various denizens. This Religious Troupe: A traveling religious troupe is either a
could be a good opportunity for PCs to see exactly who group of pilgrims traveling to a holy site, or a low-ranking
their hosts are as they will defend their loved ones and the group of monks or priests doing the same. Very rarely
property (in that order!) to the best of their ability. should this mean a priestly character. The referee should
Depending on the menace, it might also be a good test to determine what god the troupe worships, and what the
see if the PCs know when to put their heads down and relationship of that god is to the prevalent god at the inn
stay out of the way. Roll on the following table to compound. In all, the troupe will be 3d4 individuals
determine what attacks (a bandit raid will not be with a staying in the stables or the common room for 1d2 days.
same crew of bandits that would stay here): Priests (of the same god!) should be able to find hirelings
or henchmen in such a group.
Roll Result
1 Acid-Spitting Giant Bug Random Travelers: Sometimes, people dont have any
2 Land-Shark sort of reason for being anywhere in particular. Such
3 Ettins (1d6) encounters could be with independently wealthy
4 Hill Giants (1d4) wanderers, landless vagabonds, fugitives from far-off
5 11 Human Bandit Raid! authorities, or people merely on the way from one place to
12 16 Humanoid Raid! another. This will be one person with equal chances of
17 Hydra staying in the stables, common room, private room, or
18 Manticore suite, for 1d6 days. Random travelers staying in the
19 Trolls (2d4) common room or stables are ripe for work as henchmen.
20 Wyvern
Spies of the Nobles: These people are on the lookout for
Noble: A noble and his entourage is an impressive thing. evidence that the innkeeper is openly defying the law of
The noble himself will always have 2d4 bodyguards, 3d4 the land (the referee can determine details) as well as tax-
assistants of various types, plus enough carriages (and evading treasure collectors! These spies will always be here
drivers and horses) to transport them all and their luggage. under other auspices (roll again on the table to see who
Referees may decide the noble is bringing his family along, they are pretending to be), and they will be quite nosy and
in which case add a spouse and 1d6 children, plus another obtrusive into peoples business. Mistreating these men is a
2d4 bodyguards and 2d4 assistants. Nobles will demand bad idea as that will bring noble troops to teach the
the run of the place, earning a bit of enmity from the locals offenders how to properly treat their betters; and if the
(even though the generous amount of money a nobles men go missing it will certainly bring troops to investigate
entourage brings in will soften that blow a bit), and and intimidate PCs getting involved in the political
probably even more from the PCs. They should never be intrigue around the inn may be in for more than they
allowed to forget that they are in the presence of power in bargained. Keep in mind that Lawful characters would
the realm, and their behavior while the noble is here can tend to favor the side of the nobles
have far-reaching implications for the campaign. Nobles
will stay in a suite, and if there is not a suite available then Thief: The temporary nature of inn residents makes them
somebody is going to have to get kicked out so the noble frequent targets of thieves. 1d4 thieves of 1d6 level each
can stay. The entourage will all stay in private rooms (the will stay at the inn for 1d6 days in a common or private
important ones) or the common room (the room. They will spend their time around the common
unimportant ones). They will stay for 1d6 days and be areas of the compound casing out guests (never anyone
the center of attention the entire time. that lives there unless they can find an easily accessible and
excessive treasure!) to determine who has something worth
43
44
stealing. Then they will strike, grabbing all they can as groom will each have a private room until the wedding,
stealthily as possible and immediately leaving. after which they will have a suite together. The family and
friends will have as many private rooms as are available,
the rest will stay in the common room. They will arrive by
private coaches (one coach per six people), and those
coach drivers will stay in the common room. The entire
party will be there for 1d6 days before the wedding; the
day after everyone will leave except the married couple
who will remain for d10+6 days.

Vampire: Vampires like lodging too! This will consist of a

couple or three strongmen on a carriage (with one or two
horses) carrying a rather large crate. They will want either a
private room or a suite and will carry their tremendously
heavy (700+ pound) cargo to the room. They will accept
no assistance, and will be very obvious in their wish to be
left alone. Of course their cargo is a vampire resting in its
coffin, and at night the vampire may awaken and disguise
itself as one of its followers and enjoy a night in the tavern.
Someone examining all of this closely will find many
suspicious things about the group. It is recommended that
the vampire and his follower(s) not deliberately cause
trouble for their hosts, but anyone getting too curious
about this mysterious band of travelers is in for a nasty
surprise. They will stay just the one night.

Wedding Party: For some reason, the inn the PCs are
staying at has become a popular wedding site. So a couple
of times a year, a wedding party will descend on the inn,
spreading merriment and warm feelings to everyone! Wed-
dings make everyone feel more romantic so any passes
made at the barmaids will all have a +10% bonus to
reaction rolls, +20% if the effort really does seem romantic
and there have been no previous crude attempts made by
the character on one of the staff. There will be the bride
and groom and 10d6 family and friends. The bride and
45
The Outdoor Map ces have skyrocketed in recent months) and an increased
demand for luxuries from other locations (such as fish
by James Maliszewski from Gloris). The situation has also drawn the attention of
map by Robert Conley several enterprising thieves, some of whom are attempting
to establish a guild in the town so as to grow rich by theft
Among the recommended equipment for playing Dungeons and by catering to Augstans less savory needs.
& Dragons in its original printing was the Avalon Hill game
Outdoor Survival. The game itself was unimportant, but the 0607 Somtha - This town grew up in the shadow of the
hex map it contained, depicting a generic wilderness, was Monastery of Saint Gaxyg the Grey (see The Ruined
useful to a referee looking to run on-the-fly wilderness Monastery in Fight On! Issue 1 for more details), a Lawful
encounters. Outdoor Survival is long out of print, but the religious center built atop the nearby plateau. Somtha
idea of a general wilderness map available for fantasy became a pilgrimage center, providing provisions and
adventuring remains a good one. lodging for travelers whod come to visit the Monastery
and learn from its monks. Somtha grew wealthy from this
This article serves several purposes. First, it includes a map trade and over time its inhabitants were motivated
of a generic wilderness that fills much the same function as primarily by greed rather than charity. The destruction of
the old: providing the beleaguered referee with a ready- the Monastery by an even greedier lord from the southern
made environment for extemporaneous wilderness adven- lands ended Somthas idyll and threw the town into chaos.
tures. Second, the map includes a number of symbols Now it is almost a ghost town, with only a few diehard
indicating the location of settlements, lairs, and features, inhabitants left, eking out a meager existence catering the
the latter being noteworthy locales of one sort or another. few travelers who still venture here, including adventurers
The referee is free to use or ignore these symbols on the seeking to explore the Monastery and the caves beneath it.
map as he sees fit, for there is no necessity that where a
feature is indicated, for example, one must exist in his own
campaign. Thirdly, the bulk of the article itself is a
collection of sample settlements, lairs, and features tied to
the map. All the samples are short and fairly generic, with a
bare minimum of information to serve as inspirations to
the referees own imagination. Once again, the referee
should use as much or as little presented here as he wishes
and never fear substituting his own ideas for those
presented. Indeed, the entire purpose of this article is to
serve as a springboard for creating wilderness encounters
rather than as the last word on the subject. The Outdoor
Map is dedicated to the memory of Robert E. Bob
Bledsaw. (Issue #3 will be dedicated to Bob as well Ignatius.)

Settlements:
0208 Gloris - a small, relatively isolated community whose
inhabitants make their living by fishing. Until recently, the
men of Gloris fished only enough to support themselves,
but recently the people of Augstan to the north (hex 0404)
developed a taste for the fish of Lake Gloris, resulting in
increased demand. This has disturbed the nixies that live in
a colony beneath the surface of the lake and led to a war
between the two communities. The men of Gloris are not
yet certain what is causing fishermen to disappear and 0711 Yarm - a lively port built on an island at the mouth
never return, and they would handsomely reward anyone of a river that flows into the sea. Many bridges cross the
who can discover the reason. river, connecting the sprawling districts of Yarm to one
another. In addition, boats and other waterborne craft are
0404 Augstan - a mining community inhabited primarily used to travel from one part of the city to another. The
by humans, but there is a sizable minority of dwarves here settlement is a center of trade and commerce on the
as well, some of whom originate in Ghaz Droonan (hex southern sea and attracts merchants from all over the
0603). For the most part, the people of Augstan are quiet region. By and large, the city is run efficiently and without
and reserved, dedicated to their primary industry, extract- a great deal of corruption, owing no doubt to the influence
ing gems and ores from the northern mountains. This of several Lawful temples who exert great influence here.
business is quite lucrative, creating a boom in the city (pri- Thats not to say Yarm is without a dark side, but its
46
Thieves Guild stays quietly in the shadows rather than 1810 Wabton - a smallish town whose inhabitants are
playing a prominent role in the city. Still, the people of mostly farmers and woodsmen. They largely keep to them-
Yarm are renowned as hagglers and traders without peer; selves, although they are not unwelcoming to travelers,
they buy and sell almost anything and the scope of their particularly those who might aid them against the spiders
wares draws visitors in large numbers. of the nearby Cobwood (hex 1910). At the same time, the
men of Wabton are not adventurous and would prefer to
1004 Vidda - a mining town, dedicated to the extraction be left alone, lest anyone take note of this sleepy hamlet.
of a strange metal from the ground, which the locals have
dubbed star metal. According to local legend, an entire 1914 Loraec - After Retep City (hex 1215), Loraec is the
mountain of metal fell from the stars and landed on the second largest settlement in the region. Centuries ago, it
future site of Vidda. The metal gives off a strange bluish was an important provincial capital of a long-collapsed
glow and is rumored to cause sickness in mortal beings empire, but it has since fallen on hard times. While it still
and to warp the bodies and minds of animals too long gives off flashes of its former glory, Loraec is for the most
exposed. Properly treated with an alchemical elixir, though, part a dilapidated wreck, with ruined and abandoned
the metal becomes harder than steel and a fine vessel for buildings found both inside and outside its current
enchantments. Several large companies have grown up to fortifications. The current city was built upon an even
handle the extraction of star metal from the mountain, as it earlier settlement and there are extensive tunnels and
is an expensive and some-times dangerous process, owing labyrinths beneath its streets that stretch back hundreds, if
to the strange monsters that seem inexplicably drawn to not thousands of years. The Prefect of Loraec (its current
or is it created by? its radiation. ruler) believes that there may be enough riches and magical
artifacts hidden beneath the city to help rejuvenate its
1208 Tapricia - a mid-sized town that supports the fortunes. For that reason, he has encouraged exploration
mining operations in Vidda (hex 1004) to the north, of the tunnels and has offered bounties on the discovery
sending goods Vidda needs and shipping star metal farther of choice relics (which must be turned over to him, of
south to Retep City (hex 1215). Consequently, the course), creating a small boom, as adventurers flock to
merchant concerns that control Vidda have a strong Loraec to take advantage of the situation.
presence here as well and try to exert as much influence
over the local government as possible. The current mayor 2108 Ainad - a bustling mercantile center whose fortunes
and city council of Tapricia resent such interference in have been on the rise for the last few years, owing to its
local matters and have done their best to maintain sea trade with the wider world. Ships of all shapes and
independence from the merchants. Of course, they also sizes can be found in its large harbor, making it an ideal
realize that the towns lifeblood depends on good relations place to hire vessels for travel or exploration. A council of
with the merchants and so walk a fine line, one that could rich merchants rules Ainad, concerned only with profits
explode at any minute if either side believes it can gain a for them and their allies. Consequently, the city is a place
decisive advantage over the other. where money is the main means of getting anything done,
even (or perhaps especially) when dealing with public
1215 Retep City - a large city-state whose economic and officials. There is rising discontent in some quarters of the
political influence extends far beyond its immediate city, but so far it has not erupted into full-scale unrest.
domain, much to the chagrin of cities like Yarm (hex 0711) Previous attempts to overthrow the merchant oligarchs
and Loraec (hex 1914), both of which have attempted to met with failure, which has done little to encourage others
seize some of Retep Citys prominence for themselves. By from attempting to do the same.
the standards of the region, Retep is a metropolis, boasting
tens of thousands of inhabitants. It is surrounded by miles 2307 Bilrom - The isolated settlement of Bilrom is barely
of farmland to support its population and has a sizable a settlement at all. Instead, its more of meeting place for
militia with which to defend itself from rivals and the the various barbaric tribes who inhabit this island, where
monsters that live in the nearby wilderness. A council of they come to trade, exchange stories, and arrange
merchants, aristocrats, temple leaders, and guild represent- marriages and other important matters. In the winter
atives, headed by an elected mayor, rules Retep City. The months, Bilrom is almost entirely depopulated, but in the
mayor is largely a figurehead, but he has some influence of spring and summer its population swells and even visitors
his own. Infighting between factions sometimes grips the from other lands come to trade with the assembled tribes.
city, leading to outright violence, but that has not occurred Needless to say, Bilrom is a rowdy, boisterous place, with
in recent months. If anything, Retep is unusually calm of very little in the way of law or order, except of the most
late. How long that will last remains to be seen. rough and ready sort.

47
48
Lairs: that the spirits of the sea are angry about their activities.
0314 Werewolves - a pack of four werewolves under the Consequently, attempts to hire seamen in nearby ports will
leadership of an individual called One-Eye (after his most be more likely to be rebuffed (1-3 on 1D6) outright unless
notable physical characteristic) hunt at the forests edge. offered at least twice their normal monthly wage.
The werewolves once roamed farther south toward human
settlements but were driven back after losing half their 0901 Hobgoblins - A large tribe of 284 hobgoblins united
numbers to adventurers. Now One-Eye bides his time, under a king (LVL 4+1) has established an aboveground
hoping to infect any who venture into his domain with fortress at the edge of the forest to the northwest. They
lycanthropy in order to bolster the packs numbers. are engaged in a large-scale effort to cut down enough
trees to fortify their position further. Their king,
0716 Boars - a small herd of 6 boars (LVL 3) roams this Rivvlethrip, sees a power vacuum to the south, with many
area. The boars are generally hostile to any creature that rich settlements ripe for raiding and plunder. As such, he is
disturbs them and will attack on sight. These wild beasts making preparations for war in the long term. In the short
subsist on a number of local plants, but take particular term, he is employing spies to gain intelligence about
pleasure in consuming a mushroom that grows along the nearby communities and urban centers, as he prefers not
edge of the nearby river. Besides being tasty, when to commit his tribe to a war it cannot win. Nevertheless,
ingested, the mushrooms create an effect similar to that of his advisors and warriors are eager to quench their blades
a potion of heroism. When encountered, there is a chance in blood; it is only a matter of time before the king will
(1-2 on 1D6) that the boars will have recently consumed have no choice but to give them their wish.
these mushrooms and thus will be under their effects;
referees should adjust the combat capabilities of the boars 1013 Ogres - 15 ogres have established a camp at the
accordingly. If the characters can find where these forests edge. They have stopped on their long journey
mushrooms grow (referees discretion), they may harvest from the mountains to Retep City (hex 1215), where they
them for their own use. The effect noted above fades if hope to purchase weapons and armor and hire themselves
the mushroom is not consumed within six hours of its out as mercenaries. If they encounter individuals weaker
having been harvested, however. than themselves along the way, they will not hesitate to
attack, in hopes of stealing whatever wealth they might
0803 Goblins a small tribe of 48 goblins has established possess. They already possess 500 gold between them, but
a stronghold within a natural cave complex here. The hope to acquire more in order to buy the equipment they
goblins, who call themselves the Bloody Bones, have long seek in Retep. They will attempt to sell their services to
dreamed of a brighter and wealthier future for more powerful individuals. If successful, they will serve
themselves, but, being cowardly by nature and loyally for appropriate pay (as determined by the referee),
comparatively few in number, they have never made any but will look for every opportunity to betray their
attempt to achieve this goal. The rise of a new king among employers where this does not bring danger to themselves.
the Bloody Bones, though, might change all that. King
Yargiz is a charismatic goblin with delusions of grandeur 1205 Gnomes - Deep within the hills of this area lies the
and a sword +1. He sees the abandoned Dwarfhold of warren-like home of a clan of 280 Gnomes. Though
Ghaz Droonan (see hex 0603) as a potential new home for normally quite reclusive, these Gnomes have grown more
his people and has begun to mobilize them to investigate militant since the influx of Dwarvish refugees from Ghaz
that locale with an eye toward one day occupying it. Droonan (hex 0603), whom they have sheltered but whose
presence has slowly but inexorably altered the demeanor of
their hosts, who now see dangers everywhere and protect
their borders by force of arms. This has caused a rift with
the nearby human settlement of Ainad (hex 1004), to
which the Gnomes had once been friendly but now treat
with suspicion. Unsurprisingly, many Gnomes are dis-
pleased with the change effected by the Dwarves and seek
a return to the old ways, even if it brings them into conflict
with their own elders, most of whom are sympathetic to
the exaggerated concerns of the displaced Dwarves.

0818 Giant Octopus - a single giant octopus (DC 7, LVL 1216 Ghouls - A pack of 19 ghouls dwells within these
8, HTK 40, Damage 1-3 x 8 and 1-6) dwells in this stretch fens. Unlike normal ghouls, these foul creatures are the
of sea, preying on large fish and other marine life. From result of a powerful curse placed upon a pirate crew whose
time to time the octopus has been known to attack ship ran aground along the nearby coast after a powerful
seagoing vessels. Its most recent attack was less than a storm. Those slain in the shipwreck rose as ghouls and
month ago, leading many superstitious sailors to believe now act as guardians for an immense diamond stolen from
49
a prince in a faraway land and whose theft brought the
curse upon them. Until the diamond is either destroyed or
returned to its rightful owner, the ghouls cannot be
permanently slain but will return to unlife 1D6 turns after
being slain, when they will unerringly pursue anyone
absconds with the diamond. Likewise, anyone who
possesses the diamond will suffer the same fate as the
pirates should they ever been killed. Remove curse can be
cast upon the diamond to rid it of its evil, but doing so will
also turn the diamond into worthless quartz.

