Tuesday, February 25, 2025

The Unusual Hoon


A legendary beast of the Tower Lands. It has the head and back legs of a vorn, the body of a horse, a long, serpentine neck, the forelegs of a zoat, and two tails with short, sleek fur all over. It can never be found by a person who has heard of it or seen it before, but only encountered accidentally by those who do not know what it is. This fact is not widely known; many hunters seek the Unusual Hoon eagerly, some throwing their whole lives away on the chase.

It's said that if you eat the flesh of the Unusual Hoon, your own flesh becomes halfway the stuff of legend. Any power or skill attributed to you in a story not of your own telling becomes yours in reality. However, there is a danger: if your legend is entirely forgotten, with no living soul remembering you, you will cease to exist.

The Unusual Hoon is a shy creature, usually fleeing when seen and only fighting when exhausted or cornered. It never truly dies. Even after being slain by one party, it may be encountered by others if they fulfil the conditions.

HD 5, speed 120', AC as leather, bite 1d8/kick 1d6, morale 4.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Manuals

Manuals

Manuals allow characters who can read them to learn new skills and techniques. If a manual is present in a hoard, roll 1d100 on the MANUALS table.

Roll Item
1-4 Apothecary I
5-7 II
8-9 III
10-13 Engineering I
14-16 II
17-18 III
19-22 Fieldcraft I
23-25 II
26-27 III
28-31 Locksmithing I
32-34 II
35-36 III
37-40 Navigation I
41-43 II
44-45 III
46-49 Physic I
50-52 II
53-54 III
55-56 Language Iolan
57-58 Kyrian
59-60 Ancaric
61-62 Tauruh
63 Koha'u
64 Tainish
65-69 barbaric
70-74 High Art
75-79 Tuning I
80-82 II
83-84 III
85 IV
86-90 Daemonology I
91-94 II
95-96 III
97 IV
98-99 Ignifer Mixing
100 Lightning Evasion

Apothecary I: Contains instructions for working with chemicals and mixing various substances, including cosmetics, drugs, acids, and poisons. Allows a character unskilled in apothecary to become skilled with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Apothecary II: Contains instructions for working with chemicals and mixing various substances, including cosmetics, drugs, acids, and poisons. Allows a skilled apothecary to become an expert with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Apothecary III: Contains instructions for working with chemicals and mixing various substances, including cosmetics, drugs, acids, and poisons. Allows an expert apothecary to become a master with a season’s uninterrupted study or a year’s regular reading while adventuring.

Engineering I: Contains instructions for building, maintaining, and operating machines. Allows a character unskilled in engineering to become skilled with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Engineering II: Contains instructions for building, maintaining, and operating machines. Allows a skilled engineer to become an expert with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Engineering III: Contains instructions for building, maintaining, and operating machines. Allows an expert engineer to become a master with a season’s uninterrupted study or a year’s regular reading while adventuring.

Fieldcraft I: Contains information about edible plants and fungi, advice on hunting and finding shelter, and instructions for purifying food and water in the wilderness. Allows a character unskilled in fieldcraft to become skilled with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Fieldcraft II: Contains information about edible plants and fungi, advice on hunting and finding shelter, and instructions for purifying food and water in the wilderness. Allows a skilled survivalist to become an expert with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Fieldcraft III: Contains information about edible plants and fungi, advice on hunting and finding shelter, and instructions for purifying food and water in the wilderness. Allows an expert survivalist to become a master with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Locksmithing I: Contains instructions for crafting and opening various types of locks. Allows a character unskilled in locksmithing to become skilled with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Locksmithing II: Contains instructions for crafting and opening various types of locks. Allows a skilled locksmith to become an expert with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Locksmithing III: Contains instructions for crafting and opening various types of locks. Allows an expert locksmith to become a master with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Navigation I: Contains information about the movements of celestial bodies. Allows a character unskilled in navigation to become skilled with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Navigation II: Contains information about the movements of celestial bodies. Allows a skilled navigator to become an expert with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Navigation III: Contains information about the movements of celestial bodies. Allows an expert navigator to become a master with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Physic I: Contains information about human and raun anatomy and instructions for treating various injuries and ailments. Allows a character unskilled in physic to become skilled with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Physic II: Contains information about human and raun anatomy and instructions for treating various injuries and ailments. Allows a skilled physician to become an expert with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring.

