A New B/X Thief

15 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by Daniel James Hanley in OGL, OSR, Panzoasia

Tags

B/X, BECMI, BX, Classic Fantasy, Classic Rules, old school, old school renaissance, old school revival, Panzoasia, Romantic Fantasy

The classic Thief of the B/X (and BECMI) rules has always been a character class with problems – starting with the fact that B/X Thieves aren’t actually very good at stealing things or being stealthy until they reach high levels. So, here is my personal “fix” for the Class. Like the other B/X Character Classes I’ve posted here recently, this one is built on a “five Special Abilities + two Restrictions/Weaknesses” framework, assumes the use of a “five-point” Alignment system, and has flavor text that integrates it into my “Panzoasia” setting.

Human Thief

Abilities: Str: 3d6 | Int: 1d12+6 | Wis: 3d6 | Dex: 1d8+10 | Con: 3d6 | Cha: 1d12+6
Special Abilities: Appraise, Backstab, Cant, Climb, Thieving Ability.
Restrictions and Weaknesses: Criminal Entanglements, Weapon Restrictions.
Hit Dice: d4 per Level, until 9th. Add 2 Hit Points per Level thereafter.
Alignment: Any except Lawful.
Starting Age: 12+d12
Starting Language(s): Western Common, Thieves’ Cant.

Typical Starting Equipment:

Leather armor.
Black cloak.
Black “domino” mask.
2 daggers.
1 razor (for cutting purses).
1 Short Bow.
20 arrows.
Leather quiver.
Backpack.
1 set of ordinary clothes.
Soft-soled boots.
50 feet of hemp rope.
Grappling hook.
Crowbar.
1 set of Thieves Picks and Tools.
Sponge.
1 week of rations (dried sausage, hard cheese, hardtack bread, and dried apples).
1 piece of stolen jewelry (worth 1d10 gp).
2d4 gp.

Your character lives outside the law, stealing as a way of life. Perhaps they were born to a wealthy family, but craved a life of excitement without limits. Maybe they were orphaned as a child, and made to steal coins for their foster parents. They might have first resorted to thievery to care for a sick parent, sibling, or child. Or perhaps they were simply tired of playing by the rules that kept them and their family poor. However they came to thievery, your character has learned to sneak, to creep, and to bypass security. They can tell choice jewelry from worthless junk. And whatever your fellow adventurers think of their morality, your Thief will quickly learn that the others need them to scout for danger, disarm traps, and open locked portals.

The Thieves the Ultimate West are bound together in a common organization. This “Thieves Guild” originated during the Reign of the Monsters as a gang of Humans and Halflings led by the Immortal Heroine known as “The Clever Lady”. Originally, the Thieves Guild was simply dedicated to stealing back the treasures looted by the Monsters and Depradators, and restoring them to the Five Peoples. Now the Thieves Guild is an international secret society that both profits from, and regulates, criminal activity of all kinds. Among the common folk, the Thieves Guild still has a reputation for dispensing justice when the regular authorities can’t – or won’t. Indeed, many Good-Aligned Thieves endeavor to emulate the example of The Clever Lady – stealing only from the Evil and over-privileged, and distributing charity to the poor. Most other Thieves, however, are only in it for themselves.

The main enemies of the Thieves Guild in the Ultimate West are the Clerics of Destiny (Law). Whereas most other people at least accept the existence of the Guild, the Lawful clergy are relentless in their condemnation and persecution of it. This puts the Clerics of Destiny in conflict not only with the Clerics of Chance (Chaos) who are allied with the Thieves Guild, but also the Clerics of Light (Good) – who fear that the Guild (undoubtedly corrupt and problematic in its current form) might be replaced by a far more malevolent group.

Special Abilities of Human Thieves

Appraise: You can roll an Intelligence Check for your Thief to accurately estimate the total number of coins in a pile (or container) without actually taking time to count them individually; or to know the real value of gems, jewelry, art objects, and commodities.

Your character cannot identify Magic Items, and will not necessarily know the correct use of exotic and unusual objects.
The information will be communicated to you privately. You can choose to honestly share it with your character’s fellow adventurers, or lie.
Because a Thief’s ability to Appraise involves quickly doing arithmetic with their fingers, hands, arms, and feet, they cannot Appraise while bearing two-handed melee weapons.

Backstab: When your characters attacks someone who is unaware of their presence, you make the Attack Roll with a +4 Bonus, and double the damage done on a successful attack.

Your Thief cannot Backstab while wearing any armor heavier than Leather, or bearing a two-handed melee weapon.

Cant: In addition to speaking the Common tongue, your character can communicate in a unique mixture of slang, metaphors, foreign words, postures, gestures, and innuendos called Thieves’ Cant.

While one cannot have a philosophical discussion using Thieves’ Cant, it is more than sufficient to plan a burglary, warn a fellow Thief about nearby guards, or purchase stolen goods.
Ordinary people cannot actually understand Thieves’ Cant – but using it in polite society instantly marks one as a member of the criminal underworld.
Because it requires making certain gestures and striking certain poses, a Thief cannot communicate in Cant while bearing a two-handed melee weapon.

Climb: You can make a Dexterity Check for your Thief to Climb difficult and sheer surfaces impossible for other people to scale.

You must make another Check for every 100 feet scaled.
Your Thief cannot Climb while wearing any armor heavier than Leather, or while bearing a two-handed melee weapon.

Thieving Ability: Your character has a seventh Ability score, called “Thieving Ability”. Roll your character’s Thieving Ability or less on a d20 to do such things as:

Hear noises occurring on the other side or a door or wall, and discern any whispered words heard. Non-Thieves have a 1 in 6 chance to hear a noise across a wall or door, but are unable to actually understand conversations.
Completely hide in shadows, even when being observed. Your Thief must be wearing dull, or dark colored clothing.
Move silently across surfaces (such as old wood or hard stone) where other people will always make some noise.
Pick pockets (or purses) of people otherwise unaware of your character’s presence. Only Thieves and Illusionists can pick pockets.
Find non-obvious traps, both in the environment and on containers. Characters who are not Thieves can find traps only by specifically describing what they are looking for.
Remove traps that have been detected, without triggering them. Characters who are not Thieves, Gnomish Tinkerers, or Halfling Rovers cannot remove traps without triggering them in some way.
Pick locks (provided that your character has a lock pick, or a plausible improvisation of one). Characters who are not Thieves cannot pick locks at all – they can only destroy them.

Your character’s base Thieving Ability begins at 7, and increases by 1 each Level (as shown on Human Thief Advancement Table). Your character’s Dexterity Modifier is added to their Thieving Ability.

At the GM’s discretion, Thieving Ability might be useful in other circumstances requiring stealth, agility, and/or manual skill beyond what an ordinary person would possess.

Your character cannot use their Thieving Ability while wearing any armor heavier than Leather, or bearing a two-handed melee weapon.

Restrictions and Weaknesses of Human Thieves

Criminal Entanglements: If your Thief lives in a town, they must become a member of the local Thieves’ Guild. Besides the benefits it provides, membership in the Guild also creates a number of complications for your character:

Your character must give the Guild 10% of the value of everything they steal, including treasure recovered from dungeons.
They will be tattooed with the mark of the Guild. Thieves who move around a lot will have many tattoos from various local Guilds.
Every month there is a 20% chance that your character will be ordered to steal a specific item and deliver it to the Master / Mistress of the Guild (or their representative). Failure to at least attempt the job will result in expulsion from the Guild.
Major thievery in town (worth over 50gp) must be cleared with the Guild before being attempted. Failure to do so will result in expulsion.
Your character is expected to defer to their superiors in the Guild, to physically protect them, and to avenge them if they are harmed.
Your character is expected to esteem their fellow Guild members above all other people – including their family, friends, and even their spouse.
All Guild Thieves are expected to minimize physical harm done to people in the course of thievery they conduct in town. Assaulting children or non-combatant women will result in immediate expulsion – even if the Thief is a child or woman themselves.
Since the Guild considers itself to have a monopoly on criminal behavior in its area, your character is expected to punish anyone they see committing any unsanctioned crime. The Guild does not tolerate ordinary civilians stealing, committing assaults, vandalizing, abusing the innocent, or violating holy places. For that reason, local authorities (other than Lawful Clerics) tend to turn a blind eye to the Guild’s continued existence.

If your character steals from townsfolk without being a member of the Thieves Guild, they will be approached by another Thief who will demand they join, and retroactively pay the 10% Guild fee. If your character do not join the Guild (or steals after being expelled), they will be put under sentence of death.

Weapon and Armor Restrictions:

A Thief cannot use any of their Special Abilities while they bear any two-handed melee weapons (Bows and crossbows do not count) Nor can they effectively utilize such weapons.
Wearing any armor heavier than Leather prevents a Thief from from using the following Special Abilities: Backstab, Climb, and Thieving Ability.

Destiny at 9th Level

Your character may either open a new branch of the Thieves Guild (in an area where it never existed, or had been destroyed), or attempt to usurp control of your local Thieves Guild.

If your Thief builds (or remodels) a hideout, and opens a branch of an existing Thieves’ Guild, they will be sent 2d4 1st Level Thieves – one of which is almost certainly a spy reporting back to the main Guild.
To wrest control of the local Guild, your character must either eliminate the existing Guildmaster, persuade them somehow to retire, or persuade the majority of Guild members to support them. Your character will almost certainly make lasting enemies of the previous Guildmaster (if they continue to live), and the supporters of the old regime.

Destiny at 14th Level

Your character may attempt to impose their authority over all the local Thieves’ Guilds in the Ultimate West.

There may be multiple 14th Level Thieves that have the honorary title of “King” or “Queen”, but only one of them can be in formal control of all the Thieves’ Guilds.
Your character will need to persuade the Guildmasters of at least half the major cities of the Ultimate West to support them – or else eliminate those Guildmasters and replace them with supporters.
If your character succeeds, the remaining Thieves’ Guilds will fall in line, and accept your Thief as unquestioned King (or Queen) of All Thieves.
If there is another 14th Level Thief whom your character has replaced as formal head of the Thieves’ Guild, the former King or Queen will become an implacable enemy for the remainder of their life – and possibly beyond!

Human Thief Advancement Table

Exp. Points (Hours played)	Exp. Level	Level Title	Hit Points	THAC0 [Attack Roll Bonus]	Thieving Ability (roll equal or under on d20.)
0	1	Finagler	1d4	19 0	7 + Dex. modifier
1,500 (8 hours)	2	Robber	2d4	18 [+1]	8 + Dex. modifier
4,000 (24 hours)	3	Filcher	3d4	18 [+1]	9 + Dex. modifier
7,000 (36 hours)	4	Prowler	4d4	18 [+1]	10 + Dex. modifier
13,000 (48 hours)	5	Burglar	5d4	17 [+2]	11 + Dex. modifier
25,000 (60 hours)	6	Housebreaker	6d4	17 [+2]	12 + Dex. modifier
50,000 (72 hours)	7	Master Thief	7d4	17 [+2]	13 + Dex. modifier
100,000 (84 hours)	8	Ringleader	8d4	16 [+3]	14 + Dex. modifier
180,000 (96 hours)	9	Upright Man / Upright Woman	9d4	16 [+3]	15 + Dex. modifier
300,000 (108 hours)	10	Upright Man / Upright Woman	9d4+2	16 [+3]	16 + Dex. modifier
420,000 (120 hours)	11	Upright Man / Upright Woman	9d4+4	15 [+4]	17 + Dex. modifier
540,000 (132 hours)	12	Upright Man / Upright Woman	9d4+6	15 [+4]	18 + Dex. modifier
660,000 (144 hours)	13	Upright Man / Upright Woman	9d4+8	15 [+4]	19 + Dex. modifier
780,000 (156 hours)	14	King of Thieves / Queen of Thieves	9d4+10	14 [+5]	20 + Dex. modifier

Human Thief Saving Throws

Level	Poison / Death Ray / Disease	Wands / Psionics	Paralysis / Petrification	Dragon Breath / Explosives / Firearms	Spell /Staff / Rod
1	13	14	15	12	16
2 – 3	12	13	14	11	15
4 – 5	11	12	13	10	14
6 – 7	10	11	12	9	13
8 – 9	9	10	11	8	12
10 –11	8	9	10	7	11
12 – 13	7	8	9	6	10
14	6	7	8	5	9

Permutations and Variations of the Human Thief

HALFLING BURGLAR

The Halflings of the Thieves Guild are particularly valued for their ability to function in low-light conditions, and elude guards. They are notorious for often not discriminating between junk and treasure, however!