1316 Giant Snakes - Four giant snakes (LVL 4) can be

found in this area of the swamp. They have no treasure of
their own, but the area they inhabit contains a partially 1803 Dragon - A sub-adult blue dragon of normal size
sunken (and locked) strongbox of unusual design, inside of (LVL 9, HTK 27) named Liegedzlaed has taken up
which is 100 square coins made of some form of steel- residence inside a large hillside cave in this area. The
like metal. The coins are covered with what appears to be dragon can speak but cannot use spells. He originally
writing of some sort, but it matches no known alphabet, hailed from the more arid regions to the southeast but
human or otherwise. Also within the strongbox is a decided to move to more northerly climes in order to
canister that holds 10 greenish tablets. If consumed, each avoid discovery by the dragon-hunting dervishes of his
of these tablets functions as a potion of healing, but there former homeland (see 2516 for details). Liegedzlaed is
is a 10% chance that, owing to their strange origin, any slowly amassing a trove in order to attract a mate. Because
tablet consumed may instead produce a different, random he wishes to avoid draw-ing attention to his presence,
potion effect other than healing. however, he preys primarily on monsters and Chaotic
humanoids, which has not endeared him to them,
1410 Elves - 224 Elves have established a settlement in particularly the Severed Tongue tribe of orcs (hex 1805).
the foothills here, calling it Arielem. Their leader is Linwa
Nirmalan, skilled in both magic and fighting, and he is 1805 Orcs - The Severed Tongue orc tribe lives in a large
deeply suspicious of outsiders. Arielem was once a much cave complex in the hills here. Consisting of 240 orcs and
larger community, but its numbers have dwindled because 3 trolls employed as sentries, the tribe is growing restless.
of the vile actions of the necromancer to the northeast The depredations of the dragon Liegedzlaed (hex 1803)
(hex 1709), whom the elves felt honor-bound to oppose. have emboldened the orcs and their chieftain, Grommash,
Now, the will to fight him is gone, but the hatred of him has declared that slaying the wyrm is a priority. He has
remains, generalized into a dislike of non-elves who do not gone so far as to make it known far and wide that he will
prove themselves to be friends and allies by their words pay anyone including non-orcs the princely sum of 100
and actions. Anyone who enters Nirmalans domain will be gold pieces if they can bring proof of the dragons death to
treated roughly by his underlings and interrogated for him. He has also offered the hand of his loathsome eldest
evidence of evil intent. The elves are not evil, of course, daughter, a reward of far more interest to some, as such a
and so will not harm innocents or anyone who does not pairing would result in leadership of the Severed Tongue
pose an immediate threat to them or their settlement. tribe in the event of Grommashs death, as he has no sons.
Needless to say, the chieftains offer has created compete-
1709 Necromancer - A necromancer named Birinus tion among many would-be orc champions, some of which
dwells here, having take up residence in a formerly have journeyed to civilized lands to recruit mercenaries to
abandoned tower. Birinus has raised a large army of slay the dragon for them. In addition, several evil adven-
skeletons and zombies (30 of each) over time and uses tureers see Grommashs offer as an opportunity to seize
them both as guards and to terrorize the elves of nearby control of the tribe for their own foul designs.
Arielem (hex 1410). Birinus is obsessed with finding the
secret of eternal life. He believes, perhaps mistakenly, that 2105 Wyvern - A mated pair of wyverns and their single
because elves are extremely long-lived, they may either offspring (HTK 29, 24, and 15 respectively) dwell here
possess magic that will aid him in his own quest or that atop a low mountain peak. Despite their Chaotic natures,
their bodies hold some quality or chemical that will do so. the wyverns largely keep to themselves and do not prey
Consequently, he has slain and dissected numerous elves upon anything but local fauna. The successful capture of
over the last few months, earning him their eternal enmity. any wyvern would bring 500 gold pieces or more to
His vile experiments have not given Birinus the knowledge naturalists and other sages, while their skinned hides would
he seeks, but he is unperturbed and continues to prey sell for at least 100 gold pieces in larger towns or cities.
upon the elves in hopes of one day wresting the secrets of
immortality from their minds or bodies.
50
2107 Brigand Camp - A band of 60 bandits under the of luring them to their deaths in the water. Unsurprisingly,
leadership of the self-proclaimed bandit king Tolenka this has led to retaliation by the men of Gloris, who have
Dorpat have established a large camp here. Dorpat was begun to scour the waters for the location of their hidden
once a gentleman of the city of Ainad (hex 2108) and his colony. Despite this, the nixies are undeterred and are
involvement in a failed coup to topple the citys corrupt looking for ways to escalate their war with the fishermen.
oligarchy resulted in his having to flee into the wilderness.
He fell in with some bandits to survive and quickly 0603 Ghaz Droonan - Built into the side of a mountain,
assumed leadership of them, owing to his natural charisma the mighty Dwarfhold of Ghaz Droonan stood strong for
and force of will. Dorpat has long since given up any generations, a shining example of all that is best among the
dreams of virtuously overthrowing the venal merchants sturdy Children of the Earth. All that changed when a
who rule Ainad, instead preferring to raid its caravans and plague of unknown origin swept through its mammoth
exact revenge in various petty ways. He has lived with the halls and all but exterminated its population. The source of
bandits long enough to have become as thoroughly the plague has never been determined, but a foul miasma
criminal as they. He is not necessarily irredeemable but lingers still in Ghaz Droonan and no Dwarf, not even
neither is Dorpat a rogue with a heart of gold. those who sought refuge among their Gnomish cousins to
the southeast (hex 1205), has dared to return. Of course,
2313 Hippogriffs - A herd of 8 hippogriffs makes their the riches and magic that also remain in the hold are un-
home in this area. They are not much liked by the doubtedly a temptation to both the brave and the greedy,
dervishes to the south (hex 2516), because the hippogriffs despite whatever dangers might be found within its walls.
occasionally prey on their horses for food and sport.
Otherwise, though, the hippogriffs largely keep to 0613 Menhir Isles - This collection of islands is so called
themselves, so to avoid being captured or killed. after the large collection of rune-covered standing stones
found on them. The runes bear some similarity to those of
2516 Dervishes - A tribe of 140 dervishes has set up camp the Dwarves, but no Dwarf settlement is known to have
in this area. The dervishes are horse nomads who travel existed this far south. Moreover, the standing stones are
throughout the region, setting up camps in several places exceedingly large 10 to 12 feet in most cases and are
throughout the year, following their flocks of sheep and neither carved nor arranged in a Dwarvish fashion, leading
goats. A prophetess named Romachka (9th level Lawful to all manner of speculation about their true origins and
priestess) leads the tribe, keeping them true to their purpose. The isles are utterly devoid of all animal life. Only
esoteric religious doctrines and taboos, which include the plants exist here and none, not even hardy weeds, grow
protection of the ruins at hex 2718, which she has deemed within a few feet of any of the standing stones.
off-limits to everyone, lest its curse spread across the land.
The dervishes are otherwise friendly and hospitable to 0706 The Ruined Monastery - Once dedicated to Saint
outsiders who respect their ways and show no interest in Gaxyg the Gray, the Monastery was a beacon of learning
the ruins. Romachka herself is a wizened old woman, and spiritual edification built upon an escarpment under
nearly blind, who speaks in cryptic phrases and frequently which lay the chaos-tainted Caves of Mourning. The
prophesies of future events. She is thus an excellent tool monks who dwelled here strove to contain the undead and
for the referee who wishes to use foreshadowing in his other foul creatures that teemed in the Caves and succeed-
adventures or campaign. ed for a time. Over many generations, the Monastery
grew lax and basked in the riches and magic its monks
Features: uncovered in the Caves, making it a tempting target for
0115 The Great Swamp - This vast marsh extends for greedy lords, one of whom razed it to the ground and stole
miles in every direction, stretching from the southern sea much of its wealth. Part of the monastery remains, still
to the northern woods. Stinking and fetid, the swamp is holding back the creatures of the Caves of Mourning, but
reputed to be unnatural in origin, although no one, least of it is unlikely they shall remain contained for much longer.
all learned sages, can offer a definitive explanation for its Additional information on the Ruined Monastery can be
size and extent. What is not disputed is that there exist the found in Issue #1 of Fight On!
ruins of several ancient settlements within the swamp, now
overgrown with moss, weeds, and swamp plants and filled 1011 The Evensong Woods - The Evensong Woods are
with water. Likewise, numerous bands of trolls patrol the a dense expanse of trees noted for a mysterious singing
swamp, attacking anyone who dares to enter their domain. that occurs within its confines every night after sunset. The
singing sounds like the voices of human children, although
0208 Nixie Colony - A group of 50 nixies lives beneath they sing no known song nor are their words, if such they
the surface of this freshwater lake, protected by schools of be, intelligible in any local human language. The source of
fierce pike. The nixies consider the human fishermen from the singing is unknown and seems to emanate from
nearby Gloris to be nuisances and have begun a campaign everywhere and nowhere at once. Some claim that the
singing is ghostly in origin, while others say it is a trick of
51
fairy creatures (or demons), hoping to lure the unwary into but he never returned from his ill-considered quest,
the woods. The truth remains unknown after all this time prompting many cautionary tales and poems about the
and most believe that it will never be resolved. dangers of venturing into the Tulgeywood. Sightings of the
Tulgey Beastie and its eyes of flame are recorded from
1206 The Ruined Chateau - Hidden within a small forest time to time, but none can say for certain whether there is
is the ruined remains of an aristocratic chateau that has any truth to them or if the magical blade once wielded by
fallen into disrepair after decades or more! of abandon. the doomed barbarian warrior might lie somewhere within
The chateau consists of three surface levels and at least the forest waiting for another hero to claim it as their own.
two basement levels, although there may be even deeper
levels of which no one knows. Originally the home of a 2718 Mysterious Ruins - Located in a natural canyon,
dissolute nobleman who committed suicide in an effort to this ruined city is built into its walls. Judging from their
alleviate his ennui, the chateau has often served as the extent, which extends deep beneath the surrounding
residence of humanoid creatures such as goblins and orcs plateau, this city once held thousands of people, although
and more than one Chaotic magic-user or cleric has exactly who these people were or where they went remains
claimed it as his own. Of late, it appears to be thoroughly a mystery. The ruins are decorated with a variety of strange
abandoned, but no one can say for certain until they symbols and sigils, none of bear any resemblance to local
explore its grounds. languages living or extinct. The ruins consist of innumera-
ble rooms, chambers, and corridors, in many of which are
valuable items of precious metals and jewels. During the
day, there are no inhabitants in the ruins and adventurers
may freely explore them without fear. During the night,
the ruins are overrun with all manner of undead, from ske-
letons and zombies to specters and vampires. These are
the cursed former inhabitants of the city and they will
relentlessly pursue any who steal from their home even if
they leave the ruins. Only the death of the thieves or the
return of the stolen items will stop the undead from seek-
ing them out, in ever-increasing numbers if need be. This
1402 Dwimmermount - The loftiest mountain in the area, curse the dervish prophetess knows and fears (hex 2516).
Dwimmermount is also reputed to be a fountainhead of
raw magic. Deep within its snow-covered recesses, tales
say there exists a forge once employed by a now-forgotten
race to craft weapons, armor, and other implements of
The Wilderness Architect, Parts I-II
power. Whether such tales are true, none can say, as evi- by Victor Raymond
dence of the forge or of the magic said to flow from the
mount have never been obtained. Yet there is no denying Part One: The Interesting Wilderness
that the mountains slopes are populated by all manner of This is the first of a series of articles about constructing a
strange beings, both malevolent and benign, or that the wilderness setting to complement your dungeon. It was
weather in its vicinity seems oddly different than elsewhere inspired by discussions on the Original D&D Discus-
in the mountain range. sion and Knights and Knaves Alehouse websites, as
well as by a series of excellent articles on dungeon design
1910 Cobwood - This forest has a well-deserved reputa- by Roger Musson in White Dwarf #25-27 entitled The
tion for evil, as it is home to an unusually large colony of Dungeon Architect, Parts 1, 2, and 3. What is presented
giant spiders (16 in total). These arachnids have united here is intended as speculative rather than authoritative in
under the suzerainty of one particularly ancient and character. In particular, the objective of these articles is to
despicable example of their species, known as Gloomfang provide the means for creating worthwhile settings for
(LVL 4, HTK 21). Under Gloomfang, these spiders have wilderness adventure within the framework of older
begun a concerted campaign against the inhabitants of fantasy roleplaying systems.
nearby Wabton (hex 1810), attacking the edges of the town
under cloak of night, as well as any travelers or caravans The so-called Wilderness really consists of unexplored
foolish enough to enter Cobwood. land, cities and castles, not to mention the area immediate-
ly surrounding the castle (ruined or otherwise) which
2403 Tulgeywood - This small forest is reputedly home to housed the dungeons. The referee must do several things
a vicious creature of indeterminate size and countenance. in order to conduct wilderness adventure games. First he
Legend has it that a young paladin wielding a magic sword must have a ground level map of the dungeons, a map of
ventured into the wood in hopes of slaying the monster, the terrain immediately surrounding this, and a map of the

52
town or village closest to the dungeons (where the adven- place: Sturmgeschutz and Sorcery or How Effective is
turers will be most likely to base themselves).The terrain a Panzerfaust Against a Troll, Heinz? in The Strategic
beyond the immediate surroundings of the dungeon area Review, Vol. 1, No. 5, from December 1975. The date of
should be unknown to all but the referee. Offhand adven- publication is rather important, because it means that the
tures in the wilderness are made on the Outdoor Survival battle was fought probably no later than the summer of
playing board (explained below). Exploratory journeys, such as 1975, shortly after the publication of Greyhawk and concur-
expeditions to find land suitable for a castle or in search of some rent with the publication of Blackmoor, making it highly
legendary treasure are handled in an entirely different manner. representative of early styles of fantasy gaming.
Gary Gygax, The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures,
pgs. 14-5; emphasis added. So what did I find, besides a gripping after-battle report
detailing the defeat of an SS reconnaissance unit on the
While the players are not expected to know about the area Eastern Front? The order of battle for the defending forces:
surrounding the dungeon, the opposite is true for the
referee. A referee needs to know the lay of the land THE SERVANTS OF THE GATHERER
surrounding the dungeon, whether they use the Outdoor 12th Level EHP with +2 Armor & Shield, Snake Staff
Survival map, James Maliszewskis Outdoor Map, or a 1 Hero, +1 A & Sh, + 3 Swd
wilderness constructed from their own imagination. Re- 1 Hero, +1 A & Sh, +1 Spear
gardless of the referees choice, the map needs to be 1 Magician
designed and detailed for adventures outside the dungeon. 2 Mummies
The reference to the so-called Wilderness given other 3 Ogres
references to settled areas, towns and cities, etc. suggests 3 Ghouls
that wilderness as a general term not unlike level has 4 Trolls
multiple meanings. In this case, it can be broken into two 19 Orcs
distinct definitions: first, the entire area outside of the - 4 with axes
dungeon, but also second, the uncivilized areas beyond the - 6 with swords
settled areas (Ill come back to this further below). - 6 with spears
- 3 with bows (51 regular & 9 magic arrows)
REFEREES MAP is a wilderness map unknown to the 1 Insectoid pet of the EHP (equal to Giant Scorpion)
players. It should be for the territory around the dungeon
location. When players venture into this area they should SITUATION
have a blank hexagon map, and as they move over each Your able lieutenants Grustiven the Warlock (8th level) and
hex the referee will inform them as to what kind of terrain the Lama Goocz (7th level) have failed to return from an
is in that hex. This form of exploring will eventually enable exploration of an area of unusual nature just west of
players to know the lay of the land in their immediate area your castle a thick fog sprang up and has been obscuring
and thus be able to select a site upon which to build their vision since then. Dispell Magic failed to affect the area,
castles (Castle building and its attendant requirements will and your henchmen were ordered to investigate, for it is
be covered hereafter). Exploratory adventures are likely to be the possible that some Lawful enemy is at work, using the mist
most exciting, and their incorporation into the campaign is most to screen gathering troops. Unfortunately, your strongest
desirable. fighters and 200 orcs are elsewhere warring with a Neutral Lord who
Gary Gygax, The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures, insulted you (emphasis added), so you will have to make do
pg. 16; emphasis added. with the forces on hand. An orc detailed to patrol the edge
of the fog area has just reported that unusual sounds have
Castle Encounters: Potential adventures in the wilderness been issuing from the area he described them as: low
when dealing with castle inhabitants include: jousting with growls, the clanking of chains, and a deep humming, but
lords, being sent on treasure finding expeditions by wiz- who can trust a stupid orc?
ards, or being sent on a quest of some sort by a powerful
priest. There are also possibilities of rumors, legends, and OBJECTIVE
other information. There is also the chance of encounter- Considering the state your forces are currently in, it is up
ing wandering monsters in the wilderness near the castles, to you what the best course to follow is. You can attempt
and generally speaking these encounters are dangerous. to ambush the enemy before they reach your stronghold,
Sometimes the inhabitants of hostile or neutral castles as or you can hole up in your castle and prepare to withstand
well as monsters will pursue escaping parties as well. a siege, but if the attackers are strong and not molested un-
til they reach the castle walls, your forces might not be able
I went looking through publications from the early days to prevent an escalade, and you cannot lose your castle!
that might illustrate these ideas a bit further. I was sur- - Gary Gygax, Sturmgeschutz & Sorcery, Strategic
prised to discover an interesting example in an unlikely Review, Vol. 1 No. 5, pg. 3

53
 manning the walls of a random castle encounter, but
that doesnt necessarily take into account any outside
forces. Again, somewhat more powerful than a typical
castle encounter, but not transcendently so.
The distribution of magic items, while fairly complete,
is not significantly different than what might be
generated for companion characters for either random
encounters or castle encounters.

It isnt clear if Gary intended for the defenders forces to

specifically model what was written in The Underworld &
Wilderness Adventures for castle encounters and baronies
but the order of battle as given would seem to indicate at
least similar thinking. Whats also worthwhile noting is the
relationship between holdings. The Gatherer is at war with
a nearby Neutral Lord and is concerned about Lawful ene-
mies close enough to make his life difficult. This may
reflect the idea that fantasy roleplaying campaigns could
evolve into more strategic wargames, with conflicts be-
tween local lords, wizards, and priests.

What this revealed to me was that this was the stronghold

of a powerful baron, using the terminology of The
Underworld & Wilderness Adventures. Garys phrasing of the
game objective for this scenario is consistent with ideas
presented for construction and development of baronies.
In a rather indirect way, it provides an example from
Garys own thinking about how these things might work.

Stronghold Construction: There is an expectation that

Whats interesting about this is that the description given eventually players will adventure outside of the dungeon
here parallels that provided in The Underworld & Wilderness and its environs and set up strongholds. Warriors may be
Adventures for castle encounters and baronies. The Gather- considered Barons (or some such position within an
er is a powerful baron, as a 12th level Evil High Priest appropriate hierarchy) and have some ability to tax the
should be, and his forces reflect that: they are somewhat inhabitants of their baronies. Priests may get additional
more powerful than what might be generated as part of a assistance in stronghold construction as well as troops
random castle encounter. But they are not that different: made up of the faithful who serve loyally and at no cost
The Gatherer is a 12th level priest a random EHP (!). Mages also may have the option of building strong-
would be 9th level at a minimum; that indicates holds as well as constructing magical items. Theres a clear
possibly more time and experience spent on building distinction made between general wilderness adventures
up his stronghold. and stronghold construction, but also a clear connection, as
Additional powerful non-player-characters include: at well. Let me illustrate this with another quotation:
least two 8th or 9th level warriors (the ones off
fighting the Neutral Lord), two 4th level warriors, an At any time a player/character wishes he may select a
8th level mage, a 6th level mage, and a 7th level priest. portion of land (or a city lot) (emphasis added) upon which
A random encounter would have a 50% chance of 1-6 to build his castle, tower, or whatever.Another
assistant clerics, all between 4th and 7th level. The advantage accruing to those who build their strongholds in
Gatherer has apparently attracted an Entourage. the wilderness is that they will gain control over the
The Gatherer has 3 Ogres, 3 Ghouls, 4 Trolls and 1 surrounding countryside. Clearing the countryside of monsters is
Insectoid pet (equal to Giant Scorpion). In a random the first requirement. Territories up to 20 miles distant from a
castle encounter there would be one of the following stronghold may be kept clear of monsters once cleared
possible outcomes: 1-10 trolls, 1-6 vampires (!), 1-20 the inhabitation of the stronghold being considered as
white apes, or 1-10 spectres. So the relative power sufficient to maintain the monster-free status.
level of attendant monsters is roughly comparable. - Gary Gygax, The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures,
Lastly, our Evil High Priest has 220 orc soldiers, which pgs. 20 & 24; emphasis added.
is a bit higher than the 180 maximum guards

54
There are rules for stronghold construction costs, taxation At first they had passed through hobbit-lands, a wide
and hiring of specialists and troops as assistants to the respectable country inhabited by decent folk, with good
player/characters. This runs conceptually parallel to the roads, an inn or two, and now and then a dwarf or farmer
rules for determining the inhabitants of castles and their ambling by on business. Then they came to lands where
followers and assistants. people spoke strangely, and sang songs Bilbo had never
heard before. Now they had gone on far into the Lone-
Some Implications: There are some fascinating implica- lands, where there were no people left, no inns, and the
tions of these rules, once examined more closely. Reading roads grew steadily worse. Not far head were dreary hills,
the usage of wilderness as being entirely wild is, I would rising higher and higher, dark with trees. On some of them
suggest, a misunderstanding. How do we resolve this? I were old castles with an evil look, as if they had been built
would suggest that some hints do exist. The phrase so- by wicked people.
called Wilderness and the description that followed - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
suggests that there is a distinction made between civilized
and true wilderness areas; the entire Wilderness is Other examples include the alternate Europe of Three
better read as a blanket term, including truly wild areas, Hearts and Three Lions, and the general distinction in Robert
as well as settled areas, including cities and towns. E. Howards Conan stories between the soft civilized
lands and the more dangerous wilderness areas.
This is one of the particular lacunae in the rules that have
resulted in lasting confusion so when and where are the
wilderness encounter tables supposed to be used? An
indiscriminate read would suggest everywhere but the
suggestion that strongholds control areas that are monster-
free suggest otherwise. Viewed in this light, castle en-
counters are encounters with high-level characters that
have constructed their own strongholds; the area
surrounding a stronghold should no longer be considered
truly wilderness. By this token, a party of player-
characters is a kind of wandering monster as far as the
local Baron might be concerned no wonder castle
inhabitants are initially either neutral or hostile. Pursuit of
player-characters by castle inhabitants is part of keeping
the area monster-free. As a consequence, the wilderness
encounter tables should not be used what encounters that
take place are up to the referee to determine.