Physic III: Contains information about human and raun anatomy and instructions for treating various injuries and ailments. Allows an expert physician to become a master with a season’s uninterrupted study or a year’s regular reading while adventuring.

Language: A primer on a language. Allows a character to become half-fluent in that language with a month’s uninterrupted study or a season’s regular reading while adventuring. For dead languages, uninterrupted study takes a season and regular reading takes a year, and instruction is only for translating the language’s script into modern tongues.

High Art: Contains instructions for performing techniques of the High Arts of War. Allows a character to gain a Hit Die, up to a maximum of 4 Hit Dice, by studying it uninterrupted for a season or regularly for a year while adventuring. After absorbing the manual’s contents, the reader must undertake a perilous adventure described within it to solidify their understanding. If they fail or do not attempt the task promptly, they lose the Hit Die gained and can never learn this manual’s techniques.

Tuning: Contains instructions for casting spells, which a Tuner can learn by reading. The different tiers of Tuning manuals are classified by the number and power of the spells within, as shown.

  1. 1d4 spells of the 1st Circle.
  2. 1d6 spells of the 1st Circle, 1d4 spells of the 2nd Circle.
  3. 2d6 spells of the 1st Circle, 1d6 spells of the 2nd Circle, 1d4 spells of the 3rd Circle.
  4. 2d6 spells of the 1st Circle, 1d10 spells of the 2nd Circle, 1d6 spells of the 3rd Circle, 1d4 spells of the 4th Circle.

Daemonology: Contains descriptions and summoning names of daemons, which a Tuner can summon and bind using the appropriate spells. The different tiers of daemonology manuals are classified by the number and type of daemons they describe.

  1. 1d4 sprites.
  2. 1d6 sprites, 1d4 sandestins.
  3. 1d6 sprites, 1d6 sandestins, 1d4 espers.
  4. 1d8 sprites, 1d6 sandestins, 1d6 espers, 1d4 aeons.

Ignifer Mixing: Contains instructions for a skilled apothecary to make the potent chemical incendiary weapon known as ignifer. Combine one bottle of naphtha with resin, saltpeter, and powdered sparkskipper carapace (proscribed). Mix and distill using the process described within. Make a skill check with apothecary or similar. On a failure, the mixture explodes; save vs. flame. On a success, one bottle of ignifer is created. A thrown bottle of ignifer creates a pool of flame with a 5’ radius. All creatures caught in the initial spray or entering the pool must save vs. flame.

Lightning Evasion: Describes a technique for dodging lightning attacks. The name is technically a misnomer—lightning itself cannot be dodged by any known being. However, when Tuners conjure lightning, they do not merely unleash it to do as it wills, but rather channel it along invisible tethers of Dust that conduct it to the intended target. Through precise movement patterns, a warrior can sometimes throw off these tethers before they take hold, preventing the lightning that follows from finding its mark. A character who has studied this manual for a month uninterrupted or regularly for a season while adventuring suffers no damage on a successful save vs. lightning.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Trade Goods and Artifacts

Trade Goods

If a treasure hoard includes trade goods, 1d6 types of goods are present. Roll 1d100 for each type. Values given are averages when sold to an interested buyer; actual prices will vary. The goods listed are those most likely to be valuable enough to interest relic hunters. More common goods, like grain and textiles, may also be present.

Values for most goods are given per item slot. A character normally has 5 item slots on their belt and 10 more in their pack. A pack with 6 or more slots filled is heavy and contributes to encumbrance. A small sack has 6 slots, can be carried in one hand when full, and adds to encumbrance. A large sack has 12 slots, takes both hands, and adds significant encumbrance. Dust, used by the upper classes of the Tower Lands as standard currency, can be carried 100 Đ to an item slot.