Special Abilities: Backstab, Nightvision (as per Halfling Rover), Small Target (as per Halfling Rover), Thieving Ability, Thieves’ Cant
Restrictions and Weaknesses: Criminal Entanglements, Small Stature (as per Halfling Rover)
Destiny at 9th Level: As Human Thief (Many local Thieves Guilds are actually headed by Halflings.)
Destiny at 14th Level: As Human Thief (The Clever Lady herself was a Halfling.)

The Ranger Reimagined

17 Wednesday Mar 2021

Posted by Daniel James Hanley in OGL, OSR, Panzoasia

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

B/X, BECMI, BX, Celtic Fantasy, Classic Fantasy, Classic Rules, old school renaissance, old school revival, OSR, Panzoasia

This version of the Ranger for the B/X rules takes its inspiration primarily from the Fianna of Irish legend – warriors equally skilled in fighting, bushcraft, and the art of poetry. Like the warrior-poets of Ireland, the Rangers of Panzoasia obtain supernatural powers from their observance of strange taboos and bans.

Human Ranger (Fiann)

Special Abilities: Expert with Spears and Bows, Fiannic Poems, Nature Lore, Stealthy in Nature, Track.

Restrictions and Weaknesses: Armor and Weapon Restrictions, Mysterious Ban

Hit Dice: d8 per Level, until 9th. Add 3 Hit Points per Level thereafter.

Alignment: Neutral or Good

Starting Age: 15+d6

Starting Language(s): Western Common.

Typical Starting Equipment:

Chain Mail Shirt.
Nasal Helm.
Spear.
Short Bow.
Quiver with 20 arrows.
Feathers (for re-fletching arrows).
Hand Axe.
Knife.
Backpack.
1 set of ordinary clothes.
Green or brown cloak.
Soft leather boots.
50’ of wood fiber rope.
Tinderbox (with flint and steel).
Sharpening stone.
Softened leaves (for personal hygiene).
Rag (for wiping blades).
Needle & thread (for sewing up wounds).
Rag strips (for dressing wounds).
Sphagnum moss (for dressing wounds).
Pouch of mud (for masking scent).
Book of poems.
1 Wineskin (filled with heather ale, berry wine or mead).
1 week of rations (dried venison, dried berries, nuts, and dried fish).
Fox or crow companion.
2d10 gp.

During the Reign of the Monsters, those Humans who survived on the mainland of the Ultimate West retreated to protected ringforts, beyond which most dared not venture. There arose, however, a class of warriors who braved the terrors beyond – maintaining the few remaining links between communities, and holding the Monsters at bay as best they could. Tutored in the lore of nature, magic, and poetry by the remaining Druids and Bards, those people became known as the “Fianna” in the old language of Maeland. In modern times, the common name for them is “Rangers”. Many of the original Rangers were actually of mixed Human and Elven ancestry – and thus able to act as bridges between the two communities. Your character is heir to that tradition, trained to survive the challenge of the wilderness with a song in their heart.

Why did your character become a Ranger? Do they belong to a hereditary line of Rangers, with a lineage going back centuries? Are they one of the modern Fianna of Maeland, pledged to support their Clan Chief in time of war, but expected to fend for themselves in the wild at least half the year? Were they born on the edge of a remaining enclave of Monsters? Did they grow up in the wild, a friend to the forest animals? Were they an orphan, taken in and taught by a hermit Druid? Are they of dual heritage like the original Rangers, who they see as role-models for their own life?

The original Rangers were all devotees of the Lord and Lady of Life (and thus Neutral in Alignment), but in modern times many have embraced Good (just as some Druids have). In fact, the Rangers were the envoys of the great alliances that finally ended the Reign of the Monsters. Without their aid, the Immortal Heroes and Heroines may not have been able to bring the Five Peoples together to defeat the Depradators and their Bogeymen armies.

If your character has some Elven ancestry, they still probably lean towards the Human part of their heritage. They are most likely to be the same height and weight as most other Humans, but with one or more features that suggest their Elven parentage – pointed ears, unusually colored hair or eyes, an attractively androgynous face, a shorter than average height, or a youthful appearance that lasts well into old age.

Special Abilities of Human Rangers

Expert with Spears and Bows: When your character attacks with either a spear or bow, they receive an additional +1 Bonus to both the Attack and Damage rolls.

You can choose to have your character’s Dexterity Bonus, rather than your Strength, add to the Attack Roll when they use a spear as a melee weapon.

Fiannic Poems: Once your Ranger achieves 2nd Level, they learn how to recite poems of magical power.

Choose a 1st level Poem from the list of Fiannic Poems (see below). Your character is able to use that Poem once a day.
With each Level past 2nd, your Ranger learns an additional Fiannic Poem, of a maximum Level shown on the Ranger Advancement Table.
The Total Levels worth of Fiannic Poems your character can recite per day is equal to their Experience Level minus 1. For example, a 4th Level Ranger could recite three 1st Level Poems a day, or a 1st Level and a 2nd Level one.
Additional Fiannic Poems can be learned from Druids or Bards (from whom a Ranger can adapt any Poems corresponding to the Druid’s Spells, or Bard’s Songs), or from Magical creatures and Fairies (who can teach any Poem corresponding to one of their own Special Abilities).

Nature Lore : You may roll a Wisdom Check for your character to do any of the following:

Identify a natural plant, animal or mineral (but not a magical or unnatural one).
Identify a Fairy or Elemental (but no other type of Planar Spirit)
Find a source of pure water (or know that that no pure water is present).
Find game animals (or know that no game animals are present).
Obtain enough berries, leaves, nuts, lichens, fungus, grubs, and small game to eat for 1 day (or know that there is no food to find).
Find true North.
Predict the next day’s weather.

Nature Lore can be useful in any natural environment – including caves and caverns.

Stealthy in Nature: Rangers know how to walk silently, camouflage themselves, and mask their scent.

When your character is in a natural environment (forest, meadow, natural cavern, etc.), you can make a Dexterity Check for them to be completely undetectable (and untrackable) by sight, smell, or hearing.

Track: With a successful Wisdom Check, your character can detect the traces left by physical beings who have been in an area within a day, and track them for up to a mile.

Each additional mile of tracking requires another Wisdom Check.
The Check is made with a +2 Bonus if conditions are favorable (snow, drying mud, etc.), but a -2 Penalty is conditions are unfavorable (a hard stone floor, rain, etc.)

Restrictions and Weaknesses of Human Rangers

Armor and Weapon Restrictions: A Ranger can only use armor and weapons that allow they to remain alert and mobile.

Plate mail, full plate, half-plate, banded mail, and splint mail armor are all too heavy and restricting.
Enclosing helmets that surround the ears or make the Ranger see through slits cannot be worn.
A Ranger cannot use two-handed melee weapons other the Spear and Staff, not can they use heavy crossbows.

Mysterious Ban: Once your character reaches 2nd Level, they must begin observing a mystical prohibition on their behavior. If they violate their Mysterious Ban, they will lose the Ability to recite Fiannic Poems for one full lunar month. Thereafter, they must thereafter sacrifice treasure and food (equal in value to 100 times their Experience Level squared) to regain their ability to use magic. Some possible Mysterious Bans include:

Cannot own more than one can personally carry.
Cannot refuse any challenge of arms.
Must not refuse the hospitality of a woman.
Must not touch a dead dog.
Cannot eat a specific kind of meat.
Can never sleep in a “civilized” bed. (Must sleep on the ground, etc.)
Cannot use a mount of a certain color.
Can never carry a certain kind of stone, gem, or mineral.
Cannot wear metal armor.
Cannot wear or bear any item of a specific color.
Cannot wear (or bear) dyed cloth.
Cannot carry gold.
Cannot destroy or disturb mushrooms (including monstrous mushrooms, such as Shriekers).
Cannot touch pure crystalline salt.
Can never enter the sea.
Can never accept payment for any services.
Must remain celibate.
Must take a new lover every month.

Destiny at 9th Level

At 9th Level your character attracts loyal companions – possibly even magical creatures! These companions will regard the Ranger as a friend and ally, and will always fight to defend them.

The total Hit Dice of followers attracted will not exceed 9. Possible followers include:

Fool Hare (1 HD)
Hawk (1 HD)
Pixie (1 HD)
Sprite (1 HD)
Elven Warrior-Wizard, 1St – 4th Level
Gnomish Tinkerer, 1St – 4th Level
Halfling Rover, 1St – 4th Level
Human Bard, 1st – 4th Level
Human Fighter, 1st – 4th Level
Human Jester, 1St – 4th Level
Human Ranger, 1st – 4th Level
Lizard Man (2 HD)
Wolf (2 HD)
Boar (3 HD)
Hippogriff (3 HD)
Mountain Lion (3 HD)
Bear, Black (4 HD)
Centaur (4 HD)
Panther (4 HD)
Unicorn (4 HD)
Alphyn (5 HD)
Bear, Grizzly (5 HD)
Lion (5 HD)
Sasquatch (5 HD)
Satyr (5 HD)
Lycanthrope, Werebear (6 HD)
Trefolic Dragon (6 HD)
Griffin (7 HD)
Panthera (7 HD)
Treant (8 HD)

Roll a d30 to determine the Ranger’s first Companion, thereafter re-rolling results indicating followers whose total Hit Dice would exceed 9.

Additionally, your character will be asked to become the personal champion and protector or either the current Grand Druid or Druidess, or else a Clan Chief of Maeland. They can refuse without negative consequences.

Destiny at 14th Level

At 14th Level, the following will occur:

The current Grand Druid or Druidess will invite your character to the Isle of Testing, to undergo the challenges of athletics, skill-at-arms, and poetry that will make them High King or High Queen of Maeland.
A Queen of Elves will invite you to her court, to become her primary spouse and King of Elves for her nation. This can occur regardless of the Ranger’s gender – and the fact that they are not actually an Elf. The Queen will consent to renew the marriage every year, for as long as the Ranger wishes to remain wed. One can be both the High King (or High Queen) of Maeland, and a King of Elves (in Maeland, or another nation) simultaneously.
The Rosy Dragon will invite your character to join their court and live in the Summerland forever. If they accept, the Ranger does not actually attain the full powers of an Immortal, but will neither will they ever age, succumb to any disease, or die of natural causes.

Human Ranger Advancement Table

Exp. Points (Hours played)	Exp. Level	Hit Points	Level Title	THAC0 [Attack Roll Bonus]	Highest Level of Fiannic Poems Known	Total Levels of Poems Usable per Day
0	1	1d10	Hunter	19 [0]	–	–
3,000 (20 hours)	2	2d10	Fiannic Rhymer	18 [+1]	1^st	1
6,000 (32 hours)	3	3d10	Fiannic Sentinel	17 [+2]	1^st	2
11,000 (44 hours)	4	4d10	Fiannic Tracker	16 [+3]	1^st	3
20,000 (56 hours)	5	5d10	Fiannic Knight / Fiannic Dame	15 [+4]	2^nd	4
40,000 (68 hours)	6	6d10	Fiannic Defender	14 [+5]	2^nd	5
80,000 (80 hours)	7	7d10	Fiannic Protector	13 [+6]	2^nd	6
140,000 (92 hours)	8	8d10	Fiannic Champion	12 [+7]	3^rd	7
260,000 (104 hours)	9	9d10	Warrior-Poet	11 [+8]	3^rd	8
360,000 (116 hours)	10	9d10+3	Warrior-Poet	10 [+9]	3^rd	9
480,000 (128 hours)	11	9d10+6	Warrior-Poet	9 [+10]	4^th	10
600,000 (140 hours)	12	9d10+9	Warrior-Poet	8 [+11]	4^th	11
720,000 (152 hours)	13	9d10+12	Warrior-Poet	7 [+12]	4^th	12
840,000 (164 hours)	14	9d10+15	Supreme Warrior-Poet	6 [+13]	5^th	13

Human Ranger Saving Throws

Level	Poison / Death Ray / Disease	Wands / Psionics	Paralysis / Petrification	Dragon Breath / Explosives / Firearms	Spell /Staff / Rod
1	12	13	14	15	16
2 – 3	11	12	13	14	15
4 – 5	10	11	12	13	14
6 – 7	9	10	11	12	13
8 – 9	8	9	10	11	12
10 –11	7	8	9	10	11
12 – 13	6	7	8	9	10
14	5	6	7	8	9

