Characters

Celebrating The Dragon – A Challenge

/ jstater / 1 Comment

Greg at Gorgonmilk posted some of his favorite covers of the venerable Dragon Magazine, and one of them just happens to be one of my favorites as well. So I got this idea – and I challenge the RPG blogosphere to do the same – find your favorite Dragon cover and write up a brief description with stats. Any era or edition (or any set of rules for that matter) – let’s forget the edition nonsense and celebrate a grand old magazine with a little fun and creativity!

For my part, I give you this little beauty from Denis Beauvais

There was much honor to be had in escorting Mirandra, one of the Vestal Virgins of Nomo, to storied Galardis to reconsecrate the Temple of Vesta in that city, recently uncovered from rubble in one of the ruined precincts. For Keiros the Centaur, it was a chance to cement his reputation as a paladin of the highest water, a reputation he had worked especially hard to establish given the proclivity of his people to drinking and fighting. For Gimwold of the Crooked Staff, it meant a chance to delve into the infamous Librarium of Galardis for the lost tomes of the ancient elves. Neither Gimwold and Keiros trusted the canyon bridge they had come to in the Klarkash Mts, but it was a short span, and the men-at-arms and bearers were already grumbling about journeying through those dark and wicked peaks. It was then that Gigatrikh, wretched scion of the great wyrm Yakh Six-Claw, chose to strike. A nubile maiden was just the thing his hoard lacked!

Gimwold of the Crooked Staff, Magic-User Lvl 7: HP 25; AC 8 [11]; Move 12; Save 9 (7 vs. spells); Special: Spells (5/3/2/1). Str 10, Int 16, Wis 13, Dex 14, Con 13, Cha 13. Speaks Common, bugbear, elf, giant and halfling. Equipment: Staff, darts (3).

Keiros the Juste, Centaur Paladin* Lvl 5: HP 24; AC 2 [17]; Move 12; Save 12; Special: Detect evil, protection from evil, immune to disease, cure disease 1/wk, lay on hands (10 hp), turn undead, destrier, carry 150% more than human, +2 AC vs. grapple and overbearing, attack with hooves (1d6). Str 15, Int 9, Wis 12, Dex 11, Con 12, Cha 15. Speaks Common, centaur. Equipment: Platemail, shield, longsword.

Mirandra the Vestal Virgin, Adept Lvl 3: HP 15; AC 9 [10]; Move 12; Save 13; Special: Healer, spells (2 x 1st). Str 10, Int 10, Wis 16, Dex 14, Con 11, Cha 13. Speaks Common. Equipment: Dagger (dropped).

Gigatrikh, Adult Red Dragon: HD 10 (40 hp); AC 2 [17]; Atk 2 claws (1d8), bite (3d10); Move 9 (F24); Save 5; CL/XP 12/2000; Special: Breathes fire (90′ cone, 30′ at base), can speak but not cast spells.

* The centaur race and paladin class can be found in NOD 1

Tycho Brahe – Warrior Astrologomage!

/ jstater / 6 Comments

Man, I love this weird world we live on! Here’s an article on Tycho Brahe, a duelist, astronomer, mathematician (who says fighting-men have to be stupid) and minor nobleman who had a pet elk and dwarf jester who was supposedly clairvoyant (he made is psionic powers roll!). Oh, and Brahe had a prosthetic nose made of gold and silver because his own was sliced off in a duel that may have been precipitated by an argument over mathematics or astrology. Since I would like to believe that every earthbound weird-o from our glorious history has a free, all-access pass to live on in NOD after they slip their mortal coil, how about some game stats!

[Note – edited for a couple great idea in the comments.]

Tycho Brahe, Fighting-Man Lvl 1, Magic-User Lvl 6*: HP 21; AC 9 [10]; Save 10 (8 vs. spells); CL/XP 6/400; Special: Spells (3rd). Rapier (1d6 damage), silver dagger, spellbook, prosthetic nose of silver and gold (worth 150 gp).

Tycho’s Spellbook contains the following spells: 1st – Detect Magic, Light, Read Languages, Read Magic, Sleep; 2nd – Detect Evil, Detect Invisibility, Knock, Locate Object, Mirror Image, Strength; 3rd – Dispel Magic, Hold Person, Lightning Bolt, Suggestion.