The dungeon as a site of adventure needs to be located

either in the true wilderness (but not too far away!) or What About Cities and Towns? Besides castles, strong-
within the boundaries of civilized lands. By recognizing the holds, wilderness, and dungeons, there is also mention
connection between existing strongholds and the precon- made of cities and towns. Cities and towns may also figure
ditions for players to establish their own castles, it is as the setting for adventures:
possible to discern what can be considered civilized areas
the existence of which would make it much easier for Blackmoor is a village of small size (a one-horse town),
low-level characters to survive. One could even construct a while Greyhawk is a large city. Both have maps with
rationale for dungeon expeditions as a kind of deeper streets and buildings indicated, and players can have town
clearing of monsters to keep a stronghold safe and secure. adventures roaming around the bazaars, inns, taverns,
shops, temples, and so on. (Venture into the Thieves
All of this builds a better rationale for how the wilderness Quarter at your own risk!). - Gary Gygax, The Underworld
works in old-school fantasy campaigns. From a mythic & Wilderness Adventures, pg. 15.
perspective, there is the distinction between lands inhab-
ited by ordinary creatures and the realm of Faerie, which is So the construction of the Wilderness might encompass
marked in Garys prose by a distinction between civilized urban areas as well. Given the encounter table mentioned
areas and true wilderness. It also provides a very real sense above, and the conceptual distinction between truly wild
of marking maps with phrases such as here there be and monster-free areas, such wilderness encounters in
dragons, because it would be true in the wilderness away cities and town should be limited to abandoned buildings,
from settled areas. This also runs parallel to fantasy graveyards, and other local places of mystery. Such things
literatures distinction between settled lands and the Wild: are hinted at in the stories of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser:

55
But southward, linked to the desert only by the Sinking European Terrain: (this is to provide northern European-
Land and the Mountains of Hunger, are the rich grainfields like terrain possibilities)
and walled cities of Lankhmar, eldest and chiefest of 1: Mountains or Hills; re-roll immediately 1-3,
Nehwons lands. Dominating the Land of Lankhmar and mountains, 4-6, hills
crouching at the silty mouth of the River Hlal in a secure 2: Desert or Steppe; re-roll immediately 1-2, desert,
corner between the grainfields, the Great Salt Marsh, and 3-6, steppe (arid plains)
the Inner Sea is the massive-walled and mazy-alleyed 3: Clear
metropolis of Lankhmar, thick with thieves and shaven 4: Woods
priests, lean-framed magicians and fat-bellied merchants 5: Woods
Lankhmar the Imperishable, the City of the Black Toga. 6: Water or Swamp; re-roll immediately 1-2, swamp,
- Fritz Leiber, Swords and Deviltry. 3-6, open water

Part Two: The Constructed Wilderness Arid Terrain: (this is to provide either Middle Eastern or
The intent of Part Two is to provide a set of mechanics for North African-like terrain possibilities)
constructing wilderness settings for fantasy games. As was 1: Mountains or Hills; re-roll immediately 1-3,
previous discussed, the wilderness is the entire area mountains, 4-6, hills
outside of the dungeon, including both settled and wild 2: Water or Swamp; re-roll immediately 1-2, water,
areas. Settled areas include strongholds, cities, towns, and 3-6, swamp
villages, as well as areas regularly patrolled and cleared of 3: Woods
monsters. Given the similarities between castle 4: Clear
encounters and the establishment of strongholds by 5: Steppe
player-characters, it is fairly straightforward to use both 6: Desert
sections from The Underworld & Wilderness Adventures and
other games to design your own original wilderness. Once you have generated the terrain type, proceed to the
However, before proceeding to this stage, we need a next hex. Consult the following table, again rolling d6:
system for creating the actual wilderness terrain.
Terrain Change:
Constructing the Wilderness Terrain: A starting as- 1: Re-roll terrain type, using the original table.
sumption is that referees will want to create their own 2: Terrain stays the same as the previous hex
wilderness settings for adventure. I assume nine kinds of 3: Terrain stays the same as the previous hex
terrain: clear, woods, river, swamp, mountains, desert, city, water, 4: Even chance of adjacent terrain types, e.g. if a
and steppe. Leaving cities aside for the moment, the woods hex and a clear hex are adjacent to the hex in
remaining terrain types may be utilized in generating the question, there is a 50/50 chance of it being either.
wilderness setting for a campaign. A fairly simple system 5: Terrain is one step lower than previous hex, e.g. if
for doing this is presented immediately below; to make use the previous hex was woods (4), using the European
of this, it is suggested you use the following: Terrain table, the hex in question will be clear (3).
Hexagon-ruled paper (hard to find in stores these 6: Terrain is one step higher than previous hex e.g. if
days, but easily available online I used the previous hex was desert (2), using the European
http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/hexagonal.) Terrain table, the hex in question will be clear (3).
Colored pencils
Fine-point Sharpie or other permanent black marker Roll for each hex until you have determined terrain types
Dice; six-siders will do. for all hexes in question. There are, however, two
exceptions to this, open water and desert. Both of these
Take a sheet of hex paper and mark off an area that is terrain types may represent relatively large areas, and so
approximately 10 hexes by 10 hexes. Treat each hex as five when you encounter them, you may wish to apply the
miles across. For the purposes of mapping, assume your following exceptions. In the case of open water, three or
stronghold or town will be in the center of the map; place- more adjacent water hexes (including swamp) may
ment of your dungeon comes later. At all stages of this constitute a shore line. Roll for adjacent hexes: 1-2, no water
process, you may decide on your own the character of the (roll for land terrain type; desert not possible); 3-6, water
terrain, its inhabitants, etc., rather than rolling randomly. continues. Roll for succeeding hexes until the map edge is
reached, or there are no more water hexes. In the case of
Generate terrain type. You may do this starting either with the desert, three or more adjacent desert hexes may constitute
hex your town or stronghold is located in or with the a desert edge. Roll for adjacent hexes as for shoreline, except
upper left corner of your map. Use one of the following that the result will be: 1-2, no desert (roll for land terrain
charts (or construct your own), rolling a six-sider to begin: type; open water not possible), 3-6 desert continues. Roll

56
for succeeding hexes until the map edge is reached, or ors, mages, priests, or something else. (NB: this roll is only
there are no more desert hexes. to inform your next roll; no actual characters are indicated
by this initial dice roll. The character of town and city life
No particular claim is made for verisimilitude; indeed, you is relatively more egalitarian than strongholds and castles,
may come up with what seem like impossible kinds of or so it seems to me. Therefore, I wanted a system that
terrain next to one another. Keep in mind this is intended generated a greater number of mid-level characters. If you
to generate fantasy terrain, so consider carefully why things feel it important to have a high level character as a town or
have been seemingly thrown together you may find city resident (or more than one!), simply treat the initial roll
interesting adventure possibilities! But if none of it makes for castle resident as an actual result.) Then roll to see if
sense, simply re-roll or decide for yourself what kind of there are others in the castles party: once for a small
terrain should be present. town, twice for a large town, and six times for a city; the
results indicate who the important residents are. You may
also wish to see if there are thieves present: 10% in a small
town, 25% in a large town, and 50% in a city.

Once you have generated the stronghold, making sure to

include the occupant(s), guards/retainers, others in the
party, and total number of ordinary guards, proceed to
generate the number of villages included in the area, much
as you might for a barony. There will be 2-8 villages, each
with 100-400 people. The location of villages is determined
using the following charts, rolling a six-sided die first for
direction, then for distance:

Village direction:
1: North
2: Northeast
3: Southeast
4: South
5: Southwest
6: Northwest

Village distance:
1: same hex as stronghold/town
2: 5 miles away (1 hex)
Constructing a Town or Stronghold: Once you have 3: 10 miles away (2 hexes)
your wilderness terrain generated, you may proceed to 4: 15 miles away (3 hexes)
generate the town or stronghold in the center of your map. 5: 20 miles away (4 hexes)
Use the following chart, rolling a six-sided die: 6: 25 miles away (5 hexes)

Town/Stronghold Type: You may find it worthwhile to roll for drift to one side
1-4: Castle/Stronghold: roll to determine or the other of the general direction given on the first
inhabitants as per your chosen gamebook table; this will avoid straight-line connections between
5: Town: 1-4 small, 5-6 large strongholds and villages (the exact method is left to the
6: Town or City: 1-2 small town, 3-5 large discretion of the referee). Should a village be indicated in
town, 6 city the same hex as a previous village, treat the result as a
small town with the combined population of both villages.
The population of towns varies: small towns have between
200-500 people (roll 1D4+1), making them slightly larger Dungeon Location: The last step is to determine where
than villages. Large towns have 300-1,800 people (roll your dungeon is located. As a place of adventure, it is
3D6), and cities have 2,000 to 24,000 inhabitants (roll assumed to be somewhere within the boundaries of the
2D12). (Feel free to adjust these numbers to fit your local holding (whether it is a town or stronghold). To
campaign; these are merely intended as suggestions.) determine the location of the dungeon, roll on the same
tables as for determining village location, applying a 2 die
For important residents of towns, roll as per castles, noting modifier to the distance roll, e.g. any roll of 1-3 would put
whether these residents are of the type found with warri- the dungeon in the same hex as the stronghold/town.
57
By the time you have finished your general wilderness be used once per day. The drummer must have at least 15
map, you may wish to keep the exact location of the Strength, and can only beat the drum loudly enough to
dungeon hidden initially from the players or it may be an cause its magical effect for one turn per point of Consti-
item of local knowledge, clearly marked on the players tution. This can be enhanced by other magics, potions etc.
map. Whatever your choice is, you may wish to use tracing
paper overlays to keep track of the dungeon location, as If used outdoors the drum causes the sky to cloud over
well as the location of other places of mystery as well as and a strong wind to blow out of the north. As long as the
powerful monster lairs. Another suggestion would be to drummer keeps playing the weather gets worse, and it will
make a copy of your map for the players before you've eventually rain. This effect is much reduced in desert
added in all of the detail about Things Players Were Not conditions. The size of the drum makes it rather unwieldy
Meant To Know (Quite Yet). for use by small adventuring parties, but can be carried on
the back of a horse or chariot, or by a dedicated drum
In the next issue, Ill provide an example of a wilderness bearer as part of a larger warband.
generated using this method with colored maps, as well as
parts three and four of the essay, detailing taxation, There are larger versions of this drum made from the skins
fortification, methods for incorporating dwarves and elves, of progressively larger monsters or more powerful sacri-
refereeing the wilderness, encounters, hazards, weather, ficed warriors and requiring even more strength to play.
special terrain features, fantastical elements, and much else. The largest known was the Great Drum of the Warlord
Until then, enjoy! Tsanhannath, a huge thing fifteen feet wide made from the
hide of a storm giant, hauled by six oxen and played by an
enslaved mountain troll. It made the ground shake within
100 yards and summoned wild lightning storms out of the
Barbarian Magic Items cold north that struck enemies and friends alike down with
by Baz Blatt thunderbolts. All who heard it went berserk with fear or
fury, and many a warriors heart burst in the midst of a
The Cloth of the Wind Horse: This pale blue silken battle where it was being used. It is believed to be hidden
cloth is embroidered with gold and silver thread in a in Tsanhannaths Barrow, somewhere on the Red Wolf
grandly barbaric pattern of runes and spirals. If held flut- plateau in the middle of the Howling Wastes.
tering in a stiff breeze and the activation word uttered, a
Wind Horse appears, a small Air Elemental which can only The Chariot of Cataclysm: This great two wheeled war
act as a steed, of the same colour as the cloth with silver chariot is made of heavy bronze and iron, with gilded
hooves and a golden bridle. It can carry the summoner, his panels on its sides depicting the many victories of the war
personal gear and one passenger and will remain as long as gods of the Howling Wastes over the feeble deities of the
the sun is in the sky, if summoned by day, or until sunrise, city-building and farming civilisations that once dominated
if summoned at night. It can only be used three times, and the plains. It is far too heavy for ordinary horses to pull
should then be given to the temple of a suitable and must be manhandled from place to place by teams of
air/storm/horse related deity as an altar cloth. It can only slaves and bullocks, and is usually kept hidden in a secret
be used where a wind is already blowing; it cannot be used temple somewhere among the Angry Mountains.
underground, nor can it be used in outdoor areas where
the air is still, such as jungles and deep forest, though a When it is to be used two mighty warhorses are sacrificed,
magically created wind can be used as a substitute. along with a charioteer of at least 4th level and Strength 15.
This summons the great war beasts that pull the thing into
These cloths are woven by shamen on the wild steppes of battle, monstrous lions the size of elephants with the heads
the Howling Wastes, and given as gifts to nomad chief- of vultures and the claws of dragons, and the charioteer, a
tains. Shamen can gain access to the Wind Horse sum- huge four armed Cyclops. The vulture lions are DC 4 and
moning spell if they defeat a Wind Devil in single combat. LVL 10, while the charioteer is DC 2 and LVL 8.
More powerful shamen can bind a Wind Horse to come to
their aid when asked, but only the most powerful can As it careers into battle all enemies witnessing its charge
create these cloths and bind one to the service of another. must make a morale check or break and run immediately.
Those foolish enough to stand their ground are torn apart
Thunder Drums: These war drums are about three feet by the war beasts or chopped into bits by the scythes on
wide and can be made from the skin of a beast or human the axle hubs. The Chariot will stop at nothing; it has
warrior of level 7+. Beating on this drum causes all ene- destroyed hundreds of phalanxes of hoplites, mangled
mies within 10 yards to lose confidence and panic, reduce- many a squadron of knights and cataphracts and even
ing their chance to hit by -2 and damage by -1, while allies battered down the iron gate of the city of Haskedroone
of the drummer gain +2 to hit and +1 damage. This effect prior to its sack by the horde of Tsanhannath.
only lasts as long as the drum is being beaten and can only
58
The chariot has enough room to carry two warriors drilled through the top of the barrel. Handgonnes have a
besides the charioteer, and the insane momentum of the crude metal rod formed as an extension to the rear of the
charge enables them to throw javelins at +4 to hit and barrel, to act as a handle or primitive stock.
double damage as they career along. Each must however
save against Wands or become permanently deafened by Despite its relatively crude appearance, the Handgonne can
the noise, and must save against Paralysis or fall out of the easily kill even heavily armored opponents at short range -
Chariot at some point to suffer 6d6 damage. The chariot- if the gunman can hit them. Although not highly effective
eer can blow his horn to create a conical shockwave up to in wet or windy conditions, the Handgonne proves
100 yards long, within which all targets must save vs surprisingly successful in ambushes. The Handgonne
Breath Weapons or be knocked off their feet and deafened weighs 3.5 lbs. and measures close to 3ft. in length. To
and dazed for 1d6 rounds. If by some freak chance an prime the weapon for firing, gunpowder is poured into the
enemy manages to board the Chariot the charioteer will barrel, followed by the shot (a lead ball, nails, shrapnel,
wield a great battleaxe that does 2d6 damage against them. etc.), then rammed tight. 1 ounce of gunpowder is needed
The Chariot can only be used once per year and the to propel the shot. A small amount of powder is then
charioteer and his beasts leave after 12 hours of bloody added to the touch hole. To fire the weapon, the touch
mayhem, leaving the chariot wherever it happens to rest. hole is ignited by either a glowing punk or a slow burning
match cord (approx. 1ft. of cord burns per hour), which
(Rumour has it that the nameless charioteer carries two propels the shot out of the barrel towards the target. The
magical medicines, the Elixir against Migraines and the gunman can hold the stock of the weapon in the armpit,
Tablets of Prevention of Motion Sickness, but no afflicted over the shoulder (like a modern bazooka), or even on
passenger has managed to ask for such over the titanic forked rests hammered into the ground. Hooks are often
noise created by the Chariots cataclysmic passage.) found attached to the bottom of the barrel to support the
Handgonne against stationary objects, or to reduce recoil.

The Handgonne can be even more dangerous to the

Handgonnes & Cannons gunman than to the intended target: if the character rolls a
by L. William Oltekos Schneider natural 1 or 2 on their to-hit roll, the weapon backfires,
dealing 2 dice of damage to the user. The Handgonne is
Handgonne: The Handgonne is a primitive firearm, little then destroyed.
more than a hollow iron tube with a small priming hole
59
Range: 180 (As per Arquebus) Celebrating Dave Arneson: Then
Damage: 1 die
Range Specials: When firing at Medium Range, the Hand- The First Dungeon Adventure
gonne receives -2 to hit; at Long Range it fires at -4. by Greg The Great Svenny Svenson
Rate of Fire: As Heavy Crossbow
Special: A Handgonne treats any well armored opponent at I have the unique experience of being the sole survivor of
Short Range as being unarmored (i.e., DC9--regardless of the first dungeon adventure in the history of Dungeons &
the actual armor worn), for the purposes of the to-hit Dragons, indeed in the history of role-playing in general.
roll. At Medium Range, treat the defender as clad in Chain This is the story of that first dungeon adventure.
Armor (DC5). Use actual target DC at Long Range.
Cost: 100 gold for the Handgonne itself, plus 20 gold for a During the Christmas break of 1970-71, our gaming group
32 oz. horn of gunpowder and shot cost by material type. was meeting in Dave Arneson's basement in St. Paul, Min-
nesota. We had been playing a big Napoleonics miniatures
Cannon: The Cannon, also called a Ribaldi, is a primi- campaign, which was getting bogged down in long drawn
tive form of artillery weapon, relying on gunpowder to act out miniatures battles. So, as a diversion for the group, one
as catalyst. One 32 oz. charge of gunpowder is needed to weekend Dave set up Blackmoor instead of Napoleonics
propel the ball. Measuring over 6 feet in length (1.8 on his ping pong table. The rules we used were based on
meters), & weighing in easily over 2000 gold, this bronze- Chainmail, a set of medieval miniature rules with a fantasy
cast monstrosity is loaded onto a wagon, driven by oxen or supplement allowing for magic and various beings found
horse, then unloaded by hand at the chosen spot. Before in Lord of the Rings. I had never played any games like it
priming, the cannon should be cleaned & wiped down before, although I had read Tolkien. Other members of
with a wet cloth, so as to not only keep the piece cool, but the group had played the game before, but always doing
also to extinguish any smoldering material from the last adventures around the town of Blackmoor. By the end of
shot (fresh powder can be set off by lingering ignition the weekend I had fallen in love with the game.
sources!). Gunpowder is then added, followed by a
wadding of hay or straw, then the ball (or arrows, glass, On this particular weekend, Dave tried a new wrinkle for
stones, nails, severed heads, etc.) is placed in & rammed the game. He had been working all week to prepare a map
down. After ramming, the cannon is lifted again, & set on of tunnels and catacombs under the town and especially
pre-measured (for thickness) pieces of lumber, which act under the castle. To begin the adventure an evil wizard,
as elevation for determining range. Finally, a heated wire is played by Jim Abler, and his pet balrog, played by John
inserted into the touch-hole to ignite the charge. Soukup, did something to Baron Fant (Dave Fant), the
Lord of Blackmoor at the time. I don't know exactly what
Even though the cannon is excellent as an anti-personnel they did, as I was playing one of the castle's guards, simply
or anti-fortification weapon it is highly dangerous to a man-at-arms in chainmail with sword and shield. After
operate and prone to accidents: if the operator rolls a doing his evil deed, the wizard fled into the dungeon under
natural 1 or 2 on his or her attack roll, the cannon the castle, which had been abandoned for many years by
explodes, causing 3 dice of damage to the user and anyone the normal denizens of the castle. So, the Baron picked 30
within a 10 radius. The cannon is then destroyed. of his men-at-arms and sent us to hunt down the wizard.
Range: 360 (As per Heavy Field Gun) Among the 30 men-at-arms there were six players, myself,
Damage: 5 dice (3 dice within 10 radius). Bill Heaton, Mel Johnson, Kurt Krey and two more whom
Range Specials: Due to the rudimentary methods of I can't remember as I write this more than 30 years later. If
determining aim, when firing at Medium Range, the you are one of those two please accept my apologies for
Cannon receives -6 to hit; at Long Range it fires at -8. If forgetting. All of us were level 1 warriors in modern terms,
the Cannon is fired at Short Range, the penalty is only -4, although at the time you were either a flunky (like all of us
but the cannon blows up on a natural 1-4 instead. at the start of the adventure), a hero, or a superhero.
Rate of Fire: Once each three rounds with a crew of 4 or
more. Rate decreases to 1/4 rounds with a crew of 3, 1/5 We started by marching down a huge staircase from the
with a crew of 2, and 1/6 with a single operator. main hall into the castle's basement, a vast irregularly
Special: A Cannon treats any target at Short or Medium shaped room with seven pillars supporting the ceiling and
Range as unarmored (DC9) regardless of armor worn. At a large number of doors leading into the dungeon. This
Long Range, treat the defender as DC 5. In addition to the was the only area of the dungeon that was secure for us
sheer destructive & stopping power of the cannon, the "good" guys. We had no idea which way the wizard went,
psychological effects are powerful as well. Fear, Paralysis so we picked a door leading northwest, later dubbed the
etc. are all by-products of this very loud weapon. As the "Northwest Passage". We were carrying torches for light.
DM, its up to you what to do with it. Load it up & fire!!! We meandered about for a while until we found a staircase
Cost: 1000 gold for the cannon, plus 20 gold for each 32 going down, which we took...
oz. charge. Shot cost by material used.
60
At this point Dave took us into the laundry area of the We found another downward staircase, now to the 4th
basement, telling us he wanted to see what we would do. level. Here we found a fountain with a small statue of a
He had us line up in marching order. Then he turned off devil in it and an ominous red glow. We realized that we
the lights saying a sudden wind had blown out our torches. had no time reference, but that we were all getting tired, so
Then we heard some screaming. We generally scattered as we stopped and set up camp in a large room and bedded
best we could. He turned on the lights looked at what we down for the "night", carefully placing guards at the doors.
had done and then went back to the other room, telling us
that a black blob (like the thing in the classic Japanese During the night a beautiful woman came to our camp.
horror movie The Blob from the 1950s) had killed one of She successfully seduced Bill. While they were embracing
the NPCs who ran into it. We soon found our weapons she turned into a serpent and killed him. We fought and
dissolving when we struck it. Then we got some torches eventually killed it, but Bill's loss was a major setback for
relit and found that we could fight it with fire. Eventually the party. Several of us were injured trying to pick up the
we killed it, losing two more men in the process. magic sword before one of the guys was eventually
successful. We collectively decided that we were in way
After wandering more corridors we entered a room where over our heads and to return to the castle. Soon we
we were attacked by giant spiders. Another fierce battle en- realized that we had made some errors in making our
sued and we overcame them, losing a couple of men in the maps, too, as we were quite lost. We eventually got back to
process. We found some copper coins and broken weap- the second level and decided to make camp again.
ons in the room along with a bunch of bones some
human! Then we found another stair going down, so down While we were resting, the evil wizard and the balrog
we went. We wandered a while before coming to a room decided that we were getting too close to escaping, so they
with a fallen statue of Poseidon with trident in hand. From came to finish us off. The balrog turned invisible and en-
this room there was yet another staircase going down. At tered the room where we had our camp to attack the man
the bottom of the stairs we entered a triangular room with with the magic sword. After he killed him we were all
a smoking pot in the center of it. It shot balls of fire at us. awakened and set upon him. The balrog's body became a
It took us a while to figure out how to get safely past it. flaming torch as he tore into us. But 20 men-at-arms were
no match for the balrog without our hero. We fought
We found a magic sword on the ground, near either the valiantly; after all, there was no safe place for us to run.
statue or the smoking pot. Anyway, one of the players tried After a while I realized that I was the last man standing.
to pick it up. He received a shock and was thrown across The balrog realized it, too. He stopped attacking, turned
the room. The same thing happened to the second player off his flames, and said: "Go in fear and tell the Baron
to try. When Bill tried to pick it up he was successful. We what we have done to his men!" Then he disappeared.
were all impressed, and Dave declared Bill our leader and
elevated him to "hero" status. As I looked about one of the corridors became
illuminated. A voice spoke (the evil wizard) telling me that
the illuminated corridor would lead me back to the castle.
After determining that everyone else was dead, I picked up
some leather and carefully wrapped the magic sword with
it and walked down the illuminated corridor. This corridor
led me to a staircase going up. At the top another corridor
was illuminated leading me to a door. On the other side
was the large room where we had started.