FIANNIC POEMS

1^st Level Fiannic Poems

1	Animal Friendship: Ranger gains the companionship of twice their own HD of visible mundane animals, who can learn 1 “trick” or task per point of their Int. No more than twice Ranger’s HD of animals can be under the Ranger’s influence at a time. Companions can be dismissed to make way for new ones. {As long as desired}
2	Bath of Soothing: Ranger blesses either a tub of water, or a natural pool, so the first creature to enter it afterward will be cured of 1 point of Damage per Experience Level or Hit Dice they possess. For example: A 3^rd Level bather regains 3 lost Hit Points. {Until used}
3	Calm Animals: Ranger calms hostile, frightened, or otherwise uncontrollable natural animals, whether wild or domestic. Giant Animals and unnatural Monsters with bizarre anatomies are not affected. [All mundane animals with a 25’ radius] {1 hour}
4	Create Flame: Ranger creates a small flame, equal to a lit candle in size, heat, and illumination. {1 Round, unless used to ignite a flammable object}
5	Detect Poison: Ranger can detect the presence and location of poison within a 25′ foot radius. {Until Ranger leaves area, but no more than 1 hour}
6	Locate Animal: Ranger knows the location of a desired type of mundane, non-monstrous animal that can be potentially reached within an hour’s time. A specific animal can be located only if the Ranger is familiar with it. An animal inside a cage of lead, aluminum, or tin cannot be found with this spell. {1 hour}
7	Purify Food and Drink: Decayed, spoiled or contaminated food and drink become safe, wholesome and nutritious. [1 meal per Ranger’s Level] {Until food rots again naturally}
8	Resist Cold: Ranger or Recipient can ignore damage from cold equal to 2 x Ranger’s Experience Level. {1 hour}
9	Skin Like Bark: The Ranger or Recipient’s skin becomes tough like tree bark, improving their Armor Class by 2. [Ranger, or 1 Recipient] {1 hour}
10	Speak With Animals: Ranger can speak to any normal or giant animals encountered, who can communicate to the limits of their Intelligence. Monsters with bizarre anatomies are excluded. [1 hour]

2^nd Level Fiannic Poems

1	Cure Paralysis: The Recipient is cured of all paralyzing or movement inhibiting effects (except Petrification). [1 touched Recipient]
2	Delay Poison: Any poison affecting the Recipient is temporarily neutralized, but will take effect once the Miracle ends. Can also be performed on a person before they are exposed to poison. {1 Turn per Ranger’s Level}
3	Detect Snares & Pits: Ranger is aware of any intentionally set traps, snares, and pits within 50’ of their current location, however carefully hidden. {Until User leaves area}
4	Ignore Pain: Ranger or Recipient become immune to all pain and pain effects, mundane or magical. {Until dawn}
5	Lesser Restoration: An Ability reduced by damage or magic is restored by 1 point. [1 touched Recipient]
6	Resist Fire: Recipient can ignore damage from fire equal to 2 x Bard’s Exp. Level. {1 hour}

3^rd Level Fiannic Poems

1	Bath of Healing: Ranger blesses either a tub of water, or a natural pool, so the first creature to enter it afterward will be cured of 1d4 points of Damage per Experience Level or HD they possess. For example: A 5^th Level bather regains 5d4 lost Hit Points. {Until used}
2	Cure Blindness/Deafness: Ranger or Recipient is cured or either Blindness or Deafness, magical or mundane in origin. [1 touched Recipient, or the Ranger]
3	Cure Disease: Ranger or Recipient is cured of all physical diseases and parasitic infections.
4	Empowered Weapon: The Ranger temporarily makes a weapon or ammunition capable of striking Monsters otherwise immune to normal attacks. [1 weapon, or 12 arrows/bolts/bullets] {Until dawn}
5	Increase Ability: One of the Recipient’s Abilities temporarily improves by 4 points (to a maximum of 18), with all corresponding benefits. {1 hour}
6	Locate Object: Ranger knows the location of a desired type of object that can be potentially reached within an hour’s time. A specific item can be located only if the Ranger is familiar with it. An object encased in lead, aluminum, or tin cannot be found with this spell (but items made of those metals can be).
7	Neutralize Poison: All poisons and toxins affecting the Ranger or Recipient are neutralized. Can also be performed on a person before they are exposed to poison. [Ranger, or 1 Recipient]{1 Turn per Ranger’s Level}
8	Obtain Oracle: Ranger learns the result of a proposed course of action in the form of an ambiguous riddle, or unexplained metaphorical statement. Only one Oracle can be obtained per question.
9	Pyrotechnics: A flame either explodes in a beautiful, colored burst, (unprepared onlookers are blinded for a minute), or emits thick, choking smoke in a 50’ radius (everyone within is effectively blind, and suffers -4 to Str & Con for 2 minutes. [50’ radius] {1 minute} * Save negates.
10	Speak With Plants: Ranger can question the local plants about actions that have transpired near them within the last season. Plants can only answer “Yes” or “No”, and can only sense events apparent to any ordinary observer with no magical senses. {1 Hour}

4^th Level Fiannic Poems

1	Control Plants: Ranger animates and controls the movement of all plants in a 50’ radius. Plants can be parted to reveal an obscured area; tree limbs can block or strike like clubs; vines and roots can entangle, ensnare, or become nooses; and hard fruit can be thrown like sling bullets. Controlled Plants use the Ranger’s Attack Bonus and Saves. {1 hour}
2	Cure Serious Wounds: Ranger or Recipient is cured of 1d4 points of Damage per own Experience Level of Hit Dice. For example: A 5^th Level Recipient regains 5d4 lost Hit Points. [Ranger, or 1 touched Recipient]
3	Detect Scrying: Caster will know if they are being scried upon, or otherwise observed through supernatural means. Any would-be scrier must save versus Spells, or their identity is revealed. {Until dawn}
4	Dispel Magic: Ongoing spell effects are ended. There is a chance of failure equal to 5% x the Level of Spell to be undone (i.e., Dispelling a 5^th Level Spell is 25% likely to fail).
5	Remove Curse: Recipient is freed from any supernatural curses currently afflicting them. A “curse” is defined by any Spell which includes the word “curse” in its description. [1 Recipient other than the Ranger]
6	Walk On Water: Ranger or Recipient can walk across water (or any similar fluid, including mud and quicksand) as if it was dry ground. All encumbrance rules still apply. [1 hour]

5^th Level Fiannic Poems

1	Bath of Great Healing: Ranger blesses either a tub of water, or a natural pool, so the first creature to enter it afterward will be cured of 1d6 points of Damage per Experience Level or HD they possess. For example: A 9^th Level Recipient regains 9d6 lost Hit Points. {Until used}
2	Commune With Fairy: Ranger mentally contacts a powerful Fairy (such as the Queen of the Winter Court) and asks them a question. If a Reaction Roll indicates the Fairy likes the Ranger, they will answer truthfully and to the best of their knowledge. {1 question}
3	Death Ward: Recipient cannot be harmed by offensive Spells (or Maledictions) for the duration of the effect, and is immune to XP loss or Ability damage from contact with the Undead. [Ranger, or 1 touched Recipient] {Until dawn}
4	Locate Creature: Ranger knows the location of a desired type of creature that can be potentially reached within an hour’s time. A specific creature can be located only if the Ranger is familiar with it. A creature encased in lead, aluminum, or tin cannot be found with this spell. {1 hour}
5	Polymorph Self (Transmutation): Ranger can transform bodily into any creature with HD equal to their own Level, or lower. Only physical form (and Strength) is gained – not any Special Abilities or senses. {1 hour, + 1 Turn/Level}
6	True Seeing: Ranger sees things exactly as they are, or were before they being affected by any Spells or Special Abilities that produce illusions, Glamours, or Transmutations. [Visual range] {1 hour}

The Summerland Dragons, Part I – Trefolic and Urtician

05 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by Daniel James Hanley in Monsters, OGL, OSR, Panzoasia

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Tags

Adventure Game, B/X, BECMI, Creature, dragon, old school, OSR, RC, role playing, role-playing game, roleplaying game, TTRPG

Like all Dragons inhabiting Panzoasia and the Corners of the Earth (besides the primordial Fire-Breathing and Serpentine breeds), those of the Summerland are descended from the uplifted Dragon of the Terrestrial Paradise. In the case of the Summerland Dragons, their ancestors were female Fairies who mated with the Dragon after its expulsion from Paradise. Their offspring were permitted to dwell in the Summerland by the Lord and Lady of Life, who bore no ill-will towards the Dragon for having been the agent of the First Person’s division into the Five Peoples.

The Summerland Dragon notably share characteristics with certain plants and trees. Although they are often smaller than other kinds of Dragon, they are powerfully magical beings. Each can speak, read, and write every language in existence, and every one is an accomplished spellcaster of some kind. All have several alternate forms that they can assume at will. As natives of the Summerland, they are all true Neutral in Alignment, but while some embody Nature’s harmony, others tend to evidence its darker side of violence and predation.

Summerland Dragons do not pass through all the age categories of other dragons. They are effectively immortal unless killed, and each is born a fully formed adult. Like all Dragons they are sequentially hermaphroditic (passing through alternately male and female phases), but they don’t ordinarily reproduce in the expected way. If one is slain through misadventure, a plant of the appropriate type will spring up overnight on the site where the dragon died. Over the course of a week the plant will transform into a new adult Dragon of the same type. The new Dragon will not remember anything of its previous life, however. The total population of Summerland Dragon thus remains constant. Summerland Dragons who mate with other beings, however, (which they often do when in their alternate forms) can either father, or become pregnant with, half-draconic offspring (according to the Dragon’s current gender).

Many of the Summerland Dragons change colors with the seasons. Notably, most of the Isles of the Summerland experience a single perpetual season (which is generally – but not always – summer), and thus the Dragons who live there remain a single hue. However, certain breeds who choose to live in Panzoasia (particularly the Quercic and Corylic Dragons) will show different colors throughout the year.

The Breath Weapons of Summerland Dragons are also unique. Rather than damage their victims, each incapacitates them in some way instead. Whether an affected person should consider this a blessing, or an especially cruel curse, however, varies from breed to breed. Significantly, Summerland Dragons are immune both to each other’s Breath Weapons, and those of Panzoasian Dragons – who are in turn cannot be incapacitated by a Summerland Dragon.

All Summerland Dragon know how to travel the secret Fairy Paths. They can walk, fly, or swim back to the Summerland from Panzoasia, or any Corner of the Earth (Shadowland, the Chthon, etc.), in 10 minutes. Likewise, from the Summerland they can reach any other Corner of the Earth by traveling for 10 minutes. Travel within Panozaosia (or a a Corner of the Earth) is accomplished normally – unless the Dragon chooses to travel back to the Summerland, and from there to someplace else.

Like other Dragons, Summerland Dragons can consume anything organic, but can also live on dirt or mud if need be. Their connection with the world of growing things allows them to regenerate 1 hp per Round when in contact with soil or water.

Trefolic Dragon

Number Appearing: 1
Size: Large (15’ long)
Alignment: Neutral
Morale: Low
Intelligence: 12
Move: Walk 1.5 x human speed
Fly 3 x human speed
Armor Class: 6 better than unarmored.
Hit Dice: 6
Attacks & Damage:
Bite 3d4, or Indolent Breath
Claw 1d4
Claw 1d4
Special:
* Indolent Breath (3 x per day): All within a 30’ x 30’ cloud in front of the Dragon must Save versus Breath Weapon or completely lose interest in attacking, defending, or pursuing any useful activity for 2d4 minutes.
* Can assume the form of a Human, Elf, Bee, Rabbit, or a 10’ x 10’ Clover Patch at will.
* Speaks and reads all languages.
* Regenerates 1 hp per Round when in contact with soil or water.
* Immune to Dragon Breath of all kinds.
* Can travel to and from the Summerland in 10 minutes.
* Casts Spells as a 6th Level Cleric.
Saves: As Cleric 6
Treasure: Rare minerals, nuggets of precious metal, uncut gems, crystals, wood-carvings, and finely-crafted toys worth approximately 8,000gp, plus 1d6 potions, and 1 random Magic Item.
Challenge: Four 7th Level Characters

In their natural forms, Trefolic Dragons are small, pot-bellied dragons about 15 feet long, with scales that are similar to leaves of green clover. The snouts of their dog-like heads are rounded, and relatively short for Dragons. Their large eyes are milky white, and there are arcs of white coloration in the webbing of their wings. Their short, bud-like horns are glittery white. In the winter, a Trefolic Dragon’s scales turn brown. These creatures are also fond of appearing as Human or Elven children, dressed in green clothes, and crowned with blooming clover. In addition, they can assume the shapes of bees, rabbits, or even clover patches!