Roll Item Description Price
1-2 Gold - 1,000 Đ per slot
3-5 Silver - 100 Đ per slot
6-9 Copper - 10 Đ per slot
10-12 Tin - 10 Đ per slot
13-16 Iron Rusts. 10 Đ per slot
17-18 Gemstones - 1d100*50 Đ per stone, 100 stones per slot
19-20 Silk Ruined by moisture. 50 Đ per slot
21-23 Furs - 1d10*10 Đ per pelt, 1 slot per 10 Đ
24-26 Leather - 10 Đ per slot
27-28 Sparkskipper powder Flammable, proscribed. 100 Đ per slot
29 Ivory - 1,000 per slot
30-31 Incense Pungent, perishable. 50 Đ per slot
32-33 Rare wood - 50 Đ per slot
34-37 Salt - 5 Đ per slot
38-39 Spice, powdered semmec Earthy, savory. Perishable. 25 Đ per slot
40-41 Spice, ghel salt Smoky flavor, mild stimulant effects. 100 Đ per slot
42-43 Spice, ground cazin Hot and spicy. Perishable. 50 Đ per slot
44-46 Mellsap sugar Made from the sap of the mellsap tree. 50 Đ per slot
47-49 Anath bark A key ingredient in Halish medicines. Perishable. 15 Đ per slot
50-53 Wine Fragile, perishable. 3 Đ per jar, 1 jar per slot
54-55 Spirits Fragile. 10 Đ per jar, 1 jar per slot
56 Naphtha Black oil that bubbles up from beneath the earth. Fragile, highly flammable if broken. 50 Đ per jar, 1 jar per slot
57-58 Hagga root Cheap drug, dried and pressed for smoking or snorted as powder. Hallucinogenic, often causes bad trips, addictive. Proscribed, pungent, perishable. 10 Đ per dose, 10 doses per slot
59 Black lotus powder Expensive foreign drug, traditionally smoked with long pipes. Induces euphoric hallucinations. Proscribed, perishable. 100 Đ per dose, 10 doses per slot
60-61 Makeup Fragile, perishable. 50 Đ per slot
62-64 Perfume Fragile, pungent if broken, perishable. 100 Đ per bottle, 1 bottle per slot
65-66 Musical instruments Fragile. 100 Đ per instrument
67-68 Historical texts Ruined by moisture. 100 Đ per book or scroll
69-70 Poetry Ruined by moisture. 100 Đ per book or scroll
71-72 Heretical scriptures Ruined by moisture, proscribed. 100 Đ per book or scroll
73 Seashells Fragile. 10 Đ per slot
74 Preserved flowers Fragile. 10 Đ per slot
75-77 Weapons - See equipment
78-80 Armor - See equipment
81-83 Ammunition - See equipment
84-87 Preserved meats Pungent, perishable, attracts predators. 2 Đ per slot
88-91 Fine cheeses Pungent, perishable, attracts predators. 2 Đ per slot
92-95 Preserved fruits and vegetables Fragile, perishable. 2 Đ per slot
96-98 Ceramics Fragile. 5 Đ per piece, 1 piece per slot
99-100 Dyes Fragile. 20 Đ per jar, 1 jar per slot

Artifacts

If an artifact is indicated in a hoard, roll 1d20, or 1d10+10 for divine-type hoards.

Roll Item Description Value
1 Skull of a hero Broken by the wound that ended them in legend. 1d4*100 Đ as an antiquity,1d10*100 Đ to descendants or worshipers.
2 Thunder beast horn Touching it makes one's hair stand on end. 1d10*100 Đ as an antiquity.
3 Gilded war prosthesis Awarded to one who gave of their own flesh for their liege. 1d6*100 Đ as an antiquity, 1d4*100 Đ for materials.
4 Jasper bull idol A legendary beast symbolizing strength and virility. 1d6*100 Đ as an antiquity, 200 Đ for material.
5 Divine Beast mask Elders of barbarian raun tribes are said to treasure these masks above all. 1d4*100 Đ as an antiquity, 1d6*1,000 Đ to raun traditionalists.
6 Iron Circle collar When Sariel led her rebellion, she sought to shatter every one of these shackles. This one survived. 1d4*100 Đ as an antiquity, 3,000 Đ to the Beast Court.
7 Gravestone Glows with the blue phosphorescence of the Dark Moon. 1d6*1,000 Đ to Grave cultists.
8 Petrified egg A promise of new life, never to be fulfilled. 1d6*50 Đ as an antiquity.
9 Dessicated Kindred Eyeless, insectlike, the size of a spread hand. Said to be sacred to the Zoah and their Black Blades. 1d4*100 Đ as an antiquity, 1d10*100 Đ to Zoah sympathizers.
10 Treason bell A brass hand bell, cracked down the middle and bereft of tongue. All that remains of an ill-fated plot. 1d10×100 Đ as an antiquity, double to heretics.
11 Sentry top Small black top. Always stands upright. 1d10*100 Đ as an antiquity.
12 Prattlemouths Pair of green funnels. Noise in either one will be emitted from the other if within 100’. 1d10*100 Đ as an antiquity.
13 Maiden's friend Silky pink ovoid. When squeezed, vibrates steadily until squeezed again. 1d10*100 Đ as an antiquity.
14 Meditation stone Smooth, pale blue disc. Induces calm when rubbed. 1d10*100 Đ as an antiquity.
15 Divine songbird Small metal songbird sculpture, incredibly lifelike. When shaken, flies in circles singing sweet melodies. 1d10*100 Đ as an antiquity.
16 Rainbow tablet Dark palm-sized mirror. Swiping on the surface draws colorful shapes, cleared by shaking. 1d10*100 Đ as an antiquity.
17 Lover stones Pair of stone orbs, one red, one blue. When clicked together twice, attract one another strongly within 50’ until clicked twice again. 1d10*100 Đ as an antiquity.
18 King's riddle Pyramidal golden puzzle box. Each time it is solved, it reconfigures, somehow never the same way twice. 1d10*100 Đ as an antiquity.
19 Cloudbreather Jade-green bowl. Produces sweet-smelling steam when water is poured in. 1d10*100 Đ as an antiquity.
20 Archon Heart Though made of no natural flesh, it is warm to the touch, and seems to beat. 1d10×100 Đ as an antiquity. Priceless to Archon Aspirants—they will kill to take it.