I reported to the Baron what had happened. He looked at

the sword and offered me the unimaginable sum of 100
gold pieces for it. I realized that it must be very valuable
and bargained hard with him, eventually agreeing on 150
gold pieces for it. That was more money than I, a mere
farmers son, drafted into the Baron's guard, could imagine
(of course, eventually I figured out that such swords were
vastly more valuable than that, but by then it was far to
late to do anything about it...)

Over time I went on to be one of the heroes of the "First

Fantasy Campaign", picking up the nickname "the Great
Svenny" from my comrades. The Great Svenny is still
alive, 37 years later. We still go on adventures.
61
and now The +X on a magic sword represents the amount of
positive magical energy in that weapon. When you
Dave Arneson, Blackmoor and Me! meet a AC -3 creature, you need to make your THAC0
by Robert Lionheart roll and you must have a +3 weapon because you need
that much "positive" magic to counter the "negative"
In 2006, I had the good luck of attending a California magic that protects that creature - thereby allowing
convention where Dave Arneson was the Guest of Honor. your physical weapon to hurt things like ghosts and
They held a charity auction for the chance to play D&D demons. Part of going into dungeons was to retrieve
with Dave on Saturday night and I won the last chair at the these wondrous items and most monsters would not
table. All proceeds went to the Paralyzed Veterans of wield magic items because they were positive magic.
America so it was a good cause. If you survive an adventure, you gain a level. Bam!
The world is strange, random and dangerous so power
Here is a hint if you ever play with Dave. He lets the play- was there for those who dared, but so was death.
ers pick a mission for their adventure. When you complete
Role-playing was just that. You were judged on how
the mission by returning back to town, the adventure is
well you played your role of elf, dwarf, cleric, mage,
over. If you want to keep playing, all you have to do is
fighter or thief. It was like, we all know about Hamlet,
delay going back to town! (I must emphasize that evening
so show us your own Hamlet interpretation. The goal
is the only game I ever played with Dave. I can not claim
was to work within the clich. Dave gave out "role-
anything that happened in that game is how Dave plays
playing points" in game that we traded for re-rolls.
D&D other than this is how Dave ran D&D for us.)
When I got home, I shot off an email to my buddies with Everyone has the Cleave feat. If you kill a monster,
details and later posted them on a popular gaming forum: you get a free attack. And this was could be melee or
ranged as long as you had the ammo.
I just got home after playing Blackmoor D&D with Dave We had a Caller/Leader. The Leader made the large
Arneson for five hours! It was incredibly fun and extreme- scale party decisions and sometimes allowed us to
ly educational. My inner gamer archeologist is about to vote. It was odd, but Dave says this is our character's
explode. I picked his brain both in and out of game. leader regardless of our player thoughts. The role of
Fascinating! It also cost me 80 bucks and it was worth Leader was given to the character with highest
every cent. Best money I have spent in years. Charisma...so we followed a Wisdom 8, Intelligence
10, Charisma 14 Thief. Talk about not a dump stat!
We started the session with Daves thoughts on the art of
game mastering: If the players don't amuse the GM, then I have played D&D since October 1979, so this was an
the GM will amuse himself at their expense. Dave runs awesome experience to game with one of the authors who
Blackmoor...not just the setting, but his pre-1974 FRP created the hobby. It was doubly awesome because this
system. It was proto-D&D but quite different: was not like any D&D I had played before. As for our
THAC0 is about rolling UNDER not equal or over. adventure, we went to investigate a town abandoned 30
So if you had a THAC0 13, you needed to roll 12 or years ago due to goblin raids where there were rumors of
less to hit. 1s are crits and 20s are fumbles. This gigantic bugs. Fun stuff and I was the only character who
method of attacking also corresponded to your other died. But I died by breaking a Staff of Power while
ability and skill rolls. surrounded by 200 orcs, vampires and a giant so I was
thrilled! We encountered goblins wielding mind-control
Saving Throws did not exist. Instead of rolling the
wands using a purple worm as a digging machine to create
D20, you had to defend to the other players via a short
tunnels for a monstrous mass transit system. The
story why your character would survive what was
scifi/fantasy blending was very much in the mood and feel
coming at him. It was reminiscent of Baron Mun-
- I don't mean clockwork devices or obvious spaceships,
chausens wild tales of dodging the impossible. Then
but traveling was more going to an alien place with alien
the players voted and the DM was the tie-breaker.
creatures than going into a fantasy forest full of goblins.
Science Fiction/Fantasy blending was the genre. As
one player put it, it was D&D meets Naked Lunch. It We were all veteran D&D players and the dungeon felt
was not Tolkien and not the pseudo-medieval Grey- wrong. You know that crazy architectural weirdness of the
hawk. Magic was used to emulate technology in many old modules? Dave said that weirdness was intentional to
aspects, but unlike the "logic" of steampunk science, make the characters scratch their heads and enhance the
this was a world where nobody completely understood "this isn't Kansas" atmosphere. You get the message that
the magic they wielded. dungeons are not treasure troves, they are murder holes,
Alignments changed during play based on actions. It and we are fools for coming here.
was Lawful, Chaotic, or Selfish.
The further we got from town and the deeper we went; the
62
vestiges of civilization became fewer and fewer and the
oddness increased. We were not just adventurers; we were
explorers and invaders to a different world. I felt much
more like the crew of the Nostromo than the Fellowship. I
see Tolkiens world as more than elves, dwarves and orcs,
but a feel and a texture of a flowing high fantasy where
good vs. evil is the dominant paradigm. The pseudo-
medieval feel of Greyhawk is the sense that there is a class
structure and technology transposed from the Dark Ages
of Europe. This was not the case in Daves Blackmoor.

Magic was a tool, but our magic items were presented the
way artifacts show up in Gamma World. You learn by
trying and sometimes it doesn't work the way you hoped.
Toss aside your stat blocks and book knowledge. My Staff
of Power could do more and it could do less, as could
potions. We could not put 100% trust in our magical items
and they had a very mystical appeal to them.

Dave told us more about this concept regarding his home

campaign. Know the coolness of Earthdawn's magic items
where you gain more powers as you learn about more
about the items history? Dave explained that every magic
item should have a story behind its creation and creator.
So I asked him point blank why the hell wasn't all this cool Dave in his younger days.
stuff in my freaking books? He smiled and said that back
then they figured all people needed was the basic FO! What's your favorite adventure that you've run?
framework and they would add in and discover the rest as
they played. Dave said the rules were never meant as the DA Temple of the Frog, actually. It was new for everyone -
end point....only the beginning. I was lightning struck and our groups first real excursion beyond the dungeons of
dumbfounded. Here were ways of playing D&D I never Castle Blackmoor.
imagined from reading the dozens of books, adventures
and settings through the various editions. All I could say FO! Why do you think the Blackmoor campaign has kept
was Dave, you must write this stuff down!! going so strong after more than 35 years?

DA Less fighting, more problem solving, and a better story

and from the man himself: than most campaigns out there.
Interview with Dave Arneson
FO! Who stands out as your favorite GM to play under?
Fight On! caught up with Dave Arneson this summer to get What about your favorite RPG?
his thoughts on gamings past, present, and future. Dave
comes off as a gamers gamer, friendly and generous but DA Phil Barker and the world of Tekumel. The society he
sometimes given to cutely terse responses. He is still created is intricately detailed and fascinating to boot. He is
running games in Blackmoor and working on new material also a good story teller. It is not just hack and slash. Same
with Zeitgeist Games, and until recently was teaching game answer for both questions.
design at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. Dave has
recently taken a leave due to illness; our thoughts and FO! What was the focus of your early D&D games like?
hopes are with him here at Fight On! Without further ado: After you finished with the dungeons, what came next?
How quickly did players in the early games start to shift
FO! How do you prepare for adventures? Any tips on from the tactical/imaginative exercises to things like
making things up on the fly once things are underway? building their own kingdoms, becoming knights, building
towers, etc.? Any romance in those early games?
DA Hang loose and get the player to do as much as
possible. They never do what you expect them to anyway. DA Dungeons to start with, the great outdoors next. No
Just give them a good general situation/story and let them romace. Greg Svenson and Richard Snyder were first to
take it from there. Always keep em guessing. branch out; it took several months to start their kingdoms.

63
FO! Many characters seemed to move pretty freely DA Memoir 44 by Days of Wonder. I like wargames. Ive
between campaigns in the early days. Do you have any been playing Richard Borgs whole Commands and Colors
interesting tales of characters coming into Blackmoor from series. My favorite computer games are the world strategy
other GMs' worlds, or similarly of Blackmoor personae games, like Age of Empires and Civilization. Ensemble
going off to adventure in other worlds and coming back? Studios in general I guess.
How common was it to 'cross over' like this?
Fight On! thanks Dave Arneson very much for his time and
DA We didn't do too much of that. I went to Tekumel, answers to our questions. Dave thinks that a holodeck-
and they returned the favor. And Mike Mornard came like on-line environment is probably the future of gaming.
from Greyhawk, but the move was permanent. His classes at Full Sail University have been full of other
ideas about gaming which are recorded and which he
FO! Greg Svenson mentions in his account of the first would like to make available to the public at some future
dungeon adventure (just above Ig) that you had been date. Thanks for everything, Dave, and keep fighting on!
running games in and around the town of Blackmoor
before that historic game. Do you have any recollection of
those early wargame-like dungeon scenarios?
The Red Gem of High Cartography
DA Pretty straightforward in those days. Kill the monsters, non-canonical Empire of the Petal Throne adventure by Edsan
steal the gold. And some convoluted, impossible story line. playtested by Andy Cook, Sarah Gordon, and Ollie Stewart
Hey, we were all learning.
This quest, suitable for 2-6 3rd-5th level characters, takes
FO! Some readers have expressed interest in your place in the City of Jaklla on the first quarter of 2,354 A.S.
wargaming history. What games were you playing with It could easily be moved to any Tsolyani city with a
your group before and after D&D? sizeable necropolis and to any time when the Empire is
stable, however. The characters will join one of three
DA Several, but its hard to recall which offhand. Dave parties put together by the infamous Clan of the Nighted
Wesley had a pretty good set of battling knights rules. Tower on a mission to steal an ancient artifact kept in one
of the underground complexes of the Temple of Thumis.
FO! Did you ever try early role-playing experiments in
other kinds of settings, or was it pretty much all Blackmoor? The adventure is divided into five parts. The first involves
a ceremony where the characters are initiated into the
DA We tried many settings for roleplaying, including Edifice of Nacreous Larceny. From there they will make
Modern, Horse and Musket, Wild West, and some Sci-fi. their way into the necropolis of Jaklla with a long under-
Some of the material from the latter game slipped into City ground journey following the directions on their map.
Of The Gods. Third, the group will explore the Halls of Thumis, where
they will attempt to acquire the Red Gem of High Carto-
FO! Are there any plans to release Blackmoor material for graphy. Then they will escape via the Lost Halls of
the 4th edition of the Worlds Most Popular Roleplaying Emerald Joy before finally arriving at the Temple of
Game, or for some other new fantasy system? Dlamelish, where the adventure will reach its conclusion.

DA We have no plans to do a 4th ed. version of Blackmoor. The adventuring party, for reasons explained below, must
initially be composed of exactly 7 characters, PCs included
FO! It seems that many gamers are currently returning to but slaves not. One of the NPCs accompanying the party
the older games and styles of play. Any thoughts on why will be Mizothlu of Nighted Tower; any others will be
this might be? NPCs of level 2-6. These can be given to players to run as
henchmen during combat, though the GM should
DA They are simpler and more flexible at the same time. roleplay them in quieter moments. It is important to note
that NPCs accompanying the characters on this adventure,
FO! Who are your favorite authors and RPG designers? including Mizothlu, are named characters and thus not
subject to the Morale rules. Like the PCs they may choose
DA Fritz Leiber, Mike Stackpole, Gordon Dickson, and to stand against 1000:1 odds without flinching. All slaves,
Phil Barker, for starters. however, will use the morale rules and might well run away
in fear if they see their masters fall while battling enemies.
FO! What's your favorite non-RPG game, and why? Do
you still play any wargames? What about computer games? Introduction: A new brothel, the House of Saturnine
Celebration of Life owned by Mistress Ma-Shan of Yan
Kor, has recently opened its doors at the Street of Bounti-
64
ful Nourishment in the Foreigners Quarter. Rumours
avow that important foreign personages and even Tsolyani
citizens are found amongst the clientele. Desperate for
work, you made your way there in hopes that some such
person is in need of the services of an adventurer.
There, among the patrons being entertained by chattering
courtesans and games of chance, a mysterious black-clad
individual hailed you from a shadowy corner.

He inquired about your past experience and abilities, and

at length revealed himself to be a representative of the
Edifice of Nacreous Larceny, a band of thieves, cutthroats
and misfits from the lower layers of society, sponsored by
a Clan that undertakes missions no others dare. They had
acquired a very lucrative new contract and were in need of
men and women of strong arm and brave heart. When you
pressured him for a more precise figure he indicated your
share would amount to at least hundreds, if not thousands,
of kaitars. Your interest piqued, you made certain assur-
ances, and the man gave you the address of a warehouse in
the Foreign Quarter, along with a password and a date.
That date is tonight

The Red Gem: The final goal of this adventure is in some

respects a grand McGuffin. While it is precious beyond
belief to certain factions, it will in all likelihood be useless Greetings to you all! I am Mizothlu hiMirien of the Clan
to the player characters as they lack the means to access of the Nighted Tower. You stand in The Hall Hidden
the information it contains. The gem is an artifact from a from the Gods, one of our secret meeting places in Jaklla.
bygone era, one of the last fabulous maps made using both Tonight, you shall be as nothing for a time as you will
sorcery and technological principles which are now lost. become temporary members of the Edifice of Nacreous
The precise nature of the cartographic information Larceny. We will undertake a quest for a priceless item
contained within the Gem, to where and what the map it kept in the underground halls of Thumis, in exchange for
contains leads to, are left to the referees whim. In the which, certain persons will shower us with riches. We are
future the mysterious employers of the Edifice might wish finishing the preparations for your initiation rite. Should
to contract anew those that brought them the Gem to you have any questions I will take time to answer them.
participate in an expedition there. Physically, the Gem is
rather hard to miss. It takes the form of a ruby of perfect Some Possible Questions and Answers:
cut about the size of a childs closed fist. However, anyone What is this item we are looking for? Mizothlu only
with some knowledge about gems (Skill: jeweller-goldsmith or knows the name of the Gem and that is it an old and
geologist) will be able to determine it is not actually a ruby quite valuable artifact. He is unaware of its true nature.
but some form of unknown precious stone. What dangers can we expect? There are always dangers in
the Tsuruum. The area you will head to is unexplored.
Part I - The Hall Hidden from the Gods: The charac- There may be guardians in the old tombs we must
ters and any NPCs needed to bring their number to seven pass to get there, and surely the halls of Thumis will
come together with others to make 21 adventuring sorts in have temple-guards.
a hidden room within the warehouse. If the characters Who are we really working for? Mizothlu will not disclose
dont know each other this is a good opportunity for the nature of their employer (he does not know it
roleplaying. The referee may also introduce selected NPCs. himself) and will chastise any character impertinent
No one here knows much about the mission or has had enough to ask this.
dealings with the Edifice of Nacreous Larceny before. At How long will this quest take? Several days probably.
length, a tall bearded man, dressed in the dark uniform Bearer-slaves will take along sufficient provisions.
of the members of the Edifice takes to the top of the How do we get there? / How do we get out? We will access
wooden platform and addresses those below. He has a the temple via a route through the Necropolis. After
deep voice and its obvious from his manner that the he is we acquire the Gem we shall retrace our steps. We
used to addressing crowds: know multiple ways to return to the surface once we
are once again underneath the necropolis.
65
 How much are we getting paid for this? Everyone receives refusal to comply will assuredly result in death (though the
standard pay for Initiates: half the total profits, after player should be clearly informed of this). First comes
deducting expenses, shall be evenly divided.
That is quite generous! Whats the catch? Mizothlu will The Journey of Daghan the Fearless Act IV, Scene 5
make a half-hearted comment about The price of (Old Purdanim, Bednalljan Era author unkown)
grain rising in times of famine. The truth is the
Nighted Tower clan has lost quite a few members in (Torches in sconces are lit, providing just enough
recent weeks and cannot muster the manpower illumination to see the altar and the stairs leading to it. A
required for this quest without hiring outside its ranks. large black wood coffin of strange design stands atop the
There are many people here. Are we all going together? altar. Steps are heard from the left and a man completely
Mizothlu explains that the Edifice knows of 3 covered in decorative golden chlen-hide armour trots into
different paths to get to where the Gem is kept. Three view. He stops and looks at the coffin on the altar)
teams of precisely seven members each (not counting
slaves) will be formed and each take a different route. Daghan Lo! What is this I come across deep in the
Why precisely 7 in each group? Because tradition wills it bowels of the Underworld? A coffin sealed an unopened.
so! It is the sacred number of Lord Hruu, whose Who knows what riches may be found inside? Certainly
blessings will be asked for the mission tonight. the departed dead have no need for material goods in the
afterlifeBetter they be spent to feed me and my own.
Mizothlu hiMirien, 6th Level Warrior Let us see what hides inside
AC 5, HD 6+2, HP 24, M 12
Skills: Scholar 80% (a glowing skeletal arm rises from behind the altar,
Languages (literate): Tsolyani and Classical Tsolyani menacingly)
(literate in both), can recognise Engsvanyali writing.
Equipment: Map (in the secret cipher of his clan), portable Dokh-Omer Halt!
clepsydra (water clock), leather armour, buckler, helmet
+1, Fang of Purple Ichor (steel scimitar +4 to hit, +3 to Daghan Ohe! What is this?! A skeletal hand that floats
Dmg, aligned with change, low INT, Ego 89, +2 Dmg vs. bodiless? What devilry?
flying creatures), 2 steel daggers.
Special: +1 extra damage dice when using a weapon. Dokh-Omer Mortal! I am Dokh-Omer, 7th Aspect of
Appearance: A stern-faced bearded man just entering his Durritlamish, He of the Rooted Face. Throttler of
autumn years, never seen without his black turban. Intruders and Violators of Catacombs. Begone from these
Personality: A gruff leader and man of action with a keen tunnels, leave the dead to their unending rest. Lest you
survivalists intellect that have kept him alive during all face the wrath my bony touch
these years of tomb-robbing; Mizothlu many dealings years
dealing with the dregs of Tsolyanus under-society have Daghan La! Begone apparition! You cannot harm me!
grudgingly taught him that one cannot judge others by You are as smoke from the burning of incense. Weak as
provenience alone. Even a barbarian may adapt, learn the the blind worm. I am Daghan, called The Fearless by the
ways of the Empire of the Petal Throne and prosper. Brothers of the Nighted Tower. I accept your challenge.
While a criminal at hearth, he is surprisingly tolerant of Face my blade if you will, demon!
foreigners compared to most of his countrymen. He is not
cowardly but has a knack to feel when the party is facing (stylised combat ensues between Daghan and the
impossible odds and will not hesitate to flee and tell others skeletal arm)
to do the same. He feels this mission is his big, once-in-a-
lifetime chance to retire in riches. Dokh-Omer Curse you mortal! Why do my blows
Quote: Flee you fools! Flee for your lives! pierce not your skin? How can you withstand the touch of
the Bone Claw?
The Initiation Ceremony: This ceremony is comprised
Daghan Cha! Daghan of the Golden Armour I be!
of three rituals. First comes a very short theatre play,
Upon my shoulders is the Cloak of Shadows of Lord
followed by the Rite of Opening the Casket and ending
Hruu. The Dark holds no secrets for me. The master of
with the Litany of the Cloak of Shadows where three
non-being negates your blows! You may not harm me!
human sacrifices are performed. The GM may describe
these in whatever detail seems appropriate, or groups
Dokh-Omer Curseyoumortaaal
which greatly enjoy roleplaying may act out the scenes,
with players who are particularly effusive in their roles
(the skeletal hand disappears from view)
being rewarded with additional experience. One of the PCs
should be selected to perform the last human sacrifice;
66
Daghan Ah! Victory is indeed sweet. Nowto see 3 Coffin with recently slain corpse, but nothing of value.
what wealth lies with the dead, sleeping within the casket. 4 Coffin has a withered skeleton with a jade pectoral.
Mizothlu nods his approval.
(Daghan kicks the coffin on the altar, it tumbles down 5 Coffin with very fresh cadaver. There is a silver coin in
and opens to reveal glittering gold, silver and jewels) the mouth of the corpse but it will only be found if the
player states that he is opening it. If found, Mizothlu says
Daghan Oh glory! Riches! Steel! Artifacts of Bygone Good! Your perspicacity will serve you well in the
Eras! Truly, I have found the wealth of Princes! There mission to come.
shall be dancing and feasting in the clan-house tonight. 6 Coffin contains the mummified body of a high-class
female with jewelry of gold, silver and gems. Mizothlu is
(Daghan slowly turns around to face the spectators) very pleased: May your good luck extend to all of us.