Trefolic Dragons are the most playful and good-natured of the Summerland Dragons, but greatly resent any attempt to draw them away from their frolicking. Their natural habitats are the rolling fields of the Summerland Isles, but they are known to make their way to Panzoasia from time to time, for no purpose beyond the sheer enjoyment of travel. Besides Fairy Folk, they love the company of Fool Hares, humorous Gnomes, and the various animals of the open meadow. They do not get along, however, with the Urtician Dragons of the Summerland.

Trefolic Dragons are especial collectors of toys, and visitors who bring the creatures new, interesting, or especially well-crafted toys will earn their favor. They otherwise prefer natural, uncut gems and minerals, as well as rustic carvings of rare woods. They keep their treasures well-hidden in natural caves and burrows.

Fighting the Trefolic Dragon
Trefolic Dragons fight to kill only when attacked first. Their first defense is always to release the fumes of their Indolent Breath, a 30 foot cloud of green vapors. If all the targets become stupefied, the Trefolic Dragon will usually try to flee the scene. Those who annoy the Dragon by interrupting its playtime will be treated similarly. If cornered or otherwise forced to engage in combat, the Dragon will rely on its magic first, resorting to bite and claw attacks only as a last resort. Generally, the Trefolic Dragon avoids killing and violence whenever possible, and will ask attackers to “please stop”. However, it has no qualms about eating the bodies of those who persisted – and lost!

Urtician Dragon

Number Appearing: 1
Size: Large (15’ long)
Alignment: Neutral
Morale: High
Intelligence: 12
Move: Walk 1.5 x human speed
Fly 3 x human speed
Armor Class: 7 better than unarmored.
Hit Dice: 7
Attacks & Damage (front):
Bite 3d4, or Agonizing Breath
Claw 1d4
Claw 1d4
Attacks & Damage (back and sides):
Wing slash (on right) 1d4
Wing slash (on left) 1d4
Tail Slap 1d4 (+ Save versus Dexterity, or suffer effects of Stinging Spines. See below.)
Special:
* Agonizing Breath (3 x per day): All within a 30’ x 30’ cloud in front of the Dragon must Save versus Breath Weapon or experience a burning pain that fully incapacitates them for 2d4 minutes.
* Stinging Spines: Unarmed attacks on the Dragon cause the attacker to Save versus Paralysis or suffer 1d4 points of temporary Dexterity damage, which heals back the next morning.
* Can assume the form of a Human, Elf, Wasp, Viper, or Nettle Plant at will.
* Speaks and reads all languages.
* Regenerates 1 hp per Round when in contact with soil or water.
* Immune to Dragon Breath of all kinds.
* Can travel to and from the Summerland in 10 minutes.
* Casts Spells as a 7th Level Magic User.
Saves: As Magic User 7
Treasure: Rare minerals, torture instruments, nuggets of precious metal, uncut gems, and crystals worth approximately 12,000gp, plus 1d4 potions, and 1 magical weapon.
Challenge: Four 9th Level Characters

The natural form of the Urtician Dragon is slender and sharp-featured. The creature’s scales resemble the leaves of a stinging nettle, and are covered with similar spiny hairs. The creature’s eyes are red. Its horns are straight and spine-like, as are its teeth. A saw-like ridge runs down the Dragon’s back, to the tip of its spiny tail. The “fingers” of the creature’s wings end in long, sharp points, and the webbing between them is purple. In winter, the Dragon’s hide turns completely gray. The inside of its mouth is always dark purple, however, as is its tongue.

Urtician Dragons are louts that see themselves as the embodiments of Nature’s callousnesss – and act appropriately. They are fond of insulting and provoking other beings, just to see what will happen. While their behavior thus tends towards malevolence, they also see their own actions in terms of a harmonious totality of being that includes the counterbalance of mercy – just, not from themselves. They have even been known to remind people being eaten alive that “its nothing personal”! When in Panzoasia, they freely associate with bandits, outlaws, assassins, and most other draconic beings. However, they despise the happy-go-lucky Trefolic Dragons from their Summerland home.

Whether in the Summerland or Panzoasia, Urtician Dragons fill their lairs with traps and snares. They prefer to dwell in ruins, especially those that were destroyed by fire. They collect instruments of torture, particularly if such have been artistically wrought. Their hoards also always include at least one magical weapon – kept as a curiosity, since they prefer to attack in in their natural draconic form.

Fighting the Urtician Dragon
Urtician Dragons attack mercilessly, and often without provocation. They will begin combats by breathing out the green fumes of their Agonizing Breath. Next they will savage their opponents with every physical attack they have. If the fight turns against them, then they will seek to retreat and use magic spells (such as Lightning Bolt) from a distance.

The Realms of the Ultimate West, Part III – Yep, There’s More!

20 Monday May 2019

Posted by Daniel James Hanley in OGL, OSR, Panzoasia

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Campaign Setting, fantasy, old school, OSR

Here are the last four lists describing the Realms of the Ultimate West. The remaining realms shown on the map are actually parts of the Ultimate North and Ultimate South.

No, nothing here is innovative awards-bait. I’m sharing it as an example of how you can present home-brew Campaign information in a format that will not overwhelm players. If you want to further develop an aspect of your Campaign world using the “Ten Points” method, simply take a statement from your “Ten Things to Know”, and write ten bullet points further explaining it. As you do so, always focus on things that will somehow affect the PCs, and to which they will eventually need to react.

Ten Things to Know About the Free March
“The Steel Cantons”

Free Marchers are famously skilled adventurers.
The realm is inhabited by a mix of all Five Peoples.
The Free March was formerly dominated by bloodthirsty Hobgoblins who killed or drove off all the previous inhabitants. This why those People who later came to the Free March had to be especially daring and resourceful.
The realm was not among those liberated by the Immortal Heroes and Heroines. Instead, it was gradually freed and populated by immigrants from many surrounding realms.
Because it has no single Immortal patron, inhabitants of the March commonly invoke the direct blessing of The King and Queen of the Angels.
The Free March is a confederation of semi-autonomous Cantons who elect a Marquis as leader every 12 years.
The Free March is rich in mineral wealth, but much more wild than other regions. The place is riddled with entrances to the Underworld, there are many remaining colonies of Monsters and Depredators, and incursions from the Wasteland still occur.
Adventurers seeking their fortunes flock to the Free March, along with those who are (rightly or wrongly) not tolerated elsewhere. There is a network of “Adventurers’ Hostels”, especially in the eastern part.
Most of the settlements in the Free March are protected by some kind of fortification – even the small villages.
Otherwise, a visitor from Earth would see many superficial resemblances to medieval Switzerland.

Note: The Free March is the actual starting location for my Panzoasia campaign.

Ten Things to Know About Maeland
“The Copper Chiefdoms”

Maelanders are famously skilled musicians and bards.
The realm is inhabited mostly by Humans, Elves, and Gnomes. It also has an especially significant population of Half-Elves.
The People were formerly oppressed by the crude, pig-faced Orcs, which is why beauty and artistic expression is so valued.
Maeland was freed by the Immortal Hero called “The Charming Lord”, who in life was a Elf.
The Charming Lord is Neutral (good) rather than Lawful in Alignment, and Druids are the High Priests of his worship.
The Chiefs of the Maelander clans are theoretically subject to a High King chosen by a series of military, athletic, and artistic challenges, but there hasn’t been a High King in 12 years.
Anyone can attempt to become High King (or Queen) by completing the required challenges on the Isle of Testing.
The Island of Occeney is considered part of Maeland, but is still mostly wilderness filled with Monsters.
The witches of Maeland are particularly renowned for their potions.
Otherwise, a visitor from Earth would see many superficial resemblances to medieval Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Wales.

Ten Things to Know About Ombratia
“The Brazen City-States”

Ombratians are famously skilled merchants.
The realm is inhabited mostly by Humans and Gnomes, with some Elves.
The People were formerly oppressed by Minotaurs, which is why Ombratians love to eat beef (which they call “little Minotaur”).
The realm was freed by the Immortal Heroine called “The Fearless Lady”, who in life was a Gnome.
Ombatia is not a unified realm, but four sovereign city-states operating in a trade union.
Ombratians love exotic foods, and often adopt customs from far-flung parts of Panzoasia.
A beloved pastime throughout Ombratia is watching fights between specially trained warriors and various Monsters. The more exotic the Monster, the better.
Ombratian Monster Dealers can be found in every port of Panzoasia. Many people dislike them, on account of the Monsters that are sometime unleashed during botched shipments!
Ventona is a plutocratic republic, and the wealthiest city. Zinado is a monarchy, and the largest city. Tinsano is a direct democracy, and has the most diverse population. Coppalo is a hereditary oligarchy, and the richest in natural resources.
Otherwise, a visitor from Earth would see many superficial resemblances to Renaissance Italy.

Ten Things to Know About Ydez
“The Silver Kingdom”

Ydezians are famously skilled swordsmen.
The realm is inhabited mostly by Humans and Dwarves.
The People were formerly oppressed by the Cynocephali (or “Gnolls”), which why Ydezians tend to like cats, but dislike dogs.
Ydez was freed by the Immortal Hero called “The Dazzling Lord”, who in life was a Human.
The Kingdom of Ydez is an absolute Monarchy, and the King is a male-line descendent of the Dazzling Lord.
Dragon Island is claimed by Ydez, but its jungles are still infested with Monsters.
Lizard, Vulture, and Shark Island are home to whole communities of pirates, and others who would seek their fortunes from the sea. The King’s authority on the Islands is nominal at best.
Ydezians love to gamble, and are constantly inventing new games.
The mainland of Ydez has the richest silver deposits in Panzoasia.
Otherwise, a visitor from Earth would see many superficial resemblances to 16th century Spain in mainland Ydez, while the culture on the islands has some resemblances to the Spanish West Indies during the Golden Age of Piracy.

The Realms of the Ultimate West, Part II

16 Thursday May 2019

Posted by Daniel James Hanley in OGL, OSR, Panzoasia

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Campaign Setting, fantasy, old school, OSR

Today I’m continuing to reveal the Ultimate West of Panzoasia, focusing on three places that are not actually considered nations, but which nonetheless loom large in the imaginations of the Five Peoples.

Ten Things to Know About the Sacred isle of Albelon

Albelon is where the Immortal Heroes and Heroines of the Ultimate West gathered before they shed their material bodies and became Light.
The most holy shrine of the Ultimate West stands at the summit of Albelon’s Holy Mountain.
Pilgrims from across the Ultimate West journey to Albelon to receive blessings and miracles.
Those powerful mortals who seek to become Saints in the service of the Immortal Heroes and Heroines must also go to the Holy Mountain of Albelon, where they will receive the quests that will prove their worthiness to dwell in the Light.
Albelon is administered by a counsel of nine High Priestesses – one each from Auddisland, Bythebia, Maeland, Edister, the Free March, Corthis, Ombratia, and Ydez, plus a ninth elected by the other eight.
The Nine Priestesses of Albelon are said to protect a sleeping King from a far away land, who will one day awaken to lead the righteous.
The Holy Order of Paladins is sworn to protect the island, and especially the Shrine of the Holy Mountain.
Ghost Ships from the Cursed island of Nerolan sometime threaten the western coast of Albelon.
Weapons forged on Albelon are inherently blessed and able to damage even the most powerful of evil beings, even if not otherwise enchanted.
Temples to the Immortals of the Ultimate West are oriented towards Albelon.

Ten Things to Know About the Cursed Island of Nerolan

When the Realms of the Five Peoples were liberated, many Depredators and their followers in the Ultimate West fled to Nerolan.
Nerolan is now the Kingdom of the Undead, ruled by the deathless Lich Vermadeus, who was in life the most powerful Depredator of all.
It is rumored that the Depradators still look to Vermadeus as their leader – at least fear his wrath enough to obey his directives.
As the righteous make pilgrimage to the Sacred Isle of Albelon, so Depredators and their cultists are said to journey to Nerolan to receive instruction and unholy blessings.
The sky is over Nerolan is always cloudy – when it is not actually storming.
Ghost Ships manned by the dead sail from Nerolan, raiding the coasts for corpses to be brought back to the island and reanimated.
Sometimes, the Ghost Ships deliver Undead, to infest the dark places of Pazoasia and serve the Depradators.
It is also rumored that the Ghost Ships ferry Depredators back to Nerolan.
Among the inhabitants of Nerolan are the abominable Thouls, bizarre cross-breeds of Hobgoblin, Ghoul, and Troll created by the Depredators.
Ghost Ships from Nerolan will occasionally attempt to raid Albelon, but so far have always been repulsed by the Paladins.