Saturday, December 28, 2024

Equipment for the Tower Lands

A lot of people have said a setting's equipment list is one of its most important worldbuilding tools. It instantly communicates a lot to players about the world while being one of the parts of the game they interact with most directly. I thought I'd share my setting's current equipment list (not including magic items, though I posted some stuff about that a while back). It's mostly pretty standard D&D fare--the Tower Lands are meant to be as approachable as possible for players at first blush, with the unique stuff only becoming apparent further in--but there are a few standouts.

Trade and Prices

Common folk trade with their neighbors on barter and credit. Travelers and the wealthy measure value in Dust. This shimmering powder, found in ruins of the old world or refined from rare minerals at the holiest of shrines, is recognizable by its soft blue-green glow and the way it gathers and moves on its own when undisturbed. The smallest amount of Dust that will gather is called a Mote, noted as Đ. A free wage laborer typically earns about 5 Đ per day.

Weapons

Type Properties Price
Axe Throwable 18 Đ
Battleaxe Two-handed 120 Đ
Bow Range 150' 60 Đ
Club Small 7 Đ
Crossbow Range 180', slow to load 150 Đ
Dagger Small, throwable 7 Đ
Javelins (2) Range 120' 80 Đ
Mace - 30 Đ
Maul Two-handed 120 Đ
Polearm Two-handed, reach 150 Đ
Sling Small, range 300' 5 Đ
Spear Throwable, reach 30 Đ
Staff - 12 Đ
Sword - 60 Đ
War sword Two-handed 150 Đ

Ammunition

Type Price
Arrows, quiver of 20 30 Đ
Bullets, pouch of 20 10 Đ
Quarrels, case of 20 30 Đ

