Custom Encounter - Fish Riddle

Custom Encounter - Fish Riddle

This is a puzzle encounter that I have used twice on two different parties in two different systems (4E and 3.5) and has worked well both times. It is also a good idea to continue the palm-print activation concept throughout the dungeon complex so PCs understand the threat and can work around it and the DM can make sinister changes to mess with the PCs.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S_AwEnnF_Iv1DLFb_xY7za2MvSd-Y5SAar0Mlqc3u9Q/edit?usp=sharing

Enjoy.

Pixie x

20/07/15

Sunday Respite - Custom Magical Weapons

A lot of tabletop-magic has been flowing and ebbing its way around my mind and memory for the past few weeks and i’ve decided to revisit an old gem of Sunday Respite with a continuation of the saga of Custom Magical Weapons, made for you especially.

Hjolmier’s Fang

A dagger, thin and precise like a shortened rapier, sharpened at the tip to puncture and skewer like fishing hooks and needles, seems to sink into your mind when you look upon it. It’s origin came from those who hunt the shadows in the night, fleeting nightmares of blood and evil, Vampires of legend and story, not for the heroes honour nor the freedom from terror, but to steal their unholy and blighted powers to wreak havoc and misfortune elsewhere. Hjolmier’s Fang is a cursed object, imbued with the blood-draining force of a Lord of Undeath, seeping away the will and force to live with every piercing strike, feeding off of the victim’s energy itself. This weapon is best hidden from common view, after all, you wouldn’t want to chase your fleeing victims through the streets now, it’d be far easier to stick them while they stand smiling, drunk off of your misleading pleasantries and gifts.

Trouble-Huff Spear

This perplexingly twisted and wavy, wooden shaft, framed by a metal cage linked to the similarly snaking head, is decorated with a mosaic of chromatic gemstones resembling fine armour scale or shining lizard’s skin. On a particularly potent strike, were blood is spilled and flesh torn asunder, a pulsating cloud of green smog froths forth from the wound, intoxicating all nearby but the mightiest of fortitude and wielder of such weapon, poisoning the veins and envenoming the mind, clouding judgement and crippling senses.

Titan-Slate Cleaver

Torchlight cleanly reflects off of this seamless sword blade with a coiled, almost ebony, guard and grip ending in a cloudy pearl pommel. The blade edge is one sided, with a clean enough craft to slice through flesh like a wire whipped at super-sonic speeds. The blade is light and easy to manipulate in combat, with the texture of glassy obsidian but the appearance of a deep-gray slate.

Gauntlets of the Black Bear

These combat gauntlets are a comfortably snug plate lined with matted, black fur of a ragged and gritted texture, peeking out at the knuckles and at seams in the metal joints. A hidden trait, unlocked purely through those who embrace pain and fury in combat, who ignore risks and danger and live for the slaughter, is uncovered once they tap into that ancient and primal energy, changing the arms of a meager mortal into the hefty clawed paws and trunk like limbs of a ferocious Black Bear, leaving jagged wounds, seeping puss and stinging with agony every time the crooks break skin and armour.

Honour Point

An ancient long-sword of simple structure and balance, designed to kill and injure like any other, with a chipped and scarred blade, hollow in the centre. Tied through the empty gap within the metal are loops of string and ribbon holding trophies and memories of past fights; An arrow head, a gemstone, a coat of arms, a button, a tooth. Every honourable soul who takes this oath in weapon form and wields it with a just nature and proud duty can issue unbreakable challenges of combat to those who need challenging. Blessed with the legends of countless oracles of faith, pride and prowess, this sword carries great weight and draws thankful gestures of appreciation and gratitude from onlookers who recognise the importance of such an artefact.

Enjoy

Pixie x

18/10/15

Custom Item - The Crimson Mask

“This glimmering, rose-red, porcelain mask displays the demeanour of a blank, expressionless face detailed with smooth edges, floral decorations and black-ink on the lips and cheeks. It seems to twitch when held in your hands, as though anticipating something eagerly.”

I introduced this ancient, accursed item as something to collect, return and be paid for, to my three, first level PCs. It was described to them as the reason why an ancient king fell into madness, corrupting his judgement and his clarity. Needless to say, direct interaction with this item was not encouraged, shown even more prominently when they found a previous adventurer wearing the mask, shrivelled and insane, attacking on sight.