Ten Things to Know About the Wasteland

The Wasteland was once green. But the greed and rapaciousness of the Monsters made it barren.
There are rivers that flow into the Wasteland, but all of them end before reaching any body of water.
There are several enormous depressions that were once a network of vast lakes and inland seas, called the Wells of Chaos.
The Wasteland is not a sandy desert, but rocky, barren ground largely devoid of plants. What does grow there tends to be thorny, twisted, and useless.
Above-ground life in the Wasteland clings to the few rivers that flow into it, and some scattered oases.
Large sections of the western half of the Wasteland are canyons and badlands.
There is supposedly a vast network of of tunnels and caves running underneath the Wasteland, constituting the heart of the Underworld. It is said to be possible to travel from one end of the Wasteland to another (and into the realms of the Five Peoples) without ever seeing daylight.
The Wasteland is filled with the ruins of Lost Cities once inhabited by the intelligent Monsters.
The Lost Cities are said to hold treasures beyond belief.
Those who have returned from the Wasteland also claim to have see the bones of gigantic, primordial sea monsters – and not just in the Wells of Chaos.

The Future of the Wasteland

In my mind, in 250 years or so the area of the Wasteland will be occupied by the Phoenix States, a kind of fantasy version of the American Wild West.

In about 150 years Panzoasia will undergo an Industrial Revolution. The remaining Monsters in the Wasteland will launch a final, all-out invasion. By this time, however, they are at a truly massive technological disadvantage. Ha’wakuni firearms had long since spread across Panzoasia, and the Ha’wakuni themselves had developed the repeating rifle and the six-gun. The riders of Ha’wakun smash the hordes of Monsters invading their realm, and conquer the Wasteland. Settlers from Ha’wakun begin restoring the ecology. Rivers begin flowing back into the Wells of Chaos, and they become vast lakes again. The Ha’wakuni government invites immigration, and settlers of every People stream in from across Panzoasia. Eventually the number of non-Ha’wakuni equals (and in some places exceeds) those descended from the original Ha’wakuni settlers. The Tribal Congress in the City of Six Horizons decides that the New Lands cannot be fairly ruled by a far-away government. Rather, its current inhabitants should be granted the right to form independent states, with the proviso that all such states must be representative democracies in an eternal non-aggression pact with Ha’wakun. The new states remain separate entities for a decade, but come together in a plan to build a Great Railroad to link themselves together. That project hastens the joining of the Phoenix States together in a federal union. But, the place remains a wild land filled with both idealistic dreamers and amoral opportunists. Wandering gunfighters battle the last remaining Monsters (and each other), Halfling farmers and ranchers eke a hard living from the land, and the Elven Green Wizards develop (and sell) new magic to make the desert bloom again. And all the while work on the Great Railroad continues.

An Overview of Panzoasia and the Ultimate West

14 Tuesday May 2019

Posted by Daniel James Hanley in OGL, OSR, Panzoasia

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Campaign Setting, fantasy, old school, OSR

The Ultimate West of Panzoasia

This is the second part of a series outlining a new, “all-ages” fantasy setting for Old-School gaming. If you’ve come to the blog for Ghastly Affair material, don’t worry – I’ve definitely not turned my back on Gothic Romance! I’m just stretching my creative legs a little. Perhaps this will turn into something more serious down the line, perhaps not. Right now I’m just enjoying myself.

Read part one in the series to learn what precipitated my current foray back into fantasy.

What follows are four lists that I provided to the players in my new Old School campaign, printed on the fronts and backs of two blank, 4″ x 6″ index cards. Also, each player was given their own map of The Ultimate West (shown above). The condensed, index-card format was well-received by the players, and I recommend it to all GMs. The idea of a “Top Ten” list is already quite well established, and in my experience information provided in that format tends to generate immediate interest. Also, I think the the physically small size of the index card helps to make whatever information is on it feel more manageable.

Ten Things to Know About Panzoasia

200 years ago the Five Peoples of Panzoasia lived as tribes and clans who had not yet learned to make steel, had only the most basic forms of magic, and had built only a few cities.
The lands of the Five Peoples were colonized by Monsters that invaded from the Underworld and Wasteland. They relentlessly plundered, and despoiled nature.
At the time of the Great Invasion, many of the intelligent Monsters (especially the Hobgoblins) possessed better technology than the Five Peoples .
While the Monsters reigned, they were aided by Clerics of evil Chaos called “Depredators”.
The Reign of Monsters continued for two generations before the Immortal Heroes and Heroines were born. They discovered better technology and magic (which they spread throughout Panzoasia), and led the Five Peoples to eventually overthrow the Depredators and Monsters.
The Immortal Heroes and Heroines are referred to by poetic titles – never by the names they bore before becoming Light.
Panzoasia is situated “at the ends of the Earth”. It is possible to deliberately travel between it and Earth (and even more fantastic lands), by sailing the Ocean in the correct direction, in the correct manner, and at the correct time. Objects and people from Earth are sometimes lost in Panzoasia – and vice versa.
The realms of Panzoasia are grouped into four regions: The Ultimate West, The Ultimate East, The Ultimate North, and The Ultimate South. Each was liberated by a different group of Immortal Heroes and Heroines.
Each region of Panzoasia has its own Common Tongue created by the Immortals. A person from Corthis can understand someone from Ydez, but neither can understand someone from the Ultimate East.
Even now, colonies of evil Monsters and Depredators persist in many places – especially the Underworld and Wasteland. The treasures they have stolen wait to be reclaimed.

Ten Things to Know About the Five Peoples of Panzoasia

The universal symbol of the Five Peoples is a pentagram with the point upwards, while the upside-down pentagram symbolizes the evil Monsters and Depredators.
The Five Peoples (Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, and Gnomes) originated in the Terrestrial Paradise, but left it for Panzoasia thousands of years before the Monsters came.
Humans native to The Ultimate West usually have pale to olive complexions, with any color hair and eyes. Northerners tend to have pale complexions, with light hair and eyes. Southerners usually have complexions ranging from dark brown to tan, with eyes and hair that tend towards dark colors. Easterners tend to have complexions that range from pale amber to deep tan, also with a tendency to dark eyes and hair. Many Easterners have uncreased, almond-shaped eyes (especially in Amikura, Hian, and Xidu), as do some Southerners (especially in Tezaca).
Because they are all one race and freely immigrate, Humans from any region of Panzoasia can actually have any possible complexion, eye, and hair color.
The Elves of Panzoasia can have hair, skin, and eyes in any shade of any hue – including pink, purple, green, and blue.
While Elves can live for a thousand years or more, they can only remember the last 30 years (or so) of their own life.
Dwarves tend to share skin and hair tones with nearby Humans, but use body paint made from clay earth pigments, chalk, animal fat, and charcoal on their skin and hair. Their jewel-like irises can be the color of any gemstone.
Because of their eye colors and body paint, there is a popular rumor/joke that Dwarves are made of earth and stone.
Halflings tend to have the same skin, eye, and hair colors as the majority of the local Human population, although their complexions tend to be ruddier in all cases.
All Gnomes tend to have deeply tanned complexions, with gray or white hair; and blue, green, or gray eyes.

Ten Things to Know About alignment & Religion

In addition to being Lawful, Neutral, or Chaotic, Players can also choose to indicate if their PCs are also Good or Evil, by writing it in parentheses after their main Alignment.
Most people pray to the Immortal Hero who freed their realm, but there are ten greater powers who are actual Gods.
The cosmic patrons of those who are purely Lawful are the Lord and Lady of Destiny, who are King and Queen of the Archons, and reside in the The Perfection of the Celestial Spheres.
The cosmic patrons of those who are purely Chaotic are the Lord and Lady of Chance, who are King and Queen of the Daimons, and reside in The Whirl of Limbo.
The cosmic patrons of those who are Lawful (good), Neutral (good) and Chaotic (good) are the Lord and Lady of Light, who are King and Queen of the Angels, and reside in The Refuge of Heaven.
The cosmic patrons of those who are Lawful (evil), Neutral (evil) and Chaotic (evil) are the Lord and Lady of Darkness, who are King and Queen of Demons and Devils, and reside in The Outer Darkness of Hell. Note that the Chaotic Demons and Lawful Devils hate each other.
The cosmic patrons of those who are purely Neutral are the Lord and Lady of Life, who are King and Queen of the Fairy Folk, and reside in The Harmony of the Summerland.
The Immortal Heroes and Heroines who freed the Realms of the Five Peoples were all Good and served Heaven. Most were Lawful (and aided by Destiny), but The Clever Lady was Chaotic (and succeeded by Chance).
In the Ultimate West, the holy place of pilgrimage for those who are (or aspire to be) good is The Sacred Isle of Albelon, while The Cursed Island of Nerolan is the most unholy site for the Depredators (and other evil beings).
The Depredators who aided the Monsters were aligned with evil (rather than pure) Chaos, and served the Outer Darkness.

Ten Rules Modifications

Magic Users start play with their choice of either a random minor potion, or a scroll of one random, 1st level spell.
Magic Users can make an Intelligence check to know some bit of arcane knowledge, identify a Monster or obscure creature, translate a scrap of lost language, or discern a general idea of what a magic item does.
Fighters can make an Intelligence check to identify a strange weapon or piece of armor, discern the workmanship of arms & armor, or identify their materials.
Thief Abilities are all 66% at 1st Level. They increase by 1% each Level. Alternately, the character instead receives 8 additional percentage points each Level, to be allocated among their Thief Abilities as desired.
Thieves can make an Intelligence Check to quickly appraise items, or know how many coins are in a hoard without needing to count them.
Thieves who successfully appraise will be told the information privately – they can choose to lie, or honestly share what they know.
Clerics can make an Intelligence Check to remember lore relating to the Immortals, the Gods, or the entities that serve them.
Clerics can promote Law, Chaos, or Neutrality as abstract concepts, instead of serving a specific spiritual entity.
Druids are all Neutral in Alignment, but they can be Neutral (good), and be aided by the Angels of Heaven; pure Neutral, and be allied with the Fairies of the Summerland, or Neutral (evil), and serve the powers of Hell.
Gnomes are a playable Class.

Tomorrow, I’ll begin posting the lists of “Ten Things to Know” for each realm shown on the map of The Ultimate West.

Because What the World Needs Now is Another Fantasy Setting…

13 Monday May 2019

Posted by Daniel James Hanley in OGL, OSR, Panzoasia

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Campaign Setting, fantasy, old school, OSR

This weekend I ran a game where the age range of players was between 11 and 46. A tween, a teen, and four Gen-Xers (including myself). It was the eleven-year old’s first real game as an actual player, while her 15 year old brother had already played with the group a few times. Since many young people’s first association with RPGs is “Stranger Things”, I thought it would be nice for her and her brother to experience D&D the way is was actually played in the mid-80s. So, out came my original Rules Cyclopedia! Now, I had a previous campaign world, called “Vaozum”, that I used for Old-School style games. The problem is, there are mature themes baked into that setting. So, I set myself the challenge of creating a “PG-rated” campaign world that could be easily explained to an eleven year old, but would still be interesting enough for the adults present (who were among the original “Ghastly Affair” players). I actually welcomed the chance to stretch myself creatively beyond the adult-oriented Gothic material I’ve been focused on for a few years now.

I set myself the following design goals:

This setting is meant to be a positive, “all-ages “ one, deep enough for adults, but not dwelling on topics unsuitable for young people. I have already created an RPG specifically for adults to explore mature subjects – this is for families, mixed-age groups, and public play.
This is a game setting, meant to be played rather than read. Everything will be minimally defined.
Each chunk of setting info is to be presented in an impactful and easily referenced “list of ten” format that can fit on one side of a 4” x 6” index card.
The setting is meant to be compatible with as wide a range of OSR fantasy games as possible, and to be defined loosely enough that third-party modules and adventures could be easily “slotted-in”.
This is meant to be a fun and accessible setting, which doesn’t take itself too seriously. Humorous characters are OK.
Every dungeon / adventure should be “winnable” with minimal bloodshed (if the players so choose), and good play should be rewarded. No “nega-dungeons”.
It is possible to make the world a better place, and although there is still a tremendous amount of evil and danger, positive change is happening.
Any reasonable, rules-legal concept a Player has for their character should be possible. The setting will be written to accommodate the players’ most probable desires.
Areas are to be specifically left open to accommodate stronghold building and domain creation by Player Characters.
I will use the “fantastic twist on a real-world historical society” conceit, so that Players can quickly grasp the setting. The unique twists on each culture must be easily remembered, so other details can be filled in as required from general knowledge, without any worry about contradicting an intricately detailed setting “canon”. Likewise, there will be many echoes of real-world legends and mythology.