Armor

Type Price
Light 150 Đ
Medium 600 Đ
Heavy 2,000 Đ
Shield 120 Đ

Tools and Provisions

Item Description Price
Alembic, portable Enough for basic apothecary work in the field. 375 Đ
Backpack The mark of soldiers and relic hunters. 40 Đ
Bottle, pint - 2 Đ
Caltrops, bag Sharp metal spikes used to deter pursuers. Restricted by law in most places. 50 Đ
Candles (4) - 2 Đ
Case, map or scroll - 12 Đ
Clothing, common Linen or woolen tunic, belt, sandals, cloak. 40 Đ
Clothing, warm Thick woolen shirt and tunic, gloves, leggings, fur boots, heavy cloak. 120 Đ
Clothing, extravagant Fine embroidered tunic or gown, expensive furs and silks, jewelry. 400+ Đ
Compass - 250 Đ
Cosmetics set A box containing makeup, brushes, perfumes, tweezers, etc. Common among the wealthy, often lavishly decorated. 100+ Đ
Costume Suitable for a theatrical performance (or a disguise). 120 Đ
Crowbar - 12 Đ
Dust phial A reinforced bottle with a dropper built into the lid for measuring out Dust by the mote. Often ornate. Holds up to 100 Đ. 20+ Đ
Flint and steel - 1 Đ
Gaming set A board game and pieces, set of dice, or deck of cards. 30 Đ
Grappling hook - 25 Đ
Inhaler mask Has a socket for a Dust phial, allowing quick inhalation by a Tuner. Each is a unique likeness, embodying its user’s reputation. Restricted by law in most places. 500+ Đ
Lantern - 18 Đ
Lockpicks Also includes a set of skeleton keys. Restricted by law in most places. 100 Đ
Map Regional, provincial, or realm-wide. 80 Đ
Medical supplies - 25 Đ
Mirror, hand - 30 Đ
Naphtha, jar Highly flammable 50 Đ
Net - 25 Đ
Oad Five-stringed musical instrument, plucked with the fingers. 100 Đ
Oil, flask, 1 pint Macca or other vegetable oil. Not flammable without a wick. 12 Đ
Pickaxe - 12 Đ
Rations, fresh, 1 day Spoil in 1 week. 2 Đ
Rations, preserved, 1 day - 4 Đ
Đ
Rope, 50' - 12 Đ
Sack, small - 1 Đ
Sack, large - 2 Đ
Shovel - 12 Đ
Spikes, iron (10) - 10 Đ
Tinderbox - 2 Đ
Torch - 1 Đ
Water or wineskin Holds 3 days' worth. 10 Đ

Animals and Vehicles

Item Description Price
Barding - 300 Đ
Cart, beast-drawn - 80 Đ
Cart, hand 35 Đ
Dog, hunting - 50 Đ
Feed grain, common, 1 day - 2 Đ
Feed grain, fine, 1 day Suitable for feeding a warhorse. 4 Đ
Gyne Small flying hunters, cousins to the wild valit. Kept by the rich for small game. 60 Đ
Horse, riding - 150 Đ
Horse, war Must be fed fine grain to remain in fighting shape 375 Đ
Kelbi Small, hopping herd grazers with curling horns. Kept for wool, meat, and milk. 12 Đ
Mol Furry, waist-high burrowers sometimes raised for meat. Easy to feed, but foul-tempered and sharp of tooth. 10 Đ
Mule - 120 Đ
Nog Knee-high, round-bodied scavengers with dark blue skin and short trunks. Kept for meat and food waste disposal. 20 Đ
Phen Small, flightless winged beasts. Poor eating themselves, but lay tasty soft-shelled eggs. 1 Đ
Rox Powerful, shoulder-high grazers with plated heads. Kept as dairy and draft beasts, slaughtered for leather and expensive meat. 80 Đ
Saddle, riding - 120 Đ
Saddle, war - 250 Đ
Saddlebags - 20 Đ

Services

Item Price
Carriage, local, per trip 2 Đ
Carriage, long-distance, per day 15 Đ
Meal, cheap 2 Đ
Meal, excellent 5 Đ
Drink, cheap 1 Đ
Drink, excellent 3 Đ
Freight, per barrel, per day 2 Đ
Inn, common room, per night 2 Đ
Inn, private room, per night 5 Đ
Messenger, local 1 Đ
Messenger, long-distance 20 Đ
Rent, cheap apartments, per month 100 Đ
Rent, luxurious apartments, per month 500 Đ
Ship's passage, per person, per day 18 Đ
Ship's charter, per day 100 Đ
Stabling, common animal, per day 1 Đ
Stabling and grooming, warhorse, per day 3 Đ
Wage, common laborer, per day 5 Đ
Wage, expert retainer, per day 15 Đ
Wage, mercenary, per day* 20 Đ

*: Base wage per fighting member of the company. For leaders, multiply by renown. Expenses must also be paid, and plunder will be expected when engaging in battle.

A Note on Slavery

Slavery is a ubiquitous and essential part of the Tower Lands’ economy. Halish slavery is not the chattel slavery of Earth’s Atlantic slave trade, but it is nevertheless a deeply cruel and inhumane practice. Slaves are routinely forced to work in brutal conditions and abused in countless ways.

It is assumed that players won’t want to play as slave owners or slave traders. However, they may want to do things like buying the freedom of slaves. For such cases, a typical commoner in decent health without any specialized skills can usually be bought out of slavery for about 300 Đ. People with specialized skills may cost as much as double, and those of formerly high birth, triple or more.