Daghan Lo! But waitwhat is this? I see many. Many Litany of the Cloak of Shadows: After the coffins are
are waiting all around me. Ones of courage and daring like opened, the final blessing will begin. The service is a
myself. Those that are unafraid to dwell into the passages corruption of a First Imperium ritual to the Cloud-Maker
of the Tsuruum, the underworlds beneath the most Aspect of Hruu. The Litany must be led by a Priest of
ancient of cities. Ngangmuru brave ones! You seek to join Hruu of no less than 5th Circle. He should have a death-
me? To take the Path of the Nighted Dark? What say you? mask painted upon his face, like those popular among the
What say you ?! adepts of Sarku, with black and white reversed. The litany
can only be undertaken inside a windowless room at night,
(half-hearted cheers rise from the crowd) facing an altar to Hruu that has been consecrated with the
Pandects of Amorpheousness; otherwise the Purple Lord
Daghan Then let us embrace the Night and the way of will not deign to bless the supplicants. These lines are
the Tsurudali. Look around you. Many dead are interred uttered by the priest and repeated by the congregation:
in this tomb. Choose one coffin and crack it open. Reveal
the riches inside and spend them as you will. And may Let the dead remain dead and living remain alive
your first Opening of the Casket be a fruitful one, my new Let the Worm stay asleep in its lair
companions! Let the Eyes of the Many-Eyed be shut
Let the Flame sputter out and cast no light
(as Daghan speaks several slaves carrying coffins of all Let the Portals to the Land Beyond Life stay unopened
shapes, design and sizes come into the hall. The coffins Let the Inchoate Darkness cover our paths
look remarkably real) Hruu! Hruu! Hruu!

The Rite of Opening the Casket: After the play has Then all are silent as the priest intones: Oh! Great Purple
finished, each initiate present will be asked to open a Lord of Confusion! Oh! Great Master of Negation! Oh!
casket of their choosing. A few NPCs will be chosen Great Dispenser of calamities! Accept now the sacrifices
before the characters. Most find nothing of relevant worth we offer in your honour, and bless your servants with thy
in their selected coffins but one or two may find a golden holy darkness. May our enemies be blind and deaf and
ring or jeweled necklace. Mizothlu congratulates the mute! May their limbs falter and their organs fail.
fortunate ones and slowly shakes his head at the others. A Lordyour slaves beseech your guidance! The priest
particularly unlucky fellow, a short and pot-bellied raises his hands to the ceiling and cries out, with the crowd
Salarvyani with a rather elongated beard even for his repeating after him: FOR THE VICTORY OF THE
people finds doom with his selection. The coffin opens to DARK! Bring forth the sacrifices!
reveal a tied and gagged human male, very much alive.
Mizothlu reacts with shock: La! The casket of the living Then the final part of the rite begins. The 3 sacrifices are
one! The worst omen of them all! brought into the ritual chamber and bound hand and foot
to the altars. While this is done the priest recites the Three
He immediately gestures to the guards and the unfortunate Stanzas of Laws & Numbers without interruption:
Salarvyani is slain in a particularly messy manner. We will
have to send a clansman in his stead When the time First Stanza: The Laws & Numbers are clear and without
comes for the characters to choose their coffin they should error. As his colour is deep purple, as his planet is Ziruna
roll 1d6; each result may only be obtained once. so too is his number known to us. And it is 7 which is
1 Empty and unused coffin Mizothlu shakes his head dark, malignant, cold and turgid but ever-moving.
while stroking his beard but says nothing.
2 - Dusty coffin devoid of a body, but containing a golden Second Stanza: The Laws & Numbers are clear and
ring with the symbol of Hruu. Mizothlu states Wear it - it without error. Always 7 and no more or less, except if
is a sign of favor from the Lord of Shadows. divisible by 7 as everything else is detestable to him.
67
Third Stanza: The Laws & Numbers are clear and Tomb Police and the Call of Nature: Mizothlu sends a
without error. 1 soul for every 7, and 7 for every soul. That Nighted Tower clansman with the PCs (3rd level Warrior,
is the price the Comforting Dark exacts for safe journeying AC 7, Sword). They will be searching for A gaping
and safe return. ancient stairway going down into the blackness, found
somewhere between the Pyramid Tombs of Ssirandar I
The sacrificial victims now bound, the deliverers of the 3 the Ever-Victorious and his descendent Bashdis Mssa.
fatal blows are chosen from the crowd. The priest takes
out the Kriingur gong from his vests and after ringing it This will mean little to the characters but their Nighted
once and performing a full circle with his body points it at Tower companion knows where they are headed. Rather
the lucky chosen who will in turn approach him, receive than marching off as a group he tells everyone to spread
the ritual Gshata silver knife and imbed it swiftly into the out. Finding hiding spots in the nighted necropolis is not
hearths of the bound sacrifices while crying For the Vic- hard as fallen walls and overgrowths of vegetation abound.
tory of the Dark! Once all the sacrifices have expired the The stairway is soon found in the Northwest corner of an
rite is over and all may return to their daily business after open area. But, just before the group can return to report
the priest cries out the Engsvanyali celebratory words: its location, two tomb policemen come walking in from
Otulengba! Otulengba Hruumitlandalidalisa! the south, chatting amicably among themselves. After a
minute or so, one points to the way they came indicating
After the ritual is concluded, a pair of slaves bring in an his desire to go back, but his companion tells him to wait
oddly shaped bottle, half as tall as a man and filled with a awhile. He moves near to the most isolated PC while
very dark wine. Mizothlu explains: This is the sweet wine fondling his nether regions. What does the PC do?
of the Purdu-grape, which grows only in the dark places of
the earth. Now that you are all as one with us, it is your As long as the PCs keep their cool and stay in hiding, the
right to drink of it. Drink deeply and enjoy, for this may be guards will eventually leave after the one who separated off
the last draught you take before the Rendering of your relieves himself in the ruins. If they attack, there is a larger
Skein. The wine is, of course, laced with a potent patrol of 1d6+6 members nearby who will respond
narcotic. Refusal to drink will be met with warnings and instantly to a call from these two. The unsuspecting fellow
then force from Mizothlus guards. The referee must ask relieving himself may be easily assassinated, but if the
for a Save vs. Poison from everyone. Those that fail soon other is not taken care of almost at the same instant he will
fall into a dreamless slumber. If anyone succeeds they will alert the aforementioned patrol. Tomb Police (2nd level
suffer an unavoidable lassitude and deep drowsiness but Warriors): AC 6, MV 12, HD 2, Dmg 2d6 (weapon).
still remain conscious and vaguely aware of their
surroundings but unable to act. They will perceive being Down into the Depths Beneath Old Jaklla: At length
carried outside into the streets for some distance before the band will come to the wide stairway. Down the party
going a down a stairway. As their nostrils are assaulted by goes, into an ever-twisting path that crosses tunnels,
an awful stench all goes black. hallways, tombs and stairs. The slaves torchlight falls upon
ancient frescoes and tomb-entrancess as they go. Every-
Part Two: The Journey. This part of the adventure takes where are depictions of Gods, heroes and mythological
the party to the Halls of Thumis where the Red Gem of scenes and carvings in a multitude of different scripts and
High Cartography is kept. Long after the wine is drunk, styles, honouring the deities or proclaiming the glory of
everyone awakens in a tunnel lit by the bearer slaves this or that honoured personage sleeping his final rest in
torches. They are in a long disused section of the Jakllan these hallowed passages.
sewers. The air is somewhat heavy but it does not smell
anywhere as foul as one would expect. Mizothlu orders Less than a third of an hour passes and you begin to doubt
everyone up and begins the march down the tunnel. After your ability to trace your path back to the surface without
about 10 minutes the group will emerge about 100 meters the guidance of the Nighted Tower tomb-robbers. After a
from the eastern city walls, just north of the road leading long trek through a wide tunnel that seems to extend to
from the gate to the necropolis. The old and rusted exit eternity, with side passages going left and right at regular
from the sewer looks remarkably like the large drainage intervals; the group stops momentarily as Mizothlu pauses
pipes that carry refuse down to the river, but this location to consult a map.
is nowhere near any waterway.
Poisoned Gifts of the God of Humour: Bringing up the
As silently as possible and with all lights doused the group rear one of the initiates, a small head-shaved tattooed tribal
marches towards the looming structures of the City of the man from some faraway isle, notices something interesting
Dead to the east. When its ancient and ill-repaired walls in a side passage and exclaims to a PC: Tra?! Look at
are reached Mizothlu and his clan-cousins find an aperture that! Indeed, looking down the passage a small room with
large enough for a man to pass and send the PCs on a a large idol or statue can be seen with many specks of
scouting mission with one of their own. brilliance reflecting in the torchlight. The man promptly
68
goes to explore and, if not followed, returns after a couple Splitting up the party: The long corridor eventually
of minutes carrying a diamond. He gleefully announces reaches an intersection. The group comes together to plan.
his discovery before his face contorts into a spasm of pain Each of the new passages supposedly leads to a room with
and he falls to the ground convulsing and dead. a large arched doorway via different unexplored routes.
Three groups will be formed and each will take one of the
Anyone following him to the room will get a better look at tunnels. The first party to arrive at the arched doorway
the statue, which depicts a nearly 10 foot tall human-like should wait for two days for any others. After the second
creature with a few too many extra pounds. It is covered group gets there, another day of wait is granted for the
with thousands of small to medium gems of all colours, third party, then all will move onwards. With handclasps
imbedded into its structure without any apparent order. and wishes of good luck, each party heads its own way.

Priests or characters with the Scholar skill might determine Mizothlu, of course, will select all the PCs for his group
this is Hes, the God of Humour, but this small demon- plus as many NPCs as needed to make the total number
deity is hardly ever represented in such massive scale. seven. Accompanying them are 5 slaves. A torchbearer boy
Equally uncommon is the large number of gems that cover (HD 1-1), two stout bearer-slaves (HD 1+1), a female
its surface. Anyone with the Jeweller or Geologist skills slave cook (HD 1) and Urukai, Mizothlus personal slave.
recognizes them for what there are: near-valueless semi-
precious stones. They do not come off easily but with the Urukai, 6th Level Physician and Scholar (Ketengku)
help of a dagger can be pried off without much effort (this AC 11, HD 4, HP 12, M 12
is what the tribal man will do this unless stopped by a PC). Skills: Physician, Scholar
In a cruel jest, the builders of the statue have poisoned half Spells: Perception of the Energies (detects enchantments,
of the gems with a powerful and long-lasting contact magical items and ambient or residual extra-planar energies
poison. There is a 50% chance any gem handled by a from recent spellcasting).
character requires a Save vs. Poison to avoid death after Languages (literate): Tsolyani, Classical Tsolyani.
about a minute as the poison affects the nervous system. Equipment: Physicians bag, dagger (+1d4 Dmg)
Special: As long as he is with the party all gain +2 to any
If Mizothlu is informed of the statue he warns everyone to sorcerous and natural healing. Urukai fights with the
leave it well alone. Such a fortune would not be found proficiency of a 1st Level Magic-User and will avoid
untouched in the upper levels of the Underworld if there combat whenever possible. He uses the Saving Throws of
was nothing wrong about it. Should someone die as a a 6th Level Magic User.
consequence of their greed he will be quite enraged at the Appearance: A middle-aged, bearded man in slaves garb.
deceaseds stupidity but express roughly the same message, Personality: A devout servant of Mizothlu and little else.
although in a more exasperated tone. He just wants to get out of this alive.
Quote: Curses! Stand still, will you!? Just a few more
stitches and it will be done

Biridlu Attack: After about an hour of travelling through

the Underworld the group arrives in a medium-sized hall
with a pair of stout double doors locked by an equally
stout copper lock of great size. Mizothlu begins earnestly
using his tools on the lock by torchlight. Then an awful
female cry is heard! The slave-woman accompanying the
party shrieks as she is enveloped by a black mantle-like
creature that begins crushing the life out of her.

The Biridlu dropped from the ceiling onto its victim and
there are two more about to do the same. The referee
should randomly determine their targets and determine
surprise. The Biridlu get a free attack at surprised victims
and automatically envelop them on a successful hit.
Mizothlu has faced Biridlu before and knows their
strengths and weaknesses. On the first round of battle he
will shout Chlen-hide is useless against Biridlu! Use this!
and toss a steel dagger to the nearest person that can
handle it (requiring a d100 roll under DEX to catch in
mid-flight). One the second round he will cry out Fire!

69
Use Fire! They fear it! and hands out his second steel Mizothlu moans: Hra! This tomb is guarded by Hra! It
dagger to whoever ask for it. PCs can take a torch from a lifts its strange, many-jointed arms and stumps forward.
slaves hand or try to light one, assuming they have it and The smell of something long dead hits you like a wave. On
flint and steel are at hand. 3 Biridlu: AC 3, HD 4+1, M the second round another Hra appears, rising from a huge
6/13, Dmg (special), Morale 5+, Special: Regenerates, can mound of gold and silver coins near the rooms centre. It
only be cut by steel weapons or harmed by fire. A torch is taller than the first but of smaller frame and unlike its
will cause only 1d6 damage but once burned the creature companion isports an actual misshapen head atop a
must make a Morale check or retreat. (Both Mizothlu and crooked neck and lacks a chest-maw. It takes one round to
Urukai know the bodies should be burned to prevent them rise and then joins battle. 2 Hra (large undead constructs):
from regenerating in 20 minutes.) AC 4, MV 12, HD 7, HP 26, 44, Morale 4+, Skills: Track
90%, Special: the bodies of the Hra will re-animate after 20
Art Suffers for our Greed: After Mizothlu manages to minutes unless burned (Mizothlu and Urukai know this).
open the copper lock the doors are opened and the party
follows the passage. It soon comes to an end in a rather All the riches in this chamber have been cursed with a
small room just barely able to contain the party. There are delayed form of the Grey Hand curse. Anyone carrying
no other exits. The walls here have been fantastically treasure, even a single coin, outside the chamber must roll
painted to depict a 360-degree vision of a large, mythical a Saving Throw vs. Spells or die instantly, disintegrating
battle. The signs of all 20 gods are present and any into a pile of ash. Should Mizothlu witness this he will
character that has heard about it will recognise this as immediately order everyone to leave the riches alone. The
representation of the Battle of Dormoron Plain during the monetary value of the full horde is beyond calculation,
war of the Gods against Ksarul. Mizothlu and Urukai many thousands of kaitars per person.
begin scanning the images a specific scene and settle in the
centre of the wall left of the entrance. There, the God Family Meeting: After the encounter with the Hra the
Gruganu, cohort of Ksarul, in his aspect of Akhunom the party takes the only exit from the chamber (besides the
True Servitor Who Seeks the Countenance of His Lord, one recently opened with the partys mallets), a wide
is seen pointing in despair at a sky overcast with white tunnel with sufficient space for 3 people to march and
clouds. A rain of white blades sent by Lord Hnalla falls fight abreast. Once at a considerable distance from the
upon the field and his allies desert him. The Dwellers in cursed chamber Mizothlu will order everyone to stop and
Shadows, the Ones of the Heads of Beasts, the Stunted make camp for rest and recuperation. The referee should
Gnomes of the 77th Plane and even Mankind itself are select one of the characters randomly and state that while
withdrawing from the field leaving Gruganu to his fate. on watch he thinks he hears the sound of footsteps
coming from further down the corridor. Soon very faint
This panel is actually a fake plaster wall. Give the PCs a lantern light shines and two human-sized silhouettes can
chance to figure this out first, but Mizothlu and Urukai will be seen. Someone is coming. What does he do?
probably discover it eventually if they do not. Once
discovered Mizothlu will order the bearer slaves to take The newcomers are Charikasa and Tontiken, clan-
out mallets and pulverise it with heavy blows, opening a members of the Nighted Tower who went off with a
passage to a new chamber. PCs that cringe or express their different group. The appropriate protocol is to shout
distaste that such art must be destroyed for the sake of For the Victory! and wait for the reply of the
their mission might be rewarded with an experience bonus. Dark thus recognising fellow mission members. The men
will do this when they notice the sentinel. In conversation
The Deadly Treasure Chamber: The plaster wall is soon with Mizothlu both will explain the arranged gathering
broken down and the party peers into a scene more point is not safe as there are recent tracks on the dust all
awesome by several degrees of magnitude. Everywhere about. Their party is camped, much like the PCs, in one of
visible are gold, winking gems, tall statues of Gods and the three tunnels leading to it over an hours walk away.
demons unknown to you, collars, pendants, tall standards, They confirm that an arched doorway of copper is present.
carved furniture, enigmatic chests and caskets. There are
leather bags that have rotted, burst and spewed dozens of The Body Snatchers: Unfortunately for everyone,
gold coins upon the mosaic floor. The whole group stands Charikasa and Tontiken are not truly what they seem. Both
rooted to the spot with awe. Then at the far end of the men are quite dead by this point and the beings taking
long, barrel-vaulted chamber there is movementthe their forms are actually the Tsuuru who killed them, stole
creature that comes out of the darkness is a thing of their memories and went in search of further prey. If their
nightmare: squat, mottled grey, covered with pendulous true nature is not found out (highly unlikely given their
excrescences, vaguely two-legged and two-armed with proficiency in pretending to be human) they will wait until
round, mad eyes that peer at you from a face set in the everyone has gone to sleep again, silently kill whoever is on
middle of its chest! It utters a crooning, gulping sound. watch and then eliminate everyone else silently.

70
The referee must determine who is on watch when the happened to his clan-cousins. After several minutes the
Tsuuru spring their trap. One will engage the watchman in party hears noise coming from further ahead - many
conversation, complaining about not being able to sleep rending, chomping and crunching little mouths messily
while the other attacks him from behind. If they are consuming a meal. This is soon followed by a horrible
successful their choice of first sleeping victim will be the rotting stench. Soon the corridor opens into a large square
most obviously powerful character other than Mizothlu. room with two more tunnel exits and a massive arched
Any character might wake up if enough noise is made (the double doorway on the opposite wall. Here, you see the
watcher sounds the alarm, is slain noisily by the Tsuuru, dead bodies of fellow initiates of the Edifice of Nacreous
their first sleeping victim cries a death rattle, etc.). 2 Larceny. Shuffling and scuttling among the mangled
Tsuuru (artificial underworld guardians): AC 3, HD 5+3, bodies are over a dozen six-limbed furry beasts with sharp,
M 12, Dmg 1d6, Special: totally immune to spells.) horny beaks and three glowing eyes. The largest are four
Anyone fighting and wounding Charikasa or Tontiken will feet long and three feet tall. They notice you and, crying
notice they do not bleed and the flesh beneath their skin is and hooting, prepare to defend their meal. 15 Kurgha
jet-black. When they die their features will shift and roll as (animals): AC 6, HD 1, M 12, Dmg 1d6 (bite). Kurgha are
they fall and their true form will be revealed: a bundle of cowardly and do not normally attack living creatures, they
black ropy, lumpy tentacles connected to a central brain will fight to protect their feast. The referee should make
ganglion. The first time this happens the referee should ask sure to use the Morale rules for this battle.
for a Save vs. Paralysis to avoid being overcome by shock
and awe and unable to act for a round. No one in the party Who Goes There? With the kurgha killed or driven off all
knows anything about these creatures. that remains is to investigate the scene of carnage. There
are 10 bodies on the room, four slaves and 6 party
Underworld Scavenger Beasts: After the fight with the members (including Charikasa and Tontiken). The exact
Tsuuru Mizothlu will immediately lead the party onward, causes of death are difficult to determine because every
eager to arrive at the hall of the arched door and find what cadaver has been masticated by the kurgha almost to the
71
point of being unrecognisable without its clothes and Chraakish of Pijena, Level 4 Adventurer (Ksarul)
items. There is little of value among the bodies apart from AC 4, HD 3+3, HP 16, MV 12
chlen-hide weapons and a few kaitars. The rations have Skills: Orator, High Etiquette
been fouled by the kurgha and are inedible. Spells: Control of Self, Clairaudience, Produce Light.
Equipment: Sword, Chain shirt +2, Buckler +2.
The copper doors on the north are open, just wide enough Appearance: A bow-legged country bumpkin of Pijena.
for an adult unencumbered man to squeeze through. The Personality: Chraakish may look like a peasant but he
first person to investigate them will hear someone or certainly does not speak or act as one. In truth he is an
something cough on the other side. This is an excellent exiled Pijenani minor noble forced to flee when Baron Ald
opportunity for the referee to play up the partys paranoia. of Yan Kor caused a shift in power on his nation. For a
The maker of the sound is Chraakish from Pijena, the sole man that as lost everything he his surprisingly optimistic
survivor from the 2nd party, who is hiding just behind the about life, and determine to make the most of it while
doors. It is obvious to expect party members to doubt behaving as an honoured gentleman at all times.
whether Chraakish is in fact who he claims to be an not Special: His priceless enchanted metal chainshirt is hidden
another doppelganger. Anyone coming up with an beneath common robes and his steel buckler has been
appropriate method to prove his identity (for example: to painted to resemble normal chlen-hide. Thanks to it
check if he bleeds) should be rewarded with XP. Chraakishs AC is 1 against the first attack he is victim of
every round. He attacks and saves as a Priest of 4th Level.
Quote: (hearty laugh) Otulengba! The day is ours,
my gallant companions!

As was pre-arranged, being the second group to arrive,

Mizothlus party will wait a full day for members of the
third group. Sadly no one will arrive. The referee should
allow for daily healing and regeneration of spells Two
watches will be maintained at all times in the main hall.
This is a dreadful task, involving spending hours of
inactivity in a grossly odorous chamber filled with gnawed
human bodies and the carcasses of slain creatures.