I decided to use the name “Panzoasia”, which I’ve had lying around among my creative notes / half-finished work for years now.

Ten Distinguishing Qualities of Panzoasia

There was never a Golden Age or great empire. The technology of today is much better than that of the past.
None of the Five Peoples (Humankind, Elfkind, Dwarfkind, Halflingkind, and Gnomekind) has an older history than any of the others. Rather, they have always lived together. Humans are not less developed or sophisticated than Elves, for example.
The current nations of Panzoasia are all relatively young – no more than a century old.
Each realm was once colonized by large numbers of a certain kind of Monster, which left an especial impact on the realm’s modern culture and society.
The Monsters aren’t horrible because they look and act differently, but because they cannot, or are unwilling to, live in harmony with the Five Peoples. They can’t be tolerated, because they they do not tolerate others in return. Those creatures who are willing to live with the Five Peoples as equals, however, are accepted – and not considered “Monsters”. The Monsters are invasive species that waste resources, pollute their environments, and ruin local ecologies.
A character’s realm and culture of birth is generally more important to them than their kind of People. For example, an Elf from the realm of Corthis would generally consider herself to be primarily “Corthisian”, and only secondarily “Elven”.
People are not seeking to expand their wealth and territory at the expense of indigenous Monsters, but engaged in an ongoing effort to win back all the wealth and territory the invasive Monsters once stole from them.
Many of the realms are some variety of republic or elective monarchy.
Ruined castles, ancient cities, and ancient magic items found in treasure hordes are likely to have been created by intelligent Monsters.
There is assumed to be ongoing contact between the mundane Earth and Panzoasia, although the average inhabitant of either place is unaware of the other.

Tomorrow I’ll start posting the resulting setting…

An Alternate Illusionist Class for OSR Games

24 Tuesday May 2022

Posted by Daniel James Hanley in OGL, OSR, Panzoasia

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B/X, BECMI, BX, Classic Fantasy, old school, Old-School, OSR

This version of the Illusionist Class is essentially a hybrid of the Thief and Magic User, emphasizing their origin as entertainers.

Human Illusionist

Prime Requisites: Intelligence and Dexterity
Special Abilities: Direct Attention, Disappear, Illusionist Tricks, Research and Create New Spells, Sleight of Hand.
Restrictions and Weaknesses: Armor and Weapon Restrictions, Gestures and Props.
Hit Dice: d4 per Level, until 9th. Add 1 Hit Point per Level thereafter.
Alignment: Any except Lawful.
Starting Age: 20+d4
Starting Language(s): Western Common.
Alternate Ability Generation: Str: 3d6 | Int: 1d8+10 | Wis: 3d6 | Dex: 1d8+10 | Con: 3d6 | Cha: 3d6

Typical Starting Equipment for Illusionists

A suit of dark-colored clothes, with long sleeves and many pockets.
Black cape or cloak, with hidden pockets.
Turban, broad-brimmed hat, or wig (with secret pocket)
Cane (with concealed blade, or hidden compartment).
Large and gaudy ring (hollow, and large enough to stuff a fine silk cloth inside).
Forged license to practice magic.
Deck of marked playing cards.
Loaded dice.
Slim white wand.
Small knife.
Sponge (for personal hygiene).
1 week of rations (dried sausage, hard cheese, hardtack bread, and dried apples).
Rabbit, or dove.
2d12gp (some, or all of which, might actually be gold-plated lead)

An Illusionist is equal parts miracle-worker and con-man, practicing a tradition of magic that began on theatrical stages and in amphitheaters. Illusionists have mastered the art of smoke, mirrors, and misdirection, and have every skill to separate the unwary from their treasures. They play minds and perceptions like musical instruments, and their marks can never be sure of what is real, and what is mere deception.

Illusionists are known to work in tandem with thieves and assassins. Indeed, some may even become associate members of their local Thieves Guild! While many regular Magic Users utilize spells similar to those of Illusionists, your character will find few friends among the more common sorts of witches and wizards.

Direct Attention

By standing still and forgoing any other action, your character direct the attention and gaze of a single specified target.

The target cannot have more Experience Levels or Hit Dice than the Illusionist.
If the target is hostile, they will attack the enemy the Illusionist selects.
Thieves, Halflings, and other Illusionists trying to Hide or Disappear will automatically succeed, if the attention of a potential witness is directed elsewhere.
Likewise, even large objects can be moved past a person, if your character directs their attention away.
Targets can make a Saving throw versus Spells to resist the effect.

Disappear

With a successful Check of their Dexterity, your character can hide in the shadows, or behind objects. So skilled is your character at disappearing in this way that they can even do it even while being observed!

An Illusionist’s ability to Disappear is a non-magical skill. Spells which reveal magically Invisible people and objects will not reveal them.

Illusionist Tricks

Your character can channel the power of Shadowland to create magical effects which are partially illusory, and partially real.

Your character begins the game knowing four 1st Level Tricks (spells) of your choice from the list of Illusionist Tricks.
Your character perform any Tricks they know, up to their daily limit. You do not require any other kind of preparation, but you must be able to employ the needed Gestures and Props (see below).
The total Levels of Tricks your character can perform in a single day is equal to twice their Experience Level.
With each Level they gain, your character will automatically acquire knowledge of another Illusionist Trick, which can be of any Level they can then cast. They can gain additional Tricks from other Illusionists, by conducting Research (see below), or by being taught by an enchanted Monster or Planar Spirit with illusion powers (who can teach any Trick corresponding to their own abilities).
The total number of Tricks your character knows cannot exceed the sum of their Experience Level + their Intelligence score. A 5th Level Illusionist with an Intelligence of 14 can never know more than 19 Tricks in all.

Research and Create New Tricks

Your character may conduct research to find an existing Trick they do not know, or to create an entirely new Trick.

Researching an existing Trick requires 1 week per Level of the Trick, access to one or more occult libraries, and 100gp per Trick Level. At the end of that time (and after spending the money), you roll an Intelligence Check. Success means your character has located and learned the Trick.
Researching an entirely new Trick requires you (the Player) first creating a full description of the spell desired, using the standard game format. The Game Master will then decide what Level the spell must be. Your character must then spend 1 week per spell Level in occult libraries, and spend 1000gp per Level of the proposed spell. At the end of that process, after spending the money, you roll an Intelligence Check. If you succeed, your character gains the new Trick.

Sleight of Hand

You can roll a Dexterity Check for you character to do any of the following:

Pick a pocket, or otherwise surreptitiously lift an object from a target.
Place an object on a target without being noticed.
Hide a small object (such as coin or gem) in your hand (or up your sleeve).
Perform card flourishes and non-magical tricks.
Cheat at cards or dice.

Armor and Weapon Restrictions

Your character cannot use any of your Special Abilities while wearing armor of any kind. Their choice of weapons is limited to:

Cane (Club)
Swordstick
Short Sword
Rapier
Dagger
Throwing knives
Throwing axes
Darts
Crossbow (light).

Gestures and Props

Illusionist magic requires both complex gestures, and the use of numerous props.

Your character’s hands must not be encased in any covering heavier than a kid glove, and both hands must be free when you begin working a Trick.
Your character must also have and employ a Prop of some kind to work their Tricks. Possible Illusionist Props include such things as: a deck of cards, a slim wand, a hat, a length of rope or string, a coin, a flower, a handful of colored dust, a dove, or a square of brightly colored silk.

Many Illusionists prefer to use Props that resemble the Magical Implements used by “ordinary” Magic Users.

Destiny at 9th Level

If your character builds a stronghold or theater, they will attract 1d4 Illusionists of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Level; and 1d4 ordinary people (ages 13+d8) who want to become Illusionists.

Destiny at 14th Level (For the Panzoasia Setting)

So strong is your character’s ability to impersonate others and cloud minds, that they can claim the 14th Level Destiny of any other Class (so long as it it not already claimed by another Player’s 14th Level character).

Your Supreme Illusionist could be accepted as the Illuminated Prince or Princess of a regular School of Magic, the Marshal of the Order of Paladins, or even be invited to join the Dwarven Royal family!
In most cases, nobody will realize who your character really is, and will make excuses for your Illusionist’s apparent failure to evidence powers and abilities they supposedly possess. On the other hand, if you choose the Elven Warrior-Wizard reward of becoming Queen or King of Elves for a particular nation, the Elves will actually know your character’s true identity, and think your Illusionist is interesting enough to be one of the Elves’ cultural leaders nonetheless. Likewise, if you choose for you character to become a Gnomish Elder.

Human Illusionist Advancement Table

Exp. Points (Hours played)	Exp. Level	Level Title	Hit Points	THAC0 [Attack Roll Bonus]	Highest Trick (Spell) Level Known	Total Levels of Tricks Worked per Day.
0	1	Prestidigitator	1d4	19 [0]	1^st	2
3,000 (20 hours)	2	Manipulator	2d4	19 [0]	1^st	4
6,000 (32 hours)	3	Trickster	3d4	19 [0]	2^nd	6
11,000 (44 hours)	4	Conjurer	4d4	18 [+1]	2^nd	8
20,000 (56 hours)	5	Confounder	5d4	18 [+1]	3^rd	10
40,000 (68 hours)	6	Marvel Maker	6d4	18 [+1]	3^rd	12
80,000 (80 hours)	7	Wonderist	7d4	17 [+2]	4^th	14
140,000 (92 hours)	8	Phantasmagorist	8d4	17 [+2]	4^th	16
260,000 (104 hours)	9	Master of Illusion / Mistress of Illusion	9d4	17 [+2]	5^th	18
360,000 (116 hours)	10	Master of Illusion / Mistress of Illusion	9d4+1	16 [+3]	5^th	20
480,000 (128 hours)	11	Master of Illusion / Mistress of Illusion	9d4+2	16 [+3]	6^th	22
600,000 (140 hours)	12	Master of Illusion / Mistress of Illusion	9d4+3	16 [+3]	6^th	24
720,000 (152 hours)	13	Master of Illusion / Mistress of Illusion	9d4+4	16 [+3]	7^th	26
840,000 (164 hours)	14	Supreme Illusionist	9d4+5	15 [+4]	7^th	28

Human Illusionist Saving Throws

Level	Poison / Death Ray / Disease	Wands / Psionics	Paralysis / Petrification	Dragon Breath / Explosives / Firearms	Spell /Staff / Rod
1	13	14	15	12	16
2 – 3	12	13	14	11	15
4 – 5	11	12	13	10	14
6 – 7	10	11	12	9	13
8 – 9	9	10	11	8	12
10 –11	8	9	10	7	11
12 – 13	7	8	9	6	10
14	6	7	8	5	9

Permutations and Variations of the Illusionist

ELVEN FEY GLAMOURIST

Special Abilities: Detect Secrets (as Elven Warrior-Wizard), Direct Attention, Illusionist Spells, Nightvision (as Elven Warrior-Wizard), Resist Paralysis (as Elven Warrior-Wizard).
Restrictions and Weaknesses: Armor and Weapon Restrictions, Enmity of the Bogeymen.
Special: Elven Glamourists can cast Illusionist spells without using the props and intricate hand gestures needed by Humans.
Destiny at 9th Level: As Elven Warrior Wizard.
Destiny at 14th Level: As Elven Warrior Wizard.

GNOMISH ILLUSIONIST

Special Abilities: Darkvision (as Gnomish Tinkerer), Friend of Burrowing Critters (as Gnomish Tinkerer), Hide, Illusionist Spells, Research and Create New Spells.
Restrictions and Weaknesses: Armor and Weapon Restrictions, Short Legs (as Gnomish Tinkerer).
Special: Gnomish Illusionists can cast Illusionist spells without using the props and intricate hand gestures needed by Humans.
Destiny at 9th Level: As Human Illusionist, but the Illusionists and students will be Gnomes.
Destiny at 14th Level: As Gnomish Tinkerer.