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Some Gods

These are but a few of the innumerable gods worshiped in the Tower Lands--some of the most important, invoked by various names throughout the realm by common folk and high lords alike.

Toth

The sun, one of the higher beings. One of the most important gods, worshiped throughout the realm. Involved in harvest rites, husband to Rohesia.

Caina

The bright moon, known more commonly as Cradle in this age--the relation between the two names is unclear. A maiden sacrificed to Leviathan who Toth pitied and placed in the heavens to spare her. Leviathan reaches for her still, causing the tides.

Mal Maial

God of night, stars, and sleep, one of the higher beings. Husband of Caina, who married her to keep her safe from Leviathan and give her comfort in her grief. His embrace causes her phases.

Rohesia

Goddess of rain, fertility, and plants, one of the higher beings, wife of Toth. The main harvest god, probably the most popular in the realm.

Arai

Dour, secretive god of stone and metal, one of the higher beings. Invoked with libations and blood offerings for blessings of wealth.

Leviathan

God of the sea and bringer of ocean storms, parent of the countless sea beasts who bear its name. One of the higher beings, fierce and destructive, placated by sailors with offerings before voyages.

Ragahur

God of beasts, one of the higher beings. Placated by herders with offerings from the flock; invoked by hunters and haruspices, who seek omens in the wounds of savaged prey animals. One of the gods most likely to have been absorbed from old raun religion, to the point that even most Halish priests will admit it.

Rune

Goddess of knowledge, one of the higher beings. Said to know everything that has ever happened, but content to observe the world rather than rule. Mostly invoked by scholars and sorcerers.

Scarlet Vash

Dual-aspected god, said to change freely between masculine and feminine. Sometimes said to be a higher being, other times a revered ancestor. Capricious god of sex and bloodshed, bringer of passion to mortals, whether lustful desire or murderous rage.

The Crow

Collector of the dead, who guides souls to their final destinations and conducts offerings by the living to their revered ancestors. One of the higher beings, said to appear in the shape of a legendary winged beast with black feathers.

Old Beleg

A revered ancestor who watches over travelers. He is said to have walked every path in every realm and been to the very edge of the world. His symbol is a knotted cord, representing the links between all places and the bonds between all people.

Fevered Lodra

A revered ancestor, said to be the first inheritor of medicine among the Halish and patron of all doctors. Invoked to banish impurity with fire, strong liquor, and the bark of the anath tree, which serves as her talisman.

Demara the Compassionate

A revered ancestor, a highborn lady who gave up everything to comfort and care for the outcast and the cursed. Patron of those unfortunate souls, and goddess of mercy and charity, which makes her an unsavory figure to the nobility.

Joda the Burnt

A revered ancestor, credited as the first inheritor of the smithing arts. She stole the secret of iron from Arai, and was punished with fire. Ever since, those who seek to master smithing must suffer the heat of the flames as recompense.

Starchaser Rendil

A revered ancestor, believed to have first inherited the art of shipbuilding. As a child, he fell in love with a star and sought to build a vessel to carry him to where the night sky met the distant water. None know whether he ever reached his distant love, for he never returned from his final voyage. Even now, he is invoked both by shipwrights and those who long to be with someone far away.

Aigon, the First Master

A revered ancestor, founder of the earliest traditions that would become the basis of the High Arts of war, and still honored as patron of them all. While Joda is usually invoked as the bringer of smithing to mortals, some credit Aigon with first obtaining the art of swordmaking, which he bargained for from a higher being whose name is now lost.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Foes of the Tower Lands: Weapons

Cauldronborn

Gather the dead. Render them down until body mixes with body. Pour and press the mixture into shape; armor and bone help provide structure.

The proper spells render them pliable. They make for an obedient and utterly fearless fighting force, though limited in application by their lack of intellect. They will march tirelessly, day and night. Supply is little concern while they have fresh meat within reach. Putting them onto ships is ill-advised; they cannot sail, and crews transporting them are liable to become food.

Kalis the Afflictor is famous for using them as a backbone of his armies. Beneath the Weeping Cities, the vats of the Unseen Tower churn ceaselessly. After battles, his Charnel Maidens stalk the bloody fields, choosing from among the slain. In lands beyond, his black-shrouded corpse merchants are known by their carts pulled by night steeds. Selling to them is forbidden, but they offer prices to tempt the desperate.