Fantastical Frescoes: Once more the party resumes tra-

vel, taking the northern tunnel beyond the doors. Accord-
ing to the leaders map they should be nearing an access
stairway to the halls where the Red Gem is kept. Indeed,
the tunnel soon displays wall paintings with representa-
tions of the Hells of Thumis and their curious forms of
If they dont mistakenly eliminate him he will gladly tell his exquisite suffering. All the sufferers are long-bearded half-
tale of the events: We were the first and only to arrive. naked sages. Some wander aimlessly and eyeless among
The leaders told us to make camp and wait for others. It libraries filled with books that hold the secrets of the
was after a few hours they came. A pair of young, universe. Others lack ears and squat in despair near
attractive girls appeared from the west passage claiming to demonic musicians playing crystalline instruments. A third
be slaves fleeing from another band of tomb looters. The group is composed of sages that have no arms and gaze
men where taken by them and I think Tontiken and his pitifully upon elaborate artifacts they are unable to touch.
cousin bedded them on their sleeping mats. I had decided The frescoes are done in an uncommonly realistic and de-
to check the corridor beyond the doors on my own. This tailed style, rarely found in Tsolyanu. They are also highly
must have been when the things chose to strike, for when magical and designed to ward off intruders. As they pass
I returned all the men where dead. I could see Charikasa everyone must make two Saves vs. Spells. Failing one
and Tontikens bodies but two looking exactly alike where strikes the character with Amnesia for 2d6 hours; missing
standing conversing with each other in some inhuman both turns the character into a vegetable for 2d6 hours.
language. They took to the south passage and I skulked in
the darkness, wondering whether I should follow them or After passing the cursed frescoes the party comes upon a
remain here. But then the corpse-eating beasts came staircase spiralling downward on the right wall. On its first
half are more frescoes. A procession of Thumis priests is
Should the party have been depopulated to the extent that seen having an audience in the temple with a superior. One
one player is lacking a character Chraakish will make an of their number presents a large red gem while the others
excellent replacement for the remainder of the adventure. hold wrapped bundles. The next section shows the same

72
priests being led into the tunnels underneath the temple by coloration. Also it appears too small to be a Shen. (This is
the gem-holder, still carrying their bundles. The last panel in fact the half-dissected body of a juvenile specimen of
depicts the priests unwrapping them, revealing what the egg-fertiliser sex very rarely seen outside of Shenyu.)
appear to be silvery human body parts which they use to
assemble a statue. After the last wall panel, the stairs 3. Figurine Room. Unlocked wood door. Empty except
become a ramp made of what appears to be black glass. for stone dais with 4 semiprecious stone figurines of
This substance is 100% frictionless and it is impossible to several Thumis aspects, worth d100k each. There is a
stand on its leaning surface without sliding down. The first shooting poison needle trap under one of the figurines
person to attempt to walk on it will slip and slide in a quite d100 DEX roll to avoid or suffer 3d6 ( w/Poison save).
distressful manner, perhaps suffering 1-2 damage when the
descent finally ends and he collides with the opposite wall. 4. Quarters of temple guards. Unlocked door, no
The black glass ramp cannot be climbed upwards. treasure. Three level 4 warriors are relaxing inside (AC 7 as
they are wearing only parts of their armour, but they have
Part III: The Halls of Thumis. While this part of the swords). They can easily be heard through the door.
underworld belongs to the Temple of Thumis, it is not
located anywhere near the building geographically. In fact, 5. Room of Armesh. Unlocked wood door with symbol
the only way the priests have of reaching it is through the of Thumis, no treasure. This room has a large statue of a
use of sorcery within the temple to create an access nexus coiling serpent with iridescent, many-hued scales. It is
point. Naturally, being assigned to work in these halls is Armesh, an aspect of Thumis that protects against
not something any within the ranks of the Thumis cult demons. The statue is actually an insubstantial image
aspire to, as it means being trapped underground for days projected from concealed machinery within the walls and
at a time until the nexus is reopened from the other side. will phase out momentarily when someone touches it.

The Halls of Thumis have long been inhabited so no 6. Empty Room. No door. Empty room with rotted
danger of random encounters with denizens of the Under- remains of wooden tables.
worlds exists. There is a chance of running into a rare
patrol doing the rounds, but only once over the course of 7. Storeroom. Unlocked wood door. This stores some
the adventure. The patrol will number 2d4+1 3rd level water-barrels and food rations. There is one temple guard
warriors with chlen-hide chainmail, shields, swords, and rummaging inside (Lvl 5 Warrior, AC 5) who must roll for
spears. The guards only patrol tunnels, not rooms, so a surprise as the party enters. He has a pouch with a pair of
party that detects them before being detected might hide (loaded) kevuk dice and 55 kaitars.
safely in a room until they pass. But, it is paramount that
the party be as stealthy as possible within these walls. 8. Priest Quarters. Unlocked wood doors. There are 2-7
Anyone surviving an encounter with the party will run to priests of Thumis inside going about their business. All are
their fellows and bring news that intruders have penetra- low-circle scholar-priests (Level 0 humans, 1d6 Hit Points,
ted. In that case every remaining guard in the complex, no weapons or magic and the fighting abilities of a 1st
plus the high priest and commander from 24 will band level mage). There is nothing of value within the room ex-
together and thoroughly check every room and corridor cept for a few coin purses, containing 2d20 kaitars in total.
until they find the intruders. All the tunnels and rooms are The priests will be scared out of their wits if confronted by
constructed of polished brick and stone unless otherwise a well-armed party and readily provide information in
indicated. Rooms are as follows: exchange for promises of sparing their lives. They can
provide a layout of the halls but have never been to the
1. Spiral Room: No door. A timeworn grey mosaic floor high priest quarters (24) or the room with the Silver Man
depicts a spiral. Anyone exploring the room has a 35% (29) and know nothing about the room with the Nshe (14).
chance to cross one of the five 7-foot-deep pit traps on the
floor. 2d6 fall damage, on a successful d100 DEX roll. 8a. Passage with Wall Paintings. This tunnels walls
have more paintings that seem to continue the story
2. Laboratory & Dissection Chamber: Locked wooden shown on the slippery spiral staircase outside the entrance.
door. No treasure. This room is obviously a laboratory of The Thumis priests have finally reached their goal, a white
sorts. Two wood shelves contain several bottles and chamber somewhere in the underworld, and busy
containers with chemicals used for the preservation of themselves unwrapping their bundles to reveal human
bodies. In a corner is a stand with several medical body parts(!) oddly painted in silver. Next they proceed to
instruments (none made of metal, alas) and on the centre mount the different parts, beginning with the legs and
table is the cut-up body of some humanoid reptilian thing. working upwards until a tall humanoid bald-headed being
Characters who have seen a Shen will notice a similarity is complete. The Gem-holder then gives the red gem to
but are unsure whether this was a member of that species the tall silver humanoid.
as there are several differences in morphology and
73
9 Blackened Room. Stuck doors. This empty rooms 13. Shrine of the Scholar. Locked wood door with
walls, floor and ceiling are covered with blackened burnt symbol of Thumis. This is a small shrine to the God
marks and small craters. This is where the adepts of Thumis in his main aspect as a scholar: a middle-aged sage
Thumis have experimented with fulminating and explosive holding a crystal orb on his cupped hands. The eyes of the
sorcery. Characters capable of using magic will feel an odd statue are actually diamonds. If anyone touches the statue
warm, burning sensation on their temples as they enter the the hands will turn down on hidden wrist hinges and cause
room. Any magic used here as its effect doubled. A spell the globe to drop and shatter, releasing white poisonous
that detects magic or extra-planar power might well gas. Everyone fully within the room (those by the exit can
overwhelm the senses of the caster for a few minutes. cover up in time) must Save vs. Poison or suffer 2d6
damage. The gas takes 1 full turn to dissipate.
10. Storeroom. Locked wood doors. This holds robes and
other random useless religious paraphernalia for Thumis 14. Room of the Nshe. Locked door with bas-relief of a
cult rituals on several wardrobes. grey, featureless humanoid. This image might be mistaken
for an abstract depiction of the Silver Man seen of the wall
11. Ancient Disused Shrine. Unlocked doors, no paintings on the spiral staircase that led the party to the
treasure. This ancient shrine in very bad condition and halls and on the corridor of area #8a, though this is dubi-
stinks of mildew. The frescos on the walls have been so ous. The floor of the room has cracks through which a
heavily damaged by water infiltration and time that they Nshe will flow as the party investigates. The Nshe is
are unrecognisable. A statue or altar once stood in the relentless in its attempts to eliminate anyone inside the
centre but is now just a featureless lump of grey stone. room but will not pursue those that leave as it is bound
here. If Mizothlu is still with the party he will recognise the
12. Mostly Empty Room. Stuck wood door. The only creature for what it is and flee after the first round,
contents of this dusty room are 7 small rods of pure silver exhorting other to do the same: By the Gods! A Nshe!
placed neatly in the centre, worth 5 kaitars each. Flee you fools! Nshe (ancient artificial creature): AC 2,
74
HD 10, M 15, Dmg varies, Special: check EPT rulebook check EPT damage dice table + 1d6 (white metal alloy
for possible actions of the Nshe and combat strategy. In sword), Special: suffers only damage from non-metal or
case of a battle there is a 35% chance that the sentinel nonmagical weapons; 40% chance of being dismissed by
from the door of 17 will come to investigate. any magic that creates darkness (roll every round).
Treasure: 5 Gems (1 x 10k, 2 x 500k, 2 x 100k), White
15. Empty Room. Stuck rotting wooden door. metal alloy sword +1/+1 sword, unaligned, no INT. The
sword is a very straight, one-piece artefact entirely made of
16. Torch-lit Corridor. It is clear from a distance this some alloy which resembles platinum, it weight roughly the
tunnel is illuminated. Caution is advised for there is one same as a chlen-hide equivalent.
sentinel guarding the door to 17 (3rd Lvl Warrior, AC 4,
chain+shield, sword). 22. Forgotten Treasure Room. Locked wooden door.
Contains only a small old unlocked chest with 40 silver
17. Barracks. Unlocked wood door. These are the hlash and an iron spear tip wrapped in linoleum. While not
quarters of the temple guards that patrol the halls. magical, any spear fashioned with this tip will be at +1 to
Presently they are having an animated discussion and hit and damage.
might not notice the sentinel on the corridor being taken
out silently. In this case they might be surprised when the 23. Slave Cells. Locked copper jail bars. This is where 4
party enters the room and only have time to grab their male bearer-slaves who do any required heavy work are
shields (AC 8) and weapons. If they hear trouble outside, kept. They will agree to work for the party on a successful
however, two of their number will immediately investigate reaction roll. All have been here for years. While not mis-
while the rest struggle to get their armor on. Every round treated, they miss the open air and sunlight terribly. One of
their AC of 8 will decrease by one until it reaches 4. Then their number says he would rather die tomorrow with
they will exit and attack. If there is a hue-and-cry going on the sun on his face than live out the remainder of his life
the room will be found empty as they seek the intruders. here. They are familiar with the general layout of the
After the party defeats these soldiers there is no need for complex but dont know what lies inside any locked room.
further for random patrol encounters. Guards (3rd level None have been to 29 but they know of the secret door
warriors): HD 3, AC 8-4, Dmg 2d6. Treasure: 163 kaitars leading to 21 and that a smoke demon of sorts guards
in assorted coins and some food supplies. jewels inside. They also know everyone avoids the corridor
28 like the plague but have no idea where it might lead. 4
18. Kitchens. Unlocked wood door. The sound of clatter- bearer-slaves (Lvl 0 humans): AC 9, HD 1+1, MV 12.
ing cutlery and the scent of cooking can be perceived
outside this door. 3 female and 6 male servants work here. 24. High Priests Quarters. Closed but unlocked door.
They are busy preparing meals when the characters arrive. The High Priest that administers these halls and the guard
They react even more fearfully than the priests in 8 but are captain are inside talking about an ancient book Sakuu has
unable to provide much information about the halls. They recently acquired. Both stout wooden doors on these
know, of course, that they are brought here via a door in quarters are fashioned with an unpickable metal lock. The
the air and that it manifests in a different part of the door to the kitchens is locked.
complex every time. They can also reveal that the Western
door leads to the high priests personal quarters (24). Kusijaktodali (Prelate) Sakuu hiRusaya (White Crystal
clan), Priest of the 12th Circle (7th Level Priest): AC 11,
19. Unused Quarters. No door. This dusty room, judging HD 6, HP 16, M 12, Dmg 1d4 (unarmed), M12, Sorcery
from marks on the floor and remains of bed-mats appears Skill 70%, Spells: All Priest skills up to Protection from
be unused priestly quarters. Evil/Good, Heal I, Heal II Creatures I, Plague, Creatures
II, Shield of Defence.
20. Well Room. Half-open door with flickering light
streaming from inside. This small room contains the well Molkar (Commander) Takaru hiTanikrim (Golden Dawn
and only water source of the complex. By tradition there is clan) (5th Level Warrior): AC 16, HD 5+1, HP 20, MV 9,
one guard here at all times. There is a 50% chance the Dmg as per EPT damage dice table (sword)
guard (3rd Lvl Warrior, AC 5) is sleeping when found.
It is possible to surprise both occupants if the party barges
21. Secret Room of the Gems. Secret door. A small room in violently. The battle might be considerably more
of white walls untouched by time. Contains 5 plinths of difficult if they are aware of the party beforehand. Sakuus
different heights made of white marble. Each holds a clear, strategy will be to use his Shield of Defence to make
crystalline gem. If any gem is touched it summons the himself and Takaru partially invulnerable and then to
Mighty One of Pearly Mists, a demon of Thumis charged summon as many creatures as possible. The referee should
with guarding this room.. Mighty One of Pearly Mists read the description of this spell to determine which
(stability demon): AC 3, HD 9, HP 35, MV 12, Dmg: attacks bypass this enchantment. Note that even someone
75
unable to cause damage to a beneficiary of this spell might 29. Chamber of the Silver Man and the Red Gem of
try to wrestle him into the ground, etc. Treasure: Magical High Cartography. Massive polished granite doors
book Liob Miffansa MissrabchiI MikKsarulkchi (The adorned with a beautiful and unmistakable depiction of the
Book of Sending Forth the Servant of Great Ksarul, Silver Man, holding the Red Gem above his head with his
written in Livyani). The high priest also carries the keys to hands. This stone door can only be forced open with time
all locked doors in the halls and a curious golden-green and tools unavailable to the party. There is a triangular
triangular amulet on a chain around the neck (the key to indentation on wall left of the door that Mizothlu will
the Chamber where the Red Gem is kept (29). recognise as the lock. Sadly the opening mechanism is of
magical nature (a spell that detects extra-planar energy will
25. Room of the Malfunctioning Globe of Far-seeing. discern residual amounts around it) and will only work if
Locked wooden door. This room contains only a small the key-amulet that the high priest in 24 carries round his
crystal globe in the centre of the floor. In its interior neck is placed on it. (The referee is free to allow highly
strange patterns of blue-white extra-planar energy shift and ingenious players to find other ways in, but no standard
roil. If touched, it explodes loudly for 3d6 damage, Save method will work at least.) If this is done, the door will
vs. Eyes for . open slowly as both the top and bottom halves recede into
the ceiling and ground, revealing a 60 long, 10 wide
26. Android Garage. Wood door locked with a bronze corridor ending in a door much like the first except the
lock. This is a storehouse for a group of identical grey- Silver Man picture as been replaced by Engsvanyali script
white skinned androids, dressed in the full paraphernalia of that reads: Girai! (indeed) Here rests that most fabulous
Thumis warriors and standing to attention. At first the of treasures, kept by that most valiant of keepers. These be
party might think they have come upon a group of the Chambers of the Silver Man and the Red Gem.
mannequins attired with real chlen-hide weapons and
armour in the livery of Thumis. A long-ago triumph of Halfway down the corridor on the right wall is a lever in
technology retro-engineered from the Great Ancients, the the up position. If it is brought down, the halves of the
machines have proven to be too ineffective and fragile in first stone door will slowly close (3 rounds if players ask)
battle, so they were stored here and have since been and then the second shall open in the same manner,
forgotten. They become active one round after someone allowing access to the chamber where the Gem is kept.
goes in and proceed to attack anyone they see not dressed This 50 x 50 chamber is constructed entirely of clear
as a follower or priest of Thumis. These robots are white marble polished to such an extent one can see his
incapable of speech. 11 Androids (mechanisms): AC 3, shadowy reflection on the floor and walls. And wonder of
HD 2, MV 12, Dmg 2d6, Special: Never check morale, wonders, they seem to emanate their own light making
immune to illusions and mind-affecting magic, unliving, torches and lanterns unnecessary! Spellcasters can almost
can see in the infrared and ultraviolet spectra. smell the extra-planar energies radiating in this room.

27. Old Warehouse. Stuck heavy wood door. Contains In the centre stands the Silver Man, a 6-foot tall, incredibly
rotted barrels, sacks and a few chests. A thorough sweep life-like statue apparently wrought from that precious
of the room will find 35 kaitars in assorted coinage and metal. The Silver Man has archetypal Tsolyani features: a
one Eye of Retaining All Things with 32 charges and an muscular and wiry build, aquiline nose, square jaw, hawk
inscription in Mihalli. face, and bald head. His arms are extended upward with
hands clasped, holding a deep red jewel the size of a childs
28. Corner Passage. This is the way out for any fist. It is a huge ruby, but anyone with Geology or
characters that might have escaped the trap in 29. A Jewellery cannot identify the variant (this because the gem
cramped corridor extends from this corner as far as the eye is of artificial origin). Such characters will know that its
can see. On the wall a graffiti in Tsolyani reads: material value is enough to buy a small palaceassuming a
DANGER TO THE HALLS OF THE GREEN buyer for it could be found.
LADY. Anyone walking down this corridor (which only
permits a single-file marching order) will soon be The Silver Man is of course more than it appears. It is an
enveloped in a flash of bright white light and find himself artificial android, dating back from that faraway mad age
in room #10 of the Lost Halls of Emerald Joy. Warning: when the Lords of the Latter Times played at Godhood
As there is no way of returning here from the Lost Halls, a within their domains. The robot has no visible gears or
party that follows this corridor before acquiring the gem seams. Its joints of silver alloy bend naturally as if made of
has ultimately failed to accomplish its mission. If Mizothlu natural flesh and bone(!) while it moves and attacks with
is still with the party when this passage is found he will the grace and precision of a trained, living human being.
dissuade others from taking paths leading to unknown And move and attack it does!as soon as someone dares
areas until the gem is in their possession. remove the magnificent red treasure from its hands. And
rest again it shall not until the chamber is drenched with
the trespassers blood and their unmoving bodies, broken
76
by its mace-like fists, lie on the floor. Then it shall take through an invisible Nexus Point and come out elsewhere.
back the Gem and assume the position it has held since it Given the nature of these they could be anywhere, perhaps
was brought here, and renew its vigilforevermore, or not even on the same plane or timeline! They come out in
until the next cycle of the world comes. Let us hope that a 10 corridor with walls of greenstone rather than grey
the curtains of this adventure not close upon such a granite, where travelers from 28 also arrive
dreadful scene
Part IV: The Lost Halls of Emerald Joy. This section of
Silver Man (Latter Times metallic android): AC 1, HD 10, Jakllas Tsuruum was built by the cult of Dlamelish
M 12, Dmg (as per EPT damage dice table + 1d6+1). during the early Engsvanyali Era to serve as a place of
Special: never checks morale, immune to illusions and worship and ritual sacrifice and to house certain artifacts
mind-affecting magic, unliving, can see in the infrared and of religious importance to the temple. The hall has been
ultraviolet spectra, extra damage, self-repairing (regenerates sealed for centuries. The church of the Emerald Goddess
1d6 HP/round unless disabled at 0 HP), immune to lost the technological key that granted access to it
normal missiles and small piercing weapons. Defeating somewhere during the reign of Emperor Hejekka V the
him is worth 1300 XP, divided equally among the whole Open-handed (1,574 - 1,623 A.S.). At present, the iris-
party; escaping with the gem gives normal XP. door made out of the imperishable metal of the Ancients
can only be opened from the inside if the correct colour-
When confronted with such a fearsome opponent it is code is introduced on a door panel.
natural that any party with a strong self-preservation
instinct will hightail it and run for their lives with the gem. This is the only exit. The hall contains clues as to the
The obvious problem is that a thick granite door blocks correct color sequence to use on the panel that opens the
the only way out. The Silver Man will follow the party into iris-door. Rooms marked with (*) have inscriptions in
the corridor and beyond, but if any brave souls remain in both Classical Tsolyani and Engsvanyali above the entry-
the chamber to hold it off it will not pursue until these are way with their titles. Characters literate in modern Tsolyani
vanquished. From the moment the lever is re-set it takes 3 might attempt to read Classical Tsolyani; a d100 INT roll
rounds for the inner door to close and the outer to open. will allow the character to get the gist of a sentence. There
During the first round anyone can move from the are no random encounters in this area of the Tsuruum;
chamber into the corridor. On the second round it costs a the party is the first group of beings to come upon it for
character half his or her movement rate to climb the centuries. In fact, except for the rooms that have guardians
closing door. On the third round only an acrobatic jump the area is safe to rest and heal. The floors are all made of
manoeuvre will allow anyone to leave the chamber through massive grey stone slabs, the walls and ceilings of
the small space left on the ever-closing door and there is greenstone bricks. There are no torch sconces anywhere
only time left for a single attempt by one person. Such an and no sources of light except in 1.
Errol Flynnesque feat can only be performed on a d100
DEX roll, and the character must drop any shield or
weapon bigger than a shortsword if he hopes to have any
chance of succeeding! Further, chainmail will modify the
roll by +10 and plate armour by +20. A failed roll means
banging ones head against the stone slab and being
trapped in the chamber with a murderous robot, bad
failures (95+) mean a gruesome demise being crushed
between the stone slabs. Alas, poor hero Whether
cutting someone in half or not, the door slabs close with a
resounding thud, and then a silent white flash will blind
everyone as they are transported elsewhere. (If the Silver
Man is in the corridor with the party when this happens,
he will be transported too. A softhearted referee might
have his android circuits scrambled for a round or two on
arrival, though if this choice is made only normal
experience should be awarded for defeating him.)