HALFLING FLIMFLAMMER

Special Abilities: Direct Attention, Hide, Illusionist Spells, Nightvision (as Halfling Rover), Sleight of Hand.
Restrictions and Weaknesses: Armor and Weapon Restrictions, Small Stature.
Special: Halfling Flimfammers can cast Illusionist spells without using the props and intricate hand gestures needed by Humans.
Destiny at 9th Level: As Human Illusionist.
Destiny at 14th Level: As Human Illusionist.

The Bogeymen of Panzoasia, Part II – Kobolds

29 Thursday Jul 2021

Posted by Daniel James Hanley in OGL, OSR, Panzoasia

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B/X, BECMI, BX, Classic Fantasy, Classic Rules, old school, old school renaissance, old school revival, RC, Romantic Fantasy, Weird Fantasy

The Kobolds of Panzoasia

Panzoasian Kobolds are (in)famous for their bizarre machines, which are typically made of re-purposed items stolen from other species, and constructed to function in as improbable and indirect a manner as possible. They particularity love chain-reaction type contraptions. Kobolds never do anything themselves if they can build a machine to do instead – however inefficiently. In Kobold eyes, however, the highest use of a machine is the infliction of pain and suffering on larger humanoids. Naturally, they excel in the construction of incomprehensibly elaborate deathtraps, baroque torture devices, and outlandish war-engines. As often as not, however, the machines strewn throughout Kobold tunnels don’t seem to serve any actual purposes.

Appearance and Costume

A typical Kobold stands just under 3 feet tall, and has a whiskered canine face, reptilian brow, rodent-like teeth, lizard-like eyes, and reddish-brown skin that is both scaly, and sparsely studded with long bristles. Atop a Kobold’s head is a pair of segmented growths. On Kobolds that live close to the surface, these growths look exactly like small, sharp horns – but on deeper dwelling Kobolds the growths are actual, ant-like antennae. A Panzoasian Kobold’s forearms have several spines running along the ulnar edge, and their nimble hands are clawed. Their legs are canine, but hairless. Their two-toed feet resemble those of giant ants. A Kobold’s long tail resembles that of a rat. Kobolds have no external genitalia or secondary sexual characteristics (mating like birds by means of a cloaca), and it is impossible for non-Kobolds to distinguish males from females.

Kobolds do not always wear clothing. When they do they actually prefer donning mismatched and re-purposed items in clashing colors. Matching, symmetrical outfits of the kind a Human would consider beautiful actually look outlandish and ugly to Kobold eyes. Kobolds don’t re-purpose objects because they are unable to make things for themselves, but rather to show how clever and resourceful they are.

Kobold Culture and Society

Of all the Bogeyman races, Kobolds have the most obvious senses of humor. Unfortunately, most of their humor ultimately involves the infliction of pain or distress on some other intelligent species. One could easily be amused by the apparently madcap antics of Kobolds – right up the point where a swarm of them starts stabbing, slashing, and biting. If one wasn’t locked into a Kobold skinning machine, one might be amazed at its whimsical design.

Kobolds lay eggs, and only certain Kobolds, selected from birth, are ever allowed to reproduce. These “Breeders” actually do nothing else but mate. The bodies of recently hatched Kobolds resemble bloated, scaly maggots, their limbs lengthening every year until they reach full maturity at the the age of ten. The maturing young are raised communally – if somewhat haphazardly. In fact, Kobolds have no regard for their offspring at all, and those who have raided Kobold tunnels report whelps actually being used as projectile weapons. Sometimes, Kobolds even eat their young.

The largest Breeder in a Kobold community is its Queen, a bloated creature who almost never leaves her guarded chamber.

Kobolds always consume their own dead. Besides humanoid flesh, Kobolds primarily eat insects, fungi and cave slime (which they love to lick directly from the rocks). Gnome noses are considered a delicacy. The widely feared Green Slime is a harmless snack for Kobolds – so their lairs are often filled with it. Sugar is an intoxicant for Kobolds, and they will go to fantastic lengths to obtain honey and candy. The most prized possession of a Kobold Queen is often her enormous store of surface-made sweets.

Kobolds are the best miners of any species – superior even to Dwarves and Gnomes. Unlike Dwarves and Gnomes, however, they have no interest in symmetrical, even structures – preferring winding tunnels that may look haphazardly excavated, but have actually been deliberately constructed for stability and defensibility.

Kobolds at War

Kobolds love to make helmets out of leather boots captured in raids on Human settlements, and will often wear pieces of giant insects as armor. A typical Kobold Shield is made from a giant beetle carapace – or the lid of a stolen cooking pot. Likewise, their weapons are often made of re-purposed items. Like Gnomes, Kobolds often employ the repeating crossbow, often tipping their bolts with various poisons.

Animals and Allies of the Kobolds

Kobolds have domesticated rats of every size and variety – using them as food, mounts, beasts of burden, and to power various machines. The Kobolds’ pheromones allow them to to communicate with giant ants, and the two species often dwell symbiotically.

Among the other Bogeymen, Kobolds are simultaneously disliked for their strange senses of humor, and sought out for their engineering skills. It is common for the traps in lairs of Orcs, Hobgoblins, and other Bogeymen to be of Kobold design. For reasons known only to themselves, the Kobolds will often deliberately build such traps in such a way that they can be disarmed by sufficiently clever adventures who can solve a nearby riddle or puzzle.

Dragons despise Kobolds. In return, Kobolds are known to spread the insulting joke that their species arose on account of Dragons secretively mating with dogs.

The Kobold Language

Kobolds communicate by a combination of spoken language and emitted pheromones. To Human ears, their language sounds like a mixture of small dogs barking, rats chittering, and mocking laughter of children. Their various pheromones result in the strange “Kobold smell” that vaguely resembles rotten eggs, musk, and spoiled coconut. Because of its olfactory component, it is impossible for most other races to communicate well in the Kobold “language” without magical aid – the best that can be achieved is a kind of crude pidgin. The actual “name” that Kobolds use for their own species, for example, is a squeaky sound that is most closely rendered as “Yamakaba”, accompanied by a scent similar to overripe fruit. Oddly, Kobold is written with the same letters used to write Western Gnomish (albeit with the addition of pheromones smeared on the inscription). How such a strange fact came to be is a source of constant debate among Gnomish sages.

Alignment and Religion

Being sent on a mission to the Kobolds is considered among the worst assignments in the Antichurch of Darkness. Kobold tunnels are completely inhospitable even to the most depraved Humans, and the impious little monsters barely pay attention during Black Masses – when they bother to attend. Kobolds do their required service at the Bogey Mounds, but only for the chance to play cruel tricks on adventurers – and other Bogeymen.

Before they turned to Evil, most Kobolds were apparently Neutral in Alignment. Deep in the Wasteland there are said to be ancient, abandoned Kobold tunnels filled with wonders, testimony to the greatness of which Kobolds were once capable.

Elements of a Kobold Machine

d100, 2d4 times	This Kobold machine incorporates…
1 – 8	a normal rat in a wheel.
9 – 15	a giant rat in a wheel.
16 – 21	absurdly complicated gearwork.
22 – 27	springs (one of which pops out of the machine).
28 – 29	scissors and string.
30 – 31	2d12 coins falling onto a plate.
32 – 33	in intricate series of ropes and pulleys.
34 – 35	a heavy weight falling onto a raised lever.
36 – 37	a glass tube being filled with water.
38 – 39	a hammer striking a target.
40 – 41	small balls moving downhill through a labyrinthine track.
42 – 43	a vent that emits a puff of smoke.
44 – 45	a crossbow.
46 – 47	a candle.
48 – 49	an inflatable bladder.
50 – 51	a bellows.
52 – 53	a wheel of shoes.
54 – 55	a seesaw.
56 – 57	a scales.
58 – 59	a helmet.
60 – 61	a bat in a cage.
62 – 63	pipes.
64 – 65	a small ball traveling along a track.
66 – 67	a pendulum.
68 – 69	weights on chains.
70 – 71	a roller bed.
72 – 73	the broken hand of a statue.
74 – 75	an actual gemstone. (value d6 x d100 gp).
76 – 77	a dinner plate.
78 – 79	a fork.
80 – 81	a spoon.
82 – 83	a ladle.
84 – 85	metal pipes.
86 – 87	leaky metal pipes.
88 – 89	leather hoses.
90 – 91	hoses made from intestines.
92 – 93	a skull.
94 – 95	bones.
96 – 95	small marbles falling onto a pan.
97 – 98	an hourglass.
99 – 100	an old boot filled with sand.

A Gnomish Tinkerer can make an Intelligence Check to discern the intended function (if any) of a Kobold Machine.

The B/X Halfling Reimagined

25 Thursday Mar 2021

Posted by Daniel James Hanley in OGL, OSR, Panzoasia

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B/X, BECMI, BX, Classic Fantasy, Classic Rules, Elf, Elves, Fae, Fairy, Fay, Magic, old school, old school renaissance, old school revival, Panzoasia, Romantic Fantasy, Spells, wizard

Long patronized and taken for granted by the other Peoples of Panzoasia, the Humblekin (as they call themselves) are starting to demand some respect! This version of the B/X Halfling expands the class to 14 Levels, rethinks some classic tropes, and adds some new abilities. In addition to the obvious, my other influences include “The Wizard of Oz”; “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”; old Folk and Country songs, and the folktales of household helper fairies such as Brownies, Hobs, Robs, and Dobbies. These Halflings are more the downtrodden working-folk of a fantasy Appalachia, or Black Country, than the happy yoeman farmers of an idealized English landscape. They’ve got good reason to adventure!

See The B/X Dwarf Reimagined for the underlying assumptions of the Panzoasian character classes.

Halfling Rover

Abilities: Str: 3d6 | Int: 3d6 | Wis: 3d6 | Dex: 1d8+10 | Con: 1d8+10 | Cha: 3d6
Special Abilities: Expert with Slings and Thrown Objects, Hide, Nightvision, Odd Jobs, Small Target.
Restrictions and Weaknesses: Gourmand, Small Stature.
Hit Dice: d6 per Level, until 9th. Add 2 Hit Points per Level thereafter.
Alignment: Any. Halflings in general are usually Good, but Halfling Rovers are often rebels who have embraced the freedom of Chaos.
Starting Age: 15+d6. (Panzoasian Halflings mature at the same rate as Humans.)
Starting Language(s): Western Common (+ Western Elven if Elf-kin, Western Gnomish if Gnome-kin, or Western Dwarven if Dwarf-kin).

Typical Starting Equipment:
• Home-made Quilted Armor (AC 8[11]).
• Short Sword scavenged from an old battlefield.
• 2 Throwing Knives.
• Bag of 6 sharp-edged rocks for throwing.
• Haversack.
• Patchwork pants or skirt, held up with suspenders.
• Clogs (if Man-kin or Elf-kin).
• Small salt-clay holy symbol, or pierced gold coin, worn on a string.
• Coin purse.
• Carrying pole (with tied bundle on end).
• Box of Odd Job tools (hammer, file, small saw, nails, awl, needle & thread, glue packet, buttons, etc.).
• Tin Whistle or Jaw Harp.
• Piece of straw (held in mouth).
• Bag of flavored chewing weed.
• Copy of “Standing Tall as Humblekin – A Book for Us”.
• 12 Rushlights, with holder.
• Goose feather pillow.
• Flask of homemade “moonshine” liquor.
• Bar of homemade soap.
• Sponge.
• Small frying pan.
• 1 week of rations (cured sausage, hardtack bread, cheese, dried potatoes, turnips, and hard-boiled eggs,).
• Short-legged dog (resembles a Corgi).
• 10 silver pieces, and 10 copper pieces.

Your character is a young Humblekin – called a “Halfling” by the Dwarves, Elves, Gnomes, and Humans. Well, the others should know by now that the Humblekin aren’t just half of anything!

Why has your character decided to rove as an adventurer? Are they dissatisfied with the idea of laboring for “The Bigs” the rest of their years? Do they want a lifestyle that they’ll never have if they just do what’s expected of them and act like “a good little Halfling”. Are they determined to see the world – and not just the small farming plot their parents rent for more money than they ever seem to make? Perhaps your character is less than thrilled by the prospect of working the coal mines all day long – and hacking up black dust all night. Or, maybe they’re one of the few well-off Humblekin, who wants something more than to just take over the local Candymaker’s Guild.

Others may think your character can’t handle the challenges of Monster-haunted dungeons and wilderness, but the Humblekin have a knack for hiding and avoiding harm. Being small makes it hard for the lumbering “Bigs” to catch your character. Having to survive on the margins has taught Humblekin how to repair anything (at least temporarily). You’re much stronger and faster than you look – your People have had to be. And generations of poverty have made the Humblekin able to use ordinary rocks as deadly weapons!