However, these PCs were not so easily discouraged and decided to ‘test it out’. What resulted was a succession of horrible rolls and saving throws in a pass-the-parcel attempt to deal with this mask, as one character would pull the mask off of the previous character, fail their save, put the mask on, and so on. Eventually the Druid solved the issue by throwing it in a sack, vowing to never allow it to leave its woven prison, losing sight of it only for said payment. Needless to say, that encounter was enjoyable for me to behold.

Enjoy

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15L-1yPkJitExjfeuTqBxreWUss9XRM8O3TYOoAuK5Gs/edit?usp=sharing

Pixie x

26/08/15

Custom Encounter - The Pillar Puzzle

This is a puzzle/trap combination used as a nefarious and devious way to keep a door locked from intruders, requiring some association and literary skills to pass. I have yet to use this, as my current group is taking a short break at the moment for the holidays, but I can’t wait to see how they handle it. My advise is to use this puzzle in a haunted or undead-themed dungeon complex, one that is definitely not hospitable for the PCs. Although, a variation on this can be used to keep a secret entrance hidden (one without a deadly blade trap, unless the door really needs to be kept secret ... and is cleaned regularly) for a flamboyant or secretive Noble or organisation. This, as usual for my group, uses the Pathfinder (3.5) rule system and mechanics.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P6F8rtEK3aIyo_PL6goeHNLvH7J2Xbng27MLBnMlhjc/edit?usp=sharing

Enjoy.

Pixie x

15/08/15

Character Design - Melat Kono-Breal

This is a ‘friendly’ NPC in my current campaign, working with a similarly aligned party who the PCs are searching for. I like to allow the PCs to find him through a trail of rapidly and brutally converted locals and beggars who got in his way,  following tracks of Infernal prayer and branded flesh. Also, he weirdly acts as a father figure for several NPCs, as he is polite and honest, but also behaves ruthlessly when encouraged to. This is designed using the Pathfinder RPG system.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15Zp7ANtaWc135kelWu3jvMIZIx_Aol6Z0_0OJWcJ5V4/edit?usp=sharing

Enjoy

Pixie x

16/07/15

Sunday Respite - Custom Magical Shields

Why hold a standard plate of finely crafted steel and leather when you can hold a pretty, custom built, shiny plate of finely crafted steel? For your pleasure, I have created some custom, protective-hardware straight from the cantankerous Dwarven Forges of my brain. Terms and conditions apply.

The Twin Shields of Baleful Return

This set of two shields each bare the face of a clean, pearly surface that reflects no light and offers no reflection. On occasion, when one wielder of one of these shields is targeted by an arrow, bolt, or bullet the shield absorbs the shot completely, causing the shot to shoot out of the face of the other shield with the same force.

The Flytrap

This small kite shield is decorated with an engraved web-shaped insignia, stretching across the entire face. Upon command, the wielder can shoot out an adhesive, stringy spider web, writhing with tiny, infantile spiderlings from the surface of the shield.

The Spy’s Buckler

This small buckler of smooth leather and reinforced edges, gilded with fine wood has the carving of a balaclava drawn onto the face. Upon command, the wielder of this shield can cause the shield to take on the appearance of a small-sized, inanimate object such as a barrel or a crate. This object completely covers the wielder as long as they remain behind the shield, also allowing the creature within it to see through the disguise like glass.

The Dining Shield

This tall and impressive Tower Shield is constructed from solid oak, reinforced with iron bolts in each of the four corners. On the front of the shield is the engraving of a lit candelabra. When this shield is laid on a flat surface, with enough room, upon command it will transform into a 6-man dining table adorned with candles, cloths, cutlery and crockery of fine taste, constructed from silver, silk and copper.

The Prison of Jargho

This large and rounded shield is constructed of sturdy steel yet is light to hold, nearly weightless. On the front, however, are 6, vertical iron bars, adorned with cross beams and a lock. This shield’s front can be opened with a key and have a single person stored within, much alike a small prison cell.

Enjoy

Pixie x

30/08/15