Exiting the Temple of Thumis: When the outer doors

are fully open, the Red Gem, Silver Man, and nexus point
in 28 interact to send the party to the Lost Halls of 1. Room of the Plaques of the Goddess. This room is
Emerald Joy. If the scholar-slave Urukai is still with the bathed in soft green light radiating from a beachball-sized
party he can explain what took place; if not any Priest or globe floating just bellow the ceiling with no obvious
Sorcerer making a d100 INT roll can: the group as gone
77
support (the globe is not physical, but an Illumination spell medium armour with demonic motifs, standing at
that was designed into the layout of the room). Black stone attention; NE A fat featureless man with an apron
tables fill the hall, atop which rest slabs of light green jade. (Goriku the Gourmet, aspect of cooking); SW A
Most have inscriptions in Bednalljan but a few are in genderless humanoid figure with an orb-like eye for a head
Engsvanyali. All the writings are from the liturgy of (aspect of voyeurism); SE A naked, barely post-
Dlamelish. Each plaque could be worth up to a few pubescent young woman kneeling down with hands
hundred kaitars to an interested collector. cupped before a mouth open in an expression of lust;
Centre A black stone statue of a beautiful naked woman
As the party enters they will see and hear a beautiful young with arms extended upward in a pose of celebration or
woman with paper-white skin singing. She is naked except victory. It stands on a square platform whose supports
for a loincloth. This is a Yelethalissa, an upgraded and have been fashioned into the likeness of 4 imp-like
more potent version of the androids known as Yeleths. demons (this is a representation of Dlamelish as the Ebon
She speaks only in Engsvanyali to newcomers, asking them Princess of the Dark). The floor surrounding the statue is
if they have come to worship the goddess. Regardless of engraved with a spiral 2 inches deep and 4 inches wide. It
their answer (if any) she will attack the intruders after one is stained with a shade of red so deep it almost looks black,
round, beginning by unleashing her hypnotic power on the ancient dried blood from millenia-old sacrifices.
closest foes. Any hypnotized victims are ordered to protect
her but unless they speak Engsvanyali there is only a 5% 5. Antechamber of the Treasure Room. Anyone
chance they will understand the command and should they entering this room will immediately notice evidence of
fail to do so will remain listless and dazed until the effect fighting. The walls bear the marks of blows and cuts.
passes or the order is repeated and understood. If the Several human skeletons and the desiccated husk of a Pe
Yelethalissa is reduced to half Hit Points she will try to run Choi lie on the floor. All show signs of violence. The only
away. Hypnotized victims return to normal after the an- object in the room is a reddish, oversized polearm lying
droid is destroyed or flees. Yelethalissa: AC 4, HD 6, M 9, near the centre. The polearm is made of some unknown
Morale 4+, Dmg +1d6+1, Special: Hypnosis (1-6 victims plastic-like substance that is both harder and lighter than
per turn to a maximum of 6), +2 To Hit. Treasure: Jade cheln-hide. It can be used by anyone in battle regardless of
plaques and the Yelethalissa silvery alloy shortsword (+2 their STR but will cause a 2 penalty on the to hit roll of
to Hit, +1 to Dmg, aligned with Change). the user due to its awkward size. There is a Qumqum
bound to the room. It lies waiting in extra-planar space
2. Room of Orgiastic Frescos. The walls have been and wont reveal itself unless anyone enters the northern
painted with representations of a huge temple orgy where corridor. Then it manifests, seizes the polearm, and
priests and priestesses of Dlamelish are performing lurid assaults the nearest creature. If a character has the polearm
sexual acts. Some of the celebrants are warrior-priests, and he or she must roll 3d100 under STR to hold on to it;
still wear parts of their armour as they engage in inter- failure requires a d100 DEX roll to avoid falling down.
course. If the south door is opened a number of the Everyone in the party should roll for surprise when it
warrior-priest frescos equal to the party size -1 will jump appears. Qumqum (extraplanar entity): AC 6(3), M 12,
out of the walls, leaving black silhouettes behind, and HD 9, Dmg: as per EPT damage dice table + 1d6+2, it
attack. They all carry green wickedly barbed blades or will not check for morale and fights until death.
phallus-shaped maces. When killed they disintegrate into
a cloud of colored dust. The first time this happens in 6. Halls of Aqueous Purification. The walls of this room
melee the referee should ask a d100 DEX roll to avoid lo- are adorned with colourful pictures depicting naked people
sing ones balance and falling to the ground. Animated frolicking in water, either at rivers and lakes or in indoor
frescoes: AC 2, MV 6, HD 4, Dmg 2d6 (weapon). pools and baths. A 10 by 40 empty pool lies at the centre.
There are several stone benches along the north and south
3. Looted Treasure Chamber. The door to this chamber walls. This is where the priests of Dlamelish took their
has been smashed open and the contents ransacked. Old ceremonial baths before engaging in certain rituals.
ruined and opened chests are lying all about. Oddly, there
is an untouched circular white marble table at the centre 7. The Room of Learning Globes. This room contains 8
with a huge green emerald shaped like a tear (worth 5000k) low black tables made of vres-wood that have resisted the
and an Eye of the Ancients (Eye of Frigid Breath, ravages of time. On each table is a large white globe made
inscription in Bednalljan, 21 charges). of a grainy, extremely hard, and surprisingly light substance
with 10 coin-sized circular marks on each hemisphere. A
4. Altar to the Goddess Dlamelish. The walls of this female voice singing a love ballad in Engsvanyali can be
room are of a deeper shade of green than the rest of the heard here (the Yelethalissa in 1). If someone takes the
complex and are bare of images or inscriptions. There is a time to examine all the globes he or she discerns that 3
human-sized statue in each corner and a larger one at the emit a soft pulsating red light from the indentations. The
centre. Statues: NW A tall, muscular female warrior in positioning of these marks roughly fit the fingertips of an
78
average sized human hand. Anyone touching or picking up
an active globe by the marks must roll a Save vs. Eyes. The
consequences of success or failure are detailed below. As
all 3 active globes look the same it is suggested the referee
determine which the character picked randomly.

The Globes: These are variations of the fabled Globes of

Instruction of the Great Ancients, adapted to the needs
of the cult of Dlamelish. Each of the active ones will assail
the minds of those who hold them by the markings with a
flood of experiences. Each globe will only work once and
then become inactive.

Globe A War. Visions: The character finds himself in the

middle of a raging, fantastical battle on an ever-changing
field where all manner of human, nonhuman and demonic
armies fight unceasingly. Battle magic and artifacts of the
Ancients are used in abundance. The character will slay
enemies by the score in a variety of methods and is himself
killed several times over in equally creative ways, only to be
reborn again and again to join the fray anew. Saving throw:
Success Character learns new fighting techniques and
gains a permanent +1 to hit with his preferred weapon.
Failure Character is afflicted with fear of battle for 1d3
months and suffers 2 to hit and 1 damage.

Globe B Strange Vistas. Visions: This globe contains

memories of a score of expeditions into the infinite planes
of the Multiverse. The torrent of images ranges from pla-
cid summer afternoons in Jaklla to Lovecraftian, sanity-
crushing alien worlds and even a glimpse at the homes of
the Deities themselves. Saving throw: Success Character
remembers a portion of what he has seen and gains the
Scholar (Planes of Existence) skill. Failure Character suf-
fers from fear of learning for 1d3 months. The character
cannot gain any new skills or learn new spells until cured.

Globe C Orgiastic Sex. Visions: The character finds himself

in an immense orgy where he partakes of a dazzling variety 9. Room of Summoning Maraggu. Along the west wall
of inventively debauched sexual acts. Saving throw: Suc- of this room is a black, low stone shelf with dozens of
cess The character learns new methods of seducing and severed skeletal hands and forearms (human and
pleasuring others. Gain the Courtesan/Don Juan skill. If nonhuman alike) neatly placed in a row. Placed in front of
the character already has this skill he gets two tries on fu- this shelf is a statue of the demoness Maraggu, made of the
ture attempts. Failure Character is scarred by the experi- unperishable plastic of the Ancients, looking like a naked
ence and will be affected by fear of sex for 1d3 months. lissome human woman with the head of a hook-beaked
He or she will steadfastly refuse to partake on sexual beast. The creature has 4 arms and holds an object in each.
intercourse and shy away from any intimate propositions. The severed human head is part of the statue, but all the
other objects are real and can be removed effortlessly. The
8. Ancient Prison. This large dusty room has rather dirty statue is oddly warm to the touch and so realistically
walls and contains piles of bones (human and otherwise). sculpted it looks almost alive. An inscription at the base, in
There are no full skeletons. Chlen-hide chains ruined by Classical Tsolyani, says Maraggu. The chalice is a Cup of
time hang from the walls at several intervals. This is where Subadim the Sorcerer with 77 charges; the blade is an
future sacrifices to the goddess were kept before the excellent steel shortsword with +2 to hit and +1 damage,
ceremonies. A search of the prison walls reveals graffiti in aligned with Change (inflicts 2d6 damage on Stability
Classical Tsolyani near holds for missing chains: Blue, aligned characters that pick it up); the baton is a Wand of
blue, red, green, blue, yellow, white. This is the sequence Exquisite Power over Maidens, 73 charges, inscription in
necessary to unlock the portal in 12.
79
Bednalljan and no dial (works exactly as the Eye of the Temple of Dlamelish while a grandiose party-orgy takes
same name). This is a very rare item, a techno-magical place above to celebrate the coming of the rainy season.
device from the high Engsvanyali Era. The wand is made Indeed, while the group explored the Tsuruum the skies
of a golden metallic alloy of some kind and like an eye it brought their bounty and the first monsoon of the season
has a stud that can be depressed and a small lens on the rains torrentially outside. The corridors here are of grey-
tip. This item is priceless to any historian, scholar of greenish stone (not bricks), and the complex is well-lit.
Engsvanyali, or priestess of the pleasure goddesses.
To exit the temple safely the characters have two main
10. Entry Hall. This room is dusty and bare of anything options, their own clever plans not included. They can
of interest. This is where characters arrive. attempt to disguise themselves as revellers and make their
way to the main exit. This will not be hard as long as one is
11. Hall of the Those Departed in Ecstasy. Mummified willing to strip and leave almost all gear behind. This
female and male corpses with smiling wooden masks have means forsaking any armour, weapons larger than a dagger
been placed in various sexual positions around the and all gear and loot save what half-naked people might
chamber, atop raised stone slabs. Some of the mummies conceal in a closed fist or loincloth. Once outside the main
have fallen from their slab, other are missing heads or entry and into the outpouring rain, unless there is a
limbs, etc, but most are intact. These walls are adorned contingent of guards hot on their heels the group is safe.
with paintings of the summoning of the demon The other solution is revealed by observation. The charac-
Ruutlanesh, who is depicted as a coiling, rolling mass of ters may notice that the serving-slaves tiptoeing about the
smoke and tentacles covered with months. A procession of crowd seem to come from an area in the southern wall
celebrants walks towards the thing, each carrying a leaf or where no visible passage is seen. Here the kitchens are
plaque of some sort. All are of different colours (blue, accessed via a concealed wall panel. It is just a question of
blue, red, green, blue, yellow and white) which seem to sneaking 40 feet clinging to the south wall until one sees
contrast oddly with the pictorial motif of the whole scene. the panel door opening for a slave. Anyone following this
passage soon comes into a massive and confusing kitchen,
12. Circular Shaft Going Up. Rungs on the west wall lead filled with vapours and milling slaves. One of the many
up a circular well-like vertical tunnel on the ceiling. The passages there will lead to a secondary service door,
passage becomes a long upward chimney, going as far up unlocked and unguarded. The question is which one?
as the eye can see. Those climbing will eventually lose sight Perhaps the slaves might know? Other methods of escape
of the ground. The climb is not difficult due to the rungs are possible but require GM adjudication.
and requires no dice rolls, but any character falling the full
length of the shaft will most assuredly meet his doom. The
walls of the shaft are in a bad state: what one assumes are
green bricks is actually plaster that is coming off to reveal a
circular wall of metal(!) As one ascends, the rungs become
metal as well after a minute or so of climbing.

After a long trip upward a 20x30 room made entirely of

metal is finally reached. There is a perfectly circular man-
sized, iris-shaped indentation on the eastern wall with a
symbol of Dlamelish painted on it, discoloured by time.
To the right of the door is a rectangular panel composed
of 8 coloured squares (red, blue, green, yellow, white,
black, orange and purple). These panels light up momen-
taryily if touched by bare human skin. After 7 of them
have been depressed the iris-door will either open with the
silent gracefulness of a flower (assuming the correct
sequence blue, blue, red, green, blue, yellow, and white as
been introduced) or the person touching the last panel is
zapped for 2d6 damage without any Saving Throw. Once
the iris-door is open the party can enter the Temple of
Dlamelish proper and the last part of the adventure. 1. Pool of the Eels. This chamber contains a 10x10 pool
with live blind eels, considered sacred to the cult of
Part V: The Temple of Dlamelish. In this small final Dlamelish. They are 7 long, tentacle-like and jet-black. A
part of the adventure the party stands within reach of free- priest of mid-circle is occupied tossing food morsels into
dom, but a single mistake can cause a horde of temple the waters as he recites a ritual mantra. He is guarded by
guards to pursue them. They are in the basement of a four temple guards and served by two male slaves who
80
hold trays with the eel food. The group in this room must downside, once blades are drawn and they attack the PCs
roll for surprise when they first see the party. The priest will be unable to communicate with each other except by
will immediately cry out for the intruders blood. As shouting in each others ears. Any worshipper of
everyone is concentrated on the eels feeding frenzy it is Dlamelish knows exactly where she is. The tunnels to the
possible to spy on them undetected from the corridor. If west and north lead to areas forbidden to non-priests (and
combat ensues and someone falls into the pool during scores of temple guards) while the wide and noisy passage
combat they will certainly be bitten by the eels (1d4 dmg/ east opens to the Grand Chamber and hence to the exit.
round) who regard any person as a massive morsel of
food. It requires a d100 STR roll to pull out of the pool. 6. Grand Chamber of Festivities. The Ritual of the
Ritual Priest of Dlamelish (3rd Level Priest): AC 8, HD Coming Forth of the Blessed Humidity is in full swing
2+1, HP 9, M 12, Dmg 1d6+1d4 (dagger), no spells. 4 here. The massive chambers atmosphere is thick with the
Temple Guards (2nd Level Warriors): AC 5 (light chain + smell of redolent perfumes, drugs, incense, human sweat
shield), HD 2, M 9, Dmg 2d6 (sword). and the all the scents associated with sexual intercourse. A
multitude of half naked celebrants fills the dimly lit hall
2. Storeroom. Unlocked wooden door. This room smells from one end to the next, barely discernible in the half-
heavily of salt and fish food. This is where the barrels with light the few green paper lanterns provide except as a
the ritual eel food are kept. rolling, trysting, rhythmic mass of lust. Every conceivable
perversion is being catered to here. No further description
3. Slave Quarters. The slaves that work in this section of of these festivities will be provided as the referee should (if
the temple live in these cramped quarters, with every he wishes so) elaborate the catalogue of sins according to
square inch of floor covered by bedmats. At any given the good (or bad) taste of his gaming group. No map is
time there are 2d4 slaves present here eating meals or provided for this chamber as it is unlikely tactical battle is
resting from their daily chores. These wretches will at first what will lead the party to safety here.
almost die of fright if confronted with a party of well-
armed strangers, and will readily tell them everything they Conclusion: When the group exits the Temple it is late
know. They are familiar with the layout of the temple and afternoon and the city is drenched with torrential rains. If
can tell the group about the ceremony taking place in the Mizothlu is still alive they may return to the Edifice and
main hall above. Should the party decide to exterminate refresh themselves in the slaves quarters; otherwise they
these potential witnesses they might be in for a surprise, must look to themselves. Either way, a few days later
for the slaves are surprisingly fit and fight as cornered. everyone receives a message to meet with a representative
Even if naked and weaponless they try to use pilling tactics of Nighted Tower in one of the Imperial resthouses in the
to bring the PCs down and the first one to escape will run Foreign Quarter. Mizothlu (or his replacement) is in a
like mad, crying bloody horror and attracting the attention particularly foul mood that day. The payment for acquiring
of 1d6+6 temple guards in 1d4+2 rounds. Slaves (2nd the gem is but 2000 kaitars each. Two full teams were lost
Level Warriors): AC 9, HD 2, MV 12, Dmg 1d6 together with all their equipment (including several steel
(unarmed), Wrestling 55%. weapons) and the costs of these plus the Shamtla paid to
the immediate families of the vanished clan members have
4. Temple Guard Barracks. Unlocked wood door. Any- eaten away the missions profits. Alas, Mizothlu will not be
one taking the time to listen will hear the sound of merry able to retire just yet, nor will the PCs. The characters will
revelry coming from the inside. The guards in these bar- get to split 50% of any coin and jewels found by the party
racks are all off-duty and either very drunk or drugged. If among all the surviving PCs and NPCs. As for any artifacts
the party enters some will greet the strangers warmly while brought back from the Tsuruum, they will be given a
others look on quizzically. Good roleplaying might actually choice of half their number, rounded down, to divide
bluff the guards into an amicable chat. They know about among them. If the party returned without the gem, the
as much as the slaves in 2 and some plan to join the mood is even more downcast, the 2000 kaitars will not be
festivities above latter. 8 Temple Guards: (as in 1 but with paid, and only treasure-shares will be received.
AC 7, 1 to hit and +2 morale due to intoxication).
If Mizothlu is dead when the group escapes, some parties
5. Huge Idol. The stairway leads up to a large 60x60 may consider forgoing the payment and just running away
square hall where a massive 40 tall statue of a 4-legged, 4- with all the loot. At a minimum, such groups had better
armed and 4-headed demonic Aspect of Dlamelish squats. leave Jaklla: the Clan of Nighted Tower and the Temples
Three sober and fully-equipped temple guards are enjoying of Dlamelish and Thumis (informed by Nighted Tower
a game of kevuk at the south of the statue. They will be after the betrayal) will all be on the lookout for such
surprised on a roll of 1-4. From the passage to the east ignoble, unlicensed, and possibly clanless tomb-robbers.
comes loud dissonant music and the sounds of a huge Characters caught will be subjected to mind-bending
orgy. Such is the level of noise that a small army could torture for some time, though kind GMs might eventually
fight a battle here without the revellers noticing. On the release them stripped of all equipment and wealth.
81
The Magic of Mistworld: Offensive Magic:
Spells and Counterspells Aether Flurry (Level 2): The caster creates a crinkle in
by Steve Marsh space and throws it at a 10 area within 40. All in that
area are displaced 3d6 feet in a random direction (no save).
Mistworld resembles a ball of steel wool, formed as a side Dispel Flurry: Hail Storm, Hellas Flame
effect of shunting a supernova so that another world Protect Single Person: Seraphim Shield
would not be destroyed. The filaments range from
hundreds of miles across to so fine that they cannot be Blinding Bolt (Level 2): This spell causes a bolt of violet-
seen by the human eye, crossing and interconnecting like white and blue fire to streak towards the target from the
an Escheresque, three-dimensional spiders web. Upon this casters forehead. If a save is missed the target is blinded
web are rocks, trees, rivers, life; all around it are a rust-like for 1-6 rounds and then at -2 to hit etc. for 1-6 more.
cosmic debris and haunting clouds of mist. In this Negated By: Geas Barding, Flaming Wheel
fantastical setting, magic, monsters, technology, and much Half Duration: Seraphim Shield
else have their own special character. In this article we will 50% to stop each effect: Hail Storm, Hellas Flame
examine some of the spells and counterspells that the
mages of Mistworld use in their magical duels. Dancing Daggers (Level 2): 1d6 black daggers wreathed
in red flames appear behind the casters head. They fly
If you use these spells along with an initiative system, it is towards any targets chosen within 80, doing 1d6 each.
recommended that you allow counterspelling wizards to All Deflected By: Seraphim Shield, Alias Cloak
cast their counterspells out of turn, using up their action Up to 2 Deflected By: Whirlwind, Agnis Breath
for that round when they do so. This is especially true if Half Damage: Sparking Ice, Suns Eye
you play with Vancian magic: its hard enough to use a
memorized counterspell effectively even with this rule in Freezing Lance (Level 2): The caster creates a brown-
play. Describe the offensive magics that others use and green shaft of paralytic, shocking cold that fires out to 80.
then let players abort their action for an instant counters- It does 2d6+2 damage and the target must make a save or
pell if desired. If enemy mages have counterspells, you may be completely paralyzed for a full round.
wish to have them make intelligence rolls or the like to Fully Deflected By: Sparkling Ice, Suns Eye
figure out what is being thrown at them, so as not to make Half Damage and +3 Save: Alias Cloak, Flaming Wheel
things too tough on PC mages. Magic items with embed- -2 Damage and +1 Save: Shattered Ice, Airy Eruption
ded counterspells can make especially choice treasures.