To which of the four “Kins” does your character belong? Were their parents “Man-kin” living in a shack, or in the slums of a Human city? Are they one of the “Elf-kin” who dwell on the lowest level of hollowed out Zoswood trees – or even inside giant Homestead Mushrooms! Are they a “Gnome-kin”, born in a burrow under an artificial earth-mound? Or, were they born to the “Dwarf-kin” who farm lichen, raise goats, and mine the “ignoble” minerals that Dwarves are too proud to dig up themselves? One thing is for certain – it’s the constant hard work of the Humblekin that makes it possible for the vainglorious Humans to sail their big ships; for the Elves to play their silly games; for the Gnomes to make their strange devices; and for the Dwarves to tunnel in search of iron, gold, and gemstones.

As Humblekin, your character stands about 3 feet tall. Their skin tone is similar to that of the local Humans, but somewhat ruddier. They probably have dimples, and an upturned, “button” nose. If male, they probably grow long sideburns, but have no other facial hair. The Humblekin often sport fanciful hairstyles that incorporate large curls. Traditionally, they dress in patchwork. If your character is Man-kin, they look very much like an extremely short Human. If they are Elf-kin, they have pointed ears. If your character is Gnome-kin, they tend to put on weight, have thick-soled hairy feet, and don’t need (or like) to wear shoes. If they are Dwarf-kin they are stoutly built, also traditionally eschew footwear – and if male, can actually have a thick mustache!

The inhabitants of Halfling communities are as diverse as Humans in their occupations and skills. The Halfling Rover Class represents the typical abilities of those Humblekin who choose to leave home, and find themselves on the road.

Special Abilities of Halfling Rovers

Expert with Slings and Thrown Objects: When your character uses a sling, or a thrown object (such as a throwing knife or rock), you get an additional +1 Bonus to your Attack and Damage Rolls.

In your character’s hands, a sling inflicts 1d4+1 damage (2 – 5), and ordinary rocks do 1d3+1 (2 – 4) damage.
Halfling Rovers can pick up almost any hard objects and use them as improvised projectiles – even ones other people would find too awkward to use. A Hafling Rover in a rocky field is something to be feared!

Hide: You can roll a Dexterity Check for your character to completely conceal themselves in their environment, or blend into shadows, so long as they remain still.

Nightvision: Your character can see at night (or in conditions of very low light) like a cat, and still distinguish colors. They cannot see in absolute darkness (such as occurs underground), however.

Odd Jobs: If your character has their set of Odd Job tools with them, you can roll a Dexterity Check for them to do any of the following:

Repair any broken item (the repair lasting until the end of the adventure).
Repair ripped clothing or cloth items (until the end of the adventure).
Deactivate a trap that they know exists. (They have no special ability to detect traps, however).
Build a shelter, or other construction (provided they have enough materials).
Rig up temporary containers, bags, or other items to transport treasure.
Re-tailor clothing into other shapes, including usable ropes and tents.
Re-configure found objects into usable weapons or armor that will last until the end of the adventure. Left alone with pots and pans, a Halfling might make temporary plate mail!
Sew up bleeding wounds (restoring 1 hp), or remove parasites such as Green Slime.

Small Target: Your character get a +2 Bonus to their Armor Class when they are attacked by human-sized opponents.

When attacked by opponents up to twice the size of a Human, the Bonus is +3.
When attacked by opponents more than twice Human size, your AC Bonus is +4. Dragons and Giants hate having to fight Halflings!

Restrictions and Weaknesses of Halfling Rovers

Gourmand: Halflings tend to be almost constantly hungry, and are notably obsessed with good food and drink.

Saves versus Charm Person, Quest, and Geas spells (and similar kinds of mental manipulation) are made with a –2 Penalty, if the would-be charmer offers your character something tasty to eat or drink.
On the positive side, everyone knows that Halflings tend to be great cooks, and can make almost anything taste good!

Small Stature: Because your character is only 3 feet tall, they cannot use armor or weapons sized for anyone larger.

Your character must wield any hand-to-hand weapon more than a foot long with two hands. They cannot use any weapon more than 5 feet long at all.
Note that despite being half the size of a Human, Halflings can move just as fast as one!

Destiny at 9th Level

If upon attaining 9th Level (or any time after) your character settles down into a predominantly Halfling community, they will be elected Sheriff (or Headman).

If they build a new Halfling community instead, it will attract d100+50 new settlers of your character’s Alignment, who will confirm your character as Sheriff or Headman.
If, however, your character continues to wander, they will attract 1d4 1^st level Halfling Rovers, who will become your character’s companions and supporters.

Destiny at 14th Level

Once they attain 14th Level, your character’s renown is such that they will be widely considered the greatest living Humblekin.

Other Humblekin will address your character with the title “Daddy” or “Momma”, and all Halfling Sheriffs will be expected to bow to your character’s wishes.
Your character’s word will automatically override that of any other judges at Halfling beauty pageants, cooking contests, talent shows, and similar events.

Permutations and Variations of the Halfling Rover

DWARVEN ROVER
A Dwarven misfit who from a young age has wandered the roads and byways of the surface world – whether by choice or necessity.

Special Abilities: Infravision (as per Dwarven Dungeoneer), Expert with Slings and Thrown Objects, Hide, Odd Jobs, Resist Magic (as per Dwarven Dungeoneer).
Restrictions and Weaknesses: Can Only Wear Dwarven Armor (as per Dwarven Dungeoneer), Short Legs (as per Dwarven Dungeoneer).
Destiny at 9th Level: As Human Fighter.
Destiny at 14th Level: As Human Fighter.

ELVEN ROVER
A wandering Elf alienated from their own People – perhaps an orphan , or the child of an exiled mother.

Special Abilities: Expert with Slings and Thrown Objects, Hide, Nightvision, Odd Jobs, Resist Paralysis (as per Elven Warrior-Wizard).
Restrictions and Weaknesses: Enmity of the Bogeymen (as per Elven Warrior-Wizard), Slight Build and Large Ears (as per Elven Warrior-Wizard).
Destiny at 9th Level: As Human Fighter.
Destiny at 14th Level: As Human Fighter.
Special: Your first language is Common, and if you speak Elven, you do so poorly.

GNOMISH ROVER
An itinerant Gnome who makes their living however they can.

Special Abilities: Infravision (as per Gnomish Tinkerer), Expert with Slings and Thrown Objects, Friend of Burrowing Critters (as per Gnomish Tinkerer), Hide, Odd Jobs.
Restrictions and Weaknesses: Short Legs, Small Stature.
Destiny at 9th Level: As Gnomish Tinkerer.
Destiny at 14th Level: As Gnomish Tinkerer.

HUMAN ROVER
A vagrant who lives by their wits.

Special Abilities: Expert with Slings and Thrown Objects, Hide, Odd Jobs.
Restrictions and Weaknesses: None.
Destiny at 9th Level: As Human Fighter.
Destiny at 14th Level: As Human Fighter.

Halfling Rover Advancement Table

Exp. Points (Hours played)	Exp. Level	Level Title	Hit Points	THAC0 [Attack Roll Bonus]
0	1	Humble Walker	1d6	19 [0]
1,500 (8 hours)	2	Humble Hiker	2d6	18 [+1 ]
4,000 (24 hours)	3	Humble Rambler	3d6	18 [+1]
7,000 (36 hours)	4	Humble Scout	4d6	17 [+2]
13,000 (48 hours)	5	Humble Roamer	5d6	17 [+2]
25,000 (60 hours)	6	Humble Trekker	6d6	16 [+3]
50,000 (72 hours)	7	Humble Journeyer	7d6	16 [+3]
100,000 (84 hours)	8	Humble Explorer	8d6	15 [+4]
180,000 (96 hours)	9	Humble Wayfarer (or Sheriff)	9d6	15 [+4]
300,000 (108 hours)	10	Humble Wayfarer (or Sheriff)	9d6+2	14 [+5]
420,000 (120 hours)	11	Humble Wayfarer (or Sheriff)	9d6+4	14 [+5]
540,000 (132 hours)	12	Humble Wayfarer (or Sheriff)	9d6+6	13 [+6]
660,000 (144 hours)	13	Humble Wayfarer (or Sheriff)	9d6+8	13 [+6]
780,000 (156 hours)	14	Daddy of All Kin / Momma of All Kin	9d6+10	12 [+7]

Halfling Rover Saving Throws

Level	Poison / Death Ray / Disease	Wands / Psionics	Paralysis / Petrification	Dragon Breath / Explosives / Firearms	Spell /Staff / Rod
1	12	13	14	11	15
2	11	12	13	10	14
3	10	11	12	9	13
4	9	10	11	8	12
5	8	9	10	7	11
6	7	8	9	6	10
7	6	7	8	5	9
8	5	6	7	4	8
9	4	5	6	3	7
10 – 14	3	4	5	2	6

Typical Names for Halfling Men

Jonny
Kenan
Carrow
Tewey
Perserverence
Geren
Bambo
Woody
Post
Hammer

Typical Names for Halfling Women

Emmee
Soo
Jo
Patience
Rosey
Bella
Mazey
Meadow
Cookie
Sparkle

Halflings often name their children after objects, foodstuffs, animals, places, and virtues. They also freely adopt Elven, Dwarven and Gnomish names. Additionally, it is common for a Halfling’s name to actually be a hyphenated combination of two names – for example, “Jonny-Post” for a man, or “Cookie-Soo” for a woman. Halflings surnames tend to consist of a geographical location prefixed with a descriptor. For example, “Darkwood”, “Whitehill” or “Fairmeadow”. Married couples combine their surnames with a hyphen. An adult Halfling can choose to use either their father’s or mother’s original surname – either is considered acceptable, so long as the Halfling is consistent in its use.

Human Thief

Special Abilities of Human Thieves

Restrictions and Weaknesses of Human Thieves

Destiny at 9th Level

Destiny at 14th Level

Human Thief Advancement Table

Human Thief Saving Throws

Permutations and Variations of the Human Thief

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Human Ranger (Fiann)

Special Abilities of Human Rangers

Restrictions and Weaknesses of Human Rangers

Destiny at 9th Level

Destiny at 14th Level

Human Ranger Advancement Table

Human Ranger Saving Throws

FIANNIC POEMS

1st Level Fiannic Poems

2nd Level Fiannic Poems

3rd Level Fiannic Poems

4th Level Fiannic Poems

5th Level Fiannic Poems

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Trefolic Dragon

Urtician Dragon

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Ten Things to Know About the Free March “The Steel Cantons”

Ten Things to Know About Maeland “The Copper Chiefdoms”

Ten Things to Know About Ombratia “The Brazen City-States”

Ten Things to Know About Ydez “The Silver Kingdom”

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Ten Things to Know About the Sacred isle of Albelon

Ten Things to Know About the Cursed Island of Nerolan

Ten Things to Know About the Wasteland

The Future of the Wasteland

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Ten Things to Know About Panzoasia

Ten Things to Know About the Five Peoples of Panzoasia

Ten Things to Know About alignment & Religion

Ten Rules Modifications

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Ten Distinguishing Qualities of Panzoasia

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Human Illusionist

Direct Attention

Disappear

Research and Create New Tricks

Sleight of Hand

Armor and Weapon Restrictions

Gestures and Props

Destiny at 9th Level

Destiny at 14th Level (For the Panzoasia Setting)

Human Illusionist Advancement Table

Human Illusionist Saving Throws

Permutations and Variations of the Illusionist

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The Kobolds of Panzoasia

Appearance and Costume

Kobold Culture and Society

Kobolds at War

Animals and Allies of the Kobolds

The Kobold Language

Alignment and Religion

Elements of a Kobold Machine

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Halfling Rover

Special Abilities of Halfling Rovers

Restrictions and Weaknesses of Halfling Rovers

Destiny at 9th Level

Destiny at 14th Level

Permutations and Variations of the Halfling Rover

Halfling Rover Advancement Table

Halfling Rover Saving Throws

Typical Names for Halfling Men

Typical Names for Halfling Women

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1^st Level Fiannic Poems

2^nd Level Fiannic Poems

3^rd Level Fiannic Poems

4^th Level Fiannic Poems

5^th Level Fiannic Poems

Ten Things to Know About the Free March
“The Steel Cantons”

Ten Things to Know About Maeland
“The Copper Chiefdoms”

Ten Things to Know About Ombratia
“The Brazen City-States”

Ten Things to Know About Ydez
“The Silver Kingdom”