Jepp, Dwarf Assassin Lvl 4: HP 16; AC 8 [11]; Save 12 (11 vs. death & poison, 8 vs. magic); CL/XP 4/120; Special: Decipher script, disguise, sneak attack x2, skullduggery, poison, clairvoyance (3/day). Jester’s outfit and cap, pig bladder on a stick, three hidden daggers, vial of mercury (treat as slow poison – save or die in 1d4 days).

Tycho’s Elk: HD 4 (19 hp); AC 6 [13]; Atk 1 gore (1d6); Move 15; Save 13; CL/XP 4/120; Special: None.

Johannes Kepler, Magic-User Lvl 3: HP 7; AC 9 [10]; Save 13 (11 vs. spells); CL/XP 2/30; Special: Spells (2nd). Scholar’s robes, parchment and quills, horn of ink, vial of mercury (was it him or Jepp? Or both?).

Johannes’ Spellbook: 1st – detect magic, light, read languages, read magic, shield; 2nd – continual light, levitate, phantasmal force.

* Yeah, we could make him a sage, but where’s the fun in that.

Below is pictured Uraniborg, Tycho’s stronghold. The gardens are planted with medicinal herbs and flowers. Each of the guard towers is guarded by 4 men-at-arms supplied by his royal patron, men wearing breastplates and armed with pole arms, daggers and light crossbows.

Mystery Men! – The Golden Gladiators

/ jstater / 5 Comments

Introducing the Golden Gladiators, a fictional super team of public domain comic characters from the golden age. Uses the system described HERE, giving all heroes 15,000 XP to spend.

Barry Kuda

Barry is the defender of the underwater kingdom of Merma from the “Midget Kingdom”.
Real Name: Barry Kuda
Occupation: Adventurer

Strength: 9 (+2)
Intelligence: 7 (+2)
Wisdom: 6 (+1)
Dexterity: 11 (+3)
Constitution: 8 (+2)
Charisma: 12 (+3)

Level:3
Hit Points: 13
AC: 13
XP: 13,200

Powers: Magic Weapon (CL 3, 300 XP, makes harpoon a +1 weapon for 3 min.), Water Breathing (1500 XP, 6 hour duration)

Black Bat

District attorney who had acid thrown in his face by a criminal, blinding and scarring him. After an eye transplant, he gains the ability to see in the dark and takes up a life of crime fighting.

Real Name: Tony Quinn
Occupation: Lawyer

Strength: 2
Intelligence: 14 (+4)
Wisdom: 7 (+2) / 13 (+4) for 3 minutes with Owl’s Wisdom
Dexterity: 9 (+2)
Constitution: 5 (+1)
Charisma: 12 (+3)

Level: 3
Hit Points: 19
AC: 12
XP: 13,800

Powers (1200 XP): Darkvision (600 XP), Owl’s Wisdom (600 XP)
Other Skills: A skilled brawler, and handy with a gun

Blackout

Brusilof, a Yugoslavian scientist, gains his weird powers in a lab accident prompted by a Nazi attack. He is covered in black fur and has a wolf-like face.

Real Name:Basil Brusilof
Occupation: Scientist

Strength: 11 (+3)
Intelligence: 9 (+2)
Wisdom: 8 (+2)
Dexterity: 9 (+2)
Constitution: 9 (+2)
Charisma: 1 (-1)

Level: 3
Hit Points: 29
AC: 12
XP: 12,200

Powers (2800 XP): Bull’s Strength (600 XP), Darkvision (600 XP), Fly (1500 XP), Obscuring Mist (100 XP)

Captain Triumph

When Lance Gallant’s twin brother Michael is killed in an act of sabotage, the Greek fates decide to intervene. Now, when Lance touches his “T”-shaped birthmark, he merges with Michael’s ghost and becomes Captain Triumph.

Real Name: Lance Gallant
Occupation: Adventurer

Strength: 12 (+3) / 16 (+5) for 3 minutes with bull’s strength power
Intelligence: 3
Wisdom: 2
Dexterity: 3
Constitution: 12 (+3) / 16 (+5) for 3 minutes with bear’s endurance power
Charisma: 2

Level: 3
Hit Points: 35 (damage reduction 10/adamantine, up to 30 hp damage)
AC: 10
XP: 8,900

Powers (6100 XP): Bull’s Strength (600 XP), Bear’s Endurance (600 XP), Fly (1500 XP, 3 minutes), Invisibility (600 XP), Stoneskin (2800 XP)

Jupiter

Jupiter is the master magician of the planet Jupiter.