82
Still Earth (Level 2): This spell creates 3d6 brown hands Medusas Gaze (Level 6): The casters head shimmers,
with green claws that boil along the plane of the casters and her eyes form violet-white rays that shoot into those
feet towards the target to 80. The targets feet and legs are of a target within 20, petrifying it unless a save is made.
firmly grasped for 2d6 rounds, so that not even a giant can Blocked By: Geas Barding, Sparkling Ice
break free. The target can however fight, cast spells, etc. Petrify Reduced to 3d6 Rounds By: Airy Eruption, Hellas
Hands Destroyed By: Sparkling Ice, Suns Eye Flame, Dusty Whirlwind, Agnis Breath
Half Duration: Shattered Ice, Airy Eruption
Extra Save Each Round: Alias Cloak, Flaming Wheel
Defensive Magic: These spells come in two types. Shields
Confusion Cloud (Level 3): The casters breath spews protect the caster (sometimes one other) and last the
forth in a violet-white cloud over a single target within 80, casters level in rounds. Whirlwinds last but one round but
acting as confusion magic for 1d6+1 rounds on failed save. can protect a whole party (10 radius).
Dispelled By: Geas Barding
Duration Reduced to 1 Round By: Seraphim Shield Whirlwinds are all level 1 and include Hail Storm (a black
Target Picks Better of 2 Confusion Rolls: Hellas Flame and white explosion of hail), Airy Eruption (blue
streamers), Hellas Flame (green pinpoints bursting into
Deafening Chimes (Level 3): Black chimes appear over red-yellow flames), Dusty Whirlwind (blue stars fading to
the caster and float to a location within 40. They play brown dust), Agnis Breath (red flames come from
loudly and drown out all sound (no verbal spells) within casters body and condense into green dewdrops), and
10, as well as deafening targets for 1d6 rounds (save negs). Shattered Ice (black crystals bursting into shattered
Dispelled By: Hail Storm, Agnis Breath snowflakes). During the round the whirlwind is up, missile
One Target Protected By: Suns Eye attacks against anyone within are at -4.

Fireblast (Level 3): This spell functions familiarly. Shields work as follows:
Dissipates: Dusty Whirlwind
Protects 1 Target and Halves Damage for All: Sparkling Ice Seraphim Shield (Level 1): In addition to its magical
defense, this black floating shield with fluid green device
Poseidons Trident (Level 4): The caster spits a blurry acts as a +1 shield that does not require a hand. It can be
glob out to 40, where it explodes in a 20 blast of blue- directed to protect any one person near the caster.
green prongs. Everything within the blast radius takes 5d4
physical damage, with no save allowed. Sparkling Ice (Level 2): Green and black ice crystals form
Destroy All Prongs: Airy Eruption, Hail Storm around and coat the casters body. In addition to their
Protect 1 Target: Flaming Wheel magical protection, these create a substantial glare, making
it -3 to hit the caster and giving the caster a +3 bonus on
Wind of Rust (Level 4): A blue wind flecked with red rises saves against all targeted effects.
like a cloak from the caster, sweeping out a 10 path 40 in
front of the caster. All non-magical metal armor and Geas Barding (Level 3): Brown bands solidify in circles
weapons in its path are disintegrated (no save). around either the casters body or the body of a single
Wind Dispersed By: Hail Storm, Dusty Whirlwind chosen target. In addition to magical protection, these act
Target Protected By: Geas Barding as weightless plate mail for the person wearing them.

Blacklung (Level 5): The caster exhales a blue-black Flaming Wheel (Level 4): A blazing red wheel with a
stream of smoke to 20 that pours into the targets lungs. black hub forms around the casters head. Along with spell
The target must make a save immediately to avoid passing protection, it will completely vaporize all normal missiles
out and a second in 1d6+1 melee rounds to avoid dying. fired at the caster in flame.
No effect on demons and creatures which dont breathe.
Blocked By: Alias Cloak, Flaming Wheel Suns Eye (Level 4): A third eye of violet-red opens in the
50% Chance to Block: Airy Eruption, Hellas Flame, Dusty casters forehead (or in that of a designated target within
Whirlwind, Agnis Breath 5). In addition to magical protection, anyone facing the
the third eye automatically acts after its host in battle (loses
Enchamberment (Level 6): A black-brown ray stabs from initiative to it) each subsequent round.
the casters fingers towards a target within 20. On a failed
save the target is entombed inside the nearest body of Alias Cloak (Level 5): A green cloak with blue patterns
metal, up to 2000 below the casters feet. weaves around the caster. Aside from its magical defense,
Deflected By: Sparkling Ice, Alias Cloak it can be used to completely shield the caster or a person
50% Dissipation: Airy Eruption, Hellas Flame, Dusty held in his or her arms from one attack each round.
Whirlwind, Agnis Breath
83
Oceanian Legends: The fragments do offer hints. The Khuzell Encomium to
Nardross, for instance, refers to a poison rain that was
The Scouring of Echro colorless yet sang like serpents while Graccos Eleven
by Del Lawrence Beaudry Perfidies avers that the Eldren kingdom was undone by
blasphemy against the Outer Dark. Its lords and ladies
Even from across Cellex Bay, Echros monstrous peaks were punished for laughing at the Void, a phrase that
wrack the horizon: the fractured spearheads of some has vexed generations of scholars.2
submarine titan grown angry at the sky. As your ferry
draws closer, details emerge. Rank over rank of enormous Intriguing, certainly, but far from definitive. Somewhat
stone landings march up and away toward the central surprisingly, perhaps, Selidarkan sources are no more
plateau, webbed in intricate stonework. Vaulted causeways definitive. Much was destroyed during the Reign of the
and arched aqueducts, tall houses and watchtowers, all Heretics (620-685 SE), and more lost with The Sundering
linked by the diagonal network of Korali roads. The high of the Colleges (1911 SE), which dispersed Iltheons
desert beyond is indiscernible, cloaked in dirty haze. (A ancient scrolls to Oceanias farthest corners.
map of Echro is visible on the back cover Ignatius.)
About Oceania
Today, the Echronean interior is a sterile wasteland of Oceania is an imaginary world originally established by Del
stone and clay and yellow dust. It has no natural Beaudry and Sean Stidd in 1981. From its inception,
watercourses and no native flora beyond lichen and moss. Oceania has served as a setting for fantasy role-play using a
But eight millennia ago, when the Eldren first pulled their variety of rules systems, including AD&D. More recently,
canoes and long ships onto the narrow beaches of Strangle it has provided background and characters for Del and
Strand, they found a garden. Mango and cassava trees Seans sword and sorcery fiction, which they hope to
crowded the steep canyons, perched amid a jumble of publish. Del still runs in Oceania when time allows.
ferns and lichen. Peccary squash and rhubarb grew wild.
Game was plentiful. The new land was beautiful and rich, What accounts remain do little more than repeat popular
just as their goddess, Queen Eve1, had promised. myth: After a siege lasting decades, the Selidarkan invaders
breached the crystalline towers of Lucentyre and scattered
Casual visitors rarely grasp the extent of Echros deva- the Eld to the wind and waves, slaughtering untold
station. The precincts that ring Cellezine coast are enliv- thousands as they fled. Then, for sheer contempt, they
ened by roof-gardens and public orchards. With the aid of called down the power of the stars and blasted every living
imported soil, plant-life flourishes in ten-thousand nooks thing to cinder, scouring the land, leaving only bare stone.3
and stony hollows. The Kydragae provide ample water. For a fuller treatment, we must with serious reservation
And in any event it is Echros civilized pursuits which at- look to The Georgics of Selvin the Younger4, (composed
tract tourists. Who wants to suffer the dust and enervating between 900 and 1100 SE), specifically to that section
heat of the Yellow Lands when the game-halls, race popularly known as The Fall of Lucentyre, which knits
courses and slave-pens of Scydrinth are so close at hand?

Take the Korali Road north from Iperia, past the 2

Gracco was an avowed diabolist, and this bias renders
tessellated gardens of the Tablelands, past even high- interpretation difficult. Current scholarship is split between
walled Tr, and you will see Echro as it truly is. To the left, those who argue for a positive reading (that is, the Faerie Kings
the bare bones of mountains piled one upon the other. To did in fact do something which provoked the Outsiders wrath)
the right, a poisoned steppe caked in yellow dust. Beyond and the opposing camp which views the phrase as an ex-post
that, the sea. To look upon such utter desolation is facto rhetorical flourish (i.e. Gracco is heaping scorn on an
inevitably to wonder that it could ever harbor life. What ideological enemy already vanquished.
3
happened to the land? Or rather, how was the land laid For this account, it is traditional to cite Alby of Traskus. Recent
waste, and why? For answers we have little choice but to scholarship suggests he may have simply copied from The Hielic
lean heavily on traditional accounts. Only a handful of Commonplace (no longer extant), though this remains disputed.
written records survive from pre-Selidarkan times, and The Eldren Bequeathers tell a similar (though much longer) tale.
4
these suffer greatly from mistranslation and corruption. The Georgics shortcomings as a source are many; space allows
mention of only the most serious. 1) Selvin championed the Fey
and loathed the Faerie. Thus, he uses every opportunity to
portray the Eldren Fall as a product of the aristocracys moral
failings. 2) Selvins sources, while certainly Eldren, may not have
1
This is a colloquial rendering of the Eldren word Eventella, directly witnessed the events they recount. (Some scholars argue
which is both a proper name and an honorific. The Eld consider that given it was only lower-status and therefore younger Eld
its use impolite in casual conversation and substitute one of a who deigned to speak with Selvin, two or even three generations
seemingly endless string of euphemisms and cognomens must separate these respondents from the original events. That
depending upon the occasion. is, a period of between six hundred and fifteen hundred years.)
84
numerous Eldren folk accounts into a sprawling and huts of mud and wattle in the highlands of Norvar and
somewhat lurid epic of heroism and woe. Kendor? Surely sharpened sticks were no match for the
sky-sleds and fire-breathing efreet of Selidark!
Though rarely read nowadays, much of The Fall will be
nonetheless familiar to the modern ear by way of A quick slice with Occams Razor reveals a better
schoolbook summary or fairytale. Here is the tale of Gellex explanation. Suppose the Scouring was not the sudden,
and Callestro, those incestuous lovers whose exile provides cataclysmic event we have been given to believe. Rather, it
pretext for the Selidarkan invasion, as well as the tragio- was a stratagem employed by Starells forces to starve out
comic story of Clorest the Unfair, whose warnings to the Lucentyres citizenry. To prevent any resupply of the city,
Lords of Lucentyre go unheeded on account of her the entire island was systematically scorched. What coun-
homeliness. tryfolk survive are reduced to anthrophagy.

Most contemporary editions include related material from If this is correct, one must posit a more exact means than
The Khatrubian Codex, compiled by his pupil, Keskis. Albys power of the stars. The anchorite Kaylith pre-
The most salient of these are The Journeys of Herald sents a possibility in her quasi-ecclesiastical tract Against
Iven, which elaborates the half-bloods heros daring but the Neologins. Citing such disparate sources as Kalentine
ultimately unsuccessful effort to rally the Eld of Fabled xenomantic tractates and Valenskender chronicles, she
Xeron to their kinfolks aid; and the Duel of Starell and argues that the Selidarkans of the fifth and sixth century
Arctus, a fascinating but almost certainly spurious ac- lacked the sorcerous wherewithal to affect such immediate
count of a personal combat between the Selidarkan com- and absolute devastation.5 Rather, she claims, they relied
mander and the King of the Eld. on the technical prowess of their Newtling thralls, who
produced an armada of ominous and fantastical machines
Despite their operatic excesses, The Georgics are for use in travel and warfare.
indispensable to scholars of prehistoric Echro. Consider
Canto 231. Here the troubadour Pellerine adumbrates the Which brings us back to the Khuzell Encomium and its
woes of the country folk before the Lords of Lucentyre, colorless rain. Might not such a thing be released
declaiming: through nozzles from high above, a poison or taint driz-
zled upon the Echroneon foliage by airborne men-of-war?
Through petrified forests, across scorched Lest this sound too far-fetched, recall that the existence of
Promenades, by crook and rock and bare-handed, such vessels is well-attested. Although none have survived
Eld stalks Eld; all against allfor meat. the millennia intact, many artifacts remain. These, along
with explanatory texts and diagrams, may be examined at
Commentators have traditionally taken this to mean simply the Imperial Ostenda at Iltheon, and also at the Peoples
that famine was afoot and therefore the populace fought Circus, in Zarabor.
over dwindling provisions. Whespern is one of the few to
argue otherwise. His contention, resoundingly ignored un- An obscure Khatrubian text, Azaels Folly, makes brief
til recently, is that Pellerines declamation actually describes reference to the Echroneon conflagration in the following
cannibalism. If he is right and the philological evidence fashion: Let the Eldren still their tongues and make no
does appear to support him then we must revise our tra- complaint/for their land is void/cut down piecemeal/by
ditional notions of how Echros devastation came about. deadly panes.6

In the traditional tale the Scouring of Echro comes after Its anonymous author was, like all Khatrubians, a fatalist.
Lucentyre has already fallen. It serves no military purpose. His writes to affirm Fates absolute sovereignty. In the
Instead, it is an act of supernatural castigation designed to songs and laments of the Eldren Bequeathers he hears not
sow awe and despair amongst any who might think to only grief, as is proper, but also resentment, which is
resist Selidarkan dominion. The Scouring serves to send a blasphemy. His rebuke, while perhaps cruel, serves to
message, as it were. remind the Eldren that their downfall was not an injustice
but rather another instance of fates blind and infallible
Other issues aside, a moments reflection reveals this agency.
account to be highly suspect. If the purpose of the
Scouring was primarily rhetorical, to whom was this dire 5
The apogee of Selidarkan sorcery dates to the 11th and 12th
demonstration in fact directed? The Eldren? Their nation Centuries, when the black magicians of Iltheon began their
was broken, their populace decimated. The Mu? Possible, unnatural congress with the wholly alien things that dwell in the
though most scholars place the Mu-ish civilization in an Deep Void, beyond the Sea of Stars.
era that predates the advent of Selidark. Moreover, extant 6
Pane, in the sense used here, suggests something that flutters,
document testifies to any conflict with that people. The like cloth, but which also allows light to pass (i.e. is transparent ).
barbarous Kormand and Valenite tribes who built their
85
86
Creepies & Crawlies KLECTARR
Number Appearing: 1
a pentad of punishing pests by Jeff Rients Intelligence: high intelligence but low wisdom
Alignment: neutral
ELECTRIC DEATH Type: giantkin
Number Appearing: 1-4 Speed: 9
Intelligence: average Defense Class: 7
Alignment: chaos Level: 3+1
Type: undead Special Characteristics: obsession, hurl boulder
Speed: 9 Damage: 2-7 (big club)
Defense Class: 6 Size: large
Level: 3+3
Special Characteristics: zap, vulnerable to water Klectarrs resemble pudgy ogres with 1-12 eyes. These eyes
Damage: 2-12 are set deeper into the skull than most humanoids, giving
Size: medium these creatures terrible peripheral vision and making them
more susceptile to sneak attacks (+3 damage). Every
Electric Deaths are cackling, crackling skeletons, clad in Klectarr has a single obsession. Usually this obsession
black robes and supercharged with electricity. A pale blue takes the form of a need to collect a specific type of
aurora surrounds them at all times, making them easy (+2) physical object (swords, gems, turnips, etc.) but sometimes
bow targets in dark dungeons. These creatures damage by the obsession focuses on a person or place or a type of
touch, delivering an electric jolt for 2-12 points or firing a knowledge (songs, the history of warfare, riddles, etc.).
bolt of electricity up to 120' away for 1-6 points. Anyone Within the scope of its obsession a klectarr ranks as a
striking an Electric Death with a metal melee weapon supreme authority and can answer questions much like a
suffers 1-6 points of zapping. Electric Deaths take double sage. A klectarr might join a company of adventurers when
damage from Holy Water and being splashed with any his obsession and their own interests overlap, but these
other form of water inflicts 1-6 damage. Anyone killed by creatures cannot be trusted once they have found the
an Electric Death is reduced to a pile of smoldering ash. object of their desires. Klectarrs can hurl small boulders
much like giants, but for only 2-7 points to a range of 9".
HUNGRY PYRAMID A Klectarr can hurl but one or two boulders before
Number Appearing: 1 becoming too winded to continue such exertions.
Intelligence: average to high
Alignment: neutral STUN SPIDER
Type: cephalopod Number Appearing: 1-6
Speed: 1 Intelligence: semi-intelligent
Defense Class: 2 Alignment: chaos
Level: 15 Type: mutant arachnid
Special Characteristics: concealment Speed: 6
Damage: 1d6 plus grab Defense Class: 3
Size: large Level: 6
Special Characteristics: energy powers
This strange relative of the kraken makes its home in des- Damage: 1-6 plus poison
erts. Normally only the upper portion of its shell, which Size: large
bears an uncanny resemblance to a stone pyramid, rises
above the dunes. As treasure-hunters and curiosity-seekers Like most such critters the giant Stun Spider has a poison
approach within 50 feet of this faux pharoanic construc- bite, but it is a weak venom with +2 to save and only
tion the tentacles of the Hungry Pyramid snake up through doing an additional 1-6 points on a failed roll. Stun
the sands. Anyone struck by a tentacle is grabbed, then Spiders have an hyperactive pineal gland which allows
pulled under 1-4 rounds later. Giant strength is needed to them to fire a stun ray every other round. The target of
escape, else damage to the tentacle may cause it to let go the ray must save versus paralyzation of be stunned 2-12
(points inflicted equals the percentage chance of release). rounds. The Stun Spider can fire a disintegration ray as an
Anyone dragged under the sands will automatically be slain alternative, but it instinctively only targets physical barriers
the following combat round, crushed by the titanic beak or nonliving foes such as undead or robots. Monsters get a
hidden on the underside of the pyramidal shell. A saving throw versus death ray to avoid total obliteration,
particularly clever Hungry Pyramid will set up shop near success indicates the target merely sustains 2-12 points of
actual pyramids and pick off lone quarry by surprise. damage. Objects the size of the Stun Spider or smaller are
completely disintegrated while larger objects generally end
up with a spider-sized hole blasted through them. The
87
shock of being reduced to 5 HTK or less causes the Stun cerned with his owners ultimate fate beyond his own
Spider's pineal gland to overload, exploding in 1-6 combat interests. He is not under compulsion to provide warning,
rounds for 6-36 damage to everyone within 30'. If the answer a question, or even tell the truth.
creature is killed before time is up the overload is canceled.
The Ring of Spirits: This ring may be used to call forth
WERE-GATE potent spirits of the Underworld, and only functions deep
Number Appearing: 1 underground. The spirits can provide valuable advice, help
Intelligence: unknown recover lost treasures, transport the caller and his com-
Alignment: chaos panions to other Underworld realms, etc. The use of the
Type: transdimensional ring becomes hazardous if it is called upon too often, as
Speed: 12 too regular harassment enrages the slumbering spirits, who
Defense Class: 9 may consign the importunate annoyance to eternal
Level: 5 imprisonment or similarly unpleasant fate.
Special Characteristics: semi-corporeal
Damage: 3-18 plus dimensional shift
Size: M

One percent of all misfired teleportations leave a man-

sized hole punched through the fabric of spacetime.
These holes are angry. Called Were-Gates by some sages,
these strange creatures resemble humanoid-shaped portals
to different places in this or another universe. Because of
the universal distribution of matter, most Were-Gates
show the vasty deeps of space. A Were-Gate attacks by
reaching out to touch the target, who takes 3-18 points of
whithering damage from the utter cold or strange radia-
tions of space. Furthermore, anyone struck by these
hyperspatial fiends must save versus death ray or be
instantaneously teleported. Where the victim ends up is up
to the referee, but no two victims will be sent to the same
place unless they are favored by some great deity. Only
spells and enchanted weapons can effect Were-Gates. The Sword of Vilet Kanebe: Vilet Kanebes accursed
blade is -2 to hit. Opponents struck by the blade must roll
a save vs. death magic or be cursed themselves (-2 to all
rolls until removed, non-cumulative). If the wielder is slain,
Artifacts, Adjuncts, and Oddments his body immediately crumbles into dust and may never
by Gabor Lux more be brought back.

The Dust of Khalil Azim: A mixture ground from rare Sword of Owls: An ornate longsword with an onyx hilt in
spices and the innards of unearthed mummies. It functions the shape of an owl. The sword is +2 at night but
as an airborne poison. Beings slain by the dust return as nonmagical by day.
zombies in 1d4 rounds, and may be given verbal
commands as usual. 2d4 pinches are usually found. Frogbringer: A seemingly ordinary +1 sword. However,
the bearer is constantly harrassed by giant frogs, killer
Goatfoot Boots: These thick leather boots enable the frogs and assorted other batrachians, even in his most
wearer to take unusually great leaps, like a goat. They also pleasant moments. This can become decidedly unpleasant.
turn the wearers legs into goat feet. While beneficial in
some respects, this is considered a cursed item. Sword of the Thief (Santiago L. Zulgyan Ora): This
Chaotic +1 sword has Intelligence 7, Egoism 8. It posses
The Head of Agosten: This mummified head belonged the following powers: Locate Secret Doors, Detect Traps
to the long dead sage Agosten. The head speaks and and Detect Gold. It communicates by empathy with him
provides sage advice or answers certain questions. In who wields it, and understands all common human
exchange, it desires the burning of rare incense and tongues as well as the secret language of thieves. The
scented oils, and demands respectful, even extraordinary sword will lead the user into great danger in order to steal
treatment (such as a well-cushioned container made of the most guarded of treasures. Full of vanity, it will
noble woods, gold and mother of pearl, etc.). It must be demand to be sheathed in gold- and gem-encrusted
added that Agosten is not philanthropic, and is uncon- scabbards if it is to be shown off in public.
88