Strength d8 [HD 2], speed 30', AC 2 [as chain], spear or blade, morale 12.

Chimera

No two are alike. Claw, fang, beak, tail, wing, stinger--flesh is as clay to shape with the power of the gods.

Sariel breeds them with loving care, deep in the untouched places of Elys, her favored children. Others are less lucky, their makers not so kind.

Start with: horse-sized quadruped, strength d8 [HD 4], speed 40', unarmored, slam [as mace], morale 7.

Roll 1d4 exploding. Roll 1d20 that many times. Unless otherwise noted, duplicates stack.
1. Small. -1 step strength [-2 HD], +10' speed.
2. Large. +1 step strength [+2 HD].
3. Sharp teeth in 1 mouth. Bite [as sword].
4. Claws on 1 limb [as sword].
5. Thick hide. +1 AC. Doesn't stack.
6. Scales. +2 AC. Doesn't stack.
7. Extra leg. +5' speed.
8. Arm with grasping hand. For each arm after the second, 1 extra melee attack action per round.
9. One less leg. -5' speed.
10. Slithering tail. Can't be knocked off-balance.
11. Prehensile tail.
12. Stinging tail. As dagger, poisoned on 5-in-6 [save vs. poison], dead in 1 round.
13. Gills.
14. Fins. Swim speed twice movement speed.
15. Vestigial wings. Jump up to twice movement speed.
16. Functional wings. -1 step strength, fly speed twice movement speed.
17. Chameleonic. Can turn invisible while motionless.
18. Breath weapon, poison gas. As Cloudkill once per day.
19. Extra head. 1 extra action per round.
20. Intelligent, speaks.

Hekatonkhier


Among the Storm Knights who partake of the gift of Interface, few dare to tread beyond the Path of Vitra, to attempt the most radical departures from the human form. Most cannot bear the burden of existing in a body so reshaped, their minds breaking under the strain. Hungering for more, they prey on their own, tearing their brethren limb from limb for new steel to add to their hulking forms.

Though it drives them mad, they find the strength they seek. They are knights still, and so their brethren prefer to capture them alive, releasing them on the battlefield to find honorable deaths.

Strength d10 [HD 6], speed 40', AC 3 [as plate], large blade [as greatsword], morale 12. Attacks twice per round.

Jade Blight


No one remembers what mad sorcerer first unleashed it.

In shaded caves, damp ruins, and polluted battlefields, green mass spreads, feeding on rot. Those thinking themselves safely out of reach will find themselves pursued, grasping pseudopods reaching for every ounce of organic matter. What it cannot eat, it takes, filling discarded armor to walk with speed it cannot achieve on its own, taking up weapons to cripple its prey beyond fleeing.

They say if it touches you, your only hope is swift amputation.

Strength d4 [HD 1], speed 10', unarmored, touch attack, morale 12. Immune to normal weapons. Creatures touched must amputate or dissolve into more Jade Blight in 1 minute.

Blightwalker: Strength d6 [HD 2], speed 30', AC 1 [as leather], sword or touch attack, morale 12. On destruction, collapse back into Jade Blight.

Juggernaut


Engines of war from some long-forgotten past age, ramming heads formed in the likeness of great beasts atop crushing wheels. The secrets of their making are lost, but those that remain are prized. Led to battle in chains, they are turned toward the enemy and released. Their own caretakers offer prayer before them, throwing prisoners or, when desperate, their own comrades under the wheels to placate the wrathful gods within.

Under layers of iron plating, they are said to bleed.

Strength d10 [HD 6], speed 60', AC 3 [as plate], ram [as giant's weapon], morale 12.

Mimic


No one knows how they are born. They are weak at first. Small, fragile things of little intelligence, taking shape of inanimate objects for camouflage. They hunt opportunistically, snatching small animals that pass near and digesting them slowly.


As they eat, they grow, in size and in intellect. Camouflage among rocks and old pottery is abandoned to hunt in animal shape. Some, the oldest, are lucky enough to devour a human. Only then do they begin to reach their adult stage. When full grown, none can distinguish them from the real thing until they drop the mask.

The powerful will kill to acquire a young one alive, for it is said they can be made into perfectly obedient spies and assassins--provided one has enough truly loyal servants to offer as food.

Infant: Strength d4 [HD 1-1], speed 10', AC 1 [as leather], bite [as dagger], morale 4. Can assume the forms of inanimate objects. Anything that touches them becomes stuck fast and is slowly digested, 1 wound [1d6 damage] per turn.

Young: Strength d6 [HD 1], speed 30', AC 1 [as leather], bite [as dagger], morale 6. Can assume the forms of animals up to human size. Digesting prey leaves them motionless and vulnerable.

Adult: Strength d8 [HD 3], speed 30', AC 1 [as leather], weapon or unarmed strike, morale 7. Can assume any human or raun form. Digesting prey leaves them motionless and vulnerable.

Rust Beast


They have long escaped the cells of whatever laboratory first produced them, and now roam wild. Sages theorize that they were created from skrik stock. Where the bite of their ancestors paralyzed flesh, however, theirs dissolves metal, breaking it down into a form they can consume.

They are little threat to the living unless cornered. Nevertheless, armies live in fear of an infestation turned loose in their camps.

According to legend, those that manage to consume relic blades take on the ancient prowess and bloodlust of their food.

Strength d6 [HD 1], speed 30', AC 1 [as leather], bite [as dagger] or antenna, morale 5. On antenna hit, held and worn metal items dissolve into rust. Magical items resist on 5-in-6.



Singing Stone


Their name comes from the humming that surrounds them when awake, ringing ears and vibrating ribs.

There have been but a handful discovered, every one hoarded jealously by the Lords. One alone, when deployed, can turn the tide of a battle.

Strength d12 [HD 10], fly 60', AC 3 [as plate], starfire [as Fireball], morale 12. Attacks 3 times per round.

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Two Cults

Harry Corr

Archon Aspirants

No one truly knows what god or daemon the great idols lying toppled across the landscape are meant to depict. They have the shapes of humans, but few can look upon their monstrous masks and be unafraid.

The few ancient texts which speak of them are sealed by Thronecult edicts so strict that none now remember the reason for them. They speak of a priesthood who once served the great Demiurges. Of the awesome power these gods of war once wielded. Of how, in a time of need, the Archons would wake the sleeping titans and call upon them to walk.

Those who dare to follow in the Archons' footsteps take their name, seeking the lost knowledge of how to wake the idols. Those discovered by the Lords are put to death. For it is said that those who walk the Archon's path shall be bound forever by the dark destiny of a cruel angel....

Abilities and equipment as relic hunters.

Black Blades

All are raun. None will share their secrets with one of the Skyborn, on pain of death.

They trace their origin to the Zoah. Those in the Tower Lands today have been long cut off from their forebears by the Stormwall, save for the few who make the journey by ship. They wage their war still, in secret. Traveling as solitary preachers, they move among raun communities on this side of the Wall, spreading the truth to those who will listen.

They alone remember what was lost--what the Skyborn took from them. How the world was broken. How the gods were butchered. They see how the Skyborn teem and multiply even now, a plague that walks and speaks. How the raun of the Tower Lands are deceived. How they forget.

The Black Blades will remind them. And when they remember, the gods shall be avenged.

Strength d6 [Fighter 4], speed 30', unarmored, staff or Black Blade kindred, morale 9. Master fighters. 3d6 Đ.

Often accompanied by raun disciples (as bandits).

Black Blade Kindred

A buglike creature about the size of a spread hand, with six spindly, three-jointed legs like grasping fingers, no visible head, and a thin tail ending in a foot-long black stinger. On the underside of the body, a slit opens into an orifice from which several thin nervous tendrils can extend. A raun skilled in kinbonding can connect with it by this means. Within the Tower Lands, only the Black Blades themselves still know of this technique.

When wielded by a kinbonder, the legs grasp the forearm and the tail rests in the wielder's hand. From there it can extend to a surprising 30' length, functioning like a whip, with the stinger as a blade. Any stung are poisoned, dead in 1 round on 5-in-6 [save vs. poison].

If not bonded to a wielder, dies in 1 week.

The Black Blades are sworn never to wield their kindred against another raun, nor use any edged or piercing weapon against one, even in self-defense. They will always seek to resolve conflicts with raun nonviolently. If pressed, they will resort to their staves, fighting to disable.

The Unusual Hoon

A legendary beast of the Tower Lands. It has the head and back legs of a vorn, the body of a horse, a long, serpentine neck, the forelegs of...