Real Name: Unknown
Occupation: Magician

Strength: 7 (+2)
Intelligence: 11 (+3)
Wisdom:12 (+3)
Dexterity: 6 (+1)
Constitution: 10 (+3)
Charisma: 3

Level: 1
Hit Points: 13
AC: 11
XP: 1,550

Powers (13,450 XP): Baleful Polymorph (4500 XP), Cure Light Wounds (100 XP), Fly (1500 XP), Minor Creation (2800 XP), Prestidigitation (50 XP), Teleport (4500 XP)

Man o Metal

A foundry worker, Pat Dempsey gets his super powers in a factory accident.

Real Name: Pat Dempsey
Occupation: Foundry worker, private eye

Strength: 11 (+3)
Intelligence:11 (+3)
Wisdom: 6 (+1)
Dexterity: 9 (+2)
Constitution: 11 (+3)
Charisma: 3

Level: 3
Hit Points: 32
AC: 12
XP: 9,400

Powers (5600 XP): Fire Shield (2800 XP), Stoneskin (2800 XP)

Nelvana of the Northern Lights

Demi-goddess and daughter of King Koliak.

Real Name: Nelvana
Occupation: Princess, demi-goddess

Strength: 3
Intelligence: 2
Wisdom: 7 (+2)
Dexterity: 5 (+1)
Constitution: 6 (+1)
Charisma: 8 (+2)

Level: 1
Hit Points: 6
AC: 11
XP: 1,700 XP

Powers: Control Weather (9100 XP), Fly (1500 XP), Haste (1500 XP), Invisibility (600 XP), Scorching Ray (600 XP, 1 ray for 4d6 damage)

Nightmare

Bob White is a pro wrestler who fights crime without special powers or gadgets. He is accompanied by his teenage manager, Terry Wake, known as Sleepy.

Real Name: Bob White
Occupation: Wrestler

Strength: 13 (+4)
Intelligence: 2
Wisdom: 7 (+2)
Dexterity: 12 (+3)
Constitution: 15 (+4)
Charisma: 7 (+2)

Level: 3
Hit Points: 31
AC: 12
XP: 13,500

Powers (1500 XP): Heroism (1500 XP, 30 min. duration)

Spider Queen

Shannon was the wife of chemist Harry Kane, who invented a spider-web formula before being killed by criminals. She discovered his notes and developed bracelets to shoot the webbing.

Real Name: Shannon Kane
Occupation: Adventurer

Strength: 7 (+2)
Intelligence: 11 (+3)
Wisdom: 6 (+1)
Dexterity: 8 (+2)
Constitution: 6 (+1)
Charisma: 7 (+2)

Level: 3
Hit Points: 24
AC: 12
XP: 13,800

Powers (1200 XP): Spider Climb (600 XP), Web (600 XP)

Zippo

Joe Blair fights crime in a costume with wheeled feet.

Real Name: Joe Blair
Occupation: Private Eye

Strength: 9 (+2)
Intelligence: 8 (+2)
Wisdom: 14 (+4)
Dexterity: 13 (+4)
Constitution: 2
Charisma: 6 (+1)

Level: 3
Hit Points: 18
AC: 14
XP: 13,400

Powers (1600 XP): Longstrider (100 XP), Haste (1500 XP)

—

Moving Forward

I’ve had some pretty good response to this little notion, and I’d like to take it to the next level. Here’s the idea:

A cheap, open content Super Power game based on the SRD, essentially taking the Mystery Men! post and expanding it to include all the rules needed to play the game. I want it to include the rules of play (lots of powers, simple mechanics, a monster list of viable opponents), sample heroes and villains drawn from the public domain and a sample city setting, a super-sandbox, so to speak, with random encounters and a few set villain lairs.

What I need for such a product is some art – is there anyone willing to provide some black & white drawings of a few public domain heroes and villains – maybe six of each? If not, maybe I could do this as a patronage project and commission some art. So – who wants to make a supers game? If I can get some support, I’ll devote the time to write the game and post it as a beta test document that anyone can download and critique and then put it up on Lulu as a download and print book.

If you have some interest in this little project